Plas Newydd features on Japanese TV travel show

* The cafe at Plas Newydd.

A chef has been busy introducing Japan to the delights of Welsh cuisine in Llangollen.

Steve Thomas, who runs the tea rooms at Plas Newydd is being featured in a Japanese TV travel programme about Wales.

“It’s a long running show which over the years has filmed across the world,” explained Steve. 

“With the Rugby World Cup being hosted by Japan this September they have been filming attractions in Wales and one of the things they wanted to include was our traditional food.”

The TV crew was interviewing people at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod when they were told a visit to see Steve at work in the Plas Newydd kitchens would be highly recommended.

“They phoned up to ask if they could come over here. We made them welcome and I presented two dishes. One was lamb cawl and the other was chicken with leeks in a tarragon sauce,” said Steve.

“The crew tried them both and were most enthusiastic, the meals went down well. So much so that afterwards they even bought scones and Welsh cakes to tuck into for the journey back.” 

July has proved to be packed full of activities for Plas Newydd. One of the major events was acting as the host venue for the launch of a mobile phone app promoting the Welsh language and heritage to hikers and walkers. It works by highlighting the original place names and area’s history to the devices’ owners.

Plas Newydd was delighted to be one of the sites used by this year's Llangollen Fringe Festival to perform a laughter-filled production. 

The museum’s picturesque grounds were also the backdrop for a special artistic day entitled The Big Draw – where budding artists could come together as a group and commit the beautiful landscape to paper.

With the summer holidays in mind a number of local venues, including Plas Newydd, have joined together to offer 10 Things To Do In The Dee Valley. 

The project celebrates the 10th anniversary of the inscription of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal as a World Heritage Site and is designed to give families plenty to do as they enjoy getting out and about.

Participants are able to take part in a fresh challenge at each host destination. At Plas Newydd they can tackle a meticulously-laid trail, using just a special map for clues as they track down a series of objects placed throughout the grounds.

And there’s been a great response to an environmentally friendly initiative at Plas Newydd. The site has started to grow its own plants in a specially built poly-tunnel using organic peat-free compost.

Some of the plants are to be used in the grounds to increase the flowering period with others being made available for sale to the public.

“There are been a great deal of interest in this, which is very pleasing,” said Plas Newydd gardener Neil Rowlands.

Woman dies after being injured in Castle Street collision

* Police closed Castle Street following yesterday's fatal collision.

The pedestrian who was in a collision with a car in Llangollen yesterday has sadly died, according to North Wales Police.

In statement issued this morning they say: "The incident, involving a black Kia car and a local woman, happened in Castle Street at around 9.40am yesterday morning, August 15.

"The woman was flown to hospital in Stoke where she died as a result of her injuries.

"Her next of kin have been informed and investigations are on-going."

* Sgt Nicky Grimes Williams said: "Our thoughts are with the lady's family. I am appealing for any witnesses or any one who may have dash cam to come forward and call 101 quoting reference X117649."

“Camp fire” cuisine inspires new generation of explorers

* James Kendall with a tinder nest.

A nature-loving duo will be inspiring families to embrace their “inner wildness” and help beat stress with “camp fire” cooking at a top food festival.

Forest school and bushcraft experts James and Lea Kendall will be hosting interactive cooking workshops throughout this year’s Llangollen Food Festival to reconnect parents and children with nature to boost their mental wellbeing.

The couple, who run the highly successful Woodland Classroom in Wrexham, will be unlocking the gastronomic secrets hidden in Wales’ hedgerows and forests and creating a range of mouth-watering treats during the festival, which takes place on October 19 and 20. 

Children will get the chance to toast popcorn over the camp fire and make hedgerow tea, toffee apple slices, hazel chocolate parcels and hedgerow crumble from freshly foraged berries and other herbs and plants on site.

Parents, meanwhile, will be introduced to “weeds for wellbeing” and will learn about the medicinal benefits of a host of garden herbs and plants - as well as the joys of “hunting and gathering” as a family.

James, 39, who has featured in a BBC news programme about the benefits of woodland adventure for mental health, alongside wife Lea, said: “Children absolutely love being outdoors. They always have and usually they don’t need to be pushed. It’s what they’re supposed to do.

“There are the obvious benefits of good bacteria and sunlight but it’s also about developing a love for nature and an appreciation for the outdoors so that we raise children who love nature and will look after it.

“There’s much more awareness now about the impact of human activity with documentaries such as ‘Blue Planet’ highlighting the plastics in our oceans. People are also thinking of mental health and wellbeing more.

“Now is the perfect time for bush craft and forest school.  People understand the benefits of being outdoors and reconnecting with nature.

“It’s our first time at this particular festival but we’re really looking forward to it.”

James and Lea, who live near Wrexham, host courses on foraging, wilderness cooking, bushcraft and outdoor survival skills. They are also trained Forest School leaders and work in primary schools across North Wales.

James is a qualified bushcraft instructor and previously managed the Long Wood Community Woodland, the largest community-owned woodland in Wales, overseeing the management of 300 acres of broadleaf and conifer forest.

Lea, who formerly worked as a learning mentor in a primary school, is a qualified counsellor and practitioner of mindfulness in a woodland setting and also hosts “circus workshops” for young people.

During the festival, families will learn the art of wilderness cooking and will have the opportunity of baking bread in a traditional Dutch outdoor oven as well as learning how to safely light and manage a camp fire and transform seasonal fruits and berries into tasty treats.

“We all have to eat. It’s a universal thing we all have in common. There’s so much food in the hedgerows and woods. Part of our aim is to teach people how to forage responsibly,” said James.

“What’s amazing is that if kids burn the food that they’ve cooked, they’ll still wolf it down and say it’s the best thing they’ve ever tasted. That wouldn’t happen around the dining table.

“They make a connection with the food and have ownership. It’s very rewarding work and we really enjoy it.”

For parents and adults, Lea will be sharing her knowledge of herbs, weeds and plants and their inherent medicinal qualities including dandelions which are renowned for detoxing the liver and camomile which provides stress relief.

“For years we’ve been brought up to believe hawthorn is poisonous but it’s actually a really good heart tonic and lowers or increases blood pressure, depending on what’s needed,” said Lea.

“Anything which is nutritious for the body is good for the gut and this is instrumental in improving mental health.

“The gut produces 90% of the serotonin in our bodies, which is the happy hormone, so if we are eating a bad diet and suffering from stress and depression we have to recognise the link there.

“Very often we can buy vegetables from the supermarket which are much depleted in the nutrients they should contain. One of the best ways to increase the good bacteria in the gut is to go wild and forage to boost your health.

“It’s so accessible to all of us. You can literally open your back door and go out and you’ll find nutritious berries and herbs which will increase your overall health and act as a preventative medicine. They are also completely free and engage your ancient hunter gather brain.

“Foraging is something everyone can do. It can bring families together and it’s great mentally and physically.”

The workshops are part of a packed programme of live cookery events for families over the two-day festival, which takes place at the  International Pavilion, Llangollen.

Edible slime-making, C02 rocket building and pizza designing are also on the menu as part of science-inspired cookery workshops delivered by Kiddy Cook.

The business, founded by former BBC Radio Leicester presenter turned marketing expert Nikki Geddes, has become a national success since launching 15 years ago from Nikki’s kitchen - and now boasts 13 franchisees across England and South Wales. 

“I used to cook with my daughter all the time when she was younger,” explained Nikki, 48, who delivers her cookery lessons in schools, festivals, and at other public events.

“I came up with the idea of doing workshops and they just took off because there was nothing like it. It was just the right time.”

At Llangollen, her sessions will include ‘Fizz! Bang! Wallop’ where children will discover how Co2 makes dough rise with bread bubble bombs and carbon dioxide rockets and ‘Bonkers Bacteria!’ which is an interactive session about hygiene and germ prevention.

“Our core principles are eating well and being active and if you’re doing those things you have a better chance of maintaining good mental health and being fit and strong,” said Nikki, from Hale, who has an 18-year-old daughter and son aged 15.

“We teach children practical skills like how to read food labels, how to reduce the sugar they are eating, being good global citizens and eating responsibly.

“But we are really passionate about inspiring young children to have fun with food and helping them to make informed choices to have a healthy lifestyle.

“We don’t want children to be frightened by food. If they’re allowed to be creative and taste as they go along they will be more inclined to try what they have made.”

* For more information about the Llangollen International Food Festival please visit www.llangollenfoodfestival.com

Top tips on clearing from Glyndwr University experts

Students who are considering their next step after results day have been given some key tips by experts at Wrexham Glyndwr University.

With A Level results being released today, the Admissions and Enquiries team at Wrexham Glyndwr University are set to be talking to potential students from across the UK about their options among the vast range of undergraduate degree courses being offered at Wrexham Glyndwr University. 

The team will also be on hand at this weekend’s Open Day, on Saturday August 17, and at the next Open Day on Saturday September 7, to advise potential students about their next steps.

Admissions and Enquiries Manager, Andy Phillips, said: “It has been a busy day today and it will continue to be busy in the days following results day.  We have places available on a wide range of courses, from Accounting and Finance to Youth and Community Work.

“We expect a good turnout at our Open Day this Saturday from people who want to start with us in September, and the conversations we have on results day will all be geared towards getting people to come and visit us and see what we’re all about before making their mind up.”

Andy also set out some top tips for students who are looking at university study – and trying to work out the best way to approach universities now that they have their results.

He said:  “One of the key pieces I would give potential students is to have their results to hand – and to be prepared to contact us themselves. While that might seem obvious, we can find ourselves speaking to someone acting on behalf of a potential student – but we do need to speak to them directly. Though that can seem daunting, there are so many ways to get in touch now that it doesn’t have to be a scary initial telephone call – students can reach us via email, webchat, Twitter, Facebook and so on nowadays too!

“However they get in touch, we do want to know about students’ qualifications so suggest having them to hand – write down your A levels, your GCSE results and any other qualifications so they are all in one place to refer to.

“Finally, we always to suggest to students they research what they want from university – not only academically but also in terms of campus life, accommodation, travel and more. 

“At Wrexham Glyndwr University, we are confident students will enjoy studying with us, and if we make an offer on results day, it’s not a 24 hour deadline, it’s valid until the end of August. This is a big step – we want you to have time to make the right decision.”

Wrexham Glyndwr University’s clearing hotline is on 01978 293439 and prospective students can also find out more at: https://www.glyndwr.ac.uk/en/clearing2019/ 

Students wishing to find out more about studying at Wrexham Glyndwr University, to meet key academics from the Vice-Chancellor down, and to take part in a wide range of fascinating experiences can also do so at one of the university’s Open Days.

To find out more, visit: wgu.ac.uk/openday

Police close Castle Street following collision

* Above and below: the scenes in Castle Street this morning.

Castle Street has been closed by police following a collision in which the casualty had to be flown away from the scene by air ambulance earlier this morning.

A message from North Wales Police sent out at around 11am said: "Castle Street in Llangollen is currently closed following a serious RTC involving a pedestrian and a car. Please use alternative routes. Thank you."

A large number of police are at the scene and are diverting traffic away from the town's main street.

This has been causing widespread traffic congestion.

Pedestrians are being allowed to walk along the street but are being asked by police officers not to walk on the roadway.

A unit from the force's forensic collision investigation unit is parked outside the Town Hall.

Ysgol Dinas Bran celebrates "fantastic" A Level resullts

* Above and below: Dinas Bran students celebrate their A Level results.

Delighted A level students celebrated fantastic exam results at Ysgol Dinas Bran today.

Overall the pass-rates at A level are very pleasing with over 75% of grades awarded at A*-C, well above national averages and nearly 30% achieving A*/A grades. 

 Among subjects, Chemistry, Design and Technology, French, Further Mathematics, History and Physics, all had 100% pass-rates at A*-C.

There were some outstanding performances from students. 

Laura McAndrew achieved four A* grades, in Maths, Further Maths, Physics and French -a terrific achievement! She will now continue with her studies doing Modern Languages in Newcastle University. 

Zoe Nicholas also achieved three A* grades in Maths, Further Maths and Chemistry and is now going on to study Chemistry in Oxford University. Emma and Lucy Brown both gained 3A* grades in Maths, Biology and Physics. Emma is going on to study Biomedical Sciences at Birmingham University and Lucy will be studying Physics at Birmingham University. 

Laura Gibbs gained 2A* in Further Maths and Physics and an A grade in Maths. She is now going on to study Physics and Astronomy in Durham University.

It is also congratulations to Eve McSpadden who achieved four A grades and is going on to study Ecology and Conservation at Lancaster University. Other students who achieved two A grades or more were:

Sarah Gibbs                            3 A Grades

Eve Barrett                            1 A* Grade 1, A Grade, & 1 B Grade

Oliver Evans                            1 A* Grade 1, A Grade, 1 B Grade & 1 C Grade

Megan Jones                            2 A Grades & 1 B Grade

Thomas Bolton                             2 A Grades & 1 B Grade

Olivia Eggington              2 A Grades & 1 B Grade

Ryan Verschueren              2 A Grades & 1 B Grade

Early indicators suggest that the vast majority of students who applied to university have been successful in their first choice applications, says the school.

Headteacher Mark Hatch said “We are delighted with these results. A levels are hard exams; the students have worked hard and deserve their success. 

"We wish them well for the future, whatever their chosen route. A big thank you also to all the teachers for their tremendous work and support of the students.”

* Denbighshire County Council has congratulated the county’s young people on their examination successes. 

It says early indications show an increase above the Welsh national standards in students achieving A*-C grades. 

The council says: "There are some excellent individual achievements across all schools with most young people progressing to their chosen pathways. There is also a pleasing increase in students achieving A* and A grades this year."

Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts, Denbighshire's Cabinet Lead Member for Education, Children’s Services and Public Engagement, said: “Yet again this year we have seen some great results in Denbighshire, with some outstanding performances from individuals across the county.

“The results reflect the hard work going on in our schools to maintain and improve performance and we must commend our students and staff for the tremendous amount of work and effort that went into preparing for their examinations. 

“Young people are at the very heart of our Corporate Plan and we want to see them achieve and have the skills to progress to further education, alternative training or new careers. We would like to offer our sincere congratulations to the class of 2019 and we wish them every success in their chosen pathway.”

Police warn over "safe account" phone scams

North Wales Police are warning people to be alert to ‘safe account’ scams after an increase in reports from members of the public.

Residents have reported receiving phone calls from scammers claiming to be calling from their bank, or police fraud investigators. 

The caller will state that there is an issue with the victims bank account and advise them to move their money to a ‘safe account’. 

The victim will often be told that bank staff are suspected of being involved in a fraud which deters the public from seeking advice in their local branch.

In some cases victims have been played an automated message stating £600 had been taken from their account and requesting the victims press ‘1’ to continue.

Financial abuse safeguarding officer DC2675 Rachel Roberts said: “This is not a new scam but there has been a recent resurgence in victims being duped in this way. Many of the victims are elderly and have lost thousands of pounds.

“Often the victims have no reason to doubt the fraudsters as they appear to know the victims personal details. The fraudsters will urge victims to act quickly and create a fear that the victims money is in danger of being lost.”

Police have issued the following advice to residents 

• If you receive a telephone call from anyone asking you to move your money into a different account end the call immediately. 
• Do not give personal details, including banking details, to anyone you do not know either in the street, on the doorstep, over the telephone or internet as these details can be used to steal your identity.
• Beware of cold calls even when the caller appears to have personal information such as your address, date of birth or bank account details.
• Your bank and the police will never ask you to transfer your money into a ‘safe account’.
• If you receive unexpected contact from persons claiming to be from your bank take time to think. Do not be rushed. If you have concerns about your money wait 10 minutes and call your bank on a trusted number to check the validity of the call.

* For further information visit the North Wales Police public web page and clicking on the fraud information box. Here you will find advice on various types of fraud and a link to Action Fraud (www.actionfraud.police.uk) or call on 0300 123 2040.