Snow on the hills above town

* Snow on the hills overlooking Llan.

Although there was none of the white stuff in town, a dusting of snow was visible on the hills overlooking the town this morning (Sunday).

On social media sites there were reports of a light covering of snow overnight in places like Coedpoeth, Bwlchgwyn and Ponciau.

Llan Railway announces its 2013 programme



* Llan Railway has a packed programme for 2013.



 

Everything from a steam gala to murder mystery trains and from real ale evenings to a teddy bears’ picnic feature in next year’s packed programme of special events at Llangollen Railway. 

Supplies of next year’s brochure (pictured below) including the timetable were available for visitors at Llangollen station on the first day of the Santa season yesterday (Saturday). 

 

Key events in the pipeline for 2013 are: 

·       9 & 10 and 15-17 February - Day Out with Thomas ( note Sat/Sun plus Fri/Sat/Sun 

·       23 March - Diesel day 

·       13 April - Real Ale train evening 

·       19-21 April - Spring Steam gala with return of the steam Railmotor 93 and newly restored Auto Trailer 92 

·       11 May - Murder Mystery 

·       19 May - Teddy Bears Picnic 

·       1 & 2 June - Day Out with Thomas weekend 

·       8 June - Real Ale train evening 

·       22 & 23 June - Heritage Railcar Gala 

·       6 & 7 July - Classic Transport Weekend 

·       13 July - Murder Mystery evening 

·       27 & 28 July - 1960s weekend 

·       3 & 4 with 8-11 August - Day Out With Thomas 

·       30 & 31 August with 1 Sept - Steam gala 

·       14 Sept - Murder Mystery evening 

·       21 Sept - Diesel Day 

·       12 Oct - Real Ale Train evening 

·       19 & 20 plus 26 & 27 October - Day Out with Thomas weekends 

·       31 Oct - Ghost Train evening 

·       2 November - Murder Mystery evening 

·       3 November - Ride the Rocket evening 

·       9 & 10 November - Remembrance Weekend 

·       30 November - Santa Specials followed by 1, 7 & 8, 14 & 15, 20-24 December

·       7 December - Real Ale Train evening 

·       26-31 December & 1 January - Mince Pie Specials. 

The weekday daily running seasons dates from Monday 25 March through to Friday 4 October and a further spell for half term 21 Oct to Friday 8 November. 

There is no train service from 2 January to 1 February and weekends only from Monday 4 February through to Friday 22 March (apart from half term week 11-16 February). 

Train fares are: 

Standard Return fares for one return trip on day of purchase: £12 Adult, £10 Senior, Child £6, Family 2+2 £30. 

All day Rover tickets are available for unlimited travel on day of purchase: Adult £14, Senior £12, Child £7 Family £36. 

On board dining is also promoted with options for cream teas and picnic baskets or children's party bookable at 72 hours notice. 

A new section in the brochure entitled Along the line promotes the attractions of all four stations as a means of giving visitors a better appreciation of the Railway and what it offers for a whole day out, plus a more detailed map of the Railway's route from Llangollen through to Corwen.

Santa Special ready to roll at Llan Station

              * Llangollen Railway apprentice Sam Ellis, from Hope,

fixes the Santa Special head-board to steam locomotive

No. 7822, Foxcote Manor, ready for the first departure.

Tickets for the popular Santa Special at Llangollen Railway in the run-up to Christmas are selling well.

Many of the trains are already completely sold out. 

A total of 44 trains are scheduled to run through the Dee valley, starting today, Satureday, December 1, and going through to Christmas Eve. 

Over 7,600 seats have been on offer, but the unsold places are currently clustered around the early trains this weekend and on the mid-week trains for Thursday/Friday, December 20/21.  

The weekends of December 8/9 and December 15/16 have proved particularly popular with families keen to experience the annual meeting with Santa on the steam train at Llangollen. 

A railway spokesperson said that anyone wishing to book now will need to have a range of options for times and dates if they are to be accommodated for a pre-Christmas ride on the train.

Bear with us over recycling scheme snags says council

Denbighshire County Council says it is continuing with its efforts in the south of the county, which includes Llangollen, to sort out problems associated with the expansion of the X2 service.

In a statement issued this afternoon (Friday) the council says the backlog of service requests is gradually being cleared, but has been affected by the recent flooding events.

The statement adds: "If you are experiencing problems and have not already contacted the Council, please telephone Denbighshire's Customer Contact Service Centre on 01824 706100 (Welsh language) or 01824 706101 (English language). Our customer service team will be able to give advice, and check whether you are missing any equipment. We can then arrange to get the equipment delivered.

"Residents who have already contacted the Council with a request, can be assured that the request will be dealt with as quickly as possible."

Watchdog seeks assurances over health changes

* Llangollen Cottage Hospital is earmarked for closure. 

While it “broadly supports” plans to close Llangollen Cottage Hospital and replace it with a new health centre, a watchdog body says it still needs assurances on a number of points.

 

North Wales Community Health Council, which safeguards the interests of NHS patients, has just submitted its official response plans for a major shake-up of services by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. 

Of the part of the plan which affects Llangollen, it says: “The CHC broadly supports the proposals for Llangollen Community Hospital services.  

“But we will not be sure that the proposals will serve the interests of people in Llangollen and its surrounding areas without further assurances from the health board about:  

 The way it will plan and deliver services with other organisations in the public, voluntary and independent sectors, and tell people how they can get access to the service  

 It’s plans to provide clinical services in Llangollen and its surrounding area in the time between the closure of facilities at Llangollen Community Hospital and the completion of a new primary care centre  

 Confirmation that the GP services in Llangollen are committed to the plans to deliver the new service

 It’s response to the particular needs of rural communities, including those to the West of Llangollen  

 The way it will work with care home providers to make sure its proposals in this area will work.”  

The CHC’s submission adds that it has “some serious concerns” about other aspects of the proposals for community hospitals.  

It explains: “We have seen little financial information or information about staffing plans. This means we cannot be sure that the health board has a financial and workforce plan which provides a firm basis for developing community and primary care services, or the proposals for providing enhanced care within people’s homes.  

“We are also concerned about the relationship between the health board and general practitioners in some areas. People, quite rightly, rely completely on these two sets of health care professionals to work together. We have seen and heard evidence that this is not the case everywhere.  

“Finally, the CHC is concerned that the health board’s proposals for community hospitals may represent an erosion of community-based services. This runs against a national policy which says that community hospitals play an important part in making sure people have easy access to the care they need. If people do not have easy access to services they may not seek help at the right time and when they do, the treatment may be less successful and more expensive.” 

Llyr Gruffydd, the Party of Wales Assembly Member for North Wales, said: “The Community Health Council’s response makes clear that in many instances, especially regarding community health services, there isn’t sufficient information to make an informed decision.

“Its report makes clear that there is insufficient information given in the consultation about staffing, finances and the fact that many of the recommendations conflict with the views of local GPs, the British Medical Association and the Royal College of Nursing.

“Running down community hospitals is a key area of concern in this report and recent events, where roads were inaccessible and travelling hazardous, stress the need for local services to serve the community.

 “The pressure is mounting on Betsi Cadwaladr’s management to explain their proposals and how they will improve the health of the region.”

Classic motoring event heads for Llan

* Action from a previous Le Jog event.

A prestige classic motoring event will pass through Llangollen tomorrow (Saturday).

Le Jog 2012, the 18th Land's End to John O'Groats Reliability & Touring Trial, which takes place between December 1 and 4, has been described as the toughest event of its kind in Europe.

That is because of the severe weather drivers taking part often encounter along the route.

Organised by HERO – Historic Endurance Rallying Organisation – Le Jog is once again open to cars built before 1984 and attracts entries from across Europe.

The Touring Trial is a non-competitive but challenging event aimed at testing the stamina of the crew.

Calling at the reliability trial main controls and with 'code board' questions between controls, there are no time penalties, regularities or tests.

Entrants receive finisher’s awards and are eligible for the concourse and Spirit of the Rally awards.

2012 Le Jog will break new ground with the route using roads and parts of the country that have never been used before on the event.

Among two new stop-off points will be Llangollen.

After setting off from Land’s End early on Saturday morning, the route takes a direct line to the Severn Bridge before heading to South Wales and heading up through the country to Llangollen where the drivers will have an overnight halt.    

After bed and breakfast the route will travel through Cheshire and Lancashire.

The final 24 hours will begin with a run through the remoter areas of Northumbria and the Borders.

In the afternoon the crews will drive west then north-west to skirt Glasgow and head via the famous Rest-and-Be-Thankful hill climb for an evening supper halt at Fort William.

Leg five will see them driving through the Highlands to arrive at John O'Groats for the traditional piper's welcome and breakfast before turning back south for the short drive to Wick for a deep sleep in preparation for the celebrations of the black-tie prize-giving dinner.

County's appeal over flood donations

Following the devastating floods that affected hundreds of homes in Denbighshire, offers of help and donations of all kinds of goods have been pouring in from kind-hearted members of the public and businesses and Denbighshire County Council has thanked everyone for their kindness.

The counil says in a statement issued earlier today: "As a result of the tremendous amount of goods received, it is important now that they are distributed to the correct places. As a result, the council is asking people not to drop off any more goods, but to consider making a financial donation instead.

"People can do so by making a donation to the Ruthin Mayor's Appeal Fund or the St Asaph Mayor's Flood Relief Fund.

"To donate to the St Asaph Mayor's Flood Relief Fund, please make cheques payable to: 'The Mayor's Charity Account" and cheques can be dropped off at the Cathedral Diocesan Office, St Asaph.

"To donate to the Ruthin Mayor's Fund, please make cheques payable to 'Cyngor Tref Rhuthun' or 'Ruthin Town Council'. The account number is 20788929, sort code: 202576 and money can be deposited at Barclays Bank on St Peter's Square, Ruthin."

Councillor David Smith, Cabinet Lead Member for Environment, said: "We have been overwhelmed by people's generosity and it's humbling to see communities pull together at a time when co-operation is needed the most.

"Receiving and distributing goods as a result of all this goodwill has become un-coordinated and we don't want to be in a position where goods don't get to people quickly. That is why we are now calling on people to donate financially instead.

"The council is extremely grateful for this co-operation."

The extent of the flooding in St Asaph can be seen at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39543169@N02/8226554595