Cruel irony of cruise ship tragedy

llanblogger man Phil Robinson recalls his recent cruise on the same ship involved which was in a tragic accident yesterday afternoon ...

 

 

* The Thomson ship Majesty in port during a Canaries cruise over Christmas.

As on most cruise ships these days, it’s a case of safety first – and second and third – aboard the Thomson Majesty.

I know this is the case because I was a passenger aboard her on a trip around the Canary Islands over Christmas.

Given this huge emphasis on safety, it was quite a shock to hear the tragic news that five crew members had been killed and another three injured during what should have been a routine safety exercise yesterday (Sunday) afternoon.

It is understood that one of the ship’s large motorised lifeboats, which are stored at regular intervals right around one of the upper decks, fell into sea during the drill which was being held while the ship was docked in the port of Santa Cruz de le Palma – a place I visited on a similar cruise aboard the Majesty.

Passengers are said to have looked on in horror as vain attempts were made to rescue the men who died, who included three Indonesians, a Filipino and a Ghanaian.

Apart from the trauma for their family and friends, this tragedy will come as a terrible blow to their fellow crew members who pride themselves on following safety procedures to the letter.

Within minutes of coming aboard passengers must take part in a compulsory lifeboat drill.

And, unlike air travel, that doesn’t mean looking on bored or continuing to read a magazine as a cabin crew member goes through the crash landing procedure.

It means going to the trouble of finding and strapping on a cumbersome life jacket, working out where your allotted lifeboat station is located, trekking up flights of stairs – no lifts allowed – and slogging along endless decks until you meet up with a few score of other bewildered passengers, have your name checked off a list and are finally dismissed.

Sounds like a lot of fuss – and it is. But far better this way than what I might describe as the “Titanic alternative”.

It is cruelly ironic that crew Majesty members, who go out of their way to assist you and ensure your safety during such an exercise, have now been killed and injured taking part in something which sounds very much like the one I took part it just a couple of months ago. 

Llan gets another sprinkling of snow

As predicted, Llangollen awoke to a thin covering of snow this morning (Monday).

As can be seen from our picture below, visibility looking towards the castle was pretty poor well into the morning as light snow continued to fall.

Forecasters say it will remain dull and cold throughout the day.

Fed up with being cold?

Are you struggling to heat your home because of poor housing conditions or low income?

If so, the Denbighshire Advice Network has issued the following contacts for free, friendly and effective advice:

* North Wales Energy Advice Centre - Free Energy Advice Line 0800 954 0658

* DCC Welfare Rights Team - Free phone advice line: 0800 169 6625

* Rhyl Benefits Advice Shop - Free Phone: 0800 0740 333

* Age Concern - Phone: 01745 816 947

* Care and Repair - Phone: 0300 800 4484

* Shelter for Housing Advice - Free phone: 0845 075 5005

* Denbighshire Citizens Advice Bureau - 01745 334 568

* Nest: Welsh Government’s fuel poverty advice - 0808 8082244 (Freephone)

Another great Beauty and the Beast picture

Here's another great cast picture from Beauty and the Beast, performed so brilliantly by Llangollen Operatic Society Young 'Uns.

* Picture courtesy of Barrie Potter. 

Young 'Uns turn in monster of a show

* A scene from the Young 'Uns production of Beauty and the Beast.

A talented cast from Llangollen Operatic Society’s junior section, the Young ‘Uns, turned in a monster of a production of of Disney musical Beauty and the Beast for three nights at the Town Hall, from Thursday-Saturday.

Saturday’s capacity audience was entranced by the fairy tale of the handsome prince turned into a hairy critter with attitude by a vindictive witch, who makes a triumphant return to humanity thanks to the love of a good woman.

The guy with extreme anger management issues, big-time facial hair and a mane of hair like a 70s rock star was superbly played by Wilf Wort who expertly turned snarls to simpers after developing a crush on the Beauty of the title, Belle. She was portrayed with great sensitivity by Jessica Cockburn.

But it wasn’t just the prince who fell victim to the wicked witch’s powers. The old crone also turned the staff at his castle into a range of domestic oddities, including a big talking teapot, a chatty candelabra, a walking wardrobe, a speaking clock and a big feather duster, all of whom can only become human again if their master falls in love.

These animated household objects provided a big slice of the action, a lot of the singing and  a fair bit of the humour of the piece.

They were masterfully interpreted by, respectively, Louise Cielecki and Nathan Lloyd – two Young ‘Uns stalwarts who are consistently brilliant in every role they take on – a sparkling Polly Harrison, a marvellous Meg Howlett and Carys Stallard, who provided plenty of French ooh lah lah. 

Gaston, the creepy egomaniac who fancies Belle himself and therefore does his best to ruin her budding romance with the Beast, was played to perfection by a strutting Nathan Hughes.

He got the most mileage possible out of lines like, “Belle and I would be a perfect match – like my thighs”.

As Maurice, Belle eccentric father, was the extravagantly bewigged Adam Goff, who is always good value for money. 

As usual, the principal cast members received strong backing from a massive number of chorus members ranging from teens to tinies who all put loads of enthusiasm into their roles of whatever size.

Behind the stage was another army of helpers who handled everything from costumes and make-up to choreography and lighting.

Particularly impressive were the sets, created and painted by another large team of back-stage magicians headed up by Emma-Jo Newton, who was also stage manager. The labyrinthine archways of the beast’s castle were particularly realistic looking.

Musical direction of a four-strong live orchestra was under the capable baton of Elen Mair Roberts and the whole show was a credit to co-producers Tess Orton-Jones and Michael Jones and artistic co-directors Deirdre (D) Smith and Bethan Williams.

·        Llangollen Operatic Society’s next production is Anything Goes, at the Town Hall from April 16-20.

Isherwood speaks out for small businesses

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has emphasised the importance of access to finance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Mr Isherwood is concerned that the Federation of Small Businesses states that SMEs in Wales are significantly less optimistic about their business prospects than their counterparts in the rest of the UK – and that 64% have never heard of Welsh Government subsidiary Finance Wales.

Speaking in the Welsh Conservative Debate on ‘A Vision for Welsh Investment: Invest Wales’, he said: “That is why Welsh Conservatives have launched Invest Wales, using Finance Wales funding to regionalise access to finance for Micro, Small and Medium size Business with Welsh HQs - encouraging High Street lending, not just state banking.

“This would complement the UK Government’s Funding for Lending Scheme, operating since last August to incentivise banks and building societies to boost their lending to UK households and non-financial companies.

“As the Bank of England stated last month 'the Funding for Lending Scheme has helped to improve funding conditions for UK firms' and '35 banks and building societies had signed up to the scheme, representing 82% of the stock of lending to the domestic economy'.”

Speaking in the chamber three years ago, Mr Isherwood highlighted the Banking on Essex initiative, to support SMEs, the first municipal banking scheme to be created since 1915, with Santander Bank as 50% partner – thereby taking half the risk and slashing the amount of costly regulation that a new bank would have to comply with, but that an established bank partner would not.

“As the First Minister then agreed, setting up a new bank can be a costly and protracted business if you start it from scratch and using the expertise that is already in the banking sector to develop a social model of banking makes sense.

 

"Banking on Essex subsequently closed, citing a lack of demand from small businesses – but, as the Federation of Small Businesses has stated 'Wales has the highest share of small businesses applying for credit of any UK region or country'."

 

Invest Wales, with an independent board, 50/50 partnership with banks and other financial institutions and a regional branch structure is the prudent model for Wales’ business and banking sectors.

 

"After all, some 8.4% of the economy in Wales is generated by financial services.”

Strictly pair to star at eisteddfod

The Daily Post is reporting this morning that Strictly Come Dancing couple James and Ola Jordan will add glitz and glamour to the star-studded line-up at this year’s Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

Patients evacuated after fire at the Maelor

Breaking news ...

* Wrexham Maelor Hospital where fire broke out late last night.

Twenty-seven patients, including three babies from a special care unit, had to be evacuated when fire broke out at Wrexham Maelor Hospital late last night (Friday).

Four fire appliances were mobilised to the blaze at 11.39pm.

A spokesperson for North Wales Fire & Rescue Service said: "Three crews of firefighters from Wrexham and another crew from Johnstown attended and located a small fire on the ground floor of the hospital which was extinguished using four sets of breathing apparatus and one hose reel jet.

"In all, 27 patients were evacuated after staff raised the alarm on detecting smoke.

"The fire originated on the ground floor in a room located off the outpatient ward which was unoccupied at the time.

"Smoke had travelled up to the first floor of the building affecting mainly two wards, Bromfield Ward and Bonney Ward, resulting in the evacuation of 24 patients. Three infants from an adjacent special care unit were also evacuated as a precaution.

"The infants were returned to special care after the fire was extinguished, whilst the remaining patients will be cared for elsewhere at the hospital for the time being.

"The exact cause of the fire is currently being investigated but it is thought to be accidental."

Llan campaigners lobby Health Minister

* Campaigners, including the Llangollen contingent, gather outside

Lesley Griffiths' Wrexham office. Below left, lobbyists knock on the door.

Llangollen campaigners played a key role in a mass lobby of Wales’ Health Minister Lesley Griffiths against plans to shake-up NHS services in the region.

And Ms Griffiths, who is Assembly Member for Wrexham, was warned by demonstrators she could face electoral problems is she fails to take notice of their case.

The controversial plans by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board include the axing of Llangollen Cottage Hospital.

Campaign groups across north Wales have been opposing various aspects of the proposals and around 60 of them gathered outside the constituency office of Health Minister Lesley Griffiths in Wrexham on Friday afternoon.

Among them were members of Keep Llangollen Health Services (KLHS) who are incensed that measures to wind down the town’s community hospital have already been unexpectedly put in place – before patients watchdog the Community Health Council is due to finish its examination of the shake-up package on March 1.

Maria Haines of KLHS said of the demo: “Basically I summarised the current situation regarding the proposals in general and Llangollen Hospital in particular, including the fact that I have heard that just this week a Llangollen resident needing the type of care provided by community hospitals has been admitted to Mold Community Hospital instead of Llangollen because it has been decreed that Llangollen is not receiving any new admissions.

“I then read an open message to Lesley Griffiths, which was vociferously endorsed by the assembled throng.”

This is the message she read out:  "Lesley Griffiths, at the last election, the people of Wrexham entrusted you with representing their interests, and the interests of the people of Wales in general, in the Welsh Government. And sufficient people throughout Wales voted Labour for your party to be able to form the Welsh Government, and to appoint you to oversee and safeguard the health of the people of Wales – ALL the people of Wales.

“That includes all the people who live a long way from any of the main hospitals, and all the people for whom forming a bond with a sick baby on the Wirral, or supporting that baby's already-traumatised mother, would involve an impossible journey.

“Please, Lesley Griffiths, fulfil the responsibility you have taken on as Health Minister, by: 

·         calling in these plans,

·         looking at them in detail, and

·         compelling the Health Board to maintain and improve existing services, bearing in mind the real needs of ALL the people who need to use them, rather than withdrawing services now on the vague less-than-promise than we might get something else in the future. 

“We are placing our trust in you – but if you betray that trust, we will not go away. And we will not forget, when the next election comes around.  

“Sixty-five years ago, Aneurin Bevan said that: ‘The NHS will last as long as there are folk left with the faith to fight for it’. 

“Let us assure you, Lesley Griffiths, that there are plenty of people ready to fight for a decent, fit-for-purpose NHS in North Wales – and we are watching very carefully to see whether you are one of us!"

 

* Placards laid outside Lesley Griffiths'

constituency office.

 

Health protesters lobby Minister in Wrexham

The BBC News website is reporting this evening (Friday) that about 80 people staged a rally in Wrexham about health service shake-up plans in north Wales.

The opponents to the plans met outside the office of Health Minister Lesley Griffiths who is the Labour AM for Wrexham.

See the full story at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-21389248

A picture accompanying a story on the ITV Wales news website shows someone at the rally holding a "save Llangollen hospital beds" banner: http://www.itv.com/news/wales/update/2013-02-08/health-protest-outside-ministers-wrexham-constituency-office/

Minister quizzed over North Wales prison

With those against a prison being built in North Wales claiming it would not create economic benefits, an Assembly Member has called for the Welsh Government to establish the facts.

North Wales Regional AM and Shadow Minister for North Wales, Mark Isherwood, raised the matter with the Minister for Business this week.

He said: "Although it is reported that a prison in north Wales could create 1,000 jobs, and the Wrexham Business Professionals group, for example, said that it could bring much-needed social and economic benefits to the region, opponents -and there are always opponents to everything - claim that many of the jobs would be imported from prisons elsewhere, and that factories on the Wrexham industrial estate, if it went there, would be driven away. What discussions can you or will you have with the UK Government to establish the true costs and benefits so that, in ensuring public engagement, we are dealing with the facts, the real benefits, and the true economic gain."

The Minister told Mr Isherwood that there are plenty of sites in north Wales that are suitable for the development of a prison and assured him that no businesses would have to vacate their sites to accommodate it.

Speaking in the Chamber Mr Isherwood also questioned the First Minister over the prison proposals, asking what role the Welsh Government is playing in assessing the feasibility of proposed North Wales sites, particularly given that, in 2009, the Caernarfon site was cancelled on the basis that it was no longer considered feasible for the proposed provision.

The First Minister said the Welsh Government are working with the Ministry Of Justice in terms of what sites it is looking to identify.

He said: "It is important that a site in the north of Wales is identified as a site for a prison. As part of that work, examining the potential sites will be important to ensure that the prison goes ahead."

North Wales Police begins recruiting Specials

North Wales Police has announced that the recruiting window for Special Constables is now open.

From today (Friday 8^th February) applications for the role of Special Constable are being accepted until Monday 25^th February.

The role of the Special Constable is to assist and support the regular force in meeting local policing needs. They are an important part of the police service and have a vital role to play in the future of policing.

Special Constables undertake valuable work and form a vital link between the regular force and the local community. Special Constables are volunteers, from all walks of life, who want to do something positive for their communities.

With North Wales Police you would be expected to carry out a variety of tasks. Duties could include assisting regulars on patrol, crime prevention work and community liaison projects.

Assistant Chief Constable Gareth Pritchard said: “We are really keen to encourage local people to get involved with policing their local community.

“Special Constables undertake valuable policing work within communities, but it is not only the locality that benefits from the work of officers. It is a two way process. Individuals joining can develop a whole range of skills including communication, self-confidence, teamwork and initiative. Joining the Specials also opens up a world of opportunity for personal and professional advancement. What’s more, the community also benefits from an increased police presence.”

He added: “We are an equal opportunities employer and are totally committed to the principles of equality and diversity. We welcome applications from all sections of the community. Indeed, to ensure our service is fully representative of the communities it serves we welcome applications from under represented groups, particularly fluent Welsh speakers.”

Special Constableswork alongside regular officers, and are expected to commit at least four hours service a week. They are given training and a uniform, and have all the powers and authority of regular officers.

Watchdog responds to row over health services

A watchdog body has given a measured response to claims that health chiefs have “jumped the gun” by making changes to some local services - including those at Llangollen Cottage Hospoital - earlier than expected.    

However, the Community Health Council concedes the changes made some people disappointed and even angry.

llanblogger reported on Tuesday that minor injuries services are to be withdrawn from Llangollen Cottage Hospital over the next two weeks 

The Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) also revealed that, since Monday of this week, the hospital has been accepting no new admissions and that its staff are being re-deployed to other units.  

The Abbey Road hospital  is earmarked for closure as part of a major shake-up of health services approved by the board last month.  

But the two moves have come as a surprise blow to campaigners fighting to retain health services in Llangollen who thought they would have longer before the changes went into effect – at least until they had been fully considered by patients’ watchdog body, the Community Health Council (CHC), which has until March 1 to decide on whether to formally object to the change proposals.  

A spokesperson for campaign group Keep Llangollen Health Services (KLHS) said the moves made a “mockery” of the consultation process. 

BCUHB said the moves had been made because “There is a risk that other services could become more difficult to operate safely as staff start to look at alternative roles and opportunities within the Health Board.”  

Now, in its own response to the developments, the Community Health Council has issued a statement which says:  “Representatives of the CHC were at the Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board meeting on Friday 18th January to hear its decisions about proposals to change some health services in North Wales.  

“The Health Board has changed some of its plans in response to what the CHC and others said during the consultation – and we are very pleased about that.” 

It goes on: “A special meeting of the CHC’s Executive Committee was held on the 28th January 2013. This meeting was convened to give CHC members the opportunity to raise any further representations following the health board’s decisions on service changes.  

“The CHC is aware that the health board has now decided to implement some of the changes to services and that in some cases these changes have been undertaken on the grounds of patient safety.  

“Under the Guidance for Engagement for and Consultation on changes to health services, the health board can legally effect service changes and is not obliged to wait for the CHC’s final response on other issues.  

“The CHC has had many calls from people who are very disappointed - indeed angry that the board has turned its face against arguments made against some of its plans.  

“Our job now is to talk through the health board’s final decisions and the CHC is responsible for assessing the proposals in a detailed and consistent way.  

“If the CHC refers any of the decisions to the Minister, we will be called to explain to an independent panel exactly why we think they are not in the interest of local people or the health service. This is why the CHC has matched every proposal to the criteria it set out several months ago. And we will do the same for this final set of decisions. 

“We have until the 1st March 2013 to complete this work and decide whether we should lodge any formal objections.”

New plan to promote town as events venue

* Llangollen and the pavilion are to be newly promoted as events venues.

A blueprint for freshly promoting Llangollen as an events and conference venue will be unveiled during a special showcase session at the end of March.

That was the message from Llangollen Pavilion’s venue director, Bicki Shenton-Morris, as she spoke to members of the town’s Chamber of Trade and Tourism at their meeting at the Hand Hotel on Monday evening.

She outlined to them a new strategy by Denbighshire County Council to improve promotion of the whole town as an event destination and the pavilion for larger events.  

This will home in on the area’s strengths, such as its beautiful landscape, heritage and tradition, ease of access, value for money, and range of outdoor activities and special experiences. 

It is believed the area is capable of attracting a wide range of events. 

These include meetings and conferences such as those relating to heritage, transport, music and the arts, exhibitions and trade shows and outdoor events like mountain biking, walking and canoeing. 

However, Ms Shenton-Morris said that the town’s lack of a major hotel - larger than those already in Llangollen – put it at a disadvantage when it comes to attracting the larger-scale conferences.  

The new strategy forsees closer working between potential event venues and local attractions. 

Ms Shenton-Morris explained this could mean that if a Thomas the Tank Engine event was being held at Llangollen Railway, a toy train fair might be arranged at the pavilion. 

She said there could also be more co-ordination when it came to transport links, such as promoting the ease of accessibility between Ruabon railway station and Llangollen. 

To boost the new strategy there will be a new website, possibility with links to local B&Bs, guest houses and hotels, and new promotional leaflets and brochures are also being produced. 

The whole strategy is due to be outlined to events arrangers and other decision makers at a launch event to be held at the end of March.  

·        Last month llanblogger carried a story in which Llangollen resident Alan Found expressed concern that the pavilion was being under used. 

He pointed to official county council figures which revealed that from April 2011 to 2012 the pavilion projected a loss (or subsidy) of £183,611 and for 2012 to 2013 a loss (or subsidy) of £159,611.  

Mr Founds said: “Surely this facility should be a major contributor to the economy not a burden. 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.” 

At the time, a county council spokesman responded that the pavilion’s programme “continues to grow and develop”.

Top North Wales cop welcomes new dog measures

A top North Wales police officer is backing the Government's new compulsory micropchipping of all dogs.

The new measure comes in on April 6, 2016, along with the extension of laws on dog attacks to cover private property.

North Wales' Assistant Chief Constable Gareth Pritchard, (pictured below right) who is Association of Chief Police Officers lead for dangerous dogs, said: “It is in society’s interest to tackle the problem of dangerous dogs and irresponsible ownership and the Government’s announcement will greatly improve this area and enhance public safety.

“This is not only due to the serious physical harm and intimidation that occurs but also the effect it has on our communities.

“The extension of the law to cover dog attacks on private property is essential to protect members of the public who have legitimate access to premises such as postal workers, nurses, midwives and others. It also offers greater protection to the wider public, including children and other vulnerable members of our communities.

“The police service spends several million pounds on long term kennelling, which is a significant drain on police resources and can have a detrimental effect on the wellbeing of the animal.

 

"Under the new measures, police will now be able to decide if the retention of a dog is necessary whilst court proceedings are being conducted under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

 

"This decision will be made by individual police forces who will take into consideration the requirement to maintain public safety, secure and preserve evidence, and act in the interests of the animal and its owner.

“Compulsory microchipping will assist in tackling the environmental and welfare issues of stray dogs, by assisting local authorities and the charitable sector to re-unite dogs with their owners expeditiously when lost or stolen.

“We note the Welsh Government is in the consultation phase on its dog control proposals and we are also in discussion with the Ministers’ officials.”

Banners on the A5 aim to promote the town

* Promotional banners will be fitted to lampposts down the A5 near

 the lights by the chamber. 

Llangollen Chamber of Trade and Tourism is to spend £2,000 on installing promotional banners in the town centre. 

However, half of this sum will be come from Denbighshire County Council. 

The chamber believes it will help boost tourism to the town if promotional banners are fixed to lampposts along the main A5 route through Llangollen and in the shopping  thoroughfare of Castle Street. 

After checking out the cost, chair John Palmer reported back to members at their meeting in the Hand Hotel on Monday night that 20 banners will cost about £2,000 to produce and hang from poles fitted to lampposts.  

They will bear a welcome message to potential tourists and the chamber gave the go-ahead for a designer to come up with ideas for how they will actually look. 

A representative of the county council at the meeting said Denbighshire would contribute £1,000 towards the cost of the exercise. 

John Palmer said: “People have said the town is looking a little tired, so this will brighten it up a bit.”

Cautious welcome for road casualty figures

Clwyd South Assembly member Ken Skates has given a cautious welcome to new statistics which show that the number of casualties on North Wales roads has fallen over the last year.

Data released by the Welsh Government shows that casualties resulting from personal injury road accidents in North Wales has fallen 8% over the last year and by 47% since the mid 1990s.

However, the AM said the figures needed to be treated carefully as the number of casualties has risen in the third quarter of 2012.

He called for a renewed focus on road safety and said important blackspots still needed to be tackled in North Wales.

Mr Skates said: “The figures show a reduction in the numbers of casualties on North Wales roads over the last year and a substantial reduction since the 1990s. This is welcome and shows the messages about road safety are starting to get through.

“However, we do need to keep a strong focus on road safety and bring down the numbers of people who are still being injured and killed each year on roads in this part of the country.

“Unfortunately in North Wales we still have some major problem areas. For example we have seen too many tragic deaths in the last decade on ‘B’ roads which attract a high number of bikers, and we continue to see fatalities along the A55.

“We also need to do more work to tackle particular accident blackspots, such as along sections of the A483. These will require further investment and infrastructure changes over the next few years.

“The Transport Minister Carl Sargeant has proposed ambitious targets for casualty reduction as part of a new approach to road safety until 2020, such as a 65% reduction in the number of children killed or seriously injured on our roads.

“Having made progress we must continue to work towards reducing the numbers of casualties on our roads. Local Government road safety budgets must be given better protection in these times of austerity if we are to continue to cut the numbers of people injured and killed on North Wales roads.”

Council seeks summit over health shake-up

A top level meeting between councillors and the chief executive of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB)  Mary Burrows, Denbighshire's chief executive Mohammed Mehmet and social services director Sally Ellis is to be convened to go through a number of concerns raised in light of the board's proposed service changes across the region.

The concerns among county council members centre on transition arrangements as the board prepares to close some services and facilities before any guarantee of funding for new capital investment is in place or temporary services established.

They are also concerned about the level of support for carers, transport and travel arrangements, the potential cost to the council as more services are moved out of the hospital setting and into people's homes and the future of Ysbyty Glan Clwyd as a District General Hospital.

After a three hour debate earlier today (Tuesday) councillors agreed that after the meeting with
Mary Burrows they will report back to members at the next full council on February 26 and will look again at taking a vote of no confidence if they are not satisfied with the responses they receive.

Cabinet Lead Member Bobby Feeley said: "We have agreed to a last ditch effort to have a high level meeting with CEO Mary Burrows to bring forward our concerns.

"On balance, we think it's preferable to keep the dialogue going until absolutely every avenue has been explored and we will report back to the next full council with the results."

* Commenting on Betsi Cadwaladr's confirmation of minor injury unit closures in Llangollen, Chirk, Flint, Ruthin, Colwyn Bay and Blaenau Ffestiniog within two weeks, Shadow Minister for Health Darren Millar AM said: “Today’s announcement is premature.

"The Community Health Council has until March the first to object to the board’s reforms and refer them to the Minister.

“Railroading closures through at this stage sends out a message of arrogance and indifference.

“Public views have already been discarded by health bosses in the region and today’s decisions require urgent examination.”

Services start to be withdrawn from Llan Hospital

llanblogger exclusive

Minor injuries services are to be withdrawn from Llangollen Cottage Hospital over the next two weeks, according to the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board  (BCUHB).

The board has also revealed to llanblogger today (Monday) that since yesterday the hospital has been accepting no new admissions and that its staff are being re-deployed to other units.  

The Abbey Road hospital (pictured right) is earmarked for closure as part of a major shake-up of health services approved by the board last month. 

But the two moves have come as a surprise blow to campaigners fighting to retain health services in Llangollen who thought they would have longer before the changes went into effect – at least until they had been fully considered by patients’ watchdog body, the Community Health Council (CHC), which has until March 1 to decide on whether to formally object to the change proposals. 

However, this morning, unofficial word came from the CHC that the run-down of services at the hospital had already begun. 

llanblogger therefore asked BCUHB to confirm if this was the case. 

In a statement the board said: “At the meeting of the Health Board on 18th January it was decided to move forward with changes to the way some health services are delivered in North Wales. Planning is now underway to enable these changes to take place. 

“Understandably, the prospect of change creates uncertainty for staff and service users. Some services, such as minor injuries, already suffer periodic disruption due to staffing difficulties.  

“There is a risk that other services could become more difficult to operate safely as staff start to look at alternative roles and opportunities within the Health Board. 

“It has therefore been agreed that: 

“ • Minor Injuries Services will be consolidated in the hospital hubs over the next two weeks. This will ensure we can offer a dependable, 7 day per week service at the hospital hubs, further supported by the services at Bryn Beryl and Tywyn Hospitals.  

“Minor Injuries services will therefore no longer be available at Llangollen, Chirk, Flint, Ruthin, Colwyn Bay and Blaenau Ffestiniog Hospitals.

“ • Changes to X-ray services will go ahead as soon as possible, subject to the need to tie in with outpatient clinics that have already been booked. 

“ • Detailed planning to set up Enhanced Care at Home services across North Wales will start immediately. 

“ • From Monday 4th February staff at Flint, Llangollen and Prestatyn Hospitals will start their process of redeployment to strengthen other community and hospital services. This means new admissions to these hospitals will cease. Admissions to Blaenau Ffestiniog Hospital will continue at present.

 

“At the moment the Community Health Council is considering its response to our planned changes and we fully respect their position.

“However, we have to balance this with safety of services, our use of resources and our desire to implement the planned service improvements.

“The Board will continue to work with the Community Health Council over the next few weeks to address any outstanding concerns but it is right that, where appropriate, we move forward without undue delay.”

Llyr Gruffydd, North Wales Plaid Cymru Assembly Member, who has been prominent in the campaign to safeguard health services locally in Llangollen, said:  “It’s astounding that the health board has decided to close community health facilities including X-ray services, in-patient beds and minor injury provision without waiting for the Community Health Council’s final response.  

“The CHC, which is a statutory watchdog, has expressed grave concerns over a number of changes being proposed by Betsi Cadwaladr and this rush to closure seems to be ignoring those concerns completely.

“It’s also a snub to health minister Lesley Griffiths, who only this week announced that the buck stopped with her regarding any NHS changes.

“Will she now intervene to prevent community hospitals such as Llangollen and Flint from closing?”

A spokesperson for campaign group Keep Llangollen Health Services (KLHS) said: "The Health Board is closing hospitals despite the Community Health Council still pondering its final decision. This makes a mockery of the whole consultation process. We’ve got evidence that the health board planned for Llangollen to lose its rehabilitation unit back in October,while the public meetings for the consultation was still taking place!

"Patients have told us that they were denied blood tests in November because the hospital was closing and now we have this, further evidence that the consultation process was part of a stage-managed smoke and mirrors act.

"The Health Board has lost all credibility. Our health services are neither safe nor sustainable in their hands and the Health Minister must intervene as a matter of urgency."

Police warn over petrol cash scam

Police are warning motorists on the A483 and A55 to be on their guard against a scam which involves a motorist claiming to have run out of petrol.

There have been a number of incidents on the A483 near Ruabon and Wrexham in recent weeks where a car is parked towards the top of A483 off slips, usually with the bonnet propped open.

The male motorist flags down cars claiming to be out of fuel and without access to cash.

He will offer to sell jewellery in return for cash or just ask for £10 or £20 and will then offer to give the motorist a ring, which looks silver or gold, as a token of appreciation.

A similar scam has been reported in other parts of the country including Shropshire.

Suspected fraud can be reported on the Action Fraud website http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/roadside-jewellery-scam-oct10

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Chamber backs judicial review of Sainsbury's plan

Llangollen Chamber of Trade and Tourism has given its backing to a bid for a judicial review of how Denbighshire County Council handled planning applications for a Sainsbury’s supermarket in the town.

However, at their meeting on Monday evening, chamber members expressed their reservations about how much the legal process might cost.

They also discussed the possibility of taking their own “straw poll” of local traders to see how they feel about developers having “gone back on their word” about now incorporating a café in the new supermarket.

And they are considering inviting a senior manager from Sainsbury’s to a future chamber meeting to outline the company’s position.

Seeking a judicial review of the planning process used to determine the store application is the idea of community group Keep Llangollen Special (KLS).

KLS says it hopes to ask a judge to look at whether there is a case to put before the High Court examining the way permission was granted last year for the 20,000 square foot store on land off the A5 currently occupied by the Dobson & Crowther printworks.

The chamber originally supported the store scheme on the basis it would not include a café, delicatessen or butchers to protect local businesses offering the same services.

Then, after the original permission was granted last October, the condition banning a café was removed.

This prompted the chamber to claim in a statement issued a few weeks ago that this move had left its members feeling “cheated” by the process.

KLS has now sent out a formal invitation for the chamber to support the judicial review and this was considered by chamber members at their Hand Hotel meeting on Monday.

Chamber chair John Palmer claimed the café would be a threat to those in Llangollen town centre.

He said: “It will be about two-thirds of the size of the one at Sainsbury’s in Wrexham, so it’s going to be quite big. It’s also going to be providing food.

“We are very disappointed about Sainsbury’s going back on their word that no café would be included.”  

A suggestion that a top Sainsbury’s official be invited along to a chamber meeting to explain his company’s position was believed to be worthy of consideration.

While some members expressed their support for a judicial review, a number queried the cost of mounting such a legal challenge.

Phil Thane, a town councillor and KLS member who sits in on chamber meetings as an observer, agreed it could be costly, adding: “If KLS don’t get support from traders in the town and they don’t put their money where their mouth is, we’ll have to give up the idea.”

The chamber voted the support the judicial review in principle but with reservations about its cost.

Also supported was a suggestion from a member that the chamber carries out a straw poll of town traders to see how they now feel about the whole supermarket question.    

Meanwhile, KLS is also seeking support for its judicial review call from Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates.

Group chair Mike Edwards said:  “We have investigated and taken legal advice from Planning Aid Wales.

“Step one can be taken at nominal cost, but we do have support from a significant retailer in town together with the backing of various affected independent traders in Llangollen.”

Denbighshire County Council said in a recent statement on the issue: “All of the planning applications relating to the food store development in Llangollen have followed a due process of consultation, assessment and determination by the elected members of the planning committee.”

Llan wakes up to covering of snow

* This morning's snow settles on the hill leading up to Castell Dinas Bran.

Llangollen woke up to a thin covering of snow this morning (Tuesday) as predicted in the weather forecast.

More of the white stuff could be heading our way later, according to the forecasters.

Arriva axes X94 evening bus services

Arriva Cymru is making changes to the X94 Barmouth-Dolgellau-Bala-Corwen-Llangollen-Wrexham bus service after last operation on Saturday, March 9.

From March 11, Arriva has said that it can no longer operate evening services.

Arriva currently runs these commercially (without the benefit of a public tender) and revenue is no longer covering the costs of these journeys.

The Welsh Government and Denbighshire and Gwynedd Councils have sought expressions of interest for a replacement evening service.

Tenders have now closed but the responses are still subject to evaluation.

This process will include the likely cost per passenger given usage in the evenings. Passenger transport budgets are already under pressure at both authorities.

Once evaluated, members of both Councils will need to consider whether the deficit after any Welsh Government funding represents value for money.

There are no substantial changes to daytime services from 11 March, although some journeys are retimed and the earliest departure at 0458 from Dolgellau to Wrexham, very recently introduced, will be withdrawn.

Services will continue to operate via the villages of Cynwyd, Llandrillo and Llandderfel. This includes any evening service replacements.

The Sunday service, operated by GHA Coaches, is unaffected.

KLS to seek judicial review of supermarket plan

* The Dobson & Crowther site which is earmarked for a new Sainsbury's store. 

llanblogger exclusive

A community group is planning to seek a judicial review of how Denbighshire County Council handled planning applications for a Sainsbury’s supermarket in Llangollen.

Keep Llangollen Special (KLS) says it hopes to ask a judge to examine whether there is a case to put before the High Court examining the way permission was granted last year for the 20,000 square foot store on land off the A5 currently occupied by the Dobson & Crowther printworks.

The controversial plan has split public opinion in the town.

Llangollen Chamber of Tourism and Trade originally supported the store scheme on the basis it would not include a café, delicatessen or butchers, to protect local businesses offering the same services.

Then, after the original permission was granted last October, the condition banning a café was removed by the county's planning committee.

The chamber claimed in a statement issued a few weeks ago that this move had left its members feeling “cheated” by the process.

Now KLS is hoping to enlist the support of the chamber in its own bid to launch a judicial review of the issue, and has asked chamber members to voice their backing for the move at their meeting tonight (Monday).

KLS is also seeking support for the review call from Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates.

Group chair Mike Edwards said:  “We have investigated and taken legal advice from Planning Aid Wales.

“One of our members has a Phd in law and she has researched judicial review and it is possible to move to step one, which is asking a judge to examine whether there is a case to be put before the High Court.

“Step one can be taken at nominal cost, but we do have support from a significant retailer in town together with the backing of various affected independent traders in Llangollen.

“We are hopeful that the Chamber of Trade & Tourism will also fully support us in this action.

“We have made a similar approach to Ken Skates AM. 

“There are various ways of obtaining professional legal representation when we proceed to a hearing and we would be applying for a legal costs protection order as a charity and community organisation.”

Denbighshire County Council said in a recent statement on the issue: “All of the planning applications relating to the food store development in Llangollen have followed a due process of consultation, assessment and determination by the elected members of the planning committee. 

“Decisions have been made having regard to all representations received and in accordance with adopted planning policies and guidance.”