Hundreds join hospice's walk along Llangollen Canal

* Above and below: People who took part in the canal walk.

Hundreds of walkers joined the popular Llangollen Canal Walk to support Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith Children’s Hospices, raising more than £15,000. 

The event, which was held last Sunday saw walkers take in the stunning Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and beautiful canal-side scenery under stunning sunshine.   

The 10-mile walk began early at The Trevor Basin before ramblers headed over the aqueduct towards the Poachers’ Pocket and back again. 

Fundraiser Cat Dowdeswell said: “It was amazing to have everyone back together for our Llangollen Canal Walk.  

“Our supporters really do make the events and in the glorious sunshine, we all had a lot of fun.  

"To raise more than £15,000 is incredible and we would love to thank everyone who joined us on the day and supported us to reach this amount, which will do so much to help support children and their families who receive care at Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith."

The event was sponsored by Wrexham-based Net World Sports.  

* If you were unable to take part, but would still like to donate then you can do by visiting www.hopehouse.org.uk/donate

Latest Cittaslow webinar is tomorrow evening

 
For the latest in its series of community conversation webinars Cittalow Llangollen is holding an online session on the theme of Community, Health and Wellbeing tomorrow (Wednesday) March 9, starting at 6.45pm.

Speakers will be Eleri Jones of Denbighshire Citizens Advice, Margaret Sutherland of the Pengwern Community Project and Rebecca Roberts of Nature for Health.

* To obtain the link should you wish to attend, email: townclerk@llangollentowncouncil.gov.uk

Railway now protected against vandalism thanks to local firm

* Francis Johnson, managing director, and Mel Pengelly, director of Parallel Security with Phil Coles, vice chairman of Llangollen Railway (centre).

* One of the two vandalised railcars, now fully repaired and in service.

A local security company has come to the aid of the Llangollen Railway (LR) following the vandalism of several of its historic items of rolling stock last August. 

During the incidents two 60-year-old railcars were daubed with graffiti and had windows broken.

Parallel Security is a Welsh security provider based in Mold, which prides itself on supporting local communities and businesses.  

When its directors heard about the vandalism they quickly contacted the railway to offer their security services

Managing director Francis Johnson and director Mel Pengelly arranged a meeting with railway vice-chairman Phil Coles to discuss what had happened and how Parallel may be able to help prevent similar attacks happening again.

After several site surveys and discussions over potential issues with securing the very remote storage yard where the vandalism took place, a plan was put together and offered to the railway free of charge to help protect their carriages and engines from theft and vandalism.

Parallel has provided state-of-the-art CCTV, which is now installed at the rail yard. 

The cameras are monitored 24 hours a day and use artificial intelligence and motion detection to secure the areas.  

If required, a Parallel Response vehicle will also attend to police the areas should an alarm be activated.  

Senior management of the railway also have the facility to look at the cameras using mobile technology on their smart phones, giving additional operational and Health & Safety functionalities in addition to the system’s security provision.

Francis Johnson said: "It was great to be able to support Llangollen Railway in this way, but we obviously wish that this incident had not have happened in the first place.  

"It is vitally important to our business to support the Welsh community in this way and we are more than happy to support the railway on an ongoing basis to enable the services it provides to the public to continue without disruption from theft and vandalism."

Phil Coles thanked Parallel Security for their speedy response to a post on Facebook showing photos of the vandalism. 

Phil said “We’ve had a lot of challenges over the past 12 months and could really have done without damage to the rolling stock that we have been able to retain. With our finances continuing to be stretched as we work to re-open the railway to Corwen and invest in our existing infrastructure, Parallel’s generous support to manage our security is very much appreciated indeed. 

"It’s a great example of how local businesses can pull together and support one another through challenging times. As we look to reposition the Llangollen Railway at the heart of the local community we hope to engage with other local businesses and organisations for everyone’s benefit."

The railway successfully reopened for the 2022 season on Saturday February 19 using two of the diesel railcars that suffered from the vandalism, which have been fully repaired at considerable expense.

Railcar services will run every Friday to Sunday throughout March, with steam and diesel locomotive-hauled services due to return at Easter. 

Llangollen duo aiming to inspire women entrepreneurs

* Nic Wagstaff.

* Claire Marie Quant.

A duo from Llangollen are aiming to inspire  women wanting to break into the wellness sector and follow their entrepreneurial dreams at a conference in Chester later this week.

The Well-being Warrior Women’s Conference is the idea of Nic Wagstaff, an entrepreneur who runs Inspire-Rewire, and the theme of the event is Elevate and Grow.

In line with International Women’s Day, a collection of inspirational speakers will be hosting short talks on how they have either made the break into wellness full time, or elevated their business to the next level. 

Nic, who lives in Llangollen, is best known for teaching wellness entrepreneurs how to run their own retreats, as well as running her own successful well-being business including runningretreats in Chester and around North Wales.

The conference takes place on Thursday, March 10 at Cheshire View, Christleton, from 9.30am to 3.30pm with the main workshops being held between 10am and 2.30pm.

If you are a woman looking to grow or elevate your well-being business, this is an opportunity to enjoy face to face networking once again and be surrounded by like-minded ladies who are keen to grow or set up their own business, find a collaborator or get advice around public relations, marketing, branding and coaching.

The speaker line up also includes Llangollen-based Claire Marie Quant, a public relations expert and career clarity coach for women of 40-plus at a crossroads in their lives.

Speaking about her first Well-being Warrior Conference for Women, Nic Wagstaff said she was inspired to create the event to help and inspire others in the well-being industry and to reinforce her passion to help wellbeing practitioners share their mission and services with ideal clients through her various retreats, events and online groups.

She said: “This is just the first conference, and I've dedicated this one to women in line with International Women's Day, but later we will open it up to everyone. As well as bringing together amazing experts in and out of the well-being world, we will understand we are not alone, it's not for the faint-hearted but that you are truly a warrior, and it's so worth it.

“Having worked in the well-being business for 7 years after leaving corporate where I worked as Group Head of Learning and Development, I understand how hard it is making that switch to follow your passion, and more than that, I know how it feels to have that sinking feeling after you make that choice of 'have I done the right thing?' when times are tough.”

Claire Marie Quant is hosting one of the workshops with the themeBelief In You. 

She set up her own PR business after quitting corporate life back in 2016. She now combines her two loves of communications with coaching women who find themselves stuck in a rut and at a career crossroads.

Claire said: “I am delighted to be sharing the day with Nic Wagstaff, of Inspire-Rewire and other inspirational speakers and delegates, as it’s so important to empower each other and help others on their personal transformation journey. So often women don’t realise their true potential because they lack confidence, and self-esteem to make a change.

“I show women that it’s never too late to re-invent themselves and live their life on their own terms. Once they have clarity on their amazing skills it's possible to see a path to a brighter, lighter and more fulfilled life. Having a conference like this in Chester is an amazing opportunity for women to get the confidence, support and networks to follow their dreams.”

Other speakers include Nicola Kemp, a marketing consultant with independent businesses, who develops their brands, websites and provides marketing support; Gabi Forrester, a naturopath and health transformation and business mentor for health and wellness practitioners and entrepreneurs; Anne Sheakey, owner of ATTIC Teas and expert in affiliate processes and opportunities.

* Tickets for the Well-being Warrior Women's Conferenceare £49 per person, including lunch and are available at https://www.inspire-rewire.com/new-events/womens-conferences

Work planned for week ahead on town's 2020 project

Work planned for the week starting Monday, March 7 on the Llangollen 2020 project is:

Castle Street west (Parade Street to Dee Lane): Finish paving installation.

Castle Street east (Bridge Street toward the bridge):

* Prepare and install paving

* Continue kerb installation

Hundreds attend peace vigil for Ukraine in town square

* Candles are lit along the square's back wall.

* Organiser Issy Richards welcomes people to the vigil. 

* A special message to the people of Ukraine.

* The array of candles after dark.

* The castle lit up in Ukrainian colours. Picture by Scott Cooper.

Around 200 attended a vigil for peace in Ukraine staged in Llangollen's Centenary Square earlier this evening (Sunday).

Some were wearing the blue and yellow colours of the Ukrainan flag while others carried placards supporting the people of the war-torn country who are currently fighting desperately to resist the Russian invasion.

At dusk scores of candles were lit and placed along the back wall of the square, over which fluttered a specially-placed Ukrainian flag, as a symbol of support for Ukraine.

Just before two the town hall clock struck 6pm the gathering stood in silence for two minutes.

Just before the silence the St Collen's Church tenor bell was tolled for five minutes. 

At around the same time the castle was lit up in blue and yellow and remained so for around 90 minutes.

The town's former deputy mayor Issy Richards, who organised the vigil, welcomed all those who had come along and read out a poignant anti-war poem entitled Night in Al-Hamra by Saadi Youssef.     

The castle illumination had been specially arranged by ASG Audio Visual and the Clwydian Range and dee Valley.

There was an opportunity to make donations to the Red Cross Ukraine Appeal, being run by the Ukraine Red Cross Society and the International Committee of the Red Cross. A total of £584.88 was raised.

Town's own Ukraine peace vigil is this evening

Llangollen's former deputy mayor, Issy Richards, has organised a vigil for peace - Gwylnos Heddwch - for Ukraine in the town's Centenary Square this evening (Sunday).

She said: "The widely-condemned invasion of Ukraine is unfolding before our very eyes. People's lives, livelihoods and homes are being destroyed, and international tensions are running high. 

"Ten years ago the staff and pupils of the Peace School, Kiev, Ukraine, sent good wishes to the Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod on St David's Day. 

"As we know, LIME was founded 75 years ago in the spirit of international peace and cooperation. Llangollen has many links with Ukraine, we are 'Where Wales Welcomes The World'."

Issy added: "There will be a Vigil for Peace in Llangollen between 5-6pm on Sunday March 6 in Centenary Square, and everyone is invited to gather together to express our solidarity and support for the people of Ukraine. 

"Please arrive anytime after 5pm, wearing something blue or yellow if possible, (the colours of the Ukraine flag), wrap up warmly, and bring any refreshments you may need. 

"We will light candles at 6pm, so please bring your own candle, or we can provide you with a tea light.

"Our aim is to peacefully raise awareness of the situation in Ukraine, and to show Llangollen's solidarity with the country and its people. 

"There will be an opportunity to make donations to the Red Cross Ukraine Appeal, being run by the Ukraine Red Cross Society and the International Committee of the Red Cross."