Railway steams in help Chain Bridge facelift project

 

 

* The train at Berwyn station during the loading of the dismantled parts.

 

When the contractor for the current restoration project asked for help in transporting dismantled parts of the historic Chain Bridge away for refurbishment, Llangollen Railway steamed in the help.

 

They provided a short goods train at Berwyn to move the parts for SHEMEC Ltd of Llangollen and also came up with an appropriate piece of motive power to haul the precious load - their Large Prairie Tank 5199 which came straight out of the repair shop.



* Station master Ben Jackson congratulates Harry Edwards

of Shemec on completing the arduous job of bringing

 all the ironwork up from the riverside for loading point.

 

The freight train comprised a Toad brake van and two ton Tube wagon which were propelled up Berwyn Bank to meet the contractor's team who had assembled parts of the links and vertical tie rods, all of which had been man-handled up the steep path from the riverside.

 

The historic links between railway and bridge date back to the construction of the Chain Bridge in 1817 and later to the dawn of the steam transport age, nearly 50 years prior to the railway arriving at Berwyn.

With the assorted items loaded and strapped down it was arranged for the train to make a run-past through the station for the benefit of the television cameraman from ITV/Wales who covered the story.

Later the Tube wagon was shunted into the reception road in Llangollen yard where the load was transferred to the contractor's trailer for onward delivery and restoration.

George Jones for the railway said: "It was a prestigious occasion for the railway to help out with a restoration project which, when completed in spring 2015, will bring improved access to the Dee Valley and benefit to patrons at Berwyn station."

 

 

* The cargo of vintage ironwork destined for renovation and conservation before reassembly.

 

Llan fivesome cycle 50 miles to help Ebola victims

* Before their ride, from left, are Andrew Riley, George Aylward,

Warren Davies, Andrew Sully and Gwyn Lloyd.

Five intrepid cyclists from the area got on their bikes to raise over £450 for Ebola victims recently.

Warren Davies, Andrew Riley, George Aylward, Gwyn Lloyd and St Collen’s vicar Andrew Sully made a 50-mile round trip from Llangollen to Bala and back.

Warren Davies said: "The weather was actually excellent for November, which really helped as our legs started to feel weary on the way back.

“Ebola is a devastating disease for families in West Africa. However, the solutions to stopping it spreading are incredibly simple. The money raised here will be spent on basic medical equipment, things like gloves and disinfectant.”

He added: “If there is sufficient interest in the future, there are plans to turn this November ride into an annual fundraiser.

“We are just shy of our £500 target and any further donations to this very worthy cause are most welcome at www.justgiving.com/bala-and-back.”

 

* The riders reach their destination near Lake Bala.

 

 

Countdown to re-opening of Plas Madoc tomorrow

An online advent calendar will conclude its countdown to the re-opening of Plas Madoc Leisure Centre tomorrow.

The doors of the much-loved centre, rebranded Splash Magic, will be flung open once more at 11am on Saturday, less than eight months after it closed.

Digital expert Jason Davies, who runs Wrexham-based Hashtag Marketing, came up with the idea of an online advent calendar on the Splash Magic website, which he designed and developed from scratch.

Members of the Splash Community Trust, which is running the facility after Wrexham Council relinquished it, are urging people to show their support by turning out for the official reopening when the calendar’s countdown concludes.

Jason said: “The calendar was just a fun idea I came up with to add to the festive spirit at Splash in the build-up to the big reopening. We can’t wait for 11am on Saturday and we’re all really hoping to see a massive crowd so everyone’s efforts were worthwhile.”

Jason got involved with the Trust early on and has ‘loved every minute’.

He said: “It’s been incredible to be part of this team and to work with people with so much energy, passion and drive to achieve a shared vision. There has been a lot of hard work, but I’ve loved every minute. I really hope now that the public will do their bit and help make a success of it.”

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates, a founder member of the Trust, said: “We would again like to say a huge thank you to AVOW, the Wales Co-Operative Centre and Vi-Ability. Without them all we would never have reached this point. Their advice and support has been crucial.”

Derek Walker is Chief Executive of the Wales Co-operative Centre, which supported the development of Splash Magic through its European Regional Development Fund and Welsh Government-funded Social Enterprise Support Project.

He said: “We would like to congratulate the community for working together so effectively to reopen this essential community resource.  The Splash Magic team have worked tirelessly to make this a reality.

“We were very happy to support the team to set up the Trust and help develop its governance and business planning, and are glad to be able to play our part in the relaunch. We wish Splash Magic every success in the future.”

For membership forms and centre prices, or for more information, visit splashmagic.co.uk

New exhibition opens at the museum

The following exhibition is currently running at Llangollen Museum: 

County to charge for garden waste collections

Denbighshire County Council is informing residents of changes to its garden waste collections.

Garden waste will not be collected over the winter months, with the service ending on Friday, 16 January, 2015.  

When the service resumes on 30^th March,  2015, the council will be introducing a charge for using the service. Garden waste will be collected fortnightly.

People can sign up for the service now and there is a discount for people signing up before the end of January. People can sign up by visiting the council’s website (www.denbighshire.gov.uk), by visiting any of the county’s One Stop Shops or by calling 01824 706101.

The council will arrange to collect your garden waste for 12 months from the date of your first collection.  They will arrange to collect your garden waste over 12 months from the date you sign up.

The council says it will send residents signing up a unique identification label for their green bin(s) or a tag for green dumpy sacks, a calendar showing  collection days and any additional containers (if necessary) before collections begin. Residents moving addresses within Denbighshire after signing up for garden waste collections can transfer the arrangement for the collection service to their new property.

The cost of the new service will be £24 a year for one green wheelie bin or three dumpy sacks or £36 a year for two green wheelie bins of six dumpy sacks. A discount of £2 will be offered to those signing up before the end of January.

More than 500 residents have already taken the opportunity to register for the garden waste service, taking advantage of the early-bird discount.  The following garden waste goes in your green wheelie bin or green dumpy sack: grass cuttings, garden prunings, branches and twigs, leaves, bark, flowers and plants.

The council says it will not empty green dumpy bags or green bins which contain soil, general household rubbish or food products. Garden waste can also be disposed of through recycling parks, free of charge.

Some garden wastes can be shredded and returned to the soil as a mulch or composted at home either on a traditional compost heap or a home composter. More details about the home composter are available from the council.  C

Councillor David Smith, Cabinet Lead Member for Environment, said: “We are going through a period of significant change as a council and we need to make some difficult choices, as part of our efforts to save £17 million over the next two years.

“The proposal to charge for green waste collections has been agreed. We appreciate this is a very different way of working and we are offering people plenty of time to set themselves up for the new service which begins at the end of March."

St Collen's Christmas Fayre this Saturday

St. Collen's Christmas Fayre will be held at Llangollen Town Hall tomorrow, Saturday, December 6, with the 'doors open' at 10.30am.

Warning over "suspect" mattress sales

Trading Standards officers in Denbighshire are warning residents to be on their guard against suspect mattress sales.

The warning comes after reports were received that there is a white van travelling throughout the area offering “discounted” mattresses for sale.

Emlyn Jones, Public Protection Manager, said: “We are unable to confirm whether the mattresses bear the correct labels and whether they comply with the applicable safety legislation, such as flammability requirements.

“Additionally, we are unable to confirm that this is a legitimate business. Without the ability to trace the business consumers would not be able implement their cancellation rights – a 14 day cooling off period for goods bought on the doorstep where they can change their mind and cancel the contract – or, should a problem develop after purchase, it may be difficult to try and claim a refund for the price paid.”

They have urged anyone approached to purchase a mattress on their doorstep or whilst in the street to just to say no.

Anyone approached by these sellers can report the matter to police by calling 101 or Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 (03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language).  This helpline offers free, independent and impartial advice on all consumer issues.

People are advised to try and report the vehicle registration as well as any trading name the sellers are using.