£40 million boost for school broadband

Teaching and learning in Welsh schools will be transformed by nearly £40m worth of investment in faster broadband services, First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, announced today Monday).

 

 

The new Learning in Digital Wales Grant will ensure that learners are able to access faster, high-quality broadband services which are both robust and reliable.

 

The new Learning in Digital Wales Grant will ensure that learners are able to access faster, high-quality broadband services which are both robust and reliable.

The investment will initially comprise of £27m of targeted capital funding for local authorities to upgrade internet connections in their schools.

Where needed, local authorities will also be able to provide their primary and special schools with £10,000 and their secondary schools with £20,000 to improve ICT infrastructure and purchase ICT hardware to support teaching and learning.

Today’s announcement follows the launch in December of Hwb, a digital learning platform for all learners aged 3-19 in Wales. Hwb will allow teachers and learners to access online resources anywhere, at anytime and from any internet enabled device.

The new grant scheme will ensure that learners in Wales can have equal access to the tools and resources provided by Hwb, providing an equal educational experience for learners across the country and establishing a level playing field for broadband connectivity.

The First Minister said: "We want Wales to be a world leader in digital learning, therefore we need to be able to offer our schools fast, consistent and reliable broadband services.

“This investment will ensure that, by 2014, primary and secondary schools in Wales will have access to safe and secure world-class broadband services needed to deliver a world-class digital education.

“The grant funding represents a major step forward in changing the way schools use digital technologies, widening access and driving up standards of performance across the board.”

Education Minister, Leighton Andrews said: “Schools across Wales have told us of the difficulties they have experienced in accessing online resources due to varying degrees of broadband connectivity.

“This is even more frustrating considering that many schools have the plans, equipment and enthusiasm to offer a high standard of digital education to their pupils.

“This new funding will allow pupils and teachers to make full use of the online tools and resources provided by Hwb, our new digital learning platform for all learners aged 3-19 in Wales, and also create and host their own local secure learning platforms.

“This investment demonstrates our commitment to create world-class resources for Welsh schools.”

Watchdog to keep an eye on health shake-up

A watchdog organisation says it will be keeping an eye on proceedings as health chiefs make up their mind on a major shake-up of services at a meeting later this week. 

North Wales Community Health Council (CHC), the independent body which safeguards patients’ interests, says it will be at the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board meeting on Friday, January 18 to hear its decision about changes in NHS services following last year’s public consultation.  

The changes include controversial plans to shut down Llangollen Cottage Hospital and replace it with a new health centre. 

The hospital’s in-patient beds would be lost, meaning people would be cared for at private facilities or at Chirk Community Hospital. 

The CHC has already asked the board to think again about its proposals for some important services.  

CHC Chief Officer, Pat Billingham, said: “We sent our formal response to the health board’s consultation document back in November.  

“It included several questions and concerns about the health board’s proposals. CHC staff and members had further talks with health board managers during December and, as a result, we have written to the chair of the health board this week with our further comments.  

“Our letter says that we believe that several of the board’s proposals will be in the interest of people who use services, and the health service. These are the proposals for moving services from hospitals to closer to where people live and neonatal intensive care services.  

“It goes on to say that other proposals should be modified so we can be sure that that they will be in the interest of people who use services.  

“These are the proposals for community hospital services, including some minor injury and x-ray services, the complex vascular surgery service and older people’s mental health services.” 

The CHC’s chair, Christine Evans, said: “CHC members are still worried about some aspects of the proposals.  

“These include a timetable which may see some inpatient services closed before the enhanced care service has been introduced, other services removed from hospitals before there are firm plans for developing new facilities to house these services and could lead to much poorer access to services for people living in rural communities.”  

She added: “When the health board meets on January 18 it will have all the information it needs: what the public thinks about its proposals, what we think about them and, we understand, details of the financial and staffing implications of the proposals. 

“We will be there to hear, first hand, what it decides to do. And then we can consider whether we need to raise any formal objections.”

Why not try extreme gardening in Llan?

* Llan Community Garden members work on their plot. 

Looking for a new New Year's resolution yet tired of the gym?

Then why not try extreme gardening at Llangollen Community Garden?

Various activities are available, as Warren from the garden explained: "We're still taming wild growth in some areas, this means digging, cutting, chopping and carrying.

"In other areas we are getting ready to plant, with raking and light digging going on. We're also laying natural fences, building steps and marking out pathways."

Warren emphasised that all ages are welcome at the garden, saying: "It's free, something different and great fun! We want everyone in Llangollen to be able to enjoy this space."

The garden is located near Plas Newydd in Llangollen. The site is bounded by a wall on one side and a mountain stream on the other.

One gardener commented: "It's a wonderful location for a garden, it feels like an oasis amongst the houses."

Just get in touch if you'd like to come along - text/call: 07525 016503.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LlangollenCommunityGarden
Web: www.llangollengarden.co.uk

AM's concern over protection of public toilets

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has called for a Welsh Government statement on the protection of public toilets.

 

This comes in the wake of the Welsh Senate of Older People’s ‘P is for People’ campaign to raise awareness of the lack of public toilet provision in Wales.
 

The campaign has gathered evidence from the general public and found that over half of the 799 people surveyed felt that the Welsh Government needs to take more action to protect existing toilets and to find ways of opening more toilets.

Calling for a statement on the campaign, Mr Isherwood said: “As the Minister will be aware, last month the Welsh Senate of Older People e-mailed all Assembly Members concerning the P is for People campaign to raise awareness of the lack of public toilet provision in Wales, and it attached its latest research urging all Assembly Members to bring this to the attention of the Welsh Government.

"It would therefore be appreciated if we could have a statement from the Welsh Government accordingly.”

The Minister for Finance and Leader of the House, Jane Hutt, replied: “I think that we would all agree and respond positively to the Welsh Senate of Older People’s call for improved public toilet provision.

"There are opportunities in terms of private sector engagement with this, in terms of access to toilets on the high street and in other public and private buildings. I am sure that the Minister will want to give an update on progress with this.”
 

Mr Isherwood said later: “Poor public toilet provision can lead to poor health, loneliness and isolation. T

 

"The Welsh Senate for Older People says that 'the Strategy for Older People in Wales focuses on wellbeing and promoting independence, but without adequate access to public toilets many older people are unable to take advantage of services as they are not confident of being able to go out without being caught short.'

 

“Public toilets are a lifeline, especially for older people, pregnant women and parents with young children, yet they seem to be disappearing rapidly from our communities.

 

"It is crucial that the Welsh Government take on board the findings of thethe Welsh Senate of Older People’s campaign and take action accordingly.”

Fire service's cold weather safety advice

With temperatures dropping across the country, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service has issued a timely warning to residents to stay warm but safe as the colder weather takes hold.

Gary Brandrick, Senior Fire Safety Manager said: "As it gets colder it's inevitable that we all spend more time indoors.

"You might take additional measures to keep warm such as using heaters, open fires and wood burning stoves but these can bring an increased risk of fire into the home.

"By following some simple rules you can ensure you stay safe and warm.

"We are here to help and offer advice. If you are in any doubt over any fire safety issues, please do get in touch. We all want to be warm in winter, but we must avoid putting ourselves at increased risk."

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service provides the following advice to help you reduce your fire risk this winter:

- Always use a fire guard to protect an open fire against flying sparks and hot embers and make sure embers are under control and properly put out before you go out or go to bed.

- Keep portable heaters away from curtains and furniture and never use them for drying clothes. Always unplug electric heaters when you go out and go to bed.

- Ensure that wood burning stoves are in good order with all doors and guards closing correctly.

When fitting a new stove it is imperative that a qualified installer carries out the work. Make sure that chimneys are regularly swept to avoid the build up of carbon deposits within that can easily ignite and create problems in the future.

Electric blankets can help you keep warm during the cold nights, but fires can be devastating with 440 injuries resulting from every 1000 fires started by an electric blanket. Therefore, there are fire safety issues to consider:

- Never use hot water bottles in the same bed as an electric blanket, even if the blanket is switched off.

- Unplug blankets before you get into bed, unless they have a thermostat control for safe all-night use.

- Do not leave electric blankets folded as this damages the internal wiring. Store them flat or rolled up instead.

A number of people are using wheat bags to keep warm at the moment and we are giving the following advice on this.

- Do buy wheat bags with clear heating instructions and manufactures' contact details.

- Only use as a heat pack for direct application to the body.

- Watch for overuse - a smell of burning or charring.

- Always leave them to cool in a safe area on a non-combustible surface like a kitchen sink.

- Never use wheat bags as bed warmers.

- Do not overheat the bags. (The recommended maximum is three minutes for most manufacturers.)

- Do not reheat the bag until it has completely cooled (which may be two hours).

- Do not leave the microwave unattended when heating.

- Do not store the bag until it is cold.

- Do not use the bag if you see any evidence of problems.

Gary added: "Make it one of your New Year resolutions to test your smoke alarm weekly and change the battery according to the manufacturer's instructions. Working smoke alarms provide an early warning of a fire and can mean the difference between life and death."

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service offers free home fire safety checks for all residents in the region.

During a check, a member of the Service will visit your home, give fire safety hints and tips, help you to formulate a fire escape plan, and if necessary, fit new smoke alarms in your home.

To register, or for more information on fire safety in the home, please visit www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk , or call our 24 hour hotline free on 0800 169 1234.

People urged to stride into the New Year

* Walking offers a range of health benefits.

Denbighshire and Flintshire County Councils are urging people to put their best foot forward and walk their way to better health in the New Year.

They say there are tremendous health benefits from regular walking in tyhat it helps to keep your heart strong, manage and control weight loss, improves your breathing, reduces stress, helps you to sleep better, improves strength and flexibility, reduces the risk of certain diseases and above all makes you feel good.

Across Wales there is an active band of volunteer walk leaders who lead short walks every week. 

Anyone who is interested in improving their health and making new friends by regular walking are welcome to join them.

Neville Howell, a volunteer walk leader, said: "I have been involved in the scheme for over 10 years now and have felt the benefit of regular myself and seen the benefit other people have had.

"It is amazing to see people’s health improving, weight loss and making new friends. As well as the walks there is a calendar of social events that are held which bring people together to do different things." K

Katrina Day, Troedio Clwyd Coordinator, said: "Walking is one of the best ways to improve your health, it's free and just makes you feel generally good about yourself.

"Regular walking will keep people active, reducing the risk of many diseases, therefore saving the NHS money by keeping people out of hospital.

"We are really grateful for all of the work of the volunteers who lead these walks, which make such a difference to many people’s lives." 

Walks are held in St Asaph, Mold, Gwaenysgor, Flint, Bwcle, Denbigh, Talacre, Dyserth, Caerwys, Halkyn, Rhuddlan, Lixwm and Llanasa.

For details of the walks available across Denbighshire and Flintshire, call Loggerheads Country Park on 01352 810614, or visit the following websites, www.walkaboutflintshire.com, www.denbighshirecountryside.org.uk/lets_walk/.

If you think you would be interested in becoming a walk leader then give the office a call or send an email to katrina.day@denbighshire.gov.uk

Update on Llan Railway landslip

* The length of track where the landslip took place. 

Llangollen Railway has given an update on the riverside landslip that occurred on the line west of Glyndyfrdwy station over the Christmas period.

 

This was caused by heavy rainfall and water level flows in the River Dee.

 

The line runs close to the river at this point and the slip took the bank away below a length of the railway's fencing, although the erosion has not yet intruded on to the track base. 

The slip has produced an intrusion which measures some 20m by 3m, but the high level of the Dee means that the precise impact on the lower riverbank cannot be seen until the water level drops.

The implications for the stability of the track means that the passage of trains west of Glyndyfrdwy cannot be authorised until repairs are completed to restore the riverside infrastructure and will possibly include improvements to the landside drainage system in this area.

As a safety precaution train services were terminated at Glyndyfrdwy station from Boxing Day to New Year's Day.

 

Passengers were understanding about the situation and concerned for its timely resolution, but the reduced train service adversely impacted on business originating from Carrog and at the station tearooms there.

 

Station staff at Glyndyfrdwy responded to the operational needs by opening up the station building to provide facilities at a time of the year when the building is normally closed.

At Llangollen station, a hole has been found to be opening up on platform 2 on the riverside stretch.  

 

A preliminary investigation revealed a voided area existed below the surface, likely to have been caused by water seepage through the riverside stonework but the area is subject to further investigation. 

Both incidents are subject to a claim on the Llangollen Railway's insurance and the extent and cost of the repair is subject to contractors' estimates which are currently being sought. 

 

Given the current predictions that further heavy downpours are likely in the future the railway will have to fund improvements that have been recommended to strengthen flood defences along the river bank. 

Further details will be known when the appointed contractors begin work and a completion date is given.

The railway's operations director Peter Evans said: "Llangollen Railway regrets the disruption to services which the landslip has caused and hopes to be able to resume train services to Carrog when the 2013 season begins on February 2.

 

"Priority will be given to the repair of Platform 2 used extensively for Thomas the Tank Engine events and contingency arrangements have already been made to ensure that the February series of Days Out With Thomas TM event will take place."

Meanwhile, the railway reports a successful season of Santa Special trains. I

 

In the course of eleven days of operations between December 1 and Christmas Eve, 44 trains ran and a total of 9,486 passengers were carried to "Lapland" at Carrog - a 90% seat occupancy. 

This is an increase of 4% on 2011 and is seen as a very satisfactory result in the current economic circumstances when family groups from within our base catchment area, and further afield, supported the seasonal entertainment.

George Jones for Llangollen Railway said: "The success of the annual Santa trains operation is down to the many volunteers who undertook a wide range of tasks involved in this festive season occasion.

 

"On all eleven days of the season operational duties on the trains and at stations, plus the various helpers for Santa and his elves, were covered by a wide range of volunteers of all ages.

 

"They came together to make up several teams which were rostered to cover the train services."