News & Views 1
ISSUE 137 February 2010
Llanferres
2 News & Views
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News & Views 3
Welcome Welcome to the February issue of photographs, an extract from one of which is on the front page this month. News & Views.
We couldn’t really produce this issue without some reference to the weather. Although many residents may have seen more snow, some younger ones have never experienced anything quite like it before. It seems to have brought out the best in people (with one or two exceptions!) See Page 13. Unfortunately the logging group has experienced some of the less attractive sides of human nature, having had a ton of logs stolen. This is particularly galling when people have given their time and effort for free only for someone else to profit by it. See page 5 if you can help. Thank you to the Jelley family who supplied a couple of excellent
And thanks to those who have sent in other photographs this month. Please do keep them coming, as we’re hoping to launch a website soon, which will enable us to display all of them, as well as feature some on the front page. Paul & Siobhan Contact: Paul & Siobhan Gothorp 2 Cae Gwyn Llanferres Mold CH7 5SL Tel: (01352) 810566 Email: newsandviews@llanferres.org Please send copy by the 20th of the month for inclusion in the next issue
Denbighshire County Council Rural Transport Scheme This scheme is for the elderly and infirm who have no means of transport and cannot walk very far Anyone who would like more information please contact Beryl 01824 709958 It is a free service and can be used for: Collecting prescriptions Shopping Library visits Pensioners clubs
Appointments for: Doctor Dentist Optician Chiropodist More volunteer drivers are needed Details from Olive Parry 810294
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February Birthdays Happy Birthday to the following Bethan Turner who will be 11 on 1st February Charlie Turner who will be 8 on 1st February Amber Louise Jones who will be 8 on 1st February Roger Llewellyn on 22nd February Mike Hall on 25th February
Notices Ged, Polly, Jennifer, Jack, Chloe and Joe
Well Done!
With donations from your would like to thank all our friends in Christmas cards we managed to the village for their cards, flowers raise enough to send 2 lots of and good wishes. Jennifer is well on chickens and 1 pair of piglets to her way to a full recovery. You can help the CAFOD overseas project rest assured all your offers of help will be called in, maybe not today, but one day soon.
Thanks again the Lomax's and Lewis's.
Church Wardens
Thank you to the people of the Tafarn-y-Gelyn and Bryn Eithin area for their generous donations to the Poppy Appeal. ÂŁ127.54 was collected. Anne Woodward
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Llanferres Parish Gardening Club Due to the inclement weather, our Annual post Christmas lunch was delayed and at the time of writing I look forward to having it on 24th January. Work in our gardens has been non-existent for the last month so, no doubt, by February there will be much to be done. Our new season of meetings begins on Monday 8th February at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. Show Secretary, David Jones, will be in charge to update our Schedule for this year's Show which will be on September 4th. We look forward to welcoming back current members and would like to extend a cordial welcome to new members. Our Annual Subscription remains at ÂŁ4 with casual visitors charged at ÂŁ1 per meeting. Hon Show Secretary Mr David Jones 810511
Notices Cae Derwen Again we have to ask you not to use the turning point in Cae Derwen as a parking bay. The clue is in the title turning point! It is needed as such. I am now sick of drivers using our front garden to turn round on through no fault of their own as there are cars parked in the point. Please have consideration for all residents that need the turning point to park on their drives. Thanks in anticipation Yvonne Foden-McCorry
Hon Secretary Mrs Joan Almond 810808
Can you help? Unfortunately the logging group were unable to fulfil some orders over Christmas because all the logs that had been prepared were stolen! In all about a ton of logs were taken from the roadside in Maeshafn. If you have been offered logs from a suspicious source, or if you saw somebody taking them please get in touch with David Scruton on 810465
Fouled Graves The Church has a had complaint that people are walking their dogs in the churchyard and allowing them to foul the graves. Obviously this is very upsetting for those who tend the graves. Please ensure that you take responsibility for your animal whilst in the graveyard (or elsewhere for that matter).
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Community Council News - December Meeting Llanferres Community Council Meeting November 12th 2009 Apologies: Cllr Jac Armstrong, Cllr Peter Williams Meeting Open to the Public Cllrs. Were advised that Llanbedr D.C. and Llangynhafal councils did not agree with joining Llanferres to form a County electoral region , with one County Councillor. This proposal, an alternative to the Boundary Commission`s suggestion was fully supported by Llanferres Council. In Denbighshire as a whole, there is considerable opposition to the Boundary Commission`s proposed reorganisation of electoral areas. The Minutes of the meeting held on 12th November 2009 were accepted and signed. Matters Arising The hedgerow at Bryn Ffynnon still needs attention. Cae Derwen, still no progress with the adoption of the road. County Councillor Christine Evans will be holding another surgery in Llanferres in the Spring. Date to be announced. The feasibility study into the parking problem at Loggerheads has been completed .A meeting to discuss the report will be held in the new year. Maeshafn telephone box, no further progress. Youth Shelter ,no further information. Memorial bench in memory of Mr Tom Collins; DCC Highways Dept have no objection provided that it is placed on a concrete plinth . Planning Matters 21/2009/1341/PF Proposal: Change of use of
workshop/store to coffee shop, stables to shop and shower block and redundant field to camping field with 7 pitches for touring caravans. Glan Llyn, Pant Du Road, Eryrys. Following a site visit Councillors resolved to offer no objections, subject to there being adequate natural screening from adjacent properties. Councillors had received copies of letters of objection which had been sent to D.C.C. Planning Dept. 21/2009/1502/PF New house and garage at part of land at Minestones, Ruthin Road, Cadole. No Objections. Land adjoining Tafarn y Gelyn Farm D.C.C Enforcement Team have advised that there was no infringement of Planning Conditions during recent work undertaken at this site. 21/2009/1333/AC Details of boundary treatment at Swny Gwynt , Ruthin Road, Llanferres. Approved 21/2009/1435 Change of use of agricultural land to community use, land adjoining Ysgol Bro Famau. No Objections. Meeting at Theatr Elwy,St Asaph . Cllr John Almond gave an account of the meeting which included presentations by County Officers on the development of a Community Strategy, Reablement in Denbighshire and the D.C.C. response to The Boundary Commission`s proposals .(Reablement is a new approach by Social Services to its care strategy.) Trees on the Heulog Trimming work has been undertaken on behalf of Scottish Power.
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Community Council News Field adjacent to the school Plans are now being considered by D.C.C. Planning Dept. Ysgol Bro Famau School Governor, Cllr Martyn Holland (Llanarmon yn Ial) informed the meeting that:- The new Headteacher is Mrs Rebecca Turner who takes up her duties on January 1st . As part of her future work in South Africa, Mrs Sian Hilton hopes to develop links with Ysgol Bro Famau.The current total pupil number of 95 has budget implications., eg it may be necessary to lose a half full time member of staff next year. It will be necessary to appoint two Parent Governors in the new year. Maeshafn Playing Field D.C.C. have given the Quarry owners 21 days in which to comply with the agreement over the transfer of the land. Bus Shelters The final information boards are now in place. Financial Assistance Granted to St Berres Church:- £350 towards the maintenance of the Churchyard and £250 towards the work on the Church gates. Bills Clerk`s membership of the Society of Local Council Clerks, £36.(50% of total,shared with Llandegla Council ) Logging Group The distribution of the funds to Charities:Moel Findeg,£30; Hope House,£899-50; Llanferres Playing Field,£30; Maeshafn Playing Field, £875; Crossroads £498-50. Councillors requested that a letter of appreciation be sent to Mr David Scruton and his team.
Correspondence Code of Conduct- Draft Guidance from the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales. To be circulated to all Councillors. Council Precept requirements for 2010/2011.To be discussed at the next meeting. Rural Key Funding Information Day,17th December. Cllr John Almond and Mrs Gwyneth Dillon, Clerk, will attend. Village Hall Management Committee. Cllr John Almond will continue to represent the Council. Matters brought to Councillor`s Attention Cllr Olive Parry described D.C.C.`s Rural Transport Scheme, which has been extended to Llanferres. It is designed to assist the elderly and infirm who have no means of transport and cannot walk very far. This is a free service and further details may be obtained by contacting :"Beryl" on 01824 709958 Potholes near Pen y Waen were noted as requiring attention. David Jones, Vice Chairman.
NEW EXPRESS THROUGH BUS DAILY Ruthin 9.25am Llanferres 9.39am Mold Chester 10.25am Chester 2.00pm Mold Llanferres 2.45pm
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Community Council News - January Meeting Llanferres Community Council Meeting January 14th 2009 Apologies: Cllrs P Williams, J Almond, O Parry Cllr David Jones chaired the meeting. Meeting open to the Public Mr Evans brought to the notice of the Councillors his concerns about a proposed adventure playground in the forest near his home in Tafarn y Gelyn. Two consultative meetings are to be held, one on the 29th Jan at Loggerheads Country Park between 4 -7pm, the other on the 30th at the lower car park on Forestry Road between 10am and 4pm. The Clerk will contact Planning for further information. Minutes of last meeting The minutes were agreed as correct and signed by the chairman. Matter arising: Cae Derwyn - the adoption is still ongoing Parking at Loggerheads - the police have been contacted by members of the public and by Cllr J Almond over the nuisance parking. The police were seen to be leafleting the parked cars but it is not known whether the notices were parking tickets or warnings. It is an ongoing problem and the Council will continue to press for a solution. Telephone Kiosk - ongoing Park House - no further information Field Adjacent to School/Play Area Planning permission has been granted for change of use from agricultural
to leisure and communal use. Funding is ongoing and Sarah Breeze will attend the next meeting to advise on sources of funding. Setting the Precept The precept for 2010 was agreed including funds allocated under 'winter contingency' as security and backup for future severe weather. Logging All monies have been paid to the various charities Planning Applications 21/2009/1619/PF Proposal: erection of two storey pitched roof extension at rear of dwelling. Location: Preswylfa, Maeshafn No objection 21/2009/0981/PF Application withdrawn Location: Maybank, Tafarn y Gelyn Maeshafn Playing Field Following discussions with David Scruton the swings shall be relocated. Two swings will be provided, one for infants and one for juniors surrounded by safety matting. Two locally made goal post will be provided and stepping logs made from rubber will be installed. Other matters brought to Councillors attention. Some people have been seen removing large amounts of salt from Council bins to treat their own drives, thus causing a shortage to treat roads. It was agreed to place an item in the News and Views highlighting this issue. The road from Tafarn y Gelyn from
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Community Council News Pen Barras had not been gritted. The Clerk stated that a protocol exists between Highways, Forestry Commission, ANOB and Police, she will pursue the matter. The Plymog Lane was untreated making some residents isolated. It was suggested that a meeting be set up between the Council and the Highways Department. The Chairman was contacted about the amount of rubbish left in the field at Cadole. David Shiel at Loggerheads has been contacted and he will ensure the field is cleared. Next Meeting: Thursday 11th February
Jac Armstrong
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February Diary Dates 1st 2nd
Mon Tue Bowls Club 7pm
3rd
Wed
4th 5th 6th 7th
Thu Fri Sat Sun
8th
Mon Gardening Club 7.30pm
9th
Tue
Maeshafn CC practice 7.45pm
Holy Communion 9.30am
Bowls Club 7pm
10th Wed 11th Thu 12th Fri 13th Sat 14th Sun
Community Council Meeting Maeshafn CC practice 7.45pm, School closes for half term, Dinner with live music at Caffi Florence Dinner with live music at Caffi Florence St. Valentine's Day, Holy Communion 9.30am
15th Mon 16th Tue
Shrove Tuesday, Bowls Club 7pm, Pancake Party at the Shillitos 6pm
17th Wed
Ash Wednesday, Service at Gwernaffield 10am, Service at Rhydymwyn at 7pm
18th 19th 20th 21st
Thu Fri Sat Sun
Holy Communion 9.30am
22nd Mon Schools re-open 23rd Tue
Bowls Club 7pm
24th Wed 25th 26th 27th 28th
Thu Fri Sat Sun
Maeshafn CC practice 7.45pm
Holy Communion 9.30am
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A Winter’s Tale
The picture above was taken by Guy Woodcock on News Year’s Day
A very big, very grateful thanks to "Mike the milk" for delivering in the current awful weather what would we do without him? Even those who choose to lug plastic milk home from the supermarkets have been out in droves asking him for help and being ever the gentleman he has obliged Again, thanks Mike from grateful Carney and McCorry households.
L Flintshire Driving School
Thank You! The Community Council would like to thank all residents for their actions during the recent severe weather, with many individuals clearing roads and pavements of snow, spreading and in some cases even purchasing rock salt to use on the roads and countless other acts of kindness. Your altruistic actions are most appreciated and remind us of what a good community spirit we all enjoy!
View taken by Councillor Christine
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A Winter’s Tale I would like to thank all of the people who have telephoned and called at my home to offer help and assistance. Thank you to all those who have helped with shopping, collecting tablets form Ruthin surgery and other help during this dreadful weather. A special thank you to Mike our Milkman for making sure that we have had a supply of milk every day - a fantastic effort in the circumstances.
Above is a picture of Olive Parry’s amazing icicles, which had grown at a very strange angle
Vera Stobbs Use of Council Rock Salt Whilst the actions of most of our residents during the sever weather have been highly commendable, it has been brought to the Councils attention that a few residents with large drive ways have been taking large amounts of Council rock salt. This was particularly problematic during the recent bad weather and shortage of rock salt. The Council wish to reiterate that Council rock salt is provided for the purpose of salting the communal areas of roads and pavements during bad weather and its use for private driveways is not only unacceptable but also reduces the stock to be used for public areas. A recent statement by North Wales Police "encourages all local authorities to report any incidents". Residents with long drives who require rock salt during bad weather are advised to purchase salt for their own personal use. In the event of future sever conditions please do not to use Council salt. Many thanks, Llanferres Community Council.
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Dinner with live music Join us for a delicious candlelit 3 course dinner Friday 12 February Saturday 13 February
Winter/Spring workshops Cookery with CAFFI FLORENCE chefs Grow your own vegetables with Nik Giles Art with Clare Shaughnessy Craft with Barbara Thomas
Half term cookery school for young people
Children's Birthday Parties Make your own pizza Design your own ice cream sundae Follow the Loggerheads nature trail .
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Monthly recipe from CAFFI FLORENCE It is still feeling very wintery here and February is a great time to be making hearty soups. This is one we have been making in the café throughout January and has been very popular with walkers, 'sledgers' and those just in need of some comforting food. Using bacon pieces makes it very economical and the potato gives the soup a lovely creamy texture. The bacon stock we use is the water that we have used to cook a gammon joint. We soak the joint first for a couple of hours to remove some of the saltiness and then cook using clean water with some bay leaves, a small onion, outer sticks of celery, a carrot and pepper corns. If you don't have your own stock use a good quality bought stock cube/powder. CABBAGE AND BACON SOUP Savoy or white cabbage 2 large onions 1 large potato 4 rashers of bacon or 250g bacon pieces 1 litre bacon stock 2 tbsp olive oil Pepper Sautee chopped onion in olive oil. When soft, add bacon, chopped into small pieces together with finely chopped potato and ¾ of shredded cabbage. When soft add stock and simmer for 20 mins. 5 mins before serving add finely shredded final ¼ of cabbage and allow to soften slightly but retain bite.
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A memory from the summer of last year It is always pleasant when it is cold and there is snow on the ground to be reminded of a happy event from a warmer time of year. It is also pleasing to learn how money raised at a charity event has been spent. Last June Llanferres Parish Church, in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Mold, held “Fun in the Garden” at the home of Patrick and Daryl Austin in aid of a small orphanage situated in Vizakhapatnam in India and of Llanferres Parish Church. The sum of £535 was donated to the orphanage as a result of the afternoon. The Rotary Club is in contact with the orphanage through Mr Robert Capper of Capper & Jones, solicitors, and Mr Capper’s daughter has worked in a voluntary capacity in the orphanage. Thus we have a good understanding of the needs of the orphanage and we knew when we decided to support the orphanage that all the money raised would be handed over and would be spent to the advantage of the complement of 56 orphans. Rotary raised further money through another event and as a result over £750 was handed over. As it costs only £20 per month to look after each child (and this includes food, clothing and education), the total donation to the orphanage made a sizeable impact and the
benefit is now being felt by the children. In particular the money is helping to pay extra school fees so that the children can attend English speaking schools. These are generally much better than the state schools where all lessons are in the local dialect of Telegu. The ability to speak English in India opens up many more job opportunities. The aim, of course, is to enable the children to become independent. The money has also been used to help with payment for some much needed dental treatment. There is no free local dental service. The dentists
and nurses visited the orphanage several months ago and all the children were checked over; any treatment necessary was done on the spot. If anyone would like to learn more about the orphanage, please contact Patrick Austin.
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Church News Services for February Sunday 7th Sunday 14th Sunday 21st Sunday 28th
Holy Communion 9.30 am Family Service at 11.00 am Holy Communion 9.30 am Holy Communion 9.30 am
There will two services for Ash Wednesday, 17th February: at Gwernaffield at 10.30 am and at Rhydymwyn at 7.00 pm. There will be a 'Together at 6' 'Taize' service at Cilcain on Sunday 28th February. Wendy's Pancake Party Wendy's annual 'have fun and fund raising' pancake party will be on Shrove Tuesday, 16th February at Dragon House, 1 Bryn Eithen starting at 6 pm. Proceeds will be shared between Llanferres Church and The Northern Cleft Palate Foundation. Tickets ÂŁ4 each, available from Church members or pay at the door. Please 'phone Churchwardens or Wendy (810394) if you know in advance that you will be coming, to give Wendy some idea of numbers.
Lent Groups Lent Groups will be organised in one or two of the five Parishes of Llanferres, Gwernaffield, Cilcain, Nannerch and Rhydymwyn. The York Course booklets will be used and this year's theme is 'When I survey.....Christ's cross and us'. Please check with Rev'd Adrian Copping or Churchwardens for the times and venues. There will be an opportunity to attend during an afternoon or an evening for 5 consecutive weeks commencing Monday 22nd February and there will be a voluntary charge of ÂŁ5 to cover the cost of a booklet for each participant and the CD. If you know you would like to attend and have a particular preference for time and venue, please contact Rev'd Adrian Copping before 7th February (see Page 34 for details ).
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LeJog 2009 What is it? LeJog is a motorsport event which has run from the mid 1990's and was the brainchild of John brown one of UK's top navigators, it involves travelling from Land End to John 'O' Groats by way of some 350 timing points on some of the most tricky and difficult roads on the way.
and move forward to get a time. We eventually arrived in Magor Services on the M4 just over the border
This is not a speed event but a reliability trial where the crew, in order to achieve the highest accolade, a gold medal, must be within 60 seconds of their due time at each timing point, the location of these timing points is not known to the crews so not only do you need to navigate the route off 1.50,000 ordnance survey maps by varying methods such as map reference, spot heights, symbols etc but keep to various average speeds from as low as 18mph through villages up to a maximum of 30mph on more open roads.
in Wales at 4pm for a two hour half when we were given route instructions through Wales these included a section around Caerwent Army Camp, then over the Black Mountains where we unfortunately had a wrong slot and lost 2 minutes and our Gold Medal. As conditions worsened with heavy rain we continued up the county via Buith Wells, Devils Bridge and all the mountain passes connecting them to a halt at Trefegwlys at 10pm where we were given the last part of the route to bring us to the overnight halt (4 hours!) in Ellesmere Port. This last section ran up through mid Wales around the Lake Vrynwy Area before finishing by Chirk Castle and then up to Ellesmere Port by 4.30am for 4 hours sleep.
This was my second year on LeJog navigating in a 1965 Porsche 911 for Howard Warren, the owner of Chester based car parts company CES (UK) Ltd. The event started at 8am on Saturday 4th December from Lands End Hotel in Cornwall and wound its way through Cornwall, Devon and Somerset with 3 regularity sections and a few special tests (these are held on private land and are speed tests similar to autotests) plus some unusual ones such as the infamous Bury Ford test where you have to drive through a very deep ford (this year the lights of our car were fully submerged!!!) out the other side, turn off engine and then restart it
Sunday morning started dry and sunny from Ellesmere Port at 9.30am where we were given route instructions which took us up through the centre of the
country to Sunday nights halt in Newcastle for a full 10 hours and full nights sleep!!! Following the first day we were lying 2nd overall but had also been late at 2 turning points so had dropped to a bronze medal,
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LeJog 2009 such was the toughness of the section through Wales that only 2 crews remained on Gold Medals with 5 on Bronze medals. Sunday was a pretty uneventful day although tough following the limited sleep the night before. We managed to retain our second place but 2 other crews lost the bronze medal following some tricky navigation sections by Derwent Water in Northumberland. We eventually arrived in Newcastle at 9.30pm for a much welcome soak in the bath and sleep but it was an early start on Monday at 8.30am for the last section to John 'O'Groats arriving at 11am Tuesday morning.
apparently according to the marshals but we retained our 2nd overall position with no dramas having the lowest scores on sections from Newcastle onwards.
Monday turned out to be a challenging day with tricky navigation sections and positions of clocks but the weather had improved we had a late lunch at Queensferry in the shadow of the impressive Forth Bridge before some more tricky sections followed by a 2 hour halt at Kingussie in the Highlands, which saw a total change from the sunny weather of Monday to a thick frost leaving all the roads sheet ice for the next 12 hours of the event!! We travelled over some of the most exposed roads in the Highlands with temperatures dropping to -10 below
RESULTS
The final two sections of the event followed a breakfast halt at Lybster before a well deserved coffee and dram at John O Groats. After 1480 miles in 75 hours with only 12 hours sleep it is certainly one of the toughest challenges I have had in 25 years plus of motor sport but a great feeling of achievement and I will be back in 2010. Eventually only 4 medals were issued out of the 40 starters, 2 Gold medals one to eventual winners Andy Lane and Ian Tullie the second one to German crew in a BMW 3.0 Csi, we finished second with a bronze medal and one other bronze medal went to the 4th placed crew in a Triumph 2000.
1st Andy Lane/Ian Tullie Mercedes SE300, 433 Points 2nd Howard Warren/Guy Woodcock, Porsche 911, 777 Points 3rd Christian Ruter/Stephen Huber BMW 3.0 si, 818 Points 4th Charles Harrison/ John Hancox, Triumph 2000, 1520 Points 5th Steve Pickering/Simon Noyle Hillman Hunter, 2798 Points
Guy Woodcock
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22 News & Views
Dr Chris' letter for January 2010 After 10 days I got water on Saturday 16th at 12midnight, Welsh Water to the rescue, however it is a seriously Heath Robinson arrangement with above road pipes from another stopcock. They will arrive to dig up the road sometime this week. Lovely to have a bath in my own house though and wash my clothes. It has been the longest spell of bad weather since 1981 but mostly we have coped in Llanarmon, although some in the outlying high areas have been inaccessible and the occupiers have had to get out by walking. Much the same in Llanferres, I have had daily reports for those up Plymog lane which has been inaccessible, since 22nd December, with some hardship. They ran out of coal, fresh food, also smokes [I said it might be a good time to give up, which is seriously hypocritical of me] and whisky [which is a disaster!!]. Those in Tafarn y Gelyn towards Pen barras cark park, did not fare much better. I note the road was closed for many days. I hope you all managed and things are now back to normal. I must say I was impressed by our postie who delivered every day, often by foot, except one and the village shop with the papers and milk etc Hope you all got enough eat and there were no accidents on the ice. Sorry I missed sending my last letter in December I forgot the deadline.
Over the last 3 months I have been attending budget meetings to fix the council tax rate, which I fervently hope will be an increase of only 2.5 %, which will be low in comparison with many parts of Wales. I have also attended many of the LDP meetings, so that we get the future planning of our area sorted properly by 2011 for the following 10 years. We need to be promoting local enterprises so that there are jobs in the area. Unfortunately, although this area is beautiful and I would not want to live anywhere else, as we are in an AONB there are building restrictions and often new ideas conflict with the planning regulations. I also made 4 programmes for Radio Wales, which went out around Christmas on Mental illness and homelessness, Alzheimers and Caesarian Sections or not. I recorded them in November and did a fair bit of travelling to Bangor, Criccieth and Cardiff to interview people. I met Darren Millar who is our AM and was favourable impressed by his concern fro the problem of mental illness which is his remit in the WAG. I hope you had a lovely Christmas and New Year. Keep cheerful in 2010 Christine Evans christinemaryevans@hotmail.com
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Maeshafn CC 2010 News Hello and a happy new year to all Dates of cricket nets: our members, members’ wives and readers. Friday Feb 5 Friday Feb 12 Lots going on as ever at your local Friday Feb 26 cricket club, so feel free to come Friday March 12 along! 7.45pm - 9.45pm - lifts available Our oldest member is threatening from Maeshafn and Llanferres to return now he has new knees, so ring me for details. our average age may rocket up into the early 60s again. We hope to have a couple of fund raisers shortly, as our grant funding We have cricket nets running every has dried up for the time being - it two weeks at the Argoed High appears that as soon as a sports School, Mynydd Isa on a Friday club becomes established, there is night, and a few more trips lined up very little funding to keep it going, to Old Trafford for the bowling and you need to think up new initimachine and coaching experience. atives to get a share of the cash flowing out of various coffers... Our season is already mapped out We are working on a few ideas... for us and our league fixtures have us down as playing Ruthin at home Jonathan Fagan, Secretary, 01352 on the opening day of the season 810373. in May, and our tour dates as 4th6th June. We are going to go across the border into Yorkshire, mainly because it may not rain as much as Ireland, which was our other Need a baby sitter? planned destination.
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A selection of breakfast pastries, crusty rolls, baguettes and loaves baked in store every day
We also stock a range of hot products including bacon baps, pies and sausage rolls.
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Adventure Forest Ltd. Hargrave Hall Church Lane Hargrave Bury St Edmonds IP29 5HH 6th Jan 2010 I am writing to inform you of a proposed development in Moel Famau Country Park. The proposal is for a “Zip Wild” course, which will consist of a number of zip lines traversing the Cwm Bach valley. The proposed development will involve the construction of a building in the lower car park area, but the activity will be confined to the Cwm Bach valley, chosen to reduce the impact on current users of the forest. I do not wish to go into too much detail in this letter, but would like to invite you to one of two consultation events. The first is on Friday 29th January, anytime between 4pm and 7pm at Loggerheads Country Park, next to the café. We will be supplying tea and biscuits, and I will be able to spend some time explaining the proposal, answering any questions and listening to your feedback. I will also be in the lower car park above Tafarn y Gelyn between 10am and 4pm on Saturday 30th January. The purpose of this day is to get feedback from users of the area, however, I would be more than happy to spend some time with you if you cannot make Friday although unfortunately I won’t be able to supply any tea and biscuits! If either of these two days is not practical for you, we are setting up a consultation website which will contain the plans, where you will be able to ask questions and posts comments. The website will be www.zipwildatmoelfammau.com and will be live on the 30th January. You are also free to contact me via email on ben.davies@goape.co.uk or by calling me on 01284 852213. The plans are still in their initial stages, and we would love to get your views. We feel that this will be a great attraction for the area to be proud of. It will create local jobs and bring revenue into the area, whilst providing an ecoeducational adventure for groups of all ages. Yours Sincerely, Ben Davies Business Development Manager
26 News & Views
Ysgol Bro Famau News YSGOL BRO FAMAU 100 CLUB DECEMBER 2009 DRAW 1st Prize
£40 Christine Moore
2nd Prize
£25 Lorraine Catania
3rd Prize
£12
Gwyndaf Jones
100 CLUB JANUARY 2010 DRAW 1st Prize
£40 Dawn & Chris Hill
2nd Prize
£25 Haydn & Cynthia Jones
3rd Prize
£12
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Professional, reliable service Telephone: 01352 750342 Mobile: 07933 803 972 Email: arfontrevor@tiscali.co.uk Address: 28 Parc Hendy Mold CH7 1TH
No job too small For a free estimate call Ian on
01352 771376 Mobile: 07775 618 953
News & Views 27
In Aid of Llanferres Church and Northern Cleft Foundation
OLIVE WOOD STALL CAKE Stall Tickets All tickets ÂŁ4
Buy tickets from Church Members. Phone Wendy if you know you can come (810 394) Or buy tickets at the door.
28 News & Views
News & Views 29
The Senior Citizens enjoyed another lovely occasion on 5th December with some fine food and entertainment Thanks go to chief organisers Jenny Studley and Sandra Jones and to all those who helped beforehand and on the day.
TO RENT A pair of 2 bed Listed Cottages in centre of Llanferres Village Propane Gas Central Heating Excellent Order Car Parking £650 pcm / £600 pcm
Guy Woodcock : 07850 426566
The Picture Stitcher Turning your child’s drawings into embroidery for that ‘gift with a difference’ Looking for an unusual gift for someone who’s got everything? Why not have your child’s drawing embroidered onto a towelling bath robe, t-shirt, fleece or item of your choice (subject to its suitability). Are you taking advantage of Tesco’s (or any of the other supermarkets) cheap deal on school uniform? Why not get me to embroider the school logo on them? (Ysgol Bro Famau only).
For further details and prices please ring Colin or Barbara on 810694 or visit www.thepicturestitcher.co.uk
30 News & Views
Nature Notes The snow looks as though it is finally going (I hope we will not get any more) and it is surprising how quickly we see signs of spring. As the soil appears from under the snow so do seedlings of spring plants and sprouts of early bulbs such as daffodils, bluebells and snowdrops - some snowdrops are already trying to flower.
know you have seen one. The greys usually incorporate leaves in their dreys, but reds do not, so that is another clue.
In the avian world, I have noticed rooks squabbling in the tree tops and starting to repair nests, dunnocks are indulging in frenetic 'courtship' display, common gulls are streaming across the sky with typical tumbling flight, returning to farm fields as the snow goes and I heard a great spotted woodpecker 'drumming' even while the snow was falling heavily.
"Some time back I came in from shopping and as it was a lovely sunny day I had left the window open. I heard a sort of mewing sound and thought it was a seagull but then realised it wasn't. I looked out of the window and down below was a kestrel on its back with another one attacking it.
We have had two species of ladybird, out of hibernation, foraging for food on our house plants but what they are finding there is a mystery. I am sometimes asked if we have any red squirrels locally as someone feels 'sure' they have seen one. The answer is no. Grey squirrels often have a brown tinge down their backs and flanks, especially in winter, and it is probably this that causes the mis-identification.
We received a Christmas card from a friend and included was the following account which I thought readers might find interesting, so I am repeating it verbatim:-
Watching this were 6 magpies sitting on a small (12 inch) metal fence. The end magpie hopped off the fence and caught the wing of the kestrel which was on its back, thus startling the attacker and it flew off. The one being attacked stood up and shook its feathers only for the same magpie to grab its wing again. Suddenly the other kestrel zoomed back - the magpie resumed its place on the fence and the "victim" flew off pursued by its attacker and I watched them in pursuit until they vanished into the distance."
Reds are much smaller, bright I am left wondering - what was that ginger in colour and have all about? Anybody with any ideas? prominent ear tufts which make them unmistakable. It is a good rule that if you 'think' you have seen a red squirrel then you have not John Almond ' 01352 810808 because if you do see one then you
News & Views 31
THE DRUID INN, LLANFERRES A warm welcome, great food and roaring log fires in winter. Come and catch up with your friends and neighbours and enjoy a drink at the pub. Sun terrace at the rear and heated smoking shelter available. Excellent en-suite rooms.
Tel: 01352 810225 druidinn@aol.com
Need any sewing work done? Curtains,Valances, Pelmets, Blinds, Cushions, Clothing alterations Give Barbara a call on 01352 810485
MTH Preservations Ltd Building and Maintenance Contractors
Tim Healy Tel: 01352810264 Mob: 07786444461 Email: mthpreservations@btconnect.com
32 News & Views
Take A Break Sudoku
Crossword and quiz answers over the page
Crossword Across 1 Based on ten (7) 5 Confronted (5) 8 Perimeter (13) 9 Second person pronoun (3) 10 Adolescents (9) 12 Small air-breathing arthropod (6) 13 Samples (6) 15 Affirmation (9) 16 Entirely (3) 18 Reference works (often in several vol umes) (13) 20 Appetising (5) 21 Stretches (7)
Down 1 Crumble (5) 2 A person's financial situation (good or bad) (13) 3 Hair on the upper lip (9) 4 Elevated (6) 5 To a considerable degree (3) 6 Denseness (13) 7 Clothes (7) 11 Flat (9) 12 Look over carefully (7) 14 Distant (6) 17 Mislays (5) 19 Call out (3)
Quick Quiz Which books do these distinctive opening lines come from? 1. All children, except one, grow up. 2. Far out in the uncharted back waters of the unfashionable end of the western spiral arm of the Galaxy lies a small, un regarded yellow sun. 3. Renowned curator Jacques Saunière staggered through the vaulted archway of the museum's Grand Gallery. 4. It is a truth universally ac knowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. 5. These two very old people are the father and mother of Mr. Bucket. 6. It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.
7. Not for the first time, an argument had broken
out over breakfast at number four Privet Drive. 8. Call me Ishmael. 9. Marley was dead, to begin with. 10. It was three hundred forty-eight years, six months, and nineteen days ago today that the citizens of Paris were awakened by the pealing of all the bells in the triple precincts of the City, the University, and the Town.
News & Views 33
Local Councillors Christine Evans, Denbighshire County Councillor for Llanferres, Llanarmon yn Ial & Llandegla. 07887774909 Gwyneth Dillon, Clerk to Llanferres Community Council, 01978 790269 Llanferres Community Councillors John Almond, Chairman, 01352 810808 David Jones, Vice Chairman, 01352 810511 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 Peter Williams, 01352 810287 Please contact any of the above if you have anything you would like to be brought to the attention of your Community Council.
Need a builder? Look no further We undertake all types of building work and property maintenance – Extensions – Loft conversions – Conservatories Call us now for a competitive quotation: – Ground work – Landscape Gardening Tel: Dave Collins: 07790 025 538 – Decking or Steve Hughes: 07816 630 171 – Fencing – Property maintenance
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34 News & Views
Village Organisations Archery Club - lan Logan, Tryfan, 17 Cae Gwyn, Llanferres Tel: 810627 Badminton Club - Jane Clough Tel: 810802 Bowling Club - Every Tuesday in the village hall, 7pm - 9pm Contact Dave Twomey Tel: 810690. Church - Rev'd Adrian Copping, The Rectory, 9 Pen-y-Coed, Nannerch, Mold, CH7 5RS Tel. 01352 741376. Email: adriancopping@hotmail.com Rector's Warden - Josh Griffiths, Jontindale, Ruthin Road. Tel: 810853 People's Warden - Mr. Brian Skelhorn 16 Cae Gwyn. Tel: 810422 Clwydian Conservation Campaign - Pen y Chwareli, Pant Ddu Road, Nercwys CH7 4DD F.L.A.S.H. - Moira Bonar, Booking Officer Tel: 0791 063 0138 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: 810373 Old People's Welfare Committee - Secretary, Jenny Studley. Tel: 810229 PTFA Ysgol Bro Famau - Lindsay Turner. Tel: 810403 Senior Citizens Club - Olive Parry. Tel: 810294 Village Hall Booking Secretary - John Roberts, 7 Tyn Llan. Tel: 810358 Village Hall Management Committee - Secretary, Sonia Evans. Tel: 810421
This month’s quiz and Crossword Solution 1. Peter Pan 2. Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy 3. The Da Vinci Code 4. Pride and Prejudice 5. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 6. 1984 7. Harry Potter 8. Moby Dick 9. A Christmas Carol 10. The Hunchback of Notre Dame
News & Views 35
Local Businesses
Tim Griffiths Sales & Design Tel: 07736 544 736 or (01352) 758484 Email: Enquiries@artisanwindows.co.uk
For inspiration visit www.artisanconservatories.co.uk
MARTIN DAVIES Gardening Services Tel: 0776 2238 582 E-mail: mjdgardenscomplete@yahoo.co.uk Design
Soft landscaping
General maintenance Grass/hedge cutting
PART P APPROVED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR Rewires Lights Sockets ~ Showers
Fault Finding Alarm Systems Data Networks ~ Telephone Sockets
Richard Haggerty Glan Llyn Pant Du Road Tel: 01352 810841 Mold Mob: 07790 822603 CH7 4DD email: info@easynetsolutions.co.uk
Whatever you’ve got in mind If you’re thinking wood think Pip’s Wood Pip’s Wood is a company of specialists in working with wood. Proprietor Pip Verholleman hails from Belgium, learning his trade from a young age and to say he is a perfectionist, is a major understatement. Now based in North Wales, Pip specialises in solid oak flooring and can supply and fit the finest quality oak to the very highest standards. No matter how small or how ambitious your plans - give Pip a call for an informal chat about the possibilities. He’ll provide you with a no obligation quotation that may surprise you. All types of work can be undertaken: § Flooring § Kitchen fitting § Skirting boards § Doors § Book Cases § Panelling
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