Landowner worried by wreath and ashes mystery

THE mysterious appearance of an ornate wreath has unsettled the owner of a Denbighshire field where it was left. Ashes were scattered near the wreath, dedicated to an elderly man who may have been fond of a tipple of whisky.

- By ANDREW FORGRAVE

The landowner, who asked not to be named, worries the picturesque site may become a shrine for bereaved families. It was only by chance that he discovered the well-hidden wreath in a copse on a hillside above Llangollen - but he suspects it was placed recently.

Suspicions were previously aroused when a motorist stopped at his home 150 yards away. "He asked where the graveyard was," said the puzzled landowner, who spotted the wreath through a hole punched in a roadside hedge.

"The whole thing is bizarre. It's left me wondering what's going to happen next. What I don't want is to start finding windmills, teddy bears and plastic flowers on my land."

The floral tribute is beautifully done. Depicting a bottle of Famous Grouse whisky made with plastic flowers, it's dedicated to "Grandad" and "Great Grandad". However its finesse has been overshadowed by the lack of permissions requested or obtained for placing it.