Tourism Minister backs Llan food festival

 

* Welsh and proud, Welsh Government Tourism Minister Ken Skates, left, and Hamper Llangollen Chairman Colin Loughlin show off some of the finest local produce.

 

A flourishing food festival is offering to showcase the products of new food and drink producers – and the appeal is being backed by the Welsh tourism minister.

 

Hamper Llangollen boasts an enviable track record as one of  the UK's most popular food events and one that has been a successful platform for innovative new food and drink from North Wales.

 

The two-day October festival has helped launch successful products like the Aberffraw biscuit, Blodyn Aur extra virgin rapeseed oil and the Dangerous Food Company’s chilli jam.

 

It is expected that this year’s 19^th annual event will again attract thousands visitors to browse over 120 stalls at Llangollen’s Royal International Pavilion.

 

That’s music to the ears of Ken Skates, the Welsh Government’s Deputy Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, in whose Clwyd South constituency the event takes place on Saturday and Sunday, October 17 and 18.

 

He said: “Hamper Llangollen is an incredible success and a great annual occasion for the Dee Valley.

 

“I’m particularly pleased that there’s a focus on encouraging new exhibitors and giving prominence to the many outstanding food and drink producers in North Wales for whom it is a fantastic opportunity to showcase their unique and delicious products.

 

“Food tourism is proving to be big business and we are delighted to welcome thousands of visitors each year, many of them from England, to see some of the fantastic landscape and heritage we have and enjoy the best of food and drink.

 

“The Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty was recently extended through the Dee Valley and visitors are able to enjoy the phenomenal hills, mountains, rivers and valleys where this wonderful food is produced.”

 

Over the years the festival has introduced the public to a range of different and innovative foods as well as boasting household names like Patchwork Pate and Halen Mon Anglesey Sea Salt among its exhibitors.

 

It has also been named one of the UK’s Top Ten food festivals by national newspaper The Independent and each year it generates over £400,000 for the local economy.

 

Hamper Llangollen chairman Colin Loughlin said: “We are very keen to hear from new producers as we have been very successful in helping launch some amazing products.

 

“We have special rates for new products and even a special section of the festival especially for them where we can give them prominence.

 

“They are the lifeblood of events like this and we appreciate the importance of making sure the event is always fresh and has something new to taste.

 

“Last year we had South African dunking biscuits and they were very successful and I’m pleased to say that they’re back again this year.

 

“We want to promote the fact that the facilities are here for producers so that they can show off their new products to an appreciative public and we are also careful to make sure that we don’t have more than two of any one kind of producer.”

 

The one area he would like to see better represented is vegetables: “Perhaps it’s the time of year but I would really like to see more of them on show in all sorts of forms and we’d love to hear from growers and indeed any new producers.”

 

For more information on Hamper Llangollen go to http://www.llangollenfoodfestival.com/

A5 roadworks "should be gone before summer holidays" says Minister

* The long-running roadworks on the A5.

Wales's Transport Minister says she aims to have Llangollen's long-running A5 roadworks completed before the summer holiday period.

Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates welcomed the news that Edwina Hart plans to speed up work on the main road near Birch Hill to boost summer trade. 

Labour AM Mr Skates, who is based in Llangollen, said: “This is an essential project which has to be carried out for the public’s safety, but of course I understand and share residents’ frustration and the concerns of local businesses who are worried the ongoing work might put people off visiting.”

Mr Skates wrote to the minister asking for something to be done to ensure the roadworks – scheduled to go on until August – are gone before the busy summer season after being contacted by constituents and talks with the Llangollen Chamber of Trade and Commerce.

In her response, Ms Hart said: “We have approached a contractor to develop and prepare emergency temporary solutions that will enable the traffic lights to be removed and we will endeavour to complete the necessary works before the summer holiday period.

“In the meantime, the traffic lights will continue to be manually controlled at peak times during busy periods to minimise delays and will be kept under constant review.

“This is a temporary position that will allow time for a permanent highway improvement to be designed and constructed in the future.”

Mr Skates added: “I welcome the minister’s commitment to helping residents and traders in Llangollen, and I am pleased she understands our concerns.

"I would like to thank her for taking up the matter so swiftly and decisively, and I look forward to the work being completed as soon as possible.”

Cinema project unveils name of first film

* Lottie Griffiths, of Lottie’s Bespoke Vintage in

Llangollen, dressed as a 40s style cinema usherette

to hand out popcorn at the launch of the New Dot

project at the town’s Pavilion.

Oscar-winning French film The Artist will be the first movie to be shown when a new community cinema has its premiere in Llangollen this summer.

The silent film, which won five Academy Awards in 2011, has been chosen to kick off the ambitious venture as it is itself about the golden age of the motion picture industry in the late 1920s.

As the launch of the project has been timed to coincide with this year’s Llangollen Fringe, details about it were given to people who gathered for the unveiling of the festival programme at the Pavilion on Monday night.  

Called New Dot Cinema, Llangollen, it aims to bring together all ages in the atmospheric setting of the Town Hall.

The first cinema event is planned for the evening of Wednesday July 15, when The Artist will have its screening.

The cinema scheme is the brainchild of a Llangollen-based volunteer group who say they are keen to bring film-going back to town.

Committee member Kirsty Burrell said: "We're a small group who've come together to run a not-for-profit community cinema, staffed entirely by volunteers.

"Any surplus funds we raise will go towards putting on future shows and improving the cinematic experience for the town.”

As well as Kirsty, the group also includes local artist Simon Proffitt who said: "Quite a few people had mentioned recently that they’d like somewhere to watch films in town, so we got together and set up a community cinema.

“The night will be run as a pop-up event in the Town Hall on Castle Street and if all goes well we’ll continue with monthly screenings.

“We see it as a social event where people can sit around, have a drink, eat some cake, see a live performance and then a feature film.

“We want it to be a really engaging, socially based community event.”

Simon added: “The Town Hall is already a beautiful old building, and we plan to show off its character with atmospheric lighting and decor. The original red velvet seats on the balcony will offer a great view of the screen and cabaret-style seating."

According to Simon, the name New Dot  was inspired by the former Dorothy Cinema on Castle Street, which is now Cafe & Books.

He said: "We wanted to respectfully acknowledge the town's original cinema that many people have such fond memories of.

"The old Dorothy was opened in the 1930s, during the heyday of cinema, by the Horspool family.

"Llangollen Museum has a good display of original film programmes and old photos from the Dorothy that has been donated not so long ago by Fraser Horspool."

At the launch event, Llangollen’s Mayor, Cllr Bob Lube, said: “The Town Council is fully behind the new cinema project.”

* More details will be available on the website www.newdotcinema.org or via facebook: /newdotcinema and twitter: @newdotcinema

AM calls for over-50s jobs support

Aled Roberts, Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for North Wales and the party’s spokesperson for Education and Older People, is calling on the Welsh Government to develop a strategy which targets the improvement of skills and employability prospects of over-50s in Wales.

Commenting prior to this afternoon’s debate on Further Education, he said: “It is a sad fact that opportunities for older adult learners to attend courses at further education institutions have been steadily decreasing.

 

“Figures from the Prince’s Initiative for Mature Enterprise in Wales (Prime Cymru) show that, in Wales, the number of adults participating in part-time courses has dropped by 47%, from 90,000 to 48,000.

 

“This situation is leaving the large numbers of older adults in Wales who have no formal qualifications with no means of improving their skills if they want to get a job.

 

“The Welsh Labour Government should devise a scheme to assist adults who want to work and give them the skills they need. FE colleges are ideally placed to deliver that scheme and I believe the Government needs to put this in place as a matter of urgency.

 

“Welsh Liberal Democrats have already committed to establishing a cross-party commission to examine adult education and skills in Wales."

 

Ysgol Dinas Bran shortlisted for top award

Award-winning efforts by Ysgol Dinas Bran in Llangollen to create international links have been shortlisted for yet another honour.

The school is now in the running for the Times Educational Supplement UK Schools Award in the International (Modern Language) Category.

It is one of eight schools shortlisted and winners will be announced at the award ceremony taking place at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane, London on Friday, June 19.

The school has recently won the British Council's International Schools Award for the fifth consecutive time and the recent Comenius project looking at the state of young people's beliefs in the 21st century is being used as a model of good practice in Germany.

A booklet produced as part of the Comenius project also won second prize in a national competition, in Romania.

Students from Years 8 and 13 at Dinas Bran also attended an award ceremony in Cardiff recently to collect an award for outstanding practice for its Connecting Classrooms (BC) Lebanon project.

As part of this project, students have been hosting regular skype conferences with its partner school, located near Beirut.

There has also been a teacher exchange which it is hoped will be repeated this year. As well as skype sessions with Lebanon, the school has also arranged video links with a partner school in the Yemen.

Peter Williams, the school's International Co-ordinator, said: "The fact we have been shortlisted for a TES award in tremendous news and we are thoroughly delighted that our efforts are being recognised.

"Our work has been supported by the school's senior leadership team, Denbighshire County Council and the British Council. Our links with ECTARC, Europe Direct and the Llangollen Eisteddfod have all helped to extend opportunities to our students.

"We will keep our fingers crossed for success at the awards."

Sister Act goes with bang not a wimple

There’s “nun” better than Llangollen Operatic when it comes to presenting shows that are a break with the usual am-dram fare – as they have proved yet again with their current production of the musical Sister Act, which opened at the Town Hall tonight (Tuesday).

And they’ve certainly got themselves well out of the habit of presenting the more staid old stuff with this foot-stomping little number based on the smash-hit 1992 Whoopi Goldberg film of the same name.

The stage version, which Llangollen is amongst the first amateur societies in the UK to perform, is by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner with lyrics by Glenn Slater and music by Alan Menken.

The piece simply rocks `n’ rolls along from start to finish, thanks to the supreme exertions of the 30-odd member cast who ensure the whole thing goes off with a bang rather than a wimple.

The slick action centres on Philadelphia nightclub singer Deloris Van Cartier who accidentally sees her gangster boyfriend, Curtis Jackson, and his hoodlum buddies bumping off a poor stiff named Ernie who they’re convinced has squealed on them to the cops.

As Deloris does a hasty bunk, the evil Jackson orders his henchmen to bring her back, thus setting off a dramatic chain of events which leaves her seeking anonymous sanctuary in a convent.

Although the order of the day is that its resident nuns – Deloris assumes the identity of Sister Mary Clarence - cannot drink, smoke or wear anything less than appropriate garb, this flighty filly from the showbiz side of town has other ideas which, naturally, leads her into all kinds of bother with the Mother Superior.

Too many details given away here might spoil the plot for those yet to see it, but it can be revealed that Deloris eventually brings her musical talents to bear by taking over the running of the pretty ropey convent choir - with some spectacular results.

Llangollen newcomer Elen-Haf Taylor makes an immaculate Deloris, singing up a holy storm and contributing some neat comedy lines into the bargain.

But the real beauty of this production is its incredible strength in depth, with every one of the performers pulling out all the dramatic and musical stops.

For instance, the evil Jackson’s bumbling sidekicks, played by Michael Jenkins, Marcus Ansloos and Nico Decourt, make a perfect comedy trio and also deliver some powerful disco era songs complete with dodgy dancing. And Jackson himself – Simon Orton-Jones – is no slouch as an entertainer when he ain’t waving his gun.

Alison Ravenscroft as Mother Superior delivers some heavenly vocalisation as does Elizabeth Richards as convent novice Sister Mary Robert.

Crooning up a storm in his role as “Sweaty” Eddie, the cop who had a teenage crush on Deloris back when they were at school, is Ross Wilson.

A dozen or so nuns dominate the stage for most of the two acts and their singing and dancing talents run to much more than the usual chorus stuff.

Of course, it helps that the whole thing is crammed with some fantastically powerful musical numbers all evocative of the late 70s.

Outstanding amongst the scintillating sisters are Stephanie Cottam as Mary Patrick and Sue Stokes as Mary Lazarus.

Bill Cheshire starts off as the guy bumped off by Jackson before miraculously rising from the dead as first a taxi driver then no less than the Pope himself. Work that one out!

Gareth Lloyd makes a highly believable Monsignor O’Hara.

The show is deftly co-produced by Michael Jones and Tracey Rawlinson who was also artistic director and stylish musical direction comes courtesy of Elen Mair Roberts.

Sister Act has got to be one of the finest shows Llangollen Operatic has presented in many a year – a fact acknowledged by the rare standing ovation they received at the end of their first night performance.

Staging Sister Act was a divine piece of inspiration on the part of the Operatic and you’ve still got plenty of chances to see it as it runs for the rest of the week until Saturday, when there’s also an afternoon matinee performance.

You’d better pray you don’t miss it!

Fringe unveils diverse 2015 programme

 

* A recent Fringe beat concert in Llangollen Town Hall.

 

EVENTS as diverse as an appearance by reggae legend Bob Marley’s producer and a new drama on the Ladies of Llangollen feature in the packed programme for this year’s Llangollen Fringe.

Other highlights of the festival, which runs from July 16-26, include a rock `n’ roll train on Llangollen Railway and a jazz narrowboat on the canal.

At the official launch of the line-up at Llangollen Pavilion last night (Monday) festival spokesman Graham Timms said: “As the Fringe gets better and more popular each year we have been able to continue to improve the programme that we offer. 

“This year's programme sees a rare performance in the UK of world-famous Lee 'Scratch' Perry, (pictured right) who was Bob Marley's producer and is known as the father of Dub music.

“He is only appearing in two concerts this summer, one of which is in Llangollen. He's flying in from his home in Zurich for the event.

“We have two members of Madness in The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra on Friday July 24. Hugh Cornwell from the Stranglers is doing a solo show on Thursday July 23.”

There are two nights featuring Iberian music. On Sunday July 19 the Fringe welcomes back Juan Martin, who was voted one of the world's top three virtuoso flamenco guitarists.

Celebrating Portugal's Fado music is Claudio Aurora who will be singing at Valle Crucis Abbey on July 26. 

Organisers reckon the setting of the abbey will provide a magical backdrop to the haunting sounds of the music.

Sarah and Eleanor is a new drama commissioned by the Fringe and created by Wrexham playwright  Peter Read especially for this year's festival.

It is based on the fascinating lives of the two Ladies of Llangollen who lived at Plas Newydd at the turn of the 19th century.

It will be performed for the first time on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 21 and 22 at their former stately home in Llangollen.

More live drama will come from local group Taking Flight who will perform Shakespeare at Valle Crucis Abbey.  

Kicking off the whole programme with a night of stand-up comedy at the Town Hall on Thursday July 16 is Sara Pascoe, star of TV’s Live at the Apollo and QI.

Graham Timms added: “The festival this year uses more venues, has more performances and sees more high quality acts than ever before.

“We're hoping that growing audience numbers will also follow the trend of the last few years too.

“We will also have lots of the other events that the Fringe is known for including Band for a Day, Fringe Acoustica, Rock and Roll Train on Llangollen Railway, Jazz Narrowboat on the canal and a full programme of workshops running alongside the community art project that involves nine local primary schools in the Dee Valley and many community organisations
in producing artwork for display throughout the town during the festival.”

Also appearing are New York-based purveyors of folk, country and rock music the Felice Brothers and gothic folk hip hop outfit 9Bach from Wales.

A special ticket entitles Fringe-goers the chance to catch all evening concerts for the one-off price of £85.

* For more information go to: http://www.llangollenfringe.co.uk/index.php/en/

Armoury Trust celebrates successful first year

* The Armoury Conservation Trust is celebrating a successful first year of operation.

Llangollen's Armoury Conservation Trust is celebrating its first year of work, which it says has been both very busy and successful.

 

Since April 2014, highlights have been:

 

* Becoming registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and taking over freehold ownership of  the Armoury on Victoria Square

 

* Receiving planning and Listed Building consents for the restoration of The Armoury and restoring the Lock-up and Courtroom/Old Town Hall for community uses

 

* Hosting three open days, in July and September, and attracting 238 visitors. Also starting regular opening hours for tours of the Lock-up and giving group visits and talks to the county librarians and Llangollen Rotary Club

 

* Creating, with the help of Llangollen Town Council, a hands-on exhibition of Llangollen's first police station, complete with police hats and helmet, coshes, rattles, lamps and handcuffs, and with a prisoner in the cell, who was committed in 1860 to spend six nights in the Lock-Up before going before the Justices

* Creating various artworks - a time-line wall chart, trompe d'oeuil court scene, Victorian policemen, scenes and puzzles from the history of the Lock-up, to aid the public's understanding of the past uses and history of the building

 

* Developing Dress the Victorian Policeman packs for children to take home with them after a visit to the Lock-Up, with the support of Llangollen Town Council

 

* Consulting widely with the community about plans to restore the building and its community uses for education, heritage, arts and culture, and receiving much local support for fundraising efforts

 

* Continuing to carry out research on the building and its past uses for its archive, with the help of research by volunteers and Llangollen Museum

 

* Being in the process of setting up a website.

A spokesperson said: "The Armoury Conservation Trust is very grateful for all the support and help it has received over its first year from the Llangollen community and to llanblogger for helping us communicate with its many readers."

Job creation scheme to start again

 

 * Ken Skates AM with JGW recruits employed by Denbighshire

County Council at Plas Newydd, Llangollen.

 

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates has welcomed confirmation that "Europe’s most successful job creation scheme" will help thousands more young people into work in Wales. 

  

Labour AM Mr Skates said it was ‘fantastic news’ that one of the Welsh Government’s priority programmes, Jobs Growth Wales (JGW), would begin a second cycle in May after "smashing all targets" since its inception in 2012. 

  

Mr Skates, who catapulted JGW to widespread acclaim in his previous role as deputy minister for skills and technology, criticised political opponents for ‘mischief-making’ and ‘plain ignorance’ following `uninformed and inaccurate' claims the initiative had been axed. 

  

He said: “There has been a lot of incorrect information bandied about regarding Jobs Growth Wales. I don’t know if it’s mischief-making and attempted political point-scoring or just plain ignorance – or both! 

 

“Jobs Growth Wales has helped almost 15,000 16-24-year-olds into work and we are keeping it. It’s the benchmark for schemes of its kind across Europe, and there are obviously still some who can’t stand the fact it’s been an unprecedented success.” 

 

Mr Skates added: “The most up-to-date figures show that 494 in Wrexham have been helped into work through this ground-breaking Welsh Labour Government scheme, plus another 516 in Denbighshire and 503 in Flintshire. That’s more than 1,500 young people we’ve found jobs and whose career prospects we’ve massively improved in North East Wales alone. 

  

“Many private sector companies across the region have also benefited. I have visited several employers in Clwyd South who are delighted with the support they have received from the Welsh Government. There are now five Jobs Growth Wales recruits at Splash Magic, formerly Plas Madoc Leisure Centre, as well as countless other success stories. 

  

“I’m incredibly proud of Welsh Labour’s Jobs Growth Wales programme and I look forward to seeing it go from strength to strength thanks to continued European funding.” 

  

The Welsh Government has confirmed that plans are under way for another Jobs Growth Wales programme to begin next month. Current employees will not be affected and will continue to receive full support. 

  

Minster for Education and Skills, Huw Lewis, said one of the reasons the Welsh Government has been able to invest so much in the JGW scheme is because of EU backing. 

 

He added: “It is fantastic that Welsh Labour’s Jobs Growth Wales programme has supported so many young people in Clwyd South to find a good quality employment opportunity. Jobs Growth Wales has been hugely successful and we want it to go on making a difference in our communities. 

  

“We will launch the successor programme next month and I look forward to helping many more young people across Wales to find sustainable employment.” 

  

New cinema event planned for town

A new community cinema is due to open in the town this summer.

Arranged in conjunction with the Llangollen Fringe Festival, it will be based at the Town Hall.

Called ‘New Dot Cinema, Llangollen’ and aims to bring together all ages in a friendly, atmospheric setting.
The first cinema event is planned for the evening of Wednesday July 15, time to be confirmed.

The scheme is the brainchild of a Llangollen-based volunteer group who say they are keen to bring film-going back to town.

Committee member Kirsty Burrell said: "We're a small group who've come together to run a not-for-profit community cinema, staffed entirely by volunteers.

"Any surplus funds we raise will go towards putting on future shows and improving the cinematic experience for the town.”

As well as Kirsty, the group also includes local artist Simon Proffitt who said: "Quite a few people had mentioned recently that they’d like somewhere to watch films in town, so we got together and set up a community cinema.”

The night will be run as a pop-up event in the Victorian Town Hall on Castle Street.

Simon added: “It's already a beautiful old building, and we plan to show-off its character with atmospheric lighting and decor. The original red velvet seats on the balcony will offer a great view of the screen and cabaret-style seating."

The identity of New Dot Cinema’s first feature film will be revealed this coming Monday, April 20, at 7pm, during a Pavilion-based event organised by Llangollen Fringe - all are welcome. 
According to Simon, the name New Dot  was inspired by the former Dorothy Cinema on Castle Street, which is now Cafe & Books.
He said: "We wanted to respectfully acknowledge the town's original cinema that many people have such fond memories of.
"The old Dorothy was opened in the 1930s, during the heyday of cinema, by the Horspool family. "Llangollen Museum has a good display of original film programmes and old photos from the Dorothy that has been donated not so long ago by Fraser Horspool."
* More details will be available on the website www.newdotcinema.org or via facebook: /newdotcinema and twitter: @newdotcinema

Police aim to catch villains on camera

 

* Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales

Winston Roddick  with PCSO Gethin Chapman, PC

Lynette Farley and PCSO Matthew Preston.

 

 

Villains in North Wales will be caught on camera.

 

North Wales Police are introducing body worn video equipment so that evidence of crimes can be captured as they happen.

 

A total of 128 video camera kits will be deployed across the force area and will be worn by officers on their chest.

 

The introduction of the crime-fighting technology has been welcomed by North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Winston Roddick CB QC, following a successful six-month trial last year.

 

Money for the initiative has come jointly from a special Ministry of Justice innovation fund and Mr Roddick.

 

 * PCSO Gethin Chapman wearing
one of the new cameras.

It's hoped the use of the HD quality cameras will also reduce confrontations and the number of complaints whilst, at the same time, improving public confidence in the police.

 

Mr Roddick said: Body worn video is a good use of modern technology to improve the effectiveness of policing and of the criminal justice system more generally because the camera doesn’t lie.

 

"The camera films an event as it is happening which provides instant evidence which is contemporaneous.

 

"It can deter some criminals from committing a crime and also when they do commit a crime, it persuades them that there’s no alternative other than to pleading guilty.

 

"It’ll save a lot of money and not only in policing but also in the administration of justice, in court time, in particular. 

 

"The technology offers protection to police officers and the public because the potential criminal knows that if he or she commits a crime within seeing distance of the lens, they’re going to be observed and they’re going to be arrested. 

 

"This is a huge leap forward in terms of policing."

 

The Reveal Media devices are already being used by 30 forces in England and Wales and will provide an exact audio and video record of any incidents that are being filmed.

 

Once back at the police station, the police officer will dock the device and the video material automatically goes to digital store of evidence which is integrated with the force's central records management system.

 

One area where the cameras have proved themselves particularly useful is in the aftermath of an incident of domestic violence where evidence of any injuries and damage can be gathered along with the behaviour and demeanour of the aggressor and the victim.

 

A study conducted in Essex showed a significantly higher percentage of people were charged with offences when officers wore cameras, with 81 per cent of people charged compared to 72 per cent when officers did not wear a device.

Assistant Chief Constable Richard Debicki said: "Body worn video has been shown to be very useful operationally. For example, it has been seen to moderate the behaviour of some people who are acting aggressively, for example, in domestic abuse and public order situations.  This can help prevent a further escalation of violence and aggression if people know that they are being filmed.

 

"It provides strong additional evidence for use in court and I believe that it will help increase public confidence.

 

"Body worn videos provide a much better opportunity for producing best evidence in relation to domestic violence - a picture is worth a thousand words.

 

"The injured party may have injuries and marks on them which may not be visible later but will be instantly captured using the body worn video.

 

"You can imagine going to a distressing scene of domestic violence.  There might be damage and a complete mess in the room.

 

"You can also see the emotion and the willingness of the victim at that point to say what happened.

 

"So it’s very good to capture the scene at that point, as it was, in terms of the victim and the real impact and upset that these incidents have.

 

"As a result, it’s very good in increasing the success in terms of convictions and charges in domestic violence.

 

"As police officers we aim to protect members of the public and their property, and prevent, detect and investigate crime and prevent public disorder. I am confident that body worn video will be a big help in making North Wales an even safer place to live and visit.

 

"In addition, our officers face threats of danger on the streets every single day and body worn video will go some way to protecting them from harm."

Only days left to register for a vote

With just a few days remaining before the April 20 registration deadline for the General Election, the Electoral Commission and Denbighshire County Council are calling for anyone who isn’t yet registered to go online and do so at www.gov.uk/registertovote before it’s too late.

The elections watchdog has been running a national media campaign reminding voters that they can’t take part in the election unless they have registered.

Electoral Commission research indicates that recent home movers, young people, students and those from certain BME communities are all less likely to be registered to vote.

The Commission’s campaign aims to let people know that everyone can now easily apply to register online; this is the first general election where this has been possible.


* The registration deadline is at midnight on Monday 20 April 2015.