FoE aims to bag a share of bag charge fund

Friends of the Earth Llangollen is bidding to bag a massive cash boost from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative.

Tesco teamed up with Groundwork to launch its community funding scheme, which sees grants of £4,000, £2,000 and £1,000 – all raised from the 5p bag levy – being awarded to local community projects.

FoE Llangollen is one of three groups in the local Tesco region shortlisted to receive the cash award and shoppers are being invited to head along to Tesco stores to vote for who they think should take away the top grant. Voting is open in stores throughout May and June. Customers will cast their vote using a token given to them at the check-out in store each time they shop.

Llangollen FoE says it is aiming to make the area an officially pollinator friendly town.

It says in its bid summary: “We will improve our community for pollinating insects and people. We will create wildflower areas, install bee homes, raise awareness, hold a themed community fun day and work with schools.

“Bee friendly is a national accreditation scheme for pollinators which we want to achieve in Llangollen. There are four elements food, five star accommodation, freedom from pesticides and fun.

“Pollinators have declined hugely over the last 30 years and if we don't act now this will continue.

“In Wales since 2013 we have had an action plan for pollinators. Action is needed locally across the country to improve our environment for our vital pollinating insects.

“The benefits of supporting our pollinators are numerous, they are an essential part of healthy functioning ecosystems providing food and a diverse and attractive environment and supporting health and well-being, tourism, rural economies and urban green space. Pollinators are a fundamental element of our biodiversity.

“The project will work with the local community, Denbighshire County Council, the local Town Council, and other charities and conservation groups. We will be working with a local community led project Pengwern Wild Places which will enhance the amenity grass areas for residents and pollinators. We will run volunteer sessions to create wildflower areas.

“The project will also include habitat improvements within the schools and pollinator education workshops and resources. We want to raise awareness about pollinators and build on work we have already started with schools.”

Group member Warren Davies said: “This is a fantastic project that the whole Dee Valley can enjoy. We will be extremely grateful for any support Tesco customers can give us.”

Police issue Land Rover Defender security warning

Police are advising owners of Land Rover Defenders to keep them secure after attempts were made to steal two during the past week.

The first attempt was made at an address in Towyn on Wednesday April 26. Another was taken from the Glascoed area, near St Asaph, later the same day.

Four people were arrested as a result of these two incidents. They have all been released pending further enquiries.

David Williams, Designing Out Crime Officer for North Wales Police, said: “We are advising owners of these vehicles to be extra vigilant after several Land Rover Defenders have been stolen during the past year.

“We would urge people to fit an alarm with an immobiliser but also to use a mechanical device of some sort in a bid to dissuade any offender from even trying to hot-wire the ignition.”

He added: “These vehicles are very sought after, due to the fact that this popular model is no longer made. Unfortunately, as the demand for spare parts is only going to increase, owners of Land Rover Defenders should take all possible steps to prevent them being stolen.”

* Anyone who may have information relating to the thefts of the Land Rover Defenders is asked to call North Wales Police on 101.

Police warning after suspect skimming device found

Wrexham.com is reporting how police have warned people to be on their guard after a suspected skimming device was found on an ATM in Gresford.

For the full story, see: http://www.wrexham.com/news/warning-issued-after-suspect-skimming-device-found-on-atm-130717.html

Candidates line up for county and town elections

Tomorrow (Thursday) will see elections take place for the local seats on Denbighshire County Council and also for Llangollen Town Council.

Polling takes place between 7am and 10pm.

There are four candidates standing for the two Llangollen seats in the county elections. They are:  

DAVIES Stuart Arthur
Tyn-Y-Ffridd, Fron Bache, Llangollen, LL20 7BP
Independent

 
MILE Melvyn
30 Bishops Walk, Llangollen, LL20 8RZ
Independent 

 
SPALDING Robert
Llety, Llandrillo, Corwen, LL21 0TD
The Green Party/Plaid Werdd

TIMMS Graham
Lyndonhurst, Abbey Road, Llangollen, LL20 8SS
Welsh Labour/Llafur Cymru

Below are copies of the election leaflets for three of the candidates. Despite a request to The Green Party's regional HQ for information about its candidate, no reply was received.

Police boss appoints first slavery victim support officer

A police boss is stepping up his campaign against modern slavery with the appointment of the UK's first support officer dedicated to helping victims.

Tackling the "insidious" issue has been made a priority by North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones (pictured) and will be central to his new blueprint for policing the region.

The post of Victim Support Officer is being funded by Mr Jones and the successful candidate will be based at the North Wales Victim Help Centre which is a one-stop-shop for victims of all crimes.

The centre covers the whole of North Wales and is based at divisional police HQ in St Asaph.

It brings together the support services of North Wales Police, the Witness Care Unit of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the former Victim Support organisation.

Each victim receives a response specifically tailored to their situation and the centre also employs specialists in mental health and hate crime.

The commissioner said: “Modern slavery and human trafficking are appalling and callous crimes which reach right into our society here in North Wales which is why I have made it one of my priorities in my Police and Crime Plan which sets the strategy for policing the area.

“It is vital to increase public awareness of one of the most insidious crimes faced by society and we are working hard with our partners to expose and tackle this crime, protect its victims and bring offenders to justice.

“To do this we need the communities of North Wales to support us, to look out for evidence of it and to contact the police if you have concerns.”

It was a view supported by Detective Inspector Gary Kelly, the North Wales Police's specialist on the scourge of modern slavery, who warned that modern slavery and human trafficking were a threat in the region.

Last year North Wales Police mounted two major investigations into modern slavery and safeguarded 17 people – but gathering evidence from frightened victims is difficult.

According to DI Kelly, the force had safeguarded 60 persons from Modern Day Slavery and trafficking in the last 12 months.

He said: “It is a challenge. The victims can be affected by language barriers and by self-blame and are often people being held under duress or coerced

“It’s difficult to gain their trust because they often come from countries where police forces are corrupt or don’t operate at the level that the police do in the UK.

“The seriousness of the problem has been recognised in North Wales and in great part that is because of Arfon Jones and we are looking to appoint a victim support officer which would be unique and has never been done before.

“Dealing with modern slavery is a challenge but we are lucky to have a Police and Crime Commissioner and Police Executive who are passionate about it because this crime doesn’t always get that level of support and scrutiny elsewhere.

“We do have significant challenges ahead of us but we are heading in the right direction.

“Much of the problem is linked to the victim care issue because if you lose the victim then it significantly affects the investigation.”

He said that modern slavery and human trafficking in North Wales can be linked to Ireland but with North Wales as a thoroughfare, through the port of Holyhead, to the North West of England and a complicating factor was that many victims were being brought in and out of the area on a daily basis.

North Wales Police currently have seven investigations under way.

DI Kelly said: “You have to question whether people who drive into a car wash or visit a nail bar wonder how they can get full valet for £4.50 – the answer is pretty straightforward.

“We need to start asking these difficult questions because there’s exploitation taking place here.”

* North Wales Police has further information on its modern slavery website at www.north-wales.police.uk/advice-and-support/stay-safe/modern-slavery.aspx.

If you suspect slavery is happening near you please report it to police on 101, anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or call the Modern Slavery Helpline on 0800 012 1700 or BAWSO on 08007318147. The victim help service is available from 8am-8pm Monday to Friday and 9am-5pm on Saturdays.

It can be contacted by Freephone on 0300 3030159, by email at: northwales.helpcentre@victimsupport.org.uk, or via the websites www.victimhelpcentrenorthwales.org.uk or www.canolfangymorthiddioddefwyrgogleddcymru.org.uk

Jades re-opens after months of repair work

* The Jades team don their shades against the light

after months in the dark as repair work went ahead.

Jades Hair and Beauty Salon in Llangollen has re-opened its beauty rooms after disaster struck its premises last November.
 
The salon has added a newly revamped first floor beauty room offering the latest nail, beauty and make-up treatments.

However, it was a very different story four months ago. 

Having started the first phase of redevelopment with their ground floor hair salon in summer 2016, owners and sisters Louise Wilson and Sue Davies were delighted that the work was completed in time for the hectic Christmas season.

But just two weeks later a vehicle ploughed into the salon causing major structural damage to the property. Miraculously nobody was injured in the incident. 

The salon had to be underpinned and the building was shrouded in hoarding. Business continued as usual whilst a taskforce of builders, insurers and the Jades team set about another refurbishment programme. 

Louise and Sue brought their phase two development plans forward. They decided to refurbish the first floor beauty rooms with nail bars and make-up stations at the same time as the structural repairs.

They quickly adapted their business plan and continued to run the hair salon with the builders on site.

Louise said: “Our dedicated staff were relying on us to keep our nerve and make the best out of the situation. It was certainly far from ideal but we are not quitters and we were heading towards one of our busiest trading periods in the run up to Christmas. 

“We owed it to our loyal customers to keep going and continue to offer them the usual high standard of service. I’m delighted to say we pulled it off but it wasn’t without the support and kindness from friends, family, clients and complete strangers, and of course a few sleepless nights.

“We were overwhelmed by the messages of goodwill we received. Llangollen has a real community spirit and this shone through when things got tough for us."
 
Sue said: “We were truly humbled by all the good wishes we received from residents and businesses alike. Out of difficult situations often comes good. We re-evaluated our plans and decided to bring our entire refurbishment plan forward by nine months. 

“It was the right decision and we are now delighted we can offer clients an exclusive area to relax and enjoy their pamper sessions with nail stations and make-up areas that complements our ground floor hair salon.”

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.