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Saturday, July 23, 2022

Collen Players present their red-hot summer show

* The entire Collen Players cast on stage for the finale. All pictures by Jeanette Robinson.

* Chairman Lee Taylor Opens the proceedings.

* Sue Stokes was the first act of the night.


* Phil Robinson presents his two songs.


* Banjo man Andy Eastwood performs.


* Mike Connolly on stage.


* Musical theatre specialist Shea Ferron.

The Collen Players took to the Community Hall stage for their summer old time music hall and variety show yesterday (Friday) evening.

Once again under the skilful and sometimes cheeky chairmanship of their founder Father Lee Taylor, the cast presented a package of the kind of diverse entertainment that the regular audience has come to know and relish.

After the usual opening sing-along - including the favourite Sons of the Sea - we were back in the naughty 1890s to see Sue Stokes give a lively rendering of the old music hall number K-K-K Katy followed by a soulful Fields of Athenry.

This warmed things up suitably for Phil Robinson to remind everyone why his Victorian character had won the boozy title of Champagne Charlie before heading off to an old-time fair with I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts.

Next came the first appearance of the night of accomplished George Formby tribute act Andy Eastwood, strumming out a string of the toothy Lancashire performer's biggest hits including Little Stick of Blackpool Rock and I'm Leaning on a Lampost.  

After the interval the chairman introduced Mike Connolly showing off in song his Two Lovely Black Eyes followed by the clever Hippopotamus Song.

Reminding us that music hall/variety isn't just for those who might actually remember its glory days, young Shea Ferron bounded on to deliver two musical theatre stormer, Who I'd Be from Shrek and Stars from Les Miserables.

Back for a welcome second appearance came Andy Eastwood to swap instruments and musical styles, using the violin to play stirring themes from Dambusters March and The Great Escape before another successful Collen Players outing was rounded off with the usual rousing choruses of Down at the Old Bull and Bush led from the stage by the whole company.

Friday, July 22, 2022

Young people design Pengwern centre's smart new logo

* Design competition winners receive their certificates.

Pupils have designed a new logo for a Llangollen community centre

A competition was recently held to design a new logo for the Pengwern Community Hub.

Children from Years 5 and 6 at Ysgol Y Gwernant and Ysgol Bryn Collen took part by submitting their design ideas with images that represent their take on ‘Pengwern’.

The hub works to increase opportunities to raise skills and aspirations, as well as resources to deliver activities and services to support people.

Nearly 100 entries were received which were whittled down to four by representatives from Denbighshire County Council, South Denbighshire Community Partnership and Friends of Pengwern.

The final four were displayed at the Pengwern Hub and shared via the Project’s social media page, for residents to vote for their favourite logo design. 

The winning entry was shared with a graphic designer who created a professional image from the child’s idea to create the new Pengwern Hub logo.

All children received a gift bag for entering the competition, but the four children who received prizes for winner and runners up were:

•  Jimmy McGreary - Year 5 of Ysgol Y Gwernant (WINNER)

•  Rhys Wyn-Jones - Year 6 of Ysgol Y Gwernant

•  Delilah Kemp - Year 5 of Ysgol Bryn Collen

•  Hester Sutcliffe - Year 6 of Ysgol Bryn Collen 

Cllr Rhys Thomas, Lead Member for Housing and Communities, said: “We are really proud to see the support for this competition and want to wish a big congratulation to Jimmy for his winning design.

“The council is proud to continue working with our partner organisations in supporting the hub’s continued work to increase the overall wellbeing of the local community.

Gwyndaf Davies, headteacher at Ysgol Y Gwernant, said: “As a school we feel very grateful to Pengwern Hwb for asking us to take part in their logo competition. The children love taking part in community projects and this competition was a great opportunity for the children to use their creative skills. 

"We are delighted that our pupils did so well in the competition. Congratulations to Jimmy McGreary year 5 on coming 1st and Rhys Jones year 6 for making the final 4. Well done also to everyone who took part."

Margaret Sutherland, Chief Executive Officer of South Denbighshire Community Partnership (SDCP). said: “SDCP are delighted to be working in partnership with Denbighshire County Council and Friends of Pengwern on the development of the community hub, which will provide enhanced activities and services for the Llangollen community. 

“Extensive consultation in the summer of 2021 identified services and activities that the community felt were needed. 

"All partners have a very clear aspiration for the hub to provide a place that the Llangollen Community will embrace and actively contribute to the management and direction of, so involving the children in the design of the new logo was a first step in realising that aspiration, and we feel it captures the hub as being at the heart of the community and its location.”

Essential repairs being carried out at Castell Dinas Brân

* The gatehouse at Castell Dinas Brân.

Essential repair work to the medieval walls of the gatehouse structure on Castell Dinas Brân is taking place over the coming weeks. 

Scaffolding is being erected ahead of repair works by a specialist company using traditional lime mortar techniques.

The gatehouse tower is the only enclosed and roofed area of the castle and the reconsolidation works will enable the public to access the tower when it is opened up for special events. 

This will provide visitors with an enhanced visitor experience and understanding of the previously closed off interior of the gatehouse.

The works have been funded by Cadw and the National Lottery Heritage Fund through the Our Picturesque Landscape project a landscape partnership scheme tasked with restoring a number of features within the Dee Valley.

Castell Dinas Brân with its hillfort and mediæval castle is an iconic site in the Dee Valley being a Welsh castle dating from the 13th century and attracts approximately 50,000visitors each year who access the site along two main footpaths. 

The majority of the wider land around the castle is a protected Site of Special Scientific Interest for its species rich grassland and geology.

Councillor Win Mullen James, Cabinet Lead Member for Local Development and Planning, said: “This summer offers a very exciting opportunity to run some activities at the castle alongside the reconsolidation works to show how Castell Dinas Brân has been such an inspiration for visitors over the centuries to explore and, appreciate its setting within the picturesque landscape of the Dee Valley. 

"We are thrilled to be able to undertake repair works which will help protect the castle structure and enable the gatehouse tower to be opened to the public for special events in the future. We would like to thank our funders Cadw and the National Lottery Heritage Fund for making this possible."

Ashley Batten, Cadw Inspector of Ancient Monuments, said: “The twin-towered gatehouse at Castell Dinas Brân has few direct parallels.  

"It is assumed to date to the 1260s and to be the work of Madogap Llywelyn of Powys. Seemingly more architectural than defensive in its design it comprises two narrow projecting towers.  

"The southern tower retains its vaulted space while much of the external masonry has been lost over the intervening centuries.  

"This has left the fragile stone core of the structure exposed to the elements and a few architectural fragments vulnerable to erosion. This specialist conservation work aims to protect this precious masonry and consolidate the remains for future generations to understand and enjoy.”

The Kia SUV with James Bond-style wizardry



Kia Sportage is full of clever tricks by Steve Rogers

Super agent James Bond is sipping a cocktail at a swish Parisian bar and needs his car.

He reaches into his pocket for the key fob presses a button and the car glides out of its parking space, without a driver, and pulls up alongside the kerb ready for our hero to speed away.

The stuff of dreams for us mere mortals.... but is it? You can get the same wizardry in the new Kia Sportage, a family SUV which will park itself or pull out of a bay with the owner pressing the key fob from across the street.

It’s all part of a hot package for the new model which has been the company’s biggest seller since the launch of the 2010 Sportage, That was the creation of a German who designed the Audi TT and who was persuaded to jump ship and work his magic on the Korean company’s models. He did and Kia quickly became a massive player in the UK car market.

This latest Sportage is a big step up both in styling and a high tec features including two 12.3in screens, one in the driver’s binnacle with super sharp computer generated dials and a central touch screen with a full menu of information including navigation, radio and Bluetooth.

The Sportage’s styling is just as stunning whether viewed face on, or from the back which gives the impression of two tail fins, at the top and across the middle. Bold design at its best. It has taken the crown from Mazda CX-5 as the best looking medium sized SUV.

Here is the bad news, all this new technology comes at a cost and Sportage’s price has shot up as much as its street cred. My top end GT-Line S is 40 grand and if you go for the lower models you don’t get the posh wide screen.

As well as the twin screens the centre console has a space age look with a rotary controller replacing the traditional gear selector freeing up space for storage.

Other new handy ideas include a solid hangar design in the back of the front head rests which will take a heavy bag or coat, a better idea than hanging something from above the rear door. More brownie points for a USB port built into the side cushion of each front seat.

No diesel option this time just a couple of 1.6 litre petrols, the most powerful boosted by a 48 volt hybrid motor so it is pretty potent and pulled my caravan with ease. Fuel consumption suffers but that is offset by the high cost of diesel. Towing capacity is down but good enough for the average four berth outfit, for anything bigger look to the seven seat Sorento although that is being scaled down to one £50k model coming early next year.

Performance from the hybrid is strong, my only complaint is with the seven speed auto which holds a gear for too long and is sometimes all over the place when towing, so I was thankful for the steering wheel paddle shifters.

You can get a plug-in hybrid Sportage but there are no plans for an electric model so the SUV option is the slightly smaller Niro.

As a family SUV Sportage has jumped a few rungs up the quality ladder although you will spot hard plastic around the centre console and along the boot side walls which can be easily scratched so a fabric cover might be a better option.

Whether it is looks, space or quality Sportage is hard to turn your back on and it still has that enticing seven year warranty.

Fast facts

Sportage GT-Line S

£40,255 (starts £27,250)

1.6 litre petrol, 226bhp

0-60mph 8secs; 120mpg

44.1mpg combined

146g/km. 1st tax £215

Boot: 591-1780 litres

Insurance group 26

Towing capacity 1650kg

Thursday, July 21, 2022

Police promise extra resources to curb town's anti-social behaviour

Police are to step up their presence in Llangollen over the next few weekends in a bid to control the recent upsurge in anti-social behaviour.

A message sent out this afternoon (Thursday) by Support Sergeant Rich Evans through the North Wales Police Neighbourhood Alert network says: "We are aware that Llangollen has been extremely busy over the last week with visitors flocking to the town to enjoy the beautiful weather.

"Unfortunately, going hand in hand with that has been some reports of anti-social behaviour.

"As a result we have arranged some additional resources over the coming weekends to provide a high visibility police presence in the town.

"Hopefully, the increased police presence will provide some reassurance to the local community and local businesses."


Time for George to hand over his role as town hall clock winder


* George wields the heavy metal winder of the famous town hall clock.

George Hughes's time as official clock winder at Llangollen Town Hall has come to an end.

Twice a week for the past six years the former town councillor and mayor has climbed the steep wooden stairs up to the very top of the civic building in Castle Street to wind the complex heavy metal mechanism of the clock which dates back to 1886.

But, now into his 80s, he reckons the physical strain of the role has become a bit too much for him and has handed over the huge cast iron winding key to a younger person, Rob Edwards.

George said: "I took on the unpaid job from Alan Maybury who had done it for a few years and I was shown what to do by the former town hall careta hiker John Roberts, who had done it before him.


* The complex 136-year-old winding mechanism behind the clock face.

"I have been going up to the loft where the mechanism is every Tuesday and Friday to wind it up.

"There's two things that have to be wound - the clock itself and the bell which sounds with it. The whole machine, which is stamped with the name of its makers, Gillett & Co of Croydon, is a real work of art and I've thoroughly enjoyed operating it.

"But even to reach the winding mechanism is a bit difficult. You have to climb up to the balcony, squeeze through a very small wooden door and then climb up a steep flight of narrow wooden stairs.


* Some of the old-fashioned pulleys which help control the clock.

"The whole thing's very physical and has now got a bit too much for me, so I've handed over the role to someone younger."

George, who served three terms on the council, was town mayor from 2007-2009 and spent 10 years as a retained firefighter based in the town, added: "I was terribly sorry to give it up but I wish Rob lots of luck with being the new clock winder. 

"I've really enjoyed doing it over the past six years and used to go straight up to do the job  after coming back off holidays.

"I'll now have a bit more time on my hands."

Homes suffer from "north south divide" over fees, claim care champions


* Mario Kreft MBE, the Chair of Care Forum Wales.

Denbighshire County Council has been accused of paying unrealistically low care home fees.

An investigation by social care champions Care Forum Wales (CFW) has revealed the local authority is among the worst payers in Wales.

The figures are contained in a table published by CFW of the postcode lottery of fees paid across Wales.

They say the rates set by the councils were “budget driven” and were not based on the true cost of providing care.

Anglesey is sixth from bottom of the table  and Conwy is 10th from bottom, with Denbighshire fourth from bottom and Wrexham second from bottom.

Right at the foot of the table is Flintshire County Council who have been awarded a giant wooden by CFW for being “the meanest” local authority in Wales.

A care home owner in Flintshire, who declined to be named for fear of being victimised and blacklisted by the council, was shocked to discover that the funding for individual residents in Flintshire is up to £11,000 a year less per person than in parts of Wales – for providing exactly the same level of service.

The revelation came after what social care champions Care Forum Wales (CFW) describe as a “fee-fixing North Wales cartel” was blown apart by Gwynedd Council whose Cabinet voted unanimously for increases of up to 25 per cent.

Their decision followed similar hikes in Merthyr Tydfil where councillors were warned that not paying fees that reflected the “true cost of care” would be unlawful.

According to CFW, it’s left the remaining five local authorities in North Wales “with nowhere to hide” and Flintshire County Council at the bottom of what’s come to be known as the League of Shame, detailing the fees paid in different parts of Wales.

As a result, the local authority has been awarded a giant, five foot tall wooden spoon.

The unnamed Flintshire care home owner said: “I am left feeling physically sick when I see the levels of funding for people in care in other parts of Wales.

“It is our residents who are suffering from the penny-pinching attitude of Flintshire Council but it costs the same to look after someone in Flintshire as it does in Gwynedd or Merthyr but Flintshire Council pay a lot less.”

CFW say the Flintshire care home is also at the wrong end of a growing North-South divide.

They say the postcode lottery was brought into sharp focus when Torfaen Council announced big increases in their rates – 17 per cent for residential care and 25 per cent for nursing care.

It means that a 50-bed care home in Torfaen will receive £546,000 a year more for providing residential EMI care than a similar sized home in Anglesey, Wrexham and Flintshire for exactly the same levels of care.

In the case of Denbighshire it equates to an extra £494,000 a year and £444,600 more than a home in Conwy.

The anonymous Flintshire care provider added: “I love my job. I love the role of supporting and caring for people who need that help and the days that I’m hands on and providing that care are the best days of my week.

“Ten years ago I enjoyed the management side of the job as well but not anymore, not when we’re starved of the necessary funding which means I can’t afford to decorate or even properly clean the place and I know that council-owned homes are decorated every year.

Last year’s bottom two were Swansea and Neath Port Talbot and both have boosted their care fees by over 12 per cent while Blaenau Gwent  (14.9 per cent) and Caerphilly (13.40 per cent), found even more money.

It’s a state of affairs that has Mario Kreft MBE, the Chair of Care Forum Wales which represents around  500 of the country’s independent care providers, fuming.

Mr Kreft said: “We are calling on all fair minded people in local government – and through the good offices of the Welsh Local Government Association – to ensure, as put to the councillors in places like Merthyr, Torfaen and Gwynedd, they need to urgently review their fees.

“A number of other councils deserve credit for committing to conduct urgent reviews of their rates and we trust that they will now also follow suit and do the right thing.

“It is vital that these authorities fulfill their statutory responsibilities and ensure that they act lawfully and set their rates in such a way that they reflect the true cost of providing care for the most vulnerable people in our society.

“If, however, they continue to act unlawfully, it will put more unacceptable pressure on hard-pressed, hard-working families to make up the difference which is unfair at the best of times but totally intolerable during the current cost of living crisis.

“We are in an absurd situation where you can go from North to South Wales and find a person in Flintshire with exactly the same needs and receiving exactly the same service but in Torfaen they receive £11,000 more per person a year for providing it.

“Either the likes of Torfaen are being totally profligate with Council Tax payers money or Flintshire need to step up to the plate and meet their statutory, lawful obligations by recognising the true cost of social care.

“It is frankly unbelievable that in Wales we have 22 local authorities all setting their own fees and we are seeing massive differences in those fees – it means that in most parts of Wales the system is just unsustainable.

“We rightly have national standards that we need to abide to and we need a national framework for setting fees as recommended by the Welsh Government in their White Paper, Rebalancing Care and Support.

“Gwynedd, Torfaen and Merthyr councils deserve praise for doing the right thing in setting fees at a level that is nearer to covering the true cost of care for the sake of the vulnerable people who live in care homes and nursing homes.

“This has certainly ratcheted up the pressure on the remaining North Wales authorities whose position is now completely and demonstrably untenable and unlawful unless they follow suit.

“At the moment the only way providers in places like Flintshire and Wrexham, Denbighshire, Anglesey and Conwy can manage is to go back to the hard-working families of their residents who will suffer financially – it’s a stealth tax.

“How can it be that for providing an identical service in Connah’s Quay you receive £11,000 less per person than you receive in Caerphilly?

“It’s a North-South divide and in the 20-odd years since devolution, the level of fees paid by the North Wales local authorities have gone from top of the league to relegation candidates.

“As a consequence we are seeing care homes closing across Wales because they are not financially viable which is something that is required by law.

Mary Wimbury, the chief executive of Care Forum Wales, said: “We rightly have national standards that are required in terms of the quality of the care provided and the national regulations governing the social care sector.

“What we need now is a complete overhaul of the system and the introduction of a sensible and fair national framework for commissioning a national fee which ensures realistic and sustainable rates that cover the true cost of care and allow providers to properly reward their valued workforce.

“This is becoming increasingly urgent because the demographics are going in one direction with the recently published census results show that one in five people in Wales are now aged 65 or over.

“Our network of care homes and domiciliary care providers provide essential support for the NHS.

“Without that scaffolding, the burden on an already stretched NHS with hospitals bursting at the seams will become even more intolerable and the whole system could collapse like a house of cards.”