Councillor blasts government over A5 lane closure

* The long-running lane closure on the A5.

THE Welsh Government should “get its act together” and let people know what is happening with roadworks in the area, says Llangollen county councillor Stuart Davies.

His plea comes after it was revealed that the neither the government nor the North Wales Trunk Road Agency (NMWTRA) have kept residents of the town informed about the long-running lane closure on the A5 approach the town in connection with a drop in the roadway.

Cllr Davies recently called for more information on the closure, which is controlled by traffic lights, and action on vehicles “rat running” along nearby Birch Hill to avoid the lights.  

He has now received a reply from Mike Hitchings, strategic highways manager for Denbishire County Council, which says: “The lane has been closed by Conwy Structures on behalf of NMWTRA/Welsh Government on safety grounds.

“The road has been substandard for some time and recent routine monitoring has identified a drop of approximately 100 mms over the last 10 years.

“This has triggered the closure which is needed to reduce the loading on the highway and the retaining wall.

“Several different monitoring arrangements are now in place to understand the failing which is thought to be carriageway rather than the 200-year-old Thomas Telford built dry stone wall.

“The road will remain under traffic management until repairs can be undertaken and this is very likely to be several months if not longer.

“I have raised the issue of the signs indicating long delays that are missing from the Llangollen side with NMWTRA and that will be rectified.

“NMWTRA and Welsh Government have not communicated with local residents. They have recognised that this is long overdue and a letter has been drafted and will be sent in the next few days.

“A meeting of officers from Welsh Government, NMWTRA, and Denbighshire is being arranged during the next few days to review the traffic management.

“I have asked the NMWTRA asset manager to ensure that they include a review of the Birch Hill, Maesmawr Road area.

Cllr Davies said: “Apart from the closure on the A5, I am also concerned that Welsh Water are closing lanes on the A539 to Wrexham to do mains water repairs.

“This will mean that visitors to Llangollen and North Wales will encounter delays and this will have a negative effect on the tourism trade.

“The Welsh Government needs to get its act together and let people know what is going on and who to contact in case of problems in a timely manner.

"DCC officers and councillors are getting stick from members of the public when this issue is not down to us."

Hospital housing plan approved

* Llangollen's former Cottage Hospital is to be bulldozed to make way for new homes.

* SEE REPLY FROM CLLR STUART DAVIES AT FOOT OF STORY

DESPITE a strong plea for it to be retained to provide extra NHS beds for the area, county councillors have voted in favour of bulldozing Llangollen’s empty Cottage Hospital and using the site for new homes.
 

Martin Crumpton, who led the campaign to keep the Victorian hospital open two years ago for the building to be mothballed for possible future use by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, was made through an officer to the Denbighshire planning committee at its meeting earlier today (Wednesday).
 

But members voted 19-5 to approve a plan to see it redeveloped by a housing association with six social housing units plus associated access and parking provision.
 

Also involved in the scheme is the development of an ancillary car park opposite the hospital and the erection of a further six social housing units with associated access and parking provision.

Mr Crumpton said later: “My speech to the committee was read out for me by the monitoring officer as a special arrangement owing to me being given less than 48-hours notice to attend the meeting.

“My concerns were basically brushed aside as a matter between me and Betsi Cadwaladr.

“I deeply regret this myopic view as Llangollen creeps towards becoming a dormitory town.

“Certainly, the case for additional dwellings was feeble and no account was made of additional resources which will be expected by a growing population.

“Councillor Rhys Hughes at least touched on it but the case officer, in calling it a matter of judgment, confirmed the department’s judgment that it was outside the scope of the committee.

“I hope the Llangollen Museum does its utmost to record a significant part of Llangollen’s make-up and history which was lost today without so much as a murmur.”

Councillor Stuart Davies replies:

"I see the Berwyn Resident is showing a lack of comprehension of the planning process and blaming DCC for something beyond its control.

As a member of the Planning Committee I have to make decisions based solely on planning grounds.

I was instrumental in forcing a meeting with the then CEO of the Betsi, her senior officers and various concerned DCC members and officers. The case for keeping the hospital open was forcibly put. A full and frank conversation took place. The Betsi ignored my wishes and the process of closure started. The rest is history.

The Betsi then had an empty building on its hands. What they do with it is not in DCCs control.

Mr Crumpton says: “My concerns were basically brushed aside as a matter between me and Betsi Cadwaladr."

In actuality they were not planning concerns and so have no weight at planning committee.

He says: “Certainly, the case for additional dwellings was feeble"

I beg to differ, and judging by the calls I get, so would the young people wanting a house in Llangollen to bring up their familiesI.

I will continue to fight for more affordable housing for the youngsters here in Llangollen. That's what I promised when I was elected and what I am doing!"

Fringe offers new early bird ticket

Llangollen Fringe is offering early bird tickets for this year's event for £60. 

The 2015 Fringe runs from July 16-26, and organisers say that for £60 you can get into all the evening concerts.

However, that add that the offer only runs until the end of March.

A spokesman said: "As the Fringe continues to grow, so does our spending on great acts.

"We can’t let you in on the details yet, but quality comes at a price and this year’s programme looks set to be much more expensive than ever before.

"The fun begins on Thursday July 16 with stand-up comedy and continues for 11 nights until the final concert at Valle Crucis Abbey on July 26."

The spokesman explained that the Festival Ticket allows its owner into over £140 worth of Fringe events including:

• Every evening concert (July 16-25)
• Final Closing Event at Valle Crucis Abbey (July 26)
• Return journey to Carrog on the Rock and Roll Train (July 19) - a specially chartered steam train on Llangollen’s Steam Railway.
• A full day of great acoustic music at Fringe Acoustica (July 18)

The spokesman added: "Although we are not announcing the line-up until nearer the time we can guarantee that if you enjoyed last year, you’ll love what we have in store this time.

"Have faith and buy your ticket now for a guaranteed saving. Regulars will know that the programme always has wide ranging appeal and almost everyone’s taste will be satisfied somewhere in the programme."

Get your ticket now at www.llangollenfringe.co.uk

Couple of Llan couple "on run" reports BBC

BBC online news is reporting today (Tuesday) that the killer of a Llangollen couple has gone on the run.

For the full story see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-31911403

County reduces free swimming provision

Denbighshire County Council has expressed its concern and disappointment at news that the Welsh Government is to reduce the council’s free swim funding by £20,000 – with only six weeks notice.

The Welsh Government provides funding on an annual basis to all local authorities to provide free swimming for under 16s and those aged over 60.

The amount is reviewed on an annual basis and local authorities are informed of the outcome.

In recent years, Denbighshire has been able to provide more than the minimum required by Welsh Government, but as a result of the reduction in funding  announced in February, now warns that the programme will need to reduce.

The changes mean that the council will not actually cut any swimming lessons for children.  It will be maintaining the programme but says it will need to charge for the majority of lessons in the holidays.

The council is also maintaining free access for over 60s in public sessions, but people will need to pay for swimming lessons.

The council has written to the Welsh Government to express its concerns.

Councillor Huw Jones, Cabinet Lead Member for Tourism, Youth and Leisure, said: “The council  is making it absolutely clear that it has no option but to remove all free swimming sessions, considered over and above sessions that we are required to provide under the terms of the agreement with Welsh Government, given the reduction in funding.

"We recognise some authorities in Wales have had much greater reductions through the formula, but nevertheless, it is almost impossible for a council to forward plan and make allowances for funding when decisions are made so late in the day, with little consultation.

"The council will do all it can, to protect as many sessions as possible within the context of the remaining grant allocation.

"At a time when Welsh councils are under pressure to protect important front line services, this is yet another big blow, and one which we are left with, to communicate to the public. Welsh Government continue to plough funding into health, but cutting free swimming will inevitably have a longer term impact on the health and well-being of our residents.   

“Every authority in Wales has been affected by the funding cuts but our main concern is over the lack of communication and notice from Welsh Government in introducing this fundamental change to the funding formula.

“Councils plan their budgets well in advance and we feel that it is unfair to introduce a cut so late in the financial year, as we now need to adapt our free swim offer, in light of the funding allocation, unfortunately there will be a reduction in the number of sessions."

Rufus Wainwright brings unique talent to eisteddfod

 

 

* Rufus Wainwright.

 

Singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright who collaborated with Robbie Williams on his latest album is bringing his unique talent to North Wales.

 

Wainwright has written an opera in French, partied with George W Bush’s daughter and appeared alongside Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley in Absolutely Fabulous and now he’s set to appear at this summer’s Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

 

The son of folk music giants Loudoun Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle will headline the Friday night concert at this year’s 69^th Eisteddfod which opens on Tuesday, July 7, and runs until Sunday, July 12.

 

The American-Canadian is promising the audience an eclectic mix of genres from pop to opera on his North Wales debut and he says he’s very excited about the prospect as Welsh audiences are, in his opinion, uniquely ‘different’.

 

Rufus, speaking from his Toronto home, says he’s performed in Cardiff and enjoyed a driving tour of Wales but the opportunity to appear on the same Llangollen stage that has been graced by legends such as Pavarotti and Carreras was something he wanted to grab with both hands.

 

He said: “There is something about Wales, the audience is just different. They seem to have an instinct for music and appreciate a performance in a different way. English, Scottish, even Irish, audiences are different despite being geographically so close.

 

“A Welsh audience can be quite rowdy and vocal and then just melt when they hear a particular poem or piece of music. There is something immediate about the experience.

 

“So I’m really looking forward to appearing at Llangollen especially having learnt something of the history of the festival. Looking at the long lists of performers who have appeared in the past is like a who’s who of music – so many big and influential names. I really am looking forward to it.”

 

Eilir Owen Griffiths, Musical Director of the Eisteddfod, said: “We are thrilled to have Rufus Wainwright as part of the line-up for this year’s event and headlining the concert on the Friday night.

 

“His talents span such a wide range of musical genres but what stands out is the quality of what he does and that’s what we are dedicated to bringing to Llangollen.”

 

The stellar line-up this year also includes Oscar-winning songwriter Burt Bacharach who'll open the festival on Monday, July 6, and classical heart-throb Alfie Boe who'll be performing songs from musical theatre and movies on the Thursday night, July 9.

 

The closing Sunday night festival on July 12 will star music legend Ali Campbell, the voice of UB40 who sold 70 million records, who'll be reunited on the Eisteddfod stage with two other founding members of UB40 - percussionist, trumpet player and vocalist Astro and keyboard player Mickey.

 

Born in New York, in 1973, the son of folk singers, the late Kate McGarrigle and Loudon Wainwright III, Rufus had his first piano lesson aged six and by the age of eight he was regularly appearing on stage with the McGarrigle Sisters and Family alongside his mother, sister Martha, and aunt Ann.

 

He has now released seven studio albums and three live albums including Rufus does Judy, a tribute to gay icon Judy Garland and recorded at New York’s Carnegie Hall in 2006, which was nominated for a Grammy award.

 

Wainwright has collaborated with many of the world’s top artists including Elton John, Joni Mitchell, The Pet Shop Boys, Burt Bacharach and his most recent collaboration, on the title track of Robbie Williams’ latest album, Swings Both Ways, which he co-wrote and sung as a duet.

 

He even appeared on BBC TV comedy Absolutely Fabulous in a cameo role in 2002 thought his memories of it now are vague, admitting: “I was pretty off my rocker at that point.

 

“They got in touch with me. Like any properly brought up and well-intentioned gay man at that time I was completely obsessed with that show and would have killed my mother in order to be on it.”

 

As a member of folk music royalty he has also partied with the like of President George W Bush’s daughter Barbara and Marianne Faithful and battled addiction to crystal meth but is now happily settled with a husband and a daughter he fathered with Leonard Cohen’s daughter, Lorca.

 

But as well as being a celebrated popular music performer Wainwright is one of the few artists able to cross over to the classical world with equal success.

 

His acclaimed first opera, Prima Donna, premiered at the 2009 Manchester International Festival and has since been performed in London, Toronto and New York.

 

In 2010 Wainwright was commissioned by the San Francisco Symphony to compose and interpret five Shakespeare Sonnets, a five song cycle to orchestra and voice that have since been performed around the world.

 

And the Canadian Opera Company has commissioned what will be his second opera about Roman Emperor Hadrian which is scheduled to premiere in Toronto in the autumn of 2018.

 

Wainwright added: "I gather Llangollen is going to be a bit special and I’m really looking forward to it. I understand tenor Noah Stewart delighted the audience by singing in Welsh the last two years.

 

“Now that’s a challenge, but at least I have a little bit of time. We will have to see what I can do. I might have to get my good friend the Welsh actress Siân Phillips to help me out!”

 

The Eisteddfod will also feature Children’s Day and the Parade of Nations on the Tuesday, led by Eisteddfod President Terry Waite before the evening Heart of Llangollen concert featuring a galaxy of international talent.

 

Highlights of Wednesday will include the debut of the International Young Musician of the Year and the Children’s Choir of the World while Thursday’s competitions will see another first, the International Voice of Musical Theatre Trophy.

 

Friday’s Open Category for choirs will showcase styles like gospel, barbershop, jazz, pop and glee styles and will also see the International Voice of the Future decided with the prize including the chance to sing at one of the evening concerts the future.

 

The Blue Riband event, the Choir of the World for the Pavarotti Trophy, is decided on Saturday night as well as the Lucile Armstrong Dance Final and Sunday sees the Eisteddfod let its hair down for Llanfest before the climactic final concert with Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey.

 

To book tickets and for more details on the 2015 festival go to the website at www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk

llanblogger says ...