Women's festival gets Town Hall rocking

* Dani Chamberlain as Agnetha and Jo Potts as Anni-Frid in the Abba tribute.

The Seventies often come in for quite a bit of stick.

But if the fashions were a bit dodgy, there was certainly nothing wrong with some of the music that came from that decade.

Well, not if it’s presented in the way that it was at Llangollen Town Hall last night, because it literally had the joint rocking.

It was day two of the Women’s Festival of Music and Arts and on the evening’s entertainment bill were acts who provided a perfect evocation of the days when flares were all the rage and you could still smoke in the office.

Setting the Seventies agenda was Tracey Rawlinson as Debbie Harry.

Not only looking uncannily like the Blondie star, she also belted out some of her greatest numbers with competence aswell as confidence.

Another gob-smacking performance came from Justine Bradley as Tina Turner, whose talent was so big it spilled out from the Seventies into subsequent decades.

Although Barcelona, the barnstorming number he performed with opera singer Monstserrat Caballe was from the Eighties, Freddie Mercuy was definitely a creation of the Seventies.

And the powerful recreation of that song was a credit to Aaron Davies and Karen Davies who graced the Town hall stage later.

There was a brief and memorable departure to more modern times when the highly talented 11-year-old Maisy Paton belted out a couple of power ballads including Warwick Avenue, then it was back headlong  into the Seventies for a full-belt tribute to Swedish supergroup Abba from Dani Chamberlain as Agnetha and Jo Potts as Anni-Frid.

A highly polished six-piece band backed them and the famous songs, from Waterloo to Dancing Queen, came pouring out to get a couple of hundred people on their feet to shake the Town Hall foundations before the evening finished.

The three-day  festival, which began on Friday with acts as diverse as Llangollen Operatic’s Touring Troupe to a touch of burlesque from Lauren Kay as Lolly Liquer, continues throughout today when on the programme are everything from Aikido self-defence to an act called Cambrian Queens.

Proceeds from the festival will go to local mental health charities, MIND and AVOW.

AM rooting out support for national tree survey

Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates is asking for people to take part in a new national survey of trees in their local area.

 

The Welsh Government is supporting the Open Air Laboratories (OPAL) Tree Health Survey that encourages people to investigate and record the trees in their locality.

 

The survey activities include identifying and measuring trees, examining the trunk, branches and leaves for signs of poor health and recording the presence of pests and diseases. The results contribute to a national research programme on the state of the nation’s trees and the factors affecting them.

 

The AM is making the plea following the recent loss of the 1,200 year old Pontfadog Oak in Wrexham.

 

Mr Skates said: “Lots of people were very sad to lose the ancient Pontfadog Oak because it could have been saved if more had been done to protect it.  We must now turn our attention to the other fantastic trees in the area that need our help and attention.

 

“That’s why the OPAL project is so important.  It shows we all have an important role to play in protecting our natural environment.

 

“I want people in the area to get online, download the free OPAL survey pack and start investigating and recording the fantastic local trees we have in North East Wales as part of the survey.

 

“It’s a fantastic thing to do with younger family members in particular and a great way to get them interested in our natural environment.

 

“Though we have now lost the Pontfadog Oak, there are a significant number of ancient and veteran trees, particularly around Chirk and at the Grade 1 Listed Capability Brown gardens in Ruabon that need greater support.

 

“In addition we have a vast array of younger trees in gardens and public spaces right across North East Wales that we need to know much more about.

 

“Get out there, get tree hunting and let’s help protect our local trees.”

Police warn over shed thefts

Police in south Denbighshire are calling on residents to ensure they keep their sheds and outbuildings secure.

 

The warning is being made following a few incidents over the past months - including Llangollen - where a variety of items have been taken from the buildings.

 

The offences have happened during various times of the day and power tools, quad bikes, metal and bicycles have been the main items taken.

 

“The majority of the incidents have happened at rural properties and therefore we are urging residents to not only keep their sheds and outbuildings locked but also to regularly check the buildings,” said Inspector Siobhan Edwards.

 

“We believe that the incidents which have happened in the Dolwen, Betws yn Rhos, Trefriw, areas are linked and that the incidents that have happened in the St Asaph,  Trefnant,  Denbigh, Corwen, Llangollen, Llanarmon-yn-Ial, Llanferres, Llandyrnog and Llanelidan areas are onnected separately.”

 

Police inquiries into the incidents are on-going and officers in both south Denbighshire and the Conwy rural areas are working hard to prevent and detect crime. Residents can however also play their part and assist by taking steps that will make it difficult for offenders to gain access to their buildings.

 

Many thefts can be prevented if steps to protect the property are taken. The following are some top tips that can help keep your property secure:

 

•             Ensure that your shed is locked using a heavy duty pad lock

•             Make sure your shed / outbuilding is in good condition with any damaged area replaced or repaired.

•             Property marking – ensure valuable property is security marked with your postcode. Make a note of serial numbers.

•             Garden tools- If possible, loop a strong chain through the handles and connect the ends to a strong padlock. If possible, fix a large metal eyelet to part of the shed frame and loop the chain through it.

•             Pathways – Gravel pathways make it almost impossible for a thief to walk through the garden to your shed quietly.

•             Lighting – Install lights which come on when it gets dark or fit motion/ sensor lights that activate when someone passes.

 

Inspector Edwards added: “Anyone who would like more information on protecting their property can contact their local officers on 101. Alternatively, residents can visit their local officers at one of the many police surgeries that are held each week in Denbigh, Ruthin, Llangollen and Corwen.   

 

“Finally, we continue to appeal to anyone who has information regarding the thefts to get in touch. Similarly, we are extremely keen to hear from anyone who may have been offered gardening tools, power tools or bikes to call us on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Group promotes the benefits of shopping locally

To mark the start of Local Business Week next Monday, a call from organisers and the Federation of Small Businesses has gone out for every UK shopper to think local for a week, and 'take the pledge' at www.localbusinessweek.co.uk/pledge to buy three things from their nearest high street or local shop.

Life for small businesses has never been tougher, and Local Business Week, now in its 9th year, is gearing up to provide support for the country's millions of local shopkeepers, hairdressers, butchers, bakers, builders and countless other small firms battling to find customers in the digital era.

The week is exploring many subjects including how small business owners can market themselves - and through our website, business owners can request free marketing advice exclusively from thomsonlocal.

Businesses can also download posters to print or use on their social media channels, while other resources include guides looking at saving money and avoiding stress.

It comes as the FSB re-launches its campaign, Keep Trade Local, asking shoppers to stay loyal to the high street. But how are our small company owners doing, and what can they expect in the next 12 months?

According to the FSB, against the gloomy economic backdrop, the outlook seems positive yet challenging with their research revealing how aspirations remain high but confidence levels have plummeted, fed by the continued decline of the high street and issues such as planning and parking.

Locally, Keep Llangollen Special has a regular series of Buy Local days when residents are actively encouraged to do their shopping in town rather than journeying elsewhere.  

Council offers online access tips

Drop-in taster sessions on how to access online services are being offered by Denbighshire Library Service to coincide with Adult Learners Week.

The free sessions will be held at Denbigh Library on Monday, 20 May between 4.30pm and 6.30pm and at Ruthin Library on Tuesday, 21 May between 4.30pm and 6.30pm.

People can learn how to access the following:

• E-books
• Online Newspapers
• Family history - Ancestry and Find My Past
• Learn a language
• Oxford Reference - dictionary , music and art
• Encyclopaedia Britannica
• BFI screen online - film and TV history
• Who else writes like?
• Renewing  and reserving items online and searching the catalogue

For further information, please contact the Library Service on  01824 705274.

Eisteddfod party for Verdi's 200th birthday

Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi will get a 200^th birthday to remember at this year’s Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod, according to an Anglesey opera star.

Tenor Gwyn Hughes Jones, from Llanbedrgoch, (pictured right) will join a stellar cast on stage at the Eisteddfod in July in a spectacular performance of Verdi’s Requiem.

Alongside Gwyn, fresh from performing in New York, will be Claire Rutter, from England, Bulgarian Mirouslava Yordanova and New Zealander Jonathan Lemalu.

They will be accompanied on the Llangollen stage by the Eisteddfod Orchestra which will be conducted by Andrew Greenwood for the Verdi 200.

Giuseppe Verdi’s Messa da Requiem is a musical setting of the Roman Catholic funeral mass for four soloists, double choir and orchestra.

It was composed in memory of Italian poet and novelist Alessandro Manzoni and was first performed in Milan in May 1874.

Llangollen is familiar territory for Gwyn who says he is looking forward to returning to the Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod having competed there many times in his early years.

He said: “Verdi was such a wonderful composer and his work helps showcase opera around the world. The subject matters he chose were so important and I trained as a singer so I could perform Verdi.

“There are so many wonderful pieces but Requiem has to be right up there with his best and most emotional work.

“I’m looking forward to teaming up with Claire Rutter, Mirouslava Yordanova, and Jonathan Lemalu who are all wonderful soloists in their own right.

“But being an opera singer can be a lonely existence in some ways. You can work with another performer and then perhaps not see them for five years but you remain friends.

“I’m certainly looking forward to what should be a magical night in Llangollen.

“I have just finished performing Il Trovatore in New York and Madama Butterfly with the Welsh National Opera in Cardiff.

“I’m now preparing to play Rodolfo in La Boheme in London with the English National Opera. So Llangollen will signal the start of a short summer break for me.”

Eisteddfod Musical Director Eilir Owen Griffiths said: “It’s wonderful that Gwyn is taking part in what will be a wonderful night and a really impressive performance with four great soloists, a double choir and orchestra.

“The fact that he has also competed at Llangollen several times before emphasises the enduring connections of the Eisteddfod.”

Gwyn says he is on a mission to ensure as many people as possible get a true taste of opera.

He said: “there was always a stigma about opera. People thought it wasn’t for the masses and you had to be of a certain class to appreciate it.

“People are now spending less than half of what they would spend on a ticket to a Premier League football match to attend a concert and realising they actually like what they see and hear.

“The more people that have access to opera the better. As an art form it has taken me to places I would only have dreamt about, from America to Japan and the Far East and right across Europe.”

But Gwyn, who now lives in Cardiff with his American-born wife, says the Eisteddfod stage is such a magical place to perform and he is excited about returning to Llangollen.

He said: “It really is an iconic venue whether you’re an aspiring young singer or musician or a top international star. Verdi’s 200th birthday should be celebrated and we intend to make it a birthday party to remember.”

Verdi 200 is just one of a galaxy of star-studded evening concerts at this year’s Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in July.

It kicks off on Tuesday, July 9, with International Children’s Day including interactive performances from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the colourful procession of the competitors to the Royal International Pavilion, led by Eisteddfod President Terry Waite, CBE, the former Archbishop’s Special Envoy and a long-time supporter.

The evening concerts start with Tuesday night’s Carnival of Nations featuring four of Wales’s finest male voice choirs, the Rhos Orpheus, Cor Godre’r Aran, Cor y Brythoniaid and the chart topping Fron Choir, performing on the 60^th anniversary of the historic visit of Germany’s Oberkirchen Choir. They will be joined by the St Melodians Steel Band, from Trinidad and international competitors.

Wednesday night will feature An Evening with Scottish percussionist Evelyn Glennie who will be joined by the rising American tenor Noah Stewart and harpist Claire Jones, former official harpist to HRH the Prince of Wales, along with the Eisteddfod Orchestra and the Santo Tomas Choir from the Philippines, twice Choir of the World winners.

Thursday will be Strictly Cuban, a celebration of Latin dance rhythms with James and Ola Jordan and the Buena Vista Social Club while Friday will be VERDI 200.

Saturday is Choir of the World which this year will also feature Only Men Aloud, Last Choir Standing TV winners while for the first time dance will be teamed with choral music on Saturday night as the Eisteddfod’s top two dance troupes dance off for the new Dance Champions 2013 Trophy.

On Sunday keyboard king Jools Holland will bring the house and the curtain down with his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra and a special guest.

The Eisteddfod runs from Tuesday, July 9, to Sunday, July 14, at the Royal International Pavilion site and as well as star-studded concerts there are top class music and dance competitions.

Tickets for this year’s concerts are available from the website at www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk and more information is also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/llangollen

£30M boost for affordable housing welcomed

Housing Minister, Carl Sargeant has welcomed a £30m boost to funding for affordable housing in Wales.

 

The £30m, which was announced by the Finance Minister in Plenary, will be split into £20m to respond to the housing demands of families and individuals adversely affected by UK Government changes in Housing Benefit, and £10m to deliver additional affordable homes by bringing more long-term empty properties back into use.

 

The Minister said: “This funding boost is very welcome and very timely. Since the UK Government changed the welfare benefit rules, we have seen increased demand for smaller, one and two bedroom properties. We are therefore allocating an additional £20m to provide Social Housing Grants that will mitigate this need and help those individuals and families that have been adversely affected. 

 

“I’m also pleased that we have resources to expand our successful Houses into Homes pilot scheme, which is bringing empty homes back into use.

 

“The Welsh Government’s target is to bring 5,000 empty properties into use during this Assembly term and the money we have invested already will bring around 450 units of accommodation back into use.

 

“This additional £10m will bring around 500 more empty properties back into use. And, when the loans are repaid the money will be used again as new loans so that we maximise the number of empty properties that are returned to use. 

 

“As well as increasing the supply of housing in Wales, this funding will bring wider socio-economic benefits by providing employment for local builders and restoring confidence in previously run-down communities.

 

“In these difficult economic times it is essential that we make the most of capital investment, not only for better housing outcomes, but for the continued support of our construction industry and the growth of our economy.”

Warning over Carrog burglaries

A reader has sent llanblogger a copy of an e-mail from the local Neighbourhood Watch warning about burglaries in the Carrog area, which says:

"Following two burglaries that have occurred in the Carrog area of Corwen sometime between 11:30am and 5:30pm on the 07.05.2013, North Wales Police would urge residents to be vigilant with their home security.

"Please ensure windows are closed and doors are locked.  Most criminals are opportunists and will quickly take advantage of any lapse in your security."

Hospital closure row rages on

* Llangollen Hospital may now be lying empty but the row about its closure rages on. 

The following is a letter from the chair of the campaign group, Keep Llangollen Health Services, regarding developments in the saga of the closure of the town's Cottage Hospital:

Keep Llangollen Health Services has called for the Older People's Comissioner to investigate the decision to close Llangollen hospital, with the loss of 18 beds, because we have real concerns about the well-being of our elderly residents in the Dee Valley.

It was therefore with dismay we read the Health Board's response claiming to be 'saddened' by this latest development, which they claim is causing alarm and concern (Leader 3 May 2013). Let me remind them that it is they who closed the hospital and caused alarm and concern. They closed it in early March at a week’s notice.

Two months on and we are still waiting for details of the promised enhanced care at home scheme and there are no plans or even a business case in place yet for a new health centre. This will take at least three years to materialise, assuming it happens at all.

We were told Chirk Hospital would take the patients but we’ve discovered that Chirk is already 98%. So where are Llangollen patients now going?

We have already heard of patients having to be moved to Mold and Deeside to get hospital beds. Ambulances are queuing daily at the Wrexham Maelor hospital due to beds not being available – causing stress to patients and preventing paramedics from doing their work properly.

Is it really us causing “alarm and concern” or is it a failing health board that cannot run our NHS efficiently?
 

We are glad that the Older People's Commissioner is investigating this matter and are looking forward to providing evidence to her independent inquiry.
 

I understand that there has been a clamp-down on whistleblowers within the Health Board, though many are concerned about the ongoing changes. We would urge anybody wishing to share their experiences to contact us on keepllanhealthservices@gmail.com

Sincerely

Mabon ap Gwynfor
Chair, Keep Llangollen Health Services

Alexei Sayle in 2013 Fringe line-up

Legendary Scouse comedian Alexei Sayle heads the list of top entertainers who will be appearing at this year’s Llangollen Fringe Festival.

The 11-night event, which runs from July 18-28, also features former Poet Laureate Sir Andrew Motion and Ian Dury’s backing band The Blockheads. 

Alexei Sayle (pictured left) is a stand-up comedian, actor and author.  

He was a central part of the alternative comedy circuit in the early 1980s.  

He was voted the 18th greatest stand-up comic on Channel 4's 100 Greatest Stand-ups in 2007.  

Sir Andrew Motion is a poet, novelist, and biographer, who was Poet Laureate from 1999 to 2009.

During the period of his laureateship, Motion (pictured right) founded the Poetry Archive, an online resource of poems and audio recordings of poets reading their own work. In 2012, Sir Andrew became President of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, taking over from Bill Bryson.

The Blockheads are a rock and roll band who were originally fronted by vocalist Ian Dury as Ian Dury and the Blockheads. 

The band (pictured below) has continued to perform since Dury's death in 2000.r 

 

A complete event ticket is priced at £50. Individual event advance tickets are also available, the prices vary from £7 to £16.50. 

 

 

+ For more details, email: contact@llangollenfringe.co.uk, or call 0800 1455 779.0

National eisteddod "could be held outside Wales"

A group examining the future of the National Eisteddfod has been urged to consider taking the iconic festival to a location outside of Wales.

 

A National Eisteddfod Task and Finish group chaired by Roy Noble was established last autumn by the Welsh Government to make recommendations on the modernisation of the festival and is taking public evidence until May 10.

As part of its work the group has asked for suggestions from the public, organisations and stakeholders with an interest in the future of the event.

In a joint statement, Clwyd South AM and MP, Ken Skates (pictured right) and Susan Elan Jones, said the festival, which has been held outside of Wales on seven occasions, but not since 1929, was a strong cultural tool with which to brand Wales and its language to the wider world. 

 

The group is due to report its findings in September, following this year’s Eisteddfod.

 

Mr Skates said: "The National Eisteddfod is as popular and important in 2013 as it ever has been. We were lucky enough to have the festival in Wrexham in 2011 and it helped bring in a much needed cash boost of over £1m for local businesses. This year’s festival in Denbigh is shaping up to be a similar success.

“What we should do now is use its strength and pulling power, even if it is just once every ten years, to take the Eisteddfod outside Wales to help more people understand Wales, its language and its culture.

 

“The Eisteddfod could be taken to Liverpool or to London.  They both have very strong cultural connections with Wales and a significant expat community with a thirst for Welsh culture.  

 

“Such a move would be in keeping with the recent modernisation of the National Eisteddfod with the addition of Maes B and decision to allow alcohol to be served on the festival site. 

 

“Given the challenges thrown up by the 2011 census which showed a fall in the number of places where over half the population could speak Welsh, we have to innovate to keep the National Eisteddfod the strong cultural brand that it is.”

 

Susan Elan Jones said: "So long as there are no changes to the Welsh rule and there is a serious bid from an expatriate Welsh community, I certainly think this idea should be considered.

 

“I know people will have different views on this subject, but I think there are real advantages in terms of supporting families who are committed to keeping the Welsh language and culture alive outside of Wales. 

 

“There are far too many examples of the Welsh language being lost in families because they live outside of Wales for a time.  This initiative could be a real boost to them.

 

“It would also be an excellent way of showcasing Wales and promoting Welsh as a living, and ultimately I hope, growing, community language."

 

The Eisteddfod has been held in Liverpool three times before in 1884, 1900, and 1929.  It has also been held in Birkenhead (1879) and London (1884 and 1909)

 

The 12 members of the task-and-finish group are due to report to Welsh Ministers in September.  The festival receives around £500,000 of funding from the Welsh Government.

Police use lorry to target dangerous drivers

Not being in proper control of a vehicle and failing to wear a seatbelt were some of the offences detected during an operation by officers using an undercover lorry yesterday (Tuesday 7^th May).

 

Officers from North Wales Police’ Commercial Vehicle Unit, which includes staff from VOSA and Roads Policing Officers, worked in partnership to target HGV drivers who flout the law.

 

The operation, which was the first of its kind in North Wales, was carried out to coincide with UN Road Safety Week (6^th – 12^th May 2013) which highlights some of the work being done as part of the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011 – 2020.

 

Sergeant Tony Gatley who was in charge of the initiative said: “During the operation 24 offences were detected and all were dealt with by fixed penalty notices.

 

“Some of the most worrying were those who were not in proper control of their vehicle. One driver was found to be reading a map, which was being balanced on the steering wheel and another was a driver playing with his mobile phone and taking photographs. Any vehicle not being driven safely can be a lethal weapon and drivers need to be responsible for their actions when they get behind the wheel.

 

“HGV’s are large and powerful vehicles and the consequences to other motorists, as well as themselves can be devastating. For instance, when a heavy vehicle hits a stationary car on the hard shoulder or in a tailback the consequences can be fatal.

 

He added: “It has been a real eye opener to see the results of the operation because police in cars or on motorbikes cannot see in the cabs of lorries and we intend on carrying out similar operations in the future.”

Plaid urges changes to school holidays

Plaid Cymru is proposing what it calls "the redistribution of school holidays to benefit students, families and teachers".

As parents begin to think ahead to the summer holiday, the Party of Wales' Shadow Education Minister has said that discussions need to be had to restructure the school year, and distribute holidays more evenly throughout the year.

He said that spreading school holidays over the year rather than having them in one large block over the summer would help to improve attainment levels in schools, and make it easier for working parents to take time off work when their children are on holiday.

Many experts have argued that children, particularly boys from disadvantaged backgrounds, find it difficult to retain information over a long break, and that shorter, more frequent breaks, could benefit them.

Mr Thomas said: “It’s time we look afresh at the school year. The current structure was set up in the Victorian times, and is not the most beneficial structure for children. Spreading school holidays over the year, rather than having them in one large block will help children retain information and help them in their studies. This is Plaid Cymru’s priority.

“Redistributing school holidays will also benefit working families by making it easier for working parents to arrange their holidays and childcare, which is particularly important in this economic climate. It will also help families who want to go abroad or go away chose more affordable times to do so.”

Mr Thomas argues that the changes could also enable families to holiday at more affordable times. He referenced a typical summer holiday for two adults and two children aged 8 and 10 Tenerife for one week, and explained that the same holiday was 41% more expensive during the school summer holidays than at other dates in the summer.

He added: “The school holidays are about giving families time together. By redistributing holidays throughout the year we are also helping to tackle the high cost of childcare, the excess cost of holidays, and are helping to raise standards across education.

“For that reason, the Education Minister should be holding talks with the education sector to discuss this matter.

“Plaid Cymru is committed to supporting working families, teachers, and pupils, and that’s why we will push for an overhaul of this archaic system to raise education standards.”

Nearly £10M for new Welsh ambulances

Health Minister Mark Drakeford has announced funding of £9.484m a major upgrade of the Welsh Ambulance Services fleet of vehicles.

 

The money will allow the replacement of 110 vehicles, including emergency ambulances and rapid response vehicles.

 

The Minister made the announcement ahead of a debate in the National Assembly for Wales on the Ministerial Review of the Welsh Ambulance Review, which was published on 29 April.

Mark Drakeford said: “The volume of calls to the Ambulance Service in Wales has risen by 68% over the last decade. It relies on its vehicles being ready to respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“Ambulances in Wales are exposed to harsh conditions and high mileages in many cases. We must, therefore, keep investing in new vehicles so they are on the road and able to provide high quality clinical services."

Investment will allow the purchase of:

• 49 Emergency Ambulances and High Dependency Services;
• 46 Rapid Response Vehicles and Emergency Practitioner Vehicles
• 3 Patient Care Services
• 5 Health Courier Services
• 7 Specialist Vehicles (used for command and control; fleet care/workshop; driver training and major incident support).

County elects new chair for the year

Councillors today (Tuesday) voted unanimously for Councillor Raymond Bartley (Denbigh Lower) to be the new chair of Denbighshire County Council for the year ahead.

Councillor Brian Blakeley is vice chair, again, following a unanimous vote.

Both thanked the outgoing chair, Councillor Jeanette Chamberlain-Jones, for all her hard work throughout the past year. Cllr  Chamberlain-Jones handed over three cheques to her chosen charities, St Kentigern's Hospice, £2,000, Rhyl Lifeboat, £2,000 and £1,000 for Vision Support, from money raised during her time as chair.  CllrBartley has named the Rev Wayne Roberts as chaplain for the year ahead and his chosen charities are St Kentigern's and Ty Gobaith/Hope House Hospice.

* Cllr Raymond Bartley, right, is the new county council chair.

Pam seeks posthumous pardon for hanged man

* Pam Williams-Hughes is seeking a posthumous pardon for a man she believes was wrongly hanged in 1883.

A LLANGOLLEN woman is trying to clear the name of a young Welshman hanged for  murder more than a century ago.

Pam Williams-Hughes was featured in the Leader 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.   

It was during her history studies that she came across the fascinating case of 24-year-old Abraham Thomas who was executed at Manchester’s Strangeways Prison in 1883 after being found guilty of murdering a fellow staff member in the house where he worked as a butler.

After a long study of the case Pam, whose speciality subject is Victorian crime, is convinced of his innocence and that he should be granted a posthumous pardon.

Abraham was born in Henllan, near Denbigh, in 1859 and, as a well-educated youngster, was apprenticed to a shoe shop in Denbigh before moving with his twin sister Martha to the Manchester area sometime between 1876 and 1880.

After working as a hotel waiter he secured the position of butler in a well-to-do household at Kearsley, near Bolton, in 1882.

There was disagreement amongst staff members which came to a tragic head between Christmas and New Year 1882/83 when housekeeper Christina Leigh died in the house as the result of being shot by 26 pellets from a rifle known as fowling piece on January 4, 1883.

Abraham was immediately alleged to have killed her despite there being no witnesses to the shooting and no-one heard the shot.

In just over a month the young man had been tried and found guilty of the murder and faced the hangman at Strangeways.

Pam said: “I was researching another matter when I came across details of this case and have been fascinated by it ever since.

“It was the subject of the dissertation I did for my history degree.

“There were grave doubts whether Abraham actually did pull the trigger so I firmly believe there was a miscarriage of justice.

“The evidence and his trial at Manchester Assizes appeared to be loaded against him and the more you unravel things the more questions you are left with.

“That is why I am now trying to get Abraham a posthumous pardon.”

She added: “In the next few weeks I will be contacting the Home Office to enquire about the process.

“I shall also be trying to organise a petition to support the call for a pardon.

“Some of Abraham’s supporters, including the vicar of Henllan at the time, called for him to be allowed an appeal before he was hanged but nothing came of it.

“I am also writing a book on the subject in which I am reconstructing the lives of the people involved together with the crime and its outcome.

“I would like to hear from anyone who knows anything about Abraham or has a picture of him.”    

Pam, who is originally from Birmingham, moved to Llangollen about two years ago after spending her working life first in the Royal Air Force and then with local authorities.

She was diagnosed with a brain tumour before she started as a mature student on a fine art degree course at Glyndwr in 2007.

But a brain scan in September 2008 revealed the devastating news that the tumour on her pituitary gland had tripled in size in just three months.

Pam had to undergo a life-saving operation at a neurological hospital in Liverpool, which saw the tumour successfully removed.

Despite being given the welcome news the growth had not been malignant, her sight was affected.

This meant she was not able to continue with her fine art studies but she was to transfer to a history degree.

At her graduation ceremony last Pam was also presented with an award for being an outstanding student in humanities.

She will be giving a talk on the case at the Memorial Hall in Llangollen in September on a date yet to be arranged which will be open to interested members of the public at a small fee.

* Anyone with information about Abraham Thomas can email Pam at mailto:chimrea@yahoo.co.uk

New crime commissioner seeks deputy

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Winston Roddick has launched a search for a Deputy to support his role.
           
The Deputy Commissioner will work alongside Mr Roddick to deliver the vision set out in the Police and Crime Plan.

They will also share some of the Commissioner’s core functions, including scrutinising the performance of the police force, seeking the views of the public on police and crime issues, and engaging with partners and stakeholders.
           
Mr Roddick said: “Over the past six months I have come to fully understand the scope of the functions that I, as Commissioner, must carry out. I have come to the conclusion that the role of the Deputy is essential in assisting me to undertake what is a massive workload.
            
“I am confident that a Deputy Commissioner will add value by increasing engagement with the communities I serve, supporting my work in holding the Police to account, and ultimately assisting in tackling crime and making North Wales a safer place.
            
“I am looking for an individual who has experience of strategic planning who can also assist to oversee a multi-million pound budget, but who is also a good listener and communicator. Most importantly, I am looking to appoint someone in whose reliability, integrity and good judgement I can have the utmost confidence, and who shares my vision for the policing and criminal justice of the area. Given the prominence of the Welsh language in many parts of North Wales, the Deputy must also be bilingual."
            
Mr Roddick added: “Police and Crime Commissioners are not legally required to follow a formal recruitment process when appointing a Deputy. I believe, however, that it is of utmost importance that every appointment made by me, is made based on an open, transparent and inclusive decision-making process.
           
“That is why I am inviting applications from all suitable candidates from across North Wales. These applications will be assessed upon merit, and not upon any political or personal affiliations.” 
           
Applications are requested by email to OPCC@nthwales.pnn.police.uk by 12.00noon on 30 May 2013 or posted to OPCC, Glan y Don, Colwyn Bay LL29 8AW. The application process is by CV and covering letter. Full details can be found below.
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Application-Pack-Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner

More traveller sites needed in North Wales, says council chief

The BBC North East Wales news website is reporting today (Sunday) that a leading councillor has said more official sites for Gypsies and travellers are needed in North Wales.

Bernie Attridge, deputy leader of Flintshire council, said 95% of legal sites are in his county and Wrexham.

And he claimed a lack of facilities elsewhere was leading to problems with illegal settlements and accused the local authorities of "burying their heads".

Conwy, Denbighshire, Gwynedd and Anglesey are said to be looking into the issue.

See the full story at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-22397277

AM raises questions on A55/A483 junction improvements

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has questioned the Economy Minister over improvement works to the A55/A483  junction serving Wrexham.

 

The plans involve reducing congestion and journey times by widening the A55 eastbound exit slip road and parts of the circulatory carriageway as well as installing traffic signals to the A483 southbound approach.

 

The programme of works is set to cost £8,000,000 and is due to start – and finish – in 2014.

 

Mr Isherwood welcomes the works, but is concerned the 2006 evaluation report that recommended the improvements made no reference to floods or flooding within it.

 

Questioning the Economy Minister on the matter in the Assembly this week he said:  “Last October, the UK Secretary of State for Transport, Patrick McLoughlin, announced the plans for the scheme focused on the junction with the A483.

 

"That junction serves Wrexham, therefore, clearly, you as Minister are very entitled to have a view on this.

 

"However, the 2006 evaluation report that recommended those improvements to reduce congestion and journey times has no reference to floods or flooding within it.

 

"Therefore, I would be grateful if you could ensure that the UK Minister is made aware of that and perhaps give advice on what further information on flooding, if any, they might have received.”

The Minister agreed to take up the matter “via my officials.”

10,000 youngsters still unprotected against measles

More than 10 000 children and young people under the age of 18 in the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board area, which includes Llangollen, are still unprotected from measles, according to Public Health Wales.

 

Children aged between 10 and 18 are now being targeted in a schools immunisation campaign, as this has been the commonest hit age group in the current Swansea epidemic area.

 

Over 7000 children in North Wales in this age group are currently unprotected against measles. Since the beginning of November, 1,257 people in the area have come forward catch up vaccinations. Of these, only 605 were aged between 10 and 18.

 

There have now been 1,039 cases of measles in the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg, Hywel Dda and Powys health board areas – an increase of 28 since Tuesday – and 85 people have been hospitalised. Across the whole of Wales the total is 1,170.  There have been 58 notified cases in the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board area this year, of these; four have been confirmed by laboratory testing 

 

Andrew Jones, Director of Public Health for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: “The simple, safe and effective way to stop measles is to have two MMR jabs.

 

“The number vaccinated in the last month has been very encouraging.

 

“But there is still much to do and those in the 10 to18 year age group are a particular concern. Young people of this age are most likely to have missed the MMR jabs when they were young. They are most vulnerable to measles and we need to see a better response to the catch-up now being offered by the NHS.

 

“Vaccination sessions are continuing in schools across the area and I urge pupils and their parents to take advantage of these.  The dates & consent forms can be found on www.bcu.wales.nhs.uk. Should parents have missed their schools session they are being encouraged to contact their GP to arrange vaccination

 

“We have seen that measles can be potentially fatal and no one should be complacent about its severity. 

 

“Those not vaccinated are more likely to catch measles, which is highly infectious. It is just a matter of time before a child is left with serious and permanent complications such as eye disorders, deafness or brain damage, or dies.”

 

North Wales is not within the current epidemic area. At present, the advice to parents of children aged under ten in North Wales is that they should ensure that their children receive their MMR vaccination in accordance with the normal schedule, with the first dose given between 12-13 months old and the second dose at 3 years and four months old, but there is no need to bring these dates forward.   

 

If children have not received the MMR vaccine by these dates they should contact their GP to arrange immunisation.

 

Adults who were born before 1970 are presumed to have immunity and do not need the MMR. Those born between 1970 and 1995 when the MMR was introduced are not currently being called for vaccination but if they plan to travel to the epidemic area in South Wales they are advised to contact their GP surgery for further advice.  Health staff who are in direct patient contact, and especially those who work with children are now being offered the MMR vaccine.

 

The MMR vaccine is recommended by the World Health Organization, UK Department of Health and Public Health Wales as the most effective and safe way to protect children against measles 

 

To prevent the spread of the illness, Public Health Wales has issued the following advice:

 

• If your child is unvaccinated make immediate arrangements with your GP for them to receive the MMR jab. This is even more important if your child has had contact with someone with measles.
• If your child is unwell and you suspect it is measles you should contact your GP. Your child should not attend school or nursery for four days after the rash starts.
• Telephone your GP surgery to inform them you or your child has a rash illness before attending, so that arrangements can be made in advance for minimising contact with other vulnerable patients.
• Avoid going to A&E unless you are seriously ill, and if you do attend, telephone ahead to let them know you or your child may have measles.
• Avoid contact with pregnant women, people with weak immune systems and babies who are too young to be vaccinated, as they are more vulnerable to infection and there are very few treatments available to help them if they do catch measles.
• If any family members are pregnant, receiving chemotherapy, or aged under one, it is vital to ensure that all other family members are up to date with their MMR vaccination.     
• Maternity wards, midwives and health visitors are being asked to share information with parents to encourage them to check the vaccination status of all children in the family to avoid further household spread amongst vulnerable groups.

 

Further information on measles, including a link to a video testimony from a mother whose three year old unvaccinated daughter contracted measles, is available at: http://www.publichealthwales.org/measles

 

The latest data on the measles outbreak – including cases by health board area, vaccination uptake data and numbers of unvaccinated children in Wales – can be found at: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/888/page/66389

Website urges more to tuck into school meals

A new website encouraging a greater take-up of school meals in Denbighshire has gone live.

The website: www.denbighshireschoolmeals.co.uk includes menus for individual schools, details of special promotions, details on the cashless payment systems in high schools, policy on buying ingredients, free school meals, frequently asked questions and a regular newsletter.

There is also an educational game section where children can play whilst learning about nutrition and making healthy choices.
 
Ian Kemp, Denbighshire's Catering Manager, said: "This is a great opportunity to raise the profile of school meals in Denbighshire and provide Pupils, parents and guardians with a one stop shop where their questions can be answered at the touch of a button.

"In Denbighshire, we provide plenty of options for healthy school meals and we know that eating a proper lunch has positive benefits for children's concentration in the classroom. We hope the website gives parents and guardians some food for thought and encourages them to look at the tasty options available on our menus."

There will also be a link on the site to the County Council's job vacancy page. 

Llangollen Railway steams into a busy May

* Loco no 80072, British Railways Standard class 4 tank engine, which has recently returned to Lllangollen after a spell out on hireat other railways. It will be a main player on trains at Llangollen this summer season.

 

May will be another busy month at Llangollen Railway.

This weekend, train services will run at hourly intervals from the station, starting at 10.15, and continue until 4pm. 

Saturday will feature steam and diesel locomotives and Sunday and Monday will see two steam locos running - the British Railways Standard Tank 80072 and Great Western freight 3802. 

Next special event on the heritage railway is the Teddy Bears Picnic on Sunday, May 19. 

Saturday, May 11 sees the latest in the railway’s popular series of murder mysteries.

Car rally passes through town this weekend

* Cars from the 1970s and 1980s such as these will take part in the rally.

MORE than 70 drivers in a prestigious motoring event will make a brief stop in Llangollen early on Sunday morning.

Competitors in the famous Border 100 Road Rally – some from as far away as Jersey and the Isle of Man - will have a re-fuelling halt in the town at around 1.30am.

The two-day event, which was voted the best road rally in the UK in 2007, begins at Llanfyllin in Powys on Saturday and the Llangollen fuel stop comes at roughly the half-way point of the route, which takes in areas of Powys and Denbighshire before finishing 100 miles later at Meiford in Powys.

The 75 entries include cars from the 1970s to the present day such as VW Golfs, Ford Escorts, Renaults and Subarus.

Clerk of the course Iwan Jones said: “The cars won’t be in Llangollen for very long. It will just be a fuelling halt, which is known as a ‘splash and dash’ in rallying.”

The event’s organisers have gone to great pains to assure Llangollen residents to ensure that no unnecessary disturbance is caused as the rally passes through.

They recently dropped off letters to a number of local homes saying that all checkpoints will be manned by efficient marshals and placed where possible far enough away from dwellings so as not to allow excessive noise to be created.

The letter adds: “The competitors will be notified that any undue nuisance created by them during the event will mean their instant disqualification.” 

Latest local roadworks

Denbighshire County Council has given details of the following roadworks in the area:

Abbey Road, Llangollen, temporary lights on May 17 to allow pole renewal by ScottishPower.

Birch Hill, Llangollen, road closure from May 8-September 20 to allow water works by Welsh Water.

 

Search continues for missing Acrefair man

North Wales Police say they are continuing in their efforts to trace Acrefair man David Clwyd Davies (pictured below) who has not been seen since the April 7.

 

Detective Inspector Arwyn Jones, who is leading the enquiry said: “It will be four weeks on Sunday May 5 since Mr Davies was last seen and our investigation into his disappearance remains a priority.

 

"We would again ask members of the public who may hold any information that may assist the enquiry to come forward, particularly anybody who knows Clwyd, and who may have any information about his life or movements, past or present.    

 

“We would ask any person who regularly uses the public footpath which runs from Tower Hill, Acrefair towards Tref Y Nant Farm to come forward.  

 

 “We have received a number of requests from members of the public to assist with searching for Clwyd, and although we would like to thank those who have offered, we would discourage this at this time and would like to reassure the public that we have highly trained search advisors involved in locating Clwyd.”

 

Anybody with any information should contact North Wales Police on 101 or alternatively Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

County tackles rising benefit fraud

Denbighshire County Council is cracking down on benefit fraud, which has risen up by almost 100% in four years.

In 2012-13 investigations by the authority's Benefit Compliance Section resulted in a total of 160 sanctions against benefit claimants who had made false statements to claim Housing and Council Tax Benefit, or who had failed to promptly notify a change which affected their benefit.

Many of the cases were investigated in conjunction with the Department of Works and Pensions investigation service. This is an increase of almost 100% in four years.

Whilst the most serious cases were prosecuted, the section also offered a number of cautions and Administrative Penalties as an alternative to prosecution.

Where these were declined the cases were referred for prosecution.

An Administrative Penalty is a fine imposed on the total overpayment of 30%, which has recently been increased by legislation to 50%.

The council can now also impose a Civil Penalty (£50 in Benefit cases and £70 in Council Tax Reduction cases) in instances where a claimant has negligently made an incorrect statement and failed to take reasonable steps to correct the error, failed to provide information requested or failed to report a change in circumstances, without reasonable excuse.

As well as conducting investigations into benefit offences the section is also proactive in using all appropriate measures to recover Housing Benefit Overpayments. 

One of the cases which the council investigated with the DWP featured recently on BBC’s Saints and Scroungers programme.

A query was received from a London Borough about a disabled parking permit in London which was registered to a property in Denbighshire.

Enquiries in Denbighshire raised suspicions and the case  was referred to the DWP Organised Fraud Team.

As a result it was discovered that a person was using two identities and claiming from a number of properties in Wales, Manchester and London.

The false claims against various authorities amounted to over £150,000 in ten years. A Proceeds of Crime Order was made against him and to date Denbighshire have recovered over £5,000 of their debt.

Other significant cases included -

A claimant failed to declare capital from the sale of his father’s house and received a sentence of 30 months.

A nurse received a 12 month community order after failing to disclose that her husband was living with her.

A number of  claimants were found guilty of failing to promptly report a change in their circumstances which affected their benefits.

Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Cabinet Lead Member for Finance, said: "The majority of residents comply with the law. However, there is a minority of people who defraud the system by claiming public money they are not entitled to.

"To them, our message is clear. If you willingly defraud the Council, we will take action. Residents who only claim what they are entitled to have absolutely nothing to fear."