Candlelit service marks start of the Great War

Llangollen people gathered at the town's cenotaph for a candlelit service to mark the centenary of Britain's involvement in World War 1 earlier tonight (Monday).

They joined in the Royal British Legion's national campaign to mark the exact time of Britain's declaration of war on Germany at 11pm on August 4, 1914 with a show of candlelight.

The service was led by the Rev Andrew Sully of St Collen's Church and on parade were members of cadet organisations along with standard bearers from the British Legion.

* Youth organisations parade with their symbolic candles.

 

* People gather around the cenotaph for the service.

   

* A candle and a poppy cross left on the cenotaph at the end of the service.

Chirk open evening to recruit retained firefighters

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is holding an open evening tomorrow (Tuesday) at Chirk Fire Station as part of it current campaign to recruit Retained Duty System (RDS) firefighters to help protect communities across the region.

Ruth Simmons, Assistant Chief Fire Officer,explained:  "RDS firefighters provide  essential fire and emergency cover for their fire station's area. We are  looking for suitable individuals, in particular those available during the day,  who can travel to their local fire station within five or six minutes of being  paged for a call out.

"These people may have other roles such as builders, shopkeepers, nurses, factory workers, housewives or homeworkers during working hours but we would ask that, in addition, retained firefighters are available to attend emergency incidents as and when required.

"Firefighters are fully trained, highly skilled personnel, saving lives and property from fire. RDS firefighters provide expertise at road, rail and aircraft accidents, chemical spillages, flooding, forest, heathland and mountain fires, agricultural accidents and animal rescues.

"We are looking for both female and male recruits who are enthusiastic and can demonstrate common sense, commitment and dedication. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service provides close-knit, highly trained teams working with modern, hi-tech equipment. Recruits will also take part in the fire prevention work we carry out to prevent fires happening in our community."

The Chirk open evening will be held between 6.30pm and 9pm.

For more details, contact North Wales Fire and Rescue Service on 01745 535250 or RDSrecruitment@nwales-fireservice.org.uk.

All applications must be received by 27^thAugust  2014.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old. They must possess a good standard of physical fitness and have the ability to pass aptitude tests. In addition to their monthly retaining fees, payments are made for turnouts, attendance and drill nights.

Many employers are aware of the essential role that retained fire and rescue service personnel carry out within their local communities and many release staff to carry out firefighting and other emergency duties.

A483 closed due to serious incident

Wrexham.com is reporting this morning that the A483 towards Chirk has been closed due to a serious incident at around 11.15am today.

For the full story see:

http://www.wrexham.com/news/a483-closed-due-to-serious-incident-46458.html

BBC traffic information says:

A483 Wrexham - A483 in Halton closed and queueing traffic in both directions between Halton Roundabout and Ruabon, because of a serious police incident. Diversion in operation - local. Congestion to J2, B5426 (Johnstown) and on A5 to Gledrid Roundabout.


More on the story from the Oswestry Advertizer's website ...

http://www.bordercountiesadvertizer.co.uk/news/136433/man-falls-from-bypass-bridge-near-chirk.aspx#.U9-CrkjYFzc.twitter

World War 1 commemoration held

 

* The Rev Andrew Sully of St Collen’s Church, who led prayers,

and the bugler from Llangollen Silver Band, Iestyn Watkin, during the service.

* Standards are lowered to honour the fallen of World War 1.  

A service to mark the 100^th anniversary of Britain’s involvement in World War 1 on August 4, 1914 was held by Llangollen branch of the Royal British Legion at the town’s war memorial this morning (Monday).

A bugler from Llangollen Silver Band sounded the traditional Last Post and Reveille as standards were paraded and the Rev Andrew Sully, of St Collen’s Church, said a short prayer.

The ceremony followed a service in St Collen’s Church.

This evening at 10.50pm there is due to be a further informal gathering at the war memorial.

World War One centenary events today

Llangollen branch of the Royal British Legion has asked llablogger to display this poster giving details of today's special event to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War:  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Battle is to save the Welsh high street

Buy Local Llangollen has highlighted a new campaign to fight for the survival of the traditional Welsh high street.

For the full story see:
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/fight-save-welsh-high-street-7545413

Plas Madoc competition deadline extended

A competition to create a new mascot for Plas Madoc Leisure Centre has been extended for the summer holidays.

The volunteer-run Splash Community Trust is urging youngsters aged four to 11 to get creative and come up with designs for a dragon mascot for the popular facility, which it is hoped will reopen later this year as a social enterprise under the name Splash Magic.

Board member and fundraising coordinator Jenny Miller said: “We feel Splash Magic needs a strong and iconic mascot, and we like the idea of Splash the Magic Dragon. We would like local schoolchildren to help us – their ideas are critical.”

Trust chairman Darrell Wright said: “We would like Splash to be sporty and to capture the spirit of Plas Madoc and the activities that the centre has to offer – swimming, squash, aerobics, circuit training, pilates, yoga, children activities etc – so please be imaginative!

“Splash can be a boy or a girl, young or old – it’s up to you. This is a great idea of Jenny’s, and it will be fantastic to have a local child create a little piece of Plas Madoc history.”

The competition costs £1 to enter. The money will go on admin costs, with any remaining cash going towards the reopening of the centre. The winning design will be framed and proudly displayed in the reception area of Splash Magic when it reopens.

Jenny added: “The winner will also be presented with a framed copy to display at their school or to take home, and we have a hamper full of arts and crafts goodies very generously donated by the Plassey Holiday Park in Eyton.

“We’re hoping this will be a fun way to engage with local children and for them to be a part of what we are doing, and they will also be helping us ensure that Plas Madoc is still around when they have children of their own.”

Entries should be done on A4 paper, with the child’s name, age, school and home telephone number on the back.

The closing date is Friday, September 5. Designs can be sent to Splash Community Trust, 21 Egerton Street, Wrexham, LL11 1ND, or emailed to splashmagictrust@yahoo.co.uk.

For more information call Jenny on 07921 659099.