Railway hails successful Thomas the Tank events

                                * Thomas the Tank events at Llan Railway were a success
                                                     despite other diversions.

Llangollen Railway says last week’s Thomas the Tank events it hosted were a success, despite people staying at home to watch the Olympics on TV and a weather forecast that didn’t predict much sun. 

Railway spokesman George Jones told llanblogger: “Our considered opinion is that it was a successful six days for the Day Out With Thomas event but not a record breaker in terms of attendance at Llangollen.

“It was notable that the attendance was generally from within our normal 50-mile radius catchment area with relatively few from further afield in England as we might expect in August.

“Overseas visitors were noted from Holland, Spain, France, China (Shanghai) and a Japanese family living in Germany - again less than usual at this time of year, although visitors from other European countries and North America, Australia and New Zealand were noted on other days.”

He added: “It is thought a combination of the Olympics, (was everyone supposedly watching TV?) the weather forecast (not necessarily accurate for North East Wales) and perceived lack of spending money may have impacted on the number of visitors.

“One hopes the post-Olympic period will reverse some of this trend but a journey around North West Wales last week seemed to confirm a generally depressed summer trade.”

Building on the success of last Friday when 150 Americans stopped off at the station when their cruise ship, the Carribean Princess, docked in Liverpool, the Railway welcomes a similar group of tourists tomorrow (Friday).

At around 1pm, 135 people from the Intercruises ship “Prinsendam” will arrive at the station to enjoy a trip along the line to Carrog.

This Saturday (August 18) the Railway is hosting  a special event called “Murder at the Speakeasy”.

When the joint’s popular singing star is found murdered in her dressing room things take a nasty turn for everyone present – and that includes the audience.It starts at 7pm and food is served on platform 1 at 7.15pm.

Themed dress optional and there’s a chance to win a bottle of wine for the best outfit.Tickets are £26 per person and includes food and a return journey.

Book on line at https://sales.webticketmanager.com/llangollenrailway - no booking fee for online bookings – or telephone 01978 860979. There is a £2.50 booking fee for telephone sales.

Firm's Olympic contribution praised

* Ifor Williams trailers were used at London 2012.

Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates has congratulated local firm Ifor Williams Trailers - where a number of Llan people work - for their pivotal role in making the London Olympics a roaring success.

The company’s trailers, which were used throughout the Olympic venues, proved to be invaluable and without them, the events simply could not have taken place.

Mr Skates said: “I want to congratulate Ifor Williams Trailers on their first rate performance at the London Olympics.

“Their products played an essential role in making the Olympics a success and the company and its staff should be justifiably proud of their hard work.

“As is so often the case, the magnificent spectacle that we see simply would not have been possible without the hard work of so many people behind the scenes.

“Ifor Williams Trailers’ dedicated team deserve a big pat on the back for their role in making the London Olympics a success.

“I’m sure everyone involved is extremely proud to be part of such a momentous occasion, and to fly the flag for Wales.”

In all, more than 150 of the company's trailers were used directly during London 2012, and 40 flatbed trailers were used to transport materials and props during Danny Boyle's spectacular opening ceremony. The firm's trailers were also used during the closing ceremony.

Ten of their employees attended the technical rehearsal at the invitation of the organising committee of the London Olympic Games the night before the opening ceremony. As well as being impressed to see so many of our trailers, they were "blown away" by the show.

Witnesses sought to burglary

Detectives are looking for the public to help them following a burglary in Hand Terrace, Chirk earlier this morning (Wednesday 15^th August).

Shortly after 3am a man disturbed an intruder in his home resulting in him sustaining a minor injury to his leg. The victim, a local man in his 50’s, received hospital treatment, but was later released.

The intruder described as a male approximately 5ft 10 tall, of slim build and wearing dark clothing made off with a toshiba laptop and a small amount of cash.

Investigating Officer Detective Constable Clare Foreman of Wrexham CID said:  “We would like to hear from anyone who was out and about in Chirk during the early hours of this morning and saw any suspicious person or activity to contact with us on North Wales Police 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

Protest group responds to AM's health service statement

Llangollen Protest, the campaign group which opposes the closure of Llan Cottage Hospital, has issued its official response to a statement on the issue from Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates, published earlier today by llanblogger. 

Unedited, it reads: 

“I'm at a loss to understand Mr Skate's claim to be representing the community's views to Betsi Cadwaladr.

“At the public meeting, although he was not invited to speak, it was by very definition, public, and he had the same right of entry as everyone else.

“Had he attended, he would have been left in no doubt whatsoever what the residents' views are.

“Perhaps he would be good enough to cease negotiating with Betsi Cadwaladr until the results of the referendum are in, and then there can be no doubts.

“I am also concerned at his insistence on diminishing the importance of the Powys Fadog project as merely a Martial Arts centre.

“Perhaps he should read about the project or speak with Pol Wong before writing Constituency Updates which display so little understanding of the facts.

“I am greatly alarmed, in fact, that he should write such blatantly misleading and undeniably incorrect statements as "a damning report recently condemning the previous idea of converting it into a Shaolin martial arts centre".

“There is no such report. In fact, the idea itself, which Mr Skates disparages, has never met with anything but high praise.

“Indeed, who would, or could, condemn the idea of a community hub with childcare facilities, social facilities, Welsh language tutelage as well as proven benefits in youth training, among other good intentions?

“In the recent past, Mr Skates has also claimed to have negotiated with Sainsbury's on behalf of the community - once again without consulting a single person first.

“I would ask Mr Skates to kindly cease and desist trying to obtain benefits for the community, at least until we've found out what his idea of benefits are and whether we, the residents, would actually consider them to be of benefit to us.

“Mr Skates must be sharply reminded that he is a representative, not a delegate.”

Llangollen Protest

What a difference a few days make

This gloomy picture lookingis towards Castell Dinas Bran, taken on Wednesday morning as the rain began to fall on the town, comes in stark contrast to the ones brought to you by llanblogger last Friday showing tourists basking on the sun-soaked rocks of the Dee at Riverside Park.

The BBC forecast heavy rain to the southwest will spread across the region through the morning. This should clear northeastwards before the evening, with brighter conditions following behindheavy rain to the southwest will spread across the region through the morning. This should clear northeastwards before the evening, with brighter conditions following behindsays the rain will clear later, with further showers heading our way tomorrow (Thursday).

* Gloomy Wednesday.

                                                                   * Fantastic Friday.
                                   

Tesco "pull out of superstore plan", says report

People opposed to Sainsbury’s opening a new superstore in Llan may be interested in a story in today’s Daily Post, which says Tesco will not now be setting up shop in Llanwrst.

You can see it at: http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2012/08/15/tesco-back-out-of-llanrwst-superstore-plans-55578-31624571/

Assembly Member states his case on future of Llan health's facilities

* Clwyd South AM Ken Skates.

llanblogger exclusive

Llan’s proposed multi-million-pound new health centre could be up and running by the end of 2014 or early 2015.

That is the prediction of local Assembly Member Ken Skates in his fullest statement yet on the future of health services in the town, requested yesterday (Monday) by llanblogger.

In the statement the Labour AM for Clwyd South also claims the planned centre would make “better use” of the site of the derelict River Lodge on the A539 approach to the town – the spot currently earmarked for its construction – than a “martial arts centre”

* (see note below)

And Mr Skates says he “shares the concerns” of local people about the possible loss of Llan Cottage Hospital.

The proposal to close the hospital and replace it with a new health facility was revealed in a report from the local Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board last month, which has sparked controversy in the town.

Campaign group Llangollen Protest, which opposes the closure of the hospital, organised a public meeting on the issue at the Hand Hotel last Thursday evening, which was attended by over 70 people.

Of those present, a majority of 51 voted for a local referendum to be held on the closure and Llangollen Protest is now pushing that forward.

No-one voted against the referendum call although six abstentions were recorded.

Mr Skates was not invited to the meeting, so was unable to state his position on the issue.

llanblogger therefore asked him to submit a statement, which we publish unedited below: 

Ken Skates AM said:

“The proposed remodelling of healthcare services in Llangollen is a very important issue indeed. The Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board need to get this crucial consultation process right and develop a set of health services that work for both the town and its people

“Plans have been announced for the creation of a brand new health centre for Llangollen and I welcome this. Improving healthcare in Llangollen has been restricted by the limitations of the town’s existing health and social care buildings and these proposals would see the dilapidated River Lodge Hotel converted into a 21st Century facility offering an enhanced range of primary, community, social care and voluntary sector services. Having examined the options, I believe this represents a much more sensible and constructive use of taxpayers money than the alternative proposal to use the site as a Shaolin Martial Arts Centre.

“The prospect of the cottage hospital is understandably an important issue and I share residents’ concerns about the potential loss of services, which is why I have sought clarification from the Health Board on a number of issues. They have confirmed that should a new health centre be given the go-ahead, it would provide the GP services, district nursing, health visiting, midwifery services, learning disability, outpatient and minor injury services that the town needs.

“It would also provide mental health services – which have been absent from the Llangollen area since the Oakleigh facility was closed a number of years ago – and Audiology services, which Llangollen residents currently have to travel to Wrexham Maelor to access. The Health Board has also provided reassurances that plans are in place to ensure a seamless transition from the current cottage hospital site and, subject to the outcome of the consultation exercise, would seek to begin work on the site by the end of 2013 with the new health centre open by the end of 2014/early 2015.

“I can understand the concerns have been expressed about the issues of beds and I have raised this with the Health Board. They have assured me that they are examining the options available to provide care for patients who cannot remain at home but do not need to be in hospital. Should the Health Board move towards commissioning beds in local nursing homes, I will once again push for assurances that, not only will the homes be local to Llangollen, but that the Health Board commits to funding the beds into the future.

“I will continue to lobby the Health Board to ensure that all the services that are currently based in Llangollen remain here and that additional services that will benefit the community are given space in a new health centre. I am having regular meetings with officials at the Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board to feed back the issues raised with me by local people. The consultation needs to be comprehensive, transparent and robust, taking full account of everyone’s views to ensure we get the right result for people in Llangollen.”

* The group Powys Fadog, which had been the lease-holder, had proposed building a comprehensive community facility in the old River Lodge building. This, it says, would have provided much more than martial arts but would also have encompassed a community and Welsh cultural centre, creating jobs for local people. Powys Fadog, represented Shaolin monk Pol Wong, claims its plan was thwarted by the Welsh Government.