news.wrexham.gov.uk

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  • Official reopening of Waterworld

    Official reopening of Waterworld

    Cllr John Pritchard, the Mayor of Wrexham, formally cut the ribbon at Waterworld today to mark the official opening of its newly improved facilities.

    The long-awaited refurbishment of Wrexham’s town centre facilities is now fully completed ending five months of improvement works, which saw Wrexham County Borough Council invest £1.5m in to this one centre alone. This work along with that done at the other local authority centres in the area (totalling £2.7m) was all done to ensure the provision of the best possible facilities for residents and visitors in Wrexham.

    The changes at Waterworld are clear to see from the moment you enter the building, with the former entryway now a brand new, state-of-the-art MYRIDE indoor cycling studio – with virtual cycling software, offering scenic locations and a highly immersive cycling experience for personal and group training.

    TELL US HOW YOU THINK WE SHOULD SAVE £13M. FILL-IN THE QUESTIONNAIRE NOW.

    The improved gym area packed full of the latest kit, complete with an Omnia rig, also features the Technogym Wellness Cloud system, which allows members to monitor their progress, tracking workouts on a personal USB stick which plugs into the many pieces of kit and has an associated app for people to hold on their phones.

    Finally, a new reception area complete with a refurbished café and seating area now greets visitors to the Leisure and Activity Centre, with Costa Coffee on sale, and the ladies ground floor changing rooms for gym users have also been refurbished to provide a bright new, modern space.

    The official opening saw Welsh Assembly Members, Lesley Griffiths AM and Mark Isherwood AM, join His Worshipful the Mayor of Wrexham, Cllr Paul Rogers and Cllr Paul Jones, along with directors from Freedom Leisure to watch demos on the Omnia rig, with some even taking part.

    Andy Harris, Freedom Leisure Area Manager, said: “The opening was to formally mark the completion of work and hand the facilities over to the public, and we were delighted to have Welsh Assembly Members and local councillors join us.

    “We are extremely proud of the new facilities, especially as the cycling studio and gym are now able to rival the best private gyms! Most importantly, users have already reported to us how happy they are with the enhanced facilities and offerings – which is excellent.

    “We’d like to thank Wrexham County Borough Council for securing funding from the Welsh Government and for investing in this centre. Freedom Leisure is proud to deliver high quality, locally-focussed services and are committed to their ongoing development in support of the objectives we share with our partners. We are looking forward to welcoming many new members who we are sure will be attracted by the first rate facilities we have here!”

    Cllr Paul Rogers, Lead Member for Youth Services and Anti-Poverty and with responsibility for Leisure, said: “These new facilities are absolutely fantastic, and I was very pleased to get the chance to tour the new additions to the ground floor at Waterworld.

    “I’ve followed the capital works since becoming the Lead Member responsible for leisure and I’ve always said the pace of work has been excellent, but the ground floor area – particularly the new café and seating area – is completely unrecognisable even when compared with earlier in the works.

    “I would also like to thank Cllr Hugh Jones, who was my predecessor as the Lead Member responsible for leisure when the contract was signed with Freedom Leisure in the spring of last year.”

    Fill-in our questionnaire now, and make sure you have your say on proposed budget-savings.

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  • Look familiar? – Please return it to us

    Look familiar? – Please return it to us

    We’re missing a road sign. Not just any sign…it’s a Grade 11 listed sign. An unusual surviving example of a 19 Century locally cast-iron sign-post, to be precise. And we’d like it back.

    It was stolen recently from Hafod Road and it marks a by-road which runs from Rhostyllen (past Bersham Colliery) to Middle Sontley.

    It has three distinct fingers indicating directions to Ruabon, Rhostyllen and Wrexham, and it was been repaired and redecorated only last year.

    TELL US HOW YOU THINK WE SHOULD SAVE £13M. FILL-IN THE QUESTIONNAIRE NOW.

    The incident has been reported to the police, but any help you can give would be greatly appreciated.

    We won’t be asking any questions – we just want it back. It’s part of Wrexham County Borough’s heritage, and we’d like it where it belongs.

    If you know where it is please contact 01978 298760.

    CALL ON MOBILE
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  • Get your entries in for the final month of the WOW Calendar Competition

    Get your entries in for the final month of the WOW Calendar Competition

    There’s just a few days left to enter the Wonders of Wrexham Calendar Competiton before it closes on 31 October.

    The competition has been running since last November and with just one month left we are hoping for a record number of entries to end the year.

    We decided to run the competition following the news last year that North Wales is ranked fourth in the world of regions to visit.  Wrexham has some spectacular scenery and architecture including two National Trust sites at Chirk and Erddig and a World Heritage Site at Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. We are surrounded by areas of outstanding natural beauty and of scientific interest. If you also take a look at our industrial heritage – it’s plain to see that Wrexham is a beautiful and historic place to live and visit.

    TELL US HOW YOU THINK WE SHOULD SAVE £13M. FILL-IN THE QUESTIONNAIRE NOW.

    The competition was launched last November and residents have been sending in entries every month with one winner per month being announced.

    There’s a brilliant set of photos already in place including the Aqueduct, Acton Park, Bersham Waterfall, Bangor on Dee and St Giles Parish Church.

    There’s no prize each month but winning photographers will receive a copy of the calendar when it is produced later this year.

    All profits from the sale of the calendar will be donated to the Mayor’s chosen charities.

    The competition is open to amateur photographers and entries can be of anywhere in the county borough taken during October 2017.

    Photos should be submitted via email to calendar@wrexham.gov.uk.

    Further information and terms and conditions are available on the Council’s website at www.wrexham.gov.uk.

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    Fill-in our questionnaire now, and make sure you have your say on proposed budget-savings.

  • More tenants thrilled with our housing improvement work project…

    More tenants thrilled with our housing improvement work project…

    Council tenants have welcomed improvement work carried out in their homes.

    Properties at Pen-Y-Bont in Trevor have received new adapted bathrooms as part of our ambitious housing modernisation project.

    Pen-Y-Bont includes 16 bungalows which are part of Wrexham Council’s sheltered housing schemes. Tenants here are able to live independently but with the benefit of a warden service and a communtiy alarm service that provides 24 hour cover.

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    Meeting the needs of tenants

    Adapted bathrooms, such as the ones installed here, are built with specific features to meet the needs of the tenants. This includes level access showers and extra handrails.

    The bathrooms at Pen-Y-Bont were installed by Novus Property Solutions, a contractor working in partnership with the council.

    Homes here have also received other improvements previously as part of the modernisation project. This includes new kitchens, new central heating systems, electrical rewires and reroofing.

    The work is being carried out to ensure that the properties meet the Welsh Government’s Welsh Housing Quality Standard.

    “My house is better than it’s ever been”

    Mr Charlie Evans has lived at Pen Y Bont for 15 years. He said: “I’m very pleased with the new bathroom. It’s clean, modern, easy to use and it’s made a big difference to my home. It’s quite a big job having a new bathroom installed but they and the council staff made sure we were looked after. All the staff were first class throughout the work. They were very friendly and helpful.

    “The house has been completely modernised since I moved in. I’ve had a new kitchen, new central heating system and the house has been reroofed. It’s better now than it’s ever been.”

    Local Member for Llangollen Rural, Cllr Rondo Roberts, said: “I’m delighted that our tenants homes are being modernised and it’s good to hear that the work is being tailored to meet the needs of people who live in sheltered housing.

    “It’s important that all our social housing is brought up to a high standard and I’d like to thank the council and Novus for carrying out this work to such a high standard.”

    A record year for housing improvement work

    Council owned homes across the county borough are receiving improvement work as part of the project to achieve the Welsh Housing Quality Standard.

    £56.4m is being spent on this work in 2017/18. This includes a £7.5m Major Repairs Allowance grant which the Welsh Government award to local authorities to help them achieve the new standard.

    The improvements can include new kitchens, bathrooms, central heating systems, re-roofing and other external work such as improvements to paths and fences.

    Lead Member for Housing, Cllr David Griffiths, said: “We’ve come a very long way with our housing modernisation project over the last few years, investing record amounts of money and carried out a huge amount of improvement work on thousands of properties.

    “We manage over 11,200 council owned homes in total so a project on this scale can present many challenges. However, I’m pleased to see that much of the work has now been completed and our tenants are able to live in homes which are modern, attractive and fit for the future.”

    You can find more information on the Welsh Housing Quality Standard on our website.
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  • WW2 Siren Back in working Order

    WW2 Siren Back in working Order

    One thing that marks out the Remembrance Day commemorations in Wrexham from the rest of the UK is the evocative sound of a WW2 air raid siren. However last year the siren failed to activate and the 2 minute silence proceeded as 2 minutes of, well, silence!

    The good news is the siren has been completely renovated and repaired and has been put back in place on the outside of Wrexham County Borough Museum and Archives on Regent Street. If all goes to plan the siren will be briefly tested on the morning of October 27th ready for the ceremony in Queen’s Square November 11th.

    TELL US HOW YOU THINK WE SHOULD SAVE £13M. FILL-IN THE QUESTIONNAIRE NOW.

    Councillor David Griffiths, the Council’s Armed Forces Champion said ‘I am delighted that we have been able to get the siren repaired in time for this year’s commemorations, its distinctive sound adds an authentic feel to the ceremony and following the repair we can hopefully look forward to many years of its distinctive howl’

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    https://news.wrexham.gov.uk”]LET OTHERS DECIDE[/button]

    Fill-in our questionnaire now, and make sure you have your say on proposed budget-savings.

  • Let others have all the say on how we save £13m (or don’t…)

    Let others have all the say on how we save £13m (or don’t…)

    NOTE – This consultation has now closed (01.12.17)

    Wrexham Council has to save £13 million over the next two years.

    That’s a lot of money, and it can’t be done without making some really tough decisions.

    Put simply, we’re going to have to downsize some of the services we provide. And stop doing some things altogether.

    But before we decide where to make these savings, we want to know what people think about the options on the table.

    TELL US HOW YOU THINK WE SHOULD SAVE £13M. FILL-IN THE QUESTIONNAIRE NOW.

    By taking part in our consultation, your neighbour can have her say. And the guy down the road can have his say.

    And you can have your say. So don’t miss the chance.

    Why do we need to save money?

    Councillor Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham Council, explains: “Councils continue to face reductions in funding from central government.

    “Since 2008 we’ve saved £52 million. Now we have to save a further £13 million over the next two years.

    “So we have to find ways to deliver the services that people need, but with less money.

    “That means making some very tough decisions, and it’s important people tell us what they think about some of the options on the table before we do that.”

    Diificult decisions budget consultation in Wrexham

    Will it make any difference?

    Yes it will.

    Over the past few years, your views have helped us decide where to make savings in really difficult times.

    Councillor Pritchard says: “Just like last year, the results of this consultation will influence what we do.

    “It might take 10-minutes or so to fill in, but it’s time well-spent.

    “Some of these proposals might affect you, or you might have strong feelings about them. But if you don’t tell us, we won’t know. And we’ll only have other people’s views to go on.”

    Fill-in our questionnaire now, and make sure you have your say on the proposed budget-savings.

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  • Q&A with new Creative Director of Tŷ Pawb

    Q&A with new Creative Director of Tŷ Pawb

    Since the announcement of its chosen name, interest has increased significantly in the new Tŷ Pawb development, which will bring together arts, markets and community work within the former Peoples Market building on Market Street.

    The end of the project and the opening of the new facility – with a big event held to mark the opening on Dydd Llun Pawb – are getting closer all the time, with construction work within the former Peoples Market building expected to end by March 2018.

    With the project’s momentum growing, so too is the focus on what Tŷ Pawb will deliver for Wrexham. There is particular interest around the arts side of the project and what can be expected from the exhibitions and other events to be held at the development in future.

    TELL US HOW YOU THINK WE SHOULD SAVE £13M. FILL-IN THE QUESTIONNAIRE NOW.

    Wrexham already has a bustling arts scene, with THIS Project at its Undegun site on Regent Street attracting a lot of attention and popularity.

    Given the importance of the arts in Wrexham and how that’s going to play a huge part in Tŷ Pawb, we took the time to speak to Jo Marsh, Arts Lead for Wrexham Council and Creative Director at Oriel Wrecsam.

    Jo will take on the role of Creative Director at Tŷ Pawb when it opens in the spring of 2018. We had a quick Q&A to catch up with her and find out more about what her role will entail, and what plans she has for the future of the development.

    Jo Marsh

    What is your role in relation to Tŷ Pawb?

    I’m the Arts Lead for WCBC and Creative Director of Oriel Wrecsam, and will be Creative Director of Tŷ Pawb (Arts, Markets and Community space) when it opens next year in the former People’s Market Building.

    How long have you been in this post?

    I came into this post in January 2017, before which I was the Learning and Engagement Officer for Oriel Wrecsam.

    What is your artistic background, and what did you do before you started working at Oriel Wrecsam?

    My background is as a self-employed artist and arts educator; my work includes sculpture, film, and projects involving other artists and members of the public.

    Some of my previous work includes a project called With Love From The Artist (www.withlovefromtheartist.com) which won the Woolgather Art Prize in 2011; and a travelling gallery called WanderBox which I built and toured with support from Arts Council of Wales (www.wanderbox.org).

    I’ve worked as a freelance arts educator for Oriel Wrecsam, Oriel Davies, Appart 113 gallery Bordeaux, the Design Museum – London, Arts Connection Powys, and a variety of schools.

    How long have you lived in Wrexham?

    I grew up in Yorkshire and then did my degree in Chester. I moved to Wrexham in 2011 from Toulouse, France, where I had been making work and teaching. I had planned to be here for just a year, but I quickly became part of a vibrant and welcoming arts and music community. Now more than six years later, Wrexham is 100% my home.

    What is your current involvement in the artistic life of Wrexham?

    I have been a studio holder at Undegun since it first opened in 2013, and I was a member of the original Artistic Policy committee. I still have a studio at Undegun, and my current artistic practice very much feeds into my approach to the Creative Direction for Tŷ Pawb – exploring the idea of overlap between gallery spaces and retail spaces.

    What is your approach as Creative Director of Tŷ Pawb?

    As Arts Lead for Wrexham and Creative Director of Oriel Wrecsam / Tŷ Pawb, my approach is fundamentally the same as when I was Learning and Engagement Officer; to design and deliver an artistic programme that is genuinely beneficial to Wrexham communities, which brings in influences and expertise from across Wales and beyond, as well as working closely with local partners and artists.

    What does your working life look like at the moment?

    The team at Oriel Wrecsam and I are currently working hard in relation to the Capital redevelopment of the People’s Market, as well as putting together an arts programme for the first two years once we’re open.

    This includes significant partnership projects and we’re very excited about the programme, which will be released in the next month.

    A key focus for the arts programme during the first two years will be on the co-existence of arts and markets under one roof. We’re looking at creative ways for the arts programme to support the market, and vice versa.

    Why do you need to plan the programme so far in advance?

    We will need to plan the arts programme for Tŷ Pawb at least two years in advance. This is partly because of the way we’re funded, and also because of the large scale of the programme. The more ambitious exhibitions that we are planning can take a minimum of two years to plan, whether they are produced in-house or bought in from other organisations.

    Having said that we’re keen to have scope in the exhibition programme to be responsive to local priorities, and with that in mind we’ve factored in a number of spaces in between programmed exhibitions. These will be periods of up to four weeks when the gallery spaces will be used by local groups. We’ll be able to give more information about how these will work and how to get involved in the next few months.

    Is there a way that the arts community can find out more about Tŷ Pawb and the arts programme?

    Yes – my colleague James Harper (curator at Oriel Wrecsam / Tŷ Pawb) and I have been holding an Arts Stakeholders Group at Undegun, 11 Regent Street. The next of these will be on November 8 at 6pm and all are welcome to attend.

    Fill-in our questionnaire now, and make sure you have your say on proposed budget-savings.

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  • Looking for Christmas Cards? St Giles have it all sorted for Charity

    Looking for Christmas Cards? St Giles have it all sorted for Charity

    A bit too early for Christmas?  Maybe, but St Giles Church in Wrexham town centre has opened their annual Christmas Card shop where you can get all your cards and also help some major charities such as those looking to raise funds for cancer, children, heart disease, learning disabilities, diabetes, muscular sclerosis and many more..

    There’s over 240 different designs on sale along with bilingual and Welsh cards available and stocking fillers and wrapping paper.

    TELL US HOW YOU THINK WE SHOULD SAVE £13M. FILL-IN THE QUESTIONNAIRE NOW.

    It’s a not for profit enterprise with 77p in every £1 going to charity with the rest taken up with administration.

    You can buy your cards until 4.00 pm every day but hurry as they’re going fast.

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    Fill-in our questionnaire now, and make sure you have your say on proposed budget-savings.

  • Back school’s chances to win a new playground

    Back school’s chances to win a new playground

    We all know how important play is for children – especially in school, where play settings can help children to socialise, exercise and take a break between learning.

    Black Lane School, Pentre Broughton, has been chosen as one of the entries in Febreeze, Terracycle and Tesco’s Win a School Playground contest – the only school in North Wales to reach the list.

    The school is doing well in the top 10 leaderboard ranking of schools in the contest, but needs more votes to be sure of reaching the top spot by the time the competition closes on November 14.

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    If you want to cast your votes for the school, go to www.tescowinaplayground.co.uk

    Cllr Beverley Parry Jones, local member for Bryn Cefn, said: “The children at Black Lane School would benefit hugely from a new playground, and I’m sure they’d appreciate it very much if people could take just a few minutes out of their day to vote for them.

    “Play facilities are so important to children, and an opportunity like this is one which should not be passed up.

    “I’d ask residents to take just a couple of minutes and head to the website to vote.”

    Cllr Phil Wynn, Lead Member for Education, said: “We know just how much children appreciate play facilities at schools across the county borough, and they can enliven break times by giving children a safe place to explore, scale and run around with their fellow pupils.

    “Black Lane School has beaten back nationwide competition to reach the shortlist and is one of only two schools in Wales to make the rankings, but they’ll need the public’s support in order to reach the top spot.”

    Get instant news and info from Wrexham Council with MyUpdates.

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  • What brings in £1 million to Wrexham – and sends our twitter feed into overdrive?

    What brings in £1 million to Wrexham – and sends our twitter feed into overdrive?

    Thousands will descend on Wrexham in December to get a glimpse of their favourite character actor, wrestler, super hero or comic creator when Wales Comic Con takes place at Glyndwr University on Mold Road.

    The event which is now in its 9th year has grown over that time to the highly successful spectacular it is now – so successful in fact that since 2015, and to huge public demand, organisers have put two events on per year – one in the spring and one in the winter.

    If you’ve never been to Wales Comic Con, or any Comic Con, you may be wondering what it’s all about? It’s a pop culture event where fans of film, TV, media, show characters, get together to see their favourite characters from shows old and new. You can get autographs, have photos taken and attend Q&A panels.

    “Cosplay is always entertaining in its own right”

    You can also take part in “cosplay” where you can turn up up as your favourite film/screen/comic character and enter the competition for the best dressed.  This is one of the highlights for Wales Comic Con goers and the quality of entries is always entertaining in its own right and good fun for everyone at the event!

    There’s a load of other attractions to keep you entertained throughout the day including seeing some fantastic cars and props from TV and film a must for younger fans.  Organisers also make sure there’s plenty to eat and drink as there’s loads of food outlets and of course movie and TV, film and comic hero memorabilia stalls.

    “Who’ll be at this year’s event?”

    Already confirmed for December are Walking Dead star Michael Cudlitz, Laura Vandervoort, Smallville and party of Five star, Gotham’s famous Butler Sean Pertwee, HOllywood heart throb Lou Diamond Philips, Bones actor Tamara Taylor, famous voice Chris Sarandon, the Nightmare Before Christmas, former footballer John Barnes, wrestling legend Sting, Only Fools and Horses favourite “Boycie”, John Challis and a host of other TV and film favourites.

    Lots of the headliners will be taking part in the Question and Answer sessions which are free to enter throughout the weekend.

    You can check out everyone who’s going to be there at www.walescomicon.com – we promise you won’t be disappointed and we guarantee you’ll recognise someone you would love to see.

    The first event in 2008 saw 153 people through the doors and used just the Sports Hall.  Today the event is spread over the whole campus including the Nick Whitehead and William Aston Halls, Catrin Finch Centre and the student guild and organisers also bring in a marquee!  Last year over 20,000 flocked through the doors and organisers are hoping for record numbers this December.

    “Visitor spending of £1 million”

    Such visitor numbers bring along with them big economic benefits to Wrexham.  It’s calculated that last year’s events brought in visitor spending of £1 million to the local economy – yes one million pounds over four days!  As guests, their aides, visitors, who travel from across Wales and the region to attend all need somewhere to stay which means the hospitality sector also sees the benefit from this bi-annual event. Local and national traders have also realised the potential of this market and put on offers to anyone wearing a Wales Comicon wristband. Its success also puts Wrexham on the map as the place to be as twice a year many thousands head to Wrexham for the Wales Comic Con.

    Take a look at the Wales Comic Con official trailer from last year – it’s certainly not what you’d expect to see in Wrexham of a weekend!

    Tickets for December’s event are now available online at http://walescomiccon.com/tickets/

    Adult tickets are £15 per day and Under 14’s are just £5 per day.  You can also buy VIP tickets which give priority access to Q&A sessions, exclusive VIP goodie bag, priority queueing, VIP Lanyard and, depending on price, photo opportunity vouchers with one or two of the guests.

    Details of next year’s 10 year anniversary show in the spring are also now becoming available with interest already causing our twitter feed to go into overdrive with every new announcement.

    We’d like to thank Wales Comic Con for their time and interest in giving us some insight into their fantastic event and for helping to put Wrexham on the map as a place to be.