New wine uncorked in memory of food festival saviour

* Pip Gale and Phil Davies with the bottle of Chateau Loughlin.        

A new wine is being launched to honour the memory of the man who saved the popular Llangollen Food Festival – and will be used to raise money for his favourite charity.

Friends and colleagues were devastated by the sudden death of the “larger than life” former wine distributor, Colin Loughlin, 76, after he suffered a heart attack at his home on the outskirts of the town in February.

There was standing room only when hundreds of people turned out to pay their last respects at his funeral at Pentrebychan crematorium near Wrexham.

The red wine, appropriately called Chateau Loughlin, will be unveiled at this year’s food festival that’s being held on Saturday and Sunday, October 19 and 20.

The label features a colourful caricature of Colin in a mural on the side of the Llangollen pavilion where the event is held every year.

The proceeds will be used to help fund a defibrillator on a new boat, the Lady Winifred, that’s recently been launched by the Vale of Llangollen Canal Boat Trust which Colin supported for many years.

Back in 2011, Colin came to rescue of the Llangollen Food Festival and led a team of volunteers who took it over when the previous organiser pulled the plug on the event.

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 by both the Daily Telegraph and Independent newspapers.

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.

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: “Colin 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.”

Fellow committee member Pip Gale, who also runs Gales Wine Bar in Llangollen, sourced the Chateau Loughlin wine.

Pip said: “I first met Colin many years ago when he was a wine distributor and I bought wine from him.

“He is much missed still, and it was one of the biggest honours to be asked by him personally to join the committee for the food festival, and this does feel like a way to pay back all of the work that he put into that festival, and all of the work he did for me.

 “My brother Andrew has done a great job in designing the label and the jolly look on Colin’s face is the way he should be remembered.

“Chateau Loughlin is a lovely, easy drinking wine from the South of France, made with predominantly with Syrah grapes.  I’m sure Colin would approve.

“If people like it at the food festival we will have it here at Gales afterwards and raise more money for the Canal Boat Trust.”

Another committee member, Phil Davies, has many fond memories of chatting with Colin over a glass of wine.

He said: “It is very appropriate that we are raising money in his memory with red wine because that was Colin’s preferred drink.

“Colin was a hugely popular figure in Llangollen as was shown at his funeral when people were queuing outside the crematorium.

“We were both members of Canal Boat Trust and Colin did a tremendous amount of work for them because it was very close to his heart, so it is fitting that the money raised at his funeral and anything raise from this wine will go towards a defibrillator for the Lady Winifred.

“He was a very kind, generous man and he will be sorely missed by everyone at this year’s event but we will be raising a glass of Chateau Loughlin in his honour.”

Report out on 2018 Llantysilio mountain fire

* The mountainside on fire on July 26 last year.

A report into last year’s Llantysilio Mountain fire has been published.

Denbighshire County Council’s Communities Scrutiny Committee conducted a review into the summer 2018 fire along with the impact on the community, businesses and the local environment.

The report concluded that land management difficulties over an extended period of time contributed towards the length of time the fire burned.

It said the non-utilisation of grazing rights due to the downturn in the agricultural economy, a situation replicated across Wales, was an issue as the grazing of sheep, combined with managed burning and mowing were all essential elements for the maintenance of heathland, which could help reduce the risk from fires.

It also noted that open lines of communication between all agencies is required to facilitate a joined-up, co-ordinated response as well as to communicate clear, accurate information to the public and those affected.

The report has set out a number of recommendations including endorsing those put forward by the North Wales Local Resilience Forum as well as strengthening multi-agency work when responding to similar incidents.

Other recommendations include coordinating land management activities in this and other moorland areas to reduce the risk of similar fires in future and seeking the Welsh Government’s support to maintain the economic and environmental sustainability of upland moorland areas and to consider providing financial assistance to facilitate the necessary restoration work on Llantysilio Mountain.

Cllr Huw O Williams, chair of Denbighshire County Council’s Communities Scrutiny Committee, said: “The purpose of this review was not to apportion blame on any individual, service, organisation or group with respect of the fire or the response to it, but to better understand and learn from the event to help improve the response and management of similar incidents in future.

“On behalf of the Committee I would like to thank the agencies who tackled this difficult mountain fire and subsequently agreed to take part in the Committee’s venture to understand and learn from it. I would like to thank local residents and representatives of those who own or work on Llantysilio Mountain for their valuable contributions to the inquiry.

“The Committee sincerely hopes all agencies, organisations and individuals who participated will find the report informative and useful as a reference point for future collaborative efforts.”

Organisations which took part in the review included North Wales Regional Emergency Planning Service, Natural Resources Wales, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, North Wales Police The Horseshoe Pass Graziers Association, owners of the Llantysilio Estate and their land agents, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, Hafren Dyfrdwy Water Company, Llantysilio Community Council and Denbighshire County Council.

Chief Fire Officer Simon Smith said: “We appreciated the opportunity to take part in the Community Scrutiny Committee review of the Llantysilio Mountain fire and welcome the recommendations made which focus on the lack of robust land management over an extended period of time and on the endorsing the recommendations of the North Wales Local Resilience Forum.

“We look forward to working with the other stakeholders involved in addressing these recommendations.

“We strongly believe that fire prevention is key to mitigating against such incidents and that all stakeholders should work together in this regard - and the recommendation to appoint a moorland management officer is welcomed.

“I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all fire and rescue service staff from across the whole of North Wales who worked tirelessly to bring this incident under control. I am immensely proud of their professionalism in what were some incredibly challenging and unprecedented conditions.”

Bethan Beech, Denbighshire team leader for Natural Resources Wales, said: “Llantysilio Mountain is an important part of the local community and farming economy as well as heathland habitat which is home to black grouse and curlew.

“We welcome this report which makes some valuable recommendations about how last year’s fire was dealt with and how the land can be managed in the future.

“We were pleased to contribute to it and look forward to working with partners to implement its recommendations.

“The proposal to appoint a moorland management officer to co-ordinate the numerous groups involved on the mountain is particularly exciting.

“We look forward to working with Denbighshire County Council and others on delivering this post and a programme of work to help the mountain recover in a way that reduces the risk of future fires. 

“We hope the officer can encourage the common land graziers to exercise their legal grazing rights and actively manage the vegetation. This helps the graziers and also looks after this important wildlife habitat.”

Meeting highlights development plan consultation

* Tuesday evening's meeting in progress.

Llangollen Friends of the Earth member Warren Davies has sent llanblogger this report of the group's meeting in St Collen's Church Hall on Tuesday evening to discuss the implications of the 11 "candidate" sites submitted for possible inclusion in Denbighshire's next Local Development Plan and local response to the consultation process, the deadline for which is August 31.

We had just over 40 local residents attend. 

Local county councillor Graham Timms, myself and a number of Friends of the Earth members also attended to help people respond to the consultation.

Our aim was to help people find relevant information, and find the best way to respond, whether on paper or online. 

Generally people found the Denbighshire County Council (DCC) documentation difficult to pick apart to find the relevant information. With help from ourselves, Graham and knowledgeable residents, we helped boost response numbers, helping people to have their say.

Regarding the candidate sites, there was dismay and confusion at the inclusion of the Youth Club and Youth Club field. Graham Timms was absolutely resolute in his determination to have this site removed from the list.

Strong concerns were also raised about all three of the sites near Maesmawr Road. Development scale, loss of agricultural land and traffic issues were frequently mentioned.

The Berwyn Works brownfield site was generally considered suitable for development so long as it was sympathetic.

Traffic and services were common concerns about the potential growth of the town.

Llangollen Friends of the Earth are concerned that the LDP should use the state of climate emergency to inform the LDP, and that currently it is hardly mentioned. 

Given the declaration of a climate and ecological emergency by the council, and the urgency of action required, the plan should take climate change concerns as a central pillar in any development plan.

Talk at Llangollen Museum tonight

Government to ask Queen to suspend Parliament

In breaking news this morning, the BBC has the following major development in the Brexit story ...

 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-49493632

Response from Clwyd South Labour MP Susan Elan Jones ...

In response to this morning’s news... In a parliamentary democracy (as we are supposed to be), a Prime Minister would propose a general election not use procedural devices to get their way. This is very serious and unprecedented. (Please see the link for the text of the declaration that I and a very large number of MPs signed this week).

https://twitter.com/susanelanjones/status/1166395155844349952?s=21

Mewn ymateb i newyddion y bore ‘ma. Mewn democratiaeth seneddol (fel yr ydym i fod), byddai Prif Weinidog yn cynnig etholiad cyffredinol, nid defnyddio dyfeisiau gweithdrefnol i gael ei ffordd. Mae hyn yn ddifrifol iawn ac yn ddigynsail.
(Gweler y ddolen uchod ar gyfer testun y datganiad a lofnodais i a nifer fawr iawn o ASau yr wythnos hon).

Operatic to stage Chicago next spring

Chicago The Musical is roaring its way into Llangollen next spring.

Full of iconic songs and music such as All that Jazz, Razzle Dazzle, Mr Cellophane and Cell Block Tango, this fabulous show full of love, murder, courtroom drama and true showbiz has been chosen by Llangollen Operatic Society for its next production.

On stage at the Town Hall from April 22-25, Chicago couldn’t be more different from their last show, the smash-hit production of Fiddler on the Roof earlier this year.

Artistic Director Alison Ravenscroft said: "I’m really excited about putting on this show and, judging by the great feedback we’ve already had following the announcement, so is everyone else!"

Producer Helen Belton (My Fair Lady 2018 and Fiddler on the Roof 2019) has the strong team of Alison Ravenscroft as Director, Leigh Mason as Musical Director, Chrissie Ashworth as Assistant Director and Dan May as Assistant Producer and is herself hoping to be on stage. 

She said: "Producing shows for Llangollen Operatic is almost a full-time job and it’s a wonderful feeling seeing everything come together but my first love will always be performing on the stage." 

The society is having a meet and greet evening on September 17 at the Studio in Castle Street to welcome members both old and new to introduce their new season of rehearsals. 

Helen said: "Come and meet us, we’re a very friendly bunch and there will be drinks and snacks available. There will be an introduction to the show and information about auditions will be available.

"If you are a dancer, singer or actor wanting to be in the show come along and find out more, we’d love to meet you.

"New members are always very welcome, and there is lots of opportunity to help with a production, even if you don’t actually want to be on the stage itself. Costumes, scenery, stage crew, front of house – there’s a role for everyone.

"Join our Facebook pages to learn more and get the latest information about rehearsals:

·  Llangollen Operatic Society public page

·  Operatic News and Info group 

·  ‘Chicago’ rehearsal group."

Octavia might be bossy but it's solid and safe

* The Skoda Octavia. 

* The Octavia's rather spartan cockpit.

Skoda Octavia road test by Steve Rogers

This will sound comical but I have just got out of a car where it seemed Big Brother was watching me!

The fictional character in George Orwell's novel 1984 kept a sinister eye on everyone and that was how it seemed in the Skoda Octavia. 

As soon as I turned the ignition a message came up telling the driver not to press the accelerator when starting. Oh, sorry but I always do that.

Then I slipped it into neutral while following a stream of slow moving cars downhill. Another message telling me not to do that either. Later I dared to open the window while driving and was ticked off for doing that as well.

Of course there was nothing sinister going on, the messages that come up in the driver's binnacle are all tips to improve economy, so good for Skoda. The company has always tried to show consideration for its clients and the telescopic umbrella stored under the passenger seat is another example of its caring nature.

Skoda has grown in stature over the last two decades and is doing particularly well at the moment. Being part of the Volkswagen-Audi empire helps but it has worked damned hard to build a solid reputation from the days when its cars were considered nothing more than a joke.

Octavia has played a big part winning over the Brits and is still Skoda's best seller in the UK. At first Octavia carved a niche of its own sitting between VW's Golf and Passat so it was the price of a Golf but nearly as big as a Passat. Now it is more into Passat territory, still offering good value for money and a huge amount of space.

Open Octavia's tailgate and it is like looking into a cave. To give you an idea about what this car can take I travelled three up loaded with three sets of golf clubs and three power trolleys. Impressive or what?

Come to think of it Octavia's boot capacity has always been the main talking point but this time it has been eclipsed by its engine. On the face of it the idea of a one litre petrol, with just three-cylinders, providing the power for a car of this size is barmy, isn't it? I thought so.

One litre three-cylinder petrols are nothing new. They have been popping up faster than weeds offering an alternative to the small diesel, punching well above their weight on performance, economy and, more significantly, puffing out lower emissions. But they are generally used to power smaller city cars or superminis with a few family hatchbacks thrown in like Ford Focus and Honda Civic.

Surely a one litre can't work in a five seater Octavia, a car than transport three hefty adults and all their golf gear? The build up has hardly been subtle so you can guess the answer.

The first thing I did when the car was delivered was check the journey's economy stat. Just over 50mpg at the end of 156 miles so an encouraging start. What I really couldn't wait to find out was whether a one litre could haul this cavernous five seater.

I got the answer within a few hundred yards. Octavia's first job was to pull up a gradient from my cul-de-sac and that is when I knew this engine was something special. Three-cylinder engines are good for picking up at low revs and this was effortless and smooth with none of the putt-putt clatter from engines of the past.

For the next week a day didn't go by when I marvelled at how such a small engine could provide such impressive performance in such a big car. Even Mrs Rogers, who normally finds things to complain about in test cars, could not hold back on her praise for Octavia's sprightly performance.

And the 120 mile round trip to Bull Bay golf course on Anglesey yielded 52.4mpg. I think that just about covers all that's good about this engine.

You do not hear many complaints about Octavia, yes the interior is a bit funereal but that's the way it is when you are part of the Volkswagen quartet. Nothing flash, no creeks or rattles, and everything laid out with typical Germanic precision. 

The inset eight inch touchscreen for navigation, radio etc is quickly mastered and the heating controls are separate. Just how I like it.

Octavia is a solid, safe buy, I would even go so far as to say it is one of the great family cars. And guess what, I stopped pressing the accelerator to start the engine. Well, I didn't want to get ticked off again.

Key facts

Octavia SE Drive

£20,440

1-litre TSI 6sp manual 115bhp

0-62mph 10secs; 127mph

48.7mpg combined

110g/km. 1st year road tax £150

Boot space 1580 litres max

Insurance group 14