County council's electric fleet rolls up thousands of green miles

* Part of the county council's fleet of electric vehicles.

Denbighshire County Council’s Electric fleet has motored up thousands of miles since COP26 in Glasgow.

Since the climate summit on UK soil a year ago, the current 31 electric fleet vehicles, which are used across multiple services, have recorded 142,377 miles of green travel.

That’s the equivalent to almost six times around the world or even thirteen trips from Ruthin to Sydney, Australia.

Denbighshire County Council declared a Climate Change and Ecological Emergency in July 2019 and committed to seeking to become a Net Carbon Zero and Ecologically Positive Council by 2030.

A part of this work is growing the number of non-fossil fuel vehicles used by the Council. 

Examples of these currently in use are taxis, an electric mini bus used in the Ruthin area, a mobile observatory van and EV ATV used by countryside staff, EV vans used for goods transport by different services and EV cars supporting social services staff.

The Council has also expanded the number of fleet chargers since COP26 to 37 dedicated charging ports currently utilised exclusively by fleet vehicles.

These have delivered 35,084kwh to support staff use of fleet vehicles

During the summer two 50kwh rapid public chargers were installed at King’s Avenue car park, Prestatyn.  These have already delivered 21,609kwh of charge during nearly a 1,000 individual charging sessions.

That’s 64,828 miles provided to electric vehicle drivers, enough for 27 round trips from Land’s End to John O Groats and back.

Cllr Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “We are working hard to reduce the miles produced by fossil fuels in our county by council staff and the public to tackle climate change highlighted by COP27.

“The council is also working very hard to make sure our electric vehicle charging infrastructure is in place to help us and the public play their part in tackling climate change. In the months ahead we have 66 public located charging points that will come online and very soon, 36 of these will be available at West Rhyl Kinmel car park.

“We want to make sure that Denbighshire can support those who wish to transition to an electric vehicle but who may struggle with no off road parking.”

Roadworks planned for Bridge Street

Latest local roadworks update from one.network is:

Bridge Street, Denbighshire 21 November - 22 November   Roadworks, Delays likely   Traffic management: Road closure   Description: Laying duct across FW and CW...   Works location: 2 CHAPEL STREET LLANGOLLEN LL20 8NW...   Public facing description: one.network has automatically assigned a category of Unclassified works to this Works based on the information available. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by Openreach.   Responsibility for works: Openreach   Current status: Advanced planning   Works reference: BC005OP1W00000WD9WLL5HRC

Sion Corn spotted on his way to Christmas Festival

* Horseshoe Falls: How much further to Llan?

* Kayak: Not sure how he can get into this.

* Drosi Bikes: I can get quite a lot in here.

Sion Corn has been spotted by local photographers trying out different ways of getting to Llangollen in time for the big Christmas Festival on Saturday November 26. 

Bronwen and Mayuri have caught sight of him at the Horseshoe Falls, attempting to board a kayak on the river and trying for size a Drosi delivery bike. 

We’re not sure which one he settled on in the end but he guarantees he’ll be there to help people enjoy all the festival fun in just over a week’s time.

The popular festival makes a welcome return the Saturday after next after a three-year break due to the pandemic.

A spokesperson said: "We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible to mark the start of the town’s seasonal preparations. 

"There will be a Grand Parade starting from the Pavilion ground at 1pm and proceeding to the Town Hall for the official opening where Sion Corn - the Welsh Father Christmas - will stay for the afternoon to meet and greet as many of his friends as wish to do so at the start of his busiest part of the year.

"There will be lots to do for children old and young and a wide range of seasonal treats and activities.

"At the end of the afternoon there will be the usual firework display at which time the town's Christmas lights will also be switched on.

"Sion Corn will once again be dressed in his traditional green as he makes his preparations and is already planning his visit. 

"After three years he has lots to do as he decides how to make the journey as rapidly as possible."

Hospice service to be held at St Collen's on December 1

Nightingale House Hospice will hold a community service for its annual Light Up a Life campaign in St Collen's Church at 6pm on Thursday, December 1.

A hospice spokesperson said: "Join us to pay tribute to those who hold a special place in our hearts, remember how they lit up our lives, and give thanks for the memories we carry with us.

"If you cannot attend this service, you can still participate by donating to dedicate a light in memory of your loved one at Christmas. Please click here: https://bit.ly/LightUpALifeNGH"

MS speaks of tensions over local holiday accommodation

Clwyd South MS Ken Skates has said his constituency, which includes Llangollen, has too many residential homes being used “inappropriately” for holiday accommodation.

His remarks came during a debate in the Senedd during a debate on a new licensing scheme of holiday lets in Wales.

* The full story can be seen in the Daily Post at: 'Tensions' rising in North Wales holiday hotspots as visitors 'crammed' into Airbnbs - North Wales Live (dailypost.co.uk)

Police warn over Facebook Marketplace fraud

North Wales Police have sent out a warning about online fraud amounting to thousands of pounds on social media in the run-up to Christmas.

On their own page they have posted: "With Christmas fast approaching we are warning about a sharp increase in Facebook Marketplace fraud.

"Over the weekend residents have reported losses of £4,270 over a two-day period.

"The reports include victims paying large deposits or making full payment direct into the suspects bank account, for goods that are never received.

"In one instance a large deposit was made for an item and, when the victim attended the address provided to make collection, the elderly occupants were unaware of the sale and the victim was left out of pocket.

"People selling items have also been targeted by criminals. Fraudsters posing as buyers arrived at the victim’s house to collect an item and claimed they had made payment using an online banking app. The suspects were handed the item and left, but the funds were never received by the victim as the banking app was fake."

The police post adds: "We would urge people to be cautious when using Facebook Marketplace as there is little chance of being reimbursed if the worst happens.

"When buying items, we would advise to carry out transactions face to face where possible, using cash or payment services, such as Paypal, where a level of protection is offered.

"If you need to report any fraudulent activity, contact Facebook to report the account, the Action Fraud website, via the north Wales Police website or by calling 101."

Twenty Club makes heavenly job of Vicar of Dibley

* A scene from The Vicar of Dibley by Llangollen Twenty Club.

* The vicar meets Elvis in the church hall.

... then Mary and Joseph.

* An angelic nativity scene.

llanblogger preview

Llangollen Twenty Club has made a divinely good job of bringing the Vicar of Dibley, one of the small screen’s greatest comedy hits, to the live stage.

From tomorrow (Wednesday) until Saturday at the Town Hall the talented drama group will be performing two back-to-back episodes of the iconic show which centres on how the Rev Geraldine Granger copes with life in a small rural parish and the crazy antics of a bunch of eccentric villagers written into sitcom legend back in the 90s by Richard Curtis.

The original cast, all with their own highly identifiable quirks, are a tough act to follow but the Twenty bunch handles it in style.

Club regular Helen Belton takes on the ecclesiastical role and has even had her hair styled in the manner of Dawn French, who memorably played the vicar on TV, to ensure a high level of authenticity. And she also effortlessly manages to wring out just as many laughs from the action as her famous counterpart.

The piece includes the episodes Dibley on Air, in which the gang try out their own local radio station with predictably hilarious results, and the Second Coming, in which their nativity play with a difference goes haywire. 

Handling the pivotal character of the sex-starved Jim Trott – famous catchphrase “no no no no” – with total competence is Kevin Williams, while Matt Oswald-Haggett is equally adept at recreating Owen Newitt, the blunt-mannered local farmer.

Excellent as usual in his role as pedantic yet surprisingly interesting parish council clerk Frank Pickle is Twenty regular Arwel Jarvis and Heather Wolfson does a neat line in bringing to life Mrs Cropley, whose repulsive culinary creations nobody would want to touch.  

An impressive dopey double-act has been put together by Bev Maier as church verger Alice Horton – Tinker as was – and Dan Pedley as her equally hopeless husband Hugo.

Steve Hughes turns in an admirable portrayal of Hugo’s tetchy old dad, local squire David Horton, who is the closest we ever get to a villain of the piece.

There are a couple of nifty cameos by John Clifford as the vet and Jayne Dickson who shows up right at the end playing an accordion, the reason for which cannot be disclosed without spoiling things.

Director Chrissie Ashworth, the whole cast and a very competent backstage team have done a heavenly job with A Vicar of Dibley Christmas.

Stage play is by Ian Gower and Paul Carpenter adapted from the original TV series by Richard Curtiss and Paul Mayhew-Archer with kind permission of Tiger Aspect Productions.         

The show will be staged at Llangollen Town Hall from Wednesday November 16th to Saturday November 19 at 7.30pm with a matinee on the Saturday at 2.30 pm.

* Tickets  - £12 and £10 concessions - are available online at: ticketsource.co.uk/llangollentwentyclub or from Courtyard Books, Llangollen Oggie Shop or Jenni in Market Street. Tickets also available from cast and crew members, and at the door, subject to availability.