National Eisteddfod success for Silver Band youngster

* National Eisteddfod success for Gabriel Tranmer.

A 16-year-old member of Llangollen Silver Band has played his way to success at the National Eisteddfod in Anglesey.

Gabriel Tranmer competed in the Brass Solo under-19 section playing the 2nd and 3rd movements of the Edward Gregson Tuba Concerto. He took first place along with a £75 bursary.

Next month Gabriel will be leaving St Brigid's school in Denbigh to attend Chethams School of Music in Manchester where he will be studying for his A Levels and focusing on the tuba, voice and piano.

He says he is excited about going ahead with his music and would like to thank his current tuba teacher Colin Sneade of Wexham, his music teacher who is also his grandmother, Eirwen Jones of Llangollen, as well as Trevor Williams and everyone at Llangollen Silver Band for their help and support.

 

Scheme for houses on Tyn Y Wern site revealed

* The Tyn Y Wern site off the A5.

Details of a plan to build 12 detached homes on the site of Tyn Y Wern Hotel on Holyhead Road, Llangollen have been revealed.

The new planning regulations require a consultation to take place ahead of the submission of a planning application. Applicants Mr and Mrs Tomlinson have asked county council planning officers to arrange this.

A planning brief prepared on their behalf says the proposed development would require the demolition of the existing hotel which has been closed for some time.

Both access points to the site, from Maesmawr Road and the A5, would remain.

The brief adds that 3-4 bedroom properties are proposed which would have amenity space and parking facilities.

The planning department says it will be delivering letters to the immediate neighbours shortly. A paper copy of the plans will be deposited in Llangollen library.

Anyone who wishes to make representations about this proposed development must write to the applicant’s agent at Bob Dewey Planning, The Gables, Llanfynydd, Wrexham LL11 5HG by  August 16.

* You may inspect the proposed application at https://1drv.ms/f/s!Ai4_2Lc_R3KMcOcO4vqPwAc78Ew

AM praises Welsh Government's support for low-income families

An Assembly Member has praised the Welsh Government for its support of low-income households through an extended council tax reduction scheme.

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates (pictured) said he was proud that the Welsh Labour Government was helping thousands of people in his constituency, while vulnerable families in England continue to pay an average of £169 a year more.

Mr Skates, whose constituency includes Llangollen, said: “Last September, Local Government Secretary Mark Drakeford confirmed that the Welsh Labour Government would continue to protect vulnerable and low-income households by maintaining full entitlement to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme until at least the end of April 2018. I’m pleased that so many families in Clwyd South will continue to receive this financial support.

“Figures show 12,097 households in Wrexham benefited last year and 10,098 Denbighshire – plus another 11,496 in Flintshire. I’m proud that the Welsh Labour Government continues to stand up for families in North East Wales.”

Almost 300,000 homes in Wales received a reduction in their council tax in 2016-17, around 220,000 of which pay nothing.  The Council Tax Reduction Scheme was supported by funding of £244m to councils in the local government settlement.

Mr Skates added: “This is despite huge cuts to the Welsh budget imposed by the Tory UK Government at Westminster and is in stark contrast with the situation in England, where local authorities have been left to design their own schemes and manage the associated funding shortfall. This has resulted in more than two million low-income households in England having to pay more of their council tax bills.”
 
He said low-income families in England are now paying an average of £169 a year more than they would have if the UK Government had a similar scheme in place.

Missing Harry returns home

llanblogger's pet cat, Harry, returned home in the early hours of this morning (Wednesday) after being missing for about 24 hours.

Although wet, dirty and hungry, he appears none of the worse for his time away from home.

I'd like to thank all those who showed concern for his safety while he was missing.

llanblogger's cat is missing: can you help?

* Missing: Harry the cat.

llanblogger's much-loved pet cat, Harry, has gone missing and if anyone knows where he might be I'd be very grateful to hear from them.

He's a neutered ginger cat of about a year old and is wearing a shiny silver and red collar with four small bells attached at the front.

He does actually answer to the name of 'Harry' if called.

I believe he went missing from Regent Street in Llan overnight Monday/Tuesday and may have wandered across the A5 towards the Abba Adda/Plas Newydd area where he's never been before, which means he may well be lost.

If anyone has seen him, please get in touch via this email address: llanblogger@gmail.com

Have your say on walking and cycling plans

Denbighshire County Council is inviting people to have their say on draft plans to improve walking and cycling routes in the county. 

The Integrated Network Map is a 15-year plan for improving walking and cycling routes within Denbighshire and is a requirement of the Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013, which asks local authorities to map, plan for, improve and promote opportunities for active travel.

Active Travel means walking and cycling (including electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters) for everyday short-distance journeys, such as journeys to school, work, or for access to shops, services and bus/rail stations. Active travel does not include journeys made purely for recreation or social reasons.

Councillor Brian Jones, Lead Member for Highways, Planning and Sustainable Travel said:  “The Council has produced Existing Routes Maps (ERMs) to show existing routes in Denbighshire considered suitable for active travel.

“The second stage of the Act now requires the Council to produce maps which is where we are now asking for people’s views on the walking and cycling proposals that have been developed.

“Active transport has such a health benefit by choosing to walk or cycle as your way of getting from one place to another, so I urge everyone to take part in this consultation.”

You can view online at www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/your-council/consultations/active-travel-integrated-network-maps.aspx

To have your say, please complete the Active Travel online survey at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/GV5NTTM or you can attend one of the drop-in sessions that have been arranged (10am-3pm):

·         16 August – Llangollen Library

·         25 August – Rhyl Harbour

·         30 August – County Hall, Ruthin

·         6 September – Caledfryn, Denbigh

The closing date for this consultation is 20 October 2017.

Skates welcomes leisure centre refurbishment.

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates was invited to the official reopening of Chirk Leisure Centre following an extensive revamp made possible by an interest-free loan by the Welsh Labour Government to Wrexham Council.

Mr Skates (pictured) said: “I’m delighted that this major refurbishment of Chirk Leisure Centre has gone ahead thanks to Welsh Labour Government support in the form of a £1m interest-free capital loan, which also enabled a huge revamp at Waterworld in Wrexham.”

The Welsh Government loan funded a new studio and improved facilities at Chirk as well as a new reception area, café and an expanded, state-of-the-art fitness area at Waterworld.

Mr Skates continued: “The interest-free loan is part of the Welsh Labour Government’s Sports Facilities Capital Loan Scheme, which was launched to help break down barriers so that people of all abilities, ages and backgrounds can enjoy the wide-ranging benefits of exercise.”

The Welsh Government has also invested in Plas Madoc Leisure Centre. Last year, Communities Secretary Carl Sargeant awarded the community-run facility a £500,000 grant to fund a series of urgent repairs including a replacement roof, new wiring and insulation, upgrading pool plant equipment and improved CCTV and fire alarm systems.

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones added: “This is a challenging financial time for public services because of cuts of £1.4bn to Wales from the Tory Government at Westminster, so I’m pleased and proud that Welsh Labour is delivering for communities in Clwyd South.”