Louisa speaks direct from India

* Louisa, left, celebrates the end of her marathon ride with a well-earned glass of champagne. 

We have now received the final e-mail from Llangollen Operatic’s Louisa Jones describing how she felt after completing her gruelling 260-mile charity bike ride through India.

Louisa, 33, has been taking part in the Action for Charity’s Women V Cancer Cycle Challenge to raise cash for three women’s cancer charities.

Along the way Louisa and her fellow cyclists had to contend with pothole-strewn roads and soaring temperatures sometimes over 30 degrees.

In her last message she says: “Well, today at approximately 12:00 Indian standard time, we arrived at our final destination amid much whooping and jubilation.

“I woke up at 6am feeling refreshed and re-energised and the final 40km through hilly terrain just flew by as if it was the first day. It was a great feeling to know we were on the home stretch.

“2km before the finish line, we all stopped, tied balloons to our bikes and helmets, then cycled the final stretch together.

“It was an amazing experience as we celebrated with champagne and group photos and a lot of people were very emotional. Indeed, I still can't quite believe that we have cycled 350km (260 miles) in four and a half days, sometimes in blistering heat, on a diet of curry twice a day (oh for a plate of baked beans!)

“I am even more amazed by the women themselves; I am amongst the youngest of the group. The oldest lady is 65 and the average age is around 42. Many have had or are still recovering from cancer or getting over other personal challenges. Everyone has a story but no one has wallowed in it and the support and camerarderie shown has been humbling; it has been about completing the challenge as a team and not as individuals.

“We are now on the coach to Jaipur where we are looking forward to a proper shower and bed. Tonight we will celebrate our achievement with a party, then tomorrow we have time in the city before heading back to Dehli in the early hours of Sunday for our flight home.”

In earlier messages this week, Louisa told how at one stage along the road she had been catapulted over the handlebars of her bike after being cut up by a jeep.

She also revealed how, later in the trip, she and many of her fellow cyclists had been suffering from the dreaded “Delhi belly”.  

Louisa flew out to the sub-continent on Friday of last week and after a short period of acclimatisation began her marathon ride which took her and around 90 other intrepid women cyclists from across the UK from the city of Agra – home of the iconic Taj Mahal - through the rural state of Rajasthan in north-west India to the capital, Jaipur.

To maintain their tight schedule the group, ranging in age from their twenties to sixties, had to average around 40 miles a day.

The route followed was far removed from the usual tourist trails and took riders both on and off road.

In advance of her trip to the sub-continent Louisa raised the cash necessary to guarantee her a place on the ride.

Thanks to strong support from family, friends and work colleagues she managed to burst through the £2,800 qualifying barrier some months ago and pledges are still coming in.

She also made  a personal contribution of £500 towards her fundraising total, which will be distributed between Breast Cancer Care, Jo’ Cervical Cancer Trust and Ovarian Cancer Action.

+ To make a contribution towards Louisa’s challenge go to http://www.justgiving.com/louisa-jones2012/eurl.axd/5805f2ef88f5e749aa33e11e94dbaeb7   

Louisa completes her Indian charity challenge

* Riders celebrate the end of their charity challenge. 

Llangollen Operatic star Louisa Jones has completed her gruelling 220-mile charity ride through India.

A message on Facebook from the challenge organisers this morning (Friday) says: " ,,,,,,,, And the challenge is over... The last cyclist has crossed the finish line.. Congratulations to the girls of Group 3... Wonderful show!!!"

Louisa and around 90 other intrepid woman cyclists from across the UK have spent the past week riding through the sub-continent as part of the Action for Charity’s Women V Cancer Cycle Challenge to raise cash for three women’s cancer charities.

Along the way they have battled rough roads and soaring temperatures.

Louisa has been keeping llanblogger readers in touch with her progress with a series of e-mails.

Communications permitting, we hope to bring you her final message later today. 

Help available to get empty homes back into use

People in Llangollen looking to return empty properties back into use can now apply for financial help thanks to a new scheme.

The Houses into Homes scheme has made over £2.35 million available to people across North Wales in a bid to provide people with much needed homes.

In Denbighshire, over £300,000 has been made available.

The Welsh Government scheme provides interest free loans to enable the renovation, improvement and conversion of empty properties for use as residential accommodation.

Eligible properties must have been empty for six months or more.

Single units of accommodation can receive a loan of up to a maximum of £25,000, with a maximum loan of £150,000 available per applicant.

Denbighshire’s Cabinet Lead Member with responsibility for housing, Councillor David Smith, said: “This funding is extremely welcome and will go a long way in helping turn empty or derelict properties into homes for people across the county.”

Huw Lewis AM, Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage, said: “Empty homes are, quite simply, a wasted resource. There are approximately 20,000 long term empty properties across Wales, depriving people of a much needed home and blighting the community.

“Providing good quality, affordable homes for people is a priority across Wales and we have been exploring a number of ways to help us meet the growing demand. We hope the Houses into Homes scheme will encourage landlords, home owners and developers to come forward and turn empty properties into homes.”

For more information about Homes into Houses scheme, contact
Debbie Nalecz, Empty Homes Officer on 01824 706817 or debbie.nalecz@denbighshire.gov.uk

MEP opens new local office

 

* From left, Wrexham county councillor Arfon

Jones, Jill Evans MEP and Denbighshire

county councillor Arwel Roberts at

the opening of the new office.

Plaid Cymru the Party of Wales MEP Jill Evans has opened a new office in the centre of Wrexham.

The official opening of the Regent Street office means she is the only MEP in Wales to have maintained an office in the north since being elected.

 

She is the senior Welsh MEP, having been first elected in 1999, and covers the Llangollen area.

Ms Evans said: “I’m really pleased to open an office again in Wrexham, which, as the largest town in the north, is such an important regional centre.

“Our office here is in a good position to deal with constituents’ concerns and I’m delighted to have welcomed everyone here for the opening. I encourage people to contact me to give me their views, ask questions or raise concerns. They can do that by coming into the office or by telephone or emailing jill.evans@europarl.europa.eu ”

As well as a number of Party of Wales members, county councillors Arfon Jones (Wrexham) and Arwel Roberts (Denbighshire) attended the opening.

Located in the same building is Plaid Cymru the Party of Wales AM Llyr Gruffydd, who represents the North Wales Region in the National Assembly, Jill Evans represents the whole of Wales in the European Parliament.

Council's Christmas service announced

Get in the festive spirit and join Denbighshire County Council for a celebration of Christmas at St Asaph Cathedral on Wednesday, December 5, at 7pm.

Along with traditional carols and Christmas readings, there will be performances from talented Denbighshire pupils.

Tea, coffee and mince pies will be served following the service in the cathedral.

People are advised to park their vehicles at either the Cathedral car park or at Ysgol Glan Clwyd.

A collection will be made on the evening in aid of the chairman’s chosen charities, St Kentigern Hospice, Rhyl Lifeboat and Vision Support.

Cyclist Louisa battles stomach and heat problems

* The cyclists get ready for another hot day in the saddle.

 

 

SOARING temperatures and stomach problems mean Louisa Jones of Llangollen Operatic has just had her toughest day yet riding through India on a marathon charity challenge. 

Louisa is taking part in a marathon 220-mile trek through the sub-continent as part of the Action for Charity’s Women V Cancer Cycle Challenge to raise cash for three women’s cancer charities.

She is one of around 90 other intrepid women cyclists from across the UK riding over pothole-strewn roads in 30 degree heat from the city of Agra – home of the iconic Taj Mahal - through the rural state of Rajasthan in north-west India to the capital, Jaipur.

Louisa (pictured right) is sending back daily reports to keep llanblogger readers updated on her progress.

In her latest report, covering day four of her amazing journey, she says: "I had thought that day 2 and 3 would be the hardest but today has been the most challenging for me personally due to the very high temperature and a touch of the old 'Dehli belly', which has been spreading around our camp.

"Thankfully, we have two doctors travelling with us who have treated those with the worst symptoms plus other ailments, ensuring everyone has cycled the majority of the way each day.

"We set off early again and climbed high up into a beautiful and mountainous area, stopping in an ancient ruined city, supposedly haunted, where we walked for a while and watched monkeys playing.

"After lunch was particularly tough as the heat soared to 34 degrees and by the time we reached our next stop off point in a town, some off us were really feeling it.

"After a refreshsing cup of chai, we walked around the local market, attracting a lot of attention from locals clearly unused to groups of Western tourists. After buying saris and locally made jewellry we set off again and finally arrived at our camp for our last night under canvas. 

"Tomorrow we cycle the final 40km in the morning. I can't believe it is nearly over."

Minister visits oustanding beauty zone

Environment Minister John Griffiths has visited Wales' newest Area of Outstanding Beauty (AONB) , to see how it is faring nearly a year after its gaining its new status.

The Minister was in the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB, which includes Llangollen,  to meet members of the area’s Joint Advisory Committee and to be updated on how the area is progressing.

In November 2011 the Minister agreed that an area of approximately 230 square kilometres situated in the counties of Wrexham and Denbighshire would be made an AONB.

This resulted in the boundary of the existing Clwydian Range AONB being significantly extended.

Speaking ahead of his meeting, the Minister (pictured left) said: “Here in Wales we are blessed with an amazing natural environment. It is crucial to our economy and a big driver behind Wales’ thriving tourism industry.

"My decision nearly one year ago to approve the designation of this area as an AONB is proof of the Welsh Government’s commitment to managing the area as effectively and efficiently as possible in order to ensure the best and most sustainable outcomes for Wales.

“We are optimistic that the ‘AONB’ brand will bring in a significant number of new visitors to the area, to drive up tourism and to extend the enjoyment of the area’s natural beauty to a wider audience, but of course we are also mindful of the need to protect the area and to maintain its beauty.

“Today’s visit is an excellent opportunity for me to speak to the Joint Advisory Committee about how their management of the area is progressing.

"Both the Committee and I are committed to ensuring that the area delivers the very best outcomes for Wales, and that its beauty, varied landscapes and rich mix of wildlife and habitats are maintained.”

The outstanding landscape of the original Clwydian Range AONB is a major factor in attracting tourists to the area.

In 2006 rural Denbighshire enjoyed 1.58 million day visitors and 365,000 overnight visits.

Total revenue from tourism in Denbighshire is more than £91 million, with the rural visitor economy supporting 1,770 jobs.