Issue 197, February 2016
Llanferres
Yo ur se loca cu rity l sp ec ial ist Intruder Alarms Closed Circuit TV Automatic Gates & Barriers Takeover Maintenance and Service
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News & Views 3
Welcome Welcome to the first edition of News & Views in 2016. We know it’s only the beginning of the year, but … here are some really important dates that require advance notice for your diaries: 27th February: News & Views Quiz Night! (See page 13). th 26 March: The Playing Field’s Llanvegas Casino Night. (See page 4). 3rd Sept: Garden Club Show (Start planning now!) 10th-11th Sept: The MTB mountain bike event. (See page 32). There’s no pancake party this February - but watch out for a new Church fundraiser later in the year. A massive thank you to all our readers
for your very generous donations, which to date total just over £260. Thank you to all our contributors this month. If you have any photographs or articles of interest, please do send them in. This year will see the 200th edition of News & Views, so if you have any pictures from when it first started (around 20 years ago) it would be great to receive them. Apologies if your copy of News & Views is in black and white this issue, we had a major printing problem towards the end of the print run. Best wishes, Paul & Siobhan Tel: (01352) 810668 Email: news@llanferres.org www.llanferres.org
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Notices
Happy Birthday to the following In February Bethan Turner who will be 17 on 1st February Charlie Turner who will be 14 on 1st February Amber Louise who will be 14 on 1st February Darcy Benvie who will be 6 on 4th February Adam Perrin who will be 6 on 12th February Roger Llewellyn on 22nd February
Thank you to all in Tafarn-Y-Gelyn and area for your generous donations to the Poppy Appeal last November. Total was £197.61
Anne Woodward
James Hill would like to thank all those who attended the crematorium and church service for Maureen in December, and for your generous donations.
Mrs Lynn Hughes of 18 Cae Derwen wishes to thank friends and neighbours in Llanferres for all the messages of condolence and all the cards received on the loss of her beloved husband, Brian, who passed away on 17th December at Bryn Bella, Pendine Park care home, nr. Wrexham after a long and cruel illness. He was laid to rest in St. Peter’s Churchyard, Llanbedr DC on 23rd December
SAVE THE DATE Saturday 26th March 2016 doors open 7:30pm, Llanferres Village Hall
Tickets will be £15 per person and there will be lots of superb prizes that MUST be won on the night. More details will follow soon.
News & Views 5
Gardening Club News Suzie Moore, Chairman & Chris Smith, Hon Secretary of Llanferres Parish Garden Club, present a keep sake photograph to Mr Arlington Jones who has judged the vegetables and flowers at the for over twenty years Has now retired. Pictured here with Mr Arlington Jones are Tony McKinstry Treasurer, John & Joan Almond retiring Chair & Secretary, Ivy Watts new Show Secretary & David Jones retiring Show Secretary. We have a full programme of speakers and outings organised for 2016. Visitors are always welcome at ÂŁ1 per session or become a member for ÂŁ4 per year. We meet every 2nd Monday of the month. Suzie Moore
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February Diary Dates 1st
Mon
2nd
Tue
3rd 4th 5th 6th
Wed Thu Fri Sat
7th
Sun
8th
Mon
9th
Tue
10th
Wed
11th 12th 13th
Thu Fri Sat
14th
Sun
15th
Mon
16th 17th 18th 19th 20th
Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
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22nd
Mon
23rd 24th 25th 26th 27th
Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
28th
Sun
29th
Mon
7.00pm Whist evening 9.15am Parents & Toddlers 7.00pm Bowls Club 6.30pm Llanferres Dance Club
9.30am Morning Worship, St Berres’ Church 6.30pm Tai Chi 7.30pm Gardening Club Shrove Tuesday 9.15am Parents & Toddlers 2.00pm Over 60s Meeting 7.00pm Bowls Club Ash Wednesday 6.30pm Llanferres Dance Club 7.30pm Community Council Meeting
St. Valentine's Day 9.30am Morning Worship, St Berres’ Church 6.30pm Tai Chi Half Term Begins 7.00pm Whist evening 7.00pm Bowls Club
Half Term Ends 9.30am Holy Communion, St Berres’ Church 4pm Messy Church at Gwernaffield Church Hall 6.30pm Tai Chi 7.00pm Whist evening 9.15am Parents & Toddlers 7.00pm Bowls Club 6.30pm Llanferres Dance Club
7.30pm News & Views Quiz Night 9.30am Morning Worship, St Berres’ Church 6.30pm Tai Chi 7.00pm Whist evening
Events in italics are in the Village Hall
Check the latest Village Hall bookings on our website: www.llanferres.org Click on ‘What’s on’ on the main menu
News & Views 7
News from the Druid Inn
Watch the 6 Nations Rugby Action at the Druid ‘live’ and enjoy a friendly pint!
We serve food lunch and dinner Monday to Thursday and all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and Bank Holidays. Our menu offers high quality pub food with a wide range of choices to suit all tastes. Our hugely popular steaks are available at a reduced price from our Thursday/Friday steak menu. We are able to cater for larger groups celebrating all kinds of occasions. OR Just call in for a pint and a chat - you are always welcome.
MENU
Our popular Curry menu will be
CHICKPEA, SWEET POTATO & SPINACH available on Sundays and Mondays CHICKEN TIKKA MASALA throughout February CHICKEN KORMA Served from 6 - 8.30pm BEEF VINDALOO RED THAI KING PRAWN BEEF MADRAS All served CHICKEN JALFREZI with sticky CHICKEN MURGH MAKHANI rice and a Nights Naan Bread LAMB ROGAN JOSH
D INN DRUI THE www.thedruidinn.com Tel: 810225
8 News & Views
News & Views 9
LLANFERRES OVER 60's Club Our December meeting was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone who attended. Thank you to members who provided the well laden table. Entertainment by Sounds Familiar got us into the Christmas Spirit with their Pantomime,Carols and Christmas Readings. We went home with smiles on our faces. The January Meeting was an informal business affair where members discussed future outings, finances and speakers. It was also a good opportunity to have a cuppa and natter. Next meeting 9th February Mr Brian Jones is giving a talk and film on Peru.news Please note that the school gates will be closed at 1.55pm. Entry after that time will be via the side gate. Meeting to start 2.00pm. Everyone welcome.
Free Range Eggs If you live in Llanferres and are interested in having free range eggs, from local farm, delivered to you on Friday evening, ÂŁ1.30 for 1/2doz Please let me know.
Joe 01352 810265
at is
10 News & Views
Cyngor y Cymuned - Llanferres
December
From the minutes of the meeting held on at the rear of the car park in Ty'n Llan is 10th December 2015:- Present: Cllr. the responsibility of the County Council John Almond (Vice Chairman), Cllr. and will be trimmed. 3) A salt bin has David Twomey, Cllr Rob Armstrong, Cllr. been promised for Cae Derwen and Jac Armstrong, Cllr. Rob Jones, the Clerk should be delivered soon. 4) A litter bin Mrs Gwyneth Dillon, County Councillor has been supplied and will be installed Martyn Holland and a member of the near the entrances to the Recreational public. field and Maes Ysgawen. 5) The This meeting was held in a school enforcement officer is investigating the classroom kindly loaned to the wooden cabins in Big Covert, which do Community Council by the Headmistress. not have planning permission, to ensure The Chairman expressed his annoyance that they will be removed. 6) Councillor that this was necessary because the Holland has spoken to the Solicitors school had appropriated the Village Hall acting for Hansons, the owners of the for a school concert, without consulting play area in Maeshafn, to try to speed up the Village Hall Committee or notifying the transfer to Llanferres Community the Community Council beforehand. The Council. Some progress has been made Community Council has a long standing but it is still not clear when it will be booking for the Village Hall, for the concluded. evening of the second Thursday of every 5. Minutes of previous Meeting: The month except August. The Village Hall minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday bookings are displayed in the Village 12th November 2015 were signed as a Hall, are on the Llanferres web site and true record. are listed in the News & Views. It is 6. Matters Arising: No matters. accepted that the current Headmistress, 7. Reports from other meetings: The Clerk who has only been in office for a short and Vice Chair had accepted an time, was not familiar with the invitation to a meeting attended by the agreement between the Education Chief Executive, Chairman and Leader of Authority and the Village Hall Committee Denbighshire County Council on but the employees who arranged the Wednesday 25th November. The Vice concert should have been and this use of Chair gave a brief summary. Gary the Hall was in contravention that Williams (Monitoring Officer) gave a agreement. report on the work of the Standards 1. Apologies: Chairman Cllr. David Jones, Committee - To see that standards are Cllr. Yvonne Foden McCorry, Cllr. maintained by Councillors; The Code of Margaret Davies. Cllr. Adrian Walls did Conduct is adhered to; To assist in not attend. In the absence of the training for Councillors and Clerks; To Chairman, Vice Chairman Cllr. John investigate complaints passed from the Almond Chaired the meeting. Ombudsman; Members of the Standard 2. Meeting open to the public for ten Committee attend Town and Community minutes: No matters raised. Council meetings to offer advice if 3. Declarations of Interest: none declared. needed. 4. County Councillor's report: County Richard Weigh (Finance Officer) gave a Councillor Martyn Holland reported that brief Budget update - Budget currently 1) The School's hard surface play area £282´68 million of which 44% is spent on had been examined and declared education, 13% on repayments, 27% on unsuitable for car parking, 2) The hedge Social services, 16% on other matters.
News & Views 11
Meeting
Llanferres - Community Council
Tim Powers (Highways Officer) gave a report on winter maintenance. The County Council now has a statutory duty to grit roads as far as is 'Reasonably Practical'. They grit 30 per cent of roads and grit when the road surface drops to 1° Centigrade. The cost in year 14/15 was approximately £805´000 and that was a mild winter. David Davies (Community Engagements Manager) reported :- The charter between the County and T&C Councils is up for review; He asked if a councillor contacts DCC will they please state their position and state whether they are acting privately or officially on behalf of a Community Council; When telephoning please use Customer Services Centre for all enquires and they will be recorded and passed on to somebody else if the required person is away; DCC will provide a written reply within 5 working days. Other organisations reply in 10 working days and DCC would like to be allowed 10 working days to be able to respond more fully. This was agreed by the meeting; DCC undertakes to provide training courses for Councillors (which is costly) and also put on training courses on request, which are charged for. In future they may have to charge for all training courses.
8. Maintenance in the Community: Nothing at the moment. 9. Red Telephone Kiosk: Ongoing. 10. Risk Assessment: Nothing to report. 11. Field Adjacent to the School (Maes Ysgawen): A Proposal for Ground-care had been submitted and this was accepted. 12. Income and Expenditure: The Clerk had prepared a statement of expenditure for the past year and a copy was provided to each Councillor for examination. 13. Training and Finance: Nothing at the moment. 14. Bills: HMRC for December £38´80; Clerk's salary £*******; Membership of Society of Local Council Clerks £65´00 15. Planning Matters: None received. 16. Maeshafn Playing Field: See County Councillor's report. 17. Correspondence List: Together with items discussed above: 1) Information regarding Reform of Local Government Bill. 2) Information regarding new Pension Legislation. 18. Other Matters that have been brought to Councillors' Attention: No matters raised. 19. Date of next meeting: Thursday 14th January 2016 John Almond, Vice Chairman
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12 News & Views
Cyngor y Cymuned - Llanferres From the minutes of the meeting held on 14th January 2016:- Present: Cllr. John Almond (Vice Chairman), Cllr. Margaret Davies, Cllr Rob Armstrong, Cllr. Adrian Walls, Cllr. Rob Jones, the Clerk Mrs Gwyneth Dillon and a member of the public. 1. Apologies: Chairman Cllr. David Jones, Cllr. Yvonne Foden McCorry, Cllr. Jac Armstrong, Cllr. David Twomey. In the absence of the Chairman, Vice Chairman Cllr. John Almond Chaired the meeting. 2. Meeting open to the public for ten minutes: A member of the public complained about the large amount of gravel on the Maeshafn road between The Nant and the river which was a traffic hazard. A refrigerator had been dumped in a small wood near the 'S Bend' on the Gwernymynydd to Maeshafn road. 3. Declarations of Interest: none declared. 4. Minutes of previous Meeting: The minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday 10th December 2016 were signed as a true record. 5. Matters Arising: No matters. 6. Reports from other meetings: The Clerk(Mrs Gwyneth Dillon) and Cllr. Margaret Davies had attended a One Voice Wales meeting where future meetings and speakers were discussed. The Mayor of Abergele gave a presentation in which he told of all Abergele Councillors being supplied with ipads and the council was now paperless. Members were asked to comment on future mergers of County Councilors. The Clerk had attended a Code of Conduct training meeting at Russel House in Rhyl which was an excellent meeting but poorly attended. Every Community Councillor is obliged to attend such a meeting during their tenure as a Councillor. Cllr. John Almond had attended a meeting of the Clwydian Range & AONB at Loggerheads where David Shiel and Howard Sutcliff
January
gave a report on the work of the AONB and how important it was to the local community and adjacent urban areas. They told of the benefits of volunteering to young people in building their self confidence, learning new skills and interacting with other people. The merits and demerits of street lighting was discussed. It is estimated that ÂŁ1 spent getting people out into the countryside for exercise and fresh air saves the National Health Service ÂŁ19. 7. Maintenance in the Community: Nothing at the moment. 8. Red Telephone Kiosk: An e-mail had been received from David Shiel (AONB Senior Countryside Officer) to say he was in discussion with Cadwyn Clwyd over the possibility of funding. 9. Risk Assessment: Councillors were shown a copy of a sign the Community Council intends to erect by the Turning Bay in Cae Derwen to alleviate the problem of inconsiderate car parking. 10. Field Adjacent to the School (Maes Ysgawen): An invoice had been received for maintenance costs (see bills). 11. Income and Expenditure: The Clerk had prepared a statement of expenditure for the past year and this was used to calculate the Precept for 2016/2017 which will be the same as the last two years except for a slight raise in the Clerk's salary. A discussion took place regarding buying a dedicated computer for the Clerk which would be used solely for Llanferres Community Council Business. All CC business would be stored on this one computer which would make it easier if there was to be a change of Clerk any time in the future. It was agreed that this would be a good idea and further inquiries will be made as to the price and the best model to purchase. 12. Training and Finance: Nothing at the moment.
News & Views 13
Meeting
Llanferres - Community Council
13. Bills: HMRC for December £38.80; due to a blocked drain. He also reported Clerk's salary £*******; Village Hall rental on a car parked and blocking the for January meeting £10.00; pavement outside the Old School Maintenance of Maes Ysgawen £472.00 building. Cllr. Margaret Davies said she 14. Planning Matters: None received. had received complaints regarding poor 15. Maeshafn Playing Field: Still ongoing. Mobile Phone and Wi Fi reception. Cllr. 16. Correspondence List: Together with Rob Armstrong complained about the items discussed above: 1) The Society of state of Rectory Lane with large 'Pot Local Council Clerks is organising a Holes' being a danger to vehicles. The special consultation event in connection County Council had repaired them over with the future structure of Town and the last 26 years and had, therefore, Community Councils. The Clerk, Mrs accepted responsibility for them. Cllr. Gwyneth Dillon, will attend. 2) John Almond reported that despite a Notification of an official North Wales specific promise by the Highways Officer Armed Forces Day to be held in to supply a 'Salt Bin' for Cae Derwen it Bodelwyddan Castle on Saturday 18th had not arrived and now wintry June 2016. conditions prevailed. 17. Other Matters that have been brought 18. Date of next meeting: Thursday 11th to Councillors' Attention: Cllr. Rob February 2016. Jones reported on water running down Forestry Road causing a hazard possibly John Almond, Vice Chairman
The News & Views
avid’s Day” D t. S ly r a e n “It’s
Saturday February 27th
Join us for a fun Quiz Evening with a bit of Wine and Whisky Tasting thrown in! 7.30pm Start Tickets £12.50 per person to include: 3 quality wines and a malt whisky to taste, Fun Quiz, plus a light supper. Quiz Teams of up to 5 people Lincensed Bar
Advanced ticket sales from Paul & Siobhan Tel: 810668. Email: news@llanferres.org or from Loggerheads Garage Please come along for a great night out and to help raise funds for your community magazine.
14 News & Views
Church News Sunday Services in February Sunday 7th February Sunday 14th February Sunday 21st February Sunday 28th February
9.30am Morning Worship 9.30am Morning Worship 9.30am Holy Communion 4pm Messy Church at Gwernaffield Church Hall 9.30am Morning Worship
Church decoration Once again, many thanks to all who kindly gave flowers, cash, time or skills (or all of those!) to help make our church even more beautiful than usual for Christmas. Special gratitude to my little team of "undoers" who "deChristmassed" the remaining arrangements and to the family of the late Maureen Hill who kindly donated a special floral tribute - Gay Headley Get Well Wishes to Gwen, our organist, who has been in hospital over Christmas. We wish her well and hope she is home soon. Church lighting We have recently upgraded the interior high level lights to L.E.D.s. There are a number of the old halogen lights available to purchase at ÂŁ5 each - anyone interested please contact the Noel Headley, Treasurer, on 810224 or headley889@btinternet.com.
Would you like the opportunity to ride horses in the Clwyd forest? If so, we have two who need regular exercise and grooming. It would involve a monthly contribution towards their keep. If you are interested please contact June on 07900404767 to discuss.
News & Views 15
Traditional cosy pub serving food 7 days a week.. Choose from the exciting and varied menu and eat in a relaxed friendly atmosphere. Children's menu now available, please ask for the toy box which will keep your little ones entertained. During the winter months pull up a chair next to the log burner and enjoy a pint of one of our local cask ales. The Miners Arms is dog friendly - look out for the doggie treat pot on the bar! Free WIFI throughout the pub - please ask for the password. We have a separate room available for meetings, business lunches, small family occasions and parties with catering options to suit all.
Book early for Mothering Sunday March 6th Special menu and treat for Mum! To book call: 01352 810464 Opening times Mon 6.00 -11.30 Tues 6.00 -11.30 Weds to Fri 12.00 - 3.00 6.00 -11.30 Sat 12.00 -11.30 Sun 12.00 -11.30
Food service 6.00 - 8.30 6.00 - 8.30 12.00 - 2.30 6.00 - 8.30 12.00 - 9.00 12.00 - 7.00
Monday Evenings Steak night 2 x 8oz steaks & a bottle of wine £19.95 Booking strongly advised Tuesday Evenings “Treat yourself to a sweet" night Purchase any main course from the full menu and receive a desert if your choice (excluding cheese board)
Bookings now being taken for Valentines Sunday 14th Feb Miners Mess Tin. Try one of our mess tin meals -a weekly special served in a mess tin just like the miners did! Just £5 Served Wednesday - Friday 12pm - 2.30pm. Full menu also available - take a look at www.miners-arms-maeshafn.co.uk
The Miners Arms, Maeshafn Tel: 01352 810464 www.miners-arms-maeshafn.co.uk
16 News & Views
WHIST EVENINGS at the Village Hall Our December Christmas meeting was again a huge success with a leg of Lamb as top prize and many raffle prizes. An excellent Buffet was enjoyed at half time, many thanks to the contributors. The January winners were: 11th. Morfudd Shawcross and Noel Headley 18th. Edna Williams and Dave Twomey We continue to meet every Monday ( except the 2nd. of the month ) at 7pm. Everyone welcome. We also enjoyed a delicious post Christmas lunch at the Druids. Our thanks to Julie and Jim and their staff for their usual excellent food and service. We all really appreciated their ‘going the extra mile'.
Save a life - give blood Ysgol Bryn Coch, Mold Saturday 6th February Saturday 19th March Saturday 14th May
10:00-12:00 & 13:30-15:45 10:00-12:00 & 13:30-15:45 10:00-12:00
You can give blood if you: are fit and healthy weigh over 7 stone 12 lbs or 50kg are aged between 17 and 66 (or 70 if you have given blood before) are over 70 and have given blood in the last two years Men can give blood every 3 months and women can give blood every 4 months.
News & Views 17
A Big Thank You to the Park Committee from all of the children who were playing on the new swings as soon as the rain stopped!
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18 News & Views PENSIONER’S CHRISTMAS LUNCH May I personally, and on behalf of all who attended, express my thanks for the excellent afternoon we enjoyed at the Druids on December 5th. I want especially to thank the Committee members for arranging the whole event – the fund raising, the meal, the serving and the entertainment that followed. I know how much effort they must have put in. Thanks are also due to Jim and Julie and their staff, to the ‘young’ people of the village who served the meal and to the young ladies who entertained us with music and song. I am sure it was enjoyed and appreciated by everyone there. Very many thanks to everyone who helped in any way. WELL DONE. John Almond
News & Views 19
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20 News & Views
Be Our Guest!
Glan Llyn is situated in the Clwydian Hills, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Our house dates from the 1850's, we have completely renovated it, maintaining plenty of ‘olde worlde’ charm while utilising all the latest eco – green technologies. Each room is uniquely and artistically styled with an en-suite wet room, free WiFi, TV, fridge, hair dryer. We also have a selection of high quality self-catering accommodation to suit every need. Fishing, paragliding and several 18-hole golf courses are all within a few miles. Bring your horse, canoe or cycle with you! We have stables and grazing for your horse, and secure drying and “A lovely friendly welcome storage facilities for all your equipment and tack.
from Richard and Paola. We stayed in The Sun Room: tasteful, comfortable Walking Offa’s Dyke? Riding on a long distance trail? We can transfer your luggage from your and spotlessly clean… …Highly recommended!” last accommodation and onto your next.
Glan Llyn Guest House, Pant Du Road, Mold, Denbighshire CH7 4DD t: 01352 810841 e: richard@guestinourhouse.co.uk w: www.guestinourhouse.co.uk
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News & Views 21
LLANFERRES RECOGNISED IN THE NATIONAL DIABETES RESEARCH PAPER The December issue congratulated Llanferres supporters for their generosity , both during the Art Exhibition at Loggerheads Country Park and at our Pre Christmas Craft Fair. Our total fundraising was ÂŁ607 - a magnificent sum raised by a relatively small number of people. Thank you so much for whatever support you gave us. A Happy New Year to all of you. Pat and Rob Armstrong
FOR RENT 3 Bed semi-detached Unfurnished family home in Llanferres ÂŁ595 per month Lounge, kitchen/diner, bathroom/shower, gas central heating, parking for several vehicles, easy maintained front and rear gardens.
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22 News & Views
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News & Views 23
SHARE is new local charity that was set up by a group of people & businesses in Chester and North Wales as a result of seeing the tiny body of 3 year old Alyun Kurdi lying on a beach in the Med. Our aims are simple - to support the homeless in North Wales & Cheshire and to assist refugees everywhere. Since the beginning of September, SHARE has established a centre in Flint to collect, sort and despatch aid to those most in need. Around 11,000 items of aid have already been sent out to the refugees on the Greek Island of Leros but we still need more items as we are planning to send ten more pallet loads of aid to Leros before Christmas If you have any of the following items that you no longer use or need, would you please consider donating them to SHARE?
CLOTHES Warm Fleeces – jumpers or zip-ups Waterproof jackets/coats Waterproof hats Waterproof trousers/overtrousers Jogging bottoms Warm Hats, Gloves and Scarves Walking boots/sturdy shoes – with warm socks tucked inside (new or good condition please)
EQUIPMENT Tents (2-man preferred but any size welcome) Sleeping bags (children sizes really urgent) Backpacks/Rucksacks Thermal rugs/liners Blankets
PLEASE: Sort clothes into different bags and label them clearly with the type of item and either 'Women/Men/Children followed by Small/Medium/Large' as this enables us to sort all donations much easier and faster SHARE has a new website which will give you much more info about our plans going forward www.shareaid.co.uk . We are also opening our first ShareShop in Chester in December. Any money generated by the ShareShop will be used to buy derelict houses in the area and to refurb them into homes for local people. I'm more than happy to come and collect your donations and take them to the Flint Centre for you, as I am a SHARE Volunteer. Please just call me, Joanne McKinstry on 01352 810506 to arrange a suitable pick-up time. THANK YOU! On behalf of SHARE
24 News & Views
Maeshafn
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News & Views 25
The Red Lion Inn, Llanferres The Red Lion Inn was apparently built sometime between 1838 and 1841 in a field on the south side of Rectory Lane and opposite the Druid Inn. We do not have a contemporary description of the inn but in 1891 it was described as providing stabling. The present building is known as Pine View Cottage.
offences: selling alcohol during prohibited hours, selling alcohol from a bottle without a label showing its origin, permitting drunkenness and selling rum in short measure.
We do not know whether beer was ever brewed on the premises. However both the Red Lion and the Druid were supplied by the Castle Brewery, The first tenants were William and Hawarden in the period 1894-98. The Elizabeth Bellis who remained in Red Lion was a free house and not tied occupation for at least 10 years. (The to any brewery. early records are fragmentary.) John Jones (1868-1882) was the next long The Llanferres Friendly Society met at staying tenant followed by Edward the inn for its annual gathering. and Margaret Edwards. The latter ran the inn for thirty years until Margaret The inn closed in 1917 as the licensing (then a widow) retired in 1913. authority declared it to be a redundant Edward, whose occupation was public house under the provisions of described as innkeeper and grocer, the 1904 Licensing Act. Compensation was declared bankrupt in 1893 but was paid for the extinguished license: continued as licensee. (A later tenant £100 to redeem the mortgage on the John Jones (1913-14), a former property, £57-10s to the owner and constable, was also declared £17-10s to the licensee. bankrupt.) The tenants after 1913 Tony King were all short term: there were three in 1916! The little information we have about the running of the Red Lion stems from offences committed. Thus in 1873 "seven respectable farmers" were fined for drinking in prohibited hours. Their defence that they "were only taking shelter on a very wet evening" was not accepted! The publican, John Jones, was also fined. The last tenant George Walter Frost (1916-17) repeatedly fell foul of the law and was fined for a series of
100 CLUB DRAW JANUARY 2016 1st
Sue Clarke
£25
2nd Llinos Davies £15 3rd Rathbone
£10
A BIG THANK YOU to everyone that has supported the school, by taking part in the 100 CLUB DRAW.
26 News & Views
A letter to the Bank Shown below is an actual letter that was sent to a bank by an 86 year old woman. The Bank Manager, thought it amusing enough to have it published in the Times. Dear Sir, I am writing to thank you for bouncing my cheque with which I endeavoured to pay my plumber last month. By my calculations, three nano seconds must have elapsed between his presenting the cheque and the arrival in my account of the funds needed to honour it. I refer, of course, to the automatic monthly deposit of my entire pension, an arrangement which, I admit, has been in place for only eight years. You are to be commended for seizing that brief window of opportunity, and also for debiting my account ?30 by tray of penalty for the inconvenience caused to your bank. My thankfulness springs from the manner in which this incident has caused me to rethink my errant financial ways. I noticed that, whereas I personally answer your telephone calls and letters - when I try to contact you, I am confronted by the impersonal, overcharging, pre-recorded, faceless entity which your bank has become. From now on l, like you, choose only to deal with a flesh and blood person. My mortgage and loan repayments will therefore and hereafter no longer be automatic, but will arrive at your bank, by cheque, addressed personally and confidentially to an employee at your bank whom you must nominate. Be aware that it is an offence under the Postal Act for any other person to open such an envelope. Please find attached an Application Contact which I require your
News & Views 27
chosen employee to complete. I am sorry it runs to eight pages, but in order that I know as much about him or her as your bank knows about me, there is no alternative. Please note that all copies of his or her medical history must be countersigned by a Notary Public figure and the mandatory details of his/her financial situation (income, debts, assets and liabilities must be accompanied by documented proof. In due course, at MY convenience, I will issue your employee with a PIN number which he/she must quote in dealings with me. I regret that it cannot be shorter than 28 digits but, again, I have modelled it on the number of button presses required of me to access my account balance on your phone banking service. As they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Let me level the playing field even further When you call me, press buttons as follows: IMMEDIATELY AFTER DIALLING, PRESS THE STAR (*} BUTTON FOR ENGLISH. #1 To make an appointment to see me. #2 To query a missing payment. #3 To transfer the call to my living room in case I am there. #4 To transfer the call to my bedroom in case I am sleeping. #5 To transfer the call to my toilet in case I am attending to nature. #6 To transfer the call to my mobile phone if I am not at home. #7 To leave a message on my computer, a password to access my computer is required. Password will be communicated to you at a later date to that authorised Contact mentioned earlier. #8 To return to the main menu and to listen to Options 1 to 9. #9 To make a general complaint or enquiry. The contact will then be put on hold, pending the attention of my automated answering service. While this may, on occasion, involve a lengthy wait, uplifting music will play for the duration of the call. Regrettably, but again following your example,l must also levy an establishment fee to cover the setting up of this new arrangement. May I wish you a happy, if ever so slightly less prosperous New Year? Your Humble Client, and remember: Don't make old people mad, we don't like being old in the first place, so it doesn't take much to get us cross.
Kindly supplied by John the Caravan
28 News & Views
A note from your County Councillor As this is the first News and Views of 2016 can I take this opportunity to thank Paul and Siobhan for all their hard work and commitment in putting the magazine together. I know that many people look forward to receiving their copies for all the local news and event details. I should also like to thank the unsung heroes who deliver them in all weathers. The new year will start with a number of roads works in the area. The road from Llanferres to Maeshafn will be closed between the Ford and the village centre from 4th to the 9th January while BT complete what I hope is work in connection with
Superfast Broad Band. Residents living on this stretch of road will have access to their properties during the work. There will be traffic lights on the A494 between Loggerheads and Llanferres from the 5th to the 21st January while DCC clean the gullies. The Loggerheads to Cilcain road will be closed for a number of weeks from the 1st February to the 27th March as the county complete road widening works to the new overflow car park for the Loggerheads Country Park. The car park will be landscaped to ensure it blends in with the surrounding area as it is situated in a SSSI. This car park is long overdue and will make up for the lost parking along the A494.
Baby and Toddler Group 9.15 to 11.15am every Tuesday during term time. ÂŁ1 including a drink and biscuits.
Professional, reliable service Telephone: 01352 750342 Mobile: 07933 803 972 Email: arfontrevor@tiscali.co.uk Address: 28 Parc Hendy Mold CH7 1TH
We encourage parents and grandparents of babies and toddlers to come along. It is a good way for the children to have a play while getting to know those they may start school with and also to meet other local parents. Village Hall Booking Check the online calendar to see if the Hall is free at: www.llanferres.org then call Gilly Carney Tel: 07741 316 349
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A note from your County Councillor I have managed to get the County to provide us with a New Litter Bin for the village and Gareth Jaggard from the Llanferres Playingfield and Recreation Committee has kindly agreed to site it between the gates to the play area and the new green open space in Cae Gwyn. The bin will be emptied by the county every other week on the black bin collection day. I believe that the County have now also now agreed to site an extra Yellow Salt/Grit Bin at the top of Cae Derwen during the winter months. My thanks to John Almond for his support in getting the bin after he mentioned it at the annual Community Council meeting with the County’s Chief Exec Mohammed Mehmet. Nothing like going to the top if you want something done!! As you may have read in the local press the County received a smaller cut in Welsh Government funding this year than expected and extra money has been provided for education. Central Government were more generous to Wales in the Chancellors October statement but it may also have something to do with the Welsh Assembly elections next May. It does mean that we do not have to find a further two million in savings for the coming year and hopefully a smaller rise in Council tax could be on the table. Watch this space!! The controversial issue of fracking is once again back on the agenda and with shale deposits in the Clwydian range there is always a concern that we may be considered as a possible
area for investigation. I personally have yet to be convinced that fracking is safe or justified. In comparison to other countries such as the US who have vast under populated open spaces we are a small country that is over populated and fracking could have more of an impact on our environment and our surroundings. Fortunately fracking is expensive and the OPEC cartel seem to be determined to stop it before it starts by dropping world oil prices. It has been another busy year in council and I have endeavoured to attend all the Full County Council meetings, the two Scrutiny Committees I now sit on, the budget meetings and all the briefing meetings. In one month I counted thirty four meetings in total between the County, Community Councils and Community events. Finally, in these troubled times I would like to wish you all a very Happy, Healthy and Peaceful New Year and I look forward to working with you all in 2016 for the good of our communities.
Best wishes, Martyn The “Angels from the realms of glory” (Llanferres ladies voice choir) would like to thank everyone who donated after listening to the ‘beautifully sung‘ carols. Over £280 was raised towards the older persons’ Christmas lunch (so everyone got a pudding!)
30 News & Views
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Nature Notes Visiting Point of Ayr on one of the few days that had any sunshine during the first weeks of January, I waited for the tide to reach its zenith. A female Merlin (a falcon not a wizard) alighted on a fence post not 20 metres away from me and stayed for 5 minutes or more before flying off to hunt the passerines feeding on the seeds of the halophytic (salt tolerant) Sea Purslane (Halimione portulacoides) that blankets much of the marsh. A Peregrine falcon could just be made out perching on one of the towers of the nearby gas terminal.
sun came through and a rainbow arched across the marsh and shortly after the rain stopped.
Nearer home, I have noticed the Rooks, so noisy these mornings, at their nesting sites desultorily attending the last year's nests and stealing twigs from the neighbouring nests, a process called intraspecific kleptoparasitism. Ravens are in courtship display, for they will nest in February or March and I have seen Woodpigeons performing their wing-clapping display but they will nest in any month in which they think there As the waters stilled at high tide, and is sufficient food. the breeze dropped, the bay was dappled with generously spaced, piebald In early December I was fascinated and Shelduck, intermingled with groups of intrigued to find several Earthstars closer bundled, Teal, Widgeon, Pintail growing in the leaf litter at the base of (the world's most numerous duck) and our garden hedge. This attractive Mallard. Redshank crowded the water's fungus starts off spherical but as it edge and, higher up, hundreds of Curlew matures the outer layer splits into 4-8 massed together with their bills tucked pointed segments that spread outwards under their wings waiting for the tide to and turn down to form a 90mm, light recede so they could resume probing in yellow-brown saucer with the, puffball the wet mud for worms and like, spore container in the centre. It is invertebrates. Further out, on the normally a resident of deciduous sandbank, Oystercatchers jostled for woodland so how did it get in the garden? space with gulls and a line of The spores are spread by wind and they Cormorants stood drying their have been found at a height of several outstretched wings. Several Little thousand metres so they could have egrets fished along the gullies, standing come some considerable distance. It is a out stark white against the dark water. fungus that requires very specific With no wind it was very quiet, only conditions of habitat and weather and disturbed by the 'Tu-hu' calls of will not grow unless they are perfect, so Redshank, the double whistle of Teal it is possible that the spores may have and the occasional haunting calls of been present in the soil for many years Curlew, or as the poet more eloquently until this year when conditions were to put it -'Over the marshes crieth the its liking. I would like to think we will Curlew, weird is its music, wild is its see it again next year but who knows. home'. Then the almost inevitable rain came, driven by a breeze that caused the rain to cut at the cheeks and yet, as it fell, through a chink in the clouds the John Almond (01352 810808 Copyright Š February 2016 John Almond. All rights reserved.
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We, as a community, have helped out with the Mountain bike marathon over the last 10 years and have received donations for the upkeep and maintenance of our village playing field. I cannot thank you enough for this. Recently new swings and frames have been fitted in the park. Without your time and effort this event would not be able to take place. The organisers for the MTB marathon have been in talks with me over the last few months and had planned to ‘rest’ the Ruthin event this year. However, due to the positive response and feedback from many of the riders about the Ruthin event, they have decided to keep it in the calendar for 2016. This is brilliant news for our community and for the park. In the past the LPFRA have received a donation of £2000 for volunteering our time, a sum I’m not sure we get from any other fundraising event. The SCOTT UK mountain bike marathon - Ruthin will take place on the 10th – 11th September 2016. Please email crc_marshal@hotmail.co.uk Or call 810461. Thanks, Dan Hurst Chairman of the LPFRA
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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 Dave Twomey, 01352 810690 Adrian Walls, 01352 810223 Please contact any of the above if you have anything you would like to be brought to the attention of your Community Council.
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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
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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 Canon Adrian Copping, The New Rectory, Rectory Lane, Llanferres, Mold, CH7 5SR Email: adriancopping@hotmail.com. Tel: 810936 Church Wardens - Mrs Anne Woodward, Cysgodfa, Tafarn-y-Gelyn, Llanferres, CH7 5SQ, Tel: 810270 Mr Rob Armstrong, The White House, Rectory Lane, Tel: 810259 Clwydian Conservation Campaign - Pen y Chwareli, Pant Ddu Road, Nercwys CH7 4DD Clwydian Range Runners - Chairman Gareth Jaggard Tel. 810357 Email: clwydianrangerunners@hotmail.com Gardening Club - Mrs Chris Smith, Tyn-y-Wern, Forestry Road, Llanferres. Tel 810516 Llanferres Alcoholic Mountain Biking Soc. (LAMBS) - Gordon Jones Tel: 810305 Llanferres/Colomendy Art Group - Betty Cook 810 722 Llanferres Community Council - Mrs Gwyneth Dillon, Rhosddigre, Llandegla, LL11 3AU Tel: 01978 790269 Llanferres Playing Field & Recreation Association - Secretary, Gareth Jaggard. Tel: 810357 Maeshafn Cricket Club - Secretary: Steve Pugh Tel: 810327 Old People's Welfare Committee - Chair, Yvonne Foden-McCorry Tel: 810867 PTFA Ysgol Bro Famau - Chair, Kym Willis 07578392305 / 01824 780888 Llanferres Over 60s Club - Betty Cook. Tel: 810722 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) 810668 Email: news@llanferres.org www.llanferres.org th Deadline is 20 of the month prior to publication
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