Every household in Wales to be offered free tree

* Deputy Minister Lee Waters plants a tree.

Every household in Wales will be offered a free tree to plant as part of the Welsh Government’s commitment to tackle climate change, Deputy Minister Lee Waters promised today.

The bold new policy will give people the chance to choose a tree of their own to plant or opt to have a tree planted on their behalf.

Speaking at a visit to a major Coed Cadw woodland creation project in Neath during National Tree Week, the Deputy Minister for Climate Change confirmed the Welsh Government had partnered with the Woodland Trust to deliver the campaign.

The first trees will be available to collect from March, from one of five regional community hubs that will be established. The Welsh Government aims to set up a further 20 hubs across wales by October 2022.

Earlier this year, the Deputy Minister for Climate Change led a deep dive exercise into tree planting and timber, which identified a set of actions the Welsh Government needed to take forward to avoid the catastrophic effects of climate change.

The Deputy Minister said: ““Trees are amazing - they save lives by keeping our air clean, they improve people's physical and mental health, they are essential for tackling our nature emergency, improving biodiversity and, of course, in tackling climate change.

“The deep dive made it clear to me that everyone will have a part to play if we are to be successful in tackling climate change and realising our ambitions to create a National Forest for Wales.

“I am therefore pleased to announce we have partnered with the Woodland Trust to deliver a campaign that will provide every household in Wales an opportunity to plant a free tree in Wales.

“This will enable people in Wales to further understand and experience the many benefits that trees can provide, not only to the environment but also to people’s health and wellbeing.”

The Deputy Minister made it clear that everyone in Wales could benefit from the campaign.

“We understand that not all households will be able to plant a tree themselves, but will still be keen to get involved,” he explained.

“That is why we will make an option available to ‘plant a tree for me’, which will allow for people to opt to have a free tree planted on their behalf at locations across Wales via the community hubs and volunteers.

“Instruction and guidance, including the location of community hubs near you and how to claim your tree, will soon be available through various information webpages but also locally on the ground via a network of volunteers in every area.”

Natalie Buttriss, Coed Cadw Director said, "We are delighted to be working with the Welsh Government in this great community tree giveaway to get thousands of native trees in the ground.

“While tree-planting is only one way to help tackle climate change, it is a simple and enjoyable way for every single person in Wales to have the chance to plant a tree and watch it grow.

“This project will be open to all types of people living in Wales and we hope it will inspire many individuals and local community groups to become involved. We want people from all backgrounds to be part of planting the National Forest for Wales.”

The Deputy Minister also revealed that a consultation would launch early in 2022 on plans to create a National Forest for Wales.

Santa Clue-less spotted in Abbey Road

Regular llanblogger contributor Eileen Dart has been out with her camera again, snapping scenes which remind us that Christmas is just around the corner.

This time it's a picture of Santa - or at least his bottom end - stuck down a chimney stack in Abbey Road.

She says: "Seen in Llangollen this morning. Perhaps Santa needs some help."

Latest 2020 work planned in town

Work planned on the town's 2020 project for week starting Monday December 6 is:

• Excavate footpath on Castle Street east heading south toward Oak Street
• Prepare Castle Street east heading south toward Oak Street for paving
• Pave Castle Street west heading north toward Parade Street
• Pave Castle Street east heading north toward Bridge Street

Talented entertainer Louise has purr-fect panto part

* Louise Cielecki, right and front below, appears as the cat in the Dick Whittington panto at Watford Palace.

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 stages its annual Christmas fair

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.

Family of Wynn "Paraffin" Hughes thank people of Llangollen

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. 

MS urges people to support their local shops

* 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.