Railway's steam gala this weekend

Llangollen Railway's annual Autumn Steam Gala is taking place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday this week and offers fun for all the family.

There will be five historic steam locomotives in operation, working an intensive timetable between Llangollen and Corwen, with many attractions and activities going on along the line.

Visiting the line specially for the weekend is a Victorian-era steam locomotive, No.12322, which was originally built for the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway in 1896 and its normal base in Greater Manchester.

Adults and children alike can explore the railway with the fun quiz, whilst at Carrog station the miniature steam railway will be in operation, offering rides in the station yard. The scenes of yesteryear will be recreated at Berwyn, with demonstrations of parcel loading taking place at 12.20pm and 2pm on each of the three days.

Look out for Walter the prized racing pigeon being loaded onto the train, along with milk churns, parcels and Cuthberts seeds boxes!

On the Friday and Saturday evenings, a special Real Ale shuttle service will be in operation between Llangollen and Glyndyfrdwy stations, where the line's Cambrian Bar will be open.

On the Sunday, two long-scrapped steam locomotives will be recreated. Resident No.7822 'Foxcote Manor' will be running as a sister No. 7811 'Dunley Manor', which was based at Shrewsbury and Wrexham sheds for a time.

The 50th anniversary of the closure of the much lamented Somerset & Dorset Railway will also be marked by the renumbering of resident BR Standard locomotive No. 80072 as former S&D stalwart No.80043. After the gala, No.80072 will be transported south by road to the former S&D station at Midsomer Norton, where it will be in operation on a restored stretch of the route.

Construction work on the railway's new western terminus at Corwen Central can be viewed on all three days of the gala. Guided tours will be on offer at regular intervals, with volunteers on-hand to discuss progress on the new station.

The Souvenir Guide for the gala, including all timetables, events and quiz, is available to download for free from the Llangollen Railway's website: http://www.llangollen-railway.co.uk/event/autumn-steam-gala/

Discounted advance tickets for one, two and three day rover tickets are now available from the railway's website, offering considerable savings (up to £24) on prices on the day.

AM becomes breast cancer champion

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has demonstrated his support for women with breast cancer by becoming an ambassador for leading charity Breast Cancer Now.

Mr Isherwood joins 17 Assembly Members across Wales who are pledging their support to Breast Cancer Now – the UK’s largest breast cancer charity – to remind fellow politicians and constituents alike that breast cancer is not a ‘done deal’ and that immediate action must be taken to stop the disease taking lives.

Around 600 women are still dying from breast cancer each year in Wales. Breast Cancer Now will be working closely with Breast Cancer Ambassadors to help them take action to tackle breast cancer in their local areas and in the Welsh Assembly, and to ensure that Wales’ most common cancer remains high on the political agenda.

By bringing together the brightest, boldest and most influential policymakers, scientists, fundraisers and campaigners across the country, Breast Cancer Now believes that by 2050 everyone who develops breast cancer will live – but only if we all act now.

Mr Isherwood (pictured) said: “Too many women are still dying from breast cancer in Wales. We must act now if we are to finally put an end to deaths from the disease and I am therefore very proud to support Breast Cancer Now and their bold 2050 ambition.

“Together, we urgently need to put the spotlight back on this dreadful disease locally and nationally. By becoming a Breast Cancer Ambassador, I will ensure that action is taken on behalf of the women and families affected by breast cancer within North Wales.”

Baroness Delyth Morgan, Chief Executive at Breast Cancer Now, said: “We are so grateful to have the support of Mark in the Welsh Assembly. Around 600 mothers, daughters and sisters in Wales are still losing their lives to breast cancer each year and we all need to work together to put a stop to this.

“If we all act now, we believe that by 2050 everyone who develops breast cancer will live. With the help of our Breast Cancer Ambassadors, we can ensure that those affected by breast cancer in Wales are not forgotten.”

Breast Cancer Now – the new charity created from the merger of Breast Cancer Campaign and Breakthrough Breast Cancer – launched in June 2015, aiming to unite everybody affected by the disease to ensure that we are the generation that finally stops women dying from it.

Opportunity for talented young artists

Criw Celf Denbighshire is seeking applications from those transitioning from Year 6 to Year 7 this September.

Criw Celf is a pan North Wales arts programme for more able and talented young artists.

The aim of the scheme is to allow children who have shown artistic promise and an interest in art to practice and develop their skills, with master classes led by professional artists in a variety of disciplines and at venues throughout Denbighshire.


The scheme has been running for five years in Denbighshire and since 2007 in Gwynedd.  I

n that time, members have benefitted from a huge and diverse range of masterclasses with artists such as Catrin Howell, Becky Adams and Michael Brennand-Wood.

Mediums have included ceramics, wood-work, metal-work, painting and drawing skills, installation work and many more.

Members attend a series of six one-day masterclasses on a Saturday or Sunday, culminating in a series of exhibitions around the county.  Each member also receives an art pack containing various high quality art materials.

There are two Criw Celf taster days being run this September.  If you are in year 7 from September, and would like to attend before deciding if you would like to join, please choose from the two sessions below :

* Saturday 17 September at Loggerheads Country Park, 10am till 3pm

* Sunday 18 September at Rhyl Town Hall, 10am till 3pm

Booking is essential as places are limited: please phone Jo McGregor, Criw Celf Co-ordinator on 07799 582766 or email jo.mcgregor@denbighshire.gov.uk.  Please bring a packed lunch with you on the day and wear suitable clothing.

Those who wish to join Criw Celf will need to submit the following for assessment:

·        A 2D self portrait, created using any art material or combination of art materials (no more than A3 sized paper)

·        * A drawing of the view from any window in their home, created using any art material or combination of art materials  (no more than A3 sized paper)

·        * A short paragraph explaining why you would like to join Criw Celf (no more than 50 words)

You do not need to attend one of the taster sessions in order to submit work.  Please ensure all submissions include name, age, school, home address and home telephone number on the back of each piece of work.

The deadline for submissions is 30 September 2016.  An annual membership fee of £35 is payable by each student.

Applicants from Denbighshire should post their entries to: Criw Celf, Ruthin Craft Centre, Park Road, Ruthin LL15 1BB.

For more information,  contact Jo McGregor on 07799 582766 /  jo.mcgregor@denbighshire.gov.uk.

Criw Celf is funded by the Arts Council of Wales and by the North Wales Local Authorities. 

Police urge bikers to stay safe this weekend

The Chief Constable of North Wales has been out on patrol on the region’s roads urging motorcyclists to stay safe.

Mark Polin (pictured) was out on a police motorbike as part of the force’s ongoing campaign to reduce deaths and serious injuries on the roads of North Wales.

Operation Darwen, a force-wide campaign which runs from Easter through until early autumn, will continue over the forthcoming bank holiday weekend, whereby officers will target accident hotspots and crackdown on the Fatal 5 offences – which includes dangerous driving and speeding.

So far during 2016 (1^st January – August 17^th) there have been 47 KSI (killed seriously injured) collisions involving all motorists on the roads of North Wales compared to 51 during the whole of 2015. So far this year four motorcyclists have been killed compared to two during the same period in 2015.

Some of the high speeds involving motorcyclists recorded by officers from the Roads Policing Unit include 109mph on the A5 at Dinmael in Corwen, and a 105mph on the A470 at Maenan, Llanrwst. Both face a court appearance.

The campaign also sees officers from GoSafe, the all Wales casualty reduction partnership being deployed on routes looking at all motorists.  Some of the highest speeds recorded by GoSafe being 104 and 109mph.  During May alone 60 NIP (Notice of Intended Prosecution) letters were sent out to motorcyclists.

The Chief Constable said: “As a passionate biker myself I am proud to offer my full backing for Operation Darwen.

"We are committed to keeping people safe on the roads and our message is clear - we want people to enjoy the freedom of the road but to do so safely and responsibly. Anyone who chooses to ignore the safety message will be dealt with robustly.

“All too often police and our partners in the other emergency services are called to serious and fatal road traffic collisions across North Wales. Staying safe on the road applies to every single one of us, whether we have two or four wheels on our vehicle. I would urge riders and drivers to think about their behaviour and what changes they could make to improve their own safety and that of other road users. Positive action will be taken against those who flout the law.”

The priority routes that police patrol include the A494 between Dolgellau and Bala, the A525 from Ruthin to Bwlchgwyn, the A525/A539 Ruabon, Overton and Redbrook, the A5 between Betws-y-Coed and Corwen, the A543 between Denbigh and Pentrefoelas and the A5104/A494 Bryneglwys to Corwen. The route known as the ‘EVO Traingle’ is also patrolled which incorporates the A483, A5 and the B4501.

Over a five year period between 2011 and 2015, 118 motorcyclists have been killed on the priority routes.

Chief Inspector Darren Wareing from the Force’s Roads Policing Unit said: “August bank holiday is traditionally one of the busiest times for motorcyclists.

“We have done a lot of analytical work over the years – this isn’t about us simply targeting bikers for the sake of it. Statistics are telling us that those who are involved in collisions are men aged in their 40’s and 50’s – sometimes a little bit older, who come off their bike on either a weekend or on a Wednesday between midday and 5pm. Their fatigue then gets the better of them on a right-hand or left-hand bend.

“Whilst the vast majority of motorists drive or ride appropriately, some choose to use the roads as a racetrack, committing serious breaches of road safety legislation, such as speeding and driving or riding dangerously thereby putting themselves and other road users at risk of death or life changing injury.”

He added: “Our message is two-fold – we are simply asking bikers to enjoy our beautiful region safely and abide by the law. And secondly we are urging other road users to be mindful of the possible increase of bikes on the roads this weekend, be aware of their vulnerability and take extra care to look out for them.”

Bikers are also being urged to ensure they are wearing the correct protective equipment when riding, even during the warm weather. Tyres should always be checked as worn or under inflated tyres haven previously been a common theme during collisions.

Chief Inspector Wareing added: “Motorists should be mindful that we will use all available tactics to us – and that includes unmarked vehicles. Over recent months we have also caught other road users driving at inappropriate speeds and these are all being dealt with accordingly.

“So far this year we’ve had four fatal collisions involving motorcycles therefore we are urging all road users to stay safe on the roads and take extra care.

“Reducing casualties remains one of our top priorities and Operation Darwen is one of the many campaigns and initiatives that we run throughout the year targeting high-risk road users. It is not about alienating the motorcycling community – it is about education and enforcement.

“We will continue to target, with a view to prosecution, all those that ride or drive dangerously, at excess speed, overtake on solid white lines or commit any other road traffic offences. Please heed the warning.”

Throughout the campaign BikeSafe representatives have been out speaking to riders at various events and locations across the region promoting the *free workshops.  To book a space on a workshop please visit their website via www.bikesafe.co.uk

Social media users can follow the campaign via the #OpDarwen and #RideSafely hashtags.
Note: *Bikesafe workshops are subject to a booking fee.

Meeting will consider Town Square plan

The Town Council is holding a Community Cafe event on Saturday September 24 at Llangollen Town Hall. 

The event will be a drop in session from 11am-3pm.

Proposals for the creation of a new “Town Square” based around the War Memorial will be on display for consideration and comment.

Town clerk Gareth Thomas said: "Representatives of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod will also be in attendance as they see that it is an ideal opportunity for their team to engage with the town.

"It is also hoped that Ken Skates AM and Susan Elan Jones MP, will attend as they have for previous café sessions.  

"Please come and have a coffee, put your ideas and concerns on the table and try to find a workable solution to move these plans forward.  Don't miss out on your chance to help plan for the future of the town."
 
* For more information, contact the town clerk, Gareth Thomas, on 01978 861345, or email:   llangollentc@btconnect.com

More record GCSE results at Ysgol Dinas Bran

* Amelia Keen with her results.  

* Connor Stalham.

* David Linder and Marius Hylka.

* Lewis Hitchen and Chloe Lewis

* Liam Jones and Nicole Hughes.

Year 11 students at Ysgol Dinas Bran celebrated another year of record-breaking results today.

An incredible 70% of students achieved the benchmark level 2+ of five GCSEs at A*-C including English and maths, topping last year’s record by 1%.

This result is well above local and national averages.

In addition, 97% of students also achieved level 2 (five A*-C grades),  78% achieved a C grade or better in English while nearly three-quarters achieved a C grade in maths – another record for the school. 

Over a third of all grades awarded in history, media, biology, chemistry and physics were at A* or A.

Among a range of excellent performance a number of students performed particularly well. 

Connor Stalham (from Corwen) achieved an outstanding eight A* and three A grades, with a distinction in Additional Maths. 

His results are matched by those of Julian Gonzalez (from Corwen) who achieved the same grades.

Julian, who is 16, took his GCSEs a year early, has recently taken AS exams and already achieved an A grade in maths at A level. 

Other students who performed at the highest level were:

Bethany Carol* (Llangollen)  seven A* grades, three A grades and a distinction in Further Maths

Mille Harrison (Chirk)   five A* grades, four A grades and a distinction in Further Maths

Carys Stallard*  (Llangollen)  five A grades, four A grades, one B grade

Barra Liddy* (Corwen)   four A* grades, six A grades two B grades and a distinction in Further Maths

Amelia Keen (Llanarmon DC)   four A* grades, five A grades, two B grades and a distinction in Further Maths

Emily Larwood* (Garth)  two A* grades,  six A grades, three B grades and a Merit in further Maths
Mae Morgan* (Corwen/Llandrillo) three A* grades, five A grade four B grades and a Merit in Further Maths 

Ryan Williams (Trevor)  two A* grades, eight A grades, one B grade

Bethany, Carys, Millie, Barra, Mae and Emily all sat their exams a year early at the age of 15 and now taking AS levels at the school.

Martyn Froggett, headteacher, said: “We are delighted for the students.  Not only have the results beaten last year’s record but are beyond our expectations.  It is a terrific achievement.  We look forward to seeing many of the students back in our Sixth Form in September.  Great praise to the staff who have supported, encouraged and helped them to achieve these tremendous results.”

Pupils across Denbighshire are celebrating excellent examination results this year, says the county council. 

Early indications show that approximately 66.2% of students have achieved 5 A* - C grades which is in line with the national figures for Wales and England.

Approximately 61% of pupils have achieved 5A* - C including English/Welsh and Mathematics which continues a trend of improvement. 

Overall, early indications show that achievement in Denbighshire this year reflects the national picture.  There have been some outstanding personal successes.

Councillor Eryl Williams, Cabinet Lead Member for Lifelong Learning, said: “These results are very pleasing and I would like to congratulate all the students who have achieved the grades needed to further their education.

“I would also like to pay tribute to the county’s schools for their tireless efforts in preparing students for their examinations.  The results speak volumes about the commitment and de dication of all those involved."

Final push for dementia charity challenge

Help me in my final push for cash!

* Linda Robson speaks about dementia on ITV's Lorraine Show.

llanblogger is joining TV's Linda Robson in helping to raise money for vital research into dementia.

Both Phil Robinson and the star of Birds of a Feather and Loose Women are taking part in the Alzheimer’s Society 2016 Memory Walk - albeit not in the same place.

Linda, who is a long-time supporter of the charity, helped to spread the word about dementia on ITV’s Lorraine Show recently and revealed she is joining in the Memory Walk in London to help raise awareness and funds to support people affected by dementia as her mother, Rita, had the condition. 

* Phil ready for his charity walk.

Phil will be remembering a number of members of his family who suffered from dementia when he takes part in the Cheshire Memory Walk at Delamere Forest on Saturday September 24.

He said: “Every year in the UK a staggering 225,000 people develop dementia – that’s equivalent to one person every three minutes.

“So I’ve decided to do my bit to help by taking part in the Memory Walk, which sees thousands of people raising money for a world without dementia across Wales, England and Northern Ireland.

“People of all ages and abilities join in, from grandparents to grandchildren, and even furry four-legged friends.

“They all walk together to celebrate loved ones affected by dementia, and raise money to reclaim the future.”

He added:  “As it’s closest to Llangollen I’ll be joining the Cheshire Memory Walk, which has a choice of two routes - 3.5km or 6k – and I’m doing the 6k route through the forest's woodland paths and around Blakemere Lake. Just £50 can help a PhD researcher to continue research into the causes of dementia, how it can be treated and, ultimately, to find a cure. 

“I’m aiming to raise at least £150 for this very good cause, so I’m hoping that as many people as possible will sponsor me on the walk.

"I'm grateful to have received a number of donations so far but I just need a final push to help me to hit my target figure."

* To sponsor Phil, visit his Justgiving page, which can be found at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Philip-Robinson8