Police urge us to keep an eye on schools during holidays

As the school holidays begin a scheme which encourages everyone to keep an eagle eye on schools across North Wales and safe from crime over the summer break has been launched.

 

School Watch aims to get parents, residents, and teachers as well as the emergency services and the local authorities working together to keep schools and their immediate surrounding areas safe and free from crime and anti-social behaviour.

 

The latest launch happened in Conwy at Ysgol Bro Gwydir in Llanrwst on Monday, July 15 following launches last week in Denbighshire, as well as in Gwynedd and Flintshire.  

 

At the latest launch pupils in Llanrwst got to opportunity to learn a little more about the initiative and keeping safe over the summer holidays by Community Safety Officer Ifan Hughes and School Community Liaison Officer PC Meirion Williams. The youngsters then got to explore the police and fire cars present and speak with members of the Arson Reduction Team, the Fire and Rescue Service and Conwy County Borough Council.

 

“School buildings can become a target for graffiti and vandalism during the summer break and along with encouraging pupils and their parents to keep an eye on their school, members of the local community living nearby are also urged to do the same,” said Ifan Hughes.

 

“It is important that people continue to support the initiative by being vigilant and contacting us should they see any suspicious or criminal activity in and around the schools.”

 

Head of Ysgol Bro Gwydir, Meinir Jones said: “School Watch is a good initiative that raises awareness and encourages children to take responsibility for looking after their school.”

 

Inspector Julie Sheard, who is responsible for the North Wales Police Community Safety Department said: “Schools have a limited budget and valuable resources which should be used to educate children are being diverted to combat theft and criminal damage. School buildings can also become a target for graffiti and vandalism during the long summer break.

 

“We rely on members of the public for their support and encourage all to report incidents to the police or anonymously via Crimestoppers.”

 

Leaflets and posters have been distributed throughout North Wales, reminding the public of the scheme which also aims to help stamp out mindless acts which not only affects the school, but the whole community.

 

Anyone who witnesses suspicious behaviour in or around schools or at school buildings is urged to contact North Wales Police. If you witness a crime in progress always dial 999. Non-emergency calls should be made to 101 or via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

 

Town's CCTV system undergoes an upgrade

Repairs to part of Llangollen’s inefficient CCTV had to be speeded up when police needed to look at it for evidence.

This was revealed at Tuesday’s town council meeting as town clerk Gareth Thomas was giving an update on repairs to the system.

At the June meeting, town councillors agreed to spend around £5,000 on upgrading the eye in the sky camera network, which helps keep a watchful eye on the streets around the town centre.

They heard how the ageing system has become increasingly unreliable and badly in need of an upgrade. 

Two of the cameras had completely broken down while others were faulty – one due to interference from a third party wi-fi system – and another was verging on a breakdown, they were told. 

At Tuesday’s meeting, Mr Thomas said two new cameras had now been fitted but that the one overseeing Riverside was “beyond its sell-by date." 

However, he added: “We have done all we can this year.”

He then revealed how the system’s hard disk, which had also been giving problems, had needed to be repaired as speedily as possible recently when West Mercia Police asked to look at it for possible evidence in a case they were working on.

Fringe gets under way

An evening of stand-up comedy headlined by Alun Cochrane launched the 15th Llangollen Fringe Festival last night (Thursday). 

 

With ten full nights of entertainment to come and 17 workshops during the day, there is a lot to look forward to.

A ten piece band from Ghana and London will really thrill you on Saturday night.  Yaaba Funk is a well-known band with an ever growing reputation who can’t fail to have the whole audience asking for more.

(£10, 20th July).

 

If you fancy something more thought provoking, then on Sunday night there's an audience with Alexei Sayle, well known comedian, broadcaster and writer.  He will entertain with readings from his autobiography ‘Stalin Ate my Homework’ and other as yet unpublished work. (£15, 21st July)

The Jazz Train on Sunday 21st July has three separate bands providing live music.  The first band will play on the platform before departure.

 

The second band will entertain you on your journey to and from Carrog whilst you sip a complimentary glass of wine as the train is pulled through the Dee Valley being hauled by a steam locomotive.

 

A third band will entertain you on Carrog station. A great night for jazz music and the nostalgia evoked by the era of the steam train. £18, 5pm.

 

Look at the website and the programme to see the extensive range of workshops happening over the weekend.

Tickets are still available for Abba Solution and The Blockheads next week, but if you want to guarantee your place then book online now.

Sir Andrew Motion is one of the UK’s literary giants and appears on Thursday 25th July, £10.

 

He will talk about his latest book, The Customs House, and his work with the spoken and written word.

 

Tickets are available to buy at our website:

Tel: 0800 1455 779 or visit: www.llangollenfringe.co.uk

Sun turns up heat for emergency services

Emergency Services in North Wales are hoping local communities and visitors alike can make the most of the recent spell of hot weather but to do so safely and responsibly and consider the extra burden placed on emergency responders in the region.


Chief Superintendent Jeremy Vaughan North Wales Police said: “Whilst it’s great to see the sun we must remember that with the hot weather comes increase visitors to our towns, beaches and parks, more traffic on our roads, increases risk of weather related medical incidents as well more alcohol related incidents.  

"Together with our colleagues in the Welsh Ambulance and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service we are all experiencing increased demands upon our service and whilst we want everyone to enjoy the sun and have fun please do so responsibly and consider the 999 system is for emergencies only.”

Andrew Jenkins, Deputy Director of Medical and Clinical Services at the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “It is fair to say that the weather has affected all the demand across Wales. We would really appreciate if people would be considerate when dialling 999, and only do so in life-threatening situations. NHS Direct Wales, GP out-of-hours and pharmacies are all available for help and support with less serious injuries and illnesses.”

NHS Direct Wales, which is part of the Welsh Ambulance Service, has issued some simple advice to help people cope in the heat.   For further information contact  http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/861/page/54328

Gary Brandrick, Senior Fire Safety Manager at North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Have fun but stay safe in the summer heat – that is our message to the people of North Wales as the sun continues to shine across our region. 

"We want people to take on board the safety advice we are issuing – it could mean the difference between life and death.   It is important to be extra safety conscious and take more responsibility for your own actions.”

For more safety tips during the summer please click  http://www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk/keeping-you-safe/near-water/advice.aspx?lang=en

Church Street parking goes under microscope

The issue of parking in Church Street was highlighted at Tuesday night’s meeting of Llangollen Town Council.

And Cllr Melvyn Miles (pictured right) who placed it on the agenda, described it as a “nightmare”.

He said: “There are only 20 spaces reserved for residents and there are also a couple of holiday lets down there. All of these are full all the time.

“There is no easy solution but is there any way we could ask the county council if the residents’ parking could be extended into Bridge Street or Chapel Street?”

Cllr Sheena Burrell asked whether residents’ parking passes, which are held by a number of people in the town, could be used by people from Church Street to leave their vehicles in local public car parks elsewhere in the town.

It was suggested this might be possible but members agreed to have the town clerk refer the issue to the county council and also to seek clarification on parking permits.

Keep Llangollen Special's AGM set for next Tuesday

The Keep Llangollen Special group has sent in this reminder about is annual general meeting next Tuesday, July 23:

Shoulder To Shoulder For Llangollen

·        What can you do when the consultation you’ve been invited to is a biased, pre-determined sham?

·        What can you do when the heritage of Llangollen is bartered for things that look good on paper but turn out to be deeply flawed and second-rate in practice?

·        What can you do when you report a potentially hazardous crossing but find out there has to be a certain number of casualties before anything is done?,

·        What can you do when people who don’t live in Llangollen decide its future without asking us?

 

Lock and load - using our rights and freedoms, combining the new technologies of social media and digital communication, and plain, old-fashioned meetings, to elect people just like you to be your spearhead. We come together to take our lives and livelihoods back into our own hands against those who would exploit us, who think we’re a soft touch.

Keep Llangollen Special, a strictly not-for-profit Community Group – the people behind the popular Buy Local days – was designed to be that spearhead.

It’s holding its first Annual General Meeting on July the 23^rd, in the lounge of the Hand Hotel (pictured left) at 7:30 pm, where all the Committee positions are up for election by members of KLS.

You can become a member by going to www.keepllanollenspecial .org.uk and there are no fees or obligations placed on you. You can attend even if you’re not a member, so you can speak but not vote or stand for Committee.

Over the last twelve months, we’ve realised we don’t have enough people to take lead roles in projects that will bring prosperity and well-being to Llangollen. That’s where you come in; that’s why we need you, the huge number of people who volunteer and do great work: The people who are the heart of Llangollen and make it such an extraordinary place to live – and we’ll work co-operatively with any groups, societies or like-minded individuals for our mutual benefit.

Can you influence what KLS does? Yes – that’s why KLS exists. Can you raise issues affecting Town or inspire projects to attract more business, jobs or facilities we sorely need? Yes again – every project idea will be discussed and voted upon, so make sure you’re a member.

Whether you’re a resident or running a business in Llangollen, it’s worth your while coming along. Together we’ll get more done, and it’ll only take a small amount of your time to be active in KLS.

Keep Llangollen Special

Outgoing health board chair denies `clash of personalities'

The outgoing chair of Wales' largest NHS body has denied that "a clash of personalities" was at the root of management failings in north Wales.

Prof Merfyn Jones was giving evidence to AMs on how the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) operated.

See the full story on the BBC Wales website at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-23361966