Rex Ham
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WrecsamGirl, in my memory, it was always so. For some reason, Wrexham people seem to prefer to eat out of town. I can only recall The Steak and Claret restaurant in Regent House offering what is now called fine dining. From the 1960’s people seemed to prefer places like the Golden Groves, The Cross Lanes, Grosvenor (Pulford and Aldford) to name but a few. I guess because Wrexham has always been a barracks town and the centre a bit ‘er how can I put this nicely, “rough”, people have celebrated their special times away from town. Having said that, when I look around, there is more food choice now than I ever recall.
On a related topic, does anyone remember The Eat Easy restaurant in Queen St? That was a bit radical in it’s day!!
Why bother driving to Chester? Trains to/from Wrexham:
07.00 virgin train gets you into Crewe at 07.54 Direct service, no change.
08.02 Arriva train gets you into Crewe at 08.54 Change at Chester
Return
16.49 To Chester, arrives Wrexham 17.46
17.49 To Chester, arrives Wrexham 18.44I guess it depends on your working hours.
“The Council have to cut £45m from our budgets in the next three years, that means our focus is on the most vulnerable in society. We will be left with virtually no money for projects we would like to do but have no money for.”
That is the quote from WCBC in reply to the question why? I would suggest this is a very good reply.As I understand it, the current proposal for “crowd funding” is to protect standards and flags which have historical importance to Wrexham. I can imagine the uproar on here if the council decided to fund this work from their general budget whilst cutting back on “front line” services.
So why not try this innovative method. If you don’t want to contribute, don’t.
Why are so many people in Wrexham negative about a multi million pound investment in our town? It will bring jobs, support for local businesses and bring people into the town, some by rail and bus, thus strengthening their use. With regards to the name, I agree, call it HMP Wrexham – simples!
The site of the Red Cow and some surrounding buildings has been an eyesore for sometime and I guess because they had been allowed to deteriorate so far, demolition was the only option. The building collapse across the road is testament to what happens if left too long. I don’t think any of us on here want to see old buildings demolished if they have a useful purpose, and I am surprised that “Monitor” chooses to blame the council planners, I would suggest the site owners are to blame.
In the same way you are saying the people interviewed are from the ubiquitous “Benefits Street”!!!!
Actually, I was a bit defensive of them, considering I don’t know ’em!
[quote quote=94397]New Benefits street.
[/quote]Actually, they appeared to be perfectly respectable people giving their views.
I think I should apologise to The Stiwt, for my previous comments. Having looked at their current programme, there is a range of plays, opera and music there. Welsh language performances too! However, in June, I think I counted just 9 performances.
To be an attractive and vibrant town Wrexham needs a wide range of facilities and that includes facilities for the arts, sport and commerce. The town declined funding for a new theatre some years ago so I think the setting up of an “arts hub” is a way forward. It will presumably act as a catalyst for music, theatre, painting, photography, indeed the whole range of arts is possible given the right support.
It is true Wrexham has other theatres, but the Stiwt does not seem to attract a huge range of attractions and the William Aston Hall was designed as a concert hall rather than a theatre. Indeed having performed there many times, it is not ideal for plays, being long from the stage to the back of the rear stalls. It works for pantomime, opera, ballet and stand up comedy because they do not need the “intimacy” required by plays. Indeed the town has a third theatre in the Grove Park Theatre, but that has a small capacity and is well used for their own productions.
As for the earlier comment that people prefer to travel to Mold, it really belies the real reason. Theatre Clwyd is a world class “producing house”. It has initiated theatre which is critically acclaimed nationally. Because of arts funding cuts, it now takes in more touring productions, but they are the sort of productions Wrexham could never attract even with an arts hub. “People prefer to travel to Mold” is like saying football fans from Wrexham prefer to travel to Anfield or Old Trafford rather than the Racecourse. Truth is it’s a different product.
Absolutely Wrexham needs an arts and cultural hub. To be a successful town, we need a wide range of activities. Yes, we need good shopping and sporting facilities, but the town needs to be attractive to people with an interest in theatre (of all genres), painting, sculpture, photography. These help to make a balanced town. With the disappearance of the Oriel gallery, where will exhibitions be housed? My only sadness is the town passed up on Welsh Government funding for a theatre, although I am sensible enough to realise it might need continued LA support at a time when funding is stretched. Absolutely we need to promote the arts and hopefully use it as a tool to further the education of the children of our town.
