Councillor slams county leaders over weekend's Horseshoe Falls parking

* A tractor tries to get past a line of parked cars near Horseshoe Falls.

Senior officers of Denbighshire County Council do not fully appreciate the seriousness and scale of the problems being caused by visitors' vehicles parking near the Horseshoe Falls in busy summer periods. 

That’s the stark message Llangollen county councillor Karen Edwards has for county hall chiefs as a result of last weekend’s major congestion around the famous beauty spot as hot weather brought visitors flocking to the area. 

Late last week with another very warm weekend in prospect the council sent out a press release reassuring that it was taking extra steps to handle parking near the falls. 

Yet as parked vehicles began to block the small country lanes around the attraction local people were taking to social media to complain bitterly about the traffic chaos this was causing. 

One said on Facebook: “There were cars parked on junctions, along grass verges, blind bends and on the road all the way up past Llantysilio Hall.

 

“Twenty+ cars all parked illegally on double yellow lines. Wing mirrors hanging off cars. A local farmer with a large tractor and trailer was struggling to get through to tend to his land.”

* Nose-to-tail parking along a country lane.

 

After being informed by officers that 26 parking enforcement notices were issued on the Sunday, Cllr Edwards replies to them in a a strongly-worded email: “This is not even scratching the surface of the issue and its potential impact to the local community.  

“If you consider 26 parking fines to be progress then we are clearly not looking at this issue through the same lens as nothing has fundamentally changed. 

“The road was still blocked over both days, the local community impacted and confidence in the council eroded even more.  

“I remain concerned that you do not fully appreciate or comprehend the seriousness and scale of the situation.”   

Cllr Edwards goes on: “Parking enforcement failed to put in a presence on Saturday despite being requested by Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty officers and during the afternoon two tractors with trailers of hay became trapped due to the illegal parking for over an hour, unable to go forward or reverse back.  

“The driver of one of the tractors advised that when police attended they said there was nothing they could do because there was no signage that supported the double yellow lines marked on the carriageway. 

“Had there been a medical emergency or a wildfire in Llantysilio/Rhewl at this time how would the emergency services been able to respond in a timely manner? 

“Does it take someone to die from a medical issue or assets and livelihoods to be severely impacted or lost due to a fire getting out of control before we get some joined up thinking and proper enforcement and action from all agencies to prevent this happening?”  

And dealing with last week’s county council press release, she says: “How do you reasonably expect visitors from out of area to read your press and public statements made on visitor management and parking enforcement before they arrive in Llangollen?” 

Suggesting solutions, she says: “Simply put I believe you should devote more time, resource and budget to turn people away when the car parks are full to get a park and ride bus the at you refer to you or simply go elsewhere.  

“Llangollen requires a full-time parking enforcement officer on site in the area at peak periods during the year all day. 

“Every weekend during peak season has the potential for this and if we had the same situation arise again, given all the experiences we have had, this would surely be negligent on the part of Denbighshire County Council.” 

Cllr Edwards calls for: 

* Control of visitor numbers and car parking- if necessary people need to be turned away.

* Positive enforcement of no parking on double yellow lines and obstructing the carriageway, maintaining the road open and clear to the local community and emergency services,  the police may be required to support this.

* Officers with authority and powers on site to deal with antisocial behaviour such as lighting of barbecues and littering. It is completely unrealistic to expect one ranger or even two to manage this on their own.

* Litter collection - more bins and operatives on site during busy periods.

* Install fencing and a barrier on the entrance to the car park. Wooden or metal bollards installed on the section overlooking the falls.

A spokesperson for Denbighshire County Council said: “We are continuing to work with our partners to manage the increase in visitors at Horseshoe Falls. 

"We are fully aware of the parking issues at the site and remind visitors that parking restrictions are important for both road safety and ensuring there is a fair turnover of parking spaces.

"Over the weekend civil enforcement officers issued parking tickets to motorists parked on double yellow lines.

"Those who plan to visit the site in the future and do not comply with parking restrictions risk receiving further Penalty Charge Notices.

"Visitors are reminded that 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/

"Additional Countryside Rangers are being employed to cover this area in order to give advice to visitors arriving at the site.

"We also urge visitors to park responsibly in designated areas and to respect the countryside and the local community, this includes keeping dogs on a lead and to bring picnics rather than disposable barbeques."

Hero cop encourages others to join police

 

* Inspector Gavin Gilmore. 

A hero police officer who’s talked down countless suicidal men and women from a world-famous bridge is calling on others to make a difference by joining the police.

Inspector Gavin Gilmore, a nationally trained hostage and crisis negotiator, is on course to become one of the most senior ethnic minority police officers in North Wales Police if he successfully completes his Chief Inspector promotion process later this year.

The multi award-winning cop, who was once honoured for his bravery after stepping in to apprehend a machete-wielding offender following a serious assault, said he could not have picked out a more challenging or rewarding career for himself.

Insp Gilmore was speaking as North Wales Police launched  its latest drive to recruit more officers.

The window for applications is open from August 18 to August 29 and details can be found on the North Wales Police website www.northwales.police.uk 

The dad-of-one, who is currently Wrexham Rural District Inspector, joined the force in 2007 at the age of 24 following a three-year stint as a chemical engineer.

The 40-year-old studied for a degree at Manchester Metropolitan University  but said the idea of a policing career had always appealed to him.

Despite strong disapproval from his father who was keen for him to become a doctor, Insp Gilmore signed up and said it was the best decision he has ever made.

“For me it was the right time. I had reached the age of 24 and had a lifetime of experiences already, coming from a background of divorced parents. It does make you grow up pretty quickly,” he said.

“I also come from a mixed-race background. My dad was Mauritian and of Hindu faith and my mother is white.

“My father never wanted me to join the police. He preferred engineering or a career in the NHS and had aspirations of me becoming a doctor. When I joined, I had the added complication of going against my father’s wishes.

“When I told him my plans, he was quite against it. I was born in the early 80s and it was very much a different world. It was difficult to change the views of someone who had lived through the Brixton riots in 1981. Even when I got promoted my dad was still concerned for me and asked if I was sure that policing was for me.

“I’m now 15 years into my career and going for my promotion to Chief Inspector. If I pass, I will be the most senior minority ethnic police officer in the force which just shows how quickly you can go through the ranks if you give it your best.

“If you want to implement change in the police, you have to get yourself in a position where you implement the change. Policing is evolving and while there is still a way to go, the Chief Constable is really pushing to make a difference.”

After completing his initial training, Insp Gilmore joined Wrexham North and undertook a variety of roles before completing his initial sergeant qualifications and moving to Mold, Flintshire, as part of the response team.

After 18 months, he passed his inspector exams and moved into an acting inspector role at Flintshire South and Flintshire North where he continued to build his evidence for the rank before returning to Wrexham in charge of Wrexham Rural District. 

During the past 15 years, Insp Gilmore has amassed a wealth of qualifications including high-level national training as a crisis and hostage negotiator.

It is these specific skills that has seen him deal with multiple incidents involving suicidal people on the Menai Bridge on Anglesey in addition to resolving dangerous hostage situations.

He has also trained as a firearms officer, public safety commander and advanced driver and is currently completing a Master’s Degree in Policing and Law Enforcement Leadership at Liverpool’s John Moores University.

“I’ve talked lots of people off bridges including Menai Bridge, I’ve talked people off roofs when they’re threatening officers or other people. I’ve dealt with situations where people have committed crimes and have threatened to burn down buildings and large scale public disorder incidents,” he said.

“I’ve investigated gangs bringing drugs into North Wales and was involved in breaking up an operation involving the supply of drugs from Merseyside into North Wales.

“This is a really complex job. You’re taking people’s liberty away and need to fully understand your legislative powers. You’re given great responsibility as a police officer and you need to fully appreciate the powers warranted to you.

“You’re not only dealing with victims of crime but communities as well and your own officers’ welfare. Police officers deal with death all day long and their welfare is paramount.

“There are so many career paths in the police, it’s so varied. If you have an affinity for investigations, you can go into CID, if you have an affinity for driving you can go into roads policing.

“I’ve not looked back since 2007, it has really opened my eyes. You have to remain fit and agile, of course, and as society evolves so do you. Every day is a school day.”

Insp Gilmore, whose wife is a serving North Wales police officer, now uses his personal experiences to help other minority ethnic officers and staff coming through the ranks as deputy chair of North Wales Police’s Black and Asian Police Association (BAPA).

“We support ethnic minority staff and officers who join us, especially when they are suffering periods of stress-related illnesses. We also use a buddy system for new officers so they don’t feel isolated,” he said. 

“For me as an Inspector going on to become a Chief Inspector and becoming the most senior minority ethnic officer in the force, this shows other people from a similar background you can go up the ranks and that you shouldn’t view ethnicity as a barrier because it’s not.

“There are support networks within the police to help you through, we are not isolated and on our own. We have a welfare team in place offering whatever support is needed. There really is no better time to join.”

* For more details about how to apply go to www.northwales.police.uk

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. 

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