New claims from Stuart Davies in cancer scan battle

* Former councillor Stuart Davies.

The Llangollen man who spearheaded a campaign for men across Wales to have equal access to a prostate cancer scan now claims the local health board is making it difficult to receive it.

Former town mayor and county councillor Stuart Davies, 71, paid Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) nearly £900 for a multi-parametric MRI (mpMRI) scan when a cancer that he'd beaten several years ago returned in 2017.

The mpMRI is a specific type of investigation that can give more detailed images of the prostate than a regular MRI scan and was recommended to Mr Davies by the health board as a way of specifically deciding upon the correct treatment for his cancer.

But after receiving the scan he was shocked to learn that it is offered for free by other health boards in Wales.

He organised a petition, which attracted over 6,000 signatures, demanding equal access to the scan across Wales and sparked a discussion in the Senedd in Cardiff, Shortly afterwards Mr Davies marched on the capital, joined by fellow campaigners.

Before the petition was launched, just three of the seven health boards in Wales, offered mpMRI before biopsy and only one board provided it to a standard high enough to safely rule men out of biopsy.

This meant men in four health boards did not have access to mpMRI as a diagnostic test, unless they paid to have it done privately.

Mr Davies’s own health authority, the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, recently wrote to inform him that the new mpMRI scanning service has now been implemented in north Wales.

But Mr Davies now claims some men in the region are being refused the scan while the health board is refusing to refund those who have paid for it to be done.

He said: “Men are still contacting me to say that the Betsi is making it difficult to get this scan and are now refusing refunds.”

His claim comes in correspondence he’s had with the Petitions Committee of the Welsh Assembly, which has agreed to consider his petition at its next meeting on December 3.

He has also submitted letters in support of his campaign from leading cancer charities.

He wrote to the Petitions Committee: “My thanks to the committee for continuing to support our petition.

“It is interesting to see that Cancer Research Wales is supporting our stance in that while some boards are implementing this measure that the private sector and or other boards should provide these.

“Given that the private sector charges roughly £900 to the public and yet only £360 trade price to the NHS it seems stupid that the NHS is ‘forcing’ patients to pay privately and then refund them when it would be £600 cheaper to do it directly.”

A statement from the Betsi Cadwaladr UHB says: “Following considerable efforts over recent months we are now at a point to begin accepting referrals for pre-biopsy mp-MRI scans.

"This will enable a proportion of gentlemen to avoid an invasive biopsy procedure."

A board spokesman added that if anyone who has a complaint to make relating to refunds can do so through our complaints process here: https://bcuhb.nhs.wales/contact-us/make-a-complaint/”

Inner Wheel to stage Christmas Cheer event

Llangollen Inner Wheel are staging their annual Christmas gathering in the Town Hall on Saturday December 14.

Group spokesperson Eileen Dart said: "It's the entertainment and supper we hold every year before Christmas as our main fundraising event. 

"We support many charities both local and worldwide and this year we will be raising money for Guide Dogs, Riding for the Disabled, and Medcare in Uganda."

Sporting talent honoured in Llan

* Club of the Year, Ysgol Glan Clwyd U13s girls football team.

Sporting talent from across Denbighshire joined together in Llangollen to celebrate the Denbighshire Community Sports Awards 2019.

The prestigious Denbighshire Sports Awards, now in its 8^th year, recognises individuals, teams, schools and clubs for their dedication to local community grass roots sport in the county.

Over 100 nominations were received and the judging panel drew up a final shortlist of 25 finalists, who were invited along with their friends, families and colleagues, to the glittering awards ceremony at Llangollen Pavilion.

Invited guests were treated to a night of celebration, inspirational stories and a speech from special guest, Liz Johnson, who wowed the crowd with her inspirational story of how she became a Paralympic and World Championship Gold Medallist.

Jamie Groves, Managing Director of Denbighshire Leisure Ltd, said: "The Denbighshire community sport awards has helped recognise and share some amazing stories over the last few years and 2019 was no exception. The standard of the nominations this year was outstanding and shows how many talented people we have here in Denbighshire. I pass on my congratulations to all of the winners and to everyone who was shortlisted.”

Denbighshire Leisure, including the Disability Sport Officer and the Active Young People team, work closely with the award nominees and winners, who give up their own time to help improve community sport in Denbighshire.

The event was sponsored by Alliance Leisure and Knights Construction Group, alongside category sponsors Technogym, Denbighshire Education and Children’s Service, Denbighshire Community Housing, XN Leisure, Origin Fitness and Disability Sport Wales, who helped make this event possible.

If you would like to nominate someone for a Denbighshire Community Sport Award 2020, please check the Denbighshire Leisure website in the new year for details.

Winners

Junior Sports Performer – Huw Jones

Young Inspiration – Holly Roberts

Sport in School Award – Denbigh High School

Disability Sport Award – Anastasia Blease

Sports performer – Jennifer Broughall

Club of the Year – Ysgol Glan Clwyd Girls under 13s Football Team

Coach of the Year – Jonathon Dawes

Volunteer of the Year – Llio Jones

Lifetime Achievement – Bryn Lloyd Jones

Hospice offers art therapy workshops

Art therapy workshops for people looking to have a little time out for themselves are to be launched at Nightingale House Hospice.

Run by the hospice’s art therapist Pam Hutcheson, the course will run in six-week blocks starting on Wednesday November 27, from 5pm-7pm.

The aim is to provide headspace for those who feel they never have any downtime to explore their own interests or hobbies.

The greatest benefit of art therapy is you don’t have to be any good at art and all you need to do is fulfil the eligible criteria as follows:

* Have responsibility for caring for someone or regularly look after an elderly or ill or disabled relative.

* Currently work or have worked in the NHS, local council, police or any other public or civil service roles.

Art therapy is proven to strengthen personal identity and confidence by increasing self-esteem and self-worth, as well as discovering new ways to communicate and develop new coping strategies.

Art therapist Pam Hutcheson said: “This course will help participants build personal resilience by learning skills to maintain a good well-being. It offers an opportunity to express concerns, within a safe and confidential environment and a time to reflect or relax without having to talk.

“Each session allows you to explore your own creative ideas or use the pre-selected session theme, with an option to share your experiences at the end with the rest of the group.”

* To register your interest email art.therapy@nightingalehouse.co.uk or call Pam Hutcheson on 07535 394780.

This course is brought to Nightingale House Hospice courtesy of a grant from the Civil Service Insurance society (CSIS) grant, administered through Hospice UK

Jaguar XE is a fab choice in the executive sector

* The new Jaguar XE (above and below). 

Jaguar XE road test by Steve Rogers

It normally takes about 800 words to tell you about the car I have been testing.

How about I wrap this up in one? Fabulous.

Okay, you want a little more meat on the bone. I get that so here's your 800 words.

The motor in question is the Jaguar XE, the smallest of the three saloons in the range under the XJ, the one that chauffers Boris Johnson, and the XF, the car that made the world sit up and take notice of Jaguar again. Since its launch in 2015 the XE has lived in the shadow of the glorious XF but the latest model has changed all that.

It had to improve because XE is up against the usual German suspects all of which have very fine offerings in BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, both of which are updated models, and Mercedes-Benz C Class. See the size of the challenge? And it has got tougher with Alfa Romeo's Guilia and the new Volvo S60, staking a strong claim for the top table.

Not that things got off to a great start in the XE. The first thing I did was bash my head on the roof getting into the driver's seat. This car sits low and I am not so flexible as the years pile on.

At first glance nothing much has changed but closer inspection reveals a more interesting bumper and a new front and rear lights which are LED and put on a real show at night. Automatic dipping has reached new heights.

The major changes are inside and the first thing you notice is a stubby gear lever which has replaced the eye catching rotary dial which raised from its bed when the ignition was switched on. That was so cool but on balance I prefer the lever which looks more sporty and turns the automatic eight speed gearbox into a manual change should you wish, although I prefer playing with the steering wheel paddle shifters. Puts me in Louis Hamilton mode...

Like its competitors Jaguar has gone full on digital for the centre console with a main 10 inch screen for radio, navigation, phone and such like, and a smaller screen below for heating. I don't always like digital heating controls, they can take your eyes off the road for too long, but this set up is clear and selections can be made quickly. Driver and passenger have a big dial each to select temperature, fan speed or heated seat level. This three in one function looks over complicated but you quickly get the hang of it.

Even my wife, a big critic of digital displays, thought this system acceptable so I am sure Jaguar will be relieved to have her seal of approval.

Response time on the big screen for navigation etc is sharp and although there is no 360 degree function the rear camera definition is good. And talking of cameras there is a special treat with a camera filling the rear view mirror. Turn it off if you don't like it. Pity it is part of a £1,470 technology package.

I liked it nearly as much as the heated windscreen, another aid which more car companies should adopt.

Then there is the new steering wheel. Quite a lot going on here, one function in particular standing out. The speed limiter, normally a shared switch with cruise control, is a dedicated button right under the thumb and is up and running in two seconds. And there is a head up display for the driver so no excuse for breaking speed limits.

So all fine and dandy in the cabin? Not quite although this particular flaw doesn't seem to bother Jaguar. The meagre rear legroom has been a complaint since the start and it is no better now. Even I found it tight with my short legs and head room is sparse as well.

Boot space is best described as okay, how often do you load a boot anyway, but it failed the golf clubs and trolley test although you would never get those into a BMW 3 Series either.

What's left? The most important bit, how it drives! It is a Jaguar so expectations are high and it does not disappoint. I could drive the XE until I fell asleep which I wouldn't because it is so much fun. This is agility and balance of the highest order and the weight of steering is spot on. Performance is brisk as you would expect from a 250bhp 2-litre petrol.

So where does XE figure in this illustrious group? On looks alone the Jaguar is my top pick, just ahead of the Alfa and Volvo with the Germans bringing up the rear. Without driving all six around a track it is impossible to give a definitive answer...but I told my wife I want one if she wins the lottery.

Next up is the new Audi A4 so let's see what that brings to the table.

Key facts

XE HSE Dynamic

£40,335 (£46,315 test car extras)

2-litre petrol; 247bhp

0-60mph 6.2secs; 155mph

36.2mpg combined

159g/km. 1st road tax £530

Boot: 455 litres

Insurance group 31

Shops urged to enter Christmas windows competition

* Sion Corn arrives for the annual Christmas festival.

Shops in Llangollen town centre are being encouraged to enter a competition to find the most attractive window displays in the run-up to Chistmas.

It’s being organised as part of the annual Christmas festival, which this year will be held on Saturday November 30.

Prizes and certificates are up for grabs for the most attractive displays which will be judged by the town’s mayor and deputy mayor.

Town crier and town councillor Austin “Chem” Cheminais, who chairs the Christmas Festival committee, said: “Our family orientated festival attracts over 2,000 people into Llangollen town centre and in recent years feedback has been extremely positive.

“The Christmas shopping experience offered by local traders is an important element of our success.

“In the busy Christmas period, there is nothing more important than the Christmas shop front or business window display to attract customers through the door and create a colourful and festive experience for shoppers.”

He added: “Once again Llangollen Christmas Festival is hoping that shop owners will join in and will be awarding certificates and prizes for the most attractive displays

“Judging will take place in the week beginning December 2.

“Windows will be judged by our mayor Cllr Jon Haddy and our deputy mayor Cllr Issy Richards.

“Judging will reflect on windows that capture the imagination and embrace all things festive. The more Christmassy the better.”

The winning window will be announced on llanblogger and other local social media and prizes will be awarded the following week.

Dementia aware business breakfast planned

Denbighshire Voluntary Sevices Council (DVSC) is hosting the next Dementia Aware Business Breakfast at St Collen's Community Hall, Regent Street, Llangollen, LL20 8PL on Wednesday 27th November, from 8.30am until 10.30am, in partnership with the Federation of Small Businesses.

The free event includes a healthy breakfast and time for networking and community focused conversations.

To confirm your interest in attending this FREE event, please follow this link: bit.ly/DementiaAwareLlangollen

Or call Maisie, DVSC's Marketing & Impact Assistant on 01824 702 441.

Information about how your business can play a role in creating an inclusive community can be found in DVSC leaflets. Alternatively, you can contact Mair Davies, Volunteering and Wellbeing Development Officer, on 01824 702 441 to learn about the programme.

If you cannot attend but wish to be informed of future events please follow our Eventbrite page and this will automatically notify you of upcoming events.