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Tuesday, September 13, 2022

County council roadworks alerts

Latest local roadworks alerts from the county council are:

Jct A539 LLANGOLLEN ROAD SUN BANK 03/10/2022 - 07/10/2022 Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN'S (SCOTT POWELL) LLANGOLLEN Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights 

OPPOSITE CLOGWYN GERAINT LLANGOLLEN GERAINT until 19/10/2022 Gwaith BT/ BT Works PLATINUM (DCC) LLANGOLLEN 

Monday, September 12, 2022

Volunteer shortage leads museum to issue closure warning


* Llangollen Museum in Parade Street is looking for more volunteers.

Llangollen Museum will have to close within the next year unless it can recruit more volunteers. 

That’s the stark warning from the unpaid team which runs the much-loved Parade Street facility. 

They say that, apart from the staffing shortage which has already forced them to cut their number of opening days, another major headache they are facing is finding £80,000 to repair a badly leaking roof. 

In a statement issued today (Monday) they say: “Llangollen Museum has been making the history of the town and surrounding area accessible to local people and visitors for well over 20 years. 

“With displays about the heritage of the area, and a collection of over 10,000 items, we are preserving the history of Llangollen for future generations, so that they can learn about the changes that have happened to our unique area over the centuries. 

“Totally volunteer run, we became an accredited museum 10 years ago. We would very much like to be able to continue to provide this service to everyone for another 20 years and beyond, but, aside from the issue of steeply increasing running costs, we have two critical problems. 

“The first is volunteers. As with many organisations our number of active volunteers has dropped significantly and, following the pandemic, we are struggling to recruit new ones. 

“We have had to cut our days of opening to just four every week, not only making it harder for people to access the heritage but also reducing the income from our small shop area. This will become particularly noticeable when our energy bills shoot up next year. 

“The second issue is with the building. The roof has developed a leak and the only solution is to replace the entire roof – at a cost of around £80,000. Under the terms of our lease from Denbighshire the museum will have to pay for this. 

“We may be able to apply for funding to do this work, but again it comes down to volunteer numbers – volunteers with time to write applications but, more importantly, to show that we are viable to continue to stay open. 

“Without good volunteer numbers we will struggle to secure funding, as it would be of little use to have a new roof if we do not have the people to run the museum. 

“One thing is certain – if we do not manage to get more volunteers then Llangollen Museum WILL have to close within the next year. So we need your help. 

“If you think that you would be able to give some time each week (days and times can be arranged to fit in with what works for you) to helping in the Museum please contact our manager Gill Smith at gilliansmith2@hotmail.co.uk or on 07516 023524. “So do get in touch and help us to let all visitors and local people enjoy the heritage of our fascinating area for the next 20 years.” 

* The museum is, at present, open four days a week – Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. 

It is currently starting its programme of talks – the next one will be on Friday September 30 and will be an illustrated presentation by Graham Greasley entitled Chirk, 1939-1945, a tribute to those men and women who served their country in the Second World War. The talk will start at 7.30pm – entrance will be £3 on the door and, as usual, will include tea/coffee and a biscuit.

In the art gallery at the Museum is presently a display of local scenes by the Pen y Cae Art Group. This will run until September 17 and then, from the September 20 will be an exhibition of photographs of May Queens and May Day events in Llangollen over the one 111 years that it has been running.

Mayor first to sign town's book of condolence for late Queen


* The Mayor, Cllr Paul Keddie, signs the book of condolence.

A book of condolence for Queen Elizabeth II has been opened to the public at Llangollen Town Hall.

The book is available for members of the public to visit and write messages of condolence regarding the Queen and their memories of her reign. 

Earlier today, the Town Mayor, Cllr Paul Keddie, signed the book and on behalf of the residents of Llangollen and offered heartfelt support to our new King Charles III. 

The Town Clerk who was also present said: “I think you can sense a feeling of sadness throughout the town, and the book being here gives people an opportunity to show how they feel and take a bit of time out of their day to pay respects in some small way.”

The book will be open and available for members of the public to sign between 10am and 4pm for the next week, until Friday 16 September and is accessed off Parade Street.


* The side entrance to the Town Hall where the book is being kept.

In addition to the condolence book, members of the public are free to leave comments and tributes on the Llangollen Remembers Facebook page which will be collated and added to the Town Council formal records. There is also a facility to leave messages on the Royal Family webpage www.royal.uk

Members of public who wish to lay floral tributes can place them between two flagpoles on Centenary Square and the Town Council respectfully request the use of biodegradable coverings. These will be removed the day after the state funeral and will be composted and used in the planting of a tree in memory of Queen Elizabeth II. 

Roadworks alert today for Willow Street

Latest local roadworks update from one.network is: 

 

Willow Street, Denbighshire


12 September - 12 September

 

Roadworks, Delays likely

 

Traffic management: Road closure

 

Description: Planned works to undertake road markings along Hall and Willow Street, Llangollen following the intr...

 

Works location: Willow & Hall Street, Llangollen...

 

Public facing description: one.network has automatically assigned a category of Unclassified works to this Works based on the information available. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by Denbighshire County Council.

 

Responsibility for works: Denbighshire County Council

 

Current status: Advanced planning

 

Works reference: QR007S000000000588

 

 

Sunday, September 11, 2022

It's strictly fundraising as vicar takes on charity dance challenge

* Father Lee takes part in a tea dance at The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in 2008. 

Llangollen's showbiz vicar is stepping up to take a crack at the famous glitter ball trophy in a great cause. 

In November, Father Lee Taylor is amongst a group of amateurs taking part in the Strictly Nightingales dancing event at the Titanic Hotel, Liverpool. 

The aim is to raise much-needed funds for patient care at Nightingale House Hospice.

Father Lee is no stranger to the limelight as a key member of the British Music Hall Society and also founder and on-stage chairman of Llangollen's Collen Players which stages regular old time music hall and variety shows at the town's Community Hall.

* Father Lee chairs one of the Collen Players music hall shows.

He said: "Eleven amateurs, including myself, from local businesses and organisations are taking on the Strictly challenge to learn to dance with a professional partner over the coming months, culminating in the Big Night of sparkle and sequins on Saturday November 26 when we will perform to an audience of over 350 guests. Who will scoop the glitter ball trophy?

"It’s been 14 years since I last took part in and ballroom or Latin dancing so I’ve some work to do!

"When living in London, I took part in weekly group lessons and regularly attended the tea dances put on in the Floral Hall at The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden."

He added: "Please support this good cause.

"Nightingale House offers a wide range of facilities to local people and their families living with life-limiting illness. 

"Patients come from Wrexham, Flintshire, Denbighshire and outlying areas. In 2022 it will cost £4,041,617 million to run the Hospice - this equates to nearly £11,073 per day."

Well-known Llan entertainer ties the knot


* The new Mr and Mrs Burton cut the cake during the Town Hall reception.

One of Llangollen's best-known entertainers was married yesterday with a novel, music-themed service at St Collen's followed by a lively reception in the Town Hall.

Chris Burton, who regularly sings and plays guitar at major local events such as the annual Christmas festival, tied the knot with his partner Sue Fawson as a packed church congregation sang out their approval by joining in with a couple of specially chosen numbers including Presley's Can't Help Falling in Love, on entry, and Lennon and McCartney's Let It Be, as they signed the register.     

The ceremony was performed by priest-in-charge Father Lee Taylor.  

Then it was on to an equally well-attended reception for relatives and many friends of the newlyweds at the Town Hall where entertainment on the stage included a selection of well-known songs from a lively five-piece country band and some lavish refreshments.


* Chris and Sue are married by Father Lee Taylor.


* Sue chats with friends outside the church.


* The country band on stage at the reception.

Saturday, September 10, 2022

People can watch proclamation of new king at county hall tomorrow


* The late Queen Elizabeth II.

People from Llangollen have been invited to watch the official proclamation of the accession to the throne of King Charles III which takes place in front of Denbighshire County Hall in Ruthin tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon.

Today the main proclamation ceremony will be held at St James's Palace in London. 

Once the national reading has been complete the proclamation will then be read out in locations across the whole of the United Kingdom.  

The reading for the ceremonial County of Clwyd will take place 1pm on Sunday outside County Hall in Mold.   

It will be delivered by the High Sheriff of Clwyd who will be joined by the Lord Lieutenant and dignitaries from each of the four councils within the old boundaries of Clwyd. 

Open to the public, residents of Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham are welcome to attend to witness this historical moment. 

Following the reading of the Clwyd proclamation, local events to hear the reading will be held at 2.30pm at various locations including outside County Hall in Ruthin - at the front steps off Wynnstay Road - which Llangollen people are welcome to attend.

From Monday September 12, between the hours of 10.00 pm and 4.00 am during weekdays, a book of condolence will be available in the Chamber ante room at Llangollen Town Hall, off Parade Street, to allow those people who wish to pay a written tribute to Queen to do so. 

In addition to the condolence book, members of the public are free to leave comments and tributes on the Llangollen Remembers Facebook page which will be collated and added to the Town Council formal records. There is also a facility to leave messages on the Royal Family webpage www.royal.uk

Members of public who wish to lay floral tributes can place them between two flagpoles on Centenary Square and the Town Council respectfully request the use of biodegradable coverings. These will be removed the day after the state funeral and will be composted and used in the planting of a tree in memory of Queen Elizabeth II.

You can send a message of condolence direct to the Royal Family on the Royal Famly website https://www.royal.uk/.