Everything to do with the Conwy Valley

[SteveH]

THE DATE for this year?s Llanrwst Rural Show has been revealed, and the event has some big things in store for patrons.

The annual event has been held for more than 140 years, but was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.

It will be held on June 24 at Station Road, and will have the usual sheep, cattle, light horses and Welsh cob classes, as well as a horticultural tent.

Cavy and rabbit classes are still going ahead this year, but due to the avian flu no poultry classes will be held.

During the day there will be various trade stands on the showground, a choice of catering units, a craft tent and a funfair.

Special attractions such as giant tortoises, a tug of war competition, and inter hunt relay competition, Gwynedd Axemen demonstration, and a shearing with hand shears competition will also make up the day.

Yr Anghysur, a band from the area, and Tudur Wyn Jones will perform in the beer tent.

Entrance fees for children are ?3, ?8 for adults and a family ticket is available for just ?18.

[SteveH]

Lorry jam highlights town's A470 traffic problem - with three potential options to solve it
Llanrwst suffers from traffic issues with the busy A470 running through the middle of the town centre

A lorry jam quite literally brought the traffic issues of a busy town centre road to a head this week - highlighting the need for solutions. The A470 runs through the heart Llanrwst with narrow sections and tight bends next to the town square - as well as a single lane historic bridge over Afon Conwy that can cause drivers additional headaches.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/lorry-jam-highlights-towns-a470-26887641

[SteveH]

The secret hall not used for decades found hidden inside a former HSBC bank

A company moving into offices in a small Welsh town have been left stunned after discovering a 'secret' hall inside their new building. The hall, which is not believed to have been used in several decades, was found on the top floor of the former HSBC bank in Llanrwst, with the new tenants left wondering how the space came to be.

The team at local community translation company Menter Iaith Conwy made the surprise discovery after moving into the building in the town centre in 2019, North Wales Live reports. While they share the bottom two floors of the historic building with two other groups, they soon learnt that there was a hidden hall above them, with the owners now at a loss for what they should do with it.
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/secret-hall-not-used-decades-26907434?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
cont

[SteveH]

Conwy bridge reopened to the public after ?substantial? investment

The Dolgarrog Pipe Bridge, which connects Dolgarrog village to the train station and beyond, has opened following a ?1.9million investment.

The bridge serves as a crucial link for the Conwy Valley, carrying two water pipes that supply drinking water to more than 43,000 homes and businesses.

Furthermore, it has long served as a cherished walkway for numerous residents, connecting Dolgarrog village to nearby communities.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23567870.conwy-bridge-reopened-public-substantial-investment/

[SteveH]

A housing association has apologised for delays in completing a children?s play area on a Llanrwst estate. Cartrefi Conwy says it has acknowledged the concerns of residents and pledged that the playground at Rhodfa Phil Evans will be finished by the summer holidays.

The playground is part of a ?4.3 million redevelopment of the estate but remains fenced off and full of rubble. A block of 30 maisonettes and flats were demolished as part of the massive makeover of the 1970s estate, originally called Glanrafon, replacing the properties with 14 three and four-bedroom low-carbon modular homes.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/children-left-disappointed-estates-play-27091276?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Villagers aghast at 'should-have-gone-to-Specsavers' work on Llanrwst's picture-postcard bridge
There's been local outrage at the 'bodge job' work - but it seems the anger is premature

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/villagers-aghast-should-gone-specsavers-27155792

[SteveH]

THE LLANRWST Rural Show took place on the weekend and was a roaring success.
Held on June 24, a range of competitions, food and drinks stalls, and displays delighted crowds.

With arts and craft stalls and activities, the event also showcased beautiful flower arrangements and livestock, including cattle and sheep.

Their efforts were well and truly awarded with the grounds being full of people in the afternoon.

Most importantly, there was something for everyone. I look forward to 2024


CONWY County Borough Council is to help protect a pedestrian and vehicle bridge over the Conwy River in Llanrwst after it suffered serious damage.
After the damage caused to Pont Fawr, Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders wrote to the council and Welsh Government asking them to cooperate on developing a signal controlled solution on the A470 for the crossing.

The council has responded positively, with Geraint Edwards, head of environment, roads, and facilities, replying to the MS: ?As the highway authority for the B5106, we would need to work closely with the Welsh Government on any solutions to the bridge issues.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23622632.council-agrees-co-operate-protect-bridge-llanrwst/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Italianate mansion that's home to renowned gallery up for sale as potential hotel
Ffin Y Parc gallery will continue to operate with plans to move the gallery to a new site in North Wales

An Italianate Victorian mansion that became a renowned gallery in recent years has been placed up for sale. Bryn Derwen - near Llanrwst - is set in 14 acres and was built in the 1880s.

It became a care home but this closed in 2005 and the property and gardens had become overgrown and dilapidated. But the site was bought and transformed by partners Ralph Sanders and Roland Powell.

They turned it into leading art gallery Ffin Y Parc. Now the property has been placed up for sale with Iwan M Williams estate agents. It has a ?1.95m price tag.

Fans of the gallery can be reassured that Ffin y Parc will continue at a new location once the sale is complete. They are looking to take on a townhouse in the centre of Llandudno and focus the business on Welsh art. It is business as usual at the current gallery site while the site is up for sale

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/italianate-mansion-became-renowned-conwy-27276899?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

STREET trading could soon be allowed on several Llanrwst streets, boosting the economy in the market town with a series of annual events ? such as Christmas fayres.

Llanrwst Town Council has approached Conwy, seeking to have ?prohibited streets? converted to ?consent streets?, potentially allowing on-street trading.

If agreed, this would allow traders to apply to Conwy County Council through its street trading policy for on-street trading.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23685396.llanrwst-soon-host-on-street-trading-events/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Flexi-bus service extended to North Wales valley communities left stranded by cuts
The T19 Traws Cymru service between Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog was stopped earlier this year

Earlier this year the ongoing crisis in parts of the bus sector in Wales saw a key North Wales route cut. Llew Jones Coaches announced its T19 service, which ran between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Llandudno, was closing in February.

This came as passenger numbers remained below pre-pandemic figures - making the route unviable under the existing funding model. Work was undertaken to bring back services to parts of the route but communities in the Lledr Valley - like Dolwyddelan and Roman Bridge - were left cut off.

Cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/flexi-bus-service-extended-north-27624396?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Adventure Parc Snowdonia cuts jobs and closes activities amid review of future of surf lagoon
Seasonal and full time team members are losing their jobs as owner 'truly sorry' about wave lagoon problems

A surf lagoon will cut jobs and close activities after a disappointing summer and a review will take place into the site's future. Adventure Parc Snowdonia opened in 2015 - launching the first commercial inland wave lagoon in the world.

But the wave machine has been dogged with mechanical problems. It relaunched this spring after a malfunction last summer but then broke down again in June.

The site - which has had several millions pounds in Welsh Government funding - has built additional facilities like Adrenaline Indoors and offered other watersports on the lagoon. But bosses said revenues had been "significantly lower" than expected this summer.

It also includes the Hilton Garden Inn hotel but that part of the business has traded well this year after initially being closed to house asylum seekers.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/adventure-parc-snowdonia-cuts-jobs-27630692


PS
BBC report
Conwy's Surf Snowdonia closes as redundancies announced

The world's first inland surf lagoon has closed down after warnings last year the north Wales business may have to sell up.

Adventure Parc Snowdonia said it was "bitterly disappointed" in an announcement online.

Tourism North Wales boss, Jim Jones, previously said the business's closure would be bad for the area.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-66689098

[SteveH]

What next for closed surf lagoon that's had ?8m in Welsh Government funding
Bosses announced Adventure Parc Snowdonia was closing although the Hilton hotel continues to trade well

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/what-next-closed-surf-lagoon-27652731?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

The Welsh village loved by visitors but struggling to attract workers

Betws-y-Coed was recently named the best destination in the UK but getting staff in is a more challenging issue

Betws-y-Coed has no problem attracting visitors to the village all year round. In fact it is so popular that it was recently named the best holiday destination in the whole of the UK.

But for some it is a different story when it comes to pulling in workers to help cater for the tourists. One hospitality boss says Brexit and Covid has left him with 25 vacant position at his popular cafe and separate pizza restaurant.


Jacha Potgieter - who runs the Alpine Coffee Shop and Hangin? Pizzeria with his wife Gwynneth - says the stress and hassle of finding workers is leaving him and his workforce of around 50 "tired and drained". He even warned he may give up the cafe because they and the staff were having to work "their asses off".

He has blamed Covid and Brexit for exacerbating existing problems but also says there are people who don't seem to want to work. The village also has a high number of Airbnb and other holiday lets which reduces the local population and potential workforce.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/welsh-village-loved-visitors-struggling-27709764?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

THE OWNERS of a shop in Colwyn Bay are ?so happy? to have taken over the site of a former general store in Glan Conwy, with plans to open a supermarket store at the site by the end of the year.

Mathew Creamer and his fianc?e Alina, who own Siop Bach on Church Street, Colwyn Bay, purchased the old Glan Conwy General Stores site on Church Street, Glan Conwy in August.

Mr Creamer said the building had ?many problems? when they initially took it over, with no electricity due to a previous fire, and damage to the interior.

The site has undergone a major renovation, with a full re-wire, and the installation of a smoke alarm system, CCTV and power.

The shop will become a second Siop Bach, with plans to open before the new year.

Mathew told the Pioneer: ?We have recently purchased the local shop and will be bringing it back to life the in the next coming months.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23804788.former-glan-conwy-general-store-reopen-supermarket-store/

[SteveH]

?Welsh Robin Hood? celebrated at new North Wales festival
Three days of activities include medieval banquets, re-enactments and 'choirs of merrymen'

A new festival themed after the Welsh Robin Hood is to launch in the Conwy Valley next month. Medieval tours, banquets and re-enactments are planned as the town of Llanrwst evokes the spirit of Dafydd ap Siencyn.

Much else is in the schedule at the three-day Gŵyl Dafydd ap Siencyn Festival on October 20-22. There?s also live music, forest art and storytelling, even massage therapy and hire of Gravity scooters ? a cross between a bicycle and a scooter. The full schedule is given below.

Elements of the festival will be held at the mile-long Caerdroia Labyrinth in Gwydyr Forest, the largest of its kind in the world. Chair of the event?s organising committee, Cllr Mostyn Jones, said the festival will enable people to follow in the footsteps of one of the area?s most notorious rebels.

?The community has been clear that our town should hold more events, create more activities for young people, and do more to celebrate the best of Llanrwst,? he said. ?I am delighted that we as a town council have been able to work with the community to create a truly unique festival. From medieval re-enactments to choirs of merrymen, an adventurous weekend has been scheduled for all to enjoy.?

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/welsh-robin-hood-celebrated-new-27779511?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589