Dyserth Times is a not-for-profit community magazine published by Peter J Robinson solely for the benefit of the communities of Dyserth & Cwm
Email: dyserthtimes@dyserth.com
Articles are published on the understanding that they are the original work of the contributor and the publisher reserves all rights on behalf of the authors.
Opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not reflect those of the editor or anyone else associated with the Dyserth Times magazine or it’s associated Facebook group.
Whilst every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine the editor and publisher cannot be held responsible for information supplied by contributors and published in good faith. Readers are advised to check with the organiser of events listed within the magazine to ensure that dates and times have not been changed following publication.
I publish on the 1st of August, October, December, February, April, June. The cut off date for articles is usually the 15th of the month preceding publication date; sometimes a few days later. Due to publishing deadlines I cannot guarantee that items received after the deadline will be included in the magazine.
I am happy to publish your contributions in either Welsh or English, whichever you chose to submit.
Articles may be typed, handwritten, USB key or e-mailed. I cannot guarantee to publish media or photographs. Whilst I understand and will respect a contributor’s request for anonymity I will publish only if I am provided with the author’s name and full address including post code.
Dyserth Times complies with it’s obligations under GDPR 2018. A copy of the Dyserth Times Privacy Policy is available by request to the Editor on the contact details listed above.
Other than the Printers, no-one associated with this magazine receives any kind of financial reward or expenses. Facebook Page: @dyserthtimes Instagram: @dyserthtimes
Dyserth Community Council Cynghor Cymunedol Dyserth
Councillor Vacancy:
Following the resignation of Delyth Lloyd-Wiliams as a Community Councillor and the display of public notices the Community Council have been authorised by the County Returning Officer to proceed with a co-option process. Details of the process are contained in a public notice in this edition of The Dyserth Times.
Council Members expressed their gratitude to Delyth Lloyd-Williams for both her service, commitment and time to the Council.
Reported Criminal Offences in Dyserth:
The following criminal offences have been reported to the North Wales Police; that have occurred within the Dyserth Community Council area:
3 x Anti social behaviour / 2 x Criminal damage / 1 x Other theft / 12 x Violence
Dyserth, Meliden & Cwm Relief In Sickness Fund:
The Community Council wish to express their gratitude and were pleased to receive the sum of £500.00 from the above fund towards the £10,000.00 donation made to Ysgol Hiraddug by the Community Council for the installation of accessible doors and other disability work at the school.
Rhuddlan Dementia Group:
The Chair of Council Councillor Andy Hughes welcomed Mike Kermode (Secretary to Rhuddlan Dementia Group) to a recent meeting of the Community Council. Mike provided the following information:
• The Group was set up in 2018
• Signpost residents to other voluntary and national groups
• Provide general assistance, including activities
• Explained the difference types of dementia
• Have recently received funding to deliver 2,700 dementia information leaflets to every household in the Rhuddlan area
Mike would be pleased to assist if either the Council or a local group / committee wished to establish a Dyserth Dementia Group.
Councillor Anne Rogers (Vice Chair of Council) kindly agreed to arrange a coffee/ information session in the Community Hall on the afternoon of Sunday 2nd February to both raise funds for the dementia group and to ascertain should there be support in the Dyserth area to set up a new group.
County Councillor David Williams advised in relation to the following:
• Dyserth Flood Alleviation Scheme. Notification from Waterco that they are liaising with the Lower Dyserth Flood Coordinators in relation to holding an open public meeting
• Concern with a campervan parking both during the day and overnight on yellow lines in the High Street. Councillor Williams has asked for Enforcement Officers to visit the area, as other vehicles also clearly park outside the legal waiting time
• Dyserth High Street – phase two of the traffic alleviation scheme. County Highways are currently in discussion in relation to a proposed scheme
• Hiraddug Road flooding. The County confirmed that a project is in progress
• The condition of the bus shelter roof - near the former Pop Inn – (The bus shelter is in the ownership of the County}
The following concerns were raised with Councillor Williams:
• The keep clear white road markings in the area of Pen Dre Farm Cross Roads are faded and require re-painting
• Car continuously parking on the pavement by the far entrance from Bryn Y Felin to the High Street (Near traffic lights) which causes reduced visibility. Request for Enforcement Officers to attend
• Parking concerns outside Ysgol Hiraddug Primary School. Request for Enforcement Officers to attend
Maes Esgob Children’s Play Area:
Following representations received from a resident the Community Council have written to Denbighshire County Council to enquire in relation to the planning gain to upgrade the children’s play facilities in the Maes Esgob children’s play area (This play area is owned / administered by Denbighshire). The planning gain relates to the building of the new properties in the area.
The Community Council on behalf of the resident have also seeked the Counties views to increase the street lighting in the area together with the condition of the metal fence that surrounds the gas tank.
Concerns Reported to Denbighshire County Council:
• Overgrown hedge/foliage in the Bryniau area
• Handrail from the area of Penrhaedr to the Dyserth Waterfall has broken in two sections (photographs provided)
• Overgrown grass in area of Weavers Lane, Dyserth – causing visibility concerns
• Faulty traffic red light at the junction of A5151 road and Waterfall / Cwm Road junction
• Old car battery and oil can dumped by the salt box in James Park. Items were removed by the County
Planning Applications:
The following planning applications have been commented upon by the Community Council:
• Application number: 42/2024/1117/HH – for proposed erection of extension and alterations to dwelling, at 21 Glan Ffyddion, Dyserth
• Application number: 42/2024/1133/HH – for proposed erection of a single storey extension to rear and alterations to dwelling, at Boverton House Carreg Heilin Lane, Dyserth
• Application number: 42/2024/1161/HH – for the erection of single storey rear extension to dwelling, extension to existing outbuilding and associated works, at 1 Maes Hiraddug, Dyserth.
Planning Decisions:
The following planning decisions have been received from Denbighshire County Council:
• Application number: 42/2024/1133/HH – at Boverton House Carreg Heilin Lane, Dyserth, for erection of a single storey extension to rear and alterations to dwelling. Granted
• Application number: 42/2024/1117/HH – at 21 Glan Ffyddion, Dyserth, for erection of extension and alterations to dwelling. Refused.
Applications for Financial Support and Donations:
The Community Council have provided the following financial assistance: £100.00Urdd Gobaith Cymru (Denbighshire).
The Dyserth Community Council each year provide financial assistance to local Groups and Committees, who are registered within the Council area. This funding is awarded towards the cost of meeting room hire, general running costs, together with capital purchases.
The Councillors look forward to receiving financial assistance applications for consideration; whereby further information can be obtained from the Clerk to the Council –as below contact details.
R. Phillip Parry,
Clerk & Financial Officer to Dyserth Community Council
Tel: 01352 720547
E-mail: clerk@dyserthcouncil.wales
Web Site: www.dyserthcouncil.wales
Sunday 10th November
The Remembrance Service at the War Memorial was conducted by The Reverend Canon John Glover DL
Wreaths being laid by Councillor Andy Hughes, Chair of Dyserth Community Council And County Councillor David Williams
St Bridget’s Church - Eglwys Santes Bridget
The run up to Christmas, that time of year that is for family, for gifts, for love and life. And, as we all know, it is also a time for getting stressed, tired, cold, rained on, and possibly spending too much money. And definitely too many chocolates!
For some, it can be a time of great challenge, with financial hardship, hunger. With surroundings of family tensions and strain over the festive season. Consumerism and social pressures to comply with the TV portrayals of the “perfect family”, and all the posts of our friends and families, means that some will put themselves in debt or take it very personally if they think that they have “failed” or “not achieved” in some way.
For the Church, the Christmas Season is one of the busiest times of the year. And in the buildup, we call it Advent, we take time to pause, to think, to pray, and to peer forward to the celebrating the birth of Jesus, the Saviour of us all. Of course, we also prepare for our families and friends to visit. We look forward to seeing you over the festive time.
Advent is where one can prepare for the hope and joy of the feast of Christmas. So let us reclaim a sense of calm in the chaos, a "fast” before the “feast”. This December please take a pause, have a rest, be kind to yourself! And may you all have a happy and Blessed Christmas.
A Christmas Blessing God, who created us, hold us in balance. Jesus, who came and lived amongst us, bring peace to our world. Spirit, who nourishes and sustains us, fill us with joy. And the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with us now and forever. Amen.
Fr Adrian Johnson
Curate, Ss Bridget & Cwyfan Church, Dyserth.
Our Services every Sunday are now at 9:30am, we would love to see you there, and at one of our Christmas Services.
December 22nd 4pm, Christingle Service – Celebrate the birth of Jesus, with an orange and carols.
December 24th 8pm, First Mass of Christmas (“Midnight Mass”) - the traditional first service of Christmas.
December 25th 9:30am, Christmas Day Celebration Mass.
NSPCC Dyserth
In October, a group of our volunteers were invited to attend the annual meeting of the NSPCC at Birmingham City Football club. We had a long and informative day which included the introduction of a new C.E.O., award ceremonies, the Treasurer’s report and group sessions for the many volunteers who had travelled from all over the country to be there.
Our Dyserth group was warmly welcomed and praised for its amazing fundraising, and it was fascinating to meet so many people all engaged with the charity at different levels.
Look out for the 2025 Calendar (Photos by Dave Parry and compiled by Ian Clayton) both village lads. This will be on sale in the NSPCC shop and in other shops and outlets in Dyserth.
The calendar is a local enterprise and is priced at £10 with all funds raised going to the NSPCC. It would make a lovely Christmas gift for family and friends.
We wish you all a very merry Christmas and a good and happy 2025.
Don’t forget to pop into our shop to buy your NSPCC Christmas cards, your decorations and gifts and maybe your Christmas jumper and party outfit.....The selection is huge and the prices are right.
Cathie
Cornish.
An update 2024.11
The continuing story of what goes on at Horeb Chapel, and how we have moved forward as things have continued to settle down in these increasingly challenging times. As I confessed in the last issue when I start putting this together my mind goes into 1950 mode and today I have been recalling as a 7 – 10 year-old living in Thomas Avenue and attending Horeb (although I’m not sure it was known by that name at that time) with my mum; singing a verse of ‘We Three Kings’ in a Carol Concert and being given half-a-crown by someone who was apparently impressed and going to First-Aid classes in a room which was where the Paterson Hall is now – learning how to deal with a fractured patella I remember – thankfully I have never been called upon to use this piece of knowledge.
So, no more talk of the good old days – and they were - just a very brief summary of what we do /are doing / planning - just to let folk know that we're still alive and kicking.
I am of course aware that not much changes when I write my piece every couple of months. My apologies, we are fewer now than back in the day but still trying to carry out our role as a Church and as an important part of life in the village.
Anyway, enough of my musings - here we go – What’s On!
Son of Food Co-op – Our Wednesday ‘Coffee Morning‘ This has now been going for over two years. If you have free time on a Wednesday – PLEASE JOIN US! As I have written repeatedly, this is not in any way a 'closed shop' - it is open to all on Wednesdays (10.00 to 12.00). Tea / coffee / biscuits / cakes (occasionally) are provided; the cost being covered whatever you feel like putting in the pot.
… and if there is anything at all that warrants celebration… invariably we will arrange a Bacon Butty or two.
A relaxing time in good company with tea/coffee made to order and if it doesn't suitwe'll show you how the Lincat (Water Heater) works; where the tea/coffee/crockery is kept provide a bit of training … … and you can make your own.
Community Lunches - still up and running at Horeb on the second Tuesday of the month from 12.30 – all are welcome.
One of the ladies attending the November lunch seemed to think following a conversation with other Tuesday Group members that those attending Tuesday Group needed permission to attend the Community Lunch, THIS IS NOT SO!
Community lunch start time was put back to 12.30 so that those attending Tuesday Group had time to get to Horeb to attend. We don’t understand exactly where this rumour originated.
The menu for our lunches continues to be one that the small team of folk from Horeb (Some of the Elders plus a few friends / family) can manage i.e. a bowl of soup (a choice from 2 or three) with a bread roll and butter followed by a pudding and a cup of tea/coffee or a soft drink.
I’m still i.c. washing up and can truthfully report that at every lunch thus far, all the dishes have been returned empty – and there have been no complaints either about
the quantity of food or the choice of soups / puddings so again we must be doing something right. BUT we’re not full – so if you’re free…
So, what is now considered ‘Normal’ - I must repeat –
• Morning Worship: [Sundays (10.30 - 11.30)] and a social time with tea/coffee and biscuits afterwards.
• The service is available 'live' to all on Zoom on a Sunday morning
DETAILS Zoom (meeting id 923 732 5176 password 3fHEG9)
Weekly, a summary of ‘What’s on at Horeb’ is circulated online to keep folk in touch and hard copies are available at the Sunday morning Service.
If anyone reading this update would like to receive ‘What’s On at Horeb’ - mail me on allandavidmorgan@gmail.com and I’ll willingly add you to my list.
Ongoing Maintenance
The Building - Stage 4 - Planned and ready to go if it would just stop raining for a while.
Repainting the Main Door delayed by the weather – but we have given up thoughts of doing this ourselves and are booking a tradesman – so it WILL be done soon.
The Horeb Web Site problem i.e. the website is no more – hopefully temporary. Danny, our neighbour spotted the problem and, as he knows what he is talking about unlike most of the Horeb Elders we have gratefully accepted his help and advice and are in the process of establishing a new simpler version which will contain a brief outline of what Horeb is about and how we can be contacted – we’re getting closer.
Other A week or so ago, one of our two boilers decided to die. This is the one that heats Paterson Hall and the kitchen and provides hot water to the kitchen and toilets. Obviously this needed to be replaced, as without it the community aspect of our work at Horeb would simply have to cease i.e. no Wednesday Coffee Mornings, no Community Lunches and no bookings by groups who need to use the Kitchen facilities or the loo – so £3,000 odd out of Horeb Funds.
The boiler was bought and is now fitted with little disruption to our programme although at times it did get cold. We had hoped to get some support/contribution toward the cost from the District Council – but apparently this is not within their ‘Rules’ – disappointing as its use is almost entirely by the Local Community … including Local Elections???
Horeb trying to be useful
Our link with Pengwern College in Rhuddlan – involved in some maintenance of Horeb ‘ground- works’
This seems to have stalled somewhat – a shame, but we will still keep on trying to contact them in the hope that our relationship can be ‘re- kindled’. And, for many year now, we have supported Tŷ Golau – The Night Shelter for the homeless in Rhyl. Our members, when they do their weekly shopping purchase a few extra items, put them in a box in Horeb and they are delivered to Tŷ Golau every few
weeks. The staff appreciate the gifts and the support and the fact that we appreciate their need – we just ‘do our bit’.
At Harvest (Oct. 6th), our members contributed items that Tŷ Golau could use rather than perhaps the more traditional Harvest fare. Not perhaps as picturesque but definitely more useful to those who provide the support for the folk who find themselves in need of Tŷ Golau.
Finances - (always on the back of our minds)
The Hiring of Paterson Hall and other space in Horeb
This is a major source of income which, although there has been an upsurge in recent weeks, has still to return to a pre-Covid level –and with the increase in fuel costs it is increasingly difficult to balance what hirers can afford to pay and what we need to charge to cover our costs - let alone gain some 'income'.
BUT - if anyone needs to hire some space for a club or event The Paterson Hall is still available for Hiring for several hours during the week. Indeed, if anyone reading has a need or knows anyone who wishes to Hire a space, they should contact Barbara Tebbutt on 01745 570793 or me on 01745 570364.
Aware that we, in many ways, are battling for the survival of Horeb, the Elders and Members, remain determined to continue to work hard and to do our best to keep Horeb Chapel alive and well.
Finally, as usual, you know where we are, you know we will be open for worship at 10.30 a.m. every Sunday, and if you are thinking about joining us for worship one Sunday, you will be very welcome.
So, I'll sign off wishing all the best as Christmas approaches and we all look forward to getting together and spending time with our families. If you or yours are travelling this year - take care.
Allan Morgan (Horeb Elder)
Saturday 16th November
Seven members & friends of Dyserth Environmental Group planted over 400 trees on the land known as the burial ground, opposite the Pet Rescue Centre. Despite the rain and muddy conditions we all had a good time. Many thanks to Paul for the lunch bags.
Members and guests of the Denbigh and District Probus Club enjoyed a wonderful celebration dinner in October at the Oriel Hotel, St Asaph to mark the 50th anniversary of the club.
The Club, following a suggestion from some members of Denbigh Rotary Club, was founded in November 1974 when the inaugural meeting of 16 men was held at the Eagles Hotel in Denbigh.
Since formation, there have been a variety of meeting and event venues – The Hawk and Buckle, Denbigh, Dinorben Arms, Bodfari, Queens Hotel, Rhyl, King’s Head, Llanrhaeadr, Llindir Inn, Henllan, Bodelwyddan Castle, Y Cymro, Llanrhaeadr, Bryn Morfydd, Llanrhaeadr, Salsbury Arms, Tremeirchion and finally settling in the Oriel House Hotel now Oriel Hotel, St Asaph in May 2008 where meetings have been held ever since.
There has been a very varied and entertaining series of talks over the years and the variety of topics and speakers are still in plentiful supply with areas such as Antarctica, Thomas Pennant Rambles in the Vale of Clwyd, Abergele Train Disaster, The Bone Setters of Anglesey and The Red Arrows as part of the 2025 programme.
Over the years, the membership has fluctuated but in 1981 there were 50 members with a waiting list of 23! However, in 2017, there was a possibility of winding up the club if membership declined further. In 2018, a secret ballot was held to determine whether ladies should be admitted to the club and following that, ladies applied and joined from 2019.
From 16 members in 2017, numbers increased to 41 in 2023 and the title of Chairman was replaced with President. Monthly meetings were halted in April 2020 due to the Covid regulations and on return, the first Lady President was elected who set a challenge to members to increase club membership to at least 50 by the 50th anniversary of the club and they rose to that challenge with membership standing currently at 53.
The programme for the 50th celebrations included an address by the President Graham Evans, cake cutting with a toast to the club, entertainment from Paul Ray B.E.M. (magic, music, and comedy) and a bumper raffle with prizes donated by the Oriel Hotel, Jacob’s Ladder, St Asaph and members of the club.
Guests included the Chair and past Chair of Rhyl Probus Club, Jean and Keith Cojeen. Jean was kind enough to say a few words of congratulation to Denbigh and District Probus Club and presented the Club with a certificate from Probus Global, recognizing the 50-year anniversary.
The club is a group of business or professional men and women approaching or enjoying retirement or semi-retirement. It is non-political, does not discriminate on any basis, is non-profit making and does not fund raise other than for its own internal needs.
Meetings are held monthly with an opportunity for socialising, then a lunch followed by a guest speaker and visits to places of interest are also arranged during the year. Additionally, three invitation lunches are held a year when members have to opportunity to invite guests.
New members are always warmly welcomed to the Denbigh and District Probus Club meetings.
For further information have a look at the club web site denbighprobus.com or contact stevetootell@gmail.com
The inaugural meeting of Denbigh and District Probus Club in 1974
Denbigh and District Probus Club Members Fay and Michael Corfe cutting the 50th Anniversary cakes
Dyserth Junior Football Club (DJFC)
The club would like to thank all those who have, and continue to support the funding of the club.
Most recently DJFC have benefited from a number of donations with special thanks going to the Y Boduing Inn. Similarly the club also wishes to thank the wife of late Billy Russell.
Billy lived in Dyserth; and aside from being a serious athlete having ran for Welsh Universities and competing against Roger Bannister, he played football for many amateur and professional clubs including Rhyl, Bangor City, Manchester City and Sheffield United.
Murmurations – Pictures in the sky!
Every Winter in the UK, we are lucky enough to have an influx of hundreds of thousands of Starlings mainly from Northern Europe and Scandinavia. Like so many other migrants, they arrive here to avoid the harsher Winters in their countries of
The Starlings will add their huge numbers to our UK resident population of 1.8 million and will join forces with them to feed in vast flocks out on the open fields and moorland, as well as invading farm buildings where cattle or sheep are present and of course, making a nuisance of themselves at the
all seen the amazing spectacle of a murmurato actually experience first-hand the loud whoosh or murmur (which is where the name comes from) as they fly en masse low over your head and form shapes in the evening air that Van Goch or even Picasso would have been proud of is something very special indeed.
It is widely thought that these murmurations are a visual invitation to attract other starlings to join a group night roost and that the birds huddle together to share their body heat, it may be that it can dissuade or confuse potential predators such as Peregrine Falcons or Sparrowhawks.
Reed beds are a huge favourite for these mass roosts, and we have two quite close to where we are; RSPB Conwy is always a favourite with the reeds on the lagoons at the reserve easily viewed from the parking area outside the reserve itself, the other being the reed bed at the entrance to Presthaven Sands caravan park at Gronant. It is amazing to see the birds arriving in small flocks and joining those already in the air above the reeds, then the shapes become more prominent with denser areas forming as they crossover sometimes appearing to make “Balloon” like shapes on high before plummeting into the reedbed almost like liquid being poured!
The sound emanating from the reeds once the Starlings have started to settle for the night is a cacophony of chatter and squabbling for the best perch on the reed stems that bend over under the weight of the alighting birds.
Of course, there are other roosts such as piers and jetties, with Aberystwyth pier being one of the more famous, but there are also impressive gatherings during the late evening around the Foryd (Blue) bridge at Rhyl, with the Starlings assembling in good numbers on the Yacht masts in the harbour before murmurating and swooping down onto the lower bridge structures out of sight for the night.
Best time to see them is the last half hour of daylight on a pleasant, still evening between late October through to late February.
Impressive birds when the sun shines on their plumage too; looking very much like small black jobs from afar, their feathers are in fact a blend of purples, blues, greens and reds covered in little gold coloured flecks. Love them or hate them, there s no doubt they are a real success story in the avian world. .....Dave Parry.
visions of my long dead daddy turning round and round in his coffin six foot under the ground!
It’s just an expression. But to pursue that expression on our recent Remembrance Sunday, I was aware of thousands of folk turning up at memorials to the ‘Glorious’ dead’ to officially remember their sacrifice and most of those people were turning up in German or Japanese cars. Their deaths being in a long and savage war against the German and Japanese. The long dead might be ‘turning in their graves’. It begs the question as to why we allow our world politicians to still be carrying out slaughter in so many parts of the world.
The average human being prefers peace to conflict and we should be demanding it.
We have recommenced meetings in the Dyserth Community Hall in Cwm Road at 10.15am each Tuesday. I hope the folk of Dyserth will come along and discover the delights of hearing our speakers sharing some amazing interests such as ‘Life on a long boat’, ‘The million year history of making hand tools’, the fascinating story of The famous Chinese Terracotta Army or very recently the fantastic educative work of the Woodland Skills centre – right here on our doorstep.
I may have said it before but I shall repeat the wisdom of Leonardo da Vinci: “Learning is the only thing that never disappoints us”
See you there and you can bend my ear if you disagree with any of my opinions.. Dyserth Community Centre, Cwm Road, Dyserth, LL18 8BD
Michael Corfe, Secretary DTMCG 01745 585110
Cymdeithas Cymraeg Dyserth
Pleser mawr oedd croesawu ein siaradwr gwadd, Eifion Griffiths, i’n cyfarfod mis Hydref. Bu pawb yn mwynhau clywed am natur trwy’r tymhorau gan Eifion a gyflwynodd y pwnc mewn ffordd gwybodus, difyr a hwyliog.
‘Brethyn Cartref’ oedd teitl ein cyfarfod mis Tachwedd, sef noson tipyn-o-bob-dim. Y syniad oedd i bawb ddod ag eitem gyda nhw oedd yn bwysig neu yn ffefryn iddyn nhw a sgwrsio am ychydig amdano. Wrth sbio ymlaen i mis Rhagfyr, mae pawb yn edrych ymlaen i ddathlu yn y Dafarn Newydd dros bryd blasus ar noson ein cyfarfod misol. Mwy o hanes am hynny yn y Dyserth Times nesaf!
Cofiwch fod croeso i aelodau newydd, yn siaradwyr Cymraeg rhugl neu yn ddysgwyr. Rydym yn grŵp croesawgar ac fe gewch banad a sgwrs. Beth am ymuno â ni yn y flwyddyn newydd? Dewch draw i Neuadd Paterson, y tu cefn i gapel Horeb ar stryd fawr Dyserth erbyn 7pm ar nos Lun yr 20fed o Ionawr.
