Your golden opportunity to join Llangollen Silver Band

* A recent picture of Llangollen Silver Band playing in Castle Street.   

* The band in its earliest days as it passes along Bridge Street near 

the Royal Hotel.

Llangollen Silver Band had played without a break since 1904, until the Covid restrictions stopped them in their tracks. 

But they’re now up and running again and on the lookout for new blood of any age to help keep them in tune for at least another century. 

The band is of an important part of life in the town and involved in all its major events plus many more besides. 

Spokesperson Bob Lube, himself a player of many years’ standing, said: “When you join the band you will receive a very warm welcome and the loan of an instrument for as long as you are a member. There are also free music lessons, and a uniform. 

“It’s a great hobby and you’ll get lots of enjoyment out of meeting and entertaining a wide range of people. There are at present three former members of the band making a living by playing in military bands. 

“We perform mostly in north Wales but we’ve also appeared in the neighbouring areas of England such as Cheshire and Shropshire.” 

Bob added: “We have three sections – the senior band, which currently comprises about 15 accomplished players, the youth band of about four members and five members in the training band. 

“As with a lot of other groups, we have young people joining us as children and then when they grow up they often move away to go to university and things like that. 

“So it would be good if we are able to recruit more potential players aged eight and over to fill the gaps this creates. It will give them a great skill they can take with them for the rest of their lives.” 

Regular practice sessions for the seniors are held on Mondays from 7-8.30pm in the Band Room in Parade Street, which underwent a £100,000 refurbishment in 2012 thanks to outside grants and the band’s own fundraising. 

The training band meet on a Friday evenings from 6-7pm and the youth band gets together after the training band, from 8-10pm. 

But, as Bob explained, it’s not just youngsters needed.

“We’re also after more mature players. These might be people who have played an instrument when they were younger, given it up but now want to get back into it. 

“Our motto is that music at the heart of the community. We have a proud record of playing in and around Llangollen for over 110 years and want to keep going for another century.” 

* You can contact the band by using their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/llangollensilverband

Looking back on the life of Wyn the local legend

* Wyn Hughes pictured a few years ago at the Abbey Dingle.

News broke yesterday that a Llangollen man known as a local legend had died at the age of 86.

A few years ago Paula Lingard wrote a profile piece telling the story of Wyn Hughes - affectionately known as Wyn Paraffin - in the Dee Valley News.

Here, with her permission, we reproduce it:

Wyn Hughes, Legend of Llangollen, is a modest, kind-hearted gentleman, who is always the first person to hold open a door for you, it makes no difference if you are a local, or a visitor to the town. He always has time to stop for a chat, usually about football, or an update as to the whereabouts of your nearest and dearest! He’s a creature of habit and loved by all who know him.

Born on 19^th January 1934 to Elizabeth and Joseph Wyn Hughes, Wyn jokes about whether he was born in hospital or arrived by parachute. Typical of Wyn to crack a joke and make light of everything, and reminded me it was the year of the Gresford Disaster. He lived at 4 Bank Top, (now the car park, behind what was the Smithfield pub) until the row of houses was declared derelict and he moved into Hall Street with his mum and dad in 1936. He recalls a story about Jesse Owens, who won four gold medals in the Berlin Olympics in the same year, as if it was yesterday.

An only child, Wyn attended the local school, which is now home to Ectarc. He pestered his father to let him join him at R. M.& Sons Ironmongers. Unfortunately, they couldn’t take on any extra staff. He did, however accompany his father on his many trips to the head office in Sandbach. He left school at the Easter break in 1949, leaving school on Thursday and starting work on the following Monday. His mother worked in the local laundry, where Kenrick Motors are now situated.

He began work as a labourer in the Mile End on the A5, as a metal worker on a hand press. In 1962, he was made redundant and took on two part-time jobs; as a Postman at Christmas, and brushing the sheep’s mess off the golf course. Play never stopped and he had a few near misses!

In 1965, he began work in the old silico works, bagging. He remained there until 1985, when he was made redundant. For the next two years he worked for Glyndwr Council, and began his quest to keep the streets of Llangollen clean and tidy. Unfortunately, due to health issues with his legs, he had to give this up.

‘If only I had Betty Grable's legs and Fred Astaire’s feet', he announced.

I couldn’t resist asking Wyn about the women in his life. He mentioned a name or two, (I dare not repeat).‘I had my chance once or twice, and I enjoyed it when the Liverpool girls stayed at Plas Geraint’.

He recalls playing football for the youth club, which is now home to Bensons, but says he spent most of his time on the line. To this day Wyn supports our local football teams, always cheering them on with a smile. Often recalling iconic moments and names of players in sport, he has an amazing memory and always has a story to tell. I asked him how long he had supported Spurs and was taken aback with his answer. I’ve never supported them, I support Llan, it’s just something I’ve always said’.

Wyn told me of the time he was grounded in 1964. ‘It was a Sunday night and my mam and dad had gone to the RAFA club for a game of bingo. I told them I wasn’t going out, but decided to go for a walk around the block. Tony Daniels came up in his car and asked me to go to Oswestry with him and some others. Hell no, I told him, I’ve got work in the morning. Anyway, we went over the border to the Boar’s Head. After a while, they said they were going to the toilet. I waited and waited, butt hey never came back. I walked all the way home from Oswestry. I was grounded for the next five or six Sundays’.

For many years Wyn would pop from one shop to another to see if anyone needed any messages or errands running. Always putting others first. One very wet morning in June this year he was caught on camera sweeping the rain water away from the paths and down the drains, again thinking of others before himself.

I’ve had a fair few cups of tea lately with Wyn and fully understand why he wouldn’t take up the offer of being part of the annual Eisteddfod Parade. ‘I’ll come out in a cold sweat. I’ll stand in the same spot as I do every year, by the bollards near the Hand at the bottom of Oak Street.’ There’s quite a shy person hidden underneath all the banter and friendly face that he portrays to the world.

I told him I was writing a feature on him for the magazine. ‘What me? You want to write about me?’ I met him the next day just as he was going into the launderette. ‘Are you really writing about me?’ Wyn is such a modest unassuming man. He doesn’t ‘get’ why anyone would want to write about him. If only he knew…

 Paula Lingard 

Tributes paid to legend of Llangollen Wyn Hughes

 

* Wyn Hughes was always ready with a smile.

Tributes have been pouring in this evening to one of Llangollen’s most famous and best-loved characters.

Wyn Hughes – affectionately known as Wyn Paraffin – died at the age of 86 in Chirk Hospital early yesterday (Thursday) morning where he had been re-couperating from the stroke he suffered early last year.

His cousin and former town councillor George Hughes recalled that Wyn was born in Bank Top, off Hall Street, the son of Joe Hughes, who was George’s father’s brother, and Betty who was originally from Llanuwchilyn near Bala.

Wyn later lived in Willow Hill and latterly spent many years in the small housing development off Regent Street opposite the Co-op.

Following the stroke he moved to the Abbey Dingle nursing home.

His father worked at the Robert Evans ironmongers in Oak Street for which he used to deliver paraffin around the area – which is where both he and Wyn got the famous nickname.

Later both Wyn and his father worked at Mile End Mile where Wyn was a de-greaser of steel and Joe was a lift attendant.

After that Wyn took a job with the council as a road cleansing operative.

He was also well known for the unpaid work he did in the community, including looking after the grounds at St Collen’s Church and helping with the annual sales of Royal British Legion poppies.

However, perhaps his best known role was as a keen supporter and helper for Llangollen Football Cub whose manager and former player, Damien Tobin, paid glowing tribute to him this evening.

He said: “Wyn has carried out several roles within the football club over the years. He used to clean out the changing rooms, line-mark the pitch, help put out with the nets and corner flags.

“He even used to run on the pitch with a bucket and sponge to treat injured players, to everyone’s amusement. He never missed a game home and away.

“The players loved having Wyn in the changing rooms before a game and every away team and referee made a fuss of Wyn when they arrived at Tower Field.

“His famous phrases of “C’mon you Spurs,” and “Back and face, Llan,” would echo from the stand every game.

“Several players and friends of Wyn regularly picked him up from his house to take him to games and he was so thankful for that gesture.

“Life will never be the same at Llangollen Football Club and I’m sure all former players, managers and supporters of Llangollen Football Club send their condolences to Wyn’s family.

“The man held a special place in so many people’s hearts, I'd personally love to see a book of condolence opened up for people to leave a last personal message.”

Wyn’s cousin George Hughes said of him: “He was full of life and would do anything for anybody. So many people thought the world of him and he was very well known through the football team.

“You could always hear him coming as he shouted greetings to you and other people around the town.”

Facebook’s Llangollen & District Noticeboard has been alive with tributes to Wyn since news of his passing became known. Up until 8pm tonight over 350 comments had been left, and here’s what some of them said:

“Oh no, bless you Wyn, the whole of Llan will be devastated to hear this, you really did touch the hearts of so many people, a true legend! You will always be remembered. R.I.P. you sweet sweet man.”

“RIP Wyn. Such a lovely man. One of a kind. Will be missed by everyone xx.”

“We all loved Wyn and will miss him - his kindness, friendship, his character and love.”

“RIP Wynn, a true character of Llan and a wonderful and kind man x”

“God bless you Wyn, it has been a pleasure to have known you and many laughs with you. People of Llangollen will never forget you.”

“Omg no not Wyn, always happy, time to speak to everyone, never saw anyone struggling with shopping, always ready to help, RIP sweet man, you will be missed.”

“RIP Wyn, such a massive loss to the town.”

“A legend of Llan gone. Will miss his cheery smile.”

“R.I.P Wyn a much loved character of the town who will never be forgotten.”

“Such a lovely man, loved chatting to him about my mum and dad.”

It is understood that his funeral will take place early next month.

 

MP seeks entries for children's Christmas card competition

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes is inviting primary school pupils across his constituency to take part in his Christmas Card Competition for children aged 11 and under. 

The winning design will feature on Mr Baynes’ official Christmas card and will be sent to the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, and other public figures in government and beyond.

The winner’s name and age printed on the card. 

The designs for the runner-up and highly commended entrants will also feature on the back of the card, alongside their name and age.

Mr Baynes said: “I’m excited to see the artistic talent of children across Clwyd South and hope this fun competition helps spread some much-needed Christmas cheer! 

"I’m looking for a card that highlights something that you think makes our area a special place to live - with a nice, Christmassy message.

"The winner will receive a £20 book token and second and third places will receive £10 tokens. 

"The deadline to enter is Friday November 19 and the winner, runners-up and highly commended entrants will be announced shortly thereafter. Best of luck to everyone entering.”

Children wishing to take part should submit their designs on A4 white paper and work with coloured pencil, pen or paint. Please scan the entries and send via email to simon.baynes.mp@parliament.uk.

Children should state on their design their name and age and parents must give consent for their child’s name to be published on the card, should they win.

Legion marks Armistice Day at war memorial

* Father Lee Taylor from St Collen's Church leads the service.

* Phil Stroud, chair of Llangollen Royal British Legion, with former deputy town mayor Issy Richards read the Exhortation and Kohima Prayer.

* The legion standard is lowered during the service.

Llangollen branch of the Royal British Legion held a short Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial in Centenary Square this morning (Thursday), the 103rd anniversary of the actual Armistice Day.

This marks the end of the First World War at 11am on November 11, 1918 when the guns fell silent on the Western Front.

The service was led by the Vicar of Llangollen, Father Lee Taylor.

The traditional two minutes' silence was observed and former Llangollen Deputy Mayor, Issy Richards, read the Exhortation and Kohima Prayer in Welsh while Phil Stroud, chair of the local branch of the legion, read them in English.  

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

MS teams up with police for advice surgery

Clwyd South Senedd Member Ken Skates (pictured) will be joined by police at his upcoming advice surgery in Llangollen to create a ‘one-stop shop’ for constituents. 

Mr Skates and Sgt Richard Evans from North Wales Police are teaming up for the advice session on Friday November 19.

 

The MS said: “Surgeries are an important fixture in elected members’ diaries and provide a valuable opportunity to sit down face-to-face with constituents, discuss issues of concern and to offer support and advice.

 

“Clearly, the pandemic put paid to public surgeries for much longer than we expected or hoped, but now restrictions allow it’s important that we resume them.

 

“By teaming up with the police it means people can raise any concerns or information directly with them in confidence which they might otherwise not report, as well as speak to me about anything else they need help with. We are hopeful these one stop shop-style surgeries will help local people if there are a number of issues they want to discuss.”

 

Mr Skates said he is likely to continue to run surgeries alongside police going into 2022.

 

Sgt Evans said: “We are always keen to work closely with elected members to support local people, so we thought joining Ken at his Llangollen surgery made perfect sense. We look forward to discussing any local policing issues with members of the public then.”

 

* The surgery takes place from 10am-midday. Appointments can be booked by emailing: ken.skates@senedd.wales or calling Mr Skates’ office on 01978 869058.

County council's statement on threatened bus strike

Denbighshire County Council has issued a statement on the threatened strike by Arriva driver's.

It says:“Passengers should be aware that there is the likelihood of Arriva bus drivers taking industrial action on and from Saturday November 13th. Arriva is working to avoid this action but passengers will need to consider their plans in case this goes ahead.

“If Arriva buses are not operating, this means that passengers who use Arriva will need to make alternative arrangements. This includes learners attending school or college if they pay a fare.

“For Denbighshire residents who are eligible for free school or college transport and who use Arriva, Denbighshire County Council is making every effort to find alternatives for them. We cannot guarantee, however, that every journey can be covered.

“We would advise residents to check social media for the latest position.”