County cited as example of good education practice

Denbighshire County Council has been highlighted as an example of good practice in Estyn’s annual report.

Denbighshire was one of only two authorities to receive excellence for leadership in the last round of inspections and is the first to be awarded an excellent rating for leadership under a new inspection framework introduced across Wales.

One of the other main findings highlighted the recent merger of education and children’s services in the county as having a “positive impact” on services for children, young people and their families.  

The inspection also highlighted  that “the authority has a strong moral purpose that underpins its education services, focusing on an ambition to maximise the life chances of every learner.”

The annual  report published by Estyn states: “In Denbighshire County Council, outcomes and the quality of education services are good and leadership is excellent. The authority’s political and strategic leadership is successful in managing change.

"For example, the restructure of education and children’s services has resulted in a coherent, blended service that is better able to meet the needs of children and young people. The connections between these services help the authority to respond quickly to the needs of families and pupils and help officers to implement intervention and support at an early stage.

"The authority knows its schools very well and has clear policies, strategies and processes for school improvement work. It has a suitable range of appropriate provision for vulnerable pupils, which is generally effective in meeting their needs. Performance across the secondary schools has been variable over the last three years, but standards at key stage 4 in nearly all key indicators broadly compare well over time with those in similar authorities across Wales, and with national outcomes.”

The Council has also provided a best practice case study to Estyn that has been shared with councils across Wales.

Councillor Huw Hilditch- Roberts, Cabinet Lead Member for Children, Young People and the Welsh Language, said: “The opportunities for our children and young people are at the heart of everything that we do. We want them to have the best education possible and have plenty of opportunity to thrive and develop as individuals.  We are delighted that this has been reflected in the annual Estyn report in such a comprehensive way.

“The original inspection report itself made very positive reading and we must pay tribute  to the tremendous amount of work that goes on in the local authority to support schools and ensure that all children receive the best than can with the resources available .  

"The approach to working with our partners in the public sector is also a key factor in this success.  We are all working together with a common goal:  to improve education and opportunities for our children and young people.

“Education in Denbighshire has been a priority for a number of years and this is paying dividends. We have also made a further commitment to improving education over the coming years and our vision for the best possible education for our children and young people has not changed."

Ceramic artists champion shop local campaign

* Charmain Poole, left, and Jacqui Atkin of Gwalia Ceramics in Llangollen.

Ceramic artists inspired by the rich and varied wildlife of North East Wales are championing a new campaign to persuade people to shop locally this Christmas.

Shelves at Gwalia Ceramics in Llangollen’s Oak Street are a testimony to the way the region’s flora and fauna are motivating these artists in clay.

The shop and gallery is run by two potters, Charmain Poole and Jacqui Atkin, who teamed up after meeting at a North Wales ceramicists group and 18 months ago they opened Gwalia Ceramics.

Charmain, from Cynwyd, near Corwen, and Jacqui, who lives in St Martin’s, near Oswestry, take turns to run the business, a week on and a week off, giving them time to work on their vibrantly coloured designs at their workshops at home.

Their business is the kind of unique shop Denbighshire County Council’s #LoveLiveLocal campaign promotes as part of the diverse and vibrant shopping experience available on the county’s high streets.

The project is centred on the busy run-up to Christmas and Charmain and Jacqui and other retailers across the county are featured on a series of videos on social media telling shoppers about the variety of shops in Denbighshire.

As part of the #LoveLiveLocal campaign shoppers can support local independent businesses by using the hashtag on Twitter and Facebook to share good experiences they’ve had as well as promote products and services locally they have ‘loved’.

Cllr Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of Denbighshire County Council, said: “Llangollen is a great example of the high-quality, unique shopping offer evident in high streets across Denbighshire.

“Small businesses like Gwalia Ceramics provide great customer service, going that extra mile to help their customers. As well the fantastic range of goods available in the county, shopping locally helps support Denbighshire’s economy.”

Jacqui’s work often features birds while that of Charmain, who spent a few years sailing the Mediterranean with her late husband, makes use of fish but other artists they sell have also been inspired by the natural world.

The foxes of Anna-Mercedes Wear, who died recently from cancer, feature prominently and so do the hares and weasels by Julie Shaw, part of a colourful and ever-changing display in the gallery.

Charmain said: “Llangollen is such a lovely town with so many interesting shops and lots of visitors and it’s midway between our homes so it’s been ideal.

“Our business model is very simple – we welcome ceramic artists whose work we like and appreciate.

“It’s nice to deal with good people and we like to promote them and particularly those who live and work in the area.”

Jacqui, the editor of ceramics magazine Clay Craft and the author of several books on pottery-making, has taught ceramics and worked in the NHS using ceramics as therapy for mental health patients.

She said: “My inspiration is drawn from many sources including a recent visit to Australia to see my daughter but the view from my studio window which looks out over my garden and the woodland beyond has the most enduring influence, changing with the seasons, a rich palette of colour and shape.

“None of what we have here in the shop is mass-produced, it is all individually made by artists in their studios and much of it is made locally.”

Gwalia Ceramics is part of the #LoveLiveLocal campaign being run by Denbighshire County Council and are featured on one of a series of short video clips to highlight what the county has to offer shoppers.

The Council is offering more support to local businesses with free car parking in all Denbighshire County Council town centre car parks after 3pm between November 21 and December 31.

* For more on #lovelivelocal go to https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/business/business-support-and-advice/love-live-local-caru-busnesau-lleol.aspx as well as on Facebook and Twitter.

* For more information on Gwalia Ceramics go to their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/showcasemakers/

Ysgol y Gwernant children visit Rhug Estate

Rhug Estate welcomed pupils from years one and two at Ysgol y Gwernant, Llangollen, to the farm recently.

The group of 38 children and four staff were eager to learn about all the different types of animals on the farm.

Whilst visiting the Rhug, the pupils aged between 5 and 7 years old, were given a tour of the farm by Gareth Jones, Rhug Farm Manager.

On their way round the farm they got to see the farm’s turkeys, geese, bison, Aberdeen angus cows and chickens. The group completed their visit in the Rhug playground.

Mrs Diane Davies, the class teacher, who accompanied the children on the visit, said: “We were very grateful to the staff at Rhug for accommodating our visit. We often forget what wonderful resources we have on our doorstep.

"All the children were absolutely fascinated by all the different types of animals they saw during our tour. We were even lucky enough to see a chick close up. It is of vital importance that this young generation understand where their food comes from.”

The Rhug Estate encourages groups to arrange a tour of the farm to learn more about how organic food is produced in a sustainable way. Educational groups are especially welcome.

Lord Newborough said: “I believe it is part of our job as custodians of this land to impart the knowledge we have to the next generation. I feel it is vitally important to spread the word about how important organic farming is to providing a better, more sustainable and healthy future for the next generation.

"I am horrified by newspaper articles that state children do not know where their food comes from. I want our future generation of consumers to make an educated choice when it comes to where they buy from.”

llanblogger launches regular car reviews

llanblogger is delighted to launch a new regular series of car reviews by STEVE ROGERS, one of the most respected motoring writers in the business and who is based in North Wales. We get into gear with his appraisal of the new Suzuki Jimny. 

* The new Suzuki Jimny.

* The Jimny boot space.

Launch report by Steve Rogers

MEET the new Suzuki Jimny, a car almost as rare as a nine bob note.

Anyone wanting the funky off roader is in for a long wait because Suzuki has only got 600 and they have been snapped up even before the car goes on sale in January.

Even with a new 1.5 litre petrol engine Suzuki is struggling to get emissions down to the required level so the most we will get is 1,200 a year from 2020.

And that's a great shame because this Jimny is like nothing that has gone before.

It has been around for almost half a century and it is exactly 20 years since the last major facelift. That is too long to wait but those lucky enough to get their hands on the new Jimny will not be disappointed.

It is light years ahead of the old model and is, dare I say, reasonably comfortable. Anyone acquainted with Jimny will know it has a ride like a bucking bronko but has always been a car that doesn't mind taking knocks and is fantastic off road.

And that key strength is still there. The new car retains the good old ladder framed chassis but this time it is much more rigid which has gone some way to improving Jimny's road manners.

Has the 20 year wait for a serious upgrade been worth it? Absolutely. The new squared off shape - am I the only one who thinks it has a bit of Jeep Wrangler about it - retains the Jimny's funkyness (have I just created a new word) as well as providing a little more space in a car that is a little shorter.

Overall it is roomier gaining 53 litres more storage space with the back seats flat. With both in place there is only room for a couple of bags of shopping, but that's not what it is here for.

Jimny has a great following in rural Wales because of its ability to go anywhere, as well as its longevity.

I went off roading in Jimny at Stoneleigh Park, the National Agricultural Centre, and was staggered how easily it coped with the most demanding circuit I have experienced. It dropped down and climbed some horribly steep gullies, made mincemeat of 'quick sand' mud and easily traversed scary looking tracks thanks to its generous ground clearance.

This Jimny really has gone all sophisticated with its Allgrip Pro four wheel drive system. It has hill descent control and dual sensor brake support, but is still an authentic off roader  - it even has the old fashioned gear stick for low range transfer.

Inside has been spruced up but it is not too flash maintaining the hardwearing easy clean plastic facings. A few more creature comforts have been thrown in - air conditioning, Bluetooth connections, digital radio, cruise control on SZ4, and on the top end SZ5, navigation, Smartphone link and heated front seats.

The biggest change will be felt on the open road. Jimny still rolls on bends and roundabouts, and the ride certainly isn't smooth but it is a lot more settled so the kids are unlikely to be reaching for the sick bags on a trip to the supermarket.

The new 1.5 litre petrol engine is a bit noisy and would benefit from a sixth gear to lower the din at motorway speeds but has decent pick up in fourth and fifth gears. There is also a four speed automatic option. Prices: SZ4 £15,499; SZ5 £17,999 with an extra £1,000 for the automatic.

So Jimny has come of age at last, practical, eye catching, and a demon off road. It would sell here in its thousands if only Suzuki had thousands to sell.

*There is more good news. The excellent Vitara has been freshened up with soft touch dashboard trim (hooray!).

It gets a few other bits and bobs, blindside alert to help with overtaking, rear cross traffic alert, sunroof, centre armrest and storage box.

More significantly the 1-litre Boosterjet engine has been added to the range and it works a treat.

I had my doubts about such a small engine carrying a mid sized SUV but it does, and with ease.

Suzuki's petrol engines can hold their own against anyone and the 110bhp three-cylinder is up there with the best providing remarkable performance, economy and low emissions.

Anyone wanting more should go for the 1.4 litre Boosterjet which is another cracker.

Prices start at £16,999.

Santas paddle for pounds on the canal

Colourfully-costumed Santas were out in force on the canal yesterday.

They were taking part in a standup paddle-boarding event in aid of Wales Air Ambulance organised by Stand-Up Paddleboard UK.

Pictures courtesy of Allan Potts.

Town carol service is on December 16

Quiz aims to benefit Cancer Research UK

For the twelfth year there will be a Christmas Quiz on behalf of Cancer Research UK. 

Organisers say it should be fun for all the family and they suggest people could even consider including it in Christmas cards to friends. 

Copies (£1) are obtainable from the Tourist Information Centre in Castle Street.