Traffic disruption set to last for another week

Power cable is being laid for new Sainsbury's store ...  

* The roadworks along Regent Street.

THE major disruption that drivers have been facing for the past week or so on the main A5 through Llangollen is partly to provide a power supply for the town’s new Sainsbury’s supermarket, according to contractors.

And apologising for the disruption so far, they warn it’s going to last for another week.

A long stretch of Queen Street, Regent Street and Berwyn Street has been affected by the roadworks since late last week.

As the carriageway of the trunk route has been reduced to a single carriageway controlled by lights at either end of the works, this has led to long traffic tailbacks, especially at peak times and over the weekend.   

Last weekend it was particularly bad, with traffic heading into town from the direction of Wrexham left queuing back towards the golf club.  

In a statement, Manchester-based contractors O'Connor Utilities (OCU) says: “The works that OCU have undertaken on behalf of ScottishPower are to supply a HV (high voltage) connection to the site for the new proposed Sainsbury’s store just of Berwyn Street.

“This will however bolster the electrical networks for all businesses and residents in the Llangollen area.

“The works are to span from the existing sub-station on Brook Street to the site.

“SPEN (ScottishPower Energy Networks) have selected a cable route to travel down Brook Street then to turn left on to Queens Street (pictured right), Regent Street, it will then proceed up the A5 and fork into Hall Street. This will then go the full length of Hall Street and then come out on to Berwyn Street and at this moment travel approximately 190 meters along the A5.

“This has been the route SPEN have selected to try and cause the minimum disruption to local residents and visitors.

“Unfortunately it has been necessary to close roads on sections of this route to maintain safety for members of the public and our workforce.

“On our current working program we estimate all works on this phase to be completed by Friday, April 11.

“OCU would like to apologise on behalf of ourselves and ScottishPower for any disruption these works have caused to the residents of Llangollen and we would ask for your patience and understanding to help us complete these works as safely and as quickly as possible.”
 

Stalwart Keith helps weave annual Eisteddfod magic

 

* Keith Potts at his desk in the Eisteddfod office.

 

THE man who has been helping out at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod since he was a boy of four and now fills one of its most important voluntary roles says he’s planning to go on helping to weave the annual “magic” of the festival for as long as he can.

 

Keith Potts, now 46, started out as a messenger on the eisteddfod field in the early 1970s when he was a little lad and, with just a few years out while he recovered from a horrendous motorcycle accident which left him paralysed from the waist down, he has been faithfully doing his bit ever since.

 

The helpful guy in the wheelchair, as he is known by many eisteddfod visitors and performers, is part of a Potts family tradition of working behind the scenes at the festival, which this year takes place from July 8-13.

 

Keith, who has lived in Llangollen all his life, said: “My late grandfather, Robert Potts, was a volunteer with the eisteddfod right from the start in 1947 and my father, Leslie Potts, who is now 82, has carried things on by also volunteering for many years and still does so now.

 

“I suppose we began our long association with the festival because we lived just across the road from the field.

 

“I’ve been volunteering since I was four years old, when I became a messenger. That was in the days before the pavilion was built to house the eisteddfod and everything was in tents, including the offices, and the performances took place in a big marquee.

 

“There was no phone connection between the ticket offices at either end of the field and you had to have someone to carry messages back and forth. That was what I did. I was a sort of runner or gofer, I suppose, and I enjoyed it very much.

 

“I was a messenger for a few years and then, when I was in my teens, I started working on the ticket booths and the turnstiles.

 

“I did that until I had my accident when I was 20 in 1988. I was on my motorbike on my way to work at a creamery just outside Corwen when it happened on the main road near the Rhug Estate.

 

“It left me paralysed from the waist down and I’ve been in a wheelchair ever since. Because of it I didn’t do the Eisteddfod for a few years but then my Dad talked me into going back.

“During the time I was away they replaced the old turnstiles, which was a good thing for me as you used to have to operate them with your foot and I couldn’t do that anymore.”

 

Keith added: “Over the years I’ve been associated with it, the organisation of the festival has changed out of all recognition.

 

“At the start it was all volunteers but now we have a small number of permanent staff, which we need because whereas in the old days most people would take time off work to volunteer, now that’s not really possible and people just come in when they can.

 

“The eisteddfod is run by a series of seven committees – marketing, grounds, tickets, floral, music, hospitality and finance – whose work is overseen by the Standing Board.

 

“Tickets have always been my area and I have been chairman of the Tickets Committee for the past eight years. I’m also a member of the Finance Committee and have been a director on the board for nine years.

 

“Apart from the week of the actual festival, I come into the eisteddfod office at the pavilion every Monday to make sure everything is running OK as far as tickets are concerned and there are no problems with things like double bookings or seating arrangements.

 

“I also attend the various committee meetings held regularly throughout the year and also come in if I’m needed for admin purposes.

 

“I suppose it’s all quite a big responsibility but it doesn’t fall too heavily on one man because I have 40 people on my tickets team and they share the load.

 

“They’re all volunteers and without all of them the eisteddfod simply wouldn’t happen.

 

“In the old days our volunteers used to mainly come from the local area. About 90 per cent of them still do but we also now have people travelling quite a way to help out from places like Manchester and even Cornwall.”

 

Over the many years he has been part of the eisteddfod set-up Keith recalls seeing a procession of big stars coming coming to Llangollen to perform – from Luciano Pavarotti and Placido Domingo to Dame Shirley Bassey and Elaine Page.

 

He said: “Because my role is behind the scenes I don’t really get to meet the guest stars but I certainly get a big buzz from seeing them coming along to the festival.

 

“I also get a buzz out of knowing that when they’re up on that big stage being watched by thousands of people I’ve played a part in filling all 4,000-odd seats in the main performance area.

 

“Another thing it’s good to see is ticket sales going well. Having Status Quo here this year is something different for us and sales have gone very well. In fact, they’re already sold out.

 

“Tickets for Bryn Terfel are also going very well and all this gives you a feel for what the eisteddfod will eventually be like.

 

“Last year we must have sold something like £400,000-worth of tickets, so knowing I’ve played a part in that is very rewarding.”

 

Keith revealed that members of his tickets team works closely with their counterparts from the Grounds Committee to lay out all the seating from scratch in the performance area – and love to record the scenes as the whole thing takes shape.

 

“We like to take pictures at various stages of the process - when it’s empty, half full and then completely full,” he explained.

 

“Although those of us involved in it know it’s down to a lot of hard work, it seems sometimes that there’s a little bit of magic about how the whole festival is put together.

 

“I think that magic is shared by the people from all over the world who come to the eisteddfod to perform and as spectators.

 

“I love meeting them and I help them as much as I can as I go around the field during festival week.

 

“Being part of the organisation of the eisteddfod is something I feel I can do given my disability, and doing it is just great because we’re all just one big family.

 

“I certainly intend to be part of it for as long as I’m able to do it.” 

New D&C factory rapidly taking shape

* The steel frame of the new factory seen from the A5.

* A view of the new factory looking from the Wild Pheasant.

The steel frame of the new Dobson & Crowther printworks being built at the Cilmedw site on the outskirts of Llangollen is now rapidly taking shape.

Once work on it is complete, the plan is for the company to move there allowing its current site to be used to develop a new Sainsbury’s supermarket.

Builders JR Pickstock say the factory project will take seven months to complete, with construction on the new food store due to start in the second half of this year once D&C has moved to its new premises.

The new factory covers 45,000 square feet and the new Sainsbury’s store will be 34,500 square feet.

 

* An artist's impression of how the new factory will look when finished.

Two historic engines ready for steam gala weekend

* Locomotive no.1638 being off-loaded from a lorry at Llangollen.

 

* Standard tank no. 80072 being readied for a steam after
a repair to the left hand cylinder which has kept the engine
out of action since Christmas.

 

The first of two visiting steam locomotives has arrived at Llangollen Railway in time for the spring steam gala at the weekend.

The British Railways Western Region pannier tank engine No.1638 was off-loaded from the lorry on Monday afternoon having been hired for a special appearance at Llangollen from its owners at the Ken & East Sussex railway.

 

No.1638 was built at Swindon in 1951 as a light weight version of the familiar Great Western Pannier Tank, able to access yards with tightly curved track of which there were several around Wrexham.

 

The engine was once a resident at Wrexham's Croes Newydd engine shed from which it was withdrawn in August 1966. 

 

Dave Owen, Chief Engineer at Llangollen Railway, said: "This is a welcome return to the area for an engine which was once active hauling short freight workings on the Minera branch and the line from Trevor into the Monsanto works."

The second visitor is due later this week when Great Western No.5322, a Mogul type 2-6-0 engine, will arrive on hire from the Didcot Railway Centre in Oxfordshire.

 

It is one of only two survivors of a once extensive class of locomotives which provided much of the motive power for trains on the Ruabon to Barmouth line.

 

Although not based at Croes Newydd, No.5322 is known to have visited the line on occasions when working trains to and from the coast.

 

It is representative of many well remembered engines which worked trains around Wrexham in Great Western days and in the early years of British Railways.

These two visitors will join with the Llangollen-based Standard tank No.80072 and Great Western Heavy freight engine No.3802 to put on a three-day gala event which will recall the great days of steam at Croes Newydd shed.

The action starts on Friday at 9.30am for the first departure from Llangollen.

 

Details of the train departures are on the Llangollen Railway website at: www.llangollen-railway.co.uk

 

George Jones, for Llangollen Railway, said: "This gala is dedicated to the loco shed based in Wrexham, which used to supply the motive power for the Llangollen to Corwen line.

 

"An intensive frequency of trains will operate on all three days, including a demonstration pick-up freight to show how the railway used to operate when it provided an essential transport facility in the Dee Valley.

 

"Former railwaymen based at Croes Newydd shed will wish to attend the gala to recall their working careers and be reacquainted with the pannier tank 1638 on which they may have once worked."

Overeas tour operators sample delights of Dee Valley

* The tour group board the heritage Wickham railcar at the start of their visit.

* The group arrives at Carrog station.

* The visitors on the horse and carriage.

A group of tour operators from Germany, Holland, Sweden and Belgium stopped off in the Dee Valley during a familiarisation visit to North Wales last week.

After breakfast in Llangollen, they boarded the heritage Wickham railcar at the station, which took them along the line to Carrog.   

There the group boarded a waiting horse and carriage on which they rode to Rug Chapel where they were given lunch before continuing on to Corwen.

Before heading off on the next leg of their trip they called at the Caer Drewyn Hillfort, had the chance to sample the view from Pen Y Pigyn and enjoyed afternoon tea.

The visit was arranged by Visit Wales and the Tourism and Leisure Group in Corwen.  

Dee Valley Blue Badge Guide Sarah Jones, who accompanied the group, said: “The visitors from overseas had a busy and very enjoyable day with many highlights, including a ride on the Llangollen Railway and a horse and cart, walks to the Caer Drewyn Hillfort and Pen y Pigyn and a visit to Rhug Chapel. 

“This helped to ensure that visiting the beautiful Dee Valley was a memorable day for them which was certainly evidenced in the positive comments that were received.”

George Jones of Llangollen Railway said: "We were pleased to be able to provide the heritage diesel railcar train which gave the visitors an uninterrupted view of the Dee Valley as an area of outstanding natural beauty whilst various features were pointed out to them.”

Second Plas Madoc public meeting planned

A second public meeting has been announced as plans for a community takeover of Plas Madoc Leisure Centre take shape.

The Plas Madoc Community Group – formed after the first public meeting on March 13 – is calling on residents to turn out in force and once again show their support for the volunteer-led rescue bid.

The next meeting will take place at Air Products Social Club in Acrefair from 7.30pm on Tuesday, April 8, when committee members will update the public on their ‘rapid’ progress.

Chairman Darrell Wright, who lives in Trevor, said: “We had a fantastic turn-out of between 150 and 200 people at the first and we’re hoping for even more this time – we need as many as possible to show their support.

“We’re feeling positive and we’ve got some really good momentum going, so we need people to show their enthusiasm again and show that they want this. 

“We’re making huge strides and the experts we have on board are helping us get through what should take months in a few weeks, so there’s plenty to update the public on. We’ll also be collecting donations on the night as our fundraising begins in earnest.”

The PMCG also includes John Gallanders, an expert in community-run enterprises; residents including Alison Roberts, one of the founders of the original Save Plas Madoc campaign and Clwyd South AM Ken Skates.

Darrell added: “We’re also asking people to take a few minutes to complete a short questionnaire, which could help future funding applications and will also be key in helping us keep people updated as our rapid progress continues.” To complete the survey visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PMFUTURE

Three events planned by prostate support group

Llangollen Prostate Support Group has a number of awareness events scheduled over the next few weeks.

On Thursday, April 3, the Man Van, a large touring display and information unit will be parked in Market Street car park from 10am-4pm. 

It has an all-male staff and can be viewed as well as used to provide literature and advice. 

There will be entertainment available at some points in the day, members of the support group will be there to talk informally about their own experiences of prostate conditions, both malign and benign, and a wide range of local businesses and organisations have been invited to see the facility. 

Funding is joint from Tenovus, ProstateCancerUK  and Macmillans Cancer Support.

Support group organiser Mike Law says the event should be of use to local employers, who have male workers, as well as to men in their late forties and beyond.

On Wednesday, April 9, at the Hand Hotel, at 7.30pm, there will be an event specifically to answer the three basic questions about prostate problems – where is the prostate; how do I know that I have a problem; if I have, what treatment do I need? 

The first part of the evening will be a presentation by a special team from Mawddach Rotary Club, based on the experiences of members who have had prostate cancer. 

The second part will be an informal discussion in which members of the support group talk about their experiences and try to answer questions about procedures and treatments. 

All who attend will be offered a free glass of wine and savouries.

Finally, on Wednesday, April 16, again in the Hand Hotel, but at 2pm., in the Lounge, the support group will hold its usual monthly meeting. 

Guest speaker will be Sandie Jones, Head Urology Nurse from the Maelor Hospital. 

Mike Law added: "Tea and coffee will be provided and everyone is welcome to what may prove to be a very valuable session."

* Giving his support to the Man Van's visit to Llangollen, Clwyd South Assembly Member ken Skates said: "The Man Van is a converted 38ft American-style motorhome which will travel to deprived and hard-to-reach areas across Wales to help men living with, and affected by, prostate and testicular cancer by offering counselling, group support and welfare rights advice.

“Almost 3,000 men are diagnosed with prostate or testicular cancer every year in Wales. As Wales’ leading cancer charity, Tenovus has years of experience delivering cancer care to the heart of communities and supporting people affected by cancer, whenever and wherever they need it most.

“The Man Van will be operated along with Prostate Cancer UK and will visit every local authority area in Wales, and will mark the beginning of a new era of cancer care. The charity has identified that men aren’t always comfortable talking about their worries, so has designed a place specifically with them in mind.

“I would urge men in Clwyd South to book an appointment for when the Man Van comes to Llangollen. I understand there will be more North Wales dates in the summer, but for now this is the only one in our area so I would expect the slots to full up quickly.”

To book an appointment, text MANVAN to 66777, call 0808 8081010 or visit www.tenovus.org.uk/manvan