Welsh Secretary visits sites to receive Levelling Up boost

* Welsh Secretary Simon Hart, second right, with Simon Baynes MP, second left, and council officials at the aqueduct. 

Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart has viewed sites in north east Wales which are receiving more than £13m in UK Government funding to boost tourism and improve facilities for visitors, including one in Llangollen.

The Welsh Secretary joined Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes and Wrexham Council last Friday to see how the money, allocated as part of the UK Government’s new Levelling Up Fund, will transform connectivity, public spaces and services in the area.

A total of £13.3m was granted to the project in October’s Autumn Budget – part of the first round of successful bids for the £4.8bn Levelling Up Fund which invests in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK, including regenerating town centre and high streets, upgrading local transport, and investing in cultural and heritage assets. 

There are three phases in the north east Wales project: 

1. The Trevor Basin Technical Masterplan which will see investment in a new arrival area, rewilding former industrial land, setting up a woodland activity and education area and creating a new Dee Valley walking route in the area around the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct World Heritage site. 

2. Connectivity improvements in the area including a new public space at the junction of Castle Street and Abbey Road in Llangollen, improving links between Llangollen and the Wenffrwd Nature Reserve through a walking / cycling route along a disused railway line and new visitor facilities at Llantysilio Green / Horseshoe Falls. 

3. Improvements to Corwen Station and car park including electric vehicle charging points and the creation of a walking / cycling route along the disused railway line between Corwen and Cynwyd. 

On Friday, Mr Hart, Mr Baynes and members of Wrexham Council visited the Trevor Basin, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and the River Dee to learn how the levelling-up investment would benefit the area. 

Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart said: “The UK Government is completely focused on levelling up our communities, improving infrastructure and connectivity and creating opportunity for people right across Wales.

“It was fantastic to see the ambitious plans for the Dee Valley and surrounding area and learn how the major injection of funding we are providing will unlock the potential of all our local areas.

“We are aiming to provide investment where it’s needed and where it can make a real difference to people’s lives.”

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes said: “I am hugely grateful to the Secretary of State for taking the time to join us at the Trevor Basin to discuss the ambitious plans underway to level up Clwyd South and our communities in North East Wales, with the Trevor Basin masterplan, the investment in Llangollen and Chirk, and the proposals for the Corwen area.

“The projects have huge potential to benefit Clwyd South residents and visitors alike. They will not only provide jobs and a much needed economic boost to Clwyd South but also improve the well-being of our residents by widening access to recreation, outdoor and other amenity activities. And will celebrate the amazing history, language and culture of our part of Wales and bring them to a wider audience.”

The Wrexham and north east Wales project was one of 10 successful bids in the first round of applications for the new Levelling Up Fund including the regeneration of Aberystwyth seafront, an important dualling of the A4119 in South Wales and redevelopment of the Theatr Brycheiniog Arts Centre in Brecon. 

It was also announced last month that more than 160 projects across Wales will also receive a share of more than £46m in the first round of the Community Renewal Fund which will pilot new programmes that invest in people, boost skills and support local business.  

And three further projects in Wales received over £460,000 from the new Community Ownership Fund designed to protect valued community assets.

Popular Christmas Cheer returns with a new venue

The popular Llangollen Christmas Cheer event is returning - with a move to a new venue.

The evening of festive pre-Christmas entertainment, organised by the Inner Wheel Club  of Llangollen, is being held at St Collen’s Community Hall on Friday, December 17, starting at 6.30 for 7pm. 

Apart from last year’s pandemic hit event, it has been a permanent fixture for the past 30 years, starting as a wassail at what was then the ECTARC Centre  - now the library - and moving to the Town Hall where it evolved into Christmas Cheer.

The format has changed very little in that time. Members of the audience are greeted with a warming glass of punch on arrival. In between the two halves of entertainment in words and music, everyone enjoys a two-course meal.

Over the years members of the club have been keen to nurture local talent with a number of past performers having gone on to become professional opera singers.

This year will be no exception when they welcome James Reardon, a promising young pianist from the town. Also appearing will be Helen Belton, well known to many for her singing talents especially as a member of St Collen's church choir.

Also living locally Caitlin Drake is fast making a name for herself on the professional musical theatre stage. To add gravitas to the occasion Gethin Davies will be performing some favourite monologues.

The accompanist and musical coordinator is Owen Roberts, a valued friend of the club who has been performing this task for most of the 30 years.

The evening will end with a hearty sing-a-long of familiar carols conducted by Gethin.

Due to Covid restrictions the numbers of tickets available has had to be restricted but there are a few remaining prices at £15. There will be a bar available and a raffle. All proceeds will be donated to the charities supported by Inner Wheel in the local area.

* For more information or to purchase tickets, contact enid.law@froncastell.co.uk  or phone: 01978 869285/07816 286436      

Llangollen Rotary closing after 60 years of service

After 60 years of service to the community the Rotary Club of Llangollen has announced it is to close down next summer.

And the club says it is to disperse its charitable funds to local good causes and organisations.

On its Facebook page the club has posted: "It is with great sadness that we must announce that the Rotary Club of Llangollen will be closing by the end of June 2022 due to a lack of active members to fill critical club officer posts.

"As part of our closure programme we will be holding a funds evening on Monday February 28, 2022 to disperse our charitable funds to local charities, good causes and community organisations.

"If you are a Llangollen charity or community organisation and would like to apply for funds to help with your project or community service delivery then please let the club know by leaving us a message and we will be in touch to explain the process.

"The closing date for initial applications is January 31, 2020 to allow for processing and allocation of a presentation slot on the night."

Comments on social media reflect the degree of sadness about the announcement.

Some of the posts say: "It will be a great loss to the town when you close. How many times have we heard 'We'll ask Rotary to help' You will certainly be missed by The lnner Wheel Club and we thank you for your support and friendship."

"Sad news indeed. Inner Wheel and Rotary have worked together and supported each other over the years. The town will miss them."

"Sad news, lovely people that have done great work in their community for many years. I always enjoyed my visits there."

"Sad to hear this about a hard working Rotary Club."

"A great shame that such a club will be lost to the local community."

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Railway should get the support it needs, says North Wales MS

* Sam Rowlands MS, far left, with members of the trust board and station master Ben Jackson at Berwyn.

A leading opposition Senedd Member says the Welsh Government should ensure Llangollen Railway is not taken for granted and gets the support it needs.

The comment was made by the Welsh Conservatives’ Sam Rowlands, who represents North Wales and chairs the Senedd’s Cross-Party Group on Tourism, during a visit to the heritage attraction yesterday (Monday) afternoon.

He was shown round by members of the seven-strong trust board who rescued the railway from liquidation last March and have since put it firmly back on track.

After taking a trip aboard one of the railway’s vintage diesel trains to Berwyn station and back to Llangollen, Mr Rowlands said: “I was impressed to see the real quality offering for tourists coming into the area and also for locals to embrace.

“I’ve also been impressed by the volunteers I’ve met and the trust board members who have put a whole lot of heart and effort into ensuring the railway continues to function and continues to be a quality offer for anybody in Llangollen and along the whole stretch of the line.

“It’s a beautiful place to come and see, with breath-taking views along the route and I’m really keen to see the railway flourish.”

He added: “The cross-party tourism group I chair is always looking to see how it can speak out for the benefit of tourist attractions and this railway ticks all the boxes in terms of a good offer for tourists and locals alike.

“The group has its next meeting in January and I’ll be sure to share my experiences of coming here and also within the wider Senedd, making sure that these sort of heritage attractions are on people’s radar.

“I saw that if this place hadn’t been able to re-boot we would have seen derelict stations and a derelict line which would have been a tragedy for Llangollen and the surrounding areas, so we have to see that this place isn’t just taken for granted and receives the support it needs.”

The trust board’s vice-chairman Phil Coles explained that as the railway recovers from its financial crisis and the worst effects of the pandemic it was planning to take on four or five additional paid staff over the next few months.

He said: “I think the visit went very well because the more politicians we can talk to and give an understanding of what we’re about, hopefully the more able we’ll be to get grant aid and to fill some of these positions.”

Asked about when the new Corwen station at the end of an extended line was likely to open to the public, Mr Coles said: “We’re hoping that will be in mid to late May. But it’s very much dependant on things like whether we have a bad winter. If we have freezing weather that will set us back.”

And speaking about how the revival of the railway has been progressing, he said: “It’s gone very, very well. The cashflow is ahead of our forecast. In fact, it’s gone so well that at times it’s been difficult to cope, not so much with the amount of passengers but the fact that the business started running away from us before we got everything in place.”

You can still have your say on Llan's People's Plan

* Amongst the many people who visited the public consultation session last week was the area's MP Simon Baynes, pictured here (second from left) with members of Shape My Llangollen.

Volunteers have successfully completed their round of face-to-face comment gathering on Llangollen's People's Plan.

But members of the public can still have their say on Caru Llangollen, which sets out the vision for how our town should develop up until 2026.   

And they have until the closing date of December 31 to do so.

The draft plan is based on what the group Shape My Llangollen was told by the people of the area in a series of pre-pandemic public consultation sessions when they were asked about what they liked or didn't like about the town and how they reckon it could be improved.

These consultation sessions, held at the health centre, outside local superstores as well as in the town square, generated 1,700 separate answers.

And, based on what they were told, the volunteers have produced the final draft plan which contains 90 suggestions for improving Llangollen and its quality of life and work over the next four years. 

Shape My Llangollen is now in the process of putting the People's Plan back to the people for the last time before producing the final version of it.

This will then go before the Town Council, which set them the original task in 2018, for approval and adoption.

From last Wednesday to Saturday members of the team were on hand outside the Town Hall to receive people's comments on Caru Llangollen. 

And scores of people braved the rain and wind to hear an explanation of what the plan could mean for them and the town and how they can comment on its proposals.

But the process doesn't end there because hard copies of the plan are available in the library on Castle Street, which Shape My Llangollen is encouraging people to browse and then log their comments, either in written form or by emailing the Town Clerk at: townclerk@llangollentowncouncil.gov.uk

To look through the action plan online - and turn it over page by page - go to: https://pubhtml5.com/gaql/ahfd

Copies of a card reminding people to get involved are also being posted through doors in the town this week.

Phil Robinson, who chairs SML, said: “This final round of public consultation is extremely important as it will be the last chance for people to have their say on this vital and far-reaching vision of the town’s future development.

"This is truly the People's Plan and is something which has never been done before in Llangollen.

"I'd like to thank everyone who took the trouble to stop and speak to our team outside the Town Hall last week, especially as the weather was quite challenging.

"Since the weekend we've had a steady stream of comments on the plan coming in including some useful feedback, which is exactly what we were after.

"I'd now encourage anyone who was unable to meet us last week to take a look at a hard copy of the draft plan in the library and let us have their comments on what it proposes - either by email or in written form - by December 31."    

Aled Jones and Russell Watson headline Llangollen 2022

 

* Aled Jones.

* Russell Watson.

* Anoushka Shankar.

* Manu Delago. 

Star singers Aled Jones and Russell Watson headline at next year's Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod which will see a return to live events following a two-year gap caused by the pandemic.

Organisers say the festival says the 2022 programme is "packed with competitions, concerts and celebrations galore" for its 75^th anniversary, with priority and public booking opening in time for Christmas.

The festival will also feature a new digital hybrid format, allowing competitors to enter and perform on the Llangollen Pavilion stage, regardless of their location around the globe. 

Llangollen’s new executive producer, Camilla King, who joined the organisation in November, said: “It’s an honour to be able to announce the wonderful news that we will return to live music-making in July 2022. 

"In this time of challenges and change, and as we prepare to celebrate our 75^th anniversary, our founding principles of promoting peace through the universal languages of music and dance have rarely felt more important or relevant.”

The 2022 concert programme opens on Thursday July 7 with two of the classical world’s vocal powerhouses, Aled Jones and Russell Watson, who perform together in Llangollen for the first time.

On Friday July 8, Grammy Award winning sitar player Anoushka Shankar teams up with her friend and collaborator Manu Delago and the strings of the Britten Sinfonia for a Llangollen debut.  

The performance includes highlights from Anouska’s catalogue in new orchestral arrangements and works from Manu’s extraordinary percussion oeuvre. 

Details of the 2022 Llanfest headliner and main stage support acts are coming soon, with an emphasis on celebrating homegrown Welsh talent, say organisers.

* Box Office Details (no bookings before December 13):

Priority Booking from 10am Monday 13 December

Public Booking from 10am Monday 20 December

Tickets can be booked online at our website: www.llangollen.net or during phone line opening hours on 01978 862 001.

Full 2022 Listings: 

Thursday July 7 at 7.30pm | £48, £37 | Back In Harmony: Russell Watson and Aled Jones 

Friday July 8 at 8pm |£42, £34, £26 | Anoushka Shankar & Manu Delago In Concert

Saturday July 9 at 7.30pm | £30, £25 | Choir of the World, Dance Champions & Voice of the Future 2022 

Sunday July 10 from 12pm | £28 | Llanfest 

Welsh Government launches Covid safety campaign

The latest phase of the Welsh Government’s Keep Wales Safe campaign which aims to ‘disrupt the transmission’ of Covid-19 is launching today (Monday).

Adverts will run on TV, radio, press, out-of-home, digital and social media channels for the next five weeks to encourage the public to continue to follow the measures put in place to keep all of us safe. 

The campaign focuses on the importance of face masks, vaccinations, testing and self-isolation. Additional campaign messages will also include the importance of ventilation and the use of lateral flow tests before socialising. Campaign materials are also shared with a wide range of partners and stakeholder for use on their own social media channels. 

Health Minister Eluned Morgan said: “The aim of the latest phase of the Keep Wales Safe campaign is to encourage the people of Wales to continue to take measures to stop the spread of Covid-19 as the virus has not gone away. 

“With the emergence of the Omicron variant, we need to continue to take coronavirus seriously and have put measures in place to protect people’s health and to slow down its spread. 

“We want to thank everyone for helping to keep themselves and their loved ones safe by wearing a face covering in indoor public places, getting testing, self-isolating when positive and getting vaccinated. 

“If we all continue to do what we can, we can look forward to a healthier and brighter new year.” 

The campaign will feature on TV adverts, radio including Spotify, digital posters at shopping centres and bus stops, social media including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snap Chat, Twitter, YouTube as well as traditional media advertising. 

The Keep Wales Safe campaign reaches more than 91 per cent of adults in Wales. 

A leaflet will also be sent to 1.4 million homes and will be made available in 35 languages, Easy Read, Braille, large print and BSL.