Much is known about the life of our local hero, Owain Glyndwr. But many legends have grown up around the facts. Because the date and place of his death are unknown, and no grave was ever found, the tellers of tales claim that he never died, but lies sleeping, until the time comes when Wales needs him once more.
The story tells how the Abbot of Valle Crucis Abbey went walking early one morning. As he came over the hill, he saw a tall figure standing there, gazing down at the Dee Valley. He recognised the figure instantly. Who would not have, in those days?
The Abbot spoke first: ‘Owain Glyndwr! It’s good to see you.’
‘Ah, my Lord Abbot,’ said Glyndwr ruefully, ‘I was just looking at the valley and thinking that for all our struggle and all our hopes, nothing has changed since I was a lad.’
‘How can you say that?’ asked the Abbot. ‘Without you no one would ever have dreamed that Wales might have its own Church and University. Without you no one would ever have dared to hope to see once more a true Prince of Wales. This is the way forward – everyone knows it, thanks to you!’
Glyndwr smiled. ‘Well, I thank you, Lord Abbot. But I think you must have risen too early this morning. The cold air has gone to your head!’
‘Indeed, no! It is you who have risen too early, Owain: one hundred years too early. Your time has not yet come.’
Glyndwr threw back his head and laughed. ‘If that’s true, I had better disappear for another hundred years – or more! When I come back next time, Wales will be ready for me.’
With a smile and a wave, he strode away. And the mists of the Dee Valley closed around him.
Fiona Collins
Fiona will be doing two story sessions at the Fringe in Llangollen and would love to see friends from Carrog at either or even better at both!
There will be a story session for families in Llangollen Library on Monday 20th July from 2.30 to 3.15 and
Tales and Tunes of Wales (with the Eisteddfod-wining flautist Jem Hammond of Pen y Cae) outside in The Courtyard, Castle Street, Llangollen on Friday 24th July from 4.30 to 6.30. This is in cooperation with Courtyard Books and the Courtyard Cafe, both of
which will stay open late to provide cakes, coffee, teas and books.
There is no charge for these events.
On Saturday 18th July 2009 the Church will be holding a treasure hunt walk around Carrog finishing with a BBQ and winners presentation at Carrog Mill. The walk will start from the church at 3.00pm and the cost, including the barbecue will be £5 per adult. Children under 14 are free but must be accompanied by an adult.
The walk will be on public roadways and paths with all clues accessible from public areas.
It would be helpful to have some idea of numbers for the barbecue so if you would like to take part please contact Jenny (430375) Max (412118) or Jayne (430350).
Open for business as usual the cottages and house, Y Felin, have been refurbished and are used for holidays for the general public including people who have a disability. We have tastefully altered two of the premises to meet the needs of people with disabilities.
The Cottages and Mill are now in the hands of a charity called Ling Trust. Ling use the Mill as an office base for its pioneering work in furthering self directed support. This new system is being being piloted in Denbighshire this year. It is new in Wales and started in Wrexham.
It involves someone who is eligible for support and care receiving a personal budget rather than a service provided by the Local Authority. We help people plan and use their personal budget to get the right type of support and help to meet their needs when they want it.
It is far more flexible and helpful to people and can cover a much wider range of help and support. Unfortunately it is only being piloted around s few people in Denbighshire at the moment, but if successful it will be available for many more interested people. If you want to know more about it come and visit us at the Mill and we will be happy to talk to you about it.
We now have planning permission to set up a small internet facility and café and to use the Mill House as a commercial base for our work. The gardens are fully accessible and we achieved a One Planet Award, presented by the MP and an Olympian, Alison Williams. This was accompanied by a grant of over £7,000 from B and Q for innovation and creativity in our environmentally friendly garden. Watch this space and do come and see what is happening. You will always be very welcome.
Piecing together art and history, pupils from Ysgol Caer Drewyn, Corwen, took part in a mosaic project with local artist, Patricia Jones aimed at promoting the Iron Age hillfort, Caer Drewyn – a site which lies above the town of Corwen.
Since the beginning of the year, pupils from years 5 & 6 from the school have been hard at work with Patricia Jones of Classical Mosaic and the Heather and Hillforts Project to create a large mosaic, which will be displayed outside Corwen Leisure Centre.
Patricia Jones said “The aim was to incorporate imagery of the hillfort and its historical Celtic associations, as well as flora and fauna of the area and references to distinctive buildings from the town of Corwen.
“The Year 5 & 6 children from Ysgol Caer Drewyn really enjoyed their workshop sessions at the school in early 2009.”
Materials used included mosaic vitreous glass, Italian smalti, ceramic, recycled china and porcelain, glass beads, granite pebbles on within a frame of wind-blown, seasoned, locally sourced oak. The oak frame work and installation was by local carpenter Adam Ashworth.
Erin Robinson, Heather and Hillforts Interpretation Officer said “Caer Drewyn hillfort is managed by Denbighshire County Council’s Countryside Service and enjoyed and visited by many. We hope that this beautiful mosaic at the start of the trail to the fort will encourage more people to enjoy this spectacular and special place for years to come.”
The project was organised and funded by the Heather and Hillforts Landscape Partnership Scheme. Throughout the workshop sessions the children learned about what the Countryside Service does to conserve the archaeology and the ecology in the area and about the importance of the site as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
The mosaic was unveiled in a short ceremony attended by Vice-Chairman of Denbighshire County Council, Councillor Meirick Lloyd Davies, headteacher, Mrs Jayne Davies, head boy, Josh McCook, head girl, Libby Williams and Leisure Centre Manager, Adrian Roberts.
In his speech, Councillor Meirick Lloyd Davies said: “The students’ local knowledge of the site and artistic flair have worked hand-in-hand to create a work of art to show off this dramatic landscape – especially the Iron Age hillfort which keeps a watchful eye over the town.”
The three year Heather and Hillforts Project is developing a £2.3 million initiative for upland conservation work and has received a grant of £1.5 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund. For more information please visit heatherandhillforts.co.uk.
Denbighshire County Council’s Cabinet has approved plans for a senior management restructure within the authority.
A report by Chief Executive, Mohammed Mehmet outlines proposals to reduce the number of Heads of Service posts by 13 and create 7 new posts.
He said; “I have an ambitious vision for the council: I want it to be amongst the top performing local authorities in Wales by 2012, to be outward looking and have strong leadership and governance. This is an achievable ambition, but it will be challenging.
“The next few years will require us to improve performance at all levels, to establish good governance arrangements, to make effective and efficient use of resources, more collaboration and better engagement with residents and local communities.
“It is essential that the senior management structure reflects these challenges and is capable of providing the leadership and drive that will be necessary. The senior management structure must also be cost effective, lean and clearly accountable.
“The council will also carry out a review of services that provide support to the council. It is vitally important that the council thoroughly examines all its services and is prepared to accept different ways of providing them where alternative approaches deliver savings and enable the council to protect its priorities”.
The recruitment process for the new posts will take place from September to December, with a view to the new system being implemented in January 2010.
Denbighshire’s Cabinet has approved plans to formally consult on the potential closure of Ysgol Llantysilio for September 2010.
Currently the school has 13 full time pupils, However, for September 2009 there will be no pupils within Key Stage 1 of the school and by September 2010 there is forecast to be only four full time pupils.
The council has held discussions with the governing body and headteacher with a view to developing a managed closure of the school for September 2010.
The school’s governing body has also come to the view that the school is no longer viable and the headteacher has consulted informally with parents, to inform them of the position regarding the future of the school.
Following the Cabinet’s decision today (Tuesday), a month long consultation will begin on September 7th.The council will then be required to consider the responses received and determine whether to proceed with a proposal to close the school and publishing formal notices. Following the publication of notices, people have two months to write in with any objections.
If no objections are received, the council will make the final decision.If the council receives written objections, the matter will be referred to the Welsh Assembly Government who will make a decision.
Councillor Hugh Evans, Leader of Denbighshire and Cabinet Lead Member for Lifelong Learning, said: “We have recently started to review primary provision in the Dee Valley East area (as well as the Prestatyn area), but it was felt that Ysgol Llantysilio should be considered as a separate case.
“We feel that having a school with only four pupils on the roll in September 2010 would not provide the best educational experience for the pupils or the most efficient use of resources for the authority. We have already spoken to a number of groups that would be affected by the potential closure and it is vitally important that anyone with an interest in education at Ysgol Llantysilio is given a chance to have their say.
Denbighshire is reminding all Concessionary Travel Pass holders that the old-style card will be replaced by the new smartcards as from July 31st, 2009. It is important for pass holders to be aware that their old cards will no longer be accepted from that date onwards.
It is expected that this innovative technology will enable bus operators to respond better to customer needs, which will help to encourage reduced car usage and a shift to public transport.
The introductions will streamline services for passengers, allowing them to travel seamlessly across the county. It will provide a greater understanding of passenger travel patterns and will lower the potential for fraud by both passengers and staff.
The new smartcards have already been sent out but any pass holders who have not yet received theirs should contact Denbighshire for a replacement by phoning 01824 706100 (Welsh line) 01824 706101 (English line).
Denbighshire has joined with partner agencies to highlight the School Watch initiative in time for the summer holidays.
School Watch aims to encourage people to keep an extra eye on their local schools during the long summer break in a bid to combat vandalism and burglaries at schools.
Schools are a valuable resource for the communities they serve and school budgets, which should be used to educate our children, are being diverted to meet the expense of securing premises with window grills, alarms, security cameras, fences and other security devices.
The Chair of Denbighshire County Council, Councillor Joan Butterfield welcomed everyone to the event at Ysgol Mair, Rhyl on 7 July. Also present were representatives from Denbighshire, North Wales Police and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service as well as pupils from Ysgol Mair and Blessed Edward Jones School.
The children enjoyed meeting the police and fire crews and inspecting the emergency vehicles which included a police car, fire engine and the police helicopter.
Councillor Sharon Frobisher, Lead Member for Communities, was at the launch and said: “Schools are an important part of any community and it is extremely important that we do what we can to protect them.
“I urge everyone to make it their business to watch over school premises during the holiday period but also out of school hours during term time. If you live near a school or regularly pass a school, please take a little extra time to make sure nothing is amiss.”
Ifan Hughes, Crime Reduction Advisor with North Wales Police, said, ”Information from the community is vital to the success of the initiative and the children have really enjoyed taking part in this event. “If you see any anti-social behaviour in our schools please report it to the police.”
In an emergency, people are urged to call 999 and ask for the service required or phone CRIMESTOPPERS on 0800 555 111 in confidence or phone the School Watch number 0845 607 1002.
IF YOU SEE IT – REPORT IT! DON’T DELAY!