Inner Wheel enjoys first live meeting in over a year

Llangollen Inner Wheel met in the garden of one of its members for afternoon tea. 

This was the first live meeting they had been able to have since March last year. 

Members took the opportunity to present a certificate of congratulations to Cat Meade in recognition of the outstanding service she has given to the people of Llangollen during the pandemic.

Several members have been with the club for more than 30 years and they were presented with certificates by Eulanwy Davies, past District 18 Chairman.

Enid Law, President of Inner Wheel Great Britain and Ireland, and a member of the Llangollen club, was presented with a bowl to commemorate her time in office.

Eileen Dart, the club's outgoing President, welcomed Val Cartwright as President for 2021-22.

MP slams Welsh Government's tourism tax plan

* Simon Baynes MP in the Chamber of the House of Commons. 

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes criticised the Welsh Labour Government’s proposed tourism tax during Questions to the Wales Office in the Chamber of the House of Commons.

Mr Baynes highlighted the Pontcysyllte World Heritage Site, Llangollen Canal and Steam Railway as examples of vital tourist destinations and said that the tourism and hospitality businesses in his constituency would be hard-hit by Welsh Labour’s proposal. 

He asked whether the Minister responding would agree with him that the Welsh Labour Government’s plans would be disastrous for the hospitality industry in Wales, particularly as it just comes out of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

In response, Wales Office Minister, David TC Davies MP said: “I absolutely agree with my Hon. Friend and I look forward – I hope – to an invitation to visit his constituency at some point in the future to see some of these superb tourist attractions that are there. 

"And I do agree with him. The UK Government has shown its commitment to the tourism industry by cutting VAT down to 5%. 

"The Welsh Labour Government want to implement a tax on the tourism industry at a time when it is at its most fragile. The UK Government will always want to level-up the economy. Welsh Labour will always want to levy taxes. 

Commenting later, Mr Baynes said: “This tourism tax could devastate hospitality businesses in Clwyd South and the rest of North Wales, which relies heavily on the tourism industry. 

"It will discouraging people from visiting Wales and making the average family holiday much more expensive – at a time when we should be encouraging visitors to come and spend money in our local economies. 

“It’s the job of Welsh Government to want to attract people to come and spend money in Wales – not try and discourage them. I was very happy with the Minister’s response, which highlights the contrast between the UK Conservative Government’s support for Wales and Labour’s ill-conceived policies.”

Comedy series starring Llan actor is up for honours

* Llangollen-based actor Dyfed Thomas plays Eurwyn in Rybish.

* The cast of Rybish, from left Mair Tomos Ifans (Val), Betsan Ceiriog (Bobbi), Dyfed Thomas (Eurwyn), Rhodri Trefor (Nigel), and Sion Pritchard (Clive).

A comedy series starring an actor from Llangollen has helped put a TV company taken over by the staff in the running for a record haul of prestigious awards.

Cwmni Da has been shortlisted for an “incredible” total of seven awards at the Celtic Film and Television Festival – more than any other television company in the history of the event founded more than 40 years ago.

It’s also half the number of nominations for all the other television production companies who make programmes for S4C.

The winners will be announced in September.

Dyfed Thomas, a native of Rhos who now lives just outside Llangollen, and the rest of the cast of Rybish (Rubbish) completed filming the  comedy drama series during the Covid-19 lockdown – by creating a bubble for the cast and crew.

Production of the sitcom,  set in a recycling centre, was brought to a halt in March last year by the coronavirus crisis but undeterred Cwmni Da came up with a plan to carrying on filming.

Members of the crew self-isolated for a fortnight before resuming and they were tested regularly throughout the shoot.

When they were not working, the team were holed up in an empty pub, The Beuno, in Clynnog Fawr on the north coast of the Llŷn Peninsula.

The company built their own recycling centre on an old landfill site at Carmel, near Caernarfon.

They used fixed cameras which were remotely controlled to film the remaining episodes in the six-part series.

A delighted Dyfed said: “Being on set by day and living in the Beuno at night was certainly a very exciting, constructive and creative experience.

“There were six to eight of us together all the time. Instead of going home, we would carry on discussing and pay attention to the job full time.

"That just doesn't happen usually, and there certainly isn’t an opportunity to get so close to the author and producers.”

It’s believed Cwmni Da was the first broadcast company in the UK to become an Employee-Owned Trust just over two years ago.

The move saw former managing director Dylan Huws, who remains on the board, sell his shares to the trust.

The company employs 53 staff and a host of freelancers and is based at a state-of-the-art production centre in the Goleuad building on Victoria Dock.

Their output includes some of S4C’s biggest hits like Fferm Ffactor, Noson Lawen, Deian a Loli, and Ffit Cymru, as well as award-winning international co-productions like Llanw (Tide).

But the news about being shortlisted for seven awards heralds a new high water mark for the respected company that turns over around £5 million a year, making a significant contribution to the local economy.

Among the programmes in line to be honoured is a touching documentary, Eirlys, Dementia a Tim (Eirlys, Dementia and Tim), that’s been shortlisted in two categories – for a single documentary and the blue riband Spirit of the Festival Award.

The programme tells the story of former care worker Eirlys Smith, 61, from Menai Bridge, Anglesey, who tracks down an old school friend, Tim Lyn, who’s now a famous TV director.

A documentary series, 47 Copa (47 Summits), that’s been selected in the sports category, features the successful attempt by endurance athlete Huw Jack Brassington, who hails from Caernarfon and now lives in Cockermouth, Cumbria, to conquer one of the world’s toughest mountain challenges.

Camera crews followed the former GB triathlete in treacherous conditions as he completed the gruelling Paddy Buckley Round, which sees runners covering a distance of some 100km and climbing 8,000 metres which it the equivalent of scaling Everest, taking in no fewer than 47 summits – all in 24 hours.

At the other end of the spectrum is the hit comedy series, Rybish (Rubbish), which was shot during the Covid-19 lockdown last year and set in a recycling centre.

A very different  lockdown show, Côr Digidol (Digital Choir) presented by talented tenor, Rhys Meirion, who hails from Porthmadog and now living in Pwllglas near Ruthin, is among the top tips in the entertainment category and showcases a rousing online performance of the famous Welsh hymn Calon Lȃn which went viral on social media with more than 190,000 views.

The uncertain future of a more traditional choir, Côr Meibion Trelawnyd, one of North Wales’s largest male voice choirs which has an average age of 74, provided the poignant backdrop for Y Côr (The Choir), that’s been shortlisted in the arts category.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the age range the 2020 Christmas special of the hugely popular kids’ series, Deian a Loli (Deian and Loli), is also up for a gong in the children’s category.

Having so many of the company’s programmes shortlisted for awards at the Celtic Film and Television Festival was the source of “quiet” pride for Llion Iwan, who has taken over from Dylan Huws as managing director after originally joining Cwmni Da as director of content in 2019.

Llion said: “What stands out for me is that our programmes have been shortlisted in so many diverse categories which shows how multi-talented our team is.

“As a company, Cwmni Da has always punched well above its weight and this has gone to a whole new level after the company became an Employee-Owned Trust. Everybody is even more committed than before.

“We’re very lucky in that we have a core of highly creative and experienced directors and producers as well as younger people who are being mentored.

“By re-organising our schedules and changing how we work, we have been able to continue producing programmes through the pandemic and we’ve done as much as we can to support experienced freelancers in our area who have been faithful to the company. 

“We’ve also continued to contribute to the local economy and our turnover last year remained stable at around £5 million.

“I’ve been going to film festivals and similar competitions such as this one for many years and I know that they are worthwhile especially if you gain recognition in several categories.

“It’s an excellent shop window for us and it’s going to be good for business because it showcases what we can do.”

Peace is theme of Oak Street Gallery's new exhibition

* A poster for the Oak Street Gallery exhibition.

* John Evans's picture of Terry Waite in a previous Eisteddfod parade.

Llangollen's Oak Street Gallery has announced its latest exhibition entitled ‘Making Peace’ which runs from today (Wednesday) until July 18, 10am-4pm Friday to Sunday. 

The exhibition is about the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. 

And the gallery's Karl Young said: "It is to remind us of what we do, as an organisation and as a town, to keep our spirit alive while we are limited by Covid restrictions.

"Peace can be defined in many ways, but the one thing it is always is temporary. Peace demands a constant engagement, it is never won, and can only be experienced by doing. 

"Here in Llangollen once a year we gather to engage in peace-making. 

"It is not about treaties and handshakes. Peacemaking for us is dancing and singing together with a joy that comes from acceptance. 

"With a joy that comes from having the old lie of divisions between us broken. In Llangollen when we lift up our voices to Dinas Bran we are saying, ‘what is human in me is human in us’. And on that basis do we foster hope and peace."

He added: "This exhibition is made possible by the help and contribution of a number of people. I would like to thank Terry Waite for allowing me to use his poem ‘Peace’ and for his writing an article of prose on what the Eisteddfod means to him and the world.

"I am also grateful to the poet Aled Lewis Evans for allowing me to exhibit his poems. This exhibition is primary a photographic exhibition with artistic and lively photographs that capture the events energy and spirit. 

"I am very grateful to the photographers Kim Price Evans, Allan Potts, John Evans and Lowri Page for allowing me to show their beautiful photographs. 

"The exhibition has many wonderful Eisteddfod memorabilia. I am also grateful to the Archives Committee for allowing me to use their collection, and to the Chairman of the Eisteddfod Rhys Davies for all his help. 

"Finally, I would like to thank Ann Ankers of the Eisteddfod’s Competitors Club for lending me their Visitors Book. The book will be on display, but its real pleasure comes from reading the hundreds of enthusiastic comments like the two I have copied below.

“'If the whole world could become harmonious and peace-loving like the Eisteddfod.' – Professor Rajpal Singh, Secretary General, Punjab Arts Council, India, Leader of the Heritage Folk Group.

“'Your Welsh welcome is more than we ever imagine. We want to thank everybody for their sportsmanship and their smile. The city Llangollen is wonderful, the festival has such an atmosphere that isn’t really competitive, that makes us even happier. The weather is pretty weird but the Welsh welcome arranges everything! Thank you for a wonderful time!! we hope to come back in the years to come. Merci énormément' - Ariane Charlebois, Montreal, Canada."

Government moves to tackle second homes problem

In the Senedd later today, Minister for Climate Change Julie James will set out a three-pronged approach to address the impact of second homes ownership on Wales' communities.

The new plan aims to ensure that everyone in Wales can have access to good quality, affordable housing.

The three-pronged approach will focus on:

• Support - addressing affordability and availability of housing,
• Regulatory framework and system - covering planning law and the introduction of a statutory registration scheme for holiday accommodation; and
• A fairer contribution - using national and local taxation systems to ensure second home owners make a fair and effective contribution to the communities in which they buy.

There will also be a pilot area in Wales, to be decided over the summer, where these new measures will be trialled and evaluated before being considered for wider rollout.

Other supporting actions, including the work on a registration scheme for all holiday accommodation and a consultation on changes to local taxes to manage the impact of second homes and self-catered accommodation, will also begin over the summer.

A Welsh Language Community Housing Plan, to protect the particular interests of Welsh language communities, will be published for consultation in the autumn.

Last year, Wales became the only country in the UK to give local authorities the power to charge 100% council tax increase on second homes.

Visiting a housing development in picture-postcard St Davids, West Wales, the Minister met with members of the local community, Pembrokeshire Council and the Community Land Trust to hear how they have been working together to use money raised from the council tax levy to build 18 new affordable homes for local people. 

Speaking from St David’s, Minister for Climate Change, who is responsible for housing, Julie James said: "Meeting with Rachel, Josh from the Community Land Trust, Pembrokeshire Council, and the developers ateb today, has demonstrated how community action and good government policy can work together to bring fairness back into our housing market.

"The continuing rise of house prices mean people, especially younger generations, can no longer afford to live in the communities they have grown up in. A high concentration of second homes or holiday lets can have a very detrimental impact on small communities, and in some areas could compromise the Welsh language being spoken at a community level.

"We have already taken strides on some of these issues - last year we became the only nation in the UK to give local authorities the power to introduce a 100% council tax levy on second homes. But the urgency and gravity of this situation calls for further intervention, which means real and ambitious actions are delivered at pace, to inject fairness back into the housing system.

"Taking recommendations from Dr Brooks’ report, our new three-pronged approach will kick-start a summer of action which will determine how we tackle this issue now and into the future. I am calling on all political parties across the Senedd to get involved in this, as we look to empower our communities to exercise their right to live in good quality homes, wherever they are in Wales."

Over the summer the Welsh Government says it will:

• Work with stakeholders to agree the basis and location or locations for an evaluated pilot;
• Develop a coherent and effective support package to trial within the pilot;
• Frame a statutory registration scheme for all tourist accommodation and continue to engage with stakeholders on the shape of the model we will implement, including both the registration and inspection arrangements;
• Consult on possible changes to local taxes to support local authorities manage the impact of second homes and self-catered accommodation; and
• Establish a draft Welsh Language Communities Housing Plan for consultation in the autumn.

Woman injured in Saturday night crash has died

North Wales Police Wrexham Rural has just issued an update on its Facebook page which says: "The woman who was injured following a road traffic collision in Berwyn, Llangollen on Saturday night has sadly died.

The 19-year-old, who was a passenger in a black coloured Renault Clio, was taken to hospital in Stoke, however sadly, she died of her injuries last night (Monday, July 5th).

"Officers are continuing to appeal for witnesses to the one vehicle collision and are keen on speaking to anybody who may have been travelling in or around the Llangollen area shortly before midnight on Saturday, July 3rd and who may have dash cam footage to get in touch."

Sergeant Meurig Jones said: “Our heartfelt sympathies remain with the woman’s family at this incredibly difficult time.

“The investigation is well underway and I continue to urge anybody who may have information that could help us piece together what happened, to contact us immediately.

“I’m also continuing to appeal to anybody who may have been at the Bridge Inn in Llangollen late evening on Saturday, July 3rd, and who may be able to provide information in relation to the investigation, to come forward.”

The statement adds: "The 27-year-old driver of the Renault Clio, was arrested on suspicion of drink driving shortly after the incident, and was later released under investigation.

"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."

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."