Area gets involved in the Big Dee Day Invasion

 * Organisers of Big Dee Day – The Invasion at Ty Mawr Country Park in Cefn Mawr.

Organisations and enthusiastic volunteers across North Wales and Cheshire are currently taking part in Big Dee Day – The Invasion.

The event follows on from the success of the annual Big Dee Day river clean-up which this year takes place on 20 and 21 September.

Organisers are keen to gather together as many volunteers as possible across the region, to help eradicate non-native species such as Japanese knotweed, Himalayan balsam and Chinese mitten crab from the River Dee and its tributaries.

These alien species are brought to the UK either accidentally or intentionally and can cause big problems for our native wildlife, as well as having other effects such as making river banks more prone to erosion, which can lead to flooding.

Local authority Countryside Services, Snowdonia National Park Authority, the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Natural Resources Wales, Wildlife Trusts, the Welsh Dee Trust, Cofnod, Record and Chester Zoo are among the many organisations involved in this major event.

During the two day event, which started yesterday, there will also be an exhibition with stands and information boards at Ty Mawr Country Park in Cefn Mawr, Wrexham to explain more about these non-native species and the importance of eradicating them.

Councillor Carolyn Thomas, Chairman of Flintshire County Council and Chairman of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB, said: “Big Dee Day – the Invasion is a fantastic opportunity for us all to make a really positive impact on the River Dee and our local environment. This is about direct action, on both sides of the border, so we are encouraging everyone to pull on their wellies and get bashing that balsam! To get involved on either or both days please visit www.bionetwales.co.uk or contact your local biodiversity officer.”

Big Dee Day – The Invasion also has a Facebook page –www.facebook.com/BigDeeDayTheInvasion 
 

Safety message for campers and caravanners

Given the popularity of Llangollen as a camping and caravanning area, we are publishing this warning from North Wales Fire & Rescue Service:

Caravanners and campers are being urged to take extra care after two women were conveyed to hospital with facial burns following a cooking incident at a campsite in Nant Gwynant, Caernarfon.

Firefighters from Caernarfon were called to the campsite at 18.18hrs on Thursday, June 27 following an explosion involving a butane and propane cylinder being used for cooking.

Two women were transferred to hospital by ambulance for treatment for facial burns.

Gareth Griffiths from North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “Caravans and tents are potentially more hazardous than our homes as the inherent risks are magnified in confined spaces -  so its important not to let your guard down and forget basic fire safety advice when on your holiday.

“Cooking inside a tent is not recommended. Even a fire-resistant tent may burn – and be particularly mindful of the risk of fire inside smaller tents with only one exit.

“Don’t change gas canisters or refuel petrol or meths stoves inside your tent and, if possible, store them outside.

“Practise using your stove before you go on your trip - and make sure the stove or barbecue is sited on a solid surface to reduce the risk of it falling over.”

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is advising those planning a break in a caravan or tent to keep the following advice in mind:

Be prepared
- Ensure tents or caravans are kept at least six metres apart
- Find out what the fire-fighting arrangements are on the campsite and where the nearest telephone is
- Fit an optical smoke alarm in your caravan and make sure it is working
- Make sure there is either a fully charged water or dry powder extinguisher located inside the caravan near the exit door a a fire blanket adjacent to the cooking area
- Keep a torch handy for emergencies - do not use a candle
- Do not leave children alone in a caravan – and keep matches and lighters out of the reach
- Do not overload electric sockets or extension leads if you have access to a power supply and make sure electrical appliances are working correctly
- Make sure everyone knows how to operate escape windows and doors
- Keep flammable liquids and gas cylinders away from tents.
- Do not cook inside your tent.
- Be prepared to cut your way out of your tent in the event of a fire.
- If your clothing catches fire, STOP, DROP AND ROLL.
- Oil burning appliances should not be used in or around tents.
- Cooking appliances should not be used in small tents.
- Do not smoke inside tents.
If there is a fire:
- Get everyone out straight away. Fires in tents and caravans spread very quickly.
- Call the fire and rescue service.
- Give a map reference, if possible. Otherwise give a landmark such as a farm or pub to help the fire and rescue service locate you.
Bottled gas:
- Extreme care is required as gas cylinders may explode in a fire
- Keep cylinders outside a caravan unless a special ventilated compartment is provided inside
- Before going to be or leaving the caravan turn off all appliances – the cylinder should also be turned off unless an appliance such as a refrigerator is designed for continuous running
- Never use a cooker or heater while travelling.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service offers free home fire safety checks for everyone, including caravanners, and will install smoke alarms where necessary - contacting the free 24 hour hotline on 0800 169 1234 or e-mail cfs@nwales-fireservice.org.uk  

Councillor floats idea of tourist road-train around town

Now with reader comment at foot of story ...

* Tourist road-trains like this run in various cities in Europe.

A Llangollen town councillor has put forward the idea of a tourist road-train to run around  points of interest in the area.

At its meeting last week, the council discussed the possibility of shuttle bus to serve various parts of the town.

And Cllr Phil Thane has followed this up with his own idea of a tourist train.

He told llanblogger: “I'd like to see a tourist train like you see in so many EU resorts calling at the Pavilion car park and trundling round the most obvious sites: Wharf (via Dinbren Road), Station, Church St (stop at Church) up Butler Hill if possible to Plas Newydd, down Hill St, Castle St, Abbey Road back to the Pavilion.

“Ideally it would run on a park and ride basis to encourage tourists to park out of town, possibly even offer seats to coach tours to keep them out of town too.

“Of course, this requires vision on the part of DCC, which they show no signs of, and probably a subsidy which UK Governments are ideologically opposed to.

“Elsewhere in Europe governments seem to try to provide what they think will be good then charge taxes to pay for it.

“Here we favour governments that promise to reduce taxes by providing the bare minimum of services.”

. If you think a tourist train is a good idea, please let us know at llanblogger.


Comment:

Re the idea of a tourist train in the town. This must surely be a joke. Does no one remember the trouble caused by the train run by Stephanie Booth? It upset local taxi drivers, caused disruption in the streets, and was eventually vandalised and set on fire. In any case I’m not sure they go up hills (hard to avoid in Llangollen). What’s wrong with extending the minibus service already operating at the weekends around Llangollen and up to Plas Newydd?

 

Gill Thomas

 

Police issue rogue trader warning

Police are calling on residents to be on their guard from rogue traders claiming that work is needed on their properties.

 

Officers regularly work with their partners in the Trading Standards Department to tackle bogus traders and are calling on people living in the Conwy and Denbighshire areas to be vigilant. They are also urging anyone who has concerns or believe they may have been approached by bogus builders – or anyone turning up on doorsteps offering to carry out ‘urgent’ or ‘essential’ to contact police. 

The warning is being made after police were alerted to a possible recent incident in the Conwy county area which is currently being investigated by police and Trading Standards.

 

“Local residents and businesses are being urged to be on their guard,” said Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Williams. “In the past we have had incidents reported to us whereby people – particularly the elderly in the community have been approached by traders claiming that work is required on their property and that they will carry out the work immediately.  On occasions, these individuals have been quite persistent.”

 

He added: “Residents are sometimes convinced to get the work done because it can be completed reasonably quickly. If you are approached or become aware of a neighbour who has been targeted please let us know immediately.”

 

If work is needed on a property residents should contact traders who have worked for them previously, have worked on property for friends and family and have a good reputation. It is also a good idea to ask the builder / trader if the work really is required and get additional quotations from other reputable businesses.

 

DCI Williams added: “This type of crime is particularly despicable in that the perpetrators target vulnerable people who are intimidated into handing over a cash value that far exceeds the standard of work done.  We want to do all we can to stop people falling foul of rogue traders who can be extremely convincing, but we need the help of the community. Nobody should be pushed or bullied into having any work done and I would especially appeal to relatives and neighbours of vulnerable people, who can often be reluctant to highlight the issue themselves, to contact us if they become aware of this happening.

 

“Partnership work has been undertaken and will continue in future in a further bid to reduce his kind of doorstep crime, including rogue trader patrols and the implementation of cold calling controlled zones. I want to reassure residents that we will continue with this work in a bid to stop rogue traders targeting members of our communities.”

 

Police are also issuing the following advice to householders in a bid that they can help themselves from falling victim to rogue traders:

 

If in doubt – keep them out

 

•             Be wary of special offers or warnings about your home, such as: “We were doing a job in the area and we have some materials left over” or "I noticed you've got a few loose tiles on your roof”. In short simply do not accept this type of call.

•             Don’t ever agree to a trader starting any work straight away. Take time to consult with someone you trust for a second opinion, speak to friends, family or neighbours before making any decision.

•             Don’t let a persistent trader intimidate you into making an immediate decision or into buying things you don’t need.

•             Don’t hand over a cash deposit

•             Don’t keep a large amount of cash in your home and do not agree to go to a bank or building society with the trader

•             If someone turns up on your doorstep and tries to intimidate you into having work done or into paying for work which is unsatisfactory or was not requested, the best course of action is to close the door and call the police immediately.

•             If in doubt – keep them out.

 

Finally, if residents experience a cold call or think they have been approached by a rogue trader they should record as many details about the caller as possible including vehicle registration numbers and call police on 101 or the Citizens Advice Customer Service on 08454 04 05 06.  Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Health board's latest statement in wake of damning report

In the wake of the resignation of its chairman and chief executive following damning report into its running, earlier today llanblogger asked the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board for a statement on the latest position. 

We also sought confirmation whether, in the light of the joint report by the Wales Audit Office and Healthcare Inspectorate Wales,  the £5.5 million new health centre planned for Llangollen to replace the town’s closed-down hospital would still be going ahead. 

The board’s press office replied:  “The report identified significant failings and major challenges for the Board which we recognise and accept.

“Although steps have already been taken to tackle some of the issues, the Health Board is determined to respond to these matters in full and will ensure that the report’s recommendations are addressed as a priority.

“Our progress will be subject to ongoing review and scrutiny by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales, the Wales Audit Office and Welsh Government.

“The Health Board’s Chairman, Prof Merfyn Jones, said: ‘Under the circumstances, I believe it is appropriate that I stand down as Chairman of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, and I have informed the Minister of my intention to do so as soon as appropriate alternative arrangements are in place.

‘There are many fundamental challenges for the Board but I am confident that these will be responded to positively to deliver the necessary improvements and I shall continue to contribute fully during this transitional period.’

“We can confirm, our Chief Executive, Mary Burrows has also indicated her intention to leave the Health Board.”

The press office said it was trying to get a response to our specific query about the future of the new health centre in Llangollen.

llanblogger will bring it to you when we receive it.

North Wales earmarked for new super-prison

North Wales has been chosen as the site of a £250m super prison which the Ministry of Justice says will create 1,000 jobs.

See the full story on the BBC website at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-23077995

Health board comes under fire in high-level report

* The organisation which closed Llangollen Hospital comes under fire in a high-level report.

The chairman and the chief executive of the Betsi Cadwalader University Health Board (BCUHB), which closed Llangollen Hospital earlier this year, are to resign following a damning report, according to a story on the BBC news website this morning (Thursday).

The story says a high-level investigation found "significant management failings" at the board  that are said to have potentially risked patient safety.

As a result, claims the BBC, board chairman Prof Merfyn Jones and chief executive Mary Burrows have announced their intention to resign.

Prof Jones has filmed a statement for the BBC. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-23073768

Now, a leading health services campaigner says criticisms in the report cast doubt over the legitimacy of Llangollen's planned new health centre.

BCUHB runs NHS services across north Wales with a budget of around £1.2bn.

Mabon ap Gwynfor of Keep Llangollen Health Services (KLHS), which campaigned to prevent the closure of Llangollen Hospital, said: “The joint report by the Wales Audit Office and Healthcare Inspectorate Wales is damning.

"It states clearly that the health board lacks “the capacity and capability to provide appropriate levels of scrutiny in relation to service delivery” and, more worryingly, that it has a lack of clinical leadership.

"With the report stating that they are lacking in clinical lead it raises serious questions on the legitimacy of the proposed new health centre. 

“The board's failures have been clearly in evidence with their programme to centralise and downgrade services. The board singularly failed to scrutinise the plans to close our community hospitals, and unfortunately it’s the patients that are suffering, as we are seeing.

“Keep Llangollen Health Services have continued with the campaign to highlight the health board’s weaknesses and fight for hospital beds and an improved health service for this area.  

“This continued pressure by KLHS and our colleagues in other health campaigns across north Wales has contributed to the background of this detailed and damning report which has resulted in this announcement. 

"We have campaigned for our health services not because of any nimbyism but because of our real concern that the proposed plans would damage people's health. This has unfortunately been borne out by patients’ experiences, and it's clear that the Board have been lacking in any sort of leadership more especially a clinical lead.

"The report will come as no comfort to the patients and their loved ones who have suffered because of these failures. But it does raise serious questions about the legitimacy of this whole downgrading programme.  

"If the Health Minister wants to avoid a potential catastrophe he must, as a matter of urgency, step in and suspend the current downgrading and centralisation programme. 

"These plans were nodded through without any challenge by the Board Members in January. Their failure to scrutinise was glaring even to lay members like us. 

"People must be answerable for these serious failures."

Press release from Wales Audit Office: http://www.wao.gov.uk/news/pressreleases_5230.asp

Full joint report: http://www.wao.gov.uk/assets/englishdocuments/Betsi_Cadwaldr_Joint_Review_HIW_and_WAO.pdf