Tips to stay safe during firefighters' action

The Chief Fire Officer of North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is urging the public to take extra care at home and on the roads following the Fire Brigades Union's announcement that its members in England and Wales will take further industrial action tomorrow, Saturday October 19, between 6.30pm and 11.30pm.

Simon Smith, said: "Attention to fire safety in the home and road safety is of paramount importance, but even more so during these times.

"On this occasion the Fire Brigades Union has chosen to strike on a Saturday evening, at a time when people are out socialising and drinking, or cooking at home entertaining family and friends - which means the risks to their safety are inherently more significant as attention is naturally elsewhere.

"I am urging people to think more carefully about the situations they may be putting themselves into. Historically weekend evenings are when calls to the fire and rescue service are at their peak and it is likely that during the strike period we won't be able to respond as we normally would - prevention is best, so take these simple steps to ensure your safety and those of your loved ones."

Mr Smith advised:

* Ensure you have a smoke alarm and test that it is in working order.

* Do not mix drinking and cooking - it's a recipe for disaster. If you are hungry get a takeaway or make a sandwich. Do not get the chip pan out or leave cooking unattended.

* Avoid any unnecessary journeys - if you are unfortunate enough to be in a collision we may not be able to get there to help you as quickly as we normally would.

* Switch off any unused electrical appliances before you go to bed and close all doors - make sure you have an escape plan in the event of fire.

* Ensure you extinguish smoking materials and take care with candles.

* Get your chimney cleaned and use a fire guard on open fires.

* If a fire does start - get out, stay out and call 999. Don't be tempted to tackle a fire yourself.

Safety advice and guidance for the public and businesses is available on the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service website and social network sites on Facebook and Twitter (#takeextracare), as well as through the local news.

Mr Smith added: "North Wales Fire and Rescue Service has arrangements in place to continue to provide a service during strike action" but warned that, "because of the circumstances, services may be limited.

"The Service's business continuity arrangements will ensure a speedy and safe return to normal services on conclusion of any period of industrial action."

* See more at: http://www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk/news/2013/10/14/communities-urged-to-‘take-extra-care’-during-second-firefighters-strike.aspx#sthash.OoMtYx7A.dpuf

Llan firm helps patients hit new heights

Patients from an independent hospital in Ruabon have reached new heights thanks to a Llangollen company.

Occupational therapy (OT) offers a valuable contribution to inpatient care, and the team at New Hall are forever busy organising and introducing functional, purposeful, and meaningful activities for their patients. 

The OT department has now devised a sports group engaging patients with activities both on and off site.

The team are always keen to introduce patients into the community and to support local businesses and have therefore utilised the local purpose-built indoor climbing wall at Proadventure Ltd in Llangollen.

A New Hall spokesperson said: “Climbing can help to promote motor planning, balance, coordination, problem solving and protective reflexes.

“It can be used to increase stimulation to those who tend to lack movement and activity during their day or to act as an effective release for the more overactive individuals.

“Along with the obvious physical benefits, patients can learn to enjoy life and interact socially, preparing them for life out of care.”

The climbing sessions have been led by Erin, a qualified instructor at Proadventure, who said:  “I have supervised the group from New Hall on several occasions and they are a pleasure to teach.

“They follow instructions perfectly and are fully compliant with safety rules and procedures. They ask all the right questions and work together as a team to support their peers - it is obvious that they thoroughly enjoy the activity.”

The sessions consist of a brief warm up followed by a thorough safety check.

Levels of difficulty, varying from beginner to expert, are catered for and are displayed through the different coloured hand holds within the rock face, allowing patients to develop and measure their skills.

Reflecting on the outing back at the hospital, one patient commented: “We hope to return for a further day’s adventure.”

Local Friends of the Earth group has cause for celebration

 

* The Friends of the Earth Stall at Erddig Apple Festival, manned by members Lesley Richards (left), Bee Kim Glick and Kay Polley (right).

 

 

 

* The Mike Jacobs award celebration with Catherine Veasey, Llangollen Friends of the Earth (left) and Bleddyn Lake, Local Group Development Officer for Friends of the Earth Cymru.

 

 

Llangollen Friends of the Earth were once again at the recent Erdigg Apple Festival.

 

They ran a ‘Bee Cause’ stall complete with a giant bee and had a double cause for celebration.

 

The national Friends of the Earth Bee Cause has won its two-year campaign for both the Welsh and UK government to sign up to new Pollinator Action plans following huge public support. 

 

But the Llangollen group were also celebrating their own personal double victory. 

 

They won the Welsh Mike Jacob Award for the best local group in April and went on to win the Earthmovers 2013 award at the National Friends of the Earth Conference in July. 

 

“To win both has been fantastic,” said member Catherine Veasey. 

 

“At the national conference we were up against groups from England and Northern Ireland too.  We feel very proud that we came ahead of large city groups like Manchester who were also nominated.” 

 

The group's success comes after a busy year involving a wide range of activities including setting up the new Llangollen Community garden project which was visited by MP Susan Elan Jones in May, collaborating with the town council on its successful Cittaslow application, taking part in the Llangollen Fringe community art project and hosting a North Wales local groups gathering in June. 

 

“We are a small group,” said co-ordinator Warren Davies, “but we play to the strengths and interests of our members; its been a busy year, but we have had a lot of fun alongside the campaign work too.” 

 

The group also has an active web and Facebook page to keep in touch.  To find out more visit www.facebook.com/llangollenfoe  or www.foe.co.uk/llangollen

Fledgling firms urged to apply for loans scheme

FLEDGLING firms and entrepreneurs in Clwyd South are being urged to take advantage of a Welsh Government initiative by Labour Assembly Member Ken Skates.

Clwyd South AM Mr Skates says start-up businesses in his constituency can benefit from the low-interest loans scheme recently announced by Economy Minister Edwina Hart.

He said: “The introduction of these loans is part of Welsh Labour’s comprehensive support package for young companies and will help fledgling firms and entrepreneurs get up and running in business.

“Encouraging people to start their own businesses is an important part of our strategy for economic growth, and Wrexham County Borough Council is one of the five providers who will approve applications.

“I would strongly encourage anyone in Clwyd South who is looking to set up their own company or is just getting started in business to make enquiries and see if they’re eligible. To find out more call the Business Wales Helpline on 03000 603000 or visit www.business.wales.gov.uk.”

The minimum loan is £1,000, with the average around £4,500. The loans are to be paid back within five years at a fixed rate of interest, currently set at 6%. 

Police phone call warning

Police are advising people to check details of phone callers before providing them with any personal information.

 

The warning comes after a number of doctors’ surgeries received a phone call from a person claiming to represent North Wales Police.

 

The caller was asking the surgeries for money to have an advert in a campaign leaflet.

 

Chief Inspector Andy Williams said: “If anyone calls stating they are an official from any company or public service, people should ensure they check they are happy who they are speaking to.”

 

People are also advised to ask for a number on which they can ring the caller back.

 

North Wales Police are not currently seeking any advertisements for any campaigns.

Wrexham-Barmouth bus service saved from the axe

A bus service which runs from Wrexham to Barmouth via Llangollen has been saved from the axe.

Arriva Buses Wales announced some time ago that it would be cutting a number of services in North Wales, including the X94.

This sparked the launch of an e-petition by regional Liberal Democrat Assembly Member Aled Roberts.

The campaign now looks to have been a success.

* Aled Roberts AM.

Wales’ Transport Minister Edwina Hart said in the Senedd yesterday: “Following Arriva Buses Wales’s announcement about proposals to cut a number of services in north and west Wales, I convened an officials group to work with the three local authorities and to report back to me with options for maintaining services.

“I am in a position to be able to give you an update on progress. The group has now reported back to me with its recommendations and has identified a mechanism for securing the provision of the services, the majority of which are currently scheduled to end in December.

“To secure these services in the short term, we are discussing with local authorities the awarding of contracts under emergency procedures to local operators while we look at the longer term solutions for a sustainable network of services.

“Funding for the X94 service between Wrexham and Barmouth, which forms part of the TrawsCymru network, will be provided by top-slicing the regional transport services grant. We are continuing our discussions with the local authorities about the funding mechanisms for the remaining services.”

Aled Roberts AM commented on the development:  “I have been fighting hard to ensure the future of the X94 bus route and this news is very much welcome.

“I want to thank the many people who signed the National Assembly’s petition to save this bus route. This shows what can be achieved when we work together across North Wales and Meirionnydd to protect vital services.

“I held discussions with coach operators regarding a replacement service and I will be holding further talks this week with regarding the sustainability of this service.

“Many people rely on the X94 to make hospital visits, do their shopping and visit friends and family. Without this bus service, many people in rural areas would be isolated.

“This is now an opportunity for local operators to take a more active role in provision of bus services going forward.”

Thomas heads back to Llan

* Owner Mike Pearce with Thomas the Tank Engine.

The Llangollen Railway based Thomas the Tank Engine is on his way back home after a triumphant tour of preserved railways in Holland and Belgium, as well as three venues in southern England.

After a successful repeat visit to the railway at Haarksbergen in eastern Holland, the famous engine No.1 was transported to the Stoom Centrum at Maldegen near Bruges. 

There appearances on Belgian regional television ensured a record crowd turned out to see Thomas perform in a set piece demonstration.

 

Mike Pearce, the owner of the Llangollen based Thomas, travelled out to Belgium to be with the famous engine and was very impressed with the reception he was awarded by the Belgian railway volunteers.

 

Mike said: "The Stoom Centrum members were so pleased to have Thomas at their railway they extended considerable hospitality to me and I was involved in the operation of the engine throughout their event. I

 

"It was interesting to see how a very British engine was accommodated within a continental railway setting and how the undoubted appeal of the Thomas stories has a international recognition from all the fans, young and old."

Later in September the engine moved on to Spontin in the province of Namur in southern Belgium where it was a guest at the Chermin de fer Bocq, a line which is being restored by volunteers as a tourist railway in the very rural setting of the Wallooon region.

 

Although the region is less populated then the Bruges area, many fans were attracted to see the famous engine in action here too.

Having returned home  to Llangollen, the challenge is now to get No.1 ready for the last appearances of the 2013 season with the Days out with Thomas events planned for the weekends of October 19/20 & 26/27.