As we await the delightfully sweet scent of spring's mimosa blossom, we should perhaps reflect on the less pleasing smells around Rhuthun/Ruthin at the moment. Subject to the wind direction.
We sincerely hope that the first issue can be resolved. One set of smells relates to the wood products manufacturer on the northern rim of town, Clifford Jones. Residents especially of Glasdir and as far north as Llanrhaeadr (depending upon wind direction and strength) report that there's been a change in the previous six months, with an increasingly disagreeable discharge. Sometimes, Clifford Jones just smells of wood. At other times, it certainly has a distinct chemical edge to it. And, with the vapour often seen over Glasdir itself, there is concern that the situation goes well beyond the putrid to the plain polluting, with concern over people's health. There's a case to suggest that those who bought homes on Glasdir will have been aware of Clifford Jones. After Glasdir, though, the firm has expanded. It has three stacks, now. And, since then, it seems, there's been a further change, one rather recently.
These pongy predicaments are difficult to diag-nose and remedy. The Rhuthun-based former Glyndŵr district council seemed to be in a perpetual fight with whiffy wood-producer Kronospan in Chirk (then in the district's area), the results of which, ultimately, had absolutely zero impact. Those living with the Rhuthun malodor have contacted the county council. We reckon that the Clifford Jones's reeky riddle will prove similarly insoluble and we're not holding our breath—though we trust we're wrong.
Clifford Jones is not the town's only olid offence to the olfactory organ.
There's a new and unexplained unpleasantly penetrative and chemically 'ester' or pear-drop smell from time to time, extending eastwards across parts of Rhuthun.
Lewis & Hunter's black top generates something no to be sniffed at, near and some distance from its premises at Lôn Parcwr.
Then, there's the localised & intermittent smell of weed at a growing number of sites in town. Even five years ago, it was never so blatant as it is now. At least that's short-lived Rather like mimosa in spring, some would argue that weed enhances rather than detracts.
Update 22/2/21: it appears that one of three stacks as checked annually, licensed by Denbighshire and is operating correctly within permitted parameters; that a second is similarly checked & licensed annually by NRW and is similarly operating; but a third is as yet unlicensed. The new third is awaiting checks and currently not operating. There are reports that unseasoned, undried wood is being used in one of the stacks and that this is the cause of the problem.
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Miscellaneous