Get in touch ...

Know of something happening in
Llangollen?
Tweet
us on
@llanblogger

E-mail your contributions to: llanblogger@gmail.com

We are on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/llanbloggercouk/139122552895186



Tuesday, August 16, 2022

Notice given of temporary traffic restriction on the Geraint

* The area affected by the traffic order on the Geraint shown in red.

Denbighshire County Council has given notice of a temporary order prohibiting traffic on the length of unclassified road known as the Geraint in Llangollen to allow BT to reroute existing cables next month.

The order extends north westwards from a point 280 metres north west of the junction with the A5 for a distance of approximately 720 metres.

It is effective from September 5 and the work is expected to last until September 19.

The order says pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the period of the closure and that there is no other route available. 

Monday, August 15, 2022

The Cornmill makes list of UK's top 20 riverside pubs


* Llangollen's Cornmill on the River Dee.

A landmark Llangollen hostelry features in a list of the UK's 20 best waterside pubs which appears in the Guardian newspaper. 

The description of the Cornmill, whose popular decking dining area is suspended over the River Dee, says: "Watch the white-water rafters from this pub perched over the rapids. 


"Enjoy a glass of wine, or two, as the mill’s water wheel turns behind the bar, and the steam trains puff away on the opposite side of the riverbank." 


The Cornmill, which is run by the Brunning and Price chain, shares the top 20 list with places such as the picturesque Swan Inn, Oxfordshire, which is described as the "perfect Cotswold pub", The Pandora Inn, Cornwall, a thatched 13th-century inn on the edge of Restronguet Creek, and 17th century The Waterman’s Arms, Devon, set on a reed-fringed bank of the Harbourne near Totnes.

Genesis is a real showstopper - but only down south for now




Genesis G80 drive by Steve Rogers

If looks alone sold cars this would be a best seller.

People are often interested in cars I drive but the Genesis G80 stole the show. May be they were looking at the badge and wondering ‘what the heck is that’?

More likely they were wowed by its stunning design, bold in your face grille and stylish wafer thin headlight signature. Make no mistake G80 is eye candy.

So why don’t we see Genesis models flooding our roads? Here’s the story (briefly).

Genesis is a new premium brand funded by Hyundai and launched during the pandemic in 2021. Not a great start. Oh, and there are no flashy showrooms, the cars are sold online, the customer getting a virtual tour of the models, buys one and gets a personal assistant who looks after you for the duration. Any problems and the car is collected and the customer left with a courtesy car.

Initially marketing was concentrated in London and south east but the message has spread quicker than expected and test drives are now being arranged nationwide.

G80 is the flagship saloon and has a job on its hands because the opposition is the dominant German trio, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, with Jaguar XF, Volvo S90 and Lexus ES providing another hurdle.

So does it measure up to the opposition, and is it value for money? Hyundai is too savvy to do things by half measures and have ploughed money and expertise into its premium brand. G80 does not look good just on the outside, the cabin has a true luxury look and feel with high quality materials and finish and can match the big names. My passengers were stunned by what they saw.

It comes in three trim levels, rear wheel or all wheel drive, with a starting price of £41,650, is well equipped although to be really pampered go to the Luxury model which has just about everything you would expect on a premium car and more.

Major functions are power assisted, even for adjusting the steering wheel, front seats have 12-way adjustment, are ventilated or heated, there is a belting sound system, 360 degree camera, and you are protected by an impressive list of safety features.

G80 has bucked the trend for the wide screen style dashboard display opting for a more conventional twin digital dial binnacle and a central 8in screen for navigation, radio, general information, mobile phone connections et cetera. Thankfully heating related functions are dealt with in a digital display which can be affected by sun glare but let’s not make too much of that because it is looks classy.

And let’s hand out bonus points for a rotary controller for the screen functions which is far safer than leaning forward and dabbing through touchscreen menus.

Bucket shaped rear seats mean the car is best suited as a four seater, it takes five but the middle passenger sits perched up and has to contend with a wide transmission tunnel.

Performance from the petrol 2.5 litre turbo is brisk via an eight speed automatic box but economy is not a strong point and you will be lucky to get more than 30mpg.

So everything in the garden is generally rosy but there is always a but and in the case of G80 it is the ride. Premium saloon buyers expect a magic carpet ride which you get it in an Audi A6 or Mercedes E-Class but you will not get it in the G80. This is not an Achilles heal, more a sprained ankle because it is comfortable enough on motorways and  good A-road tarmac but a tad choppy on lesser roads.

The Genesis brand is no half hearted attempt to put a spoke into the German juggernaut and G80 is a fine first effort and good value with a five year warranty and five years free servicing.

Backer Hyundai is in no rush and will iron out any niggles down the line but it is going to take time so do not expect to be seeing a mass of Genesis models on our roads just yet.

Fast facts

Genesis G80 Luxury Line

£47,950 (£54,280 with extras)

2.5 litre turbo, 8-speed auto AWD

0-62mph 6secs; 155mph

31.2mpg combined

210g/km. 1st tax £1,420

Insurance group 43

Boot 424 litres

List of latest local roadworks

Latest local roadworks notified by Denbighshire County Council are:

JUNCTION OF CASTLE STREET TO JUNCTION OF BERWYN STREET, MARKET STREET MARKET STREET 22/08/2022 24/08/2022 Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN.

 JUNCTION OF CASTLE STREET TO JUNCTION OF BERWYN STREET, MARKET STREET MARKET STREET 30/08/2022 02/09/2022 Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN.

 JUNCTION REGENT STREET TO JUNCTION OF BERWYN STREET, HALL STREET HALL STREET 22/08/2022 24/08/2022 Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN.

JUNCTION OF CHAPEL STREET TO JUNCTION OF BERWYN STREET, HALL STREET HALL STREET 30/08/2022 02/09/2022 Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN.

A539 JUNCTION OF CASTLE STREET TO ADJACENT WESTOE, ABBEY ROAD ABBEY ROAD 15/08/2022 19/08/2022 Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN LLANGOLLEN Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights.

JUNCTION OF DINBREN ROAD TO JUNCTION OF MILL STREET, WHARF HILL WHARF HILL 15/08/2022 19/08/2022 Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN LLANGOLLEN Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights.

A539 JUNCTION OF CASTLE STREET TO OPPOSITE JUNCTION OF BISHOPS WALK MILL STREET 15/08/2022 19/08/2022 Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN  LLANGOLLEN Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights.


Group to showcase underused natural asset at counties show


* Sheep ready for shearing at Pentredwr.

A community group is to showcase a special project to make better use of a valuable natural asset at this year’s Flint and Denbigh Show. 

Pentredwr and District Community Association applied for Lottery funding for the Hwb project which is now half way through its two-year life. 

The association has numerous community aims centred around rural isolation and depravation and one aspect members are looking at is local Welsh Mountain grade fleece, an underused, undervalued and sustainable, fibre. 


* Wool sacks in storage on the farm.

And to help raise public awareness of this natural fibre, they are showcasing some alternative uses for hill grade fleece at the show, accompanied by Gill Britten of Gwlângollen. 

A spokesperson said: “Hwb Pentredŵr is a project delivered jointly by Pentredŵr and District Community Association and Glwângollen. 

“We are working towards securing community prosperity by developing rural skills and enterprise, addressing rural isolation, supporting digital inclusion and access to services thereby strengthening the community. 

“Sheep production is central to farming in the valley and surrounding area, and shearing is essential to ensure the wellbeing and health of our local flocks. 

“Exploring the wider uses of locally produced Welsh Mountain fleece is a key element of the work we are doing. 

“In total, there are almost 120 different grades of wool in Britain.  Within each style of wool, fleeces are graded by quality with judgements made across a range of characteristics.  

“Our Welsh Mountain sheep must survive in sometimes harsh conditions on the hills, so the wool tends to be much coarser than many other grades of fleece. Consequently, due to its coarser nature, hill grade fleece is generally used in the manufacture of carpets.” 

The spokesperson added: “Our local wool is a totally natural, durable, sustainable, biodegradable fibre which is remarkably deemed as next to worthless in the current market. 

“Prices per kilo for wool have been steadily falling for many years whereas years ago the annual wool cheque would have covered rental for a farm, today, hill grade fleece in our area achieves on average 13p a kilo, meaning a whole fleece is worth only 26-30p. 

“Each sheep costs at least £1 to shear. Shearing is a very skilled job and extremely hard work. In addition, many man hours are required to gather and sort the sheep during the shearing season. 

“HwbPentredŵr and Gwlângollen, with the support of a group of local farmers, are driving forward ideas which may eventually lead to development of a small local wool processing plant, thereby giving this brilliant fibre the respect and recognition it so deserves.” 

Representatives from Hwb Pentredŵr and Gwlângollen will be manning two separate stands at the Flint and Denbigh Show on Thursday August 18, showcasing Welsh Mountain Fleece, some stages of its preparation and also ideas of possible alternative uses. 

They are inviting visitors to call and see them on stand K39. Gill from Gwlângollen will be in the Farmers Union of Wales tent. 

There are numerous, varied events and workshops going on at Pentredŵr. For further details of these follow Hwb Pentredŵr, Pentredŵr and District Community Association and Gwlângollen Facebook pages. 

Hwb Pentredŵr is also on Instagram. Websites: hwb.Pentredwr.co.uk; Pentredwr.co.uk and gwlangollen.wixsite.com

Saturday, August 13, 2022

Plans in place for summer visits to Horseshoe Falls

Denbighshire County Council is informing residents of its plans to accommodate visits to Llangollen’s Horseshoe Falls.

With a busy weekend expected, the council is working to manage the increase in visitors and has made a number of preparations.

Extra countryside rangers are being deployed at Horseshoe Falls, to provide information, support for visitors and help deal with any issues.

The council says it is aware also aware of parking issues at the tourist spot and will be deploying civil enforcement officers to manage the site.

Residents and visitors are reminded parking restrictions are important for both road safety and ensuring there is a fair turnover of parking spaces.

Motorists not complying with parking restrictions risk receiving a Penalty Charge Notice.

The council is asking visitors to park responsibly in designated areas and to respect the countryside, this includes keeping dogs on a lead and to bring picnics rather than disposable barbeques.

Those wishing to visit Horseshoe Falls on Saturday can also use the Dee Valley Picturesque Bus Service which is available to pick up from Llangollen Parade Street from 8.35am. The service will stop at the falls and more information can be found here - https://www.clwydianrangeanddeevalleyaonb.org.uk/projects/the-picturesque-bus/

Visitors are being reminded to be respectful to those working to ensure the safety and enjoyment of visitors and residents.