You can help Llangollen Twenty Club choose its next production

To mark its 80th anniversary year Llangollen Twenty Club - established 1946 - says it is keen to stage a classic from that era as part of the celebrations. 

It has therefore organised two read-throughs of the potential scripts before making the final decision on exactly which play makes it to the stage as its November production.

The first of the read-throughs, which are open to anyone interested who can just turn up on the night, is the Agatha Christie drama And Then There Were None, which takes place at Llangollen RAFA Club this Tuesday, starting at 7.30m.

A club spokesperson said: "We’re also looking to recruit new members, whether as actors, or to assist behind the scenes with set building, costumes, stage management, or committee roles. Anyone interested in getting involved in any capacity would be very welcome."

Water watchdogs investigate River Dee pollution reports

 llanblogger special report 

* One of a series pictures taken by llanblogger’s source showing the dirty foam collecting on rocks in the river.

Complaints about the poor quality of water in the River Dee in Llangollen are being investigated by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water.

Claims about pollution of the waterway, which is popular with everyone from kayakers and white water rafters to people swimming on warm days, have been made by a person llanblogger considers a reliable source well acquainted with the situation but who wishes to remain anonymous.

The claims are that:

* There is evidence of some form of pollutant coming from upstream of the Horseshoe Falls.  

* There is a type of dirty foam collecting in eddies of water and on rocks in various parts of the white water section of the river as it flows through the town

* A number of kayakers have become sick in the past 2-3 weeks with serious gastro-intestinal problems. llanblogger's source says they personally know of over 20 cases but add that there was an increase in cases noted following the recent Dee Fest kayak festival over the weekend of April 25-26. 

* That pollution could have an impact on the local tourist industry and the health of children swimming in the river on sunny days. 

* There could be an ecological impact on fish in the river whose population is already said to be struggling

llanblogger sought official reaction to the claims from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water.

Philip Barrett, Senior Officer, Denbighshire Environment Team at NRW said on Friday: “Improving water quality for people and wildlife is an important part of the work that we do.

 

“We received multiple reports of a suspected pollution incident on the River Dee around Llangollen on April 27. Following these initial reports, our officers attended on the day to take samples and to initiate an investigation.

 

“Further suspected pollution reports have been received today (Friday May 8) and our officers are on site again to take further samples and to continue the work to trace the potential sources. 

"We are aware of a misconnection which has been raised with Denbighshire County Council. We are also in contact with Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water who are also investigating the issue further. We will continue to work with them to ensure a solution is found.

“Our investigations are continuing. Thank you to everyone who reported this to our incident line – your reports help us respond quickly. If you spot any further issues, please report it to us 24/7 using our online form, or call our incident line on 0300 065 3000."

And a spokesperson for Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water said: "We are working with NRW and the local council to investigate misconnections in Llangollen. 

"Misconnections are when a private wastewater pipe is connected to the incorrect surface water drainage network, usually unknowingly. This can result in wastewater going directly into streams and rivers. You can learn more on how to spot misconnections on our website.  

"It is important to note our storm overflows in Llangollen did not spill in April."

* More of the dirty foam which washed up to rocks in the Dee. 

* Scum on the water which was washed up around tree flotsam in the river.  

Llangollen churches celebrate Christian Aid Week

Churches in Llangollen will be fundraising for Christian Aid this coming week, May 10th -16th.

A special service is being held in Llangollen Methodist Church tomorrow (Sunday) at 11am to which all are welcome. 

On Tuesday May 12 Cytûn will be hosting the coffee morning in the Memorial Hall in Market Street, from 10am, for Christian Aid. 

A spokesperson for the organisers said: "Please come along and support this worthy cause."

Three Reform, two Plaid and one Conservative elected for Clwyd

* A screenshot from BBC Wales showing the Clwyd results declared at the count in Flintshire.

Three Reform, two Plaid Cymru and one Welsh Conservative have been elected to the Senedd after yesterday's election in the new Clwyd constituency of which Llangollen is part.

On a turnout was 51.39% representing a total of 79,757 votes, Reform secured 25,741 votes, Plaid 22,583, Welsh Conservatives 16,193, Greens 4,219, Heritage 352, Welsh Labour 8,314 and Welsh Liberal Democrats 2,355.

This means the six new Senedd Members are:

1. Arian Mason (Reform)

2. Llyr Griffith (Plaid)

3. Darren Millar Welsh Conservative)

4. Louse Emery (Reform)

5. Becca Matin (Plaid)

6. Thomas Montgomery (Reform)

Results in neighboring Flint Wrexham are:

*Note: Wales is split into 16 new constituencies, each electing six members, known as MS's. Llangollen is now part of the Clwyd constituency. Voters were asked to choose one party or independent candidate. The 96 seats are allocated by share of the votes and a party needs 49 for a majority in the new Sened

Dementia Friends to run information session for town council

As part of Dementia Action Week from May 18-24, Age and Dementia Friendly Llangollen have arranged for Becky Bowcott from DVSC's Dementia Aware Denbighshire project to present a Dementia Friends information session to the Town Council at their monthly meeting on the Tuesday May 19, at 6pm.

A Dementia Friends session aims to give people a greater understanding of dementia, how it can affect people and the little things we can do as individuals and a community to help them. 

If anyone is interested in attending this session or would like to arrange a session for a specific group, organisation, school or business please get in touch with: DFllangollen@outlook.com. 

A spokesperson said: "The group are actively seeking volunteers to be part of their steering group so for more information about Age and Dementia Friendly Llangollen or the Dementia Aware Denbighshire project do not hesitate to contact us."

Library's monthly hearing aid clinic is today

* Volunteer Helen offers help and advice about your NHS hearing aids at the monthly clinics in Llangollen Library.

Anyone aiming to keep their hearing equipment in peak condition can visit the regular monthly hearing aid drop-in clinics held at Llangollen Library.

Run by the local health board's Hearing Aid Volunteer service, they are free to attend and offer basic maintenance and servicing of NHS appliances.

Volunteers, including Helen who is regularly at the Llangollen sessions, are trained and co-ordinated by the North Wales Audiology Service of Betsi Cadwalader University Health Board.

The clinics are held on the second Friday of the month.

* For audiology information, call: 03000 850078. 

Thousands of illegal cigarettes seized by Trading Standards

Following previous successful operations to crack down on the sale of illegal cigarettes, Denbighshire County Council’s trading standard officers along with the Trading Standards Wales Regional Tobacco Team and North Wales Police conducted further visits to premises across the County.

Three premises were targeted following successful test purchases of illegal cigarettes.

Across the visits officers seized over 12,000 illegal cigarettes and 6.7 kilograms of hand rolling tobacco in two premises’, resulting in the temporary closure of one with the agreement of the owner.

During the search these items were discovered concealed in a variety of ways. Illegal tobacco and cigarettes were found in purpose built hidden compartments and false walls that were secured by electromagnets.

Emlyn Jones Head of Planning, Public Protection and Countryside Service said:

“This is another example of the great work that our trading standards officers are doing to take illegal products such as these off the shelves. The items seized were counterfeit and carry serious safety and health issues to those people buying and using them.

“The products have not been safety tested, and the cigarettes pose a real fire safety risk as they do not have the safety burn ring. From a health point of view, the contents of the tobacco are unknown, and they could potentially have harmful levels of illegal chemicals far beyond the normal risks of genuine authorised tobacco products.

“Our residents play a vital role in identifying areas and persons of interest, which help our trading standard officers to investigate and get illegal tobacco, vapes and other products out of the community”.

Businesses can get in touch with Denbighshire’s Trading Standards Team for advice on illegal cigarette, tobacco and vaping products on Denbighshire’s website.