Legion group meet old soldier George on Remembrance Day

* The Royal British Legion group visit George Humphreys at the Old Vicarage. 

Royal British Legion members in Llangollen had a special Remembrance Day meeting with a veteran of the Second World War this morning (Sunday).

As the country marked the 100^th anniversary of the World War One Armistice Bethan Masceranhas, who runs the Old Vicarage nursing home, thought it would be nice to have someone from the Legion come in to meet 97-year-old resident George Humphreys who served in the army during World War Two.

And her invitation was quickly accepted by Llangollen branch chairman Phil Stroud who arranged to go along to the home before taking part in the annual Remembrance Parade in the town centre later in the morning.

He and colleagues Phil Silverton and David Thomas, who visited the First World War cemeteries back in the summer, brought along their branch standard and spent some time chatting to George before performing the Act of Remembrance for him at his bedside.

His son Phil, who lives in Llangollen, recalled that George, who is originally from Bangor of Dee, was called up for duty in 1941, joining the Royal Army Service Corps with which he served as driver/mechanic.

He took part in the Allied invasion of North Africa and Italy and fought through with the British Army’s 5 Corps all the way to Austria.

Leaving the army in 1946 he ran a coal merchants business in Bangor on Dee for over 60 years.

George was married to his wife Helen, whom he met while stationed during the war in Glasgow, in 1947 and the couple had two children, Phil and Alison, four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Helen died four years ago.

For a number of years George, who moved into the Old Vicarage three years ago, was an active member of the Legion’s Bangor on Dee branch, of which he was a co-founder, and took a keen interest in the annual Poppy Appeal.

He also represented the branch on a number of occasions at the national Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph in London.  

“When contacted by Bethan at the Old Vicarage to see if someone from the branch could go along to meet George on Remembrance Day I was delighted to help and it was a pleasure to meet an old soldier such as him particularly on this very special day,” said Llangollen RBL chairman Phil Stroud.

Llangollen remembers for the first time in the new square

* Standards are lowered during the service.

Hundreds turned up to see the first Service of Remembrance being held in Llangollen's New Centenary Square this morning (Sunday).

Ex-service oganisations and a wide range of local groups assembled before the Venerable Chris Potter led the worship which this year marked 100 years since the Armistice in World War One.

The event was held against the backdrop of over 3,000 poppies, hand-made by local volunteers, which have been fixed to the rear wall of the square and will remain until the end of the year. 

Wreaths were laid, bugle calls were sounded and the traditional minute's silence was observed leading up to the chiming of 11 o'clock on the Town Hall clock.

The names of the local people who fell were read out by David Thomas of Llangollen Royal British Legion.

For the first time, poppy petals were released at the climax of the service to drift down onto the heads of those in the square.

Llangollen Silver Band then led the parade on a circuit around Castle Street and Bridge Street to end the ceremony.

* Mia Thomas of Llangollen Silver Band sounds Last Post on the bugle.

* Poppy petals flutter down over the war memorial. 

* Mayor Jon Haddy lays a wreath on behalf of the Town Council.

* Wreaths are laid on behalf of service organisations at the war memorial.

* Youth organisations honour the fallen whose names are recorded on the memorial.

* The Silver Band leads the parade away from Centenary Square.

  * Standards are paraded along Bridge Street.

* The Brownies take part in the parade.

* The Guides march down Castle Street.

Moving Festival of Remembrance staged at Town Hall

* Flags are lowered during the Act of Remembrance.

* Actress Eleri Jones comperes the event.

* Sam Jones reads the words of poet Hedd Wyn.

* A reading comes from Deputy Mayor, Cllr Issy Murray Richards.

* Llangollen Silver Band plays during the evening.

A moving Festival of Remembrance was held at the Town Hall last night (Saturday).

Llangollen Remembers, hosted by the Town Council and featuring performances by professional actors and the Silver Band, was even more poignant than usual as it marked 100 years since the end of World War One.

Opened by the Mayor, Cllr Jon Haddy, the event was compered by Eleri Jones, the actress daughter of Deputy Mayor, Cllr Issy Murray Richards.

First on the programme was a sing-along session, accompanied on the keyboard by Chris Simms, which saw the audience joining in with popular songs from the First and Second World Wars, such as It's a Long Way to Tipperary and Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag.

Eleri Jones along with her colleague Sam Jones from Theatr Equapoise then presented a tribute to the Welsh poet known as Hedd Wyn who was killed in 1917 while fighting on the Western Front only weeks before winning a bardic chair.

A reading was presented by Deputy Mayor, Cllr Murray Richards, from the stage before the Silver Band, conducted by Mia Thomas, ended the first half of the programme with rousing World War One numbers such as Hello, Hello Whose Your Lady Friend and Blighty.

The second half revolved around a drumhead service, conducted by the Venerable Chris Potter, of the type often attended by troops before they went into battle.

Prayers were interspersed with hymns, including Abide With Me and Calon Lan.

The Act of Remembrance, including bugle calls and the parading of standards by members from the local branches of the Royal British Legion and Royal Naval Association, was brought to  a moving close by the symbolic release of scores blood-red poppy petals from the balcony.

Later this morning, from 10.30am, the annual Service of Remembrance will be held - against a backdrop of over 3,000 locally hand-made poppies, at the town's new Centenary Square.

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.