AM praises work of heritage groups like Llan Railway

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood spoke in the Chamber yesterday of the "fantastic" work of heritage groups in north east Wales, including Llangollen Railway.  

 

Mr Isherwood (pictured) was questioning First Minister Carwyn Jones on what the Welsh Government is doing to maximise the effect of Welsh heritage on the economy.

 

He said:  “Welsh heritage can have a major impact on the economy of north-east Wales, provided it involves organisations, ranging from Llangollen railway to Greenfield Valley Heritage Park to Brymbo Heritage Group, in designing the visitor offer.

 

"I’ve been asked by Brymbo Heritage Group to extend an invitation to you to visit them and look at the great work they’re doing. I hope you’ll respond affirmatively, but look forward to your answer.”

 

The First Minister replied: “I will certainly try to do that, and I will look at my diary to see if I can visit in the near future.”

 

Mr Isherwood added: “I have been proud to work with Brymbo Heritage Group for many years. Its members deserve huge credit for their vision and determination, and for what they have already achieved on their journey to re-use the surviving ironworks, steelworks and colliery buildings to create a heritage centre, learning zone and commercial complex, celebrating Brymbo’s rich history and embracing the tourism opportunity presented by the fossil forest.”

New Dot screens creepy Halloween film on Friday

* A scene from New Dot's creepy Halloween film, Carnival of Souls.

This  Friday will see New Dot community cinema host another of their movie nights in Llangollen Town Hall.

To mark Halloween, latest will be Herk Harvey’s classic 1962 creepy Carnival of Souls (12a, an atmospheric piece which has become a cult hit said to send shivers down your spine.

Carnival of Souls tells the story of a young woman, Mary, who escapes Death, however Death wants her back.

 

A spokesperson for New Dot Cinema said: "This forgotten little horror has a similar feel to the Twilight Zone which was also very popular at the time.

 

"Herk Harvey created a film full of unease and foreboding which will have you sitting on the edge of your seat and a bone-chilling score of organ music adds to its slow building tension.

 

"The film was chosen as New Dot’s Halloween special and as with all our events the Town Hall will be decorated in all things spooky. There will also be various tricks and treats available on the night.

 

"Dressing up is once again encouraged and New Dot are looking forward to welcoming all manner of spooks, ghouls, ghosts and general public who are brave enough on the night!"

 

* Tickets are available from Bailey’s Delicatessen (Castle St), Lottie’s Vintage shop (Oak Street) or online at newdotcinema.org, adults £8, concessions £5.

Twenty Club returns to Fawlty Towers

Following their acclaimed, sell-out production of Fawlty Towers in 2012, the Twenty Club in Llangollen will be performing three more episodes of one of the UK's finest sit-coms next month.

These include Communication Problems, Waldorf Salad and Basil the Rat.

Many of the 2012 cast will be reprising their roles, including Ally Goodman as the snobbish, manic Basil; Helen Belton as Sybil, his over-coiffeured, domineering wife, and Richard Mascarenhas as the hopeless but ever-hopeful waiter Manuel.

* The dining room scene from the 2012 production of Fawlty Towers.

New members of the cast this time include Carys Stallard as the calm and capable Polly as well as Ian Wright who takes on the role of the oft-confused, Major.

The show will be directed once again by Chrissie Ashworth.

Goodman is particularly looking forward to stepping back into best-loved bad hotel in the world.

He said: "I don't think I've laughed as much during a theatre run than when we did the show three years ago.

"Having the opportunity to do three more episodes is fantastic and all the cast and crew are really excited for people to come and see it."

Fawlty Towers runs from Thursday 5th to Saturday 7th November at Llangollen Town Hall.

Doors open at 7pm each night and there is a one-off matinee performance at 2pm on the Saturday.

Tickets are available now at tinyurl.com/fawltytowerstickets or via the Twenty Club page on Facebook.

The Twenty Club is one of the oldest dramatic societies in North Wales.

It was founded in 1946 with 20 original members, which gave the club its name.

The club presents two plays a year, in autumn and spring, with a mixture of comedy, drama and period productions.

Police seek information on two Llan incidents

The Dee Valley Policing Team has today posted two messages about incidents in Llangollen on its Facebook page.

 

One concerns a burglary and the other criminal damage.

 

Police are appealing for information about the burglary which took place at Finlays sandwich shop some time overnight between Monday and Tuesday.

 

Offenders forced entry into the property on Abbey Road and stole items from within.

 

If you noticed anything suspicious, or have any information relating to this incident, contact North Wales Police by dialling 101 quoting reference RC15153095.

Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers Wales on 0800 555 111.

Police are also seeking information following an incident of criminal damage in which two windows were smashed in Llangollen at a café on Castle street some time overnight between Monday and Tuesday.

If you have any information, call the police on101 quoting reference RC15153141.

* Visit the advice and support pages on the North Wales Police website to see how you can improve your security at home. http://www.north-wales.police.uk/advice-and-support.aspx

Skates pats health centre builders on back

* The new Llangollen health centre.

An Assembly Member paid a visit to a construction company to meet the team behind a ‘fantastic’ new health centre in his constituency.

Ken Skates, AM for Clwyd South, was invited to Read Construction’s UK headquarters at Brymbo Enterprise Centre on Friday (October 2) by managing director Richard Heaton.

The company won the contract from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to build the new Llangollen Health Centre, which opened in mid-September, following a multi-million pound investment by the Welsh Labour Government.

Mr Skates, who is based in Llangollen, said: “It was a pleasure to meet the team behind the fantastic new facility, and I’d like to thank Richard for inviting me to visit.

“The health centre is a very welcome addition to Llangollen and will become a huge asset to the town, and it is particularly pleasing to see a company in my constituency deliver it to such high standards.

“As the local Assembly Member, I’m proud that the Welsh Labour Government, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and the practice have worked together on such a key project, and I’m thrilled that Read Construction has brought the plans to life and created such high-quality, modern healthcare facility the town can be proud of.”

The Labour AM also congratulated the firm on being nominated for a national Construction Quality Award for its work on Ysgol Ty Fynnon in Shotton.

Your chance to raise local health issues

Llangollen county councillor Stuart Davies is asking anyone from the area with concerns about local health services to get in touch with him.

He said: "Denbighshire County Council has a special meeting this Wednesday at which health issues will be discussed.

"There will be representatives from the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board there, so I'm inviting anyone who has issues or concerns to raise about health services to get in touch with me and I'll then do my best to take them up with those concerned at the meeting."

* Cllr Davies can be contacted by phone on 01978 860832, or by email at: stuart.a.davies@denbighshire.gov.uk

The agenda for the meeting is at: https://moderngov.denbighshire.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?MId=5254&x=1&LLL=0

Society about to audition for new show

* Artistic director Nia Pickering, left, with musical director Elen Mair Roberts.

Rehearsals for Llangollen Operatic Society’s next production of Mel Brooks’ risqué, smash hit musical The Producers are now well underway.

And the production team says it could not be more pleased with the interest it is generating. 

Following the overwhelming success of Sister Act earlier this year, the society’s next choice of show was always going to be a challenge but The Producers is already on a promising track with several new or returning members signing up and preparations in progress for auditions, which are scheduled for the beginning of November. 

New artistic director Nia Pickering said: “I’m thrilled to finally be getting the new season and rehearsals underway.

"The interest we’ve had so far is very encouraging and I hope to see even more in the coming weeks.

"The atmosphere is electric with everyone’s excitement and we can’t wait to cast it in the next few weeks."

Auditions for principal roles will be held over the weekend of November 7 and 8 in Llangollen’s Hand Hotel and will be open in format.

Nia added: "There are a good number of comedic roles on offer, in particular for male performers, although there are some fun opportunities for ladies too, including a randy granny and a sultry Swedish receptionist!

"This show promises to have audiences, and indeed the cast, absolutely aching with laughter."

* If you are interested in getting involved, either on stage or off, e-mail Tracey Rawlinson on traceyrawlinson@btinternet.com, call 07875 639533 or like the society's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/llanoperaticproducers2016?ref=bookmarks for further details.

New directory goes live

Residents and community groups in Denbighshire are being informed that the new Dewis Cymru health and well-being online directory has been compiled to promote resources available across North Wales to support people’s well-being and independence – and it’s gone live.

Examples of resources that may be included on the Dewis Cymru directory may include community activities, groups, local services, health information, support groups, clubs, meetings and events.

 

People can add their resource through the Dewis Cymru website: www.dewis.wales  Registering and adding your resource is a simple and straightforward process.

AM goes pink for breast cancer awareness

 

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood  has shown his support for women with breast cancer by dressing up in pink and encouraging his constituents to take part in Breast Cancer Now’s flagship fundraiser, wear it pink, on Friday 23^rd October.

 

wear it pink, the UK’s biggest pink fundraiser, calls on supporters across the country to ditch the day-to-day colours and pull on some pink to raise money for Breast Cancer Now’s life-saving breast cancer research.

 

Mr Isherwood joined fellow Assembly Members in wearing it pink this week to encourage people across Wales to get involved.

 

Now in its 14^th year, wear it pink raises over £2 million each year for world-class research into breast cancer, and this year it is back and bigger, brighter and bolder than ever before.

 

Anyone can take part, whether in school, at work or at home. All you have to do is wear something pink and donate whatever you can.

 

Mr Isherwood said: “On average 634 women a year are diagnosed with breast cancer in the area covered by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB). The breast cancer incidence rate for BCUHB is 166.8 per 100,000, which is not significantly different from the national average for Wales of 165.6 per 100,000.

 

“On average 152 women a year die from breast cancer in the area covered by BCUHB. The breast cancer mortality rate in the Health Board is 37.9 per 100,000, which is not significantly different from the national average for Wales of 36.7 per 100,000.

 

“Together, we can make a big difference for women with breast cancer, now and in the future; I hope everyone in the local community will join me in wearing it pink on Friday 23 October and show their support for Breast Cancer Now.”

 

Launched in June 2015 with the ambition of ensuring that no one dies from the disease by 2050, Breast Cancer Now is the UK’s largest breast cancer charity, created by the merger of Breast Cancer Campaign and Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

 

* For more information or to register for wear it pink visit www.wearitpink.org.

Attempted abduction in Acrefair

Police are appealing for information following an alleged attempted abduction in Acrefair Wrexham.

The incident happened around 5pm on Thursday October 1 in a field opposite Acrefair County Primary School.

A 10 year old girl was making her way to the main Llangollen Road when a man approached her from behind.

He is believed to have placed one hand around her mouth and one hand around her waist.

The girl managed to break free unhurt and ran home to report the incident.

The man, who ran off in the opposite direction, is described as wearing black clothes and black gloves.

DCI Neil Harrison said: “The incident happened alongside a busy main road.  We are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen this man or may have seen anything suspicious to contact police on 101.

“I would like to reassure residents that we carrying out a thorough investigation and have deployed extra high visibility patrols in the area.”

Conservatives select Clwyd South candidate

Clwyd South Conservative Association has announced the selection of Simon Baynes as the Welsh Conservative Prospective Assembly Candidate for Clwyd South.

Association Chairman, Tony Partridge, said: “We are delighted that Simon Baynes has been selected as our candidate for next year’s Assembly elections here in Clwyd South.

* Simon Baynes with the Prime Minister.

"He lives in the area and has been active in politics for over 10 years as a parliamentary and assembly candidate and as a councillor.

"We will be fighting a vigorous and positive campaign on local issues and our national policies for increased health spending, better education and a freeze in Council Tax for the people of Wales.”

 

Simon Baynes lives in the area and works as a writer, local councillor and administrator of the charity that he founded called Concertina – Music for the Elderly which makes grants to charities that provide musical entertainment for the elderly community in need - www.concertinamusic.ork.uk

 

He grew up at Lake Vyrnwy, where his father ran the hotel.

 

At the last Assembly elections he achieved a swing of 7% to the Welsh Conservatives in Dwyfor Meirionnydd and he has been an active, campaigning county councillor and town councillor for many years.

 

Cllr Paul Rogers, former candidate for Clwyd South and deputy chairman of the Clwyd South Conservative Association, said: “I have known Simon for many years – he really cares about the local community and will campaign on local issues such as the threat to maternity services at Wrexham Maelor, working with Andrew Atkinson in Wrexham.

 

"We are all looking forward to working with Simon and winning the Clwyd South Assembly seat for the Welsh Conservatives so we get a better deal for the people of Clwyd South.”

Skates backs Corbyn over "missing" voters

A Labour Assembly Member has echoed new leader Jeremy Corbyn’s call to ‘stop Tory gerrymandering’ – and wants missing voters to make sure their voices are heard.

Earlier this year Clwyd South AM Ken Skates backed a campaign led by Ed Miliband to ensure a million extra people were able to be part of the democratic process.

He said: “Every voter counts, so it’s crucial that as many people as possible who are eligible to vote are on the electoral register.”

Labour’s pre-General Election drive highlighted that around a million members of the public, many of them young people, were in danger of being denied a vote after disappearing from the register following changes made by Westminster.

This week, at the Labour Party conference in Brighton, Mr Corbyn said he would launch a new bid to give the missing voters their voice back.

He accused the Conservative Government of ‘gerrymandering’ by changing the registration rules and proposing boundary moves which would make it easier for David Cameron’s party to retain seats in the House of Commons.

Mr Skates said: “The tactical introduction of a new system – where people must register individually rather than one member of a household filling in a form – is the cause of this. The Tories don’t want to hear what these people have to say.

“The Labour Party has worked hard to ensure that as many of these voiceless voters are given back their democratic right, and we won’t give up.”

Earlier this year, Wrexham County Borough Council revealed that its number of registered voters had fallen by 2,769 in 12 months, from 104,532 to 101,763.

Mr Skates added: “There has been a huge emphasis on ensuring non-voters get engaged with politics, yet the fact that so many people – especially students – are unable to vote is completely undemocratic. Young people deserve to have their voices heard.

“We are seeing attitudes to politics change, and – while there will always be a degree of disillusionment and disinterest – huge swathes of the UK are now actively engaging like never before. Labour alone has seen an incredible 166,000 new members join since the General Election, and that number continues to grow, but there’s still work to be done.”

Mr Skates added that being on the voter register can also help people boost their credit rating and therefore help with loan, credit card or mortgage applications.

Visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote for more information.

Traveller helps tackle hate crime

 * Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Julian Sandham
with Martin Gallagher, Hate Crime Caseworker at the
Victim Care Centre.

A member of the Irish travelling community who's suffered years of often vicious abuse has taken on a new job helping victims of hate crime.

 

Martin Gallagher believes his own experiences will give him a unique insight when he's helping other people who have been on the receiving end of cruel jibes and discrimination.

 

The 29-year-old has been appointed as the North Wales hate crime case worker and is based at the newly-opened Victim Help Centre in St Asaph.

 

The centre was established by the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Winston Roddick CB QC and provides an outreach service across North Wales. It is a one stop shop for victims, that has brought together the support services of North Wales Police, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the former Victim Support organisation.

 

Martin will be providing support and guidance for people who are singled out for abuse because of their sexual orientation, race, disability, age or a host of other personal characteristics.

 

While the number of hate crimes in North Wales is relatively low with less than 400 being reported in a year, the impact on victims is often huge and can destroy their quality of life.

 

Martin, who is studying a Glyndwr University for a degree in youth community work, said: “I may have chosen to live in a house but I remain part of the Irish traveller community. It’s my heritage and it’s where I’m from.

 

“I don’t have an Irish accent, although most of my family do, but I still suffer from cruel and unfair discrimination and know the impact it can have.

 

“In the past I have been powerless to act and didn’t know how to challenge and effectively report discrimination when it occurred.

 

“I was born an Irish Traveller, that’s my ethnicity. I was actually born in London but lived for a few years on Paddy Doherty’s Travellers site at Queensferry, Flintshire.

 

“I started out studying engineering at college and image how I felt when the lecturer said one day we shouldn’t leave copper lying about as the ‘Pikeys’ from Queensferry would pinch it.

 

“The term Pikey is a derogatory term short for turnpike men from years gone by who became a nuisance and became known as Pikeys.  To me hearing someone referred to as a Pikey is deeply, deeply offensive.

 

“I have myself been refused access to a public house as I was with a group of Irish travellers and we were celebrating the Christening of a little girl."

 

Martin, who is married to Chloe and has a young son, Noah, who was born in August, wants to be available for anyone who suffers hate crime or discrimination in North Wales.

 

He said: “It doesn’t matter to what group you belong. People could be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, of different race, religion, age or disability it doesn’t matter - hate crime is wrong and we need to do something about it.

 

“I believe education is the answer and I intend to get out and visit schools, colleges, businesses and anywhere else I can get my message across. I will be here to help anyone who suffers from hate crime in North Wales."

 

North Wales Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Julian Sandham welcomed Martin into his new post and said: “We care about victims of crime in North Wales and we want to support victims of all crime.

 

“There are many different levels of crime but it’s important we look after and treat all victims with dignity and respect. Hate crime may not always seem horrible if it doesn’t directly affect us but we need to think of the devastating effect it can have on individuals and even whole communities.

 

“Just because someone has a particular characteristic that can be associated or attached to a particular group of people doesn’t mean it’s something that should be highlighted or ridiculed.

 

“Hate crime and discrimination has a devastating effect on people and we have to show, that, here in North Wales, we will not stand by and ignore it.”       

 

Mr Sandham added: “Having established the Victim Help Centre at St Asaph, we included in the design a hate crime caseworker. This role has been funded by the Welsh Government in a grant to Victim Support."

 

Gareth Cuerden, the Victim Support All Wales Hate Crime Manager, said: “Martin has worked a great deal with children and young people in the past and his insight into youth work will certainly help. I’m sure Martin will be a huge success.

 

“I would actively encourage victims to report hate crime, in all its insidious forms, to the police in the knowledge that they will be supported.”

 

* To find out more about the North Wales Victim Help Centre visit http://www.victimhelpcentrenorthwales.org.uk/  or call 0300 303 0159.

BBC reports child's river death

The BBC is reporting this evening that a child has died in the river near Pontcysyllte.

For the full story, see:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-34407778

A statement on the North Wales Police website says:

"North Wales Police, Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and the Air Ambulance were called to an incident in a river in  Pontcysyllte near Llangollen around 5.00pm this evening (Wednesday 30^th September).

"Sadly a child was pronounced dead at the scene and the next of kin have been informed.

"There are no more details available at present."

MP supports charities in conference speech

The right of charities to campaign and to provide services for people in need has been at the heart of what it's meant to be a charity in Britain for over 100 years.

That was the message from Susan Elan Jones MP (pictured) to a capacity meeting of charities at this week's Labour Party Conference.

The Clwyd South MP is co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Charities and a Shadow Wales Office Minister.

She said: "I was delighted to speak at such a well-attended meeting of the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO) and also join in a discussion with audience members and other speakers.

 

"Charities make our local area, our country and our world a better place, and it was great to be able to discuss the future of charities at this important event." 

Community hub idea for old health centre

* The former health centre in Regent Street is empty since the opening of the new facility in Mill Street.

LLANGOLLEN’S former health centre should be turned into a business and community hub.

That’s the suggestion by a member of the town’s Cittaslow group, which fosters economic, social and environmental sustainability.

Following the recent move by the local GP practice to a new health centre in Mill Street, questions have been raised about the future of the old building, the former National School in Regent Street.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB), which owns the building adjacent to St Collen’s church hall, says it is now looking at selling or finding an alternative use for it.   

Mike Edwards, a board member of Llangollen Cittaslow and also a member of the Keep Llangollen Special (KLS) community group, said: “I feel this is the health board's opportunity to help the people of Llangollen by making the property available as a business and community hub (BACH) which the chair of the Keep Llangollen Special group has already constructively discussed with Simon Dean, the acting chief executive of BCUHB.

“The idea would be to provide facilities for Llangollen's multiple small independent business and residents to offer them meeting space, ITC infrastructure for co-ordinated web and social media marketing, business start-up support, training and development to help them compete in the current volatile economy.

“It could have back-office provision such as secretarial, administration, printing and photocopying. The facility could also offer help and support for vulnerable people in our community.”

He added: “KLS would like to work with all other interested community based organisations and groups, including Cittaslow and Llangollen Food Assembly, to progress this scheme and develop a business case and plan to secure suitable grant aid and financial support.

“It should be remembered that an open market sale of the property by the health board would be complicated and difficult due to existence of the church hall co-joining the former GP surgery and the car park which is understood to be owned by the Church in Wales with rights of way and useage granted and enjoyed by the church body.

“It is also understood the local social housing providers have already turned down an offer to acquire the property.

“Another relevant factor is that the building was originally provided by voluntary public subscriptions so is and always has been an asset of community significance.”

A spokesperson for BCUHB said: “The property is owned by the health board and, following completion of the new primary care resource centre, has been identified as surplus to the health board’s requirements.

“As such we will now follow the Welsh Government guidance for the disposal assets. This may include sale or alternative use subject to the appropriate approvals.”

Silver Band's fashion fundraiser

Llangollen Silver Band will be holding a fundraising and social evening at the Band Room in Parade Street on Saturday November 14 at 7.30 pm.

The event includes a sale of nearly new ladies clothes, bags and jewellery.

There will also be a buffet, raffle and drinks for sale.

Tickets are £3 and are available to purchase from the Honey Pots shop in Llangollen and from the band room on Monday evenings (7-9pm) and Friday evenings (6-8:30pm).

Tickets include entry with buffet and one drink (there will be more drinks for sale).

A band spokesman said: "We ask that those coming bring one or two items of good quality unwanted clothing, bags or jewellery to add to the sale if they can."

Ll20 hit by powercut

Update ...

The power was back on again at around 10pm.

It's understood that one event affected by the outage was the St Collen's harvest supper at the Royal Hotel.

Luckily, however, the power didn't go off until after the main course had been served.


Llangollen suffered a power cut at around 8.45 this evening.
ScottishPower emergency line says a large number of properties in the LL20 area are affected and that teams have been despatched to deal with promlem caused by a fault in an overhead power line.

New ambulance response system gets green for go

THE Welsh Ambulance Service will embark on its pioneering new clinical model pilot this week.

 

Under the new model, those patients in imminent danger of death will get a life-saving response as quickly as possible.

 

All other patients else will have a response based on their clinical needs, but it might not always equal a trip to hospital – it could be a referral to NHS Direct Wales or their GP.

 

It is hoped the new model will end the current practice of sending multiple ambulances to a 999 call in order to meet the eight-minute target.

 

The pilot was established after the McClelland review recommended that Welsh Government move away from the eight-minute target to a more intelligent set of indicators, which put a greater emphasis on patient outcomes and experience.

 

The changes will come into effect on October 1.

 

Dr Brendan Lloyd, Medical Director at the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “Since 1974 our ambulance service has been measured by the time it takes to reach emergency calls.

 

“Para-medicine and pre-hospital care has developed rapidly since then, but the focus is still on how many ambulances arrive at calls within eight minutes regardless of the clinical outcome.

 

“That’s why we’re moving away from time-based targets to look more at the quality of what we do for our patients once we arrive.

“Having an ambulance arrive at a patient’s door quickly does not necessarily translate to a better outcome for the patient, but having the right type of vehicle arrive at a patient’s door and timely transport to a treatment centre does.”

 

The new model will introduce three new categories of calls – red, amber and green – to replace the current system.

 

RED calls are immediately life-threatening calls – someone is in imminent danger of death, such as a cardiac arrest.

There is compelling clinical evidence to show an immediate emergency response will make a difference to a person’s outcome.

The eight-minute target will be retained for this group of calls with an initial target of 65% receiving an eight-minute response

AMBER calls refer to those patients with conditions which may need treatment and care at the scene and fast transport to a healthcare facility, if needed.

Patients will be prioritised on the basis of clinical need and patients will receive a fast, blue light response.

There will be no time-based target for amber calls, but a range of clinical outcome indicators will be introduced to measure the quality, safety and timeliness of care being delivered alongside patient experience information, which will be published every quarter.

GREEN calls are less urgent calls, which can often be managed by other health services, like GPs, or through self-care.

This category also includes calls from healthcare professionals, which will be handled in a different, planned way in the future.

 

Dr Lloyd added: “In order to meet the complex and growing demands on our ambulance service, we need to transform the way we deliver our services.

 

“This new model will make our ambulance service among the most progressive in the world.”

 

* There is a more information about the pilot on the Trust’s website.

 

You can also keep abreast of news and updates by following the Welsh Ambulance Service on Twitter @WelshAmbulance and on Facebook.

Government announces help for retailers

Economy Minister Edwina Hart has announced the Welsh Government has extended and enhanced the Wales Retail Relief scheme for 2015-16 to help retail businesses cut up to £1500 off their rates bill.

 

orth Wales South East Wales South West Wales Last year more than10,500 retailers benefited from the scheme which cut annual rates bills by up to £1000.

Edwina Hart is encouraging eligible retail, food and drink businesses to take advantage of the additional savings offered in the current financial year by the Wales Retail Relief scheme.

The Minister said: “The Welsh Government introduced Wales Retail Relief last year to help retailers across Wales, many of which were experiencing difficult trading conditions. I am pleased that more than 10,500 businesses benefited from reduced rates that helped cut their costs and improved their bottom line.

“I hope many more businesses will take advantage of the extended and enhanced scheme that we have launched this year and I would encourage them to contact their local authorities that are administering the scheme on behalf of the Welsh Government.

“Our town and village centres need successful traders and Wales Retail Relief contributes to the package of Welsh Government support aimed at developing vibrant and sustainable town centres.”

Ratepayers that stand to benefit from this relief will be occupying properties that have a rateable value of £50,000 or less, that are wholly or mainly being used as retail premises - shops, restaurants, cafes and drinking establishments.

The relief is available until 31 March 2016 and offers up to £1,500 subject to state aid limits. Business that benefited from relief last year can also apply for the current relief.

The announcement came during High Street Week, the highlight of the Welsh Government’s ‘Support Your High Street’ campaign, which encourages people to make use of the excellent shops and businesses available on their doorstep.

* Detailed guidance is available on our website here: Wales Retail Relief.

Concerns over self-catering businesses raised by AM

Speaking in the Assembly Chamber this week, North Wales AM Mark Isherwood has twice raised the concerns of North Wales businesses that  Welsh Government proposals for changes to the non-domestic rating of self-catering businesses will have “horrendous unintended consequences for truly genuine Welsh businesses”.

 

Mr Isherwood (pictured below) raised the matter in this week’s Business Statement, and the following day with the Economy Minister.   

Speaking in the Business Statement he said: “Could I ask you to bring to the Chamber the Welsh Government’s proposals for changes to the non-domestic rating of self-catering businesses in Wales before you lay your proposed Order on this, expected imminently, certainly before Christmas?

 

“You will be, no doubt, aware that the Wales Association of Self Catering Operators, the only membership body specifically representing self-catering operators in Wales, has said that any proposed measures enacted by the Welsh Government should enhance the positive contribution self-catering makes to the Welsh economy and that translating the concept of 70 days’ occupancy and 140 days’ availability into firm rules should allow for mitigation in those unforeseen and unforeseeable circumstances where bone fide businesses are unable to meet either criterion for reasons clearly and certifiably outside of their control.

 

“I’ll quote one operator only, although I’ve been deluged from North Wales: ‘The Welsh Government proposals have horrendous unintended consequences for truly genuine Welsh businesses that are beyond their control. It will be the death knell for small self-catering and many other businesses in the heart of rural Wales, especially north Wales.’”

 

The Minister for Finance and Government Business Jane Hutt AM told Mr Isherwood  to write to the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport about this, but the following day Mr Isherwood raised it directly with the Minister in the Chamber.

 

He said:  “In a letter they sent to all AMs on August 31^st, the Wales Association of Self Catering Operators expressed concern about the way the Welsh Government perceives self-catering in Wales and that the Welsh Government is insufficiently aware  that self-catering in Wales is an important business sector in its own right, employing large numbers of people, supporting local suppliers and benefitting local rural economies.”

 

Mr Isherwood added:  “The Minister’s dismissive response was alarming and I will now be writing to her in the hope of a better response. As someone in North Wales with 18 properties told me ‘these are not second homes, this is a letting business.’”

Mind Body and Spirit Fair this weekend

A Mind, Body & Spirit Fair will be held this weekend in the Community Hall next to St Collen's Church in Llangollen.

On both Saturday and Sunday, from 9am-4pm, there will be stalls, free talks.

Admission is free.

Anna buzzing about new ice cream

 

* Launching new Honey ice cream ready for Llangollen festival is Anna Taylor.

 

An ice cream maker is buzzing about a new flavour it's launching.

 

Chilly Cow Ice Cream will be unveiling the honey and lavender variety at the popular Hamper Llangollen food festival on Saturday and Sunday, October 17 and 18.

 

Anna Taylor who runs the company based at Llanychan, near Ruthin, will be using honey farmed just down the road from her by enthusiastic beekeeper Brian Dacre, a carpenter who makes hand-crafted bee hives as well as farming bees.

 

Anna, who started Chilly Cow Ice Cream just 15 months ago, has seen her business grow from having just a handful of customers to 45 outlets.

 

She said: “Brian’s honey is pure gold, just delicious and there’s big demand for it, plus it’s local to us, so perfect for using in a new flavour of ice cream. I am about to start work on developing it and testing to create a unique new flavour. The idea is to combine it with lavender, which will be an ideal foil for the honey. I plan to launch it at Hamper Llangollen so I can offer foodie lovers the chance to taste it before they buy.”

 

The popular event in Llangollen’s Royal Pavilion is recognised as one of the UK's top 10 food festivals.

 

Cadwyn Clwyd has provided financial support over the past few years to ensure the festival's long term viability, this was funded through the Rural Development Fund for Wales 2007-2013, which is funded through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Welsh Government.

 

The honey and lavender flavour is the latest in a growing range of ice cream produced by Anna in a specially converted building at Stryt Fawr Farm, the family home where her husband, David and his father farm a herd of 75 Brown Swiss diary cows.

 

Anna said: “The Brown Swiss cows produce a rich, creamy milk, with high buttermilk content. It’s great for ice cream. We are so lucky to have them. Their milk makes a far nicer ice cream product than any other. I know I’m biased, but I love it.”

 

The idea to start producing ice cream professionally came after she had a go at it as a dessert for herself and David and their two children, Harry, seven and Ellie, five.

 

Anna said: “We started making a small quantity and it was so delicious that we decided to take the idea further. We looked into production costs, had some batches made up professionally using our milk and recipe and they were so good that we decided to go for it and set up a manufacturing unit here at the farm.”

 

Helped by local authority grants and advice from small business support organisations, the couple converted a former garage into a brand new production unit and it was not long before Anna had become a full time ice cream maker.

 

She said: “I used to have a job as a mortgage advisor and at first I thought I would be able to make ice cream part time and continue with the job I trained for during the rest of the week. But demand grew so quickly that was just impossible.”

 

Anna now has a part time employee who helps with the ice cream manufacturing, while she herself is also there most of the week, as well as taking to the road to distribute her orders across the region on a Friday.

 

She supplies delicatessens, pubs, hotels and food shops from Rossett to Llandudno.

“We also supply the shop at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, which I’m really proud of,” she said.

She also sells ice cream tubs direct from the farm.

 

Her growing flavour range includes traditional favourites such as vanilla, strawberry ripple, and chocolate, more unusual sticky toffee fudge, lemon meringue, chunky chocolate mint, and exotic flavours like mango and passionfruit and cherry cheesecake.

 

She said: “I taste all the flavours myself to make sure they work and I never sell any flavour that I’m not totally happy with. One of our most popular varieties, though, is the one called Just Chilly Cow, which has no additional flavourings at all – it is made purely of our own fantastic milk.”

 

Anna is a big fan of food festivals, like Hamper Llangollen and is also a member of the Clwydian Range Food Trail, which includes small artisan food producers around the region.

 

She said: “It is great to be part of the trail as I get to meet so many other excellent local producers and often we can help each other out by including each other’s links on our websites. Word of mouth also helps spread the news about all our products. That’s why Hamper Llangollen is so good. Once people have tried our ice cream there, they will often go home and tell friends and family about it, which is a great way of getting our brand more widely known.”

 

For more information about Chilly cow range visit www.chillycow.co.uk and for details about Llangollen Food Festival-Hamper Llangollen 2015 visit www.llangollenfoodfestival.com

Aldi has "no news" about taking over Llan supermarket

* Work continues on the new supermarket off the A5.

ALDI says it has “no news” about any possible interest in the new supermarket being built in Llangollen.

And one of the area’s Welsh Assembly Members said he understands talks about a possible tenant for the 34,000 sq ft building off Berwyn Road are continuing.

The two statements obtained by llanblogger come after a week of intense speculation that a bargain retailer would be taking over the store, on the former Dobson & Crowther printworks site, in the wake of Sainsbury’s withdrawal from the scheme earlier this year.

Since then the store giant has been trying to find a tenant.

Word on social media was that it would be Aldi but llanbogger has been unable to have this either confirmed or denied by official sources.

All a spokesperson at the public relations company representing the German-owned company would say was: “I have spoken to Aldi and there is no news on a possible store in Lllangollen.

“Obviously, if this changes I’ll keep you updated, but currently there is nothing to report.”

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates told llanblogger that Sainsbury’s had informed him on Wednesday of last week that they are “continuing to discuss with interested parties.”

llanblogger broke the news back in May that Sainsbury’s had pulled out of plans to take over the new supermarket, dashing hopes for 130 promised jobs.

The company blamed tough trading conditions for the move.

A spokesman said at the time: “Following a review we have decided we will not be going ahead with the store on the site in Llangollen.

“We have not taken this decision lightly and are very disappointed we are not able to open a new shop in Llangollen.”

* llanblogger will continue to look for a definite answer on who the new tenant will be.

AM calls for urgent statement on GP "crisis"

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has called for an urgent statement from the Welsh Government on the GP "crisis" facing North Wales.

 

A leading doctor warned this week that more than half of GP surgeries in North Wales are at risk of closing in the next 12 months.

 

Speaking in this week’s Business Statement, Mr Isherwood said: “Can I again raise the very important, critical matter, where the Vice-Chair of the North Wales Local Medical Committee has today raised a crisis that must be dealt with urgently, if thousands and thousands of people across North Wales are not to suffer?

 

“North Wales Members know already, although we’re sworn to confidentiality, that further closures are in the pipeline that will already affect thousands more patients.

 

"We know that the Chair of the North Wales Local Medical Committee said that both GPs and out-of-hours surgeries are facing ever-growing pressure and that the closure of community hospitals and cuts to minor injuries clinics are responsible for the current crisis facing GPs and accident and emergency departments in North Wales.

 

“I’ve been writing to the Minister about this after meeting GPs in North Wales for nearly two years, highlighting their concerns about the inability to recruit, the British Medical Association description of the impending crisis in North Wales and, of course, the Royal College of General Practitioners’ campaign highlighting this and its causes, including the shortage of beds in community hospitals.

 

"Given the imminent crisis that we’ve been warned about for years and years, what is your Government going to do about it? Please can we have an urgent statement?”

 

The Minister for Finance and Welsh Government Business, Jane Hutt, replied: “We have just announced a new package of support for GP practices and agreed a new two-year contract with GPs. I do believe also, in terms of our work, which is very important, with the General Practitioners Committee Wales and health boards, to encourage ways in which we can ensure that access to primary care has improved, that that is making a difference.”

 

Mr Isherwood added: “If all the problems have now been addressed by the Welsh Government, why do they think this warning was issued today? As GPs in North Wales told me 20 months ago when I met them to discuss the Royal College of General Practioners Wales’ ‘Put Patients First – Back General Practice’ campaign,  top of their serious concerns was recruitment, where the average age of GPs in North Wales was over 50 but that they couldn’t recruit, and other concerns included the shortage of beds at community hospitals.”