Police deal with rural off-roaders

During last weekend, June 22nd and 23rd, North Wales Police ran a second operation to address concerns regarding off-road bikes and 4x4 vehicles.

Following numerous complaints, increased patrols are taking place in rural parts of Denbighshire and Wrexham to target the illegal use of off-road motorcycles that are being ridden illegally.

As a result of the weekend long operation 15 people were dealt with for having illegal number plates, one had no insurance one for was dealt with for other driving offences.

Sgt Martin Jones said: “In addition to a safety hazard to both themselves and others, illegal off-roading has a major impact on the environment.”

“There are signs in place, but people are choosing to ignore them. We would like to remind members of the public that anyone found to be undertaking illegal off-road activity on a footpath or bridleway may be liable to prosecution under S34 of the Road Traffic Act and S59 Police Reform Act. Under both acts, illegal off-road riders are liable to have their vehicles seized.”

“The best way forward is for these riders to find a commercial motorsports site, an off-road centre, or by joining a reputable club specialising in off-road activities. User organisations can advise people on the use of public rights of way, such as byways and unsurfaced roads.”

Police have the power to seize bikes and cars which are used in a way which causes harassment, alarm or distress. A warning is given first but if that fails to be effective and the vehicle is used in an anti-social manner again, it will be seized under Section 59 of the Police Reform Act. Vehicles can also be seized if the rider is not insured or has no road tax.

Riders who want to keep within the realms of the law are encouraged to contact their local rights of way officer for information on where they can ride or join one of the many organisations representing riders.

Sgt Jones added: “Riding off road motorbikes can be very popular – however, these vehicles can also be used in a dangerous, noisy and anti-social way, generating lots of complaints to police.”

“We regularly receive complaints concerning the anti-social use of off road motorbikes, and to help reduce harm to individuals and communities, we will continue to work closely with our colleagues in Natural Resources Wales to carry out operations where we will seize and crush illegal off road vehicles.”

He added: “Information received via the public is vital to positive action being taken and we are urging anybody who witnesses the illegal use of motorcycles, off-road or quad bikes in the area to contact us. We would also request that any footage captured is sent to us with as much detail as possible.”

Sergeant Luke Hughes, of Wrexham Rural Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "We will continue to take action against those who show no regard for road traffic laws, or those with no respect for the local community and wildlife.

"We wish to make our communities and these areas of natural beauty safe and accessible for all to enjoy and will run similar events regularly through the summer."

Anybody with information regarding the use of illegal off-road bikes are asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. In an emergency always dial 999.

No. 5 bus will run for another year, says government

The Welsh Government will continue to fund the important number 5 bus service Wrexham to Llangollen in 2019-20, Transport Minister Ken Skates has announced.

It means this regular service will continue for the next year and carry on taking in stops including in Johnstown and Ruabon Railway Station.

The Welsh Government will now work with Denbighshire County Council to agree the necessary arrangements.

The news comes after Ken Skates recently announced funding of £25 million Bus Service Support Grant for local authorities in Wales for 2019-20.

This funding supplements local authorities’ expenditure from their own budgets in supporting the bus and community transport networks in their areas.

The Welsh Government’s White Paper, Improving Public Transport, also aims to improve bus services and provide legislation which will help deliver a truly integrated public transport service.

Transport Minister Ken Skates said: "An effective and reliable bus service is for many communities a lifeline and I have heard previously how beneficial the number 5 is to local people.

"I am pleased the Welsh Government will continue to support this service which is vital in connecting communities on this route from Wrexham to Llangollen.

"We know bus services provide important access to education, training, work and healthcare and for people to quite simply enjoy a day out. I hope today’s announcement brings comfort to those who use it knowing they can continue to benefit from this service.

"As a government, we are absolutely committed to ensuring a healthy future for public transport. Local authorities have a vital role to play in delivering a sustainable bus service for the benefit of local communities and we will continue to work closely with them and the bus industry to ensure passengers’ interests and needs come first.

Managing Director of Arriva Buses Wales, Michael Morton said: "The continuation of funding for this front line service guarantees that we can maintain the frequency on Sapphire Service 5 from Wrexham to Llangollen. Arriva Buses Wales is pleased to see that the Welsh Government sees this as an important transport link in this very beautiful part of North Wales that will continue to provide local people and tourists with an upmarket Sapphire standard bus service."

Denbighshire’s Cabinet Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the Environment, Councillor Brian Jones said: "We are delighted that the news of a second year’s additional funding for bus service improvements in Llangollen.

"This funding ensures that the town and its residents and many visitors will continue to benefit from an improved bus service than would otherwise be the case and this is meeting demand for public transport services locally in the Llangollen area. On weekdays, the funding allows the service to continue broadly every half hour during the day.

"The council also subsidises the evening bus service and I’m sure these developments will receive a positive response in the local community."

Council to host eisteddfod welcome event

Ysgol y Gwernant honoured for Welsh language use

* The gold award winners line up.

Ysgol y Gwernant in Llangollen is amongst 14 Denbighshire schools honoured for their commitment to increasing the number of pupils who communicate socially through the medium of Welsh.

In January 2016 the Welsh Government launched the Welsh Language Charter pilot scheme in Denbighshire's Welsh medium schools. 

The aim of the charter is to increase children's social use of the Welsh language. 

By taking part in the scheme schools will plan to inspire children and young people to use their Welsh in all aspects of their lives.

The Language Charter encourages participation by all members of the school community - the school council and the language ambassadors, pupils, the workforce, parents, governors and the wider community.

The schools received the Language Charter Bronze Award in the summer of 2016 and the Silver Award in the summer of 2017. 

Since then the schools have been working hard to achieve the Gold Award requirements and since summer 2018 they have been validated one after another and succeeded in achieving the Gold Award.

The successful schools are:

• Ysgol y Gwernant, Llangollen
• Ysgol Bro Dyfrdwy, Cynwyd
• Ysgol Betws Gwerfil Goch
• Ysgol Bro Elwern, Gwyddelwern
• Ysgol Pen Barras, Ruthin
• Ysgol Pentrecelyn
• Ysgol Bro Cinmeirch, Llanrhaeadr yng Nghinmeirch
• Ysgol Tremeirchion
• Ysgol Henllan
• Ysgol Twm o’r Nant, Denbigh
• Ysgol Dewi Sant, Rhyl
• Ysgol y Llys, Prestatyn
• Ysgol Pant Pastynog, Prion
• Ysgol Carreg Emlyn, Clocaenog.

Councillor Huw Hilditch Roberts, Lead Cabinet Member for Education, Children's Services and Public Engagement, said: “Receiving the Gold Award clearly shows the hard work that has taken place within the schools to improve the quality of the school pupils to socialise through the medium of Welsh.

“The pupils have been inspired to enjoy using the Welsh language in an increasing range of situations,  increasing their use of technology through the medium of Welsh and their confidence to use the language more widely within their community and beyond.

“Congratulations to all pupils on their success.”

County backs 10-year World Heritage Site plan

A plan outlining how the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site will be managed over the next 10 years has been supported by Denbighshire’s Cabinet.

Five miles of the Llangollen Canal, which is part of the World Heritage Site, is situated in Denbighshire and the council is one of four partners that have responsibility for managing the site. 

The others are the Canal and River Trust; Shropshire Council and Wrexham County Borough Council.

The sited is an outstanding example of the advances in canal building and the Industrial Revolution and includes the Llangollen and Ellesmere Canals.

The plan sets out how the partners will work together to create a community which is proud of its heritage and culture, making sure that the site is sustainable and preserved and that the site management results in greater economic, social and environmental benefits for this part of North East Wales and North Shropshire.

All partners will need to support the plan. Subject to approval from all partners, it will then be submitted to Welsh Government Ministers, the UK Government’s Department of Digital Culture, Media and Sport and UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation).

Councillor Bobby Feeley, Cabinet Lead Member for Well-being and Independence, said: “The site has great historic significance and is one of the region’s key tourism attractions. 

“Denbighshire is proud to be a key partner on the management board and values having such a major landscape attraction in our corner of North East Wales.

“There is a clear vision in place for managing the site.  We want people to continue to enjoy, value and appreciate the site and its historic and industrial past. There is also a lot of emphasis in the Action Plan on how all partners will work together to safeguard this important site for future generations."

Vicar aims to set up music hall branch in Llangollen

* Father Lee Taylor during an old time music hall performance.

Llangollen’s showbiz-loving vicar is aiming to set up a North Wales branch of the British Music Hall Society based in the town.

A big fan of the music hall since he was a youngster, Father Lee Taylor is a keen member of the society and also a frequent performer of the style of sing-along music which was popular around the end of the Victorian era and into the 20^th century.

The vicar of St Collen’s and three other churches in the Valle Crucis Area, Father Lee now wants to set up a new branch based in Llangollen where fellow enthusiasts from right across the region can come together to celebrate their love of vintage songs like Down at the Old Bull and Bush and Champagne Charlie.

He said: “I’m a massive fan of music hall which was where the masses went for a good night out well before the days of TV and radio.

“I’ve been a member of the society for quite a few years and its stated aim is to cherish the entertainment jewels of the past.

“It’s supported by lots of famous people, such as the former Prime Minister Sir John Major, whose father Tom was a music hall and circus performer, the actress Dame Patricia Routledge and Ken Dodd’s widow, Lady Anne.”

Father Lee himself has been known to tread the boards doing comic songs and patter from the great days of music hall, particularly those involving vicars.

“I perform old songs like The Vicar and I Will Be There and, in fact, that’s one of the ones I’ll be doing when I do a guest performance for the local Ladies’ Fellowship in August,” he said.

“On Saturday, September 21 I’ve organised a coach trip from Llangollen to the world-famous City Varieties Theatre in Leeds, known as the home of music hall after years of staging the show, The Good Old Days. We still have a number of places left on coach.

“I’d love to start a North Wales branch of the society which would probably meet monthly in Llangollen. We’d have talks on the music hall, perhaps from experts and maybe people who saw it.

“We’d also show video clips of performances and have sing-alongs which I’d accompany on the piano.

“If we attracted the right kind of talented people we might even organise some music hall performances in local venues like church halls and pubs.”

* If you’re interested in joining a local branch of the British Music Hall Society, or joining the Leeds trip in September, email Father Lee on: frleetaylor@hotmail.co.uk

Kia with a 170mph sting in the tail

* The new Kia Stinger.

Kia Stinger road test by Steve |Rogers

A Kia capable of 170mph. We are having a laugh aren't we?

Nope, the Korean company that has won over the Brits with hatchbacks and crossovers has moved into the fast lane with a sports saloon destined to challenge the sporting hierarchy that is BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar.

Enter the Stinger - what a great name for a grand tourer - the quickest and boldest car ever to come off a Kia production line. New territory it may be but Stinger is no flash in the pan attempt to take on the establishment.

Stinger has been six years in the making and Kia waited until they had the right people in place before finally going for it. The final act was poaching Albert Biermann from BMWs M Sport division to make sure Stinger's engine and chassis were on the money.

The result is pure eye candy. People stand and stare and can't quite take in that this beauty is a Kia and who can blame them when the staple so far has been Ceed hatchback and Sportage crossover.

As a package Stinger is out there on its own stacked with kit making it serious value for money. Most of the standard features would be options on its German rivals. And while the German trio still feel a bit more special Stinger's cabin is a cut above anything we have seen before from Kia.

That's all very well but the real key to Stinger's success will be down to performance and handling. Biermann's task was to engineer a rear wheel drive grand tourer that was sharp and quick but not so brutal that you finished your journey thinking you had just climbed out of a rally car.

To that end he has succeeded. Stinger is as sound as a pound when pushed hard with quick steering and strong dynamics yet the level of comfort is rather better than might be expected. There are the usual electronic settings for different ride modes and even one that tailors everything to the driver's needs. I tried that but couldn't feel any difference.

The ultimate Stinger is powered by a 3.3 litre V6 with two other engine options, a 2-litre diesel or 2-litre petrol which is the subject of this road test. Logic would tell you to go the whole hog and buy the V6 rather than settle for second best yet I was more than satisfied with 'second best'.

The direct injection petrol musters 230bhp and responds more than adequately when asked put to the task through an eight speed automatic box with shifter paddles. Throttle response is swift accelerating Stinger to sixty in around seven seconds and there is enough mid range punch to set the adrenalin flowing.

Where Stinger leaves its rivals standing is on specification. It wants for nothing with a full suite of safety features which are important elements these days, and all the luxury items we crave. So if your wish list includes heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, heated outer rear seats, sharp 360 degree view monitor, head up display, auto dipping headlights along with navigation and voice control then look no further.

I could only find one minor irritation. The centre mounted touch screen is a bit of a stretch for the driver and would be far better if selections could be made with a rotary controller in the centre console.

Whichever way you look at it Stinger is a wild card entry into the world of sports saloons, here to challenge the sporting hierarchy that is BMW, Audi, Mercedes and Jaguar. For a first effort it is a resounding success - BMW would have been over the moon if its first M5 was this good, yet Kia's UK sales hopes are modest at around 1,800 a year.

Badge snobbery counts for a lot when it comes to speed machines so expecting Audi, Merc or BMW loving Brits to swap in their droves isn't going to happen - yet. But happen it will because Stinger can will make it to the premier division, it just needs a bit more time.

Key facts

Stinger GT Line S

35,975

2-litre GDi 242bhp

0-60mph 5.8secs; 145mph

29.4mpg combined

191g/km. 1st year road tax £1,280