Gorse fire latest

The Daily Post online is reporting this morning that three fire crews remain on the scene of a large gorse blaze at Glyndyfrdwy, near Llangollen, after being called to the scene at 4pm yesterday.

Last night, a tractor driver who was trapped inside the vehicle in the area of the blaze was rescued by emergency services .

Eisteddfod appoints its ninth music director

* The eisteddfod's new music director, Dr Edward-Rhys Harry.

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has announced the appointment of its ninth music director, Dr Edward-Rhys Harry.

Edward is internationally renowned for his ability to inspire through the power of music and creative arts and says he is looking to encouraging the next generation of solo artists at this year's festival from July 1-7.

As a graduate of the University of Aberdeen with a Doctorate of Philosophy in Choral Composition, he reached number three in the classical charts in 2016 and coached the Olympic Hymn at the 2012 London Olympics.

He is now urging soloists to compete in the eisteddfod, registering before the deadline of March 1.

Successful entrants will compete for a range of prestigious prizes and have the opportunity of performing at Australia’s Gold Coast Eisteddfod, which showcases 66,000 competitors over a seven-week period.

He said: “I am fortunate that my career has taken me around the globe, which gives me an affinity with the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod."

Eisteddfod chairman Dr Rhys Davies said; "As a team we are ecstatic to have someone of Edward’s stature joining us and we’re excited to discover the direction he will take us in.

“We hope to use his extensive international experience to further the eisteddfod’s reputation and standing on a global stage. We echo Edward’s call for more solo acts and pride ourselves on welcoming those who will relish the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities.”

* For more information on all the competitions or to apply through the Eisteddfod participants’ website visit: http://eisteddfodcompetitions.co.uk/2019-solo-competitions/

To discover more about the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod visit: www.llangollen.net

Man rescued from mountain fire near Llan

A man has been rescued by emergency services from a mountain fire near Llangollen this evening, according to a report on the BBC website.

For the story, see: Glyndyfrdwy mountain fire: Man rescued from tractor - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-47379018

* Disclaimer *

Consultants give update on Llangollen's BID progress

Town councillors have been updated on the progress of a scheme to boost the local economy and support regeneration efforts.

Llangollen is one of 10 partnerships across the country which will share over £260,000 of Welsh Government funding to explore establishing Business Improvement Districts (BIDs).

North WalesSouth East WalesSouth West WalesAfter a BID is agreed via a legal ballot, each business contributes financially via a levy, which is then used to fund the agreed activities set out in their business plan.

These could include marketing, promotion and events, car parking, tackling anti-social behaviour, improving access to towns, or work to make the area more vibrant and viable.

A representative of consultants the Mosaic Partnership, who are currently carrying out a feasibility study into the BID, gave a progress report at the Town Council meeting last week.

And Mosaic director Mo Aswat has explained to current state of play to llanblogger.

He said: “The feasibility study is the first part of a three-stage process and its purpose is to recommend whether the process moves forward to the development and campaign stage.”

He added that the study would be completed in March and would make that recommendation on the basis of:

• Financial analysis of the BID Area (using the business rates data)
• Local business and stakeholder consultations
• National business consultations
• Consultation with key business groups
• Consultation with public agencies
• Review of existing plans, projects and partnerships

Mr Aswat added: “The recommendation from the feasibility study does not mean that the BID will go ahead, only that we move or not to the next two phases.

“Any decision to have a BID is decided by businesses in a formal and independent ballot which would not take place until after the development and campaign phases in early 2020, which will undertake a much greater level of consultation and ultimately result in a full business plan before the ballot.”

* Mosaic is encouraging businesses in the area to complete the Feasibility Stage Survey, which can be found online at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/LlangollenTC2019

Tributes paid to saviour of Llan food festival

* Colin Loughlin with Clwyd South AM Ken Skates, who is also the Welsh Government Minister for the Economy and Transport.

Tributes have been paid to a “larger than life” former wine merchant who saved Llangollen Food Festival.

Friends and colleagues were devastated by the death of Colin Loughlin, 76, at his home on the outskirts of the town following a suspected heart attack last week.

When the previous organiser of the food festival pulled the plug in 2011, Colin came to the rescue and led the committee of volunteers who took it over.

Since then the event has gone from strength to strength and has been named as one of the top 10 food festivals in the UK.

His contribution as the chair of the festival committee has been celebrated with a painting of him in a mural on the side of the Llangollen pavilion where the event is held every October.

A native of Wrexham, Colin ran a wine distribution company called Whitehouse Wines in Coedpoeth before going into business with Lorraine Hughes.

They bought an existing company called Megan’s Kitchen which makes Welsh cakes.

Lorraine continued to run the business after Colin retired five years ago before stepping down as festival committee chair in 2016.

She said: “I’ve known Colin for many years. He was so full of energy and character

“We became business partners when we took over Megan’s Kitchen about 14 years ago.

“In 2011 the guy that was running the food festival had to stop and we were approached to form a committee and to try and keep it going. Colin was elected as chair and he put his heart and soul into the job.”

Lorraine, who is the food festival’s assistant secretary, added: “He was larger than life and loved telling stories and listening to stories.

“He was the force behind the Llangollen Food Festival and we were all grateful when he returned and started attending committee meetings again a couple of years ago after resigning the chair in 2016.

“The issue was he put so much into the job he was wearing himself out. He was divorced and didn’t have any children but so many friends.

“He was also a keen rugby man and a massive Wales fan. At least he died knowing Wales were very much in with a chance of winning the Six Nations. He will be sorely missed and personally I am devastated.”

Festival committee secretary Ian Parry said: “I got to know Colin as he would call and see me from about 2002 when I was town clerk. He would pop into the office to see me about various issues.

“Then in 2011 he approached me for help in putting together a committee to save the Llangollen Food Festival and he asked if I would act as secretary to the committee and I was happy to do so. Initially the festival was run by a different group and then a commercial contractor.

“But in 2011 it looked like it would close down and Colin wanted to save it. He did a tremendous job getting a committee together and saving the festival. The success of the festival is down to his work and guidance.”

He added: “The problem was as the festival grew and expanded so rapidly he took on a huge amount of work and the pressure became immense. He decided, probably quite rightly for his own health, to stand down as chair in 2016.

“We brought in an outside company to work with the committee and help with marketing and organising the event. Colin stayed away from committee meetings for a year but came back and sat in offering his help and experience. He was really welcome.

“We simply wouldn’t have a food festival without Colin. He put so much into it and he will be sadly missed by many people in the town. He was always popular, measured and polite and was always an absolute gentleman. It’s such a huge loss for the town.”

Ian says Colin was a keen member of the Round Table in his younger days and on reaching 40 he joined the 41 Club, a group that works within the Round Table.

He said: “He was a keen rugby player in his younger days and played either hooker or front row for Wrexham Rugby Club and he used to love driving his Triumph Vitesse which was his pride and joy.”

Pip Gale,  of Gales Wine Bar and Hotel, added:  “Colin was so well respected and an amazing member of the food festival committee. In fact without him the festival just wouldn’t be alive now. He put in lots of effort but also added lots of real joy.

“He invited me onto the committee and it remains one of the best things I’ve ever done. He was a real driving force behind the undoubted success of the festival.

“He was uplifting in his grumpiness as he walked around the festival cajoling stall holders into making their exhibits bigger, better and brighter. If he had a fault it’s that he took too much on, he just loved it too much.”

He added: “We are already thinking of how we can, as a committee honour his memory. We are thinking of maybe having a best display award in his name with the winner being presented with the Colin Loughlin Trophy.

“However, it’s very early days but we will, I’m certain, be doing something. He deserves to be remembered with affection for all the hard work and effort he put into the festival.”

County warns over dog fouling culprits

Denbighshire County Council warning it will take action against those who wilfully allow their dogs to foul in public without clearing up the mess.

Figures for the number of dog fouling incidents recorded by the council  since 2014 show that the highest number of incidents happen over the winter months, in December, January and February.

Ninety-two incidents were reported in January 2015, 72 in January 2017 and 83 in January 2018.  The lowest number of incidents happen over the summer months. 

Research work has shown that this is due to the fact that days are darker and people assume they can allow their dogs to foul in public under the cover of darkness.

Councillor Brian Jones, Cabinet Lead Member for Highways, Planning and Sustainable Travel, said: “The figures show a real trend and it seems the winter months seem to be the main time for dog fouling. 

"We have seen plenty of evidence of dog fouling in dark areas where there are no street lights.

"Some individuals believe they can get away with not clearing up after their animals under the cloak of darkness.

"The only we way we can catch those responsible is by receiving information from the public.

“The majority of complaints that come in to the council are about dog fouling and residents have told us they would like to see this issue tackled. They see it as anti-social and being a blight on the landscape, as well as being a risk to people’s health.

“We have been carrying out an enforcement and education campaign over recent years and that work continues.  The majority of people clean up after their animals and we thank them for that.

“We are targeting these message at those who think it’s acceptable to leave their dog’s mess behind.  It’s not acceptable and those responsible could be issued with a fixed penalty notice or find themselves before the courts."

Firefighters called to suspected deliberate blaze above Llan

Firefighters tackled a suspected deliberate blaze on the hillside above Llangollen last night (Friday).

For the full story, see: https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/17454607.five-fire-crews-tackle-deliberate-blaze-on-llangollen-mountain/