MP highlights Llangollen Canal as great place for leisure

* Simon Baynes MP in the House of Commons. 

Before the holidays Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes highlighted the area around the Trevor Basin and Llangollen Canal as a great place for walking and cycling, as well as the work of local councils in encouraging residents to make use of the sites.

Mr Baynes asked Minister of State for Transport, Chris Heaton-Harris MP, to join him in praising Denbighshire and Wrexham councils and the Canal and River Trust for their work in encouraging walking and cycling by the Llangollen Canal and for promoting those activities in the newly announced master plan for the Trevor Basin and surrounding area.

In response, the Minister said: “Cycling and walking policy is a devolved matter for the Welsh Government, but I am happy to congratulate those councils and the Canal and River Trust on their work in and around this globally significant site and the canal world heritage site. 

"We will follow in the steps of Thomas Telford, who designed the beautiful aqueduct there, to deliver high-quality cycling and walking infrastructure for future generations with the £2 billion that I just mentioned.” 

Speaking later, Mr Baynes said: “We are incredibly blessed to have a UNESCO World Heritage Site right on our doorsteps. 

"And organisations like Denbighshire and Wrexham councils and the Canal and River Trust are doing an excellent job of encouraging people to take full advantage of the Trevor Basin and Llangollen Canal, not only for their magnificent scenery but also for walking and cycling. I am very excited by the opportunities offered by Wrexham Council’s newly announced master plan for developing the Trevor Basin and surrounding area.”

Llangollen Railway says Corwen station will open next May

* Mark Isherwood SM, left, with project leader Richard Dixon-Gough, 

on a recent visit to Corwen station.

Despite the major financial setbacks of 2020 Llangollen Railway still aims to have trains running regularly to Corwen by May of next year.

Currently closed for the third lockdown this year, the heritage railway has lost out on hundreds of thousands of pounds of fares from major crowd-pullers such as the annual Santa specials.

But in his annual festive message its press officer George Jones says: “As we end this most peculiar year, I send greetings to all my contacts in the press and media with thanks for your support in reporting progress with the Corwen Project and other events at Llangollen Railway during these challenging times.

“Whilst there is now a further unfortunate turn of circumstances as we end 2020, the hope is things will improve next year and we will see the new station at Corwen open on a target date of 28 May.

“The support obtained from donations to allow the renewal of timbers for Dee Bridge has come from near and far thanks to the publicity given to the appeal and the response to it. 

“The success of the fundraising also allows for the renewal of sleepers in Berwyn tunnel. 

“If CV19 restrictions permit, this engineering work will allow the passage of ballast trains to Corwen and the tamping of the station loop in time for an official inspection of the new station prior to opening, all of which will provide further exciting news reporting to conclude the challenge of the past ten years to extend the railway westwards from Carrog." 

As llanblogger revealed in October, the railway put out an urgent call to its supporters for £15,000 to revive Dee Bridge, built in 1865 and now in desperate need of new timbers if it is to continue to carry services over it next year.

Two locals make it to the 2021 Guide Pub Guide

* The Corn Mill in Llangollen.

Two pubs in this area are amongst 13 from across north Wales which make the recommended list for the Good Pub Guide 2021 after a "nightmare year" for the hospitality sector.

Lockdowns and restrictions have put pubs under threat as the pandemic gripped the nation - with inns in Wales barred from serving alcohol and now closed in the latest firebreak.

The latest guide says: "Despite being battle-weary and worried sick about keeping their businesses up and running – I am pleased to say that these plucky/extraordinary people retain a teeny spark of hope.”

In with a mention is The Corn Mill in Llangollen of which the guide says: "Fascinating riverside building with fine views, personable young staff, super food all day and good beers."

* The West Arms at Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog.

Also mentioned is the West Arms at Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog which the guide describes as:  "Idyllic location for 16th-c inn with reliably good food and picturesque gardens; comfortable bedrooms."

In the narrative the guide goes on: “All know that the road into 2021 (or until a vaccine is widely available) is going to be frighteningly rocky. But they do believe that if they are able to pull together with loyal customers, local suppliers, a helpful bank and a great deal of energy and luck, many will survive.

"But – and I cannot stress this strongly enough - it is imperative that we support them because the British pub is special.

"It is the beating heart and focal point of countless communities, where customers from all walks of life come together and where you can be sure of a warm welcome, a frothing pint and a friendly smile. It makes us happy to be there and we have to do all we can to ensure their survival."

MP praises work of Llan adventure business

* From left, Tom Robinson, Simon Baynes MP, Richard Witheridge and Adam Robson at TNR Outdoors.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes made a socially-distanced visit to TNR Outdoors in Llangollen to meet with the directors and to discuss the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on outdoor adventure and training experiences.

TNR has three business areas: TNR Coaching, TNR Outdoors and TNR Targets. 

TNR Coaching specialises in running first class coaching and training courses, TNR Outdoors provides high quality outdoor adventure experiences in Llangollen, North Wales and across the UK, Europe and sometimes further afield, and TNR Targets is a recent venture: a specialist, purpose built indoor target sports centre on the top floor of TNR’s premises in the converted 19^th Century Industrial Mile End Mill in Llangollen.

During the visit, Mr Baynes, who is also a Vice Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Outdoor Learning, discussed some of the issues facing the industry and the economic impact of the Coronavirus pandemic as well as TNR Outdoors’ future plans for the Mile End Mill premises.

Tom Robinson, Director of TNR Outdoors, said: “TNR is run by my business partners, Richard Witheridge, Adam Robson and myself. 

"We share a passion for the outdoors and for giving our customers the best experience they can have. Founded in 2015, we wanted TNR to be different, we wanted to offer activities to suit every budget so we looked at offering a wide range of time scales from an hour to a day to a full week.

“In 2019 we relocated to our current location, Mile End Mill on the A5 in Llangollen, the gateway to North Wales. 

"We were the first tenants since 1983 and as such it was in a poor state of repair. We invested heavily in the building's infrastucture, repairing windows, completely renewing the electrics and building our office, a toilet, a shop and of course our fantastic target sports facility. We continue to improve everything we do from the equipment we use, the facilities we have and the experiences we deliver.”

Simon Baynes MP said: “I was delighted to make a socially-distanced visit to TNR Outdoors and see the impressive facilities they have on offer. 

"I understand that like so many industries and sectors, the pandemic has impacted their activities. So I was grateful to be able to gain a greater insight into just how important this sector is for our local people and economy.

“I was particularly impressed to hear about the training that they provide in Llangollen for the emergency services from not only Wales but across the UK. They are one of only four emergency services training centres in the UK, and therefore play a vital role during the Covid-19 crisis.

“As a Vice Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Outdoor Learning, I know just how beneficial facilities like TNR Outdoors are, not only in providing educational opportunities, but also for physical activity and mental health. And I want to thank the team at TNR Outdoors for welcoming me to their venue and for showing me just how much the site has to offer.”

Merry Christmas from llanblogger!

Castle says merry Christmas in lights

* The castle ablaze with colourful lighting thanks to ASG.

Castell Dinas Bran got all lit up by surprise last night (Christmas Eve).

The illuminating exercise was the work of ASG Entertainments who first announced it on a Facebook post just before 6pm.

This said: "Merry Christmas, Nadolig Llawen from ASG.

"Tonight we have decided to light up Castell Dinas Bran to bring a bit of joy to the local community that is having to go through Christmas in lockdown.

"We hope everyone has the best Christmas they possibly can under the circumstances!

"Scott, Anna and Grace.

"Also a big thank you to

Josh Gowing

,

James Hunt

and

Karen Edwards

for helping with this.

"This was not advertised in advance in order to avoid any gatherings due to COVID-19 regulations."

The castle was last lit up by ASG, that time in blue and white light, back in May as a salute to NHS and other frontline staff.

ASG was helped on that occasion by Chris Davies of Eastwood Media helped by Llangollen's Karen Edwards.

The previous evening there had been a similar lit-up message of thanks to the NHS, this time in red, on a nearby section of the Panorama overlooking the town.

County invites public feedback on town's traffic changes

* The county council post which went out on Facebook.

Denbighshire County Council has invited the people of Llangollen to have their say about recent traffic changes made to the town centre aimed at making it easier for social distancing.

The Active Travel Team, which was responsible for carrying out the controversial changes, posted a message on the Llangollen and District Noticeboard page of Facebook yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon.

Headed “Have your say on town’s Local Sustainable Transport scheme”, this says: “Most of you in this Facebook group will be aware of the temporary Local Sustainable Transport scheme which includes the installation of 'lane defenders' on parts of Abbey Road and Castle Street, closure of the link road between Berwyn Street and Hall Street (the A5), and a change in the direction of flow of vehicles on Bridge Street.

“We warmly invite you to have your say on the temporary scheme by visiting the following web link and completing the survey linked at the bottom of the page:
https://countyconversation.denbighshire.gov.uk/project/574”

Under the sub-heading “Frequently asked questions”, the Facebook post adds:  “We appreciate many of you have queries or concerns about the scheme, and we will attempt to answer some of the more common queries as follows:

“Why has a temporary Local Sustainable Transport scheme been installed in Llangollen?
“The scheme has been installed in Llangollen by Denbighshire County Council to enable some pavements to be widened to encourage active travel (such as walking or cycling) as their main means of getting around town, and to ensure that social distancing can be maintained.

“Was the community informed?
“Yes, the Council ran a consultation on proposed schemes in Llangollen, Denbigh, Rhyl and Ruthin from 10th to 26thJuly 2020. The Council received 91 responses for Llangollen.

“How has it been funded?

“It has been funded via the Welsh Government’s Local Sustainable Transport Response to Covid-19 scheme. The scheme asked local authorities to consider measures to support social distancing in their biggest population hubs, and to encourage and support active travel as a healthier and safer way to get around in light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

“Could the money have been used for something else to benefit Llangollen?
“No. The Local Sustainable Transport Response to Covid-19 scheme only allowed local authorities to bid for money to undertake temporary works which would support the objectives of promoting and encouraging active travel, and ensuring that social distancing can be maintained. If the Council had been unsuccessful in bidding for money based on the Welsh Government criteria, the money from this grant would have been diverted to support active travel schemes and social distancing measures in other locations

“How long is the trial for?
“The trial scheme will be in place for a MAXIMUM of 18 months, however as it is a trial the Council reserves the right to remove the scheme earlier, or to make ongoing adjustments to the trial scheme should this prove to be necessary

“Why might it be necessary to remove or make adjustments to the scheme?
The scheme aims to make active travel easier and safer and to support social distancing. If it becomes clear as the trial continues that these requirements are not being met or if the scheme is causing other unforeseen but significant problems, then the Council may need to remove or make adjustments to the scheme.

“Why didn’t you go straight for a permanent scheme?
“The Welsh Government funding was only to install a temporary scheme, therefore under the terms of the scheme we could only consider a temporary installation at this stage however, we do have an obligation under the Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 to research, develop and promote active travel routes to and through towns. If the trial conducted under the Covid-19 response scheme is successful, we may be able to take any learning from it and integrate it into future research and consultations for active travel proposals in the Llangollen area

“How/when will we know if the trial scheme is working well?
“That’s partially up to you. We are collecting feedback from residents, businesses and visitors on a regular basis which we will use along with road safety data, traffic flow data, pedestrian footfall data, air quality monitoring and a range of other measures to determine whether the scheme is working. We would be grateful if you could complete our feedback surveys as often as you feel necessary or if you spot anything that you think needs us to look into. Llangollen is your town so we need to know that the scheme is working as well as it can for as many people as possible, over the duration of the trial period. We will be running surveys approximately every 8-10 weeks so you can tell us what you think. We will benchmark your opinions from each survey to build a ‘big picture’ as time goes on

“How will you promote the surveys?
“If you live on one of the affected streets, or you have a business there – we will send you newsletters with an update of the previous feedback survey as well as information on how to participate in the new one; we will promote the surveys on the council’s website and social media channels; we will promote the surveys with physical signage along the routes; when you complete a survey, there will be an option for you to provide your contact details so we can get in touch with you directly with updates on the scheme and information on future feedback surveys. You can tell us to write to you, email you, or notify you via telephone/SMS

“When will you report back on the surveys?
“We will report back on the previous survey each time we launch a new one. There will be a gap of 1-2 weeks between a survey closing and us launching a new one. This gives us time to analyse the previous survey, as well as to consider whether the questions we’re asking are still the right ones, based on our ongoing trial data."

A county council spokesperson said: "The council is also accepting feedback in writing to: The Active Travel Team, Denbighshire County Council, Caledfryn, Denbigh, LL16 3RJ."