Children's author at the library

Libraries will be celebrating Denbighshire Children’s Book Week from October 6-10.

Over 1200 children across the county will be visiting their local library to meet one of the five popular children’s authors who are coming to Denbighshire this year.

The authors - Chris d’Lacey, Shoo Rayner, Caryl Parry Jones, Dan Anthony and Elen Caldecott - will be talking about their books and how they became writers, and encouraging children to read avidly and use their local library.

Elen Caldecott will be at Llangollen Library on Wednesday, October 8, meeting children from Years 3 and 4 Ysgol Gwernant at 9.30am, Ysgol Dinas Brân Year 7 at 11am and Ysgol Bryn Collen Year 5-6  at 1.30pm. 

“Children’s Book Week is one of the highlights of an annual programme of events in our libraries to promote reading”, said Bethan Hughes of Denbighshire Libraries.

“We know that meeting and speaking with an author can have a lasting effect on a child and his or her attitude towards reading.

"Children who have not yet discovered the pleasure of reading are often motivated to pick up a book because they’ve met its author, and this is so important in their development as confident and able readers.

"Libraries play a crucial role in supporting children’s reading outside the classroom, giving children free access to good quality books and the freedom to choose what they want to read, helped and supported by library staff to make good choices.

“We are delighted to welcome the authors to Denbighshire and thank publishers Firefly Press and Chicken House for their support.”

Pledges from Plaid Cymru's local candidate

 

* Mabon ap Gwynfor, Plaid Cymru’s parliamentary candidate for Clwyd South.

 

A Living Wage for all and getting fairer funding to invest in jobs and the economy will be two of the main issues championed by Plaid Cymru during the 2015 General Election.

These were the pledges made Mabon ap Gwynfor, Plaid Cymru’s parliamentary candidate for Clwyd South next May.

 

He also said that banning Fracking and improving health services were priorities as well.

 

Mabon ap Gwynfor said: “It's about jobs and the economy. Plaid Cymru, along with the SNP and Green Party,  is a progressive grouping of MPs at Westminster. It’s increasingly likely that there will be another hung Parliament with no one party having a clear majority.

 

"In that event, the Plaid Cymru progressive bloc could hold the balance of power. People can be confident therefore that a vote for Plaid Cymru counts and we can make a radical and positive difference at an UK level.

 

“Securing a Living Wage – currently around £7.65 an hour - for all is crucial to improve the quality of life of many families here in Clwyd South. There are 2,354 families in this constituency living with a problem debt, and at least 20% of our workers live below the living wage.

 

"Women especially would benefit as they are less likely to be paid the Living Wage than men due to women being more likely to be in low paid, part-time work. It’s important to see this as part of a larger economic package that helps small businesses by extending rate relief far beyond the current level and reducing VAT for the tourist industry to 5%.

“The introduction of a Living Wage alone could create a further 265 jobs in this constituency alone, based on the fact that more money would circulate in the local economy."

Mabon ap Gwynfor explained that securing a fair funding to create jobs and boost the economy was also a key commitment: “The HS2 High Speed train from London to Leeds will cost the tax payer £50bn. We will be paying for this, yet the only real beneficiaries will be London and the south east of England. By scrapping this wasteful extravagance Wrexham Council could be £9.5m a year better off for the next 12 years.

“People can vote for Plaid Cymru next year confident that we could be in a position to make a real difference to their lives.”

Mabon ap Gwynfor is a married father of three young children and lives near Corwen. He has been a long-time campaigner for improved health services, including the campaign to keep hospital beds in Llangollen and campaigning to keep neo-natal intensive care services at Wrexham Maelor.

 

He is the co-founder and chair of the North Wales Health Alliance, established to fight the downgrading of health services in the region. He is also a Parent Governor at his children’s local primary school, and a director of one of Wales’ National Theatres.   

Off-roading concerns aired at Town Hall meeting

CONCERNS about off-roaders using parts of the countryside close to Llangollen were aired at a packed public meeting in the Town Hall yesterday (Thursday) evening.

The meeting, which was attended by around 100 people including representatives of Denbighshire County Council, local police and residents, was called to discuss issues arising from the use by 4x4 vehicles and motorcyclists of unsurfaced roads in the area close to the town.

People voiced concerns about the use of the Allt Y Badi as a "feeder" funnel to the Ceiriog Valley and uplands.

Illegal activities were the main bone of contention and the fact that the Allt Y Badi is classed as a highway.

A number of off-roaders were also at the meeting to counter the criticisms made against them.

Llangollen county councillor Stuart Davies, who was there on the night, said: “It was a well attended meeting with representations from all types of users and residents, and full and frank views were exchanged.

“People wanted to have Allt Y Badi declassified but I made the point that to do so would be a long and costly process with no guarantee of success and that in today’s current financial climate, where members are being asked to consider the closure of old peoples accommodation, closing a highway comes low on the list of priorities.”

Cllr Davies explained that the county council has set up meetings at which the authorities and stakeholders will discuss the issues and plan joint actions to address them.

He added: “I will be attending these meetings to put forward the views of constituents.

“I believe that closing or downgrading Allt Y Badi would entail a long and costly battle through the legal system because there are just as many user groups supporting the retention of the status of this road as are against it.

“I think the answers are therefore compromise and targeted upholding of the law and I believe this can be achieved through the meetings set up by the county council for next month when I will be pushing for this.”

Salmon stocking of Welsh Rivers to be phased out

A major change in the way Natural Resources Wales works to protect wild salmon has been agreed.

A comprehensive review of scientific research found that hatchery-reared young salmon have a much lower survival rate than young wild fish, and can harm existing wild salmon populations.

NRW now intends to phase out salmon stocking by 2015 and close its hatcheries at Mawddach, near Dolgellau and Maerdy near Corwen.

The proposal was confirmed this week by NRW’s board.

The Cynrig hatchery, near Brecon, will remain open and NRW will assess the possibility of developing a freshwater research centre on the site.

Ceri Davies, Director of Knowledge, Strategy and Planning for Natural Resources Wales said: “We are passionate about making sure that Wales has a healthy and sustainable salmon population. To do that, we need to use our resources as effectively as possible.

“We’ve done a lot over the years to improve water quality and, together with our partners, to improve habitats and resolve barriers to migration. We believe the benefits of these are now starting to have effect, and this will improve freshwater conditions for our salmon and other fish.

“Our rivers are an important part of our environment. They provide essential habitats for fish and other wildlife as well as giving people opportunities to enjoy the outdoors through angling and other water-based activities.”

NRW says it looked at a wide range of scientific evidence from the UK and abroad which suggested there are more effective ways to support salmon in Welsh rivers. A public consultation did not come up with any evidence to the contrary.

Salmon became extinct on the River Taff during the industrial revolution and stocking played a part in its recovery along with some other previously industrialised rivers.

A study has now revealed that, after stocking provided that initial boost to restore the population, more salmon would be produced if fish were left in the river to spawn rather than taken for hatchery rearing.

Money raised from the sale of the hatcheries will be used to improve fisheries in rivers which have previously been stocked, including work to improve habitats or to open new migratory routes.

And NRW will be working with partner organisations to implement these improvement programmes.
Over the last 10 years NRW, Welsh Government and the EU funded Sustainable Fisheries Programme has, in partnership with Rivers Trusts and others, invested millions of pounds t.o improve fish stocks.

This includes opening up over 1,500km of access to spawning grounds by building fish passes and improving more than 500 kilometres of habitat by, for example, fencing to keep livestock away from river banks and prevent delivery of sediments to the rivers.

The decision has gained support from Dr Stephen Marsh-Smith OBE, Director of The Wye and Usk Foundation, who said: “NRW have been very courageous in these proposals, challenging what are some extremely entrenched beliefs.

“Although it might be argued that given the weight of scientific evidence the cessation of stocking is long overdue, historically, changes to any fisheries management or byelaw have invariably been watered down to get past a minority of vociferous critics.

“This time the new organisation has gone with the evidence and honoured the sustainable principles enshrined in their name."

Ceri Davies of NRW added: “We recognise that there will be some debate around this decision, but scientific evidence shows that this is the best course of action to secure the future of wild salmon and angling in Wales.

“We have an opportunity to think creatively about the best way to support fish stocks so our rivers can continue to provide benefits to the wildlife, people and economy of Wales.

“We have agreed to develop a robust action plan to do this and will report back on progress.”

Railcar event at railway this weekend

* The heritage Wickham unit and staff at Llangollen when the token

is handed over to allow the train to proceed.

The advent of the railcar in Britain in the 1950s revolutionised rail travel and saw the demise of the steam locomotive. 

A special event to mark the 60^th anniversary of the introduction of diesel railcars to Britain takes place at the Llangollen Railway this weekend.

 

The railcar was a two-coach train with its own engines which revolutionised the fortunes of the railways in the 1950s.

 

It appealed to passengers because of its modern, clean interior and particularly because they could get a “driver’s eye” view of the line ahead through large windows at each end of the train.

 

Business doubled or even tripled on lines where these railcars were introduced and at the same time costs were reduced to as little as a quarter, compared with the steam trains they had replaced.

 

The event, which features intense running from four of the Llangollen line’s fleet of railcars, also commemorates the 30^th anniversary of the Dee Valley Line obtaining its first redundant railcar from British Railways.

 

Nowadays these railcars are looked after by a charity, Llangollen Railcars, which is celebrating its 20^th anniversary.

 

Chairman of Llangollen Railcars, Evan Green-Hughes said: “Railcars saved many rural lines from extinction and perhaps had the Ruabon-Barmouth route survived just a few years longer they might have done the same for our line.

 

"We have operated railcars on the Llangollen Railway for 30 years now and they have enabled the railway to stay open and provide a service at times when it is not economical to provide a steam train. Many people who have not travelled on one before are amazed at the good all round views which these trains provide.”

 

This weekend’s event will feature a tour of the railcar depot, a photographic evening, talks, film shows and an exhibition.

 

Delegates from many of the UK’s other heritage lines are also due to attend, as the Railcar Association, the national body dealing with railcar preservation, is holding its annual meeting at the railway on Saturday.

 

The Llangollen line has an award-winning fleet of railcars, several of which are unique survivors. These include a sister to the railcar which inspired the song; “Last Train to San Fernando”.

 

Details of the event can be found at www.LlangollenRailcars.com

 

Clairvoyance date for Plas Madoc group

* Splash Community Trust member Jenny Miller and

director Greg Ogden sifting through entries to the competition to

design a mascot for the centre.

VOLUNTEERS aiming to save Plas Madoc Leisure Centre are asking the public to get into the fundraising spirit by attending a clairvoyance evening.

The event is the latest to be held to raise cash ahead of the planned reopening of the mothballed facility, which could take a huge step forward on Tuesday (October 7) if Wrexham Council votes to give the Splash Community Trust £50,000 towards start-up costs.

The evening is at Air Products Social Club in Acrefair from 7.30pm on Thursday, October 23, and is being put on by the Spiritual Connections Paranormal Group. Entry is £5 per person.

Trust director Greg Ogden said: “Private readings will be available, and all proceeds will go towards reopening Plas Madoc.

“We raised almost £100 at last weekend’s car boot sale at Chirk and have now made more than £500 over the last five Sundays. There is plenty of other money coming in too – and every penny will go on getting the centre back open as soon as possible.”

Greg, Splash chairman Darrell Wright and Plas Madoc supporters Anthony Roberts and Cliff Bennion are still counting up the cash from their recent bike ride from North East Wales to Birmingham – with the total expected to come in at over £2,500.

Greg said scores of volunteers have come forward since the Trust’s last public meeting at Air Products on September 18, and people are still getting in touch.

He added: “There is a real excitement building and the belief is back that as a community we are going to make this happen.”

Greg and fellow Trust member Jenny Miller are currently sifting through dragon-themed designs for a mascot for the centre, which will be called Splash Magic when it reopens, after launching a competition for local schoolchildren.

Greg said: “We’ve had some brilliant entries and will be using the winning creation as the inspiration for our final mascot, but first we’ve got to choose a winner!

“We thought this would fun way to engage with local children and for them to be a part of what we are doing, and they will also be helping us ensure that Plas Madoc is still around when they have children of their own.”

For information about the clairvoyance evening visit www.spiritualconnectionsgroup.co.uk or email jennymiller08@hotmail.com. To donate to the Trust visit www.splashmagic.co.uk.

Llan to Corwen rail line re-opens on October 22

* A test train on the new line at Bonwm Gates, near the bends on the A5,

with a Class 26 locomotive pulling a set of coaches.

Trains will run again between Llangollen and Corwen later this month for the first time in almost half a century.

Llangollen Railway has just announced that the fulfilment of its £1 million dream to re-open the line between the two Dee Valley towns will come on Wednesday, October 22 when special commemorative passenger trains take to the rails.

The extension will be formally declared open on St David’s Day, March 1, next year.

The original line was axed and Corwen station shut in 1965 as part of the Beeching plan with the rails being taken up three years later.

But Llangollen Railway volunteers began work on a two-mile (3.2km) extension to reopen the severed link in 2011.

The scheme includes a temporary platform at the Corwen end of the line.

Following a recent track inspection, the railway’s general manager Kevin Gooding made an historic announcement which says: “The track inspection was successfully completed, with requirements for specific items to receive attention, to allow for the extension to Corwen to open for public services with effect from October 22.”

On that day special trains will run along the re-opened line carrying passengers who have made a contribution to the project, and Mr Gooding added that he will shortly be contacting those qualifying for a seat by post with details of the ticketing arrangements.

Unallocated tickets will subsequently be on offer to the general public at a premium fare.

A new public service to Corwen will operate during half term week from Monday, October 27 and at weekends until the end of the season on November 9.

As a pre-event option during the Railcars 60 weekend, this weekend October 4/5, trains will be extended to Colomendy Curve, short of the Corwen station site.

During September contractors put up the 330ft wooden decking platform at Corwen, which pedestrians can access on a graded ramp.

The approach to the ramp from the town car park is through the trees by the area of the Flood Alleviation Scheme’s water catchment installation where a portable building is now installed thanks to grant aid from the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Painted externally in chocolate and cream, the interior is being fitted out to provide AONB information about the Dee Valley and offer facilities for station staff.

A formal all-weather path through to the station site is due to be installed by the Countryside Services of Denbighshire County Council.

George Jones, for Llangollen Railway, said: “We have made tremendous progress this summer and trains will operate to Corwen in the tail end of the 2014 season.

“This short period of train services will provide experience in operating the extension prior to the formal opening on March 1, 2015 and a full season of trains linking Llangollen with Corwen during 2015.”

He added: “The point has to be made that the extension is now an active railway and trains may come at any time west of Carrog.”