Area is world class food destination, says candidate

* Mabon ap Gwynfor with Steven Evans, proprietor
of Abbey Grange, Llangollen and the Llangollen Brewery

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Visit Wales should promote Wales and the Dee Valley and Wrexham area especially as a world-class food destination, according to Plaid Cymru – The Party Of Wales’ candidate in Clwyd South, Mabon ap Gwynfor.

He said that more resources should be given to promote the "excellent" quality of food produced and served in the area following the news that The Hand at Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog was one of only 19 pubs throughout Wales to make it into Michelin’s Eating Out In Pubs Guide 2016.

This follows the success of Abul’s Spice in Corwen winning the best Curry House in Wales award with Maahis, of Ruabon, coming and Tyddyn Llan in Llandrillo winning a Michelin Star.

 

In addition, The Berwyn restaurant, also of Llandrillo, was awarded one of the top 20 restaurants in Wales by Trip Advisor, and there are exciting plans for Pale Hall, Llandderfel to link up with Michelin starred chef Michael Caines.

Mabon ap Gwynfor also highlighted the quality of food production in the region, citing the Chirk Trout Farm, Craft Ale and Micro Breweries such as Llangollen Brewery, and the world-renowned Welsh lamb and beef reared on local farms.

He said: “Our restaurants, pubs and producers are producing and serving food of the highest quality. We are developing a reputation as a go-to destination for quality food and atmosphere in an environment unmatched elsewhere.

 

"The Llangollen Food festival, which was held last month, gives an excellent taster of what we have to offer.

“The Hand at Llanarmon is a lovely place and being included in the Michelin Pub Guide is recognition of the hard work that has been put into developing the place as a foodie destination.

"Pubs, restaurants and food producers in this area have won numerous awards over recent years.

"Visit Wales should consider using more of their resources to promoting Wales, and this area in particular, as a high-quality food destination. 

"They bring a lot of money into our local economy and the potential to bring in more is huge. It is also a more sustainable economy as they buy local produce from the farm gate. This, in turn, would help our farmers during what is a difficult period.”

Town Hall hosts successful craft fair

Llangollen Town Hall hosted another in a series of craft fairs yesterday (Saturday), which attracted a host of browsers to its large variety of stalls groaning with a wide range of stylish goods.

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.”