Town's Christmas tree is lifted into place ready for the festival

* The lifting operation begins ...

Llangollen's official tree is now taking pride of place in Centenary Square ready for this Saturday's annual Christmas Festival.

It was finally lowered carefully into its fixing point this morning (Monday) by members of the Tidy Town Team assisted by a crew from Pengwern Hall Farm using special lifting machinery. The exercise was arranged by the Town Council and Christmas Festival Committee. 

This was actually the third attempt to put the 18ft tall fir tree in place.

Last Friday morning there was too much snow around the area of Glyn Ceiriog from where it was acquired to bring it safely back to Llangollen.

But following another technical hitch on Saturday it was all systems go this morning and much relief when it was finally put into position.      

* The team gets the tree upright ...

* It's inched into place ...

* Adjustments are made ...

* Final fixing takes place and the job is finished.

Plan for Llangollen tourist development goes out to consultation

* A computer-generated image of how one of the Eirianfa houses would look.

Nearby residents have been asked for their views on a plan to build 22 two-bedroom “eco homes’ for tourist accommodation on land off Berwyn Street in Llangollen.

The developers, who have put out the scheme to local consultation ahead of submitting a formal planning application to the county council, claim the proposed new Eirianfa Country Park, beside the river and close to the closed-down White Water Hotel, would attract up to 4,500 visitors a year and pump over £1m into the local economy.

The plan by Ledbury-based Herefordshire Dwellings Ltd, is to use the site of what they describe as a “failed” leisure development in the same location for their development.

* A plan of the site with Berwyn Street on the left.

 

They say the scheme will provide high quality, sustainable and premium accommodation, with the houses clad in black stained larch to match the neighbouring landscape.

 

Emphasising the development’s “green” credentials a design brief made available as part of the consultation process says the properties will feature thick insulation, air source heat pumps and solar arrays with battery back-up to reduce electricity use. A waste treatment and septic tank system would also be installed.

 

The developers add that the site layout, with enhancements to existing trees and planting on site, aims to ensure “minimal” impact of the scheme from Berwyn Street and from the towpath across the river.

 

The houses would be assembled off-site using a modular method to cut construction time from 18 to nine months.

 

The design brief claims £1.46m would be spent with local contractors during the scheme with the creation of 26 part and full-time jobs. Once under management seven part and full-time jobs would be created to run the site long term.  

 

The developers also claim the finished scheme, which would come with parking, would bring 4,500 visitors a year into Llangollen and they estimate that £1.144m would be spent with local businesses.    

 

In a letter to people living around the site, who have until December 20 to let the developers know their views on the plan, Andrew Brundan of Herefordshire Dwellings Ltd says: “We are a relatively young pair of developers who hope to create jobs in the town and boost the local economy by attracting tourists to the area with high-quality self-catering accommodation.

 

“We feel  the scheme is well designed to blend into the beautiful valley in which it sits.”   

 

* The design brief can be seen at: EIRIANFA   

Denbighshire facing £2.8 million budget overspend

Denbighshire’s cabinet have been warned that the council’s services are currently facing a £2.8 million budget overspend.

* For the full story in the Denbighshire Free Press, see: https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/24743864.warning-denbighshire-council-2-8m-budget/

Ten people rescued following landslide in Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, says report

As part of its general report about flooding as a result of Storm Bert. ITV Wales News is reporting this evening that five adults and five children had to be rescued from a house in Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, near Llangollen following a landslide earlier today (Saturday).

* For the full story, see: Power cuts, flooding and travel disruption as Storm Bert batters UK | ITV News

New look for Llangollen Inner Wheel’s Christmas fundraiser

* Ukrainian pianist Anna Romanenko plays at last year's inner Wheel Christmas event.

The Inner Wheel of Llangollen have a new venue and format for their Christmas fundraising event.

For many years, the club has hosted the Christmas Cheer event on the second Saturday in December at the Town Hall. 

This year, they have decided it’s time for a change and the event will be a Festive Tea Party at St Collen’s Community Hall on Sunday, December 15, at 2.30pm.

There will be a Christmas afternoon tea with all the traditional fare, including sandwiches, sausage rolls, mince pies and Christmas cake. 

Tickets are £15 and, as well as the food, there will be a free glass of sparkling wine or a soft drink.

The entertainment will be provided by popular music hall artist, Philip Robinson, and members of the Llangollen Pantomime Society. 

The  event will end with the usual carol singing, led by Gethin Davies.

A club spokesperson said: "We hope to welcome old and new friends to this traditional social gathering. All proceeds from the event will help provide funds for a range of Inner Wheel charities. 

"Tickets can be obtained from any member of the Inner Wheel Club or by phoning 01978 861643."

Natural Resources Wales issues weekend flood alert

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is urging people to be alert for flooding this weekend as Storm Bert is expected to bring heavy, persistent rain and strong winds across Wales on Saturday (23 Nov) and into Sunday (24 Nov).  

Large swathes of Wales are expected to experience heavy rain, which could lead to surface water issues and cause rivers to rise rapidly – particularly as recent snowfall melts quickly. 

A yellow Met Office warning for rain is in place for most of Wales from 6am on Saturday until 6am on Sunday. A yellow wind warning is also in place spanning the North West and West Wales coastlines between 5am and 7pm on Saturday.  

NRW’s incident response teams are working with other emergency responders and local authorities, checking flood defences are in good working order and making preparations to help keep people and property safe.  

People are being urged to consider any steps they may need to take now to be prepared, and to take extra care if you need to travel this weekend: 

• Register for NRW’s free flood warning service at naturalresources.wales/flooding or by calling Floodline on0345 988 1188. 

• Check the flood warning pages on NRW’s website for local Flood Alerts and Flood Warnings. These pages are updated every 15mins. 

• Think about how you can prepare your home and business now. Move valuables and vehicles to a higher location and think about packing a flood kit. NRW’s website has a range of information on how people can prepare for flooding. 

NRW will issue Flood Alerts and Warnings if rivers reach trigger levels with our teams monitoring levels 24 hours a day.   

Flood alerts mean that flooding is possible, flood warnings mean that flooding is expected, and severe flood warnings mean that there is a threat to life and significant disruption is expected. 

Katie Davies, NRW’s Duty Tactical Manager, said: 

“The predicted heavy rain and strong winds from Storm Bert, coupled with snowmelt is likely to cause disruption across Wales this weekend. – We’re advising people to keep up to date with flood alerts and warnings issued in their areas. 

“Making sure you know what the situation is like where you live is really important. You can check your flood risk and the latest flood alerts and warnings on our website which is refreshed every 15 minutes. Keep an eye on @NatResWales on X (formerly Twitter) for the latest information, and listen to weather reports and local news for details of any disruption in your area. 

“Our teams will be doing all they can to reduce the risk for communities, but if there is flooding we want to make sure people are doing all they can to keep themselves safe too. We urge people to keep away from swollen rivers, and not to drive or to walk through flood water – it is often deeper than it looks and contain hidden hazards.” 

Flood alerts and flood warnings are updated on the Natural Resources Wales website every 15 minutes. 

Information and updates are also available by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188. 

As well as checking flood risk and signing up for warnings, people can also check our 5-day flood forecast for the local authority areas across Wales, and find practical advice on how to prepare for flooding, such as moving treasured possessions upstairs and having key items like important documents and medication easily to hand in a flood kit. 

'Hairy' adventure firm scoops up honours in top tourism awards

* Hugh Owen of Bearded Men Adventures with the Go Rising Star in Tourism & Hospitality Award and award sponsor sponsor Sam McIlvogue of Coleg Llandrillo Menai.

* Jason Rickwood and Hugh Luckock of Bearded Men Adventures with award sponsor Glen Evans, centre, of Snowdonia Hospitality & Leisure Ltd.

A “hairy” adventure company was hailed as a star of the tourism industry in North Wales.

Bearded Men Adventures in Llangollen was among the big winners at the Go North Wales Tourism Awards.

The glittering annual event organised by North Wales Tourism celebrates the dedication, skill and achievements of the region’s tourism and hospitality industry.

This year the ceremony at Venue Cymru in Llandudno was hosted by former BBC journalist Sian Lloyd, who hails from Wrexham, and the headline sponsor once again was Harlech Foodservice which supplies many of the region’s hotels, guest houses and restaurants.

Most of the winners will go forward to the National Tourism Awards for Wales next March, hosted by Visit Wales.

Bearded Men Adventures,  whose adrenaline-fuelled activities include white water rafting, canoeing across the world famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and axe throwing, picked up two gongs.

The outfit, which describes itself as the Hairiest Adventure Company in North Wales, won the Go Activity or Experience award while 18-year-old team member Hugh Owen was named as the Rising Star in the Tourism and Hospitality Category.

Hugh said winning the Rising Star awards was an unbelievable start to his dream job.

From the age of 16 he set his sights on a career which would allow him to share his love for nature and adventure with others.

He said landing his traineeship with Bearded Men Adventures was a golden opportunity in itself but to also win the Rising Star accolade was more than he would have thought possible.

Hugh, who comes from Wrexham, said: “It’s too crazy for words really. I’ve known for a while that outdoor pursuits and tourism were the fields I’d love to work in and now that pathway is evolving in front of me.

“It’s also such a great time to be involved in the tourism sector in North Wales. There’s so much happening in Wrexham and the surrounding area these days, all the publicity which has come from the success of Wrexham FC since it was taken over by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

“It’s created such potential for the region, it’s too exciting for words really. There’s such a buzz around the whole region and it’s great to be with a such a dynamic company which is right at the heart of things and brimming over with energy.”

Hugh said he also wanted to thank his parents Anna Mottershead and Aled Owen for supporting his dream to work in the world of outdoor pusuits.

Bearded Men Adventures trailblazers Hugh Luckock and Jason Rickwood said they were overjoyed to scoop the award for being for best company in the business of providing high octane fun for thrill seekers.

Jason said: “It’s fantastic to be rewarded for doing what we love and offering our customers a safe way to take part in adventures that they also love, it doesn’t get better than that.”

He said the award would be a positive boost as they promote new offerings in the Bearded Men catalogue including stays at the newly named Without a Paddle hotel they have just opened in the heart of Llangollen.

According to head judge, Jim Jones, the chief executive of North Wales Tourism, Adam Williams was an “irrepressible force of nature”.

He said: “Adam is a real-life hero of the tourism and hospitality industry in North Wales whose drive and ingenuity are helping to turbo charge the visitor economy as well as preserving a precious part of our tourism heritage.

“I would like to congratulate Adam and every single one of the winners but I would also like to stress that all the nominees have played an absolutely vital role in rebuilding tourism sector in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic.

“This event really showcases the very best of North Wales and we have seen so many amazing entries, all of which underlines why this is a truly world class destination for visitors.”

It was a sentiment echoed by David Cattrall, the Managing Director of headline sponsors Harlech Foodservice.

He said: “We are delighted to once again be the headline sponsor of this wonderful awards ceremony and it’s very much a vote of confidence in the tourism and hospitality sector which has endured such a difficult time in recent years."

* Bearded Men was also a finalist in the Marketing and Media Recognition Award.

Llangollen International Eisteddfod was a finalist in the Event of the Year category and another Llangollen-based organisation, Drosi Bikes, reached the final of the Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award.