Chief Constable leaves force for health board

North Wales’ most senior police officer, Chief Constable Mark Polin, has today announced that he is to retire in July.

Chief Constable Polin (pictured) has been a police officer for more than three decades, including nearly nine years as Chief Constable of North Wales Police.

He will leave his post in effect from late July to take up the role of Chairman of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board at the start of September.

He said: “I feel very fortunate to have led North Wales Police for close on nine years and I can honestly say I have enjoyed every day. It has been an absolute privilege to work alongside such professional, committed and skilled members of staff.

"Their resilience and understanding has been truly tremendous given the challenges we have tackled, not least in terms of pretty much continual change in the face of austerity and new demands and rising public expectations.

“We have been very successful together and in conjunction with our partners. Our performance has remained strong and indeed improved in key areas; we have never been found wanting in terms of critical and major incidents; we have invested in IT, estate and other infrastructure; continued to recruit high quality people and we have managed our finances and assets well – to name but a few things.”

Mr Polin started his career with the City of London Police where he worked up to the rank of Chief Inspector. In 1998 he transferred to Gwent Police as the Superintendent in charge of various central operational functions, including the Force Control Room and the firearms, public order and traffic units.

In December 1999, he was appointed as Chief Superintendent and Divisional Commander of Caerphilly Division, and in 2002 assumed responsibility for the Professional and Ethical Standards Department.

Before moving to North Wales as Chief Constable Mark was Deputy Chief Constable of Gloucestershire Constabulary.

In 2010 Mark received the Queen's Police Medal (QPM Award).

Mark said: “I have been assisted by a strong but appropriate relationship with the Police & Crime Commissioner and his office, who have supported the Force well. My life has also been made somewhat easier by a cohesive and high performing management team.

"I say to all our new recruits that families and friends play a crucial role in supporting us to do our jobs to the best of our ability and I know I could not have performed the role I have without my wife Karen and our two children Amy and James to whom I am indebted. I will miss hugely all the officers, staff and volunteers I have had the honour of leading for the last nine years.”

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones said: “I would like to thanks Chief Constable Mark Polin for his excellent leadership at a time when the Force has had to absorb substantial financial cutbacks whilst adapting to deal with new and emerging crimes.

“Mark has been a credit to North Wales Police and is held in the highest regard not just by his colleagues, but across the range of partners that the Force works with and the communities that it serves.

“He has made a significant impact on the area and through his leadership the force is now in a much better position to meet the challenging demands of modern policing which in turn ensures that North Wales remains a safe place to live, work and visit.

“I sincerely thank him and to wish him well for the future.

“We have now started the process of appointing a new Chief Constable. They are big shoes to fill but I am confident we will choose a worthy successor to carry on his good work.”

Deputy Chief Constable Gareth Pritchard will be the Acting Chief Constable until a new Chief is appointed.

He will be supported by Assistant Chief Constable Richard Debicki who will become the Acting Deputy Chief Constable and Chief Superintendent Neill Anderson who will become the Acting Assistant Chief Constable.

Appeal follows A494 accident

Update in relation to the road traffic collision on the A494 at Bala

Police have confirmed that the motorcyclist involved in the road traffic collision on the A494 at Bala yesterday (Monday) afternoon has died.

The family of the 57-year-old man, from the Wrexham area, have been informed, but no further details are said to be available at present.

The collision, involving the motorcycle and a car, happened at 3.09pm.

Sgt Nicola Grimes-Williams said: “We are keen to hear form anyone who may have seen the motorcyclist riding along the road prior to the collision this afternoon and we are appealing to any drivers who may have dashcam footage to come forward.”

* Anyone with any information is urged to call the Roads Policing Unit on 101 quoting reference W059333. Alternatively contact the Control Room via the new live web chat on http://www.north-wales.police.uk/contact/chat-support.aspx.

Police appeal following fatal collision

Police are renewing their appeal for information following a fatal road traffic collision in Wrexham yesterday (Friday May 4^th).

At 4:10pm police were notified of a two-vehicle collision on the junction of the A525 and the A483 involving a motorcycle and a silver coloured Fiat 500.

Emergency services attended the scene however the motorcyclist was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

Sergeant Meurig Jones said: “Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of those involved in the collision during this difficult time.

“The motorcycle was travelling from Coedpoeth towards Wrexham – and we’d appeal to any motorists who may have witnessed the collision or may have seen the motorcycle before the incident to get in contact with us. We’d be especially eager to hear from anyone who saw the motorcycle approaching the lights on the junction of the A525 and the A483.

Anybody with information is asked to contact officers at the Roads Policing Unit on 101 or via the live web chat by quoting reference number W057541.

Glyndŵr to help boost your health and happiness

* From left: Petros Andreadis, Senior Lecturer, Public Health and Wellbeing; Justine Mason, Programme Leader for the Mental Health and Wellbeing programme, and Catherine Hewins, Senior Lecturer – Health.

 

A series of masterclasses looking at how communities can work together to improve health, happiness and wellbeing are to be held at Wrexham Glyndŵr University.

The free masterclasses, being held across May and June, examine ways that the general public – and specific professionals – can make an impact in their community.

On May 23, the Art and Science of Public Health Masterclass - https://www.glyndwr.ac.uk/en/ShortCourses/PublicHealthMasterclass/ - will look at how our lifestyles and systems can affect our health and wellbeing – and ways we can reduce disease and illness and increase wellbeing.

On June 22, the Beyond Barbells and Beefcake Masterclass - https://www.glyndwr.ac.uk/en/ShortCourses/BeyondBarbellsandBeefcake/ - examines ways that fitness professionals can link their work to the wider picture when it comes to public health and wellbeing.

And on June 25, the Tints, Tips and Talking Masterclass - https://www.glyndwr.ac.uk/en/ShortCourses/TintsTipsandTalking/ - will consider the impact that those working in the beauty industry can make. Designed for any kind of beauty industry professional, the class looks at how beauty professionals can recognise issues such as loneliness – and ways that they can signpost their clients to services.

Programme Leader for the Mental Health and Wellbeing programme, Justine Mason, explained that one of the drivers behind the masterclasses was to set out the ways that different groups can play in keeping a community healthy.

She said: “One of the areas where we have been doing a lot of work – and which is growing in importance – is social prescribing. This is essentially where a person’s needs are looked at and a range of activities are suggested for them to take part in – such as volunteering, cookery or gardening. These are designed to help boost their wellbeing.

“When social prescribing first started, it was very much GP led – you would see your GP, and they would refer you on from there. What we are finding, however, is that other members of the community can have that knowledge too.

“Take hairdressers – people will tell their hairdresser how lonely they are, indeed the hairdresser may be the only person they talk to that day. These masterclasses can help people to identify situations like that where they can improve the health and wellbeing of their community, what they can do – and how a hairdresser could tackle social isolation without even leaving the salon.

“The same is true for fitness professionals too – and for other members of the public. These masterclasses are designed to show how our communities can get involved in public health – and the difference that makes.”

* To find out more about the BSc (Hons) Public Health and Wellbeing course, please click here: https://www.glyndwr.ac.uk/en/Undergraduatecourses/HealthandWellbeing/ and to find out about the BSc(Hons) Mental Health and Wellbeing course, please click here: https://www.glyndwr.ac.uk/en/Undergraduatecourses/MentalHealthandWellbeing/

Hospice's latest Ride Out is this Sunday

Scores of bikers are expected to take part in Nightingale House Hospice's annual Ride Out from Llangollen Pavilion this Sunday.

After the success of the last two years, the hospice says it is pleased to invite all bikers to join the event.

Riders will be navigating the Welsh country roads with a stop for lunch and enjoying the magnificent scenery along the way.

 

Registration includes entry, lunch, pin badge and a raffle ticket.

The lunch stop is held at Llyn Brenig before the ride finishes at the Ponderosa on the Horseshoe Pass.

 

The Ride Out will start at 10am (register from 8.30am), to register, contact the fundraising team on 01978 314292.

Details of the route can be found here: goo.gl/maps/vGappfzhPGN2 although this is subject to change depending on weather and roadworks.

Price: £10 (includes entry and lunch).

Intrepid John completes Chester Half Marathon

* John Palmer celebrates his Chester Half Marathon success.

Last Sunday Llangollen septuagenarian John Palmer completed his first half marathon in Chester in 1hour 59 minutes.

John was raising money for Alzheimer’s Research, his wife Lyn having been diagnosed with dementia a little over five years ago.

In September last year John and his son Nic were no longer able to care for her at home and she is now looked after by the lovely staff at Llangollen Fechan.

John and Lyn met at Chester Teacher Training College, now Chester University, over 50 years ago and after a very happy life together John wanted to help find a cure for this awful disease.

He has raised over £1,600 and says: "I have been overwhelmed by the support and good wishes from both friends and complete strangers and appreciate all they have done for us.”

Lee "Scratch" Perry spearheads Fringe line-up

Lee "Scratch" Perry, the legendary reggae producer, provocateur and dub pioneer, will headline the 21st edition of the Llangollen Fringe Festival on Saturday 25th July.

Grammy award-winning Perry (pictured) has been highly influential in the development of reggae and dub music world wide.

Working under many names - as well as in many capacities including disc jockey, producer, record businessman, songwriter, singer - he has been a guiding force in the development of reggae.

In addition to his own trailblazing music, Perry has produced hits for the Wailers, Junior Byles, Max Romeo, the Heptones, Gregory Isaacs, Junior Murvin, and the Clash.

Known for his bizarre behaviour and stream-of-consciousness interviews, he often dons costumes and headdresses made of found objects such as feathers, toys, playing cards, and coins.

Perry is joined on the festival's bill - its biggest to date - by Eliza Carthy & The Wayward Band, BBC 6 Music Radio's Craig Charles and Mark Radcliffe (appearing on separate nights) and Linton Kwesi Johnson.

There will also be stand-up comedy and the return of Band For a Day, the music-themed Steam Train and Aqueduct Boat trips trips, and many other events.

The festival rounds off with its iconic closing concert in the stunning surrounds of Valle Crucis Abbey, which this year will feature the ethereal sound of Golden Fable and the New Sinfornia Orchestra.

* Full listings tickets for the whole festival are on sale now priced at £80. This allows access to all of the main events across the 10 days. Tickets are available from www.llangollenfringe.co.uk, or by calling the Fringe box office on 0800 1455 779.