109 test positive for drink driving in North Wales

Over 8,000 breath tests were administered throughout North Wales during the month-long Anti Drink and Drug Driving Summer Campaign.

 

Led by Gwent Police, officers stepped up the pressure in a concerted effort to deter people from driving motor vehicles whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

 

During the June campaign a total of 19,906 breath tests were administered throughout Wales with 436 being arrested.

 

North Wales Police administered 8,281 breath tests with 109 testing positive, which equates to 1.3%.

 

Chief Inspector Darren Wareing from North Wales Police said: “We want to get the message across that drinking alcohol and driving or driving under the influence of drugs is unacceptable and that it puts other roads users’ lives at risk.

 

“Through our annual Christmas and summer campaigns we have consistently warned the public that drink and drug driving can kill. It can also lead to a lengthy driving ban and possible loss of jobs and livelihoods with some even facing imprisonment. 

 

“We are disappointed that there is still a group of people who are not listening or ignoring the consequences and continuing to drink or take drugs and drive.

“With the current warm weather, more people may be tempted to have a few drinks, at barbecues or whilst drinking in beer gardens during the afternoons, and may drive without thinking of the consequences.

He added: “Think before you go out, watch what you drink and plan how you will get home.”

 

North Wales Police has a robust strategy around enforcing the ‘Fatal 5’ offences which are drink and drug driving, dangerous driving including unnecessary risk taking, speeding, failing to wear a seatbelt and using a mobile phone whilst driving.

 

Chief Inspector Wareing added: “We are committed to assisting in reducing casualties on the road through the use of targeted operations around high risk groups of people and locations while enforcing the ‘Fatal 5’ offences.”

 

“It is important to stress that the work does not stop here – any amount of alcohol affects your ability to drive, campaigns such as this raise awareness and we will continue to target those breaking the law as part of daily policing.”

 

Anyone with information regarding individuals who are believed to drive whilst over the legal limit or under the influence of drugs, can contact North Wales Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

 

Notes:

 

• Some of the highest readings recorded during the campaign were 134mg, 115mg and 98mg. The legal limit is 35mg.

 

• Gwent Police carried out 2,058 breath tests with 64 testing positive, refusing or failing to provide.

 

• Dyfed Powys Police administered 7,544 tests of which 142 tests were positive, refused or failed to provide.

 

• In the South Wales Police area 2,023 tests were conducted with 105 testing positive, refusing or failing to provide.

 

• During the 2012 campaign a total of 19,277 were stopped and breath tested by police in Wales and 360 of these tested positive, refused or failed to provide. In North Wales, 10,517 drivers were tested with 101 testing positive, refusing or failing to provide.

Llan now has Buy Local page on Facebook

Community group Keep Llangollen Special has just set up a Facebook page to promote its Buy Local initiative, which encourages people to support their local shops rather then spending their money outside the town.

The new page can be seen at: https://www.facebook.com/BuyLocallyLlangollen?fref=ts

People are being encouraged to visit the site and "like" it to show their support for the campaign.

Keep Llangollen Special reviews its first year

Community group Keep Llangollen Special (KLS) held its first annual general meeting at the Hand Hotel on Tuesday night.

New officers were elected for the forthcoming year and retiring chair, Mike Edwards (pictured below), gave the following appraisal of the group's first year:

"Behind scenes the Management Committee have been working hard meeting at least once a month and discussing a number of issues and initiatives.

* I can understand the frustration in certain quarters that little seems to have been achieved, but major projects such as the Business & Community Hub proposal have long lead times particularly when you are trying to attract Grant Aid funding.

* Our main achievement to date is our Buy Local (BL) initiative which has gathered pace as we have established it as a regular monthly event. Even with such a small group of people it has sometimes been difficult to find members to deliver posters and get them printed.

* We have spent some time investigating a loyalty card scheme following a presentation from a company who provide the infrastructure. The result of these investigations has established that Llangollen has too small a population to support a "commercially" viable scheme. We have been offered a template to establish and run our own scheme, but the Committee decided against this at the present time due to a lack of resources.

*One scheme which is making progress towards launch is the Smartphone App.

* Going back to our Business & Community Hub (BACH) initiative, I have visited Glyn Wylfa in Chirk on a number of occasions and I would recommend everyone to visit because it is extremely impressive what they have been able to achieve. However, it has taken them several years to reach the stage they are at having secured Big Lottery Funding, planning consent and a property which generates income to support the community based activities

* My view has always been that we need to move from a campaigning, lobbying protest group and it is proving difficult to lose this image. In order to move forward we need to redouble our efforts to be seen as a constructive, progressive community organisation working with all interest parties in Llangollen to project the image, identity and already internationally known brand of Llangollen. 

* The independent businesses in Llangollen seem not to have fully appreciated the impact that Sainsbury's will have on their business, but they really need to get their acts together to meet this challenge or else we are going to see shops shutting up and we will be left with a high level of vacant properties as there are in many towns and cities throughout the UK. We need business owners to come on board and fight this corner with us.

* Finally, I have done my twelve months as chair so it's time for someone else to takeover and move us forward. I would like to thank Phil Jones and the Committee for their immense support throughout my year."

Rachel Morris was elected chair, Phil Jones as vice-chair, Di Slater as treasurer, Phil Thane as web master, Annie Powell as membership secretary and Mike Edwards stays on the committee as an ordinary member.

Information on minor injuries in Llan

The following message has been sent by Llangollen Health Centre:

 

From August 1, the minor injuries service in Llangollen will be provided by Dr JRA Davies & Partners – the GP practice. 

 

The service will continue to be run from the Health Centre on Regent Street and will be available from 8.30am until 6.00pm, Monday to Friday.

 

The service is open to patients of Dr JRA Davies & Partners and to those not registered in the local area, such as day trippers and visitors to the area.

 

In the event of a minor injury the health centre advises you to phone the surgery in the first instance so that your injury can be triaged. 

 

The telephone number to call is 01978 860625.

Warning of theft in neighbouring area

Neighbourhood Watch has given details of a theft from Corwen which may be of interest to people in Llangollen:

Between 17:00 hours yesterday and 08:00 this morning (Wednesday) a Quad bike from a remote location in the Corwen area.

The make and model of the quad bike is a Polaris 500 EFI.

It is Royal Blue in colour, has alloy wheels and has a big white spinner on the back.

Please contact NWP on 101 with information quoting reference P119417.

From the Beatles to Beeching at Llangollen

* Foxcote Manor leaving Llangollen in an evocative black and

white image from last year's 60s event.

 

 

* One of the locomotives that will be used at the event subject to repairs.

 

* A young lady in a classic 60's dress posing with a classic 60's Bubble car at Glyndyfrdwy.

 

* Sophie Francis performing at last year's event,

looking and sounding the 60s part.

The clocks are all set to be turned back to the swinging 60's in Llangollen this Saturday and Sunday when Llangollen Railway hosts its fourth annual 1960's Weekend.

This year sees the 50th anniversary of the publication of Dr Beeching's infamous report that led to the closure of thousands of miles of railway and 45 years since the anniversary of the "15 Guinea Special", the last official steam-hauled passenger train on British Railways.

 

Organisers say they are determined not to allow the recent incident of suspected vandalism on the track to spoil the event. 

 

Black 5 locomotive number 44806, one of those due to take part in this weekend's event, was damaged when it hit an object placed on the track on the July 13.

 

Llangollen Railway press officer George Jones said: "Black 5 cannot be repaired in time for our 60's weekend, which is a real shame.

 

"We are, however, hopeful that a second Black 5 currently visiting us for repairs can star in the event. 

 

"It's a race against time but we are hopeful that our engineering team can get our visitor back in steam by this weekend.  

 

"We are determined not to let this unfortunate and mindless act spoil our weekend. All other plans for the weekend remain unchanged - it's business as usual."

 

Event co-organiser Tez Pickthall said: "Our latest event is going to be our biggest yet. The railway will be running a busy timetable of steam, diesel and railcar trains - just like you would have been seen on Britain's railways in the 60's.

 

"It was a time of great change with steam locomotives disappearing altogether in 1969 along with many stations and lines thanks to Dr Beeching's "Reshaping of Britain's Railways" report - including the line that is now the Llangollen Railway. 

 

"There is lots to do. We have great live music, which is all being provided by volunteers who work on the railway. 

 

"We have a range of trade stands and Dr Beeching's Bar at Llangollen, with seven local real ales to try.

 

"You can enjoy a vintage open-top bus ride between Llangollen and Carrog and at Glyndyfrdwy station you will find a staggering array of vintage vehicles on display, from the ubiquitous VW Beetle to the legendary E-Type Jaguar.

 

"We will also be applying special temporary rust-coloured paint to one of our usually immaculate steam locomotives to show visitors how run-down and unloved these engines were at the end of their careers in the late 60's.

 

"Whether you're a railway fan or just looking for a fun day out, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Lots of folk dress up in 60's clothes which make the event a lot of fun and add to the fantastic retro atmosphere."

 

Musical performances will be given at Llangollen station by 19-year old A-level student Sophie Francis, who can usually be found hard at work in Victoria's tea rooms on the station, and Matthew Grindley, a locomotive fireman, on both Saturday and Sunday afternoon at 4pm.

 

Saturday evening sees Harry Barber, a Llangollen engine driver, perform a concert with his band. The concert starts at 7pm on Llangollen station.Anyone interested in bringing a vintage vehicle to the rally or purchasing a discounted advanced ticket is encouraged to contact the railway on 01978 860979 or visit its website http://www.llangollen-railway.co.uk/. 

Town Council vacancy is filled

The vacancy left on Llangollen Town Council by a recent resignation will soon be filled.

Tim Palmer, who had served on the council for a short while, recently announced he was leaving as he and his family were moving to live in the United States

The process of finding a replacement then started.

After first establishing that there was no official demand for a bye-election, town clerk Gareth Thomas then sought applications from anyone interested in becoming a councillor

At last week's council meeting, he reported to members that two people had initially sent in applications but that one had withdrawn on the basis they couldn’t afford the time the role required.

This left just one applicant of whose application former mayor, Cllr Jon Haddy, said: “I can see from her CV that we couldn’t have had a better applicant.”

He proposed that she be co-opted on to the council and this was unanimously agreed by members.

The new councillor will be formally co-opted at the next council meeting.