8.30pm update on the fire

North Wales Police has just tweeted an update on the ongoing saga of the fire raging through the mountainsides above Llangollen.

Around 8pm their tweet said: “Fire in #Llangollen - due to a change in wind direction it has been required to close the new as well as the old Horse Shoe Pass sections of road. Please
continue to avoid the area. Thanks for your cooperation.”

This follows a worrying report from Llangollen’s deputy mayor, Cllr Issy Richards, this afternoon to llanblogger after she had taken the latest consignment of supplies to firefighters.

She said: “Just been up. Conditions deteriorated on the Pass, thick smoke low down … awful smoke on the top near Ponderosa. Took hot food from kebab house on the corner £125. None needed tonight but hot needed tomorrow lunch and tea.”

In their own tweet at around 8pm tonight North wales Fire & Rescue Service said: “#Llangollen fire update - 9 appliances still in attendance. Smoke still
drifting far afield - if you see/smell smoke it could be from #Llantysilio fire unless you see source of fire /flames. Both old &
new Horse Shoe Pass rds now closed so avoid area. Thanks for your cooperation.”

In response to calls yesterday on social media for the army to be drafted in to help the firefighters battle the blaze, Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones (pictured) responded to llanblogger earlier today: “I would support that if the firefighters themselves felt it were required.

“North Wales Fire and Rescue are working tirelessly in a difficult situation and stressful weather conditions, making the safety of local residents their priority.

“I have worked closely with local firefighters in the past on saving the second fire appliance for our area. I trusted their judgment absolutely – and if they believe army back-up to be required, they will have my support in calling for it.

“However, my view is that we most listen to the professional judgment of our excellent, dedicated firefighters on this matter.

“My thanks to the firefighters for the excellent job they are doing.” 

Below is a message which went out earlier today to all county councillors from Denbighshire County Council ...

As you are aware, a fire has been burning at Llantysilio Mountain near the Horseshoe Pass for over a week and it intensified Thursday night into Friday.

Our countryside teams have been working with North Wales Fire and Rescue Service during this period. They are helping with the work of digging trenches, so that fire breaks can be created to try and prevent the fire from spreading.

The county has well-prepared arrangements in please for dealing with major incidents and the Council is working closely with the Fire and Rescue Service, the lead agency in the response.  We are keeping in close contact with the incident commander who is managing the situation and we are proactively responding to requests for assistance.

Both the police and the fire and rescue service have advised people to stay away from the location and to leave the response to the agencies involved. That message has been relayed to the public via the media and social media and that advice still stands.  Our own press team are re-sharing these messages.

The Horseshoe Pass has also been closed as a precautionary measure.

Social Services are also on stand-by to assist to open a rest centre, should any evacuations be necessary.  There are 12 properties in the nearby vicinity that may need to be evacuated. However that has not been necessary at this stage and the situation is being constantly monitored.

We will keep you informed of any developments.

Latest update on the fire

* The fire scene at 10.23am today (Saturday).

The Daily Post has given this latest update on the mountainside fire this morning (Saturday):

More fire crews have been called in again this morning as the fierce wildfire in Llangollen rages on.

Despite heavy downpours in the area last night, the rain has made no dent on the blaze on Llantysilio Mountain and the Horseshoe Pass.

So far this morning, seven fire engines and seven off road vehicles are at the scene.

The Horseshoe Pass is still closed due to drifting smoke and flames.

Eisteddfod to celebrate International Friendship Day

* Volunteers, such as these on the Floral Committee, are the heart and soul of the eisteddfod every year.

On International Friendship Day next Monday Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod will be honouring relationships it has established over the 70 years since it began.

On the day it will be celebrating the 800 volunteers who provide crucial support throughout the week-long event.

International Friendship Day was established by the United Nations and aims for more people to make and celebrate friendship throughout the world leading to less chance of injustice, war and poverty.

Eisteddfod chairman Dr Rhys Davies said: “We only have six employees. Without our friends of the festival who volunteer each year we simply couldn’t function.

"It is through the camaraderie of friendship that our festival is able to thrive. By accumulating these bonds, we contribute to the aims of the UN in developing strong ties of trust which are needed to achieve peace and lasting stability.

“As our festival continues to grow, it’s fantastic to welcome both familiar and new faces. What remains year-on-year is the joyful atmosphere of the eisteddfod, which is enhanced by the extensive network of volunteers who dedicate so much energy and commitment.

“This International Friendship Day we extend our thanks to all of those who give up their time to journey from far and wide across the globe, as we celebrate the coming together of nations.”

The eisteddfod's Competitiors Club co-ordinator Ann Ankers, said: “From working as an usher at the Eisteddfod in 1956 to stewarding in the 1960s I met a lady called Carol who travelled from Glasgow to sing at the festival. Being so inspired, the following year she returned, bringing along a friend for eight consecutive years. 

“I came across Carol three years ago, returning again to support the festival and we have never looked back.

"Carol has come back to fulfil her ambition of choral singing. Having fallen in love with the peace, harmony and togetherness of the Llangollen Eisteddfod. She has been inspired to be part of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and this year is performing at The Proms, an amazing achievement that I am so proud of."

Each year the family of Selina, Daniel and Bill Kong travel from their home in Hong Kong to volunteer in the Competitors Club.

Sisters Lynette Haber and Jane Rysanski from Connecticut, USA, have been regular visitors to the eisteddfod.

This year they decided to volunteer as part of the Floral Committee, creating the beautiful arrangements that decorated the festival stages.

Acknowledged as one of the foremost world peace festivals, Llangollen has been nominated for a number of awards, including the Nobel Prize for Peace.

The eisteddfod has volunteering opportunities suited to all ages and abilities. From office-based roles to floral and archive duties, there are plenty of roles available throughout the year as well as during the festival week itself.

Armed police stop car on the A483

Wrexham.com has just posted a story with pictures about armed police stopping a car at the Ruthin Road junction of the A483 earlier this evening.

For the full story, see: http://www.wrexham.com/news/multiple-armed-police-units-stop-car-on-a483-slip-road-153536.html

llanblogger takes first hand look at the fire frontline

UPDATE 8pm Friday ...

Flames are now visible on the mountainside near Llantysilio from the town centre. Taken by llanblogger with a telescopic lens.   

llanblogger exclusive

* The fire is clearly visible from the Horseshoe Pass - currently closed to traffic. 

* The blaze on the mountainside not far from property on the Horseshoe Pass.

* Part of the fire command centre near the Ponderosa Café.

* Llangollen's deputy mayor, Cllr Issy Richards, right, thanks Silviu Pop and his partner Gyulaydan Ali at the S&G Bistro for their donation of today's lunchtime sandwiches.

* Cllr Richards checks donations to the website set up by Cat Meade at Wingetts. 

llanblogger has seen at first hand the massive battle being fought to control a huge fire raging on the mountainsides above Llangollen.

And we have also witnessed the major effort back in town to get vital supplies to the teams of firefighters involved the operation.

Since it flared up again earlier this week the blaze has turned many acres of grassland into scorched earth.

Relays of firefighters from Llangollen and other parts of North Wales have since been braving soaring temperatures to beat out the flames.

Numerous people have been supporting them by donating food, water and other items.

And one woman from a local business has co-ordinated an appeal to keep the supplies flowing which had raised over £1,000 within hours of being set up.

This lunchtime (Friday) llanblogger joined Llangollen’s deputy mayor, Councillor Issy Richards, and her partner Mike as they delivered the latest batch of sandwiches and cold drinks to the two locations from where the fire is being fought.

Two big boxes of freshly-made sandwiches came courtesy of Silviu Pop and his partner Gyulaydan Ali at the S&G Bistro in Castle Street.

Our first delivery was to the fire crews battling the blaze from the hills around Llanstysilio and the second was to the busy command centre which North Wales Fire & Rescue has set up with other emergency services on the car park of the Ponderosa Café on the Horseshoe Pass.

The pass itself was closed by the county council earlier today at the request of the fire service who said sightseers were hampering their operations. However, we had special permission to use it for our delivery.

We had hoped to speak to some of the Llangollen-based firefighters who have been in the thick of the action but a colleague from the Wrexham station said they were busy in an inaccessible part of the nearby mountainside.

* One grateful firefighter's

message on Facebook.

However, he thanked Cllr Richards sincerely for the donation and said it would be much appreciated by the crews.

Back in town Cat Meade from Wingetts estate agents in castle Street described how as a gesture of support for what the fire crews were doing she had arranged an online donation page the money from which will help to pay for more supplies.

Cat, who lives in town, explained how she had set this up around 8pm last night and within minutes it had started clocking up the pounds. By around 1pm today the donation total stood at just over £1,000 with more coming in by the minute.

She said: “I’ve been overwhelmed and very touched by the amazing response to the appeal.”

Cat said other cash donations were being made in person by members of the public at her office.

Food, water and soft drink supplies have also been coming in from a host of local businesses and a supply collection point had been set up as far away as Oswestry.

The BBC reports that 60 firefighters are currently tackling the blaze above Llan, with 12 crews involved at Llantysilio and near the Horseshoe Pass.

The fire service said its control room has received calls from concerned people reporting smoke in the air from 12 miles away in Wrexham.

* To donate to Cat’s appeal go to: gf.me/u/j5y9gc

Horseshoe Pass closed by fire

North Wales Police have just issued the following message on social media:

A542 Horseshoe Pass LLANGOLLEN will be closed due to mountain fire. 

Please avoid the area.  People taking photographs have been causing problems for fire crews.

Keep away for your safety and take alternative route.

A further message from the county council says:

The Horseshoe Pass is closed until further notice. The request has been made by the North Wales Fire and Rescue to allow them to continue to deal with the grass/gorse fire. We will let you know as soon as the situation changes. Thank you for your patience during this time.

Rising rock band Gallops dashes for the Fringe

After announcing their reformation and releasing their much anticipated second album Bronze Mystic in April 2017, experimental rock band Gallops have been storming headline shows and festival appearances across the UK and beyond.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Gallops will headline Llangollen Fringe Festival alongside rising US hip hop artist Miss Eaves (pictured) as part of the International Beats night.

Shanthony Exum (aka Miss Eaves) is a fierce femcee known for her unique electro-pop-rap feminist stylings and fun-dance-explosion stage presence.

With her tongue-in-cheek rhymes in tow, her music has led her to perform at shows such as Tomorrowland, Dour, Les Rockomotive, and a packed out gig at South by Southwest. Most recently, touring with Wheatus and MC Frontalot around the UK.

* Tickets for International Beats at Llangollen Fringe Festival are on sale now at www.llangollenfringe.co.uk 

Gallops and Miss Eaves are joined on a stellar bill (the festival's biggest to date) by LEE SCRATCH PERRY, CRAIG CHARLES, MARK RADCLIFFE’s GALLEON BLAST, LAURA CORTESE & THE DANCE CARDS, LINTON KWESI JOHNSON, LLOYD LANGFORD.  Plus the return of BAND FOR A DAY, the music themed STEAM TRAIN and AQUEDUCT BOAT trips, and many other fringe events.

The event rounds off with its now legendary closing concert in the stunning surrounds of VALLE CRUCIS ABBEY. The Fringe Finale at the spectacular Valle Crucis Abbey will this year feature the ethereal sound of GOLDEN FABLE and THE NEW SINFONIA ORCHESTRA.

Tickets for all other Llangollen Fringe performances are also available from the website, or by calling the Fringe box office: 0800 1455 779.