Royal host Gwyn the butcher will be at food show

 

* Butcher Gwyn Davies chatting with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.

 

A Llangollen butcher who earned royal approval when Prince Charles popped into his shop for a chat will be among the exhibitors at a top food festival.

 

After what has been an amazing year for him, Gwyn Davies is looking forward to returning to the annual Hamper Llangollen event which is expected to attract thousands of visitors over the weekend of October 17-18.

 

Gwyn was staggered earlier this summer when Prince Charles asked to stop off at his butcher’s shop while making an official visit to Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

 

He said: “I had just five days' notice. I couldn’t believe it when he called in.

"He is genuinely interested in the food sector and supporting independent businesses. We chatted for a little while, he asked quite a few questions and was very affable.”  

 

Gwyn was equally delighted when just a few weeks ago he was voted a High Street Hero by loyal customers who have been impressed by the quality of his meat and exceptional customer service over six decades in the butchery business.

 

The awards, run by the Welsh Government were launched by Lesley Griffiths, the Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty, to honour individuals deserving recognition for their outstanding contribution to high streets and local communities in Wales.

 

Gwyn, who opened his shop in Castle Street, Llangollen, 40 years ago, said: “I feel really honoured to have received the accolade. It makes all the hard work we have put in that much more worthwhile.”

 

He believes independent traders are key to the success of local economies and says events like Hamper Llangollen 2015 are a superb way to showcase small local businesses like his own.

 

The popular food festival in Llangollen’s Royal Pavilion is now recognised as one of the UK's top 10 food festivals.

 

Cadwyn Clwyd has provided financial support over the past few years to ensure Hamper Llangollen's long term viability, this was funded through the Rural Development Fund for Wales 2007-2013, which is funded through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Welsh Government.

 

The festival hosts more than 100 local and international exhibitors, along with demonstrations by professionals and celebrity chefs in a state of the art kitchen.

 

Among those demonstrating will be foodie fan comedian Silky, top Welsh chef, and international award-winner Graham Tinsley and Britain’s youngest ever head chef, Luke Thomas.

 

Gwyn said: “Having been there for a few years now, I am a very keen supporter of the event. It brings in a lot of business to our region and gives independent traders like myself a chance to meet new people and demonstrate the sort of quality produce we have to offer right here on their doorsteps.

 

“It’s a great way to get customer feedback and there will be a chance to buy all the quality meats we sell here at the shop.”

 

Gwyn’s workdays start at 5.30am – “the habit of a lifetime” – and he is in his shop before 7am daily.

 

The quality of his meat is renowned and attracts customers from as far afield as Merseyside and Widnes.

 

He said: “We have a number of caravanners and visitors to the region who first called in at the shop on holiday and enjoyed our meat cuts so much that they regularly return to buy large orders to take home with them.”

 

He was about 10 or 11 when he first entered the meat trade after securing a spare time job in his local slaughterhouse to “earn myself a few pennies”.

 

He said: “You had to work hard in those days to get yourself some pocket money. I was fortunate though, I found work with one of the best in the business Eric Wheeler, who taught me skills which have stayed with me all my life.”

 

On leaving school at the age of 15 he continued to work in the butchers until he reached 20.

 

He said: “Then I decided I wanted a change and so got another job working on overhead cables in Oxfordshire, but I would still help out at Mr Wheeler’s on weekends off if I came home.

 

“When I reached 25 I went back into butchery and eventually opened my own shop in my early 30s.”

 

Gwyn and his late wife Heather ran the shop together until she died four years ago. Their son Mark and daughter Fiona have also had a big input in the business.

 

Gwyn, who employs three full time staff and a part-timer, sells Welsh lamb raised on his son’s Denbighshire farm, while Fiona, helps with some of the administrative tasks as well as working at a Shrewsbury Garden Centre.

 

Now aged 70, Gwyn has no plans to retire.

 

For more information about Llangollen Food Festival-Hamper Llangollen 2015 visit www.llangollenfoodfestival.com

Triathlete Rebecca dashes in to help centre

A triathlete won the praise of her local Assembly Member after a gruelling fundraiser in aid of a community centre.

Rebecca Robinson, from Corwen, took part in the Deva Triathlon in June, completing a one-mile swim, a 40km bike race and a 10km run in two hours, 52 minutes and 55 seconds.

*Ken Skates hands over the cheque
to Rebecca Robinson. 

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates joined Rebecca, 33, to hand over a cheque for £130 to Canolfan Ni in Corwen.

The centre is run by the South Denbighshire Community Partnership (SDCP), a small charity with 12 volunteer trustees.

Mr Skates said: “It was a fantastic effort by Rebecca in her first-ever triathlon, I can’t imagine how difficult it was to get through. I’m delighted she decided to raise money for Canolfan Ni, which is where I hold my Corwen surgeries. It’s a real community hub.”

The centre was refurbished by a grant in 2012 after a community asset transfer from Denbighshire County Council.

Mr Skates added: “It’s another great local example of community-minded volunteers taking over public amenities and making a success of them.

"Canolfan Ni hosts the Corwen Beavers and Cubs groups, the youth club, weekly Welsh classes and much more. I’d like to congratulate Rebecca on completing the triathlon and thank her for raising money for such an excellent local cause.”

Citizens Advice and Age Connect have weekly drop-in sessions at the centre, and there are plans in the pipeline for developing a dementia café and a community garden. 

* For more information call Canolfan Ni on 01490 266004, email office@sdcp.org or visit www.canolfan-ni.org/services/

County answers roadworks complaint

Denbighshire County Council has answered a complaint about roadworks in an area of Llangollen.

A resident contacted llanblogger to say: “Contractors acting for the highway authority commenced work this week on resurfacing Bache Mill Road above its junction with Vicarage Road.

“This seems to involve the grubbing up with machines of the existing surface of the highway which has led the contractors to close sections of the road completely.

 

“On Wednesday at various times the highway was closed in both directions, so it was impossible for residents living on The Hermitage, Grange Road, Maes Collen, Gerddi y Bach and Trem-y-Creigiau to go about their daily business.

“Some residents work from home causing them severe difficulties.

“The contractors concerned seemed to have little respect for residents and diversions and temporary traffic controls were not put in place.

“Apparently the works are likely to continue for two weeks.” 

A county council spokesperson replied: “There are five operatives engaged solely on traffic management duties.

“A road closure is in force and an appropriate diversion in place and also traffic management under stop and go within the road closure.

“Traffic is able to access properties within the closure under the supervision of the operatives.

“It is inevitable that there will delays of short duration when the road is totally closed when the contractors are making tie in joints etc but these occasions are few and far between.

“Residents approaching the road closure are requested to stop by a traffic marshall and then permitted to pass through the site when it is safe to do so.”        

* In a separate story, Llangollen county council Stuart Davies says he is pleased to see that a traffic calming scheme is being implemented in Pentredwr.

He says the scheme was driven by Cllr Rhys Hughes and Llantisilio Council and supported by him.

He added: "I congratulates Cllr Hughes and the council for all the hard work they have done in making sure that the scheme came to fruition.

"I would like to assure residents that the scheme was going ahead before national politicians got involved and that the local councillors always work hard for their residents whether it be election time or not."

Operatic plans a swinging start to Christmas

Members of Llangollen Operatic Society aim to get Christmas off to a swinging start.

On Tuesday December 8 they will once again stage their popular Christmas concert at Llangollen Town Hall.

This year, the evening will have a swing theme to it and the programme will consist of a mix of popular songs of that genre plus some seasonal favourites, such as O Holy Night and Winter Wonderland.

There will be a performance by the society’s junior section, the Young ‘Uns, and the chance for the audience to join in with a number of rousing traditional carols.  

Lizzy Richards, who will direct the concert assisted by Ross Wilson and with musical direction from Michael Jenkins, said: “It’s going to be a fun and jolly evening with lots of festive favourites to get people in the Christmas spirit.

"We’re really looking forward it and hope to see a good number of familiar faces there."

Doors open 6.30pm for a 7pm start. Tickets cost £5 and can be purchased from Llangollen Tourist Information Centre, or online at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/105176. A bar will also be available.  

Llan author publishes fairy tale collection

LLANGOLLEN resident and author Adrian Farrel has published a collection of new fairy tales.
Enitled Tales from the Wood, it contains 18 original stories each with the familiar feel of a traditional fairy tale, but each with a new flavour and twist.

Adrian, who has lived in the area for the last 25 years, said: "It is in the nature of fairy tales that each has echoes in our minds.

“Not only do they contain archetypes that appear in countless stories, but their essence is basic truths about the world, and hopes and dreams for a better life and just resolution of all situations.

“Some of these tales are clearly identifiable with stories you will find in anthologies, while others crept into this book at dark of night. Each contains elements of the fairy tale of old."

The stories in this collection range from Peter Pretzel who had his feet on backwards, to Mother Elde who slept late in her house high on the mountain ridge above the trees and above the meadows the year winter didn't come.

This isn't the first book Adrian has written, but it is his first outing into fiction.

His previous publications include six reference books describing the technical workings of the Internet, and more than 60 standards that specify details of how the Internet is implemented.

Adrian added: “Tales from the Wood was written over a period of two years mainly in distant hotel rooms and on long-haul flights.

“A necessary part of my day job as a consultant to major telephone companies and their equipment suppliers,  these locations provided distraction-free writing time that was ideally suited to the short story or fairy tale format.”

Adrian is already working on a second collection, More Tales from the Wood.

* Tales from the Wood" is available in Llangollen from the Courtyard Bookshop and
from Zingiber in Bridge Street. It can also be bought online from Amazon or direct from the
publisher at
http://www.feedaread.com/books/Tales-from-the-Wood-9781786100924.aspx

Llan campaigner passes away

* Martin Crumpton, left, films a TV interview with Adrian Masters in 2012. 

A Llangollen man whose campaigning zeal led to a spot on national TV has died at the age of 64.

Martin Crumpton spearheaded the local battles to save the town’s cottage hospital from closure and prevent Sainsbury’s opening a supermarket on the Dobson & Crowther site.

Although both were ultimately unsuccessful, they managed to galvanise sections of the community.

The two campaigns were co-ordinated by the community group Keep Llangollen Special (KLS) which Mr Crumpton formed and led until his recent death at home following a long illness.     

At one stage in 2012, he carried the fight to save the cottage hospital to a Wales-wide audience when it was featured on ITV Wales politics show Sharp End for which he filmed an interview with political editor Adrian Masters outside the Abbey Road building.

For the same campaign he organised a well-attended public meeting at The Hand Hotel.

When it was revealed earlier this year that Sainsbury’s had pulled out the supermarket development on the A5 he was overjoyed and took a keen interest in a suitable occupant being found for the empty building which is still under construction.

Mr Crumpton was born in Birmingham and lived in Solihull before he and his wife Anne moved to Llangollen some 15 years ago.

His working life was mainly spent as a system programmer in IT.

A statement in tribute to him from KLS says: “He set up Keep Llangollen Special as a community organisation with like-minded residents several years ago and pioneered the idea of Buy Local to support local independent businesses in the difficult economic climate of the last five years or so and the changing face of retailing and town centres.

“KLS under the chairmanship of Martin opposed out of town development schemes because he believed strongly that this would be detrimental to Llangollen's unique and vibrant town centre.

“He also opposed the closure of the community hospital and worked tirelessly despite deteriorating health to convince public bodies that such schemes were damaging to Llangollen and its local economy.

“Members of KLS knew Martin as a unique character who was not afraid to speak his mind and articulate this to the decision makers.

“He never hesitated to approach the people at the very top of government and other organisations and make his points to them.

“This led most recently to a visit from Simon Dean, the acting chief executive of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, to discuss how the current NHS problems were affecting Llangollen.

“Martin was a very strong character with an incisive mind, but he was also a warm individual with a keen sense of humour and a special person to know and he worked tirelessly for the benefit of the community.

“He will be greatly missed by his colleagues in KLS and around the town and the members of the group wish to offer sincere condolences to Anne and her family at this sad time.” 

Adrian Masters, political editor of ITV Wales, said: "It's quite rare for journalists and interviewees to keep in touch over anything other than the story that they're both involved in, but Martin was quite rare. 

"So, yes he'd bombard me with emails and tweets about the campaign but we'd also talk about so many other things such as his short stories or his time in IT. We only met in the real world three times, but after the first he treated me like an old friend.

"He may not have been physically well but his mind was fizzing with ideas. When I visited him last year he was working on an idea for a game show, thinking about patenting an invention and his opening gambit was 'let's not talk shop, what do you think of Peter Capaldi?'

"I'm very glad I took him up on his offer of escaping political conferences on the last two of my visits to Llangollen and made my way up the hill to see him, Anne - whom he told me he called his angel - and Ben. I had already noticed the lack of his pithy tweets during the current party conference season before I'd even heard the sad news.

 

"Llangollen couldn't have had a more assiduous supporter who seized every opportunity to promote his adopted home. I'll miss his always interesting, if sometimes acerbic tweets, and the conversation which could have been about, literally, anything."

AM praises work of heritage groups like Llan Railway

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood spoke in the Chamber yesterday of the "fantastic" work of heritage groups in north east Wales, including Llangollen Railway.  

 

Mr Isherwood (pictured) was questioning First Minister Carwyn Jones on what the Welsh Government is doing to maximise the effect of Welsh heritage on the economy.

 

He said:  “Welsh heritage can have a major impact on the economy of north-east Wales, provided it involves organisations, ranging from Llangollen railway to Greenfield Valley Heritage Park to Brymbo Heritage Group, in designing the visitor offer.

 

"I’ve been asked by Brymbo Heritage Group to extend an invitation to you to visit them and look at the great work they’re doing. I hope you’ll respond affirmatively, but look forward to your answer.”

 

The First Minister replied: “I will certainly try to do that, and I will look at my diary to see if I can visit in the near future.”

 

Mr Isherwood added: “I have been proud to work with Brymbo Heritage Group for many years. Its members deserve huge credit for their vision and determination, and for what they have already achieved on their journey to re-use the surviving ironworks, steelworks and colliery buildings to create a heritage centre, learning zone and commercial complex, celebrating Brymbo’s rich history and embracing the tourism opportunity presented by the fossil forest.”