KLS asks bankers' group for statement on HSBC closure

The chairman of Keep Llangollen Special (KLS) has fired the latest salvo in the battle to save the town's HSBC bank.

He has written to a bankers' organisation seeking its views on HSBC's refusal to discuss the axing of the Bridge Street branch next February.

Led by officials of Llangolen Chamber of Trade and Tourism, a group of around 25 protesters gathered outside the bank to demonstrate against the closure.

Now, Martin Crumpton, who chairs KLS, has referred the matter to the British Bankers' Association, the UK’s leading association for the banking and financial services sector, representing the interests of more than 240 member organisations with a worldwide presence in 180 countries.

In his email, he says: "I seek a Statement from the BBA, on behalf of my Community Group and many other interested parties, regarding the intractable refusal of HSBC to negotiate their programme of withdrawing branch services from rural communities in Wales, a matter raised in the Welsh Assembly this week due to its widespread detrimental effect on small communities.

 

"This programme, which we see mirrored by announcements of cuts by other major banks, is widely regarded as a cynical manoeuvre to cuts costs and increase profits, perhaps in response to threats of caps and levies by the Labour Party.

 

"That HSBC, to be followed by the other banks, previously known as the high street banks, is offloading customers onto the Post Office and the Internet is indisputable, whether by intent or not. That HSBC, a profitable business, will increase its profits by branch closures is also indisputable. We believe that the BBA shares a responsibility along with HSBC and other banks to act in a socially-responsible manner, and a Statement from you is eagerly anticipated."

AM welcomes launch of new local business

* Ken Skates AM with Dawn Roberts and Del Roberts-Jones.

ASSEMBLY Member Ken Skates has welcomed the launch of a new business which will provide employment opportunities for young people with autism. 

Clwyd South AM Mr Skates recently met Dawn Roberts and Del Roberts-Jones, whose Llangollen-based firm Brythonium produces novel family legacy cards. 

 

Both Dawn and Del are former Wrexham County Borough Council economic development employees who led the successful bid for World Heritage Site status for the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal. 

 

Now the pair have turned their attention to a new business project which they have financed themselves. 

 

Dawn said: “As mother of a young woman with autism, I saw no hope for her adulthood and wanted to try to provide meaningful employment for Elinor and as many of her peers as possible. Del and I have started a new business purely with the intention of providing sheltered employment for young people with autism and learning difficulties in the Dee Valley area.” 

 

Dawn said the cards are designed to allow everyone to write down their precious memories and family stories and history.

 

She added: “They are a personal way of creating a family legacy as they are handwritten, with no need for complicated research or computers.” 

 

Mr Skates described the new business – which launched its own website this week – is "an amazing concept". 

 

He added: “I loved this idea as soon as I met Dawn and Del. They both come from Llangollen and some of the cards depict fantastic images from the Dee Valley area, so it is certainly a business with a very local flavour. 

 

“They have also identified a lack of employment opportunities for young people with autism and have incorporated that within their business model, which makes a wonderful idea even better. I wish them both every success with their innovative project.”

Llan-built steam engine reaches the Midlands

A story on the ITV news website describes how the Unknown Warrior, the steam loco being built in the workshops at Llangollen Railway in time to mark the centenary of the end of World War One in 2018, recently arrived at the National Arboretum in Staffordshire to be blessed.

llanblogger reported earlier this week how the engine began its road journey to the Midlands by being lifted into place aboard a lorry by a huge crane.

After a brief stay in Staffordshire the loco's next stop is the National Exhibition centre in Birmingham where it will be on display at the Warley Model Railway Show this weekend.

See the ITV story at http://www.itv.com/news/central/story/2013-11-21/unknown-warrior-ceremony/

Town crier's bell tolls to signal "save our bank" protest

* Chamber of Trade and Tourism chairman David Davies before

heading inside the bank with the 150th anniversary card.

* Town crier Austin Chemenais tolls his bell to start the protest.

PROTESTERS gathered outside the HSBC bank in Llangollen earlier today (Thursday) to show their anger at the branch being axed as part of a regional closure programme.

On the stroke of noon, town crier Austin Chemenais tolled his bell to draw attention to the demonstration in Bridge Street which was timed to coincide with a celebration of the 150^th anniversary of banking in the town going on inside.

The protest was organised by members of Llangollen Chamber of Trade and Tourism whose chairman, David Davies, went into the branch with a large card marking the anniversary and expressing local hopes that it would stay open for another 150 years.

Mr Davies emerged shortly afterwards to say that a senior manager from HSBC in Wrexham had politely accepted the card but had refused to come outside to speak to the protest group who were being filmed by press photographers and TV crews.

“We’ll now wait to see what happens as a result of our protest,” said Mr Davies.    

“We had sought a meeting to discuss the closure of the branch with the HSBC’s regional manager but she has turned us down.

“We don’t want this very valuable branch to close but we would like to at least discuss other possibilities such as it remaining open a couple of days a week.”

Llangollen is one of three HSBC branches earmarked for closure next February, along with those in Conwy and Beaumaris, as a result of a claimed fall in trade due to more customers doing business online.

Bank bosses say the administration of accounts will be transferred from Llangollen to Wrexham with five staff being deployed elsewhere within the group.

There has been cross-party condemnation of the closures from local politicians and the issue was raised in the Welsh Assembly earlier this week.

Responding to one North Wales AM who questioned the closures, HSBC regional director for the south west and Wales, Rachel Thomas, said: “Whilst we fully understand the depth of feeling about our decision to close this branch, the decision is final.

“We therefore believe that our time is best spent providing tailored one to one support to our Llangollen customers who may have problems accessing banking facilities and ensuring that their needs are catered for in the best way possible.”

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates said: “The turn-out today just goes to show the strength of feeling over this issue in Llangollen, and we can only hope HSBC takes note.

 

"I am in the process of trying to arrange a meeting with the regional director so we can sit down and see if there is anything that can be done to keep HSBC services in the town or to see if the building can be put to community use should the company follow through on its plans.

 

“I am only too aware how angry and upset people are about this, and HSBC’s arrogance and refusal to engage with the community certainly hasn’t helped matters.

 

"With the closures of branches in Cefn Mawr, Rhos and Corwen in recent years the bank appears to be turning its back on the area, so they should not be surprised if some of their loyal customers in my constituency now decide to turn their backs on HSBC.”

 

Older People's Commissioner visits county HQ

Denbighshire councillors heard first hand about the work being carried out by the Older People's Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira, visited County Hall, Ruthin, on Monday.

Ms Rochira (below right) talked about her role and her priorities for action to ensure the wellbeing of all older people and that policies are in place to reduce any barriers to leading a fulfilling life into old age.

She told members about some of her key aims, which include promoting awareness of the rights and interests of older people in Wales, challenging discrimination, encouraging best practice in the treatment of older people and reviewing on the law affecting the interests of older people.

During the discussion, councillors also heard about what Denbighshire is doing in response to the Commissioner's agenda for change.

Cabinet Lead Member for Social Care, Councillor Bobby Feeley, and Older People’s Champion for Denbighshire, said: "It is well documented that we have a high proportion of elderly people living in our County and that demographic change is a key factor in our planning for the future.

"This is why it is important that we have excellent links with the Commissioner and to ensure we are working closely with her to provide the best service we can to our older residents and embedding the wellbeing of older people at the heart of our public services across the board - not just within a social services context.

"We completely agree with her that some aspects of the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Bill are not fully worked out yet- laudable though they are. In particular we are concerned that the Bill is not fully costed.

"It has been extremely useful to hear from the Commissioner and I'm sure all members will take away something from our meeting with the Commissioner."

Ms Rochira said: “It was a pleasure to meet with Denbighshire County Councillors in Ruthin.

“This meeting provided a good opportunity to speak to councillors about my priorities. These include the need to focus more strongly on key local and community-based facilities such as buses and community transport, public toilets, pavements and community centres.

“These are essential to the maintenance of older people’s health, independence and wellbeing. As we grow older as a nation, we need to fundamentally rethink how we design and plan our communities.”

Heavy steam loco thumbs a lift

 

* The heavy transport with locomotive on board ready to depart.

Following a heavy lift of component parts, the project to build a new example of the LMS 'Patriot' class of express steam locomotive took a major step forward in the yard at Llangollen railway on Wednesday afternoon, despite some difficult weather conditions.

 

Engineers undertook the complex task of lifting the main frames, with smokebox and cab attached, on to the three sets of main driving wheels and secured the assembly on a trailer in readiness for transport to Birmingham.

By 4.30pm the heavy load was on the road and heading for the West Midlands.

 

Initially the assembled parts will be displayed at the National Arboretum before heading on to the National Exhibition centre at Birmingham where it will be on display at the Warley Model Railway Show on Saturday/Sunday November 23/24.

 

Campaign launched to tackle disability hate crime

North Wales Police have teamed up with partners to launch a campaign to raise awareness of disability hate crime and encourage more victims to come forward and report matters to the police.

 

The bi-lingual poster campaign was launched Police Headquarters in Colwyn Bay.

 

North Wales Police and representatives from TAPE, Wired and ARRIVA came together to launch the initiative which will run as a pilot for two weeks.

 

An ARRIVA bus was present outside headquarters to mark the launch which was attended by Chief Superintendent Simon Humphreys and Greg George of North Wales Police, Winston Roddick, the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, and Wired – an organisation which supports people to live as independently and with as much choice and control as possible.

 

“We know that disability hate crime is under reported in North Wales and we hope that this campaign will go some way to raising awareness of the issue,” said Chief Superintendent Simon Humphreys. 

 

“It is important that victims of disability hate crime, as well as members of the public who believe they have witnessed such an incident, should report it to police.”

 

Greg George, Head of the Diversity Unit at NWP, said: “The Diversity Unit work closely with disabled people (and those who support them) to deal with the policing issues that affect them. It is from one of our regular meetings that the idea to run the campaign was born. A challenge was set for community members to devise a poster – scores of which will now be displayed on ARRIVA buses. The campaign has the full support of ARRIVA and the posters will be displayed on all buses travelling out of the Rhyl depot.”

 

Len Cater, General Manager, Arriva, Rhyl, said: “Arriva Buses Wales is proud to support the North Wales Police campaign to stop disability hate crime. It is important that any hate crime is reported, and we are pleased to be able to help publicise the issue on our buses in the area.”

 

The North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner commended the initiative and said: "This is an important campaign to inform people about disability hate crime.  It brings the Force and the community together to target offenders and tackle the problem.”

 

TAPE Community Music and Film have also written and produced a short video which looks at the issues of reducing stigma for people with a learning disability.

 

Steve Swindon, CEO, TAPE community Music and Film, said: “The development of the hate crime poster has stemmed directly from the work of the Stigma production team and their desire to make a difference to the lives of other people. They have worked with a consistent professionalism and real focus, using their own experiences to inform the work and ensure that the key message comes across clearly.

 

“We at TAPE are extremely proud to have been involved in supporting this project."

 

Adult Services Manager of the Wired group Susan Cassapi said: “Wired’s ethos is that all people are part of society and this campaign goes a long way to address the issue of hate crimes and bullying that some disabled people face every day. We are delighted to have been involved. 

 

“Wired feel that this poster campaign will make people think more about hate crimes.”