Sports stars honoured at Llan ceremony

Sporting teams and individuals have been honoured for their achievements at a recent awards ceremony staged in Llangollen and arranged by Denbighshire County Council's Leisure Team.

Last year, three Denbighshire Community Sport Awards winners went on to win national accolades at the Sport Wales Awards in Cardiff.

This year there was over 160 nominations for the Denbighshire Community Sport Awards.

They were then shortlisted to three finalists for each category.

Many of the clubs and individuals recognised had received a Denbighshire Talented Athlete Grant, a Community Chest Grant or a North Wales Gold Card.

This year's guest speaker was Nicola Tustain of Corwen, one of Britain’s best known para–equestrian dressage riders,  having performed at a world class level for the past ten years.

Her career has taken her to international competitions in no less than 12 countries representing the UK and her speech outlining her sporting journey was truly inspirational.

The 2013 winners announced at the ceremony were:

• James Roberts, Prestatyn (Sports Performer)
•  Emily Noden, Denbigh  (Disability Award)
• Roydon Healy (Coach of the year)
• Sophie Vaughan, Rhyl (Volunteer of the Year)
•  Michael Kitchin, Prestatyn (Young Inspiration of the Year)
•  Olivia Fuller, Prestatyn (Junior Sports Performer)
•  Prestatyn High School (Sport in School Award)
• Jeff Jenkins, Denbigh  (Lifetime Achievement)
•  Prestatyn FC (Team of the Year and Denbighshire Sport Ambassadors 2013).

Jamie Groves, Denbighshire County Council's Head of Communication, Marketing and Leisure, said: "It was a true honour for the Council and its partners to recognise the tremendous amount of sporting talent we have in Denbighshire.

"They are great ambassadors for sport and well-being and really show how commitment, dedication and nurturing local talent can pay dividends in their chosen sport.

"The Olympic and Paralympic Games have left a lasting legacy for sports in the UK and the leisure industry has never been in the spotlight as much as it is now. It's a great opportunity for us to celebrate achievements, as well as encouraging others to get active and strive for the best in their fields."

Denbighshire County Council says it would like to thank event sponsors Alliance Leisure, who have also been awarded a four year investment framework as partners to Denbighshire County Council, to significantly improve and expand leisure facilities in the county.  

The transformation of Ruthin Leisure Centre has providing a full sized all weather pitch, a new extension to the swimming pool – which will house a new reception and viewing area, as well as a state of the art 25 station fitness centre.  

Category sponsors were Glyndwr University, Coleg Llandrillo Rhyl, X N Leisure, Technogym,  Denbighshire County Council Housing services and Family information Services and University of Central Lancashire. They are thanked for their support in making the event possible.

Region escapes big storm

Our region has escaped the worst of the big storm.

For more, see the Daily Post report at http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-weather-region-escapes-6246787

More of Rachel's photos for you to enjoy

Here's the latest in a series of atmospheric pictures from local amateur photographer Rachel Morris that we are bringing you over the coming weeks.

Since we published the first batch, Rachel has been telling us a little more about her photographic background.

She said: "I took a sabbatical 10 years ago and spent nearly a year in North America, visiting 38 states.

"I started taking photos of 'roadside attractions' with a Lomo camera, as a pleasurable procrastination from my first stab at travel writing, and ended up being better at the photography.

"In 2004 my photo of 'Carhenge', Nebraska, won a Guardian newspaper competition. In 2005, six of my photos were selected for InsideOut travel magazine’s Faces Of The World, and my ‘paintograph’ won the annual award at Able Stable.

"Two of my photos have appeared in the booklet accompanying every Lomo Fisheye camera sold throughout the world."

 

 

* 4 - Bridge Street.

 

 

* 5. Caffi. 

 

* 6 - Carrog Farm.

Storm advice from North Wales Fire & Rescue Service

As the country braces itself for a severe storm, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service has issued the following safety advice:

* Secure any loose objects such as ladders, garden furniture or anything else that could be blown over and cause damage.

* Close and securely fasten all doors and windows.

* Where possible, park vehicles in a garage; otherwise park them away from trees, walls or fences.

* Stay indoors as much as possible.

* If you do go out, try not to walk or shelter close to trees.

* If you experience any damage, do not go outside to make repairs. Wait until the weather has improved.

* Be careful not to touch any electrical/telephone cables that have been blown down or are still hanging.

* Be a good neighbour and make sure that any vulnerable neighbours or relatives are safe.

* Do not drive unless your journey is really necessary. If your journey is essential then check first with Traffic Wales an plan your journey in advance. If you have to drive, observe the road conditions. Puddles may be deeper than they appear. Please don't take any unnecessary risks.

* Slow down and be aware of side winds - particular care should be taken if you are towing or are a high sided vehicle.

* If you are experiencing flooding in your home - get yourself to a place of safety, maybe upstairs. If you are taking any medication take this with you.

* Do not exit your property if there is fast flowing water outside.

* Stay safe and listen to the advice of the emergency services and evacuate if told to do so.

* Gather essential items together either upstairs or in a high place.

* Turn off gas, electricity and water supplies when flood water is about to enter your home and if safe to do so. DO NOT touch sources of electricity when standing in flood water.

If you require sandbags, please contact your local council rather than your local fire and rescue service. In busy periods, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service will prioritise calls to those where it is believed life is at risk.

For up to date information on flood warnings and advice, visit Natural Resources Wales - they monitor the weather situation closely and keep a close eye on river levels.

Residents can also contact Floodline on 0845 988 1188 using quickdial 194902 for up-to-date flooding information and advice in their local area.

Flood warnings are also broadcast on local TV and Radio, and check the North Wales Police website for the latest on road closures.

- See more at: http://www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk/keeping-you-safe/severe-weather/flooding-and-high-winds.aspx?lang=en#sthash.6kGutbVb.dpuf

Railway's fish n chip special aims to be sizzling success

* A Remembrance Special.
Picture: Colour-Rail/Bruce Chapman Collection.

The LMS-Patriot Project the, Llangollen based group who are building the new 'Patriot' steam locomotive 'The Unknown Warrior' is running a Fish n Chip Special on Saturday, November 9.

A special steam hauled train will leave Llangollen at 6.30pm for a return trip to Carrog.

The fish n chips or alternative menu will be served shortly after the train departs from Llangollen.

Tickets for the fish n chip special must be pre-booked via the LMS-Patriot Project. Please download a booking form from:
www.lms-patriot.org.uk/FishnChipNov2013.pdf

The special train is being run in support of the new steam locomotive 'The Unknown Warrior' which is being assembled at the Llangollen Railway Works.

Tours around the Llangollen Works are being organised by LMS-Patriot Project volunteers from 12pm where progress of the new steam locomotive 'The Unknown Warrior' can be seen.

The Llangollen Railway is also running three special steam-hauled Remembrance Day trains on Saturday  and Sunday, November 9 and 10, at 11am, 1pm and 3pm from Llangollen to Carrog.

Tickets for these Remembrance trains are available from the Llangollen Railway.

Further information is available from: www.llangollen-railway.co.uk/article.php?id=31

Skates urges support for Llan food bank

Clwyd South assembly member Ken Skates is urging members of the public and local businesses to help a charity project which feeds a community’s most vulnerable people.

Mr Skates first visited Matt’s Food Bank at City Church in Llangollen in August to see how the team of volunteers provides support to those in crisis by handing out emergency supplies and offering free hot meals.

 

Pastor Brian Smith, one of the co-founders who opened the food bank a year ago, said certain items such as tinned meat and vegetables, cereals and sugar are often in short supply. The church building is also in need of repairs after the recent heavy rain.

 

Mr Skates said: “It’s a sad sign of the times that there is even a need for projects like this, but the food bank is a fantastic organisation run by dedicated volunteers who give up their time to help people struggling to make ends meet.

 

“Food poverty is rising under the Tory-led UK Government, and charitable schemes like this are having to help more and more. The volunteers at Matt’s Food Bank do an amazing job, but they need help. I would encourage members of the public to donate what they can – either food or money – to help the project continue its vital work.

 

“There is a drop-off point at the Llangollen Co-op where you can donate tins, packets and other non-perishable food, and I would love to see local businesses get involved too by donating whatever they can afford and making a real difference to people’s lives.”

 

Food bank clients are given vouchers by doctors, district nurses, schools, the Citizens Advice Bureau and other welfare agencies which can be redeemed at the church on Mondays and Fridays. The volunteers also run Matt’s Community Bite, which offers a home-cooked meal and company every Monday and Friday from noon-2pm.

 

The food bank was named in honour of the late Matt Price, the former manager of St Collen’s Community Hall in Llangollen, and officially opened in October 2012. It serves most of the Dee Valley from Corwen to Cefn Mawr.

 

If you can help, call Brian on 07957 728473.

Warning follows theft of garden furniture

The local Neighbourhood watch team has put out the following message:

"We would like to bring to your attention a recent theft of garden furniture occurring within your local area.

"The Items taken included a cast iron table and chairs.

"It is important that we all protect our property during the winter months. If you do leave items in the garden you should be identifying issues such as visibility of item(s) to the public, ease of access and amount of time the property is unsupervised.

"Crime prevention measures acts like a great deterrent to thieves. This can be applied in many ways by closing/locking garden gates, good light sensors, keeping valuable items out of the public eye, posters or stickers that a dog resides at the address or installing a CCTV system.

"If you feel like you could use further target hardening advice regarding this matter then visit our website www.north-wales.police.uk or attend your local Police Station to make an appointment with a local Officer. Any reports of similar incidents should be reported to the Force Non-Emergency Line; either 101 or 0300 330 0101 if outside the district."