The latest local roadworks alert from one.network is:
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Saturday, May 22, 2021
Latest roadworks alerts for Llangollen
Friday, May 21, 2021
Eisteddfod aims to turn the bridge into giant piece of art
* A mock-up of how the artwork will look.
Llangollen International
Musical Eisteddfod (LIME)is calling for people to help transform the landmark
Llangollen Bridge into a giant work of art to launch this year’s festival.
The Eisteddfod has commissioned internationally renowned artist Luke Jerram to create the new artwork.
He plans to wrap the 60 metre-long bridge in a giant patchwork reflecting the crafts and cultures of Wales alongside the festival’s participating nations.
While the festival will
mainly be held online this year, organisers hope the eye-catching Festival Bridge
will also attract people to visit the town this summer.
Luke Jerram’s new bridge artwork aims to connect and extend the Eisteddfod’s creativity out from the field where it is normally held each year into the town, transforming and animating Llangollen for the whole world to see.
The festival is offering anyone, from local residents in the area and fans of the Eisteddfod to the friends and families of people participating, the chance to get involved.
They are asking
for 1m x 1m fabric squares which will be stitched together into a giant
patchwork and hung over the bridge. Ideally the patches should be bold in
design, so the image stands out when seen from a distance.
People are asked to submit their
patchwork by 30 June 2021 and to visit https://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/[KL1] for details, information and terms and
conditions.
Luke Jerram, who is known for public art works around the world, said: "When I first saw LlangollenBridge I fell in love with it. It’s so iconic and at the heart of the town.
"Across the world, bridges have always been used as both a physical and symbolic way to connect people – which fits perfectly with the aims and ambitions of the Eisteddfod. I can’t wait to see the patchworks the creative people from the local community send in, in order to turn the bridge into a work of art.”
BetsanMoses, CEO Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod (LIME), said: “The Eisteddfod has a long and rich history of working with different communities and nations across the world to bring people together to share their creativity and a message of peace.
"The community of Llangollen are so important to the festival, with hundreds of local people volunteering every year. So we hope that creating and sharing patchwork pieces for the bridge artwork will be a way of helping them to connect to the online festival this summer, as well as attracting visitors to the town.”
Usually attracting over 4,000
performers from around the world and 35,000 visitors to Llangollen, this year’s
unique celebration of global peace and harmony will be largely held online in
July 2021, with the main programme being presented over the weekend of the 9 –
11 July.
In keeping with the Eisteddfod’s tradition of celebrating of the broadest possible range of musical genres from classical, opera and choral, to jazz, soul and rock, this year’s online programme will continue to share the message of peace and connect with existing and new audiences in preparation for its physical return in 2022.
Artwork on show at town's new Liberty Tavern
The new Liberty Tavern and Wine Bar in Market Street, Llangollen, is currently playing host to popular artist Jon Young.
His portrait work helps to set the tone of this new venue and the first of four pop-up events is taking place on Thursday May 27, from 1pm – 7pm.
Visitors will be able to enjoy the relaxed hospitality and see some of Jon’s other work in addition to the permanent display.
Originals, prints and cards will be available to buy and Jon’s new Rock Legend series will be having one of its first outings.
Jon Young Art at Liberty Tavern and Wine Bar
Thursday May 27
Thursday and Friday June 24 and 25
Thursday and Friday July 23 and 24
Thursday and Friday August 19 and 20
Latest Citizens Advice column
Q: I’ve been saving up to have my kitchen redone, but I’m a bit worried about it. Last time I had any work done on the house, it took more than double the time I thought it would and ended up costing me a fortune. I’m looking for a different builder this time, but how will I know I can trust them?
A: Many of us will take advantage of the warmer weather and bank holiday weekends coming up to improve our homes, and it’s important to make sure the job goes well. Here are some steps you should take when choosing a trader:
● Find a Trading Standards ‘approved
trader’ - use the
internet to search for one in your area or the Government’s approved trader
scheme TrustMark.
● Get references or recommendations - ask people you know or ask the person
you hire for examples of work they’ve carried out in the past. Try to avoid
contractors who won’t give references - it’s a sign they could be dishonest.
● Find out if they are a current member of
a trade body - trade
bodies have codes of practice and can help resolve problems if things go wrong,
so check your trader is a member. Ask who they’re registered with and then
check the trade body’s website.
● Only use certified traders for gas and
electrics - it’s
dangerous to use someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing. Check the Gas Safe Register for
a list of traders and use a registered electrician
who can certify their own work. When you’re having a kitchen fitted, it’s worth
checking whether the person you’ve hired will be doing the electrical or gas
work themselves. If not, check who they will be using and whether they’re
registered.
● Get a written quote - this is different to an estimate. A
quote is legally binding and the builder can’t change it without a good reason
- for example, if you ask for extra work to be done. Try to compare quotes from
a number of contractors to make sure you’re getting a fair price.
● Get a written contract - this should cover exactly what you’re
paying for and everything you’ve agreed on, like timings, payments, who will
pay for materials and subcontractors.
● Think carefully about payment - opt to pay in stages rather than
upfront. Where possible, try to pay by card as this can afford you extra
safeguards if something goes wrong.
● Keep copies of receipts - also keep your written contract as evidence, as well as photos of any problems if they arise.
* If
you have a problem with a contractor, and you’re not sure what to do or where
to go, call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline 0808 223 1133.
Thursday, May 20, 2021
County to spend an extra £1.5m on potholes, says story
The Denbighshire Free Press is reporting that Denbighshire County Council has earmarked an extra £1.5m to deal with potholes.
* For the full story, see: https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/19315149.denbighshire-council-makes-pledge-sink-1-5m-extra-potholes/?ref=rss&IYA-mail=61d4a1d8-625e-436d-8578-7f0fcb85f6f5
Latest vaccination update from the health centre
Llangollen Health Centre yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon posted its latest vaccination update on Facebook.
It says: "We are still booking patients aged 40 and over in for their first Covid vaccine. If you are in this age group and haven’t had yours yet please email June.Jones4@wales.nhs.uk to book an appointment.
Denbighshire signs pledge on mental health
Denbighshire County Council has signed a pledge to end stigma and discrimination faced by people with mental health problems.
The Council
signed an employer pledge with the Time to Change Wales campaign delivered by
two of Wales’ leading mental health charities, Hafal and Mind Cymru.
By signing the
pledge, Denbighshire County Council is showing its commitment to change the way
people think and act about mental health at work.
Cllr Richard
Mainon, the Council’s Lead Member for Corporate Services and Strategic
Direction, said: “As a Council we are pleased to support this campaign to
promote mental health and end the stigma surrounding it.
“This pledge
is a commitment to change the way we all think and act about mental health at
work.
“Supporting
staff and tackling mental health stigma and discrimination is a priority for
the Council and this pledge forms part of our Mental Health Strategy which
includes a new Mental Health Policy and resources for staff, training Mental
Health First Aiders, and a number of initiatives to ensure mental health
becomes part of everyday language.”
More than 190
organisations have signed up to the Time to Change Wales pledge, including the
Welsh Government, Transport for Wales and Cardiff University.
Lowri Wyn
Jones, Programme Manager for Time to Change Wales, said: “We are delighted
Denbighshire County Council has made a pledge to take positive steps to
help tackle mental health stigma and discrimination in their organisation.
“We have worked
with them to develop a comprehensive action plan to sit at the heart of their
pledge so practical action is taken to tackle stigma at every level of the
organisation.
“Mental health problems are the leading cause of sickness absence in the workplace, with 1 in 6 workers experiencing symptoms of depression, stress or anxiety. The cost of mental health problems in Wales is estimated at £7.2 billion a year in loss of output, healthcare bills and social benefits.”
Wednesday, May 19, 2021
Campaigner calls for details of Plas Madoc tip negotiations
The local man campaigning for Dee Valley people to be able to share a household waste recycling facility with neighbouring Wrexham has written an open letter to Llangollen's two county councillors calling for details of negotiations.
Phil Jones organised a 900-signature petition calling for an agreement between the two councils enabling residents in this area to be able to use the Plas Madoc tip rather than having to drive over to Ruthin.
As a result of an update on the situation being given to members of the Town Council at their meeting last night by Cllr Melvyn Mile, who sits on both the town and county councils, Mr Jones has sent an open letter him and his county colleague Cllr Graham Timms on the subject.
He has also sent a copy to llanblogger for publication.
Mr Jones writes: "I listened with dismay to the comments you (Cllr. Mile) made when providing an update at the recent meeting of the Town Council on the outstanding issue of access to the Plas Madoc recycling centre.
"I note that the officer report on this matter was not produced in time for it to be considered at the meeting of the Dee Valley Member Area Group (MAG) held last Monday.
"It concerned me greatly that you thought it ‘very
unlikely’ that we would get access to Plas Madoc. If your opinion proves to be
correct, I think the public has a right to know the full details of this issue.
I therefore request that you provide me with a copy of the said report and the
financial analysis which must have been done to underpin its recommendations.
"Please note that over 900 of your electors are demanding
access to the Plas Madoc facility. Please also note that DCC spends far more
per capita on waste in towns like Ruthin and Denbigh than it does for residents
of the Dee Valley. We expect a service equal to that enjoyed by other residents
of Denbighshire, and we expect you to fight for this on our behalf.
Regards Phil Jones"
Railway raises steam for the first time in many months
Enthusiasts at Llangollen Railway yesterday celebrated steam rising again from one of its vintage locomotives after months of cold boilers.
The heritage attraction was one of the first to close its doors to the public when the pandemic began last spring.
Apart from the loss of trade this meant the railway was then hit by an even greater crisis when its public limited company went into receivership with debts of around £350,000.
But since then the separate and completely solvent railway trust has been involved in a massive fightback and fundraising campaign which has seen it buy up enough vital rolling stock from the receivers in an online auction to talk about re-opening the railway to paying visitors later this summer.
Now, full of confidence for the future, railway enthusiasts have been firing up one of the locomotives which they hope will haul them out of the financial crisis.
On the unofficial Llangollen Railway Facebook page they posted: “With thanks to Lambert Smith Hampton [auctioneers] we have been testing the Kitson this afternoon following an insurance boiler inspection this morning.
“Thanks also to Head of Steam Rhys Lloyd for re-assessing a few of the drivers.
“All great progress toward running a railway again. Really enjoyed my go after spending the last eight weeks sanding and painting the loco. Onwards and upwards.”
Kitson is the name of the engine’s builder - it's an 0-6-0 saddle tank - the original motive power for the Llangollen Railway back in 1975.
It worked initially at the Austin car plant in Birmingham. It was first known at Llangollen as the 'Burtonwood Brewer' on account of their sponsorship for acquisition and restoration of the engine.
* The story about Josh Davies in the May 17 edition of the Railway Hub.
In another development, a young boy who raised £500 for the railway’s fight-back fund has been featured in a specialist railway publication.
A story in the latest edition of the Railway Hub describes how
eight-year-old Josh Davies made the money by cycling, walking
and running 60 miles over his Easter holiday.
North Wales overlooked in trail spectator events, says MS
North Wales MS Mark Isherwood has called on the First Minister to reconsider the Welsh Government’s decision to trial spectator sporting and cultural events to manage the return of audiences as Covid restrictions ease solely in South and West Wales.
Mr Isherwood has written to Mark Drakeford following the Welsh Government’s announcement earlier this week of a proposed list of pilot test events to take place over the forthcoming weeks.
There are nine trial events on the list, but not
one of them is in North Wales and Mr Isherwood has been contacted by a number
of constituents asking why North Wales has been left out. He has therefore
written to the First Minister asking this question and urging him to reconsider
the decision.
His letter states: “I have been contacted by several concerned constituents in North Wales with comments such as the following:
'I read today that the Welsh Government is to trial 9 sport and mass gathering events in Wales for the safe return of fans to stadia and events. I also note that all events are in South and West Wales, with the furthest event North being in Brecon.
'I'd like to ask why events have not been considered for North Wales.
'North Wales Crusaders Rugby League have recently started their season and have their first home game at Eirias Parc Colwyn Bay on May 15th. We have asked for consideration to be given to trailing our home games as a test event. There is an ideal opportunity for a game which will attract less than 1000 fans in a suitable stadium with Covid protocols in place.
'I would like you to investigate why our home games haven't been considered.
'The Welsh Government have announced that they are allowing spectators to watch football and cricket in South Wales. What about Wrexham football club. They have two critical home matches to play which if results are favourable could see them in the play offs. Will you do your best to get the decision reversed?'
Mr Isherwood added: “It is the Welsh Government who have decided where these trials will take place, and true to form they have completely overlooked North Wales.
“The First Minister needs to remember that his Government represents
the whole of Wales and he must therefore listen and act on the views of
spectators and clubs here in North Wales. Clubs in North Wales have struggled
just the same as those in other parts of Wales throughout the pandemic and It
is grossly unfair that they are missing out.”
Mokka now oozes French flair
Vauxhall Mokka road test by Steve Rogers
When
my neighbour is round to spy the latest test car before the engine has cooled it
must be something tasty.
In this case it was the new Vauxhall Mokka and it was the front of the car that caught David's eye. No surprise there, whatever you thought of the styling of the old Mokka forget it.
This is not an improvement it's a transformation. The
designers have nailed it with razor sharp styling and a stunning front. It's
called Vizor and you can bet your last quid this will be the new face of
Vauxhall. They would be daft if it is not.
Vauxhall
has been under the Peugeot banner for a couple of years so may be some of that
French flair has rubbed off on the boys and girls in Luton.
What
is certain is that under the Mokka skin is a bit of Peugeot 208 and Citroen C4
and that is no bad thing. If you can blend good design with decent handling
then you are on a winner.
I
was reminded of the 50 metre test coined by the late automotive titan Richard
Parry Jones, who did wonders for Ford. That was all he needed to decide if a
car met his demanding standards. I've always said I can judge a car after two
circuits of a roundabout and it did not take long to like the feeling of Mokka,
even though there were no roundabouts nearby to negotiate.
Let's
not get too carried away. Mokka is not the best handling compact crossover on
the market, that prize would probably go to its Peugeot 2008 cousin or more
likely the Ford Puma but it has a nice blend of comfort and straight down the
middle handling. I drive a short stretch of humpy back road which is a good
suspension test and Mokka passed with honours. You tend to hear the bumps more
than feel them.
It
is not even the most practical either having lost 124mm in length so it is not
going to be winning prizes for the most interior space which begs the question
who is the Mokka aimed at?
Two
groups that come to mind are older folk who like a higher driving position so
they can slide on to the seat and not drop down so far that getting out is a
strain, and families with a couple of young children because leggy teens will
find back seat leg room tight. Boot space is a smidge less than before but drop
the back seats and there is room for a couple of sets of golf clubs and
trolleys so that makes the market even wider!
Inside
has been transformed as well following the digital dashboard trend but shies
away from Peugeot's oddball set up where the driver spends an age adjusting the
seat and tiny steering wheel just to get a clear view of the dashboard.
If
anything Mokka's widescreen layout is more akin to a Volkswagen Golf with a 12
inch digital driver's binnacle flowing into a 10 inch central screen for
navigation and audio etc. Everything is clear and selecting the various options
for the binnacle is easy. There are even physical switches for the heating
controls. Yippee.
Trim
quality has been upgraded and looks particularly impressive at the top end of
the range. Vauxhall has always been generous with kit and that is a strength of
Mokka even at SE entry level where they haven't skimped on safety features
either to help give a stress free drive.
Engine
choice is another strength with a brace of three cylinder turbo 1.2 petrols, a
1.5 diesel and an electric. My guess is the 98bhp petrol will be the favourite
but my 128hp packed a mild punch and would tempt me. You can only tell it is a
three cylinder from outside and is otherwise a smooth performer with the option
of an eight speed auto.
The
delivery driver did well on his trip from the Midlands recording 50mpg; I
wasn't so good ending the week on 39mpg which probably had something to do with
me enjoying the car's performance and the steering wheel paddle shifters.
It
is early days for European Car of the Year candidates but with its excellent
all round package and eye catching styling this new Mokka is definitely in with
a shout.
Fast
facts
Mokka
Elite Nav Premium 8sp auto
£27,100
(starts £20,735)
1.2
litre petrol turbo; 128bhp
0-62mph
9.2secs;124mph
47.9mpg
combined
137g/km.
1st VED £220
Insurance
group 18
Boot
350 litres
Tuesday, May 18, 2021
A5 shut near Llan after vehicle overturns
The A5 has been shut in both directions after a vehicle overturned, the Daily Post is reporting.
Police have urged people to avoid the area around the incident near Llangollen.
Emergency services are at the scene, which social media says in near the golf course.
Social media also says: "Car upside down blocking the road.
The Daily Post is reporting that the road is now clear, adding: "The incident is a single vehicle RTC, with just the one person involved.
"Awaiting confirmation on any injuries, but early signs point to it not being too serious, thankfully."
For the story, see:
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/live-a5-closed-both-directions-20625748
Rhug Estate to host colourful group of Evel Knievels
* Wrong Way Round Wales event organiser Jason Lewis.
Rhug Estate will host a group of Evel Knievels later this month as they embark on a five-day, 1,070 mile ride, the Wrong Way Round Wales to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.
All the entrants will be dressed as 1970s stunt legend Evel Knievel.
The event has become well known in motorcycle circles over the past ten years and is the only UK event endorsed by the Knievel family of Butte Montana, who follow its progress each year on social media.
This year will see its first visit to Rhug Estate and the Cymru Knievels will be starting from Wrexham on Thursday, May 27.
The group of approximately 30 riders will then follow the north Wales coast west and end the day with cape-flapping laps at the Anglesey circuit.
Day two they will see them head south via Portmeirion Village and finish in Aberystwyth.
On day three they will travel to Tenby then on day four they will go from Tenby to Monmouth.
On the last day, Bank Holiday Monday, May 31, they will head back up north, stopping off at Rhug at approximately 3.30pm, before heading back to Wrexham to finish line.
Event organiser Jason Lewis said: “To mark the 10th year, for the first time since the event’s conception back in 2012, the ride has been entitled Wrong Way Round and will see the Cymru Knievels flapping our capes in an anti-clockwise direction around Wales.
"Since 2012 Ride Cymru has raised over £135,000 for charity. Entrants raise sponsorship ahead of the event and then fund their own journey around Wales - dressed as Evel Knievel.
"Whilst
the 2021 event cannot create any public gatherings please do give us a toot or
a wave if we should pass you around the outer edges of Wales and we hope to see
you at Rhug on Bank Holiday Monday.”
The Ride Cymru event is raising funds for Macmillan
Cancer Support and people can donate at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/wales21?fbclid=IwAR0Qz-G-YMy-e8RqdphI8pRZeBO7oMByxVGa-MnhGJEeNwxH9Lwob09s4ng
Lord Newborough, owner of Rhug Estate, said: “We are delighted to be able to host the Cymru Knievels here at Rhug.
"This is exactly the sort of event we want to encourage at Rhug as it is well situated and the carpark space is perfect for welcoming large groups.
"We also have the Takeaway and shop for Cymru Knievel supporters to visit.
"As a supporter of local charitable events and charities it is a pleasure to be able to offer all the Ride Cymru participants a hot drink when they stop off with us on Bank Holiday Monday.
"It has been so quiet here during the lockdowns it brings a
smile to my face to see visitors returning and events such as this taking place
once again.”
Roadworks planned for Regent Street
Latest local roadworks alert from one.network is:
|
Regent
Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 20 May — 20 May Delays likely - Traffic
control (two-way signals) Works location:
OUTSIDE 36 Works description:
REPLACE FRAME & COVER Responsibility for works:
Welsh Water Current status:
Planned work about to start Works reference: PE12595589223 |
Monday, May 17, 2021
Llangollen Railway's historic crane is saved from being scrapped
Enthusiasts aiming to get Llangollen Railway back on track have had some good news about the historic crane they have been trying to save from being scrapped.
Following
the railway’s public limited company going into receivership with debts of
around £350,000 in March various assets of the heritage attraction were put up
for online auction to pay off creditors.
A massive
fundraising appeal enabled the completely separate Railway Trust, which is
perfectly solvent, to buy up sufficient assets, including rolling stock, to be
able to press ahead with its plans to re-open the railway later this summer.
But there
wasn’t enough money raised to buy everything, including a 50-ton Cowans
Sheldon crane.
According
to a post on the unofficial Llangollen Railway Facebook page on Saturday, this
is a historic vehicle and the only one of its kind still in operation.
Despite
it already having been sold for scrap, an appeal was launched to keep it at the
railway.
But now,
just a couple of days later, help has come from the scrap company which bought
the crane.
On the
unofficial Llangollen Railway Facebook page this afternoon (Monday) the
enthusiasts say: “Some great news about our Cowans Sheldon crane. Allister
Boote from Sandbach Commercial Dismantlers Ltd (SCD)
has met with several Llangollen Railway representatives on site today.
“He has very kindly agreed to keep the crane in one piece and
on the railway for the foreseeable future.
“The railway also have the option to buy it back over an
extended period, including offsetting the value raised from supplying
day-to-day scrap materials to SCD. A great idea!
“Our urgent priority obviously remains on raising funds for
the re-opening of the railway later this year (and both the rolling stock and Full
Steam Ahead appeals are still open), but watch this space for details of
specific fundraising to support the crane.
“Sincere thanks to Allister. His kind support is very much
appreciated.”
And one of
the railway enthusiasts later added:“Allister Boote told me that he was very
happy to try and help us and that railways are very much in his blood - his
father was a fireman based at Alsager shed.”
Plan for homes on former Llan hotel site rejected
Plans to demolish a former Llangollen hotel in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to make way for a 16-home development have been rejected by county councillors, according to a story in the Denbighshire Free Press.
For the full story, see: https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/19307377.llangollen-hotel-redevelopment-plan-area-outstanding-natural-beauty-rejected/
Meet new North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner
A new police boss has pledged to pull out all the stops to combat the growing tide of online crime.
Tech savvy Andy Dunbobbin, 46, was speaking on his first official day in office as North Wales
Police and Crime Commissioner after succeeding Arfon Jones in the job.
Standing for Labour, father-of-two Mr Dunbobbin
said that winning the election was one of the proudest moments of his life and
he vowed to represent everyone in North Wales, regardless of their political
affiliations.
A native of Connah’s Quay in Flintshire, he is the
son and grandson of steelworkers whose family was hit hard when in 1980 British
Steel axed 6,500 jobs at Shotton Steel.
It‘s still the
biggest industrial redundancy on a single day in Western Europe and the cataclysmic economic and social blow and the decades of deprivation
it caused in Deeside forged his values and his view of the world.
But it was another family crisis, he said, that
inspired him to dedicate himself to the idea of public service.
He and his wife, Louise, took in four other
children as kinship carers and overnight they became a family of eight.
The support they received at the time persuaded Mr
Dunbobbin that he wanted to be in a position to do practical things to help
other people and in 2013 he was elected to Flintshire County Council.
His greatest professional claim to fame so far is
that he played a role in ensuring that the 2012 London Olympics was
successfully beamed across the world to an audience measured in billions.
At the time he was working as a technical team
leader for a local network company and was responsible for carrying out
rigorous checks on the vast array of technology used by the outside broadcast
units at the Olympic Games, the biggest sporting event in the world.
Fast forward to 2021 and he says the chance to
stand for election as the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner was an
opportunity that was too good to pass up.
He said: “I am passionate about the idea of public
service because a lot of things have happened in my life and I want to
serve the people of North Wales.
“Where there’s a challenge, I will always step up
to the plate. There have been things in my life – like being a kinship
carer for and going from a family four to being a family of eight overnight -
that have demonstrated my commitment to doing the right thing.
“When there’s a challenge, I will always step up to
the plate. I am rooted in the community and I want to make a positive
difference in people’s lives, learning from each other and working together so
that we all benefit.
“The reason I wanted to stand to become the North
Wales Police and Crime Commissioner is because I know how important it is
to keep families and communities safe. It really matters to people how safe and
secure they are.
“There is so much influence this role can have in
improving our can improve our communities.
“My manifesto is going to be like my blueprint for
the next three years to provide the strategic direction of North Wales Police
and that’s what I am going to be measured against.
“Crime does not just happen on the streets any
more, it also happens online and that is a massive challenge for the
police.
“Online crime manifests itself in so many different
ways, ranging from fraud to sexual exploitation and hate crime.
“The criminals are becoming more sophisticated by
the day and it is vital that the police also continue to be more tech savvy.
“Because of my background, I am used to using
really sophisticated software packages and equipment.
“We have to invest to make sure that North Wales
Police has the most up-to-date technology available to them to combat
online criminals. We want to future proof the force’s technology and ensure
greater value for money.
“I believe my knowledge and expertise in this area
will be a real strength.
“On the ground, I want to improve the visibility of
North Wales Police because we all know that prevention is better than cure – a
police presence provides reassurance to people.
“The Welsh Government has committed to increasing
the number of PCSOs in Wales from 500 to 600. I will be having conversations to
make sure that North Wales gets its fair share.
“Something else I feel strongly about is investing
in victim services, including setting up a victims’ panel. I want to give
victims a voice to give an opportunity to victims and survivors to tell us what
can be done better.
“North Wales Police is recognised throughout the UK
for the significant improvements they have made in terms of rural policing and
this is something I want to build on.
“Although I live in a largely urban area, I am
committed to providing the best possible policing service for the whole of
North Wales, including rural areas.”
Mr Dunbobbin also wanted to pay tribute to his
predecessor, Arfon Jones, who has retired.
He said: “Arfon needs to be congratulated on the
work he has achieved, particularly over the past year during the pandemic which
has caused unprecedented challenges for the force.”
Stephen Hughes, the Chief Executive of the Office
of the Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “On behalf of the team, I would
like to offer our sincere congratulations to Andy on winning the election to
become the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner.
“We look forward to supporting him to draft a new Police and Crime Plan to outline the strategic priorities of North Wales Police and to scrutinise the force to ensure that these objectives are carried out to make North Wales an even safer place to live and work.”
Sunday, May 16, 2021
Enthusiasts bid to save historic crane from being scrapped
Enthusiasts at Llangollen Railway have made a last-ditch appeal to save a historic crane being sold off along with other assets from the liquidated public limited company.
Following the PLC going into receivership with debts of around £350,000 in March various assets of the heritage attraction were put up for online auction to pay off creditors.
A massive fundraising appeal enabled the completely separate Railway Trust, which is perfectly solvent, to buy up sufficient assets, including rolling stock, to be able to press ahead with its plans to re-open the railway later this summer.
But there wasn’t enough money raised to buy everything, including a 50-ton Cowans
Sheldon crane.
According to a post on the
unofficial Llangollen Railway Facebook page on Saturday, this is a historic
vehicle and the only one of its kind still in operation.
Despite it already having been
sold for scrap, an appeal has been launched to keep it at the railway.
The post says: “As has been
mentioned elsewhere, our 50 ton Cowans Sheldon crane has been purchased by a scrap
merchant, who we understand wishes to break it up on site.
“This is an historic vehicle and we understand the only one of its kind left operational, having being built for the MoD as a steam crane, acquired by BR and converted to diesel operation as a breakdown crane.
“We understand the total purchase price
(including VAT and buyers premium) was around £35k.
“We have had the begging bowl out for some time
now and many folk have already donated money to our successful appeals.
However, if anyone wants to help try and make a last ditch attempt to save this
historic vehicle please contact the LR Trust as soon as possible (trustllanrail@gmail.com).
“Transporting the crane is likely to be
prohibitively expensive and require partial dismantling, which is what is likely
to have put other preservation purchasers off, so the most cost-effective and
ideal solution (for us at least!) would be for the vehicle to stay on the
railway.”
Following
the auction, the Trust said in a statement last Friday morning: "The
auction of Llangollen Railway PLC’s assets saw some “fast and furious” bidding
for the coaching assets in particular, and the larger plant items.
"We
were delighted to secure our priority one assets, namely one accessible-adapted
coach, road railer, 12t crane and Lowmac.
"We
were similarly delighted to learn that friendly bidders have acquired two further
coaches and a significant amount of machine tools which will remain on the
Railway."
Pete
Edwards, Trust chairman, added: “Preparations can now begin in earnest to
complete the necessary works on Dee Bridge and in the tunnel. We also need
to press ahead with the necessary safety and regulatory matters.
"We are on target to reopen in late July or early August."