Hamper Llangollen hailed at food conference

 

* Pictured at the North East Wales Food Conference at Glyndwr University are, from left, Jonathan Copeland, of Headland Foods, Andrew Martin, Senior Business Development Manager for the Welsh Government, John Les Tomos, Mold Food Festival, Llior Radford, Llaeth y Llan, Donna Hughes, Wrexham Northern Marches; Mark Roberts, Wrexham Lager; and Robert Price, Cadwyn Clwyd.

 

North Wales is driving growth in the booming Welsh food sector, according to a top Welsh Government food adviser.

Andrew Martin, Welsh Government Senior Business Development Manager, told a conference in Wrexham: “Food producers in North Wales are among the most successful and innovative in the country and business growth here is the strongest in Wales.

“One of our biggest selling points is that our food is seen as safe which has helped us take business from countries like Ireland – it’s a trust thing and we are trusted with what we are doing with our environment, our stock and our horticulture.

“The Welsh Government is intent on delivering growth, that is the action plan and the challenge is there and so are the opportunities and the question is how we continue to drive growth forward in this region.”

He was addressing the North East Wales Food Conference, organised by rural regeneration organisations Cadwyn Clwyd and Northern Marches Cymru and held at the Catrin Finch Centre at Glyndwr Univerity.

The conference, staged by the two organisations and paid for for through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) through the Welsh Government’s Rural Development Plan, was addressed by a range of speakers.

These included Mark Roberts, from the Wrexham Lager Company, Llior Radford, of Llaeth y Llan dairy products, Jonathan Copeland, of Bridgehead Food Partners, and John Les Thomas, of Mold Food Festival.

Andrew Martin also pointed to the success of the recent Conference of Welsh Food Festivals held in Llangollen and organised by Hamper Llangollen, the food festival based in the town.

That initiative is leading to the formation of an Association of Welsh Food Festivals and Martin, who has a responsibility for the North Wales area, also had a positive message for them as he promised a change in funding arrangements.

He said: “Food festivals have been slightly misunderstood but thanks to that conference in Llangollen we are moving on and there is an opportunity to develop the business that attend food festivals and get more of their products out into the mainstream markets.

“The Welsh Government is already looking at changing the funding programme from an annual one to a three-yearly system to give more consistency and security of funding.

“We can change almost anything but we need you to tell us to do it and that it’s what you want.”

Colin Loughlin, Chairman of Hamper Llangollen, welcomed the funding news and said: “We were delighted to hear that the Welsh Government is considering moving to a three-year model for funding.

“This would provide more security of funding – at present we don’t know from one year to the next what the level of funding will be or whether we will get any at all and festivals do so much to promote Wales and Welsh food.

“One of the reasons for forming an Association of Welsh Food Festivals is so that we can press for changes like this but also so that we can share best practices and make cost savings on services such as insurance by being able to buy as a group.”

Mark Roberts, Director of Wrexham Lager, spoke about the challenge of marketing a product while Jonathan Copeland, whose company supplies cheese for major supermarket chains, and Llior Radford, of Llaeth y Llan, talked about dealing with the multiples and marketing and John Les Tomos described the challenges of running a food festival.

Robert Price, Cadwyn Clwyd Agri-Food Officer for Denbighshire and Flintshire, said: “The North East Wales Food Conference has become a major date in the food calendar of the region.

“It is important both for the opportunity it gives for networking but also for the chance to hear the latest news both from the Welsh Government and from some of our most interesting and innovative food producers.”

For more information on Cadwyn Clwyd projects ring 01824 705802 or e-mail info@cadwynclwyd.co.uk

Llangollen to get superfast broadband in December says AM

A pioneering Welsh Government scheme aimed at making Wales the best-connected country in the world is paying dividends in Clwyd South, according to Assembly Member Ken Skates.

The Labour AM said the £425m Superfast Cymru programme is on track to meet its target of having 96% of homes and businesses accessing top broadband speeds by summer 2016.

The Welsh Government has installed three superfast cabinets in Corwen and another in Rhostyllen since December, and Ruabon, Rhosllanerchrugog and Bangor-on-Dee will join the network next month.

He says Llangollen, where Mr Skates is based, will be linked up in December.

He said: “Superfast Cymru is the biggest partnership of its kind anywhere in the UK and is being led by the Welsh Labour Government and BT, bringing high-speed broadband to almost every property in Wales.

“It is particularly pleasing to see our pioneering project paying dividends in my own constituency and across North Wales, where we are investing record sums, with many areas already connected or due to join the superfast network over the coming months.

“Superfast Cymru is well on target and has so far connected more than 150,000 properties to superfast-enabled cabinets. By the summer of 2016 Wales will be better connected than almost every other country on the planet.”

Mr Skates said the scheme is well ahead of its counterparts elsewhere in Britain.

He added: “Roll-out in England and Scotland has barely begun – and neither will reach anywhere near as high a proportion of properties as Superfast Cymru is delivering in Wales. We also have faster speeds – much, much faster. So far, the average test speed for Superfast Cymru connections is three times higher than the UK average.

“Few other nations have adopted such an ambitious infrastructure plan and we are on target to deliver it with the help of European money.
“This is a massive logistical undertaking, involving 17,500kms of optic fibre being laid. That’s enough to stretch from my constituency office in Llangollen to Sydney, Australia, and still have enough to go from Coedpoeth to Cardiff.

“However, by this time next year we will have trebled the number of premises in North Wales which have access to superfast broadband. Soon Wales will be in the superfast lane, while great swathes of England bumble along far behind.”

Row over hospital's fate rumbles on

A LANGOLLEN campaigner claims a question mark still hangs over the ownership of the town’s former Cottage Hospital despite moves to demolish the building to make way for social housing.

* The shuttered former Cottage Hospital.

 

A planning application is pending for the Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd housing association to build a number of six new homes on the site of the Victorian hospital in Abbey Road plus a further six on the car park opposite.

But Martin Crumpton, who led strong local opposition to the closure of the 137-year-old hospital by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board last year, says he believes behind the scenes discussions are still going over the ownership of the empty building.

And he says these talks hinge on a deed of dedication – originally thought to have been a covenenant - one vital clause of which is said to stipulate that the building must revert to the Vivod Estate, a large landowner in the area, which originally donated the building to the people of Llangollen, if it is no longer being used as a hospital.

Mr Crumpton says he has submitted two Freedom of Information requests to the health board for details of legal arrangement, neither of which have been answered.  

But, after making his own investigation, he claims he now knows why he received no official response from the board.   

He said: “The requests should have been answered in 20 days but two months on and I’m still waiting for a response.

“All I’ve had has been obfuscation, prevarication, nonsense requests for further clarification - anything but an answer.

“In the latest letter from Dr Peter Higson, the chair of Betsi Cadwaladr, they’re still denying any knowledge of a covenant on the Cottage Hospital and the well-known reversion clause that says it must revert to the Vivod Estate in the event it’s no longer used as a hospital.

“But now I know why. Technically, it turns out that it’s not a covenant. It’s a deed of dedication, and it does have the famous reversion clause.

“I believe that Betsi Cadwaladr, who had always assumed they owned the hospital outright, are now negotiating a settlement over the deed of dedication.”

Mr Crumpton added: “We getting sold out on the Cottage Hospital, and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is operating clandestinely when they’ve promised in front of the Public Accounts Committee to be open and transparent.

“How on earth can Denbighshire’s planning committee even consider an application for the hospital site when ownership hasn’t been established?”

Mr Crumpton says this is a question he will put to Graham Boase,  Denbighshire’s head of planning and public protection, when he has a pre-arranged meeting with him on August 13.

 

Plas Madoc lifeline plan rejected

The Leader is reporting today that a £50,000 lifeline to re-open Plas Madoc leisure centre has been voted down by Wrexham councillors.

See the full story at: http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/136506/wrexham-council-vote-pulls-plug-on-leisure-centre-cash-lifeline.aspx

Police clamp down on illegal drivers

North Wales Police will be putting the brakes on illegal motorists during a two-week campaign which started this week.

 

As part of the crackdown against those who drive whilst disqualified, drive with no insurance or drive without a valid driving licence, officers will be out and about targeting those who flout the law.

 

Members of the public are being encouraged to report a criminal if they suspect them to be breaking the law.

 

“We strive to improve road safety for all and send a clear message that committing these type of offences whilst driving will not be tolerated on the roads of North Wales,” said PC Vincent Jones who is leading on the campaign on behalf of North Wales Police’ Roads Policing Unit.

 

“We will be targeting the minority of individuals who choose to break the law, saving the ordinary driver from higher insurance premiums and reducing road casualties.

 

“We stop and seize vehicles that are found to be on the road illegally throughout the year however this two-week campaign specifically focuses on those individuals in a bid to help make the roads a safer place across the region.

 

“Anybody found to be driving illegally can face being arrested. We will use all available powers to seize illegal vehicles and remove them from the roads. The consequences for them can be anything from a fine, to points on their licence to having their car scrapped."

 

“Many uninsured drivers use their vehicles to facilitate their illegal activities and denying them the use of the roads makes it harder for them to commit crime. We will work with people in our communities to help rid the roads of illegal drivers.

 

During the campaign officers will be utilising ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) technology and they will also be in contact with their colleagues at the DVLA and Motor Insurance Bureau. Coordinated operations including road-side checks will be carried out across North Wales.

 

So far in 2014 North Wales Police 92 arrests have been made with regards to illegal driving and during the same period 592 vehicles have been seized under Section 165 of the Road Traffic Act.

 

PC Jones added: “It frightening to think that so many people are behind the wheel when they shouldn’t be. Vehicles in the wrong hands are effectively killing machines. The public can be reassured that we will not tolerate crime on our roads therefore if you suspect an illegal driver please contact us.”

 

North Wales Police has a robust strategy around enforcing the ‘Fatal 5’ offences which are drink and drug driving, dangerous driving including unnecessary risk taking, speeding, failing to wear a seatbelt and using a mobile phone whilst driving. These offences will also be looked at during the two-week campaign.

 

·         In 2013 North Wales Police seized a total of 1,135 vehicles under Section 165 of the Road Traffic Act. During the same period 145 arrests were made with regards to illegal driving.

 

Penalties for illegal drivers can include:

 

• Driving without insurance: 6-8 points and up to £5,000 fine (£300 for fixed penalty ticket)
• Driving whilst disqualified: 6 points, up to £5,000 fine and you could face a minimum 6 month prison sentence
• Driving other than in accordance with your driving licence: 3-6 points and £1,000 fine
• Failing to identify the driver of the vehicle: 3 points

 

Uninsured drivers are:

 

• Three times more likely to have been convicted of driving without due care and attention
• Six times more likely to drive an unsafe vehicle
• Nine time more likely to be involved in a road traffic collision
• 10 times more likely to have a drink drive conviction

 

Key Facts: from Motor Insurance Bureau:

 

• Drivers without valid insurance have no right to be on the road. It is illegal.
• Uninsured and untraced drivers kill 130 people and injure 26,500 every year.
• The annual cost of uninsured driving is estimated to be £400 million.
• The MIB manages the Motor Insurance Database which has been used by the Police since 2005 when they took on new powers.  Since then over 1 million vehicles have been seized.
• Nearly 2,500 uninsured vehicles are seized by police across the country each week.
• Drivers without insurance face the inconvenience of no vehicle as well as a £300 fixed penalty, £150 collection charge, £20 per day storage, 6 points on the license.  No vehicle is released until proof of insurance is produced

.

AM calls for road and rail links priority

North Wales Liberal Democrat AM Aled Roberts is calling on the Welsh Government to give more priority to improving rail and road links with Manchester and Liverpool.

  Mr Roberts’ call came after the England’s Northern Cities announcement that they are bidding for a £15 billion plan to improve transport links was backed by the Chancellor, George Osborne.

  “In June the Chancellor called for the creation of a ‘northern global powerhouse,’” commented Aled Roberts. “And now the northern cities are making a similar call it seems likely that the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement will contain some major financial commitments to improve transport.

  “If the Welsh Government continues their policy of concentrating only on improving transport links between north and south Wales, then we in North Wales could lose out on a golden opportunity to benefit from major investment in England’s North West.

  “Already large numbers of people commute from North Wales to the Liverpool and Manchester conurbations but commuting is a nightmare as a result of road congestion and the lack of direct commuting trains. 

  “Indeed from December, if current plans are maintained, we are likely to lose a key commuting service from Llandudno to Manchester and I have written to both the Welsh Government’s transport minister and Arriva Trains Wales to try and save it.

  “Just one per cent of the £1,000,000m that is being spent on improving the M4 around Newport could give Wrexham direct train services to Manchester and Liverpool. Only £10m is required to dual most of the line between Wrexham and Chester so that more trains can run.

  “Are Labour’s Welsh Government in contact with Labour’s city leaders in the North of England? Judging by recent publicity it seems that a Conservative Chancellor has more contact those Labour leaders than a Labour one in Cardiff.

  “The problem is that Welsh Labour think Cardiff and South Wales and our Labour leaders in the North are too weak to challenge that bias. A billion is being spent on the M4 to give South Wales better access to
England’ booming South East but they will not consider investing in better connectivity between North Wales and England’s Northern cities as they plan economic growth. 

  “I hope that Labour’s Welsh Leadership change their mind because if they do not, then in fifteen years’ time we in North Wales will be watching economic development in England’s Northern Cities unable to take part or reap any benefit.”

AM meets Jobs Growth Wales graduates

* Ken Skates AM, third from right, with the Jobs Growth Wales graduates at Plas Newydd.

Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates spent an afternoon with previously unemployed young people who found work through a flagship Welsh Government scheme.

Mr Skates, the Labour AM for Clwyd South, met Yendl Barwise, Alex Falkingham, Sian Medi Davies, Sam Massey and David Thompson at Plas Newydd, Llangollen on Thursday (July 31).

The five graduates all found placements with Denbighshire County Council’s countryside services team through Jobs Growth Wales (JGW), which has now helped more than 11,300 people aged 16 to 24-year-olds into work across the country – including at least 418 in Denbighshire and 408 more in Wrexham.

The Welsh Labour scheme reimburses the cost of employing 16- to 24-year-olds for the first six months, and has won the praise of employers throughout Wales.

David Shiel, Senior Countryside Officer with Denbighshire County Council, said: “Jobs Growth Wales is fantastic for us because we get a good range of talent coming in, and we try to give them as broad an array of experience as possible to help them find work in the future.

“This is the second intake of Jobs Growth Wales employees we’ve had, and we’ve been able to help all the previous ones find work within the environmental sector after they left us. The problem a lot of young people have is finding work without any experience, so Jobs Growth Wales helps them as well as us. It’s win-win.”

Mr Skates, who is also the Welsh Government Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, said: “Jobs Growth Wales has filled 735 job opportunities in the last month alone. The latest figures show success rates for the programme continuing strongly, with 82% of young people working
in the private sector progressing into employment or further learning after completing their six-month Jobs Growth Wales opportunities.”

“It is fantastic news for the area that so many young people are seeing the benefit of Jobs Growth Wales. The scheme, which is fast becoming the envy of Europe, not only provides career opportunities, it also enables young people to gain good quality work experience and the essential skills employers look for, supporting their progression into sustained employment and their long-term prospects.

“Our absolute priority in these tough times is to stand up for the people of Wales, creating jobs and enabling growth.  The success of this programme so far proves we’re doing just that.  I am immensely proud of what we’ve achieved and I am proud that the Welsh Labour Government is determined to leave nobody behind.”

Candlelit service marks start of the Great War

Llangollen people gathered at the town's cenotaph for a candlelit service to mark the centenary of Britain's involvement in World War 1 earlier tonight (Monday).

They joined in the Royal British Legion's national campaign to mark the exact time of Britain's declaration of war on Germany at 11pm on August 4, 1914 with a show of candlelight.

The service was led by the Rev Andrew Sully of St Collen's Church and on parade were members of cadet organisations along with standard bearers from the British Legion.

* Youth organisations parade with their symbolic candles.

 

* People gather around the cenotaph for the service.

   

* A candle and a poppy cross left on the cenotaph at the end of the service.

Chirk open evening to recruit retained firefighters

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is holding an open evening tomorrow (Tuesday) at Chirk Fire Station as part of it current campaign to recruit Retained Duty System (RDS) firefighters to help protect communities across the region.

Ruth Simmons, Assistant Chief Fire Officer,explained:  "RDS firefighters provide  essential fire and emergency cover for their fire station's area. We are  looking for suitable individuals, in particular those available during the day,  who can travel to their local fire station within five or six minutes of being  paged for a call out.

"These people may have other roles such as builders, shopkeepers, nurses, factory workers, housewives or homeworkers during working hours but we would ask that, in addition, retained firefighters are available to attend emergency incidents as and when required.

"Firefighters are fully trained, highly skilled personnel, saving lives and property from fire. RDS firefighters provide expertise at road, rail and aircraft accidents, chemical spillages, flooding, forest, heathland and mountain fires, agricultural accidents and animal rescues.

"We are looking for both female and male recruits who are enthusiastic and can demonstrate common sense, commitment and dedication. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service provides close-knit, highly trained teams working with modern, hi-tech equipment. Recruits will also take part in the fire prevention work we carry out to prevent fires happening in our community."

The Chirk open evening will be held between 6.30pm and 9pm.

For more details, contact North Wales Fire and Rescue Service on 01745 535250 or RDSrecruitment@nwales-fireservice.org.uk.

All applications must be received by 27^thAugust  2014.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old. They must possess a good standard of physical fitness and have the ability to pass aptitude tests. In addition to their monthly retaining fees, payments are made for turnouts, attendance and drill nights.

Many employers are aware of the essential role that retained fire and rescue service personnel carry out within their local communities and many release staff to carry out firefighting and other emergency duties.

A483 closed due to serious incident

Wrexham.com is reporting this morning that the A483 towards Chirk has been closed due to a serious incident at around 11.15am today.

For the full story see:

http://www.wrexham.com/news/a483-closed-due-to-serious-incident-46458.html

BBC traffic information says:

A483 Wrexham - A483 in Halton closed and queueing traffic in both directions between Halton Roundabout and Ruabon, because of a serious police incident. Diversion in operation - local. Congestion to J2, B5426 (Johnstown) and on A5 to Gledrid Roundabout.


More on the story from the Oswestry Advertizer's website ...

http://www.bordercountiesadvertizer.co.uk/news/136433/man-falls-from-bypass-bridge-near-chirk.aspx#.U9-CrkjYFzc.twitter

World War 1 commemoration held

 

* The Rev Andrew Sully of St Collen’s Church, who led prayers,

and the bugler from Llangollen Silver Band, Iestyn Watkin, during the service.

* Standards are lowered to honour the fallen of World War 1.  

A service to mark the 100^th anniversary of Britain’s involvement in World War 1 on August 4, 1914 was held by Llangollen branch of the Royal British Legion at the town’s war memorial this morning (Monday).

A bugler from Llangollen Silver Band sounded the traditional Last Post and Reveille as standards were paraded and the Rev Andrew Sully, of St Collen’s Church, said a short prayer.

The ceremony followed a service in St Collen’s Church.

This evening at 10.50pm there is due to be a further informal gathering at the war memorial.

World War One centenary events today

Llangollen branch of the Royal British Legion has asked llablogger to display this poster giving details of today's special event to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War:  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Battle is to save the Welsh high street

Buy Local Llangollen has highlighted a new campaign to fight for the survival of the traditional Welsh high street.

For the full story see:
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/fight-save-welsh-high-street-7545413

Plas Madoc competition deadline extended

A competition to create a new mascot for Plas Madoc Leisure Centre has been extended for the summer holidays.

The volunteer-run Splash Community Trust is urging youngsters aged four to 11 to get creative and come up with designs for a dragon mascot for the popular facility, which it is hoped will reopen later this year as a social enterprise under the name Splash Magic.

Board member and fundraising coordinator Jenny Miller said: “We feel Splash Magic needs a strong and iconic mascot, and we like the idea of Splash the Magic Dragon. We would like local schoolchildren to help us – their ideas are critical.”

Trust chairman Darrell Wright said: “We would like Splash to be sporty and to capture the spirit of Plas Madoc and the activities that the centre has to offer – swimming, squash, aerobics, circuit training, pilates, yoga, children activities etc – so please be imaginative!

“Splash can be a boy or a girl, young or old – it’s up to you. This is a great idea of Jenny’s, and it will be fantastic to have a local child create a little piece of Plas Madoc history.”

The competition costs £1 to enter. The money will go on admin costs, with any remaining cash going towards the reopening of the centre. The winning design will be framed and proudly displayed in the reception area of Splash Magic when it reopens.

Jenny added: “The winner will also be presented with a framed copy to display at their school or to take home, and we have a hamper full of arts and crafts goodies very generously donated by the Plassey Holiday Park in Eyton.

“We’re hoping this will be a fun way to engage with local children and for them to be a part of what we are doing, and they will also be helping us ensure that Plas Madoc is still around when they have children of their own.”

Entries should be done on A4 paper, with the child’s name, age, school and home telephone number on the back.

The closing date is Friday, September 5. Designs can be sent to Splash Community Trust, 21 Egerton Street, Wrexham, LL11 1ND, or emailed to splashmagictrust@yahoo.co.uk.

For more information call Jenny on 07921 659099.

Well-wishers pay off vet's bill for injured cat

The Daily Post in reporting that well-wishers have now paid off a £700 vet's bill for the Llangollen cat badly injured in a dog attack.

For the full story, see: http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/llangollen-kind-hearted-animal-lovers-pay-7550618

Latest local roadworks

Latest local roadworks notified by the county council are:

Various Roads, Pengwern, Llangollen, road closure, from August 12-16, to allow resurfacing work by Denbighshire County Council.

Wharf Hill, Llangollen, temporary traffic lights, until August 8, to allow gas works by Wales & West.

 

Llan kids urged to enter poster competition

Denbighshire County Council is asking 8-11 year olds to spend some of their summer holidays designing a poster to promote the "Support your local High Street campaign" which will be taking place across Wales at the end of September.

The winner of the Denbighshire round will go forward to the national competition and the national winner will be chosen by the Minister for Housing & Regeneration, Carl Sergeant AM.
Entries should be sent to the county council's Economic & Business Development team at Caledfryn in Smithfield Road, Denbigh LL16 3RJ to arrive by 15th August or can be e-mailed to econ.dev@denbighshire.gov.uk.

Further guidance can be found of the Government's website by clicking on the following link >>>>> http://wales.gov.uk/topics/housing-and-regeneration/regeneration/high-street/poster-competition/?lang=en

More people to get faster broadband

More people across Wales will be able to benefit from faster broadband following changes to the scheme rules, says the Welsh Government.

A new scheme provides grants to premises which are unable to access broadband above a speed of two Megabits per second (Mbps) so that they can access faster broadband.  

 

Before the changes only people in those areas not in the published Superfast Cymru roll-out were eligible.  Now people living in areas which will be covered by the roll-out can apply if they wish to do so.

The new rules will help ensure that customers receive a fast broadband connection as the technology used will need to be capable of providing superfast speeds bringing them into line with Superfast Cymru.

The Welsh Government will provide a maximum of £900 per premises, with customers making a ten per cent financial contribution which is in line with the cost of connection fees across the industry.

Potential recipients will also be given information about the Superfast Cymru roll-out so that can make a decision about whether to apply for a grant or wait for superfast fibre to be deployed in their area.

The changes to the scheme will come into effect on August 4.

Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Ken Skates, said: “The new scheme rules will mean that it better complements Superfast Cymru and will help those people who are later in the Superfast Cymru roll-out.

"Many more people will be eligible for funding under the scheme.  We are also ensuring that households and businesses can get a superfast broadband connection so that they are on a par with Superfast Cymru.

“We are asking people to contribute towards the cost and to carefully consider whether they should apply for the grant or wait for Superfast Cymru to come to their area.  This will help ensure we provide value for money for the public purse.”

More information about the scheme can be found at www.wales.gov.uk/broadband

Lib Dems say ambulance service is "in crisis"

Kirsty Williams, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, has described Wales’ ambulance service as being ‘in crisis’ as figures published today showing response times are nearly 10% worse than the same time last year.

But an ambulance boss says the service is working as hard as it can to get people to hospital as soon as possible.

 

Figures released today show that in June 53% of emergency responses to Category A (immediately life-threatening) calls arrived at the scene within 8 minutes, down from 54% in May 2014 and 62.6% in May 2013, and way below the target of 65%. In England and Scotland the target for the same priority calls is 75%.

 

These figures represent nearly a 10% drop compared to June 2013 last year.

 

Kirsty Williams said: “Once again we see ambulance response times getting worse.  The current target is not at all ambitious, yet still it is routinely missed.

 

“These figures remain a national disgrace.  To have only half of immediately life-threatening calls responded to within the 8 minute target time is a huge concern. 

 

“There is no hiding from the fact that our ambulance service is in crisis.  Monthly targets are missed and there is evidence the problem is getting worse, rather than better.  It is shocking that response times are nearly 10% worse now than they were this time last year.  Patients deserve better than this.

 

“Ambulance staff work incredibly hard and do an extremely difficult job.  Sadly, they are being forced to work in what is clearly a failing system provided by the Welsh Labour Government.”

Mike Collins, the Trust’s Director of Service Delivery, said: “The Welsh Ambulance Service took 35,570 calls in June, up by 1,699 calls from the same period last year. Of these calls, 14,167 were of the most serious in nature, up by 839 calls from the same period last year.

“We recognise that on occasion we fall short of the eight-minute target but are working, and will continue to work as hard as we can to get to patients as quickly as possible.

“Earlier this month, Trust Board members pledged their support for our ambitious Performance Improvement Plan and the necessary actions which we anticipate will help us to deliver sustainable improved performance.

“They include the recruitment of more frontline staff, increased contribution by our Community First Responders, a concerted effort to reduce sickness absence and a drive to curtail unnecessary calls.

“We have been working closely with our Local Health Board colleagues to reduce the delays in handing patients over to the care of the hospitals throughout Wales and we have seen real advancement. However, we believe there is still room for significant further improvement.

“Handover delays remain of great concern, not only because we are unable to respond to other 999 calls in the community but because of the experience of patients who wait in an ambulance to be admitted to the Emergency Department whilst these delays occur.

“Our Trust is facing its most serious challenge to date with regard to performance, but it is one we are confident we can overcome if we continue work hard, work in the smartest way possible and ensure that we deliver an effective service.

“Our staff are making every possible effort to deliver safe and high quality healthcare and services to the people of Wales, and for this they must be commended.

“Once again, we remind the public to ‘Choose Well’ and use NHS services appropriately; NHS Direct Wales, out-of-hour GP services and pharmacies are all available for healthcare and advice for minor illnesses and injuries.

“Please remember only to dial 999 if someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.”

 

 

Llan could be affected by fracking says DFP story

The Denbighshire Free Press is reporting today that Llangollen could be affected by fracking if the UK Government decides to extend licenses to carry out the controversial process.

For the full story, see:
http://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/136196/thousands-of-homes-in-denbighshire-could-be-affected-by-fracking.aspx

Plas Madoc campaign could receive £100,000 cash boost

The Leader is reporting today that the group campaigning to re-open Plas Madoc leisure centre could receive a £100,000 cash boost from Wrexham Council - the same local authority that shut it down a few months ago.

Mabon ap Gwynfor, Plaid Cymru spokesman for Clwyd South, said: "The news that the Labour group on Wrexham Council has done a u-turn is a welcome step in the right direction.

"Along with all the hard-working campaigners, we called for Plas Madoc to be kept open while the centre was transferred to community ownership and, when the council refused to that, we called for tapered funding assistance over next few years - as happened with Gwynedd Council with the Harlech swimming baths.

"As late as April, the ruling group rejected a budget amendment to keep Plas Madoc open. It's hard to know exactly what has prompted this dramatic u-turn but the pressure from opposition councillors has undoubtedly made a difference. It's a shame that the centre wasn't kept open as we all wanted to take advantage of the summer holiday trade.

"The fundraising efforts of volunteers over the past few months have been huge and, if the £100,000 funding package is approved,  it's only right that Wrexham Council recognises the contribution of the campaigners who wouldn't let Plas Madoc die."


For the full story, see: http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/136199/-100-000-cash-hope-to-save-plas-madoc-leisure-centre.aspx

Summer crime prevention advice from police

Windows and doors left open can prove too much of a temptation for a thief, so ensure your home is secure.

 

That's the summer crime prevention message from North Wales Police who advise that taking a few extra seconds to make sure your home is locked before you leave it and before you go to bed at night can help deter a burglar.

 

“In this continuing hot spell it can be tempting to leave a window or two open to allow air into your home but this sadly could be seen as an opportunity by a burglar, ensure your property is secure at all times whatever the weather” said Inspector Sian Williams.


“Once inside a thief will usually take anything that is easy portable and valuable such as mobile phones, ipads and tablets along with handbags and wallets. We have also had instances where car keys have been stolen along with the vehicle.”

 

“Accomplished and opportunists thieves look out for easy targets – don’t give them an opportunity.

 

"Check that doors, including patio doors, are locked and that windows are closed and can’t be opened or that people can’t use them to reach in and steal items or gain access to your home."  

 

The message is being issued by police as part of the force’s ‘Don’t Make it Easy’ campaign. 

 

Insp Williams added: “It’s important to remember that North Wales is a safe place but we can all play out part in helping to make it even safer by taking some simple but effective steps.”

 

Other top tips include:

•                     Consider installing a burglar alarm - if you have one, always set it before you go out.

•                     Never leave keys on display

•                     Don’t leave keys or any other items within reach of a window or glass pane or in the lock – these could all make a thief’s job easier. Keep them out of reach.

•                     Don’t hide spare keys under flowerpots or doormats – this is one of the first places a thief is likely to look.

•                     Keep photographs of valuable items such as jewellery.

•                     Security mark your property – not only will this increase your chances of being reunited with your property should you become a victim of burglary but it can also discourage a burglar from stealing the item in the first place.

 

Finally, if you are going on holiday help minimise this risk by making it appear as though you are really home.

 

Ask a friend to open or close curtains and remove your post. Cancel the delivery of milk and newspapers etc. Arrange for a neighbour to park their car in the driveway and avoid discussing holiday plans with strangers who may use or pass the information on.

 

Further advice on securing your property can be found on the North Wales Police under the ‘Advice and support’ and ‘Easy Street’.  

Appeal launched to pay vet's bills for injured cat

The Daily Post is reporting today how neighbours in the Church Street area have launched an appeal to pay the vet's bills for a popular cat savaged in a dog attack.

See the full story at: http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/llangollen-popular-church-cat-seriously-7522920

Railway's 60s weekend was swinging success

George Jones has supplied these pictures of the successful 60s weekend which took place at Llangollen Railway last Saturday and Sunday.

* Happy trippers aboard on open-topped bus en route from Llan to Glyndyfrdwy.

* Four trains in action - two steam, one diesel and the railcar -

offering the 60s scene when change was underway on British Railways.

 

 * Cars from the era - and earlier times - on show at Glyndyfrdwy.

 

* One family's pride and joy Mini parked at Llangollen station.

Campaigner calls for supermarket tax

A LLANGOLLEN campaigner is asking Assembly Members to back his call for new powers to tax local supermarkets.

The so-called “Tesco Tax” is already being demanded by 19 local authorities in England as a way of ensuring that supermarket spending re-circulates in local economies.

They estimate that such a levy, which already operates in Northern Ireland and Scotland, could raise up to £400 million a year.  

However, the UK government says additional taxes on supermarkets would push up food prices.

Now Martin Crumpton, who led opposition to a new Sainsbury’s store being built in Llangollen, has written to North Wales AMs calling for a supermarket tax in Wales.

In a letter to the politicians he says: “Wales is haemorrhaging money to England. Much of it is unavoidable - taxes, insurance premiums, mortgages, gas and electricity, petrol. Virtually all of it goes to England and English companies, and there isn’t damned thing we can do about it.

“It would be brilliant if it all went to Welsh companies, who could spend their profits in Wales with other Welsh companies.

“We’ve got a classic balance of trade problem. There’s a classic solution – impose tariffs, like so many councils in England want to do. Westminster opposes it but does the Welsh Government have to follow suite? I’d say yes.

“Let’s put a levy on supermarkets and other super-large retailers. Let’s staunch the blood loss so we can keep the patient alive long enough to heal the wound. Tariffs don’t work in the long term so it’s up to you to legislate for a better successor to replace it, but right now all your economic policies are a façade.”

Mr Crumpton calls on the Welsh Government to impose a series of measures, including:

·  Changing planning law so that businesses headquartered outside Wales are presumed harmful

·   Refusing further expansion of existing non-indigenous multiples

·   Enabling and encouraging Welsh councils to levy large, non-indigenous stores, with the strict caveat that the proceeds in their entirety benefit the local businesses from which the levies are exacted and must not be pooled or diverted.

 

Police say "stay safe this summer"

At the start of the school summer holidays ‘enjoy yourself but stay safe’ is the message from police in Denbighshire.

 

As part of the Summer Safety operation running throughout North Wales officers will continue with their pro-active patrols across the area and provide reassurance.

 

“With the continuing warm weather we want people to enjoy themselves, have a good time but to stay safe and be sensible,” said Supt Steve Williams.

 

"Patrol plans are in place across the two counties and officers will also be working with licensees and calling into premises to ensure that they are meeting the responsibilities of their licences.”

 

As part of the continuing effort to make the area an even safer place, a reminder is also being sent to anyone planning on going out for the day or evenings to ensure they secure their home – closing their doors and windows.

 

Police say you can prevent yourself from becoming a victim of burglary by taking these simple measures as over a third of burglaries are through insecure properties.

 

Supt Williams added: “North Wales is a safe place but we need to make sure that residents and visitors to the area help us to continue to make it a great place to live and visit.”

 

People heading out in their cars should ensure that they don’t leave any valuable items on show in their vehicles and also not to leave belongings such as handbags unattended in public places. 

 

Residents and visitors to the area can gain more information about securing their homes and property by visiting the ‘Advice and Support’ section of the NWP website or by accessing this link.  

Trio of top chefs coming to town

 

 

 * Graham Tinsley and Dion Jones.

 

A trio of Wales's best chefs will have a starring role at a top food festival - as they prepare to take on the world.

 

They will be hitting the culinary high notes at Hamper Llangollen that's being held in the town on Saturday and Sunday, October 18 and 19.

.

At Hamper Llangollen, Graham Tinsley, executive chef at Carden Park in Cheshire and Conwy’s Castle Hotel, will be cooking up a Welsh feast with Mike Evans, hospitality lecturer at Coleg Llandrillo, Rhos on Sea, and Dion Jones, one of Europe's finest young chefs.

 

The event, hailed as one of the Top 10 food festivals in the UK, is supported by the rural development agency, Cadwyn Clwyd.

 

Cadwyn Clwyd’s contribution comes via the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Welsh Government.

 

* Mike Evans.

The trio of chefs will be demonstrating the recipes that will be cooked by the team at the World Cup in Luxemburg when they will go head to head with the best culinary talents from around the globe.

 

Graham is just putting the finishing touches to the menus for the hot and cold dishes the culinary team - currently ranked seventh in the world - will be preparing at the World Cup.

 

But he is determined Welsh produce will feature strongly at Hamper Llangollen.

 

He said: “We always aim to showcase Welsh produce as part of what we are preparing. If we can’t buy it there, we take it with us.

 

“For Llangollen, we will also be going the stands of those exhibiting at the festival for inspiration. So when you see us cook the dishes, we will explain where you can buy the produce, whether it’s yoghurt, liquors or fresh vegetables. So you can buy the ingredients on the day and head home to make the dish for yourself,” said Graham, who was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s 80th birthday celebrations for his services to the food industry.

 

He has cooked for the Queen and members of the Royal family on numerous occasions, as well as the Emperor of Japan and European Heads of State at Cardiff Castle. Prince Charles, as patron of the Welsh National Culinary Team, has requested that they cook for him and his guests at every formal occasion in Wales and Graham was invited to attend his wedding celebration at Windsor Castle.

 

“We are hopeful of doing very well at the World Cup. When it was the Culinary Olympiad in 2012, we took silver and bronze, while at the last World Cup we picked up gold for the hot table and silver for the cold buffet.

 

“I’m just finalising what we will be cooking for the hot dishes this time, while I’ve got a little longer to think about the cold buffet. But it will definitely be a reflection of the great good and drink from Wales that’s available.”

 

 

One of Mike Evans's latest graduates is off to join kitchen wizard Heston Blumental. His previous students include Bryn Williams from Denbigh, who runs London restaurant and celebrity favourite Odette’s and who is about to open his first Welsh venture, at Porth Eirias, Colwyn Bay.

 

Another ex-student is former Bodysgallen Hall chef David Kelman, who was among the four top chefs who beat 20 others to win a place cooking up a treat for D-Day veterans at the Royal Albert Hall in BBC1’s Great British Menu.

 

Mike is just back from cooking for his rugby heroes, Sam Warburton and Rupert Moon. He’s previously served up meals for the Queen, Prince Philip and Prince Charles, plus David Cameron and the First Minister of Wales, along with the elite of Moscow’s multi-millionaire business community.

 

Mike Evans, who now lives in Old Colwyn, is in charge of coaching the Welsh Culinary Team’s junior squad.

 

He added: “Catering is now seen as a very positive option to take – in September there will be around 80 students starting at Coleg Llandrillo, while a few years ago there would only have half that number.

 

“It is a tough life but it does have great rewards, and standards are certainly on the up. The TV shows certainly help, not only to demonstrate to young people how high they can aim, but to also show the quality of food that’s being produced in restaurants these days.

 

“The Culinary Team has taken me some great places, such as cooking for the Welsh Rugby Union - though most of the big names were in South Africa playing: we were catering for the injured ones left behind. But I’m a big rugby fan, and it was a real honour to be cooking for them.

 

“My time with the team has taken me to Cardiff to cook for Royalty for the opening of the Senedd building, when I got to meet the Queen, Prince Charles and Camilla. And I’ve been to Moscow where we were showcasing British products, such as Range Rover and Jaguar, with a very upmarket buffet for Russian business people.

 

“Students who are considering a career in catering can see that we are cooking at a very high standard,” added Mike, who is hopeful that another of his students will soon be seeing stars. Just weeks after graduating from Coleg Llandrillo Nick Rudge has just joined Heston Blumenthal’s team at the Michelin- starred Fat Duck in Bray.

 

Rising star Dion, 26, from Valley, Anglesey, and now living in Wrexham, became the first Briton to win the world’s oldest culinary competition, the International Escoffier Challenge in the South of France.

 

A finalist in the 2014 National Chef of the Year contest, he’s also gearing up for his second bid to win the prestigious Roux Scholarship, after being pipped at the post last time, when he was runner-up.

 

Cadwyn Clwyd's Agri Food Officer, Robert Price, believes this year's festival is going to be one of the best ever.

 

He said: “Thanks to a whole host of indigenous companies like Orchard Pigs, North East Wales is rapidly establishing a reputation as a centre of excellence for high quality cuisine.

“The food festival is a perfect shop window for the companies who form the backbone of our rural economy.

 

"The location of the Pavilion is absolutely spectacular - I can't imagine that any other food festival in the UK has a more beautiful setting."

 

For more information about Hamper Llangollen 2014 visit www.llangollenfoodfestival.com

 

Fringe goes for big finale at Valle Crucis

The Fringe Finale Concert at Valle Crucis Abbey takes place at 7.30pm tomorrow (Sunday) evening with a performance by Muom, an overtone singing choir from Barcelona.

Their singing in the remains of the floodlit abbey will be one of the most atmospheric moments of the week.

They use a special technique in their singing where each member sings two notes at the same time, and the music that they produce is perfect for a summer evening in such an important location.

The supporting programme will also include a reading of Dylan Thomas by Peter Read.

Don't forget to bring a chair. A hogroast and bar also available. Tickets are £7.50.