Poppy Specials run at Llan Railway

 

 

 

 

* Railway visitors watch the departure of the first Poppy Special at 11am on Saturday.  

 

LLANGOLLEN Railway played its part in remembering the war dead at the weekend. 

On Saturday and Sunday, it ran a series of Poppy Special trains, each hauled by a vintage steam locomotive and proudly wearing its own large poppy on the front of the engine.  

The service departed Llangollen Station at 11am, 1pm and 3pm on both days for a period of quiet reflection. 

Visitors over the weekend also had the chance to find out about the LMS Patriot Group’s new steam engine, The Unknown Warrior, currently built in the heritage railway’s own engineering works. 

Adopted by The Royal British Legion, the aim is to have it ready to steam into London on November 11, 2018 to mark the 100^th anniversary of the end of the First World War.  

The Poppy Specials were pulled by loco number 3802, a Great Western heavy freight engine dating from 1938, which was restored at Llangollen a few years ago for a group based in Plymouth and is now back there to delight steam enthusiasts. 

Members of Llangollen’s army cadet contingent sold poppies aboard the train and on the platform and attrated good support from passengers.

Among visitors on Sunday were a family from Perth in Western Australia who landed early at Heathrow and drove straight up to Llangollen to see a steam train.

 

* Army cadets with the Poppy train. 

* A short video film of the departure of the first Poppy Special of the day on Saturday can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVvpKK4RoZg 

Skates demands full-scale child abuse investigation

* Ken Skates AM.

Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates has called for a whole scale criminal investigation into institutional child abuse in the UK.

Over the past week evidence has emerged that was not considered as part of the original inquiry into child abuse in North Wales during the 1970s and 80s.

 

It follows criticism from Steve Messham, one of hundreds who were sexually abused during that period.

The Children's Commissioner for Wales has written to The First Minister this week to request a new, fresh inquiry with wider terms of refereMr Skatesnce than the original Waterhouse inquiry which examined cases of child abuse in care homes in former county council areas of Clwyd and Gwynedd between 1974 and 1990.

However, the AM said that with so many inquiries being commissioned it was time for one overarching criminal investigation into the abuse allegations.

Raising the issue with the First Minister in the Senedd on Tuesday, who was also a journalist at the time of the original Waterhouse inquiry, said: “The abuse that went on in care homes in the 1970s and 1980s was truly sickening and horrific.

“The problem of institutional abuse goes well beyond the confines of North Wales. That is why I believe that merely looking at the issue as isolated cases of abuse in North Wales care homes or within institutions such as the BBC won't get to the root of the problem.

“I believe Operation Yewtree, the criminal investigation into alleged abuse by Jimmy Savile and others, should be broadened into an overarching investigation to include allegations of abuse of children residing in care homes.

“Clear themes and lines of enquiries are already emerging, so Operation Yewtree needs to become a much wider investigation with the power and resources to examine child abuse and organised paedophile rings right across the UK.

“Whilst a lot of important lessons came out of the original Waterhouse report, the restraints of the inquiry mean some of the victims feel they have not had their say and that some child abusers have not been brought to justice.

“Steve Messham's claims, as well as those of others who might come forward in the next few weeks and months, need to be investigated fully and offenders brought to court.”

Bid to change conditions of supermarket plan

 

* The letter outlining the latest application.

 

 

Agents for the developers are seeking permission from the county council to alter conditions imposed on the plan to build a new Sainsbury’s supermarket close to the centre of Llangollen.

 

Among other things, the fresh application, submitted last week, aims to remove the restriction covering a café inside the new store.

 

But the move has angered campaigners against the original scheme who are urging people in the area to object to it.

 

An online petition has also been launched asking the council to reject the latest proposals.

 

Despite local objections, the plan to build the new 20,000 square foot store, which applicants claim will create 109 jobs, was approved by Denbighshire’s planning committee in September.

 

It will occupy the site of the Dobson & Crowther printworks on the A5, with the factory transferring to a new location at nearby Climedw.   

 

At the planning committee meeting, Llangollen councillor Cllr Rhys Hughes proposed a list of conditions, among which was one not to include a café facility.

These conditions were accepted by members before they voted to grant the application.

Now, WYG Planning & Design, acting on behalf of applications J Ross, has submitted a new application seeking to vary a number of the conditions, including the one referring to the café.

Mike Edwards, chair of the group Keep Llangollen Special (KLS), which campaigned against the supermarket plan, said: “KLS are appalled by this application being put in so quickly when the certificate granting approval of the original applications was only just issued.
 

“In our view it is totally detrimental to all the existing independently owned cafes, coffee shops and hotels in Llangollen.

“We are discussing it at our next management committee meeting on Monday, but will be strongly opposing approval of these relaxations.

“We wish everyone in Llangollen to be aware of these revisions and urge them to object to the applications.”

A separate anti-supermarket campaign group, Llangollen Preservation, is also objecting to the latest application and has launched a petition, which can be viewed at: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/save-llangollen-high-street/    

A spokesman for the group said: “As of a letter received on Saturday, Denbighshire Local Planning Authority have put out to public consultation - for 21 days – a proposal to release Sainsbury’s from a number of conditions, including overturning the cafe restriction.

“It is a fact the new superstores only succeed if they steal market share from their rivals – usually the most vulnerable, like small, independent traders.”

The precise terms of the new application are:

 

·         Proposed Variation Of Conditions Attached To Planning Permission 03/2012/0030/Pf For Use Class A1 Foodstore .- Condition 8D . In Relation To The Restriction On The Provision Of A Cafe Facility Within The Store, To Delete This Requirement.- Condition 13B . In Relation To Noise Emissions, To Vary The Restrictions On Permitted Levels.- Condition 16 . In Relation To Measures To Be Taken In The Event Of Noise Emissions Exceeding Permitted Levels, To Vary The Arrangements For Investigation And Implementation Of  Mitigation.- Condition 19 . In Relation To The Need To Submit  A Certificate Of Compliance With Breeam Standards Before Trading Commences, To Require The Submission Within 12 Months Of The Store Opening.- Condition 21 . In Relation To The Provision  Of  An Additional Pedestrian Access Into The Site, To Revise The Wording Of The Condition To Refer To A Revised Or Additional Pedestrian Access.

 

It can be viewed online at: http://planning.denbighshire.gov.uk/lg/GFPlanningDocuments.page

County launches new school meals menu

Winter is on the way and Denbighshire's award winning catering service is launching its new school meals menu with lots of children's favourites.

From spaghetti bolognaise or lasagne to tasty fish fillets with diced potatoes and peas, traditional meat and potato pies with potatoes and veg and some new additions such as chicken fillet in BBQ sauce, tomato and basil pasta and many more delicious dishes.

Salad bars are available in most schools with jacket potatoes, yoghurts and fresh fruit all on the menu daily.

All meals comply with Welsh Government nutritional guidelines without compromising on taste and research shows that children study better and are able to concentrate more in the afternoon if they've had a hot, nutritionally balanced meal at lunchtime.

In appreciation of the difficult financial climate, this is the third year prices have been held as Denbighshire's school meals team strives to increase uptake to compensate for the ever increasing cost of food.

Denbighshire's Cabinet Lead Member with responsibility for the school meals service, Councillor David Smith, said: "The team has worked hard to design a nutritious and warming menu, and they organise a range of competitions and theme days throughout the year and all this is for less than the price of a latte in some high street shops - where else can you get a freshly cooked 2 course meal with a drink for £1.95!

"I would encourage parents to seriously consider taking up the school meals offer - the more parents who do, the better it is for children and the more we can keep the prices down."

The menu is now being distributed to schools and school cooks are ready for the launch on 5 November, kicking off with a special theme-day menu to celebrate Bonfire Night.

Human remains are those of missing vet, say police

As a result of a post mortem carried out on Thursday on human remains found in the Manor Road area of Sealand on Wednesday October 31, North Wales Police say they can confirm they have now been positively identified as being those of missing vet Catherine Gowing.

The coroner for North East Wales, Mr John Gittins, has been notified of these results.

Senior Investigating Officer DCI Mark Pierce said: “The post mortem confirmed our fears and the results have been passed to Catherine’s family.

“We are also awaiting identification of further remains found on the banks of the River Dee in Ferry Lane, Higher Ferry, Chester, on Friday November 2. The search continues for further remains and any other evidence which will assist this investigation.”

DCI Pierce repeated his appeal for any information regarding any sightings of Catherine Gowing’s Irish registered Renault Clio 00D 99970 and Clive Sharp’s black Volvo S40 AG58 JHE since Friday October 12 and particularly in the Sealand area.

He said: “I would like to hear from anyone who saw any suspicious activity in fields in the Manor Road area of Sealand to contact police on 101.”

Catherine Gowing was last seen at approximately 8.40pm on Friday October 12 2012 when she was sighted on CCTV leaving Asda Supermarket in Queensferry. Since that time 46 year old Clive Sharp has been charged with her murder.

Anyone one with information about sightings or any suspicious activity in the Sealand area is asked to call North Wales Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

"Clean" comedy show heading for pavilion

 

* Zoe Lyons.

A comedy night at Llangollen Pavilion hosted by the Diocese of St Asaph will feature Mock the Week star Zoe Lyons as the headline act.

 

She will be joined by fellow comedians Andy Kind and Tony Vino for a night of comedy with a clean ethos on Saturday, November 10.

 

 

* Andy Kind.

Zoe is well known for her appearances on TV shows such as Dave’s One Night Stand, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and Mock the Week while Andy is a Christian comedian who has supported Milton Jones and Tim Vine on their national tours.

Tony Vino (below right) will compere the event which starts with an open bar at 7pm before the comedy gets underway at 8pm.

This will be the third time the Diocese of St Asaph has hosted a clean comedy night. It’s part of an initiative called REACH which is designed to bridge the gap between God, spirituality and everyday life.

Organiser Tim Feak said: “Our previous comedy nights have been really well received and they’ve proved that clean comedy can also be very funny.

“We’re really looking forward to welcoming Zoe Lyons and Andy Kind to Llangollen. Zoe has appeared on really well known TV shows while Andy has been described as ‘a future star’ by the BBC. It will also be the third time Tony Vino has been our compere so it promises to be a really good evening.”

Despite this being comedy with a clean ethos, there will still be some adult themes so the Diocese is recommending a minimum age of 15 for this  event.                                            

Tickets cost £10 for adults or £5 for under 25s and are available from the Diocesan Office in St Asaph on 01745 582245.

Wildwater canoeing back on the Dee

WILDWATER canoeing returns to the River Dee this weekend.
Competitors from across the UK are expected to descend on Llangollen for the English and Welsh Open Championship on Saturday and Sunday.

Races include the classic course from Horseshoe Falls near the Chainbridge Hotel down to the town centre, sprint race, team races and a wavehopper race with the Llangollen Cup being presented to the overall winner.

Paddlers from the armed forces are also taking to the water for the Inter-services Championships.

Great Britain Wildwater Canoeing, whose chairman Peter Schofield is father of London 2012 bronze medallist Jonnie, is running the weekend.

Chester paddlers Colin Cartwright, Simon Goulding, Dave Bradburn and Brian McNulty are among those expected to take part.

Racing starts at noon and spectators can watch the action from the riverside for free.