Town crier Chem to give D-Day 80th anniversary proclamation

 

* Town crier Austin "Chem" Cheminais is full cry.

Llangollen’s town crier is joining his big-voiced counterparts from across the world to deliver a very special proclamation to mark the 80^th anniversary of D-Day.

Austin “Chem” Cheminais, who is also a former mayor of the town, recently found to his delight that he was on a list of over 300 town criers from many countries who have been asked to send out to their local communities, on Thursday June 6, the commemorative message detailing the famous cross-channel invasion of Europe in the summer of 1944.

On the day, and accompanied by a contingent from the Llangollen branch of the Royal British Legion, he will stand in Centenary Square and at 11am cry out the proclamation which has been specially penned for the occasion by Christian Ashdown of the Ancient and Honourable Guilds of Town Criers who formerly served with the Household Cavalry.

The criers taking part come from every nation of the UK and also from countries right across the globe.

Chem, who is one of only 10 from Wales and will officially represent Denbighshire, said: “I was absolutely delighted and very proud to hear I had been chosen for this momentous occasion which commemorates such an important part of world history.

“To speak these historic words is a great honour.”

The proclamation he will deliver is:

“Oyez, Oyez, Oyez

“Today we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France - an incredible achievement in military planning and logistics uniting brave service personnel from air, sea and land forces at the beginning of Operation Overlord.

“By the day’s end, over one hundred and fifty thousand Allied troops had successfully stormed the now famous Gold, Juno, Sword, Utah and Omaha beaches to achieve a toehold in France.

“In the weeks that followed, the Allies fought bitterly against a determined foe from the unforgiving countryside of Normandy to the liberation of Paris two months later.

“We should all remember and never forget the selfless sacrifice and courage of all those involved and use this Commemoration to pay our tribute to those who gave so much to secure the freedom we all enjoy today. God Save the King!”

Latest local roadworks alerts

Latest local roadworks alerts from Causeway one.network are:

Berwyn Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 29 May - 30 May   Roadworks, Delays likely   Traffic management: Traffic control (multi-way signals)   Description: Installation of a CCTV camera onto street lighting column (ref DC204). The camera has been urgently requested by Welsh Government to monitor the ongoing traffic signals that are occurring at this location. Night works from 19:00hrs and 01:00hrs. The electrical supply within the lighting column will need to be upgraded. The camera will be installed using a cherry picker (or similar). Amberon TM - Emergency Number 0330 0433030   Works location: A5 Berwyn Street / Regent 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 NMWTRA/SWTRA.   Responsibility for works: NMWTRA/SWTRA   Current status: Planned work about to start   Works reference: PD5012412414247648       Castle Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 29 May - 30 May   Roadworks, Delays likely   Traffic management: Traffic control (multi-way signals)   Description: Installation of a CCTV camera onto street lighting column (ref DC204). The camera has been urgently   Works location: Castle 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 NMWTRA/SWTRA.   Responsibility for works: NMWTRA/SWTRA   Current status: Advanced planning   Works reference: PD50124130155735748

County councillor speaks out on possible loss of town's public toilets

Llangollen county councillor Karen Edwards has issued this new statement on Denbighshire County Council's highly controversial plan to divest itself of public toilets across the county - including those in Market Street - as part of a money-saving exercise. 

"Much concern has been expressed on social media regarding the potential closure of the Market Street Public Conveniences. Denbighshire County Council, like most councils, is currently attempting to balance its budgets in the face of increased funding pressures. 

In my opinion the closure of the toilets would be an act of self-harm, both to the local economy and to the social well-being of the town. 

As I’ve stated previously I want to take this opportunity to reaffirm the fact that I do not support Denbighshire County Council's proposal.

The Town Council had been asked to consider taking over the operation of the toilets without any identified funding for the proposition. 

At the Town Council meeting held last Tuesday they agreed it would not be possible to take over the transfer of ownership of the facility as currently offered, given the information provided by DCC thus far and all the financial liabilities that would entail, but they remain committed to working collaboratively with DCC to explore alternative solutions that ensure the continued availability and upkeep of public toilets in the town without imposing unsustainable costs on the local population.  

I am not a Town Councillor, but I am obviously aware that for a small TC they already have quite a hefty financial responsibility with the assets they already own, namely The Centenary Square, The Town Hall, The Pen Y Bryn Cemetery and The Chain Bridge.

For DCC to close this vital facility whilst retaining all the income from parking charges would be an act of asset stripping and it is naïve to think that the carpark usage and thus the footfall and visitor economic benefits to the town as a whole will not be affected. 

There is no recognition from DCC that Llangollen’s combination of a carpark and public conveniences in the same location attracts visitors as a stopping point. The income received from the town’s public car parks is more than sufficient to support the continued operation of a public toilet facility. DCC is quite happy to take the car park revenue but falls short of reinvesting it back into the town that generates it.

If all our efforts fail and closure is the only option as ultimately this will be a DCC cabinet decision scheduled for September’s meeting, then we will be left with no alternative other than to ask for help to manage transition of these much-needed facilities to a sustainable low operating cost facility that is capable of being transferred to local operations and I hasten to add that could well be extremely challenging."

u3a members learn some Tai Chi moves

Members of the Berwyn and District University of the Third Age (u3a) were treated to half an hour of gentle exercise at their May meeting. 

Nesta Wivell took them through some slow Tai Chi moves, ideal as a taster for anyone looking for controlled exercise. 

The u3a meets on the third Monday of each month at Canolfan NI, Corwen. See the website for more details. 

The next meeting is a talk about the restoration of the steamship Daniel Adamson, on June 17. 

Search is on for event business coordinator for town

Cadwyn Clwyd is seeking to appoint a freelance event business coordinator for Llangollen. 

The person chosen will work on behalf of a number of local organisations including Llangollen Food Festival, Llangollen Fringe, the Christmas Festival, Llangollen Railway events and the International Eisteddfod. 

The role, which will have a budget of £18,000, will focus on promoting networking and collaboration, supporting local businesses, and contributing to the overall prosperity of Denbighshire. 

According to an online advertisement, the project aligns with the objectives of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) by “building pride in place, increasing life chances, and supporting local business.” 

The person appointed will also be expected to create a pool of at least 50 volunteers and coordinate their involvement in various town events. 

The co-ordinator will be contracted on a self-employed basis during the six-month project, starting in June and ending in December. 

They will report regularly to a steering group of key stakeholders. 

The role specification says the person must have experience of working with business on a collective basis to develop and implement joint projects and also of communications and public relations. 

They would be required to have a weekly presence in Llangollen whilst an element of home working could be part of the role. 

Deadline for applications is 4pm on Wednesday June 12.  

Cadwyn Clwyd is a social enterprise which provides guidance and support to communities and enterprises in North East Wales and further afield. 

* Go to https://bit.ly/3WKVtFN for details on how to apply.

Arrest made on suspicion of bus driver assault

* One of the police cars which attended the scene yesterday evening. 

The Leader is reporting that a man has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting a bus driver in Llangollen. 

North Wales Police said the alleged incident occurred when the vehicle was on Castle Street in the town centre shortly after 5.30pm on Thursday (May 23). 

* For the full story, see: Llangollen: Man arrested on suspicion of assaulting bus driver | The Leader (leaderlive.co.uk)

Free concert tickets up for grabs in Eisteddfod treasure hunt

* Manic Street Preachers June 28.

Music fans can get their hands on the hottest tickets in town next weekend as North Wales gets ready to celebrate 77 years of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. 

This summer will be the biggest year ever for the Llangollen Eisteddfod which will host 11 headline shows featuring the likes of Tom Jones, Bryan Adams, Gregory Porter, Paloma Faith, Manic Street Preachers plus more, alongside its traditional Core Week celebrations.

With global stars heading to the town more than 50,000 music fans are set to attend a show at Llangollen Pavilion this year… and next Saturday (June1) organisers are giving fans the chance to bag themselves FREE tickets by taking part in a special treasure hunt.

* Paloma Faith June 21.

To celebrate 77 years of the international festival – 77 pairs of free tickets will be hidden at various locations around the Llangollen Pavilion grounds.

Artistic Director of the Eisteddfod Dave Danford said: “With less than a month to go before we kick off our amazing summer of live music with Bryan Adams, we’re giving fans the opportunity to find free tickets for our biggest shows. This includes tickets for some of our sold events, so don’t miss your chance to be a part of it.

“This year will be our biggest and best festival yet and we hope to see as many people as possible join the hunt for the some of the hottest tickets in town.”

* Madness July 13.

The Treasure Hunt will begin at 10am on Saturday June 1 and continue until 2pm.

·       * 77 special envelopes will be left at various locations around the Llangollen grounds. Inside each envelope will be a special code relating to a specific headlining concert.

·     * The lucky finders must then take the envelope and code to the Box Office at the Llangollen Pavilion to redeem their pair of tickets.

·      * This is limited to one pair of tickets per finder and tickets must be redeemed before the box office closes at 2pm on Saturday June 1. All under-16s must be accompanied by an adult aged 18+

·   Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has come a long way since the first festival in 1947, with more than 400,000 competitors from more than 140 nationalities and cultures having performed on the Llangollen stage over the years.  This year, as well as bringing some of the world’s biggest artists to Llangollen – more than 3,000 competitors will be heading to the festival for a string of competitions for its core Eisteddfod week, aimed at promoting international harmony and reconciliation through music and dance.

This year, in a new partnership between LIME and Live Nation promoters Cuffe and Taylor, a series ofheadlining concerts will take place throughout June and July. Tom Jones, Katherine Jenkinsand Gregory Porter will all perform during the Core Week festivities while global rock stars Bryan Adams and Simple Minds, British pop giants Madness, indie heroes Kaiser Chiefs, Manic Street Preachers and Suede, BRIT award-winning artist Paloma Faith, chart-topper Jess Glynne and disco legends Nile Rodgers & CHICwill headline dates either side of the iconic festival. 

* For more information and to purchase tickets go to llangollen.net