AM "seriously concerned" over regional prosperity figures

* See response from Wales's Economy Secretary Ken Skates at the foot of the story ...

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood says he is seriously concerned that the publication of new economic prosperity figures show North Wales is trailing even further behind the rest of the UK. 

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published regional gross value added (GVA) figures for 2015, which measure the value of the goods and services per head of population produced in an economy.

They show that at £16,059, West Wales and the Valleys, including four North Wales counties, Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy and Denbighshire, still has the lowest GVA of all UK sub regions, down again to just 63.3% of the UK average.

West Wales and The Valleys has had the lowest GVA per head of all UK sub-regions in each of the years1997 to 2015, moving relatively further away from the UK average since the start of the time period.

Anglesey still has the lowest GVA amongst all UK local areas at £13,411, down again to just 52.9% of the UK average.

Even GVA per head in Wrexham and Flintshire, which stood at 99.3 per cent of the UK average in 1999, has fallen again to just 84% of the UK average.

At £18,002, Wales continues to have the lowest GVA per head amongst the 12 UK nations and regions, standing at only 71% of the UK average.

Mr Isherwood (pictured) said: “With Labour Welsh Government in charge of economic development in Wales since 1999, this record of failure is a betrayal of North Wales, demanding a change of direction.

“The UK Government announced in its March 2016 Budget that it was ‘opening the door’ to a Growth Deal for North Wales and that it would be looking for the next Welsh Government to devolve powers down and invest in the region as part of any future deal.

“Proposals detailed in "A Growth Vision for the Economy of North Wales", developed by the North Wales Economic Ambition Board in partnership with the Mersey Dee Alliance and the Cheshire & Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership, went to both the UK and Welsh Government’s last summer.

“The UK Treasury responded by asking the Ambition Board to detail their strategic priorities and prioritise projects, and the Chancellor’s  Autumn Statement in November 2016 confirmed that the UK Government continued to be open to discussing options for a Growth Deal with North Wales.

“However, the Welsh Government has dodged my questions about how and whether it has responded to the call in the North Wales Growth Vision document for the devolution of powers by the Welsh Government over employment, taxes, skills and transport, which it states ‘would boost the economy, jobs and productivity, create at least 120,000 jobs, and boost the value of the local economy from £12.8 billion to £20 billion by 2035’.

“After almost 18 years of Labour excuses, the time has come to enable North Wales to become a beacon of prosperity, vision and ambition.”

The Economy Secretary, Ken Skates said:  “Latest GVA figures show an improving  picture for Wales, with 2015’s total  GVA for Wales  standing at £55.8 billion, an increase of 3 per cent on the previous year and rising faster than the UK average.

“The figures also show  that GVA per head  increased by  2.8 per cent on 2014 figures in Wales compared to an increase of 2.1 per cent for the UK,  and last year stood at £18,002.

“Latest  figures mean Wales’ increase in GVA per head was the third highest of UK countries and regions.

“We recognise there is  more to do  and we will keep working hard to grow Wales’ economy. Developments  such as our  Valleys Taskforce, Wylfa Newydd and our plans for the Third Menai Crossing will all help to drive up GVA in some of Wales’ less prosperous communities.

“There is absolutely no room for complacency but these figures  do show that our pro-business approach is driving growth and  making a real difference to the lives of ordinary people  across Wales.”

Local author plans to kickstart new novel

Local author David Ebsworth is taking pre-orders this month for his new Spanish Civil War thriller, Until the Curtain Falls, through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign.


The novel comes highly recommended, and if anyone wants to pre-order a copy it will help him to get the book launched successfully.


Until the Curtain Falls is the sequel to his 2013 Spanish Civil War novel, The Assassin’s Mark.


The novel starts off in October 1938 as a British foreign correspondent is on the run in northern Spain, hunted by three different and deadly enemies determined to kill him before he can reach the Mediterranean coast and freedom.


It’s already picked up some literary plaudits including:


“A cracking, finely paced story of civil war, betrayal, fear and bravery. It is also remarkable for its robust and honest characterisation and its terrific detail.” - Elizabeth Buchan, bestselling author of Consider the Lily, I Can’t Begin to Tell You and The New Mrs Clifton.


“A pacy thriller set in the murky world of civil war Spain where nothing is quite what it seems. Until the Curtain Falls confirms Dave Ebsworth’s reputation as a first-rate story teller with a sharp eye for historical detail.” - Dr David Mathieson, Spanish Civil War historian and tour guide, author of Frontline Madrid.


It’s planned to publish the novel in both in English and Spanish and make it available for pre-order through a Kickstarter crowd funding campaign which allows the author to test whether there’s a market for Until the Curtain Falls.


Dave said: “If enough people pre-order, then we go ahead and readers have helped bring the story to life. They become part of the story itself. Part of the team. If we don’t get enough pre-orders, of course, we don’t publish. Then it costs nothing.”


* Here's a link to the Kickstarter campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/527857657/until-the-curtain-falls-hasta-que-caiga-el-telon?ref=category.

Guest loco for railway's spring gala unveiled

* Ex-LMS 8F No. 48624 will take pride of place in the Spring Steam Gala. 

Llangollen Railway has announced details of the guest locomotive which will star at its first Spring Steam Gala from March 3-5.

Ex-LMS 8F No. 48624 will take pride of place in the event which is entitled Along Birkenhead Lines. 

The 8Fs were one of the most successful locomotive designs of all time and were devised by William Stanier for the London, Midland & Scottish Railway.

The design was chosen by the War Department for large scale production in the Second World War and eventually 852 members of the class were built.

The 8Fs were no strangers around the Wirral and North-East Wales during the 1950s and 1960s, including hauling heavy goods train up the notoriously steep climb to Brymbo steelworks.  

In 1967 a now long-scrapped member of the class, No.48697, hauled the final passenger train through Llangollen on an enthusiasts' rail tour.

No. 48624 is unique in preservation in that it is the only surviving example built at Southern Railway built example, being completed as part of the War Effort in 1943 at Ashford Works.

The locomotive is normally based on the Great Central Railway in Leicestershire.

Llangollen Railway says it will be making further locomotive announcements soon.

Christmas tree recycling ideas

Denbighshire County Council are encouraging residents to recycle their Christmas trees this New Year, with a number of ecological options available.

Subscribers to the garden waste service can place suitably trimmed/ chopped up trees in their green bins or sacks for collection.

Trees can also be taken to one of the three staffed Recycling Parks or taken to the Saturday morning services provided at Corwen and Llangollen.

Alternatively, there is a scheme to have old Christmas trees placed within the sand dunes of Barkby beach, Prestatyn and at Talacre beach, Flintshire.

For a donation, St Kentigern Hospice in St Asaph is offering to collect discarded Christmas trees on behalf of Denbighshire County Council and Flintshire County Council.

Christmas Trees will be placed on the sand dunes to help future flood defences and reconstruct the sand dunes.

To get involved in this scheme you need to register your details on the website www.charityxmastreecollection.com or over the phone on (01745) 536022 with the charity’s Fundraising Office, telling them where to pick the tree up and make your donation pledge.

The charity Christmas tree collection website closes Sunday 8^th and collection of trees will take place on 13^th, 14^th and 15^th of January. The drivers are all volunteers who have donated their time to the charity.

Tweed and Prosecco trek is Walking Festival highlight

* Organiser Mike Smart, left, and Pip Gale of Gales Wine Bar get ready for the Tweed and Prosecco Walk on May 1. 

PEOPLE taking part in a special Tweed and Prosecco Walk in Llangollen are being invited to dress for the occasion.

The event, which is part of the town’s annual Walking Festival, takes place on May 1 and trekkers involved are invited to get into the spirit of things by donning tweeds and other vintage attire.   

The Tweed Walk starts in Llangollen's riverside restaurant, The Corn Mill, with tea or coffee and locally made Welsh cakes.

Then there’s a short walk to Llangollen Railway Station where people can enjoy a nostalgic steam train ride along the River Dee.

The guided walk visits historic locations in the company of a friendly tweed-clad guide who will gently lead and share his knowledge of local history, folk tales and legends ranging from ruthless giants, fighting monks and fairy kings to a demon barber and the holy grail.

The day ends at Gales Wine Bar with prosecco and canapés.

Organiser Mike Smart said: “Certificates will be presented and there will be a special prize for the best dressed vintage rambler.

“Also on offer during the walking festival are the Offa's Dyke Path 18-mile challenge walk with free beer, a 15-mile wilderness walk with a steam train ride also with free beer and two eight-mile meanders, one also with a steam train ride.

“You can also try a free Nordic walking taster session for beginners, enjoy walking the local landscape and see the horse-drawn canal boats with an experienced Blue Badge Guide in the UNESCO World Heritage site.

“All the festival walks are within the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.”

Mike added: “This year’s Llangollen Walking Festival is on April 29 and 30 and May 1 and I’d advise people to book early as places are limited on all the walks.

“Like us on Facebook.com/LlangollenWalkingFestival and follow us on Twitter #LlanWALKfest.”

“You can book on line at http://www.llangollenwalkingfestival.co.uk/”

No change in summer opening date for new supermarket

Despite the on-site activity some llanblogger readers are reporting, Llangollen's new supermarket is not due to open until the summer.

That's the latest word from Aldi who will be running the superstore alongside fellow discount chain Home Bargains.

A number of our readers have been in touch to say they have seen work going on inside the Berwyn Street building, leading to speculation that the twin businesses might have an earlier opening date than originally announced.

But a spokesperson for Aldi told llanblogger earlier said today (Wednesday): "We've just got summer 2017 as the scheduled opening currently."

However he assured that the blog would be "kept in the loop" if there was any change to the situation. 

The new Aldi will create up to 30 jobs, says the company.

The discount grocery chain also says it aims to encourage links with other local traders.

A statement issued soon after the development received planning permission from the county council last year said: "We are really pleased to be opening a new store in Llangollen. We understand that there is a strong local interest in the future of the Berwyn Street site, so we are pleased to announce that we will be taking it on and bringing it into productive use.

“Not only will the new store deliver a multi-million-pound investment in the local area and create up to 30 much-needed new jobs, it will also provide greater shopping choice for local people and help them save money on their weekly grocery shop.”

The statement adds: "Unlike other retailers, Aldi has a unique offering and does not act as a one-stop shop.

"Aldi stores do not have a butcher, fishmonger or bakery, nor do they provide childcare facilities or sell tobacco.

"Instead, Aldi is known for encouraging linked trips between its stores and other local businesses, encouraging residents to complete their shopping at other local shops, adding to the vitality and viability of the local area.

"Recruitment will start during construction: anyone interested in jobs at the store should register their details on www.aldirecruitment.co.uk"

MP urges people to speak out on driving offences

Clwyd South Labour MP Susan Elan Jones is urging local residents to take part in a UK-wide Government consultation on driving offences related to causing death or serious injury.

Ms Jones, who introduced a bill to Parliament calling for tougher sentencing for driving offences, is a past recipient of the Parliamentarian of the Year award from road safety charity Brake.

She is currently campaigning for greater road safety on the A5 and A483 on both sides of the Welsh border between Oswestry and Wrexham. 

Ms Jones (pictured) has repeatedly questioned Government Ministers on road safety.

She recently led a debate in Parliament on sentencing policy, calling for the Government to review sentencing relating to road safety offences - something Ministers finally agreed to do at the end of last year.

Now she is calling on local residents to respond to the Government consultation in large numbers.

She said: "The law on driving offences in this country is totally inadequate. A previous generation changed our laws and culture to tackle the scandal of drink driving.

"We need to do the same in tackling sentences for those who kill or seriously injure people on our roads today."

* The Government's consultation can be found at  https://consult.justice.gov.uk/digital-communications/driving-offences-causing-death-or-serious-injury/

Members of the public have until 1st February 2017 to respond.