MOLD'S Mayor has reacted angrily to accusations made in a new tour guide that the town is "dull" by urging the book's authors to read a poem he has written in praise of his hometown.

Yesterday, The Leader reported how The Rough Guide To Wales branded Mold as "historic but dull", having a "slow pace" and perhaps worst of all, not giving visitors "much reason to linger".

The article also provoked a furious reaction on social media with residents and visitors quick to jump to the defence of the Flintshire town.

“When I moved to Mold 10 years ago, I looked at all the different towns across Flintshire and Mold was my favourite,” Cllr Bob Gaffey said.

“It is a fantastic town and has a fantastic community spirit.

“I was afraid that Mold would lose its sense of community if it was expanded and merged with surrounding villages and made into one big urban block like other Flintshire towns.

“But Mold has kept its community spirit and it was my love for the community which inspired me to write my poem.”

Cllr Gaffey pointed to the huge number of events which are hosted in Mold and the town's retail offer as evidence that the town is thriving when compared to other nearby towns.

"Mold has events virtually every month here," he said. "We have a population of 10,000 but are recognized as being the hub for 60,000.

"As mayor I have been to many mayoral events this year where several other mayors have praised the town of Mold.

"This is obvious if we look at how busy our banks and post office is. Many towns in North Wales are suffering from these closures whereas we are not."

A number of visitors to the Leader's Facebook page agreed with Cllr Gaffey with many praising the town.

"I went there in June last year," said Mike Nowcombe. "I loved the midweek outdoor market."

"I love Mold," agreed Craig Butler. "It’s not changed just for the sake of change and Wrexham could have learned a lot from it."

Although the Rough Guide praised Theatr Clwyd, its researchers said there was little else to keep visitors "lingering" in Mold, something the mayor vehemently denies.

"Our events start in February with the Festival of Light and end in November with Novfest," he said.

"These events which include the Carnival and the Food and Drink Festival make the place a buzzing and great town to live in.

"People come from all over Flintshire to visit. I was on duty at our Blues & Soul Festival doing surveys with the visitors and some came from Merseyside and Cheshire.

"Last Sunday Theatr Clwyd had their annual Craft Fair. This asset to the community provides us with: exhibitions, films, plays, community events, comedy nights, poetry sessions and much more.

"It also has facilities for up to a 130 diners which is why I held my Charity Ball there last month which everyone said was a big success."

In recent months, Cllr Gaffey has been developing proposals to improve Bailey Hill with the support of a Heritage Lottery Fund Parks for People award.

Located at the top of Mold High Street, the site one was once the location of a Norman Motte and Bailey castle and Cllr Gaffey believes it holds the key to Mold's future as a tourist destination.

"When we get the £1 million pounds from the Heritage Lottery Fund later this year, this will add another arrow to our bow," he added.

"The main aim is to improve the Bailey Hill Park so that it becomes an important community asset again. It used to be popular with tennis courts and bowling green in the past. But with the planned transformation we are hoping that the residents and local community groups make full use of it in future.

"I am sure that Theatr Clwyd will fully utilize the outdoor performance stage for things like Shakespeare In The Park-style events. This is why it's been so incredibly supportive to my charity this year and I'm glad to have the opportunity to thank them here.

"The author of the negative article in the Rough Guide must have breezed in and out of the town in a couple of hours. She or he obviously has not even read my published poem In Praise of Mold."

IN PRAISE OF MOLD:

THERE is a small market town 10 miles from Wrecsam to the west.

Many residents, plus those who’d like to be, think out of all market towns it’s the best.

Sitting on the hill majestically above the town is its Theatr Clwyd.

For all those who seek satisfaction and enjoyment culturally it provides all the necessary bwyd.

Wednesdays and Saturdays we have the outdoor markets with all their bustle.

A lot of outsiders come into town selling their wares and hustle.

We have several supermarkets and one is 24/7.

For those shoppers who come into town it’s a perfect heaven.

Most months there is an event on for all to enjoy

Whether you are man, woman, girl or boy.

It starts in April with the popular Real Ale Trail.

This circular booze trip on a coach will never fail.

It ends in St Mary’s Parish Church in November with NovFest.

Those who like real ale and live music think it really is the best.

This small community has such a strong sense of identity and zest

But yet on the horizon I see the threat of a dangerous pest.

In our midst are the money men after a quick buck and the property speculators.

They just want to make a killing and to me they just feel like traitors.

They see this lovely little town surrounded by a green and pleasant landscape.

They are not happy and want to turn it to a large urban townscape.

They are not interested in beauty, community and aesthetics.

They just want lots of money and are totally without ethics.

I prefer the colour green – their favourite colour is grey.

This conflict causes tensions and we now see tempers begin to fray.

They want to shift the market out of town, the one with sheep and cattle,

But the farmers are happy here and are well prepared for the battle.

The moneymen want to drown Mold with housing estates of grey

Only action will stop them, no point looking to God and merely pray.