New season gets under way at Llan Station

 

* The first steam train of the season departing Llangollen on Sunday

with Standard tank No.80072.

 

 

* The conductor and railcar driver about to despatch the first train

of the season away from Llangollen on Saturday.

Saturday saw the start of a new season of train services on the heritage line with the departure of the 11.15am from Llangollen.

The heritage diesel rail car was in use for this off-peak service which only ran as far as Glyndyfrdwy due to the riverside landslip west of the station.

Pending completion of an insurance claim the appointment of contractors to tackle the repair is awaited.

It is hoped that the repair work will commence shortly and allow train services to resume over the full length of the line to Carrog by Easter.

A steam service ran on Sunday when the British Railway Standard tank No.80072 was in operation.

The engine is booked to go on a visit to the North Norfolk Railway at Sheringham followed by a guest appearance at Minehead on the West Somerset Railway.

On Sunday afternoon, the railway had a visit from 50 students from the University of Central Lancashire who had been staying at Ty'n Dwr outdoor centre Llangollen.
 

Most of the students were from South Korea and are studying languages.

 

George Jones, for Llangollen Railway, said: "The brilliant blue sky on Saturday provided excellent weather for the first day of train operation.

 

"Those taking the railcar down the Dee Valley enjoyed the all round view which it provides to gain extensive vistas of the countryside at a time when there are no leaves on the trees.

 

"The first day of the season provides a shake down opportunity for staff to get back in the routine of train operations after the post Christmas closure which has seen essential engineering work tackled in places."

Next weekend, February 9/10, will be A Day Out With Thomas TM event, which will be followed by four days of normal train services during the school half term week culminating in a three-day Thomas event from Friday-Sunday, February 15, 16 and 17.

This will be the first of the Day Out With Thomas events on heritage railways in Britain this year.

From then on train services at Llangollen will operate at weekends through to Saturday, March 23,  which is a diesel gala day when the fleet of heritage diesel locomotives will be put thr ough their paces.

First Minister comments on health shake-up

The BBC news website is reporting today (Sunday) that First Minister Carwyn Jones says health services in Wales will "collapse" unless hospitals are reorganised.

He said he did not expect Labour to pay a price at the ballot box for unpopular decisions that could mean some people have to travel further for treatment.

See the full story at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-21297850

Young 'Uns to present Beauty and the Beast

* The young cast of Beauty and the Beast which takes to the stage from next Thursday.

 

Over 40 talented youngsters will take to the Town Hall stage for the Llangollen Operatic Society’s Young ‘Uns’ production of the Disney musical Beauty and the Beast next week.

The society’s junior section has chosen the musical based on the well-known Disney film as its 24^th annual show because of its strong story and rousing songs, which include Home, Belle, Be Our Guest and Human Again. 

It will run from Thursday-Saturday, February 7-9, with doors open each evening at 7pm. 

Deirdre Smith, who is co-producer with Bethan Williams, said: “This is a top musical show delivered with great verve by the Young ‘Uns. 

“We have 40-plus young performers have an average age of 12, and a range of six to 18. 

“There are some wonderful performances from the principals, Belle, Beast, Lumiere, Maurice, the boorish Gaston, who seeks to marry Belle,  and Lefou, his side-kick, Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs Potts and Chip, Babette and Madame de la Grand Bouche. 

“This production is a must for the  diary of anyone who enjoys good music, a splendidly trained and enthusiastic chorus,  good acting and dancing by young people and a vibrant and participative show.”  

Producers are Tessa Orton Jones and Emma-Jo Newton, and musical director is Elen Mair Roberts. 

Tickets, priced at £8 for adults and £5 concessions, are available from Llangollen Tourist Information Centre (phone 01978  860828), Jades Hair and Beauty, Gwyn Davies Butcher, Llangollen, or Stella Bond (phone 01978  860441).

Five kittens found dumped in box

* The five dumped kittens.

The RSPCA is appealing for information after five kittens were found in a sodden cardboard box between Rhos and Penycae near Wrexham.

The animals were discovered by a member of the public on a footpath on Tuesday, January 29, who gave them shelter by taking them home.

Th eight week old kittens were sealed in the box which was disintegrating as a result of heavy rain.

RSPCA inspector Kia Thomas said: “It beggars belief that someone could be so heartless as to dump small kittens like this. It’s vital that we hear from someone who may know something about this incident."

Anyone with information should contact the RSPCA inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.

All calls are treated in confidence.

To help the RSPCA investigate cases like this, you can give £3 now by texting HELP to 78866 (Text costs £3 + one standard network rate message).

North Wales Police "keeping force numbers strong"

Latest Home Office figures show North Wales Police is succeeding in keeping force numbers strong.

Between March and September 2012 an additional 43 police officers were recruited, which raised the strength by 12; police staff numbers strengthened by 71 over the year from September 2011 to 2012; and an additional 97 Police Community Support Officers (PCSO's) took to the streets over the same period.

Chief Constable Mark Polin said: "In the first six months from September 2011 police officer numbers fell by 39, which given the context of a significant cut in funding was not surprising.

 

"However, the fact that as a force we have been working hard to deliver savings over a number of years meant that we were able to begin to recover from this dip, with 43 officers being recruited between March and September last year.

 

"In light of the economic climate we looked at new ways of working and credit must go to those within the organisation whose focus on driving out savings and willingness to be flexible have made this possible."

Police Constable recruitment resulted in four intakes with the first 22 new officers taking to the streets in January this year. They will be followed by a further 21 in April and 24 in August and recruitment will continue over the coming year.

The recruitment of additional PCSO's, which was assisted by funding from the Welsh Government, alongside the recruitment of PCs presented a significant recruitment and training challenge. It was correctly predicted that a substantial number of our existing PCSO's would be successful with their applications to become PCs.

The same applied to Special Constables, with 34 being recruited as either PCs or PCSO's.

Chief Constable Polin added: "The movement of Specials and PCSO's shows that both offer an entry route for those wishing to become a police officer. It's encouraging to see so many making the move into the regular force."

Council chiefs' concern over health shake-up

The BBC news website is reporting today (Friday) that council leaders in Denbighshire have concerns about the proposed shake-uo of health services in the region which will see the closure of Llangollen Cottage Hospital.

See the full story at:

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-21284958 

Honey Pots re-opens with new look

* At work on Honey Pot's new look.

Honey Pots opens its doors again in Llangollen tomorrow (Saturday) with its paint barely dry.  

Its new look offers a glimpse of blue sky after days of snow and rain in Castle Street.  

Downstairs is a gift emporium, official stockists of Charlie Bears, Pip Studio, Gorjuss, Santoro and Pilgrim Jewellery, plus its own range of unique hand painted pottery and furniture               

Upstairs is a newly decorated ceramic studio -  a great place to relax and paint pottery.  

The Busy Bee Studio has become increasingly popular with families, hen parties, birthday parties or an indoor teambuilding alternative ‘without getting wet’ and for those looking to create a unique present or just a chance to relax and have fun.  

This contemporary space is also hire for workshops, talks, craft workshops and sales events.

Honey Pots will be holding regular events including pottery painting parties for special celebrations such as Valentine’s Day and for mums and toddlers to capture a baby or toddler’s early years through hand and foot prints.

Sarah Meade, Honey Pots manager, said: “This is an exciting time for Honey Pots in Llangollen and its sister shop in Oswestry.  

“We have a great team of staff and we are very proud of what we have achieved over the last five years.  

“The two shops will enable us to offer a great range of gifts, painting opportunities and events. We look forward to welcoming our regular customers and inspiring new ones.”