New Year greetings!

llanblogger wishes a Happy New Year to all its readers ...

Latest ambulance figures on target

The standard emergency ambulance response to the most acutely ill patients was five minutes and 30 seconds, latest figures show.

 

Statistics for November, the second month of a year-long pilot to test changes to the way the Welsh Ambulance Service responds to patients, show that 70.8% red calls were responded to within eight minutes.

The expectation is that at least 65% of responses to the most life-threatening emergencies – known as red calls - should arrive within eight minutes.

The new figures for November also show:

• More than a third of ‘red’ patients received a response within just four minutes;
• There were an average of 1,223 emergency calls per day;
• All health board areas, with the exception of Hywel Dda University Health Board area, achieved at least 70% within eight minutes.

Deputy Health Minister Vaughan Gething said: “I’m pleased to see the Welsh Ambulance is achieving the new response time target and helping to deliver excellent patient outcomes, as the pilot continues.

“These figures reveal the demands placed on the ambulance clinicians, clinical contact centres and hard-working first responder volunteers who work tirelessly to save people in life-threatening situations.

“The new system is helping to ensure people with an immediately life-threatening condition receive a response within eight minutes – this is helping people to get the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

“I recognise that more needs to be done in some areas and I expect the service to build on these early results and continue to improve to ensure people who need the life-saving skills of ambulance clinicians do so in the quickest time possible and get the best possible outcomes.”

Two honoured for services to Llan community

Two people have received the British Empire Medal in the New Year’s Honours List for their services to the community in Llangollen.

Thomas Delwyn Roberts, 79, receives a BEM for voluntary service in the town, where he has been involved in the Rotary Youth Exchange Programme arranging visits between local children and children from India.

He is a volunteer driver helping the housebound, helped raise £600,000 to build a community centre in Trevor and volunteers for the Llangollen Eisteddfod.

A magistrate and lay preacher, Mr Roberts is also a Deacon in the Welsh Baptist Chapel.

Also receiving a BEM is Mrs Rosemary Corbett Thomas, District Cub Scout Leader, Llangollen, for services to the Scout Movement in the Llangollen District.

* For details of the full Honours List in Wales, see http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/new-years-honours-list-2016-10667164

Prospective candidate hears of flooding concerns

 

* Simon Baynes on the Chainbridge near Llangollen on Wednesday.

 

Simon Baynes, Prospective Welsh Conservative Assembly Member for Clwyd South, says farmers and residents have expressed their concerns to him about flooding. 

 

Water levels are currently receding but a few days ago there was extensive flooding in several areas.

 

Yesterday (Wednesday) Mr Baynes visited Llandrillo, Cynwyd, Corwen, the Chainbridge Hotel and Llangollen.

 

He said he spoke with local residents and was relieved to see water levels were down even though the River Dee was still flowing very strongly.

 

On Monday, Captain John and Mary Ormrod, who farm near Bangor-on-Dee, showed him the widespread flooding across their land from both the River Clywedog and the River Dee.

 

In Bangor-on-Dee, local resident and retired magistrate Michael Bishop commented on the water level under the bridge and discussed the flood avoidance measures that have been taken in the town in recent years.

 

Mr Baynes said: “Farmers I have spoken with are particularly concerned about the upstream management of the River Dee and very keen that Natural Resources Wales should better manage the river, its tributaries and surrounding land in a way that will mitigate flooding downstream.

 

“It is important that the Welsh Government, like the Westminster government, provides generous emergency relief where needed and constantly reviews its flood prevention measures.

 

“If you are concerned about further flooding, you can sign up for Natural Resources Wales Floodline Warnings Direct service. Please call Floodline on 0345 9881188."

Llan mansion to become luxury wedding venue

 
 

The Daily Post has a story about Tyn Dwr Hall in Llangollen being transformed into a luxurious wedding venue.

For the full story see:
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/llangollen-mansion-transformed-luxury-boutique-10663018#ICID=sharebar_twitter

Libraries issue daring reading challenge

 

* Reading whilst sky diving ©Stephen Megison.

 

Why not sign up for a year of Reading Daringly with north Wales’s libraries?

 

Each month two of the 24 specially chosen books, one English language and one Welsh language, will be revealed creating a calendar of captivating reads.

 

Librarians from across North Wales will choose books that challenge you to read something different. 

 

Whatever your reading tastes there is something here to entertain, challenge and enrich your reading experience – a real adventure in your armchair.

 

Readers are also encouraged to share their experiences and opinions of the books online via Facebook and Twitter or via the eye-catching postcards available from libraries.

 

The reading challenge has been devised by Estyn Allan a partnership of libraries in North Wales which aims to offer new opportunities for readers to take an active role in their own development and to share reading experiences with others.

 

The aim is to develop imaginative projects which increase people's enjoyment of reading and take the pleasure of reading to new audiences and to promote contemporary writing in Welsh and English.

 

Bethan Hughes, from the Estyn Allan y Gogledd libraries partnership, said: “The idea is that A Year of Reading Daringly would run almost like a reading group without the need to actually attend.

 

"People often get stuck in a ‘reading rut’ reading the same authors or genres and we are encouraging people to challenge themselves and try something new in 2016.

 

"And as 2016 has been designated as the Year of Adventure in Wales this is a chance for people to sign up for lots of new adventures."

 

* For more information visit the Year of Reading Daringly Facebook and Twitter page or pop in to your local library.

 

https://www.facebook.com/A-Year-of-Reading-Daringly-1506238289671199/?fref=ts

@ReadingDaringly

 

The first books will be announced on 1^st January 2016.

Police issue flood driving warning

Don’t travel unless you have to’ is the message this afternoon (Saturday) from North Wales Police, as roads across the region are closed due to heavy flooding.

A multi-agency response is in operation to deal with the flooding, which has led to several road closures and a number of flood warnings being issued.

With the ground already saturated heavy rain over the past 24 hours has caused rivers to rise rapidly.

Supt Nigel Harrison said: “There is serious flooding across North Wales and we are advising people not to travel unless it is absolutely essential, and then to allow extra time for journey as driving conditions may be difficult.”

The A55 is closed in both directions between Junctions 11 and 15 due to flooding. The B5109 Llanfaes Beaumaris is closed as is the A5/A470 Junction at Waterloo Bridge. There is also heavy flooding on the A487 Bangor and the road is closed from Vaynol Roundabout up to the St David's Retail Park.

Reiterating the message from Natural Resources Wales he said: “We’re asking people to take care near water and to keep themselves and their friends and family safe.”

There are currently flood warnings in place for river flooding in St Asaph, the Conwy Valley, Pwllheli, and the Lower Dee. However this is expected to rise later today.  There are also 30 flood alerts in place across Wales.

People living in the areas at risk are being urged to take steps to ensure their own safety and as far as possible that of their property. They are also advised to keep an eye on local news and weather forecasts for news of any disruption in their area, and are reminded of the dangers of driving through flood water.

* For updates on road closures in North Wales due to flooding please follow @NWPolice and @NWPControlroom .