Work starts to create giant patchwork on town bridge

* Top: Patchwork panels of ‘Bridges, Not Walls’ Llangollen Bridge artwork by artist Luke Jerram.

* Below: Mock-up of ‘Bridges, Not Walls’; artist Luke Jerram stands in front of Llangollen Bridge; tailor upholsterer Emma Williams stitches fabric squares together

International artist Luke Jerram is working to transform Llangollen Bridge into a giant artwork celebrating peace, as part of this year's Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod (LIME).

Luke plans to wrap the Grade 1 listed stone bridge in a giant patchwork of fabrics, reflecting the crafts and cultures of Wales alongside the festival’s participating nations.

Called Bridges, Not Walls, the artwork celebrates the idea of peace on which the festival was founded nearly 75 years ago.

Known for public art installations around the world including Museum of the Moon, Play Me, I’m Yours, which brought street pianos to dozens of international cities, and his recent Glass Microbiology sculptures depicting the coronavirus and its vaccine, this is the first commission in Wales for Luke, who completed his degree at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Whilst the Llangollen Eisteddfod will mainly be held online this year, organisers hope the eye-catching Bridges, Not Walls will also attract people to visit the town this summer.

In a race against time, 800 squares of one-metre-wide fabric, including local donations from Llangollen, are currently being stitched together to cover both sides of the 60 metre-long bridge.

Organisers say creating an ever-changing artwork depending on the angle, light and weather conditions, the bridge will become an incredible sight to view and visit and a powerful symbol connecting this year’s online festival with its physical roots. 

Even the water below it will be transformed with the reflections and colours from the bridge.

Luke Jerram’s new 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.

With the panels of the archways almost complete, work will soon start on the material to cover the bridge’s stanchions, or columns, which stand in the water and support the bridge above.

Luke said: “From the moment I saw it, Llangollen Bridge struck me as incredibly powerful, both physically and symbolically. 

"The message and celebration of peace is at the heart of the Llangollen Eisteddfod and so this historic bridge, one of the seven wonders of Wales, makes the perfect canvas.

"As Sir Isaac Newton once said, 'We build too many walls and not enough bridges.'

"From Israel to the USA, we are at last exploring the possibility of building bridges rather than walls.”

Usually attracting over 4,000 performers from around the world and 35,000 visitors to Llangollen, this year’s unique celebration of global peace and harmony will be largely held online in July 2021, with the main programme being presented over the weekend of the July 9-11 July.

Bridges, Not Walls will remain in place on Llangollen Bridge until August 5.

Betsan Moses, chief executive of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod (LIME), said: “We’re hugely excited about Bridges, Not Walls which celebrates everything Llangollen’s much-loved Eisteddfod stands for - peace, creativity and togetherness. 

"We’re looking forward to sharing a varied and inspiring programme of events online this year and we hope Luke’s artwork will also encourage people to visit the historic town over the summer.”

With major event funding from Welsh Government, this year’s online Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod will celebrate the broadest possible range of musical genres from classical, opera and choral, to jazz, soul and rock, to connect with existing and new audiences in preparation for its physical return in 2022.

* For more information, visit https://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/

Pop-up art event to be staged at Liberty Tavern

 

The second of four pop-up art events at Liberty Tavern in Market Street, Llangollen is being held today (Friday) between 1 and 7pm.

The new venue is currently playing host to artist Jon Young, with a permanent display of his work.

People will be able to drop in to enjoy the hospitality and see additional work by Jon, including his new Rock Legend Series and Arisaig Collections on one of their first outings.

Pop-up event organisers say: “With seascapes, landscapes and vintage fashion there is something for everyone.

“Originals, prints and cards will all be available. No pre-booking is required and all Covid regulations are in place for your safe and enjoyable visit.”

Invite goes out to help draw up plan for Pengwern Vale

 

People are being invited to have their say on drawing up a plan for the long and short term future of Llangollen’s Pengwern Vale.

Last March Natural Resources Wales [NRW] and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty [AONB] organised a meeting with the community of the vale to discuss opportunities around working in partnership to make a positive contribution to its special landscape character.

They arranged a virtual event to listen to what people said about living, working and visiting the vale, the challenges they face and working together in response to the climate and environment emergency.

Over 30 external participants came to a virtual evening meeting including residents, town and county councillors, a headteacher, school governor, local businesses and representatives of Friends of Pengwern Vale, Friends of the Earth, Woodland Trust, the local health centre, Llangollen 2020 (sports clubs) and Dwr Cymru Welsh Water.

A follow-up online meeting will now be held on Tuesday, June 29, between 7 and 9pm, to develop a Plan for the Vale.

Richard Dearing, who has been co-ordinating the project for Natural Resources Wales, said: “At the March online meeting once people realised there was no pre-determined plan, the discussion became positive and free flowing.

“Lots of existing and possible initiatives were raised along with the ambition that the group could start to prepare a Plan for the Vale setting out a vision and ambition for at least the next generation. This could be seen almost as an Area Statement in miniature [see link].

“Some of the possibilities raised ranged from promoting the local engagement with the environment seen during lockdown, to management of recreation, green infrastructure, sustainable land management, and even as far as promoting engagement in wider environmental issues for the next generation.”

He added: “The meeting on June 29 is about supporting the community to develop a short, medium and generational plan for the vale that will be instrumental in delivering the communities vision with the support of a range of stakeholders and partners.

“Unfortunately, the meeting will have to be held online again but we really look forward to meeting face to face as soon as we can.

“We are asking those that would like to log on to e-mail me at richard.dearing@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk to be sent a link to the meeting next week.”

Latest Citizens Advice column

Here is the latest column from Denbighshire Citizens Advice: 

Q: I’ve been living in my privately rented flat for years. I generally have a good relationship with my landlord but I just can’t get them to carry out various repairs that have built up. How can I get them to act - and what exactly do they have to do?

A: This must be a very frustrating situation. Landlords in Wales must be registered with Rent Smart Wales and abide by its code of practice. This includes making sure their properties are safe to live in. Citizens Advice Cymru can help with more advice on this.

You don’t say exactly what repairs are needed. If you have problems such as electrical wiring that you think might be faulty, or there’s damp, or an infestation by pests, the landlord has a legal obligation to put things right. 

Landlords are also responsible for the maintenance of the general structure, and fittings such as boilers and radiators; basins, baths and toilets; and the drains. 

The first step is to contact your landlord again, in writing. Include photographs of the problems. Keep a record of all communications and evidence relating to the disrepair. 

If that doesn’t prompt any action, the housing advisers at Citizens Advice Cymru can help with next steps. These could include contacting your local council (who will have dedicated officers for dealing with disrepair in private rented properties) or asking for a visit by the environmental health team.

Tenants can take their landlords to court to force them to carry out repairs. However, it’s worth getting some advice and thinking carefully before embarking on this route.

Industry leader slams Airbnb for backing Wales touring tax

 

* Jim Jones, the chief executive of North Wales Tourism.

A tourism leader in North Wales has slammed Airbnb for its “cynical support” for a Welsh Government plan to tax the industry.

Jim Jones, the chief executive of North Wales Tourism, described the plan to impose the controversial Tourism Tax as a “flawed idea”.

Airbnb have said they back the idea and that they want to work with the Welsh Government  in a bid to tackle  so-called “over tourism”.

But Mr Jones was not impressed saying that any additional levy would be counterproductive and deter visitors from coming to North Wales and play to the “anti-visitor mantra”.

With Covid restrictions being eased, the last thing that was needed was a tax that would encourage “staycationers” to go to other parts of the UK instead.

Mr Jones said: “North Wales is increasingly recognised as a world class visitor destination with international and UK wide appeal, we have the opportunity to significantly grow the value of tourism to the local economy and region as a whole.

“Instead of the Welsh Government prioritising the recovery and optimistically talking growth, such as a 1% increase in tourism spend which would add an extra £20m to the economy, we find ourselves back to 2017 when the then Finance Minister Mark Drakeford was trying to push through four new taxes, one being tourism tax.

 “We told him then as we tell him now, this is not welcomed by the majority of the industry.

“It is counterproductive and will damage our economic performance, brand and prospects. It will also increase social exclusion, undermine policies to create a healthier and more active Wales, limit opportunities for economic growth in Welsh-speaking heartlands and disproportionately impact those least able to afford to take a holiday.

“It is extremely insensitive that the Welsh Government are talking about this and could not have come at a worse time for our industry, raising the subject knowing full well it will play into the anti-visitor mantra.

 “Welsh tourism and hospitality businesses pay business rates to Welsh Government, revenue ALL generated through visitor spend and so already a tax on tourism spend.  

“In my view the whole tourism tax model is flawed in Wales as local authorities already get an enhanced grant towards increased visitor numbers.

“Are the Local Authorities prepared to relinquish a grant from Welsh Government to undertake a massive logistic challenge of extracting taxes from business, a number of our businesses who have already said they will not collect any form of tourism tax. 

“Most local authorities are sitting on huge financial reserves following the pandemic, this should also be challenged of what any additional revenue will be used for, when they can’t spend the money they already have.

“I’m also very disappointed that Airbnb have come out to support a tourism tax, I believe this is a cynical move by Airbnb who now charge hosts 15% commission.

“They are not on a level playing field with our serviced accommodation sector, there is a statutory misalignment - whereby many Airbnb hosts can have no business insurance nor public liability insurance, have no responsibility to test electronic equipment and can freely dispose of waste through their local authority as if domestic tenants.

“Of course, once they have the same statutory obligations as us, then they can contribute to the discussion, but as it stands, they are unequal partners in this industry and their opinion in my view is redundant. 

“A majority of Airbnb owners are not registered for business rates and are unregulated, so how on earth would they propose to ensure compliance?

“The Welsh Government should be undertaking an urgent reform, on a system that is currently unfair, as they tax and punish success in hospitality businesses, because it’s being based on turnover, much of which is unprofitable.”  

Non-urgent medical advice service for Wales launched

* The NHS 111 website.

From today (Tuesday) people in North Wales will be able to dial 111 to get non-urgent medical advice and access to their out of hours service. 

111 is a free treatment and advice service, managed by a team of professionals, who will quickly help users get the right treatment at the right time and in the right place. 

The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Advice is also available online at www.111.wales.nhs.uk

The service has now been rolled out to all health board areas of Wales, except Cardiff and Vale, which is expected to come online later this financial year.

Health Minister Eluned Morgan said: “The 111 service will support people to receive the most appropriate services for their needs, and reduce the pressure on our 999 service. 

"When the NHS is experiencing high demand the service is particularly useful in ensuring people are directed to the most appropriate services. 

“Supported by the 111 website, this easy to remember free phone service will make it easier for anyone to access the support they need.”

MP looks in on town's newly-opened bike workshop

* From left: Beth Ward, Robin Hughes, Simon Baynes MP and Steve Davies at Drosi Bikes in Llangollen.

Welsh Conservative Member of Parliament for Clwyd South, Simon Baynes, made a socially-distanced visit to Drosi Bikes in Llangollen.

They have recently started trading following the lifting of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

Mr Baynes heard more about the founders Beth Ward and Robin Hughes are proudly turning old, unwanted bikes into unique, functional and fun machines as well as electric-powered ones. 

Their aim is to reduce waste and help everyone have a positive impact on the world and its environment. They also provide a bike servicing and repairs service.

Drosi Bikes initially opened on May 17 this year. 

They hope their social enterprise business venture will encourage new riders to get fitter and their name is a play on the Welsh word trosi, meaning ‘to convert.’ 

All the bikes that they refurbish are donated and they have started to hire out bikes to local residents in exchange for a donation in order to encourage active travel. 

They also carry out e-bike conversions at a more affordable price – all customers have to do is supply the bike. 

An e-bike conversion from Drosi typically costs around £860 – considerably less than the market rate of a new e-bike.

Simon Baynes also met volunteer Steve Davies who, as a qualified cycle mechanic, helps with the bike recycling programme. 

Drosi also works with volunteers who are looking to learn more about fixing bikes, which emphasises how the company is giving people new and skilled job opportunities in the local community.

Beth Ward said: “Our sole purpose as a social enterprise is to improve the diversity in the cycling community and to offer people of all backgrounds an accessible and affordable solution to climate change. 

"We've been overwhelmed by the support we've received so far and we hope that the Community Bike Workshop in Llangollen will be a place that inspires more people to choose to cycle and not drive."

Simon Baynes said: “The team at Drosi Bikes are passionate and dedicated, and it was a pleasure to meet them in Llangollen. 

"Their business idea is fantastic – converting old unwanted bikes into a range of new bicycles and it certainly has caught on given the steady increase in business that they are experiencing. 

"Their shop is right in the centre of Llangollen next to the museum and is a great addition to the town which already has a very strong tradition of outdoor activities and care for the environment. I am sure they will go from strength to strength.”