Tombstoning - or youngsters jumping into the River Dee from Llangollen Bridge in high summer - has become the subject of a story in the Daily Post.
The newspaper has taken an interest in the custom after a debate started on Facebook when a passer-by took photos of the jumping teens, expressing concerns for their safety.
* For the full story see: https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/tombstoning-river-stunt-thats-cherished-24471182
Speed limits in built-up areas will be reduced from 30mph to 20mph in Wales from next year.
Ministers say a 20mph limit will lower road collisions and noise and encourage people to walk or cycle.
The Welsh Parliament passed the law in a vote on Tuesday afternoon.
It was backed by Labour and Plaid Cymru but opposed by the Welsh Conservatives, who said the blanket rollout is "ludicrous".
Sam Rowlands MS for North Wales says the introduction of 20mph on restricted roads is a backward step for Wales and will have a dangerous impact.
Speaking in the Senedd, Mr Rowlands, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Local Government urged fellow members to vote against the Restricted Roads (20mph Speed Limit) (Wales) Order 2022.
He said: “We certainly support letting our councils put 20 mph speed limits outside schools, hospitals and other areas. But this blanket approach across urban roads in Wales, without recognising the vast differences in our communities, seems to me like a knee-jerk reaction.
“This may work in city centres where there is good infrastructure, good public transport in place, but many of our villages and towns that are linked by 30 mph roads at the moment simply do not have that same transport system, the same connectivity, the same infrastructure, it is nothing like Cardiff, it is nothing like Swansea. These rural villages and towns are going to be suffering because of this.
“The Welsh Government's currently trialling this scheme across areas in Wales, including, Buckley in North Wales, where I met with residents and local representatives last week. They highlighted a number of issues. They believe they see a higher level of pollution, observed more accidents and more delays. They also feel that Government have not been listening to them and to their concerns through this process.
“They are concerned about the level of pollution, because what they observe is cars and drivers having to drive in a lower gear, churning out more fumes. They have seen more accidents, because they believe they have seen more drivers distracted with having to try and live within this new speed limit.
“In terms of the cost, we are talking about £33 million, I am sure that that could be better spent on employing more teachers, doctors and nurses here in Wales. Along with this, there is real concern that there is going to be a massive impact on business and the economy as well.
“A constituent wrote to me and said, and I quote, 'Drivers checking their speed constantly, not giving their full attention to road conditions, as well as impatient drivers trying to overtake will make the roads more dangerous, not less.'
“It is clear the Welsh Government has not properly consulted with those who have undergone this trial and it has caused real anger across many of our communities and it simply hasn't worked and won't work. It could have a dangerous impact and is a backwards step in how we go about our daily lives in Wales.”
An enterprising Llangollen community workshop is offering a delivery service to customers of shops in the town using a planet-saving electronic bike.
Thanks to outside funding Drosi Bikes, based in Parade Street, has been able to buy an electric assist e-cargo bike.
And every Friday, for a small fee, it is offering local people the chance to use it to have their orders from local shops delivered within a 10-mile radius of the town centre.
Ceri, of Drosi Bikes, said: "Thanks to funding from Clocaenog WFF and the National Lottery's Together for our Planet we have been able to purchase the e-cargo bike.
"It is available to hire at reduced rates for Llangollen residents and organisations and, every Friday, we have a dedicated rider offering sustainable deliveries across the town and surrounding areas.
"The main aim for the project is to provide residents with a real alternative to a car, particularly for shorter journeys or when travelling into the town. In turn, this helps to lower CO2 emissions and congestion within Llangollen, as well as promoting and supporting local businesses.
"It is also hoped the delivery option will give residents more opportunity to walk, cycle or take the bus into town, knowing we are able to assist in getting their items back to them, without the hassle of carrying heavy bags."
She added: " The way it works is customers head to their favourite independent shops within Llangollen and purchase their items as usual.
"They fill out a delivery card which gets left with their order and stored in the shop. We pick up from each store every Friday morning and distribute - payment is made upon collection.
"If we're delivering within the town it's a flat fee of £2. Beyond this, we charge 50p per mile, up to a range of 10 miles outside of Llangollen.
"During this trial period we are only able to offer deliveries on a Friday - we have a dedicated rider every Friday to offer this service. Going forward, we hope to increase the number of days through a mix of volunteer and funded riders.
"This service is currently operating from a couple of Llangollen shops but we're happy to pick up deliveries from any independent store. If your favourite shop isn't currently signed up, ask them to get in touch with us.
"To maximise the efficiency of the bike, we're also happy to pick up items after dropping off deliveries, such as small items for the charity shop, food donations for the food share and so on."
The Welsh Ambulance Service is urging the public to take precautions ahead of the hot weather forecast for this week.
Temperatures in Wales are set to hit 31°C today
with the warm spell likely to last beyond the weekend.
Warm weather generates an increase in calls to people with breathing difficulties,
and with 999 demand already high, and Covid-19 infections continuing to rise,
the Trust is asking the public to take extra precautions to reduce pressure on
the service.
Lee Brooks, the Trust’s Executive Director of Operations, said: “We had almost 2,000 calls to 999 on Sunday alone,
which is roughly one call every minute.
“We expect demand to remain high with the increase in temperature, so we need
the public’s help to ensure that the pressures we face are not exacerbated
by the weather.
“Hot weather means your body has to work harder to keep its core temperature to
normal levels, and this puts extra strain on your heart, lungs and kidneys.
“This means that you can be at greater risk if you have a pre-existing heart or
respiratory condition, like asthma or angina.
“It’s really important to keep cool and stay hydrated, and if you’re out
and about, please look after yourself and those with you.
“If you do fall victim to the sun, take one of our NHS 111
Wales symptom checkers for bites and stings, breathing
difficulties, hay fever and sunburn – it’ll help you determine the best course
of action.”
Protecting
yourself in the heat
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The planning application to transform Llangollen’s historic Royal into a ‘destination’ hotel has been approved by Denbighshire County Council.
Standing at
the corner of Castle Street and Bridge Street, it is one of the town’s landmark
buildings and dates back to 1752.
Overlooking
Centenary Square, it is Grade II Listed and has been closed since 2019,
A council spokesperson said the permission for application
number 03/2022/0173 was granted under delegated powers and allows for the demolition
of the original existing extension, the erection of a four-storey extension to the
side and rear, including health spa, and additional hotel accommodation.
The spokesperson added: “Also approved is the erection of
a two-storey kitchen extension to the existing courtyard plus the installation
of a canopy and decking to the rear and associated works.
“Officers have also recommended that Listed Building
consent be granted for the same works under application ref 03/2022/0174. However,
this recommendation is currently being considered by CADW.”
The
application was submitted last March in the name of Matt Jones of MAVI
Properties Ltd based in Middle Sontley, Wrexham.
At the
time a press release from the company said the development would give the ability
to create an estimated 45-plus jobs.
The application explained that the aim of the plan was to “create a destination venue
and to improve accessibility of the existing historic element.”
It also
said there would be: “Works consisting of partial demolition of existing a
1960’s extension to facilitate the creation of an all-new spa extension with
additional high-end accommodation above. New restaurant area to be created to
existing basement with extended external decking area.”
The
application adds that in 2019 a public consultation meeting was held at the
Royal Hotel to allow local residents and business owners to opportunity to meet
the project team and to review and discuss the design intentions.
It said:
“During this meeting, the project’s aim to turn the Royal into a ‘destination
hotel’, potentially with a Michelin star restaurant, Spa and terrace with the
ability to create an estimated 45+ jobs were discussed.
“The
intention to develop the project with the Local Authority and CADW was stated,
to not only preserve the historical characteristics of the building, but to
also provide an asset to increase footfall to the town. As part of the
discussion, the issue of erosion to the existing riverbank wall was raised.
Remedial works were subsequently completed in 2021.”
The
application stated that there would be no demolition of any Listed buildings,
either partial or total.
It went on to say the redevelopment would provide the opportunity to employ the full-time equivalent of 45 people.
Llangollen fire station is highlighting the benefits of using a new app to locate a local forest fire yesterday (Sunday) evening.
On its Facebook page this morning it says crews attended the blaze in Pen Coed woods at 8.35pm.
And it adds: "The crews worked hard in the heat to pull up 120 meters of hose to the seat of the fire.
"A big thank you to a member of the public who called it in and met crews at the scene.
"What3words was used, which is a great tool for the public to use if they are unfamiliar with their location.
"It will locate you within a three-meter square anywhere in the world.
"This is a location app that you can download. Please see the picture attached it’s a very good app."
The Traffic Wales website has issued an alert to say that the A483 northbound between Chirk and Ruabon will be closed for cyclic maintenance overnight between 9pm on Friday July 15 and 6am on Saturday, July 16.
A diversion will be in place along the A5 and A539 through Llangollen, the alert adds.
A483 : Northbound : Chirk to Ruabon
