Segway adventure trail planned on edge of town

Planning permission is being sought for a segway adventure trail on the edge of Llangollen.

 

An application for planning permission for the scheme, on land to the north of Cilmedw Farm, was submitted to Denbighshire County Council last Friday. 

It calls for the creation of a segway adventure trail, demolition of existing building and erection of replacement building to provide facilities for a segway centre and, as a white water rafting centre, the formation of vehicular access and creation of car park and associated development.

* People ride on segways.

The planning brief has been prepared by Owen Devenport Ltd, chartered town planning consultants of Colwyn Bay.

 

According to the planning brief, the site of the application is situated to the west of the A5 and to the north west of the White Water Hotel, and is located close to the edge of Llangollen amongst a cluster of development associated with the town and set around the A5. 

The site is currently agricultural land which slopes up from the A5 towards the northern and western sides of the site in line with the land form of the area, which is defined by the wooded slopes that form the western side of the Vale of Llangollen. 

The brief explains: “The proposal is a full application for the creation of a segway adventure

trail and a white water rafting centre which involves the following elements:

• Creation of a segway track (with a grass surface);

 

• Demolition of existing agricultural building on site and erection of a replacement building of a similar size and scale which will provide facilities for the segway centre, and will also be used as the base for the applicant’s whte water rating bsiness;

• Creation of a new access and formation of a parking area (gravel surface);

• Provision of wood chip path between parking area and building;

• Formation of soakaways to serve the building."

The brief goes on: “The site has been chosen due to its sheltered location and position amongst existing development, which together with the low-impact nature of the design reduce the visual impact of the proposal.

 

“The proposed replacement building will be located on the site of an existing agricultural building of a similar size and height, and will be timber clad. This along with its modest scale and form will ensure that it forms an unobtrusive feature, and that it will have a similar visual impact to the existing building. 

“The proposal would make a positive contribution to the area’s economic character as it would provide employment and would be an additional attraction that would assist in attracting and retaining visitors. 

“A new access will be provided for the site onto the road bordering the northern section of the western edge of the site, this will then allow access onto the A5 via the existing junction.” 

 

Well-known local campaigner Martin Crumpton, of Berwyn, who led the initial opposition to the Sainsbury’s supermarket on the Dobson & Crowther site off the A5 and also battled plans for the closure of Llangollen Cottage Hospital, is now opposing this new scheme and is asking for it to be called in by the Welsh Minister responsible for planning. 

Writing to a county council planning official yesterday (Thursday), he said: “Notice of this planning application arrived today, which means there is very little time to formulate a full, thought-out objection, which will follow, but I want to have the Minister’s attention initially drawn to the fact that this development will destroy an identified, active badger sett."

Mr Crumpton is also asking all recipients of the notice to help build a successful objection to what he calls “further decimation of AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and World Heritage land”.

 

Full details of the application can be found online by going to:

http://planning.denbighshire.gov.uk/lg/GFPlanningSingleResult.page and putting in the reference number 03/2013/1014.

Dinas Bran celebrate fantastic set of A level results

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ysgol Dinas Bran in Llangollen is celebrating another fantastic set of A level results.

And successful students are now plotting their courses to universities all over the country where they have been offered places. 

They will be studying a range of subjects from - Medicine to Law, Languages to Speech and Drama, International Politics to Vetinary Science. 

All students did well but there have been some exceptional performances, notably: Bethan Chandler 2A*s, 2As and a B – Durham; Elysha Cookson, "As, B – Warwick; Charlotte Evans A* and 3As, Oxford; Layla Morris, 2As, B, Liverpool; Alice Newport, 3As and a B, Liverpool; Adam Saunders, “As, B Cardiff; Beth Savage, 4As, Warwick; Larissa Davies, 2As, B, Manchester; Matthew Tipuric, 2As, B, C, Sheffield; Louise Cielecki, London Central School of Speech and Drama; Connor Jones, Cardiff, Amy Carter, Manchester and many more.

Headteacher, Alison Duffy, congratulated all students on their successes.

She said: “They have been a fantastic group of students who have given so much to the school, working with younger students and getting involved in charity events, our amazing choir and so on. 

"They really brought a new dimension to the school and we will miss them all.  All of our students now have the opportunity to build on the excellent foundation they have had here, as they move to a new stage in their lives.  We wish them well for the future.  Congratulations to you all.
  
"Our school welcomes students from Ysgol Dinas Brân as well as other areas to our Sixth Form where they quickly settle in and have done brilliantly. 

"The signing up date for Sixth Form for September 2012 is on Friday, August 2, between 10.00am and 12.00pm.  We look forward to seeing you then."  

* Early indications show that A Level results have improved overall at Denbighshire’s secondary schools in 2013.

The county council says that more students achieved A*- C grades at A Level improving to 77.7% this year; this is 1% higher than last year.
Significantly more students in Denbighshire were entered for post-16 qualifications in 2013 than in previous years.

There has been an improvement in pupils achieving the top A and A* grades, up to 22.1% which is nearly 2% higher than the 2012 figure,  however this is below the Wales average of 22.9%.  The county's school results are:
 
Grades         A*- C                 A*-E                 A& A*
2013                 77.7%                98.2%                 22.1%
2012                 76.7%                98.9%                 20.4%
2011                 73.0%                97.7%                 22.5%

170 candidates were awarded the Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification's Advanced Diploma. This is an average of 94.5% - well above the Welsh average of 82.7%.

Councillor Eryl Williams, Cabinet Lead Member for Education, said: “Education remains a top priority in Denbighshire and I am extremely pleased to see our A level results continuing to rise.  “I would like to congratulate the students who have achieved the results they need and I wish them every success in their future education and careers.”

* Commenting on today’s A Level results in Wales, Aled Roberts, Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for North Wales and the party’s Spokesperson on Education said:

 

“Today’s results are the culmination of years of hard work by Welsh pupils and teachers.

 

“I am, however, concerned that the percentage of Welsh pupils who attained the highest grades has fallen for the fourth year in a row and is lower than rates in England and Northern Ireland. This is something I will be pursuing with the Education Minister when the Assembly reconvenes next month.

 

“I wish every student well in obtaining a place at either their chosen university or an alternative via the clearing system.

 

“Many will also be going on to study apprenticeships and I wish them well in their future endeavours.

 

“This is an important day in the lives of prospective Welsh graduates, employees and even future employers, and I have every confidence that the work they have put in so far will lead them on to exciting and interesting times ahead.

 

“I also want to offer encouragement to those who didn’t do as well as they had hoped.  They must remember that there are still a great number of options available to them and I urge any people who are unsure about their next move to speak to an available careers adviser who will be able to assist them and give them advice about their future plans.

 

“I am pleased that so many young people were successful in achieving the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma.

 

“With an overall A Level pass rate of 97.6%,  the same as last year’s, this is a day of celebration for students in Wales.”

Call MEIC to help with exam stress

 

 

Emotional support is on hand for pupils across Wales who are feeling the stress as they wait for their exam results, Communities Minister Jeff Cuthbert has said.

 

MEIC, the Welsh Government funded advocacy and advice service for children and young people, is highlighting the support it offers to those waiting for their GCSE and A-Level results.

 

It has started a Facebook campaign to make pupils aware that whatever their problem, they are there to listen.

 

MEIC is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It can be contacted by phone, SMS text and instant messaging.

Since going 24/7 in January 2011, just over 17,000 children and young people have contacted MEIC.

The Welsh Government provides £850,000 a year to support the service.

MEIC can be accessed online at www.meiccymru.org or by calling 080880 23456.

Jeff Cuthbert said: "This can be a very stressful time of year for young people as they wait for their exam results and they think about the options open to them as they prepare for the next stage of their lives.

“We want to make sure they know they are not alone and have somewhere confidential, anonymous and free to discuss their concerns and help solve their problems.

“MEIC has shown it can make a real difference to people’s lives and it ensures children and young people across Wales have a voice and are listened to."

County council set to launch new website

Denbighshire County Council has announced that it is launching a new website www.sirddinbych.gov.uk | www.denbighshire.gov.uk soon.

A council spokesperson said: "As part of our priority of  modernising the council to deliver efficiencies and improve services for our customers, the new website will make it much easier for our customers to access and use our services.

"We’ve introduced a wide range of new improvements including new online content that’s clear, concise and easy to understand, new and improved services for our residents, businesses and visitors, better website navigation for quicker access to services, and a fresh and modern design.

"Our website will be temporarily unavailable on Tuesday, August 20 whilst we make these improvements.

"We understand the inconvenience that this may cause and we would like to apologise to customers in advance for this temporary disruption to service."

Golden Mold Cape on show just up the road

* The golden Mold Cape. 

 

The Mold Cape, one of the British Museum’s top 10 treasures and one of Wales’s most iconic archaeological objects is now on display at Wrexham County Borough Museum.

 

The cape was found by workmen digging stone from a stone cairn just on the eastern outskirts of the town in October 1833.

It was brought to the notice of the antiquarian authorities by the local vicar and in the absence of a museum in Wales was acquired by the British Museum shortly afterwards.

Research into the cape and its significance has continued ever since. It is now thought to date to the Early Bronze Age between about 1900 and 1600BC, and to have been associated with a female burial.

This summer’s exhibition is only the second time the complete reconstructed cape has returned to north east Wales. Its first visit to Wrexham Museum in 2005 attracted over 11,000 visitors. This visit is in association with Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales.

The museum has attempted to place the cape in its archaeological context by looking at other sites of similar date in the immediate area. The exhibition will also reveal for the first time the results of recent research into the cape and its place and significance within wider understanding.

Councillor Neil Rogers, Leader of Wrexham County Borough Council, said: “I am delighted that the cape is making a return visit to Wrexham Museum.

"The cape is one of Wales' most important cultural artefacts and I would urge everyone to take the time to see the amazing cape for themselves.

"I would also like to thank both the British Museum and Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museums Wales for facilitating the loan and in the case of the latter for working so closely with Wrexham Museum to develop the exhibition itself."

Capes Beads & Burials will be open to the public   until Saturday September 14.

The museum will open from 10am until 4pm on Saturdays to cater for the expected crowds and will also be open on the August Bank Holiday.

The Mold Cape Spotlight Tour has been financially supported through the Art Fund Prize as part of the British Museum’s Partnership UK programme.

The Capes, Beads and Burials exhibition has been jointly funded by Wrexham County Borough Council and Amguedda Cymru – National Museum Wales.

Search for builders of historic narrowboat

* The narrowboat Cressy which was built at Pontcysyllte Boatyard in about 1915.  

Hanes-Llangollen-History has been contacted by Professor Timothy Peters of the Institute of Archaeology and Antiquity, Birmingham University, who is researching canal history.

At the moment he is anxious to find more information on the men who originally built the narrow boat Cressy, which was rebuilt in the 1930s by Tom Rolt, who was instrumental in re-opening the canal system, much of which had fallen into disrepair. 

Cressy was built at the Pontcysyllte Boatyard (now Anglo-Welsh) in Trevor in about 1915 and Professor Peters would like to hear from anyone who remembers the men who worked there at the time or who has a family member associated with the boatyard.

He has discovered a list of men who worked at the boatyard during the period 1890-1920.

Their names are: Stephen Robert, Alfred Moses Jenks, Edward Gillens, Theophilus Mellor, Richard Evans, Jas Stacey, Evan Davies, John Peter Dainty, Jonah Evans, Henry Price and E. Fisher.

Tom Rolt bought Cressy in 1939 and adapted and fitted her out to make a permanent home for himself and his first wife, Angela.

He had had his first trip on Cressy with his uncle and cousin 10 years earlier.

After he bought Cressy, Tom and Angela Rolt made a journey of some 400 miles along the canals of central England.  He got to know the network of canals and the life and culture of the people who used them.  You can read about Cressy's journey in Rolt's classic book on canals, Narrow Boat. See also the map of 'Cressy's' journey, which was retraced by narrow boat 'Heron' in 2010, as part of the Rolt Centenary celebrations.

Professor Peters is working with the Llangollen Museum on this project and any information should be sent to Peter Jones, Llangollen Museum, Parade Street LL20 8 PW Tel: 01978 862862, email: enquiries@llangollenmuseum.org.uk

County council to carry out Welsh language audit

Denbighshire County Council has announced it is to carry out a county-wide audit of the Welsh language, to try and halt the decline in the number of Welsh speakers in its communities.

The 2011 Census data notes that 24.6% of Denbighshire residents can speak Welsh, with 18.6% able to speak, read and write in Welsh. 

This compares to 20.7% of residents being able to speak, read and write in Welsh in the 2001 Census, a decline of 2%. 
. 
Hywyn Williams, Corporate Director for Communities and Learning, said: "Nationally, efforts are being made to enhance the Welsh language through  the publication of the Welsh Government’s Welsh Language Measure (Wales) 2011,  the appointment of a Welsh Language Commissioner,  the imminent introduction of Welsh Language Standards and the publication of the Welsh Government’s  A Living Language:  A Language for Living, a Welsh Language Strategy.

"The Council feels it is timely to undertake a full audit of the use of the Welsh Language within our community, to respond to the situation locally.  The findings from the audit should pave the way forward in order to develop a strategy to secure the growth of the language well into the future.

"Other key developments within the County such as the adoption of the Local Development Plan, the Modernising Education Strategy and our Regeneration & Economic Ambition Strategy will present challenges and opportunities in terms of the development of the Welsh Language.

"The risk of a further decline in the use of the Welsh Language is a real one, and if no action is taken, in all likelihood, the 2021 Census will confirm this decline.

The audit will look at four key areas:

1) Education provision, which will include the provision of Welsh Medium and Bilingual Education across the Authority, childcare provision, informal learning provided largely through the statutory Youth Service and broader Youth Support Services, pre-school provision and Adult Learning Provision

2) The support provided for families.  This to include the information that is provided for families and the information and support provided for the most vulnerable of families, together with the support for families to develop the Welsh Language within the home context and the support provided for non-Welsh speaking families, where their children are educated in Welsh medium/bilingual education.

3) The support for the Welsh Language and culture within communities which includes the support for voluntary sector organisations, business support and key policies that shape the future of communities such as the Local Development Plan, Modernising Education Policy and housing provision

4) Services provided directly and indirectly by the Council to include internal working arrangements, our ability to respond through the medium of Welsh and bilingually to residents and visitors, the way the Council promotes the use of the Welsh Language, the minuting of meetings, translation facilities, the use of social media, and the place of the Welsh Language in policy development

Councillor Huw Jones, Cabinet Lead Member with responsibility for the Welsh Language said: "Our intention is to begin the audit in September and we will consult widely with interested groups and individuals such as Menter Iaith, Urdd, the business and voluntary sectors.

"The audit work will be carried out by an independent organisation and we expect to have clear recommendations as to how  Denbighshire should take the important matter of promoting and facilitating the acquisition and use of the Welsh Language within its community further through a robust action plan, which will lead to a greater number of residents able to use the Welsh language confidently by 2021".

Groups invited to lottery funding surgery

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood is inviting community groups in the region to a Lottery funding information surgery in Flint on Friday, August 16.

 

The session will be held between 10.00am – 12:30pm at Flint Town Hall, Y Farchnad, CH6 5NW, and will provide information on Lottery funding programmes and its impact throughout the constituency.

 

There will be opportunities to discuss specific issues around funding your project with staff from the Big Lottery Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund, Sport Wales, and Flintshire Local Voluntary Council.

 

Anyone interested in attending the session should email Jessica.Webb@wales.gov.uk

 

Mr Isherwood said: “This is a great opportunity for projects in the region to find out what funding they may be eligible for. Lottery funding is having a positive impact throughout Wales with money helping to establish groups, societies and clubs, promoting learning, increasing volunteering opportunities and helping to build stronger communities and it would be great to see more North Wales projects benefit from this funding opportunity.”

Police advice to avoid vehicle theft

Don’t give car thieves an easy ride – remember to lock your vehicle and remove all valuable items.

 

These are two of the main top tips that police in Denbighshire and Conwy are re-iterating to motorists in a further bid to drive down car crime.

 

With schools out for the summer, scores of people are heading for the nearest beach or attraction but sadly these are very same places that thieves are likely to go. Furthermore, opportunist thieves will try car doors anywhere on the off chance that they have been left open and will target a car should they see anything valuable or of interest to them left inside.

 

“Car thieves know where to target, what to look for and don’t just restrict their crimes to the car park for the local beach – they also target cars parked at rural beauty spots or landmarks which don’t have the same volume of visitors,” said Sergeant Aled Eynon who is based in Denbigh. “It also goes without saying that any items left on show inside cars and vans are enough to tempt thieves. The saying ‘Leave it on show – expect it to go’ is certainly true when it comes to theft from vehicles.”

 

Never leave anything on display in your vehicle. If you can, remove all valuable items and belongings.

 

Sgt Eynon added: “We appeal to people to please make sure they lock their vehicles and whilst we have increased patrols, we also ask that both visitors and residents play their part in preventing this type of crime.”

 

Posters reminding motorists of the dangers of leaving goods on show inside vehicles have been produced and put on display at many car parks including those near beauty spots and attractions.

 

Sergeant Sian Williams is based in Colwyn Bay. Recently a number of cars have been targeted in the area and items including,  lap tops, sat navs and an electronic pad were all stolen from inside.

 

“Simple tips can prove to be the most effective and that’s certainly the case when it comes to preventing car crime,” said Sgt Williams.

 

“Please remember to lock your car – even if you leave it left parked on your driveway. Take all electronic items, purses, bags and even coats and sunglasses out of your cars and vans. There have been some cases where thieves will look into the cars at the windscreens to see if there are any sat nav cradles or any tell-tale signs of suction marks from where sat nav system has been stuck on to the windscreen.”

 

“Remove all belongings from your car,” added St Williams. “Furthermore, thieves like to steal from cars parked in places where they run the least risk of being seen. If you can, avoid parking in places that are concealed from public view or people passing by.”

 

Top tips for vehicle owners:

 

·         Never leave anything on display in your vehicle; a bag on the back seat is enough to tempt a thief

·         Remove all belongings – including bags, sunglasses etc.

·         Always remove portable sat nav systems including any support cradles and suction pads fitted to windscreens. Wipe the windscreen clean as thieves have also been known to look out for tell-tale signs of suction marks left on windscreens

·         When you leave your car, close all windows including your sunroof and ensure your car has been locked

·         Never leave credit cards or cheque books in the glove compartment and don’t leave the vehicle documents in the car.

 

For further information on keeping your vehicle secure, click here.

 

Anyone with information regarding theft from vehicles is urged to contact North Wales Police on 101. Alternatively, individuals can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Rising hospital waiting lists concern to Isherwood

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood is concerned that the number of people waiting over 36 weeks for their first hospital appointment in North Wales increased by 66% between the end of April and the end of June, double the 33% all-Wales increase.

 

The latest Official figure for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has jumped from 1,401 at the end of April to 2,327 at the end of June. The figure across Wales increased from 7,611 to 10,123.  

 

Mr Isherwood said: “ A Welsh Government target recommends no-one should wait longer than 36 weeks when referred to hospital by their GP so it is deeply concerning to see that the target has once again been missed and particularly worrying that the increase has been so vast in North Wales – the people of North Wales deserve better.”

 

The total number of people on an NHS waiting list in Wales is now 80 per cent higher than it was when Carwyn Jones became First Minister at the end of 2009. At that point, 227,000 patients were waiting for treatment. At the end of June that figure stood at 410,000.

 

The Health Minister recently announced a review into NHS funding – and later admitted this would amount to a summer ‘interrogation’ of the budget with the Finance Minister.

 

Welsh Conservative Assembly Members have consistently called for the health budget to be protected in line with inflation – as it is in England. The Welsh Conservatives represent the only party to stand for significant additional investment in the NHS – a policy that has stood since before the last Assembly election.

 

Mr Isherwood added: “These waits not only lay bare the true scale of the cash crisis in the Welsh NHS, but also reinforce the HIW and Wales Audit Office concerns about Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s governance arrangements and organisational structure. The Welsh Government has dealt Welsh patients an unfair deal. The Minister’s review into funding must come up with more cash to eliminate target busting waiting times and this Labour Welsh Government should stop dodging calls for an independent inquiry into the Welsh National Health Service comparable to that already conducted into NHS Trusts in England."

AM criticises health board's `spin doctor' appointment

Shadow Health Minister Darren Millar has criticised Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board for seeking to appoint a new communication professional on up to £56,504 per year.　

 

He is concerned that the troubled health board is intending to invest so much in a spin doctor in an attempt to boost public confidence in the services it provides, when the money could be better spent on improving services.

 

Mr Millar said: "There is much work to be done to restore confidence in the region’s health service and the successful applicant will face an uphill task.　

 

"Severe management failings have resulted in resignations and the service is bowing under the pressure of Labour’s record-breaking NHS budget cuts.

 

"While there is a clear pressing need to build bridges with communities in north Wales, this will take more than another NHS spin-doctor.　

 

"The only way forward for the health service across Wales is an independent Keogh-style inquiry into standards of care."

Ruthin offers special Wednesday events during August

Ruthin celebrates the arrival of August with three special Wednesday events on the 14th, 21st and 28th of the month. Retail businesses will be extending their opening hours until 8pm to give their customers a chance to spend a pleasant evening enjoying the variety of shops on offer in the town.  Ruthin Gaol, Nantclwyd y Dre and Ruthin Craft Centre will all be open until 8pm too so there'll be an opportunity to visit some of the town's cultural gems between shops.  Ruthin's cafes, restaurants and bars will be offering a friendly welcome to evening shoppers on each of the Wednesdays. Denbighshire County Council and local Ruthin businesses have worked closely together to bring about these coordinated events for the benefit the local economy.  Parking in the town is free after 5pm.

* llanblogger comments: Why not something similar in Llangollen?

£1.8m to help safeguard Corwen from flooding

Wales's Minister for Natural Resources and Food Alun Davies has approved £1.8m for Denbighshire County Council’s proposed flood alleviation scheme in Corwen.

The scheme will help protect 80 properties, and the A5 trunk road from the threat posed by  Nant Cawrddu and Nant Pigyn.

The Minister made the announcement on the same day that he travelled to St Asaph to meet residents who were badly affected by the flooding of November 2012.

Mr Davies said: “My visit to St Asaph is a stark reminder of the very real and increasing threat that flooding poses to communities across Wales , and of the long term issues that the type of  flooding that we saw last November can cause.

"The Welsh Government is committed to managing the risk of flooding for communities across the whole of Wales. That is why we are investing £180m into flood and coastal erosion management over the life of this Assembly; it is why we drawing down an additional £60m of European funding to supplement our own investment;  and it is why we are maintaining our investment in flood risk management despite a reduction in our overall budget.

"Over the last 10 years the Welsh Government has provided £14.5 m for flood alleviation schemes in Denbighshire. But last year’s events only serve to highlight the challenges we face and I very much welcome the ongoing work of Natural Resources to investigate long term solutions to reducing flood risk in St Asaph.

"As part of the Welsh Government’s  ongoing commitment to flood risk management I am today announcing £1.8m for a flood alleviation scheme that will help protect homes and businesses in Corwen, another Denbighshire community that has recent experience of  flooding, and  I will continue to support appropriate flood risk management schemes that offer increased protection to communities across Wales who are vulnerable to flood risk.”

Ombudsman highlights failings in health board's record keeping

The BBC website is reporting this morning (Thursday) that the Ombudsman has found failings in patient record keeping by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, which covers Llangollen.

See the full report at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-23606737#?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

Faery magic comes to the pavilion this weekend

Llangollen Faery Festival flies into the town's Royal International Pavilion this weekend.

 

Organisers say it will be a fun packed two day event for youngsters and anyone who wants there to be a little more magic in this world.

 

Taking place on Saturday and Sunday, the festival will offer lots of fun things to see and do.

There are wing and wand making workshops, storytelling, talks and exhibitions for the grown ups and a Faery Market where craftspeople will be selling all sorts of magical fairy inspired gifts. 

 

From face painting to putting your wishes on The Wishing Line, there will be plenty of children's activities and - entry for under 12's is free.

 

There will be talks from people such as Mary Curtis, author of The Goldfish Who Jumped, and Dan Baines, creator of the cleverest fairy hoax since the Cottingley Fairies fooled Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.  

 

When Dan declared his fairy pictures a fake, 20,00 people emailed him claiming fairies are real and he was hiding the truth!  

 

Dan now makes props for film makers like Guillermo Del Torro and he will be telling his extraordinary story.

 

Fiona Maher, author of The Last Changeling, a fairy story for adults, will be reading from her book.

 

On Saturday evening there's a Grand Faery Ball where the grown ups can don their fairy finery and dance to three live acts -  Charlotte Oram, The Bear Beats Band and Drowsy Maggie.

  

Tickets are available at the gate and online via llangollenfaeryfesti.wix.com/llangollenfaeryfesti

Lib Dem AM slams `back to grammars' plan

Aled Roberts AM has blasted the Welsh Conservatives’ proposals to extend grammar schools as a “rose tinted Tory view of the past” and has accused the party of failing to operate in the “here and now”.

 

Mr Roberts, Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Education, said: “Once again the Welsh Tories are throwing around policy ideas without any idea how they would implement them.  They are refusing to operate in the here and now, instead reflecting on their rose-tinted Tory view of the past when many children were written off at 11.  Their current proposal would instead see children cast aside when they’re 14.

 

“A recent report showed that the odds of pupils entitled to free school meals securing a place at a grammar school were nearly five times lower than for other pupils.  Creating more grammar schools would merely extend the attainment gap that already exists between pupils from affluent and less affluent backgrounds.

 

“Wales needs to target efforts on raising teaching standards and further restructuring would simply distract these efforts.  It would be interesting to know how the Tories would afford this re-structure, bearing in mind that at the last election they wanted to slash the education budget by 20%.

 

“Not so long ago the Welsh Tories called for people to be charged to use the NHS if they injure themselves doing ‘irresponsible’ activities, such as ‘skiing or rock-climbing’;  a policy they appeared to drop in a matter of hours. 

 

"It’s all very well grabbing a quick headline, but to be taken seriously they really must start thinking their policies through.  There are real practical difficulties with this proposals, particularly in rural areas.  We believe, as a principle, that there is no difficulty in pupils of all abilities achieving their potential under the comprehensive system as long as the proper processes are in place to keep standards high.”

Railway volunteer pens children's books to help pay for Corwen extension

*My Railway in the Valley is on sale to help raise cash for

the Corwen extension.

Books written by a Llangollen Railway volunteer are raising money for the heritage line’s extension to Corwen.

Keith Scott has penned three books especially for youngsters and all inspired by the railway.

The first two, entitled My Railway in the Valley and More About My Railway in the Valley, are aimed at children between the ages of about three/four to seven and are short stories involving animals and children having adventures on the railway. They sell at £3 per copy.

My Railway in the Valley includes the story of Scrap the cat, who lives in a signal box, and a story about an old engine called Florence. Kim’s story is based on the dog of one of the railway volunteers which used to regularly visit the railway.

More About My Railway in the Valley features the big railway gala, a race between Lucky the horse and a little engine and a spectacular rescue of two boys from the river in a storm.     

The third story, out this year and entitled The Crumbling Wall, is a science fantasy thriller set on the railway where alternative worlds collide with near disastrous consequences. A station waiting room is the doorway between two realities.

Anyone over the age of about 10 should enjoy the book, which costs £5 per copy.

All three books are available in the station shop and sometimes on the trains themselves.

Enquiries about buying the books can be made by emailing: kas1310@mail.com

Next Buy Local Day this Friday

Keep Llangollen Special has its next Buy Local Day this Friday, August 9.

Local people are encouraged to support businesses in the town by buying their goods from them instead of going outside the area.  

Welsh Government earmarks cash for affordable homes

Housing Minister, Carl Sargeant has announced that the £20 million the Welsh Government has allocated to help mitigate the effect of the UK Government’s welfare benefit changes will be used to build 357 smaller affordable homes across Wales.

 

The funding will help Registered Social Landlords focus on building more one and two bedroom properties which will enable some tenants affected by the ‘Bedroom Tax’ to downsize.

 

The Minster said: "The Welsh Government is hugely concerned that many already hard pressed households are facing hardship due the changes in welfare benefit rules brought in by the UK Government. Local authorities report that over 35,000 households in Wales are affected by the Bedroom Tax.

"Since the rules relating to housing benefit and size of household changed on 1 April this year, we have seen increased demand for smaller, one and two bedroom properties.

"Despite the tough financial climate, the Welsh Government has invested £20 million in the Smaller Properties Programme and each local authority has been asked to identify schemes which could benefit from the funding.

"I am determined to do what I can to support tenants so that there is the least possible damage to our communities, but recognise that these new homes are only a fraction of what is needed to counter the impact of the UK Government’s benefit changes.“

Thomas brings crowds steaming into town

 

* Thomas the Tank Engine brought visitors flocking to Llangollen Railway.

 

A weekend of appearances by Thomas the Tank Engine brought visitors steaming into Llangollen Railway.

 

A spokesman for the heritage line said: "The event was well supported by families who attended from all areas within the railway's 50 mile radius catchment area and a few came from further afield.

 

"Visitors from abroad were also evident, mostly visiting family or friends from the locality.

 

"For some small children it will have been their first encounter with a steam train and, for others, any sort of train such is their limited experience of railways these days."

 

The spokesman added: "The good attendance was evidenced by the large queue at the station ramp prior to opening at 10am on both days, all helped by the good weather on Saturday in particular, and whilst Sunday started off fine the onset of rain in the afternoon ensured early departures for some after they had experienced all the event had to offer."

 

Thomas the Tank has had a busy year so far with appearances at other heritage railways in Britain.

 

 

*  Thomas with Daisy the railcar.

 

He has also been abroad, visiting Denmark for an event at the Danish Railway Museum in Odense, and made two visits to the Netherlands when  a return visit was made to the Dutch Railway Museum at Utrecht and later to a heritage line at Apledoorn.

 

Further visits to Europe are in prospect for the autumn.

 

The Railway's George Jones said: "These visits to European destinations show the international appeal of the Thomas the Tank Engine character."

AM questions disabled access at Chirk and Ruabon stations

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has submitted a written question to Transport Minister Edwina Hart regarding the lack of disabled access at Chirk and Ruabon train stations following recent concerns raised by disabled rail users.

 

Mr Isherwood, who is  Co-Chair of the Assembly Cros s Party Group on Disability, has long been calling for improved disabled access at railway stations across Wales and was therefore pleased when in 2012 former Welsh Government Minister for Local Government and Communities, Carl Sargeant, responded to calls to address the poor disabled access at Chirk station.

 

Chirk, and the other four stations (Llandaf, Machynlleth, Radyr and Ystrad Mynach) were awarded funding from the UK Government and a letter from Mr Sargeant stated: ‘The Department For Transport will fund 50% of the costs of this programme at those stations and my officials are currently finalising funding details with each relevant regional transport consortia, which will fund the remaining 50% of costs over the lifetime of these projects."

 

However, Mr Isherwood is concerned that this promised work on Chirk station has still not been carried out and has therefore submitted a WAQ to Transport Minister Edwina Hart, asking what plans the Welsh Government has to improve disabled access at Chirk and Ruabon railway stations and when this will happen.

Mr Isherwood: “This work at Chirk was promised by the Welsh Government at the beginning of last year, but we are still waiting. I have been campaigning for improved access at these stations since 2006 and I am concerned that nothing has yet been done.

“Speaking in the Assembly in 2011 I highlighted that only 8% of stations in Wales are completely disabled friendly and referring to Chirk Station, stated that Disabled Athlete and former Wrexham Sports Personality of the year Gareth Stafford travels out from Chirk Station, but cannot return there as the platform is then on the other side of the track.

 

“More recently Ruth Drake, the mother of five-year-old-girl with cerebral palsy, has been told she will have to pay for costly taxis to Wrexham station because of the lack of disabled access at Ruabon and Chirk stations – this is totally unacceptable and the improvements at Chirk and Ruabon need to be carried out as a matter of urgency. Disabled rail users should have the same access to travel as every other rail user and I will continue pressing the Welsh Government until they do.”  

Fringe final figures up again

This  year’s Llangollen Fringe Festival saw another increase in audience figures, according to organisers.

The 16^th Fringe ended last Sunday evening with a soggy finale concert at a rain-soaked Valle Crucis Abbey.

But the thundery weather failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the 300 or so people who turned out to see it.

Festival spokesman Graham Timms said: “The Fringe closed on Sunday after 11 days of concerts and events throughout the town. 

“As usual a huge range of events were included in the programme. 

“Where else could you see former Poet Laureate Andrew Motion one night and then r 'n' b infused punk band The Blockheads another?

“Audiences were up again in general - most events being almost sold out - meaning that the Fringe survives into another year.“

He added: “We decided to go ahead with the Valle Crucis concert after an agonising decision made first thing on Sunday morning.

“Yet at 7.20pm we thought that we'd made a wrong call as a thunderstorm went directly overhead. 

“Although the rain bounced down for about 10 minutes, by the starting time, the rain stopped and the music began.

“The magical setting in the abbey was enhanced by the menacing clouds overhead.

“Around 300 people attended and were rewarded by a superb evening hosted by the appropriately named local performance poet Rain Dei.

“I’d like to say thanks to the local community for all the tremendous support and goodwill it gives to the festival.”

New amateur theatre group makes its debut

A brand new amateur theatre group is on the hunt for actors and musicians to take part in its inaugural production.

Llangollen Musical Theatre Group is holding a Meet and Greet event on Tuesday, August 6 at the Llangollen Pavilion.

The event, which starts at 7.30pm, will provide the opportunity budding performers to find out about the group's production of Return to the Forbidden Planet, which will be staged at the Pavilion in November.

Paul Brown, the group's chairman, said: "This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in getting involved in musical theatre to come and meet our production team. Whether they've been treading the boards for years or just starting out, everyone is welcome.

"Return to the Forbidden Planet is a fantastic show full of rock and roll classics including Great Balls of Fire, Good Vibrations, She's Not There, The Young Ones and The Monster Mash.

"It takes the plot of Shakespeare's The Tempest and sets it on a spaceship to a soundtrack of 60s and 70s hits.

"Considering Llangollen is such a small town, there are already several theatre groups, including the Twenty Club and the Operatic Society, but this will be the first time such a modern production has been staged.

"There's not many other shows for which you could audition to play a spaceship's captain, a renegade scientist or a talking robot. There's even one part for which the ability to roller-skate would be an advantage!"

The group are also looking for musicians to join the on-stage band for the production. They are particularly looking for those who want to join the spaceship's crew playing trumpet, trombone or alto saxophone.

More information can be found on the group's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/llangollenmusicaltheatregroup or by emailing llangollenmusicaltheatregroup@gmail.com.

Summer sportzone at town's leisure centre

Llangollen Leisure Centre is running a multi-sports camp, called sportszone, during the school summer holidays.

For boys and girls aged six to 13, it features swimming, hockey, netball, cricket, basketball, football, rugby, athletics and badminton.

Places are limited so booking is advised.

For more details visit the website www.denbighshireleisure.co.uk, or call the leisure centre on 01978 861830.

£6.5 million earmarked for palliative care in Wales

Health Minister Mark Drakeford has confirmed that £6.5million will be allocated to specialist palliative care services across Wales in 2013-14, of which £2.4million will go direct to hospices.

 

Hospices play an essential part in the Welsh Government’s aims to reduce inequalities in end of life care and to maintain the dignity of an individual in their last days of life; as set out in the Delivering End of Life Care Plan, published in April 2013.

 

The said: "How well we care for our dying reflects how we care as a society.

"We have set out plans to ensure end of life care is consistently good across Wales, whether a person wishes to die in hospital, at home or in a hospice.

"For many people facing the end of their life, and their loved ones, hospices provide vital medical and emotional support. They provide skilled nursing care tailored to the individual’s needs, free of charge.

"Our End of Life Care Delivery Plan recognises the importance of the hospice sector in providing a co-ordinated end of life care service, alongside the NHS and other partners. It is therefore important we fund hospices properly and I am pleased to confirm the allocation of 2.4m direct to hospices for this financial year."

Individual hospices will be receiving notification of funding this week.

Last link of Chain Bridge facelift funding put in place

* Final funding for the restoration of the Chain Bridge is now in place. 

THE last financial link of the ambitious project to bring Llangollen’s world famous Chain Bridge back to life has now been put into place.

 

Welsh conservation body Cadwyn Clwyd has just approved a £20,000 grant for the scheme, which means restoration work can now go ahead with the aim of having it re-opened to the public early next year.

 

Largest slice of the funding for the project, which undertaken jointly by Llangollen Town Council and Llantysilio Community Council, was approved in early July when the Heritage Lottery Fund approved a grant of £350,000.   

 

Following news yesterday (Wednesday) that the Cadwyn Clwyd application for the final tranche of cash to start facelift work had been give the thumbs up, Llangollen’s mayor, Cllr Bob Lube, said: “I am delighted with the award from Cadwyn Clwyd.

 

“This means that the project is now fully funded and both Llangollen Town Council and Llantysilio Community Council can now press ahead with the practical work of restoring the Chain Bridge.”

Gareth Thomas, Llangollen’s town clerk, said: “This final grant award means that phase two of the project can now start in earnest, and meetings are planned with the Heritage Lottery Fund, Cadwyn Clwyd, Denbighshire County Council and Ramboll, the consulting engineers, to move the project forward.

“There is still a lot of work to do, but these are exciting times for the project.”

The bridge, which spans the fast-flowing River Dee just outside Llangollen, has been closed to the public for safety reasons since the 1980s.

The two councils bought the run-down structure from its previous owner, businesswoman Stephanie Booth who also ran the adjacent Chain Bridge Hotel, in 2007 and have since been working to secure the funding necessary to see it repaired and returned to its former glory as a major tourist attraction.

First injection of cash came a few years later when the HLF made a grant of £28,900 to pay for the preparation of a detailed report on how the bridge could be restored.

The project took another step forward this June when it landed a grant of £50,000 from WREN, a not-for-profit business which awards cash to community, environmental and heritage projects.

The plan is to fix the bridge and create disabled access via nearby Berwyn Station along with an exhibition and other community events.

The HLF grant bid included working with community groups such as local schools and history groups, including Llangollen Museum.

One of the aims is to see tourists travelling along Llangollen Canal via horse-drawn boats and then crossing the bridge to take a steam train ride back into Llangollen.

The original bridge was built around 1817 by Exuperius Pickering, a local entrepreneur dealing in coal, limestone, slate and iron bar, who is reputed to have called on engineer Thomas Telford to help with the design and construction.

The new bridge allowed Pickering to monopolise the local coal trade as it gave him access to the adjacent London to Holyhead road - the A5.

It also meant he avoided paying tolls to cross the main bridge over the river in Llangollen.

In 1876 the bridge was replaced by Sir Henry Robertson, a part owner of Wrexham's former Brymbo Ironworks.

In 1928, freak flooding washed away most of the bridge and it rebuilt in a style similar to Anglesey's Menai Suspension Bridge.

It was closed in the mid-1980s due to concerns over its safety.

Llan folk invited to National Play Day

* The big sand pit that was a huge success in 2012.

Wrexham town centre will once again be host to National Play Day on Wednesday, August 7, between 12 noon and 4 pm. 

People of all ages are invited to join in this free and fun event.

Amongst the attractions for this year's event are a giant sand pit that proved a big hit last year, a water slide and lots of water fights, making and inventing things from loose parts and junk, a big volleyball, a maze and an early years area.

Cllr Mike Williams, Lead Member for Children's Services and Education, said:
"This a fantastic national event that has become part of the town centre calendar and is a firm favourite with children, their parents, grandparents and carers. 

"There's plenty on offer to entertain our young people and I hope they all take very happy memories home with them."

This year's Play Day Campaign is "Playful Places" and calls on all adults, from those in national and local government to parents and other community residents, to work together in removing barriers to play in the wider public realm. 

They are asked to foster playful attitudes that support rather than restrict children's play. 

The campaign recognises that children can and will play in all sorts of public places when given enough free time, space and permission to do so.  Play isn't just important for children as everyone can benefit from being a bit more playful because play brings people together and can help people feel better.

Last year over 2500 people visited the town centre for Play Day and this year's organisers hope to make it even bigger and better. 

All you have to bring with you is a playful mood and some clothes you don't mind getting wet and messy. 
Visitors are also invited to bring along a picnic and stay all afternoon.

New law on Welsh democracy comes into force

A new law to improve the democratic processes and transparency of Local Government in Wales has been granted Royal Assent by Her Majesty the Queen.

 

The Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 will:

• improve the public’s access to information about town and community Councils, 
• reform the structure and functions of the Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales, 
• amend the responsibilities of the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales and the structure of local authority audit committees within the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011, 
• require principal councils and fire and rescue authorities to consult the Independent Remuneration Panel before varying the salary of their chief executive, 
• facilitate the creation of joint standards committees by local authorities; and 
• enable councils to separate the ceremonial and civic functions from the role of presiding over meetings of the council if they so wish.

A Bill receives Royal Assent when Letters Patent under the Welsh Seal signed with Her Majesty’s own hand signifying Her Assent are notified to the Clerk of the Assembly. The Bill then becomes an Act of the Assembly.
The First Minister, as Keeper of the Welsh Seal, applied the Seal to the Letters Patent in a ceremony in Cardiff earlier today (Tuesday).
First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “Through our ambitious five year legislative programme, we are introducing ‘made in Wales’ solutions to the issues affecting us a nation.

“This Act represents a further step in our drive to ensure local democracy in Wales operates as efficiently and effectively as possible.”
 Minister for Local Government & Government Business, Lesley Griffiths said: “The Act will provide a platform for the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales, to carry out its important work more effectively by better aligning community and electoral reviews. 

“It also includes a number of measures which I believe will assist and strengthen democratic processes in relation to Local Government.

“These reforms form an essential part of ensuring our Councils are democratically elected, representative of their communities and organised in the most effective way."

Police investigate two thefts from Llan

Police in Llangollen are appealing for information following the theft of a bike from Chapel Street.

 

Sometime between 10.30pm yesterday, Sunday, July 28, and 6.45 am the morning of Monday, July 29, an offender or offenders took an Apollo highway bicycle from the back garden of a property on Chapel Street.

 

The bike is described as a hybrid, is black and grey in colour, has a 21inch frame and 18 speed. It is also described as having black coloured mudguards, a gel seat with adjustable handlebars and has the serial number 203815.

 

Nothing else was taken from the garden and police are appealing to anyone who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the vicinity or has information to contact members of the Investigation Support Team on 101.

 

Alternatively, individuals can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously with information on 0800 555 111.

* Neighbourhood Watch have also sent out the following warning about another incident in Llangollen, which says:

"Please be aware that copper piping was taken from a building under renovation in Llangollen last night, 28th of July.

"If you are undergoing any work at your address please consider your security and keep valuable items out of sight.

"If you overlook a building under renovation or know of a building that is empty undergoing works please report any suspicious activity to the police.

"If you have any information regarding the theft please call 101 quoting incident number P122825.

"If you need to reply regarding this message, click on this email address: michelle.williams2@nthwales.pnn.police.uk