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Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Up date on serious road traffic collision on Abbey Road

* The scene at the collision site in Abbey Road at around 8.15am.

North Wales Police alert this morning:

"ROAD CLOSURE, Abbey Road (A542), between Llangollen and Pentrefelin, due to an RTC, emergency services at scene dealing, please avoid the area, expect delays."

At around 8.20am this morning the road was still cordoned off just after the Pavilion car park with a large emergency services presence.

According to a running story on Leader Live, the fire and rescue service received the initial call at around 7.16am this morning.

North Wales Police announced at around 7.40am that Abbey Road (A542) between Llangollen and Pentrefelin was closed.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service later confirmed it was a two-vehicle collision involving a car and an agricultural vehicle.

One person was trapped, a spokesman said.

Two fire crews rushed to the scene, one from Llangollen and one from Wrexham.

Also in attendance was the fire service technical rescue unit from Wrexham and ambulance teams.

Just after 9am came word that the casualty had been extricated by the fire service and was in the care of the Welsh Ambulance Service

A few minutes later the fire service confirmed crews at the scene had received the 'stop' message at 8.56am. However all three fire appliances remained there and were "making the scene safe."

* See the Leader's story at: Collision closes A542 between Llangollen and Pentrefelin | The Leader (leaderlive.co.uk)

Three Llangollen finalists in Welsh Hair and Beauty Awards

Llangollen has three finalists in the Welsh Hair and Beauty Awards 2024 – and the glittering presentation evening will also be held in the town.

Known as one of the most prestigious rolls of honour in the hair and beauty industry, the awards are celebrating their 10th anniversary this year.

The black-tie ceremony will take place on Saturday May 18 at Llangollen Pavilion and will celebrate rising and well-established stars who make a difference in the industry.

Favourite stylists and salons were nominated by members of the public. With more than 80,000 votes being received, the full list of finalists from the North of Wales has been compiled, including three from Llangollen.

Jades Hair and Beauty will contest the Best of North category against salons from Colwyn Bay and Prestatyn, while Llangollen Barbers Shop will face competition from eight others based in Wrexham, Prestatyn and Old Colwyn to take the Barbers of the Year crown.

Sophie of Sophie Elizabeth Beauty, Llangollen  is a finalist in the Beautician of the Year category against competitors from Wrexham, Gwynedd, Denbighshire and Conwy county.

A spokesperson for The Welsh Hair and Beauty Awards 2024, said:  “We had an outstanding response from the public who went behind our nomination process and put forward tried and tested beauty professionals that deserve recognition.

“The awards remark the strength, skill and innovation of those who have shown excellent commitment to customer satisfaction and have changed the industry’s landscape by introducing innovative treatments and services, building extremely close and trusted relationships with their clients.

 “We would like to congratulate everyone for being shortlisted and we can’t wait to welcome all our guests and deliver an enjoyable event. We wish all finalists the best of luck.”

Latest local roadworks alerts from county council

Latest local roadworks alerts from Denbighshire County Council are:

East Street EAST STREET 21/01/2024 04/02/2024 Resurfacing works DCC HIGHWAYS (PETER PARRY LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Outside The Corn Mill Dee Lane Llangollen CLYWD LL20 8PN DEE LANE 01/03/2024 01/03/2024 Gwaith ar Wasanaeth Uwchben/ Overhead Service Works SUNBELT RENTALS (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

A542 HORSESHOE PASS 06/02/2024 06/02/2024 Trwsio Lon Cerbydau/ Carriageway Repairs DCC STREETSCENE LLANGOLLEN Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

JUNC  HILL STREET - O/S NO. 4 VICARAGE ROAD 22/01/2024 02/02/2024 Gwaith Nwy / Gas Works WALES & WEST (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

A542 JUNC HALL STREET - JUNC VICARAGE ROAD HILL STREET 05/02/2024 15/03/2024 Gwaith Nwy / Gas Works WALES & WEST (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

JUNC BACHE MILL ROAD - JUNC REGENT STREET BUTLERS HILL 25/03/2024 12/04/2024 Gwaith Nwy / Gas Works WALES & WEST UTILITIES (A LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Monday, January 29, 2024

Details of local diversion route

Latest local road traffic alert from one.network is:

 

Abersylio to Efenechtyd, Llangollen, Denbighshire


31 January - 02 February

 

Delays likely - Diversion route

 

Name: Diversion

 

Location: Abersylio To Efenechtyd

 

Description: Streetworks / License - Streetworks

 

Responsibility for event: Denbighshire County Council

 

Current status: Planned

 

 

Tributes paid to a man who loved Llangollen and dies aged 92


* Les Potts who died last Thursday aged 92.

One of Llangollen’s best-loved characters, famous for his dedication to a number of local organisations ranging from the International Musical Eisteddfod to the Tidy Town Team, has died at the age of 92.

Amongst Les Potts’s distinctions were that he had attended and volunteered at every Eisteddfod since it began in 1947 and that he was the first Briton to officially complete every  mountain walk in the Austrian Alps.

Les, who died at Wrexham Maelor Hospital last Thursday,  was born in Knotty Ash, Liverpool and his first job on leaving school was with one of the city’s shipping firms checking on cargoes at the busy docks.

He had an early enthusiasm was cycling and it was while journeying over from Liverpool with his club that he met Joan, the girl from Llangollen who was to become his wife of over 60 years until she passed away six years ago.

The couple had three children – Keith, a leading figure with Llangollen Eisteddfod and a life vice-president, Allan, a well-known local photographer, and their sister Rosemarie. They also had seven grandchildren and a number of great-grandchildren.

Moving to Llangollen following his marriage, Les started work at the town’s seed factory, first working as a buyer and eventually working his way up to a senior management position. He stayed with the company until it moved to Torquay and he took early retirement at the age of 55.

His long association with the Eisteddfod began in 1947 and he attended the very first one with his father.

He then went back every summer, working as a volunteer with the festival’s ticket committee, and was there right up until last year, becoming a very well-known and respected figure amongst fellow volunteers and visitors.  

He was also a member of Llangollen Operatic Society, The Twenty Club, Llangollen Round Table, Llangollen Probus Club and even helped Santa on his visits to the railway. 

Railways were another passion of his - mainline, narrow gauge and model. He was a signalman on the Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway and also volunteered at Llangollen Railway. 

He was a member of Llangollen Town Tidy team and had also helped with the Countryside Commission. 

His son Keith said of him: “He was very well known in the area and will be much missed. 

“His long association with the Eisteddfod was remarkable and he is possibly one of the last surviving people to have attended and volunteered at every one since 1947. 

“He served for two years with the army during his National Service but not even that could keep him away and he obtained special permission to do one volunteering shift at the Eisteddfod. 

“Walking was another of his pastimes and he won bronze, silver and gold awards for being the first Brit to complete all the mountain walks in the Austrian Alps years ago. He had a certificate to prove it which was awarded to him appreciative local villagers. 

“He kept up his interest in walking and could often be seen making his way through town on his regular trips. The last time he was out was only a few weeks ago.” 

His other son Allan said: “Our Dad away peacefully in the Maelor Hospital. He has gone to join Mum but will leave a huge hole in the hearts of all our family. 

“Dad spent the majority of his life living in Llangollen. He loved the town and its people. He was passionate about so many things and always supported local business.” 

Paying tribute to him, the Chairman of  Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Chris Adams, said: "Les was central to our festival and the fact that he attended and volunteered at every single Llangollen Eisteddfod is a remarkable achievement.  

“He welcomed tens of thousands of visitors to Llangollen every year and remained a valuable member of the tickets team right up until July 2023.  

“He was an amazing man who passed his love for our remarkable peace festival on to his children, Keith, Allan and Rosemarie, and their family. 

“Les was a well-known character in Llangollen, not just through his lifetime of dedication to the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, but also as a member of the Llangollen Operatic Society, the Twenty Club, the Round Table, and the Llangollen Town Tidy group.” 

Dave Danford, Artistic Director of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, said: "Les Potts was a man who gave his whole life to our festival, and did so much behind the scenes as an active volunteer right until his sad passing.  

“His death is a very sad moment for us all, but we are thankful for his enormous contribution, right from our very first festival in 1947." 

* No details of the funeral have yet been given.

Sunday, January 28, 2024

Heledd takes final bow in Young 'Uns' Oliver! show


* Final bow: Heledd Edwards as Nancy in Oliver!

A talented young actor who has starred in many hit shows for Llangollen Operatic’s junior section is about to take her final bow. 

Since joining the Young ‘Uns in September 2017 Heledd Edwards has turned in a diverse range of polished performances. 

And her final appearance will come when she takes one of the lead roles in Lionel Bart’s Oliver!, which the group are staging at Llangollen Town Hall from February 22-24. 

As the upper age limit for the Young ‘Uns is 18 – the age which Heledd has now reached – it’s time for her to move on. 

But before she goes the producers of Oliver! are expecting another accomplished performance from her as Nancy, a 23-year-old graduate of Fagin's thieves academy and doxy of evil villain Bill Sikes. 

Heledd’s first appearance for the group came in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in February 2018. 

She played a number of roles in this show - one of the five Ishmaelites (a hairy crew), one of eight Egyptians, one of the members of Mrs Potiphar's court and of Pharoah's court and also one of the dancers – a great example of Young 'Uns’ multi-tasking in their shows. 

In February 2019 the show was Grease. Amongst other things, Heledd's key role was as Miss Lynch, an old maid English teacher, which she is remembered for playing with great conviction and humour. 

The year 2020 saw the Young 'Uns celebrate their 30th anniversary by staging The Wizard of Oz in which Heledd played Miss Almira Gulch, and also one of the Jitterbugs and one of the Ghosts. 

In 2022, Young 'Uns put on Little Shop of Horrors and this time Heledd was part of the chorus trio of Christal, Chiffon, and Ronette who sing like angels throughout the show. 

In February 2023 Young 'Uns performed The Addams Family and Heledd took a starring role as  Morticia in which she displayed her many talents as the rock and strength of the creepy Addams family. 

Producer of Oliver!, Pamela Williams, said: “We are sorry to see Heledd moving on and we will miss how she has brought all her wonderful skills to every role she has played for us. I’m sure it will be no different in this, her last performance with the Young 'Uns.”

The popular group's 33rd production since it was founded in 1990 takes place from Thursday-Saturday, February 22-24, at 7.30pm, with a 2pm matinee of the last day.

Oliver! is a stage musical, with book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart. The musical is based upon the 1838 novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens.

It follows the tale of young Oliver from his early days in a grim workhouse, his escape to London where he meets up with the gag of trainee thieves led by the old rogue Fagin and the trials he faces at the hands of the villainous robber Bill Sikes.   

Production team for the Young 'Uns version is Robin Crowley (artistic director), Julian Cattley (musical director) Pamela Williams (producer), Deirdre Smith (assistant producer) and Sarah Marshal (choreographer).

* Tickets are available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/llangollenoperaticsociety or Llangollen Tourist Information, Jades Hair and Beauty, Llangollen Oggie Shop & Fine Foods.

Saturday, January 27, 2024

St Tysilio's Church gets funding boost from UK Government


* St Tysilio's in Llantysilio.

St Tysilio's in Llantysilio is one of four churches in Clwyd South to receive a share of £12,000 in UK Government funding.

While St Tysilio's has been awarded £1,776 by the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, St Mael & St Sulien Church in Corwen has received £4,999, St Dunawd's Church in Bangor on Dee £3,951 and St Deiniol & St Marcella in Marchwiel £2,184. 

The grant scheme, which is operated by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport, has so far provided £42 million per year in funding towards the VAT paid on repairs and maintenance to listed places of worship. 


It aims to support listed and protected architecture for the benefit of present and future generations, handling around 7,000 claims per year. It applies to listed places of worship across the UK.

 

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes, speaking about the announcement, said: “The churches of Clwyd South are an important part of our landscape and heritage. 


"They are at the heart of the communities they serve, and it is right that these historic buildings are preserved for worship, community events and tourism. 


"I am very pleased that these four churches have benefited from the UK Government’s Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, and I encourage any other place of worship in Clwyd South that are interested in applying to contact my office for more details.”


Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, the Minister for Arts and Heritage, said: “Listed places of worship represent some of our nation’s finest heritage, and HM Government recognises that there are particular challenges to looking after such cherished and historic buildings. 


"They are often at the heart of our communities, bringing people of all ages together, and represent some of our finest heritage. Since 2010, the Gov has invested more than £346 million to listed places of worship nationwide.”