A historic silver cutlery set that once belonged to the Ladies of Llangollen is set to go under the hammer later this month.
* For the full story in the Denbighshire Free Press, go to: https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/25370645.ladies-llangollen-cutlery-go-cambridge-auction/
The number of harmful drinkers could be reduced by nearly 5,000 people under plans to raise the minimum unit price of alcohol in Wales, claims the Welsh Government.
And it is consulting on both maintaining the Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) for alcohol beyond March 2026 and raising the unit price from 50p to 65p.
The policy, which came into force in Wales in March 2020, aims to tackle alcohol-related harm by reducing alcohol consumption in hazardous and harmful drinkers.
Minimum Unit Pricing is targeted at high-strength drinks sold at very low prices and drunk in large volumes.
According to the government, modelling data suggests raising the MUP to 65p per unit could further reduce harmful alcohol consumption, as well as encourage more people to drink at moderate levels instead.
It could also lower the number of hazardous drinkers by more than 6,300 and harmful drinkers by nearly 5,000, reducing hospital admissions and deaths attributed to alcohol.
Drinking large quantities of high-strength alcoholic drinks puts people at long-term risk of cancer, stroke, heart disease, liver disease and brain damage.
Minimum pricing for alcohol is not designed to work in isolation and, combined with a wide range of health policies in the substance misuse sector, is targeted towards prevention, support and recovery and tackling availability.
Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing Sarah Murphy said: "Since we brought minimum unit pricing into place there has been a pandemic, a cost-of-living crisis and high inflation.
"Despite all of these, research through independent evaluations has shown the policy, which is not a tax, has had a positive impact and has helped reduce levels of harmful drinking.
"We’re consulting on raising the level as high inflation has made the 50p rate ineffective and reduced its value in real terms to 39p in 2020 prices.
"Due to this it is no longer significantly influencing the price of the cheapest alcohol and we need to review it."
* The consultation launched earlier this week and is open until September 29 2025.
Businesses in Denbighshire experiencing internet connectivity problems are being offered expert support through Denbighshire County Council’s Digital Officer Service in partnership with Cadwyn Clwyd.
Staying connected is vital for business operations, but many companies face challenges accessing reliable, high-speed internet.
With multiple government schemes currently available and Openreach continuing its fibre expansion across the region, it can be difficult for business owners to stay up to date with the latest options.
To help, the council is offering a free advisory service, where a dedicated Digital Officer can provide tailored advice, investigate issues on your behalf, query Openreach, and provide a detailed report on your connection and available solutions.
Councillor Emrys Wynne, Lead Member for Welsh Language, Culture and Heritage, said: "Digital connectivity is essential for business growth and sustainability. Through this service, we’re making sure Denbighshire businesses aren’t left behind and have access to the support they need to thrive in the digital age.
"We understand the pressures local businesses face, and this service is one way we’re helping to remove barriers and create opportunities for growth."
The service is fully funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is available to all businesses in Denbighshire at no cost.
* To find out more or to access support, contact Digital Officer Philip Burrows at philip.burrows@denbighshire.gov.uk.
This year's Welsh Learner of the Year at the National Eisteddfod in Wrexham is Lucy Cowley from Llangollen.
She was honoured in a special ceremony on the Pavilion stage earlier today (Wednesday) following a high-standard competition.
Lucy is from Is-y-Coed, Wrexham, which is the home of this year’s Eisteddfod.
Her grandfather was a refugee from Poland and her grandmother a refugee from Ukraine. Although she had some Welsh in school, she wasn’t confident, but while working as a teacher at Holt School, she realised she loved sharing Welsh with the children.
She went on to take courses and began using Welsh resources in the classroom.
She lives in Llangollen and has established a Welsh discussion group in the town, which attracts a group of people from various backgrounds - some new learners and others looking to reconnect with their Welsh. She designs jewellery and brought a stall to the Llŷn and Eifionydd Eisteddfod.
Her win was announced on the Pavilion stage and Lucy received the Learner of the Year Trophy donated by Spencer and Jeni Harris, and £300 donated by Ann Aubrey. The other three finalists each received £100.
They were Rachel Bedwin, who lives in the Bangor area, Hammad Hassan Rind, from Cardiff and Leanne Parry from Prestatyn.
The judges of the competition were Steve Morris, Francesca Sciarrillo, and Ian Gwyn Hughes.
Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, has expressed his concern for owners of holiday lets in North Wales.
Mr Rowlands, Chair of the Senedd’s Cross-Party Group on Tourism, says he is extremely concerned after hearing about owners of holiday lets receiving huge tax demands after failing to realise Wales' new occupancy targets were retrospective.
Mr Rowlands said: “I raised significant concerns at the time when it made its way through the Welsh Parliament and I am troubled now to hear of specific issues, whereby holiday owners are being faced with huge back dated council tax demands.
“Along with my fellow Welsh Conservatives we called for the Welsh Government to abandon their plans to increase the threshold for self-catering businesses to 182 days per year.
“Owners are not only facing having to discount their properties or rooms to encourage more visitors to reach their target but now some are being hit by a legal technicality costing them thousands of pounds they do not have.
“I understand that a recent survey by the Professional Association of Self Caterers, PASC Cymru showed that 47% of owners are now paying council taxes premiums and said they are now losing money. This must be extremely heart breaking for owners who are simply trying to earn a living and encourage visitors to come to North Wales.
“It really is about time the Welsh Labour Government started to support tourism. First of all we had the increase in the threshold for holiday lets followed by the ridiculous introduction of a default 20pmh speed limit then came plans to charge tourists for staying in overnight accommodation from 2027.”
Two Llangollen food outlets are finalists in The Food Awards Wales 2025 just announced by Oceanic Awards.
They are:
* Best Bistro/Diner - Dee Side Cafe Bistro (Llangollen)
* Deli of the Year - Porter's Delicatessen (Llangollen)
For the full story in the Leader, go to: htps://share.google/PEgH4wbjz5qr2nSEb
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