Developments to be showcased at county's tourism forum

* Delegates at a previous Denbighshire Tourism Forum.

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod will be represented at Denbighshire’s next Tourism Forum, which will take place on Wednesday, October 16 at the Oriel Hotel, St Asaph. 

Tourism plays a vital part in the county's economy, with a total economic impact in 2023 of £736 million, up 17% on the previous year. 

Visitor numbers in Denbighshire also continue to grow, with the 2023 figure showing 6.4 million.

 

A variety of information stands will be present including, Business Wales, Federation of Small Businesses, Woodland Skills Centre, Denbighshire Heritage Service, Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape, Smart Towns, Working Denbighshire, Denbighshire Tourism and Llangollen International Eisteddfod.

Hosted between 10.30am-1.30pm, the event provides an opportunity for delegates to hear about the latest tourism developments and meet other like-minded businesses and share experiences.

 

Guest speakers at this event include Joe Bickerton, Tourism Manager Wrexham Borough Council, who’ll be highlighting new in-bound travel opportunities for the sector in Denbighshire created by the raised international profile of Wrexham FC.

 

Other speakers include Rhian Hughes, Smart Towns Digital Officer, who will be describing how insights from electronic data can be used to manage assets, resources, and services efficiently and in return can be used to improve operations and future prosperity within towns, and Ceri Lloyd, Sustainable Development Officer, Clwydian Range and Dee Valley. 

Ceri will be explaining the reasons why all designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) in England and Wales are becoming National Landscapes.

 

Councillor Alan James, Lead Member for Local Development and Planning said: “Tourism is a vital industry, which is rooted firmly within Denbighshire.

 

"Our visitors come to experience our culture and heritage and explore our mountains and coast. Denbighshire has so much to offer, all within one County.”

 

Ian Lebbon, Chair of Denbighshire Destination Management Partnership, said: “We have three great speakers lined up for the forum, who are all eager to share their knowledge and know-how with the sector. As always we welcome everyone involved in tourism and also anyone who wishes to get real insight into this vibrant and vital industry.”

 

Latest roadworks alert from Denbighshire County Council

Latest roadworks alert from Denbighshire County Council is:

A539 LLANGOLLEN ROAD 14/10/2024 17/10/2024 Gwaith Draenio / Drainage Works DCC - HIGHWAYS LLANGOLLEN

A539, Ponsonby Arms, Mill Street, Llangollen MILL STREET 30/09/2024 01/10/2024 Manned TTL to assist with Trunk Road traffic flow whilst A483 is closed between J1 Ruabon and Halton Roundabout - Overnight from 20:00hrs and 06:00hrs

A539 OS PROPERTY KNOWN AS TAN Y BONT SUN BANK 30/09/2024 02/10/2024 Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

NR 1 THE BEECHES MARKET ST JNC BERWYN ST AND HALL ST LLANGOLLEN LL20 8 HALL STREET 18/10/2024 18/10/2024 Gwaith BT/ BT Works SUNBELT RENTALS (DCC)

Hill Street, Pengwern, Llangollen, Denbighshire, LL20 8EU HILL STREET 27/10/2024 27/10/2024 remedial Traffig Dros Dro/Temp Traffic Lights

A539 Llandyn Hall Farm Culvert TRACK TO LLANDYN HALL FROM A539 02/09/2024 11/10/2024 Gwaith ar Gylfat/ Culvert Works Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Latest on Llangollen Museum's improvement programme

* Team Roundhouse at work on the museum roof.

Here's the latest update on the major work taking place at Llangollen Museum:

"As I am sure many of you will have noticed, major work is happening at Llangollen Museum, with the replacement of the roof having finally started. As we have reported before, the old roof was leaking badly and the building surveyor and structural engineer recommended total replacement. 

"Instead of being supported by lightweight timber beams, the new roof will have steel beams to make the roof more rigid. From the outside the appearance of the building will change slightly, as the parapet around the roof will be removed. The design will also feature external gutters and downpipes, instead of the internal rainwater drain pipes that have caused us problems with flooding.

"With the new roof designed by Hodgson Structural Design Ltd and Scott Architecture Ltd, the work is being carried out by Team Roundhouse and has been funded by the Lottery Heritage Fund and the Community Ownership Fund (part of the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government).

"In order to move the steel beams into position, and to support them while they are being joined together, it has been necessary to put up scaffolding all around the building, both inside and outside. At this time, the old roof and parapet have been completely removed. Installation of the new steel rafters is scheduled to start on 23^rd September 2024. 

"The work is planned to last until January 2025, during which time the Museum will remain closed. However, during the time that we are closed you can still see some of the Museum artefacts displayed in other venues around the town: the Tourist Information Centre, the Library, the Dory Gallery, the Health Centre and St Collen’s Church. We are very grateful to all of them for letting us use space in their venues to keep the heritage of Llangollen available to everyone whilst we are closed. Our regular programme of talks will continue, held in the Council Chambers.

"Do keep watching our Facebook page for updates on the project." 

Concerns over Denbighshire's recycling issues raised in Senedd

Concerns have been raised that recycling separated by Denbighshire residents in some parts of the county is being co-mingled back again by those collecting the waste, according to the Denbighshire Free Press.

* For the full story, see: Denbighshire waste collection system ‘costing extra £50-60K a week’ | Denbighshire Free Press

Council warns over scam parking fines messages

* An example of the scam messages, this one sent by text.

Denbighshire County Council is warning residents of a scam circulating in which they receive texts or emails asking them to pay fines for parking illegally. 

People are notified that they have had a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) issued by a local council and are invited to pay the fine by clicking a link which directs them to a fake government website.

 

Denbighshire County Council says it would like to remind residents the authority’s Civil Enforcement Officers only issue Penalty Charge Notices by attaching them to vehicles.

And is it encouraging anyone who receives a message like this to report it to Action Fraud, by calling them on 0300 123 2040 or by visiting their website.

 

Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “We have been made aware of residents receiving fraudulent texts and emails claiming that the council has issued them with a Penalty Charge Notice for parking illegally. 

"We’re urging residents that receive these messages to report it to Action Fraud and to not pay the fine through using the link provided. 

"Our Civil Enforcement Officers only issue Penalty Charge Notices by attaching them to the vehicles themselves."

Work looks almost complete on Four Highways projects

* The new walkway at Lower Dee Mill Park.

The raised walkway at Lower Dee Mill Park and the new staircase up to the wharf appear to be rapidly nearing completion as these pictures by llanblogger show.  

Both projects are part of Llangollen's Four Great Highways scheme which has been funded with money from the previous UK Government's Levelling Up policy. 

The aim was to “enhance the landscape and improve accessibility, interpretation and signage in the centre of Llangollen”.  

* The new staircase up to the wharf from Abbey Road. 

The deadline for completion of the work has been pushed back twice - to June then August - after contractors encountered unexpectedly difficult ground conditions.  

Latest deadline for completion given recently by the project team was late September which it appears will now be achieved.

The signage and wayfinding aspect of the project was also due to be installed before the end of September 2024.

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

* Meanwhile Denbighshire County Council workmen were busy this morning (Thursday) with maintenance work on the pavement in Castle Street.

* Maintenance work on the Castle Street paving.

Operatic to host charity cake afternoon

Llangollen Operatic Society is hosting a charity cake afternoon at St Collen's Community Hall on Saturday October 5, from noon until 4.30pm

It will feature traditional afternoon tea with a range of freshly-baked cafes.

There will also be tombola and a raffle.

Donations are £4 and money raised will go towards North West Cancer Research, Llangollen Dementia Carers Group and Clwyd Special Riding Centre.

One of the event organisers said: "We've raised £5,019 since we started five years ago and lots of charities have been helped.

"All volunteers donate homemade cakes and give up their time.

"Everyone who comes along loves that we use China cups and teapots etc."