Town's 2020 Project is within budget, says county council

Denbighshire County Council has given llanblogger a progress report on the town's ongoing 2020 Project, explaining that it is "within budget" and due to finish by the end of next month.

There has been speculation locally that the scheme to widen pavements on Castle Street along with other modifications to the traffic system was running over budget and also behind schedule.

When llanblogger posed these questions to the council, a spokesperson responded: “The Llangollen 2020 Improvement project, which started in October, is being undertaken by Denbighshire County Council in partnership with Welsh Government and Transport for Wales.

“The project is within budget and due to be completed by the end of May.

“The scheme was developed following extensive consultation with the local community, local county councillors and Llangollen Town Council and aims to improve pedestrian access to the town as well as improving the flow of vehicles.

“This work provides more space for pedestrians and improved pedestrian crossing facilities making it easier for pedestrians to walk around the town centre, while upgraded traffic signals will improve the flow of vehicles.”

When work on the scheme began last October, the council said that it would take up to six months to complete. 

New High Sheriff pledges to help keep youngsters on right path

* The new High Sheriff of Clwyd, Zoë Henderson, at her Declaration at Nantclwyd y Dre, in Ruthin.

The new High Sheriff of Clwyd has pledged to work with schools across North East Wales to help keep young people on the straight and narrow.

Zoë Henderson, 60, a former executive with the giant US-based Dow Chemical Corporation, has hit the ground running by arranging a series of meetings with head teachers at the area’s secondary schools.

She held the Declaration to begin her year in office at historic 15^th century Nantclwyd y Dre, in her home town of Ruthin.

Her own education began at Llanbedr village school in the Vale of Clwyd before going on to Ysgol Brynhyfryd in Ruthin and she joined Dow after graduating from Wye College, part of London University, with a degree in Agricultural Economics.

She spent many years in sales and marketing roles across the USA and latterly back in Europe before stepping down from Dow, buying the family farmhouse, historic Caerfallen near Ruthin, from her parents and restoring it.

Zoë said: “I plan to take a particular interest in what causes young people to get into trouble with the law and what can be done to prevent this.

“The last thing you want is for a child in their teens looking forward to a wonderful life in the world of work to then see that future blighted by involvement in some sort of crime.

“I was very inspired recently by a visit to my old school, Brynhyfryd, to discuss local issues and I’m looking forward to visiting other Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham schools to discuss the issues faced by young people.”

She succeeds former Airbus UK executive Steve Thomas, from St Asaph, but the origins of the office date back to Saxon times when the ‘Shire Reeve’ was responsible to the king for the maintenance of law and order within the shire, or county, and for the collection and return of taxes due to the Crown.

The Queen appoints the high sheriff of each county of England and Wales by ‘pricking the vellum’, a custom dating back to the reign of Elizabeth I who signified assent by piercing the vellum or parchment by each name and signing the document.

It was in the reign of Elizabeth I that Zoë’s home at Caerfallen was built as the residence of Robert Turbridge, an earlier royal appointment as Baron Exchequer of North Wales with the job of collecting the taxes in recognition of his “constant diligence about the Queen’s affairs in said counties.”

Her duties as High Sheriff will also include supporting the Lord Lieutenant, Henry Fetherstonhaugh, in the event of any Royal visits to North East Wales and to sitting with and supporting judges and magistrates.

Her involvement in legal affairs will be supported by the Under-Sheriff of Clwyd, Sarah Noton, Managing Director of North Wales and Cheshire law firm Swayne Johnson.

Zoë added: “The official charity of High Sheriffs is Crimebeat and Crimebeat North Wales celebrates 20 years this year and in that time has issued grants worth more than £130,000 to projects mostly run by young people and aimed at cutting crime, supporting the victims of crime and improving life in communities across North Wales.

“I want to continue that work and also from my business background ask if we can promote that work better and do some things differently which might be more effective.

“I think I can do that and it gives me a real focus on ensuring that Crimebeat is fit for the future and for the differing needs of different parts of North Wales.”

Zoë, a keen horsewoman who has ridden all her life including during her time in the USA where she lived in Indiana in the Mid West, has kept busy since leaving Dow, first on the Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board and more recently on the Board of Natural Resources Wales as well as doing business consultancy work.

She has also been gradually restoring Grade Two Star-listed Caerfallen and its buildings, including a 16^th century barn which is now a beautifully appointed holiday property.

* For more information on the office of High Sheriff of Clwyd go to https://highsheriffs.com/clwyd/ and for the work of Crimebeat North Wales go to http://www.crimebeatnorthwales.co.uk/

Collen Players' next variety and music hall show is May 6

* The cast of the last Collen Players' show in March.

The first acts have been announced for The Collen Players' next variety and music hall show.

Due to be held in St Collen's Community Hall on Friday May 6, The Good Old Days will transport the audience back in time to a place where a selection of acts will recreate the rumbustious Victorian music hall of the naughty 1890s.

Chairing the proceedings as usual will be Father Lee Taylor, who is an aficionado of this form of vintage entertainment and originally put together The Collen Players to present the very first Llangollen music hall just a couple of years ago.

So far announced as appearing in a bill of comedy, sing-a-long, dance and tribute acts are Mike Connolly, Alison Jarvis, John Williams, Phil Robinson and speciality act Colin Bourdeic.

There will be a special prize for best dressed Victorian in the audience.

* The show begins at 6.30pm and tickets, priced at £15 and including supper, are available by calling

01978 861768, or emailing stcollens@gmail.com

More night works to take place in Castle Street

* The recent re-surfacing work in Castle Street.

Denbighshire Count Council has announced that night works are due to take place in Llangollen as part of the town’s major public realm improvement project.

Work to re-surface Castle Street from Market Street junction up to and including the Mill Street/Abbey Road junction will take place between May 3 and May 20, excluding weekends, between 6pm to 12am, Monday to Friday.

The re-surfacing works have to be conducted under a road closure, says the council. 

It explains: "Consideration was given to other options, such as undertaking the work during the day or conducting a shorter series of night time closures.

"However, it was determined these options would not be feasible for safety reasons and because, in the case of the shorter series of night time works, they would cause more disturbance to residents.

"The council would like to thank residents for their understanding during this period."

Families urged to join scheme for free healthy food

A Welsh Government minister is encouraging eligible families to sign up for Healthy Start to get healthy food and vitamins for free.

Families can get a pre-paid card that is topped up every 4 weeks with credit to buy healthy food - fruit, vegetables, pulses and milk and infant formula. They can also get free Healthy Start vitamins.

Currently, nearly 40% of people within Wales who are eligible for the scheme are not claiming it.

Healthy Start is available to those who are more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under four, and are in receipt of certain benefits. From the 10th week of pregnancy until a child turns 4, you could be entitled to more than £1,200 to spend on healthy food.

Healthy Start cards can be used in retailers that sell food and accept MasterCard.

They can be used to buy:

• cow’s milk
• fresh, frozen and tined fruit and vegetables
• dried and tinned pulses
• first infant formula milk

You can also collect free Healthy Start vitamins. Taking certain vitamins during pregnancy and in early childhood improves both mothers’ and children’s health – just ask your midwife or health visitor for advice on where to get them.

Flintshire mum-of-two Emma already benefits from Healthy Start. Emma was told about the scheme by her partner’s mother.

Following the birth of her first child, she began accessing the scheme in 2019 and then again after her second child was born. Emma says the Healthy Start Scheme has helped financially and encouraged her to buy healthy foods.

To make the most of her allowance, which is automatically added to her card every four weeks, Emma  said: "My tip would be to organise and plan ahead what meals you are going to make for the family. I use fresh fruit and vegetables, but I also use frozen and tinned fruit and vegetable so we can always have some in the meals we make. I always use my Healthy Start allocation to buy these foods."

Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Lynne Neagle said: "Typically four in ten people in Wales who could be receiving Healthy Start have not yet applied. I would urge people who think they may qualify to apply on line. Sadly, the increased cost of living is affecting so many families in Wales and across the UK, and I want to ensure that people are aware of Healthy Start and making use of the scheme to help them buy healthy food for their families."

* To find out if you’re eligible visit www.healthystart.nhs.uk.

Three local roadworks alerts

 

The following local roadworks alerts have been issued by one.network:

Berwyn Street, Denbighshire 19 April - 22 April   Delays likely - Traffic control (multi-way signals)   Description: ALTER AN EXISITNG SERVICE 3M PUBLIC...   Works location: O/S 8 BERWYN STREET   Public facing description: Wales & West Utilities Ltd has not assigned a specific description to this Works. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by Wales & West Utilities Ltd.   Responsibility for works: Wales & West Utilities Ltd   Current status: Planned work about to start   Works reference: XY254005000326317 Castle Street, Denbighshire 19 April - 22 April   Delays likely - Traffic control (multi-way signals)   Description: ALER AN EXISTING SERVICE 3M PUBLIC...   Works location: O/S 8 BERWYN STREET   Public facing description: Wales & West Utilities Ltd has not assigned a specific description to this Works. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by Wales & West Utilities Ltd.   Responsibility for works: Wales & West Utilities Ltd   Current status: Advanced planning   Works reference: XY254005000326318   Regent Street, Denbighshire 19 April - 22 April   Delays likely - Traffic control (multi-way signals)   Description: ALTER AN EXISTING SERVICE 3M PUBLIC...   Works location: O/S 8 BERYWN STREET (REGENT STREET)...   Public facing description: Wales & West Utilities Ltd has not assigned a specific description to this Works. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by Wales & West Utilities Ltd.   Responsibility for works: Wales & West Utilities Ltd   Current status: Planned work about to start   Works reference: XY254004000167429

County council candidates introduce themselves

Soon after nominations for the Denbighshire County Council elections were announced llanblogger issued an invitation, via the blog, to the candidates for the two Llangollen seats to send in their biographies/manifestos to help readers decide who to vote for.

Up until Friday's submission deadline only four of the six candidates had sent in any information. They are:

Stuart Davies - Independent candidate

I have been a Town Councillor and County Councillor for several terms since 1995. I have wealth of experience as a councillor and “know how to get things done”. 

At the moment there seems to be a disconnect between Denbighshire County Council (DCC) and Llangollen residents. Residents find it difficult to access and engage DCC.

If elected I want to give residents more voice and direct access to their County Council, to make sure their views and concerns are taken in to account properly. 

If elected I promise to do what I have always done and that is to be available at all times to residents, by phone, email or social media. 

I will call for a website review with the emphasis on easy resident access to the areas they want. 

If elected I want to make phone access easier and simpler for residents and my aim is to ensure that the One Stop Shop resource is always there.

The things I will concentrate on in the first 100 days are:

* Waste and Recycling. The new rules on black bins which are causing concern at the moment, in the absence of a Waste Strategy Plan for the Dee Valley I aim to work with the DCC Head of Service to address this and  to revisit the Plas Madoc issue. In the interim I will request DCC to provide more resident access to the Pavilion site without the need to book a slot in advance.

* Parking in the town centre and the 2020 scheme should both be subjected to a review of the effects following completion of the works and changes made if required.

* I will also push to make a start on near town parking provision.

* I will carry on the campaign for an environmental weight restriction on the Town Bridge.

* I will continue to campaign for the Green Dee Power electricity generation project which I started as a Town Councillor, as well as for more Electric Vehicle charging points in the town centre.

* I will support the Llangollen Riverside Park local community group at DCC level to attempt to get the funding and support they are requesting.

* The Horseshoe Pass reduced speed limit recently came into being. I will call for a review after a year in operation to determine if it has been effective in reducing accident rates. If it has not achieved the desired results, I will call for a review of historic and current data and a push for enhanced solutions.

Karen Edwards - Independent candidate 

I grew up in Llangollen and am familiar with the issues that affect the town and surrounding community.  I am a truly independent candidate with no affiliation to any political party. 

I have previously served the local community in various roles. As a Town Councillor I initiated the purchase of land around Castell Dinas Bran to protect our heritage.  

Between 2013 and 2018 I also worked with local businesses to raise money for the improvement of the Christmas lights to enhance the character of the town during the Christmas period, and I was part of the team that delivered the Centenary Square project.

I assisted with the campaign to secure access to a proper waste recycling site. Over 1000 residents supported the campaign but there has been no agreement to date. If elected I will encourage Denbighshire County Council to renegotiate with Wrexham County Borough Council for an access agreement.

My key priorities are:

-     * Protection of our heritage, culture and environment

     * Providing affordable housing through the re-use of derelict/brownfield land

-  * Sustainable tourism that acknowledges the needs of local residents and businesses

-  * Traffic management and parking that properly serves the interests of our businesses and residents

-     * Ensuring that decisions take into account the climate change agenda

* I will ensure a common-sense approach to the challenges facing our community. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope I can count on your support.   

Paul Keddie - Independent candidate

Firstly, I'd like to thank the dozens of residents who have been in touch to wish me well since I announced I was standing to be your new County Councillor. 

I am the only candidate standing in both the Town and County Council elections, this shows my level of commitment.  I want to be the strong voice in County Hall that you deserve. 

I have a strong track record of putting our community first. I am a Director of the Llangollen Fringe Festival, I volunteer as a Stage Manager at the Eisteddfod, I organise the monthly Comedy Nights and am a member of Llangollen Town Council. 

I will always fight; fight to improve our town and villages, fight to keep Council Tax as low as possible and fight for our fair share.  

Whether it’s promoting our tourism and events, fighting for more police, fixing our broken roads and pavements or a 2 hour round trip to get rid of our waste - I have a plan to finally get to grips with these issues. 

I have a record of action and a promise of much more. 

On Thursday, 5th May, please support me - PAUL KEDDIE - a real Independent.

Sarah Marshall – Green Party candidate

The caring community, thriving business and cultural life of our town inspires me. I want to protect what’s great for future generations, balancing the need for all residents to have safe, healthy and fulfilling lives.

I live in Llangollen (since 1992), have two Welsh educated children, their father is a local organic livestock farmer. I have worked for over 30 years in NHS, Local Government and Public Health. 

Community roles included:

· Outdoor pursuits instructor, Tyn Dwr YHA

· Youth Club Leader

· Secretary - PTFA

· Production team - Llangollen Community Panto

· Choreographer - Llangollen Operatic Society

· Volunteer - Friends of the Eisteddfod 

Key Green Party principles:

· Affordable housing and work opportunities

· Access to excellent local food/produce

· Renewable/affordable energy.

I am committed to the following goals, aligned with DCC 2030 Net Zero strategy.

1. Ensure the Council prioritises tackling climate and ecological change in decision making.

2. Improved biodiversity (pollinators, wild-flowers and trees) of local greenspaces and access to thriving natural settings.

3. Local business development, contributing to a circular and sustainable local economy.

4. “Fit for the future” active travel and public transport options for residents and visitors, including accessible electric charging.

5. Improved local recycling facilities. 

The other two candidates are:

* Butters Dawn Welsh, Conservative Party 

* Jarvis Roger Welsh. Conservative Party 

In the last county council election in 2017, the two councillors elected for Llangollen were Graham Timms of Welsh Labour 659 votes (29% of votes) and the Independent Melvyn Mile with 658 votes (29%).