Preparations go ahead for railway's re-opening on Friday

 

Volunteers have been busy preparing for the re-opening of Llangollen Railway later this week.

The heritage attraction has been closed for eight months as a result of the pandemic and its own financial crisis.

But, as revealed by llanblogger last Saturday, it is due to open its doors to paying visitors once again on Friday.

And Peter Dickinson of the Llangollen Railway Trust (LRT) has sent these pictures showing how the booking hall has been spruced up by volunteers ahead of the big day.  

The trust says it aims to resume train services subject to inspection and approval of maintenance work carried out on the River Dee Bridge. 

Initially, it will be a Llangollen to Berwyn shuttle service which will run using the diesel railcars operating Fridays to Sundays.

This Friday the railway will run two evening trains to coincide with the illumination of the Castle Street bridge over the river Dee.

All services will be using diesel multiple units (DMUs) provided by Llangollen Railcars. 

LRT chairman Pete Edwards said: "Llangollen Railway are delighted to be able to return to operation with a limited service to Berwyn on Friday 9th.

"This is the result of a massive effort by volunteers at the railway and is also indicative of the significant support we've had from agencies and elected representatives. 

"There is much more to do before we are running along the full length of the line but we hope this marks the beginning of a new chapter in the story of our railway and its place in the Dee Valley."

Artwork patches are hung over the side of town bridge

* The artwork patches hang over the side of the bridge.

A team of workmen have this afternoon been hanging a series of large colourful patchworks from Llangollen Bridge.

It's part of a special project called Bridges, Not Walls to mark the start of Eisteddfod week.

International artist Luke Jerram has been working to transform the Grade 1 listed bridge into a giant artwork celebrating peace as part of this year's festival.

This has meant wrapping the ancient stone structure in a giant patchwork of fabrics, said to reflect the crafts and cultures of Wales alongside the festival’s participating nations.

The footpath on one side of the bridge was closed as the hanging of the patches went ahead.

* The pavement is closed as the patches are hung over the bridge.

Due to the pandemic this year’s Eisteddfod will be largely held online, with the main programme being presented over the weekend of the July 9-11.

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

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/

Police appeal for witnesses after woman hurt in collision

A woman is in a critical condition following a road traffic collision in Llangollen.

Shortly after midnight on Sunday, July 4th North Wales Police received a report of a one vehicle collision in Berwyn, not far from the Chain Bridge Hotel, which involved a black coloured Renault Clio.

The 19-year-old female passenger was taken to the Wrexham Maelor Hospital but has since been transferred to Stoke with life threatening injuries.

The 27-year-old driver of the Clio was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and he has since been released under investigation whilst enquiries are ongoing.

He was also taken to the Wrexham Maelor Hospital but was later discharged with minor injuries.

Sergeant Meurig Jones of the Roads Policing Unit is appealing for witnesses.

He said: “We are appealing to anybody who may have seen the male and female at the Bridge Inn in Llangollen late evening on Saturday, July 3rd, to come forward.

“Anybody who may have information that could assist with the ongoing investigation, or anybody who may have been in or around the Llangollen area on Saturday night and who has dash cam footage is asked to contact us urgently.”

Anybody with information is asked to contact officers at the North Wales Police Roads Policing Unit via the website or by calling 101, quoting reference number 21000465060.

Denbighshire raises price of school meal by 20p

Denbighshire is increasing the cost of a school meal by 20p.

The county council says its catering service has faced an average price increase of 8% across all its food suppliers and as a result was raising the cost of a school meal by 20p from September 1. 

I points out that this is the first rise we have introduced in three years.

The council says: "The increase will also help us deliver contributions to savings agreed for the set council budget for this financial year. 

"Even after this increase, prices will still be relatively low compared to other local authority areas, and the service is confident that it is providing value for money in terms of the quality of food given to pupils across our schools."

It adds: "The School Catering Service has also just been recognised as one of the top six best performing services in the UK for 2019/2020.

"This recognition, from The Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE), is based upon comparisons with other school meals services from across the UK.

"It takes into account things such as food purchasing initiatives, school meal uptake, management costs, staff training/absence levels, communication to customers and more."

Examples of the meals provided to pupils by the service can be found here https://denbighshireschoolmeals.co.uk/primary-menus/

  

MP encourages people to join green-fingered scheme

* Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes.

Welsh Conservative MP for Clwyd South, Simon Baynes, is encouraging communities in Denbighshire to get involved in a scheme aimed at creating, restoring and enhancing green spaces. 

The Local Places for Nature project was a huge success last year with 500 green spaces across the country transformed, and community groups and organisations of all shapes and sizes getting involved,  from disability charities and youth groups to social enterprises and care groups. 

Now, in 2021 hundreds more packages are available to give out to deserving communities who are keen to reverse nature’s decline, work towards a more sustainable environment and provide an important boost to the well-being of local communities across Wales, and Mr Baynes is urging communities in his constituency of Clwyd South to get involved. 

He said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to boost community wellbeing and brighten up our area at the same time. So, I really hope that local groups and organisations will get involved. 

"We have some amazing gardeners and horticulturalists in Clwyd South, and I know that with their green-fingered talent, we can transform our green spaces and bring a bit more nature back into our lives.” 

The Local Places for Nature package includes native plants, tools and other materials. 

* Further information about the project can be found on the Keep Wales Tidy website: https://www.keepwalestidy.cymru/.

 

Funding available for community events in Denbighshire

Denbighshire County Council has announced a one-off grant funding opportunity for communities that host and organise events in Denbighshire.

The aim of the fund will be to improve the current infrastructure to support more sustainable and cost effective events, making it easier to host more events in local communities.

A total budget of £128,000 is available, to be shared by successful applicants across Denbighshire.

Cllr Bobby Feeley, the council’s Lead Member for Well-being and Independence, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for community groups and event organisers to apply for funding to help improve event infrastructure in the county.

“We would like to ask those applying to work in partnership with city, town and community councils and their local county councillor, to develop their proposals.

“This is part of the council’s Corporate Plan priority to help support our communities to become more connected and resilient, and able to enjoy the unique experience local events offer.”

The council’s preference would be for city, town and community councils to be named as the lead, submitting the project proposal on the applicant’s behalf.

Community development officer support will be available throughout the scheme period to offer guidance and facilitation, and to act as a liaison officer with internal departments as required.

You may also receive support to apply for match funding.

Submissions are open until September 30, and shortlisting will take place by the end of October, with successful applicants being informed in November.

* For more information contact joanne.taylor@denbighshire.gov.uk, communitydevelopment@denbighshire.gov.uk, or 01824 706142, and you can apply at www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/leisure-and-tourism/events-whats-on/funding-opportunity-for-community-events-infrastructure.aspx

Railway to roll back into action from next Friday

llanblogger exclusive

Llangollen Railway Trust (LRT) aims to resume train services from next Friday, July 9, subject to inspection and approval of maintenance work carried out on the River Dee Bridge. 

This follows eight months of the railway being closed, first due to the pandemic and then the financial crisis from which it is now recovering.

Initially, it will be a Llangollen to Berwyn shuttle service which will run using the diesel railcars operating Fridays to Sundays.

The work on the Dee Bridge re-started on Monday, June 28 and was completed July 2. 

The volunteer permanent way team were fitting the check rails to the timbers, aligning the track and welding-up the rail joints to complete the work started in March, when new baulk timbers were installed prior the PLC receiver suspending work. 

* Work on the important River Dee bridge is now finished.

The works will be inspected by an independent engineer before the bridge is signed off. 

The railway’s permanent way engineer will inspect the track between the bridge and Berwyn Tunnel before trains can start running to Berwyn.

Operations Director Mike Williams said: “Before we can run revenue-earning train services, we had to complete the railway’s Safety Management System for approval. 

"We have also started re-fresh sessions for steam, diesel loco and unit crews, signalmen, guards and so on, which will be an on-going need, as will be competency examination.”

Looking beyond Berwyn station, there are essential engineering works needed in the Berwyn Tunnel, the relaying of the West End Point work at Glyndyfrdwy has started and repair to Occupational Crossings at Carrog.

Once the Berwyn Tunnel work is finished, train services can extend to Glyndyfrdwy, initially again using DMU traction until the west end points become available. 

When around facilities are operational at Glyndyfrdwy, the options are for using steam or diesel loco hauled services. 

Upon completion of the Occupational Crossings, running to Carrog may start, hopefully by early August, says the trust.

The option then is for an engineering train to run to Corwen and drop ballast on the point-work and station loop prior to the tamping of the track through the station, as a longer-term aim.

Mike Williams added: “We are looking to re-start a limited service between Llangollen & Berwyn on Friday July 9 which is a special day in Llangollen for the International Musical Eisteddfod. 

"We will run two evening trains to coincide with the illumination of the Castle Street bridge over the river Dee.”

All services will be using diesel multiple units (DMUs) provided by Llangollen Railcars. 

Its spokesperson John Joyce said: “We are expecting to roster the class 108 DMU with the class 109 Wickham set in reserve, if demand warrants additional seats, subject to social distancing. 

"After an eight-month layover the units will be subject to checks and test runs to Llangollen station for crew refresher sessions.

"Trains will depart Llangollen hourly, Fridays to Sundays, from 11am through to 4pm and allow a 15-minute stopover at Berwyn to enjoy the view of the Dee Gorge or sample the Chain Bridge. 

"Other options for passengers are to visit the Horseshoe Falls or take the traditional walk back to Llangollen along the canal.

“Running a heritage DMU service to Berwyn will be recreating the pioneering days of 1986/87 when services at Llangollen first extended across the Dee bridge. 

"We hope our supporters will turn out and buy a ticket to ride the shuttle if revenues are to cover operational costs and make a contribution to the railway’s overheads when costs like insurance and utility bills remain substantial expenses for the LRT.”