Father Christmas and one of his reindeers have been outside Home Bargains in Llangollen this afternoon to raise money for Macmillan Cancer.
While Santa (aka town crier Austin Cheminais) is consulting youngsters out shopping with their parents about what they want him to bring them on the big day, Rudolph (aka local entertainer Chris Burton) was belting out a selection of seasonal songs.
They started at 2pm and are there until 4pm today.
Work has started on the second phase of woodland management at Pontcysyllte.
As part of the
Our Picturesque Landscape National Lottery Heritage Funded project in the Dee
Valley, woodland management works within the woodlands around the Pontcysyllte
Aqueduct are taking place this winter.
Some trees are
being removed, following careful consideration, resulting in a more varied age
structure benefitting the woodland, wildlife and people as discrete views will
be opened across the World Heritage Site.
The work
involves coppicing of mature shrub species, selective thinning of tree species
and the felling of unstable stems close to pathways.
The second
phase of work, which began on December 12, will involve the light thinning of
the woodland along the riverside from the aqueduct towards Ty Mawr country park
as far as the new antique camera installation and then up to the top path.
Signage will
be placed around the area to inform the public that the work is taking place.
Councillor Win Mullen James, Cabinet Lead Member for Local Development and Planning, said: “We thank the public for their patience while this work takes place over the winter. When finished visitors can look forward to more views to enjoy while discovering this picturesque area.”
The Met Office is forecasting potential for very icy conditions early on Saturday morning as precipitation moves in over very cold roads.
Crews will be working through the night and on into the morning to address these potential hazards as much as possible.
The Met Office is also issuing a yellow warning of Snow and Ice for Sunday, which will impact the county of Denbighshire also. The warning states that a period of snow could lead to some disruption to travel and other activities, before turning to rain later.
The main risk of snow is on Sunday morning from 8am onwards.
The Met Office also states that it could cause possible travel delays along with delayed or cancelled rail and air travel, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage. There is a chance of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces.
The Council is advising that people take caution during this period and make their safety their priority. Do not take any unnecessary journeys, especially if the roads do become icy and snow falls.
Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport said: “After the impact of the recent harsh weather, it is more vital than ever that people stay safe during the yellow weather warning. We have guidance up on our website with information and advice about how to deal with extreme weather conditions, including how to stay safe.
“There is guidance on important topics such as driving in wintry conditions, clearing ice and snow and information on our gritting work during more extreme weather.”
Letter from the NHS at Christmas:
Dear Sir/Madam,
More than 6,800 people in the UK are spending the festive season/start of 2023 waiting for an organ transplant – and over 220 of these patients are children*. There are 241 people waiting for an organ transplant in Wales**
These mums, dads, wives, husbands, partners, daughters, sons can only be
saved by someone giving them the greatest gift, the gift of life.
At a time of giving/resolutions to do good, let people
know you want to save lives.
Signing up to be an organ donor is quick and easy and makes it easier
for families if they know what you want.
Give hope to the thousands of people and hundreds of children on the
transplant waiting list.
Join the NHS Organ Donor Register at www.organdonation.nhs.uk.
Please tell your family about your decision so that they know what you
want.
Yours sincerely
Anthony Clarkson
Director of Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation
NHS Blood and Transplant
Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, has hit out at "unfair" rules which affect the tourism industry in his region.
Opening the Welsh Conservative debate: Business rates for self-catering accommodation, Mr Rowlands, Shadow Minister for Local Government, said the debate was about the confusion and unfairness of the implementation of the 182-day Order.
He said: “From April 1 2023, evidence must be provided that a property has been made available to let for at least 252 days, and actually let for at least 182 days.
"However, the Valuation Office Agency's assessment will be based on records for the 12 months prior to this date, meaning self-catering businesses will be and have been assessed on the new regulations coming into force in 2023, dating back to 2022.
“It is
extremely unfair and unreasonable to assess and judge self-catering
accommodation on the old rules when the new rules come into place next April.
This could lead to detrimental impacts on the tourism sector and is causing
confusion in the sector, a sector which is so important to our economy and to
our local communities.
“The
Government state they've consulted widely. However, I find it difficult to
fully accept, as the self-catering accommodation sector and leading figures in
the tourism sector, in my capacity as chairman of the Senedd cross-party group
on tourism, have outlined their sheer confusion, anger and frustration
regarding the implementation of this Order.
“I
believe that Welsh Government should reflect on the serious concerns expressed
by self-catering accommodation providers across Wales regarding the assessment
period for determining this eligibility.”
“We know,
the prime reason for these regulations being brought in was to differentiate
between second homes and legitimate self-catering holiday accommodation
However, with the criteria being assessed this year, before those rules are in
place, before those regulations actually come into force, we will see a skewed
set of results, as self-catering accommodation have not been given the proper
time to plan, adjust their business plans and ensure their businesses are
geared up for this change. So, it will not achieve what the Government are
seeking to achieve.”
The area's ace fundraiser Cat Mead has said a huge thank you to everyone who donated to this year's Llangollen Christmas Appeal.
On the Llangollen Support Group Facebook page she posted: "To each and everyone of you that have donated to our Christmas appeal from myself and all at Llangollen Food Share we thank you for ensuring everyone has a gift to open this Christmas.
"Year three of our appeal and times are harder than ever for all. Wingetts have been a drop off hub for over four weeks. It's been lovely seeing you all and having a chat, with some beautiful gifts donated, hand made items, thoughtful donations, cash donations, along with choccy treats and sweets.
"We have ticked every name on the list, wrapped and gift bagged to ensure the recipient feels the care and love given in each gift.
"We also had £100 left which has gone to Food Share to assist with food parcels this Christmas.
"Once again our Llangollen community pulled together to make this possible. Thank you all.
"Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
"Cat and all at Team Food Share."
Latest local roadworks update from one.network is:
|
15 December - 19 December Roadworks, Delays unlikely Traffic management:
Some carriageway incursion Description:
Maintenance dig required to expose a buried joint and provide service maybe
new cable or duct to pro... Works location: 38
BISHOPS WALK CLWYD LLANGOLLEN LL20 8RZ... 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: BC005OP1W0000000WDMCD40B |
