County's school meals service amongst best in UK

Denbighshire County Council's school meals has once again been independently judged to be among the top six best performing in the UK.

It took the accolade in the face of stiff competition from larger councils from the North West of England and other areas around the UK.  

The service was judged on school meal uptake, productivity, training, communication to customers and procurement and this is the fifth year in a row that the service has been short-listed  - the service won the award last year.

A council spokesperson said: "Denbighshire is rightly proud of it's school meals team which consistently perform well when compared against other councils school meals services." 

Warning to businesses over debt recovery scams

Trading Standards officers in Denbighshire are warning businesses to be on their guard against suspect debt recovery calls.

The warning comes after reports were received that businesses are being telephoned by people claiming to be from a debt collection agency chasing an outstanding debt. The threat of further legal action is used to extort money from the business.

Emlyn Jones, Public Protection Manager said: “We have been advised that there have been a number of reports nationally involving this scam. Callers sometimes use names of legitimate agencies to seem more credible, and in this case they are telling businesses they have an outstanding debt for advertising space in a Business Directory.

He added, “Whilst some small businesses may indeed use business directories for advertising we are urging them to be on their guard. Never give personal or financial details to anyone and anybody cold calling asking for money should be ignored without first making further checks.”

Anyone approached or affected by these callers can contact Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.

Weather closes Old Horseshoe Pass

The BBC website is reporting this afternoon (Monday) that ice and snow have closed the Old Horseshoe Pass near Llangollen.

For the full story, see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-30376283

Railway steams in help Chain Bridge facelift project

 

 

* The train at Berwyn station during the loading of the dismantled parts.

 

When the contractor for the current restoration project asked for help in transporting dismantled parts of the historic Chain Bridge away for refurbishment, Llangollen Railway steamed in the help.

 

They provided a short goods train at Berwyn to move the parts for SHEMEC Ltd of Llangollen and also came up with an appropriate piece of motive power to haul the precious load - their Large Prairie Tank 5199 which came straight out of the repair shop.



* Station master Ben Jackson congratulates Harry Edwards

of Shemec on completing the arduous job of bringing

 all the ironwork up from the riverside for loading point.

 

The freight train comprised a Toad brake van and two ton Tube wagon which were propelled up Berwyn Bank to meet the contractor's team who had assembled parts of the links and vertical tie rods, all of which had been man-handled up the steep path from the riverside.

 

The historic links between railway and bridge date back to the construction of the Chain Bridge in 1817 and later to the dawn of the steam transport age, nearly 50 years prior to the railway arriving at Berwyn.

With the assorted items loaded and strapped down it was arranged for the train to make a run-past through the station for the benefit of the television cameraman from ITV/Wales who covered the story.

Later the Tube wagon was shunted into the reception road in Llangollen yard where the load was transferred to the contractor's trailer for onward delivery and restoration.

George Jones for the railway said: "It was a prestigious occasion for the railway to help out with a restoration project which, when completed in spring 2015, will bring improved access to the Dee Valley and benefit to patrons at Berwyn station."

 

 

* The cargo of vintage ironwork destined for renovation and conservation before reassembly.

 

Llan fivesome cycle 50 miles to help Ebola victims

* Before their ride, from left, are Andrew Riley, George Aylward,

Warren Davies, Andrew Sully and Gwyn Lloyd.

Five intrepid cyclists from the area got on their bikes to raise over £450 for Ebola victims recently.

Warren Davies, Andrew Riley, George Aylward, Gwyn Lloyd and St Collen’s vicar Andrew Sully made a 50-mile round trip from Llangollen to Bala and back.

Warren Davies said: "The weather was actually excellent for November, which really helped as our legs started to feel weary on the way back.

“Ebola is a devastating disease for families in West Africa. However, the solutions to stopping it spreading are incredibly simple. The money raised here will be spent on basic medical equipment, things like gloves and disinfectant.”

He added: “If there is sufficient interest in the future, there are plans to turn this November ride into an annual fundraiser.

“We are just shy of our £500 target and any further donations to this very worthy cause are most welcome at www.justgiving.com/bala-and-back.”

 

* The riders reach their destination near Lake Bala.

 

 

Countdown to re-opening of Plas Madoc tomorrow

An online advent calendar will conclude its countdown to the re-opening of Plas Madoc Leisure Centre tomorrow.

The doors of the much-loved centre, rebranded Splash Magic, will be flung open once more at 11am on Saturday, less than eight months after it closed.

Digital expert Jason Davies, who runs Wrexham-based Hashtag Marketing, came up with the idea of an online advent calendar on the Splash Magic website, which he designed and developed from scratch.

Members of the Splash Community Trust, which is running the facility after Wrexham Council relinquished it, are urging people to show their support by turning out for the official reopening when the calendar’s countdown concludes.

Jason said: “The calendar was just a fun idea I came up with to add to the festive spirit at Splash in the build-up to the big reopening. We can’t wait for 11am on Saturday and we’re all really hoping to see a massive crowd so everyone’s efforts were worthwhile.”

Jason got involved with the Trust early on and has ‘loved every minute’.

He said: “It’s been incredible to be part of this team and to work with people with so much energy, passion and drive to achieve a shared vision. There has been a lot of hard work, but I’ve loved every minute. I really hope now that the public will do their bit and help make a success of it.”

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates, a founder member of the Trust, said: “We would again like to say a huge thank you to AVOW, the Wales Co-Operative Centre and Vi-Ability. Without them all we would never have reached this point. Their advice and support has been crucial.”

Derek Walker is Chief Executive of the Wales Co-operative Centre, which supported the development of Splash Magic through its European Regional Development Fund and Welsh Government-funded Social Enterprise Support Project.

He said: “We would like to congratulate the community for working together so effectively to reopen this essential community resource.  The Splash Magic team have worked tirelessly to make this a reality.

“We were very happy to support the team to set up the Trust and help develop its governance and business planning, and are glad to be able to play our part in the relaunch. We wish Splash Magic every success in the future.”

For membership forms and centre prices, or for more information, visit splashmagic.co.uk

New exhibition opens at the museum

The following exhibition is currently running at Llangollen Museum: