Just 13 days left to finishing deadline on Four Great Highways scheme

 

* Steel supports are in place on the steps up to the wharf from Abbey Road but there appears to be no work yet on the actual steps.  

There’s now just 13 days left before the forecast completion date for Llangollen’s Four Great Highways scheme.

The project, funded by the former Conservative government’s Levelling Up Fund, aims to “enhance the landscape and improve accessibility, interpretation and signage in the centre of Llangollen”.  

It was due to be finished in June but, according to the team responsible for the scheme, there were delays due to unexpected ground conditions being encountered with its two key aspects - a raised walkway at Lower Dee Mill Park and the improvement of the flight of steps up from Abbey Road to the canal wharf.

An update given by the Four Great Highways Project Team in early August said that because of a delay while steel supports were delivered the scheme would be finished by the end of this month.

But while work at Lower Dee Mill Park appears to be catching up well there seems to be little progress at the wharf steps.

This morning (Monday) workmen were busy putting what looked to be the finishing touches to the park walkway but while large steels supports have now been installed at the top end and a mechanical digger was on site, there were few signs of any start being made on the wharf steps.

The project is part of a Levelling Up investment secured through a joint application between Denbighshire County Council and Wrexham County Borough Council for the old Clwyd South Constituency – Llangollen is now part of the new Clwyd East. 

The application was supported by former MP for the area Simon Baynes and £3.8 million was allocated to Denbighshire to invest in the communities of Llangollen, Llantysilio, Corwen and surrounding areas.

* There seems to be good progress on the new walkway at Lower Dee Mill Park. 

Water watchdogs move to prevent pollution of River Dee

Businesses on an industrial estate in Corwen have received important guidance as part of a campaign aimed at protecting the nearby watercourses, including the River Dee, from pollution.

On Wednesday August 14, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) officers visited various units on the Ty’n y Llidiart Industrial Estate. 

This is the latest industrial estate visit across North East Wales designed to help businesses identify any pollution risks associated with their operations.

During the visits, officers discussed possible pollution prevention measures and provided advice on any necessary consents and environmental permitting requirements. A letter drop was also carried out at a nearby residential area to raise awareness of potential misconnections to the surface water line.

The nearby waterways, such as the Nant Fawr, have faced several pollution incidents over the years. 

NRW says these incidents are often caused by accidental releases of harmful substances from nearby industrial sites or incorrect connections to the surface water drainage system.

And they stress it is crucial that pollution risks to the surrounding streams are minimised given their connections to the River Dee. 

This vital watercourse is recognised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) thanks to its diverse wildlife, including species like lamprey, Atlantic salmon, and European eel.

The Dee is also an important source of drinking water. It was designated as a Water Protection Zone under the Water Resources Act, 1991, meaning consent is required where certain substances are used or stored at specific sites anywhere within the designated area, which includes Ty’n y Llidiart Industrial Estate.

Rhys Ellis, NRW Environment Team Leader for Denbighshire, said: “Pollution incidents can occur frequently due to spills, accidents, or even vandalism. These incidents not only endanger human health but also have a devastating impact on local wildlife and water quality.

“By proactively engaging with businesses at Ty’n y Llidiart Industrial Estate, we aim to ensure they have the necessary measures in place to prevent such pollution. This initiative will help raise awareness about the risks of pollution from industrial estates and safeguard the river Dee and its surrounding habitats.”

Council dumps Saturday pop-up recycling facility at Pavilion

Denbighshire County Council will cease to operate the Saturday pop-up recycling service at Llangollen Pavilion with immediate effect. 

In a statement issued on its website earlier today (Friday) the council says: "This temporary service has been running every second and fourth Saturday of each month to enable residents to dispose of recycling, non-recyclable waste, and garden waste. 

"Residents can now book to visit any of the recycling centres in Denbighshire and Conwy and there is an additional service specifically to assist residents from Llangollen and the surrounding area at the Plas Madoc Recycling Centre in Wrexham.

"This site is more convenient to Llangollen residents and has slots available seven days a week.

"Residents can book an appointment to visit a recycling centre via our website, or by phoning us on 01824 706000.

"It was always the plan to cease operating the Llangollen Saturday service once the agreement was in place for residents to use the Plas Madoc site. The council has kept the Saturday service in place as a short-term temporary measure to ensure the arrangement with Plas Madoc is working.

"Anyone who has a future booking to use the Saturday service at Llangollen Pavilion have been informed that they will need to make alternative arrangements."

Over 1,100 sign-up for library summer reading challenge

Within the first month of opening, over 1,150 young readers have signed up for this year’s free Summer Reading Challenge at Denbighshire’s Libraries.

This year’s challenge opened in early July and is themed around art and creativity. 

Marvellous Makers, which is the title of this year’s challenge, has seen 1,153 Denbighshire’s young readers sign up so far.

The challenge this year is designed to celebrate creativity. This can range from dancing to drawing and junk modelling to music, celebrating the endless ways that children are creative.

The Summer Reading Challenge aims to keep children reading over the summer holidays with events, activities and brilliant books – available to access for free from all of Denbighshire’s eight libraries – and provides a free, fun way to keep young minds active.

The annual Summer Reading Challenge is delivered by The Reading Agency and is supported in Wales by the Books Council of Wales, thanks to funding from Welsh Government.

Deborah Owen, Principal Librarian at Denbighshire County Council said: “Reading is such an important life skill, and we would love to see as many children as possible sign up this year.

"Don’t worry if you haven’t started yet, there’s still plenty of time to get reading in this year’s challenge.”

Councillor Emrys Wynne, Lead member for the Welsh Language, Culture and Heritage said: “It is brilliant to see that so many young people have signed up for this year’s challenge.

"Reading is so important for wellbeing and learning during the summer break, helping to keep young minds active while there is no school.”

* To sign up for the summer reading challenge, please contact or visit Llangollen Library.

Ysgol Dinas Bran reports set of 'stunning' A level results

* Ysgol Dinas Bran students celebrate their A level results this morning (Thursday).

Students and staff at Ysgol Dinas Brân are again celebrating a set of "exceptional" A level and vocational results, with students achieving outstanding grades and going on to top universities and other highly sought-after destinations.

The pass rate was very high, with 99.4% of all qualifications passed. A quarter of all A Levels taken were passed with grades A* or A, with 55.3% achieving grades A* to B; exceeding pre-pandemic results.

The overwhelming majority of students making higher education applications have secured places at universities of their choice, including some of the most prestigious in the country.

Deputy Headteacher, Chris Cheffings, said: “As a year group, students have shown great determination and resilience and have met the challenges head on. We have seen some stunning achievements and are thrilled to see students succeed so well across the range of abilities and in such a diverse range of subjects and qualifications. 

"There are excellent results once again right across the board, for which our students have worked extremely hard. We are very proud of all of our students’ individual successes. We would like to offer students warmest congratulations and thank all their teachers and parents for their contribution to making these results possible.”

Denbighshire County Council is congratulating pupils receiving their A-level results today (Thursday, 15 August). 

Councillor Diane King, Cabinet Lead Member for Education, Children and Family Services, said: “On behalf of the Council I would like to congratulate all pupils that have received their A-level results, they have worked very hard to get here and have overcome a lot of obstacles. 

“There has been some fantastic partnership working to ensure students achieved the best results possible and pupils have received support from their families and schools. I would like to thank all those who have supported our hard-working students this last year. 

“We would like to wish all learners the very best in their next steps.”

Beer lovers raise a glass to patron saint of brewers in St Collen's

* Father Lee and his congregation of beer lovers say cheers to St Arnold of Soissons.

Beer lovers raised a toast to a French monk noted for his contributions to the art of brewing in St Collen's  yesterday (Wednesday) evening.

Priest-in-charge Father Lee Taylor - himself noted for his love of a foaming pint - threw open the doors of  the church to celebrate the life of St Arnold of Soissons (c 1040-1087) and to do him justice a number of breweries from across Wales provided the ales, free of charge, for the unique celebration.

A steady stream of people took up Father Lee's social media invitation to join in the special occasion, partaking freely of the variety of brews, all at no charge.

St Arnold, who was abbot of the Abbey of St Oudenberg, is credited with popularising the consumption of beer as a safer alternative to the rather dodgy drinking water of the day.

His life and work made him the patron saint of hop-pickers and brewers.

At the highpoint of the evening the beer samplers broke off their pleasant duties to hear Father Lee offer up a prayer to good old St Arnold.     

  

Llangollen part of campaign to get rural superfast broadband

* Broadband advisor Geraint Strello. Picture by Mandy Jones

Llangollen features in a major campaign to get rural North Wales connected after it was revealed that one in six homes has no access to superfast broadband.

The aim of the Rural Digital Connectivity project is to help householders, businesses and organisations across the region overcome the problems of being located in so-called not spots.

The scheme to combat the digital deficit is being masterminded by Ambition North Wales and funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

It’s being rolled out on their behalf by two rural enterprise agencies, Anglesey-based Menter Môn in the west and Denbighshire-based Cadwyn Clwyd in the east.

They’re organising a series of Connectivity Clinics where experts are available to offer free advice and guidance on getting reliable and fast internet access.

This includes one at Llangollen Library from 10am-1pm on Thursday, August 29.

For anybody who can’t attend any of the sessions they’ve also produced a free, easy-to-understand Connectivity Guide to help people get to grips with the problem and which is available on the website www.connectivity.cymru

Among the advisors running the clinics is Geraint Strello, who has over 40 years experience in the ICT industry.

According to Geraint, gaining access to superfast broadband won’t just open up new opportunities for internet shopping, game-playing and homeworking, it could just save your life and even increase the value of your home.

He said: “While many properties in North Wales do have access to superfast broadband it’s important that we don’t forget those that don’t and our aim is to make them aware of the opportunities available to bring a high speed service to them.

“The benefits could be huge, not just for the access to information and for work but there are services which can monitor people’s well-being and enable them to live more independently.

“For example, there are monitoring systems that can learn the normal routine of those living in the property and if something changes dramatically, for example if the toilet is flushed numerous times in the middle of the night, or the front or back door left open, an alarm will be triggered.

“There are sensors that monitor carbon dioxide levels and if it hasn’t changed for a couple of days it would mean no-one has visited so keeping an eye on this reduces the risk of social isolation for vulnerable people.

“There are lots of applications out there which can change people’s lives for the better in relatively unobtrusive ways.”

He said that for those currently struggling for a service over a fixed line there could be options to access 4 or 5G mobile broadband or a satellite connection.

He added: “Advisors from Menter Môn and Cadwyn Clwyd and Denbighshire County Council will be at events across North Wales to give advice, answer their questions and explain what will work best for them.

“When you think about how far we’ve come and the geography of the region then it’s a positive story, but there is more work to do and if you live in a remote location then it could cost you more but there may be help available.

Just under three-quarters of homes in Wales have full-fibre broadband compared to 78 per cent in Scotland, 85 per cent in England and 97 per cent in Northern Ireland.

In North Wales, the Denbighshire percentage is just 18.5.

Kiki Rees-Stavros, of Menter Mon, is leading on the project in North West Wales in the counties of Ynys Môn, Gwynedd and Conwy while Helen Williams, of Cadwyn Clwyd, and Philip Burrows from Denbighshire County Council are leading on the project in North East Wales in the counties of Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham,

Kiki said: “We’re particularly targeting householders and businesses with low broadband speeds but our advice is relevant for anyone who wants to improve their speed.

“We want to raise awareness of the steps they can take to boost their connectivity we will be holding drop-in sessions across North Wales as the project continues.

“We have identified the areas with the highest proportion of premises with low broadband speeds and while we are targeting people with low speeds our advice is relevant to anyone who wants to improve their broadband reception.

Helen added: “Essentially we are the honest broker telling people what their options are to get an improved broadband service because it makes such a big difference.

“It gives many people the opportunity to work or even run a business from home and it can also boost the value of that home.

“It can open up so many opportunities because there’s such a shift in the way people use technology and bandwidth with often several devices operating in the same property at once.”

Details of further events will be posted on the website. The project runs until October 31 in Wrexham and until December 31 in the five other North Wales counties.

* For more information on improving broadband connectivity and for details of the sessions across North Wales go to www.connectivity.cymru