Watchdog responds to row over health services

A watchdog body has given a measured response to claims that health chiefs have “jumped the gun” by making changes to some local services - including those at Llangollen Cottage Hospoital - earlier than expected.    

However, the Community Health Council concedes the changes made some people disappointed and even angry.

llanblogger reported on Tuesday that minor injuries services are to be withdrawn from Llangollen Cottage Hospital over the next two weeks 

The Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) also revealed that, since Monday of this week, the hospital has been accepting no new admissions and that its staff are being re-deployed to other units.  

The Abbey Road hospital  is earmarked for closure as part of a major shake-up of health services approved by the board last month.  

But the two moves have come as a surprise blow to campaigners fighting to retain health services in Llangollen who thought they would have longer before the changes went into effect – at least until they had been fully considered by patients’ watchdog body, the Community Health Council (CHC), which has until March 1 to decide on whether to formally object to the change proposals.  

A spokesperson for campaign group Keep Llangollen Health Services (KLHS) said the moves made a “mockery” of the consultation process. 

BCUHB said the moves had been made because “There is a risk that other services could become more difficult to operate safely as staff start to look at alternative roles and opportunities within the Health Board.”  

Now, in its own response to the developments, the Community Health Council has issued a statement which says:  “Representatives of the CHC were at the Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board meeting on Friday 18th January to hear its decisions about proposals to change some health services in North Wales.  

“The Health Board has changed some of its plans in response to what the CHC and others said during the consultation – and we are very pleased about that.” 

It goes on: “A special meeting of the CHC’s Executive Committee was held on the 28th January 2013. This meeting was convened to give CHC members the opportunity to raise any further representations following the health board’s decisions on service changes.  

“The CHC is aware that the health board has now decided to implement some of the changes to services and that in some cases these changes have been undertaken on the grounds of patient safety.  

“Under the Guidance for Engagement for and Consultation on changes to health services, the health board can legally effect service changes and is not obliged to wait for the CHC’s final response on other issues.  

“The CHC has had many calls from people who are very disappointed - indeed angry that the board has turned its face against arguments made against some of its plans.  

“Our job now is to talk through the health board’s final decisions and the CHC is responsible for assessing the proposals in a detailed and consistent way.  

“If the CHC refers any of the decisions to the Minister, we will be called to explain to an independent panel exactly why we think they are not in the interest of local people or the health service. This is why the CHC has matched every proposal to the criteria it set out several months ago. And we will do the same for this final set of decisions. 

“We have until the 1st March 2013 to complete this work and decide whether we should lodge any formal objections.”

New plan to promote town as events venue

* Llangollen and the pavilion are to be newly promoted as events venues.

A blueprint for freshly promoting Llangollen as an events and conference venue will be unveiled during a special showcase session at the end of March.

That was the message from Llangollen Pavilion’s venue director, Bicki Shenton-Morris, as she spoke to members of the town’s Chamber of Trade and Tourism at their meeting at the Hand Hotel on Monday evening.

She outlined to them a new strategy by Denbighshire County Council to improve promotion of the whole town as an event destination and the pavilion for larger events.  

This will home in on the area’s strengths, such as its beautiful landscape, heritage and tradition, ease of access, value for money, and range of outdoor activities and special experiences. 

It is believed the area is capable of attracting a wide range of events. 

These include meetings and conferences such as those relating to heritage, transport, music and the arts, exhibitions and trade shows and outdoor events like mountain biking, walking and canoeing. 

However, Ms Shenton-Morris said that the town’s lack of a major hotel - larger than those already in Llangollen – put it at a disadvantage when it comes to attracting the larger-scale conferences.  

The new strategy forsees closer working between potential event venues and local attractions. 

Ms Shenton-Morris explained this could mean that if a Thomas the Tank Engine event was being held at Llangollen Railway, a toy train fair might be arranged at the pavilion. 

She said there could also be more co-ordination when it came to transport links, such as promoting the ease of accessibility between Ruabon railway station and Llangollen. 

To boost the new strategy there will be a new website, possibility with links to local B&Bs, guest houses and hotels, and new promotional leaflets and brochures are also being produced. 

The whole strategy is due to be outlined to events arrangers and other decision makers at a launch event to be held at the end of March.  

·        Last month llanblogger carried a story in which Llangollen resident Alan Found expressed concern that the pavilion was being under used. 

He pointed to official county council figures which revealed that from April 2011 to 2012 the pavilion projected a loss (or subsidy) of £183,611 and for 2012 to 2013 a loss (or subsidy) of £159,611.  

Mr Founds said: “Surely this facility should be a major contributor to the economy not a burden. Every weekend of the year should see the Pavilion full and buzzing, providing jobs and making a major contribution to the Llangollen economy through hotel room, restaurant and shopping sales.” 

At the time, a county council spokesman responded that the pavilion’s programme “continues to grow and develop”.

Banners on the A5 aim to promote the town

* Promotional banners will be fitted to lampposts down the A5 near

 the lights by the chamber. 

Llangollen Chamber of Trade and Tourism is to spend £2,000 on installing promotional banners in the town centre. 

However, half of this sum will be come from Denbighshire County Council. 

The chamber believes it will help boost tourism to the town if promotional banners are fixed to lampposts along the main A5 route through Llangollen and in the shopping  thoroughfare of Castle Street. 

After checking out the cost, chair John Palmer reported back to members at their meeting in the Hand Hotel on Monday night that 20 banners will cost about £2,000 to produce and hang from poles fitted to lampposts.  

They will bear a welcome message to potential tourists and the chamber gave the go-ahead for a designer to come up with ideas for how they will actually look. 

A representative of the county council at the meeting said Denbighshire would contribute £1,000 towards the cost of the exercise. 

John Palmer said: “People have said the town is looking a little tired, so this will brighten it up a bit.”

Cautious welcome for road casualty figures

Clwyd South Assembly member Ken Skates has given a cautious welcome to new statistics which show that the number of casualties on North Wales roads has fallen over the last year.

Data released by the Welsh Government shows that casualties resulting from personal injury road accidents in North Wales has fallen 8% over the last year and by 47% since the mid 1990s.

However, the AM said the figures needed to be treated carefully as the number of casualties has risen in the third quarter of 2012.

He called for a renewed focus on road safety and said important blackspots still needed to be tackled in North Wales.

Mr Skates said: “The figures show a reduction in the numbers of casualties on North Wales roads over the last year and a substantial reduction since the 1990s. This is welcome and shows the messages about road safety are starting to get through.

“However, we do need to keep a strong focus on road safety and bring down the numbers of people who are still being injured and killed each year on roads in this part of the country.

“Unfortunately in North Wales we still have some major problem areas. For example we have seen too many tragic deaths in the last decade on ‘B’ roads which attract a high number of bikers, and we continue to see fatalities along the A55.

“We also need to do more work to tackle particular accident blackspots, such as along sections of the A483. These will require further investment and infrastructure changes over the next few years.

“The Transport Minister Carl Sargeant has proposed ambitious targets for casualty reduction as part of a new approach to road safety until 2020, such as a 65% reduction in the number of children killed or seriously injured on our roads.

“Having made progress we must continue to work towards reducing the numbers of casualties on our roads. Local Government road safety budgets must be given better protection in these times of austerity if we are to continue to cut the numbers of people injured and killed on North Wales roads.”

Council seeks summit over health shake-up

A top level meeting between councillors and the chief executive of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB)  Mary Burrows, Denbighshire's chief executive Mohammed Mehmet and social services director Sally Ellis is to be convened to go through a number of concerns raised in light of the board's proposed service changes across the region.

The concerns among county council members centre on transition arrangements as the board prepares to close some services and facilities before any guarantee of funding for new capital investment is in place or temporary services established.

They are also concerned about the level of support for carers, transport and travel arrangements, the potential cost to the council as more services are moved out of the hospital setting and into people's homes and the future of Ysbyty Glan Clwyd as a District General Hospital.

After a three hour debate earlier today (Tuesday) councillors agreed that after the meeting with
Mary Burrows they will report back to members at the next full council on February 26 and will look again at taking a vote of no confidence if they are not satisfied with the responses they receive.

Cabinet Lead Member Bobby Feeley said: "We have agreed to a last ditch effort to have a high level meeting with CEO Mary Burrows to bring forward our concerns.

"On balance, we think it's preferable to keep the dialogue going until absolutely every avenue has been explored and we will report back to the next full council with the results."

* Commenting on Betsi Cadwaladr's confirmation of minor injury unit closures in Llangollen, Chirk, Flint, Ruthin, Colwyn Bay and Blaenau Ffestiniog within two weeks, Shadow Minister for Health Darren Millar AM said: “Today’s announcement is premature.

"The Community Health Council has until March the first to object to the board’s reforms and refer them to the Minister.

“Railroading closures through at this stage sends out a message of arrogance and indifference.

“Public views have already been discarded by health bosses in the region and today’s decisions require urgent examination.”

Services start to be withdrawn from Llan Hospital

llanblogger exclusive

Minor injuries services are to be withdrawn from Llangollen Cottage Hospital over the next two weeks, according to the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board  (BCUHB).

The board has also revealed to llanblogger today (Monday) that since yesterday the hospital has been accepting no new admissions and that its staff are being re-deployed to other units.  

The Abbey Road hospital (pictured right) is earmarked for closure as part of a major shake-up of health services approved by the board last month. 

But the two moves have come as a surprise blow to campaigners fighting to retain health services in Llangollen who thought they would have longer before the changes went into effect – at least until they had been fully considered by patients’ watchdog body, the Community Health Council (CHC), which has until March 1 to decide on whether to formally object to the change proposals. 

However, this morning, unofficial word came from the CHC that the run-down of services at the hospital had already begun. 

llanblogger therefore asked BCUHB to confirm if this was the case. 

In a statement the board said: “At the meeting of the Health Board on 18th January it was decided to move forward with changes to the way some health services are delivered in North Wales. Planning is now underway to enable these changes to take place. 

“Understandably, the prospect of change creates uncertainty for staff and service users. Some services, such as minor injuries, already suffer periodic disruption due to staffing difficulties.  

“There is a risk that other services could become more difficult to operate safely as staff start to look at alternative roles and opportunities within the Health Board. 

“It has therefore been agreed that: 

“ • Minor Injuries Services will be consolidated in the hospital hubs over the next two weeks. This will ensure we can offer a dependable, 7 day per week service at the hospital hubs, further supported by the services at Bryn Beryl and Tywyn Hospitals.  

“Minor Injuries services will therefore no longer be available at Llangollen, Chirk, Flint, Ruthin, Colwyn Bay and Blaenau Ffestiniog Hospitals.

“ • Changes to X-ray services will go ahead as soon as possible, subject to the need to tie in with outpatient clinics that have already been booked. 

“ • Detailed planning to set up Enhanced Care at Home services across North Wales will start immediately. 

“ • From Monday 4th February staff at Flint, Llangollen and Prestatyn Hospitals will start their process of redeployment to strengthen other community and hospital services. This means new admissions to these hospitals will cease. Admissions to Blaenau Ffestiniog Hospital will continue at present.

 

“At the moment the Community Health Council is considering its response to our planned changes and we fully respect their position.

“However, we have to balance this with safety of services, our use of resources and our desire to implement the planned service improvements.

“The Board will continue to work with the Community Health Council over the next few weeks to address any outstanding concerns but it is right that, where appropriate, we move forward without undue delay.”

Llyr Gruffydd, North Wales Plaid Cymru Assembly Member, who has been prominent in the campaign to safeguard health services locally in Llangollen, said:  “It’s astounding that the health board has decided to close community health facilities including X-ray services, in-patient beds and minor injury provision without waiting for the Community Health Council’s final response.  

“The CHC, which is a statutory watchdog, has expressed grave concerns over a number of changes being proposed by Betsi Cadwaladr and this rush to closure seems to be ignoring those concerns completely.

“It’s also a snub to health minister Lesley Griffiths, who only this week announced that the buck stopped with her regarding any NHS changes.

“Will she now intervene to prevent community hospitals such as Llangollen and Flint from closing?”

A spokesperson for campaign group Keep Llangollen Health Services (KLHS) said: "The Health Board is closing hospitals despite the Community Health Council still pondering its final decision. This makes a mockery of the whole consultation process. We’ve got evidence that the health board planned for Llangollen to lose its rehabilitation unit back in October,while the public meetings for the consultation was still taking place!

"Patients have told us that they were denied blood tests in November because the hospital was closing and now we have this, further evidence that the consultation process was part of a stage-managed smoke and mirrors act.

"The Health Board has lost all credibility. Our health services are neither safe nor sustainable in their hands and the Health Minister must intervene as a matter of urgency."

Police warn over petrol cash scam

Police are warning motorists on the A483 and A55 to be on their guard against a scam which involves a motorist claiming to have run out of petrol.

There have been a number of incidents on the A483 near Ruabon and Wrexham in recent weeks where a car is parked towards the top of A483 off slips, usually with the bonnet propped open.

The male motorist flags down cars claiming to be out of fuel and without access to cash.

He will offer to sell jewellery in return for cash or just ask for £10 or £20 and will then offer to give the motorist a ring, which looks silver or gold, as a token of appreciation.

A similar scam has been reported in other parts of the country including Shropshire.

Suspected fraud can be reported on the Action Fraud website http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/roadside-jewellery-scam-oct10

.

Chamber backs judicial review of Sainsbury's plan

Llangollen Chamber of Trade and Tourism has given its backing to a bid for a judicial review of how Denbighshire County Council handled planning applications for a Sainsbury’s supermarket in the town.

However, at their meeting on Monday evening, chamber members expressed their reservations about how much the legal process might cost.

They also discussed the possibility of taking their own “straw poll” of local traders to see how they feel about developers having “gone back on their word” about now incorporating a café in the new supermarket.

And they are considering inviting a senior manager from Sainsbury’s to a future chamber meeting to outline the company’s position.

Seeking a judicial review of the planning process used to determine the store application is the idea of community group Keep Llangollen Special (KLS).

KLS says it hopes to ask a judge to look at whether there is a case to put before the High Court examining the way permission was granted last year for the 20,000 square foot store on land off the A5 currently occupied by the Dobson & Crowther printworks.

The chamber originally supported the store scheme on the basis it would not include a café, delicatessen or butchers to protect local businesses offering the same services.

Then, after the original permission was granted last October, the condition banning a café was removed.

This prompted the chamber to claim in a statement issued a few weeks ago that this move had left its members feeling “cheated” by the process.

KLS has now sent out a formal invitation for the chamber to support the judicial review and this was considered by chamber members at their Hand Hotel meeting on Monday.

Chamber chair John Palmer claimed the café would be a threat to those in Llangollen town centre.

He said: “It will be about two-thirds of the size of the one at Sainsbury’s in Wrexham, so it’s going to be quite big. It’s also going to be providing food.

“We are very disappointed about Sainsbury’s going back on their word that no café would be included.”  

A suggestion that a top Sainsbury’s official be invited along to a chamber meeting to explain his company’s position was believed to be worthy of consideration.

While some members expressed their support for a judicial review, a number queried the cost of mounting such a legal challenge.

Phil Thane, a town councillor and KLS member who sits in on chamber meetings as an observer, agreed it could be costly, adding: “If KLS don’t get support from traders in the town and they don’t put their money where their mouth is, we’ll have to give up the idea.”

The chamber voted the support the judicial review in principle but with reservations about its cost.

Also supported was a suggestion from a member that the chamber carries out a straw poll of town traders to see how they now feel about the whole supermarket question.    

Meanwhile, KLS is also seeking support for its judicial review call from Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates.

Group chair Mike Edwards said:  “We have investigated and taken legal advice from Planning Aid Wales.

“Step one can be taken at nominal cost, but we do have support from a significant retailer in town together with the backing of various affected independent traders in Llangollen.”

Denbighshire County Council said in a recent statement on the issue: “All of the planning applications relating to the food store development in Llangollen have followed a due process of consultation, assessment and determination by the elected members of the planning committee.”

Llan wakes up to covering of snow

* This morning's snow settles on the hill leading up to Castell Dinas Bran.

Llangollen woke up to a thin covering of snow this morning (Tuesday) as predicted in the weather forecast.

More of the white stuff could be heading our way later, according to the forecasters.

Arriva axes X94 evening bus services

Arriva Cymru is making changes to the X94 Barmouth-Dolgellau-Bala-Corwen-Llangollen-Wrexham bus service after last operation on Saturday, March 9.

From March 11, Arriva has said that it can no longer operate evening services.

Arriva currently runs these commercially (without the benefit of a public tender) and revenue is no longer covering the costs of these journeys.

The Welsh Government and Denbighshire and Gwynedd Councils have sought expressions of interest for a replacement evening service.

Tenders have now closed but the responses are still subject to evaluation.

This process will include the likely cost per passenger given usage in the evenings. Passenger transport budgets are already under pressure at both authorities.

Once evaluated, members of both Councils will need to consider whether the deficit after any Welsh Government funding represents value for money.

There are no substantial changes to daytime services from 11 March, although some journeys are retimed and the earliest departure at 0458 from Dolgellau to Wrexham, very recently introduced, will be withdrawn.

Services will continue to operate via the villages of Cynwyd, Llandrillo and Llandderfel. This includes any evening service replacements.

The Sunday service, operated by GHA Coaches, is unaffected.

KLS to seek judicial review of supermarket plan

* The Dobson & Crowther site which is earmarked for a new Sainsbury's store. 

llanblogger exclusive

A community group is planning to seek a judicial review of how Denbighshire County Council handled planning applications for a Sainsbury’s supermarket in Llangollen.

Keep Llangollen Special (KLS) says it hopes to ask a judge to examine whether there is a case to put before the High Court examining the way permission was granted last year for the 20,000 square foot store on land off the A5 currently occupied by the Dobson & Crowther printworks.

The controversial plan has split public opinion in the town.

Llangollen Chamber of Tourism and Trade originally supported the store scheme on the basis it would not include a café, delicatessen or butchers, to protect local businesses offering the same services.

Then, after the original permission was granted last October, the condition banning a café was removed by the county's planning committee.

The chamber claimed in a statement issued a few weeks ago that this move had left its members feeling “cheated” by the process.

Now KLS is hoping to enlist the support of the chamber in its own bid to launch a judicial review of the issue, and has asked chamber members to voice their backing for the move at their meeting tonight (Monday).

KLS is also seeking support for the review call from Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates.

Group chair Mike Edwards said:  “We have investigated and taken legal advice from Planning Aid Wales.

“One of our members has a Phd in law and she has researched judicial review and it is possible to move to step one, which is asking a judge to examine whether there is a case to be put before the High Court.

“Step one can be taken at nominal cost, but we do have support from a significant retailer in town together with the backing of various affected independent traders in Llangollen.

“We are hopeful that the Chamber of Trade & Tourism will also fully support us in this action.

“We have made a similar approach to Ken Skates AM. 

“There are various ways of obtaining professional legal representation when we proceed to a hearing and we would be applying for a legal costs protection order as a charity and community organisation.”

Denbighshire County Council said in a recent statement on the issue: “All of the planning applications relating to the food store development in Llangollen have followed a due process of consultation, assessment and determination by the elected members of the planning committee. 

“Decisions have been made having regard to all representations received and in accordance with adopted planning policies and guidance.”

New season gets under way at Llan Station

 

* The first steam train of the season departing Llangollen on Sunday

with Standard tank No.80072.

 

 

* The conductor and railcar driver about to despatch the first train

of the season away from Llangollen on Saturday.

Saturday saw the start of a new season of train services on the heritage line with the departure of the 11.15am from Llangollen.

The heritage diesel rail car was in use for this off-peak service which only ran as far as Glyndyfrdwy due to the riverside landslip west of the station.

Pending completion of an insurance claim the appointment of contractors to tackle the repair is awaited.

It is hoped that the repair work will commence shortly and allow train services to resume over the full length of the line to Carrog by Easter.

A steam service ran on Sunday when the British Railway Standard tank No.80072 was in operation.

The engine is booked to go on a visit to the North Norfolk Railway at Sheringham followed by a guest appearance at Minehead on the West Somerset Railway.

On Sunday afternoon, the railway had a visit from 50 students from the University of Central Lancashire who had been staying at Ty'n Dwr outdoor centre Llangollen.
 

Most of the students were from South Korea and are studying languages.

 

George Jones, for Llangollen Railway, said: "The brilliant blue sky on Saturday provided excellent weather for the first day of train operation.

 

"Those taking the railcar down the Dee Valley enjoyed the all round view which it provides to gain extensive vistas of the countryside at a time when there are no leaves on the trees.

 

"The first day of the season provides a shake down opportunity for staff to get back in the routine of train operations after the post Christmas closure which has seen essential engineering work tackled in places."

Next weekend, February 9/10, will be A Day Out With Thomas TM event, which will be followed by four days of normal train services during the school half term week culminating in a three-day Thomas event from Friday-Sunday, February 15, 16 and 17.

This will be the first of the Day Out With Thomas events on heritage railways in Britain this year.

From then on train services at Llangollen will operate at weekends through to Saturday, March 23,  which is a diesel gala day when the fleet of heritage diesel locomotives will be put thr ough their paces.

First Minister comments on health shake-up

The BBC news website is reporting today (Sunday) that First Minister Carwyn Jones says health services in Wales will "collapse" unless hospitals are reorganised.

He said he did not expect Labour to pay a price at the ballot box for unpopular decisions that could mean some people have to travel further for treatment.

See the full story at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-21297850

Young 'Uns to present Beauty and the Beast

* The young cast of Beauty and the Beast which takes to the stage from next Thursday.

 

Over 40 talented youngsters will take to the Town Hall stage for the Llangollen Operatic Society’s Young ‘Uns’ production of the Disney musical Beauty and the Beast next week.

The society’s junior section has chosen the musical based on the well-known Disney film as its 24^th annual show because of its strong story and rousing songs, which include Home, Belle, Be Our Guest and Human Again. 

It will run from Thursday-Saturday, February 7-9, with doors open each evening at 7pm. 

Deirdre Smith, who is co-producer with Bethan Williams, said: “This is a top musical show delivered with great verve by the Young ‘Uns. 

“We have 40-plus young performers have an average age of 12, and a range of six to 18. 

“There are some wonderful performances from the principals, Belle, Beast, Lumiere, Maurice, the boorish Gaston, who seeks to marry Belle,  and Lefou, his side-kick, Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs Potts and Chip, Babette and Madame de la Grand Bouche. 

“This production is a must for the  diary of anyone who enjoys good music, a splendidly trained and enthusiastic chorus,  good acting and dancing by young people and a vibrant and participative show.”  

Producers are Tessa Orton Jones and Emma-Jo Newton, and musical director is Elen Mair Roberts. 

Tickets, priced at £8 for adults and £5 concessions, are available from Llangollen Tourist Information Centre (phone 01978  860828), Jades Hair and Beauty, Gwyn Davies Butcher, Llangollen, or Stella Bond (phone 01978  860441).

Five kittens found dumped in box

* The five dumped kittens.

The RSPCA is appealing for information after five kittens were found in a sodden cardboard box between Rhos and Penycae near Wrexham.

The animals were discovered by a member of the public on a footpath on Tuesday, January 29, who gave them shelter by taking them home.

Th eight week old kittens were sealed in the box which was disintegrating as a result of heavy rain.

RSPCA inspector Kia Thomas said: “It beggars belief that someone could be so heartless as to dump small kittens like this. It’s vital that we hear from someone who may know something about this incident."

Anyone with information should contact the RSPCA inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.

All calls are treated in confidence.

To help the RSPCA investigate cases like this, you can give £3 now by texting HELP to 78866 (Text costs £3 + one standard network rate message).

North Wales Police "keeping force numbers strong"

Latest Home Office figures show North Wales Police is succeeding in keeping force numbers strong.

Between March and September 2012 an additional 43 police officers were recruited, which raised the strength by 12; police staff numbers strengthened by 71 over the year from September 2011 to 2012; and an additional 97 Police Community Support Officers (PCSO's) took to the streets over the same period.

Chief Constable Mark Polin said: "In the first six months from September 2011 police officer numbers fell by 39, which given the context of a significant cut in funding was not surprising.

 

"However, the fact that as a force we have been working hard to deliver savings over a number of years meant that we were able to begin to recover from this dip, with 43 officers being recruited between March and September last year.

 

"In light of the economic climate we looked at new ways of working and credit must go to those within the organisation whose focus on driving out savings and willingness to be flexible have made this possible."

Police Constable recruitment resulted in four intakes with the first 22 new officers taking to the streets in January this year. They will be followed by a further 21 in April and 24 in August and recruitment will continue over the coming year.

The recruitment of additional PCSO's, which was assisted by funding from the Welsh Government, alongside the recruitment of PCs presented a significant recruitment and training challenge. It was correctly predicted that a substantial number of our existing PCSO's would be successful with their applications to become PCs.

The same applied to Special Constables, with 34 being recruited as either PCs or PCSO's.

Chief Constable Polin added: "The movement of Specials and PCSO's shows that both offer an entry route for those wishing to become a police officer. It's encouraging to see so many making the move into the regular force."

Council chiefs' concern over health shake-up

The BBC news website is reporting today (Friday) that council leaders in Denbighshire have concerns about the proposed shake-uo of health services in the region which will see the closure of Llangollen Cottage Hospital.

See the full story at:

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-21284958 

Honey Pots re-opens with new look

* At work on Honey Pot's new look.

Honey Pots opens its doors again in Llangollen tomorrow (Saturday) with its paint barely dry.  

Its new look offers a glimpse of blue sky after days of snow and rain in Castle Street.  

Downstairs is a gift emporium, official stockists of Charlie Bears, Pip Studio, Gorjuss, Santoro and Pilgrim Jewellery, plus its own range of unique hand painted pottery and furniture               

Upstairs is a newly decorated ceramic studio -  a great place to relax and paint pottery.  

The Busy Bee Studio has become increasingly popular with families, hen parties, birthday parties or an indoor teambuilding alternative ‘without getting wet’ and for those looking to create a unique present or just a chance to relax and have fun.  

This contemporary space is also hire for workshops, talks, craft workshops and sales events.

Honey Pots will be holding regular events including pottery painting parties for special celebrations such as Valentine’s Day and for mums and toddlers to capture a baby or toddler’s early years through hand and foot prints.

Sarah Meade, Honey Pots manager, said: “This is an exciting time for Honey Pots in Llangollen and its sister shop in Oswestry.  

“We have a great team of staff and we are very proud of what we have achieved over the last five years.  

“The two shops will enable us to offer a great range of gifts, painting opportunities and events. We look forward to welcoming our regular customers and inspiring new ones.”

Move to beef up hospital food

Hospital food across Wales has been given a makeover to ensure patients have tasty choices which can address patient’s individual nutritional requirements, says the Welsh Government.

 

Health Minister Lesley Griffiths has launched the All Wales Hospital Menu Framework, which includes a database of recipes to be used in all hospitals.

The database currently consists of 18 soups, 38 main course items and 42 desserts, snacks and accompaniments that have been analysed and meet strict nutritional standards.

Celebrity chef James Martin (pictured right) and Abergavenny-based Michelin star chef Stephen Terry have been involved in the process and contributed a number of signature recipes to the menu.

Lesley Griffiths said: "Hospital food is an essential part of patient care. Good food can encourage patients to eat well, giving them the nutrients they need to recover from surgery or illness.

“Food should be viewed with the same importance as medication, with catering recognised as a clinical support service.

“We are leading the way in Wales by improving hospital food with an all-Wales menu. Standardising the food on offer so patients are assured of good food, wherever they are treated, will help them back to health and improve their experience of hospital greatly.

“Having tasted some of the dishes on offer, I believe the old jokes about hospital food will soon become a thing of the past.”

Chef James Martin said: “I really feel that food is a medicine. Patients should look forward to meal times as one of the highlights of their day.

“So I was delighted to be invited by the Health Minister to get involved in such a brilliant project that will instantly benefit so many patients. I thoroughly enjoyed working with the All Wales Hospital Menu Framework Group and the team at Nevill Hall Hospital and wish them every success."

Witnesses sought to fatal Llandegla incident

Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic incident at Llandegla last night (Wednesday) which left a 31-year-old local man with critical injuries from which he died shortly afterwards.

 

In a statement issued earlier, North Wales Police said: "At about 11.03pm last night, Wednesday 30^th January 2013, North Wales Police and other emergency services responded to the scene of a road traffic incident where they found a 31-year-old local man with critical injuries.

 

"North Wales Police are currently investigating the possibility the man’s injuries were the result of a hit and run road traffic collision.

 

"Sadly the man passed away a short time later."

Investigating Officer PS Gwyndaf Jones of the Roads Policing Unit said: “The man was found on the A525 Road at Llandegla approximately ¼ mile west of the Plough public house.

 

"Although another local man has been arrested in connection with the incident we are still appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or has any information concerning it, to contact the Roads Policing Unit by phoning 101.”

* If you have any information about the collision North Wales Police can be contacted on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and quote incident RC13015575.

Wales to stick with GCSEs and A levels

GCSE and A levels will be retained in Wales, alongside a revised, more rigorous, Welsh Baccalaureate.

 

That is the message from the Deputy Minister for Skills, Jeff Cuthbert, as he outlined the Welsh Government’s response to the Review of Qualifications for 14 to19-year-olds.

 

The recommendations to create new GCSEs in English Language and Welsh First Language, as well as two new GCSEs covering numeracy and mathematical techniques, have also been accepted.

These will be introduced in September 2015 and will reflect and support the improvements expected from the new Literacy and Numeracy Framework.

The Deputy Minister for Skills, Jeff Cuthbert said: "We are broadly accepting all of the Review’s recommendations and are setting a clear strategic direction and vision for qualifications in Wales.

"We will retain GCSEs and A levels. Where necessary we will strengthen and amend these, but ultimately we have confidence in these well established qualifications, which are recognised around the world.

"People expect GCSEs to assess literacy and numeracy, this is why we are developing new GCSEs to do just this. Having two mathematics GCSEs will reflect the importance of the subject for progression and employment. We will expect most learners to take both these GCSEs.

"At the heart of this system will be a revised, more rigorous, Welsh Baccalaureate. The Review identified clear support for this qualification. But we will not rest on our laurels, the Review also noted some concerns over the rigour of the current model and we will act to address these, introducing grading and more stretching requirements.

“We will further develop the detailed model put forward by the Review and consider whether there is a case for incorporating specific subjects, such as science.

“We will continue to engage with stakeholders to ensure that the Welsh Baccalaureate provides both breadth and rigour, together with an engaging learning experience.”

The aim is to introduce the revised Welsh Baccalaureate for teaching from September 2015.

Other key recommendations being accepted are:

• The introduction of a new, stronger gatekeeping process for vocational qualifications to ensure that public funding is only approved for qualifications that have quality, rigour, relevance and value. This will reduce the number of qualifications available and simplify the picture for learners, parents and employers.
• A maximum equivalence of two GCSEs for vocational qualifications, where justified, from 2015.
• Removing the Essential Skills Wales qualifications for 14-16 from 2015 with revised Essential Skills and Wider Key Skills qualifications, to be introduced in 2015 for post 16 learners.

The Education Minister, Leighton Andrews, has already accepted and outlined the establishment of Qualifications Wales, a new body to regulate and assure the quality of all qualifications, other than degree level, in Wales.

Try a 10-mile trek for charity

 

Being billed as the perfect way to brush off those winter blues and stride into spring is the 10 Mile Llangollen Canal Walk in aid of Hope House planned for Sunday, March 3.

 

The walk will follow a beautiful scenic route overlooking the Dee Valley and goes from Trevor Basin to Chirk Bank and back along the Ccnal towpath.

 

There are some challenges along the way as walkers brave two  high aqueducts and two long tunnels (torches are a must!)

 

Marshalls will be on hand to guide walkers and the trek starts and finishes at The Telford Inn where they serve lovely Sunday lunches to finish off your day.

The walk starts at 10:30am and will take up to four hours to complete.

 

Maps will be given on the day. The path is flat, however, it is not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

 

The event is open to all ages and is free to register and with no minimum sponsorship requirement walkers are just asked to raise what they can for Hope House.

For more details, contact: 

H The Fundraising Office, Nant Lane, Morda, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY10 9BX

( 01978 754 018

:www.hopehouse.org.uk

Police appeal after two Llan properties broken into

Investigations are under way after two unoccupied properties in Llangollen were broken into.

 

Two others, one in Llansannan and another in Ruthin, were also targeted by offenders.   

 

North Wales Police say nothing is believed to have been stolen from the first property in Llangollen which was broken into on January 22.

 

An untidy search was made after the offender or offenders gained entry by forcing a window.

 

On Thursday, January 24, a second property in Llangollen was broken into.

 

An untidy search was again made, however at this time it is unclear if anything was taken.

Police believe that the incidents in Llangollen are linked.

Jewellery was amongst items taken from a property in Llansannan which was targeted sometime between 2.19pm and 2.24pm on Monday, January 21, after a door at the rear of the property was forced.

 

On the same day, between 3.30pm and 3.50pm, a property was broken into in the Ruthin area.

 

Offenders gained entry to a garage and house and stole items from inside.

A person, possibly male, was seen near the property in Llansannan around the time of the offence and was described as being tall, wearing a dark coloured coat/ jacket and a brightly coloured red woollen hat.

 

Similarly, a male described as wearing a red coloured bobble hat was seen travelling in the vicinity of the property in the Ruthin area a short time after the offence had occurred.

 

The male was with another on a motorbike. Both were described as being aged between 20 and 30 with one possibly wearing a blue lumber style jacket.

Police are keen to trace the men and are appealing to anyone who may have seen them to get in touch.

“In all cases the offenders have targeted properties which were unoccupied at the time, and once inside made an untidy search,” said Inspector Siobhan Edwards.

 

“We believe the same individual/s are responsible for the incidents in Llangollen and different offender/s are responsible for the offences in the Ruthin area and we remain extremely keen to speak to anyone with information.”

Insp Edwards added: “I’d like to reassure residents that inquiries are well underway. House to house investigations have been undertaken and our work is continuing. As well as making this appeal, I also want to urge people to remain vigilant and report anything they may deem suspicious to us immediately.”

Anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious or who may have information regarding the burglaries should contact North Wales Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111Householders urged to remain vigilant.

Llan Operatic attracts new faces for next show

* Appearing for the first time with Llangollen Operatic Society will be, from left, Luke Meyers, Paul Bailey, Stephanie Cottam and Laura Haliwell.

LLANGOLLEN Operatic Society has attracted a record number of new faces for its next production, the evergreen Cole Porter musical Anything Goes.

Ten fresh performers will make their debut with the society when the show takes to the Llangollen Town Hall stage with a 30-strong cast from Tuesday-Saturday, April 16-20.

The story concerns madcap antics aboard an ocean liner bound from New York to London in the 1930s.

Billy Crocker is a stowaway in love with heiress Hope Harcourt, who is engaged to Lord Evelyn Oakleigh.

Nightclub singer Reno Sweeney and Public Enemy Number 13 Moonface Martin aid Billy in his quest to win Hope.

Taking the role of Billy Crocker is newcomer Paul Bailey from Sarnau near Bala, while local girl Dani Chamberlain – fresh from her success playing Wendy Darling in the Llangollen pantomime Peter Pan – will notch up an Operatic first playing Hope Harcourt.

Other Llangollen first-timers will be Steph Cottam as Bonnie, Luke Meyers as a steward, Brett Jones playing a photographer, George Nelson as another cameraman and Andrew Sully as the ship’s purser.

Andrew’s day job is vicar of St Collen’s Church, Llangollen, and he has previously appeared in productions for the town’s 20 Club drama group.

To prove the show will be a family affair, Andrew’s daughter Joanna Stallard is playing one of the Angels alongside Laura Haliwell and Alysha Cookson.

Show director Chrissie Ashworth said: “At a time when some other amateur societies are struggling to attract new members and some are actually closing it’s great to see we have so many new people appearing in Anything Goes.

“Most of the new members are also young people, which is also good to see as it is so important that societies like ours get new blood, enabling us to hopefully carry on for many years to come.”

Before signing on to play Billy Crocker, 33-year-old Paul Bailey had previously appeared in a number of amateur productions in Leeds and Manchester, mainly performing as tenor leads in Gilbert & Sullivan musicals. 

He said: “G & S pieces are mostly singing so coping with lots of dialogue as I’ll have to do as Billy Crocker is going to be a bit of a challenge but I’m very much looking forward to doing it.

“Landing the role of the leading man was unexpected but is a fantastic opportunity.”

Director Chrissie Ashworth added: “The Llangollen society last performed Anything Goes in 1999 when it was a great success, so we’re all looking forward to doing it again.

“We chose it because it is a funny show with plenty of action and plenty of chorus participation.

“It also features lots of marvellous Cole Porter songs such as I Get a Kick Out of You, You’re the Top and It’s De-Lovely.”

AM's concern over media job cuts

Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates has expressed his concern at the proposed job losses and restructuring at Media Wales.

The AM who recently chaired an Assembly Task and Finish Group into the future of the Media in Wales said plans to cut 16 editorial jobs and outsource content to a new centre in Liverpool was devastating news.

He said Media Wales papers like the Western Mail were ‘part of the Welsh DNA’ and that continually cutting resources to national and local titles would damage Welsh democracy.

He added: “Trinity Mirror's announcement that 16 editorial jobs are to be lost at Media Wales is very worrying indeed.

“I understand one of the proposals is to close down the features department and create a unit based in Liverpool to produce generic content for a Welsh audience. This will only serve to damage the unique Welsh identity and flavour of the paper.

"Unfortunately this is part of wider problem in print journalism and we have seen a slow drip of editorial cuts at Media Wales titles and other established newsprint groups over the last 10 years.

“This is particularly worrying for Wales because papers like the Western Mail are part of the Welsh DNA. The steady erosion of a vital platform for unique Welsh journalism and the loss of good people at important papers should be a concern to us all.

“The Management at Trinity Mirror needs to enter into serious negotiations with the NUJ.

“We should be under no illusions, cuts like these are steadily damaging Welsh democracy. If we stand by and let the national, regional and local printed press in Wales wither on the vine, then scrutiny of our politics and our public life will be much the poorer.”