Holiday route saluted at Autumn Steam Gala

* Steam engine No. 46521 during a previous visit to Llangollen Railway.

The important role played by the old Ruabon to Barmouth line in connecting holidaymakers from the North West of England with the Cambrian Coast will be celebrated at Llangollen Railway this October.

2018 is Visit Wales' Year of the Sea (www.visitwales.com/sea) with the theme for October- December being Connected Coasts.

At its forthcoming Autumn Steam Gala, which runs throughout the weekend of October 12-14, Llangollen Railway is marking the occasion by saluting the part played by the Ruabon-Barmouth route – of which the 10-mile heritage line was once a part - in linking the busy industrial areas of Cheshire, Manchester and Liverpool with the holiday resorts of North Wales .

The gala is entitled Along Cambrian Lines 2 and follows on from the railway’s highly popular event on the same theme in April 2016.

Organiser Peter Dickinson, a project engineer at the railway, said: “It will be a three-day feast of steam-hauled nostalgia.

“Our annual Autumn Steam Gala has become an important event on many enthusiasts’ calendars as it offers a varied range of trains running along our picturesque line.

“For nearly 100 years, the railway carried many thousands of holidaymakers over its tracks to seaside resorts right along the coast.

“This October’s gala will be a celebration of these much loved trains heading for the seaside during the 1950s and early 1960s.

“A great line-up of visiting locomotives will be supported by members of the Llangollen Railway's home fleet, recreating many of the authentic sights and sounds of the period.”

Visiting locomotives include BR Ivatt 2MT  No. 46521, courtesy of the Great Central Railway. This former Royal Train engine spent almost its entire working life in Wales and was allocated to Oswestry, Brecon and Machynlleth steam sheds during its career.

No. 46521 was also a regular sight around Barmouth during the 1950s and 1960s, working trains along the Cambrian Coast route and the regular shuttle service up the Mawddach Estuary to Dolgellau. 

Other visitors will be announced over the coming weeks, including the possible return of a local locomotive after a 60-year absence. 

Attractions include:

• Interactive activities for all the family, including Make your own Luggage Labels.
• Display of entries of the railway’s 2018 Steam Trains to the Seaside children's poster competition.
• Intensive timetable over all three days.
• Full line and local services to-ing and fro-ing.
• Demonstration goods and parcel loading at Berwyn station

Along the Llangollen line there are a number of interesting structures built with local stone which was quarried along the River Dee.

A special exhibition telling the story of some of the viaducts, road bridges and station buildings will be running in the Henry Robertson Suite in Llangollen Station throughout the gala.

Passenger timetables will follow in the weeks leading up to the event.

The full working timetable will be available free of charge to holders of travel tickets for the event from the railway’s booking offices at the event while stocks last.

* Event details can be found at: http://llangollen-railway.co.uk/event/autumn-steam-gala-12th-14th-october/ 

Firefighter has her 40th birthday battling the big blaze

The proud mum of one of the firefighters who have been battling to control a mountain fire above Llangollen has spoken of how she had her 40^th birthday on the fire ravaged frontline.

Jayne Dulson went on Facebook to describe how her daughter Clare Dulson (pictured) spent her milestone birthday alongside her colleagues from Chirk fire station trying to contain the flames which were ripping through the moorlands near Llantysilio and the Horseshoe Pass.

And the organiser of the big effort to supply the firefighters with much-needed refreshments, Cat Meade from Wingetts estate agents in Llangollen, said that when the volunteer driver delivering food and drinks to the hard-pressed fire crews found out it was Clare’s birthday they served her with bacon butties plus a cream cake.

Clare is originally from Llangollen but now lives in Chirk.

Her mum Jayne says in her Facebook post, which has rapidly gone viral since appearing yesterday attracting over 1,000 likes: “This is my daughter Clare Dulson and she is one of the many firefighters that have been tackling the mountain fires over the last 11 days.

“I just want everyone to know how amazing she is because not only was she up there pretty much continually from Thursday morning until the early hours of this morning, with her colleagues from Chirk, and there is a chance they may go back, it was her 40th birthday yesterday and she dropped all her plans and chose to keep her crew available to fight the fires.

“They saw her birthday in with her, and out, and I can’t even imagine how tired they all are and therefore she didn’t have a birthday at all, or any celebrations, and while some have put on the here that “That’s what their paid to do anyway”, the hours they have put in are astounding and they are all heroes.

“She spent most of her birthday evening trying to contain some of the most challenging conditions that they have had so far ,and I was worried sick about her, but today she wanted no fuss, and said she would have rather been there than anywhere else, because of her love for the job, and her hometown.

“So, although she will not appreciate my post, I want to say huge thanks to all of the firefighters that have spent so long up there, whilst trying to juggle a day job, families and no sleep, and hope as many people as possible wish my daughter a very happy birthday for yesterday, and show our appreciation for our wonderful firefighters.”

Cat Meade, who has organised an online appeal for the firefighters’ supplies which has so far attracted donations well over £1,200, said: “When we found out that Clare was having her 40^th birthday up there we knew we had to do something a little special for her.

“The money we’d collected meant we could send them all bacon butties but we also gave Clare a nice big cream cake which was donated by a shop in Oswestry.

“We were delighted to help her celebrate her big birthday because she and he colleagues have been doing such a brilliant job up there for us.”       

UPDATE ...

The incident saw the closure of the Horseshoe Pass at the end of last week but North Wales Fire and Rescue Service has announced this morning that the old section - from Ruthin up to the Ponderosa - has now reopened.

The new section remains closed, a spokesman for the fire and rescue service added.

Two fire appliances remained on site overnight and there are plans to send three crews and an off-road vehicle up to the scene today.

Fire supply team calls for volunteers

* Fire control centre.

* Picture of the fire scene taken earlier this afternoon.

* Food delivery on the road this afternoon.

2.15pm UPDATE ...

Cllr Issy Richards has just returned from taking a consignment of supplies to the crews.

She said: "Fires still smouldering but rain has helped, firefighters still hard at the work."

* A statement just received from Denbighshire County Council says:

“On Friday night, the escalating fire meant that the Council was placed on high alert to take immediate action if necessary.

“The Council’s countryside service teams have been working closely with fire and rescue service colleagues throughout the week and the weekend to tackle the fire.

“Fire crews, assisted by the Council’s countryside service teams have been making good progress in their efforts to distinguish the fire and the rain has certainly assisted the efforts.

“The Council has put arrangements for a rest centre in place, should the need arise. However, in light of the improving situation, the Council has been given permission to stand down its rest centre arrangements. The situation will be closely monitored and we will be informed if the need for a rest centre arises again."

The team taking supplies to the fire crews battling the blaze on the mountainsides near Llangollen say they are now looking for extra help.

Llangollen's deputy mayor, Cllr Issy Richards, who is helping to co-ordinate the delivery efforts, said: "So far there have been a handful of helpers to collect and deliver hot food at 1pm and 7pm to the firefighters at various points.

"We are now looking for extra help, as the situation may be ongoing throughout the week.

"If anyone can help please let us know and we will contact you via Messenger.

"What are needed are two people in a vehicle who can collect hot food from Llangollen and deliver, probably to the Llandegla roundabout."

Please contact the team via the Llangollen Noticeboard page on Facebook.

Firefighters' supplies appeal goes on, says organiser

Ponderosa Cafe

· 11 hrs ·

Good evening everyone,
The Ponderosa has been evacuated due to fire and smoke.
Can I please just take this opportunity to thank all the wonderful emergency services who are currently battling this menace.
...

Regards Simon Clemence.

* Last night's message on Facebook from the Ponderosa Café.

11am update from Ponderosa's Simon Clemence to llanblogger ...

Yes the Cafe was evacuated last night I’m back up here now. Road still closed. Mountain in a terrible state but the cafe and family is ok thank goodness.

The urgent operation to get food and drinks to firefighters battling the blaze on the mountainsides around Llangollen goes on despite overnight rain.

That’s the message from Cat Meade from Wingetts estate agents in Castle Street who has been co-ordinating efforts to get supplies to the hard-pressed crews.

Last night it appears that the Ponderosa Café whose car park had been used as the emergency services command centre for the past few days had to be evacuated.

Its owner Simon Clemence put out a message on Facebook to say: “The Ponderosa has been evacuated due to fire and smoke.

“Can I please just take this opportunity to thank all the wonderful emergency services who are currently battling this menace.”

Late last week Cat at Wingetts set up an online appeal for cash to help pay for supplies for the large number of fire crews who have been drafted in from across North Wales.

Within hours hundreds of pounds had been pledged and the tally this morning (Sunday) stands at £1,200.

However, Cat points out that with average spending on food and drinks running at around £200 a day the money collected so far can’t last much longer if the emergency continues.

She said: “We’re hoping that the rain we’ve had overnight will help damp down the fire but it’s so deep-rooted that we just don’t know.

“We’re therefore planning to keep both the appeal and supply runs going.

“We know they do have a stockpile of supplies up there but what they’ve got is only likely to last for the next 24 hours.

“The public have been fantastic in supporting the appeal but I think now we need a little help from the corporate side of things. I’d like to see larger businesses contributing in some way – not just from this area but right through to Wrexham from where many of the fire crews have been coming.”

She added: “Could you also advise people that the last of the supplies were delivered last night. There was plenty of water but they’ve requested energy drinks like Red Bull, Lucozade and so on.

“Our collection points at Wingetts in Castle Street, from 9am tomorrow, and the leisure centre. Llangollen Leisure Centre opening hours are Sunday 9-1pm and Monday 7.30am-9pm.

“Things must have been pretty bad up there last night as Simon and his family had to be evacuated from the Ponderosa. I just hope they are okay.”

And for those who can't access the online funding, Cat Meade is at Wingetts from Monday onwards for cash donations.

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

Denbighshire Free Press has just published an update from official sources. It says:

Smoke continues to spread across North Wales as firefighters begin another day of tackling a huge mountainside blaze.

Several fire crews have continued to battle the flames over the weekend, with three appliances and an off-road vehicle at the scene this morning.

A spokesman for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters are currently focusing on tackling hotspots, as well as protecting fire breaks (measures such as trenches used to prevent the blaze from spreading further.)

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.