MP welcomes Wrexham's shortlisting for UK Culture City

* Simon Baynes MP at Trevor Basin which is in his constituency and part of Wrexham.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes has welcomed news that Wrexham County Borough, part of which is in his constituency, has been shortlisted for the UK City of Culture 2025.

Bradford, County Durham, Southampton and Wrexham County Borough comprise the shortlist of four for the prestigious title.

The four locations were approved by the UK Government based on independent advice made to the government by a panel of experts led by Sir Phil Redmond. 

The finalists were whittled down from a record twenty initial bids to eight outstanding longlist applications which also included Cornwall, Derby, Stirling and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon.

All bids were asked to explain how they would use culture to grow and strengthen their local area, as well as how they would use culture to recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The vast benefits of winning the prestigious title include attracting millions of pounds in additional investment to help boost regeneration, a year in the cultural spotlight with hundreds of events encouraging long-lasting participation in the arts, and growth for local tourism.

Secretary of State for Wales, Simon Hart, said: “I am absolutely delighted to see Wrexham on the shortlist for UK City of Culture 2025. The bid has done a brilliant job flying the flag for Wales and reaching the final four against such high-standard competition.

“Wrexham already has much to be proud of – one of the oldest football clubs in the world in Wrexham FC, the UNESCO World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and an award-winning culture and arts hub in Ty Pawb. If the county is successful the UK City of Culture title will bring huge opportunities and I wish them every success.”

Simon Baynes said: “This is excellent news for Wrexham and the wider County Borough and I would like to congratulate Wrexham Council for putting together such an outstanding bid – which clearly impressed the expert panel. 

"As an area, we have so much going for us, and so much to be proud of, so I’m very glad to see this recognised. Like many others, I have my fingers crossed that we will win the bid, and reap the opportunities of the prestigious UK City of Culture 2025 title.”

Historic steam loco to visit Llangollen Railway

 

* Photo courtesy of JS Hancock care of https://preservedbritishsteamlocomotives.com/5619-2/ - 

The1925-built GWR 0-6-2T No 5619 will be visiting Llangollen Railway for its 2022 season from its usual home at the Telford Steam Railway. 

The Collett-designed 5600 Class will arrive at Llangollen for completion of its winter maintenance and then undergo its annual examination. 

The work will be completed at Llangollen by our MPD Team. 

The loco will see use throughout the spring, summer and autumn before returning to Telford in time to haul their very successful Polar Express Christmas trains. 

Tom Taylor, LR Trust Manager, said “N^o5619 should arrive in Llangollen before the end of next week (25^th March) and that they would will pull out all the stops to have her ready to welcome steam back to the Dee Valley for Easter. 

He added: "We are very grateful to our friends at the Telford Steam Railway for offering this superb loco to us. 

"Being a Great Western tank, it will look very much at home on our line, which was very much at the heart of GWR Country in its heyday. 

"It is a big step forward to us to source a visiting steam loco as we currently have no serviceable steam locomotives. 

"Later this year two of our Llangollen-based Great Western locomotives, 2-8-0 N^o 3802 and Pannier N^o 7754 are expected to return to steam. The prospect of seeing 3 working GWR locos on the railway together is something to really look forward to and another clear sign that the LR is very much back on track."

Mark Paynter, Commercial Director of the TSR, said: “The Telford Steam Railway are excited to enter in to a new partnership with the Llangollen Railway and we are more than happy to assist them with their steam loco requirements."

Update on changes to county's recycling and waste parks

Denbighshire County Council is reminding residents of changes to its recycling and waste parks. 

From April 1 the three main sites in Denbigh, Ruthin and Rhyl will be managed by social enterprise Bryson Recycling, as part of a joint contract with Conwy County Borough Council. 

The new contract aims to increase recycling rates, introduce more reuse activities and implement a local circular economy approach to recycling. 

It will also see earlier opening times, improved access, a wider range of items accepted at the Ruthin and Denbigh sites and free compost, while Denbighshire residents will be able to use two Conwy recycling and waste parks at Abergele and Mochdre, says the council.

As part of the changes, a small charge will apply from April 1 for residents choosing to bring in non-household waste, such as DIY and construction waste from works or improvements. 

This waste is classified as industrial waste, not household waste, and Council Tax only covers the cost of collecting, recycling and disposing of household waste. 

Cllr Brian Jones said: “Working together with Conwy County Borough Council to appoint a single operator has enabled us to provide value for money for our residents, as management costs have reduced while increasing the amount of waste we recycle.

“The new contract also includes more green initiatives, such as availability of free compost to site users and a new ‘Choose to Reuse’ area at each site for customers to help themselves to useful materials that other people have brought, a charity run re-use shop at the Rhyl site and more support of reuse projects within our communities. 

“Bryson is also pledging £1 for every tonne of waste recycled to be donated to St Kentigern Hospice. 

“Under the new contract there will be no charge for household waste created in the day-to-day running of households.

“The council is not required to accept DIY and construction materials for disposal, even though that waste comes from a domestic property.  However, we understand residents do sometimes create this type of waste themselves and we can handle this waste at our sites with a small charge, to cover the costs of handling and disposal. 

“The charges are not designed to make a profit and have been kept as low as possible for everyone. 

“This change has been introduced to enable us to reduce the overall cost of providing the service to help the council to manage a balanced budget and continue to support our priority services for the people of Denbighshire. 

“Introducing a small charge also helps eliminate the temptation for businesses to deposit waste illegally at our sites. Despite strict controls in place to prevent this, we know some waste from commercial activity makes its way onto our sites by those masquerading as householders.” 

Charges will apply only to DIY and construction materials such as rubble, plasterboard, asbestos, gas bottle, tyres and insulation material. 

Gareth Walsh, General Manager at Bryson Recycling, said: “We are delighted to win this contract and have an opportunity to bring our social enterprise approach to the management of the three Denbighshire sites. We will focus on maximising recycling and reuse at the sites, while making a visit to the Recycling Centre an easy and pleasant experience.”

Tickets still available for latest Ukraine fundraiser

The Llangollen group set up to help the people of the Ukraine after their invasion by Russia is currently running a major fundraiser for the cause. 

Cat Meade, who works at the Castle Street office of estate agents Wingett's, sprang into action two years ago to mastermind the setting up of the Llangollen Covid Support Group.

Now, as war rages through Ukraine, Cat has set up a support group specifically for Ukraine with the proceeds of all its fundraising going to UareUK - United to Assist Refugees UK (Refugees North Wales and Overseas).

Latest event, with prizes supplied by a host of businesses, has set tickets available until tomorrow (Saturday) on the Support Group Facebook page at https://m.facebook.com/groups/2605345223029039/permalink/3201860253377530/ or at Wingetts.

Prizes are:

£100 voucher The Three Eagles

£50 voucher Fouzi's Cafe Llangollen

£50 meal voucher Gales Wine Bar

£50 framing voucher Witzend Gallery Llangollen

4hr Cruise for 2 with afternoon tea & prosecco Llangollen Wharf

90minute combo TNR Outdoors

£40 Lily Rose Interiors

£30 Deeside Cafe Bistro

£30 @mayburysuk homeware

£30 tees Recollections

Tshirt voucher Gwalia Classics

£25 Llangollen Oggie Shop & Fine Foods

Afternoon tea 4 two Bridge End Hotel Llangollen

Fruit box Dee Valley Produce

Fish and chips for 2 @kellys chippy

Home fragrance & bath & body set £30 Cantraig - Fragrance for your Home, Bath & Body

Reiki session Violet Forest Holistic

£20 George's Cafe Llangollen

£25 voucher Llangollen barber shop

2 large pizzas Street Pizza & Kebab Llangollen

2 big breakfasts and hot drinks Finley's

Voucher Shop Around The Corner

£10 Gifts from Wales Ltd & £10 Ice Cream Cottage

1 month Dance Classes for Strictly Fun Dancing

& Zumba Gold Julie Kirk Thomas

Tickets are £5 per number. Paypal or drop into Wingetts.

Unlimited goes and each gift per ticket drawn.

Cat said: "We are doing amazingly for Ukraine. The support and generosity of local people and businesses so far has been fantastic."

Police appeal follows graffiti attack on castle

* Graffiti spray-painted onto the castle.

An appeal for information has been launched after vandals daubed graffiti onto Llangollen's historic castle.

Castell Dinas Bran, which sits on a hilltop above Llangollen, is popular with locals and tourists alike.

But the 13th century ancient monument has been defaced by paw prints being spray-painted onto it in red.

North Wales Police's Rural Crime Team say the Gate House wall of the site has been damaged by the vandals.

Castell Dinas Bran is looked after by CADW, the Welsh Government's historic environment service. They are aware of the incident and say they are working to rectify it. 

Officers are now appealing for witnesses to come forward and help identify those responsible.

A statement from the force read: "The team are appealing for any witnesses to the graffitiing of the Gate house of Castell Dinas Bran nr Llangollen.

"Cadw are aware of the damage and will take steps to rectify it. However if you have seen anything please contact the team on 101 or via webchat reference B035381."

Community cast sought for new Ladies of Llangollen show

Theatr Clwyd in Mold is producing a new show based on the true story of the Ladies of Llangollen.

And they are currently recruiting a community cast to help them bring it to the stage this summer.

Celebrated Virgins, written by Katie Elin-Salt and directed by Eleri B. Jones, tells the story of Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Sarah Ponsonby who famously lived at Plas Newydd in Llangollen.

When the two women found each other, they defied convention, fleeing their homes and families, cast out by a society who did not understand their love.

Starting a new life in Llangollen, they became celebrities of the day, forced to witness their own lives re-told by those who weren’t there. 

In this new play they are back, ready to reclaim the story that’s rightfully theirs, and this time, it’s on their terms.

The community ensemble will be fully involved in the show and an integral part of the company. 

They’ll be working with the professional cast in rehearsals and will be involved in the show’s movement, text and visual language to help tell the story.

The production team is looking for a cast of 16, divided into two teams of eight.

The opportunity is open to anyone over the age of 18 and access needs can be accommodated.

Dates for the Project are April 18 until June 6.

Rehearsals are Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturdays between April 18 and May 14. Technical rehearsals are evenings during the week of May 16.

There will be four performances a week per group during the week of May 23 and 30, with possible additional performances in the week of June 6.

Workshop Day is Saturday March 12.

To audition you’ll need to sign up for one of our workshop sessions and places are limited. These are 10:00-12:00, 13:00-15:00 an 15:30-17:30.

There isn’t anything to prepare and people will be working with the director Eleri on some ensemble pieces and reading some short excerpts of text from the play.

This this is a participatory opportunity for community members and is not an opportunity for professional actors.

Click here to sign up for auditions.

Town council adopts the Llangollen's People's Plan

 

At its monthly meeting last night the town council formally adopted Llangollen’s People’s Plan.

Known as Caru/Love Llangollen, the plan has been prepared by a team of volunteers, under the auspices of the council, with the aim of providing a comprehensive vision for how the town should develop over the next four years. 

The suggestions in it are based on what the group Shape My Llangollen (SML), which steered the project, 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 generated over 1,700 separate answers.

And, based on these answers, the volunteers produced the final draft of the plan which contains around 90 proposals for improving Llangollen and its quality of life and work up until the year 2026. 

Shape My Llangollen put the People's Plan back to the people for the final round of consultation last December before producing the final version, which was approved by members of the town council at their meeting last night.

Now that it has been formally adopted, the new council, elected on May 5, will be able to consider which elements of the plan can be fed into the council's business plan. 

At last night's meeting town councillors thanked members of Shape My Llangollen’s core team for their hard work in preparing it since 2018.

Phil Robinson, who chairs SML, said: “The plan’s adoption by the town council is the culmination of almost four years of hard work by the team which I have had the honour of leading.

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

"I'd like to thank everyone, including organisations large and small, who helped us to complete this very important piece of work for the town’s future development and members of SML whose dedication has seen our work through to its conclusion.”

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