Gill and Glyn Thomas honoured by Llan Civic Society

* Betty Lowe presents the Civic Award to Rhodri

and Penri Thomas, sons of Gill and Glyn. 

At the January AGM of Llangollen Civic Society there were five nominations for the Civic Award for 2016.

But there was unanimous vote that the award should be made posthumously to Gill and Glyn Thomas, who had both died in the past few months, and had both made a valued contribution to the town over many years. 

The presentation was made by Betty Lowe, the society’s life president, during the meeting which was held at Llangollen Museum. 

Gill and Glyn had been secretary and treasurer of Hanes for some years, and after their loss the committee had recommended that the society be dissolved. 

At the AGM the members overwhelming agreed to this course of action. 

Members of the society will be welcomed as Friends of the Museum, which holds talks on the last Wednesday of each month.

It has been suggested that the Friends expand their activities to include visits to places of interest, as Hanes used to do. 

The Museum plans to develop a historical herb garden in memory of Gill, since this was a passion of hers. 

It will be based on a monastic herb garden such as at Valle Crucis, with sections for herbs with different applications. 

This would form the basis for demonstrations of the historical use of herbs. 

MP hits out over asylum seekers' treatment

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones has written to Home Secretary Amber Rudd to express concern about the Home Office’s handling of the cases of asylum seekers who have been tortured.

Ms Jones (pictured), who met recently with members of Llangollen Refugee Support Network, expressed particular reservations about how survivors of torture are sometimes turned away on "specious grounds".

The MP referred to a report authored by the organisation Freedom from Torture that documented how asylum caseworkers without any clinical qualifications often replace the expert opinion of a medical doctor with their own speculation about clinical matters.

She said: "The current set-up contravenes a clear Home Office policy on how to handle expert medical evidence of torture.

"Too many Home Office decisions with medical evidence of torture are poor and have to be corrected by judges. This is wrong in principle and it is also wrong in that it is a waste of taxpayers' money." 

Ms Jones also expressed her opposition to an Official State Visit to the UK by new US President Donald Trump until his "discriminatory travel ban" has come to an end. 

Indian theme for fundraiser

Another successful year for Tidy Town Team

* Members of the team at work outside the museum a couple of years ago.

Co-ordinator David Davies has given an account of Llangollen's Tidy Town Team's latest successful year in the organisation's 2016 annual report.

Our  eleventh year of operation.

With a couple of retirees replaced by new additions, the team continues to maintain a membership of 20 people.

Litter clearing continues on Dinas Bran Castle Hill, roadside and around the “Hawthorn” sculpture, along the Panorama and around the School and Wharf area, but litter is much reduced (except around the school) compared to a few years ago.

Highlights of the year have included our second year of the “Cemetery Woodlands” project. This has involved continuing to open up the area which subsequently revealed the appearance of a mass of spring flowers. This was especially appreciated from the opposite side of the river along “Victoria Promenade”.
  
We have also planted over 1,200 daffodil bulbs on the canal wharf bank and the roadside by the Medical Centre.

In Plas Newydd we have assisted the Head Gardener with the task of giving more light to the Cyflymen by clearing laurel growth from the steep riverside bank.  We all now know how sheep feel walking on hill sides.

The Town Christmas Festival saw us in action as usual erecting stalls and parade support duties, with the task of erecting the Christmas Tree somewhat easier this year with the new “high- tech” version around the flag pole. 

A big thank you to all our supporters during the year including: Llangollen Town Council,  Denbighshire CC,  Keep Wales Tidy,  Horse Drawn Boats,  K&C Construction and the estate of Tom Edwards.

Finally, thank you to the members of the team for another 600 hours of voluntary (same pay as when we started) work during the year.

Parish's Snowdrop Service

County's response over travellers agreed

Members of Denbighshire’s Cabinet have agreed a formal response to the Welsh Government on the assessment of accommodation needs of gypsies and travellers.

All local authorities have been required to undertake an up to date assessment by the end of February of the needs of gypsies and travellers and to address any identified need.

Denbighshire County Council’s own assessment recognises the need for a six-pitch permanent residential Gypsy and Traveller site in the county, as well as a transit site for 4-5 pitches to provide accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers travelling through the county.

Councillor Hugh Irving, Cabinet Lead Member for Communities, said: “We fully recognise the need and duty to review accommodation issues for gypsies and travellers.

“Historically we have seen unlawful encampments on Council and private land, predominantly in the north of the county and the position will continue if we don’t take a proactive approach to managing the accommodation  needs of gypsies and travellers.

“Resolving unlawful encampments will inevitably result in costs for the Council, and providing facilities for residential and transit accommodation would certainly help address this issue.

“We will now submit our formal response to Welsh Government and await the outcome."

School transport policy due for discussion

A revised version of the Home to School Transport Policy for pupils across Denbighshire looks set to be discussed next month.

The current policy came into force from September 2015, after agreement by council in 2014, with a review of the policy planned after 12 months of operation.

Councillor Eryl Williams, Cabinet Lead Member for Education, said: “The council recognises that there were pockets of concern regarding certain elements of the current policy and we have addressed these concerns as and when they have arisen. 

"The council agreed when it implemented the policy that it would be reviewed after one year of operating.  That review has now taken place and has taken into consideration feedback from schools, parents, councillors and advice through legal discussions.

“The current policy states that home to school transport will be provided to the nearest suitable school.  Some concern has been raised in some communities about this issue, and it is now being proposed that school transport to secondary schools will be based on nearest suitable school or whether the pupil attended a designated primary feeder school. Transport on the basis of feeder will be provided under discretionary arrangements.

“Clarity is also proposed relating to pick up points and hazardous routes, with a previously separate guidance note being incorporated into the latest policy.

“As with the current policy, the council would continue to provide free transport to the nearest suitable Welsh language or Faith school, if this was the parental / carers preference."

Proposed amendments to the policy will be discussed by members of Denbighshire’s Communities Scrutiny Committee on February 2, with the intention of having the required consultation period after its finalisation.