Concern voiced over Llan Pavilion's finances

* Llangollen Pavilion.

A Llangollen resident says Denbighshire County Council should consider changing the way it manages the town’s Pavilion arena and concert hall.

Alan Found has contacted llanblogger to say: “In April last year I made a Freedom of Information request in relation to the financial situation of The Pavilion. I thought it was about time I made these shocking numbers more widely known.

“The numbers are for the 11 months of the year when the facility is run by Denbighshire County Council. This does not include the one month a year when it is run extremely successfully by the Eisteddfod.

“In essence, from April 2011 to 2012 they projected a loss (or subsidy) of  £183,611 and for 2012 to 2013 a loss (or subsidy) of £159,611.

“Surely this facility should be a major contributor to the economy not a burden. We have the Town Hall for community usage – that is where subsidies should go.

“Every weekend of the year should see the Pavilion full and buzzing, providing jobs and making a major contribution to the Llangollen economy through hotel room, restaurant and shopping sales.

“The food festival is a fine example of what is possible - it made thousands of pounds for the town.

“How long will this scandal of such an expensive but underused asset be allowed to continue?

“It must be time for a fundamental change in how it is managed.”

Mr Found added: "This asset could undoubtedly be a major contributor to the local economy, and if the way DCC are managing the Pavilion isn't delivering this, they need to change their approach - no excuses."

Mr Found says the figures he obtained are:

Llangollen Pavilion Accounts
	Budget 2011/12 £	Forecasted Outrun £	Forecasted Variance £	Budget 2012/13
Costs
Staff costs	132,580	128,430	4,150	130,156
Premises	95,939	92,661	3, 278	89,096
Travelling	1,090	606	484	526
Supplies	36,934	34,563	2,731	8,474
Income	82,932	72,649	10,283	68,641
Loss (or subsidy)	- 183,611	- 183,611		- 159,611

 A spokeswoman for Denbighshire County Council said: "The council subsidises the pavilion as they do many other important assets. The subsidy to the pavilion has been reduced for the last two years.

“The venue was in a precarious position two years ago, until our department intervened, and improved the performance significantly, turning around a significant deficit position.

“The council net subsidy, as highlighted in the table below, has reduced by almost 30K and will continue to reduce in 2013 /14 by a further 25k.

“The programme continues to grow and develop, and has done for the last two financial years under our management.”

Row over overseas tourism cash

Of interest to people involved in the tourism in Llangollen will be the fact that the BBC news website is reporting on a row over the amount of Welsh Government cash spent to attract overseas visitors to Wales.

See the story at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-20989259

AM slams cuts in police starting pay

Plans to cut the starting pay of police constables in Wales have been condemned by Clywd South Assembly Member Ken Skates.

The Home Secretary has announced that the starting salary for PCs in England and Wales is to be cut by £4,000 to £19,000.

The move comes following the Winsor review last year which proposed changes to police pay, conditions and allowances.

 

Mr Skates said: "It is particularly disappointing that the starting salary of a police officer will be cut in Wales, but will not be cut in Scotland. This seems very unfair and may only serve to undermine morale of officers here in Wales.

“We are at an all time low in terms of police numbers and putting a further restraint on recruitment will only exacerbate the problem. My own force in North Wales is already facing a 20% cut in funding over the next couple of years and now they will have this on top.

“Trying to penny-pinch when it comes to crime and anti-social behaviour will go down very badly in communities across Wales. I’m worried that this move will impact on the diversity of people coming into the force and put people off joining the police.

“The worry is that this will be the start of a bigger suite of changes to police officers terms and conditions. Plans are already circulating about allowing forces to make officers redundant.

“This not the time to be cutting back on police officers and the essential work that they do. These changes represent a false economy because figures released only last week show the number of young police officers in England and Wales had fallen by nearly 50% in two years.”

Major NHS reform goes ahead elsewhere in Wales

Welsh Conservatives have condemned a decision to push ahead with major NHS reform in mid and west Wales.
 

They say that in a Hywel Dda health board meeting today (Tuesday), proposals to downgrade services, cut bed numbers, close minor injury units and make significant changes to paediatrics were rubber-stamped.
 

The decisions follow significant opposition to the plans in a statutory consultation and previous assurances from the Health Minister that no hospital would be downgraded.
 

On Friday, members of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board will consider plans for a major shake-up of services in north Wales - including the closure of Llangollen Cottage Hospital and its replacenment with a new haelth centre in the town.
 

Meanwhile, the public engagement process on health changes in the Hywel Dda area has been questioned by Welsh Conservatives.
 

Shadow Minister for Health, Darren Millar AM, said: “These unwanted plans have been steamrollered through despite strong opposition across the region.
 

“An axe has fallen on community services and beds, patients will be forced to travel further for treatment, and the health minister’s promises on hospital downgrading now stand shamefully broken.
 

“I urge her to condemn these decisions and face up to the fact that Labour’s record-breaking budget cuts have forced this reform agenda.

“The consultation – which included deep-seated disagreement with these plans – appears to have been disregarded by NHS management and the entire public engagement process called into question.”
 

Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Assembly Member Angela Burns said: “Following many months of constant worry, the worst fears of thousands have come true.
 

“The consultation has been thrown to the dogs and one final chance to use some common sense has been ignored."

Pam's gripping talk on Victorian crime

* Pam Hughes-Williams spoke about Victorian crime to church members.

A fascinating talk on crime in the Victorian era was given to members of Llangollen English Methodist Church’s This and That group on Monday evening.

It was delivered by local resident Pam Williams-Hughes, who was featured by llanblogger  last summer when at the age of 69 she gained a 2:1 BA Honours in History at Glyndwr University after battling against a brain tumour and lifelong dyslexia.

Victorian crime has become her specialist area and during her 90-minute talk she kept audience members spellbound with her vivid descriptions of wrong-doing in London, north Wales’s possible links with the infamous Jack the Ripper, one of Llangollen’s first resident policemen, a drunken 19^th century Chester PC, the criminal justice system and what happened to children caught up in it.

After owning up to the fact that one of her own London ancestors was a criminal hanged at Tyburn, she gave the audience a start when she donned a hat and shawl to present a colourful portrayal of a Victorian “lady of the night”.

She did this to illustrate the fact that Mary Nicholls, one of Jack the Ripper’s prostitute victims, was charging clients just four old pence each simply to earn money for an overnight stay at a common lodging house.

Pam then related how her researches had suggested that the Ripper himself, who was never caught after his horrific crimes, may have come to live in the Anglesey village of Aberffraw where he later committed suicide and is now buried in the local cemetery.

In Llangollen, she said the 1841 census had revealed that one of the town’s first police officers, Richard Edwards, was at that time living in Church Street, aged 35, with his wife and children.

Later, the first police officer to “live over the shop” at the town’s new police station was a man with the memorable name of Humphrey Humphrey.

Another local connection with the law and crime was that Llangollen was at that time home to a large number of solicitors and barristers.

Pam then turned her attention to Chester where her researches had thrown up the intriguing character of John Hughes, who kept his job as a local bobby despite committing a lengthy catalogue of minor crimes during the 1850s and 1860s – following the 21^st of which he was quietly allowed to resign.

Though not strictly a crime, Pam recounted how in the summer of 1870 the Berwyn hills near Llangollen were “alive with the sound of a serpent hunt”.

A reputedly monster-sized snake had been reported in that area and search parties were sent out to try and catch it.

As an aside, Pam suggested: “If our tourist trade ever drops off maybe we could start a monster hunt too.”

She then spoke of Llangollen’s link with an infamous murder – four-year-old Francis Saville Kent, whose body was found with the throat cut at his family’s home on the Somerset/Wiltshire border in 1860.

The boy's nursemaid was initially arrested for the crime but was released.

Five years later the victim's 16-year old half-sister, Constance Kent, confessed to the killing and was convicted and sentenced to death, but this was later commuted to life in prison.

The scandal forced his family to leave the area and move to Llangollen, where both the dead boy's parents are buried in the local churchyard.

The case has gained publicity recently due to Kate Summerscale's prize-winning book, The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, which was also made into a TV drama.

However, after her own researches, Pam said she believes Constance was innocent and that, in fact, her brother was the murderer.

Pam also aired her suspicions about the case of Abraham Thomas, a young man originally from Henllan, near Denbigh, who was hanged in Manchester at the age of 24 after being found guilty of the murder of his employer’s housekeeper in 1883.

Pam is so firmly convinced of his innocence that she is now seeking to obtain a posthumous pardon for Abraham.

Anyone convicted of a crime in Victorian times faced a very grim fate, either a date with the hangman’s noose – in public until the 1860s – for a wide variety of offences, or a term in prison, where they were forced to remain silent, exercise in a hood from which they could only look at the ground and work on tarred ship’s rope to earn their keep.    

Penalties for convicted criminals were also harsh – including children, as Pam illustrated, by giving details of a 14-year-old boy who was handed a sentence of three days hard labour and a whipping for stealing two pairs of boots.

Pam was thanked warmly for her talk by This and That group members.

Jordan takes band's young player honour

* Jordan Biggs with the Young Player of the Year shield.

 

Sixteen-year-old Jordan Biggs from Halton in Chirk has won Llangollen Silver Band’s Young Player of the Year Shield for 2012.

 

Jordan, who is a Year 11 pupil at Ysgol Dinas Bran in Llangollen, has been a trombonist in both the Youth and Senior Band at Llangollen for five years.

 

He is also a keen keyboard and bass guitar player.

 

Jordan says music is his main hobby and interest, but he also has a keen interest in transportation vehicles and their drive units and hopes to further his education by qualifying in HGV mechanical engineering after finishing school.

£40 million boost for school broadband

Teaching and learning in Welsh schools will be transformed by nearly £40m worth of investment in faster broadband services, First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, announced today Monday).

 

 

The new Learning in Digital Wales Grant will ensure that learners are able to access faster, high-quality broadband services which are both robust and reliable.

 

The new Learning in Digital Wales Grant will ensure that learners are able to access faster, high-quality broadband services which are both robust and reliable.

The investment will initially comprise of £27m of targeted capital funding for local authorities to upgrade internet connections in their schools.

Where needed, local authorities will also be able to provide their primary and special schools with £10,000 and their secondary schools with £20,000 to improve ICT infrastructure and purchase ICT hardware to support teaching and learning.

Today’s announcement follows the launch in December of Hwb, a digital learning platform for all learners aged 3-19 in Wales. Hwb will allow teachers and learners to access online resources anywhere, at anytime and from any internet enabled device.

The new grant scheme will ensure that learners in Wales can have equal access to the tools and resources provided by Hwb, providing an equal educational experience for learners across the country and establishing a level playing field for broadband connectivity.

The First Minister said: "We want Wales to be a world leader in digital learning, therefore we need to be able to offer our schools fast, consistent and reliable broadband services.

“This investment will ensure that, by 2014, primary and secondary schools in Wales will have access to safe and secure world-class broadband services needed to deliver a world-class digital education.

“The grant funding represents a major step forward in changing the way schools use digital technologies, widening access and driving up standards of performance across the board.”

Education Minister, Leighton Andrews said: “Schools across Wales have told us of the difficulties they have experienced in accessing online resources due to varying degrees of broadband connectivity.

“This is even more frustrating considering that many schools have the plans, equipment and enthusiasm to offer a high standard of digital education to their pupils.

“This new funding will allow pupils and teachers to make full use of the online tools and resources provided by Hwb, our new digital learning platform for all learners aged 3-19 in Wales, and also create and host their own local secure learning platforms.

“This investment demonstrates our commitment to create world-class resources for Welsh schools.”

Watchdog to keep an eye on health shake-up

A watchdog organisation says it will be keeping an eye on proceedings as health chiefs make up their mind on a major shake-up of services at a meeting later this week. 

North Wales Community Health Council (CHC), the independent body which safeguards patients’ interests, says it will be at the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board meeting on Friday, January 18 to hear its decision about changes in NHS services following last year’s public consultation.  

The changes include controversial plans to shut down Llangollen Cottage Hospital and replace it with a new health centre. 

The hospital’s in-patient beds would be lost, meaning people would be cared for at private facilities or at Chirk Community Hospital. 

The CHC has already asked the board to think again about its proposals for some important services.  

CHC Chief Officer, Pat Billingham, said: “We sent our formal response to the health board’s consultation document back in November.  

“It included several questions and concerns about the health board’s proposals. CHC staff and members had further talks with health board managers during December and, as a result, we have written to the chair of the health board this week with our further comments.  

“Our letter says that we believe that several of the board’s proposals will be in the interest of people who use services, and the health service. These are the proposals for moving services from hospitals to closer to where people live and neonatal intensive care services.  

“It goes on to say that other proposals should be modified so we can be sure that that they will be in the interest of people who use services.  

“These are the proposals for community hospital services, including some minor injury and x-ray services, the complex vascular surgery service and older people’s mental health services.” 

The CHC’s chair, Christine Evans, said: “CHC members are still worried about some aspects of the proposals.  

“These include a timetable which may see some inpatient services closed before the enhanced care service has been introduced, other services removed from hospitals before there are firm plans for developing new facilities to house these services and could lead to much poorer access to services for people living in rural communities.”  

She added: “When the health board meets on January 18 it will have all the information it needs: what the public thinks about its proposals, what we think about them and, we understand, details of the financial and staffing implications of the proposals. 

“We will be there to hear, first hand, what it decides to do. And then we can consider whether we need to raise any formal objections.”

Why not try extreme gardening in Llan?

* Llan Community Garden members work on their plot. 

Looking for a new New Year's resolution yet tired of the gym?

Then why not try extreme gardening at Llangollen Community Garden?

Various activities are available, as Warren from the garden explained: "We're still taming wild growth in some areas, this means digging, cutting, chopping and carrying.

"In other areas we are getting ready to plant, with raking and light digging going on. We're also laying natural fences, building steps and marking out pathways."

Warren emphasised that all ages are welcome at the garden, saying: "It's free, something different and great fun! We want everyone in Llangollen to be able to enjoy this space."

The garden is located near Plas Newydd in Llangollen. The site is bounded by a wall on one side and a mountain stream on the other.

One gardener commented: "It's a wonderful location for a garden, it feels like an oasis amongst the houses."

Just get in touch if you'd like to come along - text/call: 07525 016503.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LlangollenCommunityGarden
Web: www.llangollengarden.co.uk

AM's concern over protection of public toilets

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has called for a Welsh Government statement on the protection of public toilets.

 

This comes in the wake of the Welsh Senate of Older People’s ‘P is for People’ campaign to raise awareness of the lack of public toilet provision in Wales.
 

The campaign has gathered evidence from the general public and found that over half of the 799 people surveyed felt that the Welsh Government needs to take more action to protect existing toilets and to find ways of opening more toilets.

Calling for a statement on the campaign, Mr Isherwood said: “As the Minister will be aware, last month the Welsh Senate of Older People e-mailed all Assembly Members concerning the P is for People campaign to raise awareness of the lack of public toilet provision in Wales, and it attached its latest research urging all Assembly Members to bring this to the attention of the Welsh Government.

"It would therefore be appreciated if we could have a statement from the Welsh Government accordingly.”

The Minister for Finance and Leader of the House, Jane Hutt, replied: “I think that we would all agree and respond positively to the Welsh Senate of Older People’s call for improved public toilet provision.

"There are opportunities in terms of private sector engagement with this, in terms of access to toilets on the high street and in other public and private buildings. I am sure that the Minister will want to give an update on progress with this.”
 

Mr Isherwood said later: “Poor public toilet provision can lead to poor health, loneliness and isolation. T

 

"The Welsh Senate for Older People says that 'the Strategy for Older People in Wales focuses on wellbeing and promoting independence, but without adequate access to public toilets many older people are unable to take advantage of services as they are not confident of being able to go out without being caught short.'

 

“Public toilets are a lifeline, especially for older people, pregnant women and parents with young children, yet they seem to be disappearing rapidly from our communities.

 

"It is crucial that the Welsh Government take on board the findings of thethe Welsh Senate of Older People’s campaign and take action accordingly.”

Fire service's cold weather safety advice

With temperatures dropping across the country, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service has issued a timely warning to residents to stay warm but safe as the colder weather takes hold.

Gary Brandrick, Senior Fire Safety Manager said: "As it gets colder it's inevitable that we all spend more time indoors.

"You might take additional measures to keep warm such as using heaters, open fires and wood burning stoves but these can bring an increased risk of fire into the home.

"By following some simple rules you can ensure you stay safe and warm.

"We are here to help and offer advice. If you are in any doubt over any fire safety issues, please do get in touch. We all want to be warm in winter, but we must avoid putting ourselves at increased risk."

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service provides the following advice to help you reduce your fire risk this winter:

- Always use a fire guard to protect an open fire against flying sparks and hot embers and make sure embers are under control and properly put out before you go out or go to bed.

- Keep portable heaters away from curtains and furniture and never use them for drying clothes. Always unplug electric heaters when you go out and go to bed.

- Ensure that wood burning stoves are in good order with all doors and guards closing correctly.

When fitting a new stove it is imperative that a qualified installer carries out the work. Make sure that chimneys are regularly swept to avoid the build up of carbon deposits within that can easily ignite and create problems in the future.

Electric blankets can help you keep warm during the cold nights, but fires can be devastating with 440 injuries resulting from every 1000 fires started by an electric blanket. Therefore, there are fire safety issues to consider:

- Never use hot water bottles in the same bed as an electric blanket, even if the blanket is switched off.

- Unplug blankets before you get into bed, unless they have a thermostat control for safe all-night use.

- Do not leave electric blankets folded as this damages the internal wiring. Store them flat or rolled up instead.

A number of people are using wheat bags to keep warm at the moment and we are giving the following advice on this.

- Do buy wheat bags with clear heating instructions and manufactures' contact details.

- Only use as a heat pack for direct application to the body.

- Watch for overuse - a smell of burning or charring.

- Always leave them to cool in a safe area on a non-combustible surface like a kitchen sink.

- Never use wheat bags as bed warmers.

- Do not overheat the bags. (The recommended maximum is three minutes for most manufacturers.)

- Do not reheat the bag until it has completely cooled (which may be two hours).

- Do not leave the microwave unattended when heating.

- Do not store the bag until it is cold.

- Do not use the bag if you see any evidence of problems.

Gary added: "Make it one of your New Year resolutions to test your smoke alarm weekly and change the battery according to the manufacturer's instructions. Working smoke alarms provide an early warning of a fire and can mean the difference between life and death."

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service offers free home fire safety checks for all residents in the region.

During a check, a member of the Service will visit your home, give fire safety hints and tips, help you to formulate a fire escape plan, and if necessary, fit new smoke alarms in your home.

To register, or for more information on fire safety in the home, please visit www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk , or call our 24 hour hotline free on 0800 169 1234.

People urged to stride into the New Year

* Walking offers a range of health benefits.

Denbighshire and Flintshire County Councils are urging people to put their best foot forward and walk their way to better health in the New Year.

They say there are tremendous health benefits from regular walking in tyhat it helps to keep your heart strong, manage and control weight loss, improves your breathing, reduces stress, helps you to sleep better, improves strength and flexibility, reduces the risk of certain diseases and above all makes you feel good.

Across Wales there is an active band of volunteer walk leaders who lead short walks every week. 

Anyone who is interested in improving their health and making new friends by regular walking are welcome to join them.

Neville Howell, a volunteer walk leader, said: "I have been involved in the scheme for over 10 years now and have felt the benefit of regular myself and seen the benefit other people have had.

"It is amazing to see people’s health improving, weight loss and making new friends. As well as the walks there is a calendar of social events that are held which bring people together to do different things." K

Katrina Day, Troedio Clwyd Coordinator, said: "Walking is one of the best ways to improve your health, it's free and just makes you feel generally good about yourself.

"Regular walking will keep people active, reducing the risk of many diseases, therefore saving the NHS money by keeping people out of hospital.

"We are really grateful for all of the work of the volunteers who lead these walks, which make such a difference to many people’s lives." 

Walks are held in St Asaph, Mold, Gwaenysgor, Flint, Bwcle, Denbigh, Talacre, Dyserth, Caerwys, Halkyn, Rhuddlan, Lixwm and Llanasa.

For details of the walks available across Denbighshire and Flintshire, call Loggerheads Country Park on 01352 810614, or visit the following websites, www.walkaboutflintshire.com, www.denbighshirecountryside.org.uk/lets_walk/.

If you think you would be interested in becoming a walk leader then give the office a call or send an email to katrina.day@denbighshire.gov.uk

Update on Llan Railway landslip

* The length of track where the landslip took place. 

Llangollen Railway has given an update on the riverside landslip that occurred on the line west of Glyndyfrdwy station over the Christmas period.

 

This was caused by heavy rainfall and water level flows in the River Dee.

 

The line runs close to the river at this point and the slip took the bank away below a length of the railway's fencing, although the erosion has not yet intruded on to the track base. 

The slip has produced an intrusion which measures some 20m by 3m, but the high level of the Dee means that the precise impact on the lower riverbank cannot be seen until the water level drops.

The implications for the stability of the track means that the passage of trains west of Glyndyfrdwy cannot be authorised until repairs are completed to restore the riverside infrastructure and will possibly include improvements to the landside drainage system in this area.

As a safety precaution train services were terminated at Glyndyfrdwy station from Boxing Day to New Year's Day.

 

Passengers were understanding about the situation and concerned for its timely resolution, but the reduced train service adversely impacted on business originating from Carrog and at the station tearooms there.

 

Station staff at Glyndyfrdwy responded to the operational needs by opening up the station building to provide facilities at a time of the year when the building is normally closed.

At Llangollen station, a hole has been found to be opening up on platform 2 on the riverside stretch.  

 

A preliminary investigation revealed a voided area existed below the surface, likely to have been caused by water seepage through the riverside stonework but the area is subject to further investigation. 

Both incidents are subject to a claim on the Llangollen Railway's insurance and the extent and cost of the repair is subject to contractors' estimates which are currently being sought. 

 

Given the current predictions that further heavy downpours are likely in the future the railway will have to fund improvements that have been recommended to strengthen flood defences along the river bank. 

Further details will be known when the appointed contractors begin work and a completion date is given.

The railway's operations director Peter Evans said: "Llangollen Railway regrets the disruption to services which the landslip has caused and hopes to be able to resume train services to Carrog when the 2013 season begins on February 2.

 

"Priority will be given to the repair of Platform 2 used extensively for Thomas the Tank Engine events and contingency arrangements have already been made to ensure that the February series of Days Out With Thomas TM event will take place."

Meanwhile, the railway reports a successful season of Santa Special trains. I

 

In the course of eleven days of operations between December 1 and Christmas Eve, 44 trains ran and a total of 9,486 passengers were carried to "Lapland" at Carrog - a 90% seat occupancy. 

This is an increase of 4% on 2011 and is seen as a very satisfactory result in the current economic circumstances when family groups from within our base catchment area, and further afield, supported the seasonal entertainment.

George Jones for Llangollen Railway said: "The success of the annual Santa trains operation is down to the many volunteers who undertook a wide range of tasks involved in this festive season occasion.

 

"On all eleven days of the season operational duties on the trains and at stations, plus the various helpers for Santa and his elves, were covered by a wide range of volunteers of all ages.

 

"They came together to make up several teams which were rostered to cover the train services."

Wintry weather warning from council

Denbighshire County Council is advising motorists to take extra care on the county's roads, as wintry weather is forecast.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning of the potential of snow and ice affecting parts of Wales over the weekend and into next week.

As a result, the council is asking people to allow extra time for journeys and to follow news and weather bulletins for further information.

Staff from the council's highways department will be monitoring weather forecasts and will be out treating the county's roads if frost and ice is forecast.

Book your place at crunch health meeting

Anyone wishing to attend next week’s meeting of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board at which the future of health services in Llangollen will be discussed is advised to book their place in advance.

The meeting will be held from 10am-12.30pm next on Friday, January 18, in the Conference Room, Optic Centre, St Asaph.

A board representative writing to Llangollen health services campaigner Mabon ap Gwynfor said: “As attendance of members of the public to observe this meeting is expected to be high we would appreciate if you could let us know how many people would like to attend.”

·         The board can be contacted on 01248 384384.

Llan prepares for Peter Pan panto fun

* The Davies family - known as Llangollen's Panto Von Trapps.

Ten-year-old twins Ella and Jake Davies, of Pengwern, are starring together in the town’s production of the pantomime Peter Pan.

This will be Ella's third show but the first time she is being joined by twin Jake.

The youngsters will also be accompanied by seven other members of their family  -earning them the title of Llangollen’s Pantomime Von Trapps.

Ella who plays one of the pirates, said: “It feels really good having my brother in the panto with me, everything makes him laugh."

 

She made her debut in Llangollen Panto alongside her Aunty, Ali Burke, who this year plays one of the shows idiots, Miss You.

 

Ella and Jake's cousin, 19-year-old Aaron Davies of Wrexham, is this year's bright new talent and plays Peter.

 

Aaron has previously starred in Nia Ben Aur at the National Eisteddfod, High School Musical at the Stiwt Theatre, Rhos and Llangolen Operatic Society's production of Scarlet Pimpernel.

 

Ella and Jake will also be joined on stage by their dad Rob who plays another pirate but cannot be named.

 

Aaron’s sister, Tesni, is performing in her second show and plays the wife of the Indian Chief.

 

Ella and Jake's mum, Chris, is doing hair and make-up and Debbie and Phil, Aaron and Tesni's mum and dad are helping backstage and with sewing.

 

This is the third consecutive year that the Llangollen Pantomime has been staged at the Pavilion, with the previous two years seeing nightly sell-out shows. 

 

Director and Dame Simon Orton-Jones said: “This year’s show is a musical pantomime with an even bigger cast than last year.

 

"We have a fantastic 50-strong cast and crew, live band and the excellent lighting and sound facilities that the Pavilion has to offer.

 

"Following from last year's show, Sarah Marshall, the resident choreographer, has once again come up with fantastic new dances."

Chairlady Sharon Jones, who has been associated with the pantomime for 13 years, said: “The show tells the story of Peter Pan but Nanna the dog has become this year's Dame!

 

"Music is predominant in the show with songs such as Wings' ‘Live and Let Die, Queen’s I Wnt to Beak Fee’ and Crocodile Rock by Sir Elton John.

 

"The 18 songs are played by our eight-member band, led by our wonderful musical director Paul Young.

 

"The show is another huge production which has been made real thanks to the help and experience of our stage manager Michael jones and his crew.

 

"We have once again diverted from panto tradition by having Peter played by the talented Aaron Davies, supported by our ever-amazing Jo Potts (Tinkerbell) and the fantastic newcomer Dani Chamberlain (Wendy).”
 

* The show runs from Wednesday, January 16 to Saturday, January 19 at Llangollen Pavilion.

 

Doors 7pm, show 7.30pm, Saturday matinee (doors open 2pm, show 2.30pm).

 

Wednesday £5/£3 concessions, Thursday – Saturday £7/£5 concessions.

 

Tickets are available from Jades Hair & Beauty, Llangollen, Gwyn Davies (Butchers), Llangollen, or by calling 01978 860297.

North Wales is possible site for new super-jail

The BBC is reporting this afternoon that UK ministers say north Wales is being considered as a possible location for a so-called super prison, housing more than 2,000 inmates.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-20971109

County facelifts almost 3,000 homes

Denbighshire County Council has refurbished 2,972 properties across the county as part of its efforts to ensure that its entire housing stock meets the Welsh Housing Quality Standard.

A further 477 properties are due to be refurbished in the next 12 months and by the end of 2013, the total number of properties refurbished will be 3,463.

The council has sought to use the contracts for the works to support local sub-contractors and supply chains within Denbighshire.

Examples include:using local apprentices; all sub contractors used by Adever and 69% of site personnel with Brammal came from the county; all kitchens supplied locally; 100% of heating contract works dealt with by local workforce.

Councillor Hugh Irving, Cabinet Lead Member for Community Development, said: "The original objective of Welsh Government was that all social housing stock would be brought up to the standard by the end of 2012.

"However, this has not proved to be a realistic target for many landlords. Here in Denbighshire, the programme has been smoothed to reduce an over-reliance on one contractor, some small delays in approving contracts and respecting the wishes of tenants not wanting work carried out around Christmas time have all added to the 2012 target being exceeded.

"The majority of residents say they are happy with the work undertaken, with satisfaction rates of over 90% being recorded on all completed contracts. The Welsh Government says it is also happy with progress being made by Denbighshire and the Council continues to make improvement to its housing stock a key priority over the coming years."

The Head of Housing and Community Development for Denbighshire, Peter McHugh has been appointed to a Ministerial Task Force to advise the Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage on options to enable local authorities to achieve Welsh Housing Quality Standard.

Archeologists reveal what they've unearthed

* Eliseg’s Pillar near Llangollen where a dig took place last year. 

Are you interested in archaeology?

Did you know that there has been quite a lot going on in north east Wales during the last year?

There have been excavations on three Iron Age hillforts, a medieval castle and settlement as well as Eliseg’s Pillar near Valle Crucis, Llangollen.

Bookings are now being taken for the event on Saturday, 23 February, when archaeologists involved in all these projects will be taking part in a Day School at Theatr Twm o’r Nant, Denbigh, where they will be telling us about what they have found and what they still hope to do.

Fiona Gale, County Archaeologist with Denbighshire, said: “There have been so many archaeological excavations taking place in the area over the last year, the spotlight really shone on north east Wales.

“The day should be a real treat for anyone interested in the heritage and history of the area.”

Archaeologists from Oxford University have been examining the hillfort of Moel y Gaer, Bodfari. Liverpool University has organised a training excavation at Penycloddiau and Bangor University has been involved at Moel Fodig near Corwen.

Added to this, archaeologists from Cadw, have been working at Hen Caerwys, Chester and Bangor University have been working at Eliseg’s Pillar and Wrexham’s Archaeologist, Steve Grenter, exploring Holt Castle

The day which starts at 9am with registration, tea and coffee and finishes by 5pm, costs £12 which includes a light lunch.

If you would like to attend, please contact the Countryside Service on 01824 708262 or modap.countryside&leisure@denbighshire.gov.uk to book your place and receive further details.

Group seeks new singers

Llangollen-based all-women singing group, Melodic Mondays, have put out the following notice seeking new members:

One step closer to rail electrification

The Minister with responsibility for Transport, Carl Sargeant, has announced that the Welsh Government, working in collaboration with the regional transport consortium, Taith, is to develop a business case for the electrification of the North Wales line.

 

The Minister has confirmed that a robust business case will be developed that will capture the full social, economic and environmental benefits for north Wales.

The business plan for modernisation will build on previous work done to date, including the important North East Wales Area Based Transport Study.

Carl Sargeant said: “I want to see North Wales properly connected to the UK electric infrastructure, with effective cross-border links.

“I want to see rail operations across Wales developed to achieve enhanced services with efficiency savings leading to a fairer deal for passengers and taxpayers.

“Our prioritised National Transport Plan recognises that transport is an enabler for many aspects of the Welsh economy and we will continue to focus on improving the capacity and reliability of the main east-west road and rail corridors in Wales.

“Modernising the North Wales rail line is a key element of this ambition and has the potential of greatly improving the rail services and unlocking economic growth for the region, which will in turn help tackle poverty.”

In addition to the North Wales Coast Main Line (from Holyhead to Crewe), consideration will be given to the rail network in north-east Wales (including the Wrexham to Bidston line, the line from Wrexham to Chester, and the line from Chester to Warrington Bank Quay) in order to maximise the social, economic and environmental benefits to the region resulting from modernisation.

Work now begins on establishing the strategic case for investment, which will define the scope, objectives, benefits and long-list of options for the project. This in turn will lead on to a robust case for change, which will be complete this summer.

Politicians' fury over benefit changes

Local Labour politicians have reacted with fury to the numbers of people who have been told by HMRC that they could lose their child benefit.

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones and AM Ken Skates have condemned the changes which have seen 440 households across their constituency receive letters from HMRC saying their benefit could be cut.

Families with one parent with a taxable income of more than £50,000 will lose some of the benefit, and it will be withdrawn entirely if one parent earns above £60,000.

Across the UK, HM Revenue and Customs said it had written to nearly 800,000 people but it estimates 1.1 million will be affected by the move.

Susan Elan Jones said: “The Government have made a complete mess of these child-benefit reforms. A family with two children could lose up to £1,752 a year in child benefit, an important and valuable top-up to the monthly household income.

“In particular these changes are unfair because they penalise single-income families, who will be put under additional financial strain at the same time that heating, household food and other living costs are set to soar even higher.

“There are many people in my constituency who have not had a pay rise for two or three years and the added costs of childcare and transport on top of all this is pinching working families very hard.” 

Ken Skates said: “Means-testing child benefit is simply mean spirited. The gradual withdrawal of benefit from people earning more than £50,000 a year will only increase the enormous financial pressures faced by families in Clwyd South.

“It is ridiculous that single earners on £50,000 will see their child benefit cut whilst couples earning £98,000 could end up keeping theirs.

“What a terrible new year gift for families in my constituency. A letter from the Chancellor saying that he is taking money away from them at exactly the time when they need it most. That’s not fair and it’s not right.”

The UK Government does not have precise information on how many households in Wales should lose child benefit, but it has written to 20,630.

The highest number were in Cardiff North (1,530), followed by Monmouth (1,300), the Vale of Glamorgan (1,110) and Cardiff West (1,090).

The fewest letters were sent to households in Rhondda (130), followed by Blaenau Gwent (140), Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney (190) and the Cynon Valley (210).

According to the Silk Commission launched by the Wales Office to examine devolution, in 2010-11 there were 89,000 higher rate taxpayers in Wales.

Campaigners hit back at health changes survey

Keep Llangollen Health Services campaigners have slammed Betsi Cadwaladr’s consultation process on closing Llangollen Hospital as “meaningless and designed to say what the Government and the board wants to hear”.

The consultation gathered thousands of responses from public meetings, petitions and questionnaires but it’s been criticised for favouring the findings of one group of questionnaires rather than another.

KHLS campaigners say open questionnaireresponses, which are far more hostile towards the planned closure of Llangollen Hospital, have been ignored.

Mabon ap Gwynfor, of KLHS said: “This consultation has been flawed from the start. We were given only one option – to close the existing community hospital and then wait for a new health centre to be built somewhere sometime in the future.

"People locally are rightly sceptical of these plans – a new health centre would cost more than £5 million and Betsi Cadwaladr health board admits it’s in financial trouble.

"The way the findings have been presented proves that the Government and their puppets at the health board have got what they wanted through this sham exercise to tick the boxes.

"Many of the questions were loaded and, where the opposing view is clear and concise, they choose to ignore it. This is very shoddy work.”

To support his claim, Mr ap Gwynfor noted that the survey states: “Significantly higher proportion of residents who live within 10 km of Llangollen Community Hospital disagree with proposal to move inpatient beds (74%).”

However, in its conclusions the report authors say: “Divided opinions on removing inpatient beds 35% for, 29% against (HS).”

Mr ap Gwynfor said: “They have based their conclusions on the household survey, of which there were no more than a dozen respondents, because the result suited their agenda.

 

"The Open Survey shows the polar opposite! So those dozen people carry more weight than the 1,200 people who signed our petition and the hundreds who sent representations in the post or on-line.

“The report cannot be trusted. They also say that there is an ‘Absolute majority support for primary care centre in Llangollen’ – of course there is!

 

"Who wouldn’t want to see local health services improved in Llangollen? That is why we formed our group because these proposals threaten to diminish health care in Llangollen.”

Mr ap Gwynfor said his group was also concerned about the way the report authors seemed to dismiss petitions out of hand.

The board will consider recommendations at a special meeting which will take place in the Optic Centre, St Asaph at 10am on Friday, January 18.

* The report can be found at http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sites3/docopen.cfm?orgid=836&id=204213.