Eisteddfod withdraws new homes planning application

* An aerial view of the proposed development site off Abbey Road.

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has withdrawn its planning application for a small residential development on land it owns off Abbey Road.

In August llanblogger reported that the eisteddfod was seeking permission from Denbighshire to build seven houses on the overspill car park close to its main site in a bid to raise cash for the festival.

A decision by county planners was pending.

But in a statement issued this afternoon the eisteddfod says the plan has now been withdrawn.

The statement says: "In July, the Trustees of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod (LIME) submitted a planning application to Denbighshire Council for a modest residential development on a parcel of land adjoining Abbey Road, Llangollen.  

"The application was part of a pre-COVID scheme to raise much needed funds for the Eisteddfod and enable organisers to plan for the future with confidence. 

"However, at a Board meeting last week, LIME Trustees voted to withdraw the planning application at this time and instead retain the piece of land as an asset for the organisation.

"In April, following the postponement of this year’s Llangollen International Eisteddfod due to COVID-19, Welsh Government recognised it as a Welsh flagship cultural event and in doing so pledged financial support to help with business continuity through 2020."

Chair of the Trustees for the International Eisteddfod, Dr Rhys Davies said: “The support from Welsh Government helped cover losses this year arising from the coronavirus pandemic, however further funds are still needed to maintain the event in the future.  

"In our recent discussions, the Trustees recognised that the continuing situation of COVID-19 and the unpredictable future meant that we need to adapt and review all our fundraising options. The Trustees also felt that, at present, retaining the land as an asset was the most sensible way forward.”

Dr Davies continued: “LIME’s commitment to being a good neighbour in Abbey Road was core to and continues to be at the heart of our deliberations.  

"Whilst we felt the scheme had been designed to respect and compliment the area, and to take account of the sensitivity of the site being within the World Heritage Site and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, we also listened to the concerns raised by our neighbours and community who have made our International Eisteddfod the much-loved event it is today.”

If it had gone ahead and been approved the proposed development of three-bedroom homes would have occupied a small triangular paddock off the A542 which is currently listed as brownfield for development purposes.

A design statement issued by the applicant’s agents, Fisher German of Chester, admitted the proposed scheme was outside the development boundary and therefore contrary to Denbighshire’s current Local Development Plan (LDP).

Concerns raised over state of park's picnic benches

* Above and below: the wooden benches.

* Mole-hills near the benches.

A Llangollen resident has complained about the "shocking" state of picnic benches in Riverside Park.

Emailing the county's customer services department with three pictures of the wooden benches she says: "Karen Edwards I would like to draw your attention to the shocking state of the picnic benches in the Riverside park in Llangollen.

"These benches are in a dangerous condition and need urgent repair or better still replacement. 

"When were these benches last inspected? 

"To add insult to injury the moles are having a field day on the grassed area, this also needs to be addressed." 

A spokesperson for Denbighshire County Council said: “The picnic benches at the park are exposed to the elements all year round and recently have been subjected to vandalism. Repairs to the benches are scheduled to take place in the near future with the help of Llangollen Tidy Town Team.

“A visit will be conducted to the park to look at possible solutions to the mole hills.”

Fresh lockdown forces railway to close for a second time

Llangollen Railway has had to close for a second time due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It shut down regular services for the first time during the early days of the nationwide lockdown last spring.

But now the heritage line, which operates as a charity, has announced it is to close for a second time following yesterday's announcement by the Welsh Government of a local lockdown starting tomorrow (Thursday) at 6pm.

In a statement issued late this afternoon general manager Liz McGuinness said: "After a meeting with the interim board it has been agreed that we will close after the last service tomorrow until 14th October. 

"This will be under constant review. We don't have an option and I do hope this will be short lived."

During the first lockdown the railway ran into a major financial  crisis due to a massive shortfall of income from passengers.

But help came in the form of £161,000 of National Lottery support aimed at addressing the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The cash, from the Heritage Fund, was intended to support the attraction through the coming difficult winter months and help with the implementation of its recent governance review.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown began the railway has been working hard to raise funds to ensure its survival. 

It has also been implementing many changes to help safeguard its future.

Council cancels remembrance service due to Covid-19 threat

* A scene from last year's Remembrance service in Centenary Square.

Llangollen Town Council has announced that this year's traditional Remembrance Day service in November has been cancelled due to the coronavirus situation.

In a statement released to llanblogger late yesterday evening it said: "It is with deep regret that the Town Council have made the decision that there will be no Civic Service on Remembrance Sunday this year."

The Town Mayor explained: “All Town Councillors acknowledge that the Remembrance weekend is a vitally important time to reflect and honour the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces community.  

"Unfortunately, given the current limitations in place on gatherings outside and recent local developments, it is impossible to see how the services which involves over 40 organisations as well as the Town Council, Llantysilio Community Council, the Royal British Legion, substantial numbers of veterans and members of the public, can be held safely in line with the regulations."

The Town Clerk, Gareth Thomas, confirmed that the Llangollen Branch of the Royal British Legion will launch this year’s Poppy Appeal on the 29th October and funds raised locally will go to support of the costs of the legion's welfare work.

He commented: “The restrictions will not prevent the laying of wreaths or poppy crosses, on both War Memorials and this is encouraged from the date of the local launch until Armistice Day, Wednesday 11th November 2020, as long as social distancing guidelines are met.  

"Indeed the Town Council is looking at a way to capture these moments and are asking any group or individual that lays a wreath, or a poppy cross, to take a pictures on their mobile phone or camera and then send them to townclerk@langollentowncouncil.gov.uk.  

"The Town Council will then create an archive of these photographs with a view to producing a photomontage or slideshow to post on the Llangollen Remembers Facebook page as a record of what happened this year."

Government's new £140m boost for businesses

* Llangollen businesses could benefit from Welsh Government cash support. 

Tourism and hospitality businesses  in Llangollen could benefit from an additional £140 million being made available by the Welsh Government.

The new cash for businesses is aimed at helping them deal with the challenges of coronavirus and the UK’s exit from EU, Economy Minister Ken Skates has announced.

The funding from the third phase of the Welsh Government’s Economic Resilience Fund (ERF) will see wider support being provided to secure jobs and help businesses develop, as well as additional help for firms affected by local lockdowns.

To date, the ERF has delivered almost £300 million of support to more than 13,000 companies in Wales. This has helped to protect in excess of 100,000 jobs which might otherwise have been lost.

This new phase of the ERF will see £80 million being made available to support businesses with projects that can help them transition to the economy of tomorrow.

It will require co-investment from companies and a clear plan about how they will adjust to the post-covid economy.

Of this, £20 million will be ring fenced to support tourism and hospitality businesses who are facing particular challenges as they enter the winter months.

Meanwhile, an additional £60 million will be allocated to support businesses impacted by local lockdown restrictions.

The rest of the funding will be used flexibly to provide additional support, for example to increase lending to Welsh businesses through Development Bank of Wales initiatives and to help companies deal with the impacts of the UK leaving the European Union.

The ERF has been designed to complement and build on the support offered by the UK Government.

Ken Skates said: “Our Economic Resilience Fund has been absolutely crucial in supporting businesses throughout Wales in dealing with the economic challenges of the coronavirus and helping protect the livelihoods of more than 100,000 people.

“The next phase of the fund, worth £140 million, builds on that success, helping us to secure jobs and enabling businesses to continue to develop and grow in these challenging times. There is also a specific part of the fund earmarked to support businesses affected by local lockdowns.

“This additional help has been designed to complement and build on the support announced by the Chancellor last week, again demonstrating the Welsh Government’s proactive approach to go above and beyond in providing extra financial assistance that we know our businesses and workers need.

“The £80 million worth of business development grants will be open to micro businesses, SMEs and large businesses.”

* Micro businesses (employing between 1 and 9 people) will be able to apply for up to £10,000 on the condition they match this with their own investment of at least 10%.

* SMEs (employing between 10 and 249 people) will be able to apply for up to £150,000 on the condition they match this with their own investment of at least 10% for small business (1 to 49 staff) and 20% for medium sized (50 to 249) business.

* Large businesses (employing 250+ people) will be able to apply for up to £200,000 on the condition they match this with their own investment of at least 50%.

Companies that received grant funding through phases one and two of the ERF, or Non-Domestic Rate linked support, could also be eligible for phase three of the ERF.

The Minister added: “We are going through a time like no other. Coronavirus and the increasing risk of the UK reaching the end of the European Union transition period without a deal have placed incredible challenges on our businesses.

“As a Welsh Government, we continue to do all we can to back our businesses, our workers and our communities.”

Oak Street Gallery hosts work by artist Carys Haf Roberts

* Above and below: Work on display by artists 

Carys Haf Roberts at Oak Street Gallery.

Oak Street Galley is currently exhibiting the work of Carys Haf Roberts. 

A gallery spokesperson said: "Her beautiful colours and deep sense and love of the local landscape comes through in all her work. Her work is full of joy and gratitude and a perfect antidote for our times. 

"So please stop by to see her paintings, prints, greeting cards, bookmarks."

The gallery will be open Thursday through Sunday (11am-5pm) and viewable anytime through the windows. 

The current exhibition is on until October 18.

 

MP praises railway's Covid fightback

* Simon Baynes MP and Liz McGuinness at Llangollen Railway.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes met with the chair of Llangollen Railway, Liz McGuiness, to learn more about their very successful re-opening following the Covid-19 pandemic.

On the visit, Mr Baynes and Liz McGuiness discussed the changes that have been made since re-opening, such as enhanced cleaning regimes, an advanced booking system and hand sanitising stations.

They travelled in the steam train to Carrog, where the tea-room was very busy, then back to Llangollen.

Mr Baynes praised Liz McGuiness and all the staff  and volunteers at Llangollen Railway for their efforts in ensuring that all visitors, staff  and volunteers can enjoy their experience at Llangollen Railway safely. 

He also learnt more about how they have weathered the Coronavirus crisis through fundraising and a grant of £161,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund. 

They continue to invest in the railway infrastructure, particularly in Corwen where the Corwen Group is making big strides in restoring the station, and also see a steady income stream from their engineering department.

Liz McGuinness said: “We are really grateful for the support received by Simon during the past months. The volunteers and staff have worked extremely hard and we are looking forward to our Santa season and to a great 2021.”

Simon Baynes MP said: “Following their fundraising events earlier in the year, it is great to see that the Llangollen Railway has re-opened with the appropriate social distancing guidelines. 

"The railway is a terrific tourist attraction and I look forward to seeing it continue to bounce back following the Covid-19 pandemic. 

"I fully agree with the Prime Minister’s comments about the Llangollen Railway in May in Parliament when he said it had a “fabulous future.”