AM welcomes long-awaited bridge work

* Ken Skates AM at Postles Bridge.

AN Assembly Member has welcomed the news that work on a popular link bridge will soon be completed.

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates first wrote to Glandwr Cymru – the Canal and River Trust in Wales – more than two years ago after a constituent contacted him with concerns over the 19th-century Postles Bridge in Trevor.

Labour AM Mr Skates, who is based in Llangollen, said the cobbled access ramps to the roving bridge, built to allow horses to cross the canal, rendered it out of bounds to people in chairs, on bikes and pushing prams.

But now the structure, built by Thomas Telford, and a stretch of towpath are being modernised to improve access – with an expected completion date of the end of the month.

Mr Skates said: “I’m delighted that, more than two years after I first raised concerns, work will soon be finished on this important local landmark and it will be much more easily accessible for many more people.

“With its location next to the Trevor Basin in our beautiful World Heritage Site, the bridge is a key link to Llangollen. The work is expected to be completed by the end of the month, and I’m sure everyone who is as proud of the area as I am will join me in welcoming it.” 

Teams needed for Plas Madoc quiz night

Volunteers fighting to save Plas Madoc Leisure Centre are appealing for quiz-lovers to show their support at a general knowledge fundraiser.

The Splash Community Trust needs teams of six people for a quiz night at Flexys Club in Acrefair on Friday, May 23. All proceeds will go towards helping reopen the popular facility, which closed at the end of April.

Trust member director Greg Ogden, who lives in Trevor, said: “There will be questions on all sorts of things: Music, films and TV, sports, science – you name it. There will also be a raffle, and we’ve got several great prizes already including free haircuts and driving lessons, as well as a few bottles of wine.

“We’ve had quite a few teams sign up already, so it should be a great night for a fantastic cause. Come and show your support!”

Trust chairman Darrell Wright added: “The quiz night is one of several fundraisers we’ve got lined up, and it’s vital those who want Plas Madoc to reopen do their bit by supporting these events. We can only do this with their help.”

The quiz starts at 8pm and costs £3 per person. For more information, or to donate raffle prizes, call quizmaster Pete Roberts on 07925 377666.

* Anyone with fundraising ideas can email jennymiller08@hotmail.co.uk or call Jenny on 07921 6590990. The trust is still asking Plas Madoc supporters to fill in a short online survey which will help keep them up to date with developments and could help with grant applications. To complete it visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PMFUTURE

Chain Bridge progress report

Today's Denbighshire Free Press has a story about progress on the Chain Bridge renovation project.

See the full story at: http://denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/133579/200-year-old-chain-bridge-to-link-communities-once-again.aspx#.U2tz2WwGvsU.facebook

County is "scam capital of Wales" says Plaid

Plaid Cymru AM Llyr Gruffydd has warned householders to be aware of the dangers of scams in the wake of a huge number of complaints made to trading standards officers across Wales.

 

Scores of complaints about scams and unsolicited calls are being made to trading standards officers every week with councils across North Wales dealing with 2624 complaints over the past few years.

 

Denbighshire alone had more than 1,000 complaints over four years, second only to Swansea in terms of numbers. Many local authorities have also taken out prosecutions following complaints [see breakdown below]

 

Plaid Cymru submitted a Freedom of Information request to all Welsh local authorities to find out the extent of complaints about scams and cold calling. The figures released reveal Denbighshire as the “scam capital” of North Wales.

 

Mr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru’s North Wales AM, said: “Older people are more likely to fall victim to these scammers and lose their life savings as has happened too many.

 

“I support Age Cymru’s call for action by government and the telecom companies to tackle these scammers along with and measures such as an expansion cold-calling zones.

 

“The information we obtained using the Freedom of Information Act is an indication of the significant concerns of people about scammers. This is probably the tip of the iceberg because, while some individuals will make complaints, others may perhaps feel too embarrassed to complain. But they should go to the police and trading standards with any concerns

 

“These scammers and rogue traders are really the worst of society and it is important that we are all aware of the dangers, particularly if we have older relatives, friends or neighbours.”

 

This month Age Cymru is leading on a Scams Awareness Month highlighting online, mail, phone and doorstep scams.

 

The figures

 

 

DENBIGHSHIRE

 

Complaints about scams (post, phone, email, unsolicited mail, doorstep callers)

2010-11: 222

2011-12: 285

2012-13: 299

2013-14: 240 (up to January 31, 2014)

TOTAL: 1,046

Prosecutions: 6

 

 

FLINTSHIRE (for comparison)

 

Complaints about scams (post, phone, email, unsolicited mail, doorstep callers)

2010-11: 92

2011-12: 135

2012-13: 134

2013-14: 116 (up to January 31, 2014)

TOTAL: 477

Prosecutions: 0

 

Try an after-hours visit to Ruthin Gaol

Denbighshire Archives and Ruthin Gaol Museum are giving children a rare opportunity to visit at dusk to celebrate the Museums at Night out of hours festival.

Museums at Night is the annual after-hours festival of arts, culture and heritage when hundreds of museums, galleries, libraries, archives and heritage sites open their doors for special evening events.  There will be a story evening at the Gaol on Friday 16^th May which will see children joining in

There with local singer and story teller, Ruth Moore Williams and staff to make story time fun.

Children are encouraged to wear winter pyjamas, slippers and their dressing gown because the gaol can be quite cold in the evening.

Cost: £2 per child including milk and biscuit. Please call 01824 708281 to book your place. Recommended for 5 years and over and children must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.

Sickness virus affects Wrexham Maelor wards

The BBC is reporting that a sickness virus has affected four wards at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

For the full story see:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-27313901

KLS has latest Buy Local Day on Friday

Keep Llangollen Special has organised in latest Buy Local Day for this Friday, May 9.

The aim is to support Llangollen’s local traders and celebrate quality, personal service and value for money.