Llangollen entrepreneur launches networking brunch

* Claire Marie Quant.

Claire Marie Quant, owner of Clarity Matters, the communications specialists based in Llangollen, has become an ambassador for The Growth Coaching Collective and hosts her next networking brunch on May 7 from 10 am-12noon in the town's Cottage Tearooms.  

The Growth Coaching Collective has announced its business networking events are now international with ambassadors in Marbella, Spain and Tipperary, Ireland.

They join 10 others hosting networking events throughout the UK and beyond.   

Claire is a seasoned communications specialist on a mission to empower business owners to confidently find their voice and shine in the right places.  

With 30 years of experience in the media, she is the owner of Clarity Matters - The Communications Specialists and brings a wealth of knowledge from her background in journalism and PR.

Her expertise extends to crafting copy that aligns seamlessly with the individual style and personality of her clients and their business vision.  

 

Claire said: “I’m delighted to host the GCC (Growth Coaching Collective) Network in Llangollen, to help and support entrepreneurs within the Borderland areas of Denbighshire, Wrexham and Shropshire.  

 

“It can be a lonely business being an entrepreneur and business owner, so the more we can do to share our experiences, our chances of success are raised.

"When we surround ourselves with other people in the same entrepreneurial world we can give each other support, strength, and inspiration to build a successful community with a mix of industries and experiences. 

 

“I’m excited to see the variety of business owners who will join us in Llangollen on Tuesday, May 7 to build our new community and embrace the GCC Network motto of Together We Succeed.” 

 

The Growth Coaching Collective, founded by entrepreneur and sales strategist Kerry Boland, operates networking brunches that are both supportive and inclusive.

* Kerry Boland.

Claire says they bring a new vibe to the networking scene that is "collaborative rather than competitive".  

 

Kerry explains: “Growing up as a child I experienced bullying and felt as though I never really fit in anywhere, as a result I found networking difficult to navigate.

"The Growth Coaching Collective was a pipe dream that is now a reality - I have created inclusive spaces that promote connection, collaboration and community, where there are no cliques and no ick! The mantra of The GCC is that together we succeed. 

 

“It is my mission to show survivors of domestic abuse that they can still be successful entrepreneurs in spite of their experiences not despite them and I am building a legacy here with the Growth Coaching Collective. I am creating lots of safe, welcoming and inclusive networking spaces that will help to nurture and support future entrepreneurs.” 

 

* Interested attendees can get their tickets here https://site.thegrowthcoachingcollective.com/gcc-network-llangollen  

For event dates and to book visit https://thegrowthcoachingcollective.com/the-gcc-business-network 

 

Latest local roadworks alerts

Latest local roadworks alerts from Causeway one.network are:

Berwyn Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 29 April - 17 May   Delays likely - Diversion route   Name: Diversion   Location: Berwyn Street   Description: Streetworks / License - Streetworks   Responsibility for event: Denbighshire County Council   Current status: Planned       Chapel Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 29 April - 17 May   Delays likely - Temporary one-way   Name: Chapel Street, Llangollen   Location: Chapel Street   Description: Streetworks / License - Streetworks   Responsibility for event: Denbighshire County Council   Current status: Planned       Oak Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 29 April - 17 May   Delays likely - Road closure   Name: Oak Street, Llangollen   Location: Oak Street   Description: Streetworks / License - Streetworks   Responsibility for event: Denbighshire County Council   Current status: Planned

Chapel Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 29 April - 17 May   Roadworks, Delays likely   Traffic management: Road closure   Description: REPLACE 8M OF OLD METALLIC GAS MAINS WITH NEW PLASTIC MAINS IN THE HIGHWAY / FOOTWAY   Works location: JUNCTION OF OAK STREET   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: Planned work about to start   Works reference: XY254003001773199       Oak Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 29 April - 17 May   Roadworks, Delays likely   Traffic management: Road closure   Description: REPLACE 72M OF OLD METALLIC GAS MAINS WITH NEW PLASTIC MAINS IN THE HIGHWAY / FOOTWAY AND RENEW / TR   Works location: JUNCTION OF CHAPEL STREET TO S/O NO.1   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: XY254003001773240

Llan cancer patient pleased nurse post will be funded for another year

* Sarah Marshall.

A Llangollen woman with an incurable form of breast cancer says she is pleased to hear that the post of a nurse specialising in its treatment has been funded for an another year.

Sarah Marshall is one of five women patients from north Wales who have been campaigning for the retention of the metastatic nurse post based at Wrexham Maelor Hospital whose long-term funding had been in doubt.

But confirmation has now been received by llanblogger from the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) that the post will be funded until March 31 next year.  

Sarah has been a cancer patient at Wrexham since 2017 and since 2019 has been treated for metastatic breast cancer, which is incurable.

But for most of that time she hasn’t been too unwell and has managed to do an MSc, run for county councillor, do the Llangollen Round Challenge and choreograph local Operatic Society shows.

She said: “Concerned patients have been meeting with senior BCUHB cancer staff since October 2023 to try and secure the future of a Metastatic Breast Cancer Nurse post at Wrexham, which does not have permanent funding. 

“We are pleased to hear that despite some mixed messages the Trust has now decided to extend the current arrangement until March 2025. 

“The Trust has stated they wanted to conduct ‘a formal evaluation of the service ... this will include feedback provided by patients and their families’ - their words in an email to us from Head of Nursing, Cancer Division 27/3/2024. We hope they will provide details of how patients can contribute to this soon. 

“As one of our group put it ‘I've been more worried about the future of the nurse post than I have been about my own cancer’.

“The Trust themselves ‘recognise the benefits this important role has played in supporting patients across the Wrexham area’ – a letter from Carol Shillabeer, BCUHB Chief Exec 7/3/24.

“We really want to secure a permanent future for this post so that we are not in this position of uncertainty in less than a year’s time.

“We would urge any Wrexham patients or carers who want to be involved in our patient led group to improve Metastatic Breast Cancer care to contact Sarah Marshall at sarahllan567@gmail.com.” 

In response to a query from llanblogger on behalf of the campaigners, Mandy Jones, Deputy Executive Director of Nursing at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: “We are pleased to confirm that funding for the Metastatic Cancer Nurse Specialist position at Wrexham Maelor Hospital has been extended up to the end of the current financial year (31 March 2025).

“This is one of a number of posts being funded on a non-recurrent basis, using temporary funding provided by Welsh Government to support enhanced performance and transformation. Work is ongoing with Welsh Government to understand the impact these funds have had over recent years in order to secure this funding on an ongoing basis beyond 31 March 2025.

“We recognise the benefit this role has had in supporting patients across the Wrexham area and we are sorry for any concern this issue has caused in recent months. I can assure you that we remain fully committed to providing standards of cancer care in line with national guidance and best practice.”

Call for A5 west of Llangollen to go back to 30mph

* The section of the A5 which a motorist wants to see revert to 30mph.

A motorist has made an early request to a Welsh Government minister for consideration to be given to allowing a stretch of the A5 just outside Llangollen to revert to a 30mph speed limit.

On Tuesday Clwyd South Senedd Member Ken Skates, in his new role as cabinet secretary for transport, announced that the government will “listen to the people of Wales” and work with councils to deliver “targeted change” to the implementation of the controversial 20mph limit introduced last year. 

Alex Hammond of Llantysilio immediately emailed Mr Skates – with copies to Denbighshire County Council members and officers and the North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent - calling for a return of the former 30mph limit on a section of the A5 just west of Llangollen. 

He said: “Following the very welcome news yesterday that the WG is proposing a review of speed limits and reverting some roads or sections of road back to 30mph I would be grateful if my request below relating to a section of the A5 in Llangollen is given due consideration to revert to 30mph.

* The current 20mph restriction in place on that section of road.

“The section where I am requesting a review takes place is on the A5 known as Berwyn Street on the West side of Llangollen.

“Taking into account the existing guidance in place when the 20mph limit was introduced I do not believe this section of road met the requirements for a reduction last year.

“The housing density along this section of road does not meet the documented criteria and there is no apparent promotion of a walking or cycling benefit from a speed reduction on this stretch of road.

“As you are also aware the A5 is a major trunk road and this is unnecessarily reducing speed on this section of road.

“To the best of my knowledge it is not an area where accident/incident frequency is prevalent and the previous 60mph section of road leading beyond Mile End - TNR towards Berwyn has already recently been reduced to 40mph.

“I use this section of road frequently and can see no reason why it needs to be 20mph and when compared with other similar sections of A and B roads in north Wales and Wales in general, which are still at 30 and 40mph, this stand out to me as section of road which has been incorrectly assigned a 20mph limit.

“For instance, the approach to Glyndyfrdwy goes from 60/30/20 whilst at Llidiat Y Parc it remains at 40 throughout and they have higher housing densities directly on the road that this section.

“This proposal/request means that the more residential areas of the A5 in Llangollen remain at 20mph but this section which has less residential housing density reverts back to 30mph.”

Survey seeks residents' views on north Wales policing

A new public confidence survey launched by North Wales Police seeks to gain vital feedback from residents.

The survey will give participants the opportunity to give their views on policing, including confidence levels, feelings of safety, police and PCSO visibility and whether your issues are understood and being dealt with.

It will also seek to gauge how confident people feel that the force is dealing effectively with issues including online cybercrime, violence against women and girls and domestic abuse.

The survey also asks what people would change about the policing in their local area.

Deputy Chief Constable Nigel Harrison said: “We want to know what you think about North Wales Police, so this is an opportunity for you to let us know how we can provide an even better service.

“We want to better understand what it is like to live in your area so we can work together to address any issues or concerns.

“Over the past few years we’ve continued to do all we can to support the communities we serve. We have had many successes, including crime being cut in the region by more than eight per cent - with the dedication and hard work of officers and staff producing some of the best results recorded in the latest ONS Crime Survey covering England and Wales.

“We are not complacent and we are always seeking ways in which we can further improve to help make North Wales the safest place to live, work and visit in the UK.

“I’d encourage anyone to take the time to complete the short survey and provide their feedback.”

Police say the survey should take between five and 10 minutes to complete and is available in Welsh and English via: Please select one of the below options to start the survey. (northwalescommunityalert.co.uk)

The survey will be open for two months and a report of the findings will be published by North Wales Police.

New Llangollen Repair Cafe announces its first dates

The first monthly session of the new Llangollen Repair Cafe will take place at St Collen’s Community Centre next month.

Repair cafes are free, community-run meeting places where locals can bring broken items for volunteers to fix.

People in Llangollen have been working hard behind the scenes for some time to organise a regular one for the town.

Last Saturday at St Collen’s Community Hall things finally came together when 22 people turned up to find out more about the concept and to volunteer their services to help out.

It was decided to go ahead with holding regular Saturday sessions, from 11am-3pm, at the same hall, and dates for the first seven were arranged, starting on May 18 and continuing on June 15, July 13, August 17, September 19 and November 16.  

A spokesperson for the repair cafe said: “Last Saturday was a great meeting for volunteers. We had 22 people who were enthusiastic and ready to get involved.

“We will try to let people know what type of repairs can be done. It all depends on how many volunteers we have and what they can do. We will start small and build in more things as we develop.

“We still need volunteers and resources. We need donations because we have to pay each time we hire the community centre.

“Refreshments and repairs are by donation of what people can afford. We will be grateful for any support. We want people to spread the word.”

Llangollen Food Share has already pledged its support for the cafes. 

In a post on its Facebook page, it says: “We are proud to be partnering with and supporting Llangollen Repair Cafe, a community venture where members of our community can bring broken items to be fixed once a month at St Collen's Community Hall. 

“The repair cafe shares our values of reducing waste, community supporting each other and saving money and we look forward to working together for our mutual benefit and that of our community. 

“The first Llangollen Repair Cafe will be Saturday May 18, from 11am-3pm. Come along to have an item for repairing, if you'd like to support whether it's repairing, serving teas, organising or any other way.”

Latest local roadworks alerts from county council

Latest local roadworks alerts from Denbighshire County Council are:

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

A539 JUNCTION OF HILL STREET VICARAGE ROAD 06/05/2024 08/05/2024 Gwaith Dwr / Water Works WALES & WEST UTILITIES

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

A539 - Ponsonby Arms, Mill Street, Llangollen MILL STREET 09/07/2024 10/07/2024 I reoli traffig ar llwybr amgen / To control traffic on an alternative route NMWTRA (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights