Three find work with Splash Magic

A Welsh Government employment scheme has seen three young people find work at a community-run leisure centre.

Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates visited Splash Magic on Friday (March 6) to meet the first two members of staff taken on through Jobs Growth Wales, which has now helped almost 15,000 unemployed -16 to 24-year-olds into work.

Callum Edwards, from Ruabon, has been appointed Community Relations Assistant, while Hannah Williams from Southsea will work on reception.

 

A third Jobs Growth Wales employee, Lisa Valentine, also from Ruabon, started today (Monday) as an admin assistant, while two more roles – a gym assistant and a pool assistant – are also being advertised.

Jobs Growth Wales was launched by the Welsh Labour Government in April 2012 and has since surpassed every target set well ahead of schedule.

 

Mr Skates, who was responsible for the programme during his time as deputy minister for skills and technology, said: “Jobs Growth Wales is one of Welsh Labour’s flagship schemes and is the benchmark for similar job creation programmes throughout Europe.

 

“I’m delighted that we have three more success stories here in Clwyd South, and this is win-win. Callum, Hannah and Lisa will gain vital experience that future employers will look for, while the leisure centre gets two young, enthusiastic and intelligent employees who will help widen the skills base here.”

He added: “I’m pleased and proud that Jobs Growth Wales has now helped almost 1,000 people in Wrexham and Denbighshire into work.”

Splash Magic, formerly Plas Madoc Leisure Centre, was reopened as a social enterprise led by a volunteer-run community trust on December 8, 2014, just under a year after the facility was closed by Wrexham Council.

* Volunteers are still needed to help out at Splash, particularly on reception and in the café. If you are interested, call the centre on 01978 821600.

Do the write thing and join the group, says Rachel

 

In January this year Rachel Morris started a monthly writing group called Write Now Lllangollen.

 

Although Rachel moved from Llan to Saudi Arabia last autumn to teach at the world's largest women-only university, she still runs and attends the group thanks to e-mail, Facebook, and Skype/Facetime.

Write Now meets in the first floor 'conference room' at Gales on Bridge Street  - above the shop via the side door - on the third Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm, the next being March 18.

 

Rachel says she wishes to thank Pip Gale and Gales for their generosity.

 

She added: "All genres and levels of experience are welcome. They read their work aloud to each other, in a very informal and supportive atmosphere.

 

"So grab your wine and food and head on up to share your words, or just listen if you wish."

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

Twenty Club's Gaslight lit up the stage

A talented cast from the Twenty Club lit up the stage with their atmospheric production of the Victorian melodrama Gaslight at Llangollen Town Hall last night (Saturday).

The story revolves around Jack Manningham, who is slowly and deliberately driving his wife, Bella, insane in an attempt to have her committed and therefore prevent her from discovering too much about his extremely murky past.

He has almost succeeded in his evil plan when help arrives in the shape of former detective,  Rough, who has strong reason to believe that Manningham is the thief and murderer he first encountered as a young bobby 20 years previously in exactly the same house.

All the action of the play, by Patrick Hamilton, takes place in just one place – the typically overstuffed living room of a mid-Victorian upper-class household,

And it had been created with such care by the club’s backstage team that it provided the perfect claustrophobic setting for this taut psychological thriller.

The acting from a relatively small cast was flawless.

Twenty Club stalwart Arwel Jarvis was the embodiment of a haughty Victorian gentleman with a dark secret to hide. So accomplished was he that, at times, he frightened the audience as well as his poor wife.

Reacting with just the right amount of pathos to this dastardly villain was Paula Sutton as Bella Manningham. As she descended into her husband-induced madness she took us all with her into the pit of despair.

The man who finally solves this deeply disturbing whodunnit is Mathew Oswald-Haggett as the ex-police detective. His character’s name may have been Rough but Mathew’s performance was marvellously smooth.

Another neat performance came from one of the younger members of the club’s on-stage team, Amy Tennant, who fitted her part of the Manningham’s flighty maid Nancy like a velvet glove.

And no production by the club would be complete without an appearance by Noreen Turner, who this time was totally believable as the family cook and housekeeper, Elizabeth.

While the producer for Gaslight was the highly experienced Mike Law, the piece had at its helm David Edgar, a first-time director for the club. And the end result was a real credit to his abilities. 

Traffic calming measures approved for Abbey Road

* A county council plan of the new measures.

Llangollen county councillor Stuart Davies says he is pleased to announce he has been successful in getting traffic calming measures put in place in Abbey Road and Pentrefelin after representations were made by concerned residents.

 It is hoped that the scheme will be implemented in April this year, he said.

This follows on from the 20mph scheme put in place in Pengwern.

Cllr Davies added: "I'm grateful for the officers' response to help safeguard our residents."

The scheme involves the placing of rumble strips in the road near the entrance to Abbey Dingle, Textureflex coloured surfacing on the carriageway and new road signs.

World Heritage site looking for volunteers

The Canal & River Trust says it needs to recruit people with a range of skills to help out along the 11-mile World Heritage Site of the Llangollen Canal for the 2015 tourist season.

With the busy holiday period due to start at Easter, only a month away, a special volunteer recruitment day is being held at Trevor Basin Visitor Centre, next to the aqueduct, on Friday 6 March, 10am-4pm.

The trust is inviting you to visit the impressive structure, chat to staff and existing volunteers about the work, and discover more about the range of tasks available.

Wide variety of roles

Lynda Slater, Visitor Centre manager for the Canal & River Trust, explained: “ We want to recruit volunteers for a wide variety of roles, from helping in  the Trevor Basin Visitor Centre to being part of our ranger team looking after the waterway and engaging with boaters.

“We are looking for people who can commit a number of hours hours a week and in return we promise them a rewarding time helping people experience the beautiful Llagollen Canal and this amazing, elegant aqueduct.”

Constructed by famous canal engineers Thomas Telford and William Jessop between 1796 and 1805, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is a grade one listed scheduled ancient monument and forms the centrepiece of the World Heritage Site. Every year it attracts thousands of visitors from all corners of the globe.

Anyone who would like to volunteer with the Canal & River Trust but cannot attend the open day, please call Lynda Slater on 01978 822912 or email Lynda.slater@canalrivertrust.org.uk.

Councillor calls for update on A5 roadworks

* The roadworks on the A5 about which Cllr Davies has called for an update. 

Llangollen county councillor Stuart Davies has called on the Welsh Government for an update on long-running roadworks on the A5 approach to the town.

A lengthy stretch down one side of the carriageway, between the bottom of Birch Hill and the Tyn Y Wern, has been completely closed and controlled by traffic lights since just before Christmas.

It is believed the closure is in connection with structural problems with the retaining wall to the riverbank which runs alongside the road at that point.  

Cllr Davies said: “I am concerned that these works have been going on now for months, with the lights being in place without anything being seen to be done until recently.

“I am also concerned that the Trunk Roads Agency is doing the mushroom thing, keeping us in the dark etc!”

He added: “I am calling upon the Welsh Government to let us know what is happening and give us a timeline as to when works will be completed.

“Easter is nearly here and these works will impinge on the start of the tourist season and deter visitors from coming this way.”

Llan outdoor instructor once trained special agent

The Daily Post has a story today (Thursday) about a Llangollen outdoor instructor who once trained a special agent named Storm.

For the story see: http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/llangollen-outdoors-instructor-no-idea-8772604

Locos from around Britain at railway's steam gala

* The Grange Class locomotive under construction at Llangollen.

 

SIX mainline locomotives from around Britain will be guesting at gala steam event being held at Llangollen Railway over the next two weekends.

Steel, Steam and Stars IV is being staged by the 6880 Betton Grange Society at the town’s heritage railway this Friday-Sunday and the following Friday-Sunday, March 13-15.

The society, which is a charitable organisation, is currently building a famous Great Western Railway “Grange Class” locomotive at the Llangollen workshops.

The new engine will be the 81^st of its type but the only one still running as all its 80 1936-designed predecessors are now extinct.

Bretton Grange chairman Quentin McGuinness said: “The locomotive is advancing rapidly and will be on display in the workshops throughout the event.”

He added: “The mega gala event with simultaneous beer festival is due to commence this Friday. We expect at minimum 1,000 people a day to visit.

“A whopping total of six visiting mainline locomotives, which is unheard of at most other heritage railways, from as far away as Devon, Leicestershire, Yorkshire and Lancashire, are currently arriving at Llangollen railway to take part in this extravaganza.

“The event will utilize the newly extended railway into Corwen. A trade fair will be open at Corwen Station to support the event.”

Further information is available on the Bretton Grange website: www.6880.co.uk

Most food businesses have good hygiene ratings

More than half of food businesses in Wales have been awarded the highest ratings for their food hygiene standards, a year after the UK’s first statutory scheme came into force in Wales, Deputy Health Minister Vaughan Gething announced today (Wednesday).

A new Food Standards Agency (FSA) report about the scheme’s first year of operation after legislation was passed in Wales to make it compulsory for businesses to display their ratings, shows the statutory scheme has played a major role in improving food hygiene standards and increasing consumer awareness across Wales.

Figures in the report show that 56% of food businesses achieved a five – a very good rating – in the year to November 2014.

There has been a 11% increase of five-rated premises in Wales since mandatory display of food hygiene ratings was first introduced in November 2013 (up from 45%).

The percentage of food businesses receiving ratings which mean improvement is required fell by 7% between November 2013 and November 2014, from around 14% to 7%. The number of businesses with the lowest rating – a zero – has fallen from 0.6% to 0.3%.

Ratings of about 100 establishments serving food in the Llangollen area are listed on the FSA website, the vast majority of them achieving a five.

* To check out the list, go to: http://ratings.food.gov.uk/enhanced-search/en-GB/%5E/llangollen/Relevance/0/%5E/%5E/1/1/10

Band trio play their way to glory in music festival

* From left: Elizabeth Mwale, Gabriel Tranmer and Taya Castley relax in

Llangollen Silver Band’s  newly refurbished annex during a break in Monday night’s  band practice.

Three talented young members of Llangollen Silver Band played their way to glory in last weekend’s  Oswestry  Music  Festival. 

Gabriel Tranmer, 14, a pupil of St Brigit’s School in Denbigh who plays tuba with Llangollen Youth and Senior bands, entered the competition in four youth categories and took first place in brass solo (under 16) playing the highly challenging and technically difficult The Trouble with the Tuba is …..

He also took first place in drum kit solo, first place in vocal solo (musical theatre) and third place in vocal solo (own choice).

Gabriel then went on to take part in the winner’s concert held at Christchurch Oswestry and had to  stand for adjudication against himself as winner of both the brass section and the drum kit solo.

He became overall junior winner of the festival for his tuba playing, earning himself a £100 bursary.

Elizabeth Mwale, 12, came second to Gabriel  in the under 16 brass solo section with a fine performance of the beautiful Baritone Aria by Rodney Newton. 

Punching well above her weight by entering this higher age group, Elizabeth demonstrated her fast developing musical ability and her achievement of gaining that second place and a highly commended award was a just reward.

Taya Castley, who has been playing cornet for just over 18 months,  took first place in the 12 years and under category for brass.

Playing the cornet solo Demelza by Hugh Nash, she gained some complimentary remarks from the adjudicator for her presentation.

All three players were accompanied on piano by Eirwen Jones of Llangollen, who is Gabriel Tranmer’s grandmother.

A483/A55 roadworks will take six weeks longer than planned

The Daily Post is reporting this afternoon that major roadworks at the Posthouse roundabout at the junction of the A483 and A55 will take six weeks longer than anticipated, bringing misery to motorists until early May.

See the full story at: http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/a483-roadworks-posthouse-roundabout-set-8760003

Police warning over jewellery thefts

Residents throughout North Wales are being urged to keep their jewellery secure as thieves target homes for high value gold and silver items.

In recent months burglars have targeted homes in search of valuables, sometimes targeting the same addresses more than once.

The thieves have posed as tradesman or scrap metal merchants and have knocked on doors to see if anyone is at home. 

They then return later in the day, usually when the homes are empty, break in and steal valuable jewellery.

Suspects have also been known to park near the home of a potential victim waiting for the residents to leave.

Their tactics often include forcing entry though windows and patio doors, making extremely untidy searches of all rooms and attic spaces, adding to the distress of victims.

Detectives are actively targeting those responsible and enquiries are on-going, but North Wales Police are urging all residents to be aware of the tactics used by criminals and to take steps to keep their valuables as safe as possible.

As part of the awareness campaign the force has produced an advice leaflet in English, Welsh, Bengali and Urdu.

Detective Chief Inspector Alun Oldfield said: “This has been identified as an issue in North Wales, particularly in the Wrexham, Flinthshire and Denbighshire areas and officers have been out and about giving advice to residents on how to best protect their property.

“The thieves responsible are well organised and some are travelling into the area from further afield to target residents.  It is vital, therefore, that we all work together to make life as difficult as possible for these criminals.

“There are a number of simple steps you can take to help protect your valuable jewellery:

• Ensure that your jewellery is insured.
• Keep good records – make a list and include photographs. 
• Keep jewellery in a safe and secure place when it is not being worn – thieves have been known to look everywhere in the home for valuable items.
• Consider installing a safe if your jewellery is particularly valuable – ensure it is securely fitted to a permanent structure such as a solid wall or floor.
• Consider removing your valuables from the home and keeping them in a safety deposit box.
• Make sure all windows and doors and kept locked – especially when you are out.
• Ensure your home looks ‘lived in’ – even if you are out.  Consider using timer switches for lights to give the impression that someone is at home.
• Try not to advertise when you will not be at home and always use lights on timers to give the impression you are home at night, even if you are not
• Other security measures such as a home security alarm or security marking system can deter thieves from targeting a property.
• Be wary when answering the door to unexpected or uninvited visitors and always ask to see identification.  If you are unsure of the validity of the caller then contact the organisation they are claiming to be from.  Genuine callers will not mind you doing this. If you have concerns about any cold callers, contact the police
• Report suspicious behavior.”

* Anyone with any information about this type of crime should call North Wales Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Traffic study appeal hits target ... just in time

* Castle Street.

The deadline to raise £1,000 through a public appeal to pay for a survey into traffic conditions in the centre of Llangollen has been hit with just hours to spare.

The local Cittaslow group is backing a plan to take on traffic management specialists Hamilton Baillie Associates to carry out a study into how best to the handle conflicting traffic needs in the town – parkers, shopkeepers and pedestrians.

While a full blown survey by the firm which created a ground-breaking scheme for Poynton in Cheshire would be £10,000, Cittaslow has opted for a brief one-day appraisal costing just £1,000.

Town councillor Phil Thane fronted a public appeal to raise the cash and he revealed today (Tuesday) that the cash target had been hit just in time.
 

He said: “Today is deadline day for Cittaslow Llangollen's Crowdfunder appeal to raise £1,000 to pay for a review of all the issues affecting Castle Street.

“It's been a struggle at times explaining the issues and dispelling the idea that this was just another parking survey, but we got the message out and the town responded. The appeal reached the target with several hours to spare.

“Cittaslow Llangollen are meeting this evening, and one item for discussion is finding a date to get Ben Hamilton-Baillie to town to see what the issue are, and to present us with some possible solutions to consider.

“No-one pretends £1,000 is going to solve the problem, but getting an independent expert in might just kick-start some new thinking about an old problem.”

He added: “Everyone grumbles about Castle Street.

“Drivers in a hurry to get through would like all parking banned, pedestrians would like safe crossings, shopkeepers need to load and unload and want more parking for their customers, tourists want a pleasant place to stroll.

“At the moment we have the worst of all possible solutions, some legal parking, some illegal parking, double yellows down one side giving motorists the illusion of a clear road - until they meet a large vehicle coming the other way, and pedestrians running the gauntlet.

“The only good thing is that it's so chaotic the traffic is usually slow and there haven't been any serious accidents.

“We think it could be better, but it needs a new vision not just the county council putting down some more paint and harrassing shopkeepers.

“Poynton's problems were much worse than ours in Llangollen, and they've been fixed."

Llan shearer beats Kiwis at their own game

The Daily Post has a story about how a young Llangollen has beaten New Zealanders at their own game of sheep shearing.

For the full story see: http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/local-news/young-llangollen-shearer-beats-kiwis-8751198

Free service for businesses announced

The I Shop in Wales promotional organisation has asked llanblogger to publish the poster below:

Chorister harmonises her pregnancy with eisteddfod date

* Vicky Wilson who sings with The Chanterelles choir

with daughter Daisy, 2, and fellow choir members

Bethany de Vries, left, and Suzanne Bottrill.

A SINGER from Market Harborough organised the timing of her pregnancy to make sure she could compete with her choir at this summer’s Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

Alto Vicky Wilson was so determined not to miss out on competing with Leicestershire-based The Chanterelles in the female choirs section of the iconic cultural festival that she and her husband carefully worked out when they should conceive the baby.

And although 34-year-old Vicky will be have a sizeable eight-month bump at the time she takes to the Eisteddfod stage on Saturday, July 11, she says that shouldn’t affect her performance – because this will be the second time she’s done it!

Vicky, whose day job is working for Leicestershire County Council teaching Braille to blind children across the county, lives with her 36-year-old husband Jon at a farm just outside Market Harborough, and she began singing when she was just seven years old with a local youth choir.

Amongst its performance highlights was winning a number of trophies at Llangollen Eisteddfod back in the 1990s.

The all-girls choir, founded through Leicestershire Arts in Education, made their final appearance in 2001 after a decade of performing but a number of members came together again later to form The Chanterelles.

After a number of successful years The Chanterelles eventually disbanded but then reformed in 2009 as the result of a message that went out over social media, once again under their highly respected musical director, Dr Shirley Court, who had originally led the youth choir.

With an enthusiastic group of around 30 members The Chanterelles perform in a range of concerts and competitions and aim to set the highest professional standards.

The choir’s Llangollen Eisteddfod debut was in 2010 when it sang its way to first place in the female choirs section and in 2012 it returned to take second place in the same competition.

Vicky was part of the Leicestershire youth choir for one of its successful Llangollen appearances while she was still at school and returned to compete with The Chanterelles in 2012.

She said: “I happened to be expecting my first child, Daisy, at the time of that appearance three years ago and, coincidentally, was also eight months pregnant - just as I will be again when the choir comes back to Llangollen this July.

“I knew The Chanterelles were due to compete at the eisteddfod this summer and I desperately wanted to be with them as I love coming to Llangollen.

“My husband Jon and I had been planning a second baby and we worked things out for when it would be best for me to become pregnant, if I can put it that way!

“The choir has got two important dates coming up this summer – the Cork International Choral Festival in May and then Llangollen in July.

“We thought it was best for me not to give birth between the two appearances as far as looking after a new baby is concerned, so we arranged for my nine months to finish sometime after the eisteddfod.

“We got lucky first time with our planning. I found out I was pregnant just before Christmas and I’m due to give birth in August, which should be comfortably after the Llangollen appearance.”

Gethin Davies, Chairman of the Eisteddfod, said: “Singing at Llangollen clearly means a lot to Vicky and we’re delighted she enjoys it so much.

“It will be wonderful to see her and The Chanterelles here again this summer as they are a top class choir and I’m sure the singing will be proving good for her in her pregnancy.”

Vicky added: “I don’t think it will be too much of a problem being heavily pregnant at the eisteddfod as singing is good exercise and I’ve done it once before with my daughter Daisy, who is now two and a half.

“She really loves music and I’m not surprised as she was coming with me to rehearsals and performances, like the 2012 appearance, even before she was born.

“Daisy responds to any choral music she hears on TV but also likes more popular styles. She seems particularly fond at the moment of All About the Bass by the American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor and Happy by Pharrel Williams.   

“The Chanterelles tries to compete quite regularly as it helps keep up our standards.

“Coming to Llangollen is a lovely experience because the level of competition is so high and this will be the third time I’ve been there – twice heavily pregnant.”

AM calls for fuel poverty to be given priority

In the week of Fuel Poverty Awareness Day, North Wales Assembly Member and Chair of the Cross Party Group on Fuel Poverty, Mark Isherwood, has called on the Welsh Government to give fuel poverty priority.

 

On Thursday Mr Isherwood co-sponsored and attended an Assembly event to mark Fuel Poverty Awareness Day.

 

Challenging the Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty, Lesley Griffiths AM, in the Assembly Chamber  the day before the event, Mr Isherwood described fuel poverty in Wales as endemic and questioned the omission of fuel poverty from the Welsh Government’s Tackling Poverty Action Plan.   

 

He said: “Interestingly, at UK level, as you know, the definition of fuel poverty was changed to move towards needs and resources. Of course, Wales has stuck to an income-based definition. But we heard from the Bevan Foundation and Joseph Rowntree Foundation about the omission of fuel poverty, which I understand is not in your brief now, from the Tackling Poverty Action Plan, which is within your brief, which they believed should be central to your Tackling Poverty Action Plan. What consideration are you giving to that, given that fuel poverty is endemic, and often a major contributory factor to wider deprivation and vulnerability?”

 

The Minister confirmed that fuel poverty isn’t in her portfolio, but in the Minister for Natural Resources.

 

Mr Isherwood  added: “Friday is Fuel Poverty Awareness Day—thanks to the campaign run by National Energy Action and National Energy Action Cymru. As they pointed out, Arbed and Nest are very welcome schemes. They partly fall in your portfolio, partly in your colleague’s portfolio, as they cross housing, poverty and fuel poverty.

 

“Over 98% of people living in fuel poverty fall outside that, but there is great work going on, across Wales, in many areas, to address that. What consideration, working with your colleagues, but within the Tackling Poverty Action Plan - which is the only plan we currently have - have you given to revising and updating the Fuel Poverty Strategy, to meet and reach the needs of those 98% of people?”

 

The Minister replied: “Both Arbed and Nest are actually in the Minister for Natural Resources’ portfolio, but tackling poverty is absolutely cross-Government.”

 

Mr Isherwood added: “The Minister has written to me to state that the Tackling Poverty Action Plan sets out actions and targets to help prevent and reduce poverty in Wales. Given that the Welsh Government has scrapped the Ministerial Fuel Poverty Advisory Group and failed to incorporate fuel poverty into its Tackling Poverty Action Plan, this should not be in another Minister’s portfolio and must be given priority.” 

Corwen railway extension officially opened

* Steam locomotive 3802 prepares to drive through a

symbolic banner stretched across the newly-extended track.

SCORES of invited guests braved a wintry St David’s Day to attend the official opening of the newly extended railway line between Llangollen and Corwen this afternoon (Sunday).

The special event, staged in a field just outside Corwen, marked the completion of the ambitious five-year scheme to run trains a further 2.5 miles west of the line’s previous terminus at Carrog.

It also came as the fulfilment of a dream going right back to 1975 when a team of dedicated railway enthusiasts began bringing part of the Dee Valley route back to life as a heritage railway after it was axed under the Beeching service cuts of the early 1960s.  

* Guests head towards the marquee for the ceremony.

As a regular passenger service now begins between Llangollen and Corwen for the first time in 50 years, it was revealed that plans are already taking shape for phase two of the plan to run trains from the new terminus near the car park in Corwen a further 500 yards right into the heart of the town and replace a temporary station and platform which has been built with permanent facilities.

And Llangollen county councillor Stuart Davies, who has given his full backing to the extension project, said that although he estimated this development would cost in the region of half a million pounds, he would be doing all he could to see the trust which operates the railway is able to obtain secure financial assistance with the scheme.

A large party of invited guests, including local politicians and civic leaders, boarded a train hauled by a steam engine for the journey from Llangollen to the new temporary station designated Dwyrain Corwen East.

The opening ceremony began with the symbolic driving of the locomotive through a banner stretched across the track and continued with a rendition of the Welsh national anthem by the Glyndwr Male Voice Choir (pictured left) and Llangollen Silver Band.

As driving rain turned to sleet and then snow, railway vice-presidents Gordon Heddon and Bill Shakespeare unveiled a bilingual plaque bearing the name of the new station.

Railway chairman Peter Lund cut a ribbon to declare the new station officially open and members of the Corwen Community handed out complimentary daffodils to guests as they gathered in a marquee to hear further selections from the band and the choir.

Railway spokesman George Jones said: “With the opening of the extension to Corwen East the intention of all members of the railway is to look towards the development of the final section of the extension.

* Llangollen Silver Band plays at the ceremony.

“We of course need financial assistance to enable all this happen but, for what is a relatively modest outlay, the area will gain so much.

“If you consider the footbridge erected at Chirk Station, this cost over a million pounds.

“For somewhat less than that Corwen will receive a permanent platform, signal box, all the track, signalling and much more, plus access to the town’s main car park via a subway from the platform.”

Llangollen county councillor Stuart Davies, who was amongst guests at the ceremony, said: “The band of dedicated volunteers who run the railway have done a fantastic job over the past 40 years is driving the line forward as far as Corwen, overcoming every obstacle in their way.

“The second phase of the extension project, which will bring many benefits to both Llangollen and Corwen, must definitely now go ahead.

“I personally estimate that it will take about £500,000 to complete this and I am determined to see the railway trust is given every assistance in securing the necessary finance to complement its own fundraising efforts.”

 ... to all llanblogger readers ...

UB40 legend bound for eisteddfod

 

* Ali Campbell.

The music legend who formed one of the world’s top reggae bands will provide a high energy climax to a top festival, it's been revealed.

Ali Campbell, the voice of UB40 who sold 70 million records, has been snapped up by Llangollen International Musical Festival for their closing concert on Sunday, July 12.

He'll be reunited on the eisteddfod stage with two other founding members of UB40 - percussionist, trumpet player and vocalist Astro and keyboard player Mickey.

The concert is being sponsored by the award-winning Village Bakery, the fastest growing manufacturer in Wales.

Managing Director Robin Jones said: "As a locally based family firm, we are proud to have supported the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod for a number of years.

"UB40 played an important role in the history of world music so it's appropriate that Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey are bringing the curtain down on this year's International Eisteddfod. It's going to be a great night."

 

The stellar line-up this year also includes Oscar-winning songwriter Burt Bacharach who'll open the festival on Monday, July 6, and classical heart-throb Alfie Boe who'll be performing songs from musical theatre and movies on the Thursday night, July 9.

 

The Eisteddfod's Musical Director, Eilir Owen Griffiths, said: "The concert with Ali Campbell, the legendary voice of UB40, with Astro and Mickey is going to be an absolutely fantastic night and I'm sure the pavilion will be bouncing.

"It will be a fitting climax to a really exciting week of really world class entertainment - I can't wait."

Campbell, who, along with Mickey, left the original UB40 in 2008, is enjoying playing to packed audiences around the world and is looking forward to his first visit to Llangollen.

But Campbell admits things just weren’t the same until Astro walked away from the remaining UB40 band members in 2013 and teamed back up with Mickey and himself.

He said: "We are back on our mission taking reggae music to the world.

“Llangollen, I can promise, won’t have ever seen a concert like the one we intend to put on. I know Status Quo were there last year, well I can promise you this, we’ll smash them."

Father-of-eight Campbell, now 56, was born and raised in Birmingham and says his love of reggae comes from the fact most of his early mates were of West Indian descent who listened to reggae most of the time.

He added: “Reggae just gives you something different, a freedom I suppose. It’s probably the youngest genre around but I listen to music from all around the world and the reggae influence is massive. It’s so influential.

“I was, in 1978, one of the founding members of UB40, along with Astro and Mickey. And I was the principle songwriter. We sold more than 70 million records worldwide and toured around the world for more than 30 years.

“We decided on the name UB40 as a friend of mine, Andy Nash, pointed out we were all on the dole at the time and suggested we name ourselves after the government’s Unemployment Benefit Form 40, or UB40 as it was known.

“It was probably a better choice for a band name than the one we had already sort of decided on, which was Geoff Cancer and the Nicorettes!

"I’ve been flying the flag for reggae ever since. We are in the middle of world tour which is going brilliantly. The simple truth is we are the hottest reggae band around. If you want real reggae and the real UB40 then it has to be us.

“In the last year we have performed in Australia and New Zealand, where I was one of the three judges on New Zealand’s Got talent, and Papua New Guinea.

"We are selling out wherever we go, people want to hear that true UB40 reggae sound and that’s what we are giving them.

“I just want to put on the best show possible and that’s what I promise UB40 fans who come to see our shows. Llangollen won’t have seen anything like it, it’s that simple.”

The concert will round off another packed week which will feature 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 with Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey.

* To book tickets and for more details on the 2015 festival, go to the website at www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk

Councillor welcomes "decline" in illegal off-roading

LLANGOLLEN county councillor Stuart Davies says he is pleased to see that electronic monitoring shows illegal off-roading in the hills above the town is “declining”.

Cllr Davies based his comments on a report from a county council officer which gives an update on data taken from a vehicle logger placed on the Allt y Badi, which has been at the centre of many complaints about unlawful off-roader use.   

The report says: “The Allt y Badi logger show signs of a continuing reduction of use by recreational vehicles on this popular road over the autumn and early winter especially with motorcycles.

“Whilst this may be a reflection on the wetter or icier weather conditions, as we do not yet have a full year’s data, we do not yet know if this reduction is unusual or typical.

“However, at each reading it is apparent that the combined average numbers of users declines each time it is calculated and in addition the number of days on which no vehicles at all using the route is increasing as a percentage of measured days.

“We are now aware that average weekly use is now 40 vehicles as week compared to nearly 60 during last spring, for 31% of the days so far logged there were no vehicles on the road that day.

“We will shortly have completed a year of monitoring and we will continue to monitor the levels of traffic to help determine the most appropriate management for the route.”

The report adds: “Two police action days this winter have seen a number of notices being issued, punative fines issued and bikes impounded.

“The reduction in use illustrates that the exercise is having a successful impact by reducing these riders confidence that they can break the law and evade being caught with the penalties of being caught are significant.

“Other evidence from the patterns of vehicle activity the loggers reveal means the police have better information on when it is most likely they can intercept and stop riders avoiding the need for unproductive operations when these riders will not likely be present.”

Cllr Davies said: “I am pleased to see that illegal off-road riding use is declining.

“This comes after a joint meeting of stakeholders and authorities where the issues identified by the community were brought to the table by elected representatives.

“Issues were identified and outcomes agreed by the relevant authorities.”

He added: “I would like to thank the officers involved as well as North Wales Police for their swift reaction and firm dealings with people caught riding and driving illegally.
“County officers along with their colleagues are continuing to make sure that illegal use of green roads etc is punished.”

Demolition proceeds on former D&C factory

 

Pictures taken this afternoon (Thursday) by llanblogger show how demolition work is proceeding on the former Dobson & Crowther factory on the A5.

The site is earmarked for the construction of a new Sainsbury's supermarket but the store chain is yet to reveal how the scheme is affected by its current review of new store openings.

Traffic survey appeal deadline speeds closer

* Busy Castle Street in Llangollen.

The clock is ticking on a public appeal for cash to help pay for a survey into traffic conditions in the centre of Llangollen.

The local Cittaslow group is backing a plan to take on traffic management specialists Hamilton Baillie Associates to carry out a study into how best to the handle conflicting traffic needs in the town – parkers, shopkeepers and pedestrians.

While a full blown survey by the firm which created a ground-breaking scheme for Poynton in Cheshire would be £10,000, Cittaslow has opted for a brief one-day appraisal costing just £1,000.

Town councillor Phil Thane is fronting a public appeal to raise the cash and he revealed that with just five days left to the deadline, there’s still £350 to be raised.

He said: “We are not doing a public opinion survey that carries no weight, we're getting a professional opinion.

“We have been backed by AXA Insurance' Roadsafe scheme which has pledged £250.

“One of our Castle Street shopkeepers has pledged £50, and another £20, so how about a few quid from the others?

“With just a few days left to the Tuesday, March 3 deadline to find the extra £350 we really need support.”

He added: “Everyone grumbles about Castle Street.

“Drivers in a hurry to get through would like all parking banned, pedestrians would like safe crossings, shopkeepers need to load and unload and want more parking for their customers, tourists want a pleasant place to stroll.

“At the moment we have the worst of all possible solutions, some legal parking, some illegal parking, double yellows down one side giving motorists the illusion of a clear road - until they meet a large vehicle coming the other way, and pedestrians running the gauntlet.

“The only good thing is that it's so chaotic the traffic is usually slow and there haven't been any serious accidents.

“We think it could be better, but it needs a new vision not just the county council putting down some more paint and harrassing shopkeepers.

“Poynton's problems were much worse than ours in Llangollen, and they've been fixed.

“The town council budget is tiny, and tight, so we're asking the community to get behind this.”
To find out more, go to: http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/people-traffic-in-llan/

Susan Elan Jones repeats call for MPs' second jobs ban

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones has repeated her call her call for MPs to be banned from having second jobs.
Ms Jones, who spent 15 years working for charities before she became an MP, said: "I spoke out on this subject last October in the House of Commons, when I was actually boo-ed by some Conservative MPs from the other side of the Chamber.

"These are the very same people that won't legislate to stop abuses of zero hours contracts, a practice that is making a life a misery for so many families in our area. 

"I am glad that the Labour Party is leading a proper debate on the issue today and that there will be a vote too."

Today's Labour motion states: “That this House believes that, as part of a wider regulatory framework for second jobs, from the start of the next Parliament no hon. Members should be permitted to hold paid directorships or consultancies.”

Council tax bills set to rise by 3.09%

Denbighshire County Council has confirmed its budget for the 2015/16 financial year, meaning that council tax bills will increase by 3.09% in total.

This means that the average council tax bill for a Band D property will be £1,422.40, compared with £1,379.73 in 2014/5.

The Council Tax bill comprises three elements; the county council; the city, town and community councils and the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales. The increase set for the County Council was 2.75%.

Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Cabinet Lead Member for Finance, said: "We have tried to keep council tax increases as low as possible, as Denbighshire residents tell us regularly that is what they would like to see happen.

"We have set and agreed this budget at a time of severe financial constraints, with protection for education, substantially protecting funding levels to social services and putting additional funding in to the corporate plan.

"This budget is set at a time of unprecedented change for the organisation. However, we are pleased that we have been able to agree a budget that sets clearly how we are going to manage our finances over the next 12 months.

"We can also reassure residents that despite the cuts being implemented, we are fully committed to providing the best possible service for the people of Denbighshire."

Bumper half-term bodes well for Splash Magic

‘Fantastic’ half-term figures have been reported at a former council leisure centre taken over by the community.

Last week saw thousands go through the doors at Splash Magic in Acrefair, providing precious income which will be key to the venture’s long-term viability.

It was recently reported that the popular facility, formerly known as Plas Madoc Leisure Centre, was operating at a £400,000-a-year loss under the council’s ownership, but the future looks brighter under the social enterprise model.

And with uncertainty over the future of council-run Waterworld centre in Wrexham, Splash Magic could soon be the only not-for-profit facility of its kind in the county borough.

Splash Community Trust chairman Darrell Wright said the team of volunteers still ‘can’t get carried away’ despite a successful first three months since the centre reopened on December 6.

He said: “We’re thrilled to have had some really busy weekends and to have had such fantastic numbers during half-term, and it makes all the hard work worthwhile.

“But we can’t get carried away, because we will need many more bumper weeks and months if we’re going to make sure Splash stays open.

“We’re still short of the 600 monthly memberships we need to tick over, but we’re certainly in a much better position than we were a year ago and than many thought we would be in.”

Darrell, who lives in Trevor, said the Trust owes ‘another huge thank you’ to Coleg Cambria students, who have agreed to undertake a variety of maintenance jobs at Splash including tiling, welding and joinery.

“The college’s support has been brilliant, invaluable really. Any work the students have done has been completed to a very high standard and they have saved us a lot of money, which is vital when every penny counts.”

Volunteers are still needed to help out at Splash. If you are interested, call Darrell on 07882 947804 or the centre on 01978 821600.

Calls for safe standing at the Racecourse ground

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for North Wales, Aled Roberts, has today called on the First Minister to support calls for safe standing areas in football grounds and to engage in talks with Wrexham FC and Glyndwr University to secure safe standing areas at The Racecourse ground.

 

Commenting after raising the issue in the Siambr today, he said: “Current UK legislation means that all football grounds in England and Wales are on a seating only basis. Additionally, UEFA and FIFA require any club holding an international match to have an all-seating stadium.

 

“However, safe standing areas are becoming a hugely popular idea for fans at domestic matches and would be welcomed in many town and cities should this legislation change.

 

“Fans have been calling for safe standing areas in grounds for some time now. Should UK legislation change, there is no reason why the new, adaptable seating and standing arra ngements already in place in Germany can’t be put in place at grounds like The Racecourse.

 

“The First Minister agrees with me that having international matches in north Wales again would be a fantastic boost, and appropriate investment coupled with representation from the Welsh Government could see the changes being made.

 

“It is now crucial that the First Minister works with the relevant bodies to ensure that Welsh calls for safe standing areas are heard, and that any future investment at The Racecourse ground should accommodate scope for safe standing areas."