Latest news with #Machynlleth
Daily Mail
2 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
2 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.
Leader Live
3 days ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
Looking ahead to midweek action in the Ardal Leagues
Rhos held title favourites Llanuwchllyn to a 2-2 draw in last week's North East League opener before sneaking past Machynlleth in a 1-0 Welsh Trophy win at the weekend. 'Last season we went out of all three cups at the first hurdle, so I've challenged the squad to progress in at least two this season,' said Jones. 'Whilst we should have scored more goals Saturday, it was good to rotate the squad and keep a clean sheet.' Tonight it's a short trip to Lex XI, who have had a tough start to the season. 'It's a local derby and we want to build on last Tuesday's opening fixture against likely title contenders Llanuwchllyn,' added Jones. 'I've got a full squad, which is the polar opposite to this time last season.' Llanuwchllyn host a Llangollen Town team who were trounced 6-1 at Y Glannau on Saturday. 'I'm not one to make excuses and they were miles better than us on the day but that pitch was a nine-a-side pitch, at best,' said Town boss Luke Maybury. 'It's no wonder they've only lost one game since November at home! 'We've had two league games against the two pre-season title favourites in Corwen and Llanuwchllyn. 'Availability is also an issue and such a long way to go isn't ideal. But we will set up as best we can.' Penycae will be aiming to make home advantage count against Llanrhaeadr while Bow Street make the trip to Dolgellau. Other fixtures: Builth Wells v Llandrindod Wells; Kerry v Llanfair United; Radnor Valley v Knighton. In the North West League, Connah's Quay Town head into their home game against NFA on the back of a 4-1 Welsh Trophy win over Llanidloes Town. Quay boss Gary McConnell said: 'We have played better and lost this season however a win is a win and we will take that. 'We were missing eight first team players but it offered players an opportunity to stake a claim in the starting line-up.' Summer signing Alister Randles did just that by scoring all four goals. 'He worked tirelessly all game however in the first half he did not get too much joy grabbing our equaliser just before half time. 'With a tactical change at half time and the introduction of Pascal Gomez it gave Llanidloes something else to think about which worked wonders, Ali went on to score his hat-trick and added the fourth from the spot. 'We managed to give a couple of the reserves players an opportunity and a debut for our U19s player Samson Price. He's only 17 and did really well.' Llay Welfare were victims of a cup scalp at Castell Alun on Saturday and new manager Neill Hughes will want his side to respond in a tough test at Prestatyn Town. Mynydd Isa did progress in the Welsh Trophy on Saturday despite have two players sent off at Forden United. Isa host St Asaph City tonight where captain Sam Wainwright will aim to continue his fine start to the season, Other fixtures: Llannefydd v Llanrwst; St Asaph v Bangor City 1876; Llangefni v Bethesda. There's one qualifying tie in the North East Wales Cup tonight with Coedpoeth United making the trip to Chirk AAA. Brad Pearce remains suspended for the hosts and young defender Dylan Northall misses out through injury. Coedpoeth's Iwan Bennett and Tom Williams are ruled out but boss Jack Pawley hopes to have a few players returning.
Yahoo
27-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
American Vermette victorious at Hardline Wales finals day
American Asa Vermette has won the 2025 Red Bull Hardline Wales event in Machynlleth. Vermette, who came second at Hardline Tasmania earlier this year, was competing in the Welsh event for the first time. The 18-year-old becomes the youngest rider to win the Welsh competition. The Junior World Champion clocked a time of 2:24.477, improving on his qualifying time by 4.586 seconds. "It's insane, I did exactly what I wanted to do all week," said Vermette. Shrewsbury's Charlie Hatton finished second following a stellar World Cup season, just 1.681 seconds behind the winner. Hatton said: "I'm absolutely over the moon to be honest. "The emotions here are so high. I don't think I've ever had such an adrenaline spike after finishing a ride. "A podium at Hardline is always a good Sunday." Last year's champion Ronan Dunne finished in third place despite sustaining a puncture in the top section of the seeding run. "After winning Hardline last year, I definitely wanted to do it again, but it was nice to come away with a podium," said Dunne. "Hats off to Charlie and Asa, they both ripped it." Course co-creator and Hardline pioneer Gee Atherton finished in the top 10, taking ninth place over Chilean Felipe Agurto. The 40-year-old becomes the oldest competitor in the competition's history. And mountain bike internet sensation Matt Jones had difficultly in his run, but managed to make it down the mountain and finish the course. Jones was one of the only riders in attendance who does not race World Cups regularly. He told BBC Sport Wales: "I just about completed it, I ended up crashing twice in one run, which honestly just shows how gnarly it was. "I'm particularly unfit compared to these guys who are halfway through a World Cup season, but I made it happen." Ferguson makes Hardline Wales history Scottish rider Louise Ferguson made history on Saturday by becoming the first female rider to qualify for Sunday's final of Hardline Wales. In the event's 11 years, a female rider has never completed the course in full - mainly due to the scale of the jumps and challenging terrain. On Sunday she then became the first woman to do a full finals run and complete the course. The 29-year-old won Rider of the Week, which is given to athletes who have been the most supportive and helpful on the course throughout the week of practice. "I'm just so buzzing, I love downhill but Hardline is next level," Ferguson told BBC Sport Wales. "I feel really proud, just to put a run together." Welsh-based rider Kaos Seagrave completed his run, making it to the bottom despite a crash off the final jump. Although Seagrave crossed the finishing line, he was disqualified after riding outside the course parameters during the top section of his run. "I pulled a bit off the jump," said Seagrave. "As soon as I pulled I knew it was going to go wrong. "I got disqualified at the top, but still completed the run so I'm stoked."
BBC News
27-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
American Vermette victorious at Hardline Wales finals day
American Asa Vermette has won the 2025 Red Bull Hardline Wales event in who came second at Hardline Tasmania earlier this year, was competing in the Welsh event for the first 18-year-old becomes the youngest rider to win the Welsh competition. The Junior World Champion clocked a time of 2:24.477, improving on his qualifying time by 4.586 seconds."It's insane, I did exactly what I wanted to do all week," said Vermette. Shrewsbury's Charlie Hatton finished second following a stellar World Cup season, just 1.681 seconds behind the said: "I'm absolutely over the moon to be honest."The emotions here are so high. I don't think I've ever had such an adrenaline spike after finishing a ride."A podium at Hardline is always a good Sunday."Last year's champion Ronan Dunne finished in third place despite sustaining a puncture in the top section of the seeding run. "After winning Hardline last year, I definitely wanted to do it again, but it was nice to come away with a podium," said Dunne."Hats off to Charlie and Asa, they both ripped it."Course co-creator and Hardline pioneer Gee Atherton finished in the top 10, taking ninth place over Chilean Felipe Agurto. The 40-year-old becomes the oldest competitor in the competition's mountain bike internet sensation Matt Jones had difficultly in his run, but managed to make it down the mountain and finish the course. Jones was one of the only riders in attendance who does not race World Cups told BBC Sport Wales: "I just about completed it, I ended up crashing twice in one run, which honestly just shows how gnarly it was."I'm particularly unfit compared to these guys who are halfway through a World Cup season, but I made it happen." Ferguson makes Hardline Wales history Scottish rider Louise Ferguson made history on Saturday by becoming the first female rider to qualify for Sunday's final of Hardline the event's 11 years, a female rider has never completed the course in full - mainly due to the scale of the jumps and challenging Sunday she then became the first woman to do a full finals run and complete the course. The 29-year-old won Rider of the Week, which is given to athletes who have been the most supportive and helpful on the course throughout the week of practice."I'm just so buzzing, I love downhill but Hardline is next level," Ferguson told BBC Sport Wales."I feel really proud, just to put a run together."Welsh-based rider Kaos Seagrave completed his run, making it to the bottom despite a crash off the final jump. Although Seagrave crossed the finishing line, he was disqualified after riding outside the course parameters during the top section of his run."I pulled a bit off the jump," said Seagrave. "As soon as I pulled I knew it was going to go wrong."I got disqualified at the top, but still completed the run so I'm stoked."
