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Tuesday, February 21, 2023

Government earmarks further £5.45m for football museum in Wrexham

The Welsh Government is providing a further £5.45m for the new Football Museum for Wales in Wrexham.

The funding is part of an agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru.

Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport Dawn Bowden (pictured) made the announcement on a visit to the city and comes at a time when interest in Welsh football is at an all-time high.

The museum, which will be within Wrexham Museum and see a substantial redevelopment of the building, will celebrate Wales’ football heritage and help build a legacy from the nation’s involvement in the men’s FIFA World Cup 2022, ensuring its history is valued and stories are recorded for future generations of players and supporters.

Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden said: “Wrexham is the birthplace of Welsh football so it’s the ideal location to celebrate the sport’s heritage.

“We have seen many successes, especially in recent years, in men’s and women’s football, and ensuring the dramatic and emotive events on the international stage, the history and development of club football in Wales and the spirit and diversity of the Welsh football community is told in one place will be vital for present and future generations.

“The new museum will become a key venue in the city as well as for North Wales’ tourist and visitor offer. It also comes at an exciting time for Wrexham AFC as they aim to get back into the Football League.

“Today’s announcement is a great example of the Welsh Government’s commitment to Wrexham and North Wales, especially following the recent disappointing news from the UK Government about the failed levelling-up fund bid.”

Many themes will be showcased at the Football Museum for Wales in Wrexham including Welsh language communities, fan culture, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities and LGBTQ+ experiences.

Since 2020, more than £800,000 in Welsh Government funding has already ensured the appointment of a dedicated Football Curator and Engagement Officers, the progression of designs, and a pan-Wales public engagement and community consultation to develop proposed plans and content. 

Protecting and promoting Wales’ culture and heritage forms part of the Co-operation Agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru.

Designated Member Siân Gwenllian said: “Yma o Hyd fever spread across Wales and across the world last year with our national team reaching the world cup. It showed the pride and joy football has brought us in recent years and how important it is to Wales.

“This redeveloped museum will celebrate our nation’s contribution to the game and the heritage and legacy it provides for us all. Wrexham, a city steeped in football history, is a fitting home for this exciting project and I am delighted we are working together to make it happen.”

Lead Member for Partnerships and Community Safety at Wrexham County Borough Council, Councillor Paul Roberts, said:

“I’d like to thank the Welsh Government for their continued support for Wrexham, the spiritual home of football, to continue to develop the Football Museum for Wales."

Skates raises concerns children refused school meals due to debts

Member of the Senedd Ken Skates has raised concerns that schoolchildren are being refused lunches and turned away at the till because of debts already owed. 

The Clwyd South MS said ‘no child should be humiliated in this way’ – and he has taken the matter up with the local education authority. 

Mr Skates said: “I was contacted by a constituent whose child, a high school student, told her that pupils at her school had been refused a meal and turned away at the canteen till in front of their friends and peers because they already owed money. No child should be humiliated in this way.” 

He also highlighted the incident during First Minister’s Questions and asked Lesley Griffiths MS – standing in for Mark Drakeford – how the Welsh Government is helping. 

Mr Skates said: “I've heard of instances of high schoolchildren who’ve been turned away at the canteen till because their hard-working parents haven’t been able to clear the dinner money debts that they’ve incurred. 

“Would you agree that schools should act with the utmost compassion during these times of financial hardship, and not put young people through such humiliating ordeals? And can you outline what support the Welsh Government is giving to young people to avoid school-time hunger?” 

Ms Griffiths responded: “Yes, I would absolutely agree with you. We know that no child should go hungry, and local authorities and schools should work in partnership with families who are experiencing difficulties with payment of school meals to try and find a solution to ensure that no child goes without a meal at lunchtime. 

“There should be a system in place where parents are reminded in a timely fashion if the balance on their child's account is low, for instance, so that parents can obviously take the action needed. In the case of non-payment, every effort should be made to contact the parent to find a solution, and that might include setting up a payment plan.” 

Ms Griffiths said the Education Minister, Jeremy Miles, has written to councils to remind them of their discretionary powers to provide free meals or implement variable pricing structures. 

She added: “And we've also reminded them of our expectation that no child should be denied an offer of a meal if they turn up to school hungry, because we know that children concentrate far better when they're not hungry.” 

Last year the Welsh Government announced it was rolling out universal free primary school meals, starting with the youngest pupils from September. Ministers are working closely with councils to meet the commitment for every primary pupil to receive free school meals by 2024. 

The Welsh Government also committed £11m to extend holiday food provision for pupils eligible for a free school meal to help low income families and ensure children don’t go hungry in the holidays. 

Monday, February 20, 2023

Traffic alert for Church Street

Latest local traffic alert from one.network is:

Church Street, Llangollen

February 20 - February 22

Roadworks, Delays likely

Traffic management: Road closure

Description: New service required at property. Excavation of a joint bay in footway outside 5a Church Street and.

Works location: Outside 5

Responsibility for works: Scottish Power Renewable Energy


 


Current status: Advanced planning


Sunday, February 19, 2023

Spring job fair planned for Town Hall

A spring job fair is to be held at Llangollen Town Hall on Wednesday March 8, from 11am-2pm.

The aim is to have job seekers come and meet local and national employers face-to-face, and discuss job opportunities.

The Working Denbighshire Job Fair is open to anyone and is part of the Working Denbighshire Programme which is being delivered by Denbighshire County Council in partnership with Llangollen Town Council. 

This event is also part of the council's March for Business month and there is no need to book in advance. 

Working with local businesses and organisations, the programme is committed to supporting Denbighshire residents, with support to gain a place in education or training and help to get into work or become self-employed.

* For more details of the programme, see: 



 

Saturday, February 18, 2023

Steam returns to railway with Berwyn Shuttles

* The engine which pushes the train up the gradient for a 15 minute stopover. Picture by George Jones.


A series of Berwyn Shuttles, hauled by steam locomotive 68067, are running at Llangollen Railway this month.

Departure times are on the poster above.

Tickets can be booked online in advance. 

All online advance bookings for the shuttles will be entered into a draw to win one ‘Full Line Return Family Ticket for 4’ to be used later this season. 

The winner can use the ticket on A & B timetables only but it can’t be used for galas or special events. Full terms and conditions will be provided with the winning ticket. 

The draw will take place on 1st March 2023.

Activities at Pengwern Community Hub

Details have been announced about forthcoming Pengwern Community Hub's Meet, Make and Create sessions:


Friday, February 17, 2023

Hill Street junction work to take three weeks longer than planned

Llanblogger has learned that work to upgrade the junction of the A5, Hill Street and Castle Street will take three weeks longer than originally planned. 

Early in the New Year it was announced that the North and Mid Wales Traffic Agent (NMWRTA) – an arm of the Welsh Government – would be starting a project to upgrade traffic signals to provide a pedestrian crossing phase and realign the Hill Street junction. 

Contractors moved in on January 9 and it was announced that work would take six weeks to be completed by today, Friday February 17. 

An elaborate network of barriers and traffic signals has since been in operation along with ‘one way’ systems on Chapel Street and also at the junction of Hill Street with the A5 - access from the A5 into Hill Street only. 

There has also been a warning from a concerned local resident that the new junction which will be created will be dangerous to pedestrians. The Welsh Government has declined to comment on this.

But now llanblogger has been shown a document by local county councillor Karen Edwards which reveals the work is not now due to be finished until March 9 – three weeks from now.   

llanblogger has requested an explanation for the extension of the work from the county council, which has so far not been given. 

However, Cllr Edwards has now shown us a copy of another notification she received from the county council this afternoon which says: "Due to changes to the original NMWTRA scheme with the addition of Puffin Crossings, along with other unforeseen changes, the anticipated end date for these works is now 09/03/23. The main contractor will do all they can to help keep disruption to a minimum during the works and return to usual operation for the community as soon as possible."