Unknown Warrior loco heads for Dorset

* The Unknown Warrior in the shed at Llangollen Railway being repainted for display in Dorset.

 

 

THE locomotive being built in Llangollen to commemorate the centenary of the First World War is to make a guest appearance at this year’s Great Dorset Steam Fair.

Named The Unknown Warrior, the Patriot Class engine is being constructed in the specialist workshops at Llangollen Railway as part of a £1.5 million project and should be ready in time to mark the 100^th anniversary of the end of the war in 2018.

But, still incomplete, it will be taken down to Dorset to take pride of place in a World War One commemorative event at the show to be staged at Tarrant Hinton, Blandford Forum from August 27-31.
 

After the First World War, three railway companies named locomotives to honour their employees who had fought and died during the conflict. These were Valour, Remembrance and Patriot. 
 

The L & N W R memorial engine was a Claughton class locomotive was named Patriot. This name was later transferred to the new 4-6-0 locomotive number 5500, which became the new Patriot memorial engine for the LMS and after which the class took its name.

The Unknown Warrior is being built to keep up the tradition of war memorial engines and serve as a permanent memorial to all those who fought and died in the First World War and all subsequent wars.

The LMS-Patriot Project has received the endorsement of The Royal British Legion and the loco will proudly carry a Legion crest above its nameplate.

 

The LMS-Patriot Project is looking to raise £1.5 million pounds to build  The Unknown Warrior and extensive fundraising is continuing.

Llangollen Railway spokesman George Jones said: “The Unknown Warrior is due to leave for Dorset by low loader next Friday.

“The loco now sits on its three main axles and six driving wheels.

“On its return from Dorset LR will fit the middle and outside cylinders, which means taking off the wheels!”

For more details go to: http://www.gdsf.co.uk/index.php/news/79-news/208-new-patriot-class-locomotive-the-unknown-warrior

 

Gardening club's summer show is next Saturday

Llangollen & District Gardening Club has its Open Summer Show in St Collen's Community Centre on Saturday, August 23.

There are classes for vegetables, flowers, fruit, floral art, arts and crafts, photography, cookery, preserves plus special classes for juniors.

A club spokesperson said: "The show is open to anyone and there are competitions for all ages and abilities, whether it's entering a photograph you've taken, baking a cake or showing your beans.

"Schedules and entry forms are available around town or can be downloaded from our website www.llangollengardeningclub.co.uk.

 

"The doors open at 1.00 pm (admission 50p - under 13 years free) when visitors can see which entries have been awarded prizes by the judges. There are also plants to buy, a raffle and refreshments. At 3 pm Dr Rhys Davies will be presenting the trophies.

 

"The committee would like to thank the many businesses in town which have kindly sponsored the show."

 

Open Doors returns next month

The popular Open Doors international event giving free access to a range of landmark sites and events is returning to Denbighshire in September.

 

It includes over 100 venues, walks, tours and events to join in throughout each weekend in the month and involves Llangollen along with Corwen, St Asaph, Bodelwyddan, Denbigh, Rhuddlan and Ruthin.

 

A string of events, talks and tours will be delivered by local enthusiasts, archaeologists and storytellers.

 

 

Town museum seeks volunteers

Llangollen Museum is currently looking to recruit some new volunteers.

 

A spokesperson said: "If you have some spare time and an interest in history and heritage, volunteering with us would be a great way to meet new people and learn some new skills.

 

"If you are interested in our volunteering opportunities, pop by the museum Thursday-Tuesday 10.00am-4.00pm to find out more! If you live in the Denbighshire area, particularly in Llangollen, please spread the word."

 

Wiggle Etape Cymru to wheel through Llan

The Wiggle Etape Cymru closed road cycling race is returning to North East Wales, with Denbighshire and Wrexham Councils working closely with event organisers Human Race to deliver a successful event in the cycling calendar. 

This is the fourth year for this award-winning race to take to the region's roads and the 85 mile route takes in the stunning scenery of Wrexham county and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 

The event will take place on Sunday, 14 September and will be a closed road event. The route is broadly the same as the 2013 event, however some changes have been made this year to reduce the impact on certain areas, these changes mean that there will now be people affected who were not last year as they were not previously on the route.

The event starts (and finishes) at the Bangor on Dee Racecourse before heading through or near Eyton, Crabtree Green, Ruabon, Acrefair, Llangollen, Horseshoe Pass, Bryneglwys, Carrog, Pentre-Celyn, Graigfechan, Llanarmon yn Iâl before heading back into Wrexham county and through/near Minera, Penycae Rhosllanerchrugog, Marchwiel, and Cross Lanes.

The official map can be found on the residents tab at: www.humanrace.co.uk/events/cycling/etape-cymru, together with times and other useful information. The answers to various FAQ’s can also be found here.

The majority of the region's A roads will remain open. However, there will be traffic management along any stretches of the route which crosses any 'A' roads. 

Councillor Huw Jones, Denbighshire's Cabinet Lead Member for Leisure, said: "This event is fast earning a reputation as a prestigious event in the cycling calendar, with increasing number of participants making their way to North East Wales to compete in the race. 

"We have some of the most breath-taking scenery as a backdrop and some great hills to provide a great challenge to the cyclists. This is a great opportunity for cyclists, as well as supporters to take advantage of the race to explore North East Wales and see what's on offer."

This year the event will also welcome ex Welsh rugby captain and legend Gareth Thomas on board as the ambassador for the ride. Gareth will be riding to support one of the official charities of the event, Macmillan Cancer Support. Many riders will also be supporting the local charity Nightingale House Hospice, who will also be benefiting through providing a number of paid for volunteers to support the running of the event and cheer on the thousands of cyclists.

If you’d like to join Gareth, along with hundreds of other Wrexham and Denbighshire residents who are set to take part on Sunday 14 September, then please sign up at www.humanrace.co.uk/events/cycling/etape-cymru.

Anyone with any specific enquiries should contact Human Race by e-mail: cycling@humanrace.co.uk or call their Customer Services Team on 0208 391 3913 (Monday-Friday 9am-5.30pm)

Another A-mazing year for Ysgol Dinas Bran

* Dinas Bran students celebrate their A level results.

Delighted Year 13 students celebrated excellent A level results at Ysgol Dinas Bran today.

100% of entrants achieved the prestigious level three threshold (two A level passes or more); well over half of all grades awarded were at A*-B and more than three quarters were higher level passes.

Among many successful students were George Wort who achieved an incredible five A* grades in Chemistry, ICT, Maths, further Maths and Physics.  

George will now go onto study Computer Science at Jesus College, Cambridge University.  

Another high-achiever was Iestyn Watkin who was awarded two A* grades in Maths and Physics, an A grade in Chemistry and a B grade in English Language. 

Iestyn also achieved an A grade in the Extended Project.  He will now progress to study Natural Sciences at Girton College, Cambridge University.

Wilf Wort, brother of George, achieved an A* grade and three A grades and Polly Harrison three A grades and a C grade.  

Wilf has successfully secured a place at Durham University to study English Literature and Polly will take up History at Keele University.

The vast majority of students who applied achieved their first-choice place at university – a real testament to the quality of their results.  Headteacher Martyn Froggett said: “We congratulate all students on their tremendous results.  

"They have worked exceptionally hard and can be proud of their achievements.  We wish them all the very best for the future.  

"A big thank you too to the staff and parents who have supported them.  It is a great year for the school – to achieve a 100% pass-rate is simply fantastic!”

A county council spokesperson said: "Early indications show that the approximate A Level (Level 3) pass rate at Denbighshire’s six secondary schools in 2014 shows an improvement of 2% up from 96.8% to 98.8% and there have been some excellent individual achievements across all schools.

"In addition to the A Level results, 99.4% students were awarded the Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification's Advanced Diploma."  Councillor Eryl Williams, Denbighshire's Cabinet Lead Member for Education, said: “We would like to congratulate all students on their individual results.  "Education remains a top priority in Denbighshire and I am extremely pleased to see our A level results continuing to rise."

 

* Celebrations all round.

New regional emergency planning service formed

Councils in North Wales have joined forces to provide a new regional emergency planning service, the first of its kind in the country.

The team will bring together the six councils’ emergency planning teams ensuring a coordinated local authority response to any major incidents in North Wales such as flooding, severe weather, power cuts, transport or industrial accidents.

The service will assist the councils to fulfil their role in preparing with the emergency services and other organisations, plans to assist in a co-ordinated, multi agency response to a major emergency.

The 14-strong team will operate from two hubs based at Mold and Conwy and will be managed by the Regional Manager Phil Harrison, former Emergency Planning Manager for Wrexham and Deputy Regional Manager Jonathan Williams, formerly Emergency Planning Manager for Conwy.

He said: “We have brought together the expertise from all the North Wales Emergency Planning teams to harmonise all the various plans, reduce repetition of effort and ensure that the response from individual councils is timely and robust.

“As always we will continue to work closely with colleagues from other agencies involved in emergency response and recovery such as the police, fire, ambulance and Natural Resource Wales.”

Colin Everett, Chief Executive of Flintshire County Council, the lead authority for the new regional scheme, said: “Severe weather which has caused, for example, flooding emergencies in North Wales, requires a coordinated response from the emergency services and councils.

"It is essential that we are ready to respond to such incidents and any other type of emergency situation. Planning ahead is the most effective way to ensure that if emergencies do happen they have as small an impact as possible on local communities.

“Our new approach in North Wales has streamlined the service and will ensure that we use our resources in the most efficient and effective way to deliver a first class response for residents and businesses.”