By the end of the day, Tesco had sold out of Wednesday December 2nd's edition of the Denbighshire Free Press. Apparently, couples had been buying multiple copies in order to stand a greater chance of winning some sort of weekend or other, or so one of the staff said.
On December 7th, the asking price for the Olde Cross Keys reduced again. Five beds, characterful building but plenty of remedial work to do, this is now for sale at£325,000 £300,000 £260,000 £230,000. That's a total reduction of £95,000 or almost 30 per cent. And any survey will undoubtedly knock this down further. Actually, we'd now be surprised if this sells for over £200,000. Location? Handy for Rhuthun/Ruthin, certainly, but on one of the B5105's more awkward, steep & narrow double bends, resulting in heavy traffic slowing and all vehicles changing gears all the time...
Along with the wettest December I think on record, the unseasonably mild weather continues. We've not just enjoyed the odd day of mild weather but nearly two months' worth. Temperatures have been as high as 16°C . It was particularly sunny and springlike on Tuesday 15th. The following day I saw two men in shorts and one on Saturday 19th. This is aside from postmen who seem to be so hardened that for them shorts are de rigeur all year round: there was certainly evidence of post office shorts this month. Meanwhile, flowers AKA weeds continue to flourish on thick, lush and woolly front lawns plus some bulbs are actually emerging into a springlike ambience.
Meanwhile, road salt at the Ruthin highways depot at Lôn Parcwr hardly looks touched. No re-ordering of salt in March this year, then.
Indeed, the only sign of seasonal snow on the Clwydian Range this December was in the window of Ruthin Wholefoods with its interpretation of snow on the hills. The proprietrix, seen in the picture, has been in control of the business one year this December.
No sooner had we mentioned that Dinbych had its own Big Issue salesperson, we can report that from mid-November unfortunately so did Rhuthun save, of course, the seller concerned actually lives in Llangollen. His pitch is not in the town centre but outside Tesco. Note that the female Dinbych seller doesn't actually live in Dinbych, either, and catches a bus in and out.
Another property on the market and off in a day—the day before Christmas Eve—is Mill Cottage, Mill Street. Offered at £250,000, this is one of Rhuthun's most interesting, dating as it does from the 14th century (so the particulars say, though this may perhaps be the 15th). It has four beds, character aplenty, is within easy walking distance of the town (well, it's in the centre) but without any defendable space to the front and this could result in it being exposed. The particulars state "An elegant four bedroom converted cottage residence dating from the late 14th century, together with a splendid walled garden area and private parking which has been renovated to an exacting standard." This rather implies the private parking's been upgraded rather than the rest of the house.
Meanwhile, in spite of Rightmove projecting a national increase six per cent increase in UK house prices, there's further evidence that Rhuthun's higher-end housing market's over-priced with, on December 21st, the reduction of 10 per cent to £300,000 of this longstanding four-bed property for sale (for over two years now). It's the head of one of the two culs-de-sac in Bryn Eryl. The fact that the house next to it's now rented out & occupied probably hasn't helped the owners' sale: two vans all somewhat haphazardly parked across the cul-de-sac and a car detract somewhat. Plus, of course, the four bedrooms all back onto Mold Road.
The scaffolding's down at Boot's the Chemist. We aren't sure what work was carried out.
Towards the end of December the poor and infamous pavement outside B & M was patched.
The front of nearby Beresford Adams has, however, this month enjoyed something of a makeover with this bright silver on blue façia.
The Hair Boutique by Stephanie has moves from the front of The Picture House farther up Well Street to the premises previously occupied by &Vintage which in turn had moves to a prime location on the Square.
Where have all the parked cars gone on Wernfechan? Since the introduction of double yellows, the A494's been consistently clear of obstruction. But, curiously, the number of cars on Haulfryn's no different.
Adding some gaiety to Well Street in late December was this attractive Manor House flag that replaced the somewhat staid signboard. It does rattle in the wind a little, rather like a sail boat's mast.
The usual pre-Christmas queues were evident outside John Jones butchery, Clwyd Street. It's interesting that people will still use a traditional butcher for their Christmas meat.
Porth y Dŵr's meticulous and painstaking restoration continues. The area next to the Clwyd Street window has been treated. Meanwhile, next door, the former Jan Bargiel office, underwent a tasteful paint-up immediately before Christmas.
Just before Christmas, Tesco introduced this temporary traffic management system that saw all traffic forced to turn left when leaving its store. Those wishing to head right needed to take the Old Station Yard roundabout and double beck. Such a measure was successful at preventing much queueing on Lôn Parcwr and in the store; and was a welcome development.
St Peters Church is after the public's views on a reordering. "Fit for Service" questionnaires are available to congregants and visitors. They say, "We're planning to develop St Peter's Church building as a hub for different styles of worship and a space for all kinds of community activities and we'd like to know what you think". There follow a couple of questions asking whether redevelopment for worship and community activities is a good idea; and, more fundamentally, for what a space with kitchen, lavatories and without pews might be used. Without pews? Crumbs.
On December 7th, the asking price for the Olde Cross Keys reduced again. Five beds, characterful building but plenty of remedial work to do, this is now for sale at
The scaffolding's down at Boot's the Chemist. We aren't sure what work was carried out.
The saga that is Corwen Carpets continues. At last, the proprietor has moved in. The shop, however, looks neither tidy nor inviting. At least there's no Windolene smeared over its glass and at least another town centre shop is no longer vacant. It's taken seven to eight months. Still no name board across the façia.
Where have all the parked cars gone on Wernfechan? Since the introduction of double yellows, the A494's been consistently clear of obstruction. But, curiously, the number of cars on Haulfryn's no different.
St Peters Church is after the public's views on a reordering. "Fit for Service" questionnaires are available to congregants and visitors. They say, "We're planning to develop St Peter's Church building as a hub for different styles of worship and a space for all kinds of community activities and we'd like to know what you think". There follow a couple of questions asking whether redevelopment for worship and community activities is a good idea; and, more fundamentally, for what a space with kitchen, lavatories and without pews might be used. Without pews? Crumbs.