Church's Christmas tree festival is open for voting

* Some of the contenders in the Christmas tree festival.

Voting is now open on the annual Christmas Tree Festival at Llangollen Methodist Church.

A range of 10 colourful and inventive trees created by a number of local organisations are on show at the church and which will be chosen as the winners is down to votes from members of the public.

The display is open to inspection today Sunday December 11, from 12.30-4pm, and again next Saturday December 17, from 10am-4pm, and Sunday December 18, from 12.30-4pm.  

St Collen's stages its successful Christmas fayre

* Barbara Hughes runs one of the stalls inside the church.

St Collen's staged a successful Christmas fayre earlier today.

A range of stalls in both the church and adjacent community hall offered everything from home-made cakes to bric-a-brac and there were also a prize raffle. 

Burgers and a hot winter warmer drink were served in the hall.

Cottage Cards & Crafts goes on the market

An online story in the Daily Post reveals how one of Llangollen's most famous businesses, Cottage Cards & Crafts on Castle Street, has just gone on the market.

* For the full story see: Well known gift shop next to famous North Wales bridge up for sale for first time in over 50 years - North Wales Live (dailypost.co.uk)

Tidy Town Team enjoys Christmas party

* Members of the Tidy Town Team enjoy their Christmas dinner at the golf club. 

Members of Llangollen Tidy Town Team, in which volunteers perform a range of outdoor work to benefit the community, celebrated another successful year at their Christmas party held in the Vale of Llangollen Golf Club.

The team's founder and leader David Davies told them that over the past year they had notched up the equivalent of 500 hours of work on projects ranging from litter picks in beauty spots such the Panorama to arranging for the Christmas tree to be erected in Centenary Square.

Since the team was set up in 2006 it had performed a total of 8,500 hours of work on behalf of the community, he added.

"If we value the 8,500 hours even at minimum wage (+employers NI and pension costs) I calculate contribution already over £100K."   

Councillor grits pavements himself because county will do 'zilch' he says

* Cllr Felton's Facebook post shows him gritting the pavement on the bridge.

A town councillor has taken to gritting pavements on the bridge himself after claiming the county council is doing "zilch" about how slippery they become when it freezes.

Scott Felton posted on Facebook this morning: "Just to be clear folks, absolutely nothing has so far happened to deal with the slippery conditions now being experienced as a result of the loony decisions to use that type of paving stone and other materials on Castle Street.

"The main issue seems to be the more exposed area of the street across the bridge. I'm led to believe DCC is fully aware of the issues but as residents can see, ziltch has happened.

"So, as a private individual but also as a town councillor, I have taken matters into my own hands and gritted the downstream pavement across the bridge from the Bridge End to Bridge Street."

He adds: "If peeps are concerned about the icy/slippery conditions, they should consider using this one pavement to cross the river. If I had the time, I'd have gritted both pavements.

"I know lots of people have taken to walking in the road preferring to battle the traffic rather than chance the icy pavement, but if you can avoid this please do so."

Llanblogger has asked Denbighshire County Council for a response. 

Plas Newydd to stage festive family fun day

Plas Newydd is hosting a festive day of family fun this Sunday (December 11) from 1-5pm.

The schedule will include:

• Illuminated grounds – As darkness falls, the switch-on of the illuminated gardens.
• Winter market – A selection of local crafters and small business stalls (don’t forget your cash!)
• Wave to Father Christmas as he makes a visit
• Christmas carols with Lleisiau’r Afon Choir.
• Festive family trail – Little ones can explore the grounds and hunt for clues on the garden trail.
• Wishing tree – Write your Christmas wish to hang on the tree and visit the Llangollen Food Share drop-off point.
• Christmas wreath and wooden reindeer workshop – Book a place on a traditional festive workshop (pre-booked via Eventbrite soon).
• Mulled wine and mince pies from the new shepherd’s hut.
• North Pole Postbox – Write and send your letter to Santa Claus.
• Kids craft station – Make your own Christmas decorations and eco-friendly reindeer food to sprinkle in your garden.
• See the stars – View the magical dark skies with telescopes and astronomy binoculars.

Organisers say that for the full illuminated effect, the grounds will be disabled parking only. They ask visitors to make use of the parking in town or to walk/cycle to the event. 

Welsh Farms to receive share of £62.5m payment scheme

* Welsh Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths.

Welsh farms will receive a share of £62.5 million as Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) 2022 full or balance payments are made tomorrow (Friday 9 December).

Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths said payments are being made to over 14,400 farm businesses across Wales, which is 90% of claimants.

This is in addition to the £161m BPS advance payments made to 97% of claimants in October. This was the second year Rural Payments Wales (RPW) made automatic BPS advance payments in October following simplification of the BPS requirements.

Rural Affairs Minister, Lesley Griffiths said: “I am pleased we are yet again making an impressive number of BPS payments to farms throughout Wales at the beginning of the payment window.

“We are living in challenging economic times and these payments provide some financial certainty to farm businesses.

“I want to thank both the sector and RPW who have once again worked closely to deliver the excellent number of BPS payments.

“The work continues to ensure remaining outstanding BPS 2022 claims are processed as soon as possible. I expect all but the most complex cases to be completed by the end of June 2023.”