Santa sleighs 'em with alternative forms of transport

* Santa tries a hot air balloon.

In preparation for the Llangollen Christmas Festival Santa has been trying out some alternatives to his traditional sleigh.

Santa told us: “Sometimes I worry about how I’d manage if the sleigh broke down or something happened to the reindeer.”

He was recently spotted in a hot air balloon at Llangollen’s Balloon Festival and has also been seen around town about on a Segway. 

The 101 Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers even let Santa try one of their armoured vehicles.

The reindeer needn’t worry about being replaced though because Santa has decided that the fastest, safest and most comfortable way to travel is definitely a sleigh.

Llangollen’s Christmas Festival will take place on Saturday November 26 and starts at 1pm with a parade through town.

You can see Sion Corn in his sleigh and then visit him in his grotto.

* ... aboard a segway

* ... and in a tank.

Crime boss needs your help with policing blueprint

A police boss is appealing for the public's help in drawing up a new blueprint for the policing of North Wales.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones is joining forces with Chief Constable Mark Polin for a series of consultation meetings across the region.

The next meeting is at Glyndwr University in Wrexham at 6.30pm on Monday, November 14.

Alternatively, people can fill in an online survey to let their views be known by going to:
www.surveygizmo.com/s3/2992284/Police-and-Crime-Plan-Consultation-2016-2017

Mr Jones, a former police inspector, said: "There is an open invitation to all members of the community to come and share their views with us.

“As a police and crime commissioner, I have a statutory duty to consult local people on policing priorities.

“I will be drafting the new Police and Crime Plan and in order to do that we need to be aware what local people believe that the policing priorities should be.

“These meetings are a way of gauging public opinion and in this instance we will be assessing what people think.

* Chief Constable Mark Polin, left with PCC Arfon Jones.

“I will be consulting jointly with the Chief Constable in these meetings but I will also hold additional meetings in other parts of the force area so we can garner views of both the urban and rural population in North Wales.

"Listening to local people is one of the most important parts of my role and it is vital that people have a true voice in policing.

“We are keen that as many members of the public as possible attend these meetings and not just local councillors who have their own channels to pass on their views,"

"This is the police service for North Wales and it is only right and proper that everyone has a chance to have their say.”

The Police and Crime Plan will set out the strategic priorities, aims and objectives for North Wales Police for the next four years.

Chief Constable Polin added: “Everyone has a right to be safe and feel safe. However,
the threats to safety are changing and people are now more likely to be subjected to crime committed online and the national rise in serious and potentially very harmful  threats, such as from Child Sexual Exploitation, are emerging locally too.   

“I want communities to know that we care, to be sighted on the challenges we face in safeguarding them and to feel informed about how we are, and will continue, to respond to those challenges with their help. Providing good quality policing services remains at the centre of what we do, and we are placing significant priority on this as an organisation.

“Hearing what our communities think about the service we deliver and the trust and confidence that they place in us is also incredibly important.”

The meetings will be held at Glyndwr University in Wrexham on Monday, November 14, at 6.30 pm; Rhyl Rugby Club, Vale Road, on Wednesday, November 30 at 6.30 pm: and  Penllyn Leisure Centre, Bala, Wednesday, December 7, at 6.30 pm. People wanting to complete the online survey should go to www.surveygizmo.com/s3/2992284/Police-and-Crime-Plan-Consultation-2016-2017

Chance to win panto tickets with county campaign

* Scene from the panto Peter Pan.

Shoppers could bag themselves a festive family treat this Christmas.

As part of the #LoveLiveLocal campaign anyone who uses the hashtag to post pictures of local purchases on social media is in with the chance to win one of three sets of family tickets to see Peter Pan at the Pavilion Theatre, Rhyl this Christmas.

The Denbighshire County Council-led campaign aims to encourage shopping at local businesses within the county.

The pantomime, which runs from Friday, December 9 to Saturday, January 7, stars Mark Little as Captain Hook.

Mark is best known for his portrayal of Joe Mangel in Australian soap Neighbours where he created one of Ramsay Street’s legendary characters.

Also staring in the panto are Derek Moran, from Channel 5’s leading children’s TV strand Milkshake, as Peter Pan and Juliet Cadzow, who plays Edie McCredie in the award winning CBBC children’s TV series Balamory, as Mrs Darling.

Wales’ very own Sean Jones, who plays Smee, is returning for his fifth consecutive pantomime at the Pavilion.

For the chance to win one of three family tickets, which offer entry for two adults and two children to Peter Pan, simply post a picture of a great product or service you have received at a local business in Denbighshire to #LoveLiveLocal on social media by November 30. 

Berwyn Station takes a trip into the past

* The waiting room restored to its Edwardian glory.

A small but dedicated bunch of railway volunteers have been hard at work restoring the iconic Berwyn station back to its Edwardian glory.

Built for the convenience of local landowners in 1865, the station soon became a popular stop for holidaymakers and tourists to the Dee Valley, due to its close proximity to the Horseshoe Falls, Chain Bridge and associated Hotel. 

However, in the 1950s the station building closed to the public and after the Ruabon to Barmouth railway line closed in the 1960s, the station gradually fell into disrepair.  Trains returned to Berwyn in 1985 thanks to the efforts of the Llangollen Railway and work has progressed in restoring the station back to its former glory.

Recently efforts have been focussing on the former ticket office, with a replica wooden counter having been commissioned and installed last winter.

Period fixtures and fittings have been painstakingly sourced from all over the UK, so that the room now resembles how it would have looked in the early 1900s. In the restored waiting room, traditional oil lamps are in the process of being installed, to compliment the surviving large original fireplace. 

The station will be open this weekend, with volunteers on-hand to recreate the workings of a traditional country station in the steam age. Enjoy cream teas in the station tea room, explore the riverside walks or take a nostalgic trip along the preserved Llangollen Railway. Steam hauled trains depart from Berwyn towards Corwen at 10.48, 13.08 and 15.18, and towards Llangollen at 12.10, 14.30 and 16.40.

In the underpass to the Chain Bridge at the eastern end of Berwyn station, there are poignant reminders of local sacrifice during the First World War. The white-glazed bricks that line the underpass seem to have taken pencil marks readily, with some of the still legible messages dating from 1914 - 1918.
 
One message is signed by R.Roberts in July 1913. Next to it and dated 25 December 1914, is written Lance Corporal R.Roberts - suggesting he had enlisted, been promoted and returned for Christmas leave. 

One message says "Berlin last stop", another is signed "Balls from Belgium". One is signed A. J. Candy – an Alfred James Candy is honoured on Llangollen’s War Memorial (unveiled by Capt. Best of Vivod on July 8th 1923) as having fallen in action. Four out of eleven soldiers' names that have been researched appear on the war memorial.

As a mark of respect, a commemorative poppy wreath will also be on display at Berwyn, along with an authentic GWR personnel stretcher.

Councillor's daughter wins top national award

The daughter of a Llangollen county councillor has taken one of the top honours in major national awards.

Sarah-Alice Davies (pictured), whose father is Stuart Davies, landed the title of Graduate of the Year in the 2016 Oil and Gas UK Awards the winners of which were announced in Aberdeen.

A former pupil of Ysgol Bryn Collen and Ysgol Dinas Bran in the town, 27-year-old Sarah-Alice graduated with a first class masters degree in Chemistry from Bath University in 2010.

She is currently an engineer working for the design department of Shell UK Ltd.

Awards judges heard how she became one of the first graduates to attain two international postings in difficult, remote locations.

Her competence has given her the opportunity to deliver the first shale oil to the Middle East from Jordan’s deserts and supervise rig and interventions operations in the jungles of Gabon.  

At the presentation evening, she described how while managing a team of local operatives in Gabon she identified the high level of competence shown by one man and helped secure his promotion after 20 years, adding: “It was pretty amazing to see his reaction.”

She also spoke of having to cope with elephants and gorillas along with leopards sleeping on pipelines while based in Gabon.

Sarah-Alice said: “As a young person finishing university you’re full of excitement and energy and you need to utilise every day.

“If you have the opportunity to go international I think you should definitely see the world.

“Experiencing different cultures, languages and religions is the way to win people over.”      

Twenty Club's Vicar of Dibley raises a litany of laughs

* The cast of The Vicar of Dibley.

Some truly inspired casting allowed Llangollen’s Twenty Club to present a divine piece of comedy with The Vicar of Dibley at the Town Hall last night.

This meant that each of the key characters in this ecclesiastical romp so familiar to fans of the smash-hit TV series was portrayed by actors of such competence – both experienced and new – that their parts fitted them like well-worn cassocks.

And this made for some truly hilarious results.

Revving up the laughs in the title role of Geraldine Granger, the lady vicar who arrives unexpectedly to take over the parish following the death of a long-serving incumbent, was the marvellous Louise Cielecki, a veteran of many local am dram performances and fresh out of drama school.

While paying due homage to Dawn French who made the part famous on the box, she also managed to come up with her own nuanced interpretation of the role which at times brought the audience to the verge of tears of laughter.

Another rip-snorting cameo was provided by Chris Sims as Jim Trott. No, no, no, no, er, yes, yes, it was. He had the dithering parish council member off to a tee, gruff voice, stooped posture and all.

There can’t be many young amateur actresses out there who could have handled so competently the role of dotty parish verger Alice Tinker as 17-year-old Carys Stallard. Again, this uncannily accurate portrayal of TV original Emma Chambers can only have come as the result of many hours of keen observation.

Those old Vicar of Dibley recordings must truly be worn out by now as it was the same happy story with Eric Jones who brilliantly doubled for John Bluthal playing the bumbling, bow-tied parish clerk Frank Pickle.

In his first play with the Twenty Club Graham Smith also shone brightly as foul-mouthed farmer Owen Newitt. He looked, spoke and moved so much like the late great Roger Lloyd-Pack who took the role on the telly that he could hardly fail to wring out the same abundance of laughs from this script.

Another relative newcomer who went down a storm as Hugo  Horton, the scatter-brained son of the lord of the manor, was Dan Pedley who we’re clearly going to be seeing much more of in the future.

Helping bind everything together with consummate skill were old hands Barry Cook as David Horton and Chris Dukes as Letitia Cropley whose well-intentioned but eccentrically flavoured culinary creations must have poisoned more people than a shedload of Borgia women.

At the end of the evening our sides were aching from the ministrations of the Vicar of Dibley and her crazy flock who held services on Thursday, Friday and two on Saturday.

And apart from the enormously talented team who created this litany of laughter we must also say a big thank you to Lyn Aston who directed the piece and John Clifford who served as her assistant.  

Bikers raise cash for Wales Air Ambulance

* Alyson Wynn, left, accepts the £1,130 cheque from LlanBikeFest's Debbie Rogers.  

Generous bikers raised £1,130 in a raffle for Wales Air Ambulance at the Llangollen Motorcycle Festival - LlanBikeFest 2016 – in July.

And organisers have pledged that next year’s event, at the town’s Royal Pavilion on August 5 and 6, will be even bigger and better.

Wales Air Ambulance community co-ordinator Alyson Winn said: “We are totally dependent on donations from the public to keep our helicopters flying, so we greatly appreciate this contribution. We thoroughly enjoyed LlanBikeFest 2016 and we are looking forward to 2017.”

Debbie Rogers said: “We are delighted to have adopted Wales Air Ambulance as our official charity. The July event was only our second year but the feedback from everyone who attended has been fantastic.

"We are now working flat out to make LlanBikeFest 2017 an even greater success – and raise even more money to keep saving lives.

“Our special thanks to the volunteers who helped promote the raffle and raise additional money with our helmet creche, including members of the Llangollen and District Motorcycle Club (LLDMC).”

LlanBikeFest 2016 featured guest of honour Giacomo `Ago' Agostini, winner of an unbeaten 15 World Championships, who flew over specially from Italy to spend the weekend mixing with thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts.

On-site attractions included hundreds of bikes, displays, stunts, demonstrations, trade and club stands, plus beer, bands and evening entertainment in Llangollen town.

Exhibitors and traders have already started booking for 2017.

Follow the event on Facebook at Llangollen International Motorcycle Festival and Twitter at @llanbikefest.

County agrees on leisure development plan

Members of Denbighshire’s Cabinet have agreed to appoint Alliance Leisure Services as part of a four year framework agreement to develop new facilities and refurbish existing leisure facilities in the county.  

The council has already made a firm commitment to continue improving and enhancing its leisure offer across the county and says it is bucking the national trend by actually investing in its facilities during difficult financial times.

Alliance had been appointed to a previous framework and was recognised as bringing external expertise and innovation to the design and construction of facilities.

The council then advertised this latest framework on the open market and attracted significant interest from major construction companies.

The framework will be open to all UK local authorities, with Denbighshire as the lead authority.

Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Cabinet Lead Member for Assets, said: “Our aim is to work with our development partner to design, build and fund capital projects and ensure that we deliver the right projects, on time and within budget.

“We have an excellent track record of working with Alliance on the previous framework and delivered successful projects at Ruthin and Denbigh leisure centres, as well as the redevelopment of the Nova, Prestatyn.

“The company itself has a wealth of experience in design, project management and an innovative approach to developments.  The appointment of Alliance as our development partner on the previous framework was recognised as sector-leading and provided facilities that are fit for the 21^st Century and improved participation opportunities and PE standards in our dual-use sites. This, in turn, helped improve the health and well-being of residents.

“We are delighted to be awarding the latest framework to Alliance after a stringent and open tendering process – this will help us to continue investing in facilities and develop our vision for improved leisure facilities to benefit all."

Paul Cluett, Managing Director of Alliance, said: “Alliance Leisure are delighted to have been appointed as the partner to the Council to deliver the Framework for the provision of leisure developments and related services over the next four years. 

“Alliance has a track record of delivering sustainable, ambitious and innovative enhancements to local authority leisure services throughout the UK.  Indeed, locally schemes such as the Nova redevelopment have already shown what can be achieved, and now we will be able to bring this experience to Councils across Wales, England, Scotland and N Ireland. 

"This ground breaking Framework model being delivered by DCC will also ensure that the Authority receives the public awareness it is rightly due for helping other Councils deliver services as successfully it has done."

MP calls for tougher sentences for police assaults

* Susan Elan Jones MP with representatives of the Police Federation in Parliament.

Susan Elan Jones MP is backing the Police Federation's campaign for tougher sentences for people who assault police officers.

The campaign was launched in response to the news that 22,394 officers in England and Wales were assaulted in the last year.

The Clwyd South Labour MP said: "We are now seeing a police officer assaulted every 22 minutes, with a fifth of all police having been assaulted. That is a national disgrace.

"Some of the sentences awarded are unbelievably lenient. They include someone who threw acid at an officer's face getting only 20 months in jail even though they were out on licence, someone who stabbed an officer getting a community sentence and 15 people jumping on a single police woman on Boxing Day leaving internal spinal injuries that class her as disabled receiving no custodial sentence.

"Police men and women work tirelessly to serve our communities and keep our streets safe. They should not have to endure assaults as part of their job. I am fully behind the Police Federation's campaign to support police safety and bring in harsher sentences where they are needed."

Business owners advised to check rateable values

Denbighshire County Council is urging business owners to check the new rateable value of their businesses.

Traders have been contacted about the new draft rateable value on which their business rates will be based and are being advised to contact the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) by its deadline of November 30 if they have any concerns.

It has been seven years since all non-domestic properties in England and Wales were revalued and the 2017 revaluation will be based upon rental levels on April 1, 2015.

The revaluation, which will come into effect on April 1 next year, will form the basis of business rate liability for the next five years.

The draft rating list, which was issued on September 30, is part of the normal process to get feedback from businesses.

Although Denbighshire County Council collects business rates, the council does not set the rates.

The rateable value is assessed by the VOA , through HM Revenue and Customs.

Rebecca Maxwell, corporate director at Denbighshire County Council, said: “Businesses will have already received a letter about their new draft rateable value and it is important they read this information.

“We are urging all businesses in Denbighshire to check their new draft rateable value online. This revaluation will have an impact on businesses for the next five years, so it is vitally important they are paying the correct rates.

“If you think your new rateable value is incorrect, contact the Valuation Office Agency as soon as possible.

“Once the new rateable values come into effect on April 1, 2017, businesses will be able to make an appeal, but we would first urge businesses to contact the VOA before November 30 with any concerns.”

Leader of Denbighshire, councillor Hugh Evans, said: “Concerns have been raised with us by a number of businesses over gaps in information around how the process of rate revaluation has been undertaken in Denbighshire.

“I am seeking clarification on the extent to which calculations are based on individual business circumstances and how these are evaluated without direct engagement with all businesses in the county.

“As a proactive, business friendly council we are committed to making sure there is a level playing field for all our businesses.

“We understand periodic revaluations are necessary but we are looking for reassurance about how the process has been carried out and that there isn’t a disproportionate impact on Denbighshire businesses.

“A clear understanding of the process of arriving at final rateable values would help us do this.”

The Welsh Government is consulting on proposals for a Transitional Relief Scheme aimed at helping businesses currently receiving Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) and whose rateable value has increased.

The aim is to assist ratepayers no longer entitled to the same amount of SBRR as a result of the revaluation by gradually phasing in any increases in over a three-year period.

For more information on the revaluation or to check your draft rateable value online visit http://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/business/business-rates/business-rates.aspx

Stans thanks customers for backing campaign

* Manager Steve Jones at Stans in Llangollen.

TRADERS have said a heart-felt thank you to customers who have embraced a shopping campaign.

The #LoveLiveLocal campaign encourages shoppers to show support for Denbighshire businesses by using the hashtag on Twitter and Facebook to promote good experiences they’ve had and promote products and services locally they have ‘loved’.

The Denbighshire County Council-led campaign, which aims to encourage shopping at local businesses within the county, has now been praised by businesses after its launch earlier this year.

The campaign will continue over the festive period and will include the production of a Christmas shopping video to encourage residents to shop local.

Steve Jones, 41, is manager at Stans Superstore in Llangollen, having been with the family-run business for 25 years.

He said: “I would like to thank the customers who have supported local businesses like ourselves with this campaign.

“As local businesses we can offer customers something different to national chains. We can support customers’ needs and tailor our service to them. We can provide a friendly service.  We know our customers by their first names and for some of them we might be the only person they see that day.

“#LoveLiveLocal has been a good campaign, we are happy to support it. It has helped us get our message out there.”

Leader of Denbighshire County Council, Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, said: “We are calling on the people of Denbighshire to continue to show support for local businesses this Christmas and show community spirit by making sure we look after our high streets.

“There are so many fantastic businesses here in Denbighshire in all sorts of areas from food and hotels, to shops selling uniquely made crafts and providers of unique services and experiences.”

To get involved with the campaign take photos of products and post them on Facebook and Twitter using the #LoveLiveLocal hashtag." 

Ambulance service issues November 5 care warning

THE Welsh Ambulance Service is urging people to take extra care on Bonfire Night.

During the last three years the Trust has witnessed a steady increase in the number of calls it receives on November 5.

In 2013 there were 1,079 verified incidents, which increased to 1,116 in 2014 and was up even further to 1,239 last year.

Every year, the service is called to deal with firework and bonfire-related injuries through improper handling of fireworks and people taking unnecessary risks.

The Trust is asking revellers to keep a sensible head during this year’s celebrations.

Richard Lee, the Trust’s Director of Operations, said: “We want everyone to have an enjoyable Bonfire Night, but we would ask you to remember the very real dangers that bonfires, fireworks and even sparklers can pose.

“If they are used in the wrong way then the consequences could be potentially fatal due to the extreme level of heat given off and the high speeds at which fireworks can travel.

“Every year our colleagues treat people both young and old for injuries as a result of firework displays, ranging from minor burns to those which could have a very real life changing impact.

“By following some simple safety tips you can help to reduce the number of calls we receive regarding Bonfire Night related injuries, making our crews available to help other members of the community facing life-threatening emergencies.”

People hosting their own event are reminded that fireworks should be kept in a closed box and used one at a time to avoid any accidents.

Follow the instructions on each firework, using a torch if necessary, and light at arm’s length wearing goggles and protective clothing. Never return to a firework once it has been lit.

Children should wear gloves with sparklers, and never wave it near someone’s face. When the sparkler has finished, put it into a bucket of cold water straight away and leave it there.

In the event of an accident with fireworks or fires, here are some useful points you should follow:

·        Extinguish any flames if the casualty is alight

·        If alight, drop to the floor and roll to extinguish flames, keeping mouth and eyes closed

·        If you see someone else on fire, tell them to ‘Stop, drop and roll’

·        Use cool water (ideally cold running water) to cool the burnt area and reduce the pain

·        Do not remove any burnt clothing which has stuck to the skin

·        Do not use any creams or oils on burn injuries

·        Seek urgent medical help by calling 999 for life threatening or serious injuries, for minor injuries contact NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47.

Youth Band foursome shine in Cheshire contest

* From left, Millie Turner, Taya Castley, Joel Brown

and Elizabeth Mwale who competed as the Llantastic Four in Sandbach.

Four talented members of Llangollen Silver Band competed in the Foden's Band Youth Contest at Sandbach School in Cheshire last Saturday.

The prestigious youth competition attracts some of the most talented young brass players from across Europe.

Representing Llangollen for the first time in the competition were Youth Band members Taya Castley (cornet), Elizabeth Mwale (euphonium), Joel Brown (baritone) and Millie Turner (cornet), all aged 14.

All four competed in the 14-16 year old quartet contest where they performed Soldier's Tale and won second place under the apt name of The Llantastic Four.

The foursome also competed in the duet competition. Taya and Elizabeth  played Pleasant Moments whilst Millie and Joel performed Lucia Di Lammermoor, finishing in fourth and fifth places respectively.

Taya also entered the solo contest and finished in a highly commendable 11th place, performing Softly Awakes My Heart. 

Llangollen Silver Band conductor, Trevor Williams, said: "We are incredibly proud of the achievements of all our young players and it is wonderful to see them competing in such a prestigious contest.

"Taya, Millie, Joel and Elizabeth are only 14 years old and, in addition to performing in the youth band, also hold key playing positions in the senior band too. My sincerest congratulations go to the four of them."

Travellers arrive on Market Street car park

* The caravans on Market Street car park.

A small group of Travellers are on the Market Street car park in Llangollen.

A spokesman for Denbighshire County Council said: "The council has been made aware this morning of the presence of Travellers on the Market Street car park. 

"The council’s Estates team is in contact with Highways (given that it’s a public car park) to look at the circumstances and we will be  deciding on the next steps during the course of the day.

"The council would normally issue a notice, asking for the Travellers to vacate the land. If they refused, then the council would then need to go through the legal process."

Fancy touch to Christmas festival parade

Organisers say they are hoping to make this year's Llangollen Christmas Festival parade more colourful than ever by inviting youngsters to take part wearing fancy dress.

There say there will be prizes for the best costumes.

Warning over Halloween costume safety

With Halloween 2016 is fast approaching, Trading Standards across Wales are urging parents to be aware of the potential fire risk presented by children’s fancy dress costumes.

In October 2014 television presenter Claudia Winkleman’s eight-year-old daughter was severely burned after her witch costume caught fire, having been in contact allegedly with or in close proximity to a lit candle inside a pumpkin. 

Following this incident a co-ordinated survey was conducted by Trading Standards Services throughout the UK to assess the level of compliance of children’s costumes available at that time.

The safety of children’s costumes currently falls under the need to comply with the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011, which is achieved through meeting the requirements of Part 2 of the Toy Safety Standard EN71.

Compliance with Toy Safety Regulations doesn’t mean that these costumes won’t catch fire as a ‘maximum allowable rate’ at which the flame can spread is defined.  Parents are advised to only purchase costumes that are CE marked and to follow the instructions and safety information carefully. 

Fancy dress costumes must be labelled with a ‘CE’ which is a declaration by the manufacturer that they comply with the Toy Safety Regulations.

Emlyn Jones, Denbighshire’s Public Protection Manager said: “We would encourage parents to be vigilant and aware of the potential risks associated with fancy dress costumes and fire or naked flames.

"The simple advice is to keep your children away from candles and naked flames or use an LED equivalent. Children are wearing fancy dress costumes more and more, including wigs and masks, not only during the Halloween period so follow this advice at all times. 

"Only buy costumes labelled with a ‘CE’ and report retailers to your Local Trading Standards Service if you encounter costumes that do not bear this important safety mark.”

Councillor David Smith, Denbighshire Council’s Lead Member for Public Realm, said: “The messages about highly flammable costumes are ones which we should make sure all members of our families are aware of. 

"Ensuring that safe products bought from reputable sources are the only products which enter our homes, should be seen as a priority for all families.”

* Children’s fancy dress costumes discovered without the CE mark should be reported to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06.    

Ambulance Trust launches communications app

* The Trust’s Pre Hospital Communication Guide App on a phone screen.

THE WELSH Ambulance Service has launched an app to help frontline staff to interact with patients who have additional communication needs.

The bilingual Pre-Hospital Communication Guide App is a useful tool to assist those who are deaf, hard of hearing, don't speak English as their first language, have learning difficulties, or whose illness or injury affects their communication.

It is available to download both for staff and members of the public on their mobile phones and tablet devices, and displays images and supporting text to find out important information about the patient and what has happened if they have had an accident.

It can also identify if they use a specific communication method or the language they speak.

Pioneered by the Trust’s Patient Experience and Community Involvement Team, the app is based on a small booklet which was developed and issued by the service in 2013.

Claire Bevan, the Trust’s Director of Quality, Safety and Patient Experience, said: “Our staff will often come into contact with members of the community who have difficulty communicating, whether it’s through injury, illness or because they speak a different language.

“As a Trust it’s important that we recognise the communication needs of each individual and are able to find out those crucial details.

“Especially in the event of a medical emergency, it’s vital that we have a simple means available to quickly discover what symptoms they’re experiencing, as well as their medical history.

“This app is a very positive development in addressing that and we would encourage members of the public and our colleagues alike to download it to their phones.”

The app is available to download on mobile phones using the iOS, Android and Blackberry systems.

For iOS search your app store for ‘PreHospApp’, for Android search ‘pre hospital app’ and on Blackberry search for ‘Pre-Hospital Communication App’.

Free parking in run-up to Christmas announced

* Llangollen's Market Street car park is included in the Free After 3 scheme.  

Christmas shoppers are being given a festive treat from the county council when shopping in Denbighshire towns, including Llangollen, this festive season.

The "Free After 3" parking scheme will again be in operation this December to help support  town centres and encourage local shopping in the run-up to Christmas.

The scheme provides free parking in all council operated pay & display car parks in town centres after 3pm on a daily basis until December 31.

The car parks included in the initiative are:

Llangollen 
East Street 
Hall Street 
Market Street 
Mill Street 

Corwen
Green Lane 

Ruthin 
Crispin Yard (Cae Ddol) 
Dog Lane 
Market Street 
Park Road 
Rhos Street 
St Peter's Square 
Troed y Rhiw 

Denbigh 
Multi-storey 
Crown Lane 
Factory Ward 
Post Office Lane 
Vale Street 

Prestatyn 
Lower High Street 
Kings Avenue 
Railway Station (Coronation Gardens) 

Rhuddlan 
Parliament Street 

Rhyl 
Children's Village (Underground) 

Morfa Hall 
Morley Road 
Sky Tower 
West Kinmel Street 

St Asaph 
Bowling Green 

Councillor David Smith, Cabinet Lead Member for Environment, said: “We are delighted to be offering free parking across Denbighshire after 3pm again this year. 

“We feel this is a good way of encouraging people to support the town centres and to access the wide variety of goods and services available from our local businesses."

This initiative coincides with the Small Business Saturday initiative across the county where the council is urging people to support their local businesses and services on December 5 and in the run-up to Christmas.

Denbighshire County Council is also helping support local businesses through its shop local campaign, #LoveLiveLocal which encourages people to share positive experiences of Denbighshire as a fantastic place to shop on social media and a Christmas video which will showcase what the county has to offer shoppers over the festive period. 

North Wales is in Lonely Planet's top 10 list

North Wales has made it on to the Lonely Planet’s Top Ten ‘Best in Travel 2017’ list – the only destination in the UK to do so.

The area came in at number four on this prestigious list but what caught the eye of the Lonely Planet - said to be the world’s leading travel authority - is the way the former industrial landscape has been reinvented and repurposed to create a series of truly world class attractions, from high speed zip lining and inland surfing, to underground trampolining in a 176-year-old disused slate mine.

Wales has enjoyed two record breaking years with visitor numbers crossing the 10 million mark for the first time in 2014 and record spend from domestic and overseas visitors in 2015.

Wales is looking to sustain this performance with the raised profile from international events such as Euro 2016, and the success of the 2016 Year of Adventure tourism campaign.

Economy Secretary and North Wales AM, Ken Skates, said: “This is such fantastic news for Wales as our Year of Adventure draws to a close.  Being listed as one of the best in the world by such a well respected and established publication such as the Lonely Planet is a real coup for north Wales. 

“The award will of course play a big part in our marketing for 2017 as we move on to celebrate the Year of Legends in Wales.  I’m sure it will make people who haven’t visited before think about Wales as a holiday destination and will also entice those who haven’t visited for a while back to Wales.

“This recognition is testimony to the commitment and partnership working between public and private sector to deliver a world class visitor experience.  North Wales has reinvented itself over recent years and the addition of some cutting edge, world class facilities to match the awe-inspiring scenery has given people compelling reasons to visit the area.  

"We’ve seen Investment in products which are attracting people to Wales – many for the first time and once in Wales they experience the warm welcome, culture and history of the area.”

Tom Hall, Lonely Planet’s Editorial Director, said: “We included North Wales in this year’s list of top ten regions because it deserves to be recognised on the global stage. It’s a stunning area with a vast array of activities on offer to keep travellers entertained.

"North Wales has also become a haunt of in-the-know foodies, so however visitors get their kicks, once they’ve worked up an appetite, they’ll also be well catered for. North Wales is a gem and should be on every traveller’s radar.”

Top 10 Regions in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2017:

1. Choquequirao, Peru
2. Taranaki, New Zealand
3. The Azores, Portugal
4. North Wales, UK
5. South Australia
6. Aysén, Chile
7. The Tuamotus, French Polynesia
8. Coastal Georgia, USA
9. Perak, Malaysia
10. The Skellig Ring, Ireland.

AM raises questions on children from Jungle Camp

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood (pictured) has raised questions over the number of unaccompanied children from the ‘Jungle Camp’ in Calais who will be given protection in Wales and highlighted the challenges facing North Wales local authorities in dealing with the specific needs of refugees.   

Responding to the Statement by the Chair of the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee on the Committee's Forward Work Programme including Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Unaccompanied Children, Mr Isherwood, who is hosting and sponsoring the ‘Sanctuary in the Senedd’ event with the Welsh Refugee Council on 7 December, when Members can meet asylum seekers and refugees from across Wales, spoke on the issue in the Assembly.

He said: “Obviously, references have been made to the horribly named Jungle camp in Calais and the fact that that’s closing down.

"The Children’s Commissioner for England has previously said that about 300 children there, from countries like Syria and Afghanistan, will come to the UK.

"We know that, last week, British and French officials began registering unaccompanied children in the camp who are hoping to join relatives in Britain. Do you have any indication if those figures are accurate or can you perhaps drill down to try and establish the number? If it is 300, or more, what proportion will be in Wales?

“Similarly, the Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, has said the UK Government is, to quote, ‘moving quickly’. She wants as many children as possible brought to the UK before the camp is shut. But the charity Safe Passage UK, which is working with the UK Government, says it’s not yet been shown any operational plans setting out how the children will be transferred. Again, could you look at the operational plans as they develop, not only with the UK Government but with the Welsh Government, in terms of the settlement here?

“I have represented people, with a number of councils, and there have been different approaches, but above all, the key points raised are, for example, in Wrexham—which has already agreed to accept people (under the Syrian Refugee Settlement Scheme) —the need for language support and, in Flintshire, for full language and curriculum support in schools, supporting integration of families into local communities, as well as the hard-end issues such as housing and health.”

Mr Isherwood added: “As a Wrexham Council representative said, we have a proud tradition of welcoming people in need, but as Gwynedd Council, which has already welcomed people from Syria, have told me, they must be sure before accepting unaccompanied children that we are able to provide a stable and sustainable environment, and as Flintshire Council stated: “the bigger challenges will be to integrate families into local communities, remembering that people will be mentally and emotionally scarred by their experience and will be in need of empathy and support.”

Signs of the times at Llan Museum

Local traditional sign writer David Kynaston will be giving a talk in Llangollen Museum this Wednesday at 7.30pm.

David grew up locally and it was in art classes at school he developed his love of "lettering".

Now he is known internationally and travels the world sign writing and doing workshops.

He is responsible for almost all the beautiful signs around Llangollen.

All welcome. Admission £3 to include tea/ coffee.

Ambulance service launches promises to older people

* Alison Johnstone, Patient Experience & Community

Involvement Manager, holds up the Welsh

Ambulance Service’s Promises to Older People.

THE WELSH Ambulance Service has launched a list of promises to older people who use its services.

Over the last few months members of the Trust’s Patient Experience and Community Involvement team have engaged with hundreds of older people to find out how they would like to be treated.

There are over 800,000 people in Wales aged 60 or over, which accounts for more than a quarter of our population. 

This is expected to rise to over one million people in the next 20 years.

‘Our Promises to Older People’ was launched to coincide with International Day of Older Persons and includes pledges to treat older people with dignity and respect, provide good information and communication if a patient has sensory loss and to recognise the signs of people with dementia.

The Trust was recently shortlisted in the final of the Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friendly Awards for its work to help patients with dementia in the Swansea area.

Claire Bevan, Executive Director of Quality, Safety and Patient Experience for the Welsh Ambulance Service, said that the promises will help the Trust to focus on the individual care needs of older people across Wales.

She said: “We know that a high number of older people use our services regularly, whether calling 999 in a medical emergency or using our Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service for hospital appointments. 

“We want to make sure that the services we provide meet individual needs of older people and to ensure that they have a good experience when in our care.

“Our Promises to Older People are important to us, and we would like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation for their contribution to inform the development of Our Promises for Older People.”

The list of promises has been hailed as an example of good practice by Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira.

She said: “‘Our Promises to Older People’ is an excellent example of how to communicate with older people and their families in a way that is both meaningful and relevant.

“Setting out these commitments in such an accessible format, with a strong focus on values and outcomes, makes clear the high standards older people have a right to expect when accessing services provided by the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust.

“I have written to the Cabinet Minister for Health to highlight ‘Our Promises to Older People’ as an example of good practice and hope that other service providers across Wales will soon adopt similar approaches to communicate with those who use and rely upon their services.”

Llan Youth Band provide play area fanfare

* The Youth Band playing at Pontfadog.

Members of Llangollen Youth Band were delighted to play at the unveiling of a new children’s play area in Pontfadog on Thursday, October 20.

The grand opening was a celebration of four years of fundraising by the local community, led by Pontfadog resident Rachel Maries.

Amongst the members of the youth ensemble was Rachel’s son, Tom, who plays tuba in both the Youth and Senior Bands.

The honour of opening the play area went to Wales rugby international, Rupert Moon.

The band played a number of Welsh classics such as 'Men of Harlech' and 'All through the Night'.

A spokesman for the band said: “We were delighted to be able to send members of our talented Youth Band to the opening of the new children’s play area in Pontfadog.

"Our congratulations go to all that have been involved in the fundraising efforts and we hope that local children enjoy the new facility for years to come."