New contract signed for town's Four Great Highways scheme

* Artist's impression of the Lower Dee Mill ramped area, which is part of the project.

Denbighshire County Council has announced that a contractor has been appointed to complete improvement works on Llangollen’s Four Great Highways scheme.

Levelling Up funded the project which aims to enhance the landscape and improve accessibility, interpretation and signage in Llangollen.

The project is part of investment by the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund that was secured through a joint application between Denbighshire County Council and Wrexham County Borough Council for the Clwyd South Constituency. 

The application was supported by Simon Baynes MP and £3.8 million was allocated to Denbighshire to invest in the communities of Llangollen, Llantysilio, Corwen and surrounding areas.

The contract for the work has been awarded to OBR Construction, who recently completed work for another Levelling Up-funded project at the Wenffrwd Nature Reserve on the outskirts of Llangollen.

The final designs for the projects have recently been slightly modified following feedback from stakeholders and members of the public and to ensure that it remains within the allocated budget.

* How the area around the Wharf should look when the scheme is complete.

Work is due to start on site week commencing February 5, with the aim of being completed by the end of June 2024. However, this may be subject to change depending on weather conditions.

Cllr Barry Mellor, the county council's Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “I am pleased to hear that a contractor has been appointed to undertake this vital project in Llangollen. 

"We’re excited to be working with OBR Construction once again following the fantastic work they did in completing the construction of a path at Wenffrwd Nature Reserve. I have no doubt that they will do a great job on this project as well.

“We’re happy that the final designs for the project reflect public opinion that has been gathered by the Project Team over the past year. We are pleased to be able to share the new artist’s impressions with the public and I look forward to seeing these plans come into fruition and visiting the area once they are complete.” 

* Learn more about the Denbighshire County Council’s Four Great Highways project on our website: https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/four-great-highways

Yellow weather warnings issued by county council

Yellow Weather Warnings for snow and ice covering tomorrow (Tuesday) and Wednesday have been issued through Denbighshire County Council. 

00.00 Tuesday 15.01.2024 to 23.59 Tuesday 16.01.2024 Further snow showers, perhaps merging into a longer spell of snow, are likely to cause further disruption on Tuesday  What to Expect  Possible travel delays on roads stranding some vehicles and passengers Power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage Possible delays or cancellations to rail and air travel A chance of injuries from slips and falls on icy surfaces Some rural communities could become cut off  00.00 Wednesday 17.01.2024 to 23.59 Thursday 18.01.2024 Frequent snow showers are likely to cause further disruption to travel during Wednesday and Thursday.  What to Expect  Some roads and railways affected with longer journey times by road, bus and train services There is a small chance that power cuts will occur and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected There is a slight chance that some rural communities could become cut off There is a slight chance of snow-covered roads leading to stranded vehicles and passengers, along with delayed or cancelled rail and air travel  DCC shall be gritting periodically throughout this period and has resources on standby throughout the warning period to respond to any weather-related incidents should they arise.  Further updates will be provided if deemed necessary.  Please report any issues to the council's Customer Service Team between 8:30am – 5pm Monday to Friday, by: 1) email to customerservice@denbighshire.gov.uk 2) telephone 01824 706000 3) visit in person a One Stop Shop. 4) use an online web form, available on Denbighshire’s website: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/online-forms/online-forms.aspx In the event of any emergency situation requiring an immediate response, contact should be made directly via the out of hours contact centre between 5pm – 8:30am including weekends on 0300 123 3068.

 

 

Road closure on Hill Street and Hall Street next month

Denbighshire County Council has given notice of a road closure that will take place on Hill Street and Hall Street, Llangollen, from February 5 to March 15.

The closure is necessary to facilitate installation of a new gas mains by Wales and West Utilities. Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the period of closure.

A traffic order prohibits vehicles using the full length of Hill Street and Hall Street from its junction with Hill Street to Hall Street link road.

The signposted alternative route will be via Vicarage Road, Maes Helyg, Willow Street, Hall Street and A5.

Town gets its first sprinkling of snow this winter

Llangollen awoke to its first sprinkling of snow of the winter this morning (Monday) as can be seen from this shot of Castell Dinas Bran and the other, showing a view across the rooftops in the town.  

A yellow warning for ice is still in force locally.

Abba tribute kicks off series of gigs to support Eisteddfod this Friday

There'll be some familiar faces launching the series of Live at Llangollen Town Hall shows this Friday, January 19 - as well performing some of ABBA's biggest hits including Super Trouper, Dancing Queen, Thank You for the Music and S.O.S.  

The group features Shea Ferron, well known for his virtuoso performances with John's Boys Male Chorus including performances on Britain's Got Talent and at the Royal Variety Performance, and James Barber, singer and bassist, who you can usually see running the sound at many major events in the town. 

The company behind the Abba Tribute band, Black Box Events, North Wales, is an award winning events firm. 

They cover a range of events including Flash Mob Choirs and Murder Mysteries and won North Wales Wedding Awards 'Best Wedding Entertainment' in 2023.  

Shea Ferron, who is also a member of the Eisteddfod's trustee board, said: "We can't wait to bring our live show to Llangollen Town Hall.  As well as the biggest hits from Abba you can expect class costumes and plenty of fun as we pay tribute to one of the best bands in history.  

"It is great as well that the party will raise money for the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.  

* The Abba tribute band playing this Friday.

"As a new board member, these last few months have been amazing - announcing some of the world's best acts coming to Llangollen in 2024 for our summer for fun. We wanted to get the party started early though and look forward to seeing everyone coming together for a great night on Friday."

The show will see the first of a number of fundraising gigs at Llangollen Town Hall to raise money to support the core Eisteddfod.  

They will be held monthly in Llangollen Town Hall and feature tributes to ABBA, Robbie Williams, Pink Floyd, Slade as well as bringing the original Merseybeats, who performed with The Beatles in the 1960s, to town.  

Organisers hope to bring the Llangollen community together and raise money for their annual music festival.   

Life Vice-President of the Llangollen Eisteddfod Keith Potts and his team of fundraising volunteers are behind the monthly gigs.

Keith said: "Every year, we welcome people from all over the world to promote peace and reconciliation through song and dance. This is part of our aim to work all year round and bring our community together.   

"We are delighted to have secured some of the most in demand tribute acts from both Wales and England for our monthly gigs.  

"We hope the live concerts will prove popular and we raise much needed funds to continue our iconic peace festival. 

"This year, as well as bringing some of the world's biggest entertainers to town, we will be welcoming competitors from across the world to our Eisteddfod. This costs money and these Live in Llangollen gigs will help us do that." 

* The shows run from 7.30-11pm and tickets will be available from www.llangollen.net and the Llangollen Tourism Information Centre. 

You can see highlights from the ABBA Tribute Band here - https://youtu.be/H-_p6RtAnPM

Two roadworks alerts for Llangollen

Latest local roadworks update from one.network is:

East Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 14 January - 14 January   Delays likely - Suspension of one-way   Name: East Street, Llangollen   Location: East Street   Description: Streetworks / License - Streetworks   Responsibility for event: Denbighshire County Council   Current status: Planned       Princess Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 14 January - 14 January   Delays likely - Diversion route   Name: Diversion   Location: Princess Street   Description: Streetworks / License - Streetworks   Responsibility for event: Denbighshire County Council   Current status: Planned

Llan panto is back with a terrific Jack and the Beanstalk

* The cast belt out one of the opening numbers of Jack and the Beanstalk.

From the seeds of a clever script, a talented cast and some catchy songs the Llangollen Pantomime Group have grown a very healthy version of Jack and the Beanstalk, which opened at the Town Hall last night (Thursday).

And it’s a welcome return for them after a gap of three years due to the pandemic. They're also clearly delighted to be back in the same venue after quite a few years appearing at the Pavilion.

That script, full of cheeky one-liners many of them with local references in the best panto tradition, comes courtesy of Dave Lyne who also provides one of the show’s most endearing characters, Simon, the sweet-natured and fun brother of Jack, finder of the magic seeds which produce the mighty beanstalk.

That talented and versatile cast of 28 also features a panto star in the making in the young shape of Austin Forkin who takes the title role. His capability stretches way beyond his years and he seems certain to appear in more Llangollen productions.

Those songs, most of which have the desired effect of getting the audience clapping and singing along, are backed by a skilful five-piece band including the Belton sisters, Helen and Jayne, along with Stuart Dillon (guitar), James Barber (bass) and Barrie Roberts (drums).

Providing strong support to Jack and Simon are Niki Davies-Bottomley as Simon’s sweetheart Sally and Neil Barrett as town mayor Keddie – there’s one of those local references – and Sue O’Neill as the Fairy Godmother.

Another powerful performance comes from Chris Phillips as Jack and Simon’s mum Mrs McDonald, a true panto harridan with a big heart.

Steve Hughes turns in a towering portrayal of the Giant whose lair the brothers must raid for gold and to free from captivity Alice, played by both Katie Siddall and Frankie Williams, Jack’s love interest.

Sophie Siddall and Jo Potts team up as the perfect baddies, Councillor Rough and Councillor Tumble.

Behind them is a whole bunch of youngsters playing the villagers, farm animals, bluebirds and night time creatures.

And drawing lots of oohs and aahs from the audience are Mya Rees-Jones and Eva Mallinson as Daisy of the Cow.

The show is a credit to director Louise Lyne and her assistant David Lyne, producer Samantha Fletcher and musical director Helen Belton and the rest of the enormous back-stage team who provide the excellent and highly colourful sets and costumes.

Jack and the Beanstalk runs at the Town Hall tonight (Friday) at 7.30pm with two shows tomorrow (Saturday), one of which is the 2pm matinee.

I understand tickets, priced at £9 and £7 concessions, have been selling fast but hopefully you can still book online by scanning the barcode on the poster, by calling the group secretary on 01978 860297, or by calling at Dee Valley Produce (01978 861805).

* Mrs McDonald and Simon.

* The Mayor with the baddie councillors.

* A towering performance from the Giant.

* Jack, Daisy the Cow, Mrs McDonald, Sally and Simon.

* The seeds are handed over to Jack by the disguised Fairy Godmother.

* The Mayor and daughter Sally.

* Simon gets the audience singing along.