Nature presenter backs community garden campaign

* Community gardeners gather on their plot during the recent snow.

Nature presenter Iolo Williams has added his voice to those opposed to the closure of Llangollen Community garden.

The garden has been threatened by a deal between a developer and the landowner, Denbighshire County council. 

Iolo is one of Wales’ most renowned naturalists and wildlife presenters. He has worked in conservation for over 30 years and has presented many nature and wildlife series for the BBC and S4C.  

He said: “Resources such as this play a vital role in local communities and can engender a lifelong passion for gardening and wildlife. Indeed my own passion was encouraged by my grandfather who took me to work with him in a local community garden.

"In these times when mental health and weight issues are becoming an increasing problem, community gardens have an important role to play and it would be a travesty if the garden at Llangollen was closed.” 

Last month Denbighshire County Council’s Asset Management Group decided to gift the 0.5-acre plot for housing on the basis that the developer will carry out works to nearby Plas Newydd.

Founders of the garden, which was established in 2012, say they received just four days’ notice ahead of the decision, which is due to be ratified on January 11. 

Garden campaigners claim that following the initial decision in November it has now emerged that the land was originally bought by Denbighshire County Council in order to enhance and protect the neighbouring heritage attraction, Plas Newydd. The initial purchase was majority funded by the Heritage Lottery fund, they say. 

Gardener Warren Davies said: “We have worked hard to create a community resource which is open to all, at no cost to the council, but it seems the council is willing to destroy that.”  

Amid claims by Denbighshire council that an alternative site had been turned down, Mr Davies said: “Another site has been mentioned, but it is in private ownership and has not been negotiated by the council, or formalised in any way. It also appears to be one tenth of the size of the current garden." 

The community garden is free to attend and open to all, and grows fruit and vegetables as well as developing wildflower areas and nature habitats. 

The garden regularly hosts free events such as storytelling evenings, visits from local children's groups, Welsh language sessions, and bonfires. 

The community garden group have set up a petition on their website which so far over 300 people have signed, and has more information about the group on Facebook. 

* Denbighshire County Council told llanblogger in response to its last story on the garden:  

“The council has also committed to providing a revised report for the next meeting of the Asset Management Group in January, when this group will review the decision made at the November meeting, reflecting on the additional information and supporting documentation provided by the Community Garden."

The council said yesterday that it doesn't wish to add to this comment.

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/