Volunteer Rangers sought to help care for the Dee Valley

* Among the places where Volunteer Rangers are based is the Horseshoe Falls.  

The Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is looking for Volunteer Rangers who would like to help the team take care of the southern end of the designated landscape. 

The Dee Valley is an iconic area of truly outstanding scenery rich in cultural and industrial heritage. 

As a ranger, you can become an ambassador for the AONB, share your love and knowledge of this area, and inspire local people and visitors alike to help protect what makes the Dee Valley so special.

 

Volunteer Rangers will primarily be based at two of the most popular sites in the area - Castell Dinas Brân, the ancient hill fort which overlooks Llangollen, and Horseshoe Falls, Thomas Telford’s masterpiece and starting point for the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site.

 

They will be provided with branded uniform and will meet and engage with members of the public, sharing information and answering questions.

 

Volunteers are being sought to help the Ranger team at their busiest times, so we are looking for people who can commit to at least a couple of days a month during weekends. All new Volunteer Rangers will receive training prior to starting in their roles.

 

Alan James, Lead Member for Local Development and Planning said: “This is a fantastic opportunity as getting outdoors and experiencing our amazing environment around the Dee Valley can be really beneficial for helping individual physical and mental health.

 

“It’s also very important work to protect the nature in the Dee Valley to help preserve the area for people to continue to visit and enjoy and I encourage those who love where they live around this amazing part of the world to take up this opportunity."

 

The role is open to anyone over the age of 18, with no previous experience required but a love of the landscape is essential. If you are interested in joining the team, an introductory information session about the roles will be held in Llangollen on Wednesday April 30 between 6pm and 8.30pm.

 

* To book your place or to ask for more information, contact Christina Sheehan (christina.sheehan@denbighshire.gov.uk 07880 023259) who will confirm the meeting location closer to the date. The closing date for expressions of interest is Wednesday April 23.

 

 

Library-based navigators can help with your well-being

* A Community Navigator at work in a library.

Based at all of Denbighshire’s Libraries including Llangollen, Talking Points are an easy and convenient way for Denbighshire residents to find out what help and support is available in their local area.

Set up to help improve residents’ health and well-being, the Community Navigators who are stationed at each Talking Point session provide Denbighshire residents with face-to-face support and advice county-wide, with the team attending a different library each day of the week.

The Community Navigators service is provided by the British Red Cross in partnership with Denbighshire County Council and work along-side key partners such as Working Denbighshire, Cwmpas, Citizens Advice, NHS Audiology and My Home Denbighshire.

There is no need to book an appointment to go to a Talking Point and residents can simply turn up at a Talking Point when one is taking place. However, appointments can still be booked if requested.

The Talking Points session in Llangollen is held every Thursday from 10am until 12.30pm

Michael Vinsome, Community Navigator said: "As a Community Navigator, I support people facing a wide range of challenges – from practical concerns like housing or finances to emotional and psychological struggles.

"What makes this role so rewarding is knowing we're in it for the long haul. We don’t just signpost – we stay involved, making ongoing referrals for as long as someone needs us. The feedback we receive from people we've helped is genuinely moving, and it’s what makes this work feel so worthwhile."

Councillor Elen Heaton, Lead Member for Health and Social Care said: “Talking Points are easily accessible at Denbighshire’s local Libraries, where the friendly Community Navigators and always ready to help and chat.

"The support available through the Talking Points sessions is wide ranging thanks to the work that the Community Navigators do with partnering organisations. I would urge anyone who thinks they may need some support to go along to their nearest talking points session.”

* For more information, please go to: https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/health-and-social-care/adults/talking-points.aspx

Many appointments left for blood donation session on April 29

Over 70 appointments are still available for a blood donation session to be held at Llangollen Pavilion on Tuesday, April 29.  

A spokesperson for the Welsh Blood Service said: "We currently have 77 appointments still available so I am hoping that people can share the information around the various social media platforms to reach the wider community, digital screens, posters displayed in house,   newsletters and emails etc.  

"Every share really helps save lives as you encourage new blood donors. Every  donation saves thrree lives or the lives of six babies which is an incredible gift.

"The Welsh Blood Service needs 350 donors to come forward every single day to supply 19 hospitals in Wales. This is an essential service, and something you can do to help the NHS.

"Book your lifesaving donation in Llangollen and give blood if you can. https://wbs.wales/LlangollenPavilion

Kia EV3 is my contender for car of the year

Kia EV3 drive by Steve Rogers

Bravo Kia! I have driven a hot contender for my car of the year.

The electric EV3 covers just about every base whether it be space, performance, quality or range. It seems new buyers agree because the compact SUV is currently the UK’s best selling battery electric car.

That said if you read comments on Facebook EV3 is the world’s ugliest car. Well, the dramatic styling is a bit of a marmite job: you love it or hate it. I am sitting on the fence for now, although the light signatures are stunning, but whatever misgivings on looks are trampled into the dust by its all round capabilities.

There is a three model range starting at £33,005 with a 51kWh battery and a range of 270 miles, or 81kWh that could be good for an impressive 375 miles. The city cycle is said to add another 100 miles which would be music to the ears of taxi drivers.

My 325 miles on a full charge was the best return on any electric car I have driven but it was during the mini heatwave so conditions for electric driving were about perfect. Even turning on the heating made only a negligible difference to the range; it’s a different story in a cold winter.

Using a home wall charger is an all night job from 10 per cent to full but using the more powerful public charging stations can get to 80 per cent in half an hour.

Enough of the stats, what makes EV3 such an appealing car? Quite a lot but the first thing to notice is the space. With no gearbox and handbrake mechanism the front of the cabin is open creating an abundance of floor level storage areas, although the lack of a conventional storage box between the front seats is a bit of an oddity.

Instead the two top level models have a slide out tray which looks attractive but isn’t that practical especially when there aren’t any cup holders. They are on the floor. It also means that apart from the glove box, which is virtually filled with the instruction manual, there is nowhere to hide valuables.

The dashboard is all digital laid out in Kia’s familiar ‘widescreen TV’ style with two integrated 12.3in screens. The driver’s section is neat and clear although I would prefer the digital speedo to be centred rather than on the side. It is a pity the head up display is only fitted to the top model.

There is a mass of information in the central touchscreen but it is instinctive and easy to fathom. Physical switches for heating will satisfy those who believe dabbing a screen is a driver distraction. My tip is to use voice control for heating, radio selections and navigation destinations, but have postcodes on hand for tricky Welsh place names…Bwlchgwyn is a non-starter!

For its size EV3 is a serious family car with plenty of leg and shoulder room for three adults across the back seat, and there will be no complaints about boot space which has a two level floor, and there is a frunk box under the bonnet that is big enough to take the charging cable.

Performance is in the realms of a hot hatch of old and while the handling can’t match a petrol or diesel it is not going to bother anyone other than a rally driver. The penalty of lugging around a heavy battery pack is stiff suspension so be prepared for hefty thuds over potholes but on normal surfaces the ride is fine with very little wind or road noise.

The level of equipment, safety features and technology are right up there even on the entry Air model. Steering wheel paddles for regenerative braking and slowing the car saves wear on brake pads while a new over the air app linked to navigation reads the road making braking and speed adjustments ahead of time without the driver needing to press the brake pedal.

Throw that in with adaptive cruise control and you almost have a driverless car.

Electric car sales are the best they have ever been but there is still a fair bit of discounting so be prepared to haggle, and here’s a bonus. Two of the three EV3 models come in under £40k avoiding the new surcharge that slaps an extra £410 on road tax for five years.

In a word EV3 is a triumph. As I said at the top of the start, bravo Kia.

Fast facts

EV3 GT-Line

£39,495

Battery pack: 81.4kW; 201bhp

Max charging rate: 127.5kW

Combined range: 367 miles

0-62mph 7.9secs; 105mph

Zero emissions

Boot: 460-1250 litres

Insurance group 35

Warranty: 7 years

Llangollen church services for Easter

The churches of Llangollen area have sent wishes for "a happy and blessed Easter" and say they warmly welcome you to any of their Easter services. 

Details of these can be found at any of the churches or on their own websites:

* Church in Wales - St Collen's Parish: www.stcollenschurch.org.uk

* Methodist Church - www.llangollenmethodist.org.uk

* Catholic Church - www.strichardgwynparish.co.uk 

Council leads special events to mark VE Day 80th anniversary

* Llangollen Town Hall lit up in red, white and blue for the 75th anniversary of VE Day in 2020.  

Events including lighting the Town Hall in red, white and blue and the serving up of 1940s-style fish and chips in newspaper feature in a two-day programme to mark the 80^th anniversary of the end of World War Two in Europe next month. 

This year sees the landmark anniversary of VE Day, a moment of great national and international significance. 

Although VE Day falls on Thursday, May 8, the Together Coalition, which promotes community cohesion and kindness, has designated Bank Holiday Monday May 5 as the day for community-based celebrations. 

At its meeting last night (Tuesday) Llangollen Town Council approved a package of events to celebrate the occasion. 

While the Town Council has not yet been approached by any community group to coordinate local events, it considered it appropriate to take the lead in developing commemorative activities. 

And given the prominence of the Town Hall as a civic and cultural focal point, it has arranged a series of events to take place there on both on the Bank Holiday Monday (May 5) and VE Day itself (May 8). 

On Bank Holiday Monday, there will be a daytime Community Celebration at the Town Hall featuring: 

* The screening of historic VE Day footage and still images from previous national celebrations, including materials from Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, reflecting its ethos of promoting peace through music 

* Live interactive dance performances by local groups who regularly use the Town Hall

* Musical interludes

* Complimentary teas, coffees and cakes throughout the day

* A fish and chip van parked outside the venue, serving meals in 1940s-style newspaper, with staff dressed in Land Army costume

On Thursday May 8 there will be an event entitled VE Day – Evening of Commemoration where Llangollen branch of the Royal British Legion will lead a short service of Remembrance on Centenary Square followed by a formal ceremony at the Town Hall, including a proclamation by the Town Crier, after which the Town Mayor will switch on the illuminations to turn the front of the Town Hall red, white, and blue, symbolising peace and unity. The light display is seen by the council as a symbolic alternative to the lighting of a beacon.

Section of A539 closed for ongoing incident

North Wales Police posted on Facebook around 6.30pm:

⚠️  ROAD CLOSED ⚠️ 

Trevor Road and Llangollen Road in Llangollen (A539) are currently closed due to an ongoing incident with Emergency Services on scene. Please avoid the area and consider alternative routes on your travels.

* A full update appears on Leader Live at: 

https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/25093118.recap-police-shut-a539-incident-reported-llangollen/