New book highlights growing importance of trees in landscape

 

* At the launch of Trees in Our Landscape in the Plas Newydd cafe are, from left, Howard Sutcliffe, lead officer of the AONB, Loggerheads Ranger Imogen Hammond and Andy Worthington, chair of the AONB. 

A new book highlighting the growing importance of trees in the natural landscape of the area had its official launch at the cafe in Plas Newydd yesterday (Friday) morning.

The 50-page book, entitled Trees in Our Landscape and available free to the public, has been financed by the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and compiled over the past 12 months.

It has been overseen and collated by resident Loggerheads ranger Imogen Hammond and includes contributions from a host of tree experts.

Trees in 42 locations across a swathe of Denbighshire stretching from Llangollen to Prestatyn are featured.

Each tree, ranging from the Carrog Yew and Pontcysyllte Field Maple to the Cilcain Huntington Elm and the Pentredwr Sycamore, are described in detail with their significance highlighted.

Those interested in taking a closer look are guided to their locations by Ordnance Survey maps.

In his foreword to the book Rob McBride, known as the Tree Hunter, says: “Trees in Our Landscape brings readers face-to-leaf with a diverse selection of culturally significant trees.

“With its clever use of Ordnance Survey maps enabling readers to easily find the trees and the beautifully crafted tree illustrations, it is a joy to turn each page.

“The AONB has curated a fine selection of special trees. It brings greater awareness of their importance in terms of species, habitat, biodiversity and cultural value to the communities living within the AONB.”

At the launch – held appropriately during National Tree Week -  Howard Sutcliffe, lead officer of the AONB, said: “Trees are fantastic. Both the UK and Welsh governments are putting real emphasis on them at the moment.

“The Welsh Government wants all farmers on their land to have ten per cent of tree cover, so the importance of trees has many different aspects.

“They suck up Co2 produced by cars and industry, they produce oxygen to help keep the air clean. They also help stop flooding and provide shade. In fact, up at Pengwern the dairy cows are always under the same tree in the middle of the field.

“As a nation we are just starting to realise the importance of trees and what we have done in this book is identify some special ones.”

Guests at the launch were taken on a tour of the trees in the grounds of Plas Newydd which, according to Howard Sutcliffe, contains a number planted during the first National Tree Week in 1973.

* Copies of Trees in Our Landscape are available free from the cafe at Plas Newydd and Llangollen Library.

St Collen's Christmas fayre today

 

Friends of Pengwern enjoy their Christmas lights switch-on

* Llangollen Silver Band play carols at the Friends of Pengwern Christmas gathering. 

Friends of Pengwern braved sub-zero temperatures this evening to hold their Christmas lights switch-on and gathering around the tree on the green near the park.

Santa himself was there direct from the North Pole - which can't have been that much colder - to lead the festivities with carols provided by Llangollen Silver Band.

On hand to provide further entertainment was popular local musician Chris Burton.

Later, people headed over to a much warmer community centre for kid craft, hot dogs, mince pies and very welcome mulled wine. 

 * Santa and entertainer Chris Burton joined in the fun.

Inner Wheel to bring Christmas Cheer to town hall stage in aid of charity

 

In aid of local charities, The Inner Wheel Club of Llangollen will be hosting a charity evening of  “Christmas Cheer” in Llangollen Town Hall on Saturday December 16, starting at 7pm. 

Arranged with the help of local musician Owen Roberts, the evening will feature festive music and the talents of local soloists, including Phillip Robinson, Debbie Whitfield and Emma Williams.

In addition there will be a piano solo performance by Anna Romanenko, who originates from the Ukraine but now lives in Llangollen. 

There will be a glass of punch on arrival and a festive two-course supper at the interval for attendees.  

The evening’s celebrations will come to a close with some rousing community carol singing, led by Gethin Davies. 

Tickets cost £15 and include a glass of punch and festive supper. 

Money raised by the event will go towards helping to support local charities. In the past year, the organisations helped by the Inner Wheel Club of Llangollen have included: Llangollen Food Share, Pentredwr Hub, Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and Wales Air Ambulance.

The Inner Wheel Club of Llangollen has been in existence for 60 years and is part of a worldwide organisation with the aim of promoting friendship and providing service to the community. 

* To obtain tickets call 01691 828395 or 0781 6286436.

Book launch at Plas Newydd tomorrow

 

Llangollen Food Share gains registered charity status

* Treasurer Gill Robertson on Llangollen Food Share’s stall at last Saturday's Llangollen Christmas Festival.

Volunteers at Llangollen Food Share are celebrating their official recognition as a registered charity. 

The group applied for registration earlier this year and have now received notification from the Charity Commission and HMRC that their application has been successful.

Centre Manager Steph Mitchell said: “We are all delighted by the recognition that we have gained from the Charity Commission and hope that the benefits will enable us to continue to ensure that no-one in our area goes hungry.

“Charity registration enables Llangollen Food Share to claim back income tax on donations from the public, meaning that the government will add an extra 25p to every pound donated by those who pay UK income tax. 

"Registration also gives assurance to grant funders that the charity is being run properly and that its accounts are verified externally each year."

In July Food Share stepped in to help parents provide lunches for their children when the Welsh Government free school meals emergency support ended. 

Steph added: "We knew that some children in our area would be affected when the government support ended and during school holidays we provided just over 1,350 packed lunch meals for children."

Llangollen Food Share says it continues to see an increase in demand for its services during the cost of living crisis and the challenges that increased fuel bills have brought.

As the festive season approaches the organisation expects to see its busiest Christmas ever.

“We’ll be helping many of Llangollen’s least well-off to be supported during the most expensive time of the year,” said Steph

* Learn more about Llangollen Food Share on the website www.llangollenfoodshare.org.uk.

Pengwern Community Hub's calendar for December

 Pengwern Community Hub's calendar for December is: