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Archives for June 2010

Llangollen's Holy Grail legend - new research

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Nick - Web Team Nick - Web Team | 10:03 UK time, Tuesday, 29 June 2010

Valle Crucis Abbey, by Tony GaynorA chance meeting at Llangollen's historic Valle Crucis Abbey has led to a new book about the Holy Grail legend associated with the atmospheric ruins.

Ian Pegler, who has a hobby doing archaeological dowsing, was at the site when he bumped into local author Scott Lloyd, co writer of the book The Keys to Avalon about the Grail and local Arthurian legends.

That meeting inspired Ian to read further works and conduct his own research, trawling through archives at the National Library of Wales as well as translating ancient Welsh poems and stories, before writing his own book, Valle Crucis and the Grail.

Here, Ian explains more about the abbey's links to the Grail legends, how dowsing helped his research, and he draws his own conculsions about the abbey and the legends.

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'Thanks for freeing my son' and other stories in the local Press

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Nick - Web Team Nick - Web Team | 13:16 UK time, Friday, 25 June 2010

Mum of schoolboy stuck in pipe speaks about ordeal - Denbigh Visitor
The mum of a schoolboy stuck down a 10ft pipe for nearly three hours has thanked his rescuers who released him from being down a 12-inch wide tube on grassland close to a new housing estate in Llandyrnog.

Anyone for tennis? - Denbighshire Free Press
With Wimbledon in full swing, the Free Press looks at the origins of lawn tennis which was invented in the garden of Walter Clopton Wingfield in Ruthin in the late 1800s.

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Flint High School celebrates 75 years

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Alys - Web Team Alys - Web Team | 10:30 UK time, Tuesday, 22 June 2010

Can you identify any of the people in this photo?

It's one of many collected by Flint High School to celebrate its 75th anniversary and the school is asking for your help to identify and date them. scan0002.jpg

There are images of school trips, sports events, music groups and many more pictures taken down the school's 75 years since it opened as Flint Central in July 1935.

There are also newspaper clippings, admission registers and punishment books helping to paint a picture of school life down the years.

The school has a number of events planned to celebrate its anniversary and is calling on all old Flintonians to join in!

Church warms up for World Cup and other stories in the local Press

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Alys - Web Team Alys - Web Team | 10:25 UK time, Friday, 18 June 2010

Burglary at community run pub - Denbighshire Free Press
Sad news this week that the community-run Raven Inn in Llanarmon yn Ial was the target of burglars who made off with up to £3,000. Workers clubbed together from their own money to get a float for the till so that the pub could open the following day.
Background: Television deal opens village pub - BBC News

St Asaph's Talardy Hotel in administration - Denbighshire Visitor
The Talardy continues to operate as normal while a buyer is sought. Business people in the area are blaming roadworks and improvements to fencing on the neighbouring A55 for a decline in trade.

Meanwhile, Wrexham FC and Crusaders' chairman Ian Roberts said the club has held talks with a hotel chain about building next to The Racecourse: Reds chief wants Tesco store and hotel at Racecourse ground - The Leader

Church warms up for World Cup - Rhyl Journal
Kinmel Bay Church, on St Asaph Avenue, plans to screen England's three qualifying matches on their big screen, accompanied by activities for all the family.

Science and health experts gather in Mold to begin Public Health Wales investigation into health concerns surrounding Hanson Cement in Padeswood - Flintshire Chronicle
Experts have begun an investigation into public fears of a possible link between health issues and the Hanson cement works.
Background: Residents asked to explain fears over cement works - BBC News

Building firm accused of 'ghettoising' Rhuddlan after winning planning appeal - Daily Post
A decision to let a developer build the "affordable" part of its new housing estate half a mile from the luxury section has been slammed as risking "ghettoisation" in Wales.

Budding 'Spielbergs' from Wrexham college focus on success - The Leader
A team of students from Yale College, Wrexham, have reached the final of a national competition that challenges young people to make a film to help keep their peers safe on the road.

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Challenge: Can you pass the UK citizenship test?

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Nick - Web Team Nick - Web Team | 07:00 UK time, Sunday, 13 June 2010

As part of Refugee Week [14-20 June], locals are being invited to take the Home Office citizenship test - just for fun - in Wrexham Library on Monday.

It's the same test foreign visitors have to pass as part of the process to remain in the UK. And the person taking the test has 45 minutes to answer 24 questions with the pass mark at 75%.

You can try a practise test online which has true or false questions like, "In the 1980s, the largest immigrant groups were from the West Indies, Ireland, India and Pakistan.' [Correct answer below]

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Mystery benefactor gives club £20,000 and other stories in the local Press

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Nick - Web Team Nick - Web Team | 09:33 UK time, Friday, 11 June 2010

To start things off, here are some headlines and quick links to the more upbeat stories in the local papers this week.

- 'I'd do it again' says parachutist Robbie, 80 - Leader
- Mystery donor gives club £20,000 - Rhyl Journal
- Oswestry pupils swap notebooks for netbooks - Tizer
- Owen, 17, to run 177 miles over Offa's Dyke Path - Denbighshire Free Press
- Ben, 17, off to South Africa to live his World Cup dream - Rhyl Journal

Public review into Hanson Cement works - Daily Post
A public health review into the controversial Hanson Cement works near Mold will be launched on Tuesday.
Background: Residents asked to explain fears over cement works - BBC News

Wrexham tar pit study - next steps - Leader
Council officials have met contractors who are bidding to carry out a study of a toxic tar pit in Rhos. A number of companies, including some from abroad, want to visit Llwyneinion to find out more about the substances contained deep within it.

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New lease of life for old industries is not without controversy

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Nick - Web Team Nick - Web Team | 08:55 UK time, Wednesday, 9 June 2010

A couple of stories caught my eye this morning concerning our old industries.

First, there's Green light for gas test drilling near Wrexham where Composite Energy - a company which searches for Coalbed methane in old mining areas - has been given permission for a 60-day trial drill at Hollybush Lane, Penley - despite local opposition.

Wrexham county once had 50 pits [archive: north east Wales coalfield] and Composite Energy has earmmarked two sites for closer inspection, the other being Bowling Bank, near Wrexham Industrial Estate, subject to permission being granted.

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Smallest baby goes home, new shops, jobs and other stories in this week's local Press

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Nick - Web Team Nick - Web Team | 09:42 UK time, Thursday, 3 June 2010

Baby boy born seven weeks early is home - Daily Post
At 3lbs 3oz, seven weeks premature baby Ethan is the lightest baby boy ever to be released home from the Countess of Chester Hospital. And proud parents Ben and Karen from Broughton say "he is putting the pounds on by the day".

He may be 85 but Flintshire man is loving it at work - Leader
Fast food worker Bill Dudley has given the phrase Old McDonald a whole new meaning. Bill, 85, from Connah's Quay, is celebrating four years working at McDonald's in Mold and says he wouldn't be without his part-time job.

Plans unveiled for retail park in Mold - Flintshire Chronicle
Plans for a new retail park could bring millions of pounds and more than 100 jobs as Spencer Holdings Ltd, owner of units off Stephen Gray Road on Bromfield Industrial Estate, Mold, has applied to Flintshire Council for outline planning permission to build eight units, measuring 8,3431sq ft in floor space. The developer hopes to attract top names such as Halfords, Comet, Currys, Focus, Staples and restaurant chain Frankie and Benny's.
-Concern for small businesses in Flintshire - BBC News

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The Bank Holiday in photos

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Nick - Web Team Nick - Web Team | 08:09 UK time, Tuesday, 1 June 2010

Thanks to Mike Demack for sharing a photo from a re-enactment day at Rhuddlan Castle.

Rhuddlan Castle re-enactment, courtesy Mike Demack

Suggested caption: 'Come over here and say that!"

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