County plans tourism forum event

A  forum set up to keep tourism businesses up to date with the latest developments in the industry takes place this May.

Wales Tourism Week, Dark Skies, Year of Legends and the importance of Denbighshire to the regional tourism offer of North Wales are all on the agenda.

The forum takes place on Tuesday, May 9 at the Oriel House, St Asaph at 11am.

The event offers a great opportunity for delegates to network and share experiences, knowledge and ideas.

Peter McDermott, Denbighshire County Council’s Tourism Manager said: “This will be our 12^th forum and they are a great way to meet like-minded people and find out more about getting involved in promoting the area to visitors.

"We’re entering the peak season and this is a key event, not only for tourism businesses but for anyone with an interest in tourism specifically students and those looking for a career in the industry.”

Wales Tourism Week takes place from May 15-21 to raise the profile of the tourism industry and to highlight its huge revenue generating value. The theme this year will focus on the opportunities it provides for jobs and careers.

Key Speaker, Adrian Barsby, from Wales Tourism Alliance coordinators of Wales Tourism Week, said: “I’m delighted to have been invited to speak at Denbighshire Tourism Forum.

“Wales Tourism Week provides a platform for all of us involved within tourism and the wider visitor economy to celebrate the wonderful and varied career opportunities available throughout the myriad of companies and organisations that give visitors to Wales and Denbighshire lasting memories and inspiration to return time and time again whilst learning about and experiencing Wales unique, culture, history, landscapes and of course legends.”

Key speaker Jim Jones, Managing Director North Wales Tourism, said: “I’m delighted to be invited to share the work that is going on in Denbighshire and the wider region of North Wales.

"Denbighshire is a special place and key to its thriving tourism sector is investment in good quality marketing campaigns, continued investment by the private sector and joined up collaboration, these type of forums play a crucial role in recognising this work.”

* To book a place at the forum please e-mail: tourism@denbighshire.gov.uk or telephone: 01824 706223.

Plaid Cymru selects general election candidate

* Plaid Cymru candidate Chris Allen with party leader Leanne Wood.

Plaid Cymru have selected an engineer from Trevor to be their candidate for Clwyd South in the general election on June 8.

Father of two Chris Allen was born in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, and works at Mail Solutions in Llangollen.

His wife, Rachel, is a teacher at Ysgol Dinas Bran, and her family live in Chirk.

Mr Allen said: “This election is an opportunity for the people of this area to say that it’s about time that their voice was heard. Wales has been ignored for far too long.

“My focus as your MP would be to ensure that Wales, and this part of Wales especially, is not ignored and gets the best possible deal out of the UK’s Brexit discussions with the EU.”

Mr Allen said that the fact that he was born in England and not Welsh speaking showed that Plaid Cymru was a party for everyone: “Some people tell me that they like Plaid Cymru but because they don’t speak Welsh they feel that they can’t support the party.

"I find that amusing because I’m from England and I’m not a Welsh speaker. But Wales is my home and I want the best for my community. The only party that puts the interests of our communities here first is Plaid Cymru – the Party of Wales. Plaid Cymru is for everyone who lives in Wales and I’m a perfect example of that.

“I came to live here 20 years ago and have worked for both Wrexham Council and run my own business. I can see how Wales is being ignored by the Government in London. We desperately need a strong voice to put the interests of Wales and its people first, not just tow the party line that’s only interested in London and the south-east of England.”

Plaid leader Leanne Wood welcomed Chris Allen’s candidacy.

She said: “Chris is an engaging and warm person, who is committed to standing up for his community and Wales. We both know that Plaid Cymru is the only party that will fight for Wales and speak up for the Welsh national interest, for jobs and the economy. We desperately need an alternative to challenge the Tories, who would devastate our communities. I wish Chris all the best in the elections on June 8.”

Trading standards warns over scam emails

Trading Standards officers in Denbighshire are warning residents and businesses to be on their guard against scam emails requesting payment of an invoice.

The warning comes after reports of businesses receiving a link to an invoice from emails that may appear genuine but do not come from a genuine Denbighshire County Council email address. 

Emlyn Jones, Denbighshire’s Public Protection Manager, said: “This appears to be a national scam or at least a variation on similar events reported nationally. 

"Our advice is to ignore the email and do not click on any links in any emails you do not know the origin of or are not expecting.   

“All invoices are generated and issued by post through our preferred supplier.  Any copy invoices requested are sent as pdf attachments, are clearly visible in the email and do not appear as links.”

* Anyone who thinks they have been scammed, or knows someone who has fallen victim to a scam, can contact Trading Standards on 03454 04 05 06, for the Welsh language or 03454 04 05 05, or report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or www.actionfraud.police.uk

Tories select Baynes to fight Clwyd South

Simon Baynes has been chosen as the Welsh Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Clwyd South, which includes Llangollen

The selection was held on Wednesday night at the Brymbo Conservative Club.

Afterwards, he said: “It is a great honour to be selected as the Welsh Conservative candidate for Clwyd South.

"I have been involved in campaigning on local issues in the constituency for some time, having stood as the Welsh Conservative Assembly Candidate for Clwyd South last year. I am looking forward to delivering on the issues that matter to the residents of the area.”

A keen musician, Mr Baynes (pictured) founded and runs the charity Concertina – Music for the Elderly, which helps provide music and other entertainment for the elderly in care homes and day centres.

Having grown up in the hotel industry, he says he is particularly interested in tourism and the hospitality industry and sees both as essential to the economy of Clwyd South.

He wants to see the creation of more sustainable jobs and better mobile phone signal in the area.

He has also campaigned against the closure of local banks.

Mr Baynes added: “This election is vital and we need it now to secure the strong and stable leadership the UK needs under Theresa May to see us through Brexit and beyond.”

MP raises questions over Welsh farmers

Susan Elan Jones MP has accused Conservatives of not listening to the voices of Welsh farmers and rural communities.

The Clwyd South Labour MP (pictured) was questioning Tory Secretary of State Alun Cairns MP yesterday (Wed 26th) at Welsh Questions in the House of Commons Chamber.

She said: "There is so much uncertainty about life post Brexit in our rural communities - and the UK government really is not listening to the very legitimate concerns that our farmers have.

"Farmers and others in rural communities have to plan and they need very definite commitments about being able to access the European Single Market."

Ms Jones also repeated a call for all powers relating to agriculture to be devolved to the Welsh Government after Brexit.

Good news for county businesses

Businesses will find it easier to bid for public sector contracts thanks to changes to a website.

Denbighshire County Council has revamped the procurement section of its website to make it easier for firms based in Denbighshire to apply for contracts as part of the £100 million it spends to deliver public services each year.

Businesses can now register online to be made aware when a contract is available and the council is also making the process more transparent by publishing a comprehensive list of all the contracts the authority currently has in place.

The website also features guidance to help businesses based in the county gain a better understanding of the procurement process and make it easier for them to be considered for contracts.

Improving the procurement process is part of the Council’s work on developing the economy to help businesses thrive.

* Visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/business/selling-to-the-council/selling-to-the-council.aspx

Ambulance chiefs apologise over response delay

According to a story on the BBC Wales website, ambulance bosses have apologised after a man who severed part of his finger in Denbighshire had to wait over an hour for a taxi to get him to hospital.

For the full story, see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-39692194