MP slams 'shameful' decision to close primary school

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones has slammed a decision by Wrexham Council to close Ysgol Pontfadog.

The move comes despite more than 1,000 objections received against proposals to shut the English-medium primary school.

Ms Jones (pictured) said: "Today Wrexham Council’s Executive Board chose to ignore the views of pretty much everyone who lives in the Ceiriog Valley.

"A huge number of people took part in the council’s consultation process and local campaigners are right to be furious. Ysgol Pontfadog should not be closed.

"Today’s appalling decision fails on two counts - it closes Ysgol Pontfadog and it fails to give Glyn Ceiriog the fully Welsh-medium school it needs.

"Ysgol Pontfadog should have been retained as an English-medium school, Ysgol Llanarmon DC as a Welsh-medium school with Ysgol Cynddelw, Glyn Ceiriog becoming a fully Welsh-medium school.

"The Executive Board of Wrexham County Borough Council has treated the communities of the Ceiriog Valley shamefully.

"If local residents now feel that their interests would be best served outside Wrexham County Borough Council area by becoming part of another Local Authority area I will back."

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates said

 "The council asked for people’s opinions on their proposals and the people of the Ceiriog Valley responded in their numbers and have made their feelings quite clear. I have made repeated representations to Wrexham Council on behalf of my constituents and completely understand their frustration.”

Art club exhibition preview tonight

Llangollen Art Club is holding its annual exhibition of members work at Langollen Museum in Parade Street, commencing Wednesday August 8 and continuing until the end of the month.

Many works will be available for purchase. First choice will go to those who would like to attend the preview open tonight, Tuesday August 7 at 7.30pm.

The club meets on Tuesday evenings 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall, Market Street, and welcomes new members of all ability (adults over 18 years only).

County helps traders to get business rate relief

Denbighshire County Council is helping 650 traders get business rate relief this year.

The council will be applying the Welsh Government High Street Retail Relief Scheme automatically to businesses’ bills where possible as well as informing them of the help available.

Denbighshire has the third highest number of qualifying businesses in Wales, only Cardiff and Swansea will be awarding relief to more traders, resulting in savings of £284,500 for businesses in the county.

Cllr Hugh Evans, leader of Denbighshire County Council, said: “We’ve lobbied the Welsh Government on rate relief because we understand the pressures from changing consumer demands and the effects of last year’s change to the Welsh Government multiplier.

“The council is automatically applying rate relief where it is able to and publishing details on our website and social media for businesses, informing them of what schemes are available.

“Supporting businesses is part of our commitment to support economic prosperity in Denbighshire and create resilient communities. Our role in applying the Welsh Government High Street Retail Relief Scheme is one of a number of projects we undertake to support local businesses.”

The council also supports local businesses  for example by holding training sessions throughout the year, as well as during its annual March for Business month, by encouraging residents to shop local through the #LoveLiveLocal campaign and by reducing red tape through the Better Business for All scheme.

Denbighshire County Council collects business rates on behalf on the Welsh Government and then returns the funds to them.

The council does not set the rates. The rateable value is assessed by the Valuation Office Agency, which is part of HM Revenue and Customs and Welsh Government sets the multiplier on which business rate bills are based.

* If you would like the council to review your eligibility for any of the relief schemes you can contact businessrates@denbighshire.gov.uk or 01824 706000 or for more information visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/businessrates

Three Eagles to take off in historic public house

* From left, Llangollen entrepreneurs Vicky and Matt Jones with Tracey Owens.

A new bar and restaurant is set to open in one of the oldest public houses in the heart of Llangollen later this year.

Located on Bridge Street, the Wynnstay Arms building has been standing empty for over 12 months.

Now this historic building is to be transformed into a sophisticated new venue The Three Eagles, following its recent purchase by Llangollen entrepreneur-couple Matt and Vicky Jones.

Already owners of Knights Construction Group and Llangollen’s prestigious wedding venue Tyn Dwr Hall, the couple have joined forces with Matt’s sister, Tracey Owen, for this latest venture, that also marks the launch of a new bar restaurant operator, One Hundred Knights.

According to Matt Jones, the Three Eagles aims to inject new life into the early 18th century listed building and create an aspirational high-end restaurant, bar and cocktail bar over three floors.

This will be complemented with a courtyard area for al fresco dining, with the opportunity for ‘live’ acoustic sets.

Matt and Vicky were behind the extensive refurbishment and re-development of Tyn Dwr Hall, turning it into one of the UKs most exclusive wedding venues, as well as creating 45 jobs and boosting the local economy through increased visitor numbers to the area.

The couple’s latest business venture looks set to inject new life into Bridge Street after the property  fell into disrepair.

Several new full-time jobs will also be generated, boosting their ambition to create a ‘hospitality hub’ in Llangollen which will train and attract talented people looking to embark on a career in the hospitality and tourism industry.

Matt said: “Vicky and I are delighted to have purchased this iconic, Grade II-listed building and we are looking forward to transforming it into a destination venue that will attract guests from right across the region.

“I grew up in the Llangollen area and live here today so I’m really focused on getting this project underway. I’m hugely proud of this town but I believe The Three Eagles will introduce something genuinely new and exciting. Something people will be eager to come and sample.

"Our objective is to provide guests with a lasting impression of quality from the entire experience that will be The Three Eagles. The venue will very much be a lively and vibrant place to dine and meet up with friends.

“This is a very important project for us and we are eager to complete its’ transformation and turn it into one of the premier venues in the region, and a significant and valuable addition to Llangollen."

Tracey believes the business will provide Llangollen with a boost.

She said: “Our impressive food and beverage menu will sit alongside our talented and knowledgeable team, whose passion for providing top level customer service will ensure their guests’ visit to The Three Eagles is an altogether memorable one.

“We believe the hospitality industry is vital to the future economic development of Llangollen and we wholeheartedly embrace the opportunities we can offer to those wishing to aspire to a career with us here at The Three Eagles."

* To find out more about The Three Eagles, Llangollen go to www.thethreeeagles.co.uk

Llan Round Challenge raises record £60,000

* Competitors on the Llangollen Round Challenge.
Picture by Barrie Potter.

The third annual Llangollen Round Challenge scooped a record £60,000 for Cancer Research UK.

Big test for the event, staged on June 2 and 3, was to walk 35 miles over either one or two days.

But as the route included every summit around the Vale of Llangollen it was no stroll in the park.

Last time it was held in 2015 the event raised £45,000 for the cancer charity but this year’s walk topped that total by £15,000, thanks to the scores of walkers who came to take part from across Britain, from Dorset to East Anglia.

One of the organisers, Sandra Woodhall from Llangollen, said: “We have done amazingly well.

“We have now raised over £60,000 from the event which is fantastic.  Money is still coming in so hopefully it will creep up some more.

“I’d like to thank everyone who took part in the walk and the volunteers who helped with the organisation of the event.”    

Mountain fire flares up again

The fire near Llangollen which has been burning for more than two weeks has reignited of the second day in a row, the Daily Post is reporing.


For the full story, see
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/llantysilio-mountain-fire-flares-up-14993041

Hundreds roar into a red-hot LlanBikeFest

Hundreds of biking fans have roared into a sun-baked LlanBikeFest 2018 which has been staged at the Pavilion over the past two days.

llanblogger went along to record some of the scenes there.

* Perfect for the final journey.

* Busy scene inside the pavilion.

* Three-wheeled conveyance.

* Stylish sidecar combo.

* Machine with a skeleton crew.

* A vintage AA patrol bike and sidecar.

* A line-up of classic wheels.

* It wasn't just cars that there to be admired. 

* Llangollen's Deputy Mayor, Cllr Issy Richards, was at the festival on Saturday and met legendary bike racer John McGuinness (centre).