What's on in Llandudno

[DaveR]

I am honestly amazed that the Whats On section of the Extravaganza website still has last year's information on it? What on earth use is that when  the event is on in a week or so? It would take less than an hour to update the site with basic information. Apparently, the website is provided by Pamaya - they should pull their finger out.

http://victorian-extravaganza.co.uk/shows-timetable/

[Ian]

I am honestly amazed that the Whats On section of the Extravaganza website still has last year's information on it?

There's nothing worse than a website that's inaccurate, poorly written or out-of-date.  The Extravaganza site ticks all the boxes in that respect, unfortunately, which is a real shame, as there's a huge amount of hard work been going on for the past nine months to bring this event to fruition, and this sort of thing makes a mockery of the endeavours of all the volunteers.

Pamaya's own site by contrast is tightly written and well presented so I wonder if they're doing the Extravaganza one for free?

[Blodyn]

North Wales Coast Branch of the Aircrew Association is laying up its Standard

On 8 May, the North Wales Coast Branch of the Aircrew Association is laying up its Standard at Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno. Membership of the Association was open to anyone having been awarded a flying badge who was serving or who had served in the RAF, the Army, the Royal Navy or the forces of commonwealth and other nations. The national organisation recently resolved to disband the Association because of a dwindling number of members, many of whom were World War 2 veterans. Last year, the worldwide membership was 4500, down from a peak of over 40000 in the mid-1990s. With 75% of members being aged 80 or more, it was inevitable that the Association was experiencing a loss of energy and was becoming unviable.

The North Wales Coast Branch which meets at Llandudno’s RBL Club had, at its peak, over 60 members. However, in line with the national organisation, continuation has now become impractical and as a consequence, the Branch is disbanding this year. Its Standard is to be entrusted to the care of Holy Trinity Church at the 10.30 am service on Sunday 8 May and will be laid up in the church’s Memorial Chapel. The Rector of Llandudno Parish, the Rev Prebendary John Nice will receive the Standard for safe keeping from the Branch’s Chairman, Arfon Evans. The Branch’s Chaplain, the Rev Prebendary Robert Griffiths, Rector of Rhos-Cystennin Parish, will be the guest preacher.

Members, ex-members and other interested persons are welcome to attend.

[DaveR]

Pamaya's own site by contrast is tightly written and well presented so I wonder if they're doing the Extravaganza one for free?

Pamaya's own site is out of date, last blog entry was from December 2010 and their location map shows a shop in Penrhyn Bay which they vacated many months before that.

I seem to recall the Extravaganza site was constructed using WordPress, so Pamaya didn't have to do anything beyond construct the basic layout and graphics. I've constructed WordPress sites in the past and they are very straightforward to both setup and manage.

[Bri Roberts]

I notice the psychic, Sally Morgan, was on at Venue Cymru this evening.

Behind the theatre, there were two large trucks presumably for all her scenery.

Also, there were two top-of-the-range double decked coaches.

The type that each carries about 80 passengers.

I wonder why would a solo artist want to bring along two posh coaches? 

[dwsi]

Manic Street Preachers + support act are playing in the arena tomorrow night. That might answer your dilemma

[Bri Roberts]

Correct.

This morning the two trucks are reversed up the Arena and five young men got off one of the two buses just after 11am to book in at the stage door and walk over to the Arena at the rear.

Round at the front, there were already a few people queuing up for a front row view.

Meanwhile, my missus told me Sally Morgan is driven to her venues by her husband and they like to arrive early to wander round the town.

I didn’t bother asking my missus how she knew that. 

[Fester]

This Sunday, there is a hugely important road race, for runners, through the town and round the Orme.

I read some time ago that traders could expect a bonanza weekend due to this.

But, I fear that the opposite will actually be true.
I have enquired, and it seems that many roads will be closed, thereby preventing any day trippers getting into town.

Also, the route of the race, (and the length of it) and the number of participants, will mean that people will not be able to physically access many parts of the town (such as The Pier)

Does anyone have any information on this?  It appears to be a case of mis-selling by the organisers and local press, once again.
Good news for the Hoteliers perhaps? 

[Blodyn]

You're quite right, Fester, from the road signs it looks as if half the town will be closed but it's difficult to make out which roads will and will not be open.  I've tried to find a map of the closed roads, to see whether my elderly mother has a chance of getting a taxi to church.  On the race's website there is a photographic tour of the course which describes the route:

http://www.llandudno10.co.uk/photos.html

while the "Rhyl Journal" website lists the closed roads:

http://www.rhyljournal.co.uk/news/102501/llandudno-ready-for-first-10-mile-race.aspx

Has anyone found any better information than this?

[DaveR]

Between 7am-2:30pm on Sunday, May 22, no vehicles will be allowed on the following Llandudno roads:

SOUTH PARADE, Between The Parade and Mostyn St.
GLODDAETH ST,  Between West shore and Mostyn St.
CLONMEL ST, Between Mostyn St and The Parade
THE PARADE. Between Clonmel St and Clarence Road.
CLARENCE ROAD Between the parade and Mostyn Ave
MOSTYN AVENUE, Between  Clarence Road and Nant Y Gammar  Road
NANT Y GAMMAR, between Mostyn Ave and Roumania Drive
ROUMANIA DRIVE between Nant Y Gammar and Queens Road
QUEENS ROAD, Between Mostyn Ave and Conway Road
BRYNIAU ROAD, Between Gloddaeth St and Trinity Crescent.
TRINITY CRESCENT, Bruniau Road and Dale Road
DALE ROAD, Between Trinity Crescent and West Parade
WEST PARADE Between Dale Road and Abbey Road
ABBEY ROAD, Between West Parade and Church Walks
CHURCH WALKS, Between Abbey Road and North Parade
NORTH PARADE, Between Church Walks and South Parade

[Ian]

I've plotted that on a map, and it's madness. It effectively prevent anyone getting into or leaving Llandudno during the times stated. And I can't see that they['ll be able to ban vehicles entirely;  what about residents?

[Ian]

I've been in contact with the Police who know nothing about this.  They're making enquires as I type, and they'll be getting back to me as soon as they find out anything.  The chap to whom I spoke suspected it was part of the local council that's taken this on themselves.

I pointed out that a lot of folk have to get in and out of the town during the stated hours.

[DaveR]

I noticed today that a lot of metal barriers had started to appear on pavements around town, presumably to be used for the road closures on Sunday.

My concern would be for the businesses in town that are going to be affected by this, many are finding the going hard enough as it is.

[norman08]

the signs that i,ve seen around town say roads will be closed between 11 am  till 2 30 pm  mind dos,nt supprise us the police not knowing

[Ian]

Apparently, it was Conwy CC that authorised the road closures, and the Police have been asked to enforce them.  The PVC in charge of that is ringing me tomorrow with the answer (I hope) to my question.