Police launch clampdown on serious crime

This month, North Wales Police are launching Operation Scorpion which will focus on tackling serious and organised crime in our communities.

 

DCS Wayne Jones, Head of Crime Services said: “Operation Scorpion will manage all types of serious and organised criminality including cross-border crime, armed robbery, criminal use of firearms, kidnapping or human trafficking as well as drug production, importation and supply.

 

"North Wales Police already has a well-established response to tackle this level of criminality. We have an excellent record of success in recent years seizing drugs, criminals assets and convictions, with substantial sentences handed out to criminals who took part in organised crime. North Wales Police will pursue organised criminal groups operating here relentlessly.

 

"One of the Operation’s aims is to keep the people of north Wales aware of the progress being made to tackle organised crime where they live, work and visit. It is intended to be a two way communication process and part of the launch is focused on encouraging the public to provide North Wales Police with information and to share their concerns about individuals or criminal groups."

 

He added: "We have an excellent record of working with our communities and very often that vital piece of information which helps us convict the criminals comes from the community. Those who are involved in serious and organised crime seldom do so quietly, they very often live well beyond their obvious means, drive expensive cars, live in large houses and are often out of the country. These are some of the clues that someone may be living on the proceeds of crime.

 

"If you know someone who fits this picture then we encourage you to contact Police 101 or Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 to support Operation Scorpion. Together we can tackle organised crime and ensure that north Wales remains one of the safest places in which to live."

 

Police looking for new officers

Have you ever thought about a police career but are unsure about how you would fit in?

 

If so, come along to North Wales Police Headquarters in Colwyn Bay on Wednesday, January 21, between 3 and 8 pm, when you can chat informally to people already doing the job.

 

Chief Constable Mark Polin said: “North Wales Police is made up of a diverse range of people who come from all walks of life and backgrounds. It is recognised that for policing to be as effective and as impactive as possible, our work force has to properly reflect the communities they serve. Our aim is to have a workforce representative of our local communities and we particularly welcome applicants from underrepresented groups.”   

 

North Wales Police continues to recruit into Police Officer and Police Community Support roles and places will be available over the next  three years.    

 

The force also offers opportunities for those who would like to give a valuable contribution to their local communities by becoming a special constable or by offering their free time to support the local and specialist policing teams by volunteering.

 

If you are interested in a potential future career in the Police Service or volunteering, but are concerned about how you will fit into working life with North Wales Police you are likely to find this event informative and supportive in helping you to make potential career decisions.

 

Further information regarding the roles of Police Constable, Police Community Support Officer, Special Constable and Police Volunteers is available via this link

County orders Welsh language audit

The county council has commissioned an audit on the Welsh Language situation in Denbighshire communities and wants to hear ideas from people on how the language can be enhanced and promoted over the coming years.
    

The council has commissioned Sbectrwm to undertake the review and to consult with key individuals, organisations and institutions.

    

Three meetings, arranged in conjunction with Menter Iaith Sir Ddinbych, will be held on the following dates:

   

21 January 2014 - Corwen Sports Pavilion (7.00 p.m)
- Sports Pavilion (7.00 p.m)

22 January 2014 - Scala Arts Centre, Prestatyn (7.00 p.m)

- Scala Arts Centre, (7.00 p.m)

23 January 2014 - Denbigh Town Hall (7.00 p.m)

- Town Hall (7.00 p.m)
- Sports Pavilion (7.00 p.m)
   
Hywyn Williams, Corporate Director - Communities, Denbighshire County Council, said: "The Council commissioned the audit for a number of reasons. The Welsh language is a subject of debate nationally and the proposed Welsh Language Standards are expected to come into effect in around a year's time.

"There has been a decline in the number of Welsh speakers in the county, which reflects the national position and we are keen to see an increase by the next census. The Council was also very eager to build on the interest in the Welsh language and culture following the tremendous success of the National Eisteddfod held in our county this year."
    

Cefin Campbell from Sbectrwm, said: "The main purpose of the meetings will be to consider the current state of the Welsh language in Denbighshire and invite ideas on how to revitalise the language in future. The intention is to look at many different sectors, for example – education, children and young people, Welsh learners, sports and leisure, business, planning, community activities and the use of Welsh in the workplace."

    

John Glyn Jones, Chairman of Menter Iaith Sir Ddinbych, said: "This is an open meeting for all those interested in the future of the language. Non-Welsh speakers are particularly welcome as there will be simultaneous translation facilities available on the evening to allow everyone to participate fully in the discussions.

   

"I hope that you will be able to attend one of the above meetings as your contribution to discussions on the language and how we can further promote the Welsh language in our community would be greatly appreciated."

    

For more information, call Sbectrwm on 01558 668663 or Menter Iaith Sir Ddinbych on 01745 812822. Or by e.mail to cefin@sbectrwm.com| or ruth@menterdinbych.org|

Skates calls for help to set up foodbank

* Ken  Skates with volunteers at a recent collection at
Tesco in Cefn Mawr.

ASSEMBLY Member Ken Skates is calling for community groups to help him set up a foodbank in his Clwyd South constituency.

Mr Skates is keen for more of the volunteer-run projects to open across Wrexham and Denbighshire in conjunction with national charity the Trussell Trust.

He said: “Every day people in Clwyd South and across Wales are going hungry. Trussell Trust foodbanks provide three-day emergency supply parcels with nutritionally balanced food, but they can only continue to do so with the support of the public and community groups.

“Rising costs of food, fuel and energy drinks combined with static income, high unemployment and changes to benefits are causing more and more people to go to foodbanks for help.

“The Trussell Trust forms partnerships with churches and community groups to open new foodbanks and currently has almost 400 in operation nationwide, including centres in Oswestry, Rhosddu, Mold and Denbigh. Their goal is for every town to have one, and I feel strongly that we need a foodbank in the heart of Clwyd South.”

Mr Skates added: “Sadly, schemes like this are becoming more widespread, but some 13 million people are currently living below the poverty line in the UK and food poverty is rising under the Tory-led Westminster Government.

“I have long been a supporter of the amazing work the Trussell Trust does and the fantastic work the volunteers do, and would love to see a centre up and running in my constituency.

“If anyone would like to discuss the possibility of setting one up in Clwyd South I would urge them to contact me by emailing Ken.Skates@Wales.gov.uk or by calling my office on 01978 869058, and we can take it from there.”

For more information visit www.trusselltrust.org/foodbank-projects.

700 join Plas Madoc demonstration

The BBC news website is reporting this evening that 700 people joined a demonstration outside the Plas Madoc leisure centre protesting against plans to close it and the Waterworld centre in Wrexham.

For the full story see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-25696072

Call goes out for First Responders

THE Welsh Ambulance Service is appealing to the people of North Wales to make a difference to family, friends or neighbours in distress by becoming a Community First Responder.

The Trust is to host an open evening on Tuesday, January 21 in Colwyn Bay in a bid to recruit new volunteers from Flintshire, Wrexham, Conwy and Denbighshire.

First responders are volunteers who give up their spare time to attend appropriate 999 calls and give first hand emergency care to people in their own community.

All volunteers will be trained by the Welsh Ambulance Service to administer basic first aid, oxygen therapy, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of a defibrillator.

First responders do not replace the normal response of a paramedic in a rapid response vehicle or an emergency ambulance, but support the patient until they arrive.

Claire Hurford, who will train the new recruits on behalf of the Trust, said: “Every second counts when you are trying to save someone’s life, and Community First Responder schemes are hugely beneficial in helping the ambulance service provide the best possible pre-hospital care for patients.

“Many of our volunteers have taken experiences that life has thrown at them, such as seeing a loved one suffer a heart attack, and have moulded them into a positive outlook to help family, friends and neighbours.

“You can make a big difference by just carrying out a few simple skills that we can teach you. If you are proud of the community in which you live, becoming a first responder can really help the heart of your village or town keeping beating long into the future.”

The two-hour event at Porth Eirias Watersports Complex in Colwyn Bay will start at 7pm.

After a brief introduction, visitors will get a detailed overview of the Community First Responder scheme, before hearing first hand from an existing first responder.

Those who would like to pursue it further will be given an informal interview and assessment on the evening.

“Community First Responders play an important role alongside frontline ambulance staff in making sure patients get appropriate help quickly and efficiently,” said Elwyn Price-Morris, Chief Executive of the Welsh Ambulance Service.

“Community First Responders are a key partner in the chain of survival and very much part of the whole Welsh Ambulance Service family,” he added.

If you would like to attend the open evening, call Claire Hurford on 01248 682028 or email Claire.Hurford@wales.nhs.uk so that you can fill out a pre-attendance questionnaire and make a note of important documentation you will need to bring.

Visit the ‘Community First Responders’ section of the Welsh Ambulance Service website for more information.

Chance to sing with Bryn Terfel on offer

 

 

* Legendary Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel.

 

A search has been launched for a talented young singer to perform with opera superstar Bryn Terfel at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

 

The hunt is on for a young boy to play Tobias Ragg in the Stephen Sondheim musical Sweeney Todd which will bring the curtain up on this year’s star-studded Eisteddfod in July.

 

Auditions will be held in February in Cardiff and at the Eisteddfod’s home in Llangollen where Musical Director Eilir Owen Griffiths will also be searching for two more ‘unknowns’ to join an all-Welsh cast for the performance on Monday, July 7.

 

He said: “As well as young Toby, we’re looking for two 18-25-year-olds to play the key roles of Anthony Hope and Johanna Baker, the two young lovers in this fantastic production.

 

“Somewhere out there is a young lad who doesn’t know it yet but in a few months he’ll be on stage with Bryn Terfel in front of a packed Royal International Pavilion – what a prospect.

 

“We have an all-star Welsh cast lined up, led by Bryn, and now we’re holding open auditions for these three key roles – Star Wars did it and if it’s good enough for George Lucas then it’s good enough for me.”

 

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street by Sondheim is set in 19^th century London and tells the story of the crazed barber who murders his clients and supplies the bodies to his accomplice, piemaker Mrs Lovett.

 

Sondheim’s multi-award winning classic was first performed on Broadway in 1979 and has since been a regular production across the world and on the big screen in 2007 when superstar Johnny Depp played Todd and Helena Bonham Carter his accomplice.

 

Bryn Terfel has played the role before, in 2002 in Chicago but hasn’t sung it since 2007 although he will be fronting a performance of it by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra at the Lincoln Center in New York in March.

 

It will be the first time he has performed on the International Eisteddfod stage since he opened the 2006 festival and that was his first appearance at Llangollen in a decade.

 

He said: “I’m absolutely thrilled I’m able to appear at the 2014 International Eisteddfod. I’m a proud Welshman and the International Eisteddfod is unique, the atmosphere, the colour, the audience, even the flowers, it really is a very, very special event.”

 

Eilir Owen Griffiths said: “It’s brilliant to have Bryn back this year and what an experience for those who come through the auditions to be on stage with him.

 

“I feel the Eisteddfod has a duty to encourage young talent in Wales and what an opportunity for those young up and coming singers, possibly complete unknowns, to come and star in this production. Giving young people the platform and a stage is something I really believe in and that’s why last year I’ve created the Children’s Choir of the World.

 

“It’s very exciting and the orchestra for the performance, the Sinfonia Cymru, is a very young orchestra also, conducted by maestro Gareth Jones.

 

“We need to be leaving a legacy and giving an opportunity for young people to shine.”

Anyone interested in taking part in the auditions in February, in Cardiff and Llangollen, should contact the Eisteddfod office by e-mail to events@international-eisteddfod.co.uk for more information.

 

Sweeney Todd will be the curtain raiser to six tremendous days at Llangollen which kicks off on Tuesday, July 8, with the Parade and a galaxy of international talent at the Carnival of Nations concert.

 

It will showcase spectacular circus acts from across the globe including Cirque du Soleil's Bruce Bilodeau, acrobats from the Chinese State Circus and Spellbound, winners of Britain's Got Talent.

 

The following night will see the return of Karl Jenkins, the highest selling classical composer alive today, with the world premiere of his latest masterpiece, Adiemus Colores.

 

He will conduct his Latin American themed work with American tenor Noah Stewart, Venezuelan trumpeter Pacho Flores and Latvian accordion player Ksenija Sidorova to the accompaniment of the Llangollen International Eisteddfod Orchestra.

 

The multi-award winning Dutch jazz singer Caro Emerald will be making her Llangollen debut on the Thursday evening.  Earlier this year her second studio album, The Shocking Miss Emerald, went to No 1 in the UK album chart.

 

The Friday night concert, Spirit of Unity, will feature the Cape Town Opera, Africa’s premiere opera company, famed for their "vibrant vocalism and high-octane stage performances".

 

Appearing with them will be Wales’ representative in Cardiff Singer of the World, Gary Griffiths, the Wales Millennium Centre Only Kidz Aloud Chorus under the baton of celebrity conductor Tim Rhys Evans and British Sinfonietta, one of the UK's leading independent professional orchestras.

 

The Choir of the World competition on the Saturday night is the blue riband event of the week-long festival and remains one of the foremost choral competitions in the international choral calendar.

 

Saturday will also feature a competition to find the dance champions of 2014 and to top the evening off Richard and Adam, who shot to fame on Britain’s Got Talent, will appear as special guests.

 

Bringing the house down on Sunday night will be legendary British rockers Status Quo who released the first of their 100 singles almost 50 years ago and are still Rocking All Over The World.

 

To book tickets and for more information on the 2014 festival go to the website at www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk