Denbighshire calls or hosts for Ukrainian refugees

Denbighshire County Council is calling on people living in the county to get in touch with the Welsh Government if they can offer a home for those resettling in the UK as a result of the atrocities in Ukraine.

The council has worked closely with Welsh Government to welcome families and individuals to Denbighshire and teams from the Council have been working to carry out checks at properties put forward as a sanctuary. 

Teams are also working to support people’s health and well-being needs, as well as supporting families to find places in school for their children.

Welsh Government has now renewed its call for more hosts that can offer a home to come forward and Denbighshire County Council is supporting them to share information and reach local communities.

To offer a home in Wales for refugees from Ukraine you must:

1. live or own residential property in Wales
2. have not been matched with guests from Ukraine
3. be able to offer a spare room or separate home for at least 6 months
4. have leave to remain in the UK for at least 6 months
5. not have a criminal record

Councillor Rhys Thomas, Cabinet Lead Member for Housing and Communities, said: “Denbighshire has a long history of accommodating and supporting refugees and over the last five years the Council has resettled 25 families, made up of 95 individuals, predominantly in response to the refugee crisis in Syria and Afghanistan.

“We are pleased to have been able to welcome families and individuals arriving in Denbighshire from Ukraine over recent weeks and that work continues.

“The Council is working to ensure the relevant support is available for families once they arrive in Denbighshire, this includes our education team processing applications for school places.

“Through Home Office funding, we are well placed to provide the necessary support and have a working group to manage the programme, as well as a dedicated team working directly with families, and additional support from partners in the third sector and from local volunteer groups.

“A number of Denbighshire residents have come forward to offer accommodation to those who have been forced to leave Ukraine due to the ongoing conflict and on behalf of the Council I would like to thank them for their generosity.

“However, we need those individuals or families who can provide a home to get in touch with the Welsh Government

* If anyone has any enquiries, or would like to offer accommodation, they should visit: gov.wales/offerhome

Llangollen company pledges support to veterans' charity

* Jason Rickwood and Hugh Luckock.

An outdoor adventure and activities company in Llangollen has pledged its support to veterans’ charity, Launchpad.

Bearded Men Adventures provides accommodation, catering, adventure and activities such as white water rafting, coasteering, river tubing, mountaineering and paddleboarding.

The company has agreed to donate 1% of their annual income from activities to the charity.

The business, which was set up in 2018 by two friends who just so happen to have bushy beards, Jason Rickwood and Hugh Luckock, caters for families, groups and individuals as well as schools, corporate businesses, stag and hen groups.

Passionate about giving back to good causes, both Jason and Hugh selected Launchpad as their chosen charity and said they admire the work that Launchpad provides to veterans.

Launchpad provides vital accommodation and support for up to 100 veterans across three houses in the North of England and helps residents to transition from military to civilian life. Bearded Men Adventures invited staff and residents from Launchpad’s Speke House in Liverpool to experience a day of outdoor adventure activities, which included white water rafting.

Jason, 36, a veteran himself, served 12 months with the Royal Engineers and most of his family have a connection with the Army including his two brothers and father. In addition to Bearded Men Adventures, he is also a Level 4 snowboarding instructor and teaches the Royal Navy snow board team during the winter months.

Hugh, 34, said: “We’ve been going for four years now and despite Covid-19 having an impact on our business, we’re really starting to see the business taking off. Supporting veterans is a great thing to do and when we found out about what Launchpad does to support those veterans who may be struggling with the transition, we wanted to support them and be part of a charity that is doing positive things.”

Jan Buckley, acting activities co-ordinator at Launchpad’s Speke House who also attended the white water rafting day last week with seven residents, said: “We are very grateful to Jason and Hugh to committing to supporting Launchpad. We had a great day out and all residents really enjoyed it. It has given everyone a boost and was good to see residents bonding together.

“Being outdoors and keeping active provides a positive and stimulating experience for our residents and is a good way for them to manage their mental health and wellbeing. Everyone who attended has been talking about it and commenting on how much fun they had.”

Bearded Men Adventures and Launchpad are exploring the possibility of a camping trip in September for residents. This will be a two-day adventure activity programme led by Bearded Men Adventures and will include wild camping and bushcraft skills.

Launchpad’s Speke House includes 50 self-contained flats and communal areas such as a lounge, kitchen/dining area, IT suite and garden. Staff work with multiple partners to support each resident on their journey to living independently.

* For more information on Bearded Men Adventures and their activities, please visit their website as: www.beardedmenadventures.com/outdoor-activities-north-wales/

'Visit Llangollen' Liverpool kids tell city's refugee families

* The horse-drawn boats on the canal (above) and the Oggie Shop in Castle Street are 'must see' attraction in Llangollen, say the Liverpool schoolchildren.

Messages welcoming refugee families to Liverpool from a group of the city’s schoolchildren contained a tip for them to visit Llangollen.

The letters were compiled by the Action Asylum project housed at Asylum Link Merseyside, working with two schools, The Beacon Church of England Primary and Bishop Martin Church of England Primary, as part of this year’s Refugee Week celebrations.

According to a story in The Guide, Liverpool, suggestions from the 10-year-olds included sampling local attractions such as doughnuts in Liverpool ONE and mini golf at Otterspool.

Other highlights were Bold Street’s Cat Café, the soft play centre Fantasy Land, and the city’s two football stadiums – although one girl admitted she preferred cricket.

Junior culture vultures also praised the city’s museums, the Western Approaches bunker and the Tate Gallery.

And, soon after ‘Wales welcomed the world’ at the recent Eisteddfod, one adventurous young writer recommended a 45-minute trip out to Llangollen.

Once in town, the junior travel guide suggested stopping off to see the horse-drawn barges, adding: “Make sure to go to the Llangollen Oggie Shop.”

The letters were shared with refugees studying English at Asylum Link Merseyside, who have since written back, and whose messages have been read out in the classroom.

In their letters, the schoolchildren urge the new arrivals that “there is no need to be afraid” and tell them “you’ll never walk alone”.

* To see the story, go to: https://theguideliverpool.com/schoolkids-letters-describe-the-perfect-day-out-in-liverpool-for-refugees/

On-the-loose cockerels offered safe new home by animal lover

* The two cockerels pictured in their place of safety.

A pair of colourful cockerels which have been seen pecking away on a grassed area close to the busy A5 on the entrance to Llangollen, worrying scores of passers-by, have been taken in by a local animal lover.

Anna Grace Richards has taken to Facebook to say that she’s offered them both a place of safety on her own land at least until their owner comes forward to claim them.

In her post, which has so far attracted over 60 supportive comments, she says: “Morning all. These two flamboyant fellows have been clucking about on the Maesmawr/A5 junction for a few weeks, now. 

“I'm aware that they've been discussed on here before, and it does seem as though they may have been dumped. 

“I was keen to get them away from the main road, and I think some kindly people have been feeding them as they were much happier to be approached than a couple of weeks back. 

“Hence yesterday I gathered them up and they are now happily pecking up our paddock and roosting in our old duck house. 

“I thought I better let people know, as I think they might be missed and I know I would have felt concerned if I didn't know where they'd gone! 

“This is their home if they need it, but obviously, should anyone be or know of an owner of these two lovely boys, drop me a message and I'll reunite them.” 

She adds a short video to her post to shown how contended the two birds now seem. 

Some of the comments which have been flooding in say: “This makes me so happy. What a lovely home they now have.” 

“Phew! I wondered where they'd gone. So glad they're safe.”

“Oh my! That’s amazing news! Thank you so much for offering them a lovely home! This makes me so happy Julie Francis.”

“Thank you so much for saving them, such beautiful boys, I did message quite a few rescues who said they couldn’t take any boys.”

“Anna Grace Richards I know it’s so sad, we have hens but some of the girls think they’re boys crowing. Thank you for giving them a safe space. Have been thinking about them recently so happy to know they’re safe.”

“They look very happy, I was concerned everyday coming home from work seeing them so close to the A5, well done.” 

Fringe Festival announces weekend ticket details

Llangollen Fringe Festival organisers have announced details of their weekend tickets. 

Weekend 1  The 1st weekend ticket covers Saturday 23rd Day and Night with Act I of A Gathering of Folk during the day and, afterwards, The Turbans in the Town Hall.  You also get to see the fabulous support band Cosmic Dog Fog in between!  Then chill out on Sunday 24th with a laid back afternoon in the Bridge End for Act II of A Gathering of Folk.  Ticket link here! Weekend 2  The 2nd weekend ticket covers Friday 29th with the fabulous and amazing Talisk.  Then on Saturday 30th, why not enjoy the Fringe on the Fringe at Gales Wine Bar Marquee with a Super Saturday of music to suit all tastes, link here, then come on over to the Town Hall to see (and hear!) the Musik of Kraftwerk performed by the Ebony Steel Band.  Ticket Link here!   The full line-up for this years festival, our 25th Birthday Edition, click here!

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.

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.”