Chamber members pictured for posterity

 

* Chamber members have their picture taken in the style of the Old Masters.  

Old Masters were at work at the meeting of Llangollen Chamber of Trade and Tourism on Monday night.

While Rembrandt and Frans Hals weren’t actually at the Hand Hotel to weave their magic, they were certainly there in spirit as local photographer Andrew Gale, directed by Simon Collinge, took artistic pictures of chamber members in the style of the famous painters.

The photo-shoot came as part of a project by Andrew and Simon to produce a book recording details and pictures of community groups, clubs and societies based in the area for a book they are producing entitled Llangollen Community to be launched at the Fringe Festival next July.

They reckon there are over local 50 organisations eligible for inclusion and they are working hard to picture each of them.

Up to a few weeks ago they had held sessions with groups such as the Silver Band, Probus, the Christmas Festival Committee, Llangollen Operatic, the 20 Club, The Community market, Friends of the Earth, St Collen’s Church PCC and the Catholic Church.

But there are still many more to be captured.

“We felt it was about time that a documented pictorial history of these groups was recorded for posterity – it also seemed rather a fun idea,” said Simon Collinge.



                                * Andrew Gale (right) takes the picture.

Letter about marketing of Oakleigh House

llanblogger has received the following letter as a result of our recent story about Oakleigh House on Abbey Road, Llangollen being put on the market by its owners, the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

Although the sender has supplied their name we are respecting their request to remain anonymous:

Legat Owen Chester are marketing Oakleigh the former MHR  owned by the trust - on their website it is stated POA - ok but then the give a price guide of £350k!

What is going on?  After the fire in the 1980's the house was totally rebuilt and refurbished - as I recall it was marketed before the NHS purchased it for around 250k - even as a health centre the condition of the house was extremely  good, original features, fireplaces, heating - surely it cannont have been neglected so badly in the period of closure - how about an open day for the residents and former users of this resource to see what is on offer for this knock-down price guide.

The market is not good I will agree - but why are the trust not even marketing the asset with a company within the Conwy/Denbighshire area which as far as I remember, managed this much missed and valuable resorce.

Warning to drivers over icy roads

The BBC is reporting this afternoon (Tuesday) that drivers are being warned that icy roads could lead to possible disruption to travel in parts of north and mid Wales on Wednesday morning.

The story says that the Met Office said there was also a chance of snow overnight, particularly on high ground, as temperatures plunge.

It adds: "The yellow "be aware" warning is in place from 16:00 GMT on Tuesday to 12:00 GMT on Wednesday.

North Wales was hit by severe weather last week as heavy rain led to flooding after rivers burst their banks.

The Met Office said falling temperatures and wintry showers could cause problems in north and mid Wales on Wednesday morning.

"The public should be aware of the potential for increased iciness, especially early on Wednesday, and possible disruption to travel," it said.

BBC Wales weather presenter Sue Charles said Tuesday could see a mix of sleet and snow in Snowdonia, heavy at times, and wintry weather elsewhere.

"This evening showers continue as a weak cold front moves southwards but they'll become mainly confined to western coasts with maybe the odd wintry flurry inland," she said.

"But also the Met Office is warning of an ice risk across north and mid Wales as temperatures fall near freezing following those showers."

Llan chamber donates to Ruthin flood victims

* Flood-hit houses in Ruthin.

Llangollen Chamber of Trade and Tourism is making a £200 donation to the Mayor of Ruthin’s appeal for the town’s flood-hit families.

At their meeting at the Hand Hotel on Monday night, chamber members were told by the chair John Palmer: “I suggest we donate £200 to the appeal. I believe it would be a nice act of solidarity for those poor people affected by the flooding.”

Members agreed to go ahead with the donation.

+ Denbighshire County Council has received requests from members of the public on where they can leave financial donations following last week's flooding.

The council is reminding people that they can make 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, make cheques payable to: “The Mayor's Charity Account" and cheques can be dropped off at the Cathedral Diocesan Office in St Asaph.

To donate to the Ruthin Mayor's Fund, 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."

Art and craft show comes to Town Hall

An art and craft fair will be held at Llangollen Town Hall on Saturday, December 8, from 10am-3pm.

It will feature ceramics, textiles, cards, jewellery, teddy bears, silk scarves, painting on ceramics, feltwork, glass painting, soaps, make-up, paintings, woodwork, knitting, decorated boxes and Christmas wreaths.

Also on sale will be quirky Christmas gifts and decorations.

Refreshments will be available.

A spokesperson for the organisers said: "Come along and take a look at the unique and gorgeous array of hand-made designs and crafts.

"You will be delighted by the stylish mixture of art and craft on display. That elusive Christmas present could be waiting for you to buy."

Dog fouling problem highlighted

* Llangollen's own anti dog fouling poster. 

The Daily Post has a story today that will interest people in Llangollen where the amount of dog fouling is a cause for concern.

The paper says that in the past eight years councils in North Wales have received more than 9,250 fouling complaints.

Denbighshire has handled over 1,000 complaints since 2008, it adds.

See the report at: http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2012/12/03/north-wales-councils-receive-well-over-9-250-complaints-about-dog-fouling-55578-32350299/

Classic car rally stops off in Llan

 

 

* The Hand car park is a hive of mechanical activity as entrants prepare for the next gruelling leg.

 

* A gleaming Mini Cooper is ready for the off.

* Robert and Susan McClean prepare their 1962 Rover 100 for the road.

* A rally-seasoned Porsche from Belgium.

* A BMW roars off from the Hand car park.

* A Porsche needs a little coaxing as it heads away from Llangollen.

A host of magnificent metal filled the car park of the Hand Hotel when entrants in a prestige classic car endurance rally spent the night in Llangollen.

Le Jog 2012, the 18th Land's End to John O'Groats Reliability & Touring Trial, which takes place over four days, has been described as the toughest event of its kind in Europe due to the severe weather drivers taking part often encounter along the route.

One team taking part, Robert and Susan McClean from Barrow-in-Furness, said they had encountered snow on the way to Llangollen from South Wales on Saturday evening.

However, they said they had managed to avoid the worst of it in their rally-seasoned 1962 Rover 100.

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

In the Hand car park was a cavalcade of vehicles from various parts of Europe, including Germany, Belgium and Holland.

After setting off from Land’s End early on Saturday morning, the rally took a direct line to the Severn Bridge before heading to South Wales and weaving its way north to Llangollen.

After breakfast drivers travelled on through Cheshire and Lancashire, Northumbria and into Scotland.