Eisteddfod's street dance spectacular

Our guest photographer Barrie Potter has sent us these fabulous pictures of the street dance session staged by performers from the Eisteddfod in the town centre yesterday (Friday). 

 

 

 

 

 

County council proceedings may be webcast

Council meetings in Denbighshire could be broadcast over the web in future, after councillors gave the thumbs up to the idea of using more modern technology to engage people in local democracy.

Discussions have taken place after a former Minister for Communications and Local Government wrote to all authorities earlier this year, indicating that the Welsh Government was making £1.2 million in grants available to councils to assist with implementing the webcasting of council meetings.

Webcasting involves the live streaming of sound and vision of council meetings. The webcast can be made available on the Council's website as archived material.  This means that members of the public who are not able to attend meetings may either view them live online of  at a later date.

Officers from the Council have already held discussions with the Welsh Government and Welsh Local Government Association and a demonstration has been given to councillors.

Councillor Barbara Smith, Cabinet Lead Member for Modernisation, said: "This is a good way for the Council to communicate with residents and the public via social media. We want to be a  modern Council in our approach to using technology to do business and this is a great way of allowing people to access council meetings without having to leave their home or office.

"There is also the flexibility of listening and watching coverage of council meetings at times which suit the individual and Members were keen to support such an innovative project."

Action from day three of the Eisteddfod ...

There was plenty of action both on the field and in the performance area on day three of the Eisteddfod.

 

Another llanblogger guest photographer, Barrie Potter, was on hand to capture some of the action for us.

 

 

 

 

Aqueduct gets all lit up for big family event

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct will be all lit up this Friday during a programme of family entertainment centre on the World Heritage sire. 

The event, entitled Underneath the Arches - Pont Ffest 2013, will run from 7-11pm.

Gates will be open at 6pm on the Acrefair Football Club Pitch below.

  

Underneath the Arches is a family-friendly, 'picnic in the park' type event which will provide a rare opportunity to view the full majesty of Pontcysyllte Aqueduct at close quarters. 

You will need to bring something to sit on and then all you have to do is relax, listen to music from a selection of local bands and enjoy the view. 

You can bring your own picnic with you, or purchase something from the on-site caterers, but barbecues aren't allowed on the site.

During the evening, as darkness approaches, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is bathed in coloured light. 

Later, there will be a fireworks display.

Top of the bill is Wrexham Band 'The Big Beat' - billed as one of the most exciting young cover bands in the UK at this moment. 

They will be on stage from around 9.15pm until 10.45pm. 

Local-born vocalist, Annie Hughes will sing a range of Musical showtunes from 7.45pm - 8.00pm. 

Annie has performed several times on London's West End and was a runner-up in the prestigious 'Search For A Twitter Star' show at London's Lyric Theatre in 2012. 

                            

		* The Big Beat, pictured right, are on the bill for the evening.

Calon FM, will compère the event.

There will also be children's fairground rides and other attractions on the night.

Free parking for the event will be at the Trevor Basin car park at the bottom of Station Road.

The walk from the car park takes 5 - 10 minutes, with a fair slope down to the Bont Bridge over the river and then up to the event field. 

A minibus will operate from outside the Telford Inn at the start of the evening and from the event field at the end of the evening.  There will be a charge of 50p per person each way.

Advance Tickets:  Adults: £4 / 5-16s and 60 +: £2 / Family: (2 + 4) £10.

To book online go to:

http://www.pontcysyllte-aqueduct.co.uk/en-gb/events/2013/july/underneath-the-arches-(pont-ffest)/

Tickets can also be purchased from:

• The Tourist Information Centre, Queens Square, Wrexham. Tel: 01978 292015; The Tourist Information Centre, Mile End, Oswestry. Tel: 01691 662488; Cefn Mawr Post Office, Crane Street, LL14 3LN. Tel: 01978 823090

All advance rickets will be exchanged on the night for wristbands.

Tickets on the night: Adults: £5 / 5 - 16s and 60+: £2.50 / Family (2 + 4): £12

These can be purchased on the event field from 6pm onwards.

More parade pictures for you to enjoy

 

Gareth Ceidiog Hughes, our guest photographer, has provided some more fabulous pictures of yesterday's Eisteddfod parade, which we are delighted to share with you.

 

First Minister challenged over health shake-up

Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood AM has accused the Welsh Government of “being in the dark” over failures at Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board.

 

The First Minister of Wales indicated that he knew nothing of governance failures at the health board until a recent report was published.

 

Leanne Wood said it was concerning that the First Minister had no awareness of these difficulties yet was pushing ahead with radical re-configuration plans.

 

These include closing four community hospitals, including the one in Llangollen, and moving neonatal intensive care across the border to Arrowe Park.

 

She also warned that in the Francis Report in England, the Department of Health accepted that it bears some responsibility for the failure of the healthcare system to detect and prevent healthcare deficiencies.

 

Ms Wood said:  “In recent weeks, three of  Betsi Cadwaladr’s senior people have left and now we see their failure to deal with deadly superbug infections in Ysbyty Glan Clwyd and concerns over mental health policies at Ysbyty Bangor.

 

“Today, consultants told a National Assembly committee that they had no faith in the governance structure and that it is not fit for purpose.

 

“Yet despite these clearly deep-seated problems of governance and policy the First Minister has apparently only just heard of them. Where has he been?

 

“Health is completely devolved and the Welsh Government is responsible for it.

 

“In England, the Francis Report found that the Department of Health accepted some responsibility for the failure of the healthcare system to detect and prevent healthcare deficiencies, such as those at Mid-Staffordshire.

 

“Using those same principles, the Welsh Government must take responsibility for what has happened at Betsi Cadwaladr.

 

“While these failures have been taking place, reconfiguration plans for NHS services in the north have been pushed forward, including attempts to move neonatal intensive care over the border to England.  

 

“There is talk of new plans to change health facilities in the north of Wales, which could include sending more patients across the border to a service that the First Minister himself criticises.

 

“Given the Welsh Government’s lack of awareness of the problems at Betsi Cadwaladr, they should look again at the reconfiguration proposals. Any reorganisation to the NHS in the North has to put these problems right.”

Thousands turn out in the sun for eisteddfod parade

Parade pictures by Gareth Ceidiog Hughes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THOUSANDS lined the sun-drenched streets of the famous Denbighshire tourist town to watch Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod’s traditional opening parade pass by yesterday afternoon.

Temperatures soared well into the eighties as competitors from across the globe marched through the heart of Llangollen to the accompaniment of rousing cheers and applause from one of the largest crowds to watch the event in years.

A rainbow array of banners and national flags fluttered above them as singers and dancers from a host of nations walked in procession from the Eisteddfod field, down Abbey Road, across the historic centuries-old bridge and on into the town centre where the main roads had been closed off specially for the occasion.

Heading the parade, which took around 20 minutes to go by any one point, was the Welsh dragon flag and Llangollen’s bearded town crier, known as Chem, ringing a bell to let everyone know the main event was beginning.

Pace for the big parade was set by some stirring tunes from Llangollen Silver Band.

Behind them came a colourful cavalcade of competitors beneath their national flags including those of countries as far away as the United States, New Zealand and China.

The riot of colour continued when contingents of performers from Indonesia, South Africa and Canada passed by.

Interspersed with the overseas competitors in the parade line-up were a number of Welsh and English choirs and youngsters from local schools who had earlier enjoyed visiting the festival on the opening children’s day. 

TV cameras whirred and cameras clicked to record the unforgettable scenes as the world went by in the sizzling heat.

As usual, there was special applause for Llangollen stalwarts, the Heritage Dancers of India, in their vivid national costumes.

The crowd also reserved an especially warm welcome for Eisteddfod President Terry Waite who waved to them and smiled broadly as he drove past in his usual classic car, which this year was a red open-topped Triumph Herald from the 1960s.

And keeping up a pulsating beat as they brought up the tail of the parade were Llangollen favourites, the Karamba drum band.   

llanblogger celebrates its first successful year

* The couple who had their wedding reception aboard a steam train - still our most popular story.

* Above: snowbound A5 in March.

* Below (1): A dramatic rescue from the River Dee.

* Below (2) Part of the parade at last year's Christmas Festival. 

 

Today llanblogger celebrates its first birthday.

Since we launched on July 9 last year we’ve brought you over 1,000 stories which, we are delighted to say, have attracted close on 90,000 page views from our readers.

It’s been a momentous 12 months when our town has been at the centre of a number of big, long-running stories.

These have included the controversies over the axing of our Cottage Hospital and plans to replace it with a £5.5 million new health centre, and the construction of a Sainsbury’s supermarket on the site of the current Dobson & Crowther factory on the A5.

There has also been on the on-going argument over the future of the former River Lodge in Mill Street and the recriminations over how its fate has been handled by the Welsh Government.

Our blog started in a small way by reporting on how a fallen tree had blocked the canal one Monday last July. It attracted just a handful of page views.

But as word of the new blog spread, thanks to our presence on Facebook and Twitter, later stories we covered sent the viewing figures soaring.

For instance, when freak heavy snowfalls hit the town in March this year, we were bringing you almost hourly updates on how the white deluge was affecting Llan and its surrounding areas.

That led to the number of our page views hitting the 600-700 a day mark.

Our most popular story to date, however, remains the lovely tale of how a couple held their wedding reception aboard a steam train from Llangollen Station. Because the bride and groom had strong American connections, llanblogger went international by attracting many page views from across the other side of the Atlantic.

In fact, stories about our heritage railway are always popular with our readers and regularly lead to a high number of page views.   

The railway is just one of the local attractions we feature. As often as possible we highlight events at the Pavilion, Plas Newydd and in the Town Hall.

And entertainment isn’t the only reason llanblogger makes regular mention of the Town Hall because we go there every month to bring you comprehensive reports on the meetings of our Town Council. We are also represented on the group which is currently bidding for Cittaslow status for the town.

Politics features strongly in our range of coverage. Apart from the deliberations of the town and county councils, we also bring you stories about our local Assembly Members and Members of Parliament.

A range of local clubs and organisations and their activities also find regular space on our blog – from the group which nurtures our excellent community garden to the brilliant Silver Band, the moving funeral of whose stalwart member Albert Hammonds we reported on last summer.

Another area we take very seriously is providing our readers with information about things such as local roadworks and warnings on crime and safety matters from the police, fire and health services.

Quite a few local organisations now get in touch with us on a regular basis so that we can feature their events and activities on the blog but we’d love to hear from more of you.

All you have to do to get your information on the blog – completely free of charge – is email us at the usual address, llanblogger@gmail.com

As we celebrate our first successful year, we hope that you’ve enjoyed reading llanblogger as much we’ve enjoyed creating it, and please keep logging on!

Keep homes secure in warm weather, say police

Almost 30% of burglaries in Conwy and Denbighshire happened at insecure properties.

 

This startling figure rose to over 40% in the months of August ’12 and October ’12 according to statistics for the past 12 months.

 

The figures are being released by North Wales Police as part of a two-fold drive to reduce the number of offences and encourage residents to keep their homes secure – whatever the weather.

 

“As the warmer weather increases, so does the temptation to leave windows and doors open during the day and night – which is why we are urging householders to remain security conscious,” said Detective Inspector Sion Williams, who is leading on the initiative.

 

“Burglaries are down 12% compared to the previous 12 months however we cannot escape the fact that many more could have been avoided,” added DI Williams. “Sadly, a door left ajar or an open window could prove more than enough of a temptation for an opportunist thief to strike. It is therefore important for people to remain security conscious and maintain personal security so that criminals don’t get the chance to exploit opportunities associated with the summer time.”

 

From April 2012 to March 2013 alone 490 burglaries happened in Conwy and Denbighshire – 146 of these were in insecure properties.

 

Since 1st April 2013, burglaries in the Denbighshire area have reduced by almost 5% and police are determined to keep them on a downward spiral.

 

Much work is already underway across Conwy and Denbighshire to tackle the issue and reduce burglaries. Members of the local Neighbourhood Policing Teams have been speaking to residents individually and at specific events about home security. Posters and leaflets have also been produced and are in the process of being distributed in a further effort to drive home the importance of keeping homes secure and out of reach of the sneaky thieves. Regular feeds on the forces Twitter and Facebook accounts will also be issued on the subject.

 

“Once inside a property, offenders will take anything that is of value,” added Insp Julie Sheard of Community Safety. “Laptops, handbags, mobile phones and anything left visible inside a home have been taken. Along with taking the simple steps of closing doors and windows, residents can also help themselves by making sure they security mark their property and taking advantage of registration schemes such as Immobilise.”

 

“Marking your property can also prove an effective deterrent to would be thieves,” Insp Sheard. “If your property is clearly identified it will be more difficult for a burglar or thieves to sell on the item. Another advantage is that should you become a victim of crime or if you lose the item – you increase the chance of having the property returned to you.”

 

 

Advice to residents

 

Residents can take positive steps to help avoid becoming a victim of crime by:

•             Make sure that all windows are closed and locked, even when you are at home or in the garden. Use the security measures on modern windows, which allow them to let some air in but are still locked.

•             Only have ground floor windows open if you are to be in that room for a period of time.

•             Do not leave upstairs windows open when you are going out.

•             Always lock your front door from inside - in particular UPVc front doors are often left unlocked when people are in their house.

•             Do not leave back doors open or unlocked if you are to be upstairs for any length of time.

•             Keep all valuables out of the line of sight of prying eyes, never put car keys or purses on window-sills or in view of a window or door. Always avoid keeping large amounts of cash in your house.

•             Lock away all your garden tools and equipment including ladders. Secure your shed and garage properly.

•             Use a good quality padlock on a back gate.

•             When going on holiday make sure milk deliveries are cancelled, that post is collected and if possible get friends or family to check on your property.

 

For more information on home security click here to visit our advice and support section.

 

Residents are being reminded to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to police. If you see anyone acting suspiciously, call North Wales Police on 999 if it is an emergency or dial101. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Sun promises to make for sizzling Llan Eisteddfod

* Ann Eagar, left, and Jane Jones on the floral displays.

Sunny skies and soaring temperatures are expected to make this a bumper year for the 67^th annual Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod which starts tomorrow (Tuesday).

Ticket sales are already racing ahead of last year’s successful event with top attractions like keyboard king Jools Holland and Strictly Come Dancing stars James and Ola Jordan attracting big audiences to evening concerts.

But ticket sales to all the concerts are going well, according to Treasurer Selwyn Evans, who said: “We are already within £85,000 of our target of £440,000 and we would expect to pass that comfortably now.

“The weather seems set fair to and that is great news because there is so much on here on the field during the days and that makes an outing to the Eisteddfod a fantastic experience.

“Ticket sales for the concerts are going really well but we still have tickets left for each one.”

Thousands of people from around the world will again descend on the town for the Eisteddfod which began as a festival of peace in the aftermath of the Second World War and has since grown into one of Europe’s premier music and dance events.

It has attracted cultural icons like Dylan Thomas and the great Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti, who began his international career as a member of a choir from Modena at Llangollen in 1955.

In recent years artists of the stature of Bryn Terfel, Katherine Jenkins, Kiri Te Kanawa, James Galway and Montserrat Caballe have performed at the final Sunday Evening Gala Concert.

Most importantly the competitors have continued to come from all over the world – this year they will be here from Alaska, the Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Hong Kong, Australia, Canada, China, India, New Zealand and Ghana as well as from all over Europe and the UK.

This year’s event runs from Tuesday, July 9, when the colourful traditional procession through the town will be led by Eisteddfod Patron Terry Waite, through six days of competitions and concerts to Sunday’s spectacular fireworks extravaganza.

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, a performance of Verdi’s Requiem by to mark the 200^th anniversary of the composer’s birth with Claire Rutter, Mirouslava Yordanova , Gwyn Hughes Jones, Jonathan Lemalu and accompanied by the Eisteddfod Orchestra conducted by Andrew Greenwood.

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 before the spectacular firework finale.

The Eisteddfod field will also be alive and buzzing every day of the week with international performances on the new and improved undercover Outside Stages.

Visitors can enjoy live music at the 200-seat S4C Stage, join in with a dance workshop on the Amphitheatre Wrexham Lager Stage or listen to live storytelling on the Lawn Stage.

And in the early evenings the S4C Stage will be transformed into an amazing window on world music for The World @ 6 programme of song and performance from Persia, the Indian subcontinent, Africa and more.

Throughout the week world-class competitors perform in a spectacular celebration of cultures with stunning choral music and lively traditional dance, especially on Folk Friday when the outdoor stages will feature world-class music and dance.

The Eisteddfod is a complete international experience and that goes for the food too. Home-cooked Welsh produce is on the menu but so are the cuisines of Europe, China, India and the rest of the world and there’s excellent local Llangollen ale.

There are gifts and clothes from South America, jewellery, wooden toys and Welsh-made products at more than 40 stalls, including exhibitions of festival supporters, Extreme Animals and Owl Rescue Display, charity groups and more including jugglers, escape artists and magic tricks.

For tickets for this year’s concerts and for more information go to the website at www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/llangollen

Drop-in session planned on Etape Cymru

A drop-in session is being planned for people to come and have their say about a major cycling event coming to Wrexham and Denbighshire in September.

Wiggle Etape Cymru 2013 is arranged by Humanrace and fully supported by Wrexham and Denbighshire County Council.

The  route starts and finishes at Bangor on Dee Racecourse and passes through communities in Wrexham County Borough before it enters into Denbighshire through the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Beauty The route takes in several well-known climbs including the legendary Horseshoe Pass which incorporates a timed King of the Mountains challenge.

The drop-in session will take place on Tuesday, 23 July at the Royal International Pavilion, Llangollen between 6pm and 8pm, where officers from the organisers and both councils will be available to talk about the route, proposed times and any other queries.

For further information about the Wiggle Etape Cymru event, please visit: www.humanrace.co.uk

Report says man has died after Ruabon railway incident

The Leader is reporting on its website today (Monday) that a man has died after being struck by a train near Ruabon railway station shortly after 10am.

See he full story at: http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/124399/man-dies-after-being-hit-by-train-near-wrexham.aspx

Welsh Government should enforce no cold calling zones, says AM

North Wales Welsh Liberal Democrats AM Aled Roberts is supporting calls from Age Cymru for the Welsh Government to legally enforce “No Cold Calling Zones” in Wales.

 

Mr Roberts, (pictured left) Welsh Lib Dem spokesperson for older people, said: “Older people are particularly vulnerable to unwelcome contact in a variety of forms from companies and individuals who all too often pressurise them into parting with substantial sums of money.

 

“Sadly, in many instances, the goods or services that were paid for are never delivered or are of sub-standard quality.

 

“I welcome Age Cymru’s “Scams and Swindles” campaign and fully support its aims to penalise cold callers who operate in the designated zones.

 

“Whilst there are already some safeguards in place to dissuade cold callers, the weight of legal enforcement and prosecution will provide a welcome deterrent.”

Latest roadworks details

Denbighshire County Council have given details of the following local roadworks:

Birch Hill, Llangollen, road closure from July 8-10, to allow erection of scaffolding.

Opposite White Lion Square, Mill Street, Llangollen, July 16-18, temporary traffic lights to allow water works.

Preparations almost complete for Llan Fringe

Preparations are almost complete for this year’s Fringe festival.   There is a huge variety of events this year and it’s all about participation.    Organisers have put together eleven nights of superb entertainment with the blend of music and spoken word.   Stand-up comedy is back; World music; Welsh contemporary music with Gulp; Nostalgia with The Blockheads; Evenings with Alexi Sayle and Andrew Motion; Chartered Jazz Train on the Llangollen Steam Railway; Magical finale at Valle Crucis Abbey; Friday and Saturday dancing with The Dub Pistols, Alejandro and the Tombolinos and Yaaba Funk; and tickets are selling fast.         This year’s printed programme is twice the size of last year’s.   Organisers say it reflects the increasing number of events and activities that are happening in Fringe week.   Workshop sessions are really taking off, withs something for (almost) everyone to enjoy.   Online tickets – If you have bought tickets online, you won’t get them through the post. In an effort to save you money, Fringe staff ask that you bring a copy of the receipt (or identification) and you go straight in.   Festival Tickets – If you have bought a festival ticket, you will receive your pass when you attend your first event. If you haven’t, they are just £60.   Organisers say: "If you think that you may be able to help us during the festival this year, then please let us know. "You could help by distributing programmes to places of interest or community venues near where you live, stewarding or helping out at the workshops or concerts, or just generally giving us ideas of how to publicise the events to a wider audience. Please get in touch if you are able to help."   Bryn Fon will be playing with his band on Saturday 14th July in Llangollen Town Hall. The concert is being jointly staged by the Fringe and the International Eisteddfod. Doors open 7.30pm £12.50. (This event is not included in the Festival ticket).   PROGRAMME UPDATE Yaaba Funk (World Music from Ghanaian/London band) will replace Osibisa on Saturday 20th July. (Ticket price now down to £10).   Alun Cochrane will replace Paul Sinha on 18th July. Silkie of “Kill for a Seat” + special guest will be a great night of the best stand-up around.     The Festival Ticket is available to buy at our website: Tel: 0800 1455 779 or visit: www.llangollenfringe.co.uk

Team serving delicious strawberry teas

* The strawberry teas team at the Memorial Hall this afternoon.

llanblogger took these pictures earlier this afternoon (Saturday) of the team serving delicious strawberry teas, in aid of Llangollen Methodist Church funds, at the Memorial Hall in Market, opposite the car park.

We've just tried one and can recommend them.

They'll be serving teas until around 4pm today.

Scheme is on the lookout for young artists

Following the success of the art master class programme held for children Denbighshire Council’s Criw Celf is looking for young artists to enrol in the class of 2013.

The aim of the Criw Celf scheme is to allow children who have shown artistic promise and interest to practice and develop their skills, with master classes led by local professional artists.

There is room for up to 25 children, and the county’s primary schools and individuals are invited to nominate year 6 pupils who have shown artistic talent.

 Jo McGregor, Criw Celf Coordinator said: “The Criw Celf master class sessions have proved very popular, and they have proved to be real success, the professional artists who led the courses saw a real development in the skill and passion of these young artists.”
 
“We’re now looking for children in Year 6, who will be in Year 7 in September to become part of the 2013 Criw Celf class, so if you know a child who dreams of becoming an artist, then why not put their name forward?”
 
Members of the 2013 Criw Celf will attend a series of one-day master classes in the company of professional artists who specialize in various art genres.

A total of six days training will be on offer; as well as an art exhibition of their work. Each member will also receive an art pack containing various quality art materials so that they can practice drawing at home.
 
Sian Fitzgerald, Community Arts Development Officer at Denbighshire County Council added:
“I am delighted that Denbighshire’s children will again this year be able to make the most of the pioneering Criw Celf project, it is a great opportunity for children interested in art to develop their skills.”
  
Every applicant will need to send the following for assessment to the Ruthin Craft Centre by Friday, 12 July:
 
• A 2D self-portrait, created using any art material or combination of art materials. (No more than A3 sized paper)

• A drawing of the view from any window in their home, created using any art material or combination of art materials. (No more than A3 sized paper) or a 2D/3D artwork inspired by the theme of ‘Dream’ (if the work is big photographs accepted)

• A short paragraph explaining why they would like to join Criw Celf. (No more than 50 words).
 
Please ensure that all submissions include name, age, school, home address and home telephone number on the back of each piece of work. Post the entries to:
Criw Celf, Ruthin Craft Centre, Park Road, Ruthin, Denbighshire, LL15 1BB.
 
For more information, or if you wish to nominate a child for the 2013 Criw Celf, contact Jo McGregor, Criw Celf Coordinator on  jo.mcgregor@hotmail.co.uk and 01745 730209 / 07973931097 or Sian Fitzgerald, Denbighshire County Council’s Community Arts Development Officer on: sian.fitzgerald@denbighshire.gov.uk

Facebook – ‘Criw Celf’

*Criw Celf Denbighshire  is funded by Denbighshire County Council  and the Arts Council for Wales.

Health shake-up consultation should be done again, says AM

NORTH Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has called for the controversial consultation on the future of health services in North Wales to be revisited following the recent identified management failings in Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

 

Mr Isherwood raised the matter during an urgent question in the Assembly Chamber this week.

 

He also called for a reassessment of the Welsh Government’s decision in the last Assembly to scrap the Independent Review that formed the second stage of the complaints procedure for patients and relatives, and asked for assurances  of ‘no expensive pay offs’ to senior figures standing down.

 

He said: “As you will be aware, the report identified management failings contributing to significant risks with hospital infections, operations being delayed and waiting lists allowed to grow.

 

"Given that matters such as these have been populating my casework inbox, and, I am sure, those of many other North Wales Members, for many years, will you revisit the Welsh Government’s decision in the last Assembly to scrap the independent review that formed the second stage of the complaints procedure and ensured that complaints could be scrutinised properly?

 

"Will you revisit the recent consultation that campaigners described as a ‘sham’?

 

"In Flint, they said that the figures being picked were those that the health board wanted. Will you assure us that there will not be expensive pay-offs to senior persons who may have to stand down as a consequence of this report?”

 

Health Minister Mark Drakeford told Mr Isherwood that “the report does not lead in any way to a re-opening of those matters that were agreed last year between the health board and the community health council. I have no intention of revisiting those matters on the basis of a report that did not address them." 

* In another story, responding to the Welsh Labour Health Minister’s praise for local health boards for breaking even at the end of the financial year, Aled Roberts, North Wales Welsh Liberal Democrat AM said: “This praise of local health boards meeting their financial requirements is a slap in the face for many patients in North Wales.

 

"Just last week, a controversial report made it clear that the only way Betsi Cadwaladr was able to make it to the end of the financial year was by allowing waiting lists to grow and cancelling routine operations.

 

“The Welsh Labour Government cannot see the people and the suffering behind meeting targets. Cancelling operations and allowing waiting lists to grow is not an acceptable way to run a health service.”

Strawberry teas now serving at Memorial Hall

Traditional strawberry cream teas ware being served at Llangollen Memorial Hall, opposite the car park in Market Street, today (Saturday), from 9.30am to around 4.30pm.
 
On offer are coffee, tea, scones, cakes and other gastronomic delights - all served to the accompaniment of music from the 1950s.

One of the organisers of the event said: "Whether you wish to partake simply of coffee or tea with cakes or a full afternoon tea with sandwiches, cream scones with strawberries and home–made cakes we guarantee you will have a wonderful experience."

Historic bus stops off at classic vehicle event

 

 

 

A former Chester City Transport bus is making a journey into Wales this weekend, July 6/7, from its base at the North West Museum of Road Transport in St Helens, Merseyside.

The Guy Arab double decker was new to the Chester in June 1953, Coronation year, and sported the No.1 in the bus fleet.

 

In celebrating its 60th anniversary it will be joining other examples of classic transport for the rally organised by the museum at the field near the railway station in Glyndyfrdwy.

 Organiser Matt Davie said: "The field at Glyndyfrdwy offers a splendid location for a gathering in association with the heritage railway.

 

"Based on our experience of previous events, we will again be offering visitors to the rally the chance to sample a free ride on the vintage buses when they make demonstration road runs between Glyndyfrdwy and Corwen on Saturday and Sunday.

 

"Those travelling along the A5 road will have the opportunity to see the work on the railway's extension west of Carrog and be able to view the location of the temporary platform to be sited at Corwen East.

"As well as the road transport vehicles attending, we are also expecting members of the Jowett Car Owners Club to be gathering at Glyndyfrdwy with examples of this iconic British automobile, on this the 90th anniversary of the club's formation."

In support of the classic transport rally, Llangollen Railway will be operating a half hourly train service on the heritage line in the Dee Valley with a mixture of steam and diesel locomotives and diesel railcars to add the variety of transport items from a bygone era.

The Jowett Car Club celebrates the classic British cars made in Bradford from 1906 to 1954, including the Jupiter, Javelin, Bradford, Jason, Black Prince, Curlew, Kestrel, Weasel, Flying Fox, Falcon, Long Four, Focus, Blackbird, Kingfisher, Black Prince, Wren, Grey Knight, Silverdale, Chummy, 7cwt Van and Short Two.

Police issue warm weather warning

North Wales Police are advising residents and car owners across the region to remain vigilant as weather forecasters predict a forthcoming hot spell.

 

“It is very tempting, particularly during warm spells to leave windows and doors open and so by simply checking all doors and windows are secure before going out or to bed we can deter any would-be thieves.   Days out to the beach or countryside can also bring about an air of complacency and so we are asking that all valuables are removed from cars or at the very least locked securely out of sight.”

 

“Together with our partners and local communities we have all worked hard and seen a significant reduction in crimes relating to burglaries and theft from vehicles.  It’s important that we remain on course to improve this even further and so I’d ask we all take some simple steps to secure our property, remain vigilant and report immediately any suspicious behaviour.

 

"These types of crime are often opportunistic targeting insecure homes or vehicles. By taking some basic steps we can reduce the opportunity for thieves and thereby prevent the loss of valuables and the associated inconvenience that follows.  Always ensure that your homes and vehicles are locked and that no valuable items are left on display and if you require further information about crime prevention visit http://www.north-wales.police.uk/advice__support1.aspx

 

If you see any suspicious behaviour or activity contact North Wales Police on 101 or alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

AM's concerns over north east Wales tourism promotion

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood  is concerned that north east Wales is losing out on thousands of potential visitors every year because it is not being marketed effectively by the Welsh Government.

 

Speaking in today’s Assembly Debate on the Rural Economy, Mr Isherwood noted that an estimated 50% of all UK visitors to Wales visit the countryside, yet the word rural is mentioned just once in the Welsh Government’s new Tourism Strategy document.

 

He criticised the Welsh Government for not effectively promoting the Pontcysyllte world heritage site as a tourist attraction.

 

He said: “During the last Assembly, the then Minister developed the north-east Wales cultural action plan, designed, among other things, to establish a programme for the Pontcysyllte world heritage site as an attractor, and the basis for tourism, cultural and wider development projects.

 

“ However, only this week, key stakeholders have raised questions with me over whether the Pontcysyllte aqueduct as a regeneration site and tourism area has high enough profile and expressed concern that there wasn’t a clear coordinated group championing the aqueduct, that there wasn’t a named person associated with the aqueduct and that there was a lack of progress with all parties engaged in the aqueduct and Trevor Basin in moving the regeneration opportunities forward.

 

“The North Wales Economic Ambition Board stated in April that there seem to be good working relationships developing with officials from Welsh Government, but added that at a recent meeting of lead members from across Wales in Cardiff, there was concern as to lack of commitment and understanding from Welsh Government when it comes to the regional boards.”

 

Mr Isherwood also stressed that disability groups have said that tourism can be increased if Wales is seen by overseas and domestic visitors as an accessible, welcoming holiday destination - but that Arfon Access Group, which has been carrying out a review of the Visit Wales website and local authority marketing materials regarding appropriate information for disabled people to be able to plan visits to places of interest around Wales, advises that even before they have completed the work, it is becoming clear that little such information has been incorporated.