Library readers to appear on radio tomorrow

Members of Llangollen Library’s Reading Group will be taking part in a live broadcast on BBC Radio 4’s Front Row programme tomorrow (Friday).

They have been shadowing the Booker Prize, one of the world’s most famous literary prizes. Each year The Reading Agency invites reading groups all over the UK to pitch for their opportunity to shadow the Booker Prize and this year Llangollen Library’s Reading Group is one of the twelve groups that has been selected.

The readers have been reading and reviewing one of the the shortlisted titles, ‘10 minutes 38 seconds in this strange world’ by Elif Shafak, a captivating novel set in Istanbul, that tells the story of the final moments of a murder victim. They have also taken part in #BookerPrize2019 conversations online, joining in discussions about the books and sharing comments and pictures.

If you would like to join in the discussion, copies of the book are available through your local library, where you can also find out about joining a reading group near you. Denbighshire Library Service supports reading groups across the county in both Welsh and English.

The Booker Prize is a literary award which is awarded annually to the best novel of the year written in English and published in the UK or Ireland.

North Wales Police to get 62 extra officers

North Wales Police will get funding for an additional 62 police officers as part of the first wave of the national uplift of 6,000 officers nationwide by the end of 2020-21.

Chief Constable Carl Foulkes said: “This is good news for our communities and for anyone thinking about joining North Wales Police. It’s without doubt a very positive step forward which will allow us to focus on the issues which matter most to our local communities and continue to work towards making North Wales the safest place in the UK.”

North Wales Police was already recruiting ahead of the Government’s announcement, with the next recruitment window for officers opening on October 14.

Mark Jones, North Wales Police General Secretary said: ”Naturally we are very pleased with the Home Office announcement regarding the uplift in police officer number in North Wales. Police resources continue to be stretched with soaring demands on the Police Service, so additional numbers are welcomed. We will, as always, continue to work with the Force to ensure that our dedicated and brave members are best supported as they protect our local communities.“

The four Welsh forces operate a joint recruitment process, which ensures all applicants to Welsh forces will experience the same user-friendly system. The system allows applicants to find out immediately if they’ve been accepted on to a recruitment journey for Welsh policing.

Llan Ramblers back on Wales Coast Path

Llangollen Ramblers were out on the Wales Coast Path again last week.  

Having reached Aberdyfi, they’re now nearing the halfway point, with Pembrokeshire and the South Coast yet to come – over the next seven years.

* On the Wales Coast path near Tywyn.

* Enjoying a picnic near Tywyn.

Gwalia Gallery to hold its autumn display

Gwalia Gallery in Oak Street, Llangollen, which specialises in selling handmade studio ceramics, is making work to celebrate autumn.

This will be on display from Wednesday to Sunday, October 16-20.

Gallery owner Charmain Poole says all work is unique and for sale.

Some of examples of the work on show ...

Hays Travel acquires all Thomas Cook stores

The Official Receiver and Special Managers from KPMG have announced this morning (Wednesday) that an agreement has been reached with Hays Travel Limited to acquire Thomas Cook’s entire UK retail estate.

The agreement will see Hays Travel acquire a total of 555 stores around the UK, providing re-employment opportunities for a significant number of former employees of Thomas Cook’s retail operations who were made redundant following the appointment of the Official Receiver as liquidator on 23 September 2019.

Hays Travel is the country’s largest independent travel agent. The company also runs the Hays Travel Independence Group, a consortium of independent travel agents, in addition to operating a subsidiary business, Just Go Travel, which trades under the Hays Travel brand predominantly across the North West of England.

Following the appointment of the Official Receiver last month, Hays Travel have already recruited 421 former Thomas Cook personnel and have further offers outstanding to former employees.

David Chapman, Official Receiver, said: “I am pleased to announce we have reached an agreement with Hays Travel to acquire Thomas Cook’s entire UK retail estate, comprising 555 stores across the country. This represents an important step in the liquidation process, as we seek to realise the company’s assets."

Barclays 'safeguards' Llan branch for two years

Llangollen is one of a hundred branches across Britain which Barclays says it is protecting against closure for the next two years, according to a report in the Denbighshire Free Press.

For the full story, see: https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/17953600.branches-barclays-will-keep-least-october-2021/?fbclid=IwAR03oppdcH73vEDvYByZYuzIqnsSybcBPzXsNx5lFJuTQ5tXYjCPtsnYAiw

Lib Dems choose Clwyd South candidate

* Chris Twells, Lib Dem candidate for Clwyd South.

Welsh Liberal Democrat members have selected Chris Twells as their candidate for Clwyd South ahead of the next general election.

He has ten years’ experience as a political campaigner and has helped the Liberal Democrats win elections on both sides of Offa’s Dyke.

Mr Twells, 28, was born in St Asaph and brought up in Flintshire. He attended the Alun School in Mold before going on to study law at the University of York.

He said: “I am delighted to be standing to represent Corwen, Llangollen, Chirk and the many other vibrant communities around Wrexham and the Dee Valley.

“After more than 30 years with a Labour MP, lots of residents are telling our canvassers that it’s time for a change in Clwyd South. The Liberal Democrats are enjoying our highest opinion poll ratings for almost a decade and our fantastic new leader, Jo Swinson, is the public's most popular choice to be Prime Minister."

He added: “A No Deal Brexit would be a disaster for our economy here in North East Wales and I am proud that a Liberal Democrat government would stop Brexit as its first priority.

“The Conservatives want to force through a No Deal Brexit and Jeremy Corbyn’s policy on Brexit seems to change every week. Only the Liberal Democrats have been consistent: if we form the next government we will stop Brexit on day one.

“The voters of Clwyd South were sensible enough to reject Boris Johnson when he first stood for Parliament here in 1997. If everyone who wants to stop Brexit votes for the Liberal Democrats this time we can remove him as our Prime Minister.”