MP backs company's campaign for new life-saving machine

* Tom Robinson and Simon Baynes MP with lifesaving training equipment at TNR Outdoors in Llangollen.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes made a socially distanced visit to TNR Outdoors in Llangollen to lend his backing to their campaign to purchase and install a public access defibrillator outside the entrance to their business in case of emergency. 

He also saw the recent improvements made to their premises including a new training classroom and changing room as well as a new café and kitchen space.

Mr Baynes met Tom Robinson, a director of TNR Outdoors, at Mile End Mill to learn more about their fundraising campaign.

The popularity of their site for recreational paddling, professional courses and rescue training, plus its location mid-way along the popular whitewater section of the River Dee, as well as being on the outskirts of Llangollen on the main A5 route into the town centre, make it a highly appropriate location for a public access defibrillator.

This would be of huge benefit to paddlers and other river users, local residents and road users should an emergency situation ever call for one.

Tom Robinson said: “Our fundraising campaign is aiming to raise a total of £1,700 in order to pay for a brand-new Zoll defibrillator (£1,000), a lockable, heated cabinet which maintains battery charge (£500) and a qualified electrician and materials to install the equipment (£200). 

"The defibrillator itself is being purchased from the Welsh Ambulance Trust. We will also be offering free training for the use of the defibrillator.

"Thanks to the generosity of people and businesses locally, we only have £278 left to raise so please help us reach our target by donating via our fundraising page - Fundraiser for Tom Robinson by Tom Robinson : Public access AED at Mile End Mill (gofundme.com)”

Simon Baynes said: “I very much enjoyed meeting Tom again at Mile End Mill and seeing TNR Outdoor’s improvements to their facilities and hearing about their fantastic work in raising money to purchase a public access defibrillator. 

"By making defibrillators more accessible to communities, especially rural communities, we can save lives. This excellent initiative could mean the difference between life and death one day, and I’m very grateful to TNR Outdoors for organising this fundraiser.”

Councillor calls for progress on deal to use Plas Madoc tip

* The household waste recycling facility at Plas Madoc.

A Llangollen town councillor has called on his county council counterparts to “get a move on” with securing a deal with Wrexham for local people to use the Plas Madoc household waste recycling centre.

With no permanent recycling local facility available for Dee Valley residents, Phil Jones has been running a campaign, backed by an 800-signature petition, for them to be able to use Plas Madoc which at the moment is exclusively for residents of neighbouring Wrexham.

The issue stems from dissatisfaction with the pop-up waste disposal service which had been run on Saturday mornings in the Pavilion car park. When this was suspended as the pandemic began Llangollen people faced a drive over to Ruthin to use the facility there.

The progress in negotiating a possible deal with Wrexham for use of Plas Madoc is due to be discussed by Llangollen’s two Denbighshire county councillors, Graham Timms and Melvyn Mile, along with county officers, at a meeting on May 17.

Meanwhile, town councillor Stuart Davies, who has spoken in favour of a deal on a number of occasions, has issued a fresh statement on it.

He says: “I note with concern the long drawn out process of attempting to regularise the use of Plas Madoc recycling centre by Llangollen residents. 

“I am calling upon the county councillors to get a move on and get this process finished. At the moment all we are getting are words from them. 

“My FoI [Freedom of Information] request has revealed that the pop-up facility is costing us £50k-plus a year plus the cost of getting rid of the waste collected. 

“The option of paying WBC (Wrexham Borough Council) £100k a year - a figure that re-appears now and again - is almost cost neutral and compares better than the figures for the rest of the county as revealed in the FoI. 

“It is about time our elected representatives did their job and pressured the officers in to doing the right thing. We have the figures now we know how much it costs. 

“It’s time to do the right thing and provide us with equal services in the south of the county as the north.” 

In response, County Councillor Graham Timms commented:  "This important issue will be discussed with all four Dee Valley councillors and Denbighshire County Council officers on May 17."

Health centre's vaccination update for younger people

Llangollen Health Centre has this morning put out an update on its Covid-19 vaccination programme, which says:

"We have now given over 6,200 vaccines to our patients.

"We are continuing to administer second doses on a weekly basis.

"Second doses are due 10-12 weeks after the first dose and we are contacting patients 1-2 weeks before their appointment is due. If you are concerned that we have missed you please give us a call on 01978 860625.

"Patients 30 – 49 years: We are trialling a collaborative approach with other local practices for this age group.

"The first group of patients are currently being contacted inviting them for their vaccination at Plas Madoc Leisure Centre this Thursday. We shall be doing this in descending order of age.

"Patients aged 18-29 years: Following recent guidance, this age group will now receive the Pfizer vaccine.

"We anticipate that this will also be at Plas Madoc Leisure Centre although we were able to give a small number of patients in this age group their first dose at the weekend.

"Due to variations in the supply chain for the two vaccines, it may well be that patients aged 18-29 get their vaccine before those aged 30-49."

Julie's open-air dance classes come back to the square

The further easing of Covid-19 restrictions, which began today, brought Julie Kirk Thomas's weekly Monday morning Strictly Fun dance classes back to Centenary Square.

Around 20 ladies gathered to go through their open-air paces led by Julie from 10.30am.     

Eisteddfod organisers confirm this year's event will be online

* A scene from the 2019 eisteddfod parade through the town.

After the usual live event was cancelled due to the pandemic, organisers have confirmed that this summer’s Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod will go online instead. 

In a statement issued this morning, they say: “As the world continues to battle through the Coronavirus pandemic, we wanted to update you on our plans for Llangollen Online 2021 which are being adapted to reflect the environment that we are now all living in. 

“As you’re aware, we have suspended the traditional live competition strands for Llangollen 2021, and are reimagining our event in a way that can be delivered safely but which will still capture the magic of our international Eisteddfod in a digital format.

“We were hoping to create a hybrid weekend as part of this year’s offer, featuring artists from the 2020 line-up including our iconic Llanfest evening, but due to continued restrictions this cannot be realised this summer. 

“Llanfest ticket holders will be contacted by your ticket provider for a full refund in the next week. 

“Any other customers who have retained tickets from 2020 will also be contacted in the next week to confirm their ticketing options. Further information is also available on our website and social media channels. 

“We know that it will be a disappointment to many that we are not able to put on our usual Eisteddfod this year. But please be reassured that we remain committed to our Eisteddfod’s founding mission of bringing people together through music and dance, which will be at the heart of our alternative approach to Llangollen 2021.  We thank you for your understanding and as ever, we are grateful for your support.”

The statement gives no details of what this year's online events are likely to be.

Issy shows off her Ladies of Llangollen collection on national TV

* Issy gets ready to film her sequence on the show. Below: Items in her treasured collection.

* Issy is told the total value of her collection is about £350. 

A Llangollen woman went on national TV to show off her treasured pieces of local memorabilia.

Issy Richards, a former deputy mayor of the town, took her prized collection featuring the famous Ladies of Llangollen along to Bodnant Garden to be admired on BBC's Antiques Roadshow.

And long-standing expert Stephen Moore told her that her collection was worth around £350, although she said she had no intention of selling any of the items because they are of such great sentimental value to her.   

Explaining how her appearance came about, Issy said: "I have always been fascinated by the story of Lady Eleanor Butler and Sarah Ponsonby, the Ladies of Llangollen, and their home, Plas Newydd, which is the jewel in Llangollen's crown.

"My late mother Heather Richards collected memorabilia about the Ladies including books such as Doris Grumbach's 'The Ladies' and Elizabeth Mavor's 'Life With The Ladies of Llangollen'.

"I've continued to collect items over the years, so when BBC 's Antiques Roadshow put out a call for interesting items, I sent a photograph of them, not expecting any further response."

She added: "However, I did then get a call from a BBC researcher who asked a few questions, then an email inviting me to bring my collection along to Bodnant Gardens on September 2nd last year. 

"There were strict Covid rules and regulations to comply with, and forms to complete for myself and my three guests. 

"The weather on the big day itself couldn't have been worse, with torrential rain and high winds, plus it was very cold! 

"Stephen Moore, who made his first appearance on AR in 1997, is a charming and colourful character with an interest in the Ladies of Llangollen himself, we had a preliminary chat and he selected half a dozen items for the filming. 

"It was interesting watching other people being filmed from a gazebo nearby. I got a bit cold, damp and nervous, but then it was my turn.

"My items were set up on a high table, but it was so windy that a print knocked a piece of china onto the grass, everyone gasped, but fortunately it wasn't damaged.

"The cameras rolled, action was called, and hopefully people enjoyed seeing our Ladies on national television." 

Local roadworks alert

The following local roadworks alerts have been issued by one.network:

Castle Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 28 April — 05 May   Delays likely - Traffic control (give & take)   Works location: Castle Street   Works description: 26/4/21-30/4/21/Jayne Valentine/Drainage Survey/Give and take...   Responsibility for works: Denbighshire County Council   Current status: Advanced planning   Works reference: QR015S000000001729   Market Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 28 April — 05 May   Delays unlikely - Traffic control (give & take)   Works location: Market Street   Works description: 26/4/21-30/4/21/Jayne Valentine/Drainage Survey/Give and take...   Responsibility for works: Denbighshire County Council   Current status: Advanced planning   Works reference: QR015S000000001730   Oak Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 28 April — 05 May   Delays unlikely - Traffic control (give & take)   Works location: Oak Street   Works description: 26/4/21-30/4/21/Jayne Valentine/Drainage Survey/Give and take...   Responsibility for works: Denbighshire County Council   Current status: Advanced planning   Works reference: QR015S000000001729