AM questions North Wales transport connectivity

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has called for the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport, Ken Skates AM, to work with the North Wales Growth Board in relation to transport connectivity with the rail network.

Mr Isherwood (pictured) made the plea when speaking in the Assembly Chamber following the Cabinet Secretary’s Statement on ‘Ambitions for Great Western and North Wales Main Lines’.

He said: “I endorse your Statement fully that if the UK Government makes the right choices on the Crewe hub, et cetera, then HS2 will have a significant economic benefit for North Wales. But, my question, given your reference in your statement to working with Growth Track 360 (*), which of course I also fully support, is why you've made no reference to the North Wales Growth Board, established to finalize the Growth Deal and manage its delivery once it's agreed with the two Governments? So, what work, in the context of transport connectivity with the rail network, are you undertaking directly with the Growth Board?”

The Cabinet Secretary had earlier claimed that the UK Government had “underinvested in our railway infrastructure to the tune of it being only 1 per cent of investment across the UK in the latest control period, in spite of the fact we've got 10 to 11 per cent of track miles”.

Responding to this Mr Isherwood added: “You referred to the 1 per cent expenditure. The Office of Rail and Road Annual Report on UK Rail Industry Financial Information, published last year, found that Wales actually receives 9.6 per cent of net UK Government funding for franchised train operations and Network Rail, and 6.4 per cent of total net UK Government funding for Network Rail routes, as submitted in evidence to the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee after we highlighted similar concerns.”

Search for eisteddfod star attracts record entries

* Voice of the Future 2017 winner Sian Dicker is presented with the Pendine Trophy by Mario Kreft.

A global search to find a new international singing star has attracted a record number of entries.

The prestigious Pendine International Voice of the Future competition will be one of the highlights of the week-long Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod which gets underway on Tuesday, July 3.

The aim of the annual competition which started in 2013 is to advance the careers of the world’s most gifted young singers.

Each year the beautiful town of Llangollen in the Dee Valley, North Wales, welcomes talented International Voice of the Future entrants for the first two days of the festival, as competitors battle for the coveted Pendine Trophy through the preliminary rounds and the grand final on Wednesday, July 4.

For the second year running arts-loving care organisation Pendine Park, a long-standing supporter of the festival, are contributing £5,000 to the prize fund via the Pendine Arts and Community Trust which was established to support cultural and community initiatives.

The rest of the £10,000 prize pot is being donated by the Sir Bryn Terfel Foundation and Llangollen Eisteddfod.

The aim of the competition is to showcase and nurture young talent by raising their profile and giving their budding careers a financial boost.

Winners are also given the opportunity to perform in future Eisteddfod concerts with established international stars. 

Previous winners include Meinir Wyn Roberts, who was a special guest at last year’s 70^th anniversary opening concert, Elsa Roux Chamoux and Eirlys Myfanwy Davies, who performed with Sir Bryn Terfel and the world-renowned Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja at the festival in 2016.

The Pendine International Voice of the Future competition is open to singers over 19 and under the age of 28, with entries closing in early March annually.

The competition, now in its fifth year, has attracted a record number of 43 entries as its popularity continues to grow.

Pendine Park proprietor Mario Kreft MBE said: “We established the Pendine Arts and Community Trust to enhance our ongoing support to more than 20 arts organisations and a host of good causes in the community.

“We’re therefore proud to be working with the Sir Bryn Terfel Foundation to support such an exceptional competition which provides a catalyst for talented young individuals to reach new heights by launching their singing careers on a global stage.

“Music and the arts provide the golden thread that runs through everything we do at Pendine Park to enrich the lives of our residents and staff alike, so we’re delighted to be helping out by creating opportunities for gifted young singers by providing an international platform for their talent.”

Music Director at the International Eisteddfod, Vicky Yannoula, commented: “In my debut year as Music Director, I’m relishing the chance to discover the brightest young talent in association with Pendine Park and of course Sir Bryn Terfel’s Foundation.

“I’m looking forward to sharing the stage - as I join forces with the distinguished pianist, Peter Jablonski - to perform alongside our remarkable finalists in our Classical Collection evening concert on Wednesday 4th July. 

“From its introduction in 2013, the calibre of competition and prestige has continued to grow. We cannot wait to experience the extraordinary level of excellence this year’s participants are sure to offer.” 

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).