AM hits out over tax office closure

North Wales’ Liberal Democrat Assembly Member Aled Roberts has commented on the closure of Wrexham’s tax office announced today (Thursday).

 

He said: “On the morning that the Welsh Government are trying to secure over a billion investment in the Cardiff City Region – which already contains areas with the best economic record in Wales – the UK government announces that they are to close a tax office in Wrexham and jobs will be moved to Cardiff and Liverpool.

 

"We need to stand up and campaign for North Wales because at the moment we are being ignored by the power brokers in Cardiff and Westminster.

 

"Projects like Wrexham’s prison are no more than the scraps left behind after most investment goes elsewhere.

 

"UK and Welsh Government Ministers come to Wales for individual investment announcements but there is no strategy to boost North Wales."

 

He added: "The Welsh Government in Cardiff seem obsessed about South Wales where they have bought an airport at a cost of over £50m, proposed a new section of the M4 at a cost of over £1 billion, a metro at a cost of £4billion and over £1 billion of investment in a Cardiff City Region jointly funded by the Welsh and UK Governments.

 

"Meanwhile, the UK Government seems obsessed by a Northern Powerhouse and there appears to have been little work done on the impact this could have on North Wales.

 

"In July the Chancellor said he was going to have a look at rail electrification in North Wales – that means nothing will be done during this Parliament and probably the next one too.

 

"Electrification on the West Coast Line through Crewe, not far from North Wales, was started in the 1950s and the extension to Glasgow – a long way from Crewe – was completed in 1974. That shows how far behind North Wales is and how long it has been ignored.”

 

County urges Llan to back Small Business Saturday

Businesses in Denbighshire are being urged to lend their backing to a national campaign that encourages people to support their local shops and businesses.

 

December 5 is designated Small Business Saturday and Denbighshire County Council has produced posters and banners encouraging people to shop local on this day.

 

The day is also being promoted through the council’s website, in the media and on social media.

 

Councillor Hugh Evans, leader of Denbighshire, who is also lead member for the economy, said: “Our teams of staff have already been out and about talking to businesses and encouraging them to display posters. The response has been really positive and we would encourage all businesses to display a poster and speak to their customers about the campaign and the importance of local support.

 

“We have also received the backing of a number of our city, town and community councils who are more than happy to work with the Council to help spread the word. We are grateful for this support as it means we can get the message out there far and wide in our communities.

 

“By doing all of this activity, we are encouraging people to think about what’s right on their doorstep and support the wide range of businesses that offer services and products to meet everybody’s needs.”

 

* To find out more information about Small Business Saturday, please visit: www.smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com

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!