Attempts to sabotage major cycling event

* A North Wales Police officer tweeted a picture of one of the nails found along the route. 

Reports have been coming in throughout the day of attempts to sabotage this morning's Wiggle Etape Cymru cycling event which took in the Horseshoe Pass and for which competitors registered at Llangollen Pavilion on Friday.

Most comprehensive story is on the cycling website road.cc, which says: "A number of riders on today’s Wiggle Etape Cymru suffered punctures after saboteurs reportedly laid tacks on the route.

"A thousand cyclists took part in the 88 mile course starting and finishing at the Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse in Wrexham.

"Half a dozen of the riders, and one of the safety marshall motorcyclists were said to have had punctured tyres, but no-one was hurt in the incident.
North Wales Police were called to help remove the nails that had been scattered."

The story adds: "Sergeant Mark Jones, of the North Wales Police Roads Policing Unit tweeted: “We’ve had reports of tacks being placed on the road on the Etape Cymru route. Several cyclists suffering punctures. Very disappointing.

“Police are trying to clear as many as possible.

“Approximately six cyclists affected however they’ve managed to repair. We’ve had to lose one of the safety motorcycle marshals though.”

"Cock Bank in Wrexham and near Pentrecelyn, Ruthin were the areas affected.

"It’s not the first time the Etape Cymru has been sabotaged. In 2011 a number of riders got lost after signage was allegedly moved."

Limelight take on Strictly and win with musical odyssey

Those adventurous enough to tear themselves away from the Strictly Come Dancing launch episode on TV last night (Saturday) and get down to Llangollen Town Hall couldn’t have been disappointed with their decision.

Because they were treated to an evening of great music from an amateur stage group with a growing local reputation.

And at the end of the packed programme of entertainment it would have been easy for the judges to hold up a row of appreciative tens.


Limelight has recently branched out from its Wrexham base to start presenting a bill of drama and musical shows here in Llangollen.

Latest of these was Musicals in the Limelight, staged by a talented ensemble cast of 14 performers under the skilful musical direction of Kevin Whiteley.

The production whisked the audience, which should have been larger, on a whirlwind tour of the West End and Broadway by presenting a varied selection of memorable numbers from shows such as South Pacific, Sound of Music, Guys & Dolls, Wicked and Les Miserables.

They opened up with four pieces from Godspell, the show with which they had a recent success at the Town Hall.

And then it was an almost non-stop musical odyssey through shows such as Carousel, Camelot, Phantom of the Opera, Jekyll & Hyde and Oliver!

Although the chorus work was powerful, Limelight proved that it has strength in depth by putting forward a string of very competent soloists to enhance the overall effect of their presentation.

Outstanding were John Clifford, John Whitfield, Jim Davies, Debbie Peate, Liz Jones and Fiona Bassett.

The tempo and mood of the musical offerings ranged from the rollicking – Oom Pah Pah from Oliver! and Master of the House from Les Mis – to the poignant – If Ever I Would Leave You from Camelot and I Dreamed a Dream from Les Mis.

Grand final came, of course, from Les Mis when the entire Limelight cast joined forces behind the Paris barricades to pump out the stirring One Day More.

If he’d been there rather on telly presiding over Strictly 2013 Sir Brucie would surely have said, “didn’t they do well!”     

Next Limelight production in Llangollen is Dixie Or Me, a comedy play penned by local poet and playwright Peter Read about local football hero Dixie McNeil and Wrexham Football Club, on September 18 and 19.
 

Police charge kids with getting creative

Budding young artists across Denbighshire are being set a challenge by police to get creative and design poster which highlights safety in and around the home.

 

The competition is open to all primary school pupils in the county and is being launched by District Inspector Siobhan Edwards at the beginning of a new school year.

 

“Its aim is to educate children about security in and around the home as well as raising awareness of vehicle crime,” said Inspector Edwards. “Designing posters seemed an ideal way to get children thinking about the issues and ways to relay messages effectively.”

 

She added: “By taking part, it’s hoped the pupils’ artwork will help stress the importance of keeping property safe and also reiterate key messages to family and friends and help them and others avoid becoming victims of crime.”

 

Three age groups have been set (• Year 1 - 2 Foundation Phase, • Year 3 - 4 Key Stage 2 • Year 5 - 6 Key Stage 2 Years) and children are being tasked to create an A4 poster around one of the following three categories:

•             Security in the home

•             Vehicle crime

•             Security around the home

 

Head teachers have already been made aware of the competition and pupils have until September 27 to submit their entries.

 

From then on in, a winner from each age group will be chosen by school staff and all winning designs will then be collected. Once in, they will be put before a panel of judges who will select winners who will be invited to an awards ceremony.

 

Inspector Edwards added: “We hope that as many pupils take part as possible and help make it a success. Each year we as local officers issue countless warnings and advice about keeping items and homes secure. We hope that the children will come up with some great designs that will help us in our forthcoming crime prevention campaigns.”

 

The winning entries will be printed and distributed across Denbighshire. 

Railway's Corwen extension update

The following is an update from Llangollen railway on the extension of the line to Corwen ...

During August deliveries of recycled ballast brought in 200 tonnes of stone via the access at Bonwm.

This has allowed the base ballasting of the trackbed to be brought forward towards the access gate and track laying by full time permanent way staff saw the rail head extended by six panels, with a further six to be installed shortly.

The stack of concrete sleepers at Bonwm has now been cleared thanks to a further period of hire for a JCB Load-all machine and sleepers have been dispersed along the track bed towards Corwen. A calculation of the short fall in sleepers can now be made for a further quantity to be ordered.

Further deliveries of 1,000 tonnes of ballast will provide for the base towards over bridge 28a, with pegging out of this section to be undertaken during September. It is now envisaged that track laying during the autumn will begin at bridge 28a working backwards towards Bonwm, a stretch of approximately 900 metres.

Tenders for the repair of the under arch and abutments to bridge 28a are awaited from contractors who have expressed interest in this work, but, in the meantime, a volunteer team has started repairs to bridge 28, a fisherman’s access underpass.

The repairs to the road/railer machine have been completed and, following certification, the machine is now on site at Bonwm as the essential tool for further track laying. Two members of the full-time staff are passed competent to operate this machine and two volunteers will be similarly instructed. A volunteer work force is being assembled to undertake the track laying through to bridge 28a and beyond to the Corwen platform site.

Dwyrain Corwen East Station site

The complications with the under bridges within the area of the platform appear close to being resolved. We are advised that Denbighshire County Council has let a contract for the installation of the flood relief scheme outfall to the river which will involved the removal of bridge 30. Subject to confirmation, we can expect the contractor to be on site from September with construction work taking place during the next few months.

We are further advised by Denbighshire Countryside Services that the flood relief scheme also has implications for the route of the link foot path to bridge 29. This will provide access to the nature reserve and some grant aid may be in prospect for work on refurbishing this bridge, if it can be completed during September.

Elsewhere, within the wider context of Corwen, discussions are underway with the artists for the design of the access pathway from the Corwen car park to the station site. Wide ranging discussions are also taking place with regard to the opportunities to promote the new station at Corwen as a destination in 2014 and initial plans for the train timetable have started.

Whilst it is intended that a first train will arrive at Dwyrain Corwen East on St David’s day, 1^st March 2014, it is now likely that an official opening occasion will be held some weeks later to obtain maximum publicity, subject to all the work being completed, including the acquisition of the outstanding funding.

A promotional display for the Corwen Extension was provided during the period of the National Eisteddfod held at Denbigh during August with thanks to Denbighshire County Council for providing facilities.

Busy time for Tidy Town Team

Llangollen's Tidy Town Team has been out in force today (Friday).

A large number of the group, which keeps the town looking clean and tidy on a voluntary basis, were seen clearing ivy and other unwanted foliage and generally tidying the grounds of the museum in Parade Street, working on the railings on Riverside Walk and renewing flowers in the planters in front of the Town Hall in Castle Street.

* Top, members of the team at work around the museum in Parade Street and (below) on the railings in Riverside Walk.

Outbreak of sickness bug at Maelor

The BBC is reporting today that an outbreak of the norovirus sickness bug at Wrexham Maelor Hospital has affected two wards.

According to the story, hospital managers say it also led to some delays in admissions amid reports of hold-ups in the accident and emergency department.

Admissions to the two wards have been suspended until patients' symptoms have gone.

About nine patients are suffering from the bug whose symptoms include diarrhoea or vomiting.

The Betsi Cadwaladr health board which manages the hospital advised anyone with the symptoms not to visit for 48 hours to avoid passing on the bug more commonly seen during the winter.

Llyr Gruffydd, AM for North Wales, said: “These are problems entirely of Betsi Cadwaladr’s own making because it recently closed four community hospitals and lost 50 beds. The chickens are coming home to roost.  

 

"Back in March, when Llangollen and Flint hospitals were closed, we warned that a lack of spare capacity and losing community facilities without adequately replacing them would create bed-blocking problems in district general hospitals such as Wrexham Maelor.

 

 “The Health Minister has sent in a new team to sort out senior management in North Wales but there’s little sign that the sort of changes needed to improve our health service are taking place. Reducing bed blocking so that ambulances aren’t being used to treat A & E patients should be an immediate priority. ”

 

Mabon ap Gwynfor, of the North Wales Health Alliance, said : “If hospital occupancy rates go above 82% it’s recognised that hospital-acquired infections including norovirus are far more likely to occur.

 

"Health experts understand this so it’s surprising that Betsi Cadwaladr has not considered this in their recent review, which centralised services and has seen occupancy rates in our general hospitals of 87%.

 

“Rushing the closure of community hospitals without planning for their replacements is putting more pressure on clinical staff. Managers have got it wrong and need to rethink their plans.”

Cytun holds AGM

Llangollen Cytun (Churches Together) will hold its annual general meeting in the Upper Room at St Collen's on Tuesday, September 10.

The AGM at 7pm will be followed at 7.30pm by a speaker on the theme Action for Children  in Llangollen.

When Thomas Bowman Stephenson arrived in London in 1869, he couldn’t believe how many homeless children there were. Determined to help, he set up The Children’s Home, (later the National Children’s Home, and then simply NCH) – a place where children would be safe from poverty and crime. 

In 2008 the organization became Action for Children to better describe what they do today.

There are now over 650 children’s projects in many different communities – including Young Carers and the Bridge Project here in Llangollen.

A representative from Action for Children will come along to give an informative talk and answer any questions.

All are welcome.

North Wales gears up for top cycling event

North Wales is gearing itself to welcome one of the most prestigious and high profile events in the cycling calendar to the region for the very first time.
   
Stage Four of the Tour of Britain| will begin in Stoke on Trent on Wednesday, 18th September before heading through Wrexham, Flintshire, Denbighshire and Conwy before reaching the finishing line of the stage in Llanberis, Gwynedd.
   
Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, Chair of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board, said:  "We are delighted to be welcoming the Tour of Britain for the very first time to our region.  This is a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase North Wales as a destination, not only for cyclists but also visitors and indeed our own residents.
   
"The stage will take in some of the most breath-taking scenery in the UK, providing cyclists with plenty of challenges, but also providing visitors will views of stunning countryside, mountains and our historic towns and villages that all add up to a unique North Wales experience.
   
"North Wales is fast earning a name for itself as a destination to host major events.  There are plenty of opportunities for cycling, as we are blessed as a region with having plenty of forestry, countryside and cycle routes to attract all kinds of cyclists of all levels.  We really hope this event will put the spotlight firmly on North Wales and that the success will attract other great events to our region in future.
   
"A lot of planning is underway involving all six North Wales councils and we will be providing information over the coming few weeks on how the public can show their support on the day. It is vital that we make a fantastic impression on the event organisers and hope the residents of North Wales will come out in their droves to support this prestigious event."

Plans for major outdoor sports festival unveiled

PLANS to stage the UK’s first outdoor multi-sport festival in Llangollen have been unveiled by organisers.

Chester-based registered charity River Legacy, which provides funding, facilities and support for paddle sports in England and Wales, will host the event called FLO – Festival Llangollen Outdoor Sports – in the town from November 15-17 this year.

Centred on Llangollen International Pavilion, the event aims to bring together what River Legacy describes as “the highest concentration of talented, outdoor specialists from across North Wales, providing a range of activities in order to provide a fun and exciting weekend festival”.

The charity says it will feature activities from running to climbing, swimming to boating, zip-wiring to cooking and have “something for everyone”.

Plans for FLO were outlined by River Legacy representative Steve Wales to members of Llangollen Chamber of Trade and Tourism at their meeting in the Hand Hotel on Monday evening.

He said: “This will be a festival for all outdoor sports. There is a  phenomenal amount of talent in this town and the region in sports such as biking and climbing and we want to bring all that together.

“The idea is also to bring business into the town. We will have a campsite but we are also doing what we can to bring people into the town – we really want the whole town to benefit.”

Mr Wales stressed the event was still in the planning stage and said more information was available on a special website set up for the event at www.flo-llangollen.com

This describes how the International Pavilion will be the hub of the event and will host a range of ‘come and try’ activities, including kayaking, climbing and a zip-wire.

There will be the opportunity to try mountain-biking on an artificial track, and Canoe Wales will be providing equipment for people to try out a triathlon.

According to the website, food and drink and live bands will be providing entertainment all day along with films and lectures.

From the pavilion Canadian open boat tours will be run down the canal and there will also be walking and biking tours.

At other locations there will be activities including tubing and rafting, caving, climbing and orienteering.

Mr Wales told the chamber there would be many family-friendly activities, including den building, nature trails, learning how to cook, shelter building and fire making.

He said tickets for the festival will range from £5 for a day zone pass to £55 entitling a family of four to take part in all the activities.

He added: “Our target is to bring 1,000 people into the town over that weekend. We also want it to become an annual event.”

Denbighshire "best performing in Wales" for third year

Denbighshire County Council is the highest performing council in Wales for the third year running, according to information released by the Local Government Data Unit.

All councils reported against 30 national indicators and  Denbighshire performed in the top half of councils for more indicators  than any other authority (22 out of the 30).  

Denbighshire performed in the top quarter of councils for more indicators than any other council (17 out of 30).

Itl also performed in the bottom quarter of councils for fewer  indicators  than anyone else (4 out of the 30)

Denbighshire was the best performing council in Wales  on issues such as preventing homelessness and recycling.

Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of Denbighshire, said: "The findings clearly show that Denbighshire continues to perform extremely well, despite the challenges it faces in the current economic climate. We want to make sure that vital services are protected and are delivered to the best of our ability and today's news shows clearly we are on the right path.

"We have clear priorities here in Denbighshire and putting the customer at the heart of what we do is key.  Our aim is to work to provide even better services in future and work by working with community groups and partnership organisations to enhance the quality of life for residents".

Dr Mohammed Mehmet, Chief Executive of Denbighshire, said: "I would like to commend staff and councillors for working together to provide the best service for the people of Denbighshire. We are part of a forward thinking organisation that aims to provide the best service it can possibly offer.

"Indicators like these form only a small part of the picture. What's really important is the quality of service that residents receive from the Council."

Super-jail to be built in Wrexham

The BBC and other media are reporting today that the location for north Wales' new 2,000-inmate super-prison has been announced by the Ministry of Justice.

The £250m jail will be built on the Welsh government-owned former Firestone site on the Wrexham Industrial Estate, creating 1,000 jobs.

See the BBC story at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-23957373

CLWYD SOUTH AM KEN SKATES says confirmation a new ‘super-prison’ will be built in Wrexham will provide a huge boost to the region’s economy.

 

The Ministry of Justice confirmed today (Wednesday, September 4) that the £250m jail – which will house 2,000 inmates – will be on Welsh Government-owned former Firestone site on the Wrexham Industrial Estate.

 

Two sites were shortlisted for the new prison, which should be built by 2017, but the owners of the rival Kingsmoor Park plot last week said it was out of the running.

 

Labour AM Mr Skates believes there were ‘compelling’ reasons to site a prison in North Wales, which consultants believe could be worth up to £23m to the local economy.

 

He said: “Our region does not currently have any facilities to house local prisoners and my constituents in Clwyd South who have family in prison currently have to travel a long way to HMP Altcourse in Liverpool to visit them.

 

“Importantly, I feel this could help reduce crime rates in North Wales as the odds of re-offending are 39% higher for prisoners who do not receive regular visits.”

 

Mr Skates is also hopeful many of his Clwyd South constituents will be able to secure work thanks to the project, which is expected to create about 1,000 jobs.

 

He added: “While not everybody is supportive of the prison being built here in North Wales, the potential economic benefits to the region are obvious. As well as a much-needed jobs boost, the building of the biggest jail in Britain will present huge opportunities for local businesses and provide millions of pounds worth of construction work.”

* The Welsh Conservatives' Shadow Minister for North Wales Mark Isherwood AM, said: “The announcement of a new prison for North Wales has served as a huge boost for the region and I welcome news of its chosen site, which I have supported since the aborted proposals for a new North Wales prison under the previous Labour UK Government.

 

“This is an enormously significant project, injecting jobs, confidence and investment.

 

“Its announcement was a huge lift for North Wales and a further sign of the Conservative-led UK Government’s commitment to the Welsh economy.” 

Store managers give success stories to chamber

The managers of two of the newer Llangollen stores have given positive accounts of how their businesses have fared since opening in the town centre.

The success stories were revealed by Steve Jones of Stans on the A5 and Rhian Roscoe of the Edinburgh Woollen Mill to members of the Chamber of Trade and Commerce at their monthly meeting held in the Hand Hotel on Monday evening.

Mr Jones said Stans had opened its store and petrol station on a purpose-built site 18 months ago and had immediately enjoyed a warm welcome.

He told the chamber: “Llangollen is a really special town and we hope the public feels we have helped and contributed to it.”

Part of the success story, he said, was the recent transfer to his store from nearby Castle Street of the Post Office , along with three to four of its staff.

They had now become part of a team of 24 full and part-time staff at Stans, all of whom are local people.

He said the shop prided itself on using a dozen local suppliers, providing home-made lines such as Welsh cakes and sandwiches.

Mr Jones also spoke of the success of the petrol station, explaining: “It has eight pumps which are constantly in operation.

“The amount of traffic on the A5, particularly at this time of the year, is phenomenal.”

A chamber member asked him if the store had lived up to expectations, to which he replied: “The directors are very pleased.”

Asked if Stans viewed the proposed opening of a new Sainsbury’s store just a little further along the A5 as a challenge, he said: “Yes, we see it as a challenge.

“Personally, I don’t think the town needs it but we have been well supported since we opened and I hope we always will be.”

Rhian Roscoe, manager of Edinburgh Woollen Mill, told the chamber: “We have been open for three months now and have had excellent feedback. I can’t say how welcoming the town has been to us.”

Ms Roscoe explained how the store had won favour from both local people and an increasing number of tourists, some of had come from as far away as China, Canada and Australia.

Also pointing out that all of the workforce was local, she said: “If we can keep Llangollen as full of shops as it is at the moment I think our success story will continue.”

One of her aims, she said, was to try to attract more coach parties to the store, which chamber members supported on the basis that this would be good for all the businesses in the town.

Asked by a member if the store would continue to trade throughout the week, Ms Roscoe replied: “At the moment we will carry on trading seven days a week and I don’t think we’ll be closing on Sundays.”

Chamber chairman David Davies said: “We must make sure that when Sainsbury’s do come – and we hear that this will be in the middle of 2015 – we have a viable, strong chamber to fight them on all fronts.”

Fringe premieres its new film this Friday

Llangollen Fringe 2013 Film Premiere is being held at the White Waters Hotel on Friday 6th September. 

It has been directed and produced by professional film-maker Mal Molloy, who lives in Llangollen, and it gives a comprehensive picture of the eleven-day festival held in July each year.

The film will be posted on Youtube and also available on DVD.

If you are a supporter of the Fringe and you would like to attend the event, then please email the organisers. contact@llangollenfringe.co.uk

Vodafone makes statement on Llan mobile coverage

Vodafone has admitted that its mobile phone signal in the Llangollen area is “limited” but doesn’t appear to have any specific plans at the moment to make it any more reliable.

At its meeting on Monday evening, Llangollen Chamber of Trade and Tourism again discussed complaints from many local users about the strength of the signal, which means quite a few have switched to other phone providers.

This was contrasted with news from earlier in the day that Vodafone has sold its 45% stake in Verizon Wireless for £84 billion in one of the biggest deals in corporate history.
 

Chamber secretary Ian Parry said that, in the past, he had tried to raise Llangollen phone coverage with the company but had received no response.

Llanblogger asked Vodafone for a statement on the situation and a company spokesman person said: “Vodafone coverage in Llangollen is limited. 

“I can’t give you any detailed plans for this area but across the UK we are investing more than £2.5 million every day in our network. 

“Our commitment it to provide 3G coverage to 98% of the population by the end of 2015. 

“Meanwhile, Vodafone customers with a broadband connection might find our Sure Signal device useful – it will create 3G coverage to homes where there is currently little or no signal.”

Ian Parry commented: “These days when everyone has got to rely heavily on their smartphones it is important that visitors to Llangollen do not feel restricted because of poor reception and may not want to return here as a result.

“Certainly no local people will be rushing to set up contracts with Vodafone.

“Denbighshire county council employees use Vodafone and therefore suffer from communication problems when in this area.

“So the sooner Vodafone can improve coverage in this area it will benefit Llangollen.”

Post Office privatisation plan slammed by local MP

Government plans to privatise the Royal Mail will be bad for our rural communities, according to Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones.  

 

She said it was very significant that MPs from all political parties were concerned, adding: "I hope this will provide a clarion cry to the Government that those who represent rural and semi-rural seats will not stand for anything less than a genuinely universal service as regards Royal Mail and the Post Office."

Describing the reaction to the proposal across the constituency of Clwyd South, which includes rural communities on the Shropshire border, the county of Wrexham as well as inside Denbighshire, she said: "My postbag of postcards, letters and emails from people across my constituency's 240 square miles  bear a clear message: keep the Royal Mail public, with a genuine universal obligation, and protect our post offices.

"And our constituents are absolutely right to say that." 

The MP criticised the government for not committing to universal pricing for parcels and for failing to pledge that Royal Mail would stay in British hands.

She also used her speech highlight the importance of both the Royal Mail and the Post Office for rural businesses and praised the Labour Welsh Government's Post Office Diversification Fund for supporting Post Offices - one example of such being the branch of Dolywern in the Ceiriog Valley which has set up a cafe, tourist information services and expanded its business.

Special events at pavilion for Etape sign-up day

A packed programme of special events has been arranged in Llangollen to coincide with signing-up day for one of the largest cycling events in the calendar.

Registration for Wiggle Etape Cymru will take place on Friday evening, September 6 and Saturday, September 7 at the Pavilion, Llangollen.

To coincide with this, a number of organisations have got together to offer activities and information on Saturday, September 7 for  those taking part in the race, as well as their families,  friends and the wider community.

The event will take place between 12pm and 7pm.

Activities include: 

• Information displays from Denbighshire's Countryside and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty teams, Leisure Services, Family Information and Tourism teams. 
• Bike security activities from North Wales Police
• Stalls from Llangollen Country Market
• Main sponsors of the Wiggle Etape Cymru event will have a presence, as will the Llangollen Chamber of Trade, Corwen Walking Festival, Pro-adventure and the Canal Boat Trust.

The Llangollen Lift, a bus service that takes in some of the area's attractions and locations, will be picking up at the Pavilion for those wanting to venture out into the local community.

The cycling event itself begins at Bangor on Dee Racecourse on Sunday, 8 September and travels through communities in Wrexham and Denbighshire before finishing back at the Racecourse.

For further details of the cycling event, please visit: www.humanrace.co.uk

Your opinion sought on county services

Denbighshire County Council is currently asking residents what they think about council services and issues in their local community.

A printed survey has been sent to a random sample of 6,000 households across Denbighshire, distributed proportionally across the county.

In the survey, the Council asks residents what their communities are like as places to live, and how satisfied they are with council services in general.

It also asks for views on a wide range of issues, including the condition of the county’s roads, community safety, dog fouling and littering.

The results of the survey will tell the Council how much residents know about the organisation and its services, experiences of contacting the Council and what residents think the Council should focus on during the next four years.

Councillor Hugh Irving, Cabinet Lead Member for Customers and Communities, said: “It’s really important that we have a clear picture of what residents think about council services, so that the Council can consider how best to respond.

“This is the third survey of its kind and results in the past have been extremely valuable, giving us a clear indication on people’s thoughts about issues in their communities.

“We would encourage residents to complete the survey if they have received them through the post and help us shape services in the future”.

Copies of the questionnaire can also be found in leisure centres, libraries and council offices across the county.

The surveys should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete and those completing the questionnaire by 13^th of September will automatically be entered into a prize draw for a chance to win a month’s gym membership, courtesy of Denbighshire Leisure Services.

The closing date for the survey is 20 September 2013.

Abseilers take bridge charity challenge

*A plucky abseiler takes the plunge down the iconic Llangollen bridge.

* The road beside the bridge was cordoned off to allow safety

equipment to be put in place for the charity abseil.

 DAREDEVILS  took the plunge from the parapet of Llangollen’s famous bridge yesterday (Sunday).

For the first time ever a charity was allowed to stage a sponsored abseiling event down the side of the world-famous structure over the River Dee.

Barnardos arranged for staff from its shop in nearby Castle Street to take the challenge to raise cash for its own funds and plucky members of the public were also encouraged to get involved.

Part of the road beside the bridge was cordoned off for most of the day to allow specialist equipment to be set up enabling the abseil to go ahead in safety.

Corwen's big hydro-electric boost

Neighbouring Corwen could be one of the first towns in Wales with its own hydro-electric power scheme which could earn half a million pounds for the local community.

Ambitious plans developed alongside a £2.1 million Denbighshire County Council scheme to
alleviate flooding problems in the town will be unveiled at a public meeting on Thursday,
September 12th, when details of the £300,000 project will be available.

The electricity would be generated by water from a reservoir above the town and could earn Corwen £40,000 a year – with more than half that money going to the local community over a 20-year period.

It is the brainchild of rural regeneration agency Cadwyn Clwyd who have worked with
Denbighshire County Council and the Rhug Estate to develop the plans. They hope that one of the products of the meeting will be the formation of a board to run a not-for-profit company to run the scheme and organise its finance.

Silas Jones, Cadwyn Clwyd's Energy Officer, said: "We have carried out a feasibility study and it
shows that the Nant y Pigyn scheme could generate 170,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a year, enough to power over 30 homes.

"We have worked closed with Denbighshire Council who have a project to prevent persistent
flooding caused by a culvert that runs under buildings through the town. They have encouraged us to develop the hydro power plan and the two will run side by side, with the flood defence scheme benefiting the hydro scheme.

"We are looking to use the water that drains down the Nant Cwrddu and Nant y Pigyn streams from the reservoir to power a generator in the town and at the same time it would prevent the Nant Cwrddu stream, which passes through a culvert under the Owain Glyndwr Hotel, from flooding after heavy rain."

The costs of the study and the meeting have been paid for by Cadwyn Clwyd through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) through the Welsh Government's Rural Development Plan, part of a three-year plan to revitalise rural communities and their economies, and by the County Council and the Rhug Estate.

Water from the Nant y Pigyn stream 500 feet above the town and flowing at 45 litres a second will power a 55 kilowatt generator housed in a purpose-built building in the town and connected to the National Grid.

It is intended to finance the £300,000 scheme through investors, who would be eligible for an annual dividend, decided by the locally-based board and through loans. Once the loans had been paid off, the cash raised through the Government's electricity feed-in tariffs would provide
a guaranteed income for 20 years.

Denbighshire County Councillor Huw Jones, from Corwen, Cabinet Member for Tourism, Youth and Leisure, and a member of the Cadwyn Clwyd Board, said: "I'm very positive about the hydro scheme and there is a lot of interest in it in the town.

"The flood alleviation scheme is taking place and that makes the hydro project possible and if we can get local people and local organisations involved then it can be a real boost to Corwen for years to come and provide a regular income to benefit the area."

Silas Jones added: "We are looking for a board with the right skills to run this scheme, and for shareholders, and they will decide how the project will be run, the structure of the company, the cost of shares and how many will be made available.

"The community share offer is expected to be priced at £100 to £150 a share with one member one vote, no matter how many shares anyone holds and we have already had expressions of interest in it.

"We need a range of expertise and experience, financial, legal, energy-generating and engineering, and it really is a very exciting idea which could benefit Corwen for many years to come.

"Successful similar community schemes run elsewhere in Wales, notably in the Brecon Beacons through the Green Valleys organisation but this is the first in North East Wales and one of the first in a town."

A public meeting will be held at the Corwen Sports Pavilion on Thursday, September 12th, at 6.45pm to gauge interest in the hydro scheme with a view to forming a company to run it.

For more information on Cadwyn Clwyd's green energy projects ring 01824 705802 or e-mail
silas.jones@cadwynclwyd.co.uk This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

AM questions ambulance response times

Latest figures for emergency ambulance response times in North Wales show a huge variation between council areas and this is being questioned by Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member Aled Roberts.

 

“The Welsh Government has commissioned 9 reports into the overall poor performance of the ambulance service in Wales which has by far the worst record in mainland UK,” commented Aled Roberts. 

 

“But the overall figures hide large variations which suggest that some parts of North Wales are much better organized than others.

 

“Wrexham comes out top not just in the North but throughout Wales with a figure of 73.7% for emergency calls attended within the target time of 8 minutes during July. However, the figure for Anglesey is 48.9% which is by far the lowest in North Wales followed by Flintshire on 56.8% and Gwynedd on 57%. These are all below the UK target of 65%, whereas Conwy on 70.5% is well above and Denbighshire is just above on 66.2%

 

"Overall there are clearly problems Wales-wide which were thoroughly investigated in Professor McClelland’s recommendations which were published in April of this year. But these latest figures indicate that the differences cannot be explained away by issues of rurality. There have been major improvements in Scotland in recent years and yet in Wales the Welsh Government and management at the LHBs appear unable to improve the service. I am writing to the Director of the Ambulance Service in North Wales demanding that more be done to ensure that good practice is shared across the region.

 

"Poor ambulance response times are nothing new and yet the Welsh Government does not appear to be doing anything about it. Recommendations from the McClelland Report published in April have still not been acted upon. The report clearly indicates that there is an urgent need to tackle these issues regardless of any long term decisions on the future structure of the ambulance service. When the Assembly reconvenes next month I will be questioning the Health Minister, Mark Drakeford as to what action is to be taken to improve the situation in North Wales in the meantime.”

 

The raw statistics can be found here:

 

https://statswales.wales.gov.uk/Catalogue/Health-and-Social-Care/NHS-Performance/Ambulance-Services/AmbulanceCallsAndEmergencyResponses-by-Area-CategoryOfCall

Temporary closure of Corwen swimming pool

Users of the swimming pool at Corwen's Leisure Centre are being informed that the pool will be closed on Thursday and Friday (5 and 6 September), due to planned essential maintenance work.

The swimming pool will re-open as normal on Saturday, 7 September.

Denbighshire Leisure Services would like to thank pool users for their co-operation.

Temporary lights for tree cutting

 

Latest traffic update from Denbighshire County Council shows the A539 Llangollen Road will have temporary lights for the day next Monday, September 2, to allow tree cutting to go ahead.

Police appeal for witnesses after indecent assault on woman

Police are appealing for information after a woman was indecently assaulted in Ruabon.

 

The incident happened at around 4.05pm on Tuesday August 27 on New Hall Road when the victim, who was at the junction Black Brook Drive and the footpath which leads across the A483, became aware of a man on her right who indecently assaulted her and walked on towards Ruabon.

 

He was seen entering the Gower estate at the roundabout junction.

 

The victim, in her late teens, was not hurt during the incident.

 

The offender is described as white, between 30 and 45 years old, about 5'9'' tall, slim to medium build with blue eyes and dark grey spikey hair. The gelled spikes appeared vertical over the top of his head.

 

He was wearing a white t-shirt and dark blue jeans.

 

Anyone with information is asked to call North Wales Police on 101.

Local MP welcomes Commons vote on Syria

Clywd South MP Susan Elan Jones has warmly welcomed last night’s House of Commons vote that Britain should not enter military conflict in Syria.

 

Ms Jones, who is a Labour whip and who voted against David Cameron’s proposal, said: ‘The House of Commons rightly stopped the Government in its dangerous tracks in a way that has not happened since the Suez Crisis in 1956.

 

"People do not want war. The international community must deal firmly with the issue of Syria and chemical weapons but David Cameron’s plans would have made things much worse.

 

"I am delighted that the House of Commons and the Labour Party had the guts to do the right thing on this and to allow the common sense views of most British people to be heard."

 

AM's concern over Minister's statement on stations access

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has expressed concern about the “limited” response provided to him by the Transport Minister on improvements to disabled access at Chirk and Ruabon railway stations, despite her predecessor having detailed direct Welsh Government engagement.

Mr Isherwood, who is  Co-Chair of the Assembly Cross Party Group on Disability, wrote to the Minister, Edwina Hart, at the beginning of the month asking what plans the Welsh Government has to improve disabled access at Chirk and Ruabon railway stations and when this will happen.

After receiving an initial response from her stating only that “rail infrastructure matters are not devolved”, Mr Isherwood wrote again requesting further detail  in the context of a 2011 statement by her predecessor Carl Sargeant AM.

Mr Isherwood has now received her subsequent reply, in which she simply states that “under the UK Government National Programme, there is a scheme to improve access at Chirk Station. These improvement works are due for completion in 2014. At Ruabon Station, improvements can be considered should further funding become available from the UK Government.”  

In contrast her predecessor’s December 2011 Statement when Chirk, and four other stations (Llandaf, Machynlleth, Radyr and Ystrad Mynach) were awarded funding from the UK Government included: “The  (Welsh Government) Department For Transport will fund 50% of the costs of this programme at those stations and my officials are currently finalising funding details with each relevant regional transport consortia, which will fund the remaining 50% of costs over the lifetime of these projects.

“Improving accessibility at railway stations in Wales is a key priority for the Welsh Government , and will allow more passengers to use the rail network. Although this is a non devolved area, we have funded station improvements from our own budget, where we have resource available and believe this is the right thing to do.”

 

Mr Isherwood said:  “The current Minister has established a track record for downgrading commitments to transport infrastructure in North Wales and her reply is simply not good enough. The people of our region must not be disabled by her apparent low level of interest in their needs and deserve a proper update to the matters detailed in her predecessor’s statement.

 “It is totally unacceptable that the Transport Minister is so dismissive of the situation.  Disabled rail users should have the same access to travel as every other rail user and I will continue pressing the Minister until they do.”  

Llangollen lands coveted Cittaslow status

* The Mayor of Llangollen, Cllr Robert Lube, accepts

Cittaslow accreditation from  representatives of the

organisation in Mold Andrea Mearns, left, and Sarah Pratt.

Bid group members celebrate the achievement in the background.

 

LLANGOLLEN has just officially become part of a select worldwide community dedicated to safeguarding precious resources.   

The town’s year-long bid to become part of the international Cittaslow movement, which fosters economic, social and environmental sustainability, was rewarded this week when it was formally granted accreditation by the organisation. 

Bosses of the Denbighshire tourist mecca say this will now bring a range of benefits, including reassuring potential visitors and investors that it is well run and progressive, and unlocking funds from central government and the EU to help finance local initiatives.  

Llangollen has become only the second Cittaslow town in Wales after Mold, and is only the sixth in the UK. 

Mold is said to have benefited enormously from holding the status. 

Cittaslow grew from the Slow Food Movement, another international scheme which links the pleasure of food with a commitment to community and the environment by promoting local, seasonal produce and reconnecting people with where their food comes from.

The name Cittaslow is derived from the Italian word for city or town and is pronounced almost like 'cheetah'. Slow is English. 

Under the umbrella of the town council, Llangollen set up a working group dedicated to winning Cittaslow status. 

The group’s 14 members, including councillors and non-councillors, have spent the past year putting together a formal bid package which demonstrated every aspect of the town’s suitability for accreditation, including the strength of its local produce and products and its hospitality and community assets. 

The bid was showcased by group members to two Cittaslow representatives from Mold during a presentation held in the town hall on Wednesday evening. 

At the end of it, Mold town councillor Andrea Mearns told them: “This is a very sound application and we’ll be recommending you are accepted as a Cittaslow town. 

“You have done very well and have produced a good body of evidence to support your application. You will be welcomed into the Cittaslow network.” 

She went on to explain that each of the UK’s six Cittaslow towns has a place on the national board which is one of 23 representing countries across the world. 

Businesses in Llangollen will now be entitled to carry the official Cittaslow logo on their websites and Llangollen Town Council is investigating the possibility of flying a Cittaslow flag over the town hall. 

Members of the bid group are currently working on plans to spread the word locally about the benefits Cittaslow membership. 

Spokesman and town councillor Phil Thane said: “We are delighted to have won accreditation  which is a tribute to the hard work put in by the bid group and of our town clerk Gareth Thomas. 

“There are two major reasons for becoming a Cittaslow town. 

“Firstly, it provides a set of well recognised goals that serve to keep the town council and Denbighshire County Council up to scratch. 

“Also, when the council or a voluntary body in Llangollen applies for a grant from Cardiff, London or Brussels being a Cittaslow town shows that we are well organised and run and should help us bring more investment into the town. 

“One of our main aims is to involve as many people as possible in Cittaslow Llangollen, which is why we've set up a website to show you what we're doing at www.cittaslow.llangollentowncouncil.co.uk. We are also on Facebook and Twitter.”

* llanblogger is proud to have been part of the successful bid group.

Llyr Gruffydd, North Wales regional AM for Plaid Cymru, said: “I’m delighted that Llangollen has joined Mold as one of the Cittaslow towns – a third of all the UK’s Cittaslow towns are in North Wales [2 out of 6].

 

“Mold has worked hard to gain a reputation as a food town and I’m sure this new status will also help Llangollen’s food producers and outlets to benefit. We should be justifiably proud that our food and drink is of such high quality. The challenge now is to create the outlets for those products to be sold throughout the region.”

Thomas takes trip abroad after successful Llan appearance

 

* Owner Mike Pearce with Thomas the Tank engine at Llangollen

during the event held in August.

After a very successful series of Days Out With Thomas at Llangollen during August the star of the show has gone off on a continental working holiday.

 

Taking the ferry for Hook of Holland the Llangollen-based Thomas the Tank Engine has made another appearance at the heritage Museum Buurt Sporwegen  at Haarksbergen near Enschede in the Netherlands.

 

This was a repeat visit by popular request of the Dutch rail enthusiasts who operate the preservation scheme.

 

The famous blue engine No.1 continues on its way into Belgium where it has an appointment for a first appearance at the heritage railway centre at Stoon Centrum Maldegem, near Bruges during the weekend 7/8 September.

 

Later it will head off for a heritage railway in the Ardennes.

 

Mike Pearce, the owner of the Llangollen based Thomas, said: "These visits to Europe confirm the international appeal of the Thomas the Tank Engine stories as now promoted on the worldwide scene by HiT Entertainment.

 

"Combining three visits with one return ferry movement eases the costs for the railways hosting the events and we hope they are a big crowd puller for the Belgian children who will never have seen Thomas for real before.

 

"The appearance of the engine from Llangollen is also a big promotion for the town in North Wales.

 

"Our fans of Thomas at Llangollen need not worry however because Thomas will be back at Llangollen for the next series of Days Out with Thomas due at half term in October."

 

Meanwhile, Llangollen Railway is getting ready for its own three day steam gala this weekend, (30/31 August & 1 September) when the visiting engine will be No.7812 Erlestoke Manor, on hire briefly from the Severn Valley Railway.

 

The visitor will star alongside the railway's own flagship engine No.7822 Foxcote Manor and three other engines from the home fleet.

 

George Jones for Llangollen Railway said: "Once again the railway will be putting on a major steam event for rail fans and others as an intensive service is offered between Llangollen and Carrog.

 

"A near 45 minute interval service will operate starting from Llangollen at 10.00am and will feature Great Western freight locomotive No.3802, the Black Five 44806 and British Railways standard tank No.80072 for a recreation of the great days of steam.

 

"The first train of the day will feature both Manor locomotives when they are scheduled to double head the 10.00am departure.  Such a pairing was once appropriate for a Royal Train visit."

Artists to show off their work in the town

Starting on Friday 6th September, six artists in Llangollen will be showing work in their studios, local tea shops an historic local venue and a hotel in the town.

Each weekend and some Fridays throughout September painting, photography and ceramics will be on show as part of Helfa Gelf Art Trail 2013.

North Wales's tremendously popular Open Studios scheme now  in its eighth year, spanning five counties with over 300 artists showing work.

The project has received funding through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007 -2013 which is funded by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural fund for Rural Development and is offering artists throughout Wales wonderful opportunities.

Painters showing work in Llangollen  include Sue Hall at 5a Oak St, John Smout at Fouzi's Cafe Bar, Pat Pearson at The Pines, Abbey Rd and Janie Mcleod at Plas Newydd Tea Rooms.

Maggie Davies will be showing ceramics in her studio at Dinbren Uchaf Farm, Eglwyseg and  Llinos Lanini will exhibit her photography for one weekend in Manorhaus, Heol Y Bryn.

A spokesperson for the organisers said: "To make a start why not call in to Plas Newydd  Tea Rooms with its beautiful historic house sample the homemade cakes with a pot of tea view Janie Mcleods work and collect your Helfa Gelf booklet which has all the artists details and locations so that you can plan your visits.

"Whether you wish to buy an art work or just chat to the various artists over a cup of tea do bring family and friends and enjoy this wonderful event For further information about the event please go to www.helfagelf.co.uk"

Pavilion meeting will aid consultation on county plans

A meeting in Llangollen early next month will aid consultation on Denbighshire County Council's plans to breathe new life into the local economy.

Councillors unanimously agreed earlier this Summer that the Council should consult on its draft Economic & Community Ambition Strategy, 'Developing Opportunities, Creating Confidence' .

A further consultation event takes place at the Pavilion, Llangollen on Thursday, September 5th between 6pm and 8pm.  

A focus group for the manufacturing industry will take place on Friday, September 6th at the Optic Centre, St Asaph at 8am, with a focus group for the Energy sector meeting on Monday, September 9th at 8am.

One of the Strategy's key headlines is the need to work together to make Denbighshire a place where businesses existing and new, grow and flourish; towns and communities are vibrant and prosper and all residents enjoy a good quality of life and can participate in the local economy

The Council hopes that by taking action to tackle the issues set out in the Strategy, results will be seen in less unemployment; higher household incomes; more successful and sustainable businesses; less deprivation; more people able to participate in the local economy and a higher profile for Denbighshire.

Have your say by visiting our website: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/youropinions  where you can access the complete consultation document and  complete a short response form..

Alternatively you can submit your views in writing to:  Mike Horrocks, Economic Ambition Strategy Consultation, Denbighshire County Council, Wynnstay Road, Ruthin, LL15 1YN.

The deadline for consultation responses to be completed and returned is 9^th September 2013.

Show claims to uncover new evidence on Ripper murders

Jack the Ripper may have been nothing more than a myth created by sensational journalism at the time of the murders.  

That is one of the theories which will be put forward when a retired police officer who has made a 11-year study of the legendary murder mystery presents his show Jack the Ripper-A 21st Century Investigation at The Catrin Finch Centre in Wrexham on Friday, September 6. 

The show, presented by leading Ripper expert Trevor Marriott, is touring the UK throughout 2013 to mark the 125th anniversary of the Whitechapel murders in London in 1888. 

A reign of terror ensued when the killer who became known as the Ripper was blamed for a series of brutal and horrific murders which to this day remain unsolved.   

Since 2002 Marriott (pictured right), a retired murder squad detective,  has been conducting a cold case re-investigation of the murders.

For the past 125 years the mystery has captivated the imagination of people worldwide.

There have been over 100 books published and numerous films and television documentaries on the subject.

Marriott says many of these have over-dramatised and distorted the facts to the point where the public now accepts the fiction more readily than the facts.

He claims his own long and protracted  investigation has uncovered some “startling results” which completely dispel many of the original theories which have been readily accepted as being fact for over a century.

It was generally accepted that the murderer only killed five prostitutes between August and November 1888.

However, Marriott claims to have uncovered other murders outside of those dates both in London, the USA and Germany.

This, he says, has led to a new suspect emerging who has never been mentioned before and who had been arrested for committing a Ripper-like murder in the USA.

Marriott says his ongoing investigation disproves the accepted theory that the killer, after slaying some of the victims, removed vital organs from their bodies at the crime scenes taking them away with him.

And he says further investigative work has uncovered secret Metropolitan Police Special Branch records, never before made public, in which four new suspects are named and the contents of which now eliminate a number of the “prime suspects” who have been continuously investigated over the ensuing years.

Marriott believes that not all the Whitechapel murders were committed by the same killer and that, in fact, Jack the Ripper may have been nothing more than a myth created by sensational journalism at the time of the murders. 

 

Jack the Ripper- A 21^st Century Investigation is a two-hour show hosted by Marriot himself in which he describes his lengthy investigation and discloses the results.  

The one-man show is packed with pictures from 1888, including original crime scene images of the victims, suspects and other original photographs from 1888 relative to the murders. 

The show’s advance publicity material warns:  “It should be noted that some of these photographs are of a disturbing and graphic nature which some persons may find disturbing. However, adequate notice is given during the show to avoid anyone becoming upset or distressed.” 

This show will coincide with the publication of  three new books written by Trevor Marriott entitled Jack the Ripper-The Secret Police Files, The Evil Within - The World’s Worst Serial Killers and a Victorian crime mystery novel based on the Whitechapel Murders called Prey Time. 

Marriott recently featured in a television documentary for the National Geographic Channel entitled Finding Jack the Ripper, which was shown worldwide. 

+ Catrin Finch Centre box office 01978 293293.