Register for next dementia aware workshop

The next #DementiaAwareDenbighshire Community Led Network meeting will be held on Thursday 30^th January 2020 from 11.00am till 1.00pm at St Collen's Community Hall, Llangollen.

The aim of this Network is to proactively lead on and facilitate initiatives to improve the awareness of Dementia in Denbighshire. 

The network meets in community-based venues once every four months to keep momentum and build a movement for change across the county, with the aim of making Denbighshire a safe, supportive and inclusive place for everyone.

The network is open to all individuals, organisations, voluntary and community groups and businesses operating in Denbighshire, people living with dementia and their families and carers, alongside representatives of Third Sector organisations and social enterprises, town and community council members, Denbighshire County Council, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, who are interested in building a movement for change.

The agenda for this meeting can be found here.

To confirm your interest in attending this FREE event, please register on Eventbrite:
bit.ly/DAD_NetworkMeeting_Jan2020

Alternatively you can call 01824 702 441.

Concert supports canal boat for disabled trust

A successful concert was held at the English Methodist Church for the Canal Boat for Disabled People Trust.

It featured Cantorion Collen Singers (conductor Eirwen Jones, accompanist Owen Roberts) and their guest soloists Myfanwy Grace, Gabriel, Tom Cowan, James Nicholas and Bili and Joseff. 

A spokesperson for the organisers said: "We would like to thank Aldi, Amacor Capital Ltd, Gwyn Davies, S.J.Newsagents, Spar, and Watkin & Williams for their support and donations and everyone who attended to make it a special Christmas occasion." 

Salon celebrates year of success

* Jades was highly commended in the Christmas Festival shop window competition earlier this month. Here the certificate is handed over to Susan Davies by Santa and Ian Parry. 

A Llangollen hair and beauty salon says its business has been boosted by the growth in wedding venues in and around the Dee Valley.

As 2019 draws to a close Jades Hair & Beauty on Oak Street is seeing out the year with a buoyant business thanks to its loyal customer base who continue to support them.

Business partners and sisters Louise Wilson and Sue Davies say their two-pronged approach to business in nurturing their existing client base and maximising the potential of Llangollen having some of the best wedding venues in the UK such as Tyn Dwr Hall, Tower Hill Barns, The Wild Pheasant Hotel and Trevor Hall has changed the way they position their business.

Louise said: “This year we have been privileged to work with some beautiful brides and their family and friends not only in the salon but also visiting them at their dream wedding venues. I believe our attention to detail and personal recommendations makes us the ideal choice for brides who are looking for that extra special experience on their happiest of days.

"We have had an amazing year and that is thanks to our dedicated team  in the salon and to our clients who remain loyal to us, many of whom have been coming to us since day one.

“This year we were pleased to be nominated at the Welsh Wedding Awards and the Women In Business Awards."

Sue said: “We do not take that custom for granted and have to constantly evolve with innovative, new ideas and treatments, combined with top class training in all aspects of our services including nail art, hair colour, wedding hair and makeup. We also put a lot of effort into researching the products we offer for sale in the salon as we want to be confident that our clients are getting first class, quality products that we personally feel confident to recommend and use ourselves.”

New treatments currently being offered upstairs in the Beauty Rooms include individual lashes, Russian lashes  and classic semi-permanent/lash lift.

With 2020 likely to be another busy year it’s also a cause for celebration as Jades Hair & Beauty marks 40 years in their salon on Oak Street.

Vicar reflects on a busy time of the year

* Father Lee Taylor's own picture of him decorating the church for Christmas.

Llangollen's vicar has been reflecting on one of his busiest times of the year for the Metro online.

Along with workers from the Red Cross, London Zoo, the Samaritans and a hotel chef Father Lee Taylor has been revealing what it's like to be working full-out over the Christmas period.

Father lee, who is responsible for four local churches, writes in today's issue: ‘Christmas is most certainly one of the busiest times of the year for priests, especially those of us that care for a group of churches. 

‘We know that Christmas is an extended festival that begins on 25 December and should continue for at least twelve days. 

But, sadly this is not the case (due to consumerism).

‘Every day and every evening during this period is filled with Christmas engagements and duties: carol services in schools and nursing homes, concerts, services. ‘[There are also] invitations to deliver a Christmas message or to be the after-dinner speaker at a Christmas function for the various organisations in the town, just to name a few of my responsibilities at this time of year. 

‘All full of joy and very good fun but very exhausting. 

‘I celebrate the Mass of Christmas Day in each of my four churches which are in and around Llangollen, north wales. 

After each service, I believe it is important to spend time greeting people as they leave the church.

‘So, by the time I have finished my final service at my fourth church, it is the early part of the afternoon. Then I go and take communion to those, who through illness or infirmity, are housebound. 

‘I am usually home and totally exhausted by the early evening and just want to go to bed but then find myself flat out on the floor with a large gin and tonic, trying to drown out the sound of carols whirling around my head.’

* To see the article, go to: https://metro.co.uk/2019/12/25/people-working-on-christmas-day-explain-how-they-make-it-festive-11921800/?fbclid=IwAR2WVeBA10DM760gb4VUbWPRMPP7Vt4N-q17SVjid0H_zbbK8iGPAA9s9q8 

Merry Christmas from llanblogger

Watercolours to go on show at Oak Street Gallery

* Rocks, Frikes, Ithaca, Greece (2001).

* St Agnes in the Scilly Isles (2001).

Watercolour paintings by  late Wrexham artist Mike Coates will be on show in an exhibition which opens at The Oak Street Gallery in Llangollen at 7pm on Saturday January 4.

Mike Coates (1943-2006) achieved his Art Degree at Cheltenham College of Art and Design. He also spent a two formative years at Falmouth College of Art. 

He taught all his life and after retiring from Bryn Offa School in Wrexham he went sailing in the Mediterranean, visiting new islands and countries as he traversed the Bay of Biscay and entered the Mediterranean via a quick stop in Gibraltar. 

Mike found true fulfillment in his sailing and painting. All his work was painted ‘Plein Air’ and once the boat was anchored safely he would trek off with his rucksack to find that image, that view, to paint. 

In 2005 whilst on an impromtu cycling trip to France he became ill. Eventually being diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiform, a brain tumour. He died in 2006. 

These watercolours are a record of all the places he  visited, seen from his unique perspective - Journeys by sea.

St Collen's holds atmospheric carol service

* The candlelit St Collen's carol service.

St Collen's hosted its well-attended Carols by Candlelight evening yesterday (Sunday).

The event began, literally, on an atmospheric note with the first verse of Once in Royal David's City being sung from the back of the church.

The refrain was taken up by the powerful choir who added the second verse and the rest of the favourite carol was sung by the congregration.

The service, for which the church lights were switched off and the congregation held lighted candles, was interspersed with prayers led by the vicar, Father Lee Taylor, and readings by various people closely associated with the town.

Further favourite carols, augmented by or performed solely by the choir, included While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night, We Three Kings of Orient Are, O Come All Ye Faithful and, finally, Hark! the Herald Angels Sing.

St Collen's has its Crib Service at 4pm tomorrow (Christmas Eve) for which children are invited to come dressed as their favourite nativity character, and Midnight Mass at 11.30pm tomorrow.