Search is on for Volunteer Rangers to help care for Dee Valley

* Volunteer Rangers on litter-picking duty in the Dee Valley.

The Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is looking for Volunteer Rangers who would like to help the team take care of the southern end of the designated landscape.

The Dee Valley is an iconic area of truly outstanding scenery, rich in cultural and industrial heritage. 

As a volunteer ranger, you can become an ambassador for the AONB, share your love and knowledge of this area, and inspire local people and visitors alike to help protect what makes the Dee Valley so special.

Volunteer Rangers will primarily be based at two of the most popular sites in the area - Castell Dinas Brân, the ancient hill fort which overlooks Llangollen, and Horseshoe Falls, Thomas Telford’s masterpiece and starting point for the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site.

They will be provided with branded uniform and will meet and engage with members of the public, sharing information and answering questions.

Volunteers are being sought to help the AONB Ranger team at their busiest times, so the team is looking for people who can commit to at least a couple of days a month, either on weekends or week days during school holidays. All new Volunteer Rangers will receive training prior to starting in their roles.

Councillor Win Mullen James, Denbighshire Cabinet Lead Member for Local Development and Planning, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity as getting outdoors and experiencing our amazing environment around the Dee Valley can be really beneficial for helping individual physical and mental health.

“It’s also very important work to protect the nature in the Dee Valley to help preserve the area for people to continue to visit and enjoy and I encourage those who love where they live around this amazing part of the world to take up this opportunity."

The role is open to anyone over the age of 18, no previous experience required but a love of the landscape is essential.

* If you are interested in joining, the team will be holding an information session about the roles on the evening of Tuesday April 23. To book your place, contact Hannah Law at: Hannah.law@denbighshire.gov.uk. The closing date for expressions of interest is Friday April 19.

The Communities and Nature Programme has received £292,772 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Churches Together Llangollen sends out a welcome to services

Llangollen churches have extended a welcome to people to come and join them.

Cytun - Churches Together in Llangollen - says: "All our churches are ready to welcome people from the town, especially newcomers and also visitors, to any of our services or activities, which are many and varied.

"To find out more about ways to be involved in our church community, contact us online.

"Please note that some services are different at Christmas and Easter times."

Contact details are:

* St Collen's (Anglican) www.stcollenschurch.org.uk

* English Methodist, Riverside www.llangollenmethodist,org.uk

* Holy Cross Catholic, Oak Street www.strichardgwynparish.uk

* City Church, Brook Street www.citychurchllangollen.org.uk

* Seion Chapel (Welsh language), Castle Street

* Quakers www.northwalesquakers.org

 

Local people CAN now use Plas Madoc, says council

* Plas Madoc Household Waste Recycling Centre.

Llangollen people can now officially use Plas Madoc tip, says Denbighshire County Council. 

Ever since the town lost its own refuse site at Wenffrwd years ago and Wrexham banned Llangollen people from using Plas Madoc, they have been faced with a 32-mile round trip to the nearest Denbighshire tip in Ruthin. 

The alternative has been to use the temporary ‘pop-up’ recycling facility set up for a few hours on the Pavilion car park on Saturday mornings but even this was halted during the Covid lockdowns.   

Over a thousand people signed a petition, organised by campaigner Phil Jones, demanding that Llangollen should have a more convenient recycling facility. And the question became a campaign issue at the last county council election. 

Last year Denbighshire negotiated a deal with Wrexham enabling Llangollen people to use Plas Madoc from October. But various problems stood in the way of the agreement being put into action.

Although some people have been able to use the tip for the past few months, others have been turned away.

But Denbighshire now says Llangollen people can start to use the tip immediately.

In an official statement to llanblogger earlier today (Monday) a council spokesperson said: “Appointments at Plas Madoc are now available for Llangollen residents daily from today 18th March.”

* To book an appointment at Plas Madoc, follow the link, enter your post code and follow the directions. 

Llangollen people can now officially use Plas Madoc tip, says Denbighshire County Council. 

Ever since the town lost its own refuse site at Wenffrwd years ago and Wrexham banned Llangollen people from using Plas Madoc, they have been faced with a 32-mile round trip to the nearest Denbighshire tip in Ruthin. 

The alternative has been to use the temporary ‘pop-up’ recycling facility set up for a few hours on the Pavilion car park on Saturday mornings but even this was halted during the Covid lockdowns.   

Over a thousand people signed a petition, organised by campaigner Phil Jones, demanding that Llangollen should have a more convenient recycling facility. And the question became a campaign issue at the last county council election. 

Last year Denbighshire negotiated a deal with Wrexham enabling Llangollen people to use Plas Madoc from October. But various problems stood in the way of the agreement being put into action.

Now Denbighshire says Llangollen people can start to use the tip immediately.

In an official statement to llanblogger earlier today (Monday) a council spokesperson said: “Appointments at Plas Madoc are now available for Llangollen residents daily from today 18th March.”

* To book an appointment at Plas Madoc, use the following link:

https://conwy-self.achieveservice.com/fr/service/Book_Recycling_Centre_Appointment

Best friends to tackle canal walk in aid of 'lifeline' charity

* Jess Marshall, left, and her friend Grace Bennett will be tackling the Llangollen Canal Walk.

Two best friends will be stepping out at the Hope House Llangollen Canal Walk this weekend to raise money for the charity which has been a “lifeline”.

Jess Marshall, 18, from Norton-in-Hales near Market Drayton, is raising money for Hope House which has cared for her older sister Minnie for the past 16 years. She will be joined by her lifelong best friend Grace Bennett, also 18.

“It’s a cause that is very close to our hearts,” said Jess, a trainee accountant.

“Hope House has been a lifeline for families like mine, providing essential support and care for children with complex medical needs.

“Minnie suffers from a rare progressive degenerative neurological condition that has left her with profound disabilities and complex medical needs. As a family, we are forever grateful to Hope House for the incredible care they have provided to Minnie.”

* Jess Marshall and her sister Minnie.

Minnie’s genetic condition was diagnosed after hers and Jess’s younger brother Max died, aged two, in 2013, where a post-mortem revealed the condition.

Mum Liz Hall said Max sadly became ill and died too suddenly to have been able to use Hope House, but that she is so grateful Hope House was there for Minnie and the family.

“Hope House has not only given Minnie the best possible care but also allowed us to do things together as a family, knowing that Minnie is in safe hands,” said Liz.

“The care and support they have given has allowed Jess to have a very normal childhood in a very abnormal situation, having two seriously ill siblings.

“Grace has been best friends with Jess since they were small and has been by her side through everything, and it’s fitting they do the Llangollen Canal Walk together to raise money.”

Initially Jess and Grace had hoped to raise £250, but they have already smashed through their target and currently sit on £344.

You can donate to Jess and Grace’s fund by visiting www.hopehouse.org.uk/jess-and-grace.

* The final tickets for the Llangollen Canal Walk are available, so if you would like to sign up for the event on Sunday March 24 then secure your place at www.hopehouse.org.uk/canal.

“Our Llangollen Canal Walk is always one of our most popular events,” said fundraiser Vicky Bradbeer.

“As we enter the run up to the events tickets always sell quickly, so make sure you sign up before the day to secure your place and avoid disappointment.”

Two local roadworks alerts

 

Latest local roadworks alerts from one.network are:

Berwyn Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 18 March - 19 March   Roadworks, Delays likely   Traffic management: Traffic control (multi-way signals)   Description: Traffic light reconfiguration   Works location: A5 Berwyn Street Junction, Castle Street. Llangollen LL20 8RU   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 NMWTRA/SWTRA.   Responsibility for works: NMWTRA/SWTRA   Current status: Planned work about to start   Works reference: PD5012424112646702       Bache Mill Road, Llangollen, Denbighshire 18 March - 03 May   Roadworks, Delays possible   Traffic management: Traffic control (multi-way signals)   Description: REPLACE 205M OF OLD METALLIC GAS MAINS WITH NEW PLASTIC MAINS AND RENEW/TRANSFER APPROX. 2 SERVICE P   Works location: JUNC VICARAGE ROAD - JUNC GRANGE ROAD   Public facing description: Wales & West Utilities Ltd has not assigned a specific description to this Works. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by Wales & West Utilities Ltd.   Responsibility for works: Wales & West Utilities   Current status: Advanced planning   Works reference: XY254003001625596

Discover the picturesque Dee Valley with guided ranger walks

* The ranger walk group stops at Pen Y Pigyn. 

The Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB countryside rangers are continuing their series of guided walks in the Dee Valley, exploring some of the lesser-known trails this stunning area has to offer.

The Dee Valley is an iconic area of truly outstanding scenic and visual quality, featuring a diverse landscape of heather moorland, limestone crags, ancient woodlands and windswept hilltops, all cut by the sweeping River Dee.

It is also an area rich in cultural and industrial heritage, and is home to ancient monuments including Castell Dinas Brân, Caer Drewyn hillfort, and Valle Crucis Abbey. 

Much of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site also lies within this area. The scenic landscapes, dramatic summits and historic towns and villages have inspired folklore, literature, painting and music over many centuries.

* The snowdrops guided walk.

The AONB Rangers are leading regular Dee Valley guided walks, showcasing the work they are doing to protect and conserve the area, and helping people to discover the landscape and heritage which makes it so special, all while enjoying the benefits of being outdoors.

At the beginning of this month a new leafleted trail ‘From Arch to Arch’ launched, following the picturesque River Dee between Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Cefn Viaduct and taking in outstanding views of the World Heritage Site and Tŷ Mawr Country Park.

The next guided walk and tour will be Caer Drewyn Hillfort in Corwen, on March 26. The guided walks are free to attend and open to all, if you would like to join the rangers for one of these walks, or if you want to hear about future walks, please email morgan.vaughanjones@denbighshire.gov.uk.

Councillor Win Mullen-James, Denbighshire Cabinet Lead Member for Local Development and Planning, said: “Getting outdoors is so important for boosting physical and mental health and I would encourage anyone to join these fantastic guided walks by the rangers to learn about the management and history of Loggerheads while enjoying the benefits being outdoors can bring to your own well-being.”

Roadworks update from Denbighshire County Council

Latest roadworks update from Denbighshire County Council is:

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

JUNCTION OF CHAPEL STREET TO S/O NO.1 OAK STREET 29/04/2024 14/05/2024 Gwaith Nwy / Gas Works WALES & WEST (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

JUNC BACHE MILL ROAD - O/S GRANGE LODGE GRANGE ROAD 15/04/2024 07/05/2024 Gwaith Nwy / Gas Works WALES & WEST (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Outside lumber yard MAESMAWR ROAD 20/03/2024 22/03/2024 Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY (GEORGIA) LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure