Growing local food event to be held on Wednesday

Community agriculture group Grow Llangollen has organised a special event for this Wednesday (September 28). 

The group was set with the aim of increasing the quantity and affordability of cultivated crops that are grown in and around Llangollen, and to increase the amount of local produce sold in the area.

It has secured funding from the UK Community Renewal Fund for a feasibility study which aims to research these issues and to work out what might be possible.  

The group is now working with members of ADAS Horticulture who have been appointed to produce the study, which we plan to use to apply for funding to implement the recommendations.  

Together, they are planning to run two public events to discuss the opportunities and barriers, as well as carrying out questionnaires and interviews. 

The first event is this Wednesday (October 28) at St Collen's Community Centre, between 2pm and 7pm. 

Grow Llangollen's Stephanie Mitchell said: "There will be a series of talks, discussions, and chances to talk to the experts from ADAS Horticulture, so if you’re interested in getting involved in food growing at any scale, from windowsill to farm, please come along. 

"You’re welcome to stay all day, or drop in when you can.  Local food refreshments will be provided through the day.

"The second event is a learning journey to Mostyn Kitchen Garden on Friday October 7. If you’re interested in joining us, please message us on Facebook.

"The more people that join in, the more useful the study will be in building a better project and attracting funding, so please come and get involved, or complete one of the questionnaires which will be found on our Facebook page, along with the programme for the Growing Local Food Forum."

She added: "There are very few fruits or vegetables grown commercially in the Llangollen area, and although some people grow at home or on allotments there is potential for far more to be produced.

"Growing more food locally has many benefits, including supporting the local economy and reducing food miles, increasing people’s skills and the possibility of additional income, and reconnecting people with food growing. 

"However, we know that there is a long waiting list for allotments in Llangollen, and that there are many other reasons why people might struggle to grow, and our aim is find out what the problems are and to try to find solutions to them."

Rotary puts out call for tractors to join first illuminated run

* Llangollen's first illuminated tractor run takes place on December 4.

Llangollen's new Rotary Club has put out an urgent call for tractors.

They are needed to be the stars of the town's first illuminated tractor run planned for Sunday December 4.

Recently-launched Vale of Llangollen Rotary has partnered with Llangollen and District Young Farmers Association to organise the event. 

Tractors will muster at 3.30pm at Llangollen Pavilion and will leave after the judging at 5pm. 

They will be officially waved off by Llangollen Mayor Councillor Paul Keddie and Rotary District Governor Paul Dutton.

* The route the tractor run will follow.

The route it will follow goes up Castle Street and on to the A5 through Froncysylte, Chirk, St Martins, Overton, Ruabon, Trevor and back to Llangollen.

A Rotary spokesperson said: "We are limiting ourselves to 30 tractors for our first run so please don’t delay in registering to avoid disappointment.

"Local farmers, please get behind this new attraction and charity fundraiser for the community.

"There will be a bucket collection by our marshals so please bring along some cash!"

Vale of Llangollen Rotary is ready to welcome individuals and couples of 18+ from the local community who want to be “people of action”.  

The club normally meets face-to-face, at the Liberty Tavern, 20 Market Street, Llangollen on Monday evenings at 7.30pm. Alternatively, people can join the meeting from wherever they are via the club's Zoom account connection.

* For more information on what the new style of Rotary has to offer contact Mike Lade on 07803 038858, valeofllangollenrotary@gmail.com, or see www.valeofllangollenrotary.com

Llan people urged to nominate unsung heroes for national award

 

The First Minister has urged Llangollen people to put their nominations in for the 10th annual St David Awards before the closing date next month.

They are the national awards of Wales and recognise the phenomenal work carried out by extraordinary people across the country. A shortlist of nominees for each category will be chosen by an independent, expert panel, which will be looking for people who have gone beyond the call of duty or carried out selfless acts to support the community. The award categories are: Critical Worker (Key Worker) Environment Champion Bravery Community Spirit Culture Sport Business Innovation, Science and Technology Young Person First Minister's Special Award First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “I’m delighted we have been able to celebrate Wales’ real heroes every year, for 10 years in the St David Awards. “Nominations for this year’s awards are open – this is the perfect chance to nominate people who you believe deserve recognition, whether they are a friend, colleague, neighbour or family member.” Last year’s winners included officers from South Wales Police who risked their lives attempting to save the life of a 92-year-old man trapped in a burning building; a team of engineers and students who developed a 3D printed jet respiratory support system to help during the pandemic and Daniel Lewis, who, at the age of 16 moved more than 25 tonnes of illicit waste from the Merthyr and Gelligaer Common as part of his campaign against fly-tipping. * Nominations close on 31 October and can be made via the St David’s Awards website.

 

Another chance to hear about area's new Rotary club

* Some of the new Vale of Llangollen Rotary team.

The area's new Rotary club is offering another chance for potential members to hear what it has to offer the town and valley communities.

It has an information evening planned for Monday October 24 at Liberty Tavern in Market Street, Llangollen, starting at 7.15.

The event is open to those that could not make the first launch meeting earlier this month where the club picked up nine new members.

Vale of Llangollen Rotary is a new and modern-style of Rotary designed to fit with family and work life. 

Membership lead for the new club, Mike Lade said: “Our style of club is very relaxed with no expensive meals to pay for each week that is focused on three things, having fun in each other’s company, carrying out our project in the community and raising funds to redistribute to organisations in our area and beyond.

"Our members come from all backgrounds and ages. Our aim is to reflect the community and be fully diverse so anyone of good character is welcome to contact us to find out more about the club and what it has to offer. 

"Presently we are 50/50 with men to women which is a great place to be in our equal world."

Club president John Clifford said: “We are looking for people over 18, that includes couples, from all backgrounds and experiences to build the team of like-minded people to work together to help communities. Why not find out what we can offer? A warm welcome awaits.”

The Vale of Llangollen meet at 7.15 for 7.30pm at the Liberty Traven and Wine Bar, 20 Market Street, Llangollen LL20 8PS on October 24, or any Monday evening.

* More information is available on Facebook @valeofllangollenrotary, contacting Mike on 07803 038858, via email at valeofllangollenrotary@gmail.com or through the website www.valeofllangollenrotary.com

Town clerk apologises for incorrect council meeting dates

Llangollen's Town Clerk has apologised for any confusion caused by the incorrect postings of meeting dates earlier this due to "an administrative error".

Gareth Thomas says a number of meetings have also had to be rearranged due to the recent national period of mourning and therefore a revised schedule of meetings for the Town Council is detailed below:

SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS 202219/23 MUNICIPAL YEAR20
27 September 2022	Town Council	6.00 pm	Chamber (hybrid)
11 October 2022	Cittaslow Committee	6.00 pm	Chamber (hybrid)
18 October 2022	Town Council	6.00 pm	Chamber (hybrid)
25 October 2022	Asset Management Committee	6.00 pm	Chamber (hybrid)
15 November 2022	Town Council	6.00 pm	Chamber (hybrid)
22 November 2022	Human Resources Committee	6.00 pm	Chamber (hybrid)
20 December 2022	Town Council	6.00 pm	Chamber (hybrid)
17 January 2023	Town Council	6.00 pm	Chamber (hybrid)
24 January 2023	Asset Management Committee	6.00 pm	Chamber (hybrid)
31 January 2023	Cittaslow Committee	6.00 pm	Chamber (hybrid)
07 February 2023	Human Resources Committee	6.00 pm	Chamber (hybrid)
21 February 2023	Town Council	6.00 pm	Chamber (hybrid)
21 March 2023	Town Council	6.00 pm	Chamber (hybrid)
18 April 2023	Town Council	6.00 pm	Chamber (hybrid)
25April 2023	Asset Management Committee	6.00 pm	Chamber (hybrid)
02 May 2023	Cittaslow Committee	6.00 pm	Chamber (hybrid)
09 May 2023	Human Resources Committee	6.00 pm	Chamber (hybrid)
Schedule excludes Task and Finish Groups and Extraordinary Meetings.

 

MP welcomes two-year energy bill cap

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes (pictured) has welcomed news of a two-year energy bill cap, meaning energy bills for a typical household will be capped at £2,500 per year for two years. 

Mr Baynes has praised the recent announcement by the Prime Minister, Liz Truss MP, which will help families in Clwyd South and across the United Kingdom. 

Businesses, charities and public sector organisations will be offered equivalent support for a six-month period, which will be reviewed every three months going forward. 

A new Government fund will also be created to support residents not covered by the cap, including those who use heating oil, as well as residents who have communal heating schemes. 

Previously implemented cost of living measures will also remain, ensuring that every household will receive £400 off their energy bills, and a £650 cost of living payment will be made to every household on means-tested benefits. 

In addition, a £300 pensioner cost of living payment will be given to every pensioner household in receipt of the Winter Fuel Payment.

Simon Baynes MP said: “I welcome the announcement by the Prime Minister about the energy bill cap, which I know will be welcomed by so many in Clwyd South as energy prices have been of great concern to my constituents and families across the United Kingdom. 

"This will see energy bills capped at £2,500 per year for two years from 1^st October 2022, whilst businesses, charities and public sector organisations offered similar support for a six-month period, which will be reviewed every three months."

Vicarage Road: emergency closure

According to Denbighshire County Council, Vicarage Road, Llangollen, has been closed to facilitate urgent works to rebuild a fire hydrant chamber by Hafren Dyfrdwy.