Work to start on new printworks this month

* An artist's impression of the new printworks.

J‐Ross Developments Ltd, part of The Pickstock Group of companies, based in Oswestry, is due to start work on a new printworks for Dobson & Crowther Ltd on the Climedw site this month.

This is part of the first phase of development that must be completed before work can start on a new Sainsbury’s foodstore nearby.

The development proposals form part of two planning permissions approved by Denbighshire Council in December 2012, which provided for local employer Dobson & Crowther Ltd to be relocated to a new purpose built facility at Climedw, a designated employment site on the outskirts of Llangollen, and the subsequent construction of a new food store and car park for Sainsbury’s on the existing printworks site.

It is anticipated that the first phase will take around seven months to complete and that the construction on the new food store site will start in the second half of the year, once Dobson & Crowther have decanted into their new premises.

Nick Scott of J‐Ross Developments said: “We are delighted to be starting on site with this exciting project and look forward to working with the Town Council and Denbighshire County Council to minimise any disruption during the course of construction.”

J‐Ross Developments have worked closely with Dobson and Crowther on the design of their new 4,180sq.m. (45,000sq ft) purpose built factory.

A press statement from J-Ross says: “The development represents a significant investment for Dobson and Crowther, who with approximately 100 employees is Llangollen’s largest employer, allowing their current operations to be modernised, achieving improved efficiencies which will ensure that they remain competitive in their market and helping to support the future of their business.”

“Once complete the new 3,205sq.m.(34,500sq.ft.) Sainsbury’s store will occupy Dobson & Crowther’s old site and will create around 130 new jobs, providing a major economic boost for the area, allowing local people to carry out their main food shop locally rather than travel out of town.

“Access will be improved from the A5 to accommodate the traffic movements, and a link with the footpath along the riverside will be developed to provide a safe and convenient pedestrian route to the town centre.”

Paul Holden of Dobson & Crowther said: “The workforce are thrilled by the prospects of moving in to a brand new factory and the benefits this will bring to the business. We are all looking forward to a busy but exciting year.”

Joanne Hawley, Sainsbury’s Development Surveyor, said: “We are delighted to be coming to Llangollen and are looking forward to opening the new Sainsbury’s foodstore. We will continue talking to local people about how Sainsbury’s can work together with all Llangollen Town Centre stakeholders and we will be starting to recruit new colleagues ahead of the store opening in 2015.”

Ken Skates, the Welsh Assembly Member for Clwyd South, said: “I have been a strong supporter of this project from the start and welcome this investment in the region and hope it will be the start of  brighter things to come for Llangollen and the Dee Valley after the toughest recession we have seen for a generation.”

Llangollen county councillor Stuart Davies said: “I am very pleased to see the plans coming to fruition. I fully supported this development at the planning committee realising that it was going to safeguard existing jobs and create new ones.”

New WI branch set to launch

A new branch of the Women’s Institute has been set up in the heart of the Dee Valley.

Valley Girls WI will meet on the first Tuesday of every month in Llangollen and welcome ladies from in and around the Dee Valley area.

First meeting of the new group will be at the Hand Hotel tomorrow, Tuesday, January 7, starting at 8pm.

For questions and queries, contact Gail Ellson on 07813 971685; Kate Collins on 07720 059682 or Mary Lewis on 07772 032842.  

Writing group opens first chapter

A new writing group is starting in Llangollen.

Write Now is to meet at 7.30pm on the third Wednesday of every month in the back 'nook' of the Wynnstay.

A group spokeswoman said: "All genres welcome. We will read some of our writing out loud to each other, give constructive feedback, and share news of contests and events."

First meeting is planned for Wednesday, January 15.

* For further information contact Rachel at dr.rc.morris@gmail.com.

Railway says fond farewell to famous Black Five loco

* Bowing out - the Black Five locomotive.

Llangollen Railway has arranged a special weekend of train activities to allow steam buffs to say a fond farewell to the Black Five locomotive which is due to leave the Dee Valley line. 

 

After being associated with the Llangollen Railway for 20 years, the engine, No.44806, has been sold to new owners in North Yorkshire and is due to depart later in the month. 

 

George Jones, for Llangollen Railway, said: “No.44806 has been a firm favourite with steam fans throughout its stay with us.

 

"It came to Llangollen in 1993 after a period on static display in a museum, but boiler repair work allowed the engine to return to steam for an active life.

 

"It has been a reliable workhorse and will be much missed when its operation at Llangollen ends with a celebration on Sunday, January 5. 

 

“The class of Black Five locomotives, as developed by the London Midland & Scottish Railway, operated the length and breadth of Britain in British Railways days, although they did not feature on the Ruabon to Barmouth route which was a Great Western line.

 

"It is only in preservation days that the type has been seen at Llangollen and proved equal to the task of hauling trains on the gradient towards Carrog.”  He added: "As part of the farewell weekend the railway is offering an intensive service of trains with two other steam locomotives supporting the Black Five, a diesel locomotive and a rail car offering a variety of travel options, as well as a demonstration freight train.

 

"The Winter Warmer event will appeal to steam buffs and others who may be at a loose end in a period when little else is in operation and looking for a day out as well as a farewell opportunity."

 

* More details at: www.llangollen-railway.co.uk

New housing scheme opens for business

Housing Minister, Carl Sargeant has announced that a new scheme designed to help buyers of new homes and provide a major boost to home builders across Wales is now open for business.

 

The Welsh Government’s £170 million Help to Buy – Wales shared equity loan scheme will make home ownership easier for buyers of new homes who have small cash deposits.

Mr Sargeant said: “This is an important day for housing in Wales. From today many more people in Wales will be able to buy a brand new home thanks to Help to Buy – Wales.

“The recession and a tightening of mortgage lending have meant that buyers who lack a large deposit are finding home ownership is not an affordable option.

“Help to Buy - Wales will address this by helping more people get onto, and move up, the housing ladder.

“In addition to providing a much-needed boost for the Welsh housing market, the scheme will counter the fall in house building activity we have seen across the UK since the financial crisis. 

“This Welsh Government initiative will support the purchase of around 5,000 new homes in Wales during the next two and a half years. It will provide the Welsh housing market with essential momentum and will also create valuable jobs in the construction industry.

“More than fifty builders across Wales are already looking to take part in the scheme and I am delighted that nine of these have already completed the registration process and are ready to offer the first loans to buyers from today.     

"The scheme demonstrates the Welsh Government’s commitment to supporting the housing sector.

“Help to Buy – Wales will lead to increased economic activity and many new jobs in the home building industry, giving a vital boost to the Welsh economy.”

Campaigners challenge leisure centre closure costs

Campaigners fighting to retain two leisure centres say proposals to close them would save only £97,000 a year.

The campaigners met this week to build opposition to Wrexham Council's plan to axe Plas Madoc, which is used by people from Lllangollen, along with the Waterworld leisure centre in Wrexham as part of a cost-saving exercise.

They point out that the proposed savings from closing the two centres and building a smaller pool complex next door to the existing Waterworld site would only save £97,000 a year, according to a report by consultants. 
Alison Roberts, for the campaign, said: "The savings of £886,000 do not account for any demolition or site clearance costs, which are likely to be substantial. I think we need to question the reliability of the repairs and maintenance costs. 

"The huge and disproportionate figure given for Plas Madoc was derived from a conditional survey, based on a visual assessment. We question this and request an independent in-depth assessment to ascertain true and reliable figures. 

"These are well-used leisure facilities that our communities want to maintain. It's vital that the council takes that on board before making any decision."
The council's executive board will vote on January 14 on whether to go ahead with the closure proposal and the campaign is planning to unite local communities in a mass protest on the Saturday before outside Plas Madoc.
Fellow campaigner Darrell Wright said: "We're organising a peaceful but noisy protest for all the community outside Plas Madoc at mid-day on Saturday, January 11 to show how much our leisure centre means to us.

"This is where local children learn to swim and play, where adults can use a gym and other sports facilities and where people can get rehab in the community. Lots of various sports groups meet there and will be left homeless if the council presses ahead with these short-sighted plans .

"We want people to turn up with pots and pans to make some noise as well as wearing their sports gear.
"This has all happened so suddenly just before Christmas and many people we've spoken to while collecting signatures on our petitions were unaware of the threat to close. So we've got to act quickly and make sure everyone puts pressure on the 10 councillors on the executive board to consider the impact on the community before the close these sporting facilities.

"We hope the thousands who are on our Facebook page, the thousands who&n bsp;have already signed our petitions and everyone who is against this foolish plan will turn out on the 11th to show their support.  We will also be lobbying the meeting in the Guildhall on Tuesday, January 14."
* The cost of closing both Waterworld and Plas Madoc is £886,000; the cost of building a smaller Waterworld is £789,000 per year. The figures are taken from the consultants' report - http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/MinutesData/HomesEnvCom/Reports/haed5913s.pdf (page 22 of the consultant's report at the end of the committee report).

All the best for 2014 from llanblogger!