Town Hall turns into Wigan Casino

For one night only on Friday Llangollen Town Hall became Wigan Casino in the 70s as the latest session of the New Dot community cinema took on a Northern Soul theme.

Following the showing of the 2014 film of that name focusing on the famous dance craze,  members of the packed audience  had the chance to strut their stuff to sounds provided by DJ Laurence Preston.

At risk people urged to get flu jab

THE Welsh Ambulance Service is urging people at risk of flu – especially those aged 65 and over – to get vaccinated early this winter.

Only two thirds (68%) of older people were vaccinated in Wales last year, and the Trust wants to see many more have their free vaccine as soon as possible.

 

Greg Lloyd, Head of Clinical Operations at the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “For the majority of people who catch flu it is unpleasant, but for some it can lead to chest infections, severe complications and even death.

“We see thousands of patients every year whose age or poor health means flu could have a serious impact on their lives, which is why it’s important for them to get protected as soon as possible.

 

“The vaccinations are safe, effective and help to protect not only yourself but those around you.”Public Health Wales’ annual Beat Flu immunisation programme is underway, and is targeting those most vulnerable to catching flu.

Vaccinations are free of charge via GPs for all those aged 65 and over, or ‘at risk’ because they have a long-term health problem, or they’re pregnant.

 

This year the NHS vaccine is also available free in many community pharmacies.

 

The flu campaign is being supported by Age Cymru, who are encouraging those eligible to have the vaccine and protect themselves and others from flu.

 

Angharad Phillips from Age Cymru said: “It is very important that people aged 65 or over, and others in ‘at risk’ groups, take up the opportunity to have the free annual flu vaccination because flu is a serious and potentially debilitating illness.

 

“People who care for an older or disabled person should also have the vaccination, to help protect themselves and the people they are looking after.

 

“If you are fit and healthy, you may only get mild symptoms if you catch flu. However if you are aged 65 or over or have a long-term health problem, you are more at risk of complications from flu and it can also make any existing health condition worse, and even lead to a hospital stay.

 

“Make sure you get the flu vaccination – it should be part of your annual routine if you are aged 65 or over or in an ‘at risk’ group.”

 

The Welsh Ambulance Service is also on a mission to protect as many of its staff as possible.

More than 400 staff and volunteers have been vaccinated since the start of October.

 

Among them is Chief Executive Tracy Myhill, who said: “Vaccinations are vital to protect staff, their families and patients, many of whom are vulnerable to flu.

 

“They also reduce sickness absence of staff, so that patients get the best level of care during the busy winter period.

“Even if the flu doesn't kill you, it could kill someone you pass it on to. It’s so important that staff choose to get vaccinated, and we’re really pleased with the uptake so far.”

 

In previous years, staff were encouraged to visit a flu clinic or their GP for vaccination.

 

They can still visit a clinic or their GP if they prefer, or if it is more convenient.

The Trust is reminding the public that its NHS Direct Wales service is available 24/7 for information and advice on beating winter bugs.

Take part in the Flu Quiz to test your knowledge of the virus, or answer questions about your symptoms on the Cold and Flu Symptom Checker to get tailored advice on the best course of action.

Alternatively, call NHS Direct Wales 0845 46 47 to speak to a nurse adviser.

 

Government scheme to help people stay in work

Denbighshire will benefit from a new programme to help people with health problems stay in work which is to be set up in Wales following a multi-million pound EU funding boost.

North Wales South East Wales South West Wales

The £4.7m programme, which includes £3.2m of European Union funding through the Welsh Government, aims to help more than 4,000 people receive additional support and addresses health-related barriers to remaining in employment.

The programme will operate in Denbighshire, Conwy Gwynedd, Anglesey, Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot and Swansea.

People taking part in the programme will benefit from rapid access to tailored and work-focused therapeutic interventions designed to help those on, or at risk of, a long-term sickness absence to remain in work or return to work sooner.

People in work with health conditions, including musculoskeletal problems, mental ill health or drug and alcohol problems will also be able to access the programme via their GP, their employer or a self-referral. The scheme will support employees in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the private and third sector, which lack access to occupational health services.

Support will also be available to SME managers and employees through 130 workshops to help improve workplace health and wellbeing and reduce sickness absence. In addition, GPs will also be engaged to help address patients’ work-related health problems.

Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford said: “This new in-work support programme will help more than 4,000 people with health problems stay in work.

“This will help tackle poverty and social exclusion by preventing people falling out of work due to common health problems, which are often musculoskeletal and mental health-related.

“It will provide rapid access to early, work-focused interventions, including physiotherapy, psychological therapies and occupational therapy.”

Company now running D&C plant has full order book

* The former Dobson & Crowther printworks now has a full order book, say directors.

THE company which has taken over the former Dobson & Crowther printworks in Llangollen reports a full order book and says it is considering adding extra production capacity to meet demand.

Telford-based Mail Solutions stepped in to buy the assets after D&C went into administration last June with 55 of its 79-strong workforce being made redundant.

Now, a few months after production resumed at the newly-built Cilmedw factory, Mail Solutions’ directors have given an update on progress being made.

Business development director Karl Lee said: “Equipped with an array of specialist manufacturing plant, the Llangollen site has been set up to strengthen overall production capabilities, broaden our product portfolio as well as create opportunities to target new markets.

“Mail Solutions has established itself over many years as a market leader for supplying clients with mailing envelopes and direct mail. However, the new venture will bring about a key step change for the business.

“With the kit we have at Llangollen, we have not just expanded our direct mail capacity but we now also offer an array of new niche products, including seed packets, photographic envelopes, gift card envelopes, coin envelopes and jewellery gift envelopes to name a few.

“The 45,000 square foot site is only just operational but already the company has seen a positive response from the marketplace by generating a solid order book in such a period of short time.”

Another Mail Solutions director, Simon Prescott, said: “At the moment, we are operational five days a week, but given the current growth rate we are already considering adding production hours or creating more shifts to accommodate the workload.”

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).