Police looking for new officers

Have you ever thought about a police career but are unsure about how you would fit in?

 

If so, come along to North Wales Police Headquarters in Colwyn Bay on Wednesday, January 21, between 3 and 8 pm, when you can chat informally to people already doing the job.

 

Chief Constable Mark Polin said: “North Wales Police is made up of a diverse range of people who come from all walks of life and backgrounds. It is recognised that for policing to be as effective and as impactive as possible, our work force has to properly reflect the communities they serve. Our aim is to have a workforce representative of our local communities and we particularly welcome applicants from underrepresented groups.”   

 

North Wales Police continues to recruit into Police Officer and Police Community Support roles and places will be available over the next  three years.    

 

The force also offers opportunities for those who would like to give a valuable contribution to their local communities by becoming a special constable or by offering their free time to support the local and specialist policing teams by volunteering.

 

If you are interested in a potential future career in the Police Service or volunteering, but are concerned about how you will fit into working life with North Wales Police you are likely to find this event informative and supportive in helping you to make potential career decisions.

 

Further information regarding the roles of Police Constable, Police Community Support Officer, Special Constable and Police Volunteers is available via this link

County orders Welsh language audit

The county council has commissioned an audit on the Welsh Language situation in Denbighshire communities and wants to hear ideas from people on how the language can be enhanced and promoted over the coming years.
    

The council has commissioned Sbectrwm to undertake the review and to consult with key individuals, organisations and institutions.

    

Three meetings, arranged in conjunction with Menter Iaith Sir Ddinbych, will be held on the following dates:

   

21 January 2014 - Corwen Sports Pavilion (7.00 p.m)
- Sports Pavilion (7.00 p.m)

22 January 2014 - Scala Arts Centre, Prestatyn (7.00 p.m)

- Scala Arts Centre, (7.00 p.m)

23 January 2014 - Denbigh Town Hall (7.00 p.m)

- Town Hall (7.00 p.m)
- Sports Pavilion (7.00 p.m)
   
Hywyn Williams, Corporate Director - Communities, Denbighshire County Council, said: "The Council commissioned the audit for a number of reasons. The Welsh language is a subject of debate nationally and the proposed Welsh Language Standards are expected to come into effect in around a year's time.

"There has been a decline in the number of Welsh speakers in the county, which reflects the national position and we are keen to see an increase by the next census. The Council was also very eager to build on the interest in the Welsh language and culture following the tremendous success of the National Eisteddfod held in our county this year."
    

Cefin Campbell from Sbectrwm, said: "The main purpose of the meetings will be to consider the current state of the Welsh language in Denbighshire and invite ideas on how to revitalise the language in future. The intention is to look at many different sectors, for example – education, children and young people, Welsh learners, sports and leisure, business, planning, community activities and the use of Welsh in the workplace."

    

John Glyn Jones, Chairman of Menter Iaith Sir Ddinbych, said: "This is an open meeting for all those interested in the future of the language. Non-Welsh speakers are particularly welcome as there will be simultaneous translation facilities available on the evening to allow everyone to participate fully in the discussions.

   

"I hope that you will be able to attend one of the above meetings as your contribution to discussions on the language and how we can further promote the Welsh language in our community would be greatly appreciated."

    

For more information, call Sbectrwm on 01558 668663 or Menter Iaith Sir Ddinbych on 01745 812822. Or by e.mail to cefin@sbectrwm.com| or ruth@menterdinbych.org|

Skates calls for help to set up foodbank

* Ken  Skates with volunteers at a recent collection at
Tesco in Cefn Mawr.

ASSEMBLY Member Ken Skates is calling for community groups to help him set up a foodbank in his Clwyd South constituency.

Mr Skates is keen for more of the volunteer-run projects to open across Wrexham and Denbighshire in conjunction with national charity the Trussell Trust.

He said: “Every day people in Clwyd South and across Wales are going hungry. Trussell Trust foodbanks provide three-day emergency supply parcels with nutritionally balanced food, but they can only continue to do so with the support of the public and community groups.

“Rising costs of food, fuel and energy drinks combined with static income, high unemployment and changes to benefits are causing more and more people to go to foodbanks for help.

“The Trussell Trust forms partnerships with churches and community groups to open new foodbanks and currently has almost 400 in operation nationwide, including centres in Oswestry, Rhosddu, Mold and Denbigh. Their goal is for every town to have one, and I feel strongly that we need a foodbank in the heart of Clwyd South.”

Mr Skates added: “Sadly, schemes like this are becoming more widespread, but some 13 million people are currently living below the poverty line in the UK and food poverty is rising under the Tory-led Westminster Government.

“I have long been a supporter of the amazing work the Trussell Trust does and the fantastic work the volunteers do, and would love to see a centre up and running in my constituency.

“If anyone would like to discuss the possibility of setting one up in Clwyd South I would urge them to contact me by emailing Ken.Skates@Wales.gov.uk or by calling my office on 01978 869058, and we can take it from there.”

For more information visit www.trusselltrust.org/foodbank-projects.

700 join Plas Madoc demonstration

The BBC news website is reporting this evening that 700 people joined a demonstration outside the Plas Madoc leisure centre protesting against plans to close it and the Waterworld centre in Wrexham.

For the full story see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-25696072

Call goes out for First Responders

THE Welsh Ambulance Service is appealing to the people of North Wales to make a difference to family, friends or neighbours in distress by becoming a Community First Responder.

The Trust is to host an open evening on Tuesday, January 21 in Colwyn Bay in a bid to recruit new volunteers from Flintshire, Wrexham, Conwy and Denbighshire.

First responders are volunteers who give up their spare time to attend appropriate 999 calls and give first hand emergency care to people in their own community.

All volunteers will be trained by the Welsh Ambulance Service to administer basic first aid, oxygen therapy, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of a defibrillator.

First responders do not replace the normal response of a paramedic in a rapid response vehicle or an emergency ambulance, but support the patient until they arrive.

Claire Hurford, who will train the new recruits on behalf of the Trust, said: “Every second counts when you are trying to save someone’s life, and Community First Responder schemes are hugely beneficial in helping the ambulance service provide the best possible pre-hospital care for patients.

“Many of our volunteers have taken experiences that life has thrown at them, such as seeing a loved one suffer a heart attack, and have moulded them into a positive outlook to help family, friends and neighbours.

“You can make a big difference by just carrying out a few simple skills that we can teach you. If you are proud of the community in which you live, becoming a first responder can really help the heart of your village or town keeping beating long into the future.”

The two-hour event at Porth Eirias Watersports Complex in Colwyn Bay will start at 7pm.

After a brief introduction, visitors will get a detailed overview of the Community First Responder scheme, before hearing first hand from an existing first responder.

Those who would like to pursue it further will be given an informal interview and assessment on the evening.

“Community First Responders play an important role alongside frontline ambulance staff in making sure patients get appropriate help quickly and efficiently,” said Elwyn Price-Morris, Chief Executive of the Welsh Ambulance Service.

“Community First Responders are a key partner in the chain of survival and very much part of the whole Welsh Ambulance Service family,” he added.

If you would like to attend the open evening, call Claire Hurford on 01248 682028 or email Claire.Hurford@wales.nhs.uk so that you can fill out a pre-attendance questionnaire and make a note of important documentation you will need to bring.

Visit the ‘Community First Responders’ section of the Welsh Ambulance Service website for more information.

Chance to sing with Bryn Terfel on offer

 

 

* Legendary Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel.

 

A search has been launched for a talented young singer to perform with opera superstar Bryn Terfel at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

 

The hunt is on for a young boy to play Tobias Ragg in the Stephen Sondheim musical Sweeney Todd which will bring the curtain up on this year’s star-studded Eisteddfod in July.

 

Auditions will be held in February in Cardiff and at the Eisteddfod’s home in Llangollen where Musical Director Eilir Owen Griffiths will also be searching for two more ‘unknowns’ to join an all-Welsh cast for the performance on Monday, July 7.

 

He said: “As well as young Toby, we’re looking for two 18-25-year-olds to play the key roles of Anthony Hope and Johanna Baker, the two young lovers in this fantastic production.

 

“Somewhere out there is a young lad who doesn’t know it yet but in a few months he’ll be on stage with Bryn Terfel in front of a packed Royal International Pavilion – what a prospect.

 

“We have an all-star Welsh cast lined up, led by Bryn, and now we’re holding open auditions for these three key roles – Star Wars did it and if it’s good enough for George Lucas then it’s good enough for me.”

 

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street by Sondheim is set in 19^th century London and tells the story of the crazed barber who murders his clients and supplies the bodies to his accomplice, piemaker Mrs Lovett.

 

Sondheim’s multi-award winning classic was first performed on Broadway in 1979 and has since been a regular production across the world and on the big screen in 2007 when superstar Johnny Depp played Todd and Helena Bonham Carter his accomplice.

 

Bryn Terfel has played the role before, in 2002 in Chicago but hasn’t sung it since 2007 although he will be fronting a performance of it by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra at the Lincoln Center in New York in March.

 

It will be the first time he has performed on the International Eisteddfod stage since he opened the 2006 festival and that was his first appearance at Llangollen in a decade.

 

He said: “I’m absolutely thrilled I’m able to appear at the 2014 International Eisteddfod. I’m a proud Welshman and the International Eisteddfod is unique, the atmosphere, the colour, the audience, even the flowers, it really is a very, very special event.”

 

Eilir Owen Griffiths said: “It’s brilliant to have Bryn back this year and what an experience for those who come through the auditions to be on stage with him.

 

“I feel the Eisteddfod has a duty to encourage young talent in Wales and what an opportunity for those young up and coming singers, possibly complete unknowns, to come and star in this production. Giving young people the platform and a stage is something I really believe in and that’s why last year I’ve created the Children’s Choir of the World.

 

“It’s very exciting and the orchestra for the performance, the Sinfonia Cymru, is a very young orchestra also, conducted by maestro Gareth Jones.

 

“We need to be leaving a legacy and giving an opportunity for young people to shine.”

Anyone interested in taking part in the auditions in February, in Cardiff and Llangollen, should contact the Eisteddfod office by e-mail to events@international-eisteddfod.co.uk for more information.

 

Sweeney Todd will be the curtain raiser to six tremendous days at Llangollen which kicks off on Tuesday, July 8, with the Parade and a galaxy of international talent at the Carnival of Nations concert.

 

It will showcase spectacular circus acts from across the globe including Cirque du Soleil's Bruce Bilodeau, acrobats from the Chinese State Circus and Spellbound, winners of Britain's Got Talent.

 

The following night will see the return of Karl Jenkins, the highest selling classical composer alive today, with the world premiere of his latest masterpiece, Adiemus Colores.

 

He will conduct his Latin American themed work with American tenor Noah Stewart, Venezuelan trumpeter Pacho Flores and Latvian accordion player Ksenija Sidorova to the accompaniment of the Llangollen International Eisteddfod Orchestra.

 

The multi-award winning Dutch jazz singer Caro Emerald will be making her Llangollen debut on the Thursday evening.  Earlier this year her second studio album, The Shocking Miss Emerald, went to No 1 in the UK album chart.

 

The Friday night concert, Spirit of Unity, will feature the Cape Town Opera, Africa’s premiere opera company, famed for their "vibrant vocalism and high-octane stage performances".

 

Appearing with them will be Wales’ representative in Cardiff Singer of the World, Gary Griffiths, the Wales Millennium Centre Only Kidz Aloud Chorus under the baton of celebrity conductor Tim Rhys Evans and British Sinfonietta, one of the UK's leading independent professional orchestras.

 

The Choir of the World competition on the Saturday night is the blue riband event of the week-long festival and remains one of the foremost choral competitions in the international choral calendar.

 

Saturday will also feature a competition to find the dance champions of 2014 and to top the evening off Richard and Adam, who shot to fame on Britain’s Got Talent, will appear as special guests.

 

Bringing the house down on Sunday night will be legendary British rockers Status Quo who released the first of their 100 singles almost 50 years ago and are still Rocking All Over The World.

 

To book tickets and for more information on the 2014 festival go to the website at www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk

Chamber receives reply to bank closure letter

Llangollen Chamber of Trade and Tourism recently wrote to the head of the HSBC Bank objecting to the closure of the local branch later this year.

This is the reply, addressed to secretary Ian Parry, the chamber has just received from a senior executive:

Dear Mr Parry

Thank you for your letter dated 2 December, to which l am replying on behalf of Mr Stuart Gulliver, our Group Chief Executive. I trust you will accept my response as Head of Customer Relations for the bank. May I please assure you that Mr Gulliver is aware of the concerns you have raised about the forthcoming closure of our Llangollen branch.

I appreciate that the decision to close this branch has come as a disappointment to you and your members who use the facilities. We do take our commitment to local communities very seriously and it is never an easy decision to make when closing a part of our business. It was therefore only after careful consideration and with great regret that we made the difficult decision to close the branch.

We constantly monitor the levels of activity at our branches and use this information to make decisions about how we are represented. At Llangollen, we have very carefully assessed the sustainability of the premises, where the lease has expired, and undertaken a full study of customer activity at the branch with an evaluation of the options available to us that might help to restore a healthy level of business.

Unfortunately, the branch is simply not achieving the level of business required and we therefore have taken the decision to close.

While we recognise the value of our services to our Llangollen customers, we also have a commitment to managing our business sustainably, efficiently and cost effectively, for the beneñt of both our customers and our shareholders.

Changing banking habits mean that our customers are increasingly using telephone and internet banking, with a knock-on effect on the footfall within our branch network. In fact, more people will do business with us today on the internet and through our call centres than will visit our entire branch network. Sometimes, as is the case with Llangollen, we will make a decision to close a branch in response to these changing banking patterns.

We are very conscious of the impact a branch closure can have on some of our customers and We are determined to do as much as possible to limit the impact of this closure on the local community. Our branch staff` are speaking to our customers, advising them on alternative ways of banking such as using the internet or automating incoming payments, to reduce the reliance on these facilities.

Thank you again for taking the time to share your concerns with us. Again, I am sorry that we have had to take this very difficult decision, but I hope that I have explained both the reasons for it, and the steps We are taking to help those customers who are affected.

Yours sincerely

David Lewis

Head of Customer Relations

Lib Dems slam government over NHS waiting times

A record high number of people have been waiting over 36 weeks for the start of their treatment in the Welsh NHS, according to figures published today.

 

By the end of November, a total of 13,269 patients had been waiting over 36 weeks until the start of their treatment. 

 

And Welsh Lib Dems say this is despite the Welsh Labour Government’s target for 100% of patients to be seen within the 36 week period.

 

The Lib Dems also say the Welsh Government has a target for 95% of patients to wait less than 26 weeks until the start of their treatment. 

 

This target was also missed, with only 88% of patients being seen within this time, they claim.

 

Kirsty Williams, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said: “No one should be forced to wait over 36 weeks until the start of their treatment. Yet here in Wales, under a failing Labour Government, over 13,000 people have to wait over that time. That is disgraceful.

 

“Waiting for the start of their treatment is a very stressful time for any patient.  Reducing these long waiting periods has to be a priority for this Welsh Labour Government.

 

“Whether it is inadequate cancer care, poor ambulance response times or lengthy waiting times, the Welsh Labour Government is failing to offer the health service that patients in Wales need and deserve. This poverty of ambition is letting patients across Wales down. 

 

“NHS staff are working incredibly hard to help patients, but their attempts are being hampered by an incompetent Welsh Labour Government.”

Latest roadworks information

According to the latest roadworks bulletin from the county council, there were will be temporary traffic lights on the A5, opposite the Tyn Y Wern, Llangollen, from January 13-24 to allow works to a retaining wall.

LimeLight to stage Dylan Thomas show

For its latest production in Llangollen the LimeLight theatre group presents Dylan's Final Journey, a one-man show written and performed by Peter Read.

Telling the story of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas's last few days, the play starts in his “lovely, ugly” home town of Swansea and follows him through some of the journeys he made, culminating in his final one to New York  in 1953, where he died.

We see him leave Aberystwyth in the pouring rain to start his project of walking through Wales.

The mission is aborted after a couple of pints and the sighting of a queen rat.

We then travel with him to the “insane city” of London, which he claimed “smelled of goat.”

In the capital he meets Caitlin and several members of the drinking literati. 

In New York he is chased by a secret  detective and finally collapses after proudly announcing he has drunk eighteen whiskies, which he believes is a record.

Peter Read is an actor and prize winning author, both as a playwright and poet.

He has performed as Dylan Thomas throughout Britain and America, performances which have won him five star reviews at the Edinburgh Festival in two consecutive years.

Dylan’s Final Journey is for one night only at Llangollen Town Hall on Saturday, January 25 at 7.30pm

Tickets are £8 and £6.50 concessions. Box office tel: 01978 351315.

Tickets for LimeLight’s  next production, Billy Liar, directed by Peter Read, from March 20 to 22 , can also be purchased from the box office.

Flood warning for Lower Dee Valley

A flood warning has been issued for the Lower Dee Valley.

For more details see the Daily Post story at:

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/dee-valley-flood-warning-more-6479402 

AM welcomes extension of public consultation over Plas Madoc

CLWYD South Assembly Member Ken Skates has welcomed the decision by Wrexham County Borough Council to extend the public consultation period over the proposed closure of Plas Madoc Leisure Centre.

Labour AM Mr Skates said the authority had listened to the public and taken notice after it announced it was giving residents more time to have their say.

Mr Skates said: “Plas Madoc is my local leisure centre and I regularly attend fitness classes there and use the gym. I always find the staff incredibly friendly and it is to Wrexham Council’s credit that so many people want it retained.

“I welcome this news and congratulate the council on listening to the public and taking notice of their views on this important issue. I would also like to thank the service users for speaking up and making their feelings known, and I would encourage people who want the centre retained to use it or lose it.”

Mr Skates added: “Unfortunately, like every other Welsh local authority, the Wrexham Council leaders are having to make some very tough decisions because of the rough hand dealt to us by the UK Government.

“I know many of my constituents would be sad to see the facility at Plas Madoc go, so I am looking forward to talking to the council to explore every possible option.”

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones said: “I don't envy the council for some of the horribly painful choices they are facing, having been forced to make £45m in cuts locally because of the so-called austerity programme of David Cameron’s Government. 

“However, I remain of the view that the council must explore all options to try and keep Plas Madoc Leisure Centre open."

Members of the public now have until January 31 to have their say on the proposals by visiting the council’s website www.wrexham.gov.uk.

Robbie Savage joins campaign to save Plas Madoc

Robbie Savage has joined the campaign to save Plas Madoc leisure centre.

The former Wales international and football pundit said: "I loved going there as a kid. It was a treat, especially for the wave machine.

"I'll never forget the football five-a-side competitions with Llay United. I have great memories of Plas Madoc and sincerely hope it bstays open."

His support was welcomed by Rachel Lewis, of the Save Plas Madocb Leisure Centre campaign, who said: “This shows just how important Plas Madoc and other leisure facilities can be for local youngsters.

"It can be the stepping stone to an international career and it’s wonderful that Robbie hasn’t forgotten his roots here in Wrexham.

“Robbie’s comments also emphasise that Plas Madoc is about much more than just a swimming pool – it’s got a great gym and other sporting facilities that are valued by young and old alike.

 “Robbie and everyone else will be more than welcome to attend the mass protest we’re holding outside Plas Madoc at mid-day this Saturday (Jan 11) as well as one outside Waterworld at mid-day on Sunday (Jan 12).

"There is also a mass lobby of the council's executive board outside the Guildhall on Tuesday, January 14 at 1.15pm. Please bring your placards and banners and tell the councillors why you want to keep Plas Madoc open.”

The campaign has also set up a website atwww.savepmlc.wordpress.com, which has a range of resources for the

Queen's Baton Relay coming to county

Denbighshire County Council has expressed its delight at the news that the Queen’s Baton Relay will be visiting the county as part of its UK journey to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Touching down in Wales at Cardiff Airport on Saturday, May 24, the baton will travel across the country, engaging with communities and building support for Welsh athletes set to travel to Glasgow just two months later, reaching its final destination of Llandegla on Friday, May 30.

Denbighshire County Council, working with the Commonwealth Games Council for Wales, will make arrangements for the Relay to visit Rhyl, Moel Famau and Ruthin before making its way to the Oneplanet Adventure site in Llandegla, the last Denbighshire stop.

A host of activities will be arranged in Denbighshire to mark this special event.  Councillor Huw Jones, Cabinet Lead Member for Leisure, said: “It is a true honour for Denbighshire to host a leg of the Relay and we hope that the spotlight of the Relay will help us showcase what the county has to offer from a leisure perspective.

“The relay will take in spectacular new bridge in Rhyl, as well as the scenic countryside of the Clwydian Range that is ideal for walking and cycling, before making its way to the Oneplanet Adventure site with its great cycling facilities at Llandegla.

"Having national events like this really increases interest in sport and well-being in general and we need to make the best use of this opportunity."

Jamie Groves, Head of Communication, Marketing and Leisure said: “Whilst the spotlight is firmly on the leisure aspect of the event, there are also wider benefits to Denbighshire.

"It also provides Denbighshire with a firm opportunity to promote its facilities, attractions and outstanding scenery to the thousands of people who will be following coverage through the media. They are the potential tourists of the future and we want them to see that Denbighshire is a special, exciting and vibrant place to visit.

“Denbighshire is also earning a reputation for being a great place for events and we need to capitalise on this opportunity to show event organisers that Denbighshire really means business when it comes to attracting high calibre, nationally significant events to our county.”

For a more detailed guide to the day by day highlights and events taking place for the QBR from Saturday. May 24 – Friday, May 30, visit http://teamwales.co.uk and for more information on the baton’s journey around the Commonwealth visit http://www.glasgow2014.com/queens-baton-relay

MP demands tougher sentencing for serious driving offences

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones is to introduce a new Bill in Parliament tomorrow (Wednesday) calling a review of sentencing for serious driving offences.

 

The Bill stems directly from a local campaign after nine-year-old Robert Gaunt of Overton died after being knocked down by a car on the road near his home in 2009.

 

The car was driven by an unlicensed and uninsured driver who was jailed for 22 months and banned from driving for four years after he admitted perverting the course of justice.  He only served 10 months in jail.

Robert’s family and the local community began a Justice for Robert campaign that called for a change to the law. More than 3,300 people have signed a petition and they have been supported by their local MP.

Susan Elan Jones said: "My Bill calls for the Secretary of State to undertake a review of the maximum penalties for driving offences that lead to death and serious injury. The Labour Party frontbench are supporting this Bill and I very much hope the Government will do so too.

 
“For far too long, people who commit serious driving offences have received unduly lenient sentences. That’s why we need this review.

“My constituents embarked on a campaign to secure Justice for Robert. We can never of course secure true justice for a young boy so tragically and needlessly deprived of his life.  But what I hope we can do is to take action that will save more families from similar heartbreak in the future."

Work to start on new printworks this month

* An artist's impression of the new printworks.

J‐Ross Developments Ltd, part of The Pickstock Group of companies, based in Oswestry, is due to start work on a new printworks for Dobson & Crowther Ltd on the Climedw site this month.

This is part of the first phase of development that must be completed before work can start on a new Sainsbury’s foodstore nearby.

The development proposals form part of two planning permissions approved by Denbighshire Council in December 2012, which provided for local employer Dobson & Crowther Ltd to be relocated to a new purpose built facility at Climedw, a designated employment site on the outskirts of Llangollen, and the subsequent construction of a new food store and car park for Sainsbury’s on the existing printworks site.

It is anticipated that the first phase will take around seven months to complete and that the construction on the new food store site will start in the second half of the year, once Dobson & Crowther have decanted into their new premises.

Nick Scott of J‐Ross Developments said: “We are delighted to be starting on site with this exciting project and look forward to working with the Town Council and Denbighshire County Council to minimise any disruption during the course of construction.”

J‐Ross Developments have worked closely with Dobson and Crowther on the design of their new 4,180sq.m. (45,000sq ft) purpose built factory.

A press statement from J-Ross says: “The development represents a significant investment for Dobson and Crowther, who with approximately 100 employees is Llangollen’s largest employer, allowing their current operations to be modernised, achieving improved efficiencies which will ensure that they remain competitive in their market and helping to support the future of their business.”

“Once complete the new 3,205sq.m.(34,500sq.ft.) Sainsbury’s store will occupy Dobson & Crowther’s old site and will create around 130 new jobs, providing a major economic boost for the area, allowing local people to carry out their main food shop locally rather than travel out of town.

“Access will be improved from the A5 to accommodate the traffic movements, and a link with the footpath along the riverside will be developed to provide a safe and convenient pedestrian route to the town centre.”

Paul Holden of Dobson & Crowther said: “The workforce are thrilled by the prospects of moving in to a brand new factory and the benefits this will bring to the business. We are all looking forward to a busy but exciting year.”

Joanne Hawley, Sainsbury’s Development Surveyor, said: “We are delighted to be coming to Llangollen and are looking forward to opening the new Sainsbury’s foodstore. We will continue talking to local people about how Sainsbury’s can work together with all Llangollen Town Centre stakeholders and we will be starting to recruit new colleagues ahead of the store opening in 2015.”

Ken Skates, the Welsh Assembly Member for Clwyd South, said: “I have been a strong supporter of this project from the start and welcome this investment in the region and hope it will be the start of  brighter things to come for Llangollen and the Dee Valley after the toughest recession we have seen for a generation.”

Llangollen county councillor Stuart Davies said: “I am very pleased to see the plans coming to fruition. I fully supported this development at the planning committee realising that it was going to safeguard existing jobs and create new ones.”

New WI branch set to launch

A new branch of the Women’s Institute has been set up in the heart of the Dee Valley.

Valley Girls WI will meet on the first Tuesday of every month in Llangollen and welcome ladies from in and around the Dee Valley area.

First meeting of the new group will be at the Hand Hotel tomorrow, Tuesday, January 7, starting at 8pm.

For questions and queries, contact Gail Ellson on 07813 971685; Kate Collins on 07720 059682 or Mary Lewis on 07772 032842.  

Writing group opens first chapter

A new writing group is starting in Llangollen.

Write Now is to meet at 7.30pm on the third Wednesday of every month in the back 'nook' of the Wynnstay.

A group spokeswoman said: "All genres welcome. We will read some of our writing out loud to each other, give constructive feedback, and share news of contests and events."

First meeting is planned for Wednesday, January 15.

* For further information contact Rachel at dr.rc.morris@gmail.com.

Railway says fond farewell to famous Black Five loco

* Bowing out - the Black Five locomotive.

Llangollen Railway has arranged a special weekend of train activities to allow steam buffs to say a fond farewell to the Black Five locomotive which is due to leave the Dee Valley line. 

 

After being associated with the Llangollen Railway for 20 years, the engine, No.44806, has been sold to new owners in North Yorkshire and is due to depart later in the month. 

 

George Jones, for Llangollen Railway, said: “No.44806 has been a firm favourite with steam fans throughout its stay with us.

 

"It came to Llangollen in 1993 after a period on static display in a museum, but boiler repair work allowed the engine to return to steam for an active life.

 

"It has been a reliable workhorse and will be much missed when its operation at Llangollen ends with a celebration on Sunday, January 5. 

 

“The class of Black Five locomotives, as developed by the London Midland & Scottish Railway, operated the length and breadth of Britain in British Railways days, although they did not feature on the Ruabon to Barmouth route which was a Great Western line.

 

"It is only in preservation days that the type has been seen at Llangollen and proved equal to the task of hauling trains on the gradient towards Carrog.”  He added: "As part of the farewell weekend the railway is offering an intensive service of trains with two other steam locomotives supporting the Black Five, a diesel locomotive and a rail car offering a variety of travel options, as well as a demonstration freight train.

 

"The Winter Warmer event will appeal to steam buffs and others who may be at a loose end in a period when little else is in operation and looking for a day out as well as a farewell opportunity."

 

* More details at: www.llangollen-railway.co.uk

New housing scheme opens for business

Housing Minister, Carl Sargeant has announced that a new scheme designed to help buyers of new homes and provide a major boost to home builders across Wales is now open for business.

 

The Welsh Government’s £170 million Help to Buy – Wales shared equity loan scheme will make home ownership easier for buyers of new homes who have small cash deposits.

Mr Sargeant said: “This is an important day for housing in Wales. From today many more people in Wales will be able to buy a brand new home thanks to Help to Buy – Wales.

“The recession and a tightening of mortgage lending have meant that buyers who lack a large deposit are finding home ownership is not an affordable option.

“Help to Buy - Wales will address this by helping more people get onto, and move up, the housing ladder.

“In addition to providing a much-needed boost for the Welsh housing market, the scheme will counter the fall in house building activity we have seen across the UK since the financial crisis. 

“This Welsh Government initiative will support the purchase of around 5,000 new homes in Wales during the next two and a half years. It will provide the Welsh housing market with essential momentum and will also create valuable jobs in the construction industry.

“More than fifty builders across Wales are already looking to take part in the scheme and I am delighted that nine of these have already completed the registration process and are ready to offer the first loans to buyers from today.     

"The scheme demonstrates the Welsh Government’s commitment to supporting the housing sector.

“Help to Buy – Wales will lead to increased economic activity and many new jobs in the home building industry, giving a vital boost to the Welsh economy.”

Campaigners challenge leisure centre closure costs

Campaigners fighting to retain two leisure centres say proposals to close them would save only £97,000 a year.

The campaigners met this week to build opposition to Wrexham Council's plan to axe Plas Madoc, which is used by people from Lllangollen, along with the Waterworld leisure centre in Wrexham as part of a cost-saving exercise.

They point out that the proposed savings from closing the two centres and building a smaller pool complex next door to the existing Waterworld site would only save £97,000 a year, according to a report by consultants. 
Alison Roberts, for the campaign, said: "The savings of £886,000 do not account for any demolition or site clearance costs, which are likely to be substantial. I think we need to question the reliability of the repairs and maintenance costs. 

"The huge and disproportionate figure given for Plas Madoc was derived from a conditional survey, based on a visual assessment. We question this and request an independent in-depth assessment to ascertain true and reliable figures. 

"These are well-used leisure facilities that our communities want to maintain. It's vital that the council takes that on board before making any decision."
The council's executive board will vote on January 14 on whether to go ahead with the closure proposal and the campaign is planning to unite local communities in a mass protest on the Saturday before outside Plas Madoc.
Fellow campaigner Darrell Wright said: "We're organising a peaceful but noisy protest for all the community outside Plas Madoc at mid-day on Saturday, January 11 to show how much our leisure centre means to us.

"This is where local children learn to swim and play, where adults can use a gym and other sports facilities and where people can get rehab in the community. Lots of various sports groups meet there and will be left homeless if the council presses ahead with these short-sighted plans .

"We want people to turn up with pots and pans to make some noise as well as wearing their sports gear.
"This has all happened so suddenly just before Christmas and many people we've spoken to while collecting signatures on our petitions were unaware of the threat to close. So we've got to act quickly and make sure everyone puts pressure on the 10 councillors on the executive board to consider the impact on the community before the close these sporting facilities.

"We hope the thousands who are on our Facebook page, the thousands who&n bsp;have already signed our petitions and everyone who is against this foolish plan will turn out on the 11th to show their support.  We will also be lobbying the meeting in the Guildhall on Tuesday, January 14."
* The cost of closing both Waterworld and Plas Madoc is £886,000; the cost of building a smaller Waterworld is £789,000 per year. The figures are taken from the consultants' report - http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/MinutesData/HomesEnvCom/Reports/haed5913s.pdf (page 22 of the consultant's report at the end of the committee report).

All the best for 2014 from llanblogger!

Chirk man gets CBE in New Year's Honours

A scientist from Chirk has been made a CBE in the New Year's Honours List.

For the full story see: http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/new-years-honours-katherine-jenkins-6455539

Body found under bridge near Chirk bypass, says ITV

... Traffic Wales said at 4pm that the A483 is now open in both directions from Ruabon to Halton following the earlier closure due to the accident ... 


The ITV news website is reporting this afternoon (Monday) that the body of a woman has been found beneath a bridge over the A483 Chirk bypass.

According to the story, North Wales Police say the body was discovered at around 1.30pm just north of the Halton roundabout.

The woman has not yet been identified, but her death is being treated as unexplained.

A stretch of the A483 - between the A5 Halton roundabout and the A539 J1 Ruabon - will be closed while investigations are carried out. Diversions are in place, adds the story.