Former chamber chair speaks out on BID

David Davies, former chair of Llangollen Chamber of Trade, has sent in the following statement about the Llangollen Business Improvement District (BID) voting for which is currently underway.

"BID facts

As past Chair, I am disappointed to see the Chamber of Trade press release of 24th February contained incorrect information. 

The impression given is that the full levy income of £440,000 will be spent on actual projects.  However out of this income, admin /operating expenses of £150,000 will be spent leaving the balance of £290,000 for actual project spending.  

The admin / operating costs expenditure of £150,000  (as shown on page 16 of the vote yes brochure) expressed as a percentage of the levy income of £440,000  is 34% - as stated on the Vote No fact sheet, not 11% as quoted by the Chamber.

Having fully evaluated the proposal, all eligible businesses are strongly encouraged to exercise their vote.

VOTE NOW – don’t miss the deadline."

Councillors' statement on Llangollen BID

Local county councillors Graham Timms and Mel Miles (pictured) have put out the following statement on the Llangollen Business Improvement District, voting for which is currently underway.

Llangollen is at a really exciting  point  in its history. Some major projects that have been planned over the last two years are now almost ready to go. We are fully engaged in obtaining funding streams from Denbighshire, Welsh Government, Visit Wales and the National Lottery to name but a few. If these projects go ahead, our town will see huge improvements to revitalise the area for residents, visitors and businesses.

The proposed Llangollen Business Improvement District (BID) is a great opportunity for business ratepayers in the middle of the town to join together to make even more good things happen; those things that will make a real difference to the prosperity and confidence of the town. Since the money raised cannot be spent on things that the county council already do, businesses will decide on the projects that matter to them the most.

A vote to accept the BID will show that businesses have confidence in the future of Llangollen and that together we want to achieve much more.

As councillors we continually raise the profile of the town in the county and across the region. We have spoken in favour of DCC voting for the BID and Denbighshire agreed to cast its votes ‘in favour’. It has 11 votes for its eligible sites within the area and will mean it will have to contribute over £6000 per year into the pot. 

Our potential funders are watching the Llangollen BID process. We believe that if the Llangollen BID is successful it will give a clear sign to these funders that a confident business community believes in a great future for the town.

Please get in touch if you would like to talk with us. graham.timms@denbighshire.gov.uk and melvyn.mile@denbighshire.gov.uk

Latest roadworks alert from Traffic Wales

 A5 Berwyn Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire

03 March — 04 March

Delays likely - Traffic control (two-way signals)

Works location: A5 Junction of Berwyn Street / Regent Street with Hill Street, Llangollen

Works description: Street lighting works. Works from 09:00hrs to 15:30hrs

Responsibility for works: Welsh Government

Current status: Planned work about to start

Works reference: PD5012059141026779

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A5 Berwyn Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire

04 March — 05 March

Delays likely - Traffic control (multi-way signals)

Works location: A5 Junction of Berwyn Street with Hill Street, Llangollen

Works description: Tree cutting

Responsibility for works: Welsh Government

Current status: Planned work about to start

Works reference: PD5012059104144429

Happy St David's Day from llanblogger

Eisteddfod reveals more of its 2020 line-up

* Soprano Elin Manahan Thomas. 

* Only Men Aloud.

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has revealed more of its 2020 line-up.

This includes the UK première of Bobbi Fischer’s Magnificat featuring soloist Elin Manahan Thomas and a special performance by Only Men Aloud.

Fusion on Wednesday July 8 sees eclectic musical elements from different cultures sit side by side.

The first part of the evening will see a presentation of Magnificat in which this traditional choral work is fused with rhythm and harmonies of Latin America with Samba, Rhumba, Bossa Nova and Cha-Cha. 

In this setting of the hymn of praise from St Luke’s gospel Elin Manahan Thomas is the solo soprano as the voice of Mary. 

Described as one of the most exceptional sopranos of her generation, she released her debut album Eternal Light in 2017 and has performed at many of the world’s most prestigious festivals and venues and was invited to perform at the Royal Wedding in May 2018.  

Elin last appeared at the International Eisteddfod in 2017 to perform in Christopher Tin’s Calling All Nations concert.

The second part of Fusion will feature Manchester Collective with their critically-acclaimed show Sirocco in which nine players perform an electrifying fusion of music by composers such as Haydn and Mozart with traditional music of Africa.

The following evening, Thursday July 9, sees the inaugural Concert for Peace featuring a bespoke Llangollen-Special performance by Welsh Male Choir Only Men Aloud.  

Only Men Aloud have become well known for their strong vocals and their varied and eclectic repertoire. 

They have won BBC One’s Last Choir Standing, a Classical Brit Award for Best Album of the Year, performed twice at The Royal Variety Performance, and sang at the London 2012 Opening Ceremony at the very moment the Olympic Flame was lit. 

For Concert for Peace they will be performing a special programme of songs around the theme of peace. 

The concert will also feature The Parade of Nations presented by International Eisteddfod President Terry Waite, Young Instrumentalist winner 2019 George Todica (pianist), the annual Peace Message performed by local schoolchildren, the Rotary Peace Award and performances by international participants.

Fusion and Concert For Peace form part of the eisteddfod’s evening concert series, which this year also includes Back in Harmony with Aled Jones and Russell Watson, BK25 with Beverley Knight, and competition finale concert, Choir of the World.  

The week ends on Sunday with the one-day music festival Llanfest featuring co-headliners James Morrison and Will Young.

* Tickets for Fusion and Concert for Peace are available now online from Llangollen.net or from the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Box Office on 01978 862 0001

Health centre's advice on Coronavirus

Message from Llangollen Health Centre regarding Covid-19

"We would like to advise patients that the latest guidance on the coronavirus outbreak, including what to do if you are a recent traveller to an affected area, can be found on the Public Health Wales website:

https://phw.nhs.wales/news/public-health-wales-statement-on-novel-coronavirus-outbreak-in-china/

If you think you may have been infected with the virus, please do not

come to the Health Centre.  Please ring NHS Direct

on 0845 46 47 who will be able to advise you."

Viewing platform plan for former rail track

* The site near the bridge 2020 has in mind for the viewing platform and public area.

llanblogger exclusive

The group aiming to streamline traffic flow in the town centre has come up with an ambitious plan to build a viewing platform and public space alongside Llangollen’s historic bridge.

Llangollen 2020 was set up to look at ways of easing traffic and parking problems for the benefit of residents, businesses and tourists.

It has now produced a scheme called The Four Great Highways Consultation which intends to bring what it calls “a new awareness” of the historical importance of the northern end of Castle Street.

The group says this could be achieved by using mainly Heritage Lottery cash to build a viewing platform and new public space alongside and downstream of the bridge, over the former track-bed of the Ruabon to Llangollen Railway.

This, it claims, would improve access to Lower Dee Mill, produce a more cohesive link between the heritage railway, the canal wharf and the medieval bridge and “recognise, explain and celebrate” the importance of the junction in the history of transport in Wales.

The junction at the centre of the proposal is that of Llangollen Canal, Llangollen Railway, Llangollen Bridge and Telford's A5.

2020 will stage a consultation exercise seeking the views of local people and businesses on the plan.

It is therefore inviting them to:

1.     See and discuss the proposals at Llangollen Library from 2.30- 5pm Wednesday March 4

2.     Attend a public meeting to hear about the proposals and ask questions at the Memorial Hall on Market Street from 5.30-6.15 pm Wednesday March 4

3.     Watch live or catch-up on Facebook.com/Llangollen 2020 and complete the on-line questionnaire

4.     E-mail comments to graham.timms@denbighshire.gov.uk

5.     Ideas will also be displayed in the library from March 5 onwards with a comment box for feedback until March 12.

2020 chair, Llangollen county councillor Graham Timms, said: “The Four Great Highways project is being developed by the Llangollen 2020 group as an attempt to improve the public realm on the north side of the town.

“This is the place where four great historical transport links meet and so we thought about ways to mark the significance of the area where space is very limited.

"In searching for a way to bring together the significance of Llangollen's railway, ancient bridge, World Heritage Site canal and Telford's A5 we decided to explore the possibility of building a platform and viewing area.

“The site over the former railway track-bed opposite the Bridge End Hotel seemed like an ideal location, particularly as it would open up new views of the river and the bridge.

"Having a grand scheme needs money so we are hoping to apply to the National Lottery Heritage Fund to become a major funder of the project.

“A feasibility study is currently being carried out and we hope that local residents and businesses will help us by responding to the consultation.

"This project would sit alongside the improvements already being planned by the Llangollen 2020 team."