‘Give a pound each to pay for Welsh Dragon’

Published date: 30 April 2010 | Published by: Phil Robinson

WELSH people everywhere will be asked to contribute £1 towards the building of a 200ft dragon tower near Chirk.

The money-spinning idea comes from art dealer Simon Wingett who is planning to build the massive landmark at the gateway to Wales on land just off the A483.

It will serve the dual purpose of raising money for the cancer charity set up in memory of his late father Frank Wingett, who died from the disease, and becoming a centre for the promotion of Welsh culture and language.

The tower and surrounding gardens will cost £6 million to build but Mr Wingett reckons it will bring in at least £1m a year for the charity.

Yesterday afternoon he outlined his ambitious brainchild, known as Waking the Dragon, to members of the local community in Chirk where he unveiled his plan to ask everyone who is Welsh – wherever they may be – to hand over £1 each to see the tower become a reality.

Mr Wingett said: “Basically, I want everyone who is Welsh to donate a pound to the building project.

“The idea is for them is to simply walk into any NatWest Bank across the country and hand over the cash.

“I am talking to the bank about how precisely this will operate but I can’t see any problem with doing it.”

Mr Wingett has already picked up his first £1 donation.

Symbolically it came yesterday afternoon from Hilary Spragg, who chairs Chirk Town Council, at the unveiling of the dragon scheme in the village hall.

Mr Wingett said: “The meeting went exceptionally well. Everyone was over the moon about the scheme.

“There wasn’t one person there who was against it and I am very encouraged at the reception I received.

“Generally, the scheme is now progressing very rapidly. Wrexham Council recently agreed to give me an option on the land and I expect to receive the letter officially confirming this at the end of next week.”

A planning application for the tower is due to be submitted to Wrexham Council in June.

Council leader, Cllr Aled Roberts, has already voiced his support for the project .

The 200ft high tower – topped by a 75ft red dragon – would be located on land close to the Halton Roundabout, and would house an art gallery, 100-seat cafe bar, 125-seat restaurant, and space for language study.

It is expected to create up 50 jobs.

THE people behind a multi-million pound scheme to build a huge dragon tower near Wrexham have been given the go-ahead to develop a business case for the project.

Members of Wrexham Council’s executive board yesterday agreed to grant an option on the local authority land at Chirk Park to the Frank Wingett Cancer Appeal, which is responsible for the ambitious plans. It means members of the appeal can now go away and put together a business plan before coming back with an offer to Wrexham Council for the land.

The mooted structure, which could cost up to £9 million according to Wrexham Council, is the brainchild of auctioneer Simon Wingett, who has set up the Frank Wingett Cancer Appeal to take a lead on the project. The 200ft high creation, located on land off the A5 at Halton Roundabout, would house an art gallery, 100-seat cafe bar, 125-seat restaurant and space for language study. It is estimated about 70 jobs could be created.

Cllr Mike Morris, speaking at the executive board meeting, said the local authority should examine a number of options for the land before deciding who to sell it to. He said: “We’ve got to satisfy ourselves that the whole project can be delivered.

“What happens if a scenario arises where certain parts are built and they don’t have the money to build the tower? All those safeguards must be put in place.”

Council officers gave assurances that, as part of the business plan, the appeal would have to demonstrate that funding was in place. If this was demonstrated, and the business plan and planning permission approved, a building licence would then permit construction of the development. The council’s chief economic development officer, Steven Bayley, said no public money would be used to fund the scheme.