Steam trains are returning to the railway this Friday

Steam trains are coming back to Llangollen Railway.

Now rapidly recovering from the double blows of pandemic restrictions and its own financial crisis, the heritage line is set to re-introduce its highly popular steam services in a few days time.

On its Facebook page it has posted: "We are pleased to announce that this Friday (13th) will see the return of steam-hauled trains through the Dee Valley, as well as the extension of services to Glyndyfrdwy.

"As well as steam-hauled services, we will also be operating a heritage railcar.

"Trains depart Llangollen every 55 minutes from 10:30 until 15:05, and from Glyndyfrdwy every 55 minutes from 11:12 until 15:47. Trains will also stop at Berwyn. This timetable will be in operation over the weekend too.

"Tickets can be purchased on the day from our Booking Offices. For more information of times and prices, drop us a message or enquire at our Booking Offices.

"Rostered locos are GWR 3802 (Steam) and Class 109 'Wickham' (DMU)."

The railway has recently received high-level visits from Welsh Government and UK Ministers who both congratulated the operating team on the way it has fought back from its twin crises.

It swung back into action early last month and has since been successfully running heritage diesel railcar services as far as Berwyn.

But the new board had promised that steam would be back this month.

MP discusses future of key heritage building

* David Metcalfe, left, and Simon Baynes MP outside the Ebenezer in Cefn Mawr.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes visited the Ebenezer Chapel in Cefn Mawr to discuss future plans for the building to lead the economic regeneration of the area.

The Ebenezer was secured for the community at auction on May 25.

The chapel was extensively restored in 2007/8 as a part of the Article 4 Cefn Mawr Conservation Area. 

This was part of the preparatory work for UNESCO Inscription of the Pontcysyllte World Heritage Site in 2009.

During the visit, Mr Baynes met with David Metcalfe, project leader for the Plas Kynaston Canal (PKC) Group.

They discussed many topics relating to the future success of the Ebenezer and prosperity of the community. 

These ranged from storm damage and the B5605 landslide to the prospects of the Trevor Basin Master Plan and how the PKC Group seeks to work with Wrexham Council. 

It was stressed that the community needs to be connected to overcome the lack of footfall in Cefn Mawr and the Ebenezer in an area with one of the highest visitor counts in Wales. 

Simon Baynes said: “It was a pleasure to meet with David and to see the excellent plans underway to not only regenerate the old Ebenezer Chapel, which is at the centre of our famous Pontcysyllte World Heritage site, but also, the wider development of our local economy in Cefn Mawr. 

"The project has my full support and I look forward to checking in and keeping a close eye on how it develops going forward.”

Police execute drugs warrant in Lllangollen over weekend

The latest Neighbourhood Action alert from North Wales Police says: "The Conwy and Denbighshire Rural Neighbourhood Police team executed a positive Drugs Warrant in Llangollen over the weekend responding to community intelligence. 

"We have also been on patrol in locations that have experienced a high volume of visitors recently such as Llangollen and Betws-y-Coed as well as patrolling in locations known for illegal off--road biking. 

"Anti-social driving in Ruthin Town Centre will also continue to be a focus at weekends. 

"What else and where else do you think we can focus our attention at the moment?" 

* For details of Neighbourhood Action, go to: https://www.neighbourhoodalert.co.uk/

Paper highlights Llan woman who is Wales' strongest woman

The Denbighshire Free Press has a story about a Llangollen woman who has broken three Welsh records and earned the title of Wales' Strongest Woman.

* For the the full story, see: https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/19497074.llangollen-woman-breaks-three-welsh-records-wins-wales-strongest-woman/

Nature for Health sessions planned this week

A number of Nature for Health sessions are to be held locally this week. 

Details are:

Natural Resources Wales gives update on Pengwern Vale project

 

Richard Dearing of Natural Resources Wales gives an update on the Pengwern Vale scheme in Llangollen, which is one of its five key projects in north east Wales. “In March 2021 Natural Resources Wales [NRW] and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty [AONB] organised a meeting with the community of Pengwern Vale to discuss opportunities around working in partnership to make a positive contribution to the special landscape character of Pengwern Vale. “The quiet valley to the south east of Llangollen is the old bed of the River Dee and lies within the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB. “Within the Vale is a housing estate, two primary schools, farms and some small businesses. It has steep valley sides with woodland some of which is Welsh Government Woodland Estate managed by NRW. “We facilitated a virtual event with the purpose to ‘listen’. By listening we started to understand what’s important to the people who live, work and visit Pengwern Vale, the challenges they face, and how we can all work better to make a positive contribution in responding to the climate and environment emergency. “Over thirty external participants came to a virtual evening meeting including residents, Town & County Councillors, a headteacher, school governor, local businesses and representatives of Friends of Pengwern Vale, Friends of the Earth, Woodland Trust, local health centre, Llangollen 2020 (sports clubs) and Dwr Cymru Welsh Water. “Once people realised there was no pre-determined plan, the discussion became positive and free flowing. Lots of existing and possible initiatives were raised along with the ambition that the group could start to prepare a Plan for the Vale setting out a vision and ambition for at least the next generation. This could be seen almost as an Area Statement in miniature. “Some of the possibilities raised ranged from promoting the local engagement with the environment seen during lockdown, to management of recreation, green infrastructure, sustainable land management, and even as far as promoting engagement in wider environmental issues for the next generation. “This new way of working [in line with the Area Statement process] is organic.  It will take time to build trust and nurture relationships so local stakeholders have the confidence to commit and drive actions that will deliver positive community transformation. “However, there is a clear desire and enthusiasm to do something different.  The next step is for NRW and the AONB to support the community in developing a short, medium and generational ‘plan for the vale’ that will be instrumental in delivering the communities vision with the support of a range of stakeholders and partners. “If you would like to support this project, or would like to learn more please contact richard.dearing@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk”

 

MP calls in at The Wild Pheasant

* From left, Nick Rowlands (Area Manager for the Everbright Hotels Group), Becky Shields (Hotel Manager) and Simon Baynes MP outside The Wild Pheasant.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes made a socially distanced visit to The Wild Pheasant & Spa Hotel in Llangollen. 

The hotel drew praise recently for offering a 15% discount to all NHS workers in gratitude for their efforts during the pandemic. 

During the visit, Mr Baynes met with Becky Shields (Hotel Manager), Nick Rowlands (Area Manager for the owners, Everbright Hotels Group) and other members of staff to discuss the re-opening of the hospitality sector following the Welsh Government lockdown earlier in the year, and the support provided through furlough and other job support schemes by the UK Government. 

Mr Baynes said: “I was really glad to have the opportunity visit and meet the team at The Wild Pheasant Hotel to hear about how they offer visitors to Llangollen a unique experience. 

"It was especially heartening to hear about how they use local suppliers wherever possible, including milk from Edwards Dairies Chirk, meat from Abbey Farm, Llangollen, and from Pen-y-Lan Pork, near Wrexham. 

“It was also good to hear from the hotel manager Becky Shields that they will be taking part in the UK Government’s Kickstart scheme to train up local young people in the hospitality sector and about their plans for expansion. 

"Their kind offer of reduced rates for NHS staff is a fitting tribute to those who worked so hard to keep us safe during the pandemic.”