Fight for Llan health services "only just begun"

* The hospital is now closed, as this notice on the door shows, but

campaigners say the fight to retain local health services continues.

The fight to save Llangollen Cottage Hospital may be lost but the battle to retain high quality health services in the area has only just begun.

That is the message from members of a campaign group aiming to force the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB), which took the controversial decision to axe the hospital, to honour its commitment to provide a new purpose-built health centre in the town as quickly as possible.

Keep Lllangollen Health Services is also planning to seek a judicial review of the process which led to the closure of the hospital after 137 years of serving the community.

The group needs hundreds of pounds to finance the legal challenge and is currently working on a number of fundraising ideas.

The hospital on Abbey Road closed its doors for the final time the weekend before last with all the services it had provided, including outpatient and dressing clinics, blood sampling and physiotherapy, being transferred to Llangollen Health Centre on nearby Regent Street.  

But the campaigners doubt the already busy surgery’s long-term ability to cope with providing the extra services and want a firm commitment from BCUHB to a permanent replacement as it promised during last year’s closure consultation exercise. 

Key members of the group, which is affiliated to the campaign alliance set up recently to fight controversial health shake-up proposals across the region, met at the Hand Hotel in Llangollen on Thursday night to discuss the next moves in their campaign. 

These will include a public meeting at the hotel on Tuesday, March 26, when members of the public will be sounded out on precisely what health services they would like to see included in a new health centre.   

Group spokesman Mabon Ap Gwynfor said: “The fight to prevent the closure of the hospital may have been lost but the message we want to get over as strongly as possible is that the battle to hold the health board to its promise to provide a new health centre has only just begun. 

“Our main objective now is to get a new health centre in Llangollen as quickly as possible with beds included. These are vitally needed because there was always 98 per cent bed occupancy in the cottage hospital. 

“We plan to hold a public meeting at the Hand Hotel in Llangollen on March 26, starting at 7pm, when we will seek the views of local people on exactly what services they would like to see provided in the new health centre.” 

He added: “We are also working towards a judicial review of the process leading to the closure of the hospital, which we believe was flawed. 

“We are taking on a barrister for this but it will be expensive.  

“We need at least £500 at this stage and we have therefore launched an appeal to raise as much money as we can. 

“If anyone wishes to contribute I can supply further details if they e-mail me at keepllanhealthservices@gmail.com.”

Donations are also been accepted at Gwyn the Butcher, Mr Lees Newsagents and the Café/Bookshop.

Silver Band's great season opener

* Llangollen Silver Band plays at the Methodist Church on Saturday night.

An entranced audience were wafted away on a musical tour which took them from Hollywood to France and from London’s West End to Russia on Saturday evening.

And, thanks to Llangollen Silver band, they managed it all without leaving the comfort of the English Methodist Church in Princess Street.

The band, under the experienced baton of conductor Trevor Williams and comprising a large number of talented young players, laid on a highly enjoyable concert as the prelude to its 2013 playing season.

A varied programme included pieces ranging from the plaintive Just One Look, made famous in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard, to the joyful theme from a 1960s Dubonnet TV advert based on a folk tune from the Auvergne in France.

Nobody can complaint that the band doesn’t offer a diverse repertoire.

And that diversity was further displayed when the musicians, a number of the younger ones fresh from taking part in band competitions earlier in the day, steered us off on further adventures.

These took in a stop on the dirty streets of London to hear Memories, a number from Lloyd Webber’s Cats, and then in Russia, home country of  Aram Khachacturian who composed the adagio from the ballet Spartacus – better known as the powerful theme tune from the 1970s TV series the Onedin Line – which the band delivered complete with musical evocations of flapping sails and mountainous seas.

The band’s motto is “music at the heart of the community” and that is exactly what it intends to go on providing this year.

At the end of the concert Trevor Williams said its busy summer programme would begin in early June with a “party in the park” style concert at Plas Newydd and continue locally with further sessions played from the bandstand in Riverside Park. 

Heritage trains run back to Carrog

 

* M51907 on arrival at Carrog.

 

Train services to Carrog resumed today Saturday when the class 108 diesel ran through to the present terminus with the 11am service out of Llangollen Station.

 

On a day that started with bright sunshine, the trip down the line allowed passengers to enjoy the extensive vistas of the Dee Valley thanks to thinning of the vegetation in places and the absence of spring time growth so far.

 

The result of the recent dry spell could be seen in the low level of water in the River Dee.

 

Carrog station was open and staffed and the cafe available for refreshments.

 

Also open for sales and donations was the 80072 coach.

 

Railway spokesman George Jones said: "It was a case of welcome back.

 

"We are back in business, with an extensive programme of trains and activities for the new season, so why not come for a ride and encourage others to do so too.

 

"At Llangollen the exhibition coach provided a partial display of information whilst arrangements are made to complete the Corwen exhibition section in time for Easter."

Big game could spark domestic violence, warns AM

In advance of today's Six Nations match between Wales and England, Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates has warned of the increased levels of domestic abuse that can occur around big sporting weekends.

During last year’s Six Nations tournament, there were over 4,300 calls to the All Wales Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Helpline an increase of almost 10% on the previous year.

 

Evidence shows that the number of incidents reported to the police increases dramatically around the time of big matches.

The AM, who sits on the Assembly’s Local Government Committee, said individuals needed to be vigilant in spotting and reporting domestic abuse over the coming weekend.

He explained: "The spike we see in domestic violence incidents over the days of a major sporting event is nothing new to those who work on the frontline combating violence against women and domestic violence right across Wales. 

 

"During last year’s Six Nations there was an increase of almost 10% in the numbers contacting the All Wales Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Helpline.

“Whilst everyone should have fun this weekend and enjoy a Welsh win, we need to be vigilant about domestic violence, fuelled by an excessive intake of alcohol, that can occur at this time of the year.

“Figures from the British Crime Survey show that one in three women will have experienced domestic violence at some point in their lives and one in five will have experienced some form of sexual violence. Tragically two women every week in England and Wales lose their lives as a result of domestic violence.

“We all pay a huge price for the domestic violence that goes on in our communities every day across Wales. It costs £800m to the Welsh economy through the direct additional costs it places on our health and social services as well as employers through absence at work. It also has a cascading impact down the generations too as children who witness sexual or domestic violence are more likely to be perpetrators later on in life.

“However most costly of all is the social price we pay as a community if we allow any woman or man to be abused, mistreated, injured or killed as a result of domestic violence. We need to take a zero tolerance approach, both this weekend and in the future, towards any form of domestic violence.

“Anyone suffering abuse or who suspects that it is going on, should contact the Police or ring the All Wales Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Helpline.”

When Wales played England during the Six Nations rugby match in 2012, South Wales Police recorded a 76% increase in the numbers of domestic abuse incidents compared to the previous weekend.

The Welsh Government is expected to take forward a Domestic Violence Bill later in 2013.

Anyone affected by domestic abuse in Wales can call the All Wales Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Helpline on 0808 80 10 800 for confidential, bilingual, 24-hour information and advice. In an emergency, always dial 999.

 

Terry Waite looks forward to another eisteddfod

* Terry Waite is heading once again for Llangollen.

Human rights campaigner Terry Waite has hailed the contribution of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in helping to give world peace a chance.

 

As he prepares to take his place at the head of the 67^th annual festival , Mr Waite has spoken of the crucial role music played in helping him through his dark days of captivity as a hostage in Beirut.

 

The Eisteddfod President has also described how the festival, which attracts people from across the globe, is a“powerful example” of how ordinary men and women can make a positive difference in a world torn apart by war.

 

Mr Waite, 73, has been awarded the MBE and CBE for his humanitarian work.

 

He was serving as special international peace envoy to the Archbishop of Canterbury when in 1987 he journeyed to Lebanon– then one of the world’s most dangerous place – in a bid to secure the release of four hostages, including the journalist John McCarthy, being held by an Islamic jihad organisation.

 

During the tense negotiations he was himself taken hostage on January 20, which was the start of his journey into the hell of four years of captivity in a Beirut dungeon.

 

For most of the time Terry was kept in solitary confinement in a room without any natural light, chained to the wall and forced to sleep on the floor. He was beaten and subjected to mock executions.

 

He recalls of how every day he did his best to hold himself together spiritually, mentally and physically.

 

In the final stage of his captivity, his robust health began to deteriorate when he contracted a severe lung infection.
 

His torment eventually ended in November 1991 after 1,763 days as a hostage.
 

Mr Waite, who will make his ever-popular appearance as President at this year’s Llangollen Eisteddfod from July 9-14, has now spoken of the important part his lifelong love of music played in helping him endure those harrowing times.
 

He said: “I have always been interested in music since I was a boy and was a member of the local church choir.
 

“My grandmother taught the piano and to supplement the family income in the days of the Depression played in the theatre for the silent movies.
 

“When I visited her I always requested her to play some of those old tunes for me.
 

“Alas, I never had opportunity to learn to play an instrument but my interest in music continued across life.
 

“During the days of captivity as a hostage I was kept in strict solitary confinement without access to books or music for many years.
 

“During those dark days I recalled music I had listened to and played the melodies in my head in so far as that was possible.
 

“Music, like good language, has, I believe, the capacity to breathe harmony into the soul and in those days inner harmony was something I sought and needed.
 

“As Gareth Malone has so clearly demonstrated in his television series, music does have the capacity to bring people together who would not be brought together in any other way - which brings me to the Eisteddfod.
 

“As President of this great event I have seen across the years people from all across the world come to a small Welsh village bringing with them their musical talent.
 

“Participants from groups that back home were fighting each other have forgotten their differences and joined together in music, song and dance.
 

“Llangollen is a powerful example of how ordinary men and women - for the Eisteddfod is still organised in the main by volunteers - can make a positive difference in this war-torn world.”
 

Terry added: “It is a mistake to think that it is only people in high political office who can bring peace.
 

“Peace begins in the hearts of ordinary men and women who learn to share and trust. Music is one powerful means to this end.
 

“It was an honour for me when Karl Jenkins invited me to contribute words for his recent work, The Peacemakers.
 

“I wrote the words for the soprano solo and they sum up the message of the Eisteddfod.
 

“I look forward to meeting many old friends there this coming year and of course to making many new ones.”
 

In the years since his release, Terry has continued his tireless quest for world peace and has become the founder of or associated with a wide range of humanitarian organisations, such as the international development agency Y Care and Hostage UK. 
 

On the Llangollen Eisteddfod’s opening day, Tuesday July 9, he will lead the colourful traditional procession through the town to signal six days of world-class competitions and contests.
 

The fesitival's Musical Director, Eilir Griffiths, was honoured that a man of such“great humanity and courage” was their Patron.
 

Mr Griffiths said: "Terry Waite is a great man whose passion and dedication to the cause of peace is an inspiration to us all.
 

"His personal ethos chimes perfectly with the fundamental purpose of the International Musical Eisteddfod which was founded as a means of promoting global harmony in the aftermath of the Second World War."
 

This year’s event is from Tuesday, July 9, to Sunday, July 14. For more information go to the website at www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/llangollen

Major youth event at pavilion

Pupils from across Denbighshire will be gathering for a special event at Llangollen Pavilion on today (Friday) to celebrate the 14-19 Learning Pathways Network.

This helps young people to achieve their potential and become active citizens who contribute to the economic prosperity of the region.

The Pathways to Success event will show how 14-19 Learning Pathways has impacted on the lives of Denbighshire's young people, and demonstrate the success of partnership working.

There will be young people from all secondary schools in Denbighshire present, with some sharing their story of their Learning Pathway.

Young people will be acting as guides taking visitors around to see all of the activities during the day. At the plenary session, young people will be invited to take part in a question and answer session.

There will be many presentations and activities during the day which will include a display by all schools and colleges in Denbighshire, an opportunity to see the ESF Potensial project, where partners will exhibit and learning providers will demonstrate activities with participation by young people.

There will be a School Council meeting conducted during the day where official business will be discussed, as well as a Design and Fashion master-class.

There will also be an opportunity to see the Llwyddo’n Lleol ESF Enterprise Project, school displays of bursary projects, Education Business Partnerships, and the Hospitality & Tourism Work Based Learning Pathway.

The Denbighshire Youth Bus will be present, where young people will have the opportunity to see Careers Wales on-line.

Whilst refreshments are served, there will be an opportunity to see an exhibition of Art & Textiles work by young people in Denbighshire.

The event will run from 09:30 for 10am start, then a plenary at 1:50 pm.

Griffiths moved from health in government re-shuffle

Wrexham Assembly Member Lesley Griffiths has been replaced as Health Minister in a surprise Welsh Governmnet re-shuffle announced this afternoon (Thursday).

 

Taking over the portfolio is Cardiff West AM Mark Drakeford.

Ms Griffiths has recently been criticised by some for her refusal to intervene in the on-going row over the major shake-up of health services in North Wales, including last week's controversial closure of Llangollen Cottage Hospital.  

She now takes over as Local Government Minister from Deeside AM Carl Sargeant.

Business Minister Edwina Hart keeps the economy brief as the minister for economy, science and transport.

Huw Lewis becomes the minister for communities and tackling poverty. His old role as housing and regeneration minister goes to Mr Sargeant.

Labour won power at the last assembly election in May 2011, although it fell one seat short of an outright majority.

Commenting on the re-shuffle, Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru AM for North Wales, said: “From the perspective of people in North Wales, this could be seen as a vote of no confidence in Lesley Griffiths’s handling of the NHS changes.

 

"As such it’s a welcome change and an opportunity for the government to show it’s willing to listen to the people of North Wales and alter course.

“The new minister will hopefully have new priorities, otherwise it will just be a hospital pass that means a continuation of the same old policies that are so unpopular across the North.

“This new appointment is a chance to wipe the slate clean and look afresh at local health services in North Wales.

 

"I would ask the new health minister to make an early announcement as to his intentions. Is he happy to see critically ill babies from Wales being exported to England’s health service, which Carwyn Jones himself has described as being “wrecked and privatised”?

 

"And does he support community facilities being arbitrarily axed without any alternative services being put in their place.”