MP wins ATM cashpoint commitment

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones has secured a commitment that all Post Office ATM cashpoint machines will stay free-to-use.

Ms Jones today (Wednesday) met in Parliament with Post Office Corporate Affairs Director Patrick Bourke and Director of Banking Services, Martin Kearsley.

Later, the MP (pictured) said: "I am concerned that as the banks consult on their cash machines and the Links network, we could be left in a position where fewer of the UK's 70,000 Links cashpoint machines are free to use. I personally believe the Government should legislate on this issue, but if it doesn't, small towns and villages could be hit really hard.

"For that reason, I asked to meet with senior Post Office directors to discuss their  take on the situation. Their commitment to free-to-use machines is welcome.

"Also welcome is the fact that the Post Office is starting to work with Credit Unions and developing new technologies to do so.

"This is really good news - as it means that in case of emergencies, say boilers or cookers breaking down, many Credit Union account holders will be able to access cash fast through the local Post Office. That is so much better than having to go to Bright House or high-interest loan companies."

She added: "As someone who made representations to the Government's Banking Protocol about the need to standardise access to bank accounts, I am also pleased to see that 99% of all UK consumer banking customers – and 95% of all small business banking customers –  can now access basic banking services, such as cash withdrawal, cash deposit and cheque deposits through the Post Office. That means locally that people don't have to go to Wrexham for their everyday banking needs."

Ms Jones also raised issues relating to how charities, community groups and local churches can use the Post Office for everyday banking, and discussed particular problems concerning access to Post Office services in the Maelor villages.

Police boss calls for legal clampdown on "upskirting"

A police boss is calling for tough new legislation to punish the sexually intrusive practice of upskirting.

According to North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones, secretly photographing underneath a woman's clothing without her consent should be a sexual offence.

The perverts who take the pictures often make things even more distressing for the victims by uploading the images onto the internet.

An online campaign by one victim, London writer Gina Martin, 25, has already amassed more than 70,000 signatures.

The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, of which Mr Jones is a member, has also spoken out against the "invasive and appalling practice". The UK Government is being urged to criminalise the behaviour and introduce legislation in the forthcoming Courts Bill to update the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

Mr Jones (pictured) said: "There should certainly be new legislation so that the law can catch up with the new problems of the here and now. As things stand there is a gap in the law.

"Upskirting appears to be a growing problem and it is something that we should act upon to make sure that it is punished appropriately.

"It is a classic example of misogyny in a public place and there is no room in society for this form of totally inappropriate behaviour.

"What makes things even worse is that the perpetrator often compounds these acts by up-loading these images onto the internet.

"Voyeurism is already classed as an offence and there is no reason in my view why upskirting should not be treated in exactly the same way.

"By creating a specific sexual offence covering the practice of 'upskirting' we will be providing the police with more of the tools they need to help bring perpetrators of these appalling acts to justice.

“Making this a specific sexual offence would mean proper recognition of the intent of the perpetrator and the real distress and sense of violation caused to the victim. In addition, it would allow for the range of sentencing and disposal options that are available in respect of sexual offences.

“Updating the law would also raise the public's awareness of this deviant behaviour, give the police more clarity about what action they can take to purse prosecutions whilst at the same time it would send a clear message that these acts are totally unacceptable.

"I am calling on the Government to act swiftly and decisively to ensure that justice is no longer denied to the victims already suffering from this disgraceful practice. The Justice Secretary should look to include measures in the forthcoming Courts Bill to tackle this appalling practice and update the law to protect victims.

"Quite simply, this is sexual offending and should be treated as such."

Christmas music at Methodist Church

Update on D Jones bus company closure

Wrexham.com has a further update on the story of the local bus company closure ...

http://www.wrexham.com/news/further-update-from-wrexham-council-after-collapse-of-d-jones-son-buses-142128.html

Churches stage annual carol service

* Members of Llangollen Youth Choir perform at the carol concert last night.

Churches of various denominations in Llangollen came together for their annual carol service at the Town Hall yesterday (Sunday) evening.

Led by the Rev Phil Poole of the Methodist Church and the Rev Andrew Sully of St Collen's Parish Church, the evening featured a selection of traditional carols, all accompanied by Llangollen Silver Band.

The band performed a number of Christmas numbers, including Tannenbaum and Stop the Cavalry popularised by Joan Lewie in the 1980s.

Also singing some seasonal songs were members of Llangollen Youth Choir conducted by Elen Mair Roberts.

Musical items were interspersed with readings for a number of people including Town Mayor, Cllr Sheena Burrell.

Refreshments were provided and a retiring collection was taken in aid of the charity Embrace the Middle East.

During the evening results were announced of the Christmas tree competition staged at the Methodist Church and voted for by members of the public.

The two winners were the trees created by the town's New Dot community cinema and Llangollen Gardening Club.  

Disruption 'inevitable" after bus company ceases trading

A council leader says disruption is inevitable after a bus company serving Llangollen ceased trading.

For the full story, see: http://www.chesterstandard.co.uk/home/2017/12/16/gallery/disruption-inevitable-after-wrexham-bus-firm-announces-it-is-to-cease-trading-102447/

Stiwt panto has everything to make it a hit

With its larger-than-life dame, frenetic comic lead and extra-nasty villain the Stiwt panto couldn’t fail to be a smash-hit.

Add in a sweet principal girl, the mother of all a fairy godmothers and a posse of super-cute oversized puppets and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs should be pulling in the crowd this festive season.

Audience participation is always a key ingredient and the huge gang of kids packing the aisles at the lovely old Rhos theatre were hooked right from the start by Dame Debbie, forcefully delivered by the towering James Humphreys, who dared them not to scream along with the action.

Standing what appeared to be about seven feet high, if there’s a taller dame in any panto in the land this season, I’d be surprised. And his comedic talent measured up to every inch of his height.

Another character who develops that essential love/hate rapport with the crowd is Michael Jenkins as the Wicked Queen’s sneering side-kick, Henchman. A Stiwt panto stalwart, he steps out of his jackboots to direct the whole show and it’s largely down to him that the whole thing is so zingy and tight.

If the dame is extra tall, then Muddles the comic lead is the exact opposite. But what Kyle Corrin may lack in stature he certainly makes up for in sheer exuberance.

A ball of explosive energy, he fires off jokes machine-gun style and never gives the kids out front a minute’s peace. They love him for it as you can hear from the crescendo of cheers which greets his many appearances on stage.

As has become the practice with the LHK Productions-created pantos here, there has to be high-profile addition to the cast. This time there’s two – Eastenders’ Tony Discipline as the dashing hero Prince Valiant and Big Brother’s Mark Byron as the very camp Fairy Godmother.  Both are perfect in their roles.

The programme biogs don’t mention if Megan Ashley has played in any previous pantos, so this may be her first. But so competently did she handle the part of Snow White, with just the right level of sweetness, that it certainly won’t be her last.

The other lady involved is Cerys Buck. On stage she turned in a very neat Wicked Queen and off-stage she was the choreographer behind some fast-moving dance routines involving a host of talented local youngsters.

Two teams of kids take it in turn to don the clever costumes of the Seven Dwarfs. They look adorable and are yet another crowd pleaser.

There’s recently been some media fuss about at least one professional panto using a script that’s a little near the knuckle for an audience largely comprising kids.

Innuendo has long been a tradition with this type of show but the trick is to make sure things don’t tumble too far over the watershed.

This one has a bit of naughtiness, especially from Dame Debbie, but there’s definitely nothing too strong or offensive and it's all delivered in the best possible taste.

This spectacular show, packed with humour, music and an abundance of colour, is sure to delight the whole family and is on at the Stiwt until New Year’s Eve. Box office: 01978 841300.