Mystery of wool covered landmarks unravelled

* A wool-draped tree outside the Town Hall.

Local WI members have unravelled the mystery of why landmarks across the town centre ended up with a woolly look first thing this (Saturday) morning.


Everything from the phone box to trees were given woollen coverings as part of a special exercise called yarn bombing - sometimes called guerilla knitting or yarn graffiti.


It was a joint venture between Glyndyfrydwy WI,  Llangollen WI and Valley Girls WI with the aim of celebrating creativity and spreading some colour and happiness in the community.


A Valley Girls WI spokeswoman said: “It really has been teamwork with members of all three WI's quietly knitting away at home to create squares,  pom-poms and other motifs.


“We came together to create the larger pieces to cover the key structures.


“We're hoping to salvage what we can of the knitwear to make blankets for needy groups, maybe the elderly in our community or possibly refugees.


“Another idea is to make them into twiddle muffs which are used by people with dementia as this different textures and shapes can help soothe restless hands. 


“Many thanks to all involved and to the Fringe Festival committee for their support too.”

Town landmarks take on mystery woolly look

Famous landmarks in the town have this morning (Saturday) taken on a decidedly woolly look.

llanblogger is looking into how it happened and will bring you the full yarn later ...

MP questions new PM about driving offences sentencing

Susan Elan Jones MP has tabled four written questions in Parliament about sentencing for driving offences.

Her questions coincide with a new Prime Minister taking office.

The Clwyd South Labour Member was awarded the title of 2015 Parliamentarian of the Year by road safety charity Brake.

Now, she is calling on Theresa May and her new Justice Secretary to sort out a Government review of motoring offences and penalties with immediate effect.

The four questions Susan Elan Jones MP has formally tabled are:

 - To ask the Secretary of State if and when a public consultation on motoring offences and penalties will be conducted as part of the government’s announced sentencing review.

 - To ask the Secretary of State when the results of the government’s sentencing review on motoring offences and penalties are expected to be published.

 - To ask the Secretary of State what recent discussions he has had with the Department for Transport about the government’s sentencing review on motoring offences and penalties.

 - To ask the Secretary of State to make a statement about the proposed purpose of the review into sentencing of motoring offences and penalties.

Ms Jones said: "The Government promised a review of motor offences and penalties in 2014. I appreciate now that this is now being considered alongside a review of other offences.

"However it is not fair to the victims of road traffic accidents and the families of those killed on our roads that they should have to wait any longer. Everyone knows that the current sentences for driving offences are a nonsense. That's why I am calling on the new Prime Minister and her Justice Secretary to get this all sorted as soon as possible." 

Business lending drops after bank closures

* Plaid Cymru's Mabon ap Gwynfor with a defunct cash machine.

Bank lending to local businesses in the Ceiriog Valley has dropped by 30% in just two years after it lost its last bank, according to Plaid Cymru research.

The collapse in lending is mirrored in other communities that have lost local bank branches, according to a new report published by campaigning group Move Your Money UK.

Move Your Money UK’s report shows that bank branch closures dampens lending growth among small and medium-sized businesses by 63% on average. This figure becomes 104% when the last bank in town closes.

Plaid Cymru spokesperson for Clwyd South, Mabon ap Gwynfor, who has been campaigning against the closure of numerous bank branches in the constituency, said that while branch closures might make sense for the banks themselves, they were having a " devastating" impact on local communities and businesses, adding to the " slow death" of High Streets across Wales.

He added: “Many of the bank closures have happened relatively recently here, so we do not know the full impact yet.

"But the Ceiriog Valley lost its last bank back in 2011 and lending to medium and small businesses for the LL20 7 postcode area shows a significant year-on-year fall in lending with £14,700,000 being lent in the second quarter of 2013 falling to £10,800,000 by the final quarter of last year. That’s a 30% drop in lending to SMEs in the area.

"The LL14 area, which covers Rhosllanerchrugog, Penycae, Cefn, Ruabon and surrounding areas has also seen a drop in lending to SMEs from £14,000,000 in the final quarter of 2013 to £12,300,000 in the final quarter of last year, and has also seen banks close in Rhos and Cefn Mawr, but the area is yet to feel the full impact of the closure of HSBC in Ruabon.

“These are not just numbers on a spreadsheet, they represent economic confidence in an area, they represent investment, direct and indirect employment, they show a significant loss to the local economy and community.

“While the Government have come up with a banking protocol, which is toothless and frankly not worth the paper it’s written on, they must  enforce the Banking sector to make a full community Impact Assessment before any closure, and if that assessment proves negative than they should remain open."


LL20 7 is the postcode area for the Ceiriog Valley and southern parts of Llangollen, Trevor, and Froncysyllte.

Both the Ceiriog Valley and Cefn Mawr lost their last banks in 2011, and Llangollen has also seen several banks close in the last two years.

Llangollen, Pentredwr and Eglwyseg, LL20 8, records a £1m fall in lending to SME's between early 2013 and late 2015, lending £10.4m in the second quarter of 2013 and £9.5m in the final quarter of 2015.

Mr ap Gwynfor said, "This is bad news for businesses in Llangollen and the area, who are now finding it harder to invest and grow their businesses."

Clwyd South only has one bank branch left - Barclays in Llangollen.

Renowned poet appears at Fringe this Saturday

Levi Tafari, who appears in the Llangollen Fringe Festival this weekend, is the author of three poetry collections: Duboetry (1987), Liverpool Experience (1989) and Rhyme Don't Pay (1998).

His new collection, From the Page to the Stage, is forthcoming.

His plays have been performed at the Unity Theatre and the Playhouse in Liverpool, as well as at the Blackheath Theatre in Stafford.

He has also worked on educational projects running creative writing workshops in schools, colleges, universities, youth centres, prisons and libraries.

And it is from this work that he will be most familiar to a generation of people, not just in Llangollen, but also across Denbighshire and North Wales as Levi has been a regular visitor to schools in the area over the past 15 years, offering workshops and experience in poetry and creative writing in the classrooms of morth east Wales.

He returns to Llangollen to host two very special events this Saturday - a poetry workshop and poetry slam, both at The Bridge End Hotel, Mill Street.

Budding poets are invited to sign up to join in on the slam on the day of the performance or via the form on the Llangollen Fringe website: http://llangollenfringe.co.uk/index.php/en/festival-2016/festival-2017/other-events-calendar/levi-tafari-poetry-slam 

The rest of the festival week continues with world music pioneer JAH WOBBLE, TS ELIOT poetry prize winner SARAH HOWE, U.S. reggae legends EASY STAR ALL-STARS, Welsh music Prize winner GWENNO (who’s band features ex FLAMING LIPS DRUMMER KLIPH SCURLOCK) and Belfast’s DUKE SPECIAL.

The closing weekend packs just as much of a punch, with headline slots from post punk legends GANG OF FOUR, dance floor fillers DREADZONE and a finale outdoor concert with the Spain’s ULTRA HIGH FLAMENCO, in the breath taking surroundings of VALLE CRUCIS ABBEY.

There are also numerous workshops, themed concerts on the Steam Railway and Canal Boats and family activities throughout the festival.

The poetry workshop with Levi Tafari takes place at 2pm followed by the poetry slam at 7pm on Saturday July 16 at The Bridge End Hotel, Mill Street, Llangollen. Tickets for both events are £5.00 each.

* Festival tickets, poetry workshop and slam tickets and full listings are available from www.llangollenfringe.co.uk or by calling the Fringe box office:  0800 1455 779.

County issues statement on GHA school buses

Latest ...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-36793520

* See updates at foot of story

Denbighshire County Council has announced that it received notification yesterday (Wednesday) from GHA Coaches that it was to cease trading as of last night.

The council said it was using its contingency plans to try and ensure that as many former services as possible run by GHA were able to continue to operate by other suppliers on a temporary basis.

A council statement says: "Not all routes will be covered immediately and there will be some gaps in service, as it will take a few days to arrange the necessary vehicles from other suppliers.

"Other bus services will need to operate on a reduced emergency timetable. 

"This information will be updated by the council, as soon as information becomes known.

"As part of its contingency response, the council is giving urgent priority to school pupils who are eligible for free school transport.

"The following arrangements are confirmed as at Tuesday evening:

Ysgol Dinas Brân

* Clawdd Poncen and Corwen: Williams Bala

* Llandrillo/Cynwyd: Williams Bala

* Trevor/Garth: E Jones & Son

* Chirk/Black Park area: Llew Jones Coaches

The council statement adds: "On Thursday 14th July, as at the time of publication, except for school journeys, there will be no former GHA bus services operating.

"We will update information on other services when available."

* See the BBC story on this issue at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-36790290

Denbighshire County Council has announced this morning that the following bus services previously operated by GHA Coaches  WILL operate today (Thursday) ...

X50

Ruthin to Denbigh –

Market Street Dept – 0915,1015,1115,1315,1415

Rhewl (Drovers Arms) – 0920,1020,1120,1320,1420

Llanrhaeadr Church – 0926,1026,1126,1326,1426

Brookhouse – 0929,1029,1129,1329,1429

Denbigh arr – 0935,1035,1135,1335,1435

X50

Denbigh to Ruthin

Denbigh, Lenton Pool, dept – 0950,1050,1150,1350,1450

Brookhouse – 0956,1056,1156,1356,1456

Llanrhaeadr Church, 0959,1056,1159,1359,1459

Rhewl (Drovers Arms) 1005,1105,1205,1405,1505

Ruthin arr – 1010,1110,1210,1410,1510

55 Ruthin to Corwen

Ruthin (Wynnstay Rd) 0845,0945,1145,1345

Llanfair DC – 0849,0949,1149,1349

Pwllglas – 0852,0952,1152,1352

Pandy’r Capel 0900,1000,1200,1400

Bryn SM 0902,1002,1202,1402

Gwyddelwern 0905,1005,1205,1405

Clawdd Poncen 0910,1010,1210,1410

Maes Afallen 0911,1011,1211,1411

Corwen arr, 0913,1013,1213,1413

55 Corwen to Ruthin

Corwen (carpark) dep – 0915,1015,1215,1430

Maes Afallen – 1917,1017,1202,1432

Clawdd Poncen – 0918,1018,1203,1433

Gwyddelwern – 0922,1022,1207,1437

Bryn SM – 0925,1025,1210,1440

Pandy’r Capel – 0927,1027,1212,1442

Pwllglas – 0935,1035,1220,1450

Llanfair DC – 0938,1038,1223,1453

Ruthin(Market Street) Arr – 0942,1042,1227,1457

Llangollen county councillor Stuart Davies says he is shocked to hear about the sudden closure of GHA coaches.

He told llanblogger: "This has an enormous impact on the town with people struggling to get to work in Wrexham and the surrounding areas.

"DCC has no powers regarding service bus routes, these were taken off Ccuncils years ago. However, dedicated DCC officers have been working through the evening to try and get a skeleton service up and running.

"They have been successful in getting the T2 service up, now being run by Lloyds, a big thank you to them.

"Also the X5 service is nearly there as well and hopefully should be running tomorrow."

He added: "My thoughts go to the staff who have been suddenly made jobless. The school Bbs services should be running as per DCC press releases.

"I am also calling on the Welsh Government to reinstate the subsidies that were taken off us over the last couple of years. Creating jobs is no good if people cannot get to them!"

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates said: “The news of GHA’s problems is a bitter blow for our area, and our primary concern must be for those whose jobs are now at risk.

"I will help them in any way I can. The Welsh Government is working closely with local councils including Wrexham and Denbighshire to help those who rely on the services GHA is now unable to provide.”

MP Susan Elan Jones added: “Many of my constituents have been left stranded as result of this, and for a lot of people these buses are how they get to and from Wrexham Maelor Hospital. While our local councils are acting to provide alternatives, I offer my full support to the affected employees at such a difficult, uncertain time.”

Eisteddfod is first to be presented with new peace award

* From left, Eve Conway, President Rotary International for

Great Britain and Ireland, Rhys Davies, Chair of the

Llangollen International Music Festival and Molly Youd, Rotary International District Governor.

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has been honoured for its contribution to world peace.

The iconic festival was presented with a Rotary International Peace Award by the organisation’s 1180 District during a special ceremony on the pavilion stage.

And the leading Rotarian whose brainchild the accolade is says that she couldn’t think of a more deserving recipient than the festival itself, which is this year celebrating 70 years of furthering peace and harmony across the world through music and the arts.

The festival was founded in 1947 in the aftermath of World War Two to bring peace and harmony to a world riven by conflict.

Ever since, the picturesque town in the Dee Valley is the place where once a year Wales meets the world in a melting pot of culture and colour.

Molly Youd was only recently appointed governor of the huge 1180 Rotary district, which covers an area stretching from Southport in the north to Mid Wales in the south and from Angelsey in the west to Crewe and Nantwich in the east, and is the first woman to hold the position.

Molly, who lives in Rhostyllen near Wrexham, said: “I love the Eisteddfod and for the past 15 years have been in charge of the Rotary tent on the festival field.

“That’s how I came up with the idea of the peace prize together because we share the same ideals of peace and international understanding.

“As this year has seen the 70th Eisteddfod we thought it was most appropriate to make the award to the festival, which has done so much in the cause of peace over all those years.”

The award – a handsome 1ft tall glass trophy – was officially handed over by Eve Conway, President of Rotary International Great Britain and Ireland, to Eisteddfod Chairman Dr Rhys Davies and President Terry Waite during the festival’s Friday evening concert, Heart of Llangollen, which featured a Caribbean carnival extravaganza, dance championships and the International Young Musician competition.

Molly added: “Apart from being in charge of the Rotary stand I’ve also had the honour of being an official Llangollen Ambassador for the past six years, and I thought about the award a while ago.

“Watching the presentation of the first one to the Eisteddfod during the concert was such an honour and also very fitting in a number of ways because, apart from being the 70^th festival, this year is also the centenary of the Rotary Foundation, which is our own charity, the 30^th anniversary of women members in Rotary and the 10^th anniversary of the Rotary Young Citizen’s Award, which is also presented annually.”

Eisteddfod Chairman Dr Rhys Davies was grateful to Rotary International for the award.

He said: “Rotary International is a truly wonderful organisation and the partnership between the Eisteddfod and Rotary is the perfect match because we have in common the work we do to promote world peace and understanding.

“I felt proud and very privileged to accept the award on behalf of the Eisteddfod and I'm sure our partnership will go from strength to the strength in future years.”