Linking memories – a bridge through time

A new project on the famous Chain Bridge at Llantysilio has begun. 

The bridge has gone through three reincarnations in its lifetime, the first dating back to 1817.

It is believed, through work carried out by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW), that it is possibly the oldest cast iron chain link bridge in the Western world.

Now, after its closure in the 1980s, a new project is underway which focuses on the historic bridge.

The £350,000 Heritage Lottery funded project will involve a series of events with local communities and schools. 

Samantha Jones, Heritage Officer for the project, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for the local area. I am keen for as many people as possible to be involved in the project. One way people can get involved is through helping us gather memories of the bridge and we are looking for volunteers to help us with this.”

On Friday, February 21, there will be a free training event which is open to everyone.

The event is being held at the Llangollen Town Hall running from 10.30am to 3.30pm.

The day will provide an opportunity to learn more about the project along with presentations by heritage experts who will speak about digital archiving, guide volunteers in the use of various recording kit and equipment along with helpful tips on interviewing techniques.

Volunteers will also have the chance to practice their interviewing skills with assistance from the experienced professionals. Speakers will include Helen Rowe and Nikki Vousden from RCAHMW; David Crane from the Llangollen Museum; and local heritage professional Lorna Jenner. 

If you are unable to attend this date but still want to get involved or have a story you want to share please contact the Chain Bridge team.

* For more information or to book your place please contact Samantha Jones at chainbridgeheritage@gmail.com or call 07936590867.

You can keep up to date on the project via Facebook, Twitter and our Wordpress site, www.chainbridgeproject.wordpress.com

Latest roadworks details

Hall Street, Llangollen, road closure from March 10-28 to allow the laying of road cables.

Brook Street, Llangollen, road closure from February 25-March 18 to allow laying of new cables.

Outside the Canoe Centre, Berwyn Road, Llangollen, temporary traffic lights from March 24-26 to allow water works.

Prince of Wales Pub, Regent Street, Llangollen, temporary traffic lights from March 24-26 to allow water works.

Birch Terrace, Llangollen, A5 from area boundary to Queen Street, temporary traffic lights from February 20-March 6 to allow retaining wall works.

Park Avenue- Hall Street, Berwyn Street, Llangollen, temporary traffic lights until March 14 to allow the laying of new cables.

Dee floods near Corwen

* A picture of the Dee flooding from North Wales Police control room.

The River Dee has burst its banks at Corwen.

On Twitter at about 9.30am, the North Wales Police control room says: “Flooding in Corwen. Green Lane only just passable with extreme care. Don't take risks, use an alternative route.”

Another tweet from the control room at around the same time says the flooding is near Carrog.

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Research prompts call for Plas Madoc to be saved

New research revealing that poorer communities are less physically active has prompted calls for Wrexham Council to reverse its decision to close Plas Madoc leisure centre.

 

The research by the ESRC (Economic and Social research Council) says that being less physically active is storing up huge health-related problems for the future.

 

Researchers from the ESRC examined data on over one million adults in England. The large sample size and detailed local information made it possible to produce precise estimates of the link between physical inactivity and different aspects of individual socio-economic positions, adjusted for local cost of physical activity.

Their research shows high levels of inactivity are closely associated with people’s socio-economic position – specifically income, education and local area deprivation. Other factors influencing physical activity include gender, ethnic group, age and geographic area.

 

The policy implications refer to:

- Subsidising sports centres and swimming pools to keep prices low could enable low-income people to attend local facilities

- Financial support for the development of sports facilities in lower socio-economic areas with reduced tax bases could provide gyms, football pitches and pools which are free at the point of access.

Plaid Cymru Clwyd South spokesperson, Mabon ap Gwynfor said: “Plas Madoc is in one of the most deprived wards in Wales. This research shows that inactivity levels and deprivation levels are linked. Our Health system is already struggling. The closure of Plas Madoc is a short sighted decision which will create huge problems for the future.

“The ESRC is a respected research body and is the UK's largest organisation for funding research on economic and social issues. It says that swimming pools and sports centres should be kept open and financial support should be given to develop sports facilities.

“By contrast, Wrexham Council is actively closing a popular leisure centre based in one of our most deprived wards.

“Diabetes Type Two is on the increase; obesity levels are rising; heart disease continues to be the nation’s biggest killer. All of these cost our NHS tens of millions every year. Health costs could be cut if we provided more leisure facilities. Plas Madoc is ideally placed to play an important part in tackling these health issues and help ease the burden on our health service.”

Plas Madoc campaigners pledge to fight on

Organisers behind the Save Plas Madoc Leisure Centre Campaign have expressed their disappointment at Tuesday’s vote to close Plas Madoc but say they are resolute in continuing their campaign for its survival.

As the next step in they have announced a public meeting for next week, Thursday 20th February at the Air Products Social Club in Acrefair.

One of the Organisers, Greg Ogden, said: "Naturally, we are disappointed that the WCBC Executive Board chose to inflate their egos with an unnecessary dream over the well-being of the vulnerable and less-abled people in the community. However, we believe that we can persuade the council to change their minds and vote for the Leisure Centre to remain open."

"We are constantly being stopped in the street with people angry that Wrexham South is being abandoned by its council and politicians. The vote for closure is the only topic of conversation in the local shops and cafés. These same people are telling us that they will remember which councillors have neglected them at the next ballot box. We have promised them that we record and publish how each councillor votes.

"One local resident told me, 'What is the council for, if they won't listen to what the public want for their area? What is the point of the council, if it closes our valued services and amenities?' The campaign team wholeheartedly agrees with this sentiment, what is purpose of the council, if it won't fulfill the wishes of its residents?"

Another campaign organiser Darrell Wright, said: "We are inviting all those concerned with the plight of Plas Madoc to meet next Thursday. Together we will plan how we can secure the future of the Leisure Centre and how the campaign will be run over the next few weeks. We encourage everyone who can make it to be there.

"In the meantime, we urge everyone to contact their local councillor and demand that they vote to save Plas Madoc at the full council meeting on February 26."

In the next few days, the campaign team will meet with AM Ken Skates and Cllr Paul Blackwell to tell them how angry their voters are with the council's decision.

The team is also discussing professional advice they have had which they say states that the social enterprise/community trust initiative is being set up to fail, as the council is "dragging their heals" over presenting information that was first requested in October.

Church to hold St David's Day celebration

St Collen's Church, Llangollen, is holding a St David’s Day celebration in the church hall at 7pm on Saturday, March 1.

Welsh stew and sandwiches will be served and tickets, at £5, are available from the vicar on 01978 860231.

Lib Dems launch 'more nurses' campaign

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have launched their ‘More Nurses’ campaign in a bid to make Wales the first country in the UK to establish a legal duty for safe nurse staffing levels. 

 

In December, Kirsty Williams AM was drawn in the National Assembly’s private member’s ballot with her proposal for minimum nurse staffing levels to be enshrined in law. 

 

She is working with the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) to encourage people to support the campaign to allow the legislation to be taken forward and properly debated. 

 

Assembly Members will vote on the proposed bill on March 5.

 

North Wales Lib Dem AM Aled Roberts (pictured left) said: "There is increasing evidence from across the world that nurse staffing levels have a significant impact on patient care and the recruitment and retention of staff.  Yet sadly in Wales our nurses are under immense pressure with high workloads, which means they are unable to give the level of care they would like.

 

“It is staggering to see the vast difference in the ratio of nurses to patients in Wales when compared to the rest of the UK.  Our nurses are being forced to do more, but with less.  Wales deserves better than that.

 

“Mandatory nurse staffing levels in other countries have led to increased recruitment and retention of nurses, reduced reliance on agency staff, fully funded budgets for safe staffing levels, better patient care, more manageable workloads, increased job satisfaction and reduced stress.

 

“Safe nurse staffing levels would also be a more efficient use of funding, reducing reliance on costly agency staff and overtime, reducing lengthy hospital stays and reducing the risk of harm. 

 

“I want Wales to lead the way in being the first country in the UK to establish a legal duty for safe nurse staffing levels.  We have three weeks left to make the case for this bill to progress to the next stage.  I urge everyone to visit www.morenurses.org.uk to make their voice heard and encourage their local AM to vote ‘Yes’ on March 5.”