Local firm launches charity singing project

* The talented "workman" belts out Calon Lan in Welsh on the film.

* Linguassist MD Graham Paton outlines his singing project

on the video now causing a social media stir.

A Llangollen business has pledged to make a donation to the new Centenary Square project in return for local people singing to welcome the world to the town.

As sponsors of the Van Morrison concert at this July’s International Eisteddfod, languages firm Linguassist is making a charity film and inviting people from the community to come together to sing the classic Welsh song Calon Lan.

But in keeping with the global spirit of the eisteddfod, where “Wales welcomes the world”, this will be a multi-lingual version of the song, with Linguassist in return making a £1,000 donation to the Centenary Square project which will eventually include a re-sited war memorial.

Company managing director Graham Paton was in Riverside Park recently to make a short film outlining the idea, and said: “I love this town and I love the talent in this town. To show off Llangollen’s talent we’re doing a global version of Calon Lan and making a donation to the new town memorial.”

As the camera rolls Mr Paton is interrupted by a high vis-coated workman who first politely points out that he has mispronounced the song title and then starts to a sing a powerful version of Calon Lan in Welsh.

Clearly enjoying the rendition Mr Paton urges him to carry on as “we have a film crew here”.

The man - who may not actually be who he appears to be – then ends the song to warm applause and bashfully carries on with his work.

The film is already creating a stir on YouTube via social media and you can watch it at _{https://youtu.be/kJMYQo9CPkI}

* For more details about the singing project, email: michelle@linguassist.co.uk

Llan's Marianne joins team at Rhug Estate

The Rhug Estate near Corwen has announced that Marianne Burrell from Llangollen has recently joined the team as the Farm Manager’s Assistant, covering maternity leave for Gwen Williams.

Marianne (pictured) will assist the Farm Manager, Gareth Jones, with the paperwork and accounts relating to farming the 6,700 acres at Rhug.

Wellies will always be at the ready though as farming such a large estate means Marianne will need to be on-hand for farm duties and tours of the farm as well.

Welcoming Marianne to the team, Lord Newborough, Owner of the Rhug Estate, said: “I am delighted to welcome Marianne to the team in the Estate’s office. She is already well known to me from her time with KK Fine Foods so I know she will be a great asset to the team here.

"Gwen is loved by us all and Marianne has big boots to fill but I am confident she will fit in well. We wish Gwen well in her new role of mum and no doubt we will hear the sound of tiny feet in the office before long.”

Marianne was born and bred in Llangollen and continues to live there with her fiancé and five-year-old daughter. 

Previous to starting with the Rhug Estate, Marianne worked for an Apprenticeship Training Company.

During her six years working as an account manager with KK Fine Foods, in Deeside, Marianne became familiar with the Rhug as she worked with the Wholesale team on developing sauces and pies for Rhug.

Prior to KK FineFoods Marianne helped run a motorbike shop for seven years. In her spare time shee enjoys spending time with her horse at her stables.

Marianne said: “I’m delighted to be have been given the opportunity to work with the team at the Rhug Estate whilst Gwen takes time off on maternity. Having worked with the Rhug during my time at KK Fine Foods it’s a pleasure to now be working as a member of the staff. I’m looking forward to my work changing with the seasons on the farm.”

Canal history talk on Monday

Gardening club's plant sale is tomorrow

Llangollen Gardening Club has a Plant Sale tomorrow (Saturday May 26) outside the Town Hall.

If you have any spare plants you would like to donate, please take them to the Town Hall today (Friday May 25)  between 1.30 -3.00pm, or Saturday morning, 9.30am. 

Call goes out for joint campaign on clean streets

* Rhuddlan residents are tackling dog fouling and environmental crime.

Residents of Rhuddlan are calling on other communities across Denbighshire to work together to keep the county’s streets clean.

Denbighshire County Council has been implementing a long-running campaign to tackle dog fouling and environmental crime within the county, with a key focus on education and prevention, as well as enforcement action against those individuals who fail to clear up after their dogs.

Prevention activities have included direct engagement with dog owners about the council’s approach, handing out bags, spraying dog foul with yellow chalk to highlight problem areas, the introduction of yellow glow in the dark signs to deter would be offenders and high visibility patrols.

Rhuddlan residents have come together to tackle the problem in their town and are now calling on the rest of Denbighshire to support the campaign.

Councillor Arwel Roberts said: “There are parts of Rhuddlan still seeing dog mess not being picked up, we’re not perfect, but there has been a large increase in people picking up after their dogs within the town and surrounding areas. The residents of Rhuddlan and Denbighshire County Council need to be congratulated on the work they have done in keeping the streets of Rhuddlan clean for everyone.”

Councillor Ann Davies said: “We are now calling on other towns in Denbighshire to follow our lead and always pick up after their dogs and dispose of their dog mess appropriately. It’s very important to keep dog mess away from all the areas highlighted in the PSPO. If a child comes into contact with dog mess it can cause serious health risks, so this campaign is very important. The people of Rhuddlan are working hard to keep their town clean and we want to thank them for all of their hard work.”

The county council want to remind dog owners across the county that under the county-wide Public Spaces Protection Order, dogs are prohibited from all maintained, marked sports areas such as football and rugby pitches in Denbighshire, multi-use games areas, children’s play areas and certain stretches of beaches. 

These areas are clearly marked with signs and those who fail to comply with the law could be issued with a fixed penalty notice. Dog owners are also expected to clean up after their animals in any other public space in the county.

Councillor Tony Thomas, Cabinet Lead Member for Housing, Regulation and the Environment, said: “The majority of people act responsibly and clear up after their animals. They also take heed of signage that prohibit people from taking their dogs on certain areas of land. We thank them for their co-operation. However we continue to find that some individuals clearly ignore the message.

"They do not seem to realise the negative impact that dog fouling has on the local community and its potential implications on people’s health. Residents tell us that they want us to tackle problems with dog fouling. Unfortunately we are having to repeat the message again. Please work with us to clean up the county – for everyone’s benefit.”

Llangollen FC gets life-saving new machine

W* Wales captain Ashley Williams and Welsh Hearts director Sharon Owen handed over the defibrillators.             

Llangollen Football Club is one of six across Wales where defibrillators have just been installed.

And there are plans to fund others in a bid to minimise deaths from sudden cardiac arrest.

The first six machines have been funded by Wales football players who donated their match fees for their friendly against Mexico in Los Angeles on May 29.

Ground staff will be trained to use the devices under the scheme, which aims to have them at all clubs in the country.

Llangollen Football Club was the first to receive its defibrillator on Monday.

A defibrillator is an automatic device that can be used to shock the heart back into a normal rhythm during cardiac arrest. 

Performing CPR and using a defibrillator until an ambulance arrives, can help double a victim's chance of survival.

The partnership between the Football Association of Wales (FAW) and heart charity Welsh Hearts has found few of the hundreds of football grounds across Wales had one.

Its scheme aims to change that by fundraising to ensure every player and spectator at every club in Wales has access to one.

The FAW's medical services manager and lead physiotherapist, Sean Connelly, said: "With this partnership we will work together to fundraise to aid Welsh Hearts with the amazing work they do for heart health in Wales.

"Together we hope that this equipment will minimise the terrible instances from sudden cardiac arrests that have occurred in football grounds across Wales."

Welsh Hearts director Sharon Owen said: "We believe the impact on lives will be far-reaching, as no one should die in Wales due to a lack of a public access defibrillator in the event of an emergency.

"They should be available everywhere. I am excited to work with the FAW as they are at the heart of communities in Wales."

Garden fete raffle prize is £100

* Cwmwd Ial re-enactors will star at the fete. 

As part of the annual Garden Fete at Plas Newydd on Saturday June 9 the  Rotary and Inner Wheel Clubs of Llangollen are organising  a grand raffle with a first prize of a £100.

The committee say they are grateful to so many local businesses for their generous donations of prizes and they would like to thank the following: The Wild Pheasant Hotel and Spa, Jades Hairdressing, Witzend Gallery, Café Bistro and Tea Rooms, Mickey Finn, fish supplies, Fouzzi’s , Vintage Rose Tearoom, Vanity Nails and Beauty, Cefn Mawr and New Dot Cinema.

The committee are also grateful to The Coop Supermarket Llangollen for allowing their volunteers to sell tickets there.

Members of both clubs will be selling tickets at The Coop on Saturday, May 26 and Saturday June 2.

Tickets will also be on sale at Plas Newydd  on the day of the fete when the Grand Draw will take place at  approximately 4.30 p.m.

The organisers have decided that the prime beneficiary will this year be Marie Curie Cancer  Care but say that other local charities will also benefit.