Organisers inundated with entries for Llangollen Round Challenge

Entries for the 4^th Llangollen Round Challenge are going really well, according to organisers.

They say they have already had more that last time with two months still in hand before the sponsored 35-mile hike is due to take place over two days on May 28 and 29.  

A spokesperson said: "What should we do? We can’t cater for too many. Stretching a point, we’ve decided to accept 100 more entries, and when those places are gone, the line must be drawn. You can keep updated on Facebook.

"We’re really excited about the way things are going, and we’re grateful to have had so much help from companies like Hafren Dyfrdwy, Arla Cheese, 9 Bran Food, Tesco and local supermarkets.  

"We’ll be needing a lot of food to cater for so many walkers at the stations around the course, so nearer the time, we’ll be asking if folk could actually bake a cake for us. One of our walkers last time said the Challenge was fuelled by home-made cake!.

"We would be very grateful for that, as we would for any other donations of biscuits, fruit, sweets etc.  Whatever is given means we don’t have to buy that from Cancer Research UK funds, which is brilliant. 

"Thank you, everyone, for your support of the Challenge. We couldn’t appreciate it more. Hopefully we can beat the sum raised for Cancer Research UK in 2018, which was £66,000."

Work planned on 2020 project from Monday

Work on the Llangollen 2020 project for the week ahead is:

• Finish the Yorkstone paving up the east side of the bridge and onto Mill Street
• Install drainage on Mill street / Abbey Road (north side)
• Install kerbs on Abbey Road / Mill Street (north side)

New-style park and ride service for Llangollen

* How the new Llangollen park and ride service could look.

Organisers say plans are progressing to open a park and ride service with a difference for Llangollen.

They say the completion of the car parking facility at the new Nature Park at Wenffrwd just outside town on the A539 offers the perfect opportunity to begin operating a service that's completely unique in Wales.

Group spokesperson David Davies said: “For too long the town has sought a park and ride facility and now we have the ideal opportunity to provide one. 

"The plan is to operate during the summer at weekends and every day during the July and August peak tourist period.

"We will use part of the direct route along the old railway track to a visitor welcome area in Mill Street car park, behind the Ponsonby pub.

"We plan to operate a half-hourly service - recognising animal welfare considerations if we experience a very hot summer - and financial modelling of such a service so far looks viable."

Mr Davies added: "This service will be a significant tourist attraction and once again a first in Wales.  

"Our resources manager now has as his top priority the recruitment of the 23 donkeys the service will require to haul the park and ride vehicle on a shift basis.  

"Also being worked out are the specifications of the animal welfare units, complete with fodder facilities, needed at each end of the route and details of the training of the staff who will operate the service.”

* Please check the date after reading this exclusive llanblogger story. 

Chance for dream drive of historic engine at Llangollen Railway

Llangollen Railway is set to make many young boys' dream of being an engine driver come true over the next couple of months.

Its Driver-for-a-Fiver experience will allow budding Casey Joneses to take the controls of a vintage diesel engine for a short chug on the famous Dee Valley line.

The mighty machine they'll be driving is a 66 year-old shunting locomotive that can usually be found doing unglamorous jobs like moving locomotives and carriages around in sidings.

The Class 08 diesel-electric engine number 13625 affectionately nicknamed 'Gronk' due to the distinctive noise made by its 350hp English Electric diesel engine, was built in 1956 at Derby Locomotive Works. 

The 08 will also be working a new and shorter shuttle service between Llangollen and Berwyn Stations, which will run in-between the three daily steam and diesel trains that run between Llangollen and Carrog.

The novel new services are the brainchild of Mike Williams, a longstanding volunteer guard and Board Member for Operations at the railway.

He said: “I’ve spent a lot of time working on the 08 over the last year. The old girl really has been invaluable to us, shunting our yards and also hauling the works trains to get our railway back in business. 

"It’s a popular loco that doesn’t get much use on public trains and we’re often asked when there might be a chance to sample a ride behind it. Well, now people can – and they can even have a go at driving it too!”

Driver-for-a-Fiver will run in Llangollen station and allow those over 12 - under 16s must be accompanied by an adult - the chance to drive the locomotive for a short distance along the platform and back. 

The experience is available between 11:20-12:05, 13:15-14:15 and 15:35- 16:15. Tickets can be purchased on the day. 

With a return journey time of 50 minutes, the Berwyn Shuttle allows those looking for a shorter trip the chance to travel to the beautiful Berwyn station in the scenic Dee Gorge. 

There is a station tearoom and it is also possible to take a walk to the Chain Bridge or nearby Horseshoe Falls and return back to Llangollen on a later train if desired. 

Departures from Llangollen are 10:20, 12:15, 14:30 & 16:30, with returns from Berwyn at 10:50, 12:16, 12:45, 14:26, 15:00, 16:31 & 17:00. 

Tickets cost £8.50 for adults, £5 for a child and £7.50 for seniors, purchasable from Llangollen station on the day. 

Mike added: “The rolling stock the shuttle will use is also interesting and quirky, adding a bit of character to the experience. 

"There is a converted open freight wagon, which has seating and a canopy. Travelling in this is a real outdoor experience and you’ll be able to hear the river as well as see it. 

"There is covered accommodation for the less adventurous – a converted LNER pigeon van, which is fully enclosed but with nice, large windows. This vehicle is nearly 100 years old and was built to carry racing pigeons around the country. 

"Don’t worry though, it’s had a lot of work done on it since then to make it suitable to carry people, including those who have mobility issues."

The events will run in April on Sat 9th & Sun 10th , Sat 16th , Sun 17th & Mon 18th , Sat 23rd & Sun 24th and Sat 30th. In May they will run on Sun 1st & Mon 2nd.

Bryn Collen children take part in Big Walk and Wheel

* All this week children from Ysgol Bryn Collen have been joining in with the 2022 Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel event.

This year over 2,400 schools from across the UK are taking part, including Bryn Collen which invited all its children to either walk to school, from the green by Pengwern park, or head in by cycle or scooter from St Collen’s church car park each day from Monday to Friday. 

Almost 800,000 youngsters have been involved in what is the largest inter-school walking, wheeling, scooting and cycling challenge which aims to inspire pupils to get active of their school run.

A spokesperson for Bryn Collen said: "The Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel to School week has been successful so far with over 150 pupils taking part.

"They either walked from the green in Pengwern or cycled/scooted from St Collen’s Church."

Recycling facility campaigner gives latest update

Phil Jones, the man behind the on-going campaign to see Llangollen people secure easier access to recycling facilities has given his latest update on the situation:   

"Will we get access to a proper recycling facility in 2022?

You may have seen that there are changes coming to recycling services in that charges will be applied from April 1^st. and the details have been covered in previous posts. Here’s a link: https://walesnewsonline.com/residents-charged-for-disposing-diy-household-waste/

When these charges were announced we also heard that a new contract for waste services had been awarded jointly with Conwy CBC.

We were told that efficiency savings would result, but that the service would not cover the Dee Valley. 

I wrote to DCC’s lead member for waste asking him to task officers to look again at how the income stream coming from new charges would affect their original assessment that access to the Plas Madoc facility was ‘unaffordable’. 

I was informed that my request had been passed to our County Councillors. I have received no acknowledgement from them and as neither of them ever supported our campaign.

Clearly no progress can be expected on this issue until after the elections on May 5, but this is your opportunity to make sure that whoever you vote for is willing and able to represent your wishes for access to the existing Plas Madoc recycling facility.

In a time when our 22 county councils in Wales are supposed to be working collaboratively, pooling expertise and assets it is a nonsense that we cannot access a ready made facility in the Dee Valley, but we are expected to drive 30 miles and pay for the privilege of disposing of our waste." 

MS calls for action to secure future of religious buildings

* St Collen's is one of Wales's most famous religious buildings.

North Wales Senedd Member Sam Rowlands is calling for urgent action to secure the future of religious buildings in Wales. 

Mr Rowlands, who is  trustee of a local church in the region, was responding to a Senedd debate on religious buildings, which received Welsh Government and cross-party support.

 

He said: “It is extremely concerning that we continue to see the closure of religious buildings up and down Wales, and I am sure all members will agree that faith is an important aspect of Welsh life.

“Religious buildings are often the heart of communities, and, at times, bring all parts of our community together. Even for non-believers, faith is what many people reach out to in times of need. 

“While these buildings are merely structures to hold the church, the significance is beyond bricks and mortar it is what they represent."

He added: "These buildings often hold important family and community memories of celebration, memories of grief, and every emotion in between. 

"They have also been the gathering place through generations, the support in dark times and good times, and I argue they will need to be in place for future generations too. 

“But, sadly, as we know, the future of many buildings of religion and of faith across Wales is not secure. This is also sadly the case in my own region of North Wales, with many important buildings having an uncertain future. 

"For example, St Mary's cathedral in Wrexham, a Grade ll listed building, is currently facing a worrying time with the cathedral hall needing a full refurbishment and the heating system needing to be replaced. Also coming to mind is Llanrhychwyn church in the beautiful Conwy valley, which many people claim is the oldest church in Wales.

“Now is the time for Welsh Government to work with all denominations in Wales to discuss the future of religious buildings, and most importantly ensure they are here to stay for our future generations.”