Isherwood slams Welsh Government for "failing" pupils

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has criticised the Welsh Government for failing pupils in the region after an international study revealed this week that Wales has once again fallen behind the rest of the UK.

Wales had lower results on average in reading, maths and science than in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
 

Tests are taken by 15 year old pupils in 65 countries and local administrations.

 

Since 2007 Wales has slipped down the Pisa rankings, slumping from 20th in science to joint 36th, dropping 12 places in maths to 43rd and falling from 27th in reading to 41st.

 

Mr Isherwood, who was Welsh Conservative Education Spokesperson during the Second Assembly and still regularly speaks on education issues, said: “A generation of Welsh pupils has been let down by successive Labour ministers and it is disgraceful that Carwyn Jones is unable to apologise to teachers, parents and pupils.

 

“This First Minister, himself a former Education Minister, should take full responsibility for educational standards now and going forward, or seriously consider his position.

 

“Today’s PISA results reveal just how bad the situation in Wales is and the First Minister should be looking to take action to address the failings as a matter of urgency.

 

“The children of Wales deserve to have access to a first-rate education system. Labour have been failing our children for far too long and this needs to change fast!”

 

Runaway turkey ends up in Llan

The BBC North East Wales news website is this evening carrying a story about a runaway turkey who holed up in Llangollen en route to the slaughterman.

See the full story at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-25196970

Musician in canal rescue drama

The BBC North East Wales news website is carrying a story about a musician who had to be rescued from the Llangollen Canal after he went in to recover his saxophone which had fallen into the water.

See the full story at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-25192357

Twenty Club holds open auditions for World War One play

The Twenty Club are holding open auditions on Thursday, December 12, at 7.30pm, in the  council chamber of Llangollen Town Hall (Parade Street entrance, opposite the bus stop) for a production of Peter Whelan's play The Accrington Pals.

There will be twice-weekly rehearsals from January, and the play will be performed from March 6-8,  2014 in Llangollen Town Hall, in the year of the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War.

The Accrington Pals is based on the true story of how the smallest town in England raised a volunteer force to fight in WWI, contrasting life at the front and in the 1916 Battle of the Somme with the women left behind.

There are five roles for women (to appear ages roughly 18 or 19 for two roles, mid 20s, late 20s and late 30s/early 40s for the other three) and five for men (to appear ages roughly 15, 19, 19, late 30s, and early 40s).

For more details ring the club secretary, Noreen Turner, on 01978 810623, or go online and visit  facebook.com/twentyclub.

Medals stolen in Llan burglary

Police are appealing for information to trace war medals stolen during a burglary in Llangollen.

 

The incident occurred overnight between Sunday December 1  and 11.30am  Monday  December 2, when thieves broke into a house in  Brook Stree.

 

The medals are described as The African Star, The Italian Star and a 1939 -1945 campaign medal all in the name of John Knox.

 

A long service firefighter’s medal and a Jubilee medal in the name of John Graham Knox were also stolen.

 

Anyone who is offered these medals for sale or has any information about the theft is asked to call North Wales Police on 101. Crime reference P197003.

Police warning over suspicious vehicles

North Wales Police are appealing for information following two reports of suspicious vehicles stopping members of the public and asking them if they wished to by chainsaws, pressure washers and tools.

The males are reported to have been driving a black Transit van and also a plain silver Renault van.

They have been described as wearing black clothes, thinning light coloured hair and aged approximately 30’s.

Another male has been described as being well built and wearing glasses.   

The incidents occurred sometime between 15:20 and 15:40 on the November 29.

Police say they are urging people living in the areas Pengwern Estate, near Erw Deg, and Dinbren Road, Llangollen, to be cautious of these males and also to lock away their property.   

If you noticed anything suspicious, or have any information relating to this incident, contact North Wales Police by dialling 101 quoting reference P194720 or P194865.

Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously by calling Crime-stoppers Wales on 0800 555 111.

North Wales Police would like to urge residents to always report suspicious activity to them at the earliest opportunity.

Santa Specials get under way at Llan Railway

 

 * Santa and two of his Elves at Lapland.

 

 

* The loco crew with engine No.3802 ready for the 11.55am departure.

 

Saturday saw the start of the season of Santa Special Steam trains at Llangollen.

 

Santa and his elves were busy on the trains and the station greeting the family groups who were booked on the first specials of the festive season.

 

With four trains a day on each of the weekends, and a daily service from Friday, December 20 through to Christmas Eve, a total of 44 Santa Specials are scheduled to operate along the Dee Valley to Lapland at Carrog.

 

During the journey each child receives a special gift from Santa and the adults receive mulled wine and mince pies.

At Carrog, where a special delivery of snow has already arrived, family groups are invited to have their photograph taken with Santa on his sleigh beneath the Lapland station sign.

 

Back at Llangollen there is the opportunity to visit the special grotto coach where a traditional street scene is set out to enjoy.

 

Santa bookings are proving very popular as always and advance booking is necessary on the Santa Special website at www.llangollen-railway.co.uk.