Llangollen's new park run gets glowing review from national body

 

* Run Wales's Joie Rhisiart, left, with members of the Llangollen Park Run team.

Llangollen’s new weekly Park Run has had a glowing review from a representative of national community running organisation Run Wales.

Josie Rhisiart  tagged along with a large group who took part in the fifth Saturday morning run recently.

Her visit was part of the Celebration Relay which provides all Run Wales-registered groups with the opportunity to showcase themselves, share information about their activities and encourage more people to take part in social running outside of their regular weekly park run.

In an article in the Run Wales online newsletter she wrote: “The car park in town was buzzing with park runners excitedly chatting about the event, queuing for the public loos and asking if anyone knew where the start was – it was clear that it was going to be another busy morning with visitors!

“A t 9am we shuffled along the old railway trail, with the River Dee on our right and off we went on the 5th park run event in Llangollen, which is a very pretty (and flat) out and back with one section which is repeated again towards the end of the 5k. 

“The scenery at Old Railway Trail Llangollen parkrun is a lovely mix of woodland and open spaces with far-reaching views – if you take notice, you’ll see Castell Dinas Brân high on the hill too.

“This week, the volunteer team welcomed 6 people to park run for their very first park run experience, and 9 who had been once before and come back for a second time today. Welcome to the park run family.

“Today’s most experienced park runner was James Barber of Shropshire Shufflers, who, as a member of the esteemed ‘500 Club’, chalked up his 534th park run this morning in Llangollen. An additional 19 of today’s park runners were members of the 250 Club, so there was experience galore here today.”

She went on: “Llangollen’s Old Railway Trail park run promises to be a popular destination for park run enthusiasts from near and far. Its accessibility and captivating scenery are sure to attract visitors throughout the year.  

“Old Railway Trail Llangollen, park run started on 17th June 2023. Since then 765 participants have completed 888 parkruns covering a total distance of 4,440 km, including 60 new Personal Bests. A total of 65 individuals have volunteered 96 times.”

Silver Band to play in Centenary Square on Friday evening

 

Air ambulance called to collision on the Gwernant

* A picture of the scene used by courtesy of Matthew Jordan Hughes.

Emergency services were called to a road traffic collision on the Gwernant earlier this evening (Monday).

Road ambulances were seen speeding along the A5 towards the scene just after 7pm and soon afterwards a bright yellow air ambulance also headed for the area and is believed to have landed in a nearby field.

Matthew Jordan Hughes, who has allowed llanblogger to use his picture of the incident, said on Facebook: "Everyone avoid the Gwernant either way not passable.

"Accident by the bottom police fire engine etc all there now. Hopefully everyone involved is okay."

* The air ambulance heading towards the collision scene.

Council alert about emergency closure of Hill Street

The county council has this evening (Monday) sent out a warning about the emergency closure of a local street.

It says: "Hill Street, Llangollen, has been closed by Hafren Dyfrdwy, to facilitate urgent repairs to a defect manhole cover."

 

Care home residents visited by special animal friends

The Leader is reporting how residents of a Llangollen Care Home experienced a very special visit from some furry (and not so furry) friends.

* For the full story, see: Llangollen Care Home residents welcome furry friends | The Leader (leaderlive.co.uk)

Ruthin Road, Wrexham closed after police incident

 

On their Facebook page this morning (Monday) North Wales say that North Wales Police are reporting: 

ROAD CLOSURE, Ruthin Road Wrexham, from the Junction of Croesnewydd road to junction of Victoria road. Emergency services at scene, road is likely to be closed for some time.

Corwen benefits from a Levelling Up facelift

* The new Corwen station is part of the town's Levelling Up facelift.

Significant developments are taking place in Corwen town centre as a result of substantial investment from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF).

During the first round of LUF, Denbighshire County Council was successful in its joint application with Wrexham County Borough Council for the Clwyd South Constituency, which was supported by Simon Baynes MP. Denbighshire secured £3.8 million to invest in the communities of Llangollen, Llantysilio, Corwen and surrounding areas.

Following the LUF investment towards the completion of the new Corwen heritage railway station, two further projects are due to commence soon in Corwen with the aim of rejuvenating the surrounding highway area of the high street and improving town centre infrastructure.

The Council will manage a project to improve the highway and public realm within the town centre and has recently contracted Tom James Construction Services Ltd. to undertake the works, which will be completed in two phases.

The first phase of work started on Monday July 3 for two weeks on the Corwen highway improvement scheme. The scheme involves a number of improvements on the A5, surrounding high street and Green Lane car park.

There will be temporary traffic signals on the A5 and Green Lane during new pavement works and temporary pedestrian crossings will also be used to minimise disruption.

The public realm improvements will consist of a general freshen up of the current paving slabs, replacement of broken street furniture and painting of signs and metal work. There will also be installation of bollards, bins and a pedestrian guardrail as well as creating a designated area within the high street for a Christmas tree to be erected each year. This is scheduled to begin on Monday, September 4 for up to six weeks.

As part of these town centre improvements, Cadwyn Adfywio will be undertaking an external refurbishment project to preserve Canolfan Llys Owain (former HSBC bank) on the high street. This is expected to include new replacement windows, guttering and rendering. The project will improve the visual appearance of a key heritage building and safeguard it for ongoing use by the community.

The external improvements to Canolfan Llys Owain are due to start towards the end of summer 2023.

Cllr Jason McLellan, Council Leader and Lead Member for Economic Growth & Tackling Deprivation said: “We are delighted to be moving forward with these projects to help improve town centre infrastructure in Corwen. The Council will work closely with local businesses and residents throughout this process to ensure disruption is minimised and any concerns or issues are identified and addressed as soon as possible throughout the duration of the works.

“We hope that this investment in the area will help to address the needs of both residents and visitors in the South of Denbighshire.”

* You can find more information about the Levelling up Fund in Denbighshire on the Denbighshire County Council website: https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/community-and-living/community-development/levelling-up-fund/levelling-up-fund-luf.aspx