Since September 2007 Police Community Support Officers Rhiannon Plack and Catrin Evans have been engaging with children of Dinas Bran Secondary School. On a monthly basis they travel on the school buses to and from School, covering in particular the Chirk and Glyn Ceiriog areas. They have set up a Forum meeting with the help of the Business Manager and supporting staff along with local Llangollen Police Officers. Multi agency involvements have been key to the success of the Forum with more than 30 children at any time attending.
We have addressed alcohol issues, conducted surveys enabling the children to have their say to local Policing issues and arrangements are in hand for a Valentine Disco to be held next month. Our presence on the school bus has been very much appreciated by Bryn Melyn Coaches and their Drivers. We walk about during break times and before school starts. Our aim is to break down barriers with the children of secondary school age and the Police. We feel it gives us a good opportunity to hear and see any concerns the young people may have. We are also available on open evenings and parents nights at the School to demonstrate our accessibility by the children to their parents/guardians—this goes a long way to offer reassurance.
To date, favourable comments have been received by the Headteacher and supporting staff and they welcome our increased involvement.

The Ceiriog Valley Banch of the NSPCC wish to thank the people of the Ceiriog Valley for their generosity, as between October and December 2007, £815.92 was raised, this included the door-to-door collection, boxes in the shops and the 'Stop for Tea' afternoon at Llanarmon.

The Post Office restructuring programme has been delayed by the wish that it should not become a political issue! So nothing happens in this area now until after the local election campaign and elections in may. As we are still a democracy, if enough people talk and write about it during the election campaign then maybe it will become an election issue!
You can also help with your continued support which I do apologise for giving to those of you who already know about it.
1. Buy your stamps at the Post Office
2. Use your local Post Office for your parcels and any NSI accounts
3. Tax your vehicle at Glyn Ceiriog PO
4. SORN your vehicle at Glyn PO—it's much easier than any other way and much quicker
5. Use us for your currency dealings, travellers cheques and travel insurance
6. Withdraw cash and pay in cheques and cash at your local Post Office
Remember: use your Post Office or lose your Post Office

There is Salvation in the Cross
The central figure in history is Jesus Christ, and at the centre of all God's dealings with you is the Cross on which Jesus died. That cross is the reason Jesus came into this world. He went to that Cross for you. As Jesus hung on the cross, He spoke seven times. These seven great statements cover seven basic needs of mankind. Everything you and I need today is included in the seven statements of Jesus on the Cross.
There is help in times of suffering, reconciliation, love, victory, security, forgiveness and salvation. We will consider the last two fully.
There is forgiveness.
Jesus's first statement on the cross was one of forgiveness. He said: "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34). Isn't wonderful to know there is forgiveness in the Cross? Jesus forgave the disciples who forsook Him and fled into the night. He forgave the evil one who drove Him to the cross. He forgave the Roman soldiers who nailed His hands and feet to the tree.
That same forgiveness is for every person today. There is forgiveness for every sin you've ever committed. We are serving a God of forgiveness. The Bible says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
There is forgiveness in the Cross.!!
There is salvation.
As Jesus hung on the cross that day, beside Him were two thieves who were also being crucified. One of them looked over and saw Jesus. He recognized that He was the Son of God. As a thief on the other side of Jesus was mocking Him, the first man turned to the Master and said, " Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." And Jesus promised, " Today shalt thou be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:42,43).
That morning the thief had been condemned to die, but that evening he was forgiven and cleansed. That morning he was chained between two soldiers, but that evening he was walking with Jesus in paradise.
Here is salvation in the Cross.
Only by making a positive decision today, will you be able to say, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18
Have a meaningful and a blessed Easter.
Yours in Christ Glyn
Rev R Glyn Jones, Bryn Glas, Glyn Ceiriog, Llangollen, Ll207EU. Tel 01691 718086; m 07760 32875

The Sun Inn would like to wish all its customers, old and new, a Happy New Year and thank them for their valued custom. We would also 'once again' like to thank the Male Voice Choir for making Wednesday, 19 December 2007 a very special evening and look forward to seeing them again. The choir asked for the money raised on the evening could go to the Caernarfon Air Ambulance, we raised the amazing amount of £186. So thank you once again to everybody who bought raffle tickets.
Diolch fawr

Welcome to 2008 from all of the residents at Dolywern.
January stated off well with a three man panto which was great and enjoyed by all, we have invited them back later on in the year to do a music hall.
We were visited by the Mayor of Wrexham Mrs Lowe who we gave a guided tour around our stately home and plied her with Scottish pancakes (it was Burns Night ) crumpets and potato cakes.
We are now into February and we are looking forward to a romantic day on the Welshpool canal for our blind date sail on St Valentine's day.
On the 10th of May at 2pm is our 60th Anniversary of Leonard Cheshire and we are arranging with as many services e.g., Welsh Regiment, Fire Service, Air Force, as we can and volunteer groups such as the Lions and Rotary to join in a 40's 50's themed afternoon. We have Weston Rhyn Choir and dancing through the years exhibition and a competition to find the 'Saddest evacuee' for the children. We are still putting it all together but please come along and enjoy the afternoon. Anyone wishing to bring along a vehicle of that period please let me know so we can display it at it's best.
We have at last joined the 21st century and today we have been fitted with a web cam on the computer, all we need now is to find someone with one at the other end to web cam with that's if I can remember how to switch it on.
All for now The 2 "Dianes'"

If there is anyone not receiving the Welsh monthly paper, Yr Ysgub, and would like to receive a copy, please contact Mr Richard Jones on 01691 718542.

Stan Levin wishes to thank relatives, friends and neighbours for the many gifts, cards and messages of good wishes that he received on the occasion of his 90 th birthday. Also many thanks to Mike and his staff at the Glyn Valley Hotel for the excellent catering and service provided at the Dinner Party, which was highly praised by all the guests.

A meeting of the Management Committee was held on 21 January, presided over by the chairman, Mr Idris Davies. Members were pleased to see that the re-decorating of the main hall is almost complete. Arrangements were made for the large painting of St David, which hangs at the back of the hall and is a replica of the one in the Houses of Parliament, to be cleaned and some of it's wooden framework replaced. It was noted that new handrails have been made and these will be placed alongside the steps in the near future. Further new stands for some of the artefacts in the museum have been ordered. Work on re-newing the stage floor is to commence soon.
It was decided that in future the Committee Room is to be named, 'The Islwyn Ffowc Ellis room, and further discussions took place regarding a suitable memorial to this famous Welsh author, who was a native of the Ceiriog Valley .
The secretary, Miss Einwen Jones, was congratulated on her presentation on various aspects of the Institute on 'Fishlock's Journey through the Ceiriog Valley' on ITV, and members are pleased that Miss Jones will be giving a talk, open to members of the public, on 'The Shops in Glyn Ceiriog in the 30's and 40's'; in the Institute on 15 February.
The treasurer, gave an up to date financial report and reminded members of the need for further fund raising. It was noted that the George Formby Society will be giving a concert at the Institute on Thursday, 24 April.

A meeting of the Cytun Committee was held at the Christian Centre on 21 January and was presided over by the Rev Dan Parry. It was noted that the Cytun Carol Service held at Pontfadog Church had not been as well attended as in previous years, but never the less had been an excellent service, and the local school children had been delightful.
The Service for Christian Unity, held at Seion Chapel, was well attended and the chairman thanked all who had taken part.
It was agreed to have weekly meetings during Lent, to take place on Tuesday evenings, at the Christian Centre, commencing on Tuesday, 12 February at 7 pm . The theme this year will be taken from the Christian Unity leaflet which was used during the above service.
It was decided to distribute Easter Cards to every household in the Valley again, as in previous years.
It was noted that there are copies of the Welcome leaflets, prepared to present to newcomers, still available.
It is hoped to arrange a visit to Pennant Melangell on August Bank Holiday.
Mrs Penfold informed members that she hopes to take part in a sponsored Bike Ride in aid of Cytun in the near future. The next meeting, which will be the AGM will take place on Tuesday, 9 September at 3.30 pm in the Christian Centre.

A Bingo Session was held on Friday, 18 February at The Oak, now completely refurbished. The caller was Jeff Davies and proceeds were for the Carnival Committee.

Mr Trevor Lloyd grows a large number of Chrysanths and the sale of these has raised £150, which has been donated to the Marie Curie Cancer Care Fund.

Meibion Ceiriog held their Christmas Dinner at the Glyn Valley Hotel, with Mr Elfed Davies, Cardiff their guest speaker. The speaker at the January meeting was Mair Penri Parc , Bala.

Come and join us on Saturday, 12 April from 10am for an enjoyable and informal morning to mark the launch of the Centres new 'Bike Project'. All ages will be welcome.
We have quality bikes for you to use free of charge including a baby bike trailer, baby/toddler bike seats and tag-along bikes (helmets also provided).
Guided cycle rides for absolute novices—it doesn't matter how unfit you are.
Learn simple bike maintenance techniques and get your old bike checked over by our newly qualified 'cy-tech's' (Cycle Technicians).
Free security marking for your own bike and free refreshments.

During January I kept a personal diary of dates on which the markers that I use to measure the advance of the seasons occurred. All these are personal observations and others will have dates that are earlier or later, but for what it is worth:-
7 th Jan. First primulas in flower
10 th Jan. First snowdrops
14 th Jan. First celandines
20 th Jan. First daffodils( stiff stalks, not true wild ones, in the trees along the canal at Chirk Bank.)
20 th Jan. First dawn chorus of the year.
This seemed very early, but undoubtedly others will remember years when all occurred at earlier dates.
Three times in the past month a conversation has occurred when the subject of the probability of seeing particular things while walking was brought up. Unanimous agreement was that it is a numbers game. Being a dog walker I am out approximately 1,500 times a year, mostly only two miles or so, but every week a number of longer walks. In the past year there have been about fifty sightings of peregrines, of which two were really good ones. I’m well satisfied, I’ve been luckier than most in this country.
We completed the work on our pond by the third week of January, when the frogs are ready so is their nursery.
There was one outstanding sighting this month, in a field along side the road at about 35mtrs was a buzzard, as I approached it flew into the overgrown hedge at the back of the field, landed and turned to watch. It’s breast was black and grey barred! For the second time in my life I was watching a goshawk!
Tom Baker, Hyfrydle, Hen Ffordd, Dolywern Tel. 712835

Holy Week and Easter 2008
PALM SUNDAY: 16 March
o am St John's Palm Procession and Family Eucharist
o am St Ffraid's Palm Procession and Family Eucharist
o am St Garmon's Palm Procession and Family Eucharist
MAUNDY THURSDAY: 20 March
o am St Ffraid's Maundy Eucharist and Stripping of the Altar
GOOD FRIDAY: 21 March
o noon St John 's Good Friday Devotions
o pm St Garmon's Devotional Hour with the Rev'd John Webb
o pm St Ffraid's Children's activities and worship and building of Easter Garden
EASTER EVE: Saturday, 22 March
o pm St Garmon's Easter Eve Liturgy with Service of Light
EASTER DAY: Sunday, 23 March
8.00 am St Ffraid's Eucharist
9.00 am St John's Eucharist
10.15 am St Ffraid's Eucharist
11.30 am St Garmon's Eucharist
6.00 pm St John's Bilingual Eucharist