Railcar event at railway this weekend

* The heritage Wickham unit and staff at Llangollen when the token

is handed over to allow the train to proceed.

The advent of the railcar in Britain in the 1950s revolutionised rail travel and saw the demise of the steam locomotive. 

A special event to mark the 60^th anniversary of the introduction of diesel railcars to Britain takes place at the Llangollen Railway this weekend.

 

The railcar was a two-coach train with its own engines which revolutionised the fortunes of the railways in the 1950s.

 

It appealed to passengers because of its modern, clean interior and particularly because they could get a “driver’s eye” view of the line ahead through large windows at each end of the train.

 

Business doubled or even tripled on lines where these railcars were introduced and at the same time costs were reduced to as little as a quarter, compared with the steam trains they had replaced.

 

The event, which features intense running from four of the Llangollen line’s fleet of railcars, also commemorates the 30^th anniversary of the Dee Valley Line obtaining its first redundant railcar from British Railways.

 

Nowadays these railcars are looked after by a charity, Llangollen Railcars, which is celebrating its 20^th anniversary.

 

Chairman of Llangollen Railcars, Evan Green-Hughes said: “Railcars saved many rural lines from extinction and perhaps had the Ruabon-Barmouth route survived just a few years longer they might have done the same for our line.

 

"We have operated railcars on the Llangollen Railway for 30 years now and they have enabled the railway to stay open and provide a service at times when it is not economical to provide a steam train. Many people who have not travelled on one before are amazed at the good all round views which these trains provide.”

 

This weekend’s event will feature a tour of the railcar depot, a photographic evening, talks, film shows and an exhibition.

 

Delegates from many of the UK’s other heritage lines are also due to attend, as the Railcar Association, the national body dealing with railcar preservation, is holding its annual meeting at the railway on Saturday.

 

The Llangollen line has an award-winning fleet of railcars, several of which are unique survivors. These include a sister to the railcar which inspired the song; “Last Train to San Fernando”.

 

Details of the event can be found at www.LlangollenRailcars.com

 

Clairvoyance date for Plas Madoc group

* Splash Community Trust member Jenny Miller and

director Greg Ogden sifting through entries to the competition to

design a mascot for the centre.

VOLUNTEERS aiming to save Plas Madoc Leisure Centre are asking the public to get into the fundraising spirit by attending a clairvoyance evening.

The event is the latest to be held to raise cash ahead of the planned reopening of the mothballed facility, which could take a huge step forward on Tuesday (October 7) if Wrexham Council votes to give the Splash Community Trust £50,000 towards start-up costs.

The evening is at Air Products Social Club in Acrefair from 7.30pm on Thursday, October 23, and is being put on by the Spiritual Connections Paranormal Group. Entry is £5 per person.

Trust director Greg Ogden said: “Private readings will be available, and all proceeds will go towards reopening Plas Madoc.

“We raised almost £100 at last weekend’s car boot sale at Chirk and have now made more than £500 over the last five Sundays. There is plenty of other money coming in too – and every penny will go on getting the centre back open as soon as possible.”

Greg, Splash chairman Darrell Wright and Plas Madoc supporters Anthony Roberts and Cliff Bennion are still counting up the cash from their recent bike ride from North East Wales to Birmingham – with the total expected to come in at over £2,500.

Greg said scores of volunteers have come forward since the Trust’s last public meeting at Air Products on September 18, and people are still getting in touch.

He added: “There is a real excitement building and the belief is back that as a community we are going to make this happen.”

Greg and fellow Trust member Jenny Miller are currently sifting through dragon-themed designs for a mascot for the centre, which will be called Splash Magic when it reopens, after launching a competition for local schoolchildren.

Greg said: “We’ve had some brilliant entries and will be using the winning creation as the inspiration for our final mascot, but first we’ve got to choose a winner!

“We thought this would 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.”

For information about the clairvoyance evening visit www.spiritualconnectionsgroup.co.uk or email jennymiller08@hotmail.com. To donate to the Trust visit www.splashmagic.co.uk.

Llan to Corwen rail line re-opens on October 22

* A test train on the new line at Bonwm Gates, near the bends on the A5,

with a Class 26 locomotive pulling a set of coaches.

Trains will run again between Llangollen and Corwen later this month for the first time in almost half a century.

Llangollen Railway has just announced that the fulfilment of its £1 million dream to re-open the line between the two Dee Valley towns will come on Wednesday, October 22 when special commemorative passenger trains take to the rails.

The extension will be formally declared open on St David’s Day, March 1, next year.

The original line was axed and Corwen station shut in 1965 as part of the Beeching plan with the rails being taken up three years later.

But Llangollen Railway volunteers began work on a two-mile (3.2km) extension to reopen the severed link in 2011.

The scheme includes a temporary platform at the Corwen end of the line.

Following a recent track inspection, the railway’s general manager Kevin Gooding made an historic announcement which says: “The track inspection was successfully completed, with requirements for specific items to receive attention, to allow for the extension to Corwen to open for public services with effect from October 22.”

On that day special trains will run along the re-opened line carrying passengers who have made a contribution to the project, and Mr Gooding added that he will shortly be contacting those qualifying for a seat by post with details of the ticketing arrangements.

Unallocated tickets will subsequently be on offer to the general public at a premium fare.

A new public service to Corwen will operate during half term week from Monday, October 27 and at weekends until the end of the season on November 9.

As a pre-event option during the Railcars 60 weekend, this weekend October 4/5, trains will be extended to Colomendy Curve, short of the Corwen station site.

During September contractors put up the 330ft wooden decking platform at Corwen, which pedestrians can access on a graded ramp.

The approach to the ramp from the town car park is through the trees by the area of the Flood Alleviation Scheme’s water catchment installation where a portable building is now installed thanks to grant aid from the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Painted externally in chocolate and cream, the interior is being fitted out to provide AONB information about the Dee Valley and offer facilities for station staff.

A formal all-weather path through to the station site is due to be installed by the Countryside Services of Denbighshire County Council.

George Jones, for Llangollen Railway, said: “We have made tremendous progress this summer and trains will operate to Corwen in the tail end of the 2014 season.

“This short period of train services will provide experience in operating the extension prior to the formal opening on March 1, 2015 and a full season of trains linking Llangollen with Corwen during 2015.”

He added: “The point has to be made that the extension is now an active railway and trains may come at any time west of Carrog.”

Pengwern residents campaign against off-roaders

ITV Wales Tweets this morning (Thursday) that residents of Llangollen's Pengwern Estate are campaigning against off-roaders who they claim are blighting the countryside near their homes.

For the full story see:
http://www.itv.com/news/wales/update/2014-10-02/welsh-countryside-blighted-by-off-road-drivers/

Have your say on social care services

Feedback Fortnight is an opportunity for any adult who has had help from social services to have their say on the quality of social care services provided in Denbighshire.

Feedback Fortnight runs from 13^th-24^th October 2014, and will look at:

·        What is really good about Adult Social Services?
·        What could be better?
·        What difference has Adult Social Services made to your life?

 ... and anything else you would like to mention. 

If you would like to have your say during Feedback Fortnight, visit the 'adults and older people' section on our website www.denbighshire.gov.uk by calling freephone 0800 032 1099, or email : ssdcomments@denbighshire.gov.uk

We will use the results to see whether people are happy with their care and support, and how we can improve our services. We will publish the results online at www.denbighshire.gov.uk

First Minister criticised over local health services

The people of Flint are to take part in a referendum tomorrow (Thursday) on whether NHS hospital beds should be returned to the town.

And Wales's First Minister Carwyn Jones has been accused by a campaigner of misleading the public over local hospital services, including those in Llangollen.

Mr Jones said recently: "I understand that people always find it extremely difficult when they see something closing, when they have been used to it over the years. I have seen it in my own constituency. However, what happens, of course, is that, when they see the new resources that are available, nobody wants to go back to the old system.

"So, what I would tell the people of Flint is that I know that there are plans there to ensure that new resources are available to the people of Flint—resources that will enable people to remain at home and to have care there instead of going into hospital. I would say that you have to consider what else will be available.

"Experience shows that, when something new becomes available—Builth Wells is an example of this, where there was a very strong campaign against closing the local hospital and now there is a brand-new centre that is very popular in the community—people need to give plans to move things forward in an area a chance."
 

But Mabon ap Gwynfor, Plaid Cymru spokesperson for Clwyd South, and campaigner for improved health services, said: "It was disingenuous and misleading of the First Minister to refer to the new health centre in Builth Wells. The Builth Wells Health Centre is a £5m development, similar in spend to that in Llangollen.

"The difference however is that the Builth centre has 12 beds. They have taken beds away from Llangollen, Flint, Prestatyn and Ffestiniog with no plans to reintroduce them. That's a significant loss in our health service provision, which impacts not just the immediate communities, but communities across north Wales.

"When the First Minister says that we have to 'consider what else is available' what we see is a reduced service, with ambulances queuing nine deep at Wrexham Maelor Hospital; people having operations cancelled because of alack of available beds; and patients having to be shipped to hospitals many miles from their homes for recuperation.

"Llangollen hospital closed two years ago. We've given them a chance, and it hasn't worked out. It's time they re-introduced hospital beds in our communities to ease the burden on the general hospitals and their staff."

Rugby star Rupert backs dog fouling campaign

* Rupert Moon and his dog Bach.

Former Wales rugby star Rupert Moon is lending his support to Denbighshire County Council’s campaign to tackle dog fouling.

Rupert, who is the General Manager of the Welsh Rugby Union’s North Wales Development Region, has spoken out against individuals who allow their dogs to foul on rugby and football pitches, putting the health of players at risk.

Himself the owner of a Golden Retriever called Bach, he said: “There’s nothing worse for players than having to check pitches before they play, worried there is dog mess on the field.

“We have even seen examples where matches have been postponed or abandoned due to the condition of the pitch. This is simply unacceptable and puts the health of all pitch users at risk.

“I applaud Denbighshire County Council for taking a tough stance on those people who allow their dogs to foul in public and wholeheartedly support this latest campaign.  

“Of course this is not an issue specifically for Denbighshire as we see this kind of situation repeated across the county.  As a dog owner myself I cannot understand how some people can be so inconsiderate and are willing to place others at risk."

Emlyn Jones, Denbighshire’s Public Protection Manager said: “We are delighted to have received this kind of support from Rupert Moon.  

“Having someone with a proven track record in the world of Welsh sport lending his support will help us get the message out there that allowing dogs to foul in public is anti-social.

“It affects the quality of life for residents and having dog mess on public playing fields is simply unacceptable.”  To report incidents of dog fouling, please call the Council on 01824 706101.

Ysgol Dinas Bran gets funding boost

North Wales AM Aled Roberts says that he and fellow Liberal Democrat Assembly Members have secured a £106m funding boost for less well-off children.

In exchange for allowing the Welsh Government’s budget to pass, schools in Denbighshire will receive £2.5 million next year and £2.7 million the year after thanks to the Welsh Liberal Democrats.

Secondary schools receiving over £130,000 extra each year include Ysgol Dinas Bran.

The money will be given to schools as part of the Pupil Deprivation Grant which is a flagship Liberal Democrat policy introduced by the party in their first budget deal with Labour’s Welsh Government in 2012. 

Every school will receive £1,050 for every pupil who has free school meals next year. In 2016 that  figure will be increased by £100 to £1,150 per pupil.

The Pupil Deprivation Grant gives additional funding to help disadvantaged children get a fair start in life. It is strictly monitored by the Welsh Government to make sure that the money is spent on giving less well-off pupils a fairer start.

As part of the budget deal, the Welsh Liberal Democrats say they have also secured a £3.8m extension to the Pupil Deprivation Grant to include children under the age of 5.  This will be worth £300 per pupil.

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats secured this extra money in 2012 to give less well-off pupils a fair start and I am delighted that we have managed to increase it once again,” said Aled Roberts.

“Schools in Denbighshire will now receive over £5 million extra in the next two years thanks to the Welsh Liberal Democrats.

“I’m also pleased that 12,500 nursery children under the age of 5 will now benefit.  The aim is to make sure that every child has a fair start when they begin their formal education.

“Too often children from poorer backgrounds fall behind in school even at an early age so this Welsh Liberal Democrat policy is designed to tackle inequalities in our education system.”

Elderly man injured in town centre accident

The Denbighshire Free Press is reporting on its website this evening that an elderly man was injured in an accident this afternoon (Tuesday) in Llangollen.

See the full story at: http://denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/138862/elderly-man-injured-in-llangollen-crash.aspx

County reaffirms school transport policy

Denbighshire County Council has re-affirmed its Home to School Transport Eligibility Policy, following a discussion at its Cabinet meeting in County Hall, Ruthin today (Tuesday).

The policy now includes central pick up points for secondary school pupils as an amendment, with free transport provided to the nearest suitable secondary school.  The pick up points will come into effect in September 2015.
 A transitional period will be introduced, where pupils who are not attending their nearest school (due to historic anomalies), will remain eligible for transport to their existing school, to prevent disruption to their education.  Following a thorough debate, Cabinet Members agreed to alter recommendation 3(vi) - Cabinet requests that the Welsh in Education Strategic Group review the language categorisation of all schools during the Autumn Term and present a report to Scrutiny in early Spring 2015

They also added recommendation (vii) -  "An assessment of the impact of the policy be conducted and presented to Scrutiny at the end of the first year of implementation."
Councillor Eryl Williams, Cabinet Lead Member for Education, said: “The current Home to School Transport Policy is silent in many areas and has resulted in the historic anomalies  in the current system.  

“This amended policy formalises arrangements for transport to school, it is transparent and every attempt will be made to ensure that parents are clear about the transport implications when applying for school places."

The council’s decision to review this policy comes as the school transport service is overspent and the new policy could result in a saving of around £272,000.

Skates welcomes Welsh budget

Assembly Member Ken Skates has welcomed the Welsh Labour Government’s budget for next year, which he says "reflects the priorities of the people of Clwyd South".

 

Jane Hutt, Minister for Finance and Government Business, today announced £425m of extra funding for the Welsh NHS over two years, while schools’ funding is also protected and there is continued support for the hugely successful Jobs Growth Wales scheme.

 

Labour AM Mr Skates said: “This is a budget that reflects the priorities of people in Clwyd South and that recognises the high regard in which they hold our National Health Service.

 

“It is, of course, a difficult budget, and the unprecedented cuts made to the Welsh budget by the Tories in Westminster have obviously had an impact. The Welsh 2015-16 budget is £1.5bn lower in real terms than it was 2010-11.

 

“However, our priorities are different, and we are protecting the services that matter most to people.

 

“I am delighted that we continue to provide support to the excellent and ground-breaking Jobs Growth Wales scheme, which has helped almost 1,000 young people in Wrexham and Denbighshire into work.

 

“The people of Wales can see first-hand that this Labour Government is on their side.”

Councillor calls for halt on Horseshoe speed limit plan

A LLANGOLLEN county councillor is calling for a halt on plans to impose a lower 40mph speed limit on the Horseshoe Pass.

Stuart Davies has made his demand after discovering that police have prosecuted just one motorist in the past five years for breaking the existing 60mph restriction on the A542 route from Llangollen towards Llandegla and Ruthin.

Cllr Davies said: “I recently put in a Freedom of Information request to North Wales Police which reveals that since 2009 they have brought only one prosecution for speeding on the Horseshoe Pass and this was in the financial year 2013/14.

“If they aren’t prosecuting people for breaking the 60mph limit up there why do they want to lower it to 40mph?

“It doesn’t make sense to me, especially at a time when Denbighshire County Council is being asked to make deep cuts in its budget of around £30 million over the next few years affecting essential services.

“I am told that implementing the new 40mph restriction, with the cost of consultation and new signs, would be £20,000 and I’d argue we just can’t afford that sum when it appears that people aren’t being prosecuted for breaching the limit that’s already in force.”

He added: “I know that some work has already gone into it but my view is that any further work on it should be stopped immediately.”

Official figures show that over the past five years the Horseshoe Pass has been the scene of 22 collisions involving slight injuries, 10 rated as serious and two which were fatal.

North Wales Police traffic officers recently requested the county council to impose a 40mph limit on the whole of the pass from the Britannia to the cattle grid at Pentre Isaf.

When he first raised the issue a few months ago, Cllr Davies said: “I am of the view that better enforcement of our existing laws and better education of drivers at the hotspots would slow down traffic and safeguard lives rather than the blunt use of a blanket speed limit over the whole of the pass.”

Free garden waste collection service pruned

Denbighshire has announced the council’s free garden waste collection service will be ending on 16 January 2015.

It will be replaced with a new (optional) service, which will be available for a fee - less than £1 per collection - (£24 per year) from 30 March onward.

This means that our garden waste collection service will be funded by the residents who choose to use it.

Every one of the 35,000 households affected by this news will receive further information, and details of how they can opt-in to the scheme, says the council. This information will be delivered to each household in the autumn.

Cllr David Smith said: “A number of other councils up and down Wales already charge for this service. Here in Denbighshire, we have held out as long as possible, but next year’s cuts in Welsh Government funding are so large, that we are now running out of options. 

"In Denbighshire the proposed budget settlement is likely to mean we need to find some £18m in savings over the next two years. This figure is our current working assumption based on the latest information available from the Welsh Government."

Over recent months, the council has scrutinised all aspects of its work, with all services putting forward proposals for cuts and £4.6m approved by councillors at full council on  September 9.

All proposals have been subject to debate by council and further proposals will need to be worked-up over the coming months in order to achieve the savings target, the authority warns.

Police boss seeks unsung heroes

* North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Winston Roddick.

A POLICE boss has launched his own awards scheme to honour the unsung crime fighting heroes of the community in the first initiative of its kind.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Winston Roddick CB QC and is inviting the public to help him choose one of the key winners of his new Community Awards.

The aim is to officially recognise people who help police to keep their neighbourhood or town a peaceful and safe place to live and work and who help in rehabilitating offenders..

The key accolade he will be handing out at the presentation evening next month in front of police and civic leaders is the People’s Award whose winner will be chosen from among those nominated directly by the public of North Wales.

For this award the Commissioner wants the public of North Wales to put forward the names of worthy candidates - individuals or groups who have made a major impact on cutting crime, keeping people safe or rehabilitating offenders.

Mr Roddick, who in his time has served as a police officer, a barrister and a judge, said he became convinced of the need for launching his Community Awards, which have a total of 11 categories, after seeing the great number of people in the community across North Wales who – often silently – and in partnership with their local police, work to reduce crime and its effects.

He said: “Since I became Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales in November 2012 I have been across the length and breadth of the area meeting with people, both individuals and groups, to discuss policing and crime issues.

 It has become clear to me that there are a great number of people who do a lot of good in the community by helping North Wales Police to keep North Wales a peaceful and safe place to live and work and by helping offenders rehabilitate.

“These silent workers go way beyond anybody else to make a contribution and ensure their communities are safe. The rehabilitation of offenders also reduces crime and the tendency to commit crime.

“In the overwhelming number of cases, this a personal commitment made without expectation of any kind of reward or recognition. .

“ Having seen the value of their work, I decided that in my role as Police and Crime Commissioner, working for the people, I should devise a way of showing appreciation for all the hard work and achievements of these special people.

“With that object in mind, I have established these community-based awards.

“Their purpose is public recognition of these unsung heroes and their aim is to encourage others to emulate their good example.

“I believe I am the first Police and Crime Commissioner in England and Wales to institute such awards, so North Wales is very much leading the way with this initiative and I intend to make it an annual event.”

The Commissioner added: “One of the awards I have established this year is called the People’s Award.
“This will go to an individual or group who have made an impact in helping to keep people safe and/or to reduce crime.

“This contribution may impact the whole area, a local town, neighbourhood or even street, but it will have made a difference to the people living and working there.

“It could be someone who is working to bring communities together to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, or is working with people to deter and reduce offending.

“While I will select most of the award recipients myself in consultation with my office, the People’s Award is special in that it is the only one which will be nominated directly by the public.

“I am therefore asking for the assistance of the people of North Wales to help me select a suitable candidate for this particular award.

“If you know someone in your community who has gone that extra mile to prevent or reduce crime, protect and support members of the community or generally helped to make North Wales a safer place to live and work, please nominate them for the People’s Award.

The Community Awards, sponsored by Police Mutual, will be handed over to recipients by the Commissioner, watched by their families and a large invited audience including the Chief Constable of North Wales, Mark Polin, Members of Parliament, Assembly Members and the High Sheriff of Clwyd, David Meredith Jones, at a presentation evening in the Kinmel Manor Hotel in Abergele on
Thursday, October 23.

Apart from the People’s Award, other 10 awards to be presented are:

* Safer Community Award in recognition of an individual, community group or organisation that has made a significant contribution towards enhancing safety in public places.

* Partnership Award for organisations which have successfully worked in partnership with others to help community safety.

* Reducing Harm Award for an individual, community group or organisation who have made efforts to prevent and tackle serious crime and/or provide support to victims of serious crime.

* Rehabilitation Award for a voluntary, social or private enterprise that works with former offenders or those at risk of offending to help them break the offending cycle, or an individual who has shown strength and determination to turn their life around, to move away from offending and contribute to society in a positive way.

* Third Sector Award for a community or voluntary group who have contributed towards personal safety and crime reduction or who have made a significant impact in helping victims of crime.

* Equality and Diversity Award for a person or group who have supported the equality agenda and made an impact on hate crime. This is aimed at someone who has embraced community engagement to reduce tensions in communities and reduce fear of crime.

* Welsh Language Service Award for an organisation who, through the medium of Welsh, provide comprehensive victim services and/or other community services that help to reduce crime.

* Young Person of the Year Award for a young person under the age of 25 who has made a difference in their family and/or community, for example by working with the police or overcoming some adversity, contributing to awareness raising around crime prevention, public safety etc.

* Individual Endeavour Award for an individual whose endeavour and achievements towards helping prevent crime, supporting the police, helping victims, volunteering or other work stand out.

* The Police and Crime Commissioner’s Gold Award, a special award, available to a group or individual for long term contribution to public life and community, working in North Wales helping to prevent crime and support communities.

The closing date for the Community Awards is October 6 and for more information go to www.northwales-pcc.gov.uk

LimeLight to hold open evenings

After the success and good reviews of their recent comedy play Billy Liar at The Town Hall, LimeLight Productions are offering open evenings and inviting all to go along.  

Meet all the LimeLight teams, have a sing along, learn about their 2015 programme of musical theatre shows, plays and events. 

They recently held an evening at the new Acton Community Resource Centre Wrexham where many attended and showed interest in joining this wonderful successful theatre company. 

Now they are spreading the evening and will be holding one at Air Products Sports and Social Club, Bethania Road, Acrefair, on Wednesday 1^st October at 7.00pm.

Remembering a World War One soldier 100 years on

 

 

A personal story by llanblogger, Phil Robinson

 

* The poppy wreath laid at the foot of the remembrance plaques in Liverpool's Hall of Remembrance. 

I recently went over to Liverpool to complete my own small piece of First Word War remembrance.

Just a few days after the war broke out on August 4, 1914, my grandfather sailed for France with the British Expeditionary Force.

Less than six weeks later he had been killed in action at the age of just 26, leaving behind two young children and third on the way – my late father – who, of course, he never met.

Last Saturday, September 20, was the precise 100^th anniversary of his death during the Battle of the Aisne and I was determined to mark the occasion in some way.

Although I know exactly where is grave is located – a small Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery not far from where he fell in the rolling countryside of the Chemin des Dames – and have been there twice, I couldn’t make the journey back there for various reasons.

So my search began for a suitable place to lay a poppy wreath to commemorate the centenary of his death.

I began in Widnes, where my grandfather, Corporal Ernest Robinson of the 2^nd Battalion South Lancashire Regiment (pictured left) , was born in 1888. But after getting in touch with various churches over there to see if his name appeared on their war memorials I drew a blank.

I then tried churches in the Liverpool 8 area where he moved after marrying my grandmother in 1908 and lived until he marched off to war in 1914. But all attempts to find his name on their war memorials or rolls of honour proved again proved fruitless.

I was about to give up my quest when I had a flash of inspiration that he might just be mentioned in the Hall of Remembrance at Liverpool Town Hall, opened by the Prince of Wales in 1921, not long after the war ended, and details of which I found on the net.

After weeks of trying unsuccessfully to locate him I could hardly believe my luck when a search of those named in the hall on the town hall website revealed what I was looking for. There was my grandfather’s name on plaque 45.

Next step was to check if I would be able to go over to see his name for myself and lay my poppy wreath in his memory nearby.

* The Hall of Remembrance bearing hundreds of names of Liverpool's First World War dead.

I envisaged a problem as September 20 was a Saturday, when the town hall is closed, but a quick email enquiry brought a welcome response – although the building is indeed shut on Saturdays, there was a wedding on there that particular day and one of the staff would be on hand for half an hour from 12noon to let me into the remembrance hall.

With my poppy wreath in hand – bought via the internet from the Royal British Legion – I went over to Liverpool and paid my homage to Corporal Robinson 100 years to the day he gave his life for King and country.

Operatic seeks Sister Act cast

LLANGOLLEN Operatic will be amongst the first amateur societies in the UK to perform Sister Act, the stage musical based on the hit film starring Whoopi Goldberg, next year.

Producer Tracey Rawlinson said: “We have been granted one of the recently released licences to put on the show, which means we’ll be one of the first to do it – and we can’t wait to bring it to the stage at Llangollen Town Hall from Tuesday-Saturday, April 21-25 2015.

“Before then we are holding open auditions for the show at the Hand Hotel in Llangollen on Sunday, October 12, from 10am, and everyone is welcome.

“We’re assembling a strong cast of about 30, which means there are plenty of opportunities for characterful chorus members as well as the main parts of nuns, gangsters and American cops.”

Amongst the principal roles up for grabs are:

Deloris – an over-the-top singer who has been doing the circuit for many years but finds herself in a convent where she is placed for safety reasons

 

Michelle and Tina – Deloris’s backing singers and good time girls

Curtis -  a gangster who is hunting Deloris down

Mother Superior – who has a hard exterior but a warm heart

Monsigneur – A flamboyant priest

The show features some real toe-tapping numbers including Take Me to Heaven, Raise Your Voice and Spread The Love Around.

The production team also includes Chris Dukes as artistic director and Elen Mair Roberts as musical director.

Producer Tracey added:  “Audition day will comprise of registration to begin with then workshop-style introductions to parts and music followed by specific cast auditions throughout the day.

“The idea is for everyone to relax and mingle, have coffee, grab lunch and get to know one another.

“I’m keen to make people aware that this is not just a show for ladies dressed as nuns – there’s lots of things for the men to do too.

“We are a very friendly group and we’re looking for lots of new members to have fun with this great show.”

 

·        For more information, contact Tracey on 07875 639533, or email traceyrawlinson@btinternet.com.

Young chef to bite into Big Apple

* Young chef Joe Clifford is heading for the States.

A young chef is aiming to take a bite out of the Big Apple by showing a foodie film shot in Llangollen.

Joe Clifford, who once worked at the Corn Mill in the town, is a film-maker as well as a cook.

 

One of his films is shortly to be screened at the New York City Film Festival and also at a similar event in Chicago.

 

Joe, who lives in St Martin’s, said: “I’m a past student at Yale  College and graduate of The University for the Creative Arts , (UCA)  in Surrey.  I grew up in the area, and attended Maelor School, Penley.

 

“I am a film maker and a chef - passionate about both - and one of my films has just been confirmed for screening at both the New York City Food Film Festival at the end of October,  which I will be attending, and the Chicago Food Film Festival in late November.

* Joe's lamb and pea stew featured in the film. 

“The film, which I have called simply Food, Family & Friends, was shot in the beautiful surroundings of Valle Crucis Abbey, just outside Llangollen.   

 

“It's a short film which brings together those three vital concepts. The ingredients were all sourced locally -  lamb from Lewis’s Farm shop near the Plassey, Eyton, and home grown vegetables - producing a delectable lamb and pea stew,  over an open fire, washed down with a seasonally sweet spiced cider from Rosies  at Llandegla.”

Joe added: “I have been a chef for a number of years at various establishments around the Wrexham area, from  the Corn Mill in Llangollen  to The Tyn Y Capel, Minera.

“I have a real passion for locally sourced, seasonal food and find the produce from around Wrexham and the surrounding areas second to none.

“I am currently trying to set up a North Wales based online food channel and there is plenty more in the pipeline.” 

Work progresses on new health centre

Latest pictures by llanblogger's local correspondent Phil Meyers shows construction work progressing on Llangollen's new £5 million health centre being built on the site of the demolished River Lodge off Mill Lane.

Row over ambulance response times

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have said that the Welsh ambulance services are “in crisis” as figures published today show yet another decline in ambulance response times, despite pledges by the Welsh Labour Health Minister to improve the service in three months.

 

The figures show that 56.9% of emergency responses to Category A (immediately life-threatening) ambulance calls arrived at the scene within the target time of 8 minutes – down from 58.3% in July 2014 and down from 61.8% in August 2013 – and well below the target of 65%. In England and Scotland the same target is 75%.

 

Kirsty Williams AM, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said: “Labour’s Health Minister pleaded to be given three months to improve these terrible ambulance response times. Three months later, and ambulance response times are worsening again. How much more time do Labour Ministers need before they’ll admit that they just can’t run our health service?

 

“These figures are unacceptable. To have only half of immediately life-threatening calls responded to within the 8 minute target time is absolutely unacceptable, and are the mark of an ambulance service in crisis.

 

“With so many problems like stroke and heart attacks, time is absolutely crucial in ensuring the best possible recovery. By failing to buck up on poor ambulance response times, the Welsh Labour Government is draining our NHS by spending money on treatments that could otherwise be avoided.

 

“The Welsh Labour Government’s own target is unambitious and is considerably lower than the equivalent targets in England and Scotland, yet it is still routinely missed.

 

“Ambulance staff work incredibly hard and do an extremely difficult job, but even they privately admit that they’re not being given the resources they need to serve the people of Wales. The threats of a strike show how they are at the end of their tether. The Welsh Labour Government ran out of second chances long ago – we need to see improvement now, as it’s the people of Wales that are suffering under Labour’s watch.”

Mike Collins, Director of Service Delivery at the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “The service took 36,101 calls during August, up by 494 calls from the same period last year but down by 1,971 calls from the previous month. Of these calls, 14,067 were assessed and categorised as serious and immediately life-threatening.

“Since April the Trust has recruited 79 extra staff into its workforce across Wales, including 21 Paramedics, nine of whom went operational in July and 12 of whom went operational on Monday, plus 12 HEI (Higher Education Institute) Paramedics who are expected to be operational from December. The Trust has also recruited 46 staff into its Urgent Care Service, all of whom will be operational in mid November.

“In addition, a further 21 Paramedics will be appointed in the coming weeks and are expected to be operational by February, and 48 Emergency Medical Technicians will also be officially appointed, some of whom will be operational by December and the remainder by next April. We anticipate that these extra staff will help us to improve our performance and provide a first rate ambulance service for the people of Wales.

“August was the month in which we launched a brand new initiative which allows low acuity patients to access alternative transport to hospital if indeed a hospital visit is required, rather than travel by Emergency Ambulance. The aim is to ensure our emergency crews and vehicles are more readily available to attend immediately life-threatening calls. Since its launch, more than 40 patients who were deemed clinically safe and suitable have travelled to hospital by a taxi in some parts of Wales.

“The Trust is continuing to use other methods of care where possible to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions including Alternative Care Pathways, a system designed to support care closer to patients’ homes. Instead of taking them to hospital, Paramedics can refer patients to their GP or an identified community team using a 24/7 internal telephone service operated by our care coordination staff. More than 5,900 patients have been referred on these Alternative Care Pathways since the scheme launched in September 2012.

“Advanced Paramedic Practitioners also provide a wider range of specialist healthcare at the scene of an incident or at a patient’s home. In addition, the Trust supports the discharge and transfer of patients out-of-hours to release beds in hospitals which, in turn, supports the improvement of patient flow in the emergency departments.

“Resolving handover delays remains our top priority and we are working with all Local Health Boards in Wales to minimise these where possible. Over the summer months we have increased our use of HALOs (Hospital Ambulance Liaison Officers), clinicians and non-clinicians employed by the Trust to ensure individual handover delays are escalated to senior managers at all affected hospitals and that plans are in place to ensure delays are minimised.

“The emergency healthcare system across Wales is under significant pressure and demand for our service remains very high. We recognise that on occasion we fall short of the eight-minute target but are working as hard as we possibly can to get to patients as quickly as possible.

“Once again we urge 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.”

Bethan votes in favour of political work experience

A sixth form student is encouraging more young people to take an interest in politics after spending a week on work experience with Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates.

Seventeen-year-old Bethan Phillips, who is head girl at Ysgol Dinas Bran, earned her stint in the Labour AM’s constituency office in Llangollen after winning the 2014 Euroscola Competition, which asked -16 to 18-year-olds at schools across Flintshire and Denbighshire to write an essay on what the EU should make its priority this year.

As well as a trip to the European Parliament in Strasbourg with fellow Dinas Bran students Alice Gonzales, Joanna Stallard and Samantha Viney, Bethan was offered a placement with Mr Skates, during which her work included research and writing press releases.

Bethan (pictured right with Ken Skates) said: “My work experience with Ken allowed me to put myself in the shoes of a politician and enabled me to focus on certain elements of politics in more detail, for example the potential effects of the Scottish independence vote.

“The week has opened my eyes a little wider to the world of politics, particularly in Wales, and has encouraged me to think more about the effect that politics has upon every part of our society. As I will be turning 18 this month, I am now looking forward to being able to vote in the upcoming General Election even more.

“Having had a taste for it, I am now more inclined to combine my love of languages with the exciting political scene. I would also like to see Welsh politics becoming a more prominent topic among young people, and the thought of it being ‘boring’ replaced by an understanding of the importance it has for our community.”

Mr Skates said: “It was great having Bethan in the office helping us out, and I’m pleased she has taken something away with her and become even more interested in politics. I wish her the best of luck for her studies and would be delighted to have her back any time.”

He added: “I always enjoy having enthusiastic young people on work experience, so if there are any other sixth form or college students who are interested then feel free to email me at ken.skates@wales.gov.uk and we’ll do our best to sort something out.”

Cycling vicar takes Etape challenge

LLANGOLLEN’S cycling vicar has pedalled his way to over £100 by taking part in the recent Etape Cymru race.

The Rev Andrew Sully joined the gruelling event, part of which took him and fellow competitors over the Horseshoe Pass not too far away from his parish of St Collen’s, to support two good causes.

The first is Action Duchenne, a national charity that aims to find a cure for Duchenne, a severe genetic muscle wasting disease, and the second is facelift of facilities at St John’s Welsh language church in Llangollen.

Mr Sully (pictured left during the event) said of his Etape experience: “It was a lovely autumn day weather-wise and the cameraderie of the other cyclists meant that although there were six climbs on this gruelling 88-mile challenge, we were helped on by the other cyclists and by the spectators who had turned out to offer their encouragement.

“Although my official time was six hours and 13 minutes, my time in the saddle was only five and a half hours, with an average speed of 13.5 mph.

“I have so far raised £110 for Action Duchene and people can sponsor me again when I take part in next year’s  Land's End to John O'Groats 10-day challenge by going to my Just Giving website, www.justgiving.com/andrew-sully1.

“I also cycled in the Etape Cymru to raise money for St John's in Abbey Road where we are hoping to install a toilet and kitchen in the back of the church in the new year.

“The night before the ride we held a tapas and prosecco party in St Collen’s Church's Community Hall and raised over £1,200 towards the work at St John's and I’d like to say many thanks to all those who supported this fundraising evening.”

Man fined after littering in town

Littering the streets of Denbighshire could cost you a fortune, as one man found to his detriment.

The council issued a fixed penalty notice to a resident for dropping litter in Llangollen.

The man failed to pay the £75 notice and was taken to court.  

At his hearing at Wrexham Magistrates Court, the man was issued with a fine of £700, with £145 in costs.

The council says it hopes that this will act as a deterrent to other people to think twice before they drop litter.

Councillor David Smith, Cabinet Lead Member for Environment, said: “Litter is a really anti-social form of behaviour and residents tell us that it is a problem that they want to see us addressing.

“Denbighshire has some of the cleanest streets in Wales but our efforts to rid our streets of rubbish is hampered by a small group of individuals who think it is right to drop litter on our streets.

“The courts are also now taking a tough stance on littering and this man was given a serious fine for his actions. We would rather not issue any fines at all and our appeal is for people not to drop their rubbish in the first place.”

TV show featuring Llan gets second showing

* Prunella Scales and husband Timothy West aboard their narrow boat during the recent TV series.

George Jones of Llangollen Railway says that an episode of a TV series featuring the town is to have a second showing later this month.

Actors Timothy West and his wife Prunella Scales recently hosted Channel 4’s Great Canal Journeys on which they embarked on four spectacular trips on waterways in Britain and France.

George says the third episode, which sees the couple journeying back to Llangollen where they spent their honeymoon and taking a trip on the railway, is to be shown again at 5.45pm on Saturday, September 27 on the channel More 4.     

He added: “Those who watched it the first time round told us in the exhibition coach how nice it was and how it encouraged them to come to Llangollen.”

New ladies' rugby team kicks off

Sporting evening with Joey Jones planned

The Llangollen Fundraising Committee for Cancer Research UK is hosting a sporting evening with football legend Joey Jones early next month.

It will be held on Thursday, October 9 at the Vale of Llangollen Golf Club, 7.30 for 8pm.

A two-course meal will be followed by a talk by Joey Jones, ex-professional footballer for Wales, Liverpool and Wrexham.

The final part of the evening will be an auction of numerous items and fantastic sporting opportunities.

All proceeds will go to Cancer Research UK.

For further details and tickets (£15) call Sandra on 01978 861486, or Jean on 01978 861545.