Chamber of Trade's new line-up chosen

Llangollen Chamber of Trade and Tourism has a fresh line-up for officers for the forthcoming year.

At their April meeting in the Hand Hotel last night (Tuesday) members re-elected David Davies as chair while Liz Mc Guinness as elected secretary,  Jan Deeprose as membership secretary and Bob Jacques as treasurer.  

Completing the executive team are Ian Lebbon as vice-chair, Simon Collinge as press and publicity officer and Darren Preston as banner manager. 

Retiring officers  Ian Parry,  Roger Honey and Ralph Robson were thanked for their service.

David Davies (pictured) said: “We extend our grateful thanks for all their work over the past, too numerous to mention years and wish them well in new ventures.”

Mr Davies briefed members on the proposed Shared Spaces team for the town centre.

He said the aim of the project was to create a better environment in and around Castle Street, making its use a much more pleasant experience for both pedestrians and drivers.

He explained that a consultation exercise was about to begin and that the chamber would be involved in the discussions.

The chamber had also been invited to be involved in the drive to secure finance for the project and Mr Davies asked members if they were happy about this.

It was agreed that the chamber would help in any way it could subject to seeing plans for how the project would take shape.

Mr Davies then turned to the issue of the lack in the town of an accessible defibrillator, a potentially life-saving piece of equipment capable of delivering a high-energy electric shock to the heart through the chest wall to someone who is in cardiac arrest.

“There is no defibrillator accessible in Llangollen 24 hours a day and I want to put that right,” he said.

“I’m therefore pleased to report that the owner of the company currently carrying out work on the old HSBC bank in Bridge Street has offered to have one of the machines on the wall of the building.

“It’s only one but it’s a start and I’m committed to finding the money to pay for it.”

Existing members who have not yet paid their 2018 subscriptions were urged to do so before the end of April to ensure inclusion on the reprinted  town map of members.   

The chamber already has a number of new members whose business location will be added to this year’s map, which is currently in preparation.

* Next meeting of the chamber will be at 6pm in the Hand on Tuesday, May 1.