Skates welcomes cash boost for Dinas Bran

Clwyd South Assembly member Ken Skates has welcomed the news that Ysgol Dinas Bran in Llangollen has won a £5,000 Big Lottery Fund grant.

The high school - which recorded its best ever set of GCSE results in August - was awarded the cash boost to purchase IT equipment for 'supported fitness sessions' to improve pupils' health and fitness.

Mr Skates, whose constituency office is based in Llangollen, said: "Ysgol Dinas Bran is an excellent school which has always encouraged students to take part in physical activities and promoted a healthy lifestyle.

"The bid for Big Lottery funding was submitted by the school's PE department, which will now be able to use the new technology to help deliver enhanced lessons for pupils."

The school said the money will be used to buy 14 iPads and an Apple TV. Last year both Ysgol Dinas Bran's current performance and prospects for improvement were rated 'good' by Estyn inspectors. Last month every GCSE student achieved at least 5 grades at A* to C.

County's warden team are top dogs for second year

Denbighshire County Council’s Dog Warden Team has been awarded the RSPCA’s gold footprint award for its work with stray dogs - for the second year running.

Denbighshire is the only local authority in Wales to achieve the gold standard for stray dogs and it was achieved through working in partnership with North Clwyd Animal Rescue.

The RSPCA introduced the Community Animal Welfare Footprint Awards in 2008 and the aim of the scheme is to recognise and promote those that have made an extra effort and gone beyond basic service requirements to ensure higher welfare standards in some of the service they provide.

This is the second time that the council has applied for the award and as a result of the award, Denbighshire County Council is now entitled for the next 12 months to use an accredited  logo on its website and publications.

The RSPCA CAWF scheme is split into four main categories – animal welfare principles, contingency planning, housing and stray dogs. Depending on the standards of the level of service, either: gold, silver or bronze footprints are awarded.

Since the schemes inception in 2008, the Stray Dog Footprint award has been the most popular, with achievers inspiring others to develop and improve their service.  The main aim of the Stray Dogs Footprint is to encourage local authorities to look at this important and often under-valued service and address any resource and issues that might help them to meet the footprint criteria in the future.

The scheme has been officially supported by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and the Trading Standards Institute.

Alert over two vehicles stolen from the area

The local Neighbourhood Watch has sent out alerts about the theft of two vehicles from the Llangollen area in the past week.

In the first case a Land Rover Discovery, registration number L369 PMB, was stolen from the driveway of a property on the Horseshoe Pass between 5pm on Thursday 12 September and 8.30am on Saturday 14 September.

If you have any information relating to this crime, contact North Wales Police on 101 quoting the reference RM13019174

The second theft involved an unroadworthy Mitsubishi Sigma estate, registration number M759 CEY, being stolen from a yard in the Llangollen area sometime between Wednesday 11 September and 8.20am on Thursday 12 September.

If you have any information relating to this crime, contact North Wales Police on 101 quoting reference RC13152417.

 

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Llan Operatic heads east for its next production

For its next production Llangollen Operatic is heading out east to Japan to present The Mikado.

But although the society has staged what is Gilbert and Sullivan’s most popular operatta a number of times before during its long history, this version will be like local audiences have never seen before, it promises.

Society spokesperson Louisa Jones said: “Whilst keeping to the original score, with its splendid melodies and trademark humour, the production will have a more contemporary setting and the characters, real attitude, from a power-hungry Katisha to three griping little maids.

“At Llangollen Operatic we pride ourselves on putting on high quality entertainment with a difference.

“We aren't afraid to think outside of the box and try something completely original.

“The Mikado will be an exciting challenge and promises to capture the imagination of all who come to see it, from newcomers to G&S to the purist fans.”

The Mikado will be performed from Wednesday-Saturday, May 14-17, 2014 at Llangollen Town Hall.

It will be directed by Chrissie Ashworth with Owen Roberts as musical director.

Auditions for principal roles will be on Tuesday, November 19 in the Town Hall and are open to all, not just current members.    

Following casting, company rehearsals will start the first Tuesday in January.

Anyone interested in attending auditions, or getting involved should contact membership secretary Helen Belton (membership@llangollen-operatic.co.uk) 07718 368434) for further details. 

Wales appoints first emergency medicine trainees

THE Welsh Ambulance Service says it has become the first in the UK to recruit pre-hospital emergency medicine trainees to its of frontline staff.

The Trust has appointed childhood friends James Chinery and Gareth Roberts to the role of Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine (PHEM) doctors, which allows critical care to be provided at the scene of an accident or severe illness.

The pair, who are Speciality Registrars (SpRs) in Anaesthesia, can perform actions outside the remit of a paramedic, such as the administration of advanced pain relief, and surgical procedures such as the insertion of chest drains and surgical airways.

They also have the ability to administer anaesthetic drugs, and sedate a patient if they cannot breathe for themselves.

Middlesborough-born James, who is being seconded from the Royal Army Medical Corps, and who has worked at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, said: “Previously, seriously injured or ill patients have been taken to their local hospital, but it has not always been the most appropriate place for them.

“Our knowledge and experience means we can advise where is best for a patient to travel, whether it is a specialist emergency department or stroke unit. It might mean travelling that bit further, but us being on scene means we can start that critical care.”

Newport-born Gareth, who now lives in Cardiff, and who previously worked at the University Hospital of Wales, added: “We’re here to assist the crew already on scene, and work as a team. We’re there if a patient needs that advanced care.”

Their appointment follows the launch of the Welsh Ambulance Service’s Clinical Strategy, which aims to provide the right service, in the right place, at the right time.

Richard Lee, Head of Clinical Services at the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “The new PHEM doctors will work alongside our clinical team leaders and paramedics to ensure patients get the very best care available at the scene and during the transfer to hospital.

“There is clear evidence that victims of major trauma do better when they are treated quickly by a senior clinical decision maker. Patients suffering a heart attack or stroke benefit from treatment at a specialist coronary unit or stroke unit.

“Sometimes this means taking the patients past the local hospital. Our paramedics will sometimes need the skills of the PHEM doctor to facilitate these transfers.

“There is huge potential for pre-hospital care, and the co-ordination of that care to contribute more fully to integrated healthcare provision.”

James and Gareth went to Bassaleg School in Newport together, and began a 12-month contract with the service on Monday, September 2.

Each will work out of a rapid response vehicle or a Wales Air Ambulance - James in the north and Gareth in the south - and will be dispatched to appropriate incidents by the control centre.

Their appointment is a joint venture between the Wales Postgraduate Deanery, which provides their educational supervision, and the Welsh Ambulance Service, which provides their clinical placement.

Police home security tips as nights draw in

As the nights begin to draw in police across Denbighshire are urging householders to help keep burglars at bay by ensuring their homes are kept secure.

 

“Still too many burglaries are happening as a result of people leaving their windows and doors open or unlocked,” said Sergeant Steve Carroll of the Community Safety team, based in St Asaph. “Burglars will exploit any opportunity and it’s important that people remain security conscious.” 

 

“We have had a spate of burglaries recently and insecure properties has been the common theme. Once inside the properties, the offenders have stolen ipads, cash, laptops and other valuables.”

 

The impact of burglary on the householder can be significant and long lasting. North Wales Police are intent on tackling this crime and urge residents to play their part by protecting their homes.

 

“Investigations are continuing into the crimes,” added Sgt Carroll, “however, as well as appealing for information we are urging people to stay a step ahead of a thief by remaining  vigilant and making sure they keep their property secure. Anyone who sees suspicious activity or has information about any burglary should to contact police immediately on 101. ”

 

Follow these police tips to help make your home safer:

 

•  If you know you’re going to be home late from work consider using timer switches which automatically turn on lights and will give the impression that your home is occupied.

•  Do not leave windows and doors open especially of you are going out. Security measures on modern windows allow air to circulate while it keeps the window locked.

•  Always lock your front door from inside - in particular UPVC front doors are often left unlocked when people are in their house.

•  Keep all valuable possessions out of sight of prying eyes.

•  Leaving keys within reach of a window, a glass pane or in the lock could make a thief’s job easier – keep them out of reach and never put car keys or purses on window-sills or in view of a window or door.

•  Always avoid keeping large amounts of cash in your home.

•  Do not leave back doors open or unlocked if you are to be upstairs for any length of time.

•  When leaving your property always remember to lock up properly and set your alarm (if you have one– even if you just pop out for a few minutes.)

•  Tools and ladders should always be locked away – these can be used to break into your home.

•  Don’t hide spare keys under flowerpots or doormats – this is one of the first places a thief is likely to look.

•  Install outdoor lighting – this can deter a burglary by making them fear detection or discovery.

 

Residents are being reminded to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to police. If you see anyone acting suspiciously, call North Wales Police on 999 if it is an emergency or dial 101. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers with information anonymously on 0800 555 111 .