MP and MS 'optimistic' that town's public toilets will stay

* The Market Street public toilets. 

Llangollen’s Member of the Senedd and MP say they have stressed the need for Denbighshire County Council to explore all options to keep the town’s toilets open. 

Ken Skates and Becky Gittins have held a number of meetings with senior figures at the authority and say they "remain optimistic" that the public conveniences on Market Street won’t close. 

The county council needs to find £10.4m of savings as part of its 2024/25 budget, and a proposal to review public toilets across the county was one of the potential savings identified. A public consultation was launched to allow residents, business owners and visitors to have their say. 

Both Mr Skates and Mrs Gittins have been contacted by Llangollen residents and visitors to the town, but the council has repeatedly reassured the community that no decisions have been made. 

Clwyd South MS Mr Skates said: “Becky and I have met with Denbighshire County Council a number of times to discuss the need for options to be developed and considered. We have said previously that we want to leave no stone unturned, and that hasn’t changed. We want to help find a way to keep the public toilets in Llangollen open.” 

Mrs Gittins, who was elected as the new MP for Clwyd East in July, attended the public meeting in Llangollen Town Hall earlier this year. 

She said: “Our meetings with the council have been productive and we remain optimistic. We are still keen to meet with town councillors as well, as they clearly have an important role to play. 

“The county council’s aim throughout this process has been to work with the town council and the community, and they’ve been meeting with town and community councils throughout the county where areas have public toilets to try to find solutions. We have stressed the need for all options to be explored, and I think everyone’s on the same page.”

The issue is now due be be discussed at Denbighshire’s scrutiny committee meeting in December.

In a recent email to Mr Skates and Mrs Gittins, Denbighshire's Head of Highways & Environmental Services, Paul Jackson, said: “Again, I must be clear, no decision has been made on this issue and we are still working through options and going through democratic processes.”

MS voices concern over future of eye care in Wales

Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales (pictured) has expressed concern over the future of eye care in the country.

Mr Rowlands, Shadow Health Minister, last week raised the issue that people in Wrexham, were waiting three years for glaucoma operations while across the border in Cheshire, it was only four weeks.

 

Opening the Welsh Conservative debate on eye care he said: “'A tidal wave of blindness'—that's a stark warning from a leading doctor on the state of eye care here in Wales. As it stands, more than 80,000 people in Wales are at the highest risk of irreversible sight loss, with eye care accounting for one in every eight patients languishing on a Welsh NHS waiting list. 

 

“The number of ophthalmology patients waiting beyond their target date has more than doubled in the past five years, and in the last decade, referrals to ophthalmic services have increased by over 50%.

 

“The numbers are staggering, but it's the personal stories that I'm sure we all hear of in our inboxes and on phone calls that are tragic.  A person got in touch with me just this week saying that they're on a list for a cataract operation at a hospital in North Wales and they've been told that the wait for the surgery is two and a half years. That can have a massive impact on a person's life and they can lose their sight.

 

“Let's not forget that this loss of sight, many times, is treatable, but people are losing their sight because they're waiting too long on these lists, which is ultimately the responsibility of Labour Ministers in this place.

 

“I recently visited Specsavers in North Wales, in Broughton, who are working to treat people with eye problems. And at a national level, they want to be able to support, with the training and development of optometrists, as they have done in other parts of the UK. It's organisations like this that can help take the strain off the NHS, and make sure that people are seen as quickly as possible instead of waiting, literally, for years.”

 

Mr Rowlands called on the Welsh Government to adopt measures to tackle the deep-seated issues that impact eye healthcare in Wales and for Ministers to set targets and deadlines for improving waiting list backlogs.

 

Jeremy Miles Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care said although progress has been made to reduce long waiting times for eye care, there is still work to be done in order to deal with the backlog that built up during the pandemic.

Events planned to mark Baby Loss Awareness Week

Members of the local community are invited to remember this year's Baby Loss Awareness Week, from October 9-15, at special events in Llangollen next Tuesday (October 15). 

A Tree of Remembrance will be placed in St Collen's Church for anyone who wishes to write the name of a baby or child, honouring their memory.

The same day, as part of the global Wave of Light, Llangollen Town Hall and Centenary Square will be lit up in pink and blue to raise awareness and show solidarity with families affected by baby loss. 

Organisers say: "Please join us in lighting a candle at 7 PM, either in person or from home, as we remember those little lives taken too soon." 

Denbighshire Citizens Advice column for October

Latest column from Denbighshire Citizens Advice is:

Q: I don’t have a will, but I wonder if I should make one? The problem is, I have no idea where to start or how to make it official.

A: Making a will can seem daunting, but it’s important to make one whether or not you consider yourself to have many possessions or much money. This is because there are certain rules which dictate what will happen to your money, property, or possessions after you die and without a will they may not go to the people or places you would have wanted.

It’s a good idea, although not strictly necessary, to use a solicitor, or to have one check a will you draw up to make sure it’ll have the effect you want. This is because it’s easy to make mistakes which could cause problems after your death and result in costly legal fees.

A solicitor will charge for their services, but they should tell you how much their help will cost before they start working with you. Charges vary and will depend on the complexity of the will. Before making a decision on who to use, shop around and speak to a few different solicitors to find the best price.

Before you approach a solicitor, you should think about the major points you want to include in your will. This will save you time and help to reduce costs.

Things to think about include: how much money and property you have and if any of your possessions are especially important to you; whether you want any of your money or possessions to go to specific family or friends after your death; and what you’d like to happen to the rest of your assets, including whether or not you’d like to leave any gift to charities. If relevant, you should also decide who should look after any children you may have who are under 18.

You’ll also need to decide who will sort out your estate and carry out your wishes, as set out in the will. These people are known as the executors. It’s common to appoint two executors, in case one is unable to carry out the task. People often choose either relatives or friends, solicitors or accountants, banks, or the Public Trustee, which is an official body, to be an executor.

For a will to be valid, it must be made by someone who is 18 or over and of sound mind, meaning someone who is capable of rational thought, making and understanding decisions. It must also be drawn up without any pressure from another person. It must also be made in writing and signed by the person making the will, in the presence of two witnesses, who must also sign the document in the presence of the person making the will. Lastly, it should be dated. As soon as the will is signed, dated, and witnessed, it is complete.

Once a will has been made, it should be kept in a safe place and other documents should not be attached to it. This safe place might be at home, with a solicitor or accountant, at a bank, or at HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) for safekeeping.

* You can find out more information about making a will on the Citizens Advice website.

Cycle Bus takes young riders on safe trip to school

* Cycle bus riders assemble in the community hall car park.

To mark this year's Cycle to School Week Drosi Bikes, in conjunction with the local primary schools and Sustrans, organised a community Cycle Bus event in Llangollen. 

Around 30 pupils from Ysgol Bryn Collen and Ysgol Y Gwernant took part in the fun ride which aimed to help give families the confidence to ride to school, whilst demonstrating the need for safer routes for children to cycle, walk, scoot and wheel around the community.

Starting from St Collen’s Community Hall, the short route, which was led by the now-infamous Drosi Bikes cargo bike, took the young riders briefly along the A5 before turning into Pengwern and heading towards the school sites. 

Though not a great distance, the busy roads and congested school gates can be daunting for any road user, but are additionally hazardous when cycling with young children. 

* Riders head along the A5 at Regent Street. 

By coming together and moving as a much larger unit, the cycle bus looks to reduce these barriers, and provides a practical and fun way to reduce traffic congestion around schools, whilst encouraging more children to cycle safely.

Drosi Bikes is a community workshop based in Llangollen, with a mission to promote inclusive and eco-friendly travel for everyone. 

Its Beth Ward said: "The cycle bus initiative is growing rapidly across the UK and though a few have been run in the town previously, we were keen to get involved and help spread the word.

"The cycle bus ethos of promoting active travel and encouraging physical activity is something very akin with our social enterprise. 

"There is a real need for safer cycling within Llangollen as this event clearly demonstrated. We were really pleased with the turn-out and a big thank you has to go to the schools for their support, St Collen Church for offering free parking for the event and to all the drivers who gave us heaps of time and space. And of course, a huge thank you to all the kids and parents who got involved and helped make our impact.

"It's hoped the cycle bus will become a regular feature going forward and we’re hopeful it will continue to grow momentum."

Get a slice of Operatic's Charity Cake Afternoon

 

Llangollen Food Festival returns next weekend

Llangollen Food Festival returns to the town centre over the weekend of October 12 and 13, bringing a delectable array of flavours and festivities.

With over 80 stalls spread throughout various locations in the town, organisers say food lovers can expect a weekend filled with culinary delights, exciting chef demonstrations, tastings, and live music at Riverside Park.

This year’s festival will feature an impressive line-up of local and regional producers showcasing their finest offerings. 

Visitors can explore a diverse range of stalls, including artisan cheeses, handmade chocolates, fresh produce, and mouth-watering street food, all while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere.

"We're delighted to bring together so many fantastic food and drink producers together for another year. Whatever the weather brings, join us in celebrating the rich flavours and talents of our community," said Pip Gale, chair of the Food Festival. 

"Whether you’re a dedicated foodie or just looking for a fun day out, the Llangollen Food Festival promises something for everyone."

The food court, located along Riverside Park, will be the heart of the festival, providing a perfect spot for attendees to relax and savour delicious bites. Throughout the weekend, local chefs will host live cooking demonstrations, sharing tips and techniques that inspire culinary creativity.

To make a visit even more convenient, Denbighshire County Council is offering free parking in all of its car parks - Brook St, East St, Hall St, Market Street, Mill Street and the Eisteddfod Pavilion - during both days of the festival weekend. 

* For more information, check the Llangollen Food Festival Facebook page or website.