AM's concern over Minister's statement on stations access

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has expressed concern about the “limited” response provided to him by the Transport Minister on improvements to disabled access at Chirk and Ruabon railway stations, despite her predecessor having detailed direct Welsh Government engagement.

Mr Isherwood, who is  Co-Chair of the Assembly Cross Party Group on Disability, wrote to the Minister, Edwina Hart, at the beginning of the month asking what plans the Welsh Government has to improve disabled access at Chirk and Ruabon railway stations and when this will happen.

After receiving an initial response from her stating only that “rail infrastructure matters are not devolved”, Mr Isherwood wrote again requesting further detail  in the context of a 2011 statement by her predecessor Carl Sargeant AM.

Mr Isherwood has now received her subsequent reply, in which she simply states that “under the UK Government National Programme, there is a scheme to improve access at Chirk Station. These improvement works are due for completion in 2014. At Ruabon Station, improvements can be considered should further funding become available from the UK Government.”  

In contrast her predecessor’s December 2011 Statement when Chirk, and four other stations (Llandaf, Machynlleth, Radyr and Ystrad Mynach) were awarded funding from the UK Government included: “The  (Welsh Government) Department For Transport will fund 50% of the costs of this programme at those stations and my officials are currently finalising funding details with each relevant regional transport consortia, which will fund the remaining 50% of costs over the lifetime of these projects.

“Improving accessibility at railway stations in Wales is a key priority for the Welsh Government , and will allow more passengers to use the rail network. Although this is a non devolved area, we have funded station improvements from our own budget, where we have resource available and believe this is the right thing to do.”

 

Mr Isherwood said:  “The current Minister has established a track record for downgrading commitments to transport infrastructure in North Wales and her reply is simply not good enough. The people of our region must not be disabled by her apparent low level of interest in their needs and deserve a proper update to the matters detailed in her predecessor’s statement.

 “It is totally unacceptable that the Transport Minister is so dismissive of the situation.  Disabled rail users should have the same access to travel as every other rail user and I will continue pressing the Minister until they do.”  

Llangollen lands coveted Cittaslow status

* The Mayor of Llangollen, Cllr Robert Lube, accepts

Cittaslow accreditation from  representatives of the

organisation in Mold Andrea Mearns, left, and Sarah Pratt.

Bid group members celebrate the achievement in the background.

 

LLANGOLLEN has just officially become part of a select worldwide community dedicated to safeguarding precious resources.   

The town’s year-long bid to become part of the international Cittaslow movement, which fosters economic, social and environmental sustainability, was rewarded this week when it was formally granted accreditation by the organisation. 

Bosses of the Denbighshire tourist mecca say this will now bring a range of benefits, including reassuring potential visitors and investors that it is well run and progressive, and unlocking funds from central government and the EU to help finance local initiatives.  

Llangollen has become only the second Cittaslow town in Wales after Mold, and is only the sixth in the UK. 

Mold is said to have benefited enormously from holding the status. 

Cittaslow grew from the Slow Food Movement, another international scheme which links the pleasure of food with a commitment to community and the environment by promoting local, seasonal produce and reconnecting people with where their food comes from.

The name Cittaslow is derived from the Italian word for city or town and is pronounced almost like 'cheetah'. Slow is English. 

Under the umbrella of the town council, Llangollen set up a working group dedicated to winning Cittaslow status. 

The group’s 14 members, including councillors and non-councillors, have spent the past year putting together a formal bid package which demonstrated every aspect of the town’s suitability for accreditation, including the strength of its local produce and products and its hospitality and community assets. 

The bid was showcased by group members to two Cittaslow representatives from Mold during a presentation held in the town hall on Wednesday evening. 

At the end of it, Mold town councillor Andrea Mearns told them: “This is a very sound application and we’ll be recommending you are accepted as a Cittaslow town. 

“You have done very well and have produced a good body of evidence to support your application. You will be welcomed into the Cittaslow network.” 

She went on to explain that each of the UK’s six Cittaslow towns has a place on the national board which is one of 23 representing countries across the world. 

Businesses in Llangollen will now be entitled to carry the official Cittaslow logo on their websites and Llangollen Town Council is investigating the possibility of flying a Cittaslow flag over the town hall. 

Members of the bid group are currently working on plans to spread the word locally about the benefits Cittaslow membership. 

Spokesman and town councillor Phil Thane said: “We are delighted to have won accreditation  which is a tribute to the hard work put in by the bid group and of our town clerk Gareth Thomas. 

“There are two major reasons for becoming a Cittaslow town. 

“Firstly, it provides a set of well recognised goals that serve to keep the town council and Denbighshire County Council up to scratch. 

“Also, when the council or a voluntary body in Llangollen applies for a grant from Cardiff, London or Brussels being a Cittaslow town shows that we are well organised and run and should help us bring more investment into the town. 

“One of our main aims is to involve as many people as possible in Cittaslow Llangollen, which is why we've set up a website to show you what we're doing at www.cittaslow.llangollentowncouncil.co.uk. We are also on Facebook and Twitter.”

* llanblogger is proud to have been part of the successful bid group.

Llyr Gruffydd, North Wales regional AM for Plaid Cymru, said: “I’m delighted that Llangollen has joined Mold as one of the Cittaslow towns – a third of all the UK’s Cittaslow towns are in North Wales [2 out of 6].

 

“Mold has worked hard to gain a reputation as a food town and I’m sure this new status will also help Llangollen’s food producers and outlets to benefit. We should be justifiably proud that our food and drink is of such high quality. The challenge now is to create the outlets for those products to be sold throughout the region.”

Thomas takes trip abroad after successful Llan appearance

 

* Owner Mike Pearce with Thomas the Tank engine at Llangollen

during the event held in August.

After a very successful series of Days Out With Thomas at Llangollen during August the star of the show has gone off on a continental working holiday.

 

Taking the ferry for Hook of Holland the Llangollen-based Thomas the Tank Engine has made another appearance at the heritage Museum Buurt Sporwegen  at Haarksbergen near Enschede in the Netherlands.

 

This was a repeat visit by popular request of the Dutch rail enthusiasts who operate the preservation scheme.

 

The famous blue engine No.1 continues on its way into Belgium where it has an appointment for a first appearance at the heritage railway centre at Stoon Centrum Maldegem, near Bruges during the weekend 7/8 September.

 

Later it will head off for a heritage railway in the Ardennes.

 

Mike Pearce, the owner of the Llangollen based Thomas, said: "These visits to Europe confirm the international appeal of the Thomas the Tank Engine stories as now promoted on the worldwide scene by HiT Entertainment.

 

"Combining three visits with one return ferry movement eases the costs for the railways hosting the events and we hope they are a big crowd puller for the Belgian children who will never have seen Thomas for real before.

 

"The appearance of the engine from Llangollen is also a big promotion for the town in North Wales.

 

"Our fans of Thomas at Llangollen need not worry however because Thomas will be back at Llangollen for the next series of Days Out with Thomas due at half term in October."

 

Meanwhile, Llangollen Railway is getting ready for its own three day steam gala this weekend, (30/31 August & 1 September) when the visiting engine will be No.7812 Erlestoke Manor, on hire briefly from the Severn Valley Railway.

 

The visitor will star alongside the railway's own flagship engine No.7822 Foxcote Manor and three other engines from the home fleet.

 

George Jones for Llangollen Railway said: "Once again the railway will be putting on a major steam event for rail fans and others as an intensive service is offered between Llangollen and Carrog.

 

"A near 45 minute interval service will operate starting from Llangollen at 10.00am and will feature Great Western freight locomotive No.3802, the Black Five 44806 and British Railways standard tank No.80072 for a recreation of the great days of steam.

 

"The first train of the day will feature both Manor locomotives when they are scheduled to double head the 10.00am departure.  Such a pairing was once appropriate for a Royal Train visit."

Artists to show off their work in the town

Starting on Friday 6th September, six artists in Llangollen will be showing work in their studios, local tea shops an historic local venue and a hotel in the town.

Each weekend and some Fridays throughout September painting, photography and ceramics will be on show as part of Helfa Gelf Art Trail 2013.

North Wales's tremendously popular Open Studios scheme now  in its eighth year, spanning five counties with over 300 artists showing work.

The project has received funding through the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007 -2013 which is funded by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural fund for Rural Development and is offering artists throughout Wales wonderful opportunities.

Painters showing work in Llangollen  include Sue Hall at 5a Oak St, John Smout at Fouzi's Cafe Bar, Pat Pearson at The Pines, Abbey Rd and Janie Mcleod at Plas Newydd Tea Rooms.

Maggie Davies will be showing ceramics in her studio at Dinbren Uchaf Farm, Eglwyseg and  Llinos Lanini will exhibit her photography for one weekend in Manorhaus, Heol Y Bryn.

A spokesperson for the organisers said: "To make a start why not call in to Plas Newydd  Tea Rooms with its beautiful historic house sample the homemade cakes with a pot of tea view Janie Mcleods work and collect your Helfa Gelf booklet which has all the artists details and locations so that you can plan your visits.

"Whether you wish to buy an art work or just chat to the various artists over a cup of tea do bring family and friends and enjoy this wonderful event For further information about the event please go to www.helfagelf.co.uk"

Pavilion meeting will aid consultation on county plans

A meeting in Llangollen early next month will aid consultation on Denbighshire County Council's plans to breathe new life into the local economy.

Councillors unanimously agreed earlier this Summer that the Council should consult on its draft Economic & Community Ambition Strategy, 'Developing Opportunities, Creating Confidence' .

A further consultation event takes place at the Pavilion, Llangollen on Thursday, September 5th between 6pm and 8pm.  

A focus group for the manufacturing industry will take place on Friday, September 6th at the Optic Centre, St Asaph at 8am, with a focus group for the Energy sector meeting on Monday, September 9th at 8am.

One of the Strategy's key headlines is the need to work together to make Denbighshire a place where businesses existing and new, grow and flourish; towns and communities are vibrant and prosper and all residents enjoy a good quality of life and can participate in the local economy

The Council hopes that by taking action to tackle the issues set out in the Strategy, results will be seen in less unemployment; higher household incomes; more successful and sustainable businesses; less deprivation; more people able to participate in the local economy and a higher profile for Denbighshire.

Have your say by visiting our website: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/youropinions  where you can access the complete consultation document and  complete a short response form..

Alternatively you can submit your views in writing to:  Mike Horrocks, Economic Ambition Strategy Consultation, Denbighshire County Council, Wynnstay Road, Ruthin, LL15 1YN.

The deadline for consultation responses to be completed and returned is 9^th September 2013.

Show claims to uncover new evidence on Ripper murders

Jack the Ripper may have been nothing more than a myth created by sensational journalism at the time of the murders.  

That is one of the theories which will be put forward when a retired police officer who has made a 11-year study of the legendary murder mystery presents his show Jack the Ripper-A 21st Century Investigation at The Catrin Finch Centre in Wrexham on Friday, September 6. 

The show, presented by leading Ripper expert Trevor Marriott, is touring the UK throughout 2013 to mark the 125th anniversary of the Whitechapel murders in London in 1888. 

A reign of terror ensued when the killer who became known as the Ripper was blamed for a series of brutal and horrific murders which to this day remain unsolved.   

Since 2002 Marriott (pictured right), a retired murder squad detective,  has been conducting a cold case re-investigation of the murders.

For the past 125 years the mystery has captivated the imagination of people worldwide.

There have been over 100 books published and numerous films and television documentaries on the subject.

Marriott says many of these have over-dramatised and distorted the facts to the point where the public now accepts the fiction more readily than the facts.

He claims his own long and protracted  investigation has uncovered some “startling results” which completely dispel many of the original theories which have been readily accepted as being fact for over a century.

It was generally accepted that the murderer only killed five prostitutes between August and November 1888.

However, Marriott claims to have uncovered other murders outside of those dates both in London, the USA and Germany.

This, he says, has led to a new suspect emerging who has never been mentioned before and who had been arrested for committing a Ripper-like murder in the USA.

Marriott says his ongoing investigation disproves the accepted theory that the killer, after slaying some of the victims, removed vital organs from their bodies at the crime scenes taking them away with him.

And he says further investigative work has uncovered secret Metropolitan Police Special Branch records, never before made public, in which four new suspects are named and the contents of which now eliminate a number of the “prime suspects” who have been continuously investigated over the ensuing years.

Marriott believes that not all the Whitechapel murders were committed by the same killer and that, in fact, Jack the Ripper may have been nothing more than a myth created by sensational journalism at the time of the murders. 

 

Jack the Ripper- A 21^st Century Investigation is a two-hour show hosted by Marriot himself in which he describes his lengthy investigation and discloses the results.  

The one-man show is packed with pictures from 1888, including original crime scene images of the victims, suspects and other original photographs from 1888 relative to the murders. 

The show’s advance publicity material warns:  “It should be noted that some of these photographs are of a disturbing and graphic nature which some persons may find disturbing. However, adequate notice is given during the show to avoid anyone becoming upset or distressed.” 

This show will coincide with the publication of  three new books written by Trevor Marriott entitled Jack the Ripper-The Secret Police Files, The Evil Within - The World’s Worst Serial Killers and a Victorian crime mystery novel based on the Whitechapel Murders called Prey Time. 

Marriott recently featured in a television documentary for the National Geographic Channel entitled Finding Jack the Ripper, which was shown worldwide. 

+ Catrin Finch Centre box office 01978 293293.

New Operatic season to start with a bang

Llangollen Operatic Society’s new season begins on Tuesday 10th September with a get together in the studio at 7.30pm.

There's an exciting programme planned for 2013/2014, starting on Tuesday 10th December with the Christmas show, A Christmas Cracker.

More details will follow in due course. 

For the main production, society members will be performing their own take on WS Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan’s The Mikado from 14th to 17th May 2014.

Whilst keeping to the original score, replete with its beautiful melodies and trademark humour, the production will have a modern day setting and the characters real attitude.

With three griping little maids and a power hungry Katisha to name but a few, it promises to be a show like no other and will appeal to everyone, from Gilbert and Sullivan stalwarts to complete newcomers.   

Auditions will be held during November and company rehearsals will commence on the first Tuesday in January. 

If you would like to get involved with the Operatic either on stage or off, please contact Membership Secretary, Helen Belton, on 07718 368434 for further details.

The society welcomes all new members with or without experience and guarantees great camaraderie and lots of laughs.

The society's junior section, the Young Uns, has announced its next production will be the ever popular Oliver by Lionel Bart and will be performed on 6th, 7th and 8th February 2014.

Once again, the show will be produced by Tessa Orton-Jones with Elen Mair Roberts as Musical Director and this year Christine Dukes is Artistic Director.

The first meeting of the new season will be a social event on Monday 2nd September from 6:00pm until 8:00pm in the studio where we a DVD of last year’s show will be screened.

Rehearsals for the new production will then start on Monday 9th September.

The Young Uns are always pleased to welcome new members between the ages of 7 and 17 and no previous experience is needed, just lots of enthusias.

If you/your child would be interested in getting involved, please contact Tessa Orton-Jones on 07882 825292. 

The society's Travelling Troupe is available for bookings. So if you would like to add a touch of the West End to your event, contact Tracey on 07875 639533 or Louisa on 07989 985644 for further information.

In a message to friends and supporters, society chairman Mike Jones says:

"In the words of Bertolt Brecht, `a theatre without audience makes no sense' and as we embark on the new season,

"I would like to take the opportunity to express heartfelt thanks to the people of Llangollen and surrounding area for their continued support of Llangollen Operatic Society. 

"Founded in 1908, we are one of the oldest surviving artistic organisations in the town, which is testament not just to the hard work of the generations of players and production teams but also to those who have supported and enjoyed our shows year after year.

"Our senior section, Young Uns and Troupe all have exciting programmes ahead of them in 2013/2014 and we look forward to bringing you more of the high quality entertainment you have come to expect. 

"For further details of upcoming events and productions, please read Llanblogger, visit us at www.llangollen-operatic.co.uk or follow us on Facebook. If you have any comments, questions or would like to get involved , please do not hesitate to contact me."