Everything to do with the Conwy Valley

[SteveH]

A historic bridge which was washed away during a massive storm is set to be replaced.

The Miners Bridge was destroyed back in February 2020 when Storm Ciara caused chaos in communities across North Wales.

As the storm raged, the sheer volume of extra water that was sent down the River Llugwy caused it to surge, eventually making its way down to the old Miners Bridge and washing it down river.

READ MORE: Welsh Government makes changes to Covid rules in Wales in response to Omicron variant

It meant there were no points to cross the tributary between Betws-Y-Coed and the Ugly House.

The bridge, best known as being part of the walking route up to Swallow Falls, was reachable just off the A5 outside Betws-Y-Coed.

Having served as a fording spot for well over a millennia, the spot was most frequently used by the quarrymen on their way to the mines of Gwydyr forest.

It is also believed to be the spot the Romans used for crossing the river in times gone by.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/historic-bridge-washed-away-during-22275346

[Hugo]

I read this article in the Daily Post and found it quite interesting especially for anyone with connections to the Machno Valley.    On my Father's side of the family he had connections with both Cwm Penmachno and Penmachno.   Cwmpenmachno must have been a busy little community in its time but that all changed after the 1960's


https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/timeless-snowdonia-valley-facing-biggest-22608939

[SteveH]

Ghost headquarters left deserted when developer went bust is taken on by new firm
GM Jones built its £1.3m Llanrwst HQ in 2018 backed by £400,000       from the Wales Economic Fund

GM Jones built its £1.3m Llanrwst HQ in 2018 backed by £400,000 from the Wales Economic Fund but then ran into financial problems - falling into administration in March 2019.

But now Conwy based Pharma Group Holdings has acquired the sites.

Established in 2005 Pharma Group has interests in the healthcare, food and wellbeing sectors with production and warehousing facilities in Anglesey, Conwy and Pensarn, near Abergele.

The purchase of the Ty Gwyn units follows the recent acquisition of the North Wales Brewery Site where planning permission has been secured for a bottling and product development hub for the Group.

Pharma’s founder and managing director Rhys Owen said: "The Parc Ty Gwyn site is an ambitious investment for the Group providing expansion capacity for our own businesses as well as the possibility of generating rental income through attracting local businesses to occupy surplus office and warehouse space."

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/ghost-headquarters-left-deserted-developer-22646434?IYA-reg=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4#comments-wrapper

[Hugo]

I noticed this photo in the NWWN about the snow in Cwmpenmachno in 1953 and the Winters must have been harsh then.   The village is situated at the head of a long valley and a narrow lane leads to it from Penmachno.
The houses are mainly terraced and second homes, while the Chapels and other buildings have closed and been converted into private homes

[SteveH]

MS for Aberconwy, has announced the launch of an online survey to better understand road safety concerns related to the A470 trunk road.

Having previously been guaranteed by the Welsh Government that there would be a review of the A470 in the next financial year, Mrs Finch-Saunders hopes the survey will help officials to determine the areas of concern.

“I committed to keep a close eye on the promise made in writing by the Deputy Minister to review the A470 from Glan Conwy to Betws-y-Coed.

“To facilitate this work, and with the new financial year fast approaching, I am pleased to launch a new online survey whose responses will help to guide the attention of officials towards sections of concern, ensuring that the suggested improvements are highlighted to the Welsh Government.

“Local residents can be assured that, with the survey responses obtained, I will continue to scrutinise the Deputy Minister should this promised 2022/23 review turn out to be yet another road to nowhere.”

Residents can submit their concerns by heading to janetfinchsaunders.org.uk/A470.    www.janetfinchsaunders.org.uk/A470.

[SteveH]

Surf Snowdonia seeks permission for Spa Dome at hotel
A planning application has been submitted to Conwy Council

The application is a resubmission, following Conwy County Council's planning committee refusing the plans, due to a flood risk.

But the applicant has since undertaken a preliminary assessment by Natural Resources Wales.

The proposal is to erect a 'sun dome' on top of the external deck, resembling a faceted dome. The semi-permanent dome would offer visitors protection from the wind, snow and rain on the hotel's decking area.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/surf-snowdonia-seeks-permission-spa-23069081?IYA-mail=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4

[SteveH]

Good news, the Towers did a great job for youngsters, good to see it will continue...............

A Snowdonia outdoor activity centre championed by Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge has been rescued.

Active Learning Group, a specialist outdoor education company, has bought The Towers, near Ty Hyll (Ugly House), Betws-y-Coed.

The complex of buildings was used by thousands of children from the English Midlands for almost 60 years before shutting in 2019.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/new-owners-snowdonia-outdoor-centre-23097935?IYA-mail=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4

[SteveH]

Giant crane lifts new bridge into position to replace historic Snowdonia crossing
The old Miner's Bridge in Betws-y-Coed was washed away in a storm surge two years ago

Construction work is well underway on a modern replacement for a historic bridge that was washed away by storm floods.

The Miner's Bridge was destroyed in February 2020 when Storm Ciara sent a deluge of water down the River Llugwy, a tributary of the River Conwy in Snowdonia.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/giant-crane-lifts-new-bridge-23206212?IYA-mail=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4

[Ian]

It's a shame there seems to be a lack of proofreaders for the DP. That article refers to the "old Miner's Bridge in Betws-y-Coed - washed away in a storm surge two years ago" but a storm surge is purely tidal, being an effect of a low pressure storm system raising the normal tidal level. 

[SteveH]

Rescue plan for Instagram-friendly wobbly bridge in Snowdonia that’s rotting away
For 92 years, Sappers Bridge has been suspended over the River Conwy. By late 2021, however, it had become too dangerous to cross
Since December, however, it has been closed off.

Its timber footplates are rotting away and, last October, some visitors reported at least one suspension cable was snapped at the base.
A sign was erected to warn people of its condition. “We had to cross the bridge to see it,” noted one slightly alarmed visitor.

Conwy Council has now secured finance for repairs. Work is due to begin in April 2022, subject to permissions, and will be carried out in two phases.
Phase one will see all the timbers replaced and deck steelwork repainted.

Further assessments will also be carried out on the bridge in March and the outcome of these will determine what further repairs are required during phase two.

A spokesperson said: “The investigations will include examination of the tower foundations, and specialist metallurgic testing of main cables and hangers.
“We expect the work to take around six weeks and the bridge will then reopen.”

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/rescue-plan-instagram-friendly-wobbly-23226598

[SteveH]

Positive progress made with Conwy’s Dolgarrog Bridge repair works

Dŵr Cymru intend to invest £1.2million, and that an additional £735,000 has been secured by Conwy County Borough Council.

“Details of the plans will be shared with residents during a drop in session on April 1 at the Dolgarrog Community Centre between 2pm and 6pm.

“Additionally, there will be a virtual meeting at 10am for residents unable to attend this session.

https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19980239.positive-progress-made-conwys-dolgarrog-bridge-repair-works/?ref=rss&IYA-mail=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4

[SteveH]

Full planning permission has been sought to demolish a landmark Snowdonia tourist attraction. The Electric Mountain Visitor Centre in Llanberis would be replaced by a car park.

The centre has been closed since late 2018 and has been boarded up and surrounded by a fence. A planned redevelopment of the centre is said to have been hit by "insurmountable challenges" and won't now go ahead.

Electric Mountain, which lies on the banks of Llyn Padarn, and was previously used as a base for tours of Dinorwig Power Station, also had a community space and staged regular exhibitions and other events and also had a shop, information centre and cafe.

First Hydro Ltd submitted an application for planning permission earlier this month and details have now been published on the Gwynedd Council planning portal.

In a covering letter to Gwynedd Council's planning department Howard Jones, of First Hydro, states: "The visitor centre was underused and too large for the range of activities that it accommodated. The building was inefficient and expensive to heat and maintain and many of the building services were approaching the end of their operation life and required replacement.  ref DP

[SteveH]

Game of Thrones star James Cosmo has been spotted in full costume and make-up, filming a new adaption of The Three Musketeers. The actor who played Jeor Mormont in the smash show is also well known for his role in Braveheart.

The cast and crew have been filming action scenes with stuntmen featuring large explosions in and around the Conwy Valley. After filming in Penmachno and Betws y Coed woods over the last two weeks, the crew spent a day filming at Gwydir Castle in Llanrwst.

The crew is now understood to be filming indoor scenes in a large barn on the Faenol Estate in Gwynedd. The historical action movie is reported to have a small to medium budget of around $65,000,000. Although little is known about the film, it’s believed the movie is scheduled for release at the end of 2023.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/game-thrones-star-spotted-north-23560345

[SteveH]

The ground may have moved yesterday after an earthquake hit North Wales. It had a magnitude of 1.0 on the Richter scale and happened at 6.43am. The epicentre was located 2km west of Trefriw in Conwy, according to the British Geological Survey, at a depth of 7km.

Other recent earthquakes in the British Isles were recorded at Clodock in Heredfordshire, on March 31 - magnitude 0.5; Mablethrope Lincolnshire, on March 30 - magnitude 1.1; and Morvern, Highland, also March 30 - magnitude 0.6.

The last time an earthquake with a magnitude of 1 struck North Wales was Snowdonia during October 2021. Then a “big rumble sound” was heard by communities in the Conwy Valley and beyond.

Some people suspected thunder, others put it down to a large passing vehicle or a sonic boom. It was recorded at a depth of 6km with the epicentre given as "3km north-north-east of the village of Dolgarrog, Conwy".

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/earthquake-confirmed-near-village-edge-23596296

[SteveH]

Conwy Airbnb host finds unexploded WWII-era bomb in garden
The live device was dug and cleaned by a homeowner who refused to believe it was a bomb

A homeowner had a shock when unearthing an unexploded WWII-era bomb in his garden on Easter Sunday. The device was destroyed this morning in a controlled explosion at a "secure location" in the Conwy Valley.

Dave Dew, 54, refused to believe that what he dug up were the remains of military ordnance. As he lives in a cottage that once served as Trefriw’s smithy, he has a haul of metal finds that are displayed in the room he and wife Sara hire out to Airbnb guests.

He said: “I’ve come across an old tractor engine as well as numerous items discarded by the blacksmith who used to work here. But my wife was worried it could be something more dangerous and she didn’t want it left in the garden just 25ft from the front door.”

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/conwy-airbnb-host-finds-unexploded-23724481