Famous faces promote Christmas food campaign

Two local food groups have come together to make it easy for you to try and buy the amazing range of local produce we have on our doorstep this Christmas.

And some famous names from Llangollen are helping to promote the initiative.

Clwydian Range Food & Drink group and the Llangollen & Dee Valley Good Grub Club have organised Light Up Local Food pop-up Christmas markets across the region.

Each market has its own unique flavour, but you can expect: locally produced food & drink stalls where you can sample and buy as well as festive cookery demonstrations alongside seasonal music, carol singing, Santa, Christmas parades, craft stalls and much more.

Among those promoting the campaign from Llangollen are Pip Gale from Gales Wine Bar and Carol Allen from Llanvalley Natural. Llangollen Brewery is also a backer.

Come and meet our merry band of local producers and more at Light Up Local Food markets across North East Wales at:

1. Llangollen Christmas Festival – 24th November (1pm-5pm)
2. Mold Christmas Lights On 27th November (3pm – 7pm)
3. Denbigh Christmas Market – 30th November (12-8pm)
4. Ruthin Christmas Market – 1st Dec (10-4pm)
5. Wrexham Victorian Christmas Market – December 6th (12-8pm)

To find out more visit: http://goodgrubclub.wales/christmas/.

Funding for the project has been provided by Welsh Government, Clwydian Range & Dee Valley AONB, Denbighshire County Council, Flintshire County Council and Wrexham Borough Council.

MP pedals away on Legion's Poppy Ride

* Susan Elan Jones MP taking part in the Poppy Ride in Parliament

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones has taken part in Parliament’s Poppy Ride to promote the Royal British Legion’s 2018 Poppy Appeal.

She said: “I did warn the event organisers that I wouldn’t do very well in terms of cycle speed! However, I’ve worked closely with the campaigns team of the Royal British Legion over the years so I was delighted to support the occasion.

“Right across the constituency of Clwyd South there are a huge number of events taking place to commemorate the Centenary of World War 1.

“There are extremely moving displays, events and services happening in our towns and villages with strong input from local children and young people.  As the local MP, I feel very privileged that I will join residents of four different communities at commemorative services and events.”

Prize-giving night for museum's art competition

* Adult section winner, a triptych of poppies by Jan Murray, which will be presented to the

RAFA Club.

* One of the judges, Cllr Sheena Grindley (left), discusses

the entries with adult winner Jan Murray. 

Llangollen Museum last night held the prize-giving for its annual art competition.

Entries, which came from across the age spectrum, included a variety of interpretations in different mediums on the themes of poppies, celebrating the end of World War One and celebrating life.

Judges for the competition were town councillors Sheena Grindley and Bob Lube and local artist Dory.

Organiser for the museum Janet Wakefield spoke of the high standard of entries.

Prizes were presented by Llangollen's deputy mayor, Cllr Issy Murray Richards.

Adult section winner Jan Murray has agreed to present her entry, a triptych of poppies entitled Life Returns, to the RAFA Club in Llangollen.

The exhibits will remain on display in the museum's upstairs gallery until December 3.

Below is a selection of the entries:

AM calls for veterans' contribution to be honoured

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has called on the National Assembly for Wales to honour the contribution of those who have served and continue to serve in our Armed Forces.

Leading the Welsh Conservative Debate on Wales’ Armed Forces Communities, Mr Isherwood (pictured) said that “Remembrance could, should and does belong to all of us - whatever our politics, ethnicity or faith”.   

He also spoke of his concern about the delivery of the Armed Forces Covenant in Wales, highlighting the "inconsistencies veterans and their families have faced when accessing health care".

Speaking in the Chamber, Mr Isherwood raised these concerns when responding to a statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services.

He said: “The Armed Forces Covenant states that no-one who has served in the Armed Forces should face disadvantage and, in specific circumstances, can expect special consideration in regard to their NHS Care.

"Despite this, however, veterans and their families have faced inconsistencies when accessing health care in Wales, with the third and charitable sectors often having to deliver the specialist and rehabilitation services.  

“Only Abertawe Bro Morganwg [health board] has a dedicated budget for veterans. In the last three financial years £242,000 has been allocated there, but the six remaining health boards only use core allocations to fund veterans' needs.  

“Only Aneurin Bevan, Cardiff and Vale, Powys and Hywel Dda Health Boards have adopted the Welsh Government 2017 Guidance in full – and, worryingly, Betsi Cadwaladr stated that it was only adhering to Welsh Government guidance published in 2008, three years before the Covenant was published."

He added: “Endorsed by the Armed Forces Community and Armed  Services heads, the review by the Cross Party Group on Armed Forces and Cadets found that in order to uphold the Covenant, the Welsh Government should consider the appointment of an Armed  Forces Commissioner for Wales to improve the accountability of public sector  organisations for the delivery of the Armed Forces Covenant."
Mr Isherwood also referred to “Change Step”, a support and peer-mentoring service provided by veterans for veterans seeking help for mental health, loneliness or addiction problems, led by North Wales based Charity CAIS, and the challenges it faces because of its reliance on bid funding.       

Stressing that housing is key to veterans and their families, Mr Isherwood referred to the ambitious self-build project for veterans in  Wrexham, the third residence in North Wales to be managed by Wales Homes for Veterans.

Dental watchdog slams Llan registration queues

* People queue to sign up with the new dentists in Llangollen last week.

The Daily Post reports today that the British Dental Association says long queues to register for an NHS dentists like the ones seen in Llangollen last week shouldn't become the norm.

For the full story, see: https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/dont-five-hour-queues-dentists-15377911

Bells will ring out to commemorate loss then peace

Ringing Remembers is the name of the campaign by bell ringers throughout Britain to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War. 

In Llangollen, as elsewhere, the bells will be rung half-muffled before the Act of Remembrance at the Cenotaph on Sunday, in memory of all those who lost their lives as a result of the war. 

Then at 12.30 the bells will ring out without the muffles to celebrate the peace. 

On the 11th November 1918 bells were rung spontaneously throughout the country as part of a huge outpouring of relief that took place as news of the Armistice spread.

Sion Corn tries the train for a rapid Christmas Festival arrival

* Sion Corn on the footplate of Llangollen

Railway’s steam engine number 3802 as it pulls out of the station. 

Sion Corn has been looking for the fastest way he can reach Llangollen to star in the town’s famous Christmas Festival at the end of November.

The town is famed for celebrating various modes of transport like river, road, canal and steam train.

So the grand old man – he’s known as Santa Claus in English – has been giving them all a try to see which will get him there as quickly as possible so he can spend more time joining in the fun with the thousands of seasonal merrymakers who are expected to come flocking in to the big event on the afternoon of Saturday November 24.  

Latest to be given the Sion Corn transport test was a steam train operated by Llangollen Railway and used more usually to provide visitors with memorable trips through the stunning scenery of the Dee Valley from Llangollen all the way to Corwen.

By special permission Sion Corn jumped the footplate and was hauled along on a test journey.

At the end of his short excursion he pronounced himself well satisfied with his trip aboard the gleaming engine number  3802.

He said: “Many people reckon a steam train is the only way to travel and I agree with them.

“There’s nothing like the wind in your beard as your rattling along hauled by a piece of living history.

“It’s a definite possibility for getting me to the fete in plenty of time.”

Thousands of seasonal revellers are expected to come flocking to Llangollen for the Christmas Festival on Saturday November 24.

Kicking off at 1pm with the famous parade which sees Sion Corn being escorted into town over the historic bridge by a colourful cavalcade of entertainers and local groups, the event features children’s fairground rides and games, circus acts, a magician, dancing and face painting.

There will also be a chance for youngsters to visit Sion Corn in his glorious grotto and put in their early requests for what they’d like to see him bring them on Christmas morning. 

During the afternoon visitors can look forward to an eclectic mix of musical entertainment from local groups on two outdoor stages and other on-street entertainment.

The fun-packed day rounds off at 5pm with the ceremonial switching on of Llangollen’s legendary Christmas lights and a firework extravaganza. 

Llangollen Christmas Festival is organised by a group of dedicated community volunteers. It costs over £4,000 to stage each year and is self-funding.

The festival aims to provide a free family-orientated event in the safety of the town centre with surplus funds being donated to Wales Air Ambulance and local community groups.

Over the last couple of years the police have estimated that the spectacular event draws over 2,000 people into town during the course of the afternoon.

For the second year the festival has teamed up with Light Up Local Food, a project aimed at promoting Llangollen-based food and drink producers.

Chairman of the festival committee Austin ‘Chem’ Cheminais, who is also the local town crier and a member of the town council, said: “With the help of the community we manage, each year, to raise just about enough to fund the event and give a little to charity.

“Last year’s festival was particularly successful, in spite of the weather, and the feedback from those attending was very positive.

“The ‘market’ feel to the event provided by Light UP Local Food was particularly commented upon and helped to attract visitors from much further afield.

“Once again we’re expecting a bumper crowd to come along and help us to give a great early start to Christmas.”