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Thursday, September 8, 2022

Mayor leads local tributes to the late Queen


The Mayor of Llangollen, Cllr Paul Keddie, has led local tributes to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II who died at Balmoral, aged 96, earlier today.

He says: "We all remember where we were and what we were doing when a disaster strikes or a significant event happens. 

"My wife and I were being seated to watch the opera "Madame Butterfly" when we heard this tragic news. After 2 mins silence, the opera went ahead. 

"But, during the first act, my thoughts were not of the music, musicians, actors or staff, they were on a piece of history I have often taken for granted, our dear Queen. 

"She is the first Monarch most of us will have lost. A queen that has done so much for us as a country and a nation over the years. She will be almost impossible to replace in most of our minds, but we will adapt and welcome the new monarch with as much love as we have had for our dear QEII.

"Council has put our planned protocol in place and all those measures will be followed meticulously. Please mourn her passing with dignity and respect... it is a very sad day, and a sad loss to us all."  

Llangollen Town Council:

Cheshire County Council:

County Councillor Arwel Roberts, Chairman of Denbighshire County Council, said: "We share the Country's deep sadness at the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

"For more than 70 years she was a constant in most of our lives, providing a shining example of a life lived in dignified duty and public service.

"She will be much missed but as we look back on her reign with deep respect and affection we look forward with hope and optimism to the reign of the new King."

Simon Baynes, MP for Clwyd South:

"Such sad news - our hearts go out to the Royal Family as we say farewell to our wonderful, wise and compassionate Queen who has watched over us with such love and dedication for 70 years."

Ken Skates, Welsh Senedd Member for Clwyd South:

"The loss of HM Queen Elizabeth II is devastating for the country, and my thoughts are with her family during this incredibly difficult time.

"In the Queen we saw exemplary service and the kindest of hearts."

Llangollen Railway:


"We are extremely saddened to hear of the death of Her Majesty the Queen and offer our condolences to the Royal Family at this sad time."

Andy Dunbobbin, North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner:

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen. As a nation, we have lost a towering figurehead, who has served our country diligently and dutifully for over 70 years.
“My thoughts at this moment are with the members of the Royal Family as they mourn the loss of a much-loved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. As Police and Crime Commissioner, I know people across North Wales will also be very saddened by today’s news and that the officers and staff of the North Wales Police family share that grief. Over the coming days, the Force will doubtless be involved in ceremonies or other events that take place to mark the Queen’s passing, and I know that North Wales Police will do its duty – as it always does – in a committed and compassionate way, that both reflects, and pays respect to, the outstanding Monarch we have lost.”

The Welsh Government:

The First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford has expressed his sadness on the news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and offered condolences to the Royal family on behalf of the Government and people of Wales. He said:

"It is with great sadness that people in Wales mourn the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Throughout her long and exceptional life, as our longest reigning monarch, Her Majesty has reigned over the United Kingdom and Commonwealth firmly upholding the values and traditions of the British Monarchy.

We pay tribute to Her Majesty’s dedication and selfless devotion. She will be sorely missed by the many organisations for which she was Patron or President.

We offer our sincere condolences to her children and their families on this sad occasion."

BBC announces the death of Queen Elizabeth II

 


The BBC is reporting the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. They say: 

Queen Elizabeth II, the UK's longest-serving monarch, has died at Balmoral aged 96, after reigning for 70 years.

Her family gathered at her Scottish estate after concerns grew about her health earlier on Thursday.

The Queen came to the throne in 1952 and witnessed enormous social change.

With her death, her eldest son Charles, the former Prince of Wales, will lead the country in mourning as the new King and head of state for 14 Commonwealth realms.

In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.

"The King and the Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow."

All the Queen's children travelled to Balmoral, near Aberdeen, after doctors placed the Queen under medical supervision.

Her grandson, Prince William, is also there, with his brother, Prince Harry, on his way. 

Tributes paid to Llangollen firefighter

* James Rush with daughter Jess who is now two-and-a-half years old.

Tributes have been pouring in to Llangollen firefighter James Rush who passed away with malignant melanoma on August 29.

James had been diagnosed with metastatic melanoma in 2020, having previously had a malignant mole removed in 2013, after which he had been given the all-clear. 

He regularly checked his skin and monitored his moles, but as the melanoma had spread to his lymph nodes and organs, it was a persistent cough that led to the diagnosis.

His wife Jen said: “James’ latest scan had been clear and we were cautiously looking forward to the future and what we hoped might have been a few cancer-free years. 

"The discovery that the melanoma had spread to his brain and the speed at which it took his life – just 10 weeks from the brain scan - has been a shock for us all, and is a reminder of just how deadly the disease is.

"He trained to drive the engine, which he loved, and Ben Lloyd, the watch manager, said he had a real impact on the people he met during his time in the service."

Susanna Daniels, CEO of Melanoma Focus, a charity which James supported, said: “We are hugely saddened by the tragic loss of our friend and supporter, James Rush.


* The awareness poster designed by James.

"James designed our fantastic melanoma awareness posters for our 2022 national campaign which featured in service stations across the UK. He also helped us shape our updated patient information explaining melanoma and various treatment options. 

"We will always be hugely grateful and endeavour to continue to raise awareness and fund research to improve the lives of people with melanoma.”

James’s funeral will be held on Friday September 30. The cortege of vehicles will travel through Llangollen, accompanied by the crew and engine from Llangollen Fire Station, between 1-1.15pm.

Donations to Melanoma Focus in lieu of flowers are welcomed by the family and friends of James. You can pay tribute and make a donation online here: Tribute to James Rush, 1983 - 2022 (muchloved.com)

Latest Citizens Advice column


Here is the latest column from Denbighshire Citizens Advice:  

Q: My oldest child is starting school this month and, with uniforms and PE kits, the costs are already mounting. The school we got into isn’t within walking distance so I now need to budget for bus money five days a week too. We’re already pretty stretched, so I’m not sure how to cover these new costs. Is there any extra help I can get? 

A: The start of a school year can be tough for many people’s budgets, so you’re not alone in your worries. But there is help available. 

On the Citizens Advice website, we have lots of information on the support you might be entitled to for school-related costs. If you’re claiming benefits it’s worth checking if you can get extra help for things like school lunches, transport and uniforms. 

Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 automatically get free school meals. For older children, you can apply for free school meals if you claim certain types of benefits. The full list is available on the Citizens Advice website, and includes Universal Credit, Child Tax Credit and Income Support.

You’ve mentioned you’re worried about transport costs. For children aged five to 16, your local education authority might be able to offer free or discounted transport if you’re not able to walk to the school. Contact them directly to find out how they can support you. 

Your local education authority might also help you with activity and school uniform costs, if you’re on a low income. You’re probably considered to be on a low income if you get means-tested benefits like Universal Credit or Housing Benefit. There are also some local charitable schemes that can help - check with your school, as they will usually know if these kinds of schemes are in your area. Schools can sometimes also advise on finding cheap or free secondhand uniforms. 

If your child is disabled or has a health condition, you can also claim Disability Living Allowance (this isn’t means-tested).

A lot of peoples’ budgets are feeling the squeeze at the moment, but it’s important to remember that help is available with starting school costs.

Wednesday, September 7, 2022

New Llangollen Rotary club to be launched next week

A new, and “less formal” style of Rotary club is being launched next week, covering the town and village communities within the Vale of Llangollen. 

The previous Llangollen club closed its doors last June after 61 years of service.

The new club will be known as The Rotary Club of The Vale of Llangollen, and its organisers say that, like the previous club, it will continue to work to serve Llangollen and the wider community.
 

The club has been set up fully acknowledging the need for change, according to a spokesperson who said: “There is an understanding that in the 21st century, the desire to help and support others is just as great as it always has been, but there is so much more competing for our time. 

“The club has therefore been set up to be me more informal, and for members to ‘dip in and out of’ as and when your time allows. 

“There is no stipulation that you need to live within the area to become a member and we expect to attract people from all backgrounds, professions and ages. 

“Members will use their skills, experience, contacts and expertise to develop projects to improve the lives or environment of the local community or further afield.

“You will need to be over the age of 18, and as a founder member you will have the opportunity to help to shape the club, building a team of like-minded people to work together to help and support the community. 

“It’s an ideal opportunity for business owners too. An opportunity to network, and to grow within the community. 

“Rotary is simply the umbrella under which we all gather. The club once formed belongs to the members, and to the local community.” 

The club’s inaugural meeting is next Monday, September 12, 7.15 for 7.30pm – 9pm at the Liberty Traven and Wine Bar, 20 Market Street, Llangollen LL20 8PS. 

People attending will be told a little bit about Rotary, with their ideas on how we can work together to improve the community being welcomed. 

* To find out more about the new Vale of Llangollen Rotary Club, or the inaugural meeting, you can get in touch in the following ways:

 

      Call or text John Clifford on 07970 000542

      Call or text: Mike Lade on 07803 038858

      Email: valeofllangollenrotary@gmail.com

      Go to the website www.valeofllangollenrotary.com

Tuesday, September 6, 2022

Roadworks alert for Regent Street

One.network has issued a roadworks alert for Regent Street, Llangollen:

 

Regent Street, Denbighshire


08 September - 09 September

 

Roadworks, Delays likely

 

Traffic management: Traffic control (two-way signals)

 

Description: LAY NEW GAS 5M PUBLIC...

 

Works location: OUTSIDE NUMBER 20

 

Public facing description: Wales & West Utilities Ltd has not assigned a specific description to this Works. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by Wales & West Utilities Ltd.

 

Responsibility for works: Wales & West Utilities Ltd

 

Current status: Planned work about to start

 

Works reference: XY254004000173258

 

 

 


Follow-up meeting arranged over St John's woodland plan

 

Residents will have the chance to find out more about plans to transform an area of under-used woodland near St John’s Church in Llangollen into a 'tranquil' outdoor area at a meeting next week.

On August 26 a number of people living in nearby Green Lane were invited to an open day on the site to hear details of the Green Space project.

This is a joint initiative between the Church in Wales, which owns the land, and members of the Tidy Town Team whose hard work over a number of years has gradually been transforming the wooded site of around 1.5 acres to the point where it can be sympathetically redeveloped.

The plan is being overseen by the Valle Crucis Mission Area, the body which co-ordinates the work of 15 parish churches in the Dee Valley area, with cash from the Green Communities Project match-funded by St Collen’s Church.

According to the Mission Area, the scheme aims to benefit graveyard visitors and neighbouring residents.

If all goes according to plan the new area should be in use by next February, they say.

At the open day the Mission Area’s John Gambles listened as residents, mainly from nearby Green Lane, voiced their concerns about the affect the scheme would have on their homes, a number of which have already been aired on social media.  

Mr Gambles has now arranged a follow-up meeting for Monday September 12 at St John's Church, starting at 6.30pm.

This, he says, is for those unable to attend the open day to "find out more about the project and, hopefully, have their questions answered".  

The blueprint basically means turning a triangular-shaped piece of land between the river, the railway and the cemetery into what Mr Gambles described as a “tranquil area where people can find peace with themselves ... where they can sit, relax and contemplate.”

Also included in the scheme is extending the existed limited car parking area for graveyard visitors by the removal of a privet hedge and the planting of a line of ornamental trees to screen it from the consecrated land set aside for the extension of the burial area, the creation of a small wildflower meadow plus the fixing of posts and chestnut palings along the rider side of the site.

Mr Gambles said that a range of specialist advice had been taken on which trees within the main woodland area should be removed or saved.

There had also been expert consultation of the form the revamped woodland area would take which has meant provision for a small access point from the existing parking area leading onto a walkway – wide enough to take wheelchairs - winding of about 110 metres through the trees to a quiet area with simple oak benches.

The plan had been mooted for some time and over the past seven years the Tidy Town Team had done a large of amount of clearing and tidying of the site.

Residents who attended the open day raised a number of points of concern, including possible anti-social behaviour caused by the opening up of the area – with some pointing out that this was already a problem with alcohol bottles and other rubbish being left strewn about.

There were also fears expressed about extra traffic using nearby Green Lane during the construction period by contractors and how the area would be managed in the long term.

Mr Gambles said that although the budget for the scheme didn’t include provision for its future management, the use of CCTV could be discussed, adding: “We will try to encourage responsible behaviour and we are already working with the police and the schools. A lot of it is up to us a community.”

Addressing residents’ traffic concerns, he stressed that an agreement had been reached with the adjacent railway to use the pathway between its yard and St John’s Church for contractors’ vehicles.

There were questions for Mr Gambles about the level of consultation there had been on the project.

He said that people most affected by it in the area had been consulted as had the Town Council which had agreed with the proposals.

However, he did not rule out further consultation measures including, possibly, the setting up of a Friends of St John’s group to liaise with and update residents as the project progressed.

He stressed that the newly-created area was not intended to be part of the town’s general tourist offering but by people visiting relatives’ graves in the cemetery and by residents themselves.