Llangollen features in route of major cycling event

Llangollen features prominently in the route of the 2013 Wiggle Etape Cymru which has just been unveiled by its ambassador double Olympic gold medallist Geraint Thomas.

The event, on Sunday, September 8, is widely known in the cycling community as the toughest closed road sportive in the UK.

The 92-mile route, which starts and finishes at Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse, heads north into Bangor-on-Dee taking in the rolling landscape of North Wales to Rhosllanerchrugog.

Riders will then ascend onto Panorama walk which boasts fantastic views of the Vale of LLangollen, heading west towards the infamous Horseshoe Pass.

Participants will go on to tackle this 6.1km timed climb with 317m ascend and a gradient that reaches 20% on the bends.  

Geraint Thomas (pictured below right) advises those taking part in the Wiggle Etape Cymru, to become familiar with the route before tackling the course.

He said: “Make sure you study the route and know what is coming up.  Also, take your time on the tough climbs so you have enough energy to get you to the top.”

After tackling Panorama Walk, the route descends down the valley towards Carog which is the furthest point away from the finish line.

This leads to a 10-mile gradual ascent until the route descends into Craig Fechen and the furthest northerly point of the route.

“At this point it’s important not to try and match the pace of other riders,” Geraint advises. “It can be tempting to do this but be careful not to run out of gas with a few miles to go.”

Riders will then prepare to ascend onto The Shelf which is the 2^nd steepest climb of the route and one not to be underestimated. The Shelf is a four-mile climb that incorporates another incredible view of the valley ascending approximately 700 feet.

After various undulations to Minera, the route embarks on its final last ‘big’ climb up onto Worlds End. Here participants will reach the highest point of the route at 1410ft.

Following this a sharp descent takes riders back onto Panorama Walk where they will undertake the gradual descent back towards Bangor dropping approximately 850feet.

On the route there will be six feed stations dishing up Welsh rarebit, salted potatoes, bananas and Powerbar drinks and gels and Geraint advises that riders make the most of this.

He said: “It’s important to note where the feed zones are. A bit of Welsh rarebit always goes down nicely so make the most of that.”

Geraint added,:“There’s a great social aspect to it, it’s a fun sportive, not a race, so it’s a great chance for people to enjoy being outdoors and in each other’s company.”

"It’s not every day the roads are closed off and Joe Public gets to ride on them. As cyclists we take it for granted.”

Jamie Groves, Denbighshire County Council's Head of Communication, Marketing and Leisure said: "The council is proud to be associated with the annual Wiggle Etape Cymru cycle event. Here in Denbighshire we are working hard to establish the county as a centre for cycling excellence. We have the infrastructure to deliver this, with resources such as the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Cycling Centre at Llandegla right on our very own doorstep. 

"This year will be the third year in a row that Denbighshire County Council has been actively involved in assisting event organisers to ensure the safe running of this event and we are confident that it will continue to be a great success."

Cllr Neil Rogers, Leader of Wrexham Council, added: “As one of premier sportives in Europe, Wiggle Etape Cymru takes in some of the most stunning views in the Britain and provides a challenge for all those who take part. With the event now in its third year, Wiggle Etape Cymru has enhanced the area’s profile and we are proud to have it as part of our portfolio of major sporting events.  "People from all over the UK have signed up to take part in the event. It also brings economic benefits to the region, with many of the participants staying in the region and making a weekend of it.”

Entry deadline for the event is Monday, September 2.

About Human Race

 

Human Race is the UK’s largest and most diverse mass participation events company; owning and delivering over 50 events in triathlon, cycling, running, duathlon and open water swimming for over 50,000 participants of all abilities and ages each year.  The highly prestigious portfolio of events includes 11 triathlons, nine cycling events, 10 running events, 7 open water swims, 6 kid’s events.  These events bring together an active community of people taking part in sporting events for reasons ranging from fitness, competition, charity, health, fun or to simply finish. The participants vary from nervous first timers from 4 to 80 through to World Champions. Collectively, the events raise millions of pounds for hundreds of charities.  For more details see http://www.humanrace.co.uk

AM praises cross-border links

Leading the Welsh Conservatives Assembly Debate 'Wales in the United Kingdom',  North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood celebrated the role Wales plays in the United Kingdom and referred to the interdependence between North East Wales and North West England.

 

Mr Isherwood urged AMs of all parties to recognise the distinct advantages Wales enjoys through its union with England, Scotland and Northern Ireland as part of a strong United Kingdom.

 

Referring to the fact the Mersey Dee Alliance area shares a £17 Billion economy he said: “The Mersey Dee Alliance  has highlighted the interdependence between North East Wales and North West England, the only part of the UK with a contiguous urban area divided by a  National Boundary.

 

“The pensions of almost 650,000 people in Wales are guaranteed by the UK Welfare System, 85% of private sector employees in Wales are employed by UK owned companies and 138 Million journeys take place each year across the border between England and Wales.

 

“Two thirds of the population of Wales live within 50 miles of that border.

 

“As I stated in May 2009 during the Welsh Conservative Debate on Cross  Border issues. 'The border between England and Wales is long and porous and as a result, cross-border movements in health and education services are a long established fact of life- reflecting geographic and demographic realities … Devolution provides an opportunity for Wales to do things differently and for different approaches to be road-tested on either side of the border – but the objective must be to do things better rather than being different just for the sake of it. We must avoid at all costs a slate curtain in services between these two British Nations.

 

'Our long and porous border should be a cause for celebration and cooperation rather than an obstacle to efficiency and effectiveness'."

 

Mr Isherwood emphasised that Wales and the United Kingdom have a massively mutually beneficial relationship.

 

He said: “The global reputation of the United Kingdom is a powerful lever in attracting jobs and investment to Wales, while Wales’ continued presence in the union serves to enrich the entire UK, but the evolution of devolution is taking us to a crossroads.

 

“One direction could take us to separation, the other to a proud and confident Wales within a more federalised UK.”

Women's festival gets Town Hall rocking

* Dani Chamberlain as Agnetha and Jo Potts as Anni-Frid in the Abba tribute.

The Seventies often come in for quite a bit of stick.

But if the fashions were a bit dodgy, there was certainly nothing wrong with some of the music that came from that decade.

Well, not if it’s presented in the way that it was at Llangollen Town Hall last night, because it literally had the joint rocking.

It was day two of the Women’s Festival of Music and Arts and on the evening’s entertainment bill were acts who provided a perfect evocation of the days when flares were all the rage and you could still smoke in the office.

Setting the Seventies agenda was Tracey Rawlinson as Debbie Harry.

Not only looking uncannily like the Blondie star, she also belted out some of her greatest numbers with competence aswell as confidence.

Another gob-smacking performance came from Justine Bradley as Tina Turner, whose talent was so big it spilled out from the Seventies into subsequent decades.

Although Barcelona, the barnstorming number he performed with opera singer Monstserrat Caballe was from the Eighties, Freddie Mercuy was definitely a creation of the Seventies.

And the powerful recreation of that song was a credit to Aaron Davies and Karen Davies who graced the Town hall stage later.

There was a brief and memorable departure to more modern times when the highly talented 11-year-old Maisy Paton belted out a couple of power ballads including Warwick Avenue, then it was back headlong  into the Seventies for a full-belt tribute to Swedish supergroup Abba from Dani Chamberlain as Agnetha and Jo Potts as Anni-Frid.

A highly polished six-piece band backed them and the famous songs, from Waterloo to Dancing Queen, came pouring out to get a couple of hundred people on their feet to shake the Town Hall foundations before the evening finished.

The three-day  festival, which began on Friday with acts as diverse as Llangollen Operatic’s Touring Troupe to a touch of burlesque from Lauren Kay as Lolly Liquer, continues throughout today when on the programme are everything from Aikido self-defence to an act called Cambrian Queens.

Proceeds from the festival will go to local mental health charities, MIND and AVOW.

AM rooting out support for national tree survey

Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates is asking for people to take part in a new national survey of trees in their local area.

 

The Welsh Government is supporting the Open Air Laboratories (OPAL) Tree Health Survey that encourages people to investigate and record the trees in their locality.

 

The survey activities include identifying and measuring trees, examining the trunk, branches and leaves for signs of poor health and recording the presence of pests and diseases. The results contribute to a national research programme on the state of the nation’s trees and the factors affecting them.

 

The AM is making the plea following the recent loss of the 1,200 year old Pontfadog Oak in Wrexham.

 

Mr Skates said: “Lots of people were very sad to lose the ancient Pontfadog Oak because it could have been saved if more had been done to protect it.  We must now turn our attention to the other fantastic trees in the area that need our help and attention.

 

“That’s why the OPAL project is so important.  It shows we all have an important role to play in protecting our natural environment.

 

“I want people in the area to get online, download the free OPAL survey pack and start investigating and recording the fantastic local trees we have in North East Wales as part of the survey.

 

“It’s a fantastic thing to do with younger family members in particular and a great way to get them interested in our natural environment.

 

“Though we have now lost the Pontfadog Oak, there are a significant number of ancient and veteran trees, particularly around Chirk and at the Grade 1 Listed Capability Brown gardens in Ruabon that need greater support.

 

“In addition we have a vast array of younger trees in gardens and public spaces right across North East Wales that we need to know much more about.

 

“Get out there, get tree hunting and let’s help protect our local trees.”

Police warn over shed thefts

Police in south Denbighshire are calling on residents to ensure they keep their sheds and outbuildings secure.

 

The warning is being made following a few incidents over the past months - including Llangollen - where a variety of items have been taken from the buildings.

 

The offences have happened during various times of the day and power tools, quad bikes, metal and bicycles have been the main items taken.

 

“The majority of the incidents have happened at rural properties and therefore we are urging residents to not only keep their sheds and outbuildings locked but also to regularly check the buildings,” said Inspector Siobhan Edwards.

 

“We believe that the incidents which have happened in the Dolwen, Betws yn Rhos, Trefriw, areas are linked and that the incidents that have happened in the St Asaph,  Trefnant,  Denbigh, Corwen, Llangollen, Llanarmon-yn-Ial, Llanferres, Llandyrnog and Llanelidan areas are onnected separately.”

 

Police inquiries into the incidents are on-going and officers in both south Denbighshire and the Conwy rural areas are working hard to prevent and detect crime. Residents can however also play their part and assist by taking steps that will make it difficult for offenders to gain access to their buildings.

 

Many thefts can be prevented if steps to protect the property are taken. The following are some top tips that can help keep your property secure:

 

•             Ensure that your shed is locked using a heavy duty pad lock

•             Make sure your shed / outbuilding is in good condition with any damaged area replaced or repaired.

•             Property marking – ensure valuable property is security marked with your postcode. Make a note of serial numbers.

•             Garden tools- If possible, loop a strong chain through the handles and connect the ends to a strong padlock. If possible, fix a large metal eyelet to part of the shed frame and loop the chain through it.

•             Pathways – Gravel pathways make it almost impossible for a thief to walk through the garden to your shed quietly.

•             Lighting – Install lights which come on when it gets dark or fit motion/ sensor lights that activate when someone passes.

 

Inspector Edwards added: “Anyone who would like more information on protecting their property can contact their local officers on 101. Alternatively, residents can visit their local officers at one of the many police surgeries that are held each week in Denbigh, Ruthin, Llangollen and Corwen.   

 

“Finally, we continue to appeal to anyone who has information regarding the thefts to get in touch. Similarly, we are extremely keen to hear from anyone who may have been offered gardening tools, power tools or bikes to call us on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Group promotes the benefits of shopping locally

To mark the start of Local Business Week next Monday, a call from organisers and the Federation of Small Businesses has gone out for every UK shopper to think local for a week, and 'take the pledge' at www.localbusinessweek.co.uk/pledge to buy three things from their nearest high street or local shop.

Life for small businesses has never been tougher, and Local Business Week, now in its 9th year, is gearing up to provide support for the country's millions of local shopkeepers, hairdressers, butchers, bakers, builders and countless other small firms battling to find customers in the digital era.

The week is exploring many subjects including how small business owners can market themselves - and through our website, business owners can request free marketing advice exclusively from thomsonlocal.

Businesses can also download posters to print or use on their social media channels, while other resources include guides looking at saving money and avoiding stress.

It comes as the FSB re-launches its campaign, Keep Trade Local, asking shoppers to stay loyal to the high street. But how are our small company owners doing, and what can they expect in the next 12 months?

According to the FSB, against the gloomy economic backdrop, the outlook seems positive yet challenging with their research revealing how aspirations remain high but confidence levels have plummeted, fed by the continued decline of the high street and issues such as planning and parking.

Locally, Keep Llangollen Special has a regular series of Buy Local days when residents are actively encouraged to do their shopping in town rather than journeying elsewhere.  

Council offers online access tips

Drop-in taster sessions on how to access online services are being offered by Denbighshire Library Service to coincide with Adult Learners Week.

The free sessions will be held at Denbigh Library on Monday, 20 May between 4.30pm and 6.30pm and at Ruthin Library on Tuesday, 21 May between 4.30pm and 6.30pm.

People can learn how to access the following:

• E-books
• Online Newspapers
• Family history - Ancestry and Find My Past
• Learn a language
• Oxford Reference - dictionary , music and art
• Encyclopaedia Britannica
• BFI screen online - film and TV history
• Who else writes like?
• Renewing  and reserving items online and searching the catalogue

For further information, please contact the Library Service on  01824 705274.