Campaigners battle to save rangers from axe

* Campaigners gather outside Ty Mawr Country Park. 

Campaigners opposing Wrexham Council’s plans to half its number of park rangers are being backed by their Assembly Member and MP.

Ken Skates and Susan Elan Jones have made urgent representations to the authority after fears were raised about the detrimental effect further cuts are likely to have at country parks in their constituency.

The council wants to cut the number of rangers it employees from six to three, which has prompted an angry backlash from residents.

Clwyd South AM Mr Skates said: “A number of constituents have contacted me about this – they’re extremely concerned.

"We desperately don’t want to see school activities cut and untidier parks, but that is the reality we’re facing if these plans go through.

“The rangers look after Wrexham’s 11 country parks seven days a week. This would have a huge impact on the way they are run and what they can offer.”

Derek Wright, county councillor for Cefn Mawr, says he has been inundated with calls from residents worried about the future of Ty Mawr Country Park in his ward, which was visited by nearly 47,000 people last year.

He said: “If the other 10 parks within the county borough area give half as much pleasure – not only to locals, but to visitors from miles around – as Ty Mawr does, they have got to be worth keeping in their present form, including staffing. Let us hope for a full consultation over these proposals.”

The Friends of Ty Mawr group fears its park will be disproportionately affected because of the animals kept there. The others affected in Clwyd South include Brynkinalt, Chirk; Nant Mill, Coedpoeth; Ponciau Banks and Stryt Las in Johnstown.

Cllr Wright added: “I would encourage anyone who’s concerned about their nearest park to contact their local councillor and make their feelings known.”

Ken Bathers, chairman of Cefn Community Council, said: “We know how much pressure Welsh councils are under because of the billions of pounds of cuts to Wales from the Tory Government at Westminster, but people won’t stand for this.

“The £100,000 saving is peanuts to the council’s budget, but they can find £4.5m for an arts hub which will lose £188,000 the first year, then a further 126,000 in the second and another £78,000 in the third. The money the council lost in legal fees over the old Groves School would have funded all 11 parks for the next 20 years!”

Clwyd South MP Ms Jones added: “We are continuing to see record tourism numbers coming to North Wales and our country parks are among the many fantastic things we have to offer. We have 11 in the borough which are the envy of many other areas, and we simply can’t let this happen. Ken and I will support our constituents all the way.”

Remembrance Festival to be held this Saturday

Railway in running for tourism award

Llangollen Railway (pictured) has been shortlisted for a major award.

The heritage organisation is one of the final four in the Best Attraction category of the Go North Wales Tourism Awards along with Bodnant Garden National Trust, Zip World and Llandudno Pier.

The winner will be announced at the presentation evening to be staged at Venue Cymru in Llandudno on Thursday November 16.   

This category is open to attractions which can demonstrate what they have done to enhance the visitor experience.

The awards, sponsored by Traveline Cymru and in partnership with Heart, celebrate and recognise excellence in the region’s hospitality and tourism sectors, as well as showcasing and celebrating the achievements, hard work and dedication of those working in the industry.

Awards are open to all tourism businesses and individuals in North Wales.

County has nuisance phone call blockers available

Denbighshire Trading Standards are looking for residents who could benefit from a blocker unit which aims to reduce the number of unknown callers they receive. 

As part of a national trial, the team has a limited number of units available to loan out to vulnerable residents in Denbighshire on a trial basis to see if this will help combat their nuisance caller problems. 

The results of the individual units will be shared nationally and will be discussed with the individual or other nominated person. 

The unit offers three different incoming call handling profiles to choose from. 

All the profiles allow calls from trusted callers to get through unimpeded – the difference is in the way they control unrecognised callers. 

You can change the profile whenever you want so that the blocker always gives the appropriate level of protection even if needs change. 

You can easily monitor and control the unit via your personal internet control panel.  This allows you to view a log of all of your incoming and outgoing calls, edit your trusted callers list and change your configuration settings. 

* If you know of someone who might benefit from this and would be interested in trialling a unit you can contact the team via tradingstandards@denbighshire.gov.uk or on 01824 706446. 

County firms "positive" about future says survey

Businesses in Denbighshire remain positive about the future, according to a recent survey.

Denbighshire County Council’s annual Business Survey had more than 470 responses, with the majority saying they are more confident about the future than ever before.

The annual survey feeds into the Council’s March for Business month, which offers a wide range of training, networking and advice sessions to the county’s traders, based on feedback in the survey.

Cllr Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of Denbighshire, said: “I’d like to thank the businesses that took the time to complete this survey.

“It is important we continue to listen to the needs of entrepreneurs in the county and offer help and support based on their needs. That way we can offer training and support to businesses that will be a real benefit to them in pursuit of growth.

“I’m pleased so many businesses feel confident moving forward. Denbighshire is here to support businesses and we have a wide-range of projects to help and support businesses within our Economic and Community Ambition Strategy.

“I’m particularly pleased with the feedback on training needs, which shows we have been ahead of the game with our digital skills focus over the past couple of years.”

Mike Horrocks, Denbighshire’s Economic & Business Development Team and Programme Manager said: “A total of 80 per cent of businesses who took part in our events last year said that they’d taken the all-important steps to act upon the advice, information or contacts that they’d gained.  It’s that action that makes a real difference to the local economy.”

The survey, conducted by the council’s Economic and Business Development team, found more than 70 per cent of respondents said their business is stronger than it was in 2016 while only 1 per cent said it was weaker.

More than a quarter expect to increase staff numbers, while 63 per cent are expecting sales to increase.

The survey also found more businesses have taken up broadband and superfast broadband in the last 12 months, recognising that a digital presence and the skills to exploit this are crucial to future business success.

Last year March for Business saw 400 attendees take advantage of 13 events across 10 locations with the benefit of access to 45 business experts.  The 2018 programme of events will be announced early in the new year.

* For more information contact econ.dev@denbighshire.gov.uk or telephone 01824 706896.

Please find a link to the following video which details March for Business 2017 in English and Welsh for use online

Llangollen Flower Club's Christmas show

LLANGOLLEN CHRISTMAS SHOW AT THE TOWN HALL.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21st AT 7-30 PM.

GUEST DEMONSTRATOR WILL BE DAWN WEAVER FROM CHESTER

SHE IS A MASTER FLORIST, JUDGE AND TEACHER  AND ALSO A CHELSEA GOLD MEDAL WINNER.

MULLED PUNCH AND A MINCE PIE ARE INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF £8.00.

ALL THE ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE RAFFLED ALONG WITH A HUGE CHRISTMAS HAMPER AND OTHER GOODIES AT THE END OF THE SHOW.

TICKETS FROM CLUB MEMBERS OR ON THE DOOR. DOORS OPEN FROM 6-45 PM.

A GREAT START TO THE FESTIVE SEASON  WITH PLENTY OF HINTS AND TIPS.

Entries sought for church's Christmas competition

* A colourful entry from a previous year.

Entries are being sought for this year's Christmas Tree Festival at Llangollen Methodist Church.

This is a popular event, taking place in December, where visitors are asked to vote for their favourite trees which go on display at the church in Princess Street.

As usual there are two categories, Traditional and Christmas in Another Country.

Organiser Janet Storm said: "As you can imagine it is a closely fought competition with much fun to be had in participation.

"You will need to supply and decorate a small tree, no taller than five feet (1.5 metres) using an appropriate Christmas theme.

"You might like to link the decoration to your business or organisation, or just be creative.

"Any lights used must be battery operated. Hard bases are provided for you to cover with a cloth or paper as you wish.

"It is an opportunity for you to promote your business with small business cards or promotional materials being allowed around the base of your tree.

"Setting up of the trees will take place on Thursday December 7, between 12noon and 4pm, with dismantling on Thursday  January 4, between 12noon and 4pm."
 
* To register your intention to enter, contact Janet and Elias Storm on: 01978 253177, or email them at: eliasandjanet@gmail.com  before Saturday December 2.