Cyclist Louisa battles stomach and heat problems

* The cyclists get ready for another hot day in the saddle.

 

 

SOARING temperatures and stomach problems mean Louisa Jones of Llangollen Operatic has just had her toughest day yet riding through India on a marathon charity challenge. 

Louisa is taking part in a marathon 220-mile trek through the sub-continent as part of the Action for Charity’s Women V Cancer Cycle Challenge to raise cash for three women’s cancer charities.

She is one of around 90 other intrepid women cyclists from across the UK riding over pothole-strewn roads in 30 degree heat from the city of Agra – home of the iconic Taj Mahal - through the rural state of Rajasthan in north-west India to the capital, Jaipur.

Louisa (pictured right) is sending back daily reports to keep llanblogger readers updated on her progress.

In her latest report, covering day four of her amazing journey, she says: "I had thought that day 2 and 3 would be the hardest but today has been the most challenging for me personally due to the very high temperature and a touch of the old 'Dehli belly', which has been spreading around our camp.

"Thankfully, we have two doctors travelling with us who have treated those with the worst symptoms plus other ailments, ensuring everyone has cycled the majority of the way each day.

"We set off early again and climbed high up into a beautiful and mountainous area, stopping in an ancient ruined city, supposedly haunted, where we walked for a while and watched monkeys playing.

"After lunch was particularly tough as the heat soared to 34 degrees and by the time we reached our next stop off point in a town, some off us were really feeling it.

"After a refreshsing cup of chai, we walked around the local market, attracting a lot of attention from locals clearly unused to groups of Western tourists. After buying saris and locally made jewellry we set off again and finally arrived at our camp for our last night under canvas. 

"Tomorrow we cycle the final 40km in the morning. I can't believe it is nearly over."

Minister visits oustanding beauty zone

Environment Minister John Griffiths has visited Wales' newest Area of Outstanding Beauty (AONB) , to see how it is faring nearly a year after its gaining its new status.

The Minister was in the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB, which includes Llangollen,  to meet members of the area’s Joint Advisory Committee and to be updated on how the area is progressing.

In November 2011 the Minister agreed that an area of approximately 230 square kilometres situated in the counties of Wrexham and Denbighshire would be made an AONB.

This resulted in the boundary of the existing Clwydian Range AONB being significantly extended.

Speaking ahead of his meeting, the Minister (pictured left) said: “Here in Wales we are blessed with an amazing natural environment. It is crucial to our economy and a big driver behind Wales’ thriving tourism industry.

"My decision nearly one year ago to approve the designation of this area as an AONB is proof of the Welsh Government’s commitment to managing the area as effectively and efficiently as possible in order to ensure the best and most sustainable outcomes for Wales.

“We are optimistic that the ‘AONB’ brand will bring in a significant number of new visitors to the area, to drive up tourism and to extend the enjoyment of the area’s natural beauty to a wider audience, but of course we are also mindful of the need to protect the area and to maintain its beauty.

“Today’s visit is an excellent opportunity for me to speak to the Joint Advisory Committee about how their management of the area is progressing.

"Both the Committee and I are committed to ensuring that the area delivers the very best outcomes for Wales, and that its beauty, varied landscapes and rich mix of wildlife and habitats are maintained.”

The outstanding landscape of the original Clwydian Range AONB is a major factor in attracting tourists to the area.

In 2006 rural Denbighshire enjoyed 1.58 million day visitors and 365,000 overnight visits.

Total revenue from tourism in Denbighshire is more than £91 million, with the rural visitor economy supporting 1,770 jobs.

Voting today for Police and Crime Commisioners

 

 

 

VOTING began at 7am today (Thursday) in the polls to elect the first ever police and crime commissioners for England and Wales.

The elections are taking place in 41 police force areas - except in London - and voting closes at 10pm.

The new PCCs, who are set to replace police authorities, will set spending plans and have the power to "hire and fire" chief constables.

The results are expected to be announced on Friday, with elected PCCs assuming office from November 22.

The government set up the commissioner role in what it describes as an effort to make police more accountable, with a single "figurehead" monitoring and ensuring performance.

Candidates in North Wales are:

* Richard Hibbs - Independent * Colm McCabe - Conservative * Tal Michael - Labour * Warwick Nicholson - UKIP * Winston Roddick - Independent

Response to Sainsbury's planning story

Martin Crumpton, researcher for the group Keep Llangollen Special, has sent in this response to our story posted yesterday (Wednesday) about the row surrounding conditions on the Sainsbury's planning permission to build a new store in Llangollen:

 

What an amendment is:

a·mend (-mnd)

v. a·mend·ed, a·mend·ing, a·mends

v.tr.

1. To change for the better; improve: amended the earlier proposal so as to make it more comprehensive.

2. To remove the faults or errors in; correct. See Synonyms at correct.

3. To alter (a legislative measure, for example) formally by adding, deleting, or rephrasing.

4. To enrich (soil), especially by mixing in organic matter or sand.

v.intr.

To better one's conduct; reform.

Examples of amendments, in this case, would be:

· No in-store butcher except on Bank Holidays

· No in-store butcher except for lamb chops

· No in-store butcher except for Kosher and Halal meats

Examples which are NOT amendments would be:

· Oh, go on, then – have an in-store butcher

· Have an in-store butcher but it can’t be run by a family of inuits without UK work permits

· Go ahead and have an in-store butcher but it must not provide Internet access to customers

#

A spokesperson for the county council said: “We respect the concerns expressed over the process of drafting conditions on the planning permission for the foodstore on the Dobson and Crowther site, and we have responded directly to the individuals raising them.”

 

I have received no such response, but I’m intrigued to see others have raised similar complaints. I am also pleased – but not entirely hopeful – to see this is now subject to a complaints procedure.

 

I look forward to the next Planning Committee meeting when this is brought up.

 

Martin Crumpton

Police warn over fuel thefts

Police are urging people in rural communities to be vigilant following a number of thefts of fuel and quad bikes.

The latest in a spate of incidents happened between the 4^th and 7^th of November when two quad bikes, one green and one red, were stolen from farms in the Glyndyfrdwy area, just off the A5 near Corwen.

Inspector Siobhan Edwards said: “Over the last few weeks we have experienced an increase in the number of quad bikes being stolen in the Corwen and Glyndyfrdwy areas and we urge people to ensure these vehicles are kept secure.”

Insp Edwards also highlighted the fact that reports have been received of heating oil and red diesel being stolen over the last month, from the Llandegla, Corwen, Betws y Coed, Llangollen, Cerrigydrudion, Llandegla ,Eglwys Bach, Llannefydd and Groersffordd Marli areas.

“Thousands of litres of red diesel and heating oil have been stolen during the past month and we are asking the public to be vigilant in looking after the security of their containers and storage tanks where they are keeping fuel.”

She added: “We urge anyone who sees any person acting suspiciously in their area to contact police on 101.”

Having trouble with you telly today?

People having trouble picking up some Freeview station on their TV today might be interested in this story on the BBC North East Wales website ...

"Users of Freeview in most of north Wales will need to retune their equipment as changes are made to enable the spread of faster mobile internet access.

Television services will be disrupted as channels are moved to free up frequencies for the introduction of fourth generation (4G) mobile services.

Work at the main Moel-y-Parc and Llanddona transmitters was expected to be completed early on Wednesday.

Viewers can retune any time after this.

Services at local relay transmitters may be off air until late afternoon.

Under 4G, those using the internet on laptops, tablets and mobile phones should get browsing speeds comparable to those at home on fixed lines."

For the full story see http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-20323122

Going gets tougher for Louisa in India

The going is getting tougher for Louisa Jones of Llangollen Operatic as she tackles increasing difficult terrain on her charity bike ride through India.

Louisa is taking part in a marathon 220-mile trek through the sub-continent as part of the Action for Charity’s Women V Cancer Cycle Challenge to raise cash for three women’s cancer charities.

She is one of around 90 other intrepid women cyclists from across the UK riding over pothole-strewn roads in 30 degree heat from the city of Agra – home of the iconic Taj Mahal - through the rural state of Rajasthan in north-west India to the capital, Jaipur.

Louisa (pictured right) is sending back daily reports to keep llanblogger readers updated on her progress.

In her latest report she says: "Today has been really challenging both physically and mentally.

"We set off at 7am again and started our 84km journey along a highway.

"This was hard going. We were all tired from a long day yesterday plus saddle soreness and aches and pains had started to set in.

"The terrain had been quite varied; at the start of today we rode through a fairly lush area but by mid morning this had turned arid and undulating with some sections off road and rocky.

"Setting off after lunch we faced a 2km uphill climb on a winding mountain road.

"We were all elated to reach the summit and people were visibly emotional to have achieved something they never believed they could. I

"In addition to raising money for charity, this is a huge personal journey for a lot of us.

"Tonight we camp on the edge of a tiger reserve. I am just hoping they are well fed...."

Keep reading llanblogger for her daily updates.

More "painful" health changes on cards, says AM

* Closure-threatened Llangollen Cottage Hospital.

 

The Leader is reporting today that a health board has been accused of trying to cover up plans for a second round of NHS service reforms in North Wales.

An initial public consultation into the changes was recently closed by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

Under those proposals, Llangollen Community Hospital is also facing the axe, as is the MIU at Chirk Community Hospital.

Now Shadow Minister for Health Darren Millar, AM, has said that correspondence he received from the National Clinical Forum shows a second round of consultations for the region is also in the pipeline.

In addition Mr Millar accused the forum of re-writing a report on a previous round of changes following private discussions it held with Betsi Cadwaladr’s chief executive, Mary Burrows.

The forum warned the board that its proposals were “unsustainable” in the long term, but their assessment was later rewritten reportedly following Mrs Burrows’ intervention.

Mr Millar said: “I am absolutely baffled to hear a second consultation is already being planned by the health board.

“Despite all the opposition to the controversial and dangerous proposals already brought forward, we now know there’s more pain to come.”

+ See the full report at http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/117595/am-claims-second-round-of-health-cuts-to-come.aspx

Sainsbury's profits soar

The Guardian is reporting today that Sainsbury's, Britain's No 3 supermarket, beat forecasts with a 5.4% rise in first-half profit, helped by the development of its online and convenience stores business, the two fastest growing grocery channels in the UK.

The story says that the group, which has permission to build a store in Llangollen and has enjoyed 31 consecutive quarters of underlying sales growth, is continuing to outshine industry leader Tesco, which last month posted a 12.4% fall in first-half UK trading profit. No 2 player Asda is due to update on its third quarter on Thursday.

Sainsbury's said on Wednesday it made profit before tax and one-off items of £373m ($593m) in the 28 weeks to 29 September.

That compares with analysts' consensus forecast of £371m, according to a company poll, and £354m made in the same period last year.

First-half sales rose 4% to £13.37bn as Sainsbury's outperformed the market, increasing its share to 16.7%, the highest for nearly a decade.

Last month, the firm posted better-than-expected second quarter underlying sales growth.

Sainsbury's said online sales grew at over 20% and it opened 49 convenience stores during the period.

+ You can see the story at
The Guardian is reporting today that Sainsbury's, Britain's No 3 supermarket, beat forecasts with a 5.4% rise in first-half profit, helped by the development of its online and convenience stores business, the two fastest growing grocery channels in the UK.

The story says that the group, which has permission to build a store in Llangollen and has enjoyed 31 consecutive quarters of underlying sales growth, is continuing to outshine industry leader Tesco, which last month posted a 12.4% fall in first-half UK trading profit. No 2 player Asda is due to update on its third quarter on Thursday.

Sainsbury's said on Wednesday it made profit before tax and one-off items of £373m ($593m) in the 28 weeks to 29 September.

That compares with analysts' consensus forecast of £371m, according to a company poll, and £354m made in the same period last year.

First-half sales rose 4% to £13.37bn as Sainsbury's outperformed the market, increasing its share to 16.7%, the highest for nearly a decade.

Last month, the firm posted better-than-expected second quarter underlying sales growth.

Sainsbury's said online sales grew at over 20% and it opened 49 convenience stores during the period.

+ You can see the story at http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2012/nov/14/sainsburys-beats-forecasts-profit-tesco

Row over store plan goes to the Minister

Council chiefs have been accused of “overturning” conditions intended to protect small traders from a new superstore planned for Llangollen. 

The charge comes from Martin Crumpton, a researcher for the campaign group Keep Llangollen Special, in a strongly-worded letter he has sent to Denbighshire’s planning committee chairman, Cllr Dewi Owens, Wales’s Environment Minister John Griffiths and the Local Government Ombudsman. 

Mr Crumpton says that at the county’s September planning committee when the new store on the Dobson & Crowther site at Berwyn Street was approved,  a set of conditions were imposed which meant it could not have an in-store butchers or delicatessen in order to protect Llangollen’s high street businesses. 

But he claims these two conditions have since been overturned by planning officials.  

Mr Crumpton said:  “There is no evidence that Sainsbury’s had even asked for these conditions to be lifted. 

“The reason given by planning officers in an e-mail to me was that they would be a ‘wholly unreasonable limitation on the operation of a modern foodstore’. 

“The only conditions remaining are that Sainsbury’s cannot have a third-party butcher or deli counter on its premises, but are free to run their own. “ 

He added:  “Sainsbury’s have since appealed against other conditions, notably the no café restriction, and from the reason given above, it seems likely that planning officers will recommend removing this restriction too when the matter reappears at the next suitable planning committee meeting.  

“Despite being national planning policy to protect high streets from supermarket domination, Denbighshire has not yet adopted the new Local Development Plan, which would incorporate these policies. 

“It still adheres to the 13-year-old Unitary Development Pan, which expired last year, and has no such protections built into it.” 

A spokesperson for the county council said:  “We respect the concerns expressed over the process of drafting conditions on the planning permission for the foodstore on the Dobson and Crowther site, and we have responded directly to the individuals raising them.

“The statement that the conditions have been 'overturned by planning officials' and that there are 'irregularities in the determination of this application' are strongly refuted, and will be dealt with through the appropriate complaints process.

“Officers and both the two local members, who are on the planning committee, have followed the resolution of planning committee in September, which was that the amended conditions would be agreed in consultation with the local members.

 “The new planning application seeking variations to the wording of other conditions on the planning permission is a separate matter, and is currently the subject of a formal consultation exercise.

“This has to be dealt with on its own merits, and will be considered by planning committee in due course - having regard to the policies of the council's Development Plan, national guidance, and any comments which may be received.

·        The new planning application is reference number is 03/2012/1407 and is available for viewing at Llangollen Public Library, or online at www.denbighshire.gov.uk/planning

Fire service seeks public views on its future

If you had to choose, would you keep your nearest fire station open but accept that there may be times when it is not available; or would you opt for a fire station further away but which is always available?

This is one of the tough questions members of the public are likely to be posed as North Wales Fire & Rescue Service works out the priorities for how it will be run over the next few years.

The service continually reviews and improves the service it provides and as part of this process is launching a public consultation on its long-term strategy this week - asking those who rely on its services to voice their opinions on the key issues identified.

The two main priorities up for discussion have been highlighted by the fire authority for the financial years 2012-13 and 2013-14:

+ To help to keep people and communities safe by preventing deaths and injuries from accidental fires in living accommodation. This will include adopting a new all-Wales Dwelling Fire Response Charter that makes seven fundamental commitments to Welsh residents.

+ To find ways of reducing the overall cost of running the Service each year in order to operate within the annual budget.

In the second year of a three-year budget freeze, the authority will be looking for innovative ways of reducing costs without affecting services.

As for 2014-15, the authority is asking people to join in taking a longer term view and send in their ideas about what it should be considering when it drafts its future improvement objectives and financial strategy.

Chief Fire Officer Simon Smith said: "Today's fire and rescue service delivers a far more sophisticated range of services than just responding to emergencies. At the same time, there is a particular emphasis on public services working together effectively to build strong communities - so more people than just those who have had fires will be interested in what the fire and rescue service does.

"The recent months have not been easy for many in the face of current economic pressures. Our main priority is to achieve the required savings without compromising the levels of service we have provided in the past. Is it not an easy task and we continue to investigate ways of achieving our targets.

"The questions we are asking as part of this consultation are therefore to do with the strategic direction of the service as a whole and how to ensure we provide the best service possible with the money we have available to us.

"The more people get involved, the better our prospects of achieving the right balance of services we provide. The more opinions we receive, the more we can be confident that the detailed action plans we develop, will deliver exactly what the people of North Wales want."

The public can find out more about getting involved by logging on to the website www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk -completed questionnaires must be forwarded by the deadline on January 7, 2013.

Intrepid Louisa takes a tumble on her India ride

* Louisa Jones is riding across India.

The Llangollen Operatic star riding across India as part of a charity challenge has taken her first tumble of the trip, ending up bruised after a trip over rthe handlebars.

Louisa Jones is taking part in a marathon 220-mile trek through the sub-continent as part of the Action for Charity’s Women V Cancer Cycle Challenge to raise cash for three women’s cancer charities.

She is one of around 90 other intrepid women cyclists from across the UK riding over pothole-strewn roads in 30 degree heat from the city of Agra – home of the iconic Taj Mahal - through the rural state of Rajasthan in north-west India to the capital, Jaipur.

Louisa is sending back daily reports to keep llanblogger readers updated on her progress.

Her latest e-mail, sent after Day 2 of the challenge, says: “Today has been really tough. We got up 5.30 and were on the road for 7.00 after breakfast and warm up.

“The route was 94km across undulating terrain with very poor quality roads. Added to that, today is Diwali which has meant that the villages and towns have been busier than usual.

“Diwali was brilliant to experience and we greeted people as we passed by with "happy Diwlali" and were able to take in the festive atmosphere but it did make for difficult cycling in those built up areas as it meant we had to negotiate crowds of people in the party mood in addition to the usual cows, pigs, goats, camels and scooters!

“In one such town, I was cut up by a jeep and managed to nose dive over my handle bars and ended up face down in the dirt. When I picked myself up I was surrounded by curious children keen to assist me with my bike. Thankfully I only suffered dented pride and a fist sized bruise on my leg!

“We cycled almost 60km before stopping for lunch at the roadside on an exposed country road surrounded by breathtaking scenery. The temperature at that time was over 30 degrees and some ladies suffered and a few ended up in the support vehicle.

“We reached our destination, a run down but beautiful country palace, around 5pm in time for Diwali celebrations with the local school children. I was even joint first through the gates, which was a real bonus for me!

“More again tomorrow!”

Warning over cold callers goes out from council

Trading standards officers from Denbighshire County Council are urging consumers to be on their guard against ‘cold-callers’selling chainsaws and generators door-to-door. Safety concerns were raised about the products, and that the sellers often have no contact address or telephone number. Ian Millington, of Denbighshire County CouncilTrading Standards Service, said:“Chainsaws are potentially lethal unless used by experienced operators. We are also concerned that equipment like this has been offered for sale around Denbighshire without any safety warnings, user manuals or appropriate instructions for use. “We are urging consumers to stick to trusted suppliers and known outlets and don’t buy them just because they seem like a bargain.”

Trading Standards advice for dealing with door-to-door sales people is to consider the following:
• Who are you buying from? – Do they have paperwork? Are they legitimate?
• Think twice before you buy and if you are made to feel under pressure to make a purchase, have the confidence to say no• Talk to someone you trust for a second opinion• If you spend more than £35 with a trader on the doorstep, you must be provided with a cancellation notice and advised that you have the right to a seven-day cooling off period, in which you can change your mind. Reputable traders do not trade in this way and if you are offered such goods, contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 08454 04 05 06 or if the trader is still in your area phone North Wales Police on 101.

Put us in the frame for a new prison, say council chiefs

Council leaders from the region led a delegation to meet Prisons Minister, Jeremy Wright MP, aimed at keeping North Wales on the map for a new prison.

The delegation was made up of Councillor Hugh Evans (Denbighshire), Councillor Dyfed Edwards (Gwynedd) and Neil Rogers (Wrexham) along with representatives of North Wales Police and the Wales Probation Trust.

The meeting was arranged by David Jones MP, Secretary of State for Wales, and Stephen Crabb MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Wales took the delegation to meet the Prisons Minister.

Hugh Evans said later: "We had a good meeting with Jeremy Wright and he listened to our call for a prison in North Wales. We told him we were open for business and that we would welcome the jobs and regeneration opportunities a prison would bring North Wales.

“A prison in North Wales will reduce the costs of public services and families supporting offenders and improve the rate of rehabilitation of offenders.

“The Minister told us that the Ministry of Justice is negotiating with the Treasury for monies to replace prisons in order to bring the cost of the prison estate down.”

Dyfed Edwards said: “North Wales is the only region in the UK without a prison. Many prisoners from North Wales are imprisoned too far from their families and in an environment where their Welsh culture is not available to them. This increases the risks of re-offending on release and self-harm in custody, particularly for young people.

“We have learnt from the bitter experience of the prison 'pulled' from Caernarfon. We told the Minister we will be flexible. We will meet the selection criteria of the Ministry of Justice for sites and will accommodate prisoners from England in a North Wales prison to do so.

“We demonstrated to the Prisons Minister that local authorities, the police and probation services have developed a strong partnership. We want a prison and we also want to develop innovative schemes that will see more offenders serving their sentences in the community. Dealing with low risk offenders locally will reduce costs to the public purse and maintain contact with professional and family support.”

School choirs sing their way to success

* The Ysgol Dinas Bran choirs.

The Mixed Voice Choir and Senior Girl’s Choir from Ysgol Dinas Bran recently competed in the North Wales Choral Festival staged in the North Wales Theatre, Llandudno.  

It was the first competition for both choirs and they were both placed third.  

This was an outstanding achievement with both choirs receiving wonderful comments from the international adjudicators.  

The choirs were also invited to take part in the evening grand concert where they received further praise from the audience.

The mixed Choir are currently busy preparing for the BBC Songs of Praise Secondary Schools Choir of the Year competition and the Barnados Schools Choir Competition. 

Meanwhile, the Junior Choir has been busy preparing for the school’s Carols by Candlelight Concert which will be held on Wednesday, December 19.

More road salt available this winter, says Minister

Minister for Local Government and Communities Carl Sargeant has confirmed that Wales will start this winter with higher levels of road salt stocks than ever before.

 

Working in close collaboration with the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) the Minister outlined that there is currently 243,000 tonnes of salt in stock in Wales - compared with 137,000 tonnes at the same time in 2010.

 

The Welsh Government has already established additional storage facilities at Blaenau Ffestiniog in Gwynedd, Queensferry in Flintshire and Merthyr Tydfil.

Further facilities will come on line this season at Llanidloes and North Wales which will bring the total additional resilience storage Welsh Government will have created since 2010 to approximately 40,000 tonnes.

Mr Sargeant said: "Everybody appreciates that the winter weather in Wales can be unpredictable.

"Last winter, which was relatively mild, followed two severe winters with the combination of extremely low temperatures and widespread snowfall causing disruption to services across the country.

"The Welsh Government and the WLGA have continued to work closely throughout the year to ensure that there are sufficient salt stocks available across the country at the start of the winter maintenance season.

"This will ensure that we’re fully self sufficient throughout the winter period without the need to re-stock or introduce salt conservation measures.”

The self sufficient figure of 270,000 tonnes is greater than the 200,000 tonnes of salt that was used per year during the adverse winters of 2010/11 and 2009/10.

Guidance and advice has also been issued to authorities on the efficient use of salt in ensuring treatment methods are timely, proportionate and effective in addressing conditions whilst minimising wastage.

The WLGA’s spokesperson for highways, infrastructure and transport, Councillor Anthony Christopher, said: “Local authorities have worked collaboratively on the issue of salt stocks and have agreed on each authority maintaining stock levels that should meet their own needs through the winter.

"Alongside the Welsh Government’s strategic stock holdings and mutual aid agreements between authorities this also gives us greater resilience at a national level. We believe we enter the winter period well-prepared, although any prolonged periods of snow inevitably results in stock holdings running down quickly.

"Ongoing discussions with the main suppliers to Welsh authorities have been aimed at ensuring restocking takes place in an orderly way over the winter period.”

Louisa's first update from her Indian challenge ...

* The charity challenge cyclists in front of the Taj Mahal.

Llanblogger has just received the first update from Llangollen Operatic star Louisa Jones who is currently taking part in a marathon 220-mile charity ride through India.

Louisa, 33, has joined the Action for Charity’s Women V Cancer Cycle Challenge to raise cash for three women’s cancer charities.

She flew out to the sub-continent last Friday and after a short period of acclimatisation has just completed the first day of the gruelling challenge which will take her and around 90 other intrepid women cyclists from across the UK from the city of Agra – home of the iconic Taj Mahal - through the rural state of Rajasthan in north-west India to the capital, Jaipur.

Along the way Lousia and her fellow cyclists will have to contend with pothole-strewn roads and soaring temperatures.

In his first e-mail report from India, Louisa (pictured right) says: “Up at 5 this morning to transfer from Agra to the village where we started.

“We set off at about 9.30am. The scenes as we cycled along were amazing.

“We went through rural communities where people were visibly very poor, living in single room dwellings alongside their animals.

“People gathered by the roadside as we passed by shouting greetings in English and the local language.

“It was a strange feeling...as if we were somehow celebrities. Ninety women on bikes must have made for quite a sight though.

“What struck me was how [happy] people were. Clearly they didn't have much but everyone smiled at you.

“The roads weren't too bad and the terrain was fairly flat. Temp was about 30 today.

“We are at a camp tonight in tents. Currently sitting having a beer and discussing the day with my companions.

“More tomorrow signal permitting.”

Louisa  

To maintain their tight schedule the group, ranging in age from their twenties to sixties, will need to average around 40 miles a day.

The route followed will be far removed from the usual tourist trails and will be both on and off road.

In advance of her trip to the sub-continent Louisa has been raising the cash necessary to guarantee her a place on the ride.

Thanks to strong support from family, friends and work colleagues she managed to burst through the £2,800 qualifying barrier some months ago and pledges are still coming in.

She also plans to made a personal contribution of £500 towards her fundraising total, which will be distributed between Breast Cancer Care, Jo’ Cervical Cancer Trust and Ovarian Cancer Action.

+ To make a contribution towards Louisa’s challenge go to http://www.justgiving.com/louisa-jones2012/eurl.axd/5805f2ef88f5e749aa33e11e94dbaeb7 

Letter to llanblogger over Sainsbury's plan

Your High Street:

Sainsbury's have got their planning permission to build an out of town store on the print works site. Both supporters and objectors and the developer accepted that the new store would do harm to our existing small businesses in the high street. The only debate was, how much harm? Everyone, including Sainsbury supporters agreed that if permission was to be granted, then conditions should be applied to ensure that our existing traders did not get put out of business by a retail giant like Sainsbury.

Well, we now know what conditions have been imposed, and because of ambiguous wording in the conditions, despite all the noble words of those who spoke up in defence of our existing businesses, we find that Sainsbury can have its own in-house butcher, and its own delicatessen. Oh, and by the way; they have submitted another planning application to try to get permission for a cafe; which they failed to get first time around.

I have two questions. Who neglected their duty in failing to ensure that the resolution of the planning committee was not translated into conditions that would properly protect the traders in our town centre? Perhaps they would care to respond  to explain why at a time when every high street in Britain is under threat, they have chosen not to to use established planning policies to protect ours?

Phil Jones

Tyn Dwr

 

Ysgol Dinas Bran group enjoys a trip to Catalonia

* The Dinas Bran group who travelled to Catalonia.

A group of 32 pupils from Years 10, 11 and 12, accompanied by Mrs Jones, Mrs De Court, Mr Evans and Mr Prescott, recently set out on a 28 hour bus journey bound for Catalonia in north eastern Spain.

After an early evening ferry to Calais, followed by an overnight journey through France, the tired group arrived at the 4* Hotel Top Calella Palace, one hour ahead of schedule, the following day. 

Following check in and familiarisation with the hotel, pupils then had three hours free time to explore the resort of Calella.  

Staff were able to find a traditional tapas bar to enjoy some of the local delicacies whilst pupils managed to locate the local Burger King to sample dishes of a more North American nature. 

Friday’s excursion took the group to the Port Aventura Theme Park in Salou, home of both Europe’s highest roller coaster (Shambhala) and also the fastest (Furius Baco).  

Whilst the daredevils amongst the group knew precisely where to head, the less adventurous were nonetheless also well catered for and a fantastic day was had by all. 

Saturday’s itinerary to Barcelona was jam packed and there was much to get through during the long day.  

It included three hours free time around the famous La Rambla area to shop, eat and take in the world famous street performers, a whistle stop walk around the Sagrada Familia Cathedral, a visit to the Camp Nou, home of FC Barcelona, and an evening visit to the Magic Fountains in Plaça Espanya, where several pupils in the group managed to get slightly wetter than they had perhaps anticipated.

Whilst staff thought that the frenetic nature of the day may have taken its toll on pupils’ energy levels, such assumptions were soon quashed when the evening disco at the hotel began, with an extremely large Dinas Brân contingent dancing along to tunes both old and new. 

On Sunday morning, after another early start, the group was soon on the road once more back to Spain’s second city.  

Following a quick visit to the Olympic Stadium en route, the morning was spent in Poble Espanyol, a huge estate with areas representing the different regions of Spain. 

Shopping was the principle focus of the morning before the group headed into the city for further free time in Barcelona.  

Late afternoon the group made their final stop of the tour in Parc Guell - an Andoni Gaudi inspired park in the hills overlooking the city. 

Following dinner the group was taken to the local pub to play pool and also to indulge in

a spot of karaoke.  

Following a later start on Monday, pupils were given three hours free time to do some last minute shopping and to visit the beach ahead of the long journey home which began at three in the afternoon.

After an overnight coach ride through France and an earlier than expected ferry crossing, the Dinas Brân group arrived safely back at the Pavilion car park at 4.30 Tuesday evening.

AM calls for Hillsborough-style abuse probe

A Hillsborough-style inquiry should be held to get at the real truth about institutionalised abuse in Great Britain.

That was the suggestion from Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates during a TV interview earlier today (Sunday).

Mr Skates (pictured right) was one of three AMs who took part in a discussion about the fallout from allegations of abuse at the former Bryn Estyn children’s home in Wrexham, which eventually led to the resignation of BBC director general George Entwistle on Saturday evening.

Asked for his opinion on the week’s unfolding story Mr Skates, himself a former journalist, said he feared what had happened at the BBC in the wake of false accusations against a prominent Conservative figure on the Newsnight programme might lead to “more timid” journalism but added it was essential that journalists treated witnesses to child abuse with much more care in the future.

He also said he thought it was important that two inquiries into child abuse ordered by Prime Minister David Cameron earlier in the week should go ahead as it was essential that the truth be discovered.

As the local member for the area around Bryn Estyn, Mr Skates was asked by the presenter what local reaction to the week’s events had been.

He said feelings had been “running incredibly high” and that local people simply wanted the truth to come out.

Going further, he called for a Hillsborough-style review into the whole question of “institutionalised abuse” in the country.

Mr Skates also spoke of his work with the colleagues in the Labour-led Welsh Government to ensure that the rights of young people in care went beyond the ages of 18 or 21. 

Town solemnly remembers the war dead

llanblogger picture special

 

 

 

* A veteran stands before the Castle Street war memorial.

 

 

* Youth organisations join the parade. 

 

 

 

*Veterans and army cadets march through the town centre after the ceremony. 

 

 

 

* Llangollen Silver Band head up the parade.

 

 

 

* The Rev Andrew Sully leads the service of remembrance at the war memorial.

 

 

 

* The service attracted many young people. 

 

 

* Army cadets parade before the service.

LLANGOLLEN came to a standstill this morning (Sunday) as hundreds of people packed the town centre to remember the war dead.

Roads leading into Castle Street were closed off  by police to allow the traditional parade and ceremony around the war memorial to go ahead.

Llangollen Silver Band began the proceedings by leading a procession of army cadets and veterans’ organisations to the memorial where they assembled, standards proudly fluttering.

The service of remembrance then began, led by the Rev Andrew Sully of  St Collen’s parish church.

After opening prayers, the sounding of The Last Post heralded the observance of the two minutes silence.

Following the exhortation, a large number of local organisations were called to lay poppy wreaths at the base of the memorial and nearby plaque commemorating the fallen of two world wars and other conflicts.

As the wreath-layers came forward the names of the dead were solemnly read out.

Following the singing of the hymn O God Our Help in Ages Past, prayers and the blessing by the Rev Sully, Reveille was sounded by a bugler to conclude the service.

Local organisations then marched in a parade, again led by the silver band, around the town centre to the applause of the large poppy-wearing crowd.

A further service was held shortly afterwards in St Collen’s Church.