Councillor calls for update on A5 roadworks

* The roadworks on the A5 about which Cllr Davies has called for an update. 

Llangollen county councillor Stuart Davies has called on the Welsh Government for an update on long-running roadworks on the A5 approach to the town.

A lengthy stretch down one side of the carriageway, between the bottom of Birch Hill and the Tyn Y Wern, has been completely closed and controlled by traffic lights since just before Christmas.

It is believed the closure is in connection with structural problems with the retaining wall to the riverbank which runs alongside the road at that point.  

Cllr Davies said: “I am concerned that these works have been going on now for months, with the lights being in place without anything being seen to be done until recently.

“I am also concerned that the Trunk Roads Agency is doing the mushroom thing, keeping us in the dark etc!”

He added: “I am calling upon the Welsh Government to let us know what is happening and give us a timeline as to when works will be completed.

“Easter is nearly here and these works will impinge on the start of the tourist season and deter visitors from coming this way.”

Llan outdoor instructor once trained special agent

The Daily Post has a story today (Thursday) about a Llangollen outdoor instructor who once trained a special agent named Storm.

For the story see: http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/llangollen-outdoors-instructor-no-idea-8772604

Locos from around Britain at railway's steam gala

* The Grange Class locomotive under construction at Llangollen.

 

SIX mainline locomotives from around Britain will be guesting at gala steam event being held at Llangollen Railway over the next two weekends.

Steel, Steam and Stars IV is being staged by the 6880 Betton Grange Society at the town’s heritage railway this Friday-Sunday and the following Friday-Sunday, March 13-15.

The society, which is a charitable organisation, is currently building a famous Great Western Railway “Grange Class” locomotive at the Llangollen workshops.

The new engine will be the 81^st of its type but the only one still running as all its 80 1936-designed predecessors are now extinct.

Bretton Grange chairman Quentin McGuinness said: “The locomotive is advancing rapidly and will be on display in the workshops throughout the event.”

He added: “The mega gala event with simultaneous beer festival is due to commence this Friday. We expect at minimum 1,000 people a day to visit.

“A whopping total of six visiting mainline locomotives, which is unheard of at most other heritage railways, from as far away as Devon, Leicestershire, Yorkshire and Lancashire, are currently arriving at Llangollen railway to take part in this extravaganza.

“The event will utilize the newly extended railway into Corwen. A trade fair will be open at Corwen Station to support the event.”

Further information is available on the Bretton Grange website: www.6880.co.uk

Most food businesses have good hygiene ratings

More than half of food businesses in Wales have been awarded the highest ratings for their food hygiene standards, a year after the UK’s first statutory scheme came into force in Wales, Deputy Health Minister Vaughan Gething announced today (Wednesday).

A new Food Standards Agency (FSA) report about the scheme’s first year of operation after legislation was passed in Wales to make it compulsory for businesses to display their ratings, shows the statutory scheme has played a major role in improving food hygiene standards and increasing consumer awareness across Wales.

Figures in the report show that 56% of food businesses achieved a five – a very good rating – in the year to November 2014.

There has been a 11% increase of five-rated premises in Wales since mandatory display of food hygiene ratings was first introduced in November 2013 (up from 45%).

The percentage of food businesses receiving ratings which mean improvement is required fell by 7% between November 2013 and November 2014, from around 14% to 7%. The number of businesses with the lowest rating – a zero – has fallen from 0.6% to 0.3%.

Ratings of about 100 establishments serving food in the Llangollen area are listed on the FSA website, the vast majority of them achieving a five.

* To check out the list, go to: http://ratings.food.gov.uk/enhanced-search/en-GB/%5E/llangollen/Relevance/0/%5E/%5E/1/1/10

Band trio play their way to glory in music festival

* From left: Elizabeth Mwale, Gabriel Tranmer and Taya Castley relax in

Llangollen Silver Band’s  newly refurbished annex during a break in Monday night’s  band practice.

Three talented young members of Llangollen Silver Band played their way to glory in last weekend’s  Oswestry  Music  Festival. 

Gabriel Tranmer, 14, a pupil of St Brigit’s School in Denbigh who plays tuba with Llangollen Youth and Senior bands, entered the competition in four youth categories and took first place in brass solo (under 16) playing the highly challenging and technically difficult The Trouble with the Tuba is …..

He also took first place in drum kit solo, first place in vocal solo (musical theatre) and third place in vocal solo (own choice).

Gabriel then went on to take part in the winner’s concert held at Christchurch Oswestry and had to  stand for adjudication against himself as winner of both the brass section and the drum kit solo.

He became overall junior winner of the festival for his tuba playing, earning himself a £100 bursary.

Elizabeth Mwale, 12, came second to Gabriel  in the under 16 brass solo section with a fine performance of the beautiful Baritone Aria by Rodney Newton. 

Punching well above her weight by entering this higher age group, Elizabeth demonstrated her fast developing musical ability and her achievement of gaining that second place and a highly commended award was a just reward.

Taya Castley, who has been playing cornet for just over 18 months,  took first place in the 12 years and under category for brass.

Playing the cornet solo Demelza by Hugh Nash, she gained some complimentary remarks from the adjudicator for her presentation.

All three players were accompanied on piano by Eirwen Jones of Llangollen, who is Gabriel Tranmer’s grandmother.

A483/A55 roadworks will take six weeks longer than planned

The Daily Post is reporting this afternoon that major roadworks at the Posthouse roundabout at the junction of the A483 and A55 will take six weeks longer than anticipated, bringing misery to motorists until early May.

See the full story at: http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/a483-roadworks-posthouse-roundabout-set-8760003

Police warning over jewellery thefts

Residents throughout North Wales are being urged to keep their jewellery secure as thieves target homes for high value gold and silver items.

In recent months burglars have targeted homes in search of valuables, sometimes targeting the same addresses more than once.

The thieves have posed as tradesman or scrap metal merchants and have knocked on doors to see if anyone is at home. 

They then return later in the day, usually when the homes are empty, break in and steal valuable jewellery.

Suspects have also been known to park near the home of a potential victim waiting for the residents to leave.

Their tactics often include forcing entry though windows and patio doors, making extremely untidy searches of all rooms and attic spaces, adding to the distress of victims.

Detectives are actively targeting those responsible and enquiries are on-going, but North Wales Police are urging all residents to be aware of the tactics used by criminals and to take steps to keep their valuables as safe as possible.

As part of the awareness campaign the force has produced an advice leaflet in English, Welsh, Bengali and Urdu.

Detective Chief Inspector Alun Oldfield said: “This has been identified as an issue in North Wales, particularly in the Wrexham, Flinthshire and Denbighshire areas and officers have been out and about giving advice to residents on how to best protect their property.

“The thieves responsible are well organised and some are travelling into the area from further afield to target residents.  It is vital, therefore, that we all work together to make life as difficult as possible for these criminals.

“There are a number of simple steps you can take to help protect your valuable jewellery:

• Ensure that your jewellery is insured.
• Keep good records – make a list and include photographs. 
• Keep jewellery in a safe and secure place when it is not being worn – thieves have been known to look everywhere in the home for valuable items.
• Consider installing a safe if your jewellery is particularly valuable – ensure it is securely fitted to a permanent structure such as a solid wall or floor.
• Consider removing your valuables from the home and keeping them in a safety deposit box.
• Make sure all windows and doors and kept locked – especially when you are out.
• Ensure your home looks ‘lived in’ – even if you are out.  Consider using timer switches for lights to give the impression that someone is at home.
• Try not to advertise when you will not be at home and always use lights on timers to give the impression you are home at night, even if you are not
• Other security measures such as a home security alarm or security marking system can deter thieves from targeting a property.
• Be wary when answering the door to unexpected or uninvited visitors and always ask to see identification.  If you are unsure of the validity of the caller then contact the organisation they are claiming to be from.  Genuine callers will not mind you doing this. If you have concerns about any cold callers, contact the police
• Report suspicious behavior.”

* Anyone with any information about this type of crime should call North Wales Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.