Latest weather update from SP Energy Networks

Llangollen County councillor Karen Edwards has passed on he latest local weather update she has received from SP Energy Networks:

Currently, across the Manweb area, we are seeing a large number of faults coming in - mainly in North and Mid Wales as we experience wind gusts of over 90mph in some areas.

Safety is our number one priority. At the moment trees are down and roads are closed across numerous locations hampering efforts in accessing our assets and whilst we have engineers deployed across the region, they are currently unable to work at height due to the extreme weather conditions.

We are restoring supply to as many customers as possible from our network control centre, and once the weather situation improves and we can move our teams safely, we will commence the remainder of the repairs and restore your power. Our teams are also prioritising support for vulnerable customers from the Priority Services Register.

If you’d like to check specific postcodes, you can use the Postcode Checker here. Simply search your postcode and view the map to see more details along with an estimated restoration time.

Our advice to customers experiencing a powercut:

*Stay warm by keeping extra blankets nearby and closing your window shutters, blinds or curtains to help keep the heat in and the draught out

*Keep your fridge and freezer doors closed as much as possible. The food in your freezer should stay frozen for up to 48 hours

*Beware of fallen power lines. Power lines may fall due to high winds so beware when venturing out of your home. Do not approach them, call 105 to report a fallen power line

For up-to-date weather info visit The Met Office website here https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/

Weather doesn't halt Pengwern's light switch-on

Like so many events this weekend the wet and stormy weather affected the annual Christmas lights switch-on at Pengwern yesterday (Friday) evening. 

Despite the heavy rain, Santa turned up at The Green to illuminate the tree but the planned carol singing to the accompaniment of Llangollen Silver Band was moved the the nearby Hub. 

Eisteddfod celebrates £100,000 funding boost

* Chair of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod John Gambles with local MS Ken Skates a Vice-President of the festival and strong supporter.

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has welcomed a huge funding boost as they prepare to launch their iconic festival on Wednesday December 11.  

The Arts Council of Wales have confirmed that the Llangollen Eisteddfod will receive £100,000 for the iconic festival that has promoted peace and reconciliation through music and dance since 1947.

 Organisers  say this is “massive” for the world-famous event. 

John Gambles, Chair of the Llangollen Musical Eisteddfod, said: "We are delighted to have received a significant amount of money from Arts Council of Wales from their resilience funding pot. The Llangollen International Eisteddfod, like other similar festivals has seen a dramatic rise in costs and this money will allow us to move forward with our most ambitious programme yet. 

"This news is massive for our festival and shows that Arts Council Wales and Welsh Government remain committed to ensuring that festivals like ours don't just survive but thrive.

 

"We are looking forward to announcing our most ambitious programme yet next week for our festival in 2025. We'd like to thank our local MP Becky Gittins and Ken Skates our local MS, for their continued support not only with this successful bid, but with their ongoing support in ensuring that our Eisteddfod, that has existed since 1947, continues to benefit Llangollen, Denbighshire and the wider North Wales region."

Becky Gittins, MP for Clwyd East, said: “The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod attracts musicians and dancers from all over the world and is of huge cultural significance to our area. This investment will support an event which brings tens of thousands of visitors to North East Wales and a provides a huge boost to our local economy.

 

“Spreading the messages of international friendship and peace, I want to pay tribute to everyone who works all year round to make Llangollen Eisteddfod the huge success that it is.” 

 

Ken Skates, MS for Clwyd South, added: “I was honoured to be asked to announce one of the biggest coups in the Eisteddfod’s illustrious history earlier this year when Sir Tom Jones was unveiled as the headline act in an incredible bill.

 

“I’m a proud vice-president of the event and its importance to our area and specifically the local economy cannot be underestimated – we’re talking millions of pounds every year.

 

“I was only too happy to write a letter of support for the Eisteddfod to the Arts Council of Wales earlier this year, so I’m delighted it has helped.”

 

Last year’s event boasted huge names such as Manic Street Preachers, Katherine Jenkins, Madness, Bryan Adams, Kaiser Chiefs and Paloma Faith.

 

Organisers say they will be announcing ‘the most ambitious festival’ yet on Wednesday (December 11).

 

Across Wales, 60 arts organisations are set to benefit from an additional £3.6m in funding thanks to a Jobs Protection and Resilience Fund set up by Arts Council of Wales and supported by the Welsh Government. 

 

Mr Skates added: “I’m proud of the major financial support the Welsh Government has given the Eisteddfod in recent years, and swift action by the Welsh Government and Minister Jack Sargeant to support the sector has no doubt helped benefit the Eisteddfod this time.”

 

Jack Sargeant, Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership said: “The arts sector makes a vital social, cultural and economic contribution to our society, enriching our communities and inspiring future generations.

 

“I’m therefore very pleased that, despite financial pressures, we’ve been able to support some of our most cherished and talented arts organisations with this extra, immediate funding, to improve resilience amid ongoing challenges.”

Dyfrdwy A5 Ceiriog and A483 Dyfrdwy weather warnings

In connection with the Storm Darragh weather warning, Traffic Wales has posted on its Facebook page: 

Dyfrdwy A5 Ceiriog and A483 Dyfrdwy will be closed between 07/12 06:00 and 15:00, due to heavy winds.

A539, A5 Llangollen and B5070. Follow the story: https://google.co.uk/maps/d/u/0/edit....

Storm warning means Christmas at Plas Newydd postponed

Due to the AMBER WEATHER WARNING in place for Storm Darragh, Christmas at Plas Newydd will now be taking place on Saturday 14th December from 12 - 4PM.

A post on their facebook page says: "The cosy stable block tearooms will still remain open on Saturday for delicious hot drinks and homemade meals, so come along and shelter from the storm!

"The booked wreath workshops will still be taking place on site and refreshments will be available from the tearooms, individual emails will be sent with more information."

* Llangollen Railway has cancelled tomorrow's Santa Special due to the weather. It has posted on its Facebook page:

With great regret, **SANTA SPECIAL TRAINS ARE CANCELLED** for Saturday 7th December, due to Storm Darragh weather warnings. The safety of our passengers and staff is of paramount importance to us, therefore, we have made the decision to cancel our services for Saturday 7th December 2024. We have emailed all pre-booked passengers for these services and are currently processing refunds. Please check your email to see our communication. Our offices will be closed for the same reason. Should you have any questions, please contact us by email at info@llangollen-railway.co.uk or call us on Monday 9th December and we will get back to you as soon as possible. At the time of posting, the plan is to continue with our services on Sunday 8th December, however, this is dependent on the results of our risk assessments over the next 24 hours. Services will only run if it is safe to do so. If you have a booking on Sunday 8th December, please keep an eye on your email, and on our social media for up-to-date information before you travel.

Energy network sends out warning about Storm Darragh

SP Energy Networks has sent out a warning about the possible effects of Storm Darragh on the local electricity supply system as it heads towards the UK.  

The warning note was sent to all county councillors in Denbighshire this morning (Friday) and Llangollen councillor Karen Edwards has passed it on to llanblogger. It reads@

"The Met Office has issued RED weather warnings for strong winds and heavy rain as Storm Darragh heads towards the UK this weekend.

"Bad weather is expected from 5th - 8th December and could affect some of our operational areas. Whilst Power cuts are rare, we have extra teams working both now and over the weekend to support any faults that may come in.

"To help us keep your communities safe, we’ve drafted in additional resources internally – from postponing planned works and redirecting the teams to be on standby, to preparing contractors who support us with digging and tree felling.

"We understand from the latest weather reports that we’ll see Storm Darragh approach this afternoon. Widespread gusts up to 50-65 mph, and very strong gusts up to 65-75 mph possible across exposed coastal areas.  A brief period of gusts up to 75-80 mph may develop around dawn Saturday for western coastal areas. No lightning is expected.  These strong gusts are expected to stay with us until around 12:00 Saturday.  

"We will have our local Emergency Action Control Rooms open and ready to respond to events as they unfold."

"How you can help your constituents – remind them to be prepared for a power cut:

1. Have the national 105 emergency helpline on hand – it’s best to keep this on the fridge or saved in the contacts on your mobile phone. Report any power cuts immediately.

2. Store a battery or wind-up torch – leave this somewhere you can access easily so you can use the torch to check on the fuse box and make your way around the house safely.

3. Beware of fallen power lines – power lines may have fallen because of heavy snow so beware of this when venturing out of your home. Always treat them as live and report them right away by calling 105.

4. Keep your mobile charged – having your mobile phone charged means you can give us a call on the national 105 emergency helpline. It’s also worth having an analogue phone as this doesn’t run off the main electricity supply.

5. Keep the heat in – if your power does go out, your heating might not work so keep extra blankets nearby and close window shutters, blinds, or curtains to help keep the heat in.

If you have a power cut, call 105 to report it and we will keep you updated by text or voice alert messaging whilst our engineers are working to restore your power. We also have a Priority Services Register for customers who may need extra support in a power cut. Find out more here.

Click here for the latest information and updates about known power cuts in your area or visit our Twitter channel @spenergynetwork.

Remember: If there are cables on or near the ground, please keep clear of them. These may still be live and able to conduct electricity through damp ground or metallic objects. If they are in roads or on footpaths, firstly dial 999, please stay on site if you can, tell the police and help keep passers-by well away, then also call us to advise and we will dispatch a team."

Promise auction features in St Collen's Christmas fayre

Local businesses and organisations have generously contributed a wealth of valuable items to the promise auction to be held at part of the Christmas fayre at St Collen's Church tomorrow (Saturday). 

The fayre, which runs from 11am until 2pm, also features stalls, refreshments and a raffle.

Here's what is up for auction:

Wild Pheasant Spa for two

Eisteddfod Family ticket - 2 adults 3 children

Eisteddfod Choir of the World - 2 adult tickets

The Bridge End Hotel - £30 voucher

Kendricks - MOT

Bottle Whisky

Royal Dalton Ornament

Trendy Lamps

XX Club 2 tickets - The Importance of Being Earnest

Llangollen Panto Group 2 tickets - Beauty and The Beast

Dee Valley Veg - Fruit Basket

Lily Rose - £10 voucher

Watkins and Williams - Torch