Intrepid Mike and Co. to splash out for Sports Relief

*Mike Edwards at the Cheshire Sprint Tri last June
when he swam 400m, cycled 20k and ran 5k.

An intrepid Llangollen man is taking on a daunting physical challenge this weekend to raise cash for Sports Relief.

Mike Edwards, former chair of community group Keep Llangollen Special, likes to keep himself fit with regular swimming and cycling sessions.

And he’ll be needing all his stamina to stay ahead of the game tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon when he makes a big splash in the swimathon being staged in aid Sports Relief in the pool at Wrexham’s Waterworld.

Joined by his eldest son Christian, Mike aims to stroke his way through 1,500 metres or 60 lengths of the pool.

Christian’s target is a more ambitious 5,000 but, as Mike says: “I’m giving him too many years.”

Swimming alongside the dynamic Edwards duo will be their friends Rachael and Andy Bennion and their son Joss, plus Richard and Nerys Bennion.

Mike added: “We are all also going along to Ty Mawr Country Park on Sunday where my grandchildren, James, Katie and Lucy, Christian's wife Alison and my wife Lis are running the mile event together.

“If anyone wishes to sponsor my swimathon efforts they can at: https://my.sportrelief.com/sponsor/michaeledwards

 

UPDATE ...

 

Sport Relief: Will Swimming the Pontcsyllte Aqueduct be Mike’s next greatest challenge?

 

Mike’s boundless energy and indomitable spirit are well-known to fellow members of Keep Llangollen Special Community Group. I’m going to convert my envy into £10 cash to be put in his hand in return for a handshake the very next time we meet, and I challenge Wrexham County councillors to do the same as some sort of gesture of  apology for their counter-productive and myopic decisions to close leisure centres like Waterworld and Plas Madoc. The irony of them praising their constituents’ magnificent efforts to support Sport Relief while voting to close publicly-owned leisure centres will not be lost on the rest of us. Neither will it be forgotten nor forgiven, so please at least match my pledge at https://my.sportrelief.com/sponsor/michaeledwards.

 

Swim like The Man from Atlantis, Mike – we’re immensely proud of you!

 

Martin Crumpton

Chair ΞKeep Llangollen SpecialΞ

 

Second public meeting planned to save Plas Madoc

Residents are being urged to again turn out in force to a second public meeting over the future of Plas Madoc Leisure Centre, as work to save the facility continues.

A meeting of the newly formed Plas Madoc Community Group on Sunday (March 16) was this week hailed a success by chairman Darrell Wright, from Trevor.

Darrell 67, said: “Several new sub-committees were formed to look at different aspects, both of acquiring the centre and of running it.

“With the offers of help we had after the public meeting we’ve now got about 20 people in the group and we seem to have everything covered. There are some really positive vibes.”

The first public meeting at Air Products Social Club in Acrefair on March 13 was attended by 150-200 people and it was decided that the working group including Clwyd South AM Ken Skates and John Gallanders, an expert in community-run enterprises, should merge with the residents’ action group Save Plas Madoc Leisure Centre. 

Darrell and the rest of the team are holding another committee meeting next Thursday (March 27) and are finalising plans for a second public meeting, which they hoping will attract another big crowd.

Darrell said: “We’re all feeling really positive and we’ve got some good momentum going, so we need people to show their enthusiasm again and show that they want this. 

“Word-of-mouth is as good an advert as anything, so we’re hoping people who went away from the first meeting feeling positive will tell their friends and neighbours and we’ll have even more people next time. As we said at the meeting at Air Products, the people are the key to the success of this plan.”

AM welcomes clamp down on PPI market

Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson on Social Justice Peter Black has welcomed moves by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to clamp down on poor practice in the selling of all kinds of protection insurance.

 

His comments come after the FCA announced plans earlier this month to improve competition and consumer protection in this sector after an eight-month investigation found poor competition, low levels of claims, and people potentially being overcharged by up to £200 million a year for products that they neither need nor use.

 

Mr Black said: “You would have thought that after the miss-selling of PPI for which financial institutions are still being forced to pay out compensation to customer, the industry would have learned its lesson. You would clearly be wrong.

 

“Far too many people still complain to me about things like pre-ticked boxes on websites, overpriced travel insurance from travel agents and tour companies, add-on personal accident insurance, and expensive stand-alone insurance for items like mobile phones and tablets.

 

“That is why I support the FCA in seeking to ban pre-ticked boxes, to insist on the industry providing cooling-off periods so that people can change their minds, and to force companies to come clean about the number of successful claims up front so that customers can judge if an insurance really is value for money or just another rip-off.

 

“As fat-cat financial institutions won’t reform on their own, they must be forced to do so.”

AM ready for Sport Relief challenge

CLWYD South AM Ken Skates will take on a six-mile run in Cefn Mawr this weekend to raise money for Sport Relief 2014.

Labour Assembly Member Mr Skates will tackle the challenge at Ty Mawr Country Park on Sunday (March 23) as part of the biennial charity event run in association with the BBC.

Sport Relief brings together the worlds of sport and entertainment to raise money to help vulnerable people both in the UK and the world's poorest countries, and last time out the total donated on the night of the live TV broadcast topped £50m.

Mr Skates (pictured left) said: “I am really looking forward to the event, and the fact I can take part in my own constituency makes it even better. I know a few other people who are taking part, and it promises to be a great day which will raise thousands of pounds for a wonderful cause.”

Mr Skates has his own sponsorship page and says anyone who wants to donate to Sport Relief still has time to do so.

He added: “My initial fundraising target was £100, but thanks to people’s amazing generosity I’ve managed to get past the £200 mark and I’m now hoping I can push it up even more in the next few days.

“Fifteen pounds could buy vaccines that help protect three children against deadly diseases, every £25 could provide a therapy session for a young person living with HIV and £50 could help a mother living in poverty in Bangladesh set up her own small business and provide for her family.

“I would be extremely grateful for any donations – whatever people can afford will make a difference to someone’s life.”

To sponsor Mr Skates visit my.sportrelief.com/sponsor/kenskates

KLS chair comments on Sainsbury's sales dip

Martin Crumpton, chair of Keep Llangollen Special, comments on the recent announcement of a 3.1% dip in like-for-like sales for Sainsbury's, which is due to open a new supermarket in the town.

"Sainsbury’s shareholders may finally steer the company away from Big Box, local economy devouring formats, given the disappointing results announced yesterday – over 3% down.

It’s also been bad news for Tesco, Morrisons, and tipped the balance to the German discounters such as Aldi and Lidl. As the BBC’s Robert Peston points out, none of them can blame the economy: Shoppers are changing how they shop.

There’s no conceit or smugness in stating that Keep Llangollen Special has played a part in re-introducing shoppers to value of the little bit of extra time involved in buying local for better quality, better service, better value for money and a slower, more enjoyable and healthier experience. The major supermarkets are starting to pay for perpetuating the myth they created of being
cheaper.

KLS was one of the first pioneers of Buy Local, now in its third year since we started it here, thriving and still growing. Saturdays in Llangollen used to be tranquil, shopper-free days. Visit our butchers on a Saturday and they’re humming with customers, and Saturdays aren’t Buy Local days! Twitter and Facebook are buzzing with converts, and both me and Mike Edwards’ messages are reaching millions, alongside so many others promoting this change of lifestyle.

So much so that April 14th has been dedicated nationally to Buy Local. That means a one-off change of day for us – we usually organise these events for the second Friday of each month – and it’s so rewarding to see how many have tried Buy Local and then kept it up.

See you in Town on Saturday!"

Llan's Royal British Legion branch saved from closure

* Llangollen RBL branch plays a key role in the annual Remembrance Day parade. 

LLANGOLLEN’S Royal British Legion branch has been saved from closure after one of its members agreed to take on three key positions.

But John Lawton, who will now become chairman and secretary on top of his current role as treasurer, says he can’t continue to do all the jobs indefinitely and has put out the call to members for more support to keep the branch going.

The branch, which was founded in 1923 as a gathering point for men who had served in World War One, thrived for years but has recently suffered from falling attendances at meetings.

Crisis point came when the man who had served as both chairman and secretary, Bob Davidson, had to stand down because of ill-health.

Seeing that there was a real possibility that the branch might fold, treasurer Mr Lawson decided it was time to step into the breach.

He said: “The good news now is that our branch can keep open.

“Since after Christmas, I have been holding meetings with both RBL area officials and headquarters regarding the viability of the branch.

 

“In order for it to remain active, I have had to agree to take on the jobs which Bob Davidson used to do, chairman and secretary, as well as my own job as treasurer. 

“I did this reluctantly and only agreed that I would do it firstly to keep the branch open and secondly only until such time as Bob recovers his health and returns to lead us again.

 

“However, the committee of five members cannot continue to do this alone. We need the support of the 47 members of the branch.”

 

Mr Lawton added: “If attendance at the meetings does not improve, then reluctantly I will not continue and will allow the branch to close.

 

“It is up to the members to pull together now and support the branch.

 

“This year is the anniversary of the First World War, which was the catalyst for the formation of the Royal British Legion, and it would be a shame to allow the branch to close in this important year.

 

“At the moment we are meeting in The Hand Hotel in Llangollen at 12.15pm on the first Tuesday of the month.

 

“Once more members attend, we may be able to return to meeting in the evening of the first Tuesday of the month at The Hand 7.30 for 8pm, so it is now up to the members to show their willingness to keep the branch active.”

 

Llangollen RBL was formed 91 years ago in time to consecrate the town’s cenotaph in November, 1923.

 

Mr Lawton has previously been secretary of the Historic Warships in Birkenhead, a Petty Officer in the Sea Cadet Corps and treasurer of Llangollen Royal Naval Association.

Meet Denbighshire's new chief inspector

Jason Devonport has been appointed as the new chief inspector for Denbighshire by North Wales Police.

 

The officer, who previously held the post as inspector for the Denbighshire Coastal and the Abergele area based in Rhyl, was successful in recent promotions board along with three other officers stationed across the force.

 

“I am very pleased to remain within Denbighshire, my time as an Inspector here has been challenging and extremely rewarding, I am looking forward to the future and the challenges that we face,” said Chief Insp Devonport (pictured left).

 

It was in Rhyl that the officer first started his career with North Wales Police, having transferred from West Midlands Police in 2001.

 

After being promoted to sergeant, the officer left the coastal town for more investigative type roles.  Some of this work included helping to tackle burglaries and before coming to Rhyl as an inspector he headed Flintshire CID as the detective inspector based in Mold.

 

“What I am keen to build on is the relationship with our partners and the communities to continue to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour within the county, for a safer North Wales. Problem solving and hot spot policing has worked well in coastal area of Denbighshire, I am keen to develop these further and to build on the work that is being undertaken with rural crime in the southern part of the county.”

Council warns landlords over maintenance issues

Denbighshire County Council is warning property landlords that it will take court action against those who fail to maintain their properties and not license them as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO).

The warning follows two recent successful prosecutions brought by the council.

In one case, a landlord was served with an Improvement Notice under the Housing Act 2004, for his property in Rhyl.  

The notice included works to be carried out to resolve complex dampness issues, being rising damp, condensation and penetrating dampness, electrical repairs, insulation and repairs to the rear door.

Following numerous emails and communication with the tenants, the council concluded that no works had been carried out to remedy the problems.

At Llandudno Magistrates Court, the landlord pleaded guilty to the offence of non-compliance and he was fined £200, with costs of £400.

In the second case, two co-owners of a property were fined for offences under the Housing Act.  One was fined £2,250 for two offences, the other fined £1,500.

Councillor David Smith, Cabinet Lead Member for Public Protection, said: "Although the fine is disappointing and is a matter for the courts, it is again an important conviction for us and sends a message out to other negligent landlords that if they have an improvement notice served on them to require works to be completed, we will prosecute them if they choose to ignore it.

"The majority of landlords are responsible and take the health and safety of their tenants seriously, but  not maintaining their properties properly simply will not be tolerated. The Council is there to provide advice and information for landlords and is offered with a view to landlords protecting the welfare of tenants, but ignoring that advice and guidance could result in action being taken against the landlords.

"I must commend the housing enforcement staff responsible for bringing these matters to the courts for their due diligence and perserverance in their efforts to protect the welfare of tenants."

Denbighshire County Council says it supports landlords and tenants through providing advice, responding to complaints, arranging landlord forums twice a year and producing information newsletters.

Special event aims to help grow businesses

Denbighshire County Council is holding a free special event at Llangollen Pavilion early next month designed to help businesses grow and flourish.

Entitled Denbighshire Open for Business, it will take place on Thursday, April 3, from 5pm to 8.30pm.

People attending will get an insight into how to develop your business in the current climate, learn new skills and ideas from motivational speakers, make vital new contacts from the council and other businesses and have the chance to record their  own 30 second promotional video for free.

On the night you will be entered into a free raffle draw. Prizes include four VIP tickets to a concert at the International Eisteddfod and two Denbighshire Leisure annual memberships. A buffet will be provided.

Attendance at this event is free of charge.

To book online, go to: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/resident/leisure/events/April-2014/booking-form-open-for-business.aspx

Paper examines town's parking issue

The Denbighshire Fee Press online has a story today about the thorny issue of car parking in Llangollen.

See the full story at: http://m.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/mobile/mnews/131948/parking-is-a-problem-in-town-that-attracts-100-000-tourists.aspx

UPDATE ...

We have received the following letter on the parking issue from reader Mike Edwards, together with a picture of the "pinch point" on Mill Street he refers to:

Firstly at a Town Council Meeting last year Councillor Davies made it clear that the County Council's main driver was income generation. The main problem with weekend parking at the Medical Centre is the lack of safe pedestrian footpaths between the site and the Town Centre. As the photograph shows there is a pinch point (pictured below) on Mill Street which cannot be removed without demolishing property.

The County Council is failing again to take the local Communities views into consideration and has now allowed two out of town developments ignoring Planning Policy Wales on protection of the vibrancy and viability of Town Centres and Sustainability by permitting developments which will increase vehicle movements in Llangollen.

The construction of these out of town buildings will have a adverse affect on Llangollen detrimentally pulling traffic and pedestrian flow away from the town centre.

Why does Denbighshire so strongly support Corporate interests which extract money out of the Local Economy to HQs outside Wales and  fail to support our own local independent businesses who encourage money to be re-circulated in the Dee Valley Economy?

Mike Edwards
  

AM's ideas to tackle housing shortage

Shadow Housing Minister Mark Isherwood AM has spoken of the need for the Welsh Government to work with Housing Associations to maximise the supply of housing and help tackle the housing supply crisis in Wales.

 

Mr Isherwood raised the matter when questioning the Housing Minister in the Assembly Chamber this week on the Code of Governance the Minister is developing with Community Housing Cymru (CHC), the representative body for housing associations and community mutuals in Wales.

 

He said: “To what extent will the Code of Governance that you referred to, being developed by you and Community Housing Cymru, impact on the Housing Pact for Supply with Community Housing Cymru, and to what extent, under the Code, is the Welsh Government willing to give Housing Associations in Wales the same freedom as those available to Housing Associations in England and Scotland to manage increased levels of risk?”

 

The Minister replied: “We are in discussion with CHC and interested stakeholders in terms of what that Pact will consist of. I am very flexible on my approach to risk-based assessment. We have changed the way that that is operating, and there is still a little bit of improvement to go. However, it works both ways. There is an expectation that I will release risk in terms of giving autonomy to RSLs in the way that they operate, providing that they can show to me that there is good governance in place. Good governance means equity across board membership, not just male-dominated boards.”

 

Mr Isherwood added: “Where gender imbalance exists in the make up of boards, positive action is required to equip people of both genders and all backgrounds with the skills required. However, my question focused on the need for the Minister to work with Housing Associations to maximise the supply of housing and help tackle the housing supply crisis in Wales created by the Labour Welsh Government.”       

Man airlifted to hospital after Horseshoe Pass accident

Wrexham.com is reporting this evening (Sunday) that an air ambulance was sent to the Horseshoe Pass just above Llangollen late this afternoon to take a man to hospital who had been injured in an accident there.

For more detail see: http://www.wrexham.com/news/air-rescue-incident-closes-horseshoe-pass-42016.html

Llangollen Fire Station tweeted earlier:

Llangollen Fire ‏@Llangollenfire 1h

At 16:06 we were called to a RTC at the horse shoe pass. 1 car involved 1male trapped crews used spreaders and stabfast to extract casualty.

Isherwood becomes "dementia friend"

 

* North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood at the launch of

Dementia Friends with Ruth Jones.

 

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has taken a key step towards helping end the stigma surrounding dementia by pledging to become one of Wales’ first Dementia Friends.

 

Mr Isherwood joined actress Ruth Jones MBE, and AMs from across the country, for the launch of Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends programme at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay.

 

Dementia Friends aims to give people in Wales a better understanding of dementia and the small things that they can do that could make a difference to people living with the condition. From helping someone to find the right bus to spreading the word about dementia on social media, every action counts.

 

Thanks to funding from Welsh Government, Alzheimer's Society is running a year-long pilot of their Dementia Friends programme in Wales. The trailblazing initiative aims to improve people's understanding of dementia and its effects.

 

The charity hopes four thousand people in Wales will become Dementia Friends Wales by 2015. The move comes in a bid to make the country more dementia-friendly and improve the lives of the 45,500 people currently living with the condition.

 

Mr Isherwood was one of twenty-two AMs who took part in the launch event.

 

He said: “I've signed up to show my support for Dementia Friends, and am encouraging people in North Wales  to do the same too. With a growing number of people living with dementia, it's more important than ever we all have a better understanding of the condition.

 

“Dementia Friends is about giving people an understanding of dementia and the small things they can do that can make a difference to people living with dementia. From helping someone find the right bus to spreading the word about dementia, it can help make our local community a better place to live.”

 

Sue Phelps, Director of Alzheimer’s Society in Wales said: “Most people don’t know enough about dementia. Dementia Friends is the perfect opportunity to be able to invite everyone to improve their knowledge. We are pleased to have been able to engage twenty-two AMs in one day. They have a huge influence in their local communities and we hope they will use this opportunity to take action and improve lives.”

 

If you are interested in becoming a Dementia Friend or helping create more communities that are dementia-supportive, go to dementiafriends.org.uk/wales to find your nearest information session or to volunteer as a Dementia Friends Champion.

AM welcomes Chirk health centre progress

The new Chirk health centre will bring ‘huge benefits’ to the area, says Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates.

The Labour AM visited the site of the under-construction surgery on Colliery Road yesterday (Friday) to hear more about its state-of-the-art facilities from the developers.

Mr Skates said: “Building work is progressing well and the centre should be completed in the next few weeks as planned. I have been a keen supporter of the project since the outset, and believe it will bring huge benefits to the area once fully operational.”

The new two-storey eco-friendly centre will replace Chirk Surgery’s current premises in Castle Road and will feature a number of sophisticated ‘green’ features, including solar panels and an advanced drainage system.

Mr Skates added: “The centre will also offer a minor operations facility and a pharmacy. It will be a major boost for Chirk and will offer residents first class medical treatment in a modern, purpose-built and spacious environment fit for the 21st century.”

On Friday Mr Skates also visited Chirk Community Hospital to meet staff and the volunteer-run the League of Friends.

He said: “The staff at the hospital and its minor injuries unit do a fantastic job serving the community, including the employees of major companies like Kronospan and Mondelez/Cadbury’s and the many tourists who visit Chirk every year.

“It was great to see the volunteers from the League of Friends again. They are constantly fundraising to help maintain and improve the facilities and are a credit to the area.”

Archeologists make exciting finds in Clwydian Range

The Clwydian Range Archaeology Group, a group of amateur archaeologists originally formed under the auspices of the Heather and Hillforts Project, have made exciting discoveries on a historic site in the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Through the Heather and Hillforts Project, the group undertook various geophysical surveys on the flanks of Moel Arthur, an Iron Age hillfort in the Moel Famau Country Park.

These surveys took place below the hillfort and several ‘anomalies’ were identified.

Following the culmination of Heather and Hillforts, the group decided to continue its activities as a community voluntary group and to investigate further the ‘anomalies’ identified in the surveys.  I

n the summer of 2013, the group carried out excavations on the north western flanks of Moel Arthur to investigate a particularly strong magnetic response found in one of these surveys.

This excavation revealed a water logged pit filled with burnt stones and a substantial amount of charcoal.  The charcoal was sent for radiocarbon dating and has been dated between 2617 cal BC and 2462 cal BC making its construction early Bronze Age.  

The purpose of these sites remains obscure with opinion ranging from the cooking of food, to Bronze Age saunas possibly with ritualistic functions and more recently with brewing.

They are collectively known as ‘burnt mounds’ and they are usually found lying near to a watercourse.  

This ‘mound’ is one of the first to be discovered in North East Wales though they have been found in other areas of Britain and Ireland.  

The discovery of this mound in its waterlogged position is a significant find and is indicative of occupation and land use in this area during the late Neolithic or early Bronze Age.  

On previous excavations on the hillside the group have found many Neolithic and Early Bronze Age flints including a barbed and tanged arrowhead. In 1962 bronze axes were found which have also been dated to a similar period.

The excavation, undertaken with the support of students from Coleg Cambria and the Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust, was very exciting, conducted in extremes of weather, howling gales, torrential rain and days of bright sunshine when the Clwydian Range was at its most beautiful.  

This project has been supported by Cadwyn Clwyd Rural Development Agency and has received funding through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013 which is funded by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

Support has also been received from the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB Sustainable Development Fund, a fund for innovative, sustainable and environmental projects involving local communities in the AONB.

Nick Critchley, AONB Sustainable Development Officer said: “This is a fantastic discovery made by the Clwydian Range Archaeology Group. We were very pleased to support the excavations and are delighted with the outcome, which adds more detail to the fascinating story of how people lived and worked in the Clwydian Range more than 4000 years ago.”

If you would like to know more about the Moel Arthur excavation, findings or the volunteer group ,contact Membership Secretary Irene Milhench on 01691 690184 or Secretary Pat Daley on 01352 759135.

Rehearsals for Operatic's new show going well

Rehearsals are well underway for Llangollen Operatic Society’s forthcoming production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado.

This popular operetta has been updated and is set in the 1970s – think hot-pants, mini-skirts and dodgy hairstyles.

A talented cast includes newcomer David Bartleet as Nanki Poo and Helen Belton as his beloved Yum Yum.

Yum Yum’s sisters are played by Jo Potts and Karen Davies. This is Karen’s first time with the society having previously sung in operas such as Figaro and the Magic Flute.

Another new member joining the cast of The Mikado, which runs at Llangollen Town Hall from Wednesday to Saturday, May 14-17, is 18-year-old Kieran Davie from Shotton.

Kieran has performed with the Welsh National Opera and is hoping to get a place at a specialist college so that he can pursue his career in music.

The demanding role of Katisha will be taken by Justine Bradey. Although Justine hasn’t appeared on stage with the society for several years, you may have seen her performances in local pantomimes and Return to the Forbidden Planet.

The society is also pleased to welcome back Operatic stalwarts Dave Short and Jim Allen, as The Mikado and Pooh Bah respectively, together with Richard Mascarenhas as Koko, the Lord High Executioner.

Society members are enjoying the rehearsals and aiming to put as much fun as possible into the comedy numbers.

Musical director is Owen Roberts and some of the memorable songs featured in the show include A Wandering Minstrel and Three Little Maids.

Artistic director Chrissie Ashworth and her Co-director/Choreographer Pamela Williams both say they are very pleased with the progress being made in preparations for the show.    

Plas Madoc campaign gathers pace

The BBC news website reports this evening (Thursday) that the campaign to save Plas Madoc leisure centre gathers pace.

See the full story at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-26556831 

Tories to stage spring conference in Llan

ANOTHER political party has announced it will be staging a major conference in Llangollen this year.

Plaid Cymru has already said it will be holding its big annual gathering at the town’s Pavilion in October and now the Welsh Conservatives have announced they will be using the same venue for their spring conference in April.

A Welsh Conservative spokesman said: “Our conference will be taking place from Friday 11^th to Saturday 12^th April.

“Our line-up of speakers and events is currently being finalised, but will include Andrew RT Davies AM,  Rt Hon David Jones MP, Kay Swinburne MEP and a number of our senior MPs and Assembly Members. 

“We will be setting out our campaign for the 2014 European elections to return Kay Swinburne, who topped the poll in the 2009 European elections, to the European Parliament in Brussels.”

Plaid Cymru leaders have said they see their conference in Llangollen, on the weekend of October 24 and 25, as a landmark occasion as it will be the last major gathering of supporters before the 2015 General Election.

It is also regarded as significant because it will be held just weeks after the referendum on Scottish independence.

An official statement from Plaid Cyrmu said: “The party are looking forward to returning to Llangollen, following many successful conferences there in the past. 

“The venue is an ideal one for our conference, with great facilities at the pavilion, ample accommodation nearby for our delegates and the backdrop of the beautiful landscape of the Llangollen area.”

A spokesman for Llangollen Chamber of Trade  & Tourism said: “We are delighted to hear that the Welsh Conservative Party is to hold its spring conference this year in Llangollen.

“This will provide a great opportunity to boost the economy of the town and showcase the outstanding beauty and attractions of the area. Hopefully, it will also demonstrate what a good venue the Pavilion is for other conferences in future.” 

For details of the Welsh Conservative conference see: http://www.welshconservatives.com/events/welsh-conservative-party-conference

For stall bookings at the Plaid Cymru conference, contact Gwenno George at: gwennogeorge@plaidcymru.org

Campaigners slam Plas Madoc closure decision

The save Plas Madoc Leisure Centre Campaign has condemned the council's decision to close Plas Madoc within six weeks.

Darrell Wright, for the campaign, said: "The executive board had an opportunity to give the community trust a lifeline until October the 1st, but they blew it. The additional cost would have been £144,000 and still they refused.

"Our concern as a community campaign is that closing the doors on April 28th will make it virtually impossible for a community enterprise to make the centre a success from the outset.

"Reasonable pleas for the council to provide some help in the short term were ignored, as we're warnings that children would now go to swim in the river with all the additional dangers.

"These councillors, with one honourable exceptIon, should hang their heads in shame for their lack of vision and ambition for our area. Why are they more willing to listen to discredited consultants and officers than the people and also an independent surveyor, whose survey of the building revealed only minor works was needed?"

 

The campaign committee has pledged to continue the fight and says it will consider all possible options before Thursday's public meeting at the Air Products club.

 

* Martin Crumpton, chair of Keep Llangollen Special, has commented on the Plas Madoc decision.

 

He said: "The first day a building is ‘mothballed’ is when entropy takes control and decay sets in. The disappearance of electricity, of humans to monitor and effect running repairs, guarantees than that the next £50,000+ consultancy will have all the justification Wrexham wishes to have to condemn the building, and thus another valuable community asset is converted to cash.

 

"The first tile that drops and smashes because the grouting has dried, condemns every tile. Consultants will see to that. Vandals will ensure every window needs replacing, bugs and vermin will arrive with the drug addicts and squatters. Before the fire engines arrive, goods stolen from the sheltered housing opposite will barely make it to the nearest auction house (or pub, as most people call them).

 

"By October 1st, it will be barely fit enough for safe demolition.

 

"No, there isn’t a chance of Plas Madoc being run by a Social Enterprise. It takes around eighteen months to get one up and running. But surely Wrexham’s doughty councillors know this? Those who do, neglected to mention this. Those who don’t, listened to those who do but asked no questions.

 

"As the ripples from this inept, unwarranted and ill-advised closure spread out, we in Llangollen can only shake our heads sadly. We’ve seen it all before. So many times. To this day, the sham consultations, the freelancing in office, the box-ticking, the self-guided consultancies who just happen to be affiliated with the construction industry, those we elected treating planning law as optional extras – they still reign over us, usually with crocodile tears, but mostly with our money.

 

"We haven’t said goodbye to Plas Madoc yet, but the odds were stacked against us from even before the beginning."

Fate of Plas Madoc leisure centre decided

Plas Madoc leisure centre is set to close in seven weeks despite pleas to keep it open as long as possible, the Daily Post website is reporting.

Wrexham council’s executive board this afternoon voted to close the centre on April 28.

It will then be mothballed until October 1 to give a community trust time to take it over.

For the full story see: http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/plas-madoc-leisure-centre-close-6802572

Nigel strides out to help disabled youngsters

 

* Nigel Redfern.

An IT manager will embark on his tenth annual charity walk on April 6 to help a college that has been providing vocational training for young people with disabilities since 1927.

Nigel Redfern,  who works across the Llangollen, Oswestry and Wrexham offices of law firm GHP Legal, has taken part in The Derwen College annual sponsored ten mile walk every year since visiting the garden centre there with his family in 2004 and seeing the dedication of college staff to improving the students’ quality of life.

Over the last 40 years the college, which is near Oswestry, has substantially extended the range of services it provides to meet the needs of its students who have learning difficulties and other disabilities. The annual sponsored walk is just one way of raising the money to do this.

Appealing to colleagues, family and friends for sponsorship, Nigel, said:  “Derwen College does a fantastic job in nurturing, developing and challenging the youngsters who go there, in order to improve their life skills and help them get jobs and live independently.

"I feel proud to be able to help them in this small way and I would encourage other local people to do help as well, perhaps even consider taking part in the walk themselves. 

“Anyone wishing to pledge sponsorship for my walk can do so by emailing their name, address, postcode and the amount they are sponsoring, to nigel.redfern@ghplegal.co.uk. Unless people tell me otherwise I will claim gift aid on the amounts sponsored and collect the monies in after the event.”

Fire on hillside above the town

llanblogger took this picture of what appeared to be a large gorse fire on the hillside just west of the town earlier this afternoon (Monday).

The large plume of smoke drifting away rom the blaze eventually died down later in the afternoon.

Llangollen Fire Station has since confirmed this is controlled burning until 6.30pm today.

UPDATE ...

Llangollen Fire tweeted later this evening:

Llangollen Fire ‏@Llangollenfire 9m

At 17:07 Our two appliance's were called to a mountain fire in the Llantysilio. Chirk and Wrexham 1st also assigned. Hrjx3 and beaters used.

County prepares to welcome Queen's Baton relay

The countdown has begun for the Queen’s Baton Relay to visit Wales at the end of May, with Denbighshire County Council preparing to welcome this prestigious event to the county.
The Queen’s Baton Relay which will be visiting the county on Friday, May 30, with the official route due to be announced in the coming weeks. Today (Monday), the baton bearers for the various stages have been announced.
A programme of activities are being arranged to coincide with the event. Details will be announced in the coming weeks.
Councillor Huw Jones, Cabinet Lead Member for Leisure said: “The fact that the baton bearers have been confirmed is great news and we are a step closer to welcoming the Baton Relay to Denbighshire and to Wales.

“It’s great that local athletes and those with connections with the county are to be given an opportunity to be part of this major event and will hopefully inspire a new generation of children and young people to see the benefits of sport and leisure activities in general”.

Jamie Groves, Head of Communications, Marketing and Leisure for Denbighshire, said: “We have a team of staff working tirelessly to welcome the Baton Relay into the county and to arrange activities to coincide with this historic event.

“It is also a great platform for the county to show the rest of Wales and beyond that Denbighshire is a great place, not only to live and visit, but also to host major events of national significance.”

Chris Jenkins, CEO of the Commonwealth Games Council for Wales, explains; “The Queen’s Baton Relay is a chance for the whole nation to get behind the team of athletes set to compete for Wales at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games just two months later, and it really is an invitation to join us on our journey.”

“By linking athletes and coaches from past and present back to the communities they came from through the QBR, we hope that it will inspire the next generation to believe that anything is possible, and that one day they could be a Commonwealth champion bringing their medals home.”

The Queen’s Baton Relay begins in Wales on Saturday 24^th May 2014 and will spend seven days visiting a mixture of close knit community events, large multi-sport bonanzas and iconic landmarks before it heads across the border to England on Friday 30^th May.

For more detail on the route that the baton will take please visit www.teamwales.co.uk/queens-baton-relay-2014/ 

Group raises questions about hall's future

 

 

 

* Interior pictures of Tyn Dwr Hall courtesy of Lawray Architects.

A Llangollen community group has asked Denbighshire County Council for assurances about the future of historic Tyn Dwr Hall in the town.

As llanblogger revealed last week, the 1860s building and former youth hostel is being closed as an outdoor centre by the University of Central Lancashire which has used it for that purpose since 2009 following a £2 million refurbishment.

The Keep Llangollen Special (KLS) group has now written to Mark Dixon, the county’s strategic regeneration manager, putting a number of questions about the hall.

KLS chair Martin Crumpton says in an email to him: “Undoubtedly you’re aware that Tyn Dwr Hall, Llangollen, will likely fall victim to cuts by UCLAN, despite its award-winning refurbishment in 2009.

“Its intrinsic value, and its part in the community make it unthinkable to leave it and its grounds to fall derelict, as was Denbigh Hospital. Given the consequences of that sorry episode, avoiding a similar situation is paramount to all of us.

“On behalf of our community group, Keep Llangollen Special, we would like to ask: Can UCLAN’s shortfall be made up for it to continue; are there viable alternatives, either public or private, which would maintain the house, outbuildings, grounds and jobs; can KLS be involved? Our intention is to be supportive.”

The company’s website shows that as lead architect on the refurbishment, Lawray Architects developed designs to convert the building into three-star accommodation, which reflected the brief not only to provide an educational facility for students, but to allow the building to hold commercial conferences and team building events.

The development includes bedrooms, teaching rooms and lecture facilities, IT suites, dining and relaxation areas and ancillary storage buildings to hold outdoor equipment.

The project received the Llangollen Civic Society Award ‘for the sympathetic restoration and renovation of a Victorian building’ and the North Wales LABC Building Excellence award, County Winner for the ‘Best Commercial Development less than £1million’.

See: http://www.lawray-architects.co.uk/projects/heritage/tyn-dwr-hall/

Motorcyclist dies after collision with car at Bryneglwys

The BBC news website has the following story this evening (Saturday):

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-26499718

Powerful portrayal of cannon fodder heroes

* Ally Goodman is a scene from The Accrington Pals.

In the patriotic fervour that immediately followed the outbreak of World War One, exactly a century ago this year, large groups of young men from the same towns, workplaces or youth organisations rushed to sign up for service on the Western Front.

They became part of what was known as Kitchener’s Army after the Secretary of State for War who had launched the massive recruiting drive and were dubbed “pals battalions”.

One such unit was the Accrington Pals, a bunch of hearty lads from the Lancashire mill town, officially known as the 11^th Battalion of the East Lancashire Regiment. 

But the tragedy of having large groups from the same area joining the ranks together was that when the guns began to fire they died together, and in horrendous numbers which decimated their home towns.

On the blood-soaked first day of the Battle of the Somme in July, 1916 the Accrington Pals attacked the German front line at Serre 700 strong but within just half and hour 235 of them lay dead and 350 wounded.

One of the survivors recalled: "We were able to see our comrades move forward in an attempt to cross No Man’s Land only to be mown down like meadow grass. I felt sick at the sight of the carnage and remember weeping."

Back home a rumour that spread around Accrington that only seven men had survived from the battalion and an angry crowd surrounded the mayor's house, demanding information.

This bitter tale of love and loss is retold in Peter Whelan’s 1982 play, The Accrington Pals, which is being performed by Llangollen Twenty Club at the Town Hall this week to mark the World War One centenary.

This powerful production, which has the last of three performances tonight (Saturday), vividly contrasts the pals’ life and experiences at the front with those of the women they left behind to keep the home fires burning in Accrington.

The story revolves around balsy market stall holder May Hassall, her young cousin Tom, for whom she has an unrequieted passion, and their friends Eva and Ralph.  

The performance provided by Anna Turner as May just doesn’t come any finer. Everything from her Lancashire accent to her gut-wrenching anxiety at the thought of young Tom going off to war is quite simply brilliant.

Tom – much more of an artist than a fighter - is played to perfection by Andy Evans, one of the many young men whose futures affected by the conflict.

An equally strong portrayal of Ralph, their jack-the-lad friend, comes from Twenty Club stalwart Ally Goodman and the part of Eva, his girlfriend, is played with feeling by Natalie Evans.

As is usual with the Twenty Club, the key players receive strong backing from those in the supporting roles.

Despite its tragic theme, the piece has plenty of lighter moments and there to deliver her fair share of laugh-lines is Hannah Brockley as Sarah, a mill worker who is a friend of May and Eva.   

A nice piece of casting is Andrew Sully as another of the pals, Arthur. He’s a bit of a religious type so it helps that Andrew is the local vicar.

To keep it in the family there’s a nice little cameo from Carys Stallard – Andrew’s real-life daughter – as Bertha the millgirl who becomes a wartime bus clippie.

Liz Evans turns in a neat performance as Annie, a housewife greatly affected by her husband going off to the trenches, and Joe Maddocks makes a useful Twenty Club debut as Reggie, the boisterous son of Annie and Arthur. 

David Connolly gives a strong interpretation of Company Sergeant Major Rivers, the old soldier who gives a guarantee to May that he will look after Tom in the hell of the trenches.

The show, a marvellous evocation of the era and its cannon fodder heroes, is a credit to director Rachel Morris and the entire team - both in front of and behind the scenes - who deserve campaign medals for their brave efforts.

If you’re lucky you’ll get a ticket for tonight’s performance.      

New foodbank "could soon be up and running"

CLWYD South AM Ken Skates is confident he can help get a foodbank up and running to help the most vulnerable people in his constituency.

Mr Skates recently met Andrew Sturgess from the Trussell Trust, the national charity which operates the community projects throughout Britain, and Ruabon businessman David Jones to discuss opening a branch to serve the Dee Valley.

Mr Skates said: “It was a really positive meeting and we are making rapid progress, it’s really encouraging. There is still work to be done, but I am hopeful we can get the Clwyd South Foodbank open for business within the next few months.”

He added: “Sadly, more and more people across Wales are having to rely on foodbanks because of a variety of factors such as rising costs of fuel and energy bills, static income, high unemployment and changes to benefits. Some 13 million people are currently living below the poverty line in the UK and food poverty is rising.

“Trussell Trust foodbanks play a vital role in helping the most vulnerable in our society by providing emergency parcels with enough nutritionally balanced supplies to last three days to those referred by health and social care professionals.”

There are currently has almost 400 Trussell Trust foodbanks in operation nationwide – including in Rhosddu, Mold, Denbigh and Oswestry – and the charity’s goal is for every town to have one.

Mr Skates and Mr Sturgess, a Trussell Trust development officer, identified what they say is ‘an obvious need’ for a presence in Clwyd South, and Mr Jones, a former chairman of Ruabon Community Council, responded to their call for help.

It is hoped the foodbank could be based within Plas Madoc Leisure Centre.

Mr Skates added: “I have long been a supporter of the amazing work the Trussell Trust does and would love to help get a centre up and running in Clwyd South. However, the project will
need at least a dozen volunteers to get it off the ground, so I would urge anyone who is interested in playing a part to email Ken.Skates@Wales.gov.uk or call my office on 01978 869058.”

* It has been pointed out since this story was posted that Matt's Food Bank has already been operating successfully for some time in Llangollen.