Beer lovers raise a glass to patron saint of brewers in St Collen's

* Father Lee and his congregation of beer lovers say cheers to St Arnold of Soissons.

Beer lovers raised a toast to a French monk noted for his contributions to the art of brewing in St Collen's  yesterday (Wednesday) evening.

Priest-in-charge Father Lee Taylor - himself noted for his love of a foaming pint - threw open the doors of  the church to celebrate the life of St Arnold of Soissons (c 1040-1087) and to do him justice a number of breweries from across Wales provided the ales, free of charge, for the unique celebration.

A steady stream of people took up Father Lee's social media invitation to join in the special occasion, partaking freely of the variety of brews, all at no charge.

St Arnold, who was abbot of the Abbey of St Oudenberg, is credited with popularising the consumption of beer as a safer alternative to the rather dodgy drinking water of the day.

His life and work made him the patron saint of hop-pickers and brewers.

At the highpoint of the evening the beer samplers broke off their pleasant duties to hear Father Lee offer up a prayer to good old St Arnold.     

  

Llangollen part of campaign to get rural superfast broadband

* Broadband advisor Geraint Strello. Picture by Mandy Jones

Llangollen features in a major campaign to get rural North Wales connected after it was revealed that one in six homes has no access to superfast broadband.

The aim of the Rural Digital Connectivity project is to help householders, businesses and organisations across the region overcome the problems of being located in so-called not spots.

The scheme to combat the digital deficit is being masterminded by Ambition North Wales and funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

It’s being rolled out on their behalf by two rural enterprise agencies, Anglesey-based Menter Môn in the west and Denbighshire-based Cadwyn Clwyd in the east.

They’re organising a series of Connectivity Clinics where experts are available to offer free advice and guidance on getting reliable and fast internet access.

This includes one at Llangollen Library from 10am-1pm on Thursday, August 29.

For anybody who can’t attend any of the sessions they’ve also produced a free, easy-to-understand Connectivity Guide to help people get to grips with the problem and which is available on the website www.connectivity.cymru

Among the advisors running the clinics is Geraint Strello, who has over 40 years experience in the ICT industry.

According to Geraint, gaining access to superfast broadband won’t just open up new opportunities for internet shopping, game-playing and homeworking, it could just save your life and even increase the value of your home.

He said: “While many properties in North Wales do have access to superfast broadband it’s important that we don’t forget those that don’t and our aim is to make them aware of the opportunities available to bring a high speed service to them.

“The benefits could be huge, not just for the access to information and for work but there are services which can monitor people’s well-being and enable them to live more independently.

“For example, there are monitoring systems that can learn the normal routine of those living in the property and if something changes dramatically, for example if the toilet is flushed numerous times in the middle of the night, or the front or back door left open, an alarm will be triggered.

“There are sensors that monitor carbon dioxide levels and if it hasn’t changed for a couple of days it would mean no-one has visited so keeping an eye on this reduces the risk of social isolation for vulnerable people.

“There are lots of applications out there which can change people’s lives for the better in relatively unobtrusive ways.”

He said that for those currently struggling for a service over a fixed line there could be options to access 4 or 5G mobile broadband or a satellite connection.

He added: “Advisors from Menter Môn and Cadwyn Clwyd and Denbighshire County Council will be at events across North Wales to give advice, answer their questions and explain what will work best for them.

“When you think about how far we’ve come and the geography of the region then it’s a positive story, but there is more work to do and if you live in a remote location then it could cost you more but there may be help available.

Just under three-quarters of homes in Wales have full-fibre broadband compared to 78 per cent in Scotland, 85 per cent in England and 97 per cent in Northern Ireland.

In North Wales, the Denbighshire percentage is just 18.5.

Kiki Rees-Stavros, of Menter Mon, is leading on the project in North West Wales in the counties of Ynys Môn, Gwynedd and Conwy while Helen Williams, of Cadwyn Clwyd, and Philip Burrows from Denbighshire County Council are leading on the project in North East Wales in the counties of Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham,

Kiki said: “We’re particularly targeting householders and businesses with low broadband speeds but our advice is relevant for anyone who wants to improve their speed.

“We want to raise awareness of the steps they can take to boost their connectivity we will be holding drop-in sessions across North Wales as the project continues.

“We have identified the areas with the highest proportion of premises with low broadband speeds and while we are targeting people with low speeds our advice is relevant to anyone who wants to improve their broadband reception.

Helen added: “Essentially we are the honest broker telling people what their options are to get an improved broadband service because it makes such a big difference.

“It gives many people the opportunity to work or even run a business from home and it can also boost the value of that home.

“It can open up so many opportunities because there’s such a shift in the way people use technology and bandwidth with often several devices operating in the same property at once.”

Details of further events will be posted on the website. The project runs until October 31 in Wrexham and until December 31 in the five other North Wales counties.

* For more information on improving broadband connectivity and for details of the sessions across North Wales go to www.connectivity.cymru

Railway seeks forever homes for its feral cat colony

Over many years, the Carriage & Wagon workshops at Llangollen Railway have become home to a colony of feral cats. 

While their welfare has always been the railway's priority, with many humanely captured, neutered, and several re-homed, the colony has continued to grow to a point where the railway’s staff and volunteers say they can no longer care for them. 

As a result, the railway are now reaching-out to the local community for help in finding its cat colony forever homes. 

Tom Taylor, Trust Manager, said: Our workshop environment has provided welcome shelter to stray cats for many years. A small group of our volunteers have fed and looked after them, where they can.

"However, this is no longer conducive to meeting the ongoing needs of so many animals. Furthermore, their presence has created many challenges within our engineering areas, prompting us to seek a more suitable resolution and permanent living arrangement." 

To ensure the continued welfare of this feline colony, the railway is partnering with a local animal rescue charity, Candy & Tibby Trust (Charity No. 1203566). Together, they are committed to finding loving homes where the railway cats can thrive.

Tom added: "If you are interested in providing a forever home for one (or more) of our cats, we encourage you to reach out to Paul Conway at Candy & Tibby Trust on 07552 200556 or email candyandtibbytrustcatrescue@gmail.com. 

"Your support will make a significant difference in the lives of these cats, and we appreciate any help you can provide in spreading the word. Thank you for considering giving a loving home to a deserving railway cat. We are very grateful of Paul’s help and expertise."

Eisteddfod's peace award winner plans latest support trip to Ukraine

* Gary Fear on one of his previous humanitarian trips to Ukraine.

The man who won this year’s Rotary International Peace Award at Llangollen Eisteddfod for his humanitarian work in Ukraine is now gathering support for his ninth trip to the war-torn country.

Gary Fear, an estate agent based in south Cheshire, started raising funds for Ukraine a couple of years ago after hearing about how former soldier Jordan Gatley, who came from his home area, had been killed at the age of 24 after volunteering to fight in the war against Russia invaders.

He now spends around eight days at a time over there and in his eight trips so far he and his team of helpers have travelled 30,655 miles - including 14,292 miles flying, 14,988 driving and 1,375 miles by train - purchased around £75,000 of food, packed and delivered nearly 4,000 bags of food plus four generators ad bought and delivered around 23.4 tonnes of food.

 

Fundraising for the ninth trip on September 17 is already underway and Gary says he aims to reach a total of £87,000, giving the team £9,000 to spend on supplies. 

The Rotary International Peace Award, which is sponsored by Westminster Stone and recognises peace initiatives both in the UK and internationally, is presented each year during Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

John Clifford, of Rotary International, said: “Gary was very proud, honoured and humbled to receive the award when we met to present the award to him.

“I’m very happy to send him very best wishes from Rotary and hope that as many people as possible will support his latest trip to Ukraine.”

* Gary’s justgiving page is at: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/gfukraine

Genesis G70: a competent car to turn heads

Genesis G70 drive by Steve Rogers

Meet the G70, a far different proposition to its big brother in the last car review.

The GV80 SUV is a dominant statement car with an exquisite cabin, while the G70 saloon is understated elegance. If looks alone sold cars this would be a bestseller.

Make no mistake, the G70 is a car that turns heads, and lots did. It looks great from nose to tail and the wafer thin twin split headlights are simply stunning. Job done then. Not quite, there is the little matter of the opposition….BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C Class, Jaguar XF, Audi A4 etc.

It is tough in the car premier league so can this Korean sports saloon mix it with the so-called big boys? The Genesis has a solid foundation built on the Kia Stinger platform so sharp handling should be a given. Let’s find out.

If the monstrous GV80 is at its best cruising the highways then the rear wheel drive G70 loves sweeping through tight bends. The steering is quick and precise and body control is pretty solid even before switching to sport mode that weights up the steering and stiffens the damping. Steering wheel paddle shifters for the eight speed automatic also add to the fun. That’s that box ticked.

The G70 would seem to have everything needed for the perfect sports saloon.  Well, nearly. What’s missing is a hot shot engine. The choice is 240bhp petrol or 197bhp diesel, driven here, pretty tepid against some of the mighty engines in the armoury of the opposition. It is a fair point but given the need for sensible driving and speed limits on our overcrowded roads how much power do we really need? A debate for another day perhaps.

It has been so long since I have driven a diesel I was surprised how noisy they are. This 2.2 litre is hardly agricultural but has that diesel clatter at low speeds. It is modestly quick off the mark with satisfying mid range pick up thanks to 440Nm of torque, and is good for mid to high forties on a run which is more frugal than the petrol.

The Genesis brand is the luxury arm of Hyundai and the G70 gets the same sumptuously finished cabin. Soft, high quality plastics and coverings, quilted leather seats are all there with motors powering just about everything. Unlike the spectacular GV80 the dashboard layout has a traditional look, a bit behind the times, but the driver’s seat is a comfortable and satisfying place to be.

The central 10.25 inch touchscreen is big enough for the car but does not have the excellent rotary control option for making selections. That said it reacts quickly and the driver can use voice control for changing radio stations or selecting navigation destinations so eyes stay on the road. Heating controls are set out in the centre console with chunky easy to reach switches.

That said, a couple of quite minor things irritated. The DAB radio lost signal too often, and the indicator stalk frequently failed to cancel. Odd when everything else runs like clockwork.

As expected most of the luxury we crave is there, high quality trim, powered, heated or air conditioned seats, impressive digital driver’s binnacle with head up display, and a vast bank of safety equipment including rear cross traffic alert. A novel and very useful feature is a digital camera view activated in either of the speedo or rev counter dials when the indicator is flicked for left or right turns.

G70 can seat five at a push, the transmission tunnel makes it a bit tight, so it is better suited as a four seater, provided the passengers are not lanky because rear legroom is poor and tall folk will struggle with headroom.

On the subject of space the boot is not the biggest in the pack and the opening is on the narrow side, but who wants to use a sports saloon as a load lugger? Get the estate for that.

Everyone seems to want an SUV these days but one thing is for sure: You get a lot more pleasure and fun driving a good saloon and this is one of them.

Is the G70 good enough to prize a BMW devotee from a 3 Series? Probably not but the same can be said for the other rivals mentioned. The Genesis engine options are limited with no hybrid or electric G70s, even so the saloon is sleek, competent, well equipped and well engineered and would happily sit on my drive.

Fast facts

G70 2.2 litre diesel

£40,080 (£49,150) tested

0-62mph 7.4secs; 143mph

44.4mpg combined

171g/km. 1st tax £335

Boot: 330 litres

Insurance group 31-39

Countryside skills sessions help Llangollen pupils

Pupils at Ysgol Dinas Bran recently rolled up their sleeves to learn countryside management skills. 

The youngsters were supported by Education Engagement Officers from Denbighshire County Council’s Llwybrau service to take part in outdoor education sessions run by Countryside Rangers around the south of the county. 

‘Denbighshire Education Project – Llwybrau team’, supports young people in Denbighshire to reduce their risk of disengagement from education and provides support to re-engage in education or to move into employment or training at the end of year 11. The service received funding from the UK Government. 

The Clwydian Range and Dee valley National Landscapes rangers have helped the pupils learn countryside management and other skills through sessions including: 

1. Bracken bashing on Dinas Bran
2. Balsams pulling at  Ty Mawr Country Park
3. Gardening at Corwen Community Garden
4. Craft activities at Plas Newydd Historic House and Garden with the Our Picturesque Landscape team
5. Drystone walling on Caer Drewyn Iron Age Hillfort
6. Litter picking along the Panorama

Cllr Diane King, Lead Member for Education, Children and Families, said: “I am delighted to see the great work that has been done with the Ysgol Dinas Bran pupils to not only support these youngsters to re-engage with their education, but also sparking a new-found interest for skills that they might not have developed through mainstream teaching.

“This is a fantastic example of partnership working from the Council’s Llwybrau service, whose experienced Education Engagement Officers have done a great job in utilising skills and resources from a variety of different organisations to support these pupils in re-engaging with their education and discovering new skills and hobbies that they might not have been aware of before.” 

Councillor Alan James, Lead Member for Local Development and Planning, added: “These sessions guided by our Countryside Rangers have really helped the pupils with building their confidence and learning new skills, and they have been rewarded with certificates to show their dedication towards volunteering on this project.”

St Collen's holds its annual summer fayre

St Collen's Church held its an annual summer fayre yesterday (Saturday).

Apart from the usual line-up of stalls and games, stonemason Tom Livingstone (pictured), who is currently working with the Genesis Project to sympathetically remodel the church, gave a demonstration of his skills which attracted a high degree of interest from visitors.

Also in connection with Genesis, which has gained major support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project's leader Sue Evans led a series of guided tours inside the church highlighting the ancient building's many historical features to visitors.

St Collen's summer fayre is today

 

New group formed to champion Llangollen's rich heritage

* A map of historic sites in the Llangollen area.

A new initiative has been launched in Llangollen aimed at making its rich history and wide range of heritage sites better known, loved and visited by local people and visitors. Here, Sue Hargreaves gives the details: 

"I am Sue Hargreaves, and have been working through ACT (Armoury Conservation Trust) for the last 12 years to restore The Lock-Up Heritage Centre in Victoria Square, opposite Watkin and Williams, recreating the Magistrates’ Courtroom and Town Hall, town jail and Police Station. 

"Now that at long last the restoration is done, ACT is eager for the building to resume its part in the everyday life of community – but how? What will be the best use for this heritage site in the here and now, 190 years since it was first built?

"ACT felt unable to answer these questions without knowing what was already happening at Llangollen’s other historic sites, so we started talking to other local heritage projects. When we discovered that no group currently exists to bring together Llangollen’s historic sites, we thought, what about creating a collaborative group to share ideas and information on local history and how our town’s heritage is being interpreted, accessed and sustained by various projects? Key heritage personnel across the town responded favourably to the idea.

"Historic Llangollen Hanesyddol (working title) was born on Friday 19 July, with ACT as 'mid-wife'. We welcomed representatives from Llangollen Railway, St Collen’s Church, the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape (including Castell Dinas Bran and Offa’s Dyke Path), built heritage within the Conservation Area (including Llangollen Bridge and Scheduled Monuments), Llangollen Museum, Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and Plas Newydd to attend its inaugural meeting at the Lock Up Heritage Centre.

“Historic Llangollen Hanesyddol is based upon the principles of networking, information sharing, and collaborative working between people representing Llangollen’s historic landscape and sites. Our town contains a unique and dynamic record of human activity, shaped by the aspirations, skills and endeavour of successive generations of people responding to the surroundings they have inherited. In recognition that this history belongs to us all, the group chose to name itself Our Historic Llangollen. After consultation on how this was best rendered in Welsh, the bi-lingual name of the group, Our Historic Llangollen Hanesyddol i bawb' will be confirmed at our next meeting.

"Its purpose is to raise the profile of heritage in the area to locals and visitors alike, to provide more opportunities for people to get involved in local history, and to help sites stay relevant and sustainable. The group's geographical scope was agreed as ranging along the Dee Valley from the Llantysilio Hill forts in the south west, and Pilar Eliseg in the north west, to Offa's Dyke Path at the Castell and Panorama in the north east, and Plas Newydd in the south east. It encompasses aspects of the World Heritage Site, Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape, and Conservation Area and includes built, landscape, social and cultural heritage.

"The group will meet every two months to further information sharing and collaboration, which hopefully in due course will give rise to joint activities, such as promoting Welsh language and culture, developing marketing and interpretation, highlighting unprotected heritage, and storytelling. 

"Anyone interested in hearing more about "Our Historic Llangollen Hanesyddol i bawb", please contact armouryconservationtrust@gmail.com"

Repair work due to start on Newbridge Road landslip, says story

Leaderlive is reporting today that repair work on the Newbridge Road landslip is finally set to commence, according to a councillor. 

* For the full story, go to: https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/24503821.work-finally-set-start-newbridge-road-repairs/

Dr Rhys tells council chief what harm loss of public toilets would do to town

* Dr Rhys Davies has emailed the county's chief executive.

A respected retired GP from the town has emailed Denbighshire County Council’s chief executive telling him straight that the closure of Llangollen’s public toilets would be a “public relations disaster”.

Dr Rhys Davies was amongst the 100-plus local residents and businesses who attended this week’s public meeting at the Town Hall called by Rod Holt to air protests against the proposal by the county council to shed all its public toilets in a bid to balance its budget.

Dr Davies repeated his assertion – first highlighted by llanblogger last April - that while the council had no legal duty to provide public loos it certainly had a moral one, which drew huge applause from the audience who were angered that no council officers had attended the meeting despite numerous invitations.

He has now followed that up by writing directly to chief executive Graham Boase to hammer home the damage which would be caused to our busy tourist town if the toilets have to go. 

Dr Davies, a former chairman of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, writes: “I write to support the objections to the potential closure of the public toilets on Market St in Llangollen. I write as a previous GP in the town and district for 30 years and also as a long term resident.  

“A meeting of residents was held on August 6th in the Town Hall along with the Town Council. DCC had been invited, but no-one turned up. This was very disappointing for the attendees who had many questions to ask. The meeting was attended by in excess of 100, all of whom wanted the toilets to be retained. The Town Council and our local representatives on DCC , Councillors Edwards and Keddie, will be able to provide feedback.  

“Although DCC doesn’t have a legal or statutory obligation to provide public conveniences in Llangollen there certainly is a moral obligation. Public conveniences have been provided here for many years and they are essential for a tourist town the size of Llangollen. Although the population of the town is only 3,600, by its very nature of being a tourist/market town it serves a much bigger population even within a small radius and of course at weekends and in the summer. 

“I would have thought that the remuneration from the Smithfield car park would more than finance the current public conveniences. Also, the money received by DCC to reflect the number of visitors we have to Llangollen should be reinvested in the town and would also contribute and should not be kept by DCC.  

“There are other non-statutory expenses which could be reduced in place of public conveniences such as marketing (where less tourism could be expected if conveniences are closed).  

“DCC cannot ‘cherry pick’ what benefits them the most. Any transfer of estates should go hand in hand. The toilets and car park should remain as one.  

“If the town council were to take over the running of the conveniences they should receive all the remuneration mentioned.  

“The idea of paying pubs, restaurants, take-aways, shops etc to allow the public to use their services is a non-starter. We are not a city centre and there simply aren't enough places in Llangollen to accommodate people requiring conveniences especially those with disabilities and wheelchair users. Also, when buses full of tourists arrive, often earlier in the morning, very few places are open. There is nowhere that could cope with a busload of elderly visitors needing conveniences. As a result bus companies won't come to Llangollen and so there will be a significant loss of business and thus tourism. This would be detrimental to the town’s economy.

“Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has just had its largest festival for years attracting 50.0OO visitors and such a move by DCC would be a retrograde step.  

“Many people, residents and visitors included, have urinary problems which require frequent toilet visits due to urinary frequency, urgency and incontinence secondary to numerous urological causes. We mustn't forget those with colostomies, ileostomies and urostomies who all need access to suitable conveniences to manage their condition.  

“In a civilised society it is essential that all are treated with respect and provided with conveniences when needed. Closure of the public conveniences in Llangollen by DCC as a cost-saving exercise doesn't make sense, the loss of business to Llangollen would be far greater along with the loss of respect from residents and visitors, in short it would be a PR [public relations] disaster!” 

Free healing sessions planned at City Church

For the next five months City Church in Llangollen is hosting a series of training sessions as well as running 'pop up' healing rooms. 

A spokesperson for the church, in Brook Street, said: “In affiliation with Healings Rooms England & Wales and following our successful Healing Rooms training day in March our aim is to provide training and practical sessions, as well as build a wider interest.

“They are for anyone needing healing, physical, mental, or emotional, are free of charge and take place at the church on Saturday mornings, from 11am-12.30pm.

“We are working towards transitioning into a monthly Healing Rooms centre in Llangollen later in the year.

“You are welcome to come join us for as many or few of the dates we are running.  If you have an interest in serving in the Llangollen Healing Rooms please speak to a member of City Church on the training days and we will give you more information.

“Please invite your friends & family to come along for either training or healing or both.

“Upcoming dates are August10, September 28, October 26 and November 23.”

* If you are interested in joining and want more information, click on the links below:

Healing Training Sessions

Pop up Healing Rooms 

Public meeting hears town's toilets are too valuable to lose

* The Town Hall was packed for the meeting.

Llangollen’s under-threat public toilets are too valuable to lose.

That was the strong message which came out of a public meeting last night (Tuesday) called to allow residents and businesses the chance to discuss the possible loss of the loos in Market Street.

In a bid to balance its budget, Denbighshire County Council aims to shed all the public conveniences it runs and offer local town and community councils the chance to take them over, including the local ones.

But Llangollen Town Council has already ruled out a take-over on the grounds that it would be beyond its financial means and lead to a big increase in the amount it draws from council tax.

* The panel, including the mayor, Cllr Aled Morris (in red tie) who chaired the meeting.

The idea that a major tourist town like Llangollen stands to lose its busy public loos has sparked major protests on social media ranging over the past couple of months since the plan was revealed.

The meeting in the Town Hall was arranged by concerned resident Rod Holt after weeks of negotiations with the town council.

An estimated 130 people turned up to hear Mr Holt outline the problems in keeping the toilets open, which was followed by a string of people airing their disgust and disbelief at the idea of losing them.

Although both the area’s county councillors were present along with a large number of town councillors – including town mayor Aled Morris who took the chair – not a single officer of the county council accepted the invitation to attend.

Mr Holt said: “The officers responsible were supposed to be here to explain what was happening and answer questions from the people of the town but nobody has come. Basically, Denbighshire County Council doesn’t care about Llangollen.”

* Meeting organiser Rod Holt makes a point. 

He added: “This town has a number of events, such as the Eisteddfod, which bring large numbers of people here who need public toilets. We also have many coaches calling here whose passengers all use the toilets. If the coach companies hear we are going to lose the toilets they’ll simply stop coming. I know this is a fact because people have told me so.”

Setting out the town council’s position, the mayor explained that the county council was planning to shed its public toilets to meet an estimated shortfall of around £27.5 million in the next financial year.

But he described the town council taking over the Market Street loos as a “non-starter” on financial grounds.

He said it had been estimated the cost of bringing them up to modern standards would be at least £110,000, which would mean an increase of 57 per cent in the town council precept – the amount added on top of the council tax to run the town council’s local assets such as the Town Hall and Centenary Square. This, he said, equated to £45 a year.

Resident Phil Jones suggested from the floor that the town council agrees to take on the toilets provided it could also take over the adjacent car park – estimated to bring in £187,000 a year in ticket sales – and use money from this to pay for the loos. The suggestion received a round of applause from the audience.

Retired local GP Dr Rhys Davies said that while the county council had no statutory duty to provide public toilets, it certainly had a moral one. This again attracted applause.

Another suggestion which was warmly greeted came from Eisteddfod trustee board member Dave Hennigan who said: “We should consider what we can do as a community to take action on this matter and if they won’t come to our meeting, maybe a number of us should go to theirs.”

The area’s new MP, Becky Gittins, who was in the audience and making copious notes, said she would do everything possible to get stakeholders in the issue together.

The meeting, which lasted just under two hours, ended with the mayor describing it as having been useful.

He said the town council, which had already had a number of meetings with county officers on the issue, would not be giving up on it and was still looking at a number of “different options”.

The county council is due to make the final decision on the fate of the toilets next month. 

Art workshop to be held at Llangollen Library tomorrow

This summer, libraries across Denbighshire are encouraging children to fire up their imaginations through the power of reading and creative expression.

Working in partnership with Denbighshire Leisure Community Arts, libraries county-wide will be running craft workshops for the readers taking part in the Summer Reading Challenge.

The Summer Reading Challenge aims to prevent the "summer dip" learning loss many children experience over the holidays when they aren't in school.

With libraries' support, it provides a free, fun way to keep young minds active. In 2023, over 685,000 children across the UK participated. 

The theme of this year’s challenge is 'Marvellous Makers', and Denbighshire’s Libraries are being joined by brilliant local artists for the summer, including, Tara Dean, Jess Balla, Lisa Carter and Elen Williams. 

These creative activities will include printmaking with air dry clay, decorating paper hats, collage printing and creating a comic. 

Sessions are free but spaces are limited, so please contact your local library to book a place. 

These sessions are arranged in partnership with DLL Active Communities, and are funded by UK Government.

* The Marvellous Makers Craft Workshop with Tara Dean will be held at Llangollen Library on Wednesday 7th August, 2-4pm.

Loss of public toilets could end major local event, council chief is warned

* The Old Railway Trail parkrun celebrated its first anniversary in June. An official warns it might have to end if Llangollen's public toilets are lost.

A major local event attended by hundreds every week may be forced to end if Llangollen's public toilets are lost.

That's the message to Denbighshire's county council chief from one of the organisers. 

In a bid to balance its budget, Denbighshire aims to shed all the public conveniences it runs across the county and offer local town and community councils the chance to take them over.

This includes the toilets in Llangollen’s Market Street. But the Town Council has already ruled out a take-over on the grounds that it would be beyond its financial means and lead to a big increase on the amount it draws from the council tax.

The idea that a major tourist town like Llangollen stands to lose its busy public loos has sparked major protests on social media ranging over the past couple of months since the plan was revealed.

A public meeting will be held on the issue at the Town Hall in Parade Street tomorrow (Tuesday August 6) starting at 6pm.

Meanwhile, Mike Edwards has emailed county chief executive Graham Boase to urge the council to "carefully consider " the closure of the toilets.

He says: "I write to you as Co-Event Director of the Old Railway Trail parkrun which takes place every Saturday morning at 9am from our Health Centre. We launched the events in June 2023, last week saw our 59th parkrun which regularly attracts hundred runners plus every week. 

"There is no access to public toilets for participants other than the Market Street toilets where people also park when visiting our town. 

"We are glad to be part of the parkrun community, but may be forced to end the event if there are no public toilets available for participants because we always attract a good proportion of tourists to each event." 

Mr Edwards also cites another major annual event which would be hit if the toilets were lost to the town. 

He gives a link to a news story highlighting the fact that over 50,000 music-lovers visited Llangollen during June and July for a series of evenings concerts, featuring headliners such as Tom Jones and the Manic Street Preachers. 

Mr Edwards adds: "The decision also needs to be made taking into account of the impact closure will have on the income produced by the Market Street car park, which you will know produces more revenue than any other carpark in Denbighshire. 

"Without public toilets coaches and cars will not park at Market Street to the extent they do now and this will also effect businesses in Llangollen reducing their trade.

"I would ask you to bring the above points to the attention of Council when they consider this decision."

Pengwern Community Hub's August timetable

 

Also here are posters for Art and Craft (aimed at 6-10 year olds in the morning) and Minecraft (aimed at 10-15 year olds in the afternoon) with Menter Iaith on August 20.  

* Contact Gwion@misirddinbych.cymru  or 01745 812 822 – booking is essential.

Organisers say there are still have some places left for Circus Skills next Wednesday August 7 but it’s filling up fast – so do book your place if you want to come.

The organisers say they are hoping to start a sustainable gardening course in September which is looking like it’s going to be a popular one, adding: "Please let us know if you are interested."

On September 14 there is a harvest gathering featuring food and family fun activities.

Latest update on Bridge End facelift

A Llangollen pub is expecting to reopen this month following a £1.5 million refurbishment project, according to the Leader.

* For the full story on the Bridge End, go to: Llangollen: Bridge End continues to share renovation updates | The Leader (leaderlive.co.uk)   

County councillor gives latest update on recycling problems

Llangollen county councillor Karen Edwards has given her latest update on the problems still being faced by local people with the new recycling scheme introduced by Denbighshire County Council a few months ago. She says ...

"I know that many residents are continuing to suffer a sub-standard statutory service from Denbighshire County Council with respect the new waste collection scheme which came into effect on June 3^rd. 

In my previous statement on this subject I explained some of the issues and some of the actions which the County Council was taking in order to address the failures occurring in the operation of the new system.

"We are not alone in experiencing these problems of late with missed collections and in some cases no collections at all which continue to occur across the County. 

"DCC continue to deploy additional vehicles and agency personnel as well as allocating additional personnel from other departments and scheduling additional weekend (Saturday) collections to cope with the issues this scheme has created. This means we are being exposed to both unplanned costs and  a degradation in the provision of other services which is not sustainable. 

"I have been pressing the responsible officers in DCC  for more information.

"It is clear that some of the new vehicles are not able to negotiate some of the narrow single-track roads in the rural areas of the County both adopted and unadopted which were all part of the collection rounds in the previous scheme.

"According to the officers responsible for the planning and implementation of this rollout, the solution proposed in the new scheme is for group collection points where residents who live on such unadopted roads are expected to transport their waste to a group collection point. I have been advised that residents in this situation have been written to, but it would appear that this is not correct in every case.

"In order to try to assess the impact of this change in the service, I have asked for the data as to how many houses fall into this category and the location. Unfortunately, despite asking on more than one occasion, DCC Officers have been unable to furnish me with this information which in itself is most unsatisfactory and disappointing.

"In order to help me to better represent residents' views, I would like to hear from anyone in the Llangollen area I represent who has received a letter from the Council informing them that collections will no longer be made from houses located on unadopted roads.

"If you haven’t received a letter and you live on such a road, I would like to hear from you too. please contact me either via Ffon/telephone  07795 652188 or Ebost /email karen.edwards@denbighshire.gov.uk

"I cannot make promises for a better service tomorrow because I have yet to see the evidence that the additional resources deployed to resolve matters are working and having the desired effect to become a sustainable and reliable system. 

"I can assure you that I am doing all I can to make sure that the responsible officers address the shortcomings in the service as a matter of urgency.

"I and my fellow councillors are also seeking answers from DCC on the true cost and financial impact  of this scheme to residents in the long term." 

Eisteddfod joins list of Britain's longest-running TV shows

* This year's Eisteddfod began with the traditional Parade of Nations through the town.

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has made a list of Britain’s top 10 longest-running TV shows.

Compiled by the Metro newspaper, this places the annual London Lord Mayor’s Show at number one. first broadcast in 1937, to the likes of the BBC’s Panorama news programme (1953) which takes number three spot and ITV’s Coronation Street which is ninth.

In at number four is Llangollen’s Eisteddfod, which the BBC began broadcasting each year back in 1954, along with the Eurovision Song Contest.

Of the Eisteddfod, which this year staged a major revival to attract 50,000 to its headline evenings concerts featuring stars such as Tom Jones and the Manic Street Preachers, the Metro says: “Since 1954, on BBC One Wales, the music festival which takes place in the second week of July gets the TV treatment.

“Five thousand singers, dancers and instrumentalists from approximately 50 countries travel to Llangollen to perform for audiences of more than 50,000.

“Both Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and National Eisteddfod of Wales have also been shown on S4C since 1982.”

* To see the full story, go to: The longest-running British TV show isn’t what you’d expect | Metro News

llanblogger reviews work on Four Great Highways project

 

* Steel structures are in place on the steps area between Abbey Road and the Wharf.

Contractors now have exactly a month left before the scheduled completion date for Llangollen’s Four Great Highways scheme.

And although work on one aspect of the project now looks to be quite well advanced, there’s clearly much still to be done on another part of it.

The project is part of investment by the former UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund that was secured through a joint application between Denbighshire County Council and Wrexham County Borough Council for the old Clwyd South Constituency – Llangollen is now part of the new Clwyd East. 

The application was supported by former MP for the area Simon Baynes and £3.8 million was allocated to Denbighshire to invest in the communities of Llangollen, Llantysilio, Corwen and surrounding areas.

Work on the Lower Dee Mill Park walkway and the steps leading from Abbey Road up to the Wharf was due to be finished in June.

* A new walkway is in place at Lower Dee Mill Park.

But at the end of that month the Four Great Highways team said unexpected ground conditions in both sites had been encountered, which had resulted in a re-design of the foundations under the existing steps in the park, and of the foundations including the introduction of a steel sub-frame and concrete pile caps - a dense concrete pad that supports heavy structures in areas where the ground is soft - at the Wharf.

Due to a delay in the steel being delivered the planned completion date for the project was put back to the end August.

Steel for the two sites was delivered a few weeks ago and llanblogger has been taking a look at the sites.

While Lower Dee Mill Park seems to be progressing well, with an elevated walkway now in place, much work still appears to be necessary at the Wharf steps, although  strong steel structures are now in place at the canal end, near the top and slightly lower down the slope.

There’s now exactly a month before the stated completion deadline is reached.

Search and rescue team help woman trapped down Llangollen embankment

* A picture taken at the scene of the callout and supplied by NEWSAR.

Denbighshire Free Press is reporting that a search and rescue team came to the aid of a woman who had become trapped down a 'steep embankment' in Llangollen.

* For the full story, go to: Llangollen: Woman rescued from 'steep embankment' | Denbighshire Free Press