Brightest and best digital innovators sought

A leading awards ceremony is looking for the brightest and best digital innovators across the region.

The Digital Futures Awards, taking place this Autumn, form part of the annual Digital Futures conference – now in its third successful year at Wrexham Glyndŵr University.

The awards, sponsored by industry leaders and delivered in partnership with Big Ideas Wales and Wrexham Enterprise Hub, celebrate those who have been at the cutting edge of the digital marketing and online business revolution.

This years’ awards have five categories and are open for entries until October 8, when a shortlist will be drawn up in preparation for the Digital Futures conference and Awards Ceremony, to be held in the University’s Catrin Finch centre on October 25.

The categories are for:

·        Digital Marketing Campaign – sponsored by NXT Web.  This award is for those who have innovate in a digital marketing campaign, whether this is launching a new business or product or boosting charity fundraising to the next level. Judges are looking for creativity and a focus on timescales and impact.

·        Digital Marketing Company – sponsored by FSB. This award is for a digital marketing company which has driven growth for businesses and clients, or a skilled individual or team who have secured proved results for clients.

·       Online Business – sponsored by NatWest Cymru – An award for any online business which need celebration, whether it’s through boosting the work/ life balance of staff or improving the satisfaction of customers.

·       Successful Brand – sponsored by Wrexham Glyndwr University. This award celebrates the power of digital media for boosting a brand. Judges are looking for innovative examples of how brands have been exposed and gained attraction through the power of digital.   They are particularly keen to hear from small brands as well as larger brands.

·       Digital Young Person under 25 – sponsored by M-SParc: This award is an open category, looking for a young person who has used digital tools and media to enhance their work – whether this is a project, hobby or business idea. Judges welcome a wide range of submissions – whether this is a blog, vlog, a twitter campaign, or even an app creation.

Judith Alexander, Enterprise Champion at Wrexham Glyndŵr University, said: “For individuals and businesses, adapting to the digital revolution – and harnessing the opportunities it offers- is vital.

“That’s why so many of our courses here at Wrexham Glyndŵr University place it at the forefront of what they do, and why we host events like the Digital Futures Conference and ceremonies like the Digital Futures Awards. I’d like to thank all the sponsors for lending their support to the awards, and all the speakers taking part in the conference. Those speakers are industry leaders in their fields – and we want the awards to recognise the emerging talent our region has to offer too.

“If you are from Wales, Cheshire, Wirral or Shropshire and fit the bill for one of the categories, we would love to hear from you.”

* Anyone interested in finding out more, or making a nomination, can email Judith on j.alexander@glyndwr.ac.uk

Denbighshire ranks as sixth best council in Wales

The Public Accountability Measures 2017-18 published by Data Cymru on behalf of the Welsh Local Government Association, shows that Denbighshire ranks sixth out of the 22 councils in Wales.

The data enables local authorities to present their performance to the public and allow the public to hold local authorities to account.

Authorities are judged on their performance on a number of key indicators including corporate services, education, environmental services, housing, leisure and culture, planning, highway services, public protection, social care and waste – although Waste and Social Care data has not yet been published by the Welsh Government.

Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, the council’s lead member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets, said: “This data shows that despite the challenging environment within which local government continues to operate, the council is working hard to provide the best possible service to our residents.

“Denbighshire ranks second in Wales for sickness absence amongst its staff, second for the most food establishments that meet hygiene standards, and third for highway cleanliness.”

“We returned 52 empty homes into use, ranking us fourth in Wales, and library use is among the best in Wales with just over 529,000 visits in 2017-18. Leisure visits also rank highly, at more than 852,000.”

“We will continue to build on this performance to ensure that we serve the residents of the county.”

Last year the Council adopted its Corporate Plan to create a significant and lasting difference to the people and communities of Denbighshire and improve services.

The plan will see a proposed investment of £135 million and aims to support young people, protect the environment, create resilient and connected communities, and improve housing in Denbighshire.

New vicar chosen for Llangollen, Llantysilio and Trevor.

The Bishop of St Asaph has announced the appointment of a new priest for Llangollen, Llantysilio and Trevor.

The Reverend Lee Taylor (pictured), who is currently Associate Vicar of Croydon Minster in the diocese of Southwark, will move to Llangollen later in the autumn to take up the post left vacant by the departure of the Rev Andrew Sully for Llandudno a few months ago. 

A date for a service of licensing and welcome will be announced in due course.

The decision was announced during yesterday’s Sunday morning services and it follows an interview process which took place on Friday July 29. 

The Bishop of St Asaph, the Rt Revd Gregory Cameron, has asked people to remember Lee, the people of Llangollen, Llantysilio and Trevor, and Valle Crucis Mission Area in their prayers as he prepares for this new ministry.

Fears soldier's farewell message could be disappearing

* Berwyn station where the message is scrawled beneath the bridge.

The BBC is reporting today that there are fears a World War One soldier's farewell message scrawled on the stone work of the bridge near Berwyn station could be lost due to damp.

* For the full story, see: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-45163110

Police say only contact us in emergency

UPDATE ...

North Wales Police can now announce that the power outage at one of their sites in St Asaph is now restored and normal service has been resumed.

Paul Joyce, Superintendent of Operational Support Services said “I would like to thank the public for their support during the time of the power outage and I would also like to thank our staff, both frontline and behind the scenes for working tirelessly and professionally to ensure that we still provided high level public service during this time.”




North Wales Police have suffered a power outage at one of their sites in St Asaph.

They are asking the public to assist them by only contacting them regarding emergency calls and avoid contacting the police for non-urgent calls during this time.

Paul Joyce, Superintendent of Operational Support Services, said “We prepare for this type of event and our business continuity plans have been activated in order to continue to operate effectively and keep disruption to a minimum.

"Engineers have been instructed and are on route to rectify the issue as soon as possible."

New safety course for landlords

Rent Smart Wales, the registration and licensing authority for all landlords and agents with property, has developed a new fire safety course for landlords.

Developed in conjunction with Wales’ three fire authorities, including North Wales, the online course aims to increase landlords fire safety knowledge and make them aware of their legal obligations to ensure their tenants and properties are protected from the potentially devastating effects of fire.

The course, available on the Rent Smart Wales website, is the first online Continuing Professional Development course to be offered by the scheme and provides more in depth information on fire safety than the basic responsibilities covered in the mandatory training course for all self-managing landlords in Wales.

Cllr Lynda Thorne, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities at Cardiff Council, the single licensing authority for Rent Smart Wales, said: “I’m really pleased to see Rent Smart Wales delivering added value for landlords through this new online course which is free to access.

“We all know that the effects of fire can be devastating. But most fires are preventable so it’s essential that landlords, agents and tenants are aware of their fire safety responsibilities.”

The online course takes around one hour to complete and covers nine topics including general landlord duties, fire safety, gas safety, electrical safety and furniture and furnishings safety. The course also includes information about fire safety in Houses of Multiple Occupation, fire safety equipment and risk assessments.

Landlords must complete a short assessment at the end of the course to pass and the result forms part of their training record with Rent Smart Wales.

Paul Scott, Head of Business Fire Safety for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: “It’s so important that everyone is aware of their fire safety responsibilities – we all have a role to play in keeping our communities safe.

“By supporting the development of this free and easy to access course we hope that landlords will take the time to learn more about how to provide the safest level of accommodation possible, in turn helping to protect the residents of our region.”

Cllr Thorne added: “The purpose of Rent Smart Wales is to drive up standards in the private rented sector in Wales, helping landlords to be aware of their obligations and ensuring tenants are also aware of their rights and own responsibilities. This course provides the assistance that landlords and agents have been asking for, an easy access resource where straight forward, up-to-date information can be accessed.

“Rent Smart wales hopes to develop additional courses in the future to continue to meet the sector’s needs.”

New beer says cheers to sad Welsh lament

* Ynyr Evans, the head brewer at Llangollen Brewery, with food festival committee member Pip Gale, right.

Wales’ most famous and saddest love song has inspired a new beer.

The song Myfanwy tells the tragic story of the unrequited love of a penniless young poet called Hywel ab Einion for a beautiful young noblewoman who lived in Dinas Bran castle high above Llangollen in the 14^th century.

The new brew, appropriately a bitter, being unveiled at Llangollen Food Festival later this year is called Heartbreak Hill as a tribute to Hywel’s spurned passion.

It’s the brainchild of Ynyr Evans, the head brewer at Llangollen Brewery, who was moved by Hywel’s response to being rejected by the woman who had captured his heart.

The brewery is based at the Abbey Grange Hotel on the outskirts of the town and was set up by Ynyr and his uncle, the landlord, 10 years ago.

They currently make 1,000 gallons a week and sell their range of beers to around 50 pubs, mainly in North Wales and the North West.

Llangollen Brewery are regulars at the food festival which will be held on Saturday and Sunday, October 13 and 14.

It’s now officially recognised as one of the top 10 food festivals in the UK and pumps around £400,000 into the local economy every year.

According to Ynyr, he was entranced by the story of the lovelorn Hywel and Myfanwy, who was the daughter of the Norman Earl of Arundel, and described as the “the most beautiful woman in Powys”.

Ynyr said: “Myfanwy was exceedingly vain and loved nothing better than being told how beautiful she was.

“Young men came to Dinas Bran from far and wide to seek her affection but she rebuffed them, even if they were rich and handsome because they could not compose and sing poems that did justice to her beauty.

“One man who did have the talent to satisfy Myfanwy’s vanity was the poor but richly talented Hywel ab Einion who lived in the Dee Valley below.

“And one day Hywel plucked up the courage to climb up the hill to the castle with his harp, to sing and play to Myfanwy.

“Hywel believed she had fallen in love with him because while he was playing and complimenting her on her beauty she could neither listen nor look at any other man.

“Sadly, his hopes were dashed when a richer, more handsome and more eloquent lover came along. Hywel, who was discarded and quickly forgotten by Myfanwy, wanders through the forests of the Dee Valley composing a poem to his lost love.

“Hywel was a broken man. His love lay in ruins just like Dinas Bran castle today.

“The story that inspired the song Myfanwy is tragic and touching but not well known today so I thought Hywel’s ardour  and how his heart was broken on the hill above Llangollen should be remembered.

“Heartbreak Hill is perfect for those who want to cry in their beer. In terms of taste it’s quite hoppy and fruity and at 4.5% it’s not too strong.”

“As well as launching Heartbreak Hill on our stand at the food festival, we’ll also put  it into local pubs to see what people think of it.

“We’re really looking forward to being at Llangollen Food Festival because it is so important to us.

"Festival goers are always keen to try something new and different so hopefully Heartbreak Hill will go down well.”

It was a sentiment echoed by festival committee member Pip Gale, who knows a thing or two about alcoholic beverages, as he runs the family-owned Gale's Wine Bar in the town.

He said: "I have lived in Llangollen all my life but I must confess I had never heard about the story behind the song Myfanwy. I’m sure Hearbreak Hill is going to be very popular.”

Among those who can’t wait to give it a try is fellow committee member Phil Davies.

He said: "Heartbreak Hill is a proper craft beer made by a local brewery so it sums up what a lot of the festival is all about really, supporting indigenous producers.

"In addition to Llangollen Brewery, we have a wonderful array of fantastic food producers clustered in the area and this year the festival is promising to be great event once again with a fantastic choice of produce, along with demonstrations from the region's finest chefs so there will be plenty to tempt the taste buds.

"I'm glad to say we're also making a positive contribution the local economy with food lovers travelling from far and wide because the festival is now firmly and rightly established as a major highlight in the UK's culinary calendar."

The song Myfanwy was composed by Joseph Parry in 1875 and the lyrics were written by Richard Davies. 

* To find out more about the Llangollen Food Festival please visit www.llangollenfoodfestival.com

The Lyrics of Myfanwy with English translation below

Paham mae dicter, O Myfanwy,
Yn llenwi'th lygaid duon di?
A'th ruddiau tirion, O Myfanwy,
Heb wrido wrth fy ngweled i?
Pa le mae'r wên oedd ar dy wefus
Fu'n cynnau 'nghariad ffyddlon ffôl?
Pa le mae sain dy eiriau melys,
Fu'n denu'n nghalon ar dy ôl?

Pa beth a wneuthum, O Myfanwy
I haeddu gwg dy ddwyrudd hardd?
Ai chwarae oeddit, O Myfanwy
 thanau euraidd serch dy fardd?
Wyt eiddo im drwy gywir amod
Ai gormod cadw'th air i mi?
Ni cheisiaf fyth mo'th law, Myfanwy,
Heb gael dy galon gyda hi.

Myfanwy boed yr holl o'th fywyd
Dan heulwen ddisglair canol dydd.
A boed i rosyn gwridog iechyd
I ddawnsio ganmlwydd ar dy rudd.
Anghofia'r oll o'th addewidion
A wnest i rywun, 'ngeneth ddel,
A dyro'th law, Myfanwy dirion
I ddim ond dweud y gair "Ffarwél".

English translation

Why is it anger, O Myfanwy,
That fills your eyes so dark and clear?
Your gentle cheeks, O sweet Myfanwy,
Why blush they not when I draw near?
Where is the smile that once most tender
Kindled my love so fond, so true?
Where is the sound of your sweet words,
That drew my heart to follow you?

What have I done, O my Myfanwy,
To earn your frown? What is my blame?
Was it just play, my sweet Myfanwy,
To set your poet's love aflame?
You truly once to me were promised,
Is it too much to keep your part?
I wish no more your hand, Myfanwy,
If I no longer have your heart.

Myfanwy, may you spend your lifetime
Beneath the midday sunshine's glow,
And on your cheeks O may the roses
Dance for a hundred years or so.
Forget now all the words of promise
You made to one who loved you well,
Give me your hand, my sweet Myfanwy,
But one last time, to say "farewell".