Llan's bid to become a "slow" town

Llangollen is taking a fast route to officially becoming a slow town.

The town is currently bidding to become part of the Cittaslow movement, a worldwide organisation which aims to show a community is serious about sustainability – economic, social and environmental.

It developed from the Slow Food Movement, another international scheme which links the pleasure of food with a commitment to community and the environment by promoting local, seasonal produce and reconnecting people with where their food comes from.

The name Cittaslow is derived from the Italian word for city or town and is pronounced almost like 'cheetah'. Slow is English. 

Under the umbrella of the town council, Llangollen has set up a group dedicated to winning Cittaslow status for the town. 

Spokesman and town councillor Phil Thane said: “There are two major reasons for becoming a Cittaslow town. 

“Firstly, it provides a set of well recognised goals that serve to keep the town council and Denbighshire County Council up to scratch. 

“Also, when the council or a voluntary body in Llangollen applies for a grant from Cardiff, London or Brussels being a Cittaslow town shows that we are well organised and  run and should help us bring more investment into the town. 

“We want to involve as many people as possible in Cittaslow Llangollen so we've set up a website to show you what we're doing at www.cittaslow.llangollentowncouncil.co.uk” 

Cllr Thane added: “One of our first targets is to create a database of local food suppliers 

“We're including anyone growing, rearing or making food within 20 miles of Llangollen. 

“We are also compiling data on voluntary groups and businesses based in Llangollen. 

“Those lists are not complete either but we're getting there.  

“If your business or group is missing, or if some details are wrong please sign up online. Once you have been approved you will be given access to update your own details. 

“Another goal is to have a Slow Food group based here in town. That's being organised by one of our group, Sal Jefford.  

“Slow Food groups – which are run by volunteers - organise a variety of events alongside local food and drink producers and chefs. 

“We will soon distribute posters and leaflets around Llangollen, or anyone interested can email: slowfoodllangollen@gmail.com, or text Sal on  07786 623802 for more information.”

 

* The Cittaslow bid is being backed by llanblogger.

 

"No horse" found in county council meat

Denbighshire County Council says its food suppliers are so far completely free of horse meat.

In a statement issued earlier today, the authority says: "The Council is committed to providing the best services possible to all of its consumers.

"As a result, it has carried out extensive checks with its food providers in light of the food labelling issues and no issues have emerged to date.

"We have rigorous processes in place and we already work closely with TUCO, the food consortium used by the council and they have contacted all its meat product suppliers, asking them to submit evidence that authenticity checks have been carried out to ensure that no horse meat is used in any of its products.

"The council is also contacting any suppliers outside the TUCO arrangement.

"Additional checks with our suppliers to schools, residential homes and leisure centres have been carried and no issues have emerged so far. H

"However, residents in Denbighshire can be reassurred that the council will continue liaising with its suppliers in order to carry out further checks.

"We are also working closely with the Food Standards Agency Wales through visiting food businesses such as meat cold stores and meat products premises to check on traceability of meat and reporting back to the FSA Wales with our findings."

Search and rescue team in Llan

North Wales Police tweeted just after 2.30pm today (Wednesday) that members of North East Wales Search and Rescue (NEWSAR) are currently conducting a rescue in the Llangollen area.

Latest tweet from North Wales Police says: "Many thanks NEWSAR - blizzard conditions - snow/high winds - male carried down on stretcher - suspect broken leg - now in hospital."

There are no details of where the rescue took place.

Llan under snow ...

It started snowing in Llangollen before 8am today (Wednesday) and by lunchtime was still coming down thick and fast.

llanblogger went out and about around town to capture these pictures of some of our famous landmarks under a covering of the white stuff.



* Plas Newydd. 



* The bridge. 



* The railway.  



* St Collen's churchyard. 

Regional leaders welcome prison plan

The North Wales Regional Leadership Board has welcomed the announcement of Justice Secretary, Chris Grayling to consider building a prison in North Wales.

The board represents the leaders from the six North Wales councils, the Police and Crime Commissioner, North Wales Police, North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority and the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

Councillor Hugh Evans, Leader of Denbighshire County Council, said: “The board has been lobbying for a prison in North Wales for over five years. It is great news that we are on the shortlist of regions to be considered for a new prison."

Representatives of the board met the Prisons Minister with the Wales Office in October last year and presented a case for locating a prison in North Wales.

Cllr Evans added: "I believe our efforts have put us in contention for a substantial investment in our region that could create over a thousand jobs and provide a major £50m per annum boost to the whole economy of North Wales.”

County issues two doorstep caller warnings

Denbighshire County Council’s Trading Standards Section has this morning (Wednesday) issued two warnings to about cold callers.

The first says: "We are warning residents to be on their guard as more reports of doorstep sellers have been reported..

"The authority has received information about attempted sales of mattresses out of the backs of vans by traders cold calling at consumers' homes and whilst walking down the street.

"In all cases the consumer must be on their guard, we do not know at this time where these mattresses are manufactured, whether they bear the correct safety labelling or if they are genuine branded product..

"The sellers are claiming that the mattresses are on sale due to wrong order at a local hotel or that they were the wrong sizes and they cant take them back to the factory.

"We understand that the mattresses have been described as Memory Foam, Luxury etc but we understand that they are carefully wrapped so you have no idea what exactly you are buying, until the salesman is long gone, by then its to late and you could be out of pocket..

"The sellers do not provide any paperwork or invoices and we are aware that they are using false business names and addresses. More importantly the seller is not complying with the Cancellation Regulations, that entitles the consumer when entering into a contract in their home, to have a seven-day cooling off period where they can change their mind and cancel the contract at no charge.

"We are urging the public not to deal with these sellers, you really do not know who you are buying from and if things go wrong, we will have no way of identifying the seller or rectifying the matter. If an offer seems to good to be true, in most cases it is.

“Talk to family, friends or neighbours if you are unsure or worried, or contact Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Customer Service on 08454 04 05 06 or for the Welsh Language Service 08454 04 05 05. Alternatively contact the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

"If you feel intimidated or threatened by any doorstep seller you should shut the door and call the police emergency number 999."

* Denbighshire Trading standards are also warning residents to be aware of companies cold calling and inviting them to complete a questionnaire which may result in winning a hotel accommodation voucher.

The warning message says: "Members of the public are warned to be aware of these selling practices which may involve the sale of water and air purifiers. The trader will typically cold call and invite the consumer to answer some health related questions. Prize winners will be notified by phone which may result in a sales presentation in their home for water and air purifiers.

"Consumers who agree to buy a water purifier in this way legally have a seven day cooling off period during which they can change their mind and cancel the contract. To do this they must contact the company in writing to cancel.
 
"These companies target particular areas so we would urge residents across the county to be on their guard”.

“We are not aware of any issues with the drinking water in Denbighshire. Consumers should never feel pressured to sign up to anything and if they feel there may be a problem with the drinking water they should contact their water supplier.

"Salesmen trying to sell you something on your doorstep or over the phone could be anyone and you should not give out any personal information.

“Talk to family, friends or neighbours if you are unsure or worried, or contact Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Customer Service on 08454 04 05 06 or for the Welsh Language Service 08454 04 05 05. Alternatively contact the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

"If you feel intimidated or threatened by any doorstep seller you should shut the door and call the police emergency number 999."

Reports of discoloured water in Llan investigated

The supply company says it is investigating reports of discoloured water from some users in Llangollen today (Tuesday).

A statement on the Dee Valley Water website says: "Please note that if you live in the Llangollen area you may be experiencing problems of discolouration to your water supply.

"Our Network Inspectors are currently investigating this issue to try and resolve this matter as soon as possible.

"If your water supply is discoloured we would please ask that you refrain from using the supply for any water appliances until the supply has cleared and it may help if you run the kitchen cold water tap to try and clear the supply.

"Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused as a result of this disruption and be assured that we are doing everything possible to restore the supply to normal.

"We will keep our website updated with the latest information."

The website to check is: http://www.deevalleywater.co.uk/news.php?id=80