Wild Pheasant Hotel closes, says report

The Daily Post is reporting that the Wild Pheasant Hotel in Llangollen has closed.

For the full story see: - http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/llangollens-wild-pheasant-hotel-closes-11701301 

Council chiefs discuss bus services after GHA failure

Council leaders say a "positive" meeting took place yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon between the three North East Wales local authorities of Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham and Welsh Government to respond to the failure of GHA Coaches Ltd. 

In a statement the group said it was are committed to working together to ensure services are maintained as far as possible with a particular priority given to statutory school transport to be in place for September.

Ken Skates AM, Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure, said that Welsh Government is committed to examining possible funding solutions in the interim. 

The group discussed options for a collaboration for transport to look at the wider strategic issues. 

While the replacement service will not be exactly the same, it is anticipated that a reasonable level of service will be provided within the available resources, added the statement.

 

Appeal over missing man last seen in Llan

North Wales Police are appealing for help tracing a 51-year-old man from the Mold/Buckley area.

Paul Nickson has not been seen since leaving a friend’s home in Regent Street,  Llangollen at about 7.30pm yesterday (Monday August 1).  

* Missing: Paul Nickson.

All enquiries to trace him have thus far proved fruitless and family and friends are becoming increasingly concerned. 

Mr Nickson’s grey Ford Transit van was discovered today (Tuesday) north of Coed Nercwys and police we are appealing to anyone who may have seen him to make contact.

Sergeant Mavis Evans at Mold Police Station said:  “Paul is about 5’6 tall of medium build with brown hair and blue eyes.  

"The area of Coed Nercwys is a popular with dog walkers and mountain bikers and we are appealing for witnesses in that area.  If you have seen Paul, or know of his whereabouts, please contact Police as we are concerned for his welfare."

* If you can assist with this investigation please contact North Wales Police on 101 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and quote Missing Person Ref 16117.  Alternatively, contact the control room direct via the new web live chat /contact/chat-support.aspx

Police appeal follows Sunday's A5 collision

North Wales Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman sustained serious injuries following a road traffic collision on the A5 in Chirk on Sunday, July 31.

Shortly after 4pm officers were called to a report of a two-vehicle collision by the Halton roundabout involving a Volvo car and a motorcycle.

The emergency services were called and the woman, who was a passenger on the motorcycle, was taken to hospital in Stoke with serious leg injuries which are believed to be life changing.

The road was closed whilst the initial investigation was carried out and was re-opened shortly before 8.30am.

Anybody who may have witnessed the collision is asked to contact officers at the Roads Policing Unit on 101, quoting reference number U113298.

Zorro swashbuckles into Plas Newydd this Friday

Off the Ground theatre group swashbuckles its way back to New Mexico in 1821 with an open-air production of the play Zorro at Plas Newydd this Friday evening.

On the brink of Mexican Independence, the Viceroy of New Spain, aided by the evil Ramón family, has turned New Mexico into a tyrannical, poverty-stricken wasteland for the townspeople.

Their legendary hero, Zorro, is their only hope of relief and resolution.

As the rebel group, The Alliance, attempt to fight back, Zorro must be smarter than he has ever been to keep the Ramóns from turning his beloved people against him.

Can he change his ways to stop them? 

Find out at Plas Newydd and bring a chair and a brolly just in case.

The performance begins at 7.30pm. Adults £12, concessions £8 and under-21 £5.

Tickets from www.offtheground.co.uk  or at Plas Newydd on the night

Why not let our chef Steve cook you a pre-show meal at 6pm in the stable-block tea rooms? Prices are from £4.95 and pre-booking is essential on 01978 862834, or plasnewydd@denbighshire.gov.uk

Counterfeit goods handed over to charity

* From left: Tex Sampson and Carol Sampson from

Sports Traider, Councillor David Smith, Ian Millington,

Public Protection business manager, and Nicola Sutton,

public protection officer.

Over £200,000 worth of counterfeit products seized in raids across the county are being donated to charity by Denbighshire Trading Standards.

The haul includes clothing, sunglasses, trainers, handbags, DVDs, money boxes, ash trays and mugs. 

There is a range of brands including Nike, Ray-Ban, Fred Perry, Prada and a variety of different football clubs.

Ordinarily, the goods would be destroyed or securely disposed of following a forfeiture in the court.  Instead, the goods will be donated to a charity called Sports Traider.

Councillor David Smith, Cabinet Lead Member for Public Realm, who also has responsibility for Trading Standards, said: “Sports Traider is a youth-focused charity offering youngsters the kit and the support they need to discover and fulfil their sporting ambiti n and potential, whatever their background, ability or disability. 

“Sports Traider have established the first chain of charity shops in the UK that specialise in sports kit and equipment. The aim is to make clothing and sports equipment affordable to all, and at the same time generate a sustainable source of funding to help disadvantaged young people participate in sport.”

After a court case councils can often be left with masses of counterfeit products to be disposed of, storage of such goods can incur costs, and so can the disposal of these goods. Donating them to charity eliminates these costs and donations are often gratefully received. 

Councillor David Smith added: “Trading Standards regularly make seizures of goods that are counterfeit, and it is good to see that these products can be donated to a worthy cause, and used to support youngsters wanting to become involved with sports.

“Removing counterfeit products from the market helps support local businesses who are trading legitimately and protects consumers from buying poor quality and unsafe items.

“As well as being brought to justice through their prosecution, all defendants have unknowingly helped children from all over the UK who are in need, rather than ripping them off.”

For hygiene/safety reasons it is inevitable that some of the seized goods will need to be destroyed, however all other items will be recycled by Sports Traider.

* If you know of anywhere selling counterfeit goods or illegal tobacco, reports can be made by in confidence by contacting Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 (Welsh language line) the service is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.  Alternatively reports can be submitted online at www.citizensadvice.org.uk

This service works in partnership with Trading Standards.  Reports can be made anonymously, this will then be sent to the relevant Trading Standards department for consideration and possible further investigation.

Calls to support £1 billion rail improvements package

Residents and businesses in Denbighshire are being encouraged to show their support for a campaign to secure £1bn of rail improvements to transform the North Wales and Cheshire regional economy and deliver 70,000 new jobs over 20 years.

The campaign is being driven by the North Wales and Mersey Dee Rail Task Force (NW&MD) and has the backing of the region’s eight local authorities, the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership, the Mersey Dee Alliance, the North Wales Economic Ambition Board, the North Wales Business Council and the West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce.

The Growth Track 360 campaign is calling for:

* Electrification of the line from Crewe to North Wales so the region can connect with HS2 services at Crewe, and fast London trains can continue to Bangor and Holyhead

* The doubling of frequency of trains between North Wales and Manchester

* Investment in new, modern, better equipped rolling stock

* New direct services between North Wales and central Liverpool over the Halton Curve via south Liverpool, which will open up a connection to Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

* Doubling of services on the Borderlands line between Wrexham and Bidston, through Shotton and Deeside.

Denbighshire County Council is asking its county residents and businesses to show their support for the project and complete a short questionnaire.

Leader of Denbighshire, Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, said: “This is a prime example of how councils, business and public sector leaders are all working together for the benefit of the local economy, linking communities with the planned HS2 line between London and the North of England.

“If successful, the Growthtrack360 campaign would lead to a massive boost to the North Wales, Cheshire and Wirral economies.

“This project would result in quality jobs across the region, with far better rail links and greater opportunities for business development.  We really need the public’s help in showing the strength of support for the campaign.”

To show your support, please visit www.growthtrack360.com and answer six very quick questions.