Mike completes gruelling Chirk Triathlon

* Mike Edwards completes the cycling section of the event.

 

An intrepid Llangollen man was amongst the 400 athletes from across the country who took part in Sunday’s Chirk Triathlon.

The gruelling event, now in its 22^nd year, featured a 400-metre pool swim at Chirk Leisure Centre, a 24km cycle ride from the centre out to Glyn Ceiriog and back, then a 5km run on single lane roads towards Halton and back.

Mike Edwards from Llangollen completed the challenge in 1:39:54.

Chris Standidge, from Northwich, was the first male to finish the race, and Beth Hughes, who was running for City of Chester Triathlon Club, was the first female entrant to cross the line.

Wrecsam Triathlon Club, which runs the event, has praised the support from North Wales Police, Wrexham Council highways and the leisure departments for their continuing support.

The club has also thanked the local air cadets and guides who assisted on the run course and pool respectively.

Plas Madoc community trust seeks magic models

Volunteers fighting to save Plas Madoc Leisure Centre are calling on members of the public to become models for a day.

The recently-formed Splash Community Trust is appealing for residents of all ages to offer their help by posing as ‘magic models’ and playing a part in the popular facility’s revival.

The centre, which could be renamed sPLASh Madoc or sPLASh Magic, will close at the end of April – but the trust wants to reopen it as a social enterprise as soon as the summer.

Committee member and marketing professional Alison Roberts said: “We will be producing material to promote Plas Madoc and we want to show it through the eyes of the people who use it.

“We want to give a true reflection of the fantastic fun to be had at the centre, whether it’s basketball or badminton sessions, swimming lessons, pool parties or roller discos – there’s something for everyone and we want to highlight that.”

Alison added: “Plas Madoc – and our whole campaign – is about the people, and we want to mirror this in our future marketing initiatives.”

Volunteers are wanted at the half-term roller disco from 1pm-2.30pm on Thursday, April 24, and the pool fun inflatables session at 6.30pm the same day, when there will be consent forms for children.

Trust director Greg Ogden added: “This is another way members of the public can help us, so please come along and show your support for Plas Madoc.

“We will continue to advertise key events and dates through Facebook, Twitter and the local press, so keep your eyes peeled, and remember that anyone with fundraising ideas can email jennymiller08@hotmail.co.uk or call Jenny on 07921 6590990.”

The trust is still urging people to fill in a short online survey which will help keep centre users up to date and could help with grant applications. To complete it visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PMFUTURE

Historic loco heads to Camarthen

 

* Luke Denoven and Harry Jones with TVR 28 before it left for Carmarthen.

Picture by Llangollen Railway's chief engineer Dave Owen.

A restored Welsh-built steam locomotive believed to be one of the last of its type has made its way from Llangollen to Carmarthen.

The standard gauge loco known as TVR 28 was built in 1897 and began its journey on the back of a lorry, going via Cardiff Bay's Coal Exchange, on Thursday.

Now painted in Great Western colours, it is going on display at the Gwili Steam Railway with the only Welsh-built standard gauge carriage.

The train was restored in workshops at Llangollen Railway. Before it left the workshop's two first year apprentices Luke Denoven and Harry Jones, both from Wrexham, posed in front of it. They have both played a major role in the loco's restoration.

 

 

Warning over suspect mattress sales

Trading Standards officers in Denbighshire are warning residents to be on their guard against suspect mattress sales.

The warning comes after reports were received that there is a white van travelling throughout the area offering “discounted” mattresses for sale.

Although residents who bought a mattress were given hand written receipts by people driving the van,  

Trading Standards are advising the public to be cautious about buying from unknown sources as they may not get exactly what they expect.

Emlyn Jones, Public Protection Manager, said: “We are unable to confirm whether the mattresses bear the correct labels and whether they comply with the applicable safety legislation, such as flammability requirements.

“Additionally, we are unable to confirm that this is a legitimate business.  

"Without the ability to trace the business consumers would not be able implement their cancellation rights – a seven-day cooling off period for goods bought on the doorstep where they can change their mind and cancel the contract at no charge – or, should a problem develop after purchase, it may be difficult to try and claim a refund for the price paid.”

They have urged anyone approached to purchase a mattress on their doorstep or whilst in the street to just to say no.

Anyone approached by these sellers can report the matter to police by calling 101 or Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice consumer service on 08454 04 05 06 (08454 04 05 05 for Welsh language).

This helpline offers free, independent and impartial advice on all consumer issues.

People are advised to try and report the vehicle registration as well as any trading name the sellers are using.

Pengwern chosen for 20mph pilot scheme

Pengwern in Llangollen is one of 11 sites across Denbighshire chosen for a pilot 20mph speed restriction scheme by the county council.

It has been included in the list following a successful application by local county councillor Stuart Davies who said he decided to do so after receiving representations from residents concerned about speeding on the estate.

In a message giving details of the scheme to him, Ben Wilcox-Jones, the county’s senior engineer for sustainable transportation, says: “Following the successful completion of a consultation exercise with members and North Wales Police, I am now able to announce that 11 sites have been selected to participate in our 20mph pilot scheme.

“The sites have been selected to encompass a variety of highway related characteristics like vehicle speeds, traffic volumes and accident statistics and also to ensure a balanced geographical spread throughout the county.

“A programme for the implementation of the scheme is now being developed and it is hoped that, subject to successful completion of the statutory consultation procedures associated with the 20mph orders, the trial will commence on site in September 2014.”

The 10 other sites included in the pilot scheme are in Prestatyn, Ruthin, Llanfair DC, Cynwyd, Rhuddlan, Denbigh, Henllan, Llandymog and Rhyl.

 

MP hits out over PIP payments

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones MP has called for Government action on the "scandal" of Personal Independence Payments (PIP).

Ms Jones was leading a debate in Parliament on PIPs in Wales. 

According to official Government documentation, the purpose of PIPs "is to help towards some of the extra costs arising from a health condition or disability.”

It is the replacement for Disability Living Allowance which has been put in place by the current Government and can be used to cover transport, care and all sorts of other costs that can be vital to those who are disabled or sick.

In her speech, the MP said: "We are talking about failure – paid for by the taxpaying public – being subsidised on a massive, multi million pound basis. 

"Somehow, somewhere, someone has to carry the can for what has happened here as the result of a deal between a private company and the Government."

 

During the debate Ms Jones and other MPs gave examples of how people with cancer and other debilitating conditions are kept waiting several months before receiving assessments and payments.

 

Replying for the Government, Department for Work and Pension Minister Mike Penning MP admitted that the system was not working well.

 

after the debate, Ms Jones said: "The current system is a mess and urgently needs to be sorted out.

 

"Ordinary people do not pay their taxes for this sort of incompetence."

Julie stages musical theatre workshop for youngsters

Llangollen-based professional dance tutor Julie Thomas is running an Easter Musical Theatre Workshop in Wrexham.

It will be based on the popular Roald Dahl children’s book Matilda, which tells the story of a little girl who adores reading but whose parents actually want her to watch more TV!

Julie says there are lots of parts for boys and girls, including Miss Honey, Matilda,  Miss Trunchbull, Mrs Wormwood, Miss Phelps, Hortensia and Bruce Bogtrotter.

Songs include When I Grow Up and Revolting Children.

The two-day Workshop will be held in The Catrin Finch Centre at Glyndwr University on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 15^th and 16^th, with a live performance for parents/family on the last day at 4pm.