Youths on roof just part of series of break-ins at pavilion

Youths seen clambering on the roof of Llangollen Pavilion was just part of a series of break-ins at the home of the international eisteddfod earlier this week, according to the company which runs the building.

Now Denbighshire Leisure Ltd says it is working closely with the police to catch those responsible who will be prosecuted, it warns.

The company says in a statement: "Groups of youths have been seen climbing onto the Llangollen Pavilion roof, as well as vandalising indoor and outdoor areas of the events venue.

"Denbighshire Leisure Ltd, who operate Llangollen Pavilion on behalf of Denbighshire County Council, is working with North Wales Police to catch those involved amid safety concerns and following the number of break-ins at the site this week. 

"The company is calling on the local community to be vigilant and encourage youngsters to respect their local town.

"Incidents include a group of youths gaining access to the building, setting off the security alarms, vandalising bollards and lighting, and breaking areas of the tented arena. One group of teens has been filmed climbing on top of the pavilion."

Jamie Groves, Managing Director of Denbighshire Leisure Ltd, said: “This is incredibly dangerous and we would advise anyone to think twice before trying to gain access to roofs of any public building. 

"This will result in prosecution and could result in serious injury. The emergency services are under enough pressure at the moment and this is mindless behaviour that will end in tragedy.

“We will not tolerate vandalism at any of our properties and we are working closely with North Wales Police to identify the individuals involved. 

"The Llangollen Pavilion is an iconic events venue that brings thousands of people to the county every year. We have CCTV footage and this will be provided to the police to investigate further.

"Llangollen Pavilion is the home to the International Eisteddfod Music Festival that brings thousands of visitors to the town and county every year.

"Anyone with any information is encouraged to share this with North Wales Police."

Police investigating anti-social behaviour at Pavilion

Police say they are investigating recent anti-social behaviour at Llangollen Pavilion.

Through its neighbourhood alert network North Wales Police has this afternoon put out the following message in the name of Sergeant Richard Evans: 

"We have been made aware of recent reports of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage around the Llangollen Pavilion involving youngsters.  

"Parents of Llangollen - DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR CHILDREN ARE UP TO?

"We will be continuing to patrol and investigate to identify those that might be involved. Anybody identified will be robustly dealt with as appropriate. 

"The Pavilion is an iconic venue which the people of Llangollen should be proud of - please make sure that you are advising your children when they go out in the evening. 

"Not only is the behaviour anti-social and criminal, there have been reports of youths climbing on the roof which is incredibly dangerous."

A picture of figures on the roof of the Pavilion appeared on Facebook earlier this week and have attracted a large number of comments.

Llan gym boss lifts Britain's Strongest Woman title

 

* Jemma Stubbins won the title in Doncaster.

Jemma Stubbs from Llangollen has become the first Welsh woman to become Britain's Strongest Woman.  

Just eight weeks after winning Wales title (u82kg), the mother of two travelled up to Doncaster Dome to compete against the best in the country in Britain’s Strongest Woman 2021.

Previous pec’ and shoulder tears meant Jemma didn’t have the best start to the competition. 

Things kicked off with a strongman classic, the log clean and press.  

Jemma said: “I knew I would not rank high in this event with the previous champion having an extremely impressive 120kg log record under her belt. But I did hope I could compensate later in the day."

She failed her third attempt at 80kg, leaving her with a 75kg successful lift and ending round one in just fifth place out of 11.

Thankfully Jemma’s competition went from strength to strength, placing second in the 210kg frame carry and going on to place first in round three by completing nine reptations with 190kg deadlift, despite ripping her hand open in round two. 

Yoke carry was much the same story, finishing first and creeping her way up to top podium position.  

Jemma finished the day placing second on her Atlas stone run. 

Events coach Jason Jones from Spartan Atlas stones said: “Jemma has been a pleasure to coach over the last few months. Her grit determination and sheer power should carry her into the World stage with confidence."

When not training five days a week, Jemma can be found in her gym, Stubbs Fitness on George Street, Llangollen, training others. 

She said: “I’m a huge advocate of empowering people to take control of their own health and fitness journey. It should be fun and something you enjoy rather than dread. I am living proof of what you can achieve if you work hard and don’t give up on your dreams.”

A crowdfunding effort will now begin to get Jemma to the World’s Strongest Women competition.

Stubbs Fitness gym offers a mix of 1:1 coaching, group coaching and fitness classes to help clients become the best version of themselves. An ethos they believe is rooted in fun and happiness rather than numbers and measurements.

* Find out more at: https://www.stubbsfitness.co.uk/

Facebook: Stubbs Fitness | Facebook | Instagram: Stubbs Fitness (@stubbs.fitness)

Public realm improvement works for town to begin on October 4

 

* An artist's impression of how Castle Street will look when the work is finished.

Work on a major public realm improvement in Llangollen will start on Monday, October 4.

Following approval by Denbighshire County Council’s Cabinet in July 2021, the Llangollen 2020 Castle Street Improvement project is being undertaken by the council in partnership with Welsh Government and Transport for Wales.

The scheme, which involves making a number improvements along Castle Street, has been developed following extensive consultation with the local community, local county councillors and Llangollen Town Council.

Work includes:

1. Widened footways on both sides of Castle Street;
2. New footway construction using natural stone paving materials;
3. A raised junction table at the junction of Parade Street/Bridge Street/Castle Street;
4. A raised junction table at the junction of Market Street/Oak Street/Castle Street;
5. A new uncontrolled pedestrian crossing on Abbey Road near its junction to Castle Street;
6. A raised table at the existing controlled pedestrian crossing on Mill Street near its junction with Castle Street;
7. New traffic signals on the Castle Street/A5 junction;
8. Junction improvements at the Hill Street/A5 junction;
9. The resurfacing of Abbey Road / Mill Street junction & Castle Street;
10. A permanent one-way restriction on Market Street between its junctions with Castle Street and East Street;
11. New street lighting;
12. The permanent introduction of the temporary one-way restriction on Church Street (i.e. east to west vehicular flow). 

Works are expected to take up to six months to complete and a variety of different traffic management options, including temporary traffic signals and a limited number of road closures, will be used to minimise disruption.

Cllr Brian Jones, the council’s Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the Environment, said: “For the past three years the council has been working closely with the Llangollen 2020 group to develop these proposals.

“As an authority we have also engaged and listened to local residents, businesses and other stakeholders and where possible accommodated a number of changes which complement the overall scheme.

“I’m delighted we are now able to start the work and bring these improvements to Llangollen.

“This work provides more space for pedestrians and improved pedestrian crossing facilities making it easier for pedestrians to walk around the town centre, while upgraded traffic signals will improve the flow of vehicles.”

A Parry Construction Co Ltd has been appointed as principal contractor for the work.

The council says it will work closely with local businesses and residents throughout the project to ensure any disruption is minimised and any concerns or issues are identified and addressed as soon as possible.

The Llangollen 2020 Castle Street scheme will take place at the same time as Welsh Government’s on-going retaining wall stabilisation works located on the A5, towards Llangollen Golf Club, and the council says its officers are working closely with the Trunk Road Agency and Welsh Government to coordinate traffic management operations so disruption is minimised.

County secondary schools to take extra Covid-19 precautions

Secondary schools in Denbighshire are to take extra precautions to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

Due to an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases associated with schools, learners and staff will be undertaking further measures to help control the spread of the virus.

This includes continuing to encourage pupils and staff to take twice weekly LFD tests to help identify and isolate asymptomatic cases and the wearing of face coverings by secondary school pupils, staff and visitors in indoor communal areas outside of the classroom.

Other arrangements include reducing close interactions between staff and learners such as physical distancing and seating plans in place in classrooms.

The council continues to monitor the situation in primary schools and is following the advice of Public Health Wales, but no further measures are being taken at this time.

Cllr Huw Hilditch-Roberts, the council’s Lead Member for Education, Children's Services and Public Engagement, said: “With cases of Covid-19 increasing nationwide we are taking further precautions to reduce the spread of the virus in school settings.

“These measures are being taken to reduce disruption to pupils’ education and to reduce impact on staffing levels and protect pupils and staff.

“I would like to reassure parents and carers, learners and staff at our schools that we will continue to monitor the situation and take action to help keep schools safe when required.

“On behalf of the Council, I would to thank school staff and parents for their dedication and hard work in keeping our pupils safe and providing them with the support they need.”

Businesses rally to support firefighters' fundraiser

* Firefighters battle the blaze on the Horseshoe Pass in August of 2019.

A host of local businesses are backing a major fundraising event being run by Llangollen firefighters.

This coming Saturday, September 25, the fire station on the A5 is hosting a carwash in aid of two good causes - Melanoma Focus, which is applying cutting edge treatment for the condition, and their own firefighters' charity.

Alongside the event they are also holding a raffle which is being arranged for them by Cat Meade, who set up and ran the local Covid support group during the pandemic raising cash to keep it going by staging a series of highly successful raffles of her own.

On her Llangollen Raffles Facebook page Cat recently asked for donations of prizes for the firefighters' raffle and says she is delighted with the response.

Businesses that have donated so far include Riverbanc, Llangollen - White Water Rafting, Llangollen Oggie Shop & Fine Foods, Gwalia Classics, Dylan Armon Enterprises Bicycle Shop, Wingetts Ltd of Wrexham and Llangollen, Cambrian House Llangollen, @llangollen brownie queen, Llangollen barber shop, Jade's beauty bay, Kelly's Chippy, Plas Newydd and Dee Valley Produce.

When announcing her support for the firefighters' fundraiser Cat reminded people of the good work they do for the community.

She said: "I cast your mind back to August 2019 when Llantysilio Mountain went ablaze up on the Horseshoe Pass.

"I, with many locals, set up a donation bank while our local guys and girls were amongst the heat and smoke for 10-plus hours a day, fighting it day and night for a solid three weeks!

"They assist daily, in Llangollen and further afield, a great team and a great addition to the town."

Cat has been asking businesses for donations/vouchers and she added: "A bottle donation or money donation can be gifted at Wingetts office Wednesday to Friday, 10am-2pm.

"The raffle will run at the end of the month, all monies raised will be split between the two charities. It will be live on Llangollen Raffles page."

Mazda's premium load lugger gets some neat tweaks

Mazda CX-5 drive by Steve Rogers

Mazda's top selling CX-5 is to get a big facelift in the new year which tells us why this year's updates were fairly modest.

One theory was that the company was focussing on its hybrid/electric programme which is in full swing, but there will be 'significant' changes to the big SUV which will benefit from the new Skyactiv platform so we can expect improvements to ride comfort and handling, along with small styling changes, more models and, most significantly, drive mode selection.

Mazda clearly has its eyes set on the premium end of the market and has been knocking on the door for a while with regular upgrades to trim quality and technology but has never offered the option to switch drive modes, a given on Audi, Jaguar/Land Rover, BMW and Mercedes SUVs.

In the meantime the current CX-5 is still the company's global best seller and in the UK second to my favourite, the CX-30. Unlike some of its Japanese rivals Mazda is sticking with a diesel variant which should see it through to E day in 2030 and that is good news for those with trailers and caravans.

CX-5 can haul just over two tonne with ease with the most powerful version pumping out a healthy 181hp and with its taught sporty suspension is an ideal tow car, stable and with strong pulling power. I towed my caravan more than 300 miles and returned 26.3mpg which is nothing special but about average for a four wheel drive with a lot of power.

Driven solo the Mazda is more impressive than some diesel rivals returning 51mpg on a leisurely 100 mile Sunday afternoon drive so a daily average in the low forties should be achievable.

The numbers and standard of SUVs has grown and grown in the last 10 years and CX-5 comfortably makes it into the top 10. As a driver's car it gets high marks for handling with little of the body roll associated with these high siders although the Seat Tarraco featured here a few weeks ago just has the edge on that front.

The ride is generally smooth but there is too much road noise of rougher surfaces, a problem we are told, is being addressed on the new model.

The story is good inside as well with room for five adults and a flat boot floor than swallows plenty of luggage or a couple of adult bicycles without having to remove the front wheels. Levers in the boot side walls drop the seat backs which are split 40-20-40 and if you are high enough up the model range the tailgate is powered.

Dashboard layout is conservative compared to the futuristic designs in some rivals but it is neat, tidy, and user friendly with a new 10.2in central touchscreen which, heavens be praised, still has the rotary controller to scroll through the menus.

Mazda has always been ahead of the game with a driver head-up display and this one is spot on with speed, speed limit, navigation directions and a brilliant blind spot alert beamed on to the windscreen rather than the old fashioned flip up plastic panel which is still being used by some manufacturers.

The  display's blind spot markers change colour when a vehicle is overtaking and work in tandem with the audible warning and orange alert on the door mirrors and deserves an A star.

Equipment level is generous from the base model and there are plenty of bells and whistles at Sport grade with a powerful 10 speaker Bose sound system, powered front seats with memory for the driver, heated front seats and steering wheel and power tailgate on a long spec sheet.

Something that hasn't changed since CX-5 first appeared in 2012 are the compliments for its elegant lines, not easy to achieve in a bulky SUV but Mazda designers pull it off with every model these days and there were plenty of admiring comments for my test car. Wisely styling changes next year are subtle so expect more of the same but better.

Fast facts

CX-5 Sport Auto AWD

£36,385

2.2 litre turbo diesel; 181bhp

0-62mph 9.6secs; 129mph

42.8mpg combined

173g/km. 1st VED £870

Insurance group 23

Boot 494-1608 litres