Issue 179
April 2014
Llanferres
Yo ur se loca cu rity l sp ec ial ist Intruder Alarms Closed Circuit TV Automatic Gates & Barriers Takeover Maintenance and Service
In the UK we spend more time and money on our homes than anywhere else in the world
Is yours protected ? For advice and support call AGS today !
01352 707888 t: 01352 707888 f: 01352 707889
Field Way Denbigh Road Mold Flintshire CH7 1BP
e: info@ags-security.co.uk www.ags-security.co.uk
News & Views 3
Welcome Welcome to the April edition of News & Views. With the clocks changing and the weather warming up it’s tempting to say we’ve got away with a very mild winter and spring has sprung, but we know it is almost exactly a year since the “big snow”, so we best not count our chickens yet! This month there’s the Easter Bingo to look forward to and the Grand Easter Whist evening. The Druid looks to have a tempting selection of guest ales and judging by the picture on page 22 there’s been some early sampling (well maybe not the beer in this case). The Pancake Party was another fantastic success, with a huge sum
raised and probably the biggest and best selection of homemade cakes you’re likely to encounter this year - there’s a challenge. Best wishes Paul & Siobhan Contact: Paul & Siobhan Gothorp 2 Cae Gwyn Llanferres Mold CH7 5SL Tel: (01352) 810566 Email: news@llanferres.org www.llanferres.org
’For All Your Winter Needs’’ ‘No Job too BIG or small’ ‘KEEPING YOU WARM WITH LOGS, COAL, STICKS AND FIRE LIGHTERS DELIVERED TO KEEPING YOU SAFE! TREE FELLING, YOUR DOOR’ DURING WINTER. PRUNING, HEDGE Bulk Deliveries Available GRITTING, SNOW TRIMMING, CLEARING, GRIT GARDEN CLEARING SALES, SNOW & DRIVEWAY SHOVELS AND MAINTENANCE SLEDGES! CALL FOR A QUOTE! MAN WITH A VAN, TRAILER & MINI DIGGER, DELIVERY AND COLLECTION SERVICE. HOUSE CLEARANCE
J. Reid Services 07968772384
4 News & Views
Notices March Birthdays Happy Birthday to the following Ruby Steel who will be 3 on 6th April Jessica Gould who will be 21 on 10th April Jack William Lane Roberts who will be 8 on 10th April Sam Clough on 16th April Matthew Isherwood who will be 20 on 21st April Eli Clough who will be 20 on 23rd April Karl Drendel on 23rd April Iestyn Dwyryd Roberts who will be 3 on 29th April
YSGOL BRO FAMAU 100 CLUB PRIZE DRAW March 2014
Thanks to everyone who voted for the Flintshire Food Bank in the MumsNet Sport Relief grant funding poll. They managed to secure the highest proportion of votes and a whacking £80,000 prize. An excellent result. Well done to Josh Griffiths for spotting this one too.
Baby Sitting Need a local baby sitter? Why not give Emma a ring - lots of experience. Call
(01352) 810657
1st prize £30 Joan Woolnough 2nd prize £15 O I Parry 3rd prize £7 Tim Griffiths
April 2014 1st prize £30 Barbara Mills 2nd prize £15 D E Collins 3rd prize £7 Tim Griffiths
Thank you very much for your continued support! There is still an unclaimed prize from the November 2013 draw, Maureen Hill. Please phone 810461. If you would like a birthday or special announcement included in News &Views please send the details to: 2
news@llanferrres.org or Cae Gwyn, Llanferres, CH7 5SL
News & Views 5
Llanferres Over 60's Club LLANFERRES OVER 60's Club Our March meeting was well attended and most interesting. Mr. Roe spoke about Aberduna Hall and its owners. The DaviesCooke family were there in the 1800s and at one point rented it out to Lady Lucy St. Vincent for ÂŁ230 per year! The Grayson family took over the estate and had connections with Merseyside Shipping and the Dick Barton radio programme! Since then the hall has been a guest house run by a Mrs. Hughes until it was sold to Mrs. Peggy Grace and remains with her family. An interesting snippet - the Royal Mail horse drawn coach from Mold to Ruthin passed by and stopped at the Maeshafn Post Office run by Mrs. Evans! Where was our local post office? Our next meeting on April 8th will hear Mr. David Cummings fascinating talk on Swans. Please come! Contact Betty Cook 01352 810 722 or Olive Parry 01352 810 294. Awarded
Best B&B in Britain By Period Living Magazine
Bryn Tirion is a snug and cosy 17th Century cottage in beautiful surroundings with panoramic views in an area of outstanding natural beauty, making it a paradise for walkers and nature lovers. Private parking, heating and all electricity are inclusive to all our rates of stay, plus colour television and all linen. FREE wi-fi. For further details contact Mrs Sylvia Hughes
Telephone: (01352) 810444 Email: sylvia@bryn-tirion.com Website: www.bryn-tirion.com We apologise that we allow no pets, and the cottage is strictly no smoking
6 News & Views
April Diary Dates 1st
Tue 7.00 pm Bowls Club, Village Hall
2nd 3rd
Wed 7.30pm Llanferres Dance Club, Village Hall Thu 9.15 am Toddler Group, Village Hall
4th
Fri
5th
Sat
6th 7th
Sun 9.30 am Morning Worship Mon 7.00pm Grand Easter Whist, Village Hall
8th
Tue
9th
Wed 7.30pm Llanferres Dance Club, Village Hall
10th
Thu
9.15 am Toddler Group, Village Hall 7.30pm Community Council Meeting, Village Hall
11th
Fri
Last day of school term 7.00pm Easter Bingo Night, Village Hall
12th
Sat
9.30 am Community Planting of the field adjacent to the school
13th
Sun 9.30 am Morning Worship Palm Sunday
14th
Mon
7.30 pmGardening Club Meeting, Village Hall 8.30 pm Compline
15th
Tue
7.00 pm Bowls Club, Village Hall 8.30 pm Compline
16th
Wed 8.30 pm Compline
17th
Thu 7.00 pm Maundy Thursday service at St Mary the Virgin, Mold
18th
Fri
Good Friday 10.30 am Devotional Service for Good Friday
19th
Sat
8.00 pm Easter Eve Service of Light at Cilcain
20th
Sun
Easter Sunday 9.30 am Easter Day Holy Communion
21st 22nd 23rd 24th 25th 26th 27th 28th 29th
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue
30th
Wed 7.30pm Llanferres Dance Club, Village Hall
Llanferres Over 60s meeting, 7.00 pm Bowls Club, Village Hall
Easter Monday 7.00pm Bowls Club, Village Hall St. George's Day
9.30 am Morning Worship Schools reopen 7.00 pm Bowls Club, Village Hall
News & Views 7
PANCAKE PARTY! Thank you so much to all who came, who worked so hard,who bought tickets, who made cakes and who all contributed so much to make the party a success. We raised just over ÂŁ800, of which ÂŁ400 will go towards the Mold Rotary appeal for "Lifestraws" and "Tong Len" . The rest of the money raised will go to Llanferres Church. It was a great evening, and it was wonderful that our farming community was able to show such generosity to displaced farmers in Northern India. We had a talk during the evening from Anthony Brooke-Rankin, who has visited the "Tong Len" project and who will ensure that the children supported by the project will get the play equipment they requested. Grateful thanks to you all, Wendy Shillito
8 News & Views
GARDENING or DOG WALKING Do you need help with either of these?
Then call me on 01352 810559
Having a function, children’s party or a BBQ in the park? Give Jay a call on 0756 833 0629 to ensure that the ice cream van calls!
Call Danny LaFlamme 01352 810350 07791 674216 Or visit www.moneysavingtoday.co.uk
News & Views 9
Gardening Club News Llanferres Parish Gardening Club At the meeting on Monday March 10th, we had as guest speaker Kevin Bailey. When he last talked to our club it was "Ferns and Hostas", on Monday it was "Propagation" of shrubs and trees. In his wide-ranging talk Mr Bailey spoke of sowing seeds from trees such as Oak, Ash, Maple and firs, bushes such as Spindle and garden trees such as Acer palmatum. The secret of success is using fresh seeds as soon as ripe and putting into pots of sand, peat and gravel to stratify. With examples of Acer seeds in a pot, these were re-sown into trays to grow further before potting and eventually planting in a favourite spot in the garden. Next it was cuttings from shrubs, usually taken in the late autumn or early winter, to produce fresh plants to rejuvenate a border. Blackcurrant, gooseberry and even figs can be reproduced this way. With no end of suggestions, members were ready to start. Mr Bailey finished with a demonstration of aerial propagation - more complicated but none the less members were keen "to have a go" at home. This most inspiring of talks showed us the range of knowledge of a speaker who can inspire even the most armchair gardener. At the next meeting, on Monday April 14th, Nicolette Evans, lecturer at Northop College and Daily Post columnist, pays a return visit. This time it is "Growing Dahlias and other Cut Flowers". Visitors (ÂŁ1per meeting) and new members (ÂŁ5 per year) will be most welcome. Best wishes Hon Secretary Mrs Joan Almond ( 810808
Need any sewing work done? Curtains,Valances, Pelmets, Blinds, Cushions, Clothing alterations Give Barbara a call on 01352 810485
10 News & Views
Cyngor y Cymuned - Llanferres From the minutes of the meeting held on 13th March:- Present: Cllr. David Jones (Chair), Cllr. David Twomey, Cllr. John Almond, Cllr. Rob Armstrong, Cllr. Jac Armstrong, Cllr. Margaret Davies, the Clerk Mrs Gwyneth Dillon. 1. Apologies: Cllr. Olive Parry, Cllr. Rob Jones, Cllr. Yvonne Foden McCorry and County Councillor Martyn Holland. 2. Declarations of Interest: None declared. 3. Meeting open to the public for ten minutes: No matters were brought to Councillors' attention. 4. Community Website: Mr Paul Gothorp attended the meeting to arrange the setting up of the Community Website in conjunction with News & Views. Items to be included were discussed and it is hoped that the website will be active by mid-April. 5. County Councillors report: County Councillor Martyn Holland was not present. 6. Minutes of the February Meeting: The minutes for the February meeting were signed as a true record. 7. Matters Arising: The objection to Planning Application 21/2014/0033, 16 Rectory Lane, Llanferres, had been withdrawn due to misinterpretation of building regulations. 8. Reports from other meetings: Chairman, David Jones, Vice Chairman, John Almond and Cllr. Rob Armstrong had attended a meeting with County Councillor Martyn Holland to discuss the traffic problems on Forestry Road. Representatives from Denbigh Free Press were present. 9. Maintenance in the Community: A 'pot hole' had been filled in Rectory Lane and Ty'n Llan had been resurfaced. 10. Red Telephone Kiosk: Ongoing. The Kiosk will be added to the Council's insurance.
March
11. Risk Assessment: The play equipment on the Play Field in Maeshafn had been checked and declared safe but some renewals will be made later in the year. 12. Landscape project - Memorial Stone: Ongoing. Mr Noel Headley has identified several fatalities from both World Wars one and two and it is proposed to identify them on a slate plaque to be attached to the Memorial Stone. ( See separate article). 13. Field Adjacent to the School: The Chairman reported that progress has been made in the construction of the paths and the installation of pedestrian gates. Volunteers are required to help plant trees on site on 12th April at 9.30 am. Please bring a spade if you have one. 14. Community Council Insurance: The Council's insurance policy had been scrutinised and declared satisfactory. 15. Training and Finance: Cllr. Yvonne Foden-McCorry will attend a training meeting on 'Making Effective Grant Applications' in July. 16. Bills: HMRC ÂŁ29.20 17. Planning Matters: 21/2014/0118 Proposal: change of use of detached ancillary building to holiday accommodation (retrospective). Location: 1 Tyddyn Daws, Cadole. The Community Council resolved to raise no objections. 21/2014/0147 Proposal: Change of use of dwelling to form Visitors Centre and provision of passing bays along access track. Location: Tir y Coed, Maeshafn. The Community Council resolved to object to this development because (among other things) it represented the loss of a family house; it commercialised part of the AONB; it could cause traffic problems; there would be problems with waste disposal
News & Views 11
Meeting
Llanferres - Community Council
as the Council refuse vehicles cannot reach the premises. 21/2007/0344 Proposal: Revisions to detailing of development relating to public footpath link to Llanferres Church - Housing scheme at Glebe Land, Llanferres. Location: Glebe Field, Llanferres. The County Council had been made aware of the Community Council's opinions on this matter so would make no further comments at this time.
Llanferres Community Council invite you to a morning of Community Planting
from 9-30 am on Saturday April 12th on the field adjacent to the school Your attendance will count as Match Funding !
18. Maeshafn Playing Field: No further progress. 19. Correspondence List: All matters dealt with above. 20. Other Matter that have been brought to Councillors' Attention: None at present. 21. Date of Next Meeting: Thursday 10th April 2014. John Almond, Vice Chairman
The full minutes from this and future Community Council meetings will be available online on the new Community Council section of www.llanferres.org from the end of April onwards. More details next month.
12 News & Views
Church News Services in April 6th 9.30 am Morning Worship 13th 9.30 am Morning Worship Palm Sunday 14th 8.30 pm Compline 15th 8.30 pm Compline 16th 8.30 pm Compline 17th 7.00 pm Maundy Thursday service at St Mary the Virgin, Mold 18th 10.30 am Devotional Service for Good Friday 19th 8.00 pm Easter Eve Service of Light at Cilcain 20th 9.30 am Easter Day Holy Communion 27th 9.30 am Morning Worship Also, throughout Lent, a short service of Morning Prayer on Thursday at 9 am.
The Maundy Thursday Service at St Mary the Virgin, Mold will be a Eucharist with Footwashing and a Vigil with Bishop Gregory in attendance.
Pancake Party Huge Success This year it was a case of many people rallying round to help Wendy who found that every time she set aside time to bake cakes something conspired to prevent her. Many friends of hers baked for her so that the cake table was as usual groaning with goodies - some cakes were even baked in Colwyn Bay. Those that were not sold on the night, and most were, were sold in the following days so that over £300 was made on the cake stall. The overall total Armstrong his skills for the evening was £804.51 of which £400Chef will go to demonstrates the two charities supported and monitored by The Rotary Club of Mold (Tong-Len and Lifestraws) and the rest will be for much-needed funds for Llanferres Church. Our thanks go to Drs Wendy and Nigel for hosting the event, to Rob and Ian for cooking pancakes on the night, to Anthony who talked about the Rotary charities and to all those others who helped in so many ways.
Vestry Meeting This is the AGM of the Church Committee and will be held on Wednesday 9th April at 7.30 pm in Llanferres Church.
News & Views 13
Church News It is your chance to view the accounts, to hear about future plans, to vote for those on the committee and generally have your say about the running of the church in your village.
New Carpet The area at the back of church on the right hand side has been transformed. Pews have been removed, a beautiful carpet laid and a couple of extra heaters installed. This makes a very cosy area for small meetings or for chatting over a cup of tea.
PROPOSED ADDITIONS TO OUR MEMORIAL STONE As we remember the Centenary of the First World War , the Community Council wishes to recognise members of our Community who lost their lives serving our country. The Community Council wishes to express their gratitude to Noel Headley for his diligent research which has provided us with their names. WW1. Our list includes :- Private John William Cordiner Private Charles Williams Private Edwin Edwards Serjeant Walter Augustus Fernyhough Private David Woodward Private Benjamin Peters Nurse Elizabeth Williams WW2 Serjeant Garmon Peter Jones Guardsman John Frederick Fernyhough Gunner Frank Collins.
If anyone is aware of other persons they think should also be included , please contact Cllr. Rob Armstrong tel. 810259.
14 News & Views
● Gas ● Solid Fuel ● Electric ● Central Heating
Family Run Business Honest and expert advice Building and Chimney Work Supply Surrounds in all Materials (Wood, Marble, Stone etc.) All major brands of solid fuel stoves and gas and electric fires Customers own stoves fitted Yeoman ● Stovax ● Brosley ● Dovre ● Meg ● Esse ● Packray ● Hunter ● Cannon● Pevex ● AGA ● Morzo
CHIMNEY SWEEPING AND SERVICING STOVES The Old Chapel, 91 Wrexham Street, Mold, CH7 1HQ All work certified by a
Tel: 01352 700105
GAS SAFE
REGISTERED engineer
Mob: 07956 597199
Produce your own eggs P.o.l. Pullets /Growers/Day old pullets to order.
Pure breeds. Cross breed layers. Trio’s. Your Eggs hatched to order. Then reared till off heat if Rqd.
Alan Clinton. 01352 810507 Bryn Teg.
Maeshafn.
News & Views 15
Llanferres Village Hall Friday 11th April Bingo starts at 7pm prompt Come along and join in the fun We will be having an Easter Bonnet Parade & prizes for both ladies/men’s and children's Prizes for the best home decorated bonnet!! If you would like to donate an Easter Egg or other prize please contact Sandra 810 305 or Yvonne 810 867 or just bring along on the night. Proceeds will be divided between Llanferres OAP Welfare Committee & News & Views
16 News & Views
Llanferres in the Great War The First World War truly was a worldwide concern involving many countries across the globe with combatants from Canada and Newfoundland, Australia and India, America and Turkey, and battles were fought in almost every corner of the old empires of Germany, France and Britain. By November 1918, when the outcome was certain, literally dozens more countries were "involved" with even Jamaica, (from a long list) declaring war on Germany a few hours before the Armistice in a desperate bid to gain some worthy recompense. The main killing fields were of course in France and Flanders, but there were many conflicts on land and sea in old outposts, including the Bundu, or German East Africa where a handful of tribesmen under German command occupied almost 250,000 Allied troops for the duration of the war.
The Middle East proved to be a hotbed of battles (much as it is today) and the Royal Welch Fusiliers were heavily involved fighting the Turks on the Gallipoli Peninsula and all over old Mesopotamia and Palestine as well as against the Bulgarians in Salonica, the Austrians in Italy and the Germans in the Cameroons. Politically, there was very little appetite to support these "side issues", but they formed a vital part of the overall conflict, ultimately taking Turkey out of the war and paving the way for the final victory. In August 1914 Britain had but a handful of troops in Egypt, still nominally part of the Ottoman Empire but under British administration; who were soon recalled to France & Flanders at the outbreak of war and replaced by Territorials and Indian troops, in essence, to guard the Suez Canal (and the fresh water channel behind), the vast Sinai desert laying between the canal and the Turks. The traditional defence of trenches proved almost impossible in the soft sand. The regimental history noted "a trench had to be eighteen feet wide to get down five feet‌‌.the pressure of the sand would then frequently crush the whole thing inwards, and it had to be done afresh". All this in the tremendous heat of the dessert with merely tents for shelter.
The iconic memorial to the RWF in Wrexham unveiled in 1921. Raised in 1689 they saw action less than a year later at the Battle of the Boyne, later earning the title of "fusiliers" (one of only three regiments) during the Spanish War of Succession. Later conflicts included the American War of Independence, Napoleonic Wars, the Indian Mutiny, Waterloo and the Crimea.
It was thought by the War Office that the largest number of troops that could venture a raid across the desert would be 5,000 based on the oasis, and yet in early February 1915, five times that number of Turks attacked the canal under the leadership of a Bavarian colonel
News & Views 17 The arrival of Australian troops at Suez in 1914 guarded by French warships. Opened in 1869 after just 10 years to dig over 100 miles, it provides a vital link between Europe and Asia avoiding the long haul around the Cape. It is estimated at any one time 30,000 labourers (many forced) worked on the canal and thousands died in their labours. Controlled by Britain until the Suez Crisis in 1956. and engineer Friedrich Freiheir Kress von Kressentein. The raid was easily repulsed by the alerted Allied forces, inflicting over 1,500 casualties in 2 days losing just 32 men in the defence. The special pontoons to cross the Suez, designed by Kress himself, and hauled all the way over the desert by his troops, never used. Apart then from a few tribal skirmishes, there was a breathing space of 18 months as troops were drawn off to Gallipoli and Salonica, the battered remnants of the Royal Welch battalions of 53rd Division returning in December 1915; the 5th with David Lloyd George, an erudite and literary Welshman, renowned speaker and alleged womaniser, and the last Liberal PM. As Chancellor of the Exchequer he laid many of the foundation stones of the modern Welfare State; as Minister of Munitions he galvanised production of shells and small arms; and as PM almost single-handedly lost the war in 1918, starving Haig, of whom he was a fierce critic, of vital reserves during the German Spring Offensive. A strong supporter of conscription, introduced in 1916.
2 officers and 176 Ordinary Ranks now amalgamated with the 6th with 14 officers and 184 OR's and the 7th, which retained is identity, with 16 officers and 205 OR's the combined total just over half the nominal strength of one battalion. During the lull, both sides used the opportunity to push out narrow-gauge railways into the desert to aid a future offensive, and hostilities recommenced anew in July 1916 with an even less successful attack by the Turks, again under Kress, at Romani, East of the Canal resulting in "about" 4,000 captured attackers. Only the 5th battalion recorded any casualties (of just 11) Britain had a new Prime Minister at the end of 1916 following the resignation of Herbert Asquith: the charismatic, energetic David Lloyd George who favoured an aggressive policy in Palestine and thought the capture of Jerusalem would have a wide moral effect after the disaster of the Somme. Offensive operations commenced in late March 1917 with 3 battles to take the strategic city of Gaza. It was during the first of these battles that another local soldier, David Woodward of the 5th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers, was to lose his life, and I will tell his story next month. Noel Headley headley889@btinternet.com Tel 01352 810224
18 News & Views
"A Hot Summer night" featuring The Jalapeños ( Rock & roll at its best ) Llanferres promotions presents
The fantastic Jalapenos at the Village hall Llanferres. Saturday June 21st, doors open 7.30pm Fully stocked bar
Tickets £10 including Hog roast. Call Gary 07979156303 for your tickets FLINTSHIRE DRIVING SCHOOL þ Patient and friendly instruction þ Advice and assistance for theory test
L
þ Free first lesson þ Lessons tailored to suit your individual needs þ Free handouts at the end of every lesson to get to test standard sooner Ring Simon: 01352 741915 Mobile: 07748078746 Local DSA approved instructor
News & Views 19
Jonathan LeVay snapped this picture of the Tafarn-y-Gelyn red phone box being manoeuvred into position. Congratulations to Mr David Fernyhough on his tremendous efforts to get the replacement.
VILLAGE HALL WHIST EVENINGS Mondays 7pm at the Village Hall Whist membership continues to increase with recently joined members from Rhydymwyn and Caergwrle. Last month's winners were:Alan Williams and Morfydd Shawcross Janet Truesdale and Gay Headley.
Our final meeting in this session will be held on April 7th. for our Grand Easter Whist. As usual newcomers are always welcome.
CARPET - UPHOLSTERY CLEANERS Quality cleaning at affordable prices Reliable family run business since 1991 Commercial work undertaken
Call Debbie on 01352 752944
20 News & Views
Local News Parents & Toddlers (& Babies) The group meets every Thursday morning in the Village Hall from 9.15 to 11.15. The cost is ÂŁ1.50 to cover the hire of the hall, refreshments and other expenses. The group does not meet during school holidays. Contact details: Mrs Daryl Austin: tel. 810611 or email daryl.austin4@gmail.com
Mobility Aids As new, 4 wheel Go Go Ultra Mobility Scooter, 2 miles on the clock ÂŁ400 o.n.o. Tel: 01352 810522
Baby Sitting Need a local baby sitter? Why not give Emma a ring lots of experience. Call
(01352) 810657
News & Views 21
Do you have an open fire or a log burning stove? If so, NOW is the perfect time to restock your logs for next Autumn/Winter! OUR hardwood logs are sourced from our own environmentally managed woodland here in North Wales and include oak, ash, beech etc. in mixed loads or half loads. Delivery is free within 12 miles of Mold . Ring Jeff TODAY on 07501707949 for details of current stocks and delivery arrangements or visit our website www.thelogmen.co.uk Email: thelogmen@gmail.com
The Log Men
North Wales
Buy LOCAL and support the area's economy!
22 News & Views
“Enjoying ourselves at the local”
Snack packs
Tasty bakes and celebration cakes made to order
6 pack brownies, flapjacks, homemade biscuits or scones
From £1.40
1lb Loaf Cakes
Summer specials include: lemon drizzle loaf, apple and blueberry loaf or Chocilla loaf cake (chocolate and vanilla marble cake with chocolate ganache topping) From £2.00
7” Sponge Cake
A light chocolate sponge filled with buttercream icing or a tasty carrot cake with a sweet orange mascarpone cream, many flavours possible just let me know what you fancy! From £2.25
Celebration cakes
Bespoke cupcakes, individually decorated mini cakes (serving 1 to 2) or large novelty cakes
Call or text Ffion on 07741250529 or email ffions_fancies@hotmail.co.uk
News & Views 23
“Better than a Five Star Hotel�* Hafan Deg is a unique house, full of character, offering high quality accommodation.
Family Friendly FREE WiFi Dog Friendly Walkers Welcome Bikers Welcome
*Comment from a recent guest.
Although Hafan Deg is primarily a Bed & Breakfast, it is also the ideal venue for small intimate get-togethers, pamper weekends, girls weekend, sophisticated bride to be weekends. Packages tailor-made for the ultimate 'get away from it all' weekends.
Whether on holiday or business, guests are sure of a warm and personal welcome from Catriona and David. For more information, photographs and comments from guests see our website: www.hafandeg.co.uk
The venue not only has the B&B rooms, it also has a large open dining room, mezanine floor with seating area, and also a large garden with various seating areas.
Hafan Deg, Maeshafn, Mold. Call us on 01352 810465
24 News & Views
WORKING PARTY ON THE PARK Saturday March 8 Thank you to those who attended, some important jobs were completed and the Park is much improved for it. Llanferres Playing Field & Recreation Association
Tim Griffiths Sales & Design Tel: 07736 544 736 or (01352) 758484 Email: Enquiries@artisanwindows.co.uk
For inspiration visit www.artisanconservatories.co.uk
MTH Preservations Ltd Building and Maintenance Contractors
Tim Healy Tel: 01352 810264 Mob: 07786 444461 Email: mthpreservations@btconnect.com
News & Views 25
Bronze Age discovery made near Cilcain You may have seen in the local press that amateur archaeologists have made a staggering discovery of the remains of a Bronze Age firepit – thought to be almost 4,500- years-old – on the flanks of Moel Arthur, near Cilcain.
But experts’ suggestions include a cooking site, a fire for the brewing of alcohol or even the remains of a Bronze Age sauna. Nick Critchley, AONB sustainable development officer, said “This is a fantastic discovery.
The find – unearthed by the Clwydian Range Archaeology Group is said to be one of the “It adds more detail to the fascinating story the first of its kind in North East Wales and of how people lived and worked in the includes charcoal dated to some time Clwydian Range more than 4,000 years ago.” between 2617 BC and 2462 BC. Sites such as the one on Moel Arthur are The group carried out geophysical surveys collectively known as ‘burnt mounds’ and on the Iron Age hillfort on Moel Arthur and are usually found lying near to a found a magnetic response on the north- watercourse. western flanks of the hill. On previous excavations on the hillside Excavations revealed a water logged pit Clwydian Range Archaeology Group has filled with burnt stones and a substantial found many Neolithic and Early Bronze Age amount of charcoal. flints, including a barbed and tanged arrowhead. Radiocarbon dating suggests the charcoal had been there for between 4,000 and 4,500 The excavation was undertaken with the year and was burnt in the the early Bronze support of students from Coleg Cambria and Age. the Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust. The exact purpose of the site is not known.
LEWIS & HUNTER Contracting Ltd ~Surfacing ~ Paving ~ Ground Works ~ Paths ~ Drives ~ Roads ~ Car Parks
26 News & Views
News & Views 27
28 News & Views
THE DRUID INN Full and Part-Time vacancies Available for general assistants, hours to suit, but will include weekend and evening shifts. Call in or phone Julie on 01352 810225
Marstons
has created 2 guest ales in collaboration with rock bands Status Quo and Elbow. Both beers have been well received and are available throughout April.
AT GUESTS TH
ROCK
April Guest Ales: Great new selection of beers available from Jennings, Banks, Wychwood and Marstons’ Breweries. Pay us a visit during April to enjoy a pint or two.
Thank You To everyone who supported our winter collector card scheme. Many people received beer vouchers to the value of ÂŁ21. Another great success.
Crabbies Grand National Aintree April 5 Call in and join the Sweepstake. Available from April 2
rinker A. Beerd
D INN THE DRUI www.thedruidinn.com
Llanferres Tel: 810225
News & Views 29
clic on www.fortunewoods.co.uk
fab oak bedrooms order online save £100’s
VIEW THE REAL THING AT PINE & OAK DIRECT BY RUTHIN TESCO, RUTHIN 0800 731 1490
30 News & Views
News & Views 31
Nature Notes Cleaning out our local bird nesting boxes, in late February, indicated that last year's spring weather had not been as disastrous as had been feared. Over 60% of the boxes had been used by birds and all of them appeared to have fledged successfully. They were equally divided between Great tits, Blue tits and Pied flycatchers, the latter being the target bird for these boxes. Another had been occupied by wasps which had almost completely filled the box with its nest made of wood pulp paper. Perhaps the most interesting, and intriguing, was one box which had contained both a Great tit's nest, which I am sure had successfully fledged, and also a small bumblebee nest which I suspect had not been as successful. I found several dead bumblebees in the base of the box which I was able to identify as Bombus hortorum (the Garden bumblebee, now that they have all been given English names). Each had its head missing and its thorax pecked open and emptied. This looked like the work of Great tits which are known to sometimes take bumblebees. After much thought, I suspect the sequence of events was probably that the Great tits had nested and fledged, the bumblebee had moved in and constructed a nest, (hortorum is one of the latest to emerge from hibernation), a Great tit had then discovered it and picked off the bumblebees as they left the box and eventually entered the box and finished off the last of them. After the wettest winter on record, this year's spring was right on cue at the beginning of March. With the arrival of sunshine and rising temperatures, bumblebees and butterflies appeared as if by magic. So far I have seen three species of bumblebee and four species of butterfly. The bumblebees have been B.
terrestris(the Buff-tailed) B. Pratorum(the Early), and B. lucorum(the White-tailed) usually the first three species to emerge from hibernation. The butterflies have been Brimstone, Small tortoiseshell, Comma, and Red admiral all of which hibernate as adult insects. The food plant for the caterpillars of the last three are nettles which are currently sprouting but the Brimstone depends on Buckthorn and Alder buckthorn. Neither of these trees is common in our area which is why the Brimstone is infrequent. This beautiful, bright yellow species is said to be the origin of the name butterfly, being the 'butter coloured fly'. It also disproves the notion of butterflies 'only living for a day'. Although most do only have a short life, many are quite long lived and the Brimstone can live for a year. The ones to be seen now will have hatched from their pupae last July or August and can survive until next July or August. I have also seen many Seven-spot ladybirds. I came across a row of fence posts, lightly colonised with ivy, and each hosted ladybirds in numbers ranging from four to over thirty, which will have hibernated in the ivy. On the 15th of March I recorded my first summer migrant, a Chiffchaff, betrayed by its onomatopoeic call, three days earlier than I have ever had one before. Eight years ago I was privileged to help in the construction of several 'Otter holts' at various sites along the River Alyn and recently one, at a private site, was fitted with a video camera and it recorded two otters using it. Nice to know that our work was not in vain and it shows that otters are thriving along 'our' river. John Almond
01352 810808
32 News & Views
Graham Johns
David I. Smith Chartered Certified Accountant
Building and Plastering Specialising in:
Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
20 years experience
Internal Skimming Internal Rendering External Rendering Dry Lining Pebble Dashing Fibrous & Decorative Coving
t: 01352 810924 m: 07816 877998 NO JOBS TOO SMALL
● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Accountancy and bookkeeping Income tax/self assessment returns Corporation tax Value added tax (V.A.T.) Payroll/C.I.S. Business start up/company formations General business advice Free initial consultation Fixed fees Home visits
Call 01352 740166 or 07748 417261 d.smith989@btinternet.com
Family business providing all types of soft landscaping for domestic gardens. Including Lawn Care, Tree Work, Hedge Cutting, Weeding, Borders and Garden Clearance
Professional, reliable service Telephone: 01352 750342 Mobile: 07933 803 972 Email: arfontrevor@tiscali.co.uk Address: 28 Parc Hendy Mold CH7 1TH
High quality professional workmanship, reliable, clean, tidy and fully insured.
News & Views 33
Local Councillors Martyn Holland, Denbighshire County Councillor for Llanferres, Llanarmon yn Ial & Llandegla. 01824 780703 martyn.holland@denbighshire.gov.uk Gwyneth Dillon, Clerk to Llanferres Community Council, 01978 790269 Llanferres Community Councillors David Jones, Chairman, 01352 810511 John Almond, Vice Chairman, 01352 810808 Rob Armstrong, 01352 810259 Jac Armstrong, 01352 810259 Margaret Davies, 01352 810491 Yvonne Foden-McCorry, 01352 810867 Rob Jones, 01352 810500 Olive Parry, 01352 810294 Dave Twomey, 01352 810690 Please contact any of the above if you have anything you would like to be brought to the attention of your Community Council.
‘Llain Hir’ – 4-bedroom house, sleeps 8 (+cot). Situated on seafront with first floor balcony providing superb views of St Tudwal’s islands and the Cambrian coastline. The house is literally a stone’s throw from the beach, within walking distance of the town centre, Pwllheli Golf Club, the leisure centre and the marina. All bed linen provided along with well equipped kitchen, colour TV, washing machine, dishwasher etc and barbecue area to the rear. Pets welcome by prior arrangement.
For bookings or enquiries please Available all year round for weekly lets or ring Simon or June Lovell. mid week/long weekend breaks. Tel: 01352 810582
Mob: 07900 404767
34 News & Views
Village Organisations Badminton Club - June Healy Tel: 810264 Bowling Club - Every Tuesday in the village hall, 7pm - 9pm Contact Dave Twomey Tel: 810690. Church - Rev'd Adrian Copping, The New Rectory, Rectory Lane, Llanferres Mold, CH7 5SR Email: adriancopping@hotmail.com. Tel: 810936 Rector's Warden - Mr. Brian Skelhorn 16 Cae Gwyn. Tel: 810422 People's Warden - Mrs Anne Woodward, Cysgodfa, Tafarn-y-Gelyn, Llanferres, CH7 5SQ, Tel: 810270 Clwydian Conservation Campaign - Pen y Chwareli, Pant Ddu Road, Nercwys CH7 4DD Gardening Club - Mrs Joan Almond, 20 Cae Derwen, Llanferres. Tel: 810808 Llanferres Alcoholic Mountain Biking Soc. (LAMBS) - Gordon Jones Tel: 810305 Llanferres Community Council - Mrs Gwyneth Dillon, Rhosddigre, Llandegla, LL11 3AU Tel: 01978 790269 Llanferres Playing Field & Recreation Association - Secretary, Simon Hodge. Tel: 810686 Maeshafn Cricket Club - Secretary: Jonathan Fagan. Tel: 810824 Old People's Welfare Committee - Secretary, Yvonne Foden-McCorry Tel: 810867 PTFA Ysgol Bro Famau - Chair, Kym Willis 07578392305 / 01824 780888 Llanferres Over 60s Club - Olive Parry. Tel: 810294 Village Hall Booking Secretary - Gilly Carney. Tel 077413 16349 Village Hall Management Committee - Chairman, Rob Armstrong. 810259
News & Views: Paul & Siobhan Gothorp 2 Cae Gwyn, Llanferres, Mold, CH7 5SL Tel: (01352) 810566 Email: news@llanferres.org www.llanferres.org Deadline is 20th of the month prior to publication
News & Views 35
36 News & Views
We offer a complete home care & cleaning service to make life easier for you, some of our services are listed below:REGULAR, ONE OFF & SPRING CLEANING SERVICES Weekly, fortnightly, monthly & one off visits tailored to meet your requirements RENTAL PROPERTIES Landlords, Tenants, Agents - all areas of rental property maintenance catered for, cleaned and presented to a standard for book out and letting TAKE THE STRESS OUT OF MOVING Have the property you are leaving or moving to cleaned OVEN CLEANING Have your oven, hob, Aga or range looking like new Extractors also cleaned and filters replaced OTHER SERVICES INCLUDE Full builders cleans and small office contracts Curtain cleaning Professional carpet, rug & upholstery cleaning ALL CLEANING PRODUCTS SUPPLIED FULLY TRAINED, INSURED & UNIFORMED MEMBERS OF STAFF
For a no obligation quotation No job too small A fully insured & reliable service
01352 756552 Mobile 0790 425 5044 Email: qualitycleaning@tiscali.co.uk www.qualitycleaning.info Unit 4, Oaktree Business Park, Queens Lane, Mold CH7 1XB