Chain Bridge undergoes vital repair work

* Work taking place on the Chain Bridge.

The iconic Chain Bridge of Llangollen is undergoing vital repairs all this week until Saturday to ensure its continued safety and integrity. 

Llangollen Town Council has engaged the expertise of Beaver Bridges Limited, based in Shrewsbury, to execute these essential works, with a total investment exceeding £17,000. 

The decision to undertake these repairs follows a recent comprehensive survey, which highlighted several minor defects in the bridge's structure. 

While seemingly insignificant, if left unattended, these issues could lead to accelerated deterioration, potentially compromising the bridge's stability and safety. 

Commenting on the significance of the works, Llangollen's Town Clerk Gareth Thomas said: "These repairs were identified during a recent survey, where minor defects were discovered. Although seemingly minor, if neglected, these issues could lead to the rapid degradation of the structure. 

"The repairs range from fitting new deck boards to addressing minor plating and welding on some of the bridge's elements. 

"To ensure the efficiency and thoroughness of the repair process, the contractor is employing a combination of techniques, including roped access, to access and address all identified concerns comprehensively. 

"These are the first major works undertaken to the bridge since it was refurbished and reopened in May 2015. 

"The Town Council recognises the importance of preserving the historical and cultural significance of the Chain Bridge and these proactive measures underscore the council's commitment to maintaining the safety and longevity of this beloved landmark for both residents and visitors alike.

"There have been some diversions in place during the repair period, as some temporary disruptions may have occurred . 

"However, these inconveniences are essential to safeguarding the structural integrity of the Chain Bridge for generations to come."

Last chance to guarantee tickets for Tom Jones in Llangollen

* Sir Tom Jones in concert.

Sir Tom Jones will be making his long-awaited Llangollen debut in July, and tickets have been in high demand ever since they went on sale.

With the event quickly selling out, the only way to guarantee a ticket is by buying a season ticket before the end of April, say festival organisers.

This not only gives you a guaranteed seat in our pavilion to see Tom Jones, but also entry to a full week of other evening concerts, with artists including Welsh folk superstars Calan, Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalists Johns’ Boys Male Chorus, the royal harpist Alis Huws, West End stars Kerry Ellis and John Owen Jones, and jazz sensation Gregory Porter. 

The final 100 season tickets are now available for the Core Eisteddfod Week, which runs from Tuesday 2^nd to Sunday 7^th July. 

Season tickets guarantee the best seats in the house, and offer much better value for money than buying individual tickets for each concert, according to the Eisteddfod.

To secure your season ticket, call the Eisteddfod office on 01978 862001 before 5pm on Tuesday April 30. 

Dave Danford, artistic director of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, said: “Our season tickets are strictly limited, and only available until the end of this month. There’s no other way to guarantee your seat in the pavilion to see Tom Jones make his Llangollen debut in July. 

“We’re so proud of the range of evening concerts we have during our Core Eisteddfod Week this year, and season ticket holders can enjoy a week of entertainment they’ll never forget.”

Festival bosses have been committed to protecting the heritage and values of the Eisteddfod, which was founded in 1947. 

The popular competitions will see international visitors arriving in the largest numbers since the pandemic, with over 3,000 competitors travelling to Llangollen.

Ladies Fellowship to hold coffee morning

Llangollen Ladies Fellowship is to hold a coffee morning at the Memorial Hall in Market Street on Tuesday April 23, from 10am-noon.

Town council agrees to seek more information about toilet takeover

* Fate in the balance: the public toilets in Market Street, Llangollen.

Llangollen Town Council members have voted to seek further information about taking over the running of the public toilets in Market Street from the county council.

Denbighshire plans to divest itself of almost all its public conveniences - including the one in Llangollen - to help balance its budget.

This has so far sparked a storm of local protest, with the area's Senedd Member Ken Skates, North Wales Tourism SEO Jim Jones and former GP Dr Rhys Davies among those backing the fight to save the toilets.

County chiefs are hoping that the running of some of the toilets can be taken over by town or community councils.

And Llangollen Town Council discussed the issue at its monthly meeting tonight (Tuesday).

In a report to members beforehand, town clerk Gareth Thomas said: “The town council must be cognisant of the financial implications that transfer of the facilities as initial figures indicate that the current public conveniences run at a loss in excess of £23,000.

“Should the town council be minded to consider an asset transfer then clearly these costs would have to be passed on to the precept [the amount added to the local council tax specifically to finance the town council] and would put additional pressure on local council taxpayers in that there would not be any reciprocal saving reflected in the county council’s charges.”

At the meeting, which was attended by a dozen members of the public a number of whome strongly opposed the loss of the Market Street toilets, the town clerk said: “We have to be mindful of the effects a takeover of the toilets would have on our budgets, bearing in mind the £23,000 deficit they have. We would have to increase our precept to cover this cost.

“If we are going to go down this road we will need independent expert advice. All in all, we need to approach this very carefully.”

Former mayor, Cllr Jon Haddy, said: “We are in the dark as to the financial situation. Unless we have all the relevant information we are not in a position to proceed.”

The deputy mayor, who had earlier made it clear that agrees with people who said the toilets needed to be retained, said: “This needs to be done on our terms.”

Cllr Katherine Susanthan said: “We don’t want to take on an asset that may be a money pit. I suggest that town clerk should look at the kind of grant assistance that may be available to us if we do decide to take them on. It is also important that the public feel their voices have been heard on this very important issue.”

Members agreed to authorise the town clerk to contact the county council’s principal catering and cleaning manager to enter into an “open exchange of information” for future consideration by the town council.

One member of the public present who argued strongly against the loss of the toilets was Rod Holt who also handed in a petition to the town clerk containing 144 names calling for them to be retained.

He also pressed for a public meeting on the issue to be held at the Town Hall, chaired by the mayor and attended by county councillors and officers to answer a series of questions he wants to raise about the proposal.

The town clerk said a meeting could be held but stressed that county officials could only be invited and did not have to come.

In her update on the situation Llangollen county councillor Karen Edwards stressed: “The retention of the public toilets has to be a top priority.”

She added that was still awaiting the analytical report on the situation she had requested from county officers some weeks ago.

Update on Bridge End facelift work

The Denbighshire Free Press is reporting that a Llangollen pub has confirmed it will remain closed for four-months as it undergoes refurbishment.

Owned by Robinsons Brewery and Country Village Inns LTD, the company will be investing over £1.5 million into the Bridge End.

* For the full story see: https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/24255096.llangollen-bridge-end-pub-receives-1-5m-refurbishment/

Kia Sorento: big car which handles like a small one

Kia Sorento drive by Steve Rogers

Take a look at the Sorento, a giant of a car but with small car manners.

Seven seater SUVs have become a rarity, too often the third row best suited for children, but here is one that can seat seven adults in relative comfort.

There is no sitting with knees tucked under the chin; here legroom in the back row is more than adequate, and you do not need to be a contortionist to get in and out.

The second row powers forward leaving enough room to get in, and a touch of a button does the same for ease of exit.

So that's it then, job done for this seven seater. Not quite, there is a lot more to this Sorento than a couple of extra seats.

Sorento was a big car even before the fourth generation model hit the road. At 4810mm (15ft9in) it grew 10mm in length but gained extra cabin space from a longer wheelbase. Sounds like a recipe for slack, sloppy handling except it is anything but.

This is where the small car manners come in because it does not drive like a cumbersome old school SUV. Body roll is not eliminated but kept under control as long as the driver is not over enthusiastic, Handling is impressive on twisting roads where you might expect things to get a little unruly. Ride quality is top notch as well no matter what pot holed road is being tackled.

Kia has had plenty of time to get the make up of the fourth generation model right and covered all bases.

Crucially the technology was updated so there is no delay when files are selected from the central 10.5in touch screen. If a driver wants to keep eyes trained on the road then voice control is a quick and easy option for changing radio stations or selecting an address through the navigation system.

If you share my views on heating controls then you will be pleased to hear that everything is neatly laid out with swithces rather than fiddling with the touch screen.

Likewise the driver has a clearly laid out digital binnacle with enough information to fill an encyclodpedia but let me reassure you that this is not info overload because everything is easily accessed using steering wheel buttons.

With a choice of just two models the entry Vision gets a generous kit list so expect such luxuries as heated seats front and back, heated steering wheel, auto dipping LED headlights, power operated front seats and tailgate opening. Third row passengers are not left out with heating conrols and the latest mobile charging ports which are also scattered around the cabin.

The Sorento has a sizeable boot as a five seater and with the second row folded flat becomes cavernous with all but two metres of length. I easily transported a single bed, in fact there is so much space two adults could comfortably sleep on a thin mattress.

New to the model is plug-in hybrid, a 13.8kWh battery providing 35 miles of electric driving. Not as much as the 50 claimed by Honda CR-V and Toyota Rav4, or the 60 promised by Skoda for the new Kodiaq, but you do get the full 35.

It does mean short journeys can be covered on electric power but once spent the 1.6 litre turbo engine kicks in providing spirited acceleration through the six speed auto box. With all wheel drive there are modes for mud, snow and sand driving.

Keeping the battery topped up (just under four hours for a full charge) boosts economy to what seems like improbable heights but it will be mainly engine power on a long drive where a good ball park is stick to sixty and get 40mpg. It worked for me on a 340 mile round trip where Sorento returned 43mpg.

Is £51,000 good value for this plug-in Sorento? Post Covid has seen car prices rocket and sadly this is the going rate. Honda and Toyota rivals are around the same price but the Kia has the two extra seats and it is well equipped with a full suite of safety features so my verdict is yes.

But there is good news if buying new. The fourth generation model is getting a mid term facelift with a wide screen style dashboard display and restyled vertifcal headlights. The price of the base diesel model has been reduced by £3,030 to £41,995 and the range is increased to three models.

Fast facts

Sorento Vision PHEV AWD

£51,525

1.6 T-GDI; 262bhp

0-62mph 8.7secs; 120mph

176mpg combined

38g/km. 1st tax £10 then £190

Boot: 604-1988 litres

Insurance group 32

Repair Cafe to host get-together for helpers this Saturday

A get-together for anyone interested in helping in any way with the Llangollen Repair Cafe will be held this Saturday at St Collen’s Community Hall, off Regent Street, starting at 11am.

An organiser said: “It’s for people who have already volunteered and anyone who wants to know more. You don't have to be able to fix things, but of course if you can, we need you.

“We’re also looking for anyone that can make drinks, talk to people, input data or do admin, meet and greet people, organise things, or be around to sort out little practical things.

“If you don't have any skills or experience, come along and gain some. It’s great for your CV and will build your confidence.

“We are all going to be equal and work together to make this happen. This is a community venture to help each other, save money and help the environment.

“Come and find out what, when and how this will work. All are welcome and I guarantee you have value to us.”