AM welcomes launch of new local business

* Ken Skates AM with Dawn Roberts and Del Roberts-Jones.

ASSEMBLY Member Ken Skates has welcomed the launch of a new business which will provide employment opportunities for young people with autism. 

Clwyd South AM Mr Skates recently met Dawn Roberts and Del Roberts-Jones, whose Llangollen-based firm Brythonium produces novel family legacy cards. 

 

Both Dawn and Del are former Wrexham County Borough Council economic development employees who led the successful bid for World Heritage Site status for the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal. 

 

Now the pair have turned their attention to a new business project which they have financed themselves. 

 

Dawn said: “As mother of a young woman with autism, I saw no hope for her adulthood and wanted to try to provide meaningful employment for Elinor and as many of her peers as possible. Del and I have started a new business purely with the intention of providing sheltered employment for young people with autism and learning difficulties in the Dee Valley area.” 

 

Dawn said the cards are designed to allow everyone to write down their precious memories and family stories and history.

 

She added: “They are a personal way of creating a family legacy as they are handwritten, with no need for complicated research or computers.” 

 

Mr Skates described the new business – which launched its own website this week – is "an amazing concept". 

 

He added: “I loved this idea as soon as I met Dawn and Del. They both come from Llangollen and some of the cards depict fantastic images from the Dee Valley area, so it is certainly a business with a very local flavour. 

 

“They have also identified a lack of employment opportunities for young people with autism and have incorporated that within their business model, which makes a wonderful idea even better. I wish them both every success with their innovative project.”

Llan-built steam engine reaches the Midlands

A story on the ITV news website describes how the Unknown Warrior, the steam loco being built in the workshops at Llangollen Railway in time to mark the centenary of the end of World War One in 2018, recently arrived at the National Arboretum in Staffordshire to be blessed.

llanblogger reported earlier this week how the engine began its road journey to the Midlands by being lifted into place aboard a lorry by a huge crane.

After a brief stay in Staffordshire the loco's next stop is the National Exhibition centre in Birmingham where it will be on display at the Warley Model Railway Show this weekend.

See the ITV story at http://www.itv.com/news/central/story/2013-11-21/unknown-warrior-ceremony/

Town crier's bell tolls to signal "save our bank" protest

* Chamber of Trade and Tourism chairman David Davies before

heading inside the bank with the 150th anniversary card.

* Town crier Austin Chemenais tolls his bell to start the protest.

PROTESTERS gathered outside the HSBC bank in Llangollen earlier today (Thursday) to show their anger at the branch being axed as part of a regional closure programme.

On the stroke of noon, town crier Austin Chemenais tolled his bell to draw attention to the demonstration in Bridge Street which was timed to coincide with a celebration of the 150^th anniversary of banking in the town going on inside.

The protest was organised by members of Llangollen Chamber of Trade and Tourism whose chairman, David Davies, went into the branch with a large card marking the anniversary and expressing local hopes that it would stay open for another 150 years.

Mr Davies emerged shortly afterwards to say that a senior manager from HSBC in Wrexham had politely accepted the card but had refused to come outside to speak to the protest group who were being filmed by press photographers and TV crews.

“We’ll now wait to see what happens as a result of our protest,” said Mr Davies.    

“We had sought a meeting to discuss the closure of the branch with the HSBC’s regional manager but she has turned us down.

“We don’t want this very valuable branch to close but we would like to at least discuss other possibilities such as it remaining open a couple of days a week.”

Llangollen is one of three HSBC branches earmarked for closure next February, along with those in Conwy and Beaumaris, as a result of a claimed fall in trade due to more customers doing business online.

Bank bosses say the administration of accounts will be transferred from Llangollen to Wrexham with five staff being deployed elsewhere within the group.

There has been cross-party condemnation of the closures from local politicians and the issue was raised in the Welsh Assembly earlier this week.

Responding to one North Wales AM who questioned the closures, HSBC regional director for the south west and Wales, Rachel Thomas, said: “Whilst we fully understand the depth of feeling about our decision to close this branch, the decision is final.

“We therefore believe that our time is best spent providing tailored one to one support to our Llangollen customers who may have problems accessing banking facilities and ensuring that their needs are catered for in the best way possible.”

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates said: “The turn-out today just goes to show the strength of feeling over this issue in Llangollen, and we can only hope HSBC takes note.

 

"I am in the process of trying to arrange a meeting with the regional director so we can sit down and see if there is anything that can be done to keep HSBC services in the town or to see if the building can be put to community use should the company follow through on its plans.

 

“I am only too aware how angry and upset people are about this, and HSBC’s arrogance and refusal to engage with the community certainly hasn’t helped matters.

 

"With the closures of branches in Cefn Mawr, Rhos and Corwen in recent years the bank appears to be turning its back on the area, so they should not be surprised if some of their loyal customers in my constituency now decide to turn their backs on HSBC.”

 

Older People's Commissioner visits county HQ

Denbighshire councillors heard first hand about the work being carried out by the Older People's Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira, visited County Hall, Ruthin, on Monday.

Ms Rochira (below right) talked about her role and her priorities for action to ensure the wellbeing of all older people and that policies are in place to reduce any barriers to leading a fulfilling life into old age.

She told members about some of her key aims, which include promoting awareness of the rights and interests of older people in Wales, challenging discrimination, encouraging best practice in the treatment of older people and reviewing on the law affecting the interests of older people.

During the discussion, councillors also heard about what Denbighshire is doing in response to the Commissioner's agenda for change.

Cabinet Lead Member for Social Care, Councillor Bobby Feeley, and Older People’s Champion for Denbighshire, said: "It is well documented that we have a high proportion of elderly people living in our County and that demographic change is a key factor in our planning for the future.

"This is why it is important that we have excellent links with the Commissioner and to ensure we are working closely with her to provide the best service we can to our older residents and embedding the wellbeing of older people at the heart of our public services across the board - not just within a social services context.

"We completely agree with her that some aspects of the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Bill are not fully worked out yet- laudable though they are. In particular we are concerned that the Bill is not fully costed.

"It has been extremely useful to hear from the Commissioner and I'm sure all members will take away something from our meeting with the Commissioner."

Ms Rochira said: “It was a pleasure to meet with Denbighshire County Councillors in Ruthin.

“This meeting provided a good opportunity to speak to councillors about my priorities. These include the need to focus more strongly on key local and community-based facilities such as buses and community transport, public toilets, pavements and community centres.

“These are essential to the maintenance of older people’s health, independence and wellbeing. As we grow older as a nation, we need to fundamentally rethink how we design and plan our communities.”

Heavy steam loco thumbs a lift

 

* The heavy transport with locomotive on board ready to depart.

Following a heavy lift of component parts, the project to build a new example of the LMS 'Patriot' class of express steam locomotive took a major step forward in the yard at Llangollen railway on Wednesday afternoon, despite some difficult weather conditions.

 

Engineers undertook the complex task of lifting the main frames, with smokebox and cab attached, on to the three sets of main driving wheels and secured the assembly on a trailer in readiness for transport to Birmingham.

By 4.30pm the heavy load was on the road and heading for the West Midlands.

 

Initially the assembled parts will be displayed at the National Arboretum before heading on to the National Exhibition centre at Birmingham where it will be on display at the Warley Model Railway Show on Saturday/Sunday November 23/24.

 

Campaign launched to tackle disability hate crime

North Wales Police have teamed up with partners to launch a campaign to raise awareness of disability hate crime and encourage more victims to come forward and report matters to the police.

 

The bi-lingual poster campaign was launched Police Headquarters in Colwyn Bay.

 

North Wales Police and representatives from TAPE, Wired and ARRIVA came together to launch the initiative which will run as a pilot for two weeks.

 

An ARRIVA bus was present outside headquarters to mark the launch which was attended by Chief Superintendent Simon Humphreys and Greg George of North Wales Police, Winston Roddick, the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, and Wired – an organisation which supports people to live as independently and with as much choice and control as possible.

 

“We know that disability hate crime is under reported in North Wales and we hope that this campaign will go some way to raising awareness of the issue,” said Chief Superintendent Simon Humphreys. 

 

“It is important that victims of disability hate crime, as well as members of the public who believe they have witnessed such an incident, should report it to police.”

 

Greg George, Head of the Diversity Unit at NWP, said: “The Diversity Unit work closely with disabled people (and those who support them) to deal with the policing issues that affect them. It is from one of our regular meetings that the idea to run the campaign was born. A challenge was set for community members to devise a poster – scores of which will now be displayed on ARRIVA buses. The campaign has the full support of ARRIVA and the posters will be displayed on all buses travelling out of the Rhyl depot.”

 

Len Cater, General Manager, Arriva, Rhyl, said: “Arriva Buses Wales is proud to support the North Wales Police campaign to stop disability hate crime. It is important that any hate crime is reported, and we are pleased to be able to help publicise the issue on our buses in the area.”

 

The North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner commended the initiative and said: "This is an important campaign to inform people about disability hate crime.  It brings the Force and the community together to target offenders and tackle the problem.”

 

TAPE Community Music and Film have also written and produced a short video which looks at the issues of reducing stigma for people with a learning disability.

 

Steve Swindon, CEO, TAPE community Music and Film, said: “The development of the hate crime poster has stemmed directly from the work of the Stigma production team and their desire to make a difference to the lives of other people. They have worked with a consistent professionalism and real focus, using their own experiences to inform the work and ensure that the key message comes across clearly.

 

“We at TAPE are extremely proud to have been involved in supporting this project."

 

Adult Services Manager of the Wired group Susan Cassapi said: “Wired’s ethos is that all people are part of society and this campaign goes a long way to address the issue of hate crimes and bullying that some disabled people face every day. We are delighted to have been involved. 

 

“Wired feel that this poster campaign will make people think more about hate crimes.”

Axed banks issue raised in Welsh Assembly

* Demo tomorrow: the HSBC bank in Bridge Street. 

Members of the Welsh Assembly are to be updated on the closure of three HSBC bank branches, including the one in Llangollen, according to a Cabinet Minister.

In the Senedd, North Wales Conservative AM Mark Isherwood called for a government statement on the issue, which has sparked anger in the town and will be the subject of a demonstration outside the Bridge Street bank tomorrow (Thursday) at 12 noon.

Addressing Lesley Griffiths, Minister for Local Government and Government Business and AM for Wrexham, he said: "I wish to raise a matter that I know that you, personally, will be concerned about, namely the announcement by HSBC that it is closing its Llangollen, Conwy and Beaumaris branches.

"What engagement is the Welsh Government having, could have, or will have, with the bank regarding this?

 

"Widespread concerns have been raised by constituents, business constituents and individual customers regarding the impact this will have on those areas, on themselves, the wellbeing of the businesses in their towns, on their communities, but also on the many thousands of tourists who visit the area.

 

"They are afraid that rural areas are taking the brunt, that this is not in the interest of customers and that it is a short-sighted business decision. They believe that we need to take a longer term, truly customer-focused approach."

 

Ms Griffiths replied: "In relation to your concerns about the closure of HSBC branches - and you referred to Llangollen in my colleague Ken Skates’s constituency - the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport has discussions with all banks and will update the Assembly in due course."

KLS chair has more thoughts on HSBC bank closure

Martin Crumpton, chair of Keep Llangollen Speecial (KLS) has written this piece expressing his views on the issue of the closure of the town's HSBC Bank:  

In the run-up to Christmas, it’s scrag-end of grants and sponsorship for us, but filet mignon for the banks.

We could cock a snook at HSBC over their inflexible plans to close their Llangollen branch, and switch our accounts to Barclays.

Barclays, having announced 1,700  job cuts and undisclosed branch closures, are likely to be next.

If they are, we could cock another snook at them and switch to NatWest.

However, if RBS, in the guise of NatWest follows suit as they always do, we’ll be left bereft of snooks and nobody to cock them at anyway.

We genuinely find their cut-backs difficult to swallow. What other industry sector cuts back in a time of banking plenty? Perhaps they’re making a pre-emptive strike in advance of all the talk of banking levies and caps on bonuses?

KLS has put pressure on the Welsh Government and we will watch with interest. We are also pursuing alternative, ethical banking providers.

We don’t have to take this lying down.

The Chamber of Trade and Tourism has been working hard on this issue too, which is very much appreciated by all.

In support of the Chamber, KLS has agreed to ask our members to attend their PR exercise tomorrow, the main event being at noon, and we ask everyone to do so – not to heckle the staff but to show HSBC’s faceless hierarchy that we value the bank’s presence and maybe show them how counter-productive their decision is.

On a much happier note, and despite watching snow fall as I write this, the one, true Father Christmas is getting his elves to work overtime to provide everything we need in Llangollen’s local shops.

The fake Santas in the large supermarkets is more likely to steal presents from you by bogus offers and not-very-special Special Offers, such as Buy One, Waste One Free.

Tell your friends and neighbours that the next Buy Local Day (Friday 13^th December) is where the genuine Christmas Spirit begins!

chair@keepllangollenspecial.org.uk

Closure decision is "final" says Llan bank boss

The recently announced decision by bosses at HSBC to close the Llangollen branch is final.
That is the clear message from Rachel K Thomas, regional director, retail banking & wealth management, South West & Wales, in an email to David Davies, chair of Llangollen Chamber of Trade and Tourism.

Earlier this week, Mr Davies wrote to her requesting an urgent meeting to discuss the closure.

But in her emailed reply, which came through earlier today (Tuesday) she declines the request and makes it clear that the closure, which has sparked a wave anger in the town, will go ahead.

The email reads in full: 

Dear Mr Davies

Thank you for your recent email regarding the closure of Llangollen Branch.  

We are always reluctant to close branches and will only make a decision to do so after a careful and rigorous review of the sustainability of the branch. This takes into consideration the branch’s performance over the last five years and an in depth analysis of internal and external data to understand branch use and the local demographics. We will also consider whether there are other measures we can take to improve the viability of the branch, such as reducing opening hours. Unfortunately, in the case of Ll angollen branch, the level of business is not sufficient to justify the branch's continued operation and we have taken the decision to close the branch.

Whilst we fully understand the depth of feeling about our decision to close this branch, the decision is final. We therefore believe that our time is best spent providing tailored one to one support to our Llangollen customers who may have problems accessing banking facilities and ensuring that their needs are catered for in the best way possible. As a result, I must regretfully decline your invitation to a public meeting.

Kind regards

Rachel K Thomas

Regional Director, Retail Banking & Wealth Management, South West & Wales Region, HSBC Bank PLC.

* This Thursday, at 12noon, the chamber is going ahead with a formal protest outside the bank in Bridge Street and is inviting as many local people as possible to take part.

Skates lashes "cruel" bedroom tax

CLWYD South Assembly Member Ken Skates has condemned the UK Government after new figures revealed more than 600 households across Denbighshire have been hit by its ‘cruel’ bedroom tax. 

 

Labour AM Mr Skates described the Tory-led Westminster coalition as ‘heartless’ after data from the Department of Work and Pensions showed the number of homes left worse off since the benefit cuts were imposed in April. 

 

He said: “I had grave concerns as soon as these cruel plans to penalise many hard-working families on modest incomes were announced by the Conservatives, and despite numerous warnings from welfare charities about the impact the bedroom tax would have the heartless UK Government has repeatedly refused to listen. 

 

 “The bedroom tax has already hit 651 in Denbighshire according to the most up-to-date DWP figures, among them many of my constituents who were struggling to make ends meet before it was introduced and who are now in dire straits. 

 

“Across Wales almost 34,000 homes are out of pocket thanks to this Tory-led policy. Families are falling behind on rent and are suffering up and down the country – this attack on people’s livings standards is having disastrous consequences.” 

 

* The most up to date figures from the Department of Work and Pensions can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/number-of-housing-benefit-claimants-and-average-weekly-spare-room-subsi

Gracie-Ann cooks up healthy meal win

* Gracie Ann Parker, school cook Helen Fiskin and Caron Jones, Healthy Schools Coordinator at Ysgol Rhewl, with some of the other pupils.

During October 2013, Hamper Llangollen (Llangollen Food Festival) in partnership with the Denbighshire School Meals Service and Denbighshire Healthy Schools ran a competition for primary school pupils to design a healthy and balanced meal using at least two fruit or vegetables and identifying the key food groups.

The winning pupil was Gracie-Ann Parker from Ysgol Rhewl.

Gracie won the pleasure of having school meals for one week.  

Helen Fiskin, the school cook, used Gracie’s recipe to prepare a healthy and nutritionally balanced lunch for Gracie and the pupils at Ysgol Rhewl.

Gracie also had the opportunity to cook on stage with Dai Chef at the Llangollen Food Festival.  

County introduces Christmas free parking

Denbighshire County Council is re-introducing a parking initiative to support town centres and villages in the run up to Christmas.

From November 21 until December 31, all of the Council’s public car parks will be free after 3pm each day.

Councillor David Smith, Cabinet Lead Member for Environment, said: “We feel this is a vitally important initiative in the run up to Christmas and we hope that our local economy will benefit from such a scheme.

“Our towns and villages have a wealth of smaller, independent retailers and we are encouraging people to shop locally and support the local traders. By offering free parking after 3pm, we hope that it will encourage residents and visitors to come into our communities and sample the wealth of goods available in the run up to the festive season”.

Woman airlifted to hospital

A woman with leg injuries was airlifted to hospital by helicopter following an incident at Llantysilio earlier today.

A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 11.12am (Monday) to an incident in Llantysilio, near Llangollen.

 

“We sent an emergency ambulance, an ambulance officer and the Helimed helicopter to the scene, and a woman with leg injuries was flown to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.”

More on this story has just been posted on the Daily Post website at http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/woman-hurt-driving-buggy-llangollen-6315746

Alert after spate of thefts in Llan

Neighbourhood Watch has alerted people in the area to a series of thefts in Llangollen over the past few days.

Sometime between 5pm on 17th November to 8am on 18th November 2013, a Red Honda Quadbike was stolen from a farm in the Rhewl area of Llangollen.

The quadbike is approximately eight months old and does not have any distinguishing features.

Offenders used a sledgehammer to break the lock of a farming shed in order to gain access to the quadbike, after which they then 'barrelled' in order to get it moved.

* Sometime between 11pm on 15th November and 7am on 16th November 2013, offenders gained access to a car in the Maes Bache area of Llangollen by smashing the passenger window.

Once entry has been gained a black women's handbag has been stolen. The handbag has yet to be found.

* Sometime between 11pm on 15th November and 7am on 16th November 2013, offenders gained entry into a garage on The Hermitage in Llangollen by breaking a padlock.

Once entry has been gained, unknown branded power tools were stolen from inside.

* Sometime between 1am and 10am on November 16th 2013, offenders gained entry into two garage/sheds in the Lower Dee Mill area of Abbey Road in Llangollen.

Entry was gained by breaking padlocks from the doors, and once within power tools were stolen, these include: 1x blue Makita drill with orange battery, 1x bright yellow 240v electric recuperating saw with 6" blade and 2x Makita drill cases.

* Two males were seen in the Maes Collen area of Llangollen trying garage and car doors at approximately 04.30 in the morning of 16th November 2013.

They ran off when a witness turned on light in his house.

The males were both early twenties in age, one was wearing a dark hooded top and the other a pale coloured hooded top.

AM calls for meeting over Llan bank closure

CLWYD South Assembly Member Ken Skates has called for a meeting with bank bosses after HSBC announced the closure of another branch in his constituency.

Labour AM Mr Skates is trying to arrange talks with the company’s hierarchy to see if anything can be done to stop the Llangollen branch shutting in February.

 

He said: “Since the announcement earlier this month I have been contacted by several constituents who are angry and upset about the proposed closure, which follows the closure of banks in Cefn Mawr, Rhos and Corwen in the past few years.

 

“Since the Corwen branch closed in October last year, my constituents there have had to travel to Llangollen for banking services – now they will be forced to travel more than 20 miles to Wrexham. People in Llangollen also now face a 24-mile round trip.

 

“I understand the Llangollen branch is due to hold an open day on Thursday (November 21) to celebrate 150 years of banking in the town, but if they go ahead with the event I think it shows just how badly they’ll have misjudged the public’s mood.”

 

Mr Skates added: “While HSBC’s decision appears to be final, as an elected representative it is my job to do everything I can to try and convince the company to rethink – and that’s exactly what I intend to do.”

 

Resident jailed for not paying council tax

Failure to pay council tax in Denbighshire will not be tolerated- that’s the message from the county council following the latest prosecution case.

This week a Denbigh resident received a 27-day prison sentence for not paying council tax arrears totalling £1,410.

She had failed to make payment in line with an order given by a magistrate at a previous hearing.

Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Cabinet Lead Member for Finance, said: “Despite warnings and orders from an earlier magistrates court hearing, the defendant continued to avoid paying council tax.

“Taking people to court is very much a last resort for the council. The majority of people pay their council taxes on time, but some individuals continue to avoid paying and this financial pressure is then borne by the law abiding residents.

“We appreciate that a number of people may have difficulty in paying their council tax and we ask they contact the Council at their earliest convenience to discuss a payment plan. 

"The majority of people pay their council tax on time, but a small group of people wilfully do not pay their council taxes on time."
 
* Anyone who has arrears but have not made any arrangements to pay can contact the Council’s Recovery Team, on 01824 706321.

KLS calls for Welsh Government support in fight to save bank

The chair of Keep Llangollen Special, Martin Crumpton, has sent an open letter to Wales' Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, Edwina Hart, asking for the Welsh Government's support in the fight to prevent the closure of HSBC bank branches, including the one in Llangollen.

It says:

I write as Chair of Keep Llangollen Special, a Community Group, to raise our concerns regarding the controversial withdrawal of branch services by HSBC in Llangollen, Conwy and Beaumaris.

We have read the statement from HSBC in response to Mark Isherwood's approach to them assiduously. Our conclusion is that this matter goes far beyond local interest, even beyond being a Welsh National issue, but we urge you to bring this to the Senedd and issue a Statement.

* Edwina Hart AM.

The crux of HSBC's argument is that customers' shopping and behaviour is changing, largely switching to the Internet for banking and buying, although they acknowledge their branch closures will cause some hardship and have pledged some manner of support in those cases. We do not dispute that they incur costs in keeping branches open when, by their self-determined standards, they are underused.

The crux of our argument is that all businesses incur overheads - shops pay rent, rates, taxes, the cost of vehicles and their running costs and maintenance. The difference is that HSBC and other banks have the option of eliminating these overheads by transferring their customer-facing activities to the Internet.

When HSBC closed its Corwen branch, they said customers could be serviced in Llangollen. Isn’t that a kind of contractual obligation?

We note that HSBC is spearheading what the other big banks will also do; Barclays have announced 1,700 job losses and will also close branches. RBS will not be far behind. Soon there will only be branches in major cities; the progression is logical. The paradox is that other businesses make cuts due to economic hardship, but the high street banks (soon to be a redundant term) are back in record profits yet still reluctant to support and help the economies that bailed them out.

In short, branch closures are an exercise in maximising profits at the expense of their customers. So if the future of banking lies in a dependency upon the Internet, why choose HSBC, RBS or any of the so-called high street banks when there are more ethical competitors such as Metro Bank and mutuals such as building society banks?

Minister, we understand you have no means other than persuasion to prevent these and future branch closures, so we urge you to switch banks, just as we can all do, for the Welsh Government, and encourage Assembly Members, local authorities and staff to do likewise. We urge you to restore direct customer and finance relationships by promoting, encouraging and fostering Credit Unions all over Wales and set a shining example to the rest of the UK that customers, no matter what scale, personal or business, are not powerless.

On behalf of the undersigned, I ask for your earliest possible response.

With kind regards,

Martin Crumpton, Chairman of Keep Llangollen Special Community Group.

Chamber speaks out on bank closure

We have received the following press release:

Llangollen Chamber of Trade & Tourism is planning to object to the proposed closure of the HSBC Llangollen branch. 

 

All traders and residents are invited to register their objection by attending the celebration of 150 years of the branch in Llangollen and to hand in a letter of objection to the closure to Rachel Thomas, Regional Director, HSBC, Cardiff.   

   

In the November edition of the Llangollen News an advert from HSBC invited readers to come along on 21st November from 9.30am to 4.30pm and celebrate ‘An exhibition of memorabilia spanning over 150 years of banking at the Llangollen branch. All are welcome to attend’.  

 

Simon Collinge, spokesman for Llangollen Chamber of Trade & Tourism said,  

"This has been excellent timing by HSBC inviting residents and businesses to come along to the Llangollen branch to celebrate 150 years of trading. I’m sure the irony of the situation will not be missed by the HSBC bosses and a large turn-out of local traders and residents will clearly demonstrate the strong opposition to the proposed closure of such a popular branch’.  

 

At 12 noon a ceremony of “Tolling of the Bell” will take place and objectors have been invited to join in and bring a banner of objection to show the strength of feeling against this closure.  We will be presenting a Celebratory card to the Branch Manager with a request to keep the bank open for another 150 years.” 

 

The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has been pleased to receive sponsorship from Midland/ HSBC that has been broadcast in TV programmes all over the world. Llangollen Chamber of Trade cannot understand why HSBC should turn their backs on such a successful, peace promoting Town and HSBC’s international reputation as “a local bank” will undoubtedly be damaged. 

 

Local traders are mainly small businesses that rely heavily on being able to bank their takings and withdraw cash as well as receive advice.   A round trip to Wrexham for advice and to pay in takings is not a viable or safe option for our traders  and the majority of these account holders WOULD BE FORCED TO SWITCH to another bank . Similarly, many local charities and voluntary organisations are users of these facilities. The majority of these account holders are now considering switching to another bank in the town. 

 

Llangollen is a major tourist destination and our visitors from all over the world expect to see HSBC as a world-wide bank represented in our Town. 

 

Venue: HSBC Bank, Bridge Street, Llangollen 

Date: Thursday 21st November 

Time: 9.30am to 4.30pm. with “Tolling of the Bell “ and Card Presentation at 12noon.