Dee Valley gets new bus service to link key destinations

* The new bus stops off at Plas Newydd.

A new bus service has been launched in the Dee Valley to provide access to some of the key destinations in this beautiful and historic landscape. 

The Dee Valley Picturesque Bus service is a circular route which will run every Saturday until October 2021, and will link Llangollen and the surrounding villages to popular local attractions including Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Wenffrwd Nature Reserve, Horseshoe Falls, Valle Crucis Abbey, PlasNewydd Historic House and the Horseshoe Pass.

It is hoped that this new service will enable people to visit these key locations without the need of a car and reduce the need for parking spaces, making it easier for those without their own vehicle to access these places, and helping to reduce congestion at some of the busiest sites in the Dee Valley.  

The service will also provide both visitors and local residents the opportunity to explore the wider area.

The service has been made possible thanks to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wales, and delivered in partnership by Denbighshire County Council and the Our Picturesque Landscape project, a landscape partnership scheme which is working to conserve and improve access to the inspiring landscapes of the Dee Valley and Pontcysllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site.

The Dee Valley Picturesque Bus Service 199 will operate Saturdays only until 30^th October 2021. For the full timetable and ticket prices for the Picturesque Bus service please see Denbighshire bus timetable webpage or pick up a leaflet from Llangollen Tourist Information Centre.

Kate Thomson, Partnership Officer for the Our Picturesque Landscape project, said: “We are delighted to launch the Dee Valley Picturesque Bus Service.  

"This project was due to launch in 2020 but was delayed by the pandemic, so we are really pleased that this service will be able to run in 2021 and hopefully for many years to come.  

"By working in partnership with Denbighshire County Council, we have been able to ensure that the service complements existing public transport provision.  

"Connecting to bus timetables from Corwen and Wrexham makes the Picturesque Bus service the ideal option for planning walks in the area.  

"We are grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund in Walesfor making this service possible, and hope it will go on to be a great success and a real legacy for the Our Picturesque Landscape project.”

Cllr Brian Jones, Denbighshire County Council’s Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the Environment, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership on providing this bus service which will give visitors the chance to explore the area without the need for a car. 

"This service will reduce congestion and helps protect the environment, which is a priority for the council.”

Wales' First Minister makes visit to Plas Newydd

* Fiona Owens' picture of Mark Drakeford at Plas Newydd this morning.

Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford made a flying visit to Plas Newydd this morning (Thursday).

Although this has yet to be confirmed, it is thought he was at the world-famous home of the Ladies of Llangollen to be shown progress on a major works project by the county council that has included the restoration of over 50 metres of retaining stone wall, the installation of stepping stones across the Afon Cyflymen as well as pitch-paving to reduce the slipperiness on the summerhouse steps. 

This picture of Mr Drakeford and his aides was snapped by local resident Fiona Owens as she was taking her dog for a walk in the grounds just before 9am.

She told llanblogger: "It looked like they were being shown around the grounds and talking to staff."

This was Mr Drakeford's second visit to Llangollen in just over a month.

He was last here on a Senedd election campaign visit on April 22 when he took a stroll down Castle Street, accompanied by Labour UK leader Sir Keir Starmer, and later met staff at Llangollen Health Centre.

* Mark Drakeford and Sir Keir Starmer with Ken Skates MS during his election visit to town.

Try lording it with Land Rover's new supreme mud-plugger

Land Rover Discovery Sport road test by Steve Rogers

So, you would like a new Range Rover but 80 grand is too salty for the pocket.

Solution. Troll the second hand market, or maybe there's a better option... buy a new Discovery Sport.

This is as close as you can get to the big man without paying the big bucks, although you'll still need £45-£50,000 to get near that real feeling of luxury.

Discovery Sport first appeared at the end of 2014 replacing Freelander which was nothing like a Range Rover. The aim was to distance the Land Rover brand from the growing crop of SUVs and it has been a roaring success winning awards left right and centre and becoming more a part of the 'if only I had the money' Range Rover family.

It has been freshened up with new light designs front and back, along with upgraded engines and even more technology.

Petrol and diesel engines now have mild hybrid electric motors to harvest battery power under braking. This shaves gramms off emissions and gives a small lift to economy but it does not mean you can drive on pure electric.

The tech team has built a whole new infotainment system called Pivi which does so much I got bored going through it all, but being able to pair two smart phones at the same time is a bonus although the most impressive new feature is 'over the air' software updates which saves going to the garage and waiting an age for the latest navigation maps to be downloaded and such like.

Dashboard layout is unchanged so you still get the problem of the sun blocking out the screen at certain times of the day. It only happened once as the sun was hardly out during my week with the car but something to consider at the next big redesign.

For the most part the cabin with its quality trim is a classy, comfortable place to be, just don't think you are in Range Rover territory. It is a big car with lashings of space for five adults and, unlike most of its rivals, provides an extra two foldaway seats although they are best suited to young children.

Seven up obviously dramatically reduces boot space but sticking to five leaves a huge area and with all the back seats down a couple can happily sleep in the car. There is a good amount of casual storage space and seven USB sockets which will come in handy when it's a full house.

Disco Sport is a popular tow car with additional safety features to keep the van on the straight and narrow. I endured some big winds towing my 7.2 metre caravan but never felt troubled and you can keep an eye on the van on the move thanks to the surround camera system. The 'disappearing' tow bar can be deployed from the touchscreen and if you can be bothered to put in the trailer dimensions it will park it as well.

My wife won the towing economy challenge returning 25.3mpg over 160 miles, a decent return from a 200hp 2-litre diesel. Most of the towing was motorway which was the right territory for the nine speed auto box. We even managed 42mpg on a 100 mile solo drive.

Although it pulls strongly the Disco doesn't feel quick off the mark and is tuned more to comfort as opposed to the stiffer ride of an Audi or BMW so expect some rolling through bends.

Where it beats everyone is its off road credentials. How often will they be needed? Probably rarely but I know which car I would choose in a mud fight! It will even wade through 600mm if water, that's nearly as high as the average office desk.

The entry front wheel drive Discovery Sport is around £32,000 but realistically you need to push the boat out to soak up the luxury. My HSE was just over £52k with extras and was packed with the things we love as well as a full suite of safety features.

It is not a Range Rover or Audi Q8 but the Disco Sport has enough grandeur to at least make you think you are lording it.

Fast facts

Discovery Sport D200 HSE 9sp auto

£46,815

2-litre turbo diesel; 204bhp

0-62mph 8.9secs; 117mph

41.4mpg combined

179g/km. 1st VED £1,305

Insurance group 33

Towing capacity 2,500kg

Computer firm helps school set up coding lab

* Managing director David Pinel and Jasmin Parry, tech support analyst, with 

pupils of Ysgol Y Gwernant and the new equipment. 

Representatives from Llangollen's IT Pro Support, went along to Ysgol Y Gwernant to present equipment for the school's new coding lab.

Kit handed over included four Raspberry PIs with monitors.

Company managing director David Pinel explained: "Understanding computers and learning the basics of coding helps children to develop an appreciation of how things work. 

"It also teaches them how to solve problems in a logical and creative way. This is an important reason that coding should be available in schools, so children learn these skills while they’re young."

Eisteddfod responds to decorated bridge reaction

 

* An artist's impression of how a decorated bridge is intended to look.

Llanblogger’s recent story on Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod’s plan to launch this year’s festival by transforming the ancient town bridge into a giant work of art has split local opinion.

The eisteddfod has commissioned internationally renowned artist Luke Jerram to wrap the 60 metre-long bridge in a giant patchwork reflecting the crafts and cultures of Wales alongside the festival’s participating nations. 

While the festival will mainly be held online this year, organisers hope the eye-catching Festival Bridge will also attract people to visit the town this summer.

Since the story appeared on the blog last Friday, to be shared on social media, over 100 people have commented via Facebook.

While some described it as “a great idea” and said “wow, can’t wait,” others were more critical and said things such as “waste of money” and “ridiculous, awful and expensive”.

Others questioned how appropriate the decoration would be on Grade 1 Listed structure.

Former deputy town mayor, Issy Richards, questioned whether bodies such as Debighshire County Council, which is responsible for the bridge, or ancient monuments body CADW had been consulted about the scheme.

Llanblogger sought the reaction of the eisteddfod, which replied: “We are very much looking forward to working with people from the local community of Llangollen on the bridge artwork for this year’s Eisteddfod. 

“The artist, Luke, is hoping people will send in fabric contributions for the giant patchwork art installation, which is intended to celebrate the town of Llangollen as the home of the Eisteddfod, and the traditional crafts and cultures of Wales. 

“With this year’s event being held mainly online due to the pandemic, we are hoping the artwork will help keep the spirit of the Eisteddfod alive in Llangollen. 

“We’re actively working with local organisations including Denbighshire County Council and CADW, who have been very supportive of the plans. 

“The beauty of the town, and the support of the people who live there, is such an important part of the event’s unique appeal and success.”  

The bridge artwork aims to connect and extend the Eisteddfod’s creativity out from the field where it is normally held each year into the town, transforming and animating Llangollen for the whole world to see.

The festival says it is offering anyone, from local residents in the area and fans of the Eisteddfod to the friends and families of people participating, the chance to get involved.

They are asking for 1m x 1m fabric squares which will be stitched together into a giant patchwork and hung over the bridge. Ideally the patches should be bold in design, so the image stands out when seen from a distance.

People are asked to submit their patchwork by 30 June 2021 and to visit https://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/[KL1] for details, information and terms and conditions.

Denbighshire County Council has been asked for a comment.

Further consultation on county's walking and cycling routes

The second phase of an active travel consultation has been launched in Denbighshire.

The county council is working with Sustrans Cymru as part of the Welsh Government’s Active Travel Network Map consultation on improvements to walking and cycling routes in the county.

A total of 375 people responded to the first phase making 456 comments and this feedback has helped inform draft plans for Llangollen, Rhyl, Prestatyn, Meliden, Dyserth, Rhuddlan, Bodelwyddan, St Asaph, Denbigh, Ruthin and Corwen.

The project focuses on the 11 towns in Denbighshire selected by Welsh Government as the designated localities in the county.

The draft plans show existing routes that already meet active travel standards, routes which require upgrading to meet the standards and new routes we would like to see built over the next 15 years.

The county is now asking if the proposed walking and cycling routes will help people get around their local area more as a pedestrian and a cyclist, and if not what other improvements are needed.

* For information on how to provide feedback go to https://denbighshire2.commonplace.is/

 

County chiefs promise to investigate planter traffic incidents

* Llangollen Advocate's picture of the knocked-over 

Castle Street planter.

County council chiefs say they will investigate latest traffic incidents involving the planters in Castle Street and consider potential solutions. 

The Llangollen Advocate group, which has been campaigning against the social distancing measures installed along one side of Llangollen’s main street, has complained about a number of incidents where the planters – which replaced earlier bollards – have been struck by traffic. 

Latest example came last Wednesday when one of the plastic containers was ripped from its mountings by a passing lorry. 

Advocate obtained both stills pictures and video footage of the incident copies of which it emailed to county and town councillors. 

Llanblogger was also sent a copy of the email in which Advocate said: “Please note the attached photos which show a planter which has been knocked over by a passing vehicle this morning in Castle Street. 

“It is fortunate that that a member of the public was not there to be struck by the planter when this incident happened. 

“It clearly evidences the fragility of these items and the fact that they are not fit for purpose.”

A spokesperson for Denbighshire County Council said: “We have noted the recent incident where a lorry waiting to turn right into Market Street struck one of the planters on Castle Street. 

“We have also been made aware that there have been further recent incidents where lorries have mounted the pavement on Castle Street. 

“Our Road Safety team will investigate these latest incidents and consider potential solutions.”