Dereliction

Dereliction, originally uploaded by davidrobertsphotography.

I snapped this shot of the side entrance to Colwyn Bay Pier at the weekend. Sad to see how the process of decay is accelerating.

I only hope that the Friends of the Pier are ready to hit the ground running if they are able to assume ownership of the Pier - I understand that Conwy Council will be holding a Meeting in June to decide whether they will buy the Pier and then pass it on to the Friends Group to run.

Colwyn Bay Pier once more....

Return, originally uploaded by davidrobertsphotography.

News has surfaced in the local press that Conwy Council may be preparing to buy Colwyn Bay Pier from the Receivers for £35,000 and then hand it over to the Pier Pressure Group to run.

Regardless of the rights or wrongs of the various parties surrounding the ownership issue, I'm delighted by this news, because it means that the deadlock may finally be broken. The Pier has become little more than a ball to be kicked around by people with various agendas, whilst the Pier itself decays a little more every day.

Let the Pier Pressure Group have it...and let them try to harness the local community to roll their sleeves up and get stuck in with both physical work and fund-raising. It's sink or swim time for them...and I wish them the best of luck.

Still no solution to a Sticky Problem...

Can you see the pavement for all the Chewing Gum?

The sticky subject of the mess created by chewing gum on pavements in the local area has once again raised its head, following a post or two on Oscar's blog about the subject.

It's something I've mentioned myself in the past, almost one year ago, in fact. Unfortunately, nothing whatsoever has been done to tackle the problem, in spite of representations on the matter by several local people to Cllr Mike Priestley (Cabinet Member for the Environment at Conwy Council).

After several reminders, he has finally responded to Oscar's questions on the subject.

It would appear that the Council did own a Cleaning Machine but it was damaged by a flood at Dolgarrog and had to be written off.

One wonders if an insurance claim was submitted and what happened to the proceeds?

It would also appear that someone at CCBC has told Cllr Priestley that to buy a new machine to remove chewing gum would cost £120,000. No, that's not a typing error, I did say £120,000. Now, I'm not an expert on chewing gum removal, but, by using Google, I was able to find a machine specially designed for removing Chewing gum from Pavements that cost less than £5,000. Here's the link (with the price) so you can see for yourself:
http://www.getridofgum.com/remove_chewing_gum.html

So...what's going on? Is someone at Conwy Council trying to pull the wool over Cllr Priestley's eyes in order to save themselves some work?

Whatever the reason, it's disappointing to see that, one year later, nothing has been done...

Save Conwy Civic Hall

Conwy Civic Hall (Photo Credit)

I'm really pleased to see the local community organising itself to defend Conwy Civic Hall (currently threatened with closure by Conwy Council). As the cutbacks bite, we have to be ready to make a stand to protect these facilities and if that means the community taking over the running of a facility like the Civic Hall directly, then so be it.

They have a Blog up and running:

http://saveconwycivichall.blogspot.com/

..and a Facebook Group:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_115157115214249

Please give them your support.

Pier Pavilion Saga Rumbles On...

Another front page story in the North Wales Weekly News last week, about the continued failure of, well, anything to be done about the derelict site of the former Pier Pavilion Theatre on the front in Llandudno.

In case we need reminding, it is now sixteen years since the devastating fire that destroyed the iconic Grade II Listed Building. In that period, how many times have we heard of a breakthrough in progress with redeveloping the festering eyesore of a site - yet nothing has ever happened! At one point, the Welsh Development Agency (WDA) offered to use their Compulsory Purchase Powers but Conwy Council declined their offer!

Make no mistake, this is a landmark site in the resort of Llandudno and the only site of any size on the Promenade that would be suitable for the mixed use, all-weather leisure development that the town really needs (yes, it does rain in Wales occasionally!). The current owner, the ever elusive David Taylor of Worcester, seems to be dreaming of a 10 storey high apartment block on the site, netting him many millions of pounds profit. Sorry, Mr. Taylor, but it's never going to happen!

Unless Mr. Taylor accepts that residential development will never happen and sells the site to a Leisure Developer, then the only way forward is for CCBC/Welsh Assembly Government to carry out a Compulsory Purchase of the site and then pass it on to a Developer in order to recoup their money. As a Compulsory Purchase is carried out at a 'fair value', the price would reflect its current planning status as a leisure site and not some 'pie in the sky' residential site value. Thus, it would be a viable (not to say attractive) site for developers.

In conclusion, Llandudno would gain the all-weather attraction(s) that it desperately needs, jobs would be created for locals, taxes would be generated. for the Government...best of all, a sixteen year old embarrassment to the town removed once and for all!

The Glory Days... (Photo Credit)

Sixteen years of a derelict eyesore! (Photo Credit)

Park Revival

Fountain is working again...

Queen's Gardens, the small park in the centre of Colwyn Bay, had begun to look rather tired and run-down in recent years. I was very pleased, therefore, to see the Parks Dept have been busy replanting several areas of shrubbery that line three sides of the park and, more importantly, have managed to clean out the circular pool and install a new fountain. As a result, the park is probably looking the best it has done for many years.

Well done to all concerned!

New planting in the shrub borders

What's wrong with this picture...?

What's wrong with this picture? (Photo Credit)

Ah yes...the brooding majesty of the 700 year old Conwy Castle, a World Heritage Site situated high above the tidal Gyffin Estuary, teeming with wildlife. What could improve this view....certainly not the remains of the derelict Billingtons Garage, an eyesore for many years when it was open, let alone now it has been closed and boarded up for the last few years. I've said it before, I know, but...can not Conwy Council dig deep into their £50m+reserves, buy the site, flatten it and landscape the area. Please?

Fabulous new Conwy attraction

Yes, I know, another post about Conwy...what can I say, I like the place. Anyway....you might have seen this piece in the local paper......

Fabulous new Conwy attraction!

Tourists are flocking to the new Conwy Quay visitor attraction

Visitors to Conwy's Quay area were today stunned to see the new tourist attraction provided by Conwy County Borough Council. The former row of maritime themed buildings, shops & aquarium have been swept away, to be replaced by the very latest in visitor entertainment - some wooden posts surrounded by several tones of crushed slate. Regular visitor, Alf Trippleton from Yorkshire, commented "By Gum, your council have really rolled the boat out here, haven't they? Happen there's not many World Heritage Sites that could boast an attraction like that. Puts the Taj Mahal to shame, it does." The new look Quay is the result of 27 Consultants Reports, 5 Public Consultations and 15 applications for EU Grant Funding. A spokeswoman for Conwy Council commented "We are confident that the new look Conwy Quay will do nothing whatsoever to create any jobs or wealth for the town of Conwy".

We Can Rebuild It

I've just been to the Colwyn Bay Regeneration Consultation that has been carried out by Consultants DPP Shape over the last few days in Colwyn Bay. As they were keen to point out to me, the Plans they had pinned up on the wall were proposals and ideas designed to stimulate local discussion, rather than a firm intention. To be fair, they seemed to have the right idea - amongst other things, it was accepted that the vast expanses of grey paving (and indeed the continued closure of Station Road to traffic) were mistakes and they seemed keen on proposals to improve access from one part of the town to another (i.e. town centre to beach, town centre to eirias park etc). 'Softening' the appearance of the streets with more trees etc was also mentioned, and that was something that I certainly welcomed.

I was also pleased to see that they viewed Eirias Park as a 'hidden gem' of the town - this is something that I've been banging on about for some time - I mentioned to them that a Cafe at the side of the remodelled lake would be a winner - a great place to sit outside and sip a coffee in the Summer. They also stressed that they felt that Colwyn Bay had a built in 'head start' in the regeneration process, due to the wonderful nature of its Victorian architecture. Overall, I felt vaguely positive after viewing the proposals.

You can give them your own thoughts here:
www.colwynbaymasterplan.info

Bye-ron

BBC News Article

The news today that Conwy Council Chief Executive Byron Davies had been relieved of his duties and was being questioned by Police came as quite a shock. A Council employee described him as being 'marched' out of the Council HQ Bodlondeb by Police officers.

Whilst details are still practically non-existent, it would be imprudent, not to mention unfair upon Mr. Davies, to speculate upon the nature of the alleged offence but it's fair to say that it must be pretty serious in order for him to be relieved of his duties. Rumour has it he parked his car two inches over the white line in a parking bay on Mostyn Street....

UPDATE: A Special Meeting of Councillors has been called for Weds 31st March at 4pm. The Agenda is secret (exempt item):
http://modgoveng.conwy.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=207&MId=2185&Ver=4
I suspect it will be one of the most interesting meetings ever held at Bodlondeb....

BBC Story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/8589649.stm

All The World's A Stage...

A new blog post from Carneades has reminded me of one of my favourite bugbears in Llandudno - the fact that the Open Air Theatre in Happy Valley was not replaced as part of the Heritage Lottery funded renovations about 10 years ago. The Theatre had been entertaining the Summer visitors since the very inception of Llandudno as a seaside resort back in the 1860s, yet that proud tradition all came to an end in 1985, when Alex Munro became ill and the theatre was forced to close, eventually being damaged by fire in October 1987.

Open Air Theatre in its final years

Alex Munro entertains the Visitors at the Open Air Theatre

In the initial HLF Renovation plans, a new outdoor stage was clearly mentioned - to be sited where the old Open Air Theatre stood behind the Cafe:

(Click image to view Full Size version)

Yet, when the work was carried out, no stage materialised, just a rather odd looking semi-circular tarmaced area that has never been used for anything but the siting of a small childrens roundabout. Indeed, quite a bit of work went into removing every trace of the old Theatre, even to the extent of regrading the land levels completely to remove the terraced seating areas.

Similar view as the Postcard above today

Looking down at the site of the Open Air Theatre today

Of course, Happy Valley retains the natural beauty that has made it a favourite spot for visitors since those early days, but it has to be said that it feels a little lifeless now, even at the peak of the Summer season. Imagine how much better it would be with some live entertainment, be it the Llandudno Town Band, Local Amateur Musical Groups like the Trinity Players or Llandudno Musical Productions, maybe a Buskers' Stage...or even the revival of the Talent Competition. so beloved of Alex Munro. With the current enthusiasm for Talent Shows on tv, you'd have thought it would be a winner?

You'd have thought this sort of thing could be organised by Llandudno Town Council but, apparently, having endless meetings is all they are capable of doing. Maybe a new Friends of Happy Valley could get stuck into pressing for the construction of a new stage area and organising a few shows...?

Some Light Relief

Well, its not often that I have occasion twice in one week to praise Conwy County Borough Council but....I was pleased to see that another of the original Victorian street lamps in Llandudno Town Centre is being brought back into use in Clonmel Street. Llandudno is one of the best preserved Victorian towns in the UK and, to maintain this ambience, its vital that street furniture such as lamp posts, railings etc reflect the town's heritage.

So, once again, its full marks to Conwy County Borough Council...keep up the good work!

(Photo Credit)

Spring Has Sprung

Crocuses in Queens Park, Craig Y Don

After the long and miserable Winter we've had this year, it was a pleasure to see the legions of multi-coloured Crocuses that have sprung up in parks, verges and roundabouts in the local area. Full marks to the Parks Dept of Conwy Council for this fine display of colour to remind us that Spring has arrived.

A little sheepish...

Over the last few weeks, I've noticed a large group of sheep whenever I walk through Happy Valley park, Llandudno, probably 20 or more of them. Having cropped the grass to a fine trim, they have now started munching their way through the plant stock of the Rock Gardens.

Now, I see council gardeners working up there maybe once or twice a week but no-one seems to have done anything about removing the sheep. Whilst keeping the grass short is perfectly fine, destroying the hundreds of plants and shrubs in the gardens is not so desirable. - not to mention the trails of droppings they leave over all of the paths! Their backs are marked with a a 'J' - I assume they have come down off the Orme but can we hope that someone at CCBC will read this and take the initiative in returning them back home before all the plants are eaten and need replacing at great expense?

The Lesser Spotted Byron

"Who the hell are you?"

Much excitement in Llandudno today with a rare public sighting indeed in the North Wales Weekly News of the Lesser Spotted Byron. This species is rarely seen in public with 'ordinary people' but can often be tempted out into the light by an appearance of the Minor Royal Family Member. This is a characteristic shared with another rare species very seldom found locally - the Hardly Ever Seen Betty Williams. I believe that this timid creature is usually only seen in public when there is an election due and will never stray from her natural Bangor habitat otherwise.

Grey Day

People of Colwyn Bay...be afraid, be very afraid. The 'Powers That Be' that have already covered both Seaview Road and Station Road in a vast expanse of featureless Chinese grey granite are now marshalling their forces and preparing for a strike against Penrhyn Road. The photo above shows hundreds upon hundreds of grey granite paving stones stored in the Lansdowne Road Car Park, poised to remove any hint of colour and life from Penrhyn Road.

Public opinion certainly seems to be very negative towards the finished appearance of both Sea View Road/Station Road, with a common comment being about the almost total lack of colour and planting to soften all the paving. Apparently, the handful of half dead trees just don't cut it when it comes to greenery...

In addition, the granite is already starting to appear tatty, with oil stains and chewing gum being apparently too difficult to remove. I'd also maybe add a comment about the dubious environmental merits of importing Chinese granite halfway around the world, when there are plenty of UK quarries that could have supplied the paving. I'd maybe go even further and ask why paving needed to be used anyway when there are many alternatives to tarmac now available, including something called resin bonded surfacing, which produces an attractive and durable gravel surface at significantly less cost?

I remember a letter in the North Wales Pioneer from a year or so ago, that said something along the lines that Conwy Council were determined to turn Colwyn Bay into something resembling Albania, where all work on public areas is carried out at the cheapest possible cost, with no regard to the aesthetics or long term value. I think they were spot on in that assessment! Numerous examples abound, but one of the most obvious is the ludicrous way in which the town's original cast iron street nameplates (in perfect condition apart from needing a cost of paint) are replaced by flimsy aluminium versions, which last barely 10 years before needing replacement. When will they learn?

Pole Position

The pole in the photo above (which holds several signs) has been lying on the grass verge at the side of one of the main footpaths on North Parade in Llandudno for several months, maybe since September last year, ever since it was uprooted by vandals. It's been there so long that someone from Conwy Council has actually come along and filled in the hole it used to be sited in on the other side of the footpath with earth! Is there no-one with the gumption to think to themselves..."Hmmm, I must arrange for someone to come and put that pole back up"? It's hardly like you can miss it when you're walking past. The mind boggles....

For Art's sake!

The revelation in the North Wales Weekly News that pressure group Save Our Promenade had discovered the cost of the sculpture shown in the photo above to be THIRTY SIX THOUSAND POUNDS must have come as a surprise to many. I looked at it myself this morning whilst passing and could probably have knocked up something similar from B&Q for about a tenner. It's by the Beach Cafe on West Shore, Llandudno, if you want to go and admire it.

I can only echo the words of Save Our Promenade spokesman, Mike Pritchard, when he says that "It's a massive amount to have spent on a sculpture...because it's used as a dog toilet and a receptacle for all sorts of rubbish". In fact, I'd probably go a little further than Mike, and describe it as a 'load of utter crap'.

I'm currently investigating the possibility of opening my own Public Art Design Practice - I'll only be supplying Councils, of course, and I'm thinking about specifying a minimum spend of around £30,000 per artwork. Good idea?

A Clean Sweep

Last painted in 1900? (Photo Credit)

The news that Conwy County has been awarded top marks with regard to the cleanliness of its streets is welcome indeed.

"CONWY county has cleaned up in a survey to find the most litter free streets in Wales. The area came out top with inspectors sent out by the Keep Wales Tidy campaign to check on litter and general cleanliness. It achieved an overall score of 72.5% up five points on last year and above the Wales average of 66.87%."

It's certainly fair to say that Conwy's streets and town centres are looking cleaner than ever, and credit should be given to both the Council employees and the Cabinet Member for the Environment, Mike Priestley, for their hard work.

But, of course, much remains to be done. Street cleaning is of a high standard but general maintenance of public areas is nowhere near as good. I've previously mentioned the proliferation of chewing gum on pavements throughout the County - again to his credit, Mike Priestley has promised to tackle the problem.

I've also previously mentioned other areas where improvements made (quite often at relatively little cost ) could significantly improve the appearance of an area. Things like fixing cracked paving stones, painting railings, varnishing benches, planting trees, repainting street nameplates...it's about attention to detail, which as any businessperson knows, makes the difference between a good business and a great business. If Conwy Council can grasp this, then we would really see some progress in raising standards.

Chewing Gum

(Photo Credit)

The state of Llandudno's main streets are a disgrace. I'm not talking about the general standard of maintenance or litter...I'm talking about chewing gum...it is everywhere and it looks disgusting. To the best of my knowledge, there has not been any effort made by Conwy Council to remove chewing gum from Mostyn Street's pavements in 5 years at least, and maybe a lot longer.

The next time you're walking along Mostyn Street, take a look down at your feet and you'll see how bad the problem is. Over in Rhyl, Denbighshire County Council have the main streets steam cleaned (the most effective method of chewing gum removal) twice yearly. Back in May 2005, Conwy Councillors were complaining about the chewing gum problem and it was agreed that the purchase of a Gumbsuter machine be investigated.

So, four years later, why have Conwy Council done nothing? I intend to email Mike Priestley (Cabinet Member for the Environment) and ask him...