Royal host Gwyn the butcher will be at food show

 

* Butcher Gwyn Davies chatting with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.

 

A Llangollen butcher who earned royal approval when Prince Charles popped into his shop for a chat will be among the exhibitors at a top food festival.

 

After what has been an amazing year for him, Gwyn Davies is looking forward to returning to the annual Hamper Llangollen event which is expected to attract thousands of visitors over the weekend of October 17-18.

 

Gwyn was staggered earlier this summer when Prince Charles asked to stop off at his butcher’s shop while making an official visit to Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

 

He said: “I had just five days' notice. I couldn’t believe it when he called in.

"He is genuinely interested in the food sector and supporting independent businesses. We chatted for a little while, he asked quite a few questions and was very affable.”  

 

Gwyn was equally delighted when just a few weeks ago he was voted a High Street Hero by loyal customers who have been impressed by the quality of his meat and exceptional customer service over six decades in the butchery business.

 

The awards, run by the Welsh Government were launched by Lesley Griffiths, the Minister for Communities and Tackling Poverty, to honour individuals deserving recognition for their outstanding contribution to high streets and local communities in Wales.

 

Gwyn, who opened his shop in Castle Street, Llangollen, 40 years ago, said: “I feel really honoured to have received the accolade. It makes all the hard work we have put in that much more worthwhile.”

 

He believes independent traders are key to the success of local economies and says events like Hamper Llangollen 2015 are a superb way to showcase small local businesses like his own.

 

The popular food festival in Llangollen’s Royal Pavilion is now recognised as one of the UK's top 10 food festivals.

 

Cadwyn Clwyd has provided financial support over the past few years to ensure Hamper Llangollen's long term viability, this was funded through the Rural Development Fund for Wales 2007-2013, which is funded through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Welsh Government.

 

The festival hosts more than 100 local and international exhibitors, along with demonstrations by professionals and celebrity chefs in a state of the art kitchen.

 

Among those demonstrating will be foodie fan comedian Silky, top Welsh chef, and international award-winner Graham Tinsley and Britain’s youngest ever head chef, Luke Thomas.

 

Gwyn said: “Having been there for a few years now, I am a very keen supporter of the event. It brings in a lot of business to our region and gives independent traders like myself a chance to meet new people and demonstrate the sort of quality produce we have to offer right here on their doorsteps.

 

“It’s a great way to get customer feedback and there will be a chance to buy all the quality meats we sell here at the shop.”

 

Gwyn’s workdays start at 5.30am – “the habit of a lifetime” – and he is in his shop before 7am daily.

 

The quality of his meat is renowned and attracts customers from as far afield as Merseyside and Widnes.

 

He said: “We have a number of caravanners and visitors to the region who first called in at the shop on holiday and enjoyed our meat cuts so much that they regularly return to buy large orders to take home with them.”

 

He was about 10 or 11 when he first entered the meat trade after securing a spare time job in his local slaughterhouse to “earn myself a few pennies”.

 

He said: “You had to work hard in those days to get yourself some pocket money. I was fortunate though, I found work with one of the best in the business Eric Wheeler, who taught me skills which have stayed with me all my life.”

 

On leaving school at the age of 15 he continued to work in the butchers until he reached 20.

 

He said: “Then I decided I wanted a change and so got another job working on overhead cables in Oxfordshire, but I would still help out at Mr Wheeler’s on weekends off if I came home.

 

“When I reached 25 I went back into butchery and eventually opened my own shop in my early 30s.”

 

Gwyn and his late wife Heather ran the shop together until she died four years ago. Their son Mark and daughter Fiona have also had a big input in the business.

 

Gwyn, who employs three full time staff and a part-timer, sells Welsh lamb raised on his son’s Denbighshire farm, while Fiona, helps with some of the administrative tasks as well as working at a Shrewsbury Garden Centre.

 

Now aged 70, Gwyn has no plans to retire.

 

For more information about Llangollen Food Festival-Hamper Llangollen 2015 visit www.llangollenfoodfestival.com

Triathlete Rebecca dashes in to help centre

A triathlete won the praise of her local Assembly Member after a gruelling fundraiser in aid of a community centre.

Rebecca Robinson, from Corwen, took part in the Deva Triathlon in June, completing a one-mile swim, a 40km bike race and a 10km run in two hours, 52 minutes and 55 seconds.

*Ken Skates hands over the cheque
to Rebecca Robinson. 

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates joined Rebecca, 33, to hand over a cheque for £130 to Canolfan Ni in Corwen.

The centre is run by the South Denbighshire Community Partnership (SDCP), a small charity with 12 volunteer trustees.

Mr Skates said: “It was a fantastic effort by Rebecca in her first-ever triathlon, I can’t imagine how difficult it was to get through. I’m delighted she decided to raise money for Canolfan Ni, which is where I hold my Corwen surgeries. It’s a real community hub.”

The centre was refurbished by a grant in 2012 after a community asset transfer from Denbighshire County Council.

Mr Skates added: “It’s another great local example of community-minded volunteers taking over public amenities and making a success of them.

"Canolfan Ni hosts the Corwen Beavers and Cubs groups, the youth club, weekly Welsh classes and much more. I’d like to congratulate Rebecca on completing the triathlon and thank her for raising money for such an excellent local cause.”

Citizens Advice and Age Connect have weekly drop-in sessions at the centre, and there are plans in the pipeline for developing a dementia café and a community garden. 

* For more information call Canolfan Ni on 01490 266004, email office@sdcp.org or visit www.canolfan-ni.org/services/

County answers roadworks complaint

Denbighshire County Council has answered a complaint about roadworks in an area of Llangollen.

A resident contacted llanblogger to say: “Contractors acting for the highway authority commenced work this week on resurfacing Bache Mill Road above its junction with Vicarage Road.

“This seems to involve the grubbing up with machines of the existing surface of the highway which has led the contractors to close sections of the road completely.

 

“On Wednesday at various times the highway was closed in both directions, so it was impossible for residents living on The Hermitage, Grange Road, Maes Collen, Gerddi y Bach and Trem-y-Creigiau to go about their daily business.

“Some residents work from home causing them severe difficulties.

“The contractors concerned seemed to have little respect for residents and diversions and temporary traffic controls were not put in place.

“Apparently the works are likely to continue for two weeks.” 

A county council spokesperson replied: “There are five operatives engaged solely on traffic management duties.

“A road closure is in force and an appropriate diversion in place and also traffic management under stop and go within the road closure.

“Traffic is able to access properties within the closure under the supervision of the operatives.

“It is inevitable that there will delays of short duration when the road is totally closed when the contractors are making tie in joints etc but these occasions are few and far between.

“Residents approaching the road closure are requested to stop by a traffic marshall and then permitted to pass through the site when it is safe to do so.”        

* In a separate story, Llangollen county council Stuart Davies says he is pleased to see that a traffic calming scheme is being implemented in Pentredwr.

He says the scheme was driven by Cllr Rhys Hughes and Llantisilio Council and supported by him.

He added: "I congratulates Cllr Hughes and the council for all the hard work they have done in making sure that the scheme came to fruition.

"I would like to assure residents that the scheme was going ahead before national politicians got involved and that the local councillors always work hard for their residents whether it be election time or not."

Operatic plans a swinging start to Christmas

Members of Llangollen Operatic Society aim to get Christmas off to a swinging start.

On Tuesday December 8 they will once again stage their popular Christmas concert at Llangollen Town Hall.

This year, the evening will have a swing theme to it and the programme will consist of a mix of popular songs of that genre plus some seasonal favourites, such as O Holy Night and Winter Wonderland.

There will be a performance by the society’s junior section, the Young ‘Uns, and the chance for the audience to join in with a number of rousing traditional carols.  

Lizzy Richards, who will direct the concert assisted by Ross Wilson and with musical direction from Michael Jenkins, said: “It’s going to be a fun and jolly evening with lots of festive favourites to get people in the Christmas spirit.

"We’re really looking forward it and hope to see a good number of familiar faces there."

Doors open 6.30pm for a 7pm start. Tickets cost £5 and can be purchased from Llangollen Tourist Information Centre, or online at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/105176. A bar will also be available.  

Llan author publishes fairy tale collection

LLANGOLLEN resident and author Adrian Farrel has published a collection of new fairy tales.
Enitled Tales from the Wood, it contains 18 original stories each with the familiar feel of a traditional fairy tale, but each with a new flavour and twist.

Adrian, who has lived in the area for the last 25 years, said: "It is in the nature of fairy tales that each has echoes in our minds.

“Not only do they contain archetypes that appear in countless stories, but their essence is basic truths about the world, and hopes and dreams for a better life and just resolution of all situations.

“Some of these tales are clearly identifiable with stories you will find in anthologies, while others crept into this book at dark of night. Each contains elements of the fairy tale of old."

The stories in this collection range from Peter Pretzel who had his feet on backwards, to Mother Elde who slept late in her house high on the mountain ridge above the trees and above the meadows the year winter didn't come.

This isn't the first book Adrian has written, but it is his first outing into fiction.

His previous publications include six reference books describing the technical workings of the Internet, and more than 60 standards that specify details of how the Internet is implemented.

Adrian added: “Tales from the Wood was written over a period of two years mainly in distant hotel rooms and on long-haul flights.

“A necessary part of my day job as a consultant to major telephone companies and their equipment suppliers,  these locations provided distraction-free writing time that was ideally suited to the short story or fairy tale format.”

Adrian is already working on a second collection, More Tales from the Wood.

* Tales from the Wood" is available in Llangollen from the Courtyard Bookshop and
from Zingiber in Bridge Street. It can also be bought online from Amazon or direct from the
publisher at
http://www.feedaread.com/books/Tales-from-the-Wood-9781786100924.aspx

Llan campaigner passes away

* Martin Crumpton, left, films a TV interview with Adrian Masters in 2012. 

A Llangollen man whose campaigning zeal led to a spot on national TV has died at the age of 64.

Martin Crumpton spearheaded the local battles to save the town’s cottage hospital from closure and prevent Sainsbury’s opening a supermarket on the Dobson & Crowther site.

Although both were ultimately unsuccessful, they managed to galvanise sections of the community.

The two campaigns were co-ordinated by the community group Keep Llangollen Special (KLS) which Mr Crumpton formed and led until his recent death at home following a long illness.     

At one stage in 2012, he carried the fight to save the cottage hospital to a Wales-wide audience when it was featured on ITV Wales politics show Sharp End for which he filmed an interview with political editor Adrian Masters outside the Abbey Road building.

For the same campaign he organised a well-attended public meeting at The Hand Hotel.

When it was revealed earlier this year that Sainsbury’s had pulled out the supermarket development on the A5 he was overjoyed and took a keen interest in a suitable occupant being found for the empty building which is still under construction.

Mr Crumpton was born in Birmingham and lived in Solihull before he and his wife Anne moved to Llangollen some 15 years ago.

His working life was mainly spent as a system programmer in IT.

A statement in tribute to him from KLS says: “He set up Keep Llangollen Special as a community organisation with like-minded residents several years ago and pioneered the idea of Buy Local to support local independent businesses in the difficult economic climate of the last five years or so and the changing face of retailing and town centres.

“KLS under the chairmanship of Martin opposed out of town development schemes because he believed strongly that this would be detrimental to Llangollen's unique and vibrant town centre.

“He also opposed the closure of the community hospital and worked tirelessly despite deteriorating health to convince public bodies that such schemes were damaging to Llangollen and its local economy.

“Members of KLS knew Martin as a unique character who was not afraid to speak his mind and articulate this to the decision makers.

“He never hesitated to approach the people at the very top of government and other organisations and make his points to them.

“This led most recently to a visit from Simon Dean, the acting chief executive of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, to discuss how the current NHS problems were affecting Llangollen.

“Martin was a very strong character with an incisive mind, but he was also a warm individual with a keen sense of humour and a special person to know and he worked tirelessly for the benefit of the community.

“He will be greatly missed by his colleagues in KLS and around the town and the members of the group wish to offer sincere condolences to Anne and her family at this sad time.” 

Adrian Masters, political editor of ITV Wales, said: "It's quite rare for journalists and interviewees to keep in touch over anything other than the story that they're both involved in, but Martin was quite rare. 

"So, yes he'd bombard me with emails and tweets about the campaign but we'd also talk about so many other things such as his short stories or his time in IT. We only met in the real world three times, but after the first he treated me like an old friend.

"He may not have been physically well but his mind was fizzing with ideas. When I visited him last year he was working on an idea for a game show, thinking about patenting an invention and his opening gambit was 'let's not talk shop, what do you think of Peter Capaldi?'

"I'm very glad I took him up on his offer of escaping political conferences on the last two of my visits to Llangollen and made my way up the hill to see him, Anne - whom he told me he called his angel - and Ben. I had already noticed the lack of his pithy tweets during the current party conference season before I'd even heard the sad news.

 

"Llangollen couldn't have had a more assiduous supporter who seized every opportunity to promote his adopted home. I'll miss his always interesting, if sometimes acerbic tweets, and the conversation which could have been about, literally, anything."

AM praises work of heritage groups like Llan Railway

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood spoke in the Chamber yesterday of the "fantastic" work of heritage groups in north east Wales, including Llangollen Railway.  

 

Mr Isherwood (pictured) was questioning First Minister Carwyn Jones on what the Welsh Government is doing to maximise the effect of Welsh heritage on the economy.

 

He said:  “Welsh heritage can have a major impact on the economy of north-east Wales, provided it involves organisations, ranging from Llangollen railway to Greenfield Valley Heritage Park to Brymbo Heritage Group, in designing the visitor offer.

 

"I’ve been asked by Brymbo Heritage Group to extend an invitation to you to visit them and look at the great work they’re doing. I hope you’ll respond affirmatively, but look forward to your answer.”

 

The First Minister replied: “I will certainly try to do that, and I will look at my diary to see if I can visit in the near future.”

 

Mr Isherwood added: “I have been proud to work with Brymbo Heritage Group for many years. Its members deserve huge credit for their vision and determination, and for what they have already achieved on their journey to re-use the surviving ironworks, steelworks and colliery buildings to create a heritage centre, learning zone and commercial complex, celebrating Brymbo’s rich history and embracing the tourism opportunity presented by the fossil forest.”

New Dot screens creepy Halloween film on Friday

* A scene from New Dot's creepy Halloween film, Carnival of Souls.

This  Friday will see New Dot community cinema host another of their movie nights in Llangollen Town Hall.

To mark Halloween, latest will be Herk Harvey’s classic 1962 creepy Carnival of Souls (12a, an atmospheric piece which has become a cult hit said to send shivers down your spine.

Carnival of Souls tells the story of a young woman, Mary, who escapes Death, however Death wants her back.

 

A spokesperson for New Dot Cinema said: "This forgotten little horror has a similar feel to the Twilight Zone which was also very popular at the time.

 

"Herk Harvey created a film full of unease and foreboding which will have you sitting on the edge of your seat and a bone-chilling score of organ music adds to its slow building tension.

 

"The film was chosen as New Dot’s Halloween special and as with all our events the Town Hall will be decorated in all things spooky. There will also be various tricks and treats available on the night.

 

"Dressing up is once again encouraged and New Dot are looking forward to welcoming all manner of spooks, ghouls, ghosts and general public who are brave enough on the night!"

 

* Tickets are available from Bailey’s Delicatessen (Castle St), Lottie’s Vintage shop (Oak Street) or online at newdotcinema.org, adults £8, concessions £5.

Twenty Club returns to Fawlty Towers

Following their acclaimed, sell-out production of Fawlty Towers in 2012, the Twenty Club in Llangollen will be performing three more episodes of one of the UK's finest sit-coms next month.

These include Communication Problems, Waldorf Salad and Basil the Rat.

Many of the 2012 cast will be reprising their roles, including Ally Goodman as the snobbish, manic Basil; Helen Belton as Sybil, his over-coiffeured, domineering wife, and Richard Mascarenhas as the hopeless but ever-hopeful waiter Manuel.

* The dining room scene from the 2012 production of Fawlty Towers.

New members of the cast this time include Carys Stallard as the calm and capable Polly as well as Ian Wright who takes on the role of the oft-confused, Major.

The show will be directed once again by Chrissie Ashworth.

Goodman is particularly looking forward to stepping back into best-loved bad hotel in the world.

He said: "I don't think I've laughed as much during a theatre run than when we did the show three years ago.

"Having the opportunity to do three more episodes is fantastic and all the cast and crew are really excited for people to come and see it."

Fawlty Towers runs from Thursday 5th to Saturday 7th November at Llangollen Town Hall.

Doors open at 7pm each night and there is a one-off matinee performance at 2pm on the Saturday.

Tickets are available now at tinyurl.com/fawltytowerstickets or via the Twenty Club page on Facebook.

The Twenty Club is one of the oldest dramatic societies in North Wales.

It was founded in 1946 with 20 original members, which gave the club its name.

The club presents two plays a year, in autumn and spring, with a mixture of comedy, drama and period productions.

Police seek information on two Llan incidents

The Dee Valley Policing Team has today posted two messages about incidents in Llangollen on its Facebook page.

 

One concerns a burglary and the other criminal damage.

 

Police are appealing for information about the burglary which took place at Finlays sandwich shop some time overnight between Monday and Tuesday.

 

Offenders forced entry into the property on Abbey Road and stole items from within.

 

If you noticed anything suspicious, or have any information relating to this incident, contact North Wales Police by dialling 101 quoting reference RC15153095.

Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers Wales on 0800 555 111.

Police are also seeking information following an incident of criminal damage in which two windows were smashed in Llangollen at a café on Castle street some time overnight between Monday and Tuesday.

If you have any information, call the police on101 quoting reference RC15153141.

* Visit the advice and support pages on the North Wales Police website to see how you can improve your security at home. http://www.north-wales.police.uk/advice-and-support.aspx

Skates pats health centre builders on back

* The new Llangollen health centre.

An Assembly Member paid a visit to a construction company to meet the team behind a ‘fantastic’ new health centre in his constituency.

Ken Skates, AM for Clwyd South, was invited to Read Construction’s UK headquarters at Brymbo Enterprise Centre on Friday (October 2) by managing director Richard Heaton.

The company won the contract from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to build the new Llangollen Health Centre, which opened in mid-September, following a multi-million pound investment by the Welsh Labour Government.

Mr Skates, who is based in Llangollen, said: “It was a pleasure to meet the team behind the fantastic new facility, and I’d like to thank Richard for inviting me to visit.

“The health centre is a very welcome addition to Llangollen and will become a huge asset to the town, and it is particularly pleasing to see a company in my constituency deliver it to such high standards.

“As the local Assembly Member, I’m proud that the Welsh Labour Government, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and the practice have worked together on such a key project, and I’m thrilled that Read Construction has brought the plans to life and created such high-quality, modern healthcare facility the town can be proud of.”

The Labour AM also congratulated the firm on being nominated for a national Construction Quality Award for its work on Ysgol Ty Fynnon in Shotton.

Your chance to raise local health issues

Llangollen county councillor Stuart Davies is asking anyone from the area with concerns about local health services to get in touch with him.

He said: "Denbighshire County Council has a special meeting this Wednesday at which health issues will be discussed.

"There will be representatives from the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board there, so I'm inviting anyone who has issues or concerns to raise about health services to get in touch with me and I'll then do my best to take them up with those concerned at the meeting."

* Cllr Davies can be contacted by phone on 01978 860832, or by email at: stuart.a.davies@denbighshire.gov.uk

The agenda for the meeting is at: https://moderngov.denbighshire.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?MId=5254&x=1&LLL=0

Society about to audition for new show

* Artistic director Nia Pickering, left, with musical director Elen Mair Roberts.

Rehearsals for Llangollen Operatic Society’s next production of Mel Brooks’ risqué, smash hit musical The Producers are now well underway.

And the production team says it could not be more pleased with the interest it is generating. 

Following the overwhelming success of Sister Act earlier this year, the society’s next choice of show was always going to be a challenge but The Producers is already on a promising track with several new or returning members signing up and preparations in progress for auditions, which are scheduled for the beginning of November. 

New artistic director Nia Pickering said: “I’m thrilled to finally be getting the new season and rehearsals underway.

"The interest we’ve had so far is very encouraging and I hope to see even more in the coming weeks.

"The atmosphere is electric with everyone’s excitement and we can’t wait to cast it in the next few weeks."

Auditions for principal roles will be held over the weekend of November 7 and 8 in Llangollen’s Hand Hotel and will be open in format.

Nia added: "There are a good number of comedic roles on offer, in particular for male performers, although there are some fun opportunities for ladies too, including a randy granny and a sultry Swedish receptionist!

"This show promises to have audiences, and indeed the cast, absolutely aching with laughter."

* If you are interested in getting involved, either on stage or off, e-mail Tracey Rawlinson on traceyrawlinson@btinternet.com, call 07875 639533 or like the society's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/llanoperaticproducers2016?ref=bookmarks for further details.

New directory goes live

Residents and community groups in Denbighshire are being informed that the new Dewis Cymru health and well-being online directory has been compiled to promote resources available across North Wales to support people’s well-being and independence – and it’s gone live.

Examples of resources that may be included on the Dewis Cymru directory may include community activities, groups, local services, health information, support groups, clubs, meetings and events.

 

People can add their resource through the Dewis Cymru website: www.dewis.wales  Registering and adding your resource is a simple and straightforward process.

AM goes pink for breast cancer awareness

 

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood  has shown his support for women with breast cancer by dressing up in pink and encouraging his constituents to take part in Breast Cancer Now’s flagship fundraiser, wear it pink, on Friday 23^rd October.

 

wear it pink, the UK’s biggest pink fundraiser, calls on supporters across the country to ditch the day-to-day colours and pull on some pink to raise money for Breast Cancer Now’s life-saving breast cancer research.

 

Mr Isherwood joined fellow Assembly Members in wearing it pink this week to encourage people across Wales to get involved.

 

Now in its 14^th year, wear it pink raises over £2 million each year for world-class research into breast cancer, and this year it is back and bigger, brighter and bolder than ever before.

 

Anyone can take part, whether in school, at work or at home. All you have to do is wear something pink and donate whatever you can.

 

Mr Isherwood said: “On average 634 women a year are diagnosed with breast cancer in the area covered by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB). The breast cancer incidence rate for BCUHB is 166.8 per 100,000, which is not significantly different from the national average for Wales of 165.6 per 100,000.

 

“On average 152 women a year die from breast cancer in the area covered by BCUHB. The breast cancer mortality rate in the Health Board is 37.9 per 100,000, which is not significantly different from the national average for Wales of 36.7 per 100,000.

 

“Together, we can make a big difference for women with breast cancer, now and in the future; I hope everyone in the local community will join me in wearing it pink on Friday 23 October and show their support for Breast Cancer Now.”

 

Launched in June 2015 with the ambition of ensuring that no one dies from the disease by 2050, Breast Cancer Now is the UK’s largest breast cancer charity, created by the merger of Breast Cancer Campaign and Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

 

* For more information or to register for wear it pink visit www.wearitpink.org.

Attempted abduction in Acrefair

Police are appealing for information following an alleged attempted abduction in Acrefair Wrexham.

The incident happened around 5pm on Thursday October 1 in a field opposite Acrefair County Primary School.

A 10 year old girl was making her way to the main Llangollen Road when a man approached her from behind.

He is believed to have placed one hand around her mouth and one hand around her waist.

The girl managed to break free unhurt and ran home to report the incident.

The man, who ran off in the opposite direction, is described as wearing black clothes and black gloves.

DCI Neil Harrison said: “The incident happened alongside a busy main road.  We are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen this man or may have seen anything suspicious to contact police on 101.

“I would like to reassure residents that we carrying out a thorough investigation and have deployed extra high visibility patrols in the area.”

Conservatives select Clwyd South candidate

Clwyd South Conservative Association has announced the selection of Simon Baynes as the Welsh Conservative Prospective Assembly Candidate for Clwyd South.

Association Chairman, Tony Partridge, said: “We are delighted that Simon Baynes has been selected as our candidate for next year’s Assembly elections here in Clwyd South.

* Simon Baynes with the Prime Minister.

"He lives in the area and has been active in politics for over 10 years as a parliamentary and assembly candidate and as a councillor.

"We will be fighting a vigorous and positive campaign on local issues and our national policies for increased health spending, better education and a freeze in Council Tax for the people of Wales.”

 

Simon Baynes lives in the area and works as a writer, local councillor and administrator of the charity that he founded called Concertina – Music for the Elderly which makes grants to charities that provide musical entertainment for the elderly community in need - www.concertinamusic.ork.uk

 

He grew up at Lake Vyrnwy, where his father ran the hotel.

 

At the last Assembly elections he achieved a swing of 7% to the Welsh Conservatives in Dwyfor Meirionnydd and he has been an active, campaigning county councillor and town councillor for many years.

 

Cllr Paul Rogers, former candidate for Clwyd South and deputy chairman of the Clwyd South Conservative Association, said: “I have known Simon for many years – he really cares about the local community and will campaign on local issues such as the threat to maternity services at Wrexham Maelor, working with Andrew Atkinson in Wrexham.

 

"We are all looking forward to working with Simon and winning the Clwyd South Assembly seat for the Welsh Conservatives so we get a better deal for the people of Clwyd South.”

Skates backs Corbyn over "missing" voters

A Labour Assembly Member has echoed new leader Jeremy Corbyn’s call to ‘stop Tory gerrymandering’ – and wants missing voters to make sure their voices are heard.

Earlier this year Clwyd South AM Ken Skates backed a campaign led by Ed Miliband to ensure a million extra people were able to be part of the democratic process.

He said: “Every voter counts, so it’s crucial that as many people as possible who are eligible to vote are on the electoral register.”

Labour’s pre-General Election drive highlighted that around a million members of the public, many of them young people, were in danger of being denied a vote after disappearing from the register following changes made by Westminster.

This week, at the Labour Party conference in Brighton, Mr Corbyn said he would launch a new bid to give the missing voters their voice back.

He accused the Conservative Government of ‘gerrymandering’ by changing the registration rules and proposing boundary moves which would make it easier for David Cameron’s party to retain seats in the House of Commons.

Mr Skates said: “The tactical introduction of a new system – where people must register individually rather than one member of a household filling in a form – is the cause of this. The Tories don’t want to hear what these people have to say.

“The Labour Party has worked hard to ensure that as many of these voiceless voters are given back their democratic right, and we won’t give up.”

Earlier this year, Wrexham County Borough Council revealed that its number of registered voters had fallen by 2,769 in 12 months, from 104,532 to 101,763.

Mr Skates added: “There has been a huge emphasis on ensuring non-voters get engaged with politics, yet the fact that so many people – especially students – are unable to vote is completely undemocratic. Young people deserve to have their voices heard.

“We are seeing attitudes to politics change, and – while there will always be a degree of disillusionment and disinterest – huge swathes of the UK are now actively engaging like never before. Labour alone has seen an incredible 166,000 new members join since the General Election, and that number continues to grow, but there’s still work to be done.”

Mr Skates added that being on the voter register can also help people boost their credit rating and therefore help with loan, credit card or mortgage applications.

Visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote for more information.

Traveller helps tackle hate crime

 * Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Julian Sandham
with Martin Gallagher, Hate Crime Caseworker at the
Victim Care Centre.

A member of the Irish travelling community who's suffered years of often vicious abuse has taken on a new job helping victims of hate crime.

 

Martin Gallagher believes his own experiences will give him a unique insight when he's helping other people who have been on the receiving end of cruel jibes and discrimination.

 

The 29-year-old has been appointed as the North Wales hate crime case worker and is based at the newly-opened Victim Help Centre in St Asaph.

 

The centre was established by the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Winston Roddick CB QC and provides an outreach service across North Wales. It is a one stop shop for victims, that has brought together the support services of North Wales Police, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the former Victim Support organisation.

 

Martin will be providing support and guidance for people who are singled out for abuse because of their sexual orientation, race, disability, age or a host of other personal characteristics.

 

While the number of hate crimes in North Wales is relatively low with less than 400 being reported in a year, the impact on victims is often huge and can destroy their quality of life.

 

Martin, who is studying a Glyndwr University for a degree in youth community work, said: “I may have chosen to live in a house but I remain part of the Irish traveller community. It’s my heritage and it’s where I’m from.

 

“I don’t have an Irish accent, although most of my family do, but I still suffer from cruel and unfair discrimination and know the impact it can have.

 

“In the past I have been powerless to act and didn’t know how to challenge and effectively report discrimination when it occurred.

 

“I was born an Irish Traveller, that’s my ethnicity. I was actually born in London but lived for a few years on Paddy Doherty’s Travellers site at Queensferry, Flintshire.

 

“I started out studying engineering at college and image how I felt when the lecturer said one day we shouldn’t leave copper lying about as the ‘Pikeys’ from Queensferry would pinch it.

 

“The term Pikey is a derogatory term short for turnpike men from years gone by who became a nuisance and became known as Pikeys.  To me hearing someone referred to as a Pikey is deeply, deeply offensive.

 

“I have myself been refused access to a public house as I was with a group of Irish travellers and we were celebrating the Christening of a little girl."

 

Martin, who is married to Chloe and has a young son, Noah, who was born in August, wants to be available for anyone who suffers hate crime or discrimination in North Wales.

 

He said: “It doesn’t matter to what group you belong. People could be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, of different race, religion, age or disability it doesn’t matter - hate crime is wrong and we need to do something about it.

 

“I believe education is the answer and I intend to get out and visit schools, colleges, businesses and anywhere else I can get my message across. I will be here to help anyone who suffers from hate crime in North Wales."

 

North Wales Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Julian Sandham welcomed Martin into his new post and said: “We care about victims of crime in North Wales and we want to support victims of all crime.

 

“There are many different levels of crime but it’s important we look after and treat all victims with dignity and respect. Hate crime may not always seem horrible if it doesn’t directly affect us but we need to think of the devastating effect it can have on individuals and even whole communities.

 

“Just because someone has a particular characteristic that can be associated or attached to a particular group of people doesn’t mean it’s something that should be highlighted or ridiculed.

 

“Hate crime and discrimination has a devastating effect on people and we have to show, that, here in North Wales, we will not stand by and ignore it.”       

 

Mr Sandham added: “Having established the Victim Help Centre at St Asaph, we included in the design a hate crime caseworker. This role has been funded by the Welsh Government in a grant to Victim Support."

 

Gareth Cuerden, the Victim Support All Wales Hate Crime Manager, said: “Martin has worked a great deal with children and young people in the past and his insight into youth work will certainly help. I’m sure Martin will be a huge success.

 

“I would actively encourage victims to report hate crime, in all its insidious forms, to the police in the knowledge that they will be supported.”

 

* To find out more about the North Wales Victim Help Centre visit http://www.victimhelpcentrenorthwales.org.uk/  or call 0300 303 0159.

BBC reports child's river death

The BBC is reporting this evening that a child has died in the river near Pontcysyllte.

For the full story, see:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-34407778

A statement on the North Wales Police website says:

"North Wales Police, Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and the Air Ambulance were called to an incident in a river in  Pontcysyllte near Llangollen around 5.00pm this evening (Wednesday 30^th September).

"Sadly a child was pronounced dead at the scene and the next of kin have been informed.

"There are no more details available at present."

MP supports charities in conference speech

The right of charities to campaign and to provide services for people in need has been at the heart of what it's meant to be a charity in Britain for over 100 years.

That was the message from Susan Elan Jones MP (pictured) to a capacity meeting of charities at this week's Labour Party Conference.

The Clwyd South MP is co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Charities and a Shadow Wales Office Minister.

She said: "I was delighted to speak at such a well-attended meeting of the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO) and also join in a discussion with audience members and other speakers.

 

"Charities make our local area, our country and our world a better place, and it was great to be able to discuss the future of charities at this important event." 

Community hub idea for old health centre

* The former health centre in Regent Street is empty since the opening of the new facility in Mill Street.

LLANGOLLEN’S former health centre should be turned into a business and community hub.

That’s the suggestion by a member of the town’s Cittaslow group, which fosters economic, social and environmental sustainability.

Following the recent move by the local GP practice to a new health centre in Mill Street, questions have been raised about the future of the old building, the former National School in Regent Street.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB), which owns the building adjacent to St Collen’s church hall, says it is now looking at selling or finding an alternative use for it.   

Mike Edwards, a board member of Llangollen Cittaslow and also a member of the Keep Llangollen Special (KLS) community group, said: “I feel this is the health board's opportunity to help the people of Llangollen by making the property available as a business and community hub (BACH) which the chair of the Keep Llangollen Special group has already constructively discussed with Simon Dean, the acting chief executive of BCUHB.

“The idea would be to provide facilities for Llangollen's multiple small independent business and residents to offer them meeting space, ITC infrastructure for co-ordinated web and social media marketing, business start-up support, training and development to help them compete in the current volatile economy.

“It could have back-office provision such as secretarial, administration, printing and photocopying. The facility could also offer help and support for vulnerable people in our community.”

He added: “KLS would like to work with all other interested community based organisations and groups, including Cittaslow and Llangollen Food Assembly, to progress this scheme and develop a business case and plan to secure suitable grant aid and financial support.

“It should be remembered that an open market sale of the property by the health board would be complicated and difficult due to existence of the church hall co-joining the former GP surgery and the car park which is understood to be owned by the Church in Wales with rights of way and useage granted and enjoyed by the church body.

“It is also understood the local social housing providers have already turned down an offer to acquire the property.

“Another relevant factor is that the building was originally provided by voluntary public subscriptions so is and always has been an asset of community significance.”

A spokesperson for BCUHB said: “The property is owned by the health board and, following completion of the new primary care resource centre, has been identified as surplus to the health board’s requirements.

“As such we will now follow the Welsh Government guidance for the disposal assets. This may include sale or alternative use subject to the appropriate approvals.”