Residents urged to beware of tarmac scam

Denbighshire County Council is warning residents in the county to beware of traders claiming to sell ‘left-over’ tarmac on behalf of the authority.

The council has received calls from worried residents in rural properties near Ruthin who have received cold callers offering to sell ‘left over tarmac’ from resurfacing works and the traders claims they are working for the county council. 

However, the council says this is not the case.

Councillor Tony Thomas, Cabinet Lead Member for Housing, Regulation and the Environment, said: “This scam has been reported previously in some other parts of the country and Denbighshire County Council is emphasising that this offer is not real.

“The council would never authorise traders to sell any left over tarmac door to door – that is not our working practice.  We would advise anyone approached to say no and to report the police."

New vegan restaurant opens its doors in Llan

* The new Phoenix Bistro on Chapel Street.

A new vegetarian and vegan restaurant has opened in Llangollen, offering a seasonal menu with ingredients sourced from local producers.

The Phoenix Bistro has got off to a strong start since its opening at the end of March, with over 150 people stopping by to welcome the new addition to the rapidly expanding restaurant scene in Llangollen. 

Fern Evans, the owner, was delighted at the turnout. She said: “It was such a great atmosphere and everyone was really lovely and welcoming. 

"We are so pleased to be launching in Llangollen to meet the growing demand for vegetarian and vegan food, hopefully complementing existing businesses in town to strengthen it as a destination for those visitors looking specifically for vegan options – as well as those keen just to eat delicious, freshly prepared, locally sourced food.”

The bistro offers a 100% plant-based menu, with a café feel in the daytime serving hot sandwiches, jackets, light bites and loaded fries, as well as speciality hot drinks and cakes from local supplier Rachel’s Vegan cakes. 

Sandwich fillings and jacket toppings offer a balance of familiar favourites such as cheesy beans, as well as more unusual options such as BBQ jackfruit.

On weekend evenings the bistro will have more of a restaurant feel, offering tapas, pizzas, street food inspired dishes and hot homemade desserts. 

There are vegan takes on classic menu items such as mac and cheese, as well as more eclectic choices drawing on Asian, Middle Eastern and European flavours.  

It is a fully licensed bar serving cocktails, craft beers and prosecco on tap from local supplier Bolla.

The Phoenix Bistro can be found at 15 Chapel Street, Llangollen. It is now open Tuesday and Saturday from 12pm. On Tuesdays to Thursday it will close at 5pm, and stay open until 10pm on Friday and Saturday evenings. 

Of her plans for the future Fern said: “We will be opening at lunchtime on Sundays within a few weeks, and will soon be introducing some acoustic music nights and a vegan Sunday roast."

* For more information and to book online, visit the bistro's Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/thephoenixbistro/ or call us 01978 861124.

Developer sends out update on roads for new homes

Developers SG Estates have sent out to local residents details of progress on the highways improvements related to the new Vicarage Road housing development.

Operatic seeks sponsorship for Fiddler on the Roof

* Above and below, some of the cast members of Fiddler on the Roof. 

Pictures by Barrie Potter.

Llangollen Operatic Society is seeking sponsorship for its forthcoming production of the Bock, Harnick and Stein classic, Fiddler on the Roof, which will be staged in the Town Hall from April 30-May 4.

Producer Helen Belton said: "As a registered charity fundraising efforts and the support of our sponsors is invaluable in enabling our junior and senior sections to continue producing high quality productions for the enjoyment of the local community.

“We have been very fortunate to secure sponsorship from a number of local businesses and individuals in previous years and we’ve always received wonderful feedback from them as to their experience.

"Following the overwhelming success of both our productions of 9 to 5 in 2017 and My Fair Lady in 2018 we are hoping to attract a similar level of support again this year."
 
Helen added: "For £125 sponsors are offered four reserved balcony seats with a prime view of the stage, four drinks of their choice from the bar, four complimentary programmes and the opportunity to display marketing material in the Town Hall on the evening of their sponsorship, as well as within the programme.

"To add to the experience they will also have the services of a dedicated sponsor host, who will welcome them on arrival and be on hand to ensure their experience is enjoyable.

“We believe this package represents excellent value and in return for our sponsors’ generosity, we will guarantee an unforgettable evening of entertainment and hospitality."

* If you would like to support the society's production or wish to receive more information, contact Helen Belton on 07718 368434, or e-mail Helen1210@hotmail.co.uk

Tickets for Fiddler on the Roof are now available online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/llangollenoperaticsociety as well as at the following Llangollen establishments - Jades, Llangollen Oggie and Fine Foods and Gwyn the Butcher.

MX-5 is now a little more of a fireball

* The new Mazda MX-5, above and below.

Mazda MX-5 RF road test by Steve Rogers

Maza has beefed up the world's favourite sports car.

The MX-5 has been given a power boost, an extra 23bhp for the top of the range two-litre, yet it is the sound rather than the extra grunt that provides most of the thrills.

This is a car that makes a big noise thanks to some tuning trickery with the exhaust silencer. It gives a more powerful note and had me thinking the little sports car was a lot quicker when the reality is only around half a second off the sprint time for the hard top RF I was driving. On the convertible it's more like a second, lowering the sprint to 62mph to 6.5 seconds.

The extra horsepower isn't down to just chipping the engine on a computer. The engine has been heavily reworked with lighter pistons and con rods, changes to the camshafts, new fuel injectors, throttle and exhaust valves.

Crucially the red line has been raised from 6500 to 7500rpm and this has made a big difference giving the MX more legs when pushing hard. To round things off the engine upgrade, emissions are lower than the old 157bhp version.

For now the revised engine is only in the top of the range GT Sport Nav+ but it will filter down the model range over the next few months.

There are no visual changes, the MX-5 is already perfectly formed, but more safety features have been added and the steering wheel now adjusts for reach, a little thing may be but something that goes a long way to achieving a comfortable driving position. That's not always been easy for people with short legs.

Since the day it was launched in 1989 the Lotus Elan look-a-like has been a hoot to drive but what we have now is probably the pinnacle of the MX-5 experience. The car's balance and sticking power is phenomenal, coupled with super quick and accurate steering. You point and it hits the target with pin sharp accuracy.

Not always the most comfortable but why would you expect anything else from a short wheelbased sports car? And although the gearbox has a nice short throw gate it is on the notchy side. There is barely any space for oddments in the cabin and boot space is tight, probably no more than a cabin sized case plus some bits and bobs but such imperfections are easily forgiven.

If more space is important then have a look at a Mini cabriolet.

So the big question. Soft top or RF? It has to be the RF (retractable fastback) beautifully crafted and a proper all year round sports car.

The folding roof has to be the cleverest design of all time. The hard top is made up of three sections with two folding away leaving the side fins and roof bar in place. The two folding sections tuck neatly away above the boot line so nothing goes into the boot.

The roof sections are made of steel, aluminium and plastic and have added just 45kg to the car's weight so you will notice no difference in handling over the ragtop.

Nearly all the Mazda range now has the excellent head up display projecting speed and navigation directions in the driver's eyeline on the windscreen but it is yet to come to the MX which is a disappointment given the small speedometer and no digital read out. Certainly something to think about.

The beauty of the MX-5 is that it is affordable with the soft top starting at £18,995. Okay, it's not got the raw power of an Audi TT RS or Porsche Boxster, but it is a traditional two seater roadster providing adequate performance and a polished driving experience.

The facts

MX-5 RF GT Sport Nav+
£27,795
2-litre; 180bhp
0-62mph 6.8secs; 137mph
40.9mpg combined
Emissions: 156g/km
Road tax £140 (first year £515)
Insurance group 31

Covering of snow above Llangollen

Llangollen awoke to a covering of snow this morning (Wednesday) masking the view of Castell Dinas Bran.

Campaign aims to keep dogs on lead

Denbighshire County Council and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty have joined forces to launch this year’s campaign encouraging people to keep their dogs on leads in the county’s open countryside.

The Take the Lead campaign is now in its third year and is being launched ahead of the start of the holiday season this Easter.  

It is targeting local residents and visitors to the countryside and wants to build on the success of previous years’ initiative.

The campaign includes production of videos that will be shared on social media, features in the local media and online and direct engagement with people visiting the county’s scenic countryside.

Councillor Tony Thomas, Cabinet Lead Member for Housing, Regulation and the Environment, said: “We were delighted by the success of last year’s campaign and it seemed that people were listening to the message. We saw far more people acting responsibly and taking their dogs on leads in the countryside – and we would like to thank them for their efforts.

“However this is a kind of message that needs to be repeated time and time again to gain its maximum impact, so we will be sharing our campaign messages with locals and visitors and encourage the small minority who flout the law to take action.

“We have seen some incidents where sheep have been injured or killed as a result of attacks from dogs off their leads. We have spoken to farmers who have lost sheep or have had their animals attacked.  This really can be avoided by working together with dog owners, sending home the message that dogs should be kept on leads.  We can really make a difference.

“We appreciate why people would want to go on walks in our scenic countryside in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Many walkers bring dogs with them and whilst we want that to continue, all we are asking is that people respect the Countryside Code.

“There are plenty of warning signs and information about taking dogs on leads and we will be out and about over the coming months talking to owners and sharing our message to as wide an audience as possible."