Call goes out to support next Plas Madoc demo

The campaign fighting Wrexham Council's plan to close Plas Madoc Leisure Centre has expressed its disappointment at the announcement that the centre will close within 60 days unless the community take it on.

Alison Roberts, speaking on behalf of the Save Plas Madoc Leisure Centre campaign, said: "This proposal only came to light in November. It went out to consultation in December and January and now they're talking of closing it in March. This is based on a flawed consultants' report that has underestimated usage, overestimated maintenance and repair costs and only has a superficial understanding of the importance of this facility for the wellbeing of the entire south of the county and beyond.

"We have attempted, as a campaign, to engage with the council by requesting meetings but been rejected. We have tried to get an independent surveyor into Plas Madoc to assess the true costs of the centre - again that has not been forthcoming.

"The idea of the community running the centre would have more merit if the council had involved the community in this consultation. Instead it has disregarded the community's views completely and appears willing to ride roughshod over our wishes. 

"Let's be clear. We do not believe that the council is serious is wanting the community to successfully run Plas Madoc - the timescale makes it all but impossible to organise an orderly and effective transfer. There are huge issues to discuss in terms of organising financing, employment rights, a business plan and other major matters that would take many months to organise for a large company let alone a community that would need to set up a social enterprise from scratch.

"The community has made it clear that what it favours is for the council to find the £96,000 annual savings it expects to see from closing Plas Madoc from another source. That could be from reserves, it could be by cutting non-frontline services or it could be through community councils stepping up to the plate. This is what's happened with other council services, such as libraries, community centres and lollipop ladies. All these were offered to community councils - why didn't they offer Plas Madoc to local community councils to bridge the gap?

"Cllr David Griffiths described leisure as a discretionary service but it has huge uncosted benefits for the community in terms of health and well-being. We could name some other council costs that are also discretionary that this council is not cutting - why? It appears we have council leaders who know the price of everything but the value of nothing."

Ms Roberts added: "The council leaders and officers' attitude throughout has been to railroad this closure plan through with the minimum of time to assess the options. The legacy of such a blinkered approach, if we allow them to succeed, will be hugely damaging for the surrounding area. 

"We do not accept that Plas Madoc has to close. We believe there are plenty of good people who want to see Plas Madoc survive and thrive. We believe that many councillors across the political spectrum feel the same way. It is now time for those councillors to have their say and ensure that the Executive Board on Tuesday votes down this proposal.

 

"With that in mind, we're urging everyone who wants Plas Madoc to survive to get down to the Guildhall for 1pm on Tuesday, 11th February, to make sure this proposal doesn't go through. We will be entitled to watch the Executive Board make their decision and will be carefully monitoring who votes for and against."

Llan police and college team up for success

A partnership scheme set up between an Oswestry college and the Llangollen policing team is providing learning opportunities for all involved. 

 

For the past 12 months, Llangollen based officers have been helping to provide students at Derwen College with a greater understanding of the role and the work of the police.

 

The college is a specialist residential college for young people aged between 16 and 25 year olds who have a wide range of learning difficulties and other disabilities.  Its aim is to nurture, develop and challenge the students to equip them with the skills they need for employment and to live as independently as possible.

 

While the students have been visiting police and learning more about their day to day work in the community and responsibilities,  the officers have also been gaining a greater understanding of issues facing young people with learning disabilities and difficulties.

 

Recently, four officers including District Inspector Siobhan Edwards and Sergeant Paul Hughes made a reciprocal visit to the college where they met up with the students – some of whom have Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Downs Syndrome - and their tutors where they had a further insight into the work on-going at the college.

 

“The partnership has broadened our knowledge immensely,” said Sgt Paul Hughes. “Many months ago, I was approached by Sarah Laszlo who is a teacher and Lead Learner Voice Co-ordinator at the college and organised for a number of groups of students to visit us and learn about policing – and it all stemmed from there.”

 

Many student visits have taken place. A number of presentations have been delivered by Sarah to staff in Llangollen. This in itself has given officers a valuable insight into the difficulties that people with learning disabilities may experience, especially when dealing with police.

 

Sgt Hughes added: “Through these presentations, we’ve been able to put ourselves in the position of the young adults, and try to see things from their perspective. This has allowed us to fully appreciate the difficulties they may face when communication is often difficult for them. In addition, we have also learnt more around how to recognise certain disabilities and the characteristics that may be displayed.”

 

He added: “We are committed to encouraging college students to approach the police should they find themselves in difficulty whilst living independently in the community.  It is vital that the message given to the students is that the police are not only there to deal with criminals, but are there to support and assist people who need our help in the community. I am delighted that this partnership has evolved.”

 

Speaking on behalf of the college, Sarah Laszlo said: “We are delighted here at Derwen that the reciprocal partnership between the College and the officers based in Llangollen has been, and continues to be so successful.  The opportunity to carry out mutually beneficial awareness building exercises has been invaluable and has gone a long way towards addressing any perceived barriers between the two groups.  Students at Derwen now have a far greater understanding of the police force's role in the community and officers can feel more confident when it comes to dealing with young people with learning difficulties and disabilities.  We look forward to further collaboration in 2014.”

No entertainment planned yet for St David's Day

Llangollen seems to have has nothing planned in the way of public entertainment for St David’s Day next month.

This was revealed at the latest meeting of the town’s chamber of trade and tourism held at the Hand Hotel on Monday evening.

A representative of Llangollen Tourist Information Centre told members that, as far as she knew, nothing was yet planned to entertain visitors on Saturday, March 1, with neither the Silver Band nor a school choir scheduled to make an appearance.

However, she said she was still awaiting information from “a few” other organisations on whether they had anything organised for the day.

Chamber chairman David Davies said: “I think this is an opportunity we shouldn’t miss to provide some kind of entertainment so that people stay around and spend money in the town.”

Looking ahead to other events, Mr Davies said a major bluegrass music festival would be coming to Llangollen for the first time this summer, which presented a good business opportunity and would hopefully become an annual local event.

* The Coastline Bluegrass Music Event is due to be held at Llangollen Pavilion from June 6-8.

The line-up features The Sons of Navarone (Belgium), The Bluegrass Playboys (Norway),  The New Essex Bluegrass Band and The Feet First Appalachian Clog Dancers.

 

There will also be concerts, Appalachian dance, workshops, open mic and Young Bluegrassers.

Weekend tickets are from £40.

For more information, see: http://hairyphotographer.co.uk/ai1ec_event/coastline-bluegrass-festival/?instance_id=

Check out food ratings before that Valentine's meal

After flowers or chocolates, the next big question that’s usually on the agenda for Valentine’s Day is whether to go out to that romantic restaurant or enjoy a quiet meal in.

Whatever your recipe for eating out or in this Valentine’s Day, make sure you choose one of the 735 eateries in Denbighshire with a rating of three or more, advises Denbighshire County Council.

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme rates food businesses on their hygiene standards, based on inspections carried out by the council.

Businesses in the area are rated on a scale ranging from 0 which means ‘urgent improvement necessary’ to a top rating of 5 which is ‘very good’.        

So, whether you’re reserving a table at that romantic hotspot, the cosy little café, or planning on ordering a takeaway on your way home for a romantic meal, make sure to check the hygiene rating first.  Look out for the green and black food hygiene rating stickers displayed on windows and doors.

If you can’t see a sticker, then ask staff in or check online at www.food.gov.uk/ratings

Councillor David Smith, Cabinet Lead Member with responsiblility for Food Safety, said: “Valentine’s Day is a busy time for our local restaurants, cafes and pubs and with the majority of food businesses in the Denbighshire area rated 3 or above. The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme makes it easier for everyone to choose to eat their romantic meals in places where food hygiene is taken seriously."

Geoff Ogle, Director of the Food Standards Agency in Wales, said:  “The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme is a great tool when choosing where to eat out, particularly when celebrating a special meal, because it tells you what’s going in the kitchen and behind the scenes. For local eateries, a good rating will be good for business during this busy time.”

This Valentine’s Day, make sure you order the flowers, buy the chocolates and check out the food hygiene rating of your favourite places to eat or order from, at www.food.gov.uk/ratings

Season gets under way at Llan Railway

* The steam train arrives at Berwyn on its return from Carrog.

 

The season at Llangollen began on Saturday with a heritage railcar service with steam train on Sunday.

 

The weekend option continues for weekend through to half term week then through March beginning daily services from Monday 24 March.

For the off-peak steam service on Sunday the tank engine Jessie (also known as Thomas when dressed up) was operating to provide the most economical motive power.

 

The Llangollen Railway timetable for this year is altered to reflect the eventual operation of trains through to Corwen when the track extension is opened - date to be announced.

This means that departure times from Llangollen are no longer on the hour.

For Timetable A, the off peak service, trains now depart Llangollen at:

 

10.50 - returns for 12.30

13.00 - returns for 14.40

15.10 returns for 16.50.

 

Visitors should be sure to check the timetable to allow for the revised times which also apply for the Timetable B & C peak days options.

 

Another full season of events is planned and in summary are:

Days Out With Thomas 22/23 February, 31 May/1  June, 2/3 plus 7-10 August and 25/26 October

10/11 May there is a Teddy Bears' Picnic weekend

4-6 April is the Spring Steam gala with two visiting engines and an intensive tim etable of trains marking a Croes Newydd (Wrexham) Special event

21/22 June will be the weekend for the Heritage Railcar gala and 5/6 October will see a celebration of Railcar 60 to mark the anniversary of the introduction of the diesel railcars by British Railways.

22 March and 27 September are both diesel days when the home fleet operates train services

5/6 July is the Classic Transport we ekend with visiting omnibuses and a classic vehicle display at Glyndyfrdwy

29-31 August is the late Summer gala when an intensive train service will operate.

24 May & 13 September a Steam & Jazz train will operate in the evening with visiting bands  

20 July The Llangollen Fringe Festival presents a Blues Steam train in the evening

12 July and 18 October, plus a festive 13 December, Real Ale trains will operate in the evenings

7 June , 16 August and 1 November will have Murder Mystery trains in the evenings

31 October Fright Night on the Ghost train to mark Halloween 

2 November Ride the Rocket Firework train to Glyndyfrdwy brings the season to a close pending the festive season of Sa nta Specials and Mince Pie trains in December.

Full details on the Llangollen Railway website at: www.llangollen-railway.co.uk

Town set to say farewell to HSBC branch

* Chamber chairman David Davies, with placard, leads the "save our bank" demo

outside HSBC last year. 

Llangollen Chamber of Trade and Tourism will send a simple note of thanks to staff at the HSBC bank in Llangollen before it closes this Friday.

The chamber discussed the controversial closure at its meeting in the Hand Hotel on Monday evening and Simon Collinge suggested it would be nice to send flowers and a card to staff as a mark of thanks for the service they had provided to customers over a number of years.

However, members eventually decided just to send the thank you note.

Chamber chairman David Davies said the bank building in Bridge Street was now up for sale at £275,000 and Simon Collinge pointed out that it would finally close for business at 3pm this Friday.

Recalling that the chamber had led efforts to save the doomed branch, including holding a high-profile demonstration outside, Mr Davies said: “We’ve done what we can and I think we just have to draw a line under that one now.

“It was right to try and fight but now we have to send all our business to Barclays to make sure they are retained in the town.

“Luckily, their branch has 10 years on the lease so that might be in our favour.”

Loud protest over Plas Madoc closure plan

* A mass of demonstrators outside the Guildhall. Picture by courtesy of Marc Jones.

Around 160 protesters - many with whistles and using other noise-making devices - turned up outside the Guildhall in Wrexham this afternoon (Tuesday) to demonstrate against the proposed closure of Plas Madoc leisure centre.

Inside, councillors were taking part in a workshop session connected with the closure proposal ahead of a final decision being taken on the move by the council's executive board next Tuesday.

For the full story see: http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/protest-save-plas-madoc-leisure-6672319