Councillor slams government for "financial illiteracy"

Llangollen county councillor Stuart Davies has sent the following letter to llanblogger:

"I am appalled by this latest example of financial illiteracy by the Labour-led Welsh Government (see note below).

"They have chopped our budgets forcing us to make savage cuts in our services and yet, when we have gone through the pain of this year's budget process, they mock us by offering £1.5 million to spend on play equipment. Oh and we have to spend it before the end of March!

"They obviously have not budgeted well, have monies left over, and are desperate to spend it before years end!

"It beggars belief that they cannot manage monies properly when we see the NHS cutting midwife services in our hospitals and overspending by £78 million this year."

Securing  Sufficient Play Opportunities Grant 2014-2015

Local Authority	Allocation
Isle of Anglesey	£                                       36,026
Gwynedd	£                                       63,108
Conwy	£                                       53,496
Denbighshire	£                                       48,204
Flintshire	£                                       77,561
Wrexham	£                                       70,301
Ceredigion	£                                       33,268
Pembrokeshire	£                                       64,246
Carmarthenshire	£                                       94,814
Swansea	£                                     106,138
Neath Port Talbot	£                                       64,308
Bridgend	£                                       66,575
Vale of Glamorgan	£                                       63,103
Cardiff	£                                     155,770
Rhondda Cynon Taf	£                                     119,835
Caerphilly	£                                       92,755
Blaenau Gwent	£                                       33,539
Torfaen	£                                       43,841
Monmouthshire	£                                       43,547
Newport	£                                       73,120
Powys	£                                       67,518
Merthyr Tydfil	£                                       28,927
Wales	£                                 1,500,000

 

Burt Bacharach signed for eisteddfod spot

 

* Music legend Burt Bacharach.

 

Organisers of a top festival are celebrating after signing up Oscar-winning music legend Burt Bacharach to perform at this year's event.

 

Bacharach, described by many as the greatest songwriter of the 20^th century, will open the Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod, with an extra concert on Monday, July 6.

The festival was originally due to start the following day but the Monday night was the only time he was available during Eisteddfod week.

Bacharach has 73 top 40 US and 52 UK hits to his name in a career spanning more than 60 years and shows no signs of slowing down – he is looking forward to his first ever visit to North Wales.

The Eisteddfod's Musical Director, Eilir Owen Griffiths, is "absolutely delighted" to have landed the three times Academy Award winner who also has eight Grammies, including the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award and the 1997 Trustees Award with collaborator Hal David,  to his name.

He said: "Burt Bacharach is one of the biggest names in the pantheon of musical greats.
"When Burt said that he could come on the Monday night it was just too good an opportunity to miss. This will be the first and probably only time he comes to North Wales.

"I am just thrilled at the prospect of hearing his true song-writing genius performing on the pavilion stage. It really is a massive coup for the Eisteddfod."

The stellar line up already this year already includes classical heart-throb Alfie Boe who'll be performing songs from musical theatre and movies a few days later at the glitzy evening concert on Thursday, July 9.

 

Joining the popular tenor will be Welsh singer Sophie Evans, who went onto star as Dorothy in the West End production of The Wizard of Oz having finished runner-up in the TV talent show Over the Rainbow, classical saxophonist Amy Dickson along with Jonathan Antoine, the classically trained tenor who rose to fame on Britain's Got Talent.

According to Bacharach, he can't wait to taste the unique atmosphere of the Llangollen Eisteddfod at first hand.

He said: “I have a band of three singers and eight musicians, although we do play with larger orchestras at some venues. I only play and perform songs I have written, all my concerts are about my music.

“We play for around two hours; I’d rather that than go on stage with a set list of, say, 10 songs. I want people to come out and feel they have connected to my music and I have given them something of myself, something tangible to take away and remember.”

Bacharach’s first hit, written alongside lyricist Hal David, came way back in November 1957. 


Story of My Life reached number 15 for Marty Robbins in the US charts while a Michael Holliday cover version reached number 1 in the UK.

Bacharach and David, began working at New York’s famous Brill Building, which Burt described as a music factory, and the pair collaborated again to write Magic Moments which was a huge hit for Perry Como and landed another UK number 1 hit.

That early success was just the beginning as hit after hit for artists such as The Drifters, Gene Pitney, Andy Williams and Sandie Shaw’s ‘There’s Always Something There to Remind Me’ soon followed.

But it was writing songs for Dionne Warwick that Bacharach and David enjoyed perhaps their most success with songs such as ‘Do You Know The Way to San Jose?’ and ‘ I Say a Little Prayer’ although they also scored big hits for Dusty Springfield, Johnny Mathis, The Stylistics and Gloria Gaynor.

And the Carpenters took Bacharach and David’s ‘(They Long to Be) Close To You’ to the top of the charts on both sides of the Atlantic.

On top of writing a string of charts hits, Bacharach has also enjoyed a celebrated Hollywood career too.

In fact he says his 1966 composition, Alfie, which charted for Dionne Warwick, Cher and Cilla Black at various times, remains a personal favourite and the song he takes most personal pride in.

He said: “Alfie was, to me, perfect. The whole shape and form of the music and the lyrics was just right. I can listen to a song a thousand times and wish I’d done something slightly different. But Alfie was just right.

“It was a huge disappointment that we missed out on the Academy Award for Alfie but we were beaten by Born Free.”

But he did go onto win two Academy Awards and a Grammy in 1969 for the Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid theme song, ‘Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head’ as well as the 1981 Oscar for Best Song for Arthur’s Theme (The Best That You Can Do).

As well as touring Bacharach is still writing music and songs and, having already released an album together, Painted from Memory, which won a Grammy for the single ‘I Still Have That Other Girl’, he is currently again working alongside Birkenhead’s Elvis Costello writing a musical.
Bacharach's concert will be one of the highlights of another packed week which will with Children’s Day and the Parade of Nations on the Tuesday, led by Eisteddfod President Terry Waite before the evening Heart of Llangollen concert featuring a galaxy of international talent.

Highlights of Wednesday will include the debut of the International Young Musician of the Year and the Children’s Choir of the World while Thursday’s competitions will see another first, the International Voice of Musical Theatre Trophy.

Friday’s Open Category for choirs will showcase styles like gospel, barbershop, jazz, pop and glee styles and will also see the International Voice of the Future decided with the prize including the chance to sing at one of the evening concerts the future.

The Blue Riband event, the Choir of the World for the Pavarotti Trophy, is decided on Saturday night as well as the Lucile Armstrong Dance Final and Sunday sees the Eisteddfod let its hair down for Llanfest before the climactic final concert.

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

Llan features in new TV series

* John Sergeant puts on the focus on Llangollen in his new series.

Llangollen features in a forthcoming episode of a new TV show in which former BBC political reporter John Sergeant tours Britain’s canal network.

Entitled Barging Around Britain, the eight-part series which begins on ITV tomorrow (Friday) takes him on a rich and colourful voyage along the eight best canal journeys Britain has to offer, exploring their extraordinary stories as he goes.

Episode two, due to be screened next Friday (February 20) at 8pm, brings Sergeant to Llangollen as he arrives in Wales.

Advance publicity says: “He gets his fingers burnt attempting to be a blacksmith, is terrified going over a super high aqueduct and shocked by some saucy artwork in a fellow narrow boat.”

Scenes for the episode were shot at Llangollen Railway and show him on the station with a steam train.    

Extended railway steams into 2015 season

* The completed station at Dwyrain Corwen East.

Llangollen Railway resumes services through the Dee Valley from Saturday, February 14, when trains begin operating the town and the new terminus at Corwen.

This follows a mid-winter shutdown whilst essential maintenance work on the railway were undertaken and facilities at the new station completed.

The 2015 timetable for the heritage railway provides for all public service trains to operate through to the temporary station at Dwyrain Corwen East as the new line extension is brought into regular use.

The exceptions are trains during the popular Days Out With Thomas events, which will terminate at Carrog where activities are arranged for visitors.

Three steam trains a day will operate this Saturday and Sunday arriving at Corwen at 11.20, 13.37 and 15.47.

There is, however, only a short stop-over period here as the mode of operation for the return journey requires for the train to be propelled back to Carrog under the control of a driver in the specially modified rear coach.

The steam engine will then ‘run round’ at Carrog, where a longer stop-over takes place, allowing passengers to use the facilities there. This changes the arrangements which have become familiar to regular visitors.

During half term week, February 16-20, an off-peak diesel railcar service will be running, arriving at Corwen 11.35, 13.35 and 1535, departing five minutes later.

The diesel railcars with their exciting view of the line ahead, as seen from behind the driver, provide an excellent way for passengers to appreciate all the work that has gone into rebuilding the line from Carrog through to Corwen over the past three years.

Kevin Gooding, General Manger of Llangollen Railway, said: “The commencement of train services over the extended railway provides for a scenic journey through part of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

"The trains offer easy access to our three wayside stations at Carrog, Glyndyfrwy and Berwyn, which allow for the Welsh countryside to be enjoyed by walkers and others seeking a day out in the Dee Valley. 

"The two-hourly weekday train service operates from March 23 and allows for visitors to spend time in Corwen or to join the train at Corwen to travel to Llangollen.

"We trust that the extended line will attract more visitors who will contribute to the regeneration of the area and improve the viability of the heritage train services.”

2015 is an important year for Llangollen Railway which celebrates the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Llangollen Station in 1865.

It is also the 40th anniversary of the start of the challenge to rebuild the railway after the derelict station at Llangollen was taken over by volunteers in 1975. 

The 2015 season has a full range of special events planned, starting with a Day Out With Thomas weekend on February 21 and 22.

Kevin Gooding added: “Thereafter we will celebrate the official opening to Corwen with a special train for VIPs on St David’s Day, March 1, when the completion of phase 1 of the extension will be suitably commemorated at Dwyrain Corwen East.

"This is immediately followed by two three-day events on March 6-8 and March 13-15, when the Betton Grange Society’s Steel, Steam & Stars IV mega-gala will bring a number of exciting steam locomotives to Llangollen to provide a steam extravaganza.”

Full details are available on the railway’s website site at: www.llangollen-railway.co.uk

Skates starts surgeries at Plas Madoc Leisure Centre

An Assembly Member who was involved in the campaign to save Plas Madoc Leisure Centre from the bulldozers now has regular surgeries at the popular facility starting from tomorrow (Friday).

Ken Skates, the Labour AM for Clwyd South, was a co-founder of the Splash Community Trust, formed in the wake of Wrexham Council’s decision to close the centre down.

He now wants to add to his monthly surgeries across the constituency by holding drop-in sessions at Plas Madoc, which is now known as Splash Magic, starting this Friday.

Mr Skates said: “I love Plas Madoc – it’s wear I learnt to swim. I’ve always come here. I was a member before it closed and am now a fully paid-up member once again. It’s a great venue and one that’s popular with my constituents, so it makes sense to hold surgeries here.

“I will be available to either chat to members of the public in the reception area or in a private room if there’s something you’d like to discuss in confidence or need help with, and there will be hot drinks and biscuits.

“No appointments are necessary as it will be first-come, first-served. If there’s anything I can assist with, or that you’d like to talk about, please feel free to pop in.”

Mr Skates will be at the centre from 4pm-5pm on Friday, February 13. For more information, or to contact Mr Skates, email ken.skates@assembly.wales or call his constituency office 01978 869058.

Follow-up planned to off-roading public meeting

A campaign group is planning a follow-up public meeting to the one it held last autumn on the issue of off-road use and abuse in the countryside around Llangollen.

The initial meeting, held at the Town Hall on October 2 last year, attracted a large gathering of concerned residents along with council officials and representatives of off-road groups.

Now rganisers SOPS – Save Our Paths – has arranged a second meeting, also at the Town Hall, on Thursday February 19, starting at 7pm.  

SOPS spokesman Philip Jones said: “The meeting is open to everyone, and we hope that all the various interest groups will attend, as before.

“The meeting will be chaired by Aled Roberts AM and our local councillors, MP and AMs have been invited, together with representatives from the police and other public bodies.

“The meeting will provide our public representatives with an opportunity to report on the current position regarding the on-going drive to provide a more effective management of our green lanes to ensure sustainable use for all.

“The community will then have an opportunity to ask questions and comment on issues of concern.”

Operatic members get into a good habit with nun run

* Sister Act producer Tracey Rawlinson and fellow

cast member Louisa Jones limber up for the Nun Run next month. 

MEMBERS and friends of Llangollen Operatic Society are getting into a good habit at the moment as they prepare for their forthcoming Nun Run fundraising event on Sunday March 22. 

The 10km (six mile) fun walk/run will follow a picturesque route around the hills of Llangollen and it is hoped that around 40 participants will don their walking shoes or trainers to raise funds, which will be split between the society and a local charity.

To get in the spirit and ensure it really is an event like “nun” other those taking part are actively encouraged to wear ecclesiastical dress.

Passersby can therefore expect to see sisters, priests, altar boys and maybe even a bishop or two along the route, which will start at Llangollen Sports Club and progress up the Panorama before dropping down Sunbank and following the canal back into town. 

Money raised through sponsorship will make a valuable contribution towards the staging of the society’s forthcoming production of the hit musical Sister Act, which will see its North Wales premier between April 21 and 25th at Llangollen Town Hall.

A donation will also be made to Leonard Cheshire Disability in Dolywern, which is a charity close to the members’ hearts 

Sister Act producer Tracey Rawlinson said: “We have close links with Leonard Cheshire Disability and look forward to visiting the residents and staff each year in the spring to entertain them with songs from our recent production.

“The charity does fantastic work and we hope very much that the Nun Run will enable us to make a small contribution towards their running costs. 

“It will also help us to meet the costs of putting on our show. The costuming in particular will be quite expensive this year with around 30 habits to be made from scratch.”

* To support the society’s efforts by sponsoring a sister, send your donation, made payable to Llangollen & District Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society, to Marcus Ansloos, 5 Emral Brook Close, Ruabon, LL14 6BY, or e-mail mansloos@yahoo.co.uk for further details.

Tickets for Sister Act are also now on sale online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/llangollenoperaticsociety.

Petition calls for more community beds

Health and social care should be integrated to ease the pressure on the NHS.

 

That's the view of Mabon ap Gwynfor, long time health campaigner and Parliamentary Candidate for Plaid Cymru in Clwyd South.

 

Mr ap Gwynfor said that there were beds available in care homes which could be commissioned by the Health Board for step-down care.

 

He sited Cysgod-y-Gaer in Corwen as an example which had five beds which could be used as community beds for patients from the Dee Valley following the closure of Llangollen Hospital and the loss of 18 beds there.

 

Mr ap Gwynfor made the call as he launched a petition calling on the Health Board and Welsh Government to open more community beds in North Wales.

 

He said: “This is a very difficult winter for the Health Board, with huge ambulance queues; A&E full to bursting with patients waiting many long hours; and a shortage of GPs.

 

"Clinicians are telling us that these difficulties are in no small part down to the closure of community hospitals and the loss of hospital beds.

 

"We know that North Wales has lost some 400 hospital beds in the last five years, with 53 of those following the closure of Llangollen, Flint, Prestatyn, and Ffestiniog hospitals.

 

“The health Board and Labour Government are intent on centralising services, with Lesley Griffiths memorably comparing Wales with Birmingham.

 

"But North Wales is rural, sparse, and has different needs. We need community beds across the region.

 

"Chirk Hospital is providing a brilliant service but its full; and staff at the Maelor are doing great work in very difficult circumstances. That’s why I’ve launched this petition calling for more community hospital beds, and four hundred people have already signed it.

 

“Cysgod y Gaer Care Home in Corwen has beds which the Health Board could commission. This would help ease the pressure on District General Hospitals, and would also help Denbighshire as they are looking for a long term solution to their Care Homes.

 

"It would also start the process of what Plaid Cymru would like to see which is an integrated Health and Social Care provision.”

 

* The petition can be found at http://mabonapgwynfor.com/beds/

Man hurt in crash near Corwen

The Denbighshire Free Press is reporting today that a man was injured in a serious road accident near Corwen.

For full details, see: http://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/144076/man-seriously-injured-in-crash-near-corwen.aspx

Cyclist Mike pedals to epic Italian job

* Mike Edwards in action on his bike.

A KEEN Llangollen cyclist has powered his way to a riding holiday through the spectacular Italian countryside after winning an online competition.  

Mike Edwards will now be teaming up on the Italian job with his equally bike crazy son to pedal the 450 miles from Milan to Rome this September.

* Christian Edwards on the Prudential Ride
London in 2013 in which his time was 6.47.17)

Mike, 70, a retired chartered surveyor, entered the competition on the Ride25 cycling website and heard recently that he had been chosen as the winner.

 

His prize is an epic ride which takes in rolling hills, sunflowers, hilltop villages and historic delights.
 

The tour, which takes four and a half days, also offers the opportunity to see the historic cities of Piacenza, Bologna, Orvieto and Rome.  

Mike will be setting off on the adventure with his eldest son, Christian, 42, who lives in Wrexham and works as a service engineer. Like his dad, he is also an avid cyclist.

Mike said: “I am absolutely thrilled and excited to have won the competition and my son and I are looking forward to riding in Italy in September.

“I have been on holiday to Tuscany several times and those rolling hills and spectacular scenery will be great to view from my Italian bike, an Bianchi Infinito.”
 

He added: “Christian has been cycling for several years. He has completed Ride London, a 100 cycling sportive, and has also done several triathlons including a Olympic Distance 2k swim, 80k bike and 13.1m run.

“I had a big birthday last September with the numbers zero and seven but not necessarily in that order.
 

“I spent most of my working life with the old Wrexham Maelor Council and used to run with Wrexham AAC. I have completed 11 marathons including four London and two Snowdonia. 

“In recent years Chris and I have mainly concentrated on cycling, both mountain bikes - mainly at One Planet Adventure in Llandegla - and road bikes.
 

“Christian and I are cycling buddies as well as father and son. We are both doing Chirk Sprint Triathlon in April and Ashbourne in May when we will be joined by my eldest daughter Claire who is 29 who is making her triathlon debut.

“After Ashbourne Chris and I will concentrate on building up our mileage to be able to ride 450 miles in four days in Italy.

“This will probably take in the Mark Cavendish Sportive which is being held in August and includes the iconic climb of the Horseshoe Pass.”

Garden waste deadline ends this Saturday

The introductory discount Denbighshire County Council offers to householders opting in to its garden waste collection scheme is due to end on February 14.

So far, residents have taken advantage of the discounted early-bird rates to pay for 9,051 bins.

With the discount available for another ten days, sales are expected to approach 11,000 by the time Valentine’s Day arrives.  Denbighshire waste officer, Alan Roberts, said: “Contrary to some reports, the council is very happy with the take-up from residents at this stage.

"Elsewhere, take-up has ranged between 30% and 40% when charges are introduced, so to be at 25% eight weeks before the service starts is very pleasing.”

Around half of all the requests for bins have come via the council’s website and, with a last-minute rush of orders expected, Alan Roberts advised residents to go online to make their payment for their garden waste service.

He said: “We expect the volume of payments to increase in the days before the discount ends and I would strongly recommend using the online payment system to minimise any waiting time.”

The ending of the early-bird discount means that the cost of having a standard 140 litre bin, or equivalent dumpy sacks, emptied fortnightly for 12 months will increase from £22 to £24. The cost of a two-bin service will increase from £34 to £36.

Alan Roberts added: “Because of the high level of sales, householders that have opted into the scheme will find their collection days will remain exactly the same as they have always been for the first six months.

"The next calendar they receive will reflect changes made to increase efficiency given the reduced number of households needing collections.”

The council’s secure online payment page can be found at www.denbighshire.gov.uk/gardenwaste and payments can also be made over the telephone, on 01824 706101, or in person at any of the council’s One Stop Shops.

Get free help to handle debt, says AM

To mark the recent Debt Awareness Week, North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood, who chairs the Cross Party Group on Fuel Poverty, called on his constituents to ensure they are taking advantage of free help and support available for anyone struggling with winter energy bills.

 

He said: “Nobody should suffer in silence and there's a range of help and advice for any constituents who are having problems paying their energy or other household bills.”

 

For example, British Gas spent more than £380 million in 2013 helping 1.8m vulnerable households with discounts, free insulation and benefits advice.

 

The company has a successful partnership with StepChange Debt Charity – organisers of Debt Awareness Week - which helps customers by offering manageable payment plans for their energy and other household debts.

 

It also funds The British Gas Energy Trust - an independent charitable trust set up 10 years ago. British Gas has provided the Trust with £75million to help people living in fuel poverty.  The Trust provides grants to help with energy arrears as well as a wide range of advice and is open to everyone, not just British Gas customers.

 

Other support provided by British Gas includes flexible payment plans, referral to the Warm Home Discount scheme which gives eligible customers a £140 discount on their electricity bill, and identifying if customers are eligible for free insulation or boiler replacements.

 

To register for extra help, customers or someone acting on their behalf should call 0800 072 8625 (or 0800 294 8604 if they have a Pay As You Go meter).

 

Mr Isherwood added: “I want all my constituents to understand what help is available for them. Keeping on top of winter bills and managing debt is so important and I'd urge anyone in North Wales, to get in touch with their energy supplier to find out what support is on offer."

 

Skates seeks measures to cure A483 "pinch point"

Assembly Member Ken Skates is hoping the Welsh Government will examine ways of easing traffic at a known pinch-point on the A483.

Mr Skates, the Labour AM for Clwyd South, has written to Transport Minister Edwina Hart to ask whether there are any plans to alleviate congestion at the McDonald’s roundabout near Chirk.

“There have been problems there for a long time, and I know the traffic can be extremely frustrating for many of my constituents,” said Mr Skates.

“The Chirk McDonald’s is one of the busiest in Britain and the roundabout acts as an entry point to the Dee Valley, as well as one of two access points for Chirk, so congestion at rush hour can be considerable.”

Response ...

Reference the above story, I am sure residents of Llangollen welcome Ken's intervention in this matter because there are several traffic issues of concern at the moment:

1. The main issue with the A483/A5 is the death trap sections of three lane carriageways between Ruabon and recently enlarged roundabout at Oswestry. The bridge over the Chirk Valley has a particularly bad accident record and requires urgent attention such as a speed limit, average speed cameras and a ban on overtaking to prevent further deaths;

2. The A5 out of Llangollen has for some time had a set of temporary lights causing long delays, but there seems no start imminent on rectify this problem;

3. On the other access/egress road into town, on Mill Street there are also temporary lights causing a delay for residents and visitors. These works are part of the scheme recently revealed to endeavour to improve access to the new Medical Centre particularly for pedestrians, wheelchair and pushchair users. However the scheme which is costing the Health Board £70,000 does not address the pinch point on Mill Street where there is no pavement on one side of the highway:

So there are a number of traffic issues causing immense difficulties for Llangollen residents and no information is being provided by Denbighshire CC to the public about what is being done to resolve the problems. 1 and 2 above are directly within the control of the Highways Department who seem to treat the public with total disrespect and fail to consult or provide information as to what is proposed. I had to resort to a Freedom of Information request to obtain details of the Health Board's Scheme and I call upon the Proper Officer at Denbighshire to provide Council Tax Payers with a full explanation of what is being considered and proposed to resolve these issues which adversely affect residents and Llangollen's role as an inland tourist destination?

 

Mike Edwards

Further response ...

In addition to Mike Edwards’ analytical piece, I’d like to remind and let people know there’s a Community Initiative in progress which might rethink the unthinkable and provide a radical solution which could never in all likelihood come from beyond the community itself.

 

It’s a Crowdfunded scheme which means everyone can contribute with a simple donation and everyone will be able to participate – a refreshing change from the usual approach of a study undertaken without public involvement then shown to the public in what’s usually mislabelled a ‘Consultation’. The details are here: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/people-traffic-in-llan

 

The fund is growing steadily. If the required total isn’t achieved, everyone gets their donation refunded. That’s guaranteed.

 

Making our own decisions - what a good idea!

 

Martin Crumpton

 

Chair@KLS

Wildlife expert boosts rural crime fight

 

* Something special: North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner

Winston Roddick with Special Constable Phil Roberts.

 

A wildlife expert has been recruited to boost the police's fight against countryside crime in North Wales.

 

According to Special Constable Phil Roberts, who's based in Wrexham, joining the Rural Crime Team is a "dream come true".

 

As well as having lifelong passion for birdwatching, the volunteer officer has a degree in zoology and a master's in advanced biological sciences.

 

The Rural Crime Team was set up by North Wales Police at the instigation of North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Winston Roddick CB QC.

 

Since it was established two years ago the taskforce has masterminded a dramatic 40 per cent reduction in the number of rural crimes - and an increase in the number of prosecutions.

 

These include such diverse offences as livestock rustling, theft of farm machinery, badger digging and stealing rare birds eggs.

 

Phil, 27, is one of 122 Special Constables in North Wales and the force has launched a recruitment drive to find more like him with relevant, high level academic qualifications, particularly in rural areas and from among the Welsh-speaking community.

 

Specials do everything that regular officers do and have the same powers. They have to commit at least 16 hours a month to their duties, although individuals can tailor hours to meet their needs.

 

Having worked as a supermarket trolley collector to fund his studies, Phil has now secured a job as a laboratory technical officer at Manchester Metropolitan University.

 

But he is determined to carry on is volunteer duties as a Special Constable which he started in September 2013.

 

Phil said: "I do care a great deal about science but I also do care about the work I do as a Special Constable and delivering effective policing. I do make a difference.

 

"There’s a lot of rural policing in North Wales so they do have to take account of the rural crime that goes on so that’s one of the reasons why I joined the Specials and chose North Wales as a force.

 

"My background knowledge will help me as a member of the Rural Crime Team. I’m enjoying it immensely.

 

"There is always a sense of pride when I put my gear in the locker at the end of a shift. There's only a few other jobs in the world where you can get this kind of feeling from it."

 

Mr Roddick is a great believer in the value of Special Constables and is pleased that Phil has joined the Rural Crime Team.

 

He said: "A number of the Rural Crime Team are from rural backgrounds and they move with ease and facility in the rural and agricultural community - they feel they are part of it.

 

"They have had a measurable impact. You need only ask the agricultural unions and the farmers.

 

"Special Constables make an invaluable contribution to the quality of policing, whether it's in the countryside or in our towns.

 

"The Special Constabulary underlines that fundamental principle that the police are the community and the community are the police.

 

"Special Constables are volunteers from the community who do it out of sense of duty and they don't get paid.

 

"Very often they have relevant skills that they bring to the job - like Phil who is a trained scientist and something of expert in wildlife matters.

 

"Specials come from every walk of life and that is a particularly attractive feature about them - they do bring something different to the mix, the mix that makes policing what it is in this country.

 

“We now have officers attached to CID, Roads Policing, Community Safety and the Arson Reduction Team, which was previously unheard of. We're also looking for officers with qualifications in a range of areas including finance and IT.

 

"Phil is an example of somebody who brings in that something special and is highly qualified in his specialist area.

 

"In my Police and Crime Plan for the next 12 months, I have made special mention of Special Constables and volunteers more generally.

 

"We're recruiting more Special Constables and other volunteers because our experience has told us that having Specials adds value to the quality of policing."

 

* Anybody interested in finding out more about how to become a Special Constable should email SSFSpecialsRecruitment@nthwales.pnn.police.uk or ring 01492 804224 or  use the  #BeSpecial hash tag on Twitter.