Treat North Wales as colleague, Skates tells PM

A North Wales politician has called on the Tory UK Government to treat the region as a colleague of the North West, not as a competitor.

 

Ken Skates (pictured), the Labour Assembly Member for Clwyd South, said his party is urging Prime Minister David Cameron to support projects which would boost the economy of both the North West and North Wales, not pit them against each other.

Mr Skates’s comments came on the eve of today’s cross-party North Wales Rail Summit in Llandudno, which was organised by the North Wales Economic Ambitions Board.

 

He said: “I welcome these talks and I ’m delighted that the Welsh Labour Government initiated this cross-party, cross-border summit to discuss transport issues affecting both regions. 

 

“We want to see a more integrated transport network that would benefit both sides of Offa’s Dyke. There is huge potential in driving forward an agenda that links the strengths of North Wales and the North West of England to create a world-class economic powerhouse.”

 

Labour has launched a petition calling on Mr Cameron to ensure North Wales is fully linked to the proposed Northern Powerhouse, and the party’s AMs and MPs from the region this week issued a joint statement in which they said: “Without North Wales, the Northern Powerhouse will never reach its true potential.”

 

Welsh Labour’s First Minister Carwyn Jones recently unveiled his party’s vision at a meeting of the influential group Wrexham Business Professionals, saying: “North East Wales needs a solution that connects to Liverpool and Manchester and reflects economic realities, not the invisible political and geographical boundaries.”

 

Mr Skates added this week: “The UK Government should be seeing us as potential colleagues in this, not as competitors. North Wales has got a phenomenal amount to offer this partnership, so I hope we’ll be listened to.”

 

Stressing the need for cross-border cooperation, the statement – which Mr Skates has signed– continues: “We understand the importance of working with the North West of England to ensure that North Wales prospers . Our links with North West are crucial to the economy.

“Tory plans for EVEL (English Votes for English Laws) undermine the potential success of North Wales by limiting the ability of North Wales and the North West to work together. Why have competition, when you can have co-operation?

“The Welsh Labour Government is already showing the lead on this, and as Welsh Labour politicians we stand ready to work with the UK Government and with the North West of England in the interests of our communities. Working together for North Wales to be a real part of the Northern Powerhouse and deliver integrated bus and rail services that will secure job opportunities for our communities.

“But, to make this work, we need real commitments from the Prime Minister. We have heard what the UK Government want to do for the North West of England – it is time they stepped up to the plate on the issues that matter to North Wales.”

 

The statement is also signed by AMs Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham), Ann Jones (Vale of Clwyd), Sandy Mewies (Delyn) and Carl Sargeant (Alyn and Deeside), as well as MPs David Hanson (Delyn), Susan Elan Jones (Clwyd South); Ian Lucas (Wrexham), Albert Owen (Anglesey) and Mark Tami (Alyn and Deeside).

 

 

Santa specials to run again at the railway

* Santa Specials will run again this year at Llangollen Railway.

What better way to kick off the festive celebrations than visiting the Llangollen Railway's popular Santa Specials?

A well established tradition for many families in the Dee Valley and further afield, the Santa Specials are sure to create memories which you and your family can share forever.

What's included:

• Take a steam train ride to Carrog (which we have renamed Lapland especially for Santa's visit) and back along the scenic Dee Valley.
• Come face to face with Father Christmas and his crew of happy elves as they travel through the train handing gifts out to the children, as well as a mince pie and festive tipple for the adults. Children also receive a treat and a juice during the outward journey.
• Soak in the festive atmosphere at Carrog, with children being able to join Father Christmas on-board his sleigh for photographs.
• Guaranteed seats at a train time of your choice

Trains depart from Llangollen at 11.00am, 11.55am, 1.35pm and 2.30pm on selected dates throughout December

A limited number of compartments will be available on-board each Santa Train, offering you an exclusive space away from the other passengers. Compartments are available for up to a maximum of 8 people and are priced at £150.

Advance booking for our Santa Specials is essential. Spaces are booking up fast to get your tickets today.

* For full details and availability, visit: http://www.llangollen-railway.co.uk/event/santa-specials-2015/

 

Local pick up for The People's March

Llangollen Friends of the Earth has asked llanblogger to publicise the following event ...

Armistice Day marked this morning

* The gathering at the war memorial.

A ceremony to mark Armistice Day, when the guns of the Western Front fell silent on November 11 1918 to mark the end of World War One, was held at Llangollen war memorial this morning.

The service was taken by John Lawton in his capacity as chairman/secretary of Llangollen and District Royal British Legion.

And as an ex Fisherman’s Mission Missioner, he started with a reading, then a poem followed by the poem In Flanders Field.

The Exhortation was followed by the sounding of Last Post, the observation of two minutes silence, Reveille, the Kohima Epitaph and a final reading.

Dancing up a storm at New Dot's Northern Soul class

* The Northern Soul dance class earlier this week. 

Gearing up for this Friday's season finale, New Dot Cinema hosted a free beginners' dance class on Monday evening at the Hand Hotel.

Despite the gales, fans came from as far as St Asaph to listen to some Northern Soul classics while practicing their 'Wigan Casino style' moves.

Those new to the scene enjoyed picking up the basics, ably taught by Lynne who is a regular at Wrexham's Soul Suite.

The tunes were provided by Lynne's husband Adrian, and their passion for Northern Soul was contagious.

* More action from the dance class.

There'll be an opportunity for all to have another boogie to some rare Motown vinyl on Friday 13 November as it's last event of the year,
New Dot Cinema will be welcoming DJ Laurence Preston to the spacious Town Hall dance floor after an early screening of 2014 British hit, Northern Soul.

This film won NME best film 2015 and includes stars such as Steve Coogan, Lisa Stansfield and Ricky Tomlinson.

It has been hailed as an authentic slice of the 1970's Northern Soul scene.

Director Elaine Constantine spent years finding just the right young Northern Soul fans to dance in the movie, picking local Chester actor, Joshua Whitehouse as one of the main characters.

Doors open at 7pm, the main feature starts at 7:30pm, followed by the DJ and bar.

Cinema organiser, Kitsy Burrell said: "It's looking like this month's event is going to be a big one.

"Tickets have been selling well and I wouldn't be surprised if this is a sell-out, to mirror our first event back in July. We're encouraging people with a mod-style scooter to bring it along to qualify for a concessionary rate.

"As usual, we also give concessions to those dressed in 'appropriate vintage attire' which in this case is Northern Soul, Mod or 1960s and 1970s clothing."

At time of press, limited tickets are still available from Baileys Delicatessen on Castle Street in Llangollen, also Lotties' Bespoke Vintage on Oak Street and online at www.newdotcinema.org priced at £8 adults and £5 concessions.

This time, entry is restricted to those over 15 years old. The bar closes at 11pm. Not an 'all-nighter'
unfortunately!

AM urges applications for WW1 lottery grants

One year from the Battle of the Somme centenary, North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood is urging North Wales communities to apply for new Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) money to explore the impact of the war. 

Following the phenomenal success of its community grants programme ‘First World War: then and now’, HLF has made an additional £4million available in 2015/16 for communities looking to explore, conserve and share local heritage of the First World War. 

 

Grants are available between £3,000 to £10,000.

 

Thanks to National Lottery funding, thousands of young people and communities throughout Wales have already been involved in activities marking the centenary such as: researching and recording local heritage, conserving and finding out more about war memorials and using digital technology to share the fascinating stories they uncover. 

 

An Assembly event today showcased just a handful of 79 First World War Centenary projects taking place across Wales, thanks to more than £5million of investment from HLF.   

 

This new money will help even more people get involved to explore a greater range of stories including those surrounding the Battle of the Somme.

 

Mr Isherwood said: “It’s so important that we remember the impact of this war one hundred years on. There is still time to apply for National Lottery money and I would urge anyone in North Wales with an idea for their own project to get in touch with HLF.”     

 

Sir Peter Luff, Chair of the HLF, said: “The demand for National Lottery funding for First World War projects has been phenomenal, so much so we’ve decided to make extra money available. This will mean everyone, in particular more young people, can explore the momentous events of a war that shaped our nation, Europe and the world. Next year marks the centenary of the Battle of Somme and if groups want support for projects in 2016, they need to start thinking about applying now.” 

* More information on how to apply for HLF funding is available at www.hlf.org.uk

 

Skates to fight again in Clwyd South

An Assembly Member will fight to retain his seat after being formally chosen as his party’s candidate for Clwyd South.

Ken Skates (pictured), who was elected in 2011 with 42.4% of the vote, was unanimously chosen by the Clwyd South Labour Party. 

Chairman Ray Prescott said: “Ken’s been a brilliant AM for the past four years and has earned an excellent reputation for getting things done. As a constituency Labour Party we are delighted to select him as our candidate for May’s Assembly election and hope he emulates our MP Susan Elan Jones’ convincing victory earlier this year.”

Mr Prescott added: “As well as being instrumental in the successful campaign to save Plas Madoc Leisure Centre, Ken has helped get funding for new health facilities in Chirk and Llangollen and is now campaigning for one in Cefn Mawr.

“He persuaded the Welsh Government to help families in Coedpoeth who were facing huge bills because of land contamination, and he was behind the new foodbank to help people hit hardest by Tory cuts in Penycae and Rhos.

“He campaigns hard, he works incredibly hard and he has our full support.”

Mr Skates said: “It’s been an honour to represent Clwyd South since 2011 and I’m thrilled to be chosen by local Labour members to be their candidate once again.

“I will continue to work as hard as I can to continue delivering for Clwyd South as Welsh Labour stands up for people suffering because of the Tory Government at Westminster.”