First steam train to Corwen makes history for Llangollen Railway

* The special steam train arrives at Corwen Station - the first since 1964.

Llangollen Railway made history this morning as the first steam train in almost 60 years pulled into Corwen Station.

The special service was run to conduct further testing of the platforms and station facilities and allow a very important person to be amongst the very first to use the station - the railway Trust's founding member and president, Bill Shakespeare MBE. 

True to the line’s heritage, the train, proudly bearing the nameboard 'William Shakespeare', consisted of two pieces of Great Western Railway history - a 1923-built steam tank locomotive and an inspection coach, both of which were built at the GWR’s legendary Swindon works.

Bill Shakespeare has been involved in the railway from its creation as the Deeside and Flintshire Railway Preservation Society in the late 1970s. 

* Railway founder and president Bill Shakespeare, left, at Corwen with former chairman Gordon Heddon.

He has given a lifetime’s dedicated service to the railway as a volunteer and served as chairman of the LR Trust between 1976 and 1998. 

He was awarded an MBE for services to the railway upon his retirement as chairman in 1998 and continues to support the Trust in an honorary role as president.

* The special steam service passes through Berwyn Station on route to Corwen.

Joining him on the special train to Corwen were three other past chairmen of the railway, Gordon Heddon, Neil Evans and Jim Ritchie.

On the footplate were driver Ian Ross, fireman Charlie Brook and inspector Andrew Maxwell. Second driver was Paul Reynolds.

Current LR Trust chairman Phil Coles said. “What an honour it is to be travelling with Bill in this wonderful inspection coach on our first officer’s special to Corwen. 

"It was also a landmark occasion for us because this was the first steam to operate at Corwen since the mainline station closed in 1964.

* The train approaching Glyndyfrdwy Station.

"If anyone deserves to be the first into the new station then it’s Bill. His contribution to the railway has been incredible, with many years of hard work and inspirational leadership. We have all worked very hard to make this happen are looking forward to seeing the station completed."

Richard Dixon-Gough, manager for the Corwen Station Project, said “Seeing the special roll in with Bill on board is something me and the small team of volunteers who have built the station from nothing have been looking forward to for a very long time. 

"Whilst this is still part of the testing phase of getting the station ready to open to the public, it’s another big step forward. We’ve got a fair bit more work to do in order to complete the platform buildings – with the roof to finish and the canopy to erect. 

* A stop was made at Carrog on the way to Corwen.

* Railway VIPs in the observation car at the front of the train.

"We’ve been delighted to receive a Levelling Up Government Grant to help us fund the canopy and are about to place the order with a local steelwork supplier for it. All being well the station will open for passengers early next year."

Chairman Phil Coles explained that the Levelling Up fund contributed almost £165,000 of the £200,000 cost of the canopy, with the railway finding the remainder.

Llangollen Railway continues to recover from it’s economic challenges of 2021 and work towards a more sustainable future as a successful tourist attraction. 

* Work on the new Corwen Station is steaming ahead.

With healthy numbers of passengers using the current operational railway between Llangollen and Carrog, the railway’s management say they are looking forward to busy summer season, with a more intensive timetable of railcar, steam and diesel trains planned alongside some special events. 

These include a Classic Transport Weekend on July 2 and 3 and a Diesel Weekend on September 1 and 2.  

* Former railway press officer George Jones contributed the two pictures below, showing William Shakespeare looking out of the train window at Corwen Station and a wide-angle shot of the train after its arrival.

Skates attacks government on cost-of-living crisis

* Ken Skates, Senedd Member for Clwyd South.

The UK Government response to the cost-of-living crisis has been branded ‘insulting’ by a Member of the Senedd. 

Former Economy Minister Ken Skates said the measures announced so far by Chancellor Rishi Sunak are not enough – and barely cover the £1,000-a-year Universal Credit cut thousands of households in his Clwyd South constituency suffered in the autumn. 

Mr Skates said only the Westminster Government had the ‘fiscal firepower’ to deliver what is needed, with experts predicting the biggest fall in living standards since the 1950s. 

The Senedd was told that more could have been done if the Tories hadn’t "squandered billions of pounds of public money" – and heard claims that UK Government loans had been used to purchase pornography and even fund terrorism. 

During First Minister’s Questions on Tuesday (June 14), the Clwyd South MS asked Mark Drakeford: “Would you agree that the Chancellor's offer to households facing the cost-of-living crisis is simply not enough and, indeed, insulting given it's to be paid from the cut to Universal Credit last year? 

“So much more could have been offered to hard-pressed households had the Chancellor not lost £11bn in failing to insure against interest rate rises, or by losing £6bn in fraudulent loans.” 

The First Minister responded: “Ken Skates makes a very important point. As a former Minister responsible for the economy, I can see why he has wanted to highlight the fact that while this government fails to provide help for people faced with a cost-of-living crisis at the same time they are losing money hand over fist. 

“The £11bn to which Ken Skates referred was highlighted only last week. The Chancellor was warned, time after time, that rising interest rates would have an impact upon his ability to service the £900bn of reserves created by quantitative easing. He failed to take out those insurance measures and, as a result, he is spending £11bn more than he would have otherwise have needed to. Now, imagine what the £11bn could have done in the lives of the people we have been talking about this afternoon. 

“And when it comes to fraud from the bounce-back loan scheme, fraud is only a third of the loss that the UK Government itself say they now expect to make through that scheme. Five billion pounds lost directly in fraud, but £17bn which the government now does not expect to recover from those loans. 

“There are court cases going through at the moment that show that those bounce-back loans, those fraudulent loans, were being used to pay for the purchase of private cars, for flying lessons, for pornography websites and, in a case which is to be in front of the courts next month, a case where someone who obtained a bounce-back loan is alleged to have used it to fund terrorist activity by Islamic State terrorists in Syria. 

“Five billion pounds which, as we know, the National Audit Office says the government has failed to take the necessary action to recover. Government Minister, Lord Agnew, the anti-fraud Minister, resigned in January describing his own Government's efforts to control that fraud as ‘woeful’.” 

Mr Drakeford added: “The point that Ken Skates makes is this, isn't it? We have a government who say that, in the fifth-richest country in the world, it’s not possible to provide enough money for people to stay warm and to be fed during this coming winter, but have managed to contrive the loss of tens of billions of pounds in just two schemes that I've highlighted this afternoon.” 

Mr Skates was an outspoken critic of the cut to Universal Credit, which was pushed through last year leaving more than 6,000 households in Clwyd South £1,040 a year worse off. 

Welsh Government Ministers set out a £380m package of support in the spring which included £150 council tax rebates and a new £200 Winter Fuel Support Scheme to be launched in autumn. At least 4,583 unpaid carers in Wrexham and Denbighshire will also receive a £500 support payment from the Welsh Government. 

Mr Skates said that In April alone more than 2,200 payments were made from the Welsh Government’s discretionary assistance fund to people in Wrexham and Denbighshire – with more than 90% cash help for emergency food and fuel. 

Mr Skates added: “The Welsh Government is doing what it can, but the UK Government must step up. They should be helping people – not simply replacing what they’ve already taken away from those struggling the most and then telling them they should be grateful.”

Latest local roadworks alerts

Latest local roadworks notified by Denbighshire County Council are:

120m east of Medical centre to The Sun Inn A539 LLANGOLLEN ROAD 21/04/2022 14/07/2022 Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY LLANGOLLEN Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights 

Outside PONSONBY ARMS MILL STREET 15/07/2022 15/07/2022 I rheoli traffig ar llwybr amgen / Traffic control on diversion route 

A539 OUTSIDE PLAS DERWEN, ABBEY ROAD, LLANGOLLEN ABBEY ROAD 04/07/2022 04/07/2022 Adnewyddu Polyn / Renew Pole PLATINUM (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights 

A542 AT JUNCTION WITH A5 QUEEN STREET BIRCH HILL 26/09/2022 30/09/2022 Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYRFDWY (EMMA) LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

DINBREN ROAD, JUNC WITH WERN ROAD AND WHARF HILL DINBREN ROAD 20/06/2022 20/06/2022 Adnewyddu Polyn / Renew Pole PLATINUM (DCC) 

HALL STREET jnc with BERWYN STREET HALL STREET 28/06/2022 30/06/2022 Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN (DCC) LLANGOLLEN

The Beeches MARKET STREET MARKET STREET 28/06/2022 30/06/2022 Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN (DCC) 

Plaque honours Wynn's love for football club

* George Hughes, Bob 'Bala' and Gill Hughes with the plaque.

* Barbara and George Hughes, Bob 'Bala', Gill Hughes, Richard Hughes and Kevin Richards on the pitch at Tower Field.

The family of one of Llangollen's best-known residents have presented an inscribed plaque in his memory to the local football club he loved.

Wynn "Parrafin" Hughes died at the age of 86 in Chirk Hospital last November.

He was a staunch supporter of Llangollen FC for many years, helping them both on and off the pitch.

Money collected at Wynn's funeral in St Collen's Church has now been used to pay for the commemorative plaque, inscribed with words "Wynn Hughes Memorial Dugouts," to which the club will give a place of honour inside their Tower Field HQ.

In a tribute to him at the time of his death team manager and former player, Damien Tobin, recalled: “Wynn carried out several roles within the club over the years. He used to clean out the changing rooms, line-mark the pitch and help put out 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 Wynn in the changing rooms before a game and every away team and referee made a fuss of him 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 Wynn 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 without him."

The plaque was presented to the club last Sunday by Wynn's family when a team of veterans from Llangollen FC gathered to play their counterparts from a Wrexham team.

Wynn's cousin George Hughes, a former Llangollen town mayor, said: "He loved Llan FC so much we wanted to do something to help people remember him at the club."

Reminder: don't leave dogs in hot cars

With temperatures rising across Wales people are being reminded to protect their pets and not leave them in hot vehicles.

Every year animals are harmed or die by being left alone in cars and vans during warmer weather, even for a very short while.

Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths is reminding people to protect their pets as temperatures hit higher figures.

The Minister said: “Although many of us enjoy the hotter weather, it cannot always be said for our pets who we cherish.

“Some people believe leaving their pet in a vehicle in the shade or with the windows down will be fine, but it is simply not the case.

“Vehicles can get hot very quickly and leaving animals alone in these higher temperatures is very dangerous.

“We love our pets and I encourage everyone to take the steps needed to ensure they are protected and comfortable during warmer weather. If you are out and about with your pet, plan your day carefully making sure they are never left in a vehicle for any amount of time.”

If a pet is seen to be in distress in a vehicle during the warmer weather, it is important to dial 999 immediately and ask for assistance.

Further information on what steps can be taken to protect animals can be found on the RSPCA website.

RSPCA companion animal welfare expert, Dr Samantha Gaines said: "With more warm weather expected across Wales, it's so important people make a plan to keep their pets safe - and we'd urge pet owners to check out the advice on the RSPCA website. 

"Walks are great for our dogs - but when temperatures get very warm, exercise may be too much for them and some dogs, such as those bred for flat faces, are particularly at risk. When it's really hot, any dog can be affected - so early morning or late evening walks can be much safer at this time of year, as it's cooler.

"With Covid restrictions at an end, it's great people are planning trips again and getting out and about - but when it is scorching outside, or if an event isn't appropriate, owners may wish to consider leaving dogs at home. Busy, loud environments can be very distressing; and dogs need constant access to water and shade.

"It's also so important to never leave a dog in a car during warm weather. Even if it doesn't feel very warm outside, dogs can quickly suffer if shut inside a car - and the consequences, sadly, can be fatal. Put simply, dogs die in hot cars.

"It's also vital pet owners know the signs of heat-related illnesses in dogs. Excessive panting, difficulty breathing, unusual tiredness and a reluctance to play could all be signs something is wrong - so keeping a close eye on our animals is key."

Wales Rural & Wildlife Crime Coordinator, Rob Taylor said: “Leaving your dog, for only a short time in your car, will result in them overheating with the consequence of death.

“It’s simple, either leave your dog at your home or please do not leave them in your car as your pet will suffer and you could also be prosecuted for your actions.”

MS calls for more help for veterans from Welsh Government

Sam Rowlands, Senedd Member for North Wales, has called for more to be done to support veterans in Wales. 

Speaking in the Senedd, Mr Rowlands, Shadow Minister for Local Government, asked Hannah Blythyn, Deputy Minister for Social Partnership, what action the Welsh Government were taking. 

He said: “Recently I had the pleasure of meeting the Royal British Legion and they are looking to extend housing priority need to cover five years for those who have left military service. 

"Also, as in place in England, to ensure that divorced or separated spouses and partners of service personnel in Wales can access housing support on the same terms as other armed forces families. 

“What consideration have you had to extend the housing priority need and what discussions are you having with representatives of veterans to ensure that their important concerns are looked at?”

The Minister said: "Our programme for government does set out our commitment to reform housing law and implement the homeless action group's recommendations to fundamentally reform homelessness services to focus on prevention and rapid rehousing. 

“As part of this reform, I can say that Welsh Government will consider the points that you raised and the Royal British Legion have raised as well.” 

Mr Rowlands added: “I was delighted to hear the response from the Minister and look forward to seeing Welsh Government progress the housing reforms and demonstrate their commitment to our veterans.”

Stylish electric Swede is a buzz to drive

Volvo XC40 Recharge drive by Steve Rogers

I’ve been driving a car for a week and haven’t touched the brake pedal. Truth or lie?

You are thinking there has got to be a catch here, but it is the truth.

The electrically powered XC40 has a system called one pedal which brakes the car as the driver lifts off the throttle. It is all to do with capturing energy for the batteries and is the next stage in regenerative braking.

We see it in hybrids where gentle braking is induced to harness battery power but this system is full on and will, by feathering the throttle, bring the car to a stop and hold until you move off. It quickly becomes second nature and apart from an emergency stop there is no need to use the brake pedal.

XC40 looks to be leading Volvos charge to electrically powered cars and has a quite a story to tell. It is the company’s smallest SUV previously powered by petrol or diesel engines but now it’s just petrol hybrid and electric.

The only difference in styling is the front grille which has been replaced by a plastic cover because there is no engine to cool. I would have stuck with the grille which is way more classier.

Power comes from an electric motor, or, in the case of the all wheel drive model tested here, two motors, one on each axle doubling the power to a gobsmacking 408bhp and get this, XC40’s dash to sixty is just two seconds behind a Ferrari F8 or McLaren 720S.

It goes against the grain when electric cars should be driven sensibly, but this car’s performance is such a hoot you are tempted to drive the nuts off it all the time. Honestly, stab the accelerator and you risk snapping your neck such is the pick up.

Back in Mr Sensible mode XC40 delivered around 220 miles from my Podpoint home wall charger, 36 miles short of Volvo’s prediction. Not too shabby and puts the Volvo in the middle of its rivals on range.

A full charge from a wall box takes 12 hours and double that if plugging into a three-pin socket, and remember never to use an extension lead because it will fry.

XC40 is an SUV so don’t expect handling to match its sports car performance but it is good to drive in spite of weighing in at a hefty 2.1 tonnes. The ride was occasionally jittery on B roads in my neck of the woods but for the majority of driving it has a comfortable ride unless  thrashed through bends when you get the inevitable body roll from a high sided car.

You cannot dispute XC40’s premium car status with high quality soft finishes and attractive metal inlays around the cabin. I have been saying for years how Volvo front seats are the most comfortable of any car I have driven and nothing has changed. It is good in the back, too, with ample leg and headroom and space for three adults.

The boot loses a few litres of space because of the positioning of the batteries but there is a decent bolt hole for family luggage. We easily loaded three golf bags and power trolleys with the back seats dropped. Surprised there were no levers in the boot wall to lower the seat backs.

Up front the dashboard has pleasing minimal Swedish styling and the infamous Volvo touchscreen infotainment system. Will we ever get used to it? You would if you owned a Volvo but it would still take a while.

This is a spanking new system powered by Android with Google mapping for navigation and is megga quick. That said it is the same old story, lots of menus with long lists of functions in small print, not the sort of thing to be meddling with while driving.

Ironic that a company that has led the world with safety technology and packs its cars with every safety feature known to man has a complex feature that can be a distraction for a driver.

I kept out of it as much as possible relying on the easy to use voice control for heating, radio and navigation commands.

Sixty grand for the all wheel drive XC40 sounds a lot but is not overpriced compared to its rivals. My guess is the majority will opt for the less expensive front wheel drive models which are still quick off the mark. If XC40 is within your budget it is an extremely good buy whichever model you go for.

How will it stack up against the Audi Q50 etron? Find out here in a couple of weeks.

What the wife says.

I dreaded having to fiddle with the infotainment system but was very impressed with the clever braking system. The covered storage box under the bonnet is a bonus and perfect for storing the hefty charging cables.

Fast facts

XC40 Recharge Twin Pro Ultimate

£60,300 (Range starts £45,750)

Twin electric motors, 408bhp

0-60mph 4.7secs; 112mph

Range 256 miles

0g/km. Road tax zero

Boot 578-1328 litres

Insurance group 41