MP explains why she voted against General Election

* With reader's letter at foot of story

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones (pictured) has given her reasons for voting against the Government's bid to hold a General Election.

She said: "I have always been of the view that Boris Johnson’s call for a General Election before 31st October was a trap to get a crash-out Brexit that nobody voted for but which suits the Hard Right political agenda of Johnson, Rees-Mogg and Trump.

"I won’t play games with jobs, national security, medicine supplies and the NHS so I was dead against this.

"When I was out in Llangollen with the cross-party Denbighshire for Europe recently, I was struck by the concerns that many local residents had about Brexit.

"I think we need a public vote and totally support the Welsh Labour Government’s commitment to campaign for Remain in one."

* A reader's letter on this subject has been received by llanblogger addressed to Ms Jones:

"I am writing to Thankyou for your recent decision in voting against a General Election. 

A GE will put MP’s at the forefront of this crisis and at unnecessary risk. The decision to leave with a deal or remain should be left to the public to decide first by way of a vote to avoid unnecessary civil disturbance and to keep our MP’s safe.

We are a Welsh family and admire people like you who stand up to bullies.

Thankyou

John and Nikki Hewitt"

Three to contest town council vacancy

Three candidates are to stand for election to the vacancy on Llangollen Town Council caused by the recent resignation of Karen Edwards.

They are:

KEDDIE, Paul (Annibynnol/ Independent)

PALMER, John Christopher

ROBERTSON, Gillian (Independent)

This election will take place on Thursday, October 3.

New project aims to showcase best in Wales

The Welsh Government has launched a new project to champion the best of Made in Wales and is looking for people to help run it. 

The brand initiative, called Cnwd Cymru/Wales Made, will be launched early next year using a collection of up to 20 products, produce and services that are inherently Welsh and of international standard.

The final collection will be selected by an independent panel covering a range of sectors and will be celebrated through modular showcases to be displayed in a number of locations and supported by digital assets and content featured on wales.com. 

The first collection will shine a light on exceptional talents, skills and creativity, and will aim to inspire Wales’s next generation of designers, makers and entrepreneurs. 

Following the launch of the scheme, the showcase will have the potential to tour, adding a new dimension to Wales's international marketing and extending its collaborative partnership activity with leading Welsh consumer and business-to-business brands.

Organisers are now calling for expressions of interest: 

• For voluntary panel members with relevant expertise
• From companies wishing to be considered for the scheme.

There are no application fees/costs associated with companies being considered for the scheme. Panel members will take part on a voluntary basis and no fees will be payable. 

The scheme will cover the following product/service categories:

• Advanced manufacturing
• Architecture & interiors
• Creative services
• Fashion & lifestyle
• Food & drink
• Leisure & sport
• Lifesciences & medical
• Technology

* Expressions of interest should be sent by Friday, September 13 to: Claire Chappell - email claire.chappell@gov.wales, tel 0300 025 0169.

Co-op to host food and drink event on Saturday

* Co-op staff celebrate the store's £500,000 facelift last May.

* Shea Ferron will sing at 12 noon on Saturday.

A feast of Welsh produce is set to be served-up by the Co-op’s Llangollen store as it hosts a celebration of food and drink sourced in Wales.

The free event takes place in the car park of the Regent Street store between 10am and 2pm next Saturday, September 14.

Members of the community can meet and sample products from Co-op’s Welsh suppliers including Conwy Brewery, Daoini, Edwards of Conwy, Llaeth Y Llan Village Dairy, Radnor Hills, Village Baker, Welsh Lady Preserves, Wild Trail and Wrexham Lager.

The store, which re-launched in May this year after a £500,000 investment, also welcomes local singer Shea Ferron who will perform at 12 noon, and Llangollen-based chef Jack Hatley who will prepare a selection of dishes and offer recipe suggestions.

The family-friendly event also includes activities for children, including face painting.

The Co-op sells over 500 products made by Welsh suppliers. Its backing for British agriculture also sees the retailer offering Welsh lamb all year round.

Rachel Greenlees, Co-op’s Local Sourcing Buyer, said: “As a community retailer the Co-op is committed to creating value in its communities.

“We are proud of our Welsh heritage, which dates back to the mid-19th century, and sourcing products locally is a cornerstone of our approach. Consumer demand for locally produced food and drink continues to grow, it is made with a mix of quality, pride, history and innovation.

“We continually look for ways to celebrate, showcase and support Welsh produce.”

Mandy Hughes, Manager of the Llangollen store, said: “We are delighted to welcome a flavour of our Welsh suppliers to our store, providing a taste of the great food and drink which is produced in Wales.

“We have had a great response since we relaunched the store in May. The investment was a great way to mark the Co-op’s 175th anniversary year.

“We know that quality, provenance and trust is valued by our Members and customers, and we are really looking forward to welcoming the community to our family-friendly event on September 14.”

Motorcyclist dies on Nant Y Garth Pass road

A motorcyclist has sadly died following a road traffic collision on the Nant Y Garth Pass, Ruthin.

The collision happened at approximately 13.10hrs today (Sunday 8th September) on the A525, Pentre Celyn Ruthin on the Nant Y Garth pass between Llysfasi college and the quarries. The collision involved a combine harvester and a motorcycle.

Sergeant Nicola Grimes-Williams of the Roads Policing Unit said: “Sadly a man was pronounced dead at the scene. Our thoughts remain with the man’s family and friends at this difficult time. We are appealing for any witnesses, or anybody who may have been travelling along that particular stretch of road and who may have dash cam footage to contact us as soon as possible.”

Anybody with information is asked to contact officers on 101 or via the live web chat quoting reference number X131545.

Campaigners unwrap plastic outside Aldi

Volunteers are currently doing a mass unwrap outside Aldi in Llangollen.

A team of five is manning a special trolley at the front of the store until 1pm offering to unwrap customers' shopping, leaving behind the plastic packaging it is wrapped in.

This will then be disposed of in an environmentally-friendly way by Aldi which is giving the event its full support, say the campaigners.

The event has been jointly organised by Plastic Free Llangollen, Llangollen and District Friends of the Earth and Extinction Rebellion Llangollen.

Police want to trace fatal accident "good Samaritans"

* The "good Samaritan" the police wish to trace walk along Castle Street.  

North Wales Police officers are hoping to trace two "good Samaritans" who assisted at the scene of a collision in Llangollen last month in which a pedestrian died.

At approximately 9.40am on Thursday August 15 a collision occurred on Castle Street involving 87-year-old Margaret Jones and a black-coloured Kia car.

The man and woman were the first on scene and assisted with First Aid.

PC Emma Birrell of the Roads Policing Unit said: “We are looking to identify both witnesses who may be able to assist with our ongoing investigation.

“They may have been on a day trip or on holiday in the area so we are looking for help to try and identify them. Please contact us if you can assist.”

Mrs Jones, who live in Llangollen, was airlifted to hospital in Stoke but later died as a result of her injuries.

The investigation is ongoing and anybody who may have been in the area at the time of the collision is asked to contact officers at the Eastern Roads Policing Unit on 101 or via live web chat quoting reference number X117649.