Council cuts which could hit Llan

* Llangollen Pavilion.

The county council is to look at “more efficient” ways of running Llangollen Pavilion.

Councillors are also to consider reducing funding to the town’s Tourist Information Centre and axing council-run exhibitions in the library.

The measures are part of a major exercise by Denbighshire to slash £10 million from its budget.  

The full council has already approved the first phase of the cuts package, which includes a plan to consider making efficiencies in the running of the pavilion to save £25,000.

A council document currently out for public consultation says this could include the creation of a private and public partnership, for certain months of the year, to raise more income and reduce running costs.

Listed under the proposals for the second phase of savings process, which are due to be discussed by councillors in December and next February, is the reduction of funding for Tourist Information Centre including the one in Castle Street, Llangollen, to save £20,000. 

Also to be considered under phase two is the ending of council-run exhibitions in library galleries across the county, including Llangollen.

The council document says that this move and the making of some general efficiencies, including spending less on books, would save £302,000.

Full details of the savings proposals can be seen at: https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/your-council/consultations/cutting-our-cloth-proposals-en.pdf

As part of an exercise called Cutting the Cloth, the council is inviting the public to comment on the proposals.

You can do so online at: https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/your-council/consultations/current-consultations.aspx#0

Alternatively, you can also give your views by:

• sending an email to public.relations@denbighshire.gov.uk
• completing a response form at your local One Stop Shop, library, leisure centre or at any council office
• writing to: Cutting Our Cloth, Communications Department, Denbighshire County Counil, County Hall, Wynnstay Road, Ruthin, LL15 1YN.

The closing date to tell us your views is Friday 28th November 2014.

War veterans meet for the last time

A GROUP of Second World War veterans has held an emotional reunion for the very last time, according to a story in the Leader.

The poignant event was held at the Bryn Howel Hotel, Llangollen, and was attended by 17 men who were stationed there for map training with the Royal Engineers in the 1940s.

* For the full story see: m.leaderlive.co.uk/mobile/mnews/140278/map-makers-call-time-on-annual-reunion-in-llangollen.aspx

Residents "will be consulted over speed limits"

Assembly Member Ken Skates has welcomed Denbighshire County Council’s assurance that residents near Llangollen will be fully consulted over changes to local speed limits.

Mr Skates, the Labour AM for Clwyd South, wrote to the authority’s chief executive Dr Mohammed Mehmet two weeks ago to pass on his constituents’ concerns about proposals to reduce the current 60mph restriction over the Horseshoe Pass.

Mr Skates said: “I have been contacted by several constituents in Pentredwr who are worried about the potential knock-on effects implementing speed restrictions on the Horseshoe Pass, and I have relayed these concerns to the council in writing.

 

“The worry is that a reduction on the new road could lead to even more drivers going down behind the Ponderosa and using Pentredwr as a cut-through.

 

“Too many drivers are already using that route and going dangerously fast on a far narrower and steeper road, which has no footpaths. As well as obvious concerns about increased traffic through Pentredwr, many residents have very real fears that the increased use of the Old Horseshoe Pass could lead to a spike in accidents.”

Dr Mehmet said the A542 was being looked at as part of a county-wide speed limit review of all A and B roads. All local authorities in Wales are required to carry out a similar project before the end of 2014.

He has assured Mr Skates that before any recommendations of the speed limit review can be implemented, the council must first undertake a statutory consultation exercise which will see initial talks with county councillors and North Wales Police.

Only if an agreement is reached at this first stage can the proposals then proceed to public consultation with the community, when formal objections can be lodged.

Mr Skates said: “I’m pleased that Dr Mehmet has assured me he has noted the concerns of residents of Pentredwr and these will be fully considered at the consultation stage referred to. He has also indicated that the introduction of traffic-calming in Pentredwr would be considered should the proposal for the lower speed limit progress.”

Because of current budget constraints, the earliest Denbighshire County Council could begin the consultation is likely to be in February or March.

Dickens play planned for Town Hall

 

As Christmas closes in on us, Llangollen Town Hall will be staging a new play about Charles Dickens, on Friday November 14th and Saturday 15th, before going on short N. Wales tour.

 

A Dickens of an Evening imagines the unfolding drama at Dickens’ house when he invites friends to join him for a drink and a read through of some of his stories and Christmas pieces.

 

There are all the elements of Christmas celebrations, visits from ghosts, haunted men, Christmas trees coming to life, plus festive joy.

Beneath the jollity, the undercurrents of Dickens’ life are always near the surface. Using several of Dickens’ special Christmas stories such as The Haunted Man, Christmas Carol and The Christmas Tree, playwri...ght Peter Read, who has received rave reviews for his depiction of Dylan Thomas, now turns his attention to Charles Dickens.

Although a novelist, Charles Dickens had a great love for the theatre, a passion which developed in childhood, when he lived next door to one. A Dickens of An Evening is set in the 1850’s when Dickens was famous and wealthy. 

As the jollity unfolds on stage there is a dark sub plot of Dickens’ own love life and his obsession with ghosts, threatening to destroy his reputation and health. The circulation of rumours that he is having an affair with the young actress Ellen Ternan and the delivery of a love brooch from the Jewellers to Mrs Dickens, a brooch inscribed to and intended for Ellen, add a spice to the Christmas celebrations which the great man was not expecting.

The play has grown out of Read’s research into the writer. Read became fascinated with the idea of what it must have been like to be present at one of Dickens’ readings. Whilst he has invented the events surrounding the readings of Dickens’ script the play is based on real situations in Dickens’ life.

 

A little like Hamlet and Noises Off, A Dickens of an Evening contains a play within a play.

* TICKETS: £8 & £6.50 concession. Group booking discounts available. Either Inbox to reserve or Tel: 01978 351315/ Llangollen Tourist Information Centre.

Free Welsh lessons set to begin

St Collen's Church office has asked llanblogger to display the following poster about free Welsh lessons starting there next month ...

Crystal workshop to be held

llanblogger has received the following notice about a forthcoming event in the town:

Crystal Workshops by

The Crystal Worker

 

Interested in crystals?

Ever wondered about their healing properties?

Would you like to know how to start using them?

Then this crystal workshop is perfect for you!

Just £25 for the whole day, including cupcakes, tea/coffee and a FREE GIFT – lovely crystals to take home with you!

November 22^nd The Community Hall, St. Collen's Church

To book your place, please contact Jo:

crystalworker@mail.com                   www.crystalworker.co.uk

0791 992 3832            

New trains to Corwen stay busy

Trains on the newly-opened extension of Llangollen Railway all the way to Corwen have been busy throughout the week.

Railway spokesman George Jones said: “Interest has continued in the extension throughout the week and trains have been busy.”

Reflecting on the recent historic launch day, he said: “A good crowd turned out to sample the first day of trains to Corwen.

“The locomotive Black 5 number 45337 was rostered on the four-coach set carrying the new headboard, The Corwen Revival.

“The first train left at 10.50am fully loaded, as did the second, as supporters came out to sample the historic occasion.

“The stage back to Carrog went well, despite four sheep persisting in getting in the way. There was a good reception from some A5 road users, including the passing fire brigade, and the run-round at Carrog was managed with ease.”

 

* Crowds wait to board the first Corwen train of the day as it

reverses into platform 1.

 

* The well-loaded front coach on departure after three cheers for the first train to Corwen.

 

 

* The footplate crew on 45337 the loco.