Libraries offer free kids' sports equipment for summer holidays

Denbighshire’s Libraries now offer free sports equipment for young people to loan out during the summer holidays, to ensure that sport and outdoor games can be enjoyed throughout the summer break. 

All eight of the libraries host this offer, with equipment provided by Denbighshire Leisure Limited (DLL). 

This equipment includes skipping ropes, hockey sticks, cricket bats, tennis racquets hula hoops and balls, and can be loaned out at the same time as books. 

This year’s Summer Reading Challenge is named ‘Ready, Set, Read!’ and is a games and sports themed challenge. In conjunction with this, Denbighshire Libraries want to celebrate play and participation and encourage children to engage in games and sports in any way that best suits them. 

Children and young people can access the equipment by visiting their local library. 

Councillor Emrys Wynne, Lead Member for Welsh Language, Culture and Heritage said: “It is brilliant that our libraries can offer a chance for children and young people to enjoy sports and outdoor games throughout the summer break. 

"It is important for children to continue their physical activity during the break, as this helps with both fitness levels and brain development."

Jamie Groves, Managing Director of DLL said: "We are absolutely delighted to help launch the free equipment loan programme at Denbighshire Libraries. Our Active Communities team have worked closely with the Denbighshire libraries to bring this programme to life, and seeing its early success is fantastic, with almost all of the equipment already out on loan."

Parents call for 'full evaluation' of day nursery's closure

* Llangollen Day Nursery in East Street is due to close later this month. 

More than 40 parents of Llangollen Day Nursery children have written to local politicians, the county council and the town’s two primary school headteachers calling for a review of the reasons behind its closure in less than a fortnight’s time.

Llanblogger revealed recently how parents were sent a letter by the manager of the East Street nursery on July 17 informing them that, “following an economic viability consultation” it was due to close for good on Monday August 14.    

Now  they have co-signed an email, written by Chelsea Robinson, the mother of a three-year-old girl who attends the nursery, and sent to the area’s MP Simon Baynes, its two county councillors, the heads of Ysgol Y Gwernant and Ysgol Bry Collen and the Senedd which sets out their case for a "full evaluation" of the situation.  

It also goes into great detail about how the closure will affect them.

The email says: “The closure has had a significant impact on the work commitments of many parents, including myself, and has caused great inconvenience and uncertainty in our lives while we strive to achieve the now impossible balance against our professional commitments and the care of our children.

“As responsible parents, we understand and appreciate the importance of quality childcare services in our community.

“The Llangollen Day Nursery has been a pillar of support for working parents, providing a safe and nurturing environment for our children. Due to limited childcare available in Llangollen, its closure has left us without alternative options, significantly disrupting our professional lives and creating undue stress and hardship.”

The parents claim the effects include:

·      * Involuntary changes to working patterns and pay;

·       * Unemployment;

·       * Childcare Fee increases for alternative care;

·       * Relocation away from Llangollen;

·       * Parents having to drive 1hr long round trips to do multiple childcare drops;

·       * Potential unenrollment of children from Ysgol Y Gwernant/Ysgol Bryn Collen and the local Cylch Meithrin/Llangollen Playgroup;

·       * Disruption of friendship groups and communities and;

·       * Job losses for Nursery staff.

The email goes on: “A letter from Rhiannon Wyn Hughes, Chair ofLlangollen Day Nursery Board, cites the ‘large grant ... awarded to both primary schools in Llangollen to build new on-site nursery for aged 2 years + available from 2025’ as one of the reasons behind the closure. 

“Understanding that the council plays a crucial role in supporting early years provision, I kindly request a thorough investigation into this matter. While I acknowledge the council's responsibility to develop and adequately fund childcare services, such actions must be conducted in a manner that safeguards the interests of the wider community, particularly those directly impacted by the closure of the Llangollen Day Nursery. 

“It is simply unacceptable in modern society that there is now no available childcare in the Llangollen vicinity that caters for traditional 9-5 working day with appropriate links to Ysgol Y Gwernant, Ysgol Bryn Collen and Cylch Meithrin Llangollen. The absence of such basic services is no less than a form of discrimination to working families.” 

The parents who signed the email call for a “prompt and detailed evaluation of the circumstances leading to the closure of the Llangollen Day Nursery, including an assessment of the impact on parents' work commitments and the extent to which the council funding allocation played a role.” 

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes has acknowledged the email and told the parents he will discuss the closure with Denbighshire County Council and get back to them.

Rhiannon Wyn Hughes, chair of Llangollen Day Nursery Board, told llanblogger last week: “This has been an upsetting decision for all of us.

“The decision to close was not taken lightly. We have tried to explain to parents the reasons for closure, sadly we know we are not on our own with other nurseries closing every day.”

And in an earlier message to Chelsea Robinson, Ms Wyn Hughes went further into the reasons behind the closure, explaining:  “As trustees, we have been monitoring the development of the nursery on a regular basis, hoping for an improvement in the financial viability moving forward. Unfortunately the challenges of Covid and more recently the cost of living crisis and the increase in costs have worked against what we have tried to achieve.”

* The Facebook group set up for the parents of those affected by the closure is at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/220715008050894/permalink/6261287533993581/

Council makes temporary traffic order for Brook Street

 

TV costume designer's work on show at Oak Street Gallery

Oak Street Gallery in Llangollen is currently presenting an exhibition of John Peackock's costume designs.

On show are his original drawings of costume designs for BBC TV's The Good Old Days, Pennies From Heaven and The Singing Detective, Shakespeare plays, theatrical productions, opera, and original drawings of sample pages for his published books on the history of costume and related subjects.

The exhibition runs until August 19 and the gallery is open for viewing on most days between 11am and 5pm.

The gallery is at 12 Oak Street, Llangollen LL20 8NR. Facebook:12OakStreetGallery.

llanblogger takes a short break

 llanblogger is taking a short break and will be back in a couple of days.

County council says warm welcome awaits summer visitors

Denbighshire County Council says it is looking forward to welcoming visitors during the summer holidays.

As the summer tourist season gets fully underway the council has made preparations to manage the increase of visitors into the county.

Extra countryside rangers are standing by at beauty spots, including Loggerheads and Moel Famau country parks and Horseshoe Falls, to provide information, support and help deal with any issues.

For heritage fans Corwen railway station is now open to provide a fitting extension to the Llangollen Railway. Work on the railway platform canopy at Corwen Station was completed as part  of the Clwyd South Levelling Up Fund (LUF) Corwen Connectivity - New and Improved Western Gateway to the Dee Valley and World Heritage Site.

Every Saturday the Dee Valley Picturesque Bus service is well worth a trip as it links Llangollen and the surrounding villages to popular local attractions including Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Wenffrwd Nature Reserve, Horseshoe Falls, Valle Crucis Abbey, Plas Newydd Historic House and the Horseshoe Pass.

More street cleaning provision is set in place during the holidays for busy areas in towns and parks, while increased bin emptying will be in operation at tourist hotspots.

Visitors touching down in Denbighshire this summer will be able to sample different attractions, including a popular stalwart that flies in thousands from across the UK.

The Denbigh and Flint Show will once again open the gates on August 17 and soon after the Rhyl Air Show will take flight over August 26 and 27, both are running alongside many local county events.

Coastal works to improve the visitor experience have also started in Rhyl; not only to protect the town from flooding but also to upgrade and expand the promenade for residents and visitors alike.

There will be closures to certain sections of the promenade over the coming months, however alternative access to the beach will be available and signposted. All businesses and visitor attractions will be open for business as usual.

Cyclists will also be able to follow a clearly signposted route. This latest works forms part of a £65 million investment in the town including a new harbour, the SC2 Waterpark, a newly renovated Pavilion Theatre and the 1891 Restaurant as well as national chains building new hotels.

Down the coast Prestatyn provides a warm welcome with its blue flag status beach overlooked by the Beach Hut Café and Bar which is becoming famous for its events including Ibiza Party.

And a taste of times gone by is once more available this year following the reopening of the Ruthin Gaol after a period of refurbishment.

History is also proudly on show across the Vale of Clwyd with Denbigh and Rhuddlan Castles providing a perfect experience for all the family along with the wealth of information a visit to St Asaph Cathedral has to offer.

New Denbighshire visitor maps have also been launched, focusing on different areas to include an overview map, places to visit, walking, cycling and a map highlighting Denbighshire in relation to the wider region and main transport hubs. They have been produced by illustrator, David Goodman.

Cllr Win-Mullen James, Lead Member for Local Development and Planning, said: “The tourism sector contributes significantly to Denbighshire’s economy and we want to make sure that everyone has the chance to visit the fantastic places the county has to offer during the summer to support our local businesses.

“Denbighshire is full of gems of all sizes to visit, not just for visitors but for local residents as well who may discover many new attractions right from their own doorstep that will provide memories to cherish this summer.

“You have great opportunities to travel smart across the county through our transport network saving costs and supporting the local environment. Our electric vehicle (EV) charging network now covers Llangollen, Corwen, Ruthin, Denbigh, St Asaph, Rhyl and Prestatyn meaning it is now easier for EV drivers to plan travelling in Denbighshire.

"It is also important to always park responsibly in designated areas across the county and to respect the countryside, this includes keeping dogs on a lead and to bring picnics rather than disposable barbeques."

* If you’re looking for ideas and inspiration of where to visit this summer, take a look at the new Discover Denbighshire brochure, updated town trail leaflets or call into Rhyl or Llangollen Tourist Information Centres. Further information and the new visitor maps can all be found on the North East Wales website – www.northeastwales.wales

Sun Trevor super quizzers hand over another £1,500 to hospice

* From left: Alana Williams, Joel Whitaker, Maggie Smith, Simon Baynes MP, Katy Jones, Paul Jones and Jess Coaley-Postle outside of The Sun Trevor near Llangollen.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes visited The Sun Trevor near Llangollen to thank the team who have been involved in running a highly successful weekly quiz night to raise funds for charity.  

Mr Baynes joined owners, Paul and Katy Jones, along with quizmaster, Maggie Smith, for the unveiling of a cheque worth £1,500 to Nightingale House Hospice following the culmination of fundraising efforts over the last seven months. 

The Sun Trevor has been helping to fundraise for the charity for eight years in total and has raised £24,500 for the Hospice to date. 

 

Following a year online during the Covid-19 pandemic, the quiz now takes place in person each week, with between 30 and 40 people in attendance on average. Further information about the quiz can be found at the following link: www.facebook.com/TheSunTrevorLlangollen.  

 

Maggie Smith, the quizmaster for The Sun Trevor, said: “The Nightingale House Hospice need the money very badly and I am very pleased to continue as Quizmaster, raising £1,500 since January this year and a cumulative total of £24,500 over the last 8 years since my sister-in-law Sandra was cared for by the Hospice.”

 

Simon Baynes MP said: “It was great to visit The Sun Trevor again and to see how their fundraising efforts have progressed in recent months. The work of the team there is a testament to the charitable and service-minded spirit of businesses across Clwyd South and I look forward to visiting again. I would also like to pay special tribute to Paul and Katy as the owners of the pub, along with Maggie Smith for her work as Quizmaster.

 

"The work of Nightingale House Hospice is vital to our community and the money raised for them will be used to help care for those at the end of their lives. They are a fantastic local charity whose work should be commended.”