Work planned on the town's 2020 project for week starting Monday December 6 is:
A talented young performer well known on the Llangollen entertainment scene has landed the purr-fect part in a professional panto.
Louise Cielecki, a fine singer and comedienne who has regularly appeared with Llangollen Operatic's Young 'Uns and in other shows around this town and Chirk, is playing the cat in Dick Whittington and His Cat at Watford Palace Theatre until January 2
Dick and the cat follow their dreams on an unforgettable journey to London and beyond.
The production features fabulous costumes, stunning sets, live music and non-stop laughs.
The Palace has been the home of panto in Watford since 1908.
Louise said: "I am the cat but actually a pink tiger just disguised as a cat and we're both trying to get home to Xanadu.
"The panto began the other night and everyone is enjoying very much."
St Collen's held its annual Christmas fair inside the church this morning.
There was a range of stalls filled with seasonal goodies, raffles and turkey burgers were on sale along with mulled wine in the nearby community hall.
Denbighshire County Council has said that Market Street, Llangollen will be closed on Sunday December 5 to facilitate urgent works to repair a burst water main by Hafren Dyfrdwy.
The council adds: "A diversion will be in place and journey times could be increased. We would like to thank residents for their understanding at this time."
Eight assaults every day were committed against Welsh emergency workers during the first six months of this year, new figures have revealed.
More than 1,360 assaults
were committed in the six-month period from 01 January 2021 – 30 June 2021.
They included kicking, slapping, head-butting and verbal abuse,
and ranged from common
assault to serious premediated attacks involving grievous bodily harm.
At least 21
incidents involved a weapon.
With Christmas fast approaching – the time of year when assaults traditionally
spike – emergency workers are asking the public to treat them with respect.
Jason Killens, Chief Executive of the Welsh Ambulance Service, said:
“The Covid-19 pandemic has been a fraught time for all of us, but that’s no
excuse to assault an emergency worker, who are normal human beings just trying
to do a job.
“The run-up to Christmas means more people are out enjoying the revelry, and
with alcohol consumption comes an increase in assaults, both physical and
verbal.
“There were 60 verbal attacks alone on our ambulance control room staff in the
first six months of the year.
“We know it’s distressing when you’re waiting for help, but abusing our call
handlers is not the answer – if anything, it could potentially delay help.
“On the road meanwhile, crews might have no choice but to leave a scene if
their safety is compromised, and that’s not helpful for anyone, especially the
patient.
“The debt
of gratitude we owe to our emergency workers has never been greater, so we’re
asking the public to work with us, not against us this Christmas.”
Almost half (47%) of assaults in the six-month period took place in South East Wales; Cardiff, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Bridgend are among the most prolific local authority areas.
Offenders aged 26-35 account for the highest portion of offending (24%), while a third of incidents involved people under the influence of alcohol.
May 2021 saw the highest volume of assaults (281) as the
hospitality industry re-opened in Wales after the second Covid-19 lockdown.
Since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, there have been at least 36
incidents where an emergency worker has been deliberately coughed at.
Assaults on police account for two thirds (67%) of the total number, averaging
152 victims every month in the six-month period.
Claire Parmenter, Temporary Chief Constable at Dyfed Powys Police, said: “Assaults on police officers continue to
increase and this is completely unacceptable.
“Assault is a traumatic
offence that causes great distress to anyone, and it is no different when the
victim is an emergency worker.
“In September, we saw a man
handed a 26-week prison sentence suspended for two years after he violently
attacked two of our police officers who had gone to his aid.
“Concerned for his safety, they gave him a lift home – and in return both were
physically injured.
“The psychological impact on both officers is something they will take time to
recover from.
“In the same month alone, three officers carrying out their duties suffered
injuries in an unprovoked attack at the hands of the man they were trying to
arrest.
“Despite the offender’s efforts, the officers were able to arrest him although
they were left with injuries.
“The
offender appeared in court the day after his arrest, where he was sentenced to
12 months in prison.
“Assaults such as these stay with the victims for the rest of their careers,
and none of my officers and staff should have to go to work serving the public
and be afraid of being assaulted.
“With the upcoming season of goodwill, please respect and protect our emergency
workers.”
Although fewer in number – 22 incidents over the six-month period –
March 2021 saw an unexplained rise in assaults on fire service colleagues,
especially in South Wales.
Chief Fire Officer Huw Jakeway QFSM from South Wales Fire and Rescue Service
said: “Our emergency services work hard every day keeping the public safe and
should not have to deal with abuse.
“Attacks on crews while protecting our communities and keeping people safe is
completely unacceptable.
“Our blue light services come to work to serve and protect the public and the
impact of such assaults can lead to life-changing consequences for those
involved.
“This type of behaviour is, of course, carried out by a very small minority,
and we once again thank our communities for their continued support in working
with us this festive season to stay safe.”
Under the Assault on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act, the definition of an
emergency worker includes police, fire and ambulance staff, as well as prison
staff and NHS workers.
Judith Paget, Chief Executive of NHS Wales, said: “Our emergency workers
provide life-saving and life-changing care
every day in often difficult circumstances.
“Our NHS staff are preparing for a
challenging Christmas period so now, more than ever, they deserve to be treated
with respect.
The family of Wynn "Paraffin" Hughes have asked llanblogger to pass on their thanks to everyone who attended his funeral service at St Collen's Church yesterday.
Wynn passed away at the age of 87 on November 11.
During the well-attended service the Vicar of Llangollen, Father Lee Taylor, said that although the word 'legend' was used a lot these days it was a description "well deserved" by Wynn.
"He was someone who was admired by a lot of people, someone who was original and someone who was amazing - a local treasure. And it is an honorific title well deserved by Wynn," he said.
Hymns "Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer" and "O God Our Help in Ages Past" were interspersed with eulogies by Wynn's family member Paul Hughes and Gareth Lloyd from Llangollen Football Club both of which contained some humorous anecdotes about Wynn.
Donations from the funeral will go to Hope House Hospice and to Llangollen Football Club for a trophy or plaque in memory of Wynn.
Wynn's flowered-topped coffin was proceeded both into and out of church by a standard bearer from the Llangollen branch of the Royal British Legion, showing his support over many years as a collector during the annual Poppy Appeal.
As the funeral cortege was driven down Castle Street towards Wrexham a number of people lined the street to see Wynn go by on his final journey from Llangollen and many applauded as a mark of respect for his unique standing in the town.
* Clwyd South MS Ken Skates with Clare Rhodes, owner of SFTW barber's.
* Ken Skates and David Pinel, managing director of IT-Pro Support.
* Lesley and Peter Carroll welcome
Ken Skates to ProAdventure
outdoor shop.
People are being encouraged to shop local ahead of this week's Small Business Saturday.
Local Member of the Senedd Ken Skates is backing the grassroots campaign, which urges consumers to help high street shops and independent businesses in their communities.
Saturday marks this year’s campaign, and the Clwyd South MS wants to see the small local firms who ‘have gone above and beyond’ during the pandemic supported in the run-up to Christmas and into 2022.
Mr Skates said: “The campaign aims to make a positive lasting impact on small businesses. It’s more important than ever this year that we shop locally and support those businesses that have supported us throughout these incredibly difficult times.
“Our small businesses have gone above and beyond throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
“As I have said many times before, they are the lifeblood of our towns and villages here in Clwyd South. Research has shown that for every £1 spent with a small or medium-sized business around 63p stays in the local economy, compared to 40p with a larger company.
“Shopping local creates more local jobs, it’s better for the environment and it helps to make sure our local shops and services continue to be the backbone of our high streets.”
To highlight the campaign, Mr Skates visited small businesses in Llangollen this week.
He added: “Small local businesses are often competing with the big guns – multinational chains and major franchises backed by huge advertising and marketing budgets.
“A lot of small businesses like IT-Pro, ProAdventure and SFTW have built their excellent reputations up through sheer hard work and word of mouth, and they’re just three of the dozens of fantastic examples in Llangollen and the hundreds across Clwyd South.”
The Welsh Government has targeted much of its £1.7bn+ support package – the most comprehensive anywhere in the UK – towards small businesses throughout the pandemic.
In June, Welsh Ministers extended the 100% discount for all businesses and charities in the leisure and hospitality sectors until April 2022. Retailers in properties with a rateable value of up to £500,000 will also continue to receive full discounts for the remainder of the year.
