A483 closed following accident

Breaking news ...

The Leader has just posted on online story saying that the A483 is closed following a accident between a tractor and a lorry.

The affected area is between junction two and three of the A483 between Ruabon and Rhostyllen.

For the full story, see: http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/16391670.long-delays-as-hgv-and-tractor-collide-on-a483-at-ruabon/

Eisteddfod confirms departure of music director

* Vicky Yannoula, the eisteddfod's departing Music Director.

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has confirmed that its Music Director is leaving after just one year with the festival.

Last September Vicky Yannoula, who is of Greek origin, took over from Eilir Owen Griffiths who stepped down after six years in the high-profile role following the 2017 eisteddfod.

A portfolio musician with international experience, Ms Yannoula joined the eisteddfod after holding successful positions with organisations such as Trinity College London, Middlesex University and the Drake Calleja Trust.

This year she masterminded successful evening concerts by Alfie Boe and Van Morrison in addition to overseeing the festival’s range of musical competitions.

In a statement sent to llanblogger this afternoon, the eisteddfod says: “We can confirm that Vicky Yannoula’s tenure as our Music Director has now ended.

“We would like to thank Vicky for her energy and enthusiasm and for bringing a refreshing change of artistic emphasis to the Eisteddfod.

“The artistic success of the 2018 Eisteddfod has highlighted the skills and talents of the staff and volunteers that support our organisation and moving forward we will be looking into developing the Music Director role into a more strategic leadership position. This review will ensure that we continue to grow and develop our offering.

“We’re looking forward to announcing our latest developments and will keep our community up to date with this news.

“Once again, we’d like to thank everyone involved in delivering a fantastic festival this year and are delighted with the positive feedback received from the majority of visitors, performers and volunteers involved in the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.”

Ms Yannoula was the eisteddfod’s eighth Music Director. 

Since moving from Corfu to London in 1995 to study at the Royal College of Music, her list of accomplishments has made her a notable pianist on stages around the world and seen her collaborate with a wealth of international artists.

She has also had experience as a tutor, recording artist, manager and an entrepreneur.

Blaze supply drop organiser calls for more help

* Supply drop organiser Cat Meade (left), pictured with Llangollen Deputy Mayor Issy Richards, who has also been heavily involved, says help is still needed.

The organiser of the massive operation to deliver food and drinks to firefighters tackling the mountain blaze above Llangollen says help is still needed, especially from hotels.

Crews are still in attendance on the scorched moorland which was has been burning for well over a week.

Since last Thursday Cat Meade from Wingetts estate agents in Castle Street has been running a relay of deliveries by a team of volunteer drivers up to the Horseshoe Pass area.

She also set up an online appeal for funds which currently stands at well over £1,000.

But Cat told llanblogger today (Wednesday) that the work must go on and she spoke of the need for businesses to get involved.

She said: “Gofund sits at £1,500 of which we have above £200 left.

“We've been doing three drops a day since last Thursday. The deliveries are costing about £250 a day, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We’re also using cash donations to buy supplies.

“We plan to continue until Saturday but we are running out of funds quickly.

“Over 20 volunteers have been doing food deliveries. Tesco at Cefn Mawr has been helping daily along with Home Bargains, Stans and Chirk McDonalds but now we need hotel people with catering facilities on board to help.”

Cat added: “We have been overwhelmed by the level of public support we’ve had with daily donations.

“I’d also like to mention one lady from Oswestry, Pam Metcalf, who has been amazing and has just done her fourth drop-off of supplies.”

Pam said on Facebook: “I wanted to help and do my bit. I love Llangollen like so many others. The Horseshoe Pass is breathtakingly beautiful.

“The men and women firefighters were fighting hard against the elements, I couldn’t sit back and ignore it.

“Then I saw a post by Cat Meade and I was on a mission. So to the firefighters and the community of Llangollen, glad we could help and give you all support.”

* To donate to the appeal, go to: gf.me/u/j5y9gc

Firefighters tackle blaze at Kronospan

* A picture taken last night at the height of the fire.

Wrexham.com is reporting today on a major fire at Kronospan in Chirk late last night (Tuesday).

For the full story, see: http://www.wrexham.com/news/five-crews-called-to-major-fire-at-kronospan-in-chirk-153771.html

Legion group head off on Great War pilgrimage

* Llangollen Town Mayor, Cllr Jon Haddy, gives an official send-off to Royal British Legion representatives Philip Stroud, the local branch chairman (left) and standard bearer Phil Silverston in Centenary Square. 

Four members of the Llangollen branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL) will be joining their comrades from across Britain for a special ceremony in northern France next week honouring the fallen of the First World War.  

A decade after the end of the war in 1918 the British Legion, as it was then known, organised an expedition for veterans and widows to visit the battlefields of the Somme and Ypres before marching to the Menin Gate in Ypres on August 8th 1928.

Exactly 90 years later, thousands of Legion representatives will recreate the 1928 Battlefields Pilgrimage and visit the same battlefields.

Then, next Wednesday, they will parade their branch standard and a wreath along the same route to the Menin Gate for the One Hundred Days ceremony to commemorate the last 100 days of the war and represent an entire generation that served while defending their country.

Proudly taking their place in the poignant pilgrimage will be Llangollen RBL chairman Philip Stroud along with branch standard bearer Phil Silverston, secretary David Thomas and parade commander Graham Patton.

They will be taking with them the official good wishes of the Town Council and people of Llangollen expressed to them at a gathering in the town’s new Centenary Square yesterday (Tuesday).

Housing the town’s two war memorials, the square was created by the Town Council to mark 100 years since the end of the Great War and was officially opened just a few weeks ago.

The RBL party were given an official send-off by the Town Mayor, Cllr Jon Haddy, who presented them with a poppy wreath he had signed on behalf of the whole community.

Philip Stroud, who himself served in the King’s Regiment, said: “The four Llangollen representatives will be journeying over to France this Sunday and will return the following Thursday after the two special events in which we are proud to be taking part.

“It’s good to know that we are taking with us the good wishes of the town.”

The Mayor said: “A lot of people from this area took part in the Great War. There was a big sacrifice and it’s important that people never forget this.

“I wished the RBL group bon voyage on behalf of everyone in Llangollen.”

* To learn more about the two special events in France they are attending, go to: https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/community/calendar/remembrance-services-and-events/great-pilgrimage-90/ 

Charity concert news

Stay clear of Horseshoe fire scene, says Ponderosa boss

* Devastation to the ground caused by the fire pictured by Simon Clemence of the Ponderosa Café.

* Fire appliances still on top of the Horseshoe Pass. Picture by Simon Clemence of the Ponderosa Café.

People shouldn't travel up to the Horseshoe Pass area unless absolutely necessary as the mountain is still smouldering after more than a week on fire.

That's the message this morning from Simon Clemence, owner of the world-famous Ponderosa Café at the summit of the pass.

They say on their Facebook page: "The main pass road is still closed. The Old Pass is open however please take care.

"We are open to the emergency services and the public but I would advise people to not travel up the pass unless absolutely necessary.

"There are still fire hotspots and the mountain is still smouldering. The devastation this fire has caused to our beautiful area is heartbreaking but hopefully now we can move forward.

"Can I just take this time to thank all emergency services involved they truly are commendable without their bravery and determination I don’t think the Ponderosa would be standing.

"So from each and everyone of us thank you so very much. Regards Simon and Samantha Clemence."

* The annual Ponderosa Fell Race, due to start from the café tomorrow evening (August 1) has just been cancelled.

Earlier this morning organiser Charles Ashley said on Facebook: "It is with regret to inform you all that this year's race is cancelled.

"Firefighters are still in the area working to put out hotspots etc etc.

"I know this will be a disappointment to you all but I’m sure you’ll understand that this is completely out of our control."

The massive operation to supply the firefighters still around the Horseshoe Pass with refreshments, being co-ordinated by Cat Meade at Wingetts estate agents in Castle Street, Llangollen, continues.

* Meanwhile, Denbighshire County Council has paid tribute to its teams of staff that have been busy supporting North Wales Fire and Rescue Service in dealing with the fires at Llantysilio Mountain.

Teams from the Countryside Service have been have been out assisting firefighting efforts since the first fires started a week and a half ago and teams have been working tirelessly ever since.

They have responded positively to all requests from the Fire and Rescue Service and have provided their own specialist fire fighting equipment to assist the efforts and supported fire fighters in its use.

Teams have also been assisting with cutting fire breaks,  working closely with fire and rescue teams and colleagues from Natural Resources Wales to try and prevent the fire from spreading.

Councillor Tony Thomas, Cabinet Lead Member for Housing, Regulation and the Environment, said: “The fire and rescue service has been working tirelessly to deal with the fire at the location and they are to be commended for their actions.

“They have been ably assisted by our countryside teams who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to protect this area of outstanding natural beauty and reduce the risk of the fire from spreading to nearby properties.

“This is an example of partnership working at its best."

A number of other teams from the Council, including highways and social services have been involved in the response to the fires.