Firms warned over cyber threats

A lack of understanding about potential cyber dangers means small and medium sized business in North Wales are putting a third of their revenue at risk.

 

That's the warning from internet security expert Henry Platten (pictured), a former policeman who is now patrolling the virtual world keeping businesses safe.

 

He will be the guest speaker at the next meeting of the Wrexham Business Professionals at the Catrin Finch Centre at Glyndwr University on Tuesday, March 24.

 

The group was established by local solicitors and accountants who collaborate on a non-competitive basis to promote the development of businesses, skills and employment opportunities for professional people.

 

The other keynote speaker will be Neil Ashbridge, the Bank of England's Agent in Wales.

 

Mr Platten, who has also worked as a BBC journalist, set up set up the Flintshire based firm eTreble9 with wife, Danielle.

 

A great deal of their work involves helping firms in North Wales battle cyber threats.

The firm has also created revolutionary scheme to keep children safe online.

 

The eCadets scheme beat rival contenders from all over the UK to win first place in the category for Making the Internet a Safer Place at the prestigious Nominet awards.

 

According to Mr Platten, recent research by the Cyber Streetwise organisation had revealed that small and medium sized companies are putting 32 per cent of their revenue at risk because they are falling for some of the common misconceptions around cyber security.

 

That, he said, leaves them vulnerable to losing valuable data and suffering both financial and reputational damage.

 

Worryingly, two thirds of SMEs didn't consider their business to be vulnerable, and only 16 per cent felt that improving their cyber security was a top priority for 2015.

 

Mr Platten added: "There are many benefits from using social media safely and appropriately - it's a brilliant tool for marketing, recruiting and so on.

 

"But going blindly into social media and integrating it into your business without being aware of some of the risks beforehand can be potentially dangerous.

 

"Without being aware, sometimes people can disclose commercially sensitive information that they may not wish to.

 

"There is a risk of being hacked via social media accounts when people bring their own devices into work and then integrate with the work system.

 

"There are also viruses that can easily be spread through social media and there are reputational risks.

 

"One misplaced sentence on Facebook or Twitter can cause an organisation untold damage in terms of crisis management.

 

"Businesses are at risk of being victims of crime as well with fraud being one of the top ones.

 

"Potentially, if your cyber security isn't up to scratch, thieves can hack in and steal money from your bank account.

 

"One of the ways that that works through is that the email account you have connected to your social media account.

 

"If that’s the same one that you run your life with people who find it very easy to do the hacking can very easily work out your email account attached to your social media account.

 

"Generally you will share some personal information through your social media account which can be used to identify your password and then they simply go through the password process, match it up to your email account.

 

"As soon as they’re in, they see your entire life, who you bank with, your home address where your deliveries are sent.

 

"So an easy way around that is if you have a social media account, have a separate email account that is just for social media and nothing else.

 

"Data now is the most valuable commodity in the world. It’s more valuable than gold or oil.

 

"In looking at identity theft and fraud, small businesses are the prime target because cyber criminals know they don’t have huge internet teams working 24/7 keeping them safe.

 

"That’s why it’s important for small businesses to know how to use the internet and social media it in the right way.

 

"If you understand the risks then you can protect yourself, you can get the maximum benefit without any of the danger coming along as well to make sure that your business can run in a consistent and a smooth way without any avoidable hiccups."

 

Wrexham Business Professionals spokesman Simon Griffiths, of Chartered Accountants Guy Walmsley, said: "We are delighted that Neil Ashbridge and Henry Platten have agreed to share their expert views.

 

"Neil will be giving us a brief update on the latest economic position while Henry will be giving us guidance about how to use the internet safely and appropriately."

Llan man triumphs at Wounded Warrior games

* AJ Pingham with the four medals he won

at the Wounded Warrior games in Las Vegas.

 

A DISABLED ex-servicemen from Llangollen fought his way to four medals – including a gold – at the recent Wounded Warrior games in Las Vegas.

 

Representing Team Great Britain, 38-year-old Alistair Pingham – known as AJ to his friends – triumphed against the cream of disabled athletes from the UK, USA and Australia by storming to gold in the seated discus, silvers in both the shot put and wheelchair basketball and bronze in archery, all of which he tackled from the seated position.

 

* AJ Pingham, third from left, with fellow
members of the GB team in Las Vegas.

AJ, who is originally from Tamworth in Staffordshire and now lives with his wife Joy and their two children in Llangollen, has for the past three years been a teaching assistant in the pupil support unit at Ysgol Dinas Bran in the town.

 

He spent four and a half years serving in the Royal Navy as a marine engineer mechanic, and he says it was the amount of his sport he played during that time that led directly to his disability.

 

AJ said: “I’d been playing hockey for 18 years and played even more when I joined the navy. In fact, I was captain of the navy’s hockey team for three years.

 

“The result of all this was that the ligaments in both my ankles started to deteriorate.

 

“I had an operation in which they attempted to rebuild them. They re-routed tendons from the back, near the achilles tendon, by drilling holes through my ankle bones.

 

“That helped for a time but it also gave me arthritis which has gradually eaten through the cartilage in my ankles to the point where they can’t be replaced.

 

* AJ competes in the archery. 

“I now find walking quite painful. I use a stick and have a specially adapted car.”

 

After leaving the navy, AJ took a job as a lecturer at the former Yale College in Wrexham but was forced to leave that when his disability became too acute.

 

He is now at Ysgol Dinas Bran which he praised for putting in a number of disabled aids to help him do his job.

 

AJ decided to resume his passion for sport as a way of trying to regain a normal life.

 

For a number of years he has played for Chester’s wheelchair basketball team, Cheshire Phoenix, and started his fightback to frontline sport by winning selection for the British team in the inaugural Invictus Games started for injured ex-service personnel by Prince Harry and held last September.

 

He won a gold medal for his country in wheelchair basketball after beating off strong competition from teams from across the world.

 

AJ then overcame a tough selection process to become one of just 21 disabled ex-service athletes chosen to represent Team GB in the Wounded Warrior games staged at the Nellis air force base near Las Vegas in Nevada earlier this month.

   

It was a week of intense competition which saw over 100 athletes, all injured in some way while serving with their countries’ armed forces, taking part in everything from basketball and volleyball to archery, swimming and rifle shooting.

 

While Team GB took a total of 47 medals in all disciplines, AJ came home with an incredible haul of four medals.

 

He said: “It was a fantastic occasion and I was honoured to be part of the team sent over to the States by the charity Help for Heroes.

 

* AJ's fantastic medal haul of four.

“I’m really enjoying myself competing and it’s nice to be able to push yourself to the limit.

 

“I think every injured service person suffers from some form of depression because of the things they suddenly can’t do any more but competing has helped me to beat that depression.

 

“In fact, my wife says that she’s now got her husband back.”

 

AJ is currently training six days a week with the aim of reaching the GB trials for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games, when he has an eye on competing in rowing, shot put, seated discus and archery.

 

He also hopes to take part in next year’s second Invictus Games, which are due to be held in the USA.

 

But before all that he has another major hurdle to overcome when both of his feet are amputated to help rid him of his problem ankles.

 

Incredibly, AJ says he’s looking forward to the surgery, planned for some time later this year.

 

He explained: “It will open up a lot of new doors for me as far as competing is concerned, like being able to get blades for running and prosthetics for rock climbing.

 

“When you have pain every day like I have anything to improve your standard of life has to be welcomed.

 

“My son Luke, who is 11 and at Ysgol Bryn Collen, has told me that when I go for a run for the first time after having my feet amputated he’ll be running alongside me.”

 

The purpose-built wheelchair AJ uses for competition was supplied by Help for Heroes but to enable him to continue competing at the highest levels, he is currently on the lookout for a sponsorship deal. 

 

* He can be contacted through Ysgol Dinas Bran on 01978 860669.

Breast cancer change "greatly concerns" patients says AM

North Wales’ Liberal Democrat Assembly Member Aled Roberts says that centralising breast cancer surgery  in Ysbyty Glan Clwyd from April this year as part of the announcement on maternity services two weeks ago has caused great concern to many cancer patients who will be forced to travel long distances.

 

“There appears to be have been no proper consultation with cancer patients from Gwynedd and Wrexham about this change which is the result of consultant-led maternity services being removed from Ysbyty Glan Clwyd and concentrated in Ysbyty Gwynedd and Wrexham Maelor,” commented Mr Roberts.

 

“Many patients and their families from the western and eastern extremities of North Wales will be forced to long distances to get to Glan Clwyd and in some cases it may well mean that women will be having life changing breast cancer surgery without the support of their families.

 

“I have been contacted by breast cancer patients who are very worried about these changes and the speed with which they are being implemented. I will be writing today to the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to ask whether they have assessed the transport difficulties that these changes will create for many patients. It appears to me that they have considered the medical benefits without giving due consideration to what this may mean for people’s lives.

 

“In the long term I am very concerned that the Betsi Cadwaladr Board may be planning more urgent changes to medical services as a result of problems recruiting staff. Will more services be concentrated in one or two hospitals?

 

"Wouldn’t it be better for the Board to be honest about their future plans? I am planning to raise these issues with senior managers at Betsi Cadwaladr and will report back with their response.”

New garden waste scheme starts March 30

Denbighshire County Council is counting down to the re-start of its garden waste collection service at the end of the month.

Since the announcement of charges for garden waste collections last autumn more than 11,000 households have opted into the scheme.

The first collection vehicles will leave council depots in Bodelwyddan and Ruthin on Monday March 30.  H

Householders that have opted in receive a collection calendar for the fortnightly service and a bar-code sticker for their green bin, or bar-coded tags where garden waste is collected in bags.

The council assures residents that all orders placed by March 16 will be ready for the first collections that start at the end of March.

Residents should refer to their collection calendar which for their actual collection day.

Councillor David Smith, Cabinet Lead Member for Environment, said:  “More than 10,000 orders have been fulfilled and calendars and stickers have been sent out and extra bins or bags delivered.

"Some orders, less than 2% of the total, have been held up due to some inconsistencies but every order placed by March 16 will be ready when the service starts.  "

Anyone who wants to receive the service when it starts needs to place their order by the 16^th, though it’s possible to opt-in to the scheme at any time.”

Denbighshire’s introduction of charges for garden waste collection followed a significant reduction in its grant from the Welsh Government and will reduce council spending by around £400,000 annually from April 1 2015.

The council set an annual charge of £24 to empty its standard 140 litre green garden waste bin every two weeks with an option to have a second bin for an extra £12.

There is an equivalent service in place for residents who use the Council’s green dumpy sacks for garden waste.

The new service will operate for all 12 months of the year; there will be no seasonal break as there has been this winter.

Householders can opt in to the garden waste collection service by making a secure payment online at denbighshire.gov.uk/gardenwaste.

Payments can also be made by calling Denbighshire’s Customer Service centre on 01824 706101 or in person at any of the Council One Stop Shops.

Annual town meeting deals with some hot issues

ONLY about 20 people turned up for the annual town meeting at Llangollen Town Hall yesterday (Tuesday) evening.

However, a number of hot local issues were still aired. 

The meeting is the yearly opportunity for local people to hear what the Town Council has been doing on their behalf over the previous 12 months and for them to fire questions and comments from the floor on issues of interest.

In his opening address the mayor, Cllr Bob Lube, said that over the past year he had attended 55 meetings, representing and promoting Llangollen locally and nationally.

The council’s planning committee, he said, had continued to be vigilant, its members giving their “careful and considered recommendations” on all planning applications received.

He announced that a vacancy had arisen on the council following the resignation of Cllr Jane Palombella due to work commitments.

The Friends of the Town Hall group had given attention to the fabric of the building, with work including the fitting of new lights in the main hall and lighting outside the building being upgraded.

The Town Council had over the past year given financial support to organisations such as the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, he explained.

In conjunction with the Cittaslow community group, there had been a World Café event at the Town Hall last November at which people were able to give their views on local issues in a relaxed atmosphere.

A crowd-funding project led by Cllr Phil Thane through Cittaslow Llangollen had successfully raised £1,000 to pay for a one-day traffic study of the town centre with a view to easing traffic problems. This would take place on May 26 and be followed by a public meeting in the Town Hall.

The project to facelift the Chain Bridge had progressed well and would see the re-opening of the historic landmark within the next few months – 31 years after the bridge was closed for safety reasons.

Cost of supporting the project to the Town Council was £6,000, said the mayor, adding: “It just shows what a small community can do when committed to a cause.”

Other schemes in hand were improvements to the cemetery, he added.

He praised volunteers from Llangollen Tidy Town Team for the many hours of unpaid labour they had put in over the year, describing their contribution as “exceptional”.

Cllr Lube also had praise for organisers of key annual events such as Remembrance Sunday, Hamper Llangollen Food Festival, the Christmas Festival, the Eisteddfod, the Fringe, the Women’s Festival and the railway’s steam gala.

“My thanks to all involved in these magnificent events,” he said.

The mayor described the Town Council’s budget for next year as “prudent” and said that its share of the council tax bill – the precept – would be £88,845 – an increase of 61p on a Band D property.

Revealing that this would be his last town meeting as mayor as his two-year term of office was ending, Cllr Lube summed up by saying: “There’s certainly a lot of activity in the community at the moment and there are many opportunities for people to get involved.”

Questions and comments from the floor began with praise from resident Phil Jones for Cllr Phil Thane and Cittaslow for organising the latest traffic study.

Cllr Thane replied that in Castle Street drivers, traders and pedestrians had competing priorities for what should be done and that all solutions were contradictory. Hopefully, he said, the consultants would come up with an answer.

A resident pointed out this would be the third traffic study done on the town centre in recent years, asking: “Nothing ever gets done, so what’s different about this one?”

Cllr Thane said this was a “grassroots” scheme by the community rather than the county council.

There was then criticism from the floor that the Town Council had not been consulted on the last county-authorised survey.

The mayor replied that the Town Council was making representations about this.

The mayor was then questioned from the floor about what plans the Town Council had for the future look of the Royal Gardens and the adjacent war memorial.

Cllr Lube responded that he had requested an artist’s impression of a possible scheme to be prepared to facilitate a debate.

He added that a working group, comprising members of the local Royal British Legion, Tidy Town Team, Civic Society, Museum and Rotary, had been formed to decide on a possible scheme. There was also the possibility of looking into whether a suitable scheme would qualify for lottery cash support.

Edwina Hart, of the Save Our Paths campaign group, thanked the Town Council for its support of its battle to save the countryside around Llangollen from “damage and trespass” by illegal off-roaders.

She added that 500 people had now signed a petition in support of the group’s aims.

Other points raised from the floor included:

* Pedestrian access to the new health centre being built on the A539. The mayor said the Town Council had made representations about this to the county council and the health board.

* Whether Sainsbury’s would ever occupy the new supermarket being built for them on the former Dobson & Crowther site on the A5. Cllr Lube said he had recently been told by the site manager that Sainsbury’s were still coming and that the completed building was due to be handed over to them in September.

* Measures to control dog fouling. The mayor said county council enforcement officers – now in plain clothes rather than uniform – were regularly visiting the town.

* Traffic lights on the A5 at the bottom of Birch Hill. Cllr Lube said he had been informed that a survey was currently being carried out to determine ground movement at either side of  the road. He added he had been told that any sideways movement detected would mean major work which would take some time to complete.

The meeting, which was also attended by eight town councillors and Town Clerk Gareth Thomas, closed after about an hour at just before 8pm with the mayor thanking all those who attended.  

Crime tsar examines helicopter base decision

A crime tsar is investigating whether he can challenge the decision to axe a police helicopter base in North Wales.

 

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Winston Roddick CB QC (pictured below) is unhappy about the lack of proper consultation over the planned closure of the base at Rhuddlan in Denbighshire on September 15.

 

The police helicopter base at Hawarden in Flintshire will remain open.

 

The announcement was made last month by National Police Air Service (NPAS), which runs the UK’s police helicopter services.

 

It was part of a package of cuts which will see eight of the service’s 23 bases closing.

According to NPAS, it was facing budget cuts of 14 per cent in the next three years on top of the 23 per cent savings they had already made.

 

Mr Roddick said: “I am concerned that the decision by NPAS to shut the base in Rhuddlan does not concentrate enough on north Wales’s needs. 

 

"Likewise, I am concerned that consultation prior to the decision being made was clearly lacking. 

 

"NPAS has not taken the time to properly explain the rationale of the new operating model to us and I am therefore exploring whether there is an option to appeal the decision.

 

"The closures were presented as a fait accompli.  A series of working group meetings is being planned by NPAS to consider the reorganisation but this is too little, too late.

 

"In the meantime, I am in discussions with the Chief Constable to fully assess the implications of what is being proposed.

 

"The airbase in Rhuddlan represents the culmination of a great deal of hard work on the part of officers from this force and the location is central to north Wales.

 

"It is vital that the integrity of the air cover for North Wales is maintained and that the region continues to benefit from a first class service."

 

Police warn about sharing personal information online

North Wales Police have issued a warning about personal information being shared on social networking sites.

They say a recent case in North Wales saw the victim engage with a person purporting to be caring for their grandson.

The victim was targeted as a result of the personal information they had made public on Facebook.

Following an exchange of messages on Facebook and email correspondence, the victim agreed to make several payments via wire transfers amounting to thousands of pounds.

Detective Sgt Peter Jarvis of North Wales Police said: “These unscrupulous people are experts at gaining the confidence of elderly victims, encouraging them, and once  trust and a relationship has been established, the thieves are quick to steal the victim's money and disappear.

“Social media sites are great fun and offer a really easy way to share information and keep in touch with friends and family.  However, this information could be used by criminals for a number of reasons, including identity theft or hacking.

“Remember, you're sharing in the public domain so always consider what impact a piece of personal information might have.”

North Wales Police Cyber Crime Team are urging people to protect themselves online.

• Make sure that you know exactly what you're sharing and who you're sharing it with.
• Most social networking sites have simple settings that allow you to have complete control of who sees what. Facebook's Help Centre provides comprehensive advice on privacy and security on their site.
• Never upload or say anything in social media that you don't want the world to know.
• Always remember that sites like Twitter, Tumblr and Instagram are predominantly public spaces.
• Always log off after use.
• Don’t leave yourself logged in, this is a common mistake by many.

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: