Councils' parking "profits" highlighted

* The Market Street council car park.

Local authorities in Wales made a combined surplus – or ‘profit’ - of £13.8 million on their parking activities in the last financial year. 

The figure for 2015-16 was a 14% increase on the £12.1 million surplus made in 2014-15.

Between them, the 22 councils in Wales had parking income of £35.8 million in 2015-16, a rise of 5.6% on the previous financial year. Income includes on- and off-street parking charges and penalty charges.

However, Denbighshire’s surplus for 2015-16 of £458,000 was down 5% on the previous financial year’s £484,000.

Total expenditure on running parking activities was £22 million, a 0.9% increase on the previous financial year.

The total surplus is the difference between the income and expenditure figures.

The rise in surplus is the third annual increase in a row and a 60% increase on the figure for 2012-13 (£8.6 million).

The data analysed by the RAC Foundation comes from the official returns made in a standardised format to the Welsh Government on an annual basis. 

Looked at individually, 19 of the 22 councils showed surpluses.

The biggest ‘profit’ was made by Cardiff (£3.5 million), followed by Swansea (£2.4 million) and then Gwynedd (£1.4 million).

Three councils reported losses on their parking activities: Flintshire (£423,000), Blaenau Gwent (£310,000) and Torfaen (£81,000).

The most ‘efficient’ council was Monmouthshire where the ratio of income (£1.42 million) to expenditure (£490,000) was 2.9.

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: “Overall council parking profits in Wales are up sharply again this year, possibly reflecting a recovering economy with people using their cars more.

“It is important that the surplus is ploughed back into transport projects – there are plenty on Welsh motorists’ wish-lists, not least the ongoing campaign to tackle potholes. 

“Some cash could also go towards providing and maintaining off-street car parks, so that they are seen by drivers as a safe and convenient alternative to finding space at the kerbside. 

“While we don’t want our towns and cities dominated by the car, we must remember how dependent many people still are on them. In several areas of Wales – including Blaenau Gwent, Neath Port Talbot and Torfaen – more than 80% of those in employment rely on the car to get to work, some of the highest proportions in Britain.”

- See more at: http://www.racfoundation.org/media-centre/welsh-council-parking-profits-up-for-third-year#sthash.qB9kF43H.dpuf

Ambulance service gears up for winter months

THE Welsh Ambulance Service has revealed its action plan to protect patients and improve staff experience during the winter.

The Trust has been busy preparing for the expected seasonal increase in pressures, which impacts services across NHS Wales.

Last year’s winter demand has been analysed and a National Winter Plan has been created, along with seven localised plans for each health board area.

In total 20 new Emergency Medical Technicians, 12 new paramedics and 15 new members of Urgent Care Service crew will start work with the Trust.

An additional five ‘Hear and Treat’ clinicians will also be in place within Clinical Contact Centres from December to provide advice to callers who do not have serious or life threatening conditions.

Other initiatives include the training and deployment of Community First Responders to help non-injured fallers, and the placement of clinicians within police control rooms to triage calls and make sure appropriate resources are sent to the scene of incidents.

Richard Lee, Director of Operations, said: “During the winter we want to make sure that our patients receive the best clinical care possible and that our staff are working in a safe environment, during a period when services right across the NHS come under increased pressure.

“This year we will be entering the New Year with as full an establishment as the service has ever seen in terms of staffing.

“Managers are being freed up to spend more time with staff and patients on ambulances and plans are in place to increase support from St John Ambulance for low acuity calls and some private ambulance services at key points in the winter.”

One of the risks to the plan’s success is handover delays at hospitals, which have been taken into account and preparations put in place to mitigate them.

Richard Lee added: “We are working with the seven local health boards to provide Hospital Ambulance Liaison Officers to help with this and manage ambulances left waiting outside Emergency Departments.

“As part of improved escalation arrangements, local plans are being strengthened by agreeing the use of additional capacity vehicles, which will be used to safely hold patients outside Emergency Departments at times of extreme pressure and allow our ambulance crews to get back on the road.

“We also have in place a new demand management plan which lays out clear actions for control staff when demand exceeds supply.”

During the winter, while the number of 999 calls the Trust receives increases, the amount which are coded as life-threatening generally remains static.

Richard Lee called on members of the public to support the NHS Wales Choose Well campaign and consider other services unless they are facing a genuine emergency.

He said: “We need your help to make sure that we can attend to those in the community who need us most, such as patients experiencing a cardiac arrest or choking.

“Unless you are in need of urgent care, there are a whole host of alternative services available to you such as your GP, Out of Hours, pharmacies, minor injury units or you can call NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47 for health advice 24 hours a day.”

MP has her say on bank closure protocol

* Susan Elan Jones MP presents the Corwen banking petition in the House of Commons.

Susan Elan Jones MP has welcomed the inclusion of some key suggestions she made into a nation-wide protocol about bank closures.

Last month she me with Sir Russel Griggs, the man commissioned to produce an independent review and made her detailed recommendations then.

Sir Russell's review 'Access to Banking Protocol - One Year On Review' has just been published and includes the following points suggested by the Clwyd South Labour MP:

-  Regular cash collections from business customers: "Banks consider coming together and offer a generic cash pick up services for businesses across the UK"

- "All banks ensure that their customers are aware of what they can do at the Post Office in terms of their banking transactions"

- Specially trained staff are designated, in particular to work with older customers

Ms Jones MP, who yesterday (Thursday) presented a petition in Parliament on behalf of Corwen residents concerned at the local effect of bank closures, said: "I have been meeting many local businesses and residents and decided to put together some detailed proposals for Sir Russell in my meeting with him.

"I am pleased to see a number of my suggestions are now in the new national protocol. The importance of Sir Russell's review is that it is backed by the British Bankers Association and all the major banks have signed up to it.

"I will now be in contact with all banks which have closed in our area to see how they will be helping our local residents and implementing it. Having closed the banks in the first place, it is only right now that they do more to help local businesses and individuals."

Councillor given reason for balloon festival move

* A balloon over Llangollen in September.

County councillor Stuart Davies says he has heard back from the organisers of the Welsh International Balloon Festival which is moving out of Llangollen and into neighbouring Shropshire. 

Earlier this week the British Ironwork Centre near Oswestry dropped the bombshell news that it would be hosting the popular event, run by Nightingale House Hospice in aid of its funds, next August bank holiday.

Cllr Davies described the move as a “big loss” to Llangollen as the festival had attracted 7,000 people – both to the Pavilion field where it was held and the town centre – in September.  

And he promised to find out the reason for the decision.

On social media yesterday he said: “The lady from Nightingale House has called me to explain. They have been made an offer.

“The Ironwork Centre is going to run the event for them. A win win situation for a very worthy cause.

“I explained that I wished they had talked to me first to see if we could have helped so that the event could have taken place in Llangollen.

“She apologised for the news going out prematurely but it had been beyond their control.

“She said that the event is not going to be called the Welsh International Balloon Festival, that it would not be fair to take the name away from Llangollen.

“I reiterated that if they were thinking of doing another event in the future then please to talk to us first. Part of the conversation was about other things we could do.

“I wish a very worthy cause well and urge us all to continue to support them.” 

He told llanblogger: “I have to look at the bigger picture which means looking at the impact of losing an event which can bring 7,000 people into our town with all the benefits that that brings to local businesses - although there is the downside of the parking situation.

“I am having top level talks with our people to ensure that in the future we are more proactive, corporately, in engaging with big players that can bring business to our town.”

Have your say on empty homes charging plans

Denbighshire County Council is urging residents to have their say on a proposal to charge additional council tax on long-term empty properties and second homes in the county.

The Housing (Wales) Act 2014 gives all councils in Wales the powers to charge the additional council tax and a number of authorities across the country have already implemented the change.

The Welsh Government has introduced these new powers to help Councils encourage homeowners not to unnecessarily leave their properties empty and unoccupied for long periods of time. The powers are also intended to encourage homeowners to bring long term empty and second homes back into use for the benefit of the local community and economy.

Now the council is asking for views on how it should implement these powers from 1 April 2018.

A second home is classed as a dwelling which is not a person’s sole or main home and is substantially furnished. A long – term property is a dwelling which is unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for a continuous period of at least one year.

Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Cabinet Lead Member for Finance, said: “The Welsh Government has introduced these new powers to help Councils encourage homeowners not to unnecessarily leave their properties empty and unoccupied for long periods of time.

“The powers are also intended to encourage homeowners to bring long term empty and second homes back into use for the benefit of the local community and economy. Developing the local economy and creating vibrant communities is a key priority for the Council and this initiative will assist to realise this ambition.

“We are encouraging people interested in this matter to share their views."

You can have your say by completing a short online survey on www.denbighshire.gov.uk/consultations or by sending  an email to:  Itesh.consultation@denbighshire.gov.uk

Alternatively, people can write to the Council at: Contracts & Performance, Finance Department, Denbighshire County Council, PO Box 62, Ruthin, LL15 9AZ or phone 01824 706006

The consultation runs until December 14^th and the findings will be reported to a meeting of the Full Council in early 2017.

AM hails older people as "everyday heroes"

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has described older people in Wales as “everyday heroes” and urged the Welsh Government to introduce an Older People’s Rights Bill to extend and promote their rights.

During the Welsh Conservative Debate on Older People in the Assembly chamber, Mr Isherwood (pictured) emphasised the "huge contribution" older people make, through work, activism, volunteering and community work, caring for families and providing childcare, but said that despite this they are often overlooked by society.

He said: “They deserve dignity and respect, independence and the freedom to make decisions about their own lives.

“As Age Cymru states, negative attitudes towards older people and ageing are pervasive in our society, based on inaccurate stereotypes, and assumptions about a person’s ability and competence due to their age.

“They add that the Welsh Government should further explore what role the introduction of a Bill of Rights for Older People could play.

“I therefore commend the call in our Motion for the introduction of an Older People's Rights Bill, to extend and promote the rights of older people – and for a duty on public sector bodies to consult older people when making decisions which affect their live."

He added: “Our 2016 Manifesto stated a Welsh Conservative Government would implement a £400 weekly cap on residential care, and protect £100,000 of assets for those in residential care. The Welsh Government’s failure to do the same is regrettable.” 

AM hails older people as "everyday heroes"

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has described older people in Wales as “everyday heroes” and urged the Welsh Government to introduce an Older People’s Rights Bill to extend and promote their rights.

During the Welsh Conservative Debate on Older People in he Assembly chamber, Mr Isherwood (pictured) emphasised the "huge contribution" older people make, through work, activism, volunteering and community work, caring for families and providing childcare, but said that despite this they are often overlooked by society.

He said: “They deserve dignity and respect, independence and the freedom to make decisions about their own lives.

“As Age Cymru states, negative attitudes towards older people and ageing are pervasive in our society, based on inaccurate stereotypes, and assumptions about a person’s ability and competence due to their age.

“They add that the Welsh Government should further explore what role the introduction of a Bill of Rights for Older People could play.

“I therefore commend the call in our Motion for the introduction of an Older People's Rights Bill, to extend and promote the rights of older people – and for a duty on public sector bodies to consult older people when making decisions which affect their live."

He added: “Our 2016 Manifesto stated a Welsh Conservative Government would implement a £400 weekly cap on residential care, and protect £100,000 of assets for those in residential care. The Welsh Government’s failure to do the same is regrettable.” 

Christmas quiz in aid of disabled children

Councillor wants answers over balloon festival `switch'

* A balloon in flight over Llangollen at this year's festival.

A Llangollen county councillor says he aims to find out exactly why the town appears to have lost one of its biggest crowd-pulling events.

The Border Counties Advertizer is reporting today that the Wales International Balloon Festival, which has been held on Llangollen Pavilion field since 1997, will be staged instead at the British Ironwork Centre in Oswestry over the bank holiday weekend next August.

Although bosses at the Ironworks told the newspaper they are “excited” about the move there is no indication in the story about why the switch is being made.

Cllr Stuart Davies said: “If this is the case it is certainly a big loss to Llangollen, especially after getting the event back this September after it had been away from the town for a few years.

“I’ve heard an estimate that there were 7,000 people on the field over the weekend and that people were also spending money in the town.”

He added: “I intend to speak to the organisers to check this out and to find out what has caused them to move elsewhere.

“It’s seems ironic that an event called the Wales International Balloon Festival is now apparently going to be held in England.”  

The Advertizer story says that the festival will take place on the weekend of August 26 and 27 and will be held in collaboration with Lindstrands.

Per Lindstrand first appeared on the international ballooning scene in 1978 and then went on to create Lindstrand Technologies Ltd based in Oswestry.

He is well-known for his record-breaking hot air balloon flights and for his attempts to be the first to fly a Rozière balloon around the earth with Sir Richard Branson.

Sophia Knowles, the operations director at the British Ironwork Centre, is quoted in the story as saying: “Shropshire is such a beautiful, scenic county, it really is a wonderful area to embark on a balloon flight.

“We are very excited about this event.”

The event will raise funds for Nightingale House Hospice, in Wrexham which provides specialist palliative care service for patients with life-limiting illness across Shropshire and beyond.

* See the full Advertizer story at: http://bordercountiesadvertizer.co.uk/news/169119/british-ironwork-centre-to-host-popular-wales-international-balloon-festival-in-2017.aspx

County puts Christmas shopping in the frame

* Carys on set.

Denbighshire County Council has produced a short film to highlight what is on offer for shoppers on local high streets during the festive period.

The two-minute clip features the story of a family completing their Christmas shopping in Denbighshire with all gifts bought from local traders in the county.

The film also features a ‘magical’ twist, a special mystery star as well as giant six-foot teddy bear Carys, made especially for the video by Sarah Chapman of Bilberry Bears in Llandegla.

The video will be launched on November 24 and will be available to view on Denbighshire County Council’s website, YouTube and social media.

A competition will be launched to win the bear, with full details to be revealed after the launch of the video.

Leader of Denbighshire, Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, said: “The aim of the video is to showcase the wealth of local businesses we have here in the county.

“Shoppers don’t have to leave the county to get what they need for Christmas, everything from bespoke gifts to everyday essentials are all available right here in Denbighshire.

“The purpose of the film is to encourage and inspire local people in Denbighshire to think about visiting their local shops before shopping online or visiting shops outside of the county.

“Money spent locally stays in the local economy and benefits everyone in Denbighshire.

“This film is a really heart-warming Christmas tale which will keep viewers well and truly entertained.

“The great thing about this short film is that everything is local, the actors are local, the shops are local, everything featured is local.”

The film also features stunning aerial footage filmed across Denbighshire.

Tudor Jones, aged 48, is the owner of Trefor Jones clothes shop in Ruthin, a family-run business which has been open for 39 years and one of the locations used in the film.

He said: “Local shops offer something different. People need to see what is on their high streets, we are asking for a chance. People will often go out of the county without thinking of their local stores first.”

Mark Davies, aged 56, is the owner of Rhuddlan Models, another location used in the film.

He said: “It is important to remind shoppers what is available in the locality. It is important to get that message out.

“People should give small businesses a chance. A lot of the time they sell products at the same price as online retailers but without postage costs. We offer a face to face service. If you buy from a local shop, the money stays local.”

As well as supporting local businesses by producing the Christmas video, Denbighshire County Council is offering free parking at council-run car parks after 3pm throughout December and is continuing to run its #LoveLiveLocal shopping campaign. 

A483 closed due to police incident - "body discovered"

Wrexham.com is reporting this morning that the A483 towards Chirk is currently closed due to a police incident involving concerns for the safety of a person in the area.

Motorists are being advised to avoid the area if possible, with the A483 Chirk and Halton Bridge closed due to the incident.

UPDATE:

Wrexham.com is now reporting that a man's body was later found in the area.

See the story at:

http://www.wrexham.com/news/mans-body-found-after-chirk-a483-search-122683.html

Friends of the Earth film show planned

Llangollen Friends of the Earth has a special film showing at St Collen's Community Hall early next month. For details, see below ...

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."