Eating at the yellow Aqueduct is certainly no peril

llanblogger taste test

* The startlingly yellow Aqueduct Inn at Fron.

THE new vivid yellow external paintjob might be a little startling but there’s nothing disturbing about the welcome and the food at the Aqueduct Inn in Fron.

If discerning Llangollen folk would care to travel just a couple of miles up the road to sample Sunday lunch there, they are not likely to be disappointed.

The historic pub in its prime position overlooking the Dee Valley and the World Heritage site was empty for quite a few months but, just as the place where we did our last taste test, the Sun at Rhewl, enterprising new people have now moved in and are doing their best to make a go of  what was once a thriving village boozer.

Despite the canary-like exterior, the interior of the Aqueduct is still reassuringly old world, from its muted, heritage-style painted walls to the old-fashioned tables and chairs.

The guy behind the bar when llanblogger went there recently was extremely welcoming and chatty and offered us something cool to drink as soon as we stepped in looking hot from the sun-baked A5.

There was a couple of interesting-looking real ales and one of them made a very refreshing pint of bitter shandy.

The Sunday lunch menu was hardly vast but featured the essential roasts – good old beef and lamb.

There was a slightly wider choice of starters, including the tasty garlic mushrooms we ordered at £3.95.

We then went for a couple of beef main courses at a very reasonable £5.99.

The beef was succulent and came with all the usual trimmings – mashed and roast potatoes, two veg, a Yorkshire pudding and some very pleasant gravy.

Helpings weren’t lavish but perfectly adequate and left enough room for a couple of desserts.

The last helpings of chocolate cake and cream having been snaffled just before we got around to ordering, it had to be apple pie and ice cream times two for us, at £2.50 apiece.

But that was certainly no imposition as these were delicious, with a nice crust, plenty of apple filling and two scoops of vanilla ice cream to top them off.

Service came with a smile, the landlord called at our table for a chat and we were able to sit in one of the two main rooms and look out over an idyllic canal scene as we enjoyed lunch for a very digestible total of £26 including our shandies.

The Aqueduct is definitely worth driving up the A5 to try. 

Importance of fire drill emphasized after big blaze

A senior fire officer is highlighting the importance of working smoke alarms and having a practiced fire escape plan after a family of seven escaped a serious fire in their New Brighton home last night.
 
Firefighters from Llangollen along with those from Johnstown, Wrexham and Chirk were called to the fire at a rural property in the New Brighton area of Minera, Wrexham at 10.56pm yesterday (Sunday, July 14).

The female occupant, her teenage daughter and her daughter’s partner along with another four of her children were in the property at the time of the fire.

The female occupant was upstairs sleeping and was woken by bangs and crackling coming from downstairs. She went to investigate and alerted the other sleeping occupants as the smoke alarms activated.

Their regular route of escape was blocked and so the daughter’s partner kicked down an alternative door.

All occupants escaped safely and were taken to hospital for precautionary checks before being discharged earlier today.

The cause of the fire is currently being investigated.

Paul Whybro, Head of Risk and Resilience for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “This incident clearly highlights the importance of working smoke alarms and practiced fire escape plans.

“Smoke alarms give an early warning which help you to escape safely and quickly in the event of a fire. Plan your escape route with everyone - always include children and the elderly so that everyone knows how to get out. Also, make sure that you know where door and window keys are kept so that you can escape quickly in the event of an emergency.
 
“Thankfully no one was hurt in this fire which had the potential for a major tragedy. This was a rural property and residents living in rural areas should take extra care with fire safety as it is likely that there will not be a fire station in the immediate area. This will mean that the firefighters will have to take time to travel to the property - so early detection of the fire is especially important. “

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service also offer free home fire safety checks for all residents in North Wales. During a home fire safety check, a member of the Service will visit your home, help formulate a safety escape plan, give tips and guidance on fire safety in the home, and if necessary, install a new smoke alarm free of charge. For a free home fire safety check, please call our 24 hour hotline on 0800 169 1234, visit www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk or e-mail cfs@nwales-fireservice.org.uk

More colourful Llanfest pictures

Guest photographer Barrie Potter has sent us more pictures from yesterday (Sunday's) Llanfest at the eisteddfod. 

Local musical talent on show at Llanfest

 

Our guest photographer Barrie Potter was back on the eisteddfod field today afternoon (Sunday) to picture the array of local musical talent on display during the traditional Llanfest staged in the amphitheatre.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Countdown begins to prestigious cycling event

* Riders in last year's Etape Cymru head up the Horseshoe Pass.

The countdown has begun to welcome one of the UK's most prestigious cycling sportives to North East Wales.

 

The route of Wiggle Etape Cymru 2013, to be held on Sunday, September 8,  starts and finishes at Bangor on Dee Racecourse and passes through communities in Wrexham County Borough before it enters into Denbighshire through the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Beauty.

The route takes in several well-known climbs including the legendary Horseshoe Pass which incorporates a timed King of the Mountains challenge.

This incredible event was voted Sportive of the Year 2012 by readers of Road Cycling UK and has been widely acclaimed for its success by all of the top cycling media outlets.

The event is being staged by Human Race, who are the UK's largest mass participation events company and fully is supported by Wrexham and Denbighshire Councils.

Leader of Denbighshire, Councillor Hugh Evans, said: "Cycling is becoming an ever more popular sport, especially in the wake of the tremendous cycling success at London 2012 and we are extremely keen to capitalise on this renewed interest in the sport.

"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."

Nick Rusling, CEO of Human Race said: "We welcome the support of Wrexham and Denbighshire Council in making this year's Etape Cymru the best yet. After the fantastic success of last year's event cyclists are anticipating a great event for 2013 and we look forward to welcoming thousands of cyclists to the region."

For further information, please visit the website: www.humanrace.co.uk

Eisteddfod's street dance spectacular

Our guest photographer Barrie Potter has sent us these fabulous pictures of the street dance session staged by performers from the Eisteddfod in the town centre yesterday (Friday). 

 

 

 

 

 

County council proceedings may be webcast

Council meetings in Denbighshire could be broadcast over the web in future, after councillors gave the thumbs up to the idea of using more modern technology to engage people in local democracy.

Discussions have taken place after a former Minister for Communications and Local Government wrote to all authorities earlier this year, indicating that the Welsh Government was making £1.2 million in grants available to councils to assist with implementing the webcasting of council meetings.

Webcasting involves the live streaming of sound and vision of council meetings. The webcast can be made available on the Council's website as archived material.  This means that members of the public who are not able to attend meetings may either view them live online of  at a later date.

Officers from the Council have already held discussions with the Welsh Government and Welsh Local Government Association and a demonstration has been given to councillors.

Councillor Barbara Smith, Cabinet Lead Member for Modernisation, said: "This is a good way for the Council to communicate with residents and the public via social media. We want to be a  modern Council in our approach to using technology to do business and this is a great way of allowing people to access council meetings without having to leave their home or office.

"There is also the flexibility of listening and watching coverage of council meetings at times which suit the individual and Members were keen to support such an innovative project."