County issues "keep dogs on leads" reminder

Walkers wanting to get out into the open countryside in Denbighshire are being reminded to keep their dogs on leads.

Denbighshire Countryside Service and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty have joined forces to launch a campaign called Take the Lead, encouraging people to keep their animals on lead in the county’s open countryside.

The Take the Lead campaign is now in its second year and was launched at Easter. The campaign is targeting local residents and visitors to the countryside and wants to build on the success of last year’s initiative.

The campaign includes the production of videos that will be shared on social media, as well as features in the local media and online. 

Councillor Tony Thomas, Cabinet Lead Member for Housing, Regulation and the Environment, said: “The decent weather we have been experiencing is making more people think about getting out into the open countryside to enjoy the views.

“That is great, but we are asking walkers, if they take their dogs, to keep their animals on the lead in the open countryside. This is part of an effort to try and reduce the number of livestock being injured and wildlife being disturbed by dogs.

“Last year’s campaign was very successful and the majority of people do act responsible. We want that to continue and we thank people for their efforts and understanding.

“However this is a kind of message that needs to be repeated time and time again to gain its maximum impact, so we will be sharing our campaign messages with locals and visitors and encourage the small minority who flout the law to take action.

“We have seen some incidents where sheep have been injured or killed as a result of attacks from dogs off their leads. This is what we need to avoid and by working together with dog owners, we can really make a difference”.

“They really must be mindful that they are crossing valuable grazing land where there are sheep roaming. The effects of attacks on animals can be devastating, to the animal and to the landowner.

The campaign will continue throughout the summer and wardens will be out and about monitoring sites.

Nature Quest at Newydd

Nature Quest at Plas Newydd, Llangollen, 

26 May to 3 June

10.30am to 3.00pm

Nature Trail quiz within the grounds of Plas Newydd.

Complete the trail to win a badge.

£3.00 per person

Serious road accident in Llangollen this afternoon

The Daily Post is reporting on a serious road collision in Llangollen this afternoon (Tuesday).
For the full story, see: https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/elderly-man-flown-hospital-serious-14721268

Llan's magnificent seven complete charity marathon

* The girls celebrate at the end of their marathon ride. 

Seven intrepid friends from Llangollen braved a fearsome electric storm to complete a gruelling 65-mile charity bike ride.

Elen Roberts, Samantha Jones, Louisa Jones, Stephanie Williams, Tessa Orton Jones, Alix Rawlinson and Tracey Jones took part in last weekend’s Ride the Night event in aid of three women’s charities - Ovarian Cancer Action, Jo’s Cervical Cancer and Breast Cancer Care.

Team member Tracey explained: “Just over 12 months ago we decided to do something challenging, inspired by our friend Louisa Jones’ previous charity rides in India and Cambodia.

“Action for Charity organises several cycling challenges both internationally and across the UK to raise money for these three fabulous cancer charities.

“So at 9pm on Saturday evening we set off from Windsor Race Course to complete the 104km cycle into central London and back.

“All started well on a lovely early summer evening, however at just 15 miles in the weather took a turn for the worse.

“We were treated to the most electrifying thunder storm display followed by an epic torrential downpour for several miles. Roads flooded and cars struggled to cope with this onslaught but we battled on bravely with virtually nil visibility.”

Tracey added: “The rain eventually subsided in the early hours leaving us all tired, wet and very cold but all seven finished the course within six to seven hours despite the odds.

“The overall event raised in excess of £1.5 million. The girls are exhausted but very proud of what they achieved.

“We would all like to thank everyone who has donated to this fantastic charity event and its causes but we also wish to express our gratitude to partners, husbands and family members for their amazing support.”

* The thunder storm they cycled through.

* The finisher's medal they each received.

2018 art exhibitions at Plas Newydd

The following art exhibitions will be staged at Y Caban in Plas Newydd over this season

June - Jan Wallis

Jan Wallis is a textile artist living in Llangollen. Her exhibition at Y Caban includes a 30 metre weaving depicting a river from source to the sea.  Another piece is a knitted representation of the Eglwyseg Crags

July - Rosie Davies

Rosie Davies is creative mostly with the traditional mediums  of oils and watercolour , but also produces  more contemporary works of digital art on the iPad with the app Pro create. Her inspiration is taken from the North Wales landscapes and her solo exhibition at Plas Newydd includes scenes of the   River Dee and Llangollen.

August - Mark Pullin

My imagery deals with emotion, with the capacity to create simple forms and marks to connect symbolically with past event in my life or memories of particular importance.  The presence of shape and colour, their influence on mood and latent energy emerges out of a physical engagement within the medium of paint.

September - Wrexham Cluster for Helfa Gelf

We are a collective group of artists from the County of Wrexham who belong to the Helfa Gelf artists group, who  are represented in 5 counties across North Wales. During this month we will also have our studios open on weekends. During our exhibition we hope to have an  artist in the gallery each weekend

October - Criw Celf 
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 masterclasses led by professional artists in a variety of disciplines and at venues throughout Denbighshire.  This exhibition shows a small selection of work created by Criw Celf Denbighshire, with students from years 5 to 9.  Criw Celf Denbighshire is run by Denbighshire County Council Arts Service, with funding from the Arts Council of Wales.

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.”