Latest news with #HuwMorgan
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Hotel owners fight to silence 150-year-old town clock after barrage of 'negative reviews' from guests kept awake at night
Hotel owners are fighting to silence a 150-year-old town clock after a flood of 'negative reviews' from guests lying awake at night. The Wynnstay Hotel in Machynlleth, Powys, has been inundated with complaints from tourists kept awake by the clock's quarter-hourly bells, which ring every 15 minutes, even through the night. Bosses want the bells in the market town clock tower to be switched off between 11.30pm and 7am after guests raised concerns about the noise. After sitting silent for three years, the tower, which sits yards away from the business, was finally repaired in 2023 and now chimes every 15 minutes for 24 hours a day. Owners Huw Morgan and Gail Jenkins have written to local authorities urging them to pause the chimes, claiming to have received 'negative reviews' due to the clock. One frustrated visitor wrote on TripAdvisor review: 'Nothing wrong with the hotel. Stayed in the Lloyd George room £175 per night. Had an evening meal which we enjoyed. 'The problem is the clock, which has now been fixed, chimes every fifteen minutes and then chimes on the hour!!!! Kept us awake all night!! 'Staff were nice and we liked the hotel. Just relieved we didn't book two nights!' The hotel is asking the council for the chimes to be switched off between 11.30pm and 7am in a bid to keep their guests happy. In the letter to the council, the owners said: 'As owners of the Wynnstay, we are dependent on tourism for our business and we value the town clock and its central role in conveying the historic character of the town. 'We recognise and appreciate the effort and resources given to the town council to renovate and maintain the clock and its tower. 'Unfortunately, we are facing difficulties to our business due to the chiming of the clock throughout the night. We receive frequent complaints from guests, particularly those attempting to sleep in the front bedrooms. 'For some customers, it has spoiled their visit to Machynlleth and has led to negative reviews online. 'We ask that the council discuss the possibility of switching the chiming of the clock off during the night, e.g. from 11.30pm until 7am. This would resolve the noise issue. 'We are aware of other businesses who would appreciate this change, and also private residents who live near the clock. I am happy to coordinate a response from all if the council feels this is needed.' The clock tower was repaired in the summer of 2023 after a campaign was launched to get it working for the 150th anniversary celebrations. The repairs cost £55,000 before it was finally able to chime again in the 'ancient capital of Wales' market town. Mr Morgan said he was 'born and raised' in Machynlleth, and complaints were from tourists along with 'workers like railway engineers who need to sleep properly'. His 'for whom the bells toll' appeal is due to be considered by town councillors in Machynlleth - which describes itself as the 'ancient capital of Wales.' It was built by the residents of Machynlleth to celebrate the coming of age of the eldest son of the Fifth Marquess of Londonderry, who lived at Y Plas. Charles Stewart Vane-Tempest (Viscount Castlereagh) turned 21 on 16 July 1873.
Telegraph
5 days ago
- Telegraph
Hotel owners' bid to silence 150-year-old clock keeping guests awake
The owners of a Welsh hotel want to silence a town clock after 152 years, to stop it keeping guests awake. They wants the clock's bells to be switched off between 11.30pm and 7am because of negative reviews from visitors. The clock tower in the market town of Machynlleth, Powys, sits just yards away from the Wynnstay Hotel. It was repaired in 2023 after sitting silent for three years – and was programmed to chime every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day. Huw Morgan and Gail Jenkins, who own the hotel, wrote to the council saying they had received 'negative reviews' due to the clock, and asking for the bells to be silenced at night. One TripAdvisor review said: 'Nothing wrong with the hotel. Stayed in the Lloyd George room £175 per night. Had an evening meal which we enjoyed. 'The problem is the clock which as now been fixed, chimes every 15 minutes and then chimes on the hour! Kept us awake all night!' The hotelier's letter has met with a backlash from Powys residents. Ann Jones wrote on Facebook: 'The clock has been there longer than you, leave it alone.' Other comments were aimed at the hotel owners, with Ellen Wyn Rogers posting on social media: 'Imagine that. Taking over ownership of a hotel less than 20m away from a clock tower and then moan when it does what clocks do?!' In response to the negative tourist reviews, Janet Humphryes wrote online: 'Buy ear plugs if you don't like it, cos it is not going to stop chiming.' 'Frequent complaints' In their letter, the hotel owners wrote: 'We are facing difficulties to our business due to the chiming of the clock throughout the night. We receive frequent complaints from guests, particularly those attempting to sleep in the front bedrooms. 'For some customers it has spoilt their visit to Machynlleth and has led to negative reviews online. 'We ask that the council discuss the possibility of switching the chiming of the clock off during the night, eg from 11.30pm until 7am. This would resolve the noise issue. 'We are aware of other businesses who would appreciate this change and also private residents who live near the clock. I am happy to co-ordinate a response from all if the council feels this is needed.' The clock in the 'ancient capital of Wales' market town was repaired after a campaign to have it working for its 150th anniversary, at a cost of £55,000. Mr Morgan said he was 'born and raised' in Machynlleth and complaints were from tourists along with 'workers like railway engineers who need to sleep properly'. In north Devon last year, a church clock was silenced after 150 years when a single resident complained of noise.
Western Telegraph
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Winston Owens' 50 years with Pembroke Male Voice Choir
Winston Owens was honoured with a framed certificate, presented by choir chairman Huw Morgan, at a concert in St Mary's Church, Angle. Mr Owens, who joined the choir in 1975, has sung under four musical directors – founder conductor W.P. 'Bill' Lewis, David Gwynne, Christine Lloyd, and the current Juliet Rossiter. In his half-century tenure, he has also played the role of mentor to many new recruits, helping them hone their skills. The concert, which was noted for its high attendance, was opened by Chris Hirst, who was serenaded with "Happy Birthday" as the first song of the evening. The night also saw two significant firsts – the solo debut of Mirelle Ryan, from Pembroke Dock, and the choir's first public performance of a new piece they have been learning, The Wonder of You by Elvis Presley. The choir was accompanied by the Reverend William Lambert, who is the Priest in Charge of the Angle Peninsula churches, including St Mary's. Mirelle Ryan impressed the audience with four songs, and the choir expressed their eagerness to see her perform at future concerts. Meanwhile, the choir's rendition of the Elvis classic, after only a few weeks of practice, received approval from Ms Rossiter. Following the concert, attendees enjoyed refreshments in the village hall, with thanks extended to the church ladies by Huw Morgan. Looking ahead, the choir's next concert is scheduled for St John's Church, Tenby on Tuesday, June 17, at 8pm.
Pembrokeshire Herald
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Attenborough's Ocean to be screened at Theatr Gwaun for Great Big Green Week
Milestone celebrated at Angle concert A CHORISTER with half a century of service was honoured at a recent performance by the Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir. Winston Owens, a baritone, was presented with a framed certificate by choir chairman Huw Morgan during a concert at St Mary's Church, Angle — one of the choir's many engagements this year. The award marked Winston's remarkable 50 years of dedication to the choir, having joined in 1975. Over the decades, Winston has performed in countless concerts and served as a mentor to many new recruits, helping guide them in both voice and confidence. In that time, he has sung under just four musical directors: founder W.P. 'Bill' Lewis, followed by David Gwynne, Christine Lloyd, and current musical director Juliet Rossiter. The Angle concert was very well attended, with a warm welcome extended by Chris Hirst. Master of Ceremonies Matthew John opened proceedings by revealing that it was Chris's birthday — prompting an impromptu rendition of 'Happy Birthday' by the choir and audience. The evening also featured two notable firsts: a soloist debut by Mirelle Ryan of Pembroke Dock, and the choir's first public performance of Elvis Presley's classic The Wonder of You, which has been recently added to their repertoire. Accompaniment throughout the evening was provided by the Rev William Lambert, who is also Priest-in-Charge of the Angle Peninsula churches, including St Mary's. Mirelle delighted the audience with four songs, and the choir is looking forward to welcoming her back for future concerts. Juliet Rossiter gave her approval to the choir's Elvis debut, praising their performance after only a few weeks of rehearsal. After the concert, refreshments were served in the village hall, with thanks given by Huw Morgan to the church ladies for their hospitality. The choir's next appearance will be at St John's Church, Tenby, on Tuesday, June 17, starting at 8:00pm — the first of two visits to the venue this year. Pictured in St Mary's Church, Angle, are (left to right): Male Voice Chairman Huw Morgan, 50-year chorister Winston Owens, soloist Mirelle Ryan, Stage Manager David Halsted, Secretary David Powell, and Accompanist the Rev William Lambert.
Pembrokeshire Herald
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Half a century of song for dedicated chorister Winston Owens
Milestone celebrated at Angle concert A CHORISTER with half a century of service was honoured at a recent performance by the Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir. Winston Owens, a baritone, was presented with a framed certificate by choir chairman Huw Morgan during a concert at St Mary's Church, Angle — one of the choir's many engagements this year. The award marked Winston's remarkable 50 years of dedication to the choir, having joined in 1975. Over the decades, Winston has performed in countless concerts and served as a mentor to many new recruits, helping guide them in both voice and confidence. In that time, he has sung under just four musical directors: founder W.P. 'Bill' Lewis, followed by David Gwynne, Christine Lloyd, and current musical director Juliet Rossiter. The Angle concert was very well attended, with a warm welcome extended by Chris Hirst. Master of Ceremonies Matthew John opened proceedings by revealing that it was Chris's birthday — prompting an impromptu rendition of 'Happy Birthday' by the choir and audience. The evening also featured two notable firsts: a soloist debut by Mirelle Ryan of Pembroke Dock, and the choir's first public performance of Elvis Presley's classic The Wonder of You, which has been recently added to their repertoire. Accompaniment throughout the evening was provided by the Rev William Lambert, who is also Priest-in-Charge of the Angle Peninsula churches, including St Mary's. Mirelle delighted the audience with four songs, and the choir is looking forward to welcoming her back for future concerts. Juliet Rossiter gave her approval to the choir's Elvis debut, praising their performance after only a few weeks of rehearsal. After the concert, refreshments were served in the village hall, with thanks given by Huw Morgan to the church ladies for their hospitality. The choir's next appearance will be at St John's Church, Tenby, on Tuesday, June 17, starting at 8:00pm — the first of two visits to the venue this year. Pictured in St Mary's Church, Angle, are (left to right): Male Voice Chairman Huw Morgan, 50-year chorister Winston Owens, soloist Mirelle Ryan, Stage Manager David Halsted, Secretary David Powell, and Accompanist the Rev William Lambert.
