Llangollen businesses in running for tourism awards

* Whitewater Active.

* The Three Eagles in Bridge Street.

Two Llangollen businesses from the same street are amongst the finalists in the Go North Wales Tourism Awards to be held at Venue Cymru in Llandudno on Thursday, November 25.

It aims to honour the heroes of the tourism and hospitality industry in North Wales for their “grit and determination” in surviving the pandemic.

Businesses on the shortlist come from across the region and include Llangollen's The Three Eagles Bar & Grill and Whitewater Active, both based in Bridge Street.

Also on the shortlist is the West Arms at Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog.

The Three Eagles is up for the Go Taste of North Wales Award, sponsored by Bwydlyn Butchery, along with Jaspels Cider and The Gunroom Restaurant at Plas Dinas Country House.

Whitewater Active has been shortlisted in the Go Activity of the Year, sponsored by Design 2 Print, alongside Beics Betws, Mynydd Sleddog Adventures and Scuba Escape.

According to David Cattrall, the managing director of the event’s headline sponsor, Harlech Foodservice, the sector’s indomitable spirit will ensure it thrives in future.

The leading food distribution firm, who have bases in Criccieth and Chester, are also sponsoring the Go Caravan, Camping or Glamping of the Year Award and the Go Taste of North Wales Award via the company’s Bwydlyn Butchery which champions premium Welsh meat products.

The awards are returning after an absence of a year because of the Coronavirus crisis and will be hosted by acclaimed BBC journalist Sian Lloyd, who hails from Wrexham.

Organisers North Wales Tourism, who represent around 2,000 tourism and hospitality related companies, were due to celebrate their 30^th anniversary in 2020 and they are hoping to make up for lost time with guests wearing 1990s garb to mark the occasion.

The tourism and hospitality industry in North Wales was flying until the pandemic struck, with annual visitor numbers rocketing to a record 37 million and income reaching an all-time high of £3.2 million.

Pre-pandemic, the sector employed more than 43,000 people and provided one in every seven jobs in the region.

But everything ground to a halt with the imposition of the first lockdown but this summer’s staycation boom proved the appetite to visit North Wales is undiminished.

According to David Cattrall, the scale of investment being pumped into the region was another reason to be optimistic about the future of the sector.

Big ticket items included the £35 million redevelopment of Theatr Clwyd in Mold, the planned £100 million waterfront scheme in Holyhead and the £12 million scheme to redevelop the Waterloo Hotel in Betws y Coed.

Mr Cattrall said: “Our sponsorship of the Go North Wales Awards is very much a vote of confidence in the tourism and hospitality sector which has endured such a horrendous time.

“The evening will be celebrating the achievements of our core customers, so we see this as an opportunity to give something back.

“The sector was among the hardest hit by the pandemic so it’s great to be able to have some positivity once again.

“It’s been a really tough, tough 18 months and I think everybody is looking forward to have a good time and let their hair down.

“The scale of the investment into our tourism and hospitality infrastructure is a clear sign that in the longer term things are looking very good for the future.

“The fundamental reasons why North Wales is such an attractive place to visit are still there and will continue to be in demand in future.

“We have amazing scenery and world class facilities so I am sure the sector will go from strength to strength.

“That means that the tourism and hospitality sector can play a big role in leading the economic recovery in North Wales.”

Jim Jones, the chief executive of North Wales Tourism, said: “We are hugely grateful to Harlech Foodservice for stepping up to the plate as our headline sponsor and for also sponsoring two of the 15 individual categories up for grabs.

“Their support is helping us instill some positivity into the industry because we do need to do something to get away from the doom and gloom of the past 18 months.

“We’re determined first and foremost to recognise all the hard work, the sacrifices, the resilience and the innovation our members have shown,

“This is an opportunity to celebrate a dynamic tourism destination that showcases the best of what we have to offer to the rest of the world.

“The tourism and hospitality sector makes a huge, huge contribution to the North Wales economy and more than 43,000 people depend on it for their livelihoods.

“For me, the priority now is to try to get back up to where we were in 2019 and to increase the spend of the visitors who come here by raising the quality of what we are doing.

“We need to do far more than we’ve done in order to attract the international market because they’re the big spenders.

“We are probably 85 per cent dependent on the domestic market, which is great, but we also need to sell ourselves to the world.

“The grit and determination shown during the pandemic by the incredible people working in the sector will ensure the industry makes the mother of all comebacks and thrives in future.”

Shortlisted finalists

Go Caravan, Camping or Glamping of the Year sponsored by Harlech Food Service   

1. Llanfair Hall
2. Llechwedd Glamping
3. Tree Tops Caravan Park
4. Graig Wen 

Go Best B&B/Inn of the Year sponsored by Colliers Hotels

1. The West Arms Country Inn
2. Min y Don Guest House
3. Plas Tan-Yr-Allt Historic Country House
4. Plas Weunydd

Go Self Catering of the Year sponsored by Pario Leisure Group

1. Forest Holidays Beddgelert
2. Lyons Pendyffryn Hall
3. Swn-y-Dwr Holiday Cottage

Go Holiday Park of the year sponsored by Thornley Leisure Parks

1. Tanrallt Holiday Park
2. Lyons Holiday Park
3. Marine Holiday Park

Go Pet Friendly Award sponsored by Pero Foods Ltd

1. Plas Weunydd/Llechwedd Glamping
2. Forest Holidays Beddgelert
3. Y Shed

Go Hotel of the Year sponsored by Castell Howell Foods Ltd  

1. Chateau Rhianfa
2. Lawton & Lauriston Court Hotel
3. Royal Oak Hotel
4. Plas Dinas Country House 

Go Responsible and Sustainable Green Award sponsored by Adventure Parc Snowdonia

1. Bert’s Kitchen Garden
2. Anglesey Sea Zoo
3. Forest Holidays Beddgelert
4. GreenWood Family Park

Go Business Events and Incentive Travel Award sponsored by Heart North Wales

1. Bespoke Fitness & Events
2. Lyons Robin Hood
3. Venue Cymru

Go Attraction of the Year sponsored by Development Bank of Wales

1. Welsh Mountain Zoo
2. Bodnant Garden National Trust
3. Penderyn Lloyd St Distillery
4. Manorafon Farm Park

Go Activity of the Year sponsored by Design 2 Print

1. Beics Betws
2. Mynydd Sleddog Adventures
3. Scuba Escape
4. Whitewater Active

Go Taste of North Wales Award sponsored by Bwydlyn Butchery

1. Jaspels Cider
2. The Gunroom Restaurant at Plas Dinas Country House
3. Three Eagles Bar & Grill

Go Resilience and Innovation Award sponsored by North Wales Live

1. Marine Holiday Park
2. Llandudno Hostel
3. St Davids Hospice

Go Tourism & Hospitality Hero sponsored by Aber Falls Distillery

1. Glenn Evans – Royal Oak Hotel
2. Luke Morris – Lawton & Lauriston Court Hotel
3. Tom Dunn – Commonwood Fishery

Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award sponsored by Grwp Llandrillo Menai

1. The Mounds Family – Lyons Holiday Park
2. Michael Bewick – JW Greaves
3. Welsh Mountain Zoo

Go 30 years of the Tourism Industry sponsored by Tir Prince Leisure Group

1. To be announced at the Awards Dinner 

Government aims for smoke-free Wales by 2030

The Welsh Government aims to make the country smoke-free by 2030, it says.

Deputy Minister for Wellbeing, Lynne Neagle has today (November 8th) launched the consultation for the long term tobacco control strategy, A Smoke-free Wales. 

It will be open until January 31st. The target of the strategy is a smoke-free Wales by 2030, which means less than 5% of the population smoking.

Whilst around 14% of people in Wales smoke, there are strong links between smoking and deprivation with those in more deprived areas more likely to smoke. Research has also shown that individuals with a mental illness are about twice as likely to smoke as others who do not suffer from mental health issues.

This year saw Wales become the first nation in the UK to introduce smoke-free playgrounds, school grounds and hospital grounds.  Next year (on 1 March 2022) will see smoking bedrooms in hotels and guest houses banned, as well as in self-contained holiday accommodation such as cottages, caravans and AirBnBs. 

Not only does making more public places smoke-free protect people from harmful second-hand smoke, these areas have an important role in making smoke-free the norm and in supporting more smokers to quit.

The consultation will seek people’s views on how to create a smoke-free society in Wales as well as the detailed actions set out in the first two-year delivery plan.

The strategy will also look at how additional support can be given to help more people quit through the free NHS service, Help Me Quit as well as plans to expand help for smokers who are in hospital. Publically funded organisations could also be asked to be smoke-free and to support their workforce to get advice and support to quit smoking.
 
Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Lynne Neagle said: "Our ambition is make Wales smoke free and to support people to make choices to improve their health and wellbeing. Wales has led the way by being the first part of the UK to ban smoking in some public places, including public playgrounds and school grounds where children and young people spend their time but we know we need to do more to strengthen our smoke-free message, particularly to the next generation and change how they and wider society view smoking.

"Smoking remains the leading cause of premature death here in Wales and a major contributor to health inequalities. Whilst we have made progress in recent years in reducing the number of people smoking, we want to go further and be ambitious to create a Wales where smoking is far from the norm.

"I would encourage people to share their views on this consultation and help shape future decisions."

Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Frank Atherton, said: "Smoking is extremely damaging to health. In 2018, around 5,600 deaths in people aged 35 and over and 28,000 admissions to hospital were attributable to smoking.

"We need to work together as a society, including government, health professionals and communities to ensure we are doing all we can to tackle smoking and reduce the ill health smoking causes. I would encourage anyone wanting to give up smoking to access Wales’ free NHS support service, HelpMeQuit for help and support."

Isuzu D-Max - star of a rugged bunch

Isuzu D-Max drive by Steve Rogers

What a time it has been for the pick-up market with booming sales and upheaval all at the same time.

The market has gone berserk right across Europe and the UK swept along by Yups going nuts for double cab pick-ups to transport their trendy lifestyle kit. And they are being pampered with the sort of luxury you get in a premium SUV - leather trim, heated powered seats, smart phone connections, you name it the trucks have got it.

At the same time the UK has seen an exodus with Nissan Navara, Mitsubishi L200, Volkswagen Amarok gone although the VW will return, may be next year, as a rebadged Ford Ranger.

These are marketing decisions driven by tough new emissions regulations with high fines for failing to meet the target so new pick-up choice is down to Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, Isuzu D-Max and SSangYong Musso but there are still plenty of second hand old favourites out there.

The Ranger might be the top seller but the star of the pick-up show last year was an all new D-Max.

Isuzu is a niche outfit concentrating just on pick-ups and replaced the Rodeo with D-Max in 2012. Then it was still a workhorse for farmers and the trade but the company spotted the change in trends and old and new is like chalk and cheese.

Meet new D-Max with an updated chassis, new body style, integrated infotainment, luxury spec and a suite of safety features that's difficult to beat.

Can a pick-up be stylish? Probably not, but come on D-Max is a looker and will turn heads.

The Japanese company might only build pick-ups but there is plenty of choice with three models, Business, All Purpose and Adventure and four trim levels. Prices range from £25k to £39K so something for everyone.

The utility Business model, which can haul 3.5 tonne and carry just over a tonne, is the main seller but let's jump to the posh Adventure V-Cross where sales are really taking off. It has everything life stylers crave, leather, powered this and that, connections for smart phones, heated front seats, keyless entry, reversing camera and sensors etc etc and an automatic six speed gearbox.

Heating controls are separate which is good but most other functions are controlled via a nine inch touchscreen. There is no sat-nav option but that sort of thing can be patched through from a smartphone.

Even though the rear leaf spring suspension has been retuned the unladen ride is unruly and bounces around on rougher roads but let's be fair D-Max is a workhorse so don't complain about a bit of discomfort. It is easy to expect too much but the new model is better than before on that score.

The double cab comfortably seats five and is a pleasing place to be with two dashboard storage boxes, a handy covered box atop the dashboard and a couple of small hidey holes under the back seat which lifts leaving a good space for a couple of golf club bags and such like. Everything is securely screwed together with no trim creaks or rattles apart from the passenger seat belt buckle that bangs against the trim when not in use. Irritating but easily sorted.

At the business end farmers and the trades are well catered for with full 4x4 capability a given so rear diff lock, hill start and hill descent control and trailer sway control as standard. The load area is lined with hydraulic arms on the tailgate to stop it crashing down.

If D-Max has a weak spot it's the diesel engine. Performance is not too much of an issue even though rivals are quicker and there should be enough power with a full load but it is way too noisy and there is no option for a more powerful engine.

Economy is surprisingly good returning 34mpg over a week's driving, the delivery driver did even better hitting 37mpg all from the six speed auto box, my only gripe is that it is a bit slow to respond.

This will be no easy ride for D-Max but Isuzu has done a fine job of improving and expanding the range and will rattle the cages of Ford and Toyota.

Fast Facts

Adventure V-Cross

£39,244

1.9litre turbo diesel; 161bhp

0-62mph 13secs; 112mph

30.7mpg combined

241g/km. VED £275

Towing 3.5 tonnes

Payload1070kg

Town Council gives Remembrance Sunday details

* Last Year's Remembrance Sunday Service, which was on a much 

smaller scale due to Covid restrictions.

Llangollen Town Council will hold the annual Remembrance Sunday Service this coming Sunday, November 14 on Centenary Square.  

As usual the parade will muster on Market Street at 10.30am and the Service of Remembrance will start at 10.55am at the War Memorial. Arrangements will be as in previous years.

There will be a short Act of Remembrance at the War memorial at 10.45am on Thursday, which is Armistice Day, organised by the Llangollen branch of the Royal British Legion.

'Allo, 'Allo: don't miss this fantastic French farce!

* A scene from 'Allo 'Allo, with others below. 

* Rene and his wife Edith.

* The cafe owner with one of his waitresses.

* Listen carefully, I will say this only once.

 * ... Oooh, Rene!

* Ja, Herr General.

* The general and the captain share a joke with Mimi.

* Tis I, Leclerc.

* Herr Flick pours the wine.

* Vive la Resistance!

* I say old boy, what's going on?

* Confusion reigns until the end.

Review by llanblogger

Llangollen Twenty Club are this week taking to the Town Hall stage with their version of the TV comedy classic ‘Allo ‘Allo. 

And listen carefully as I will say this only once ... c’est magnifique! 

'Allo 'Allo! is a British sitcom television series created by David Croft and Jeremy Lloyd, starring Gorden Kaye, and originally broadcast on BBC One between 1982 and 1992. 

It focuses on the life of a café owner in a town occupied by the Germans during the Second World War. 

Rene Artois has to deal with assorted problems caused by a dishonest German officer, a local French Resistance leader, a stolen painting – the famous Fallen Madonna with the Big Boobies - and a pair of trapped British airmen, while concealing from his wife the secret dalliances he is having with his attractive younger waitresses.  

The humour is very much in the Carry On style of double entendre but with the added twist of taking the pissoire out of the French way of doing things, at least in line with the old British clichés.  

The production, directed with high style by Chrissie Ashworth, was originally planned to be shown in March 2020 but had to be reluctantly put on hold due to the pandemic and now – relearned from scratch - it’s at going live, with all Covid precautions being rigorously followed. 

In this ambitious and hilarious two-acter the excellent Nick Hawe takes the pivotal role of Rene and plays him with just the right mixture of world weariness and sardonic humour.

Backing him up brilliantly is Sue Griffiths as his wife Edith whose acting ability is, as the script requires, on a far higher plain than her singing. She’s perfect for the part in every aspect.

The coquettish waitresses who Rene can’t keep his hands off are brilliantly portrayed by Lizzie Clifford (Yvette) and Heather Wolfson (Mimi). .   

Michelle the Resistance operative, who brings us that famous “I will say this only once” catchphrase is a way that is thankfully never overdone, is the clearly talented Emily Swindley.

As he is in anything he does with the club, John Clifford is excellent as the bumbling German colonel Von Strohm. He’s shown true dedication to the part by having the top half of his head specially shaved – you’ll soon get why when the action begins.

His gloriously bemedalled Italian sidekick Captain Bertorelli is played with the right measure of narcissism and lasciviousness by John’s son Joe.   

The key role of Herr Flick, the cold-blooded and limping Gestapo guy, is in the extremely capable hands of an almost unrecognisable Bill Hughes, while his adoring assistant Helga is brought cheekily to life by Tracey Kempster. 

The talent roles on with Ian Wright playing Lieutenant Gruber, the German officer who is a little more thoughtful than usual, and the club’s marvellous Arwel Jarvis taking on the mantle of the strict but quirky General von Schmelling. 

Multi-roled actors are Kevin Williams, Helen Belton, Neil Barrett, Owen Hawe, Naomi Riley and Jayne Dickson at the piano. 

Unusually for the Twenty Club, who are usually words only, the cast rounds off with a song and does it very well – look out Operatic!

The show comes in a milestone year for the club as October 21 saw its 75th anniversary.

'Allo 'Allo runs at Llangollen Town Hall from Tuesday-Saturday November 9-13, at 7.30pm, with a Saturday matinee at 2.30 pm.

Bookings can be made through Ticket Source, from Courtyard Bookshop, Jenni’s of Market Street Llangollen, and the Oggie Shop next to the town hall. For telephone enquiries call 01978 869394. 

I understand at least one of the night shows is already booked solid, so get a move on if you don’t want to miss this fantastic French farce. 

MP urges people to join Great British Garden Festival

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes is encouraging local gardening enthusiasts to take part in the Great British Garden Festival 2022. 

The festival is a year-long event and aims to showcase the very best of gardening in the UK. 

Organisers are encouraging florists, garden centres, on-line retailers and local hospitality organisations to get involved and help attract more business to the local area. 

The festival has a bespoke website showing where things are and when they take place and will provide a unique link enabling local as well as larger national events to use a combined marketing platform to engage with a much wider audience.

To become a member for the duration of 2022 costs £10 and members will gain access to discounts on events and products from participating partners across the UK. 

Partners of the Festival already include garden centres, online retailers, historic houses and service providers. 

They offer a 10% discount to Members of the Festival. The aim is to make it self-financing and increase awareness.

Simon Baynes said: “I would encourage Clwyd South constituents and businesses to get involved with the Great British Garden Festival 2022, as this is a great opportunity to showcase what we have here in Clwyd South and also to bring all of these things together in one campaign. 

"This is a cause close to my heart given not only my own interest in gardening but also my previous role as chairman of the Welsh Historic Gardens Trust.

“The festival is a great opportunity to encourage members across the UK to Clwyd South and highlight our wonderful area. 

"If you’re interested in signing up to become a partner and to find out more, please visit The Great British Garden Festival website at www.greatbritishgardenfestival.org.uk.”

This week's work on the 2020 project

* Paving stones being laid in Bridge Street.

Latest work planned by contractors for Denbighshire County Council on the Llangollen 2020 project in the town centre is:

Week starting November 8

Below is a summary of the work planned in different areas:

• Paving of Bridge Street South in front of the cenotaph
• Making-safe the area in front of the Town Hall to reduce the barriers on site
• Raising of iron works on the footpaths.