Former Dinas Bran teaching assistant helps recruit for ambulance service

* Helen Pritchard.

A mechanic who switched gears on her career to join the Welsh Ambulance Service is encouraging others to apply for a role.

Helen Pritchard, 42, of Bala, was a mechanic and later a teaching assistant at Ysgol Dinas Bran in Llangollen before joining the ambulance service as an urgent care assistant.

The mum-of-three is now training to become an emergency medical technician and has ambitions to qualify as a paramedic.

She is encouraging others to apply for a role with the service.

Helen said: “I’d always wanted a job in the ambulance service but I thought there’d be no point in applying because I hadn’t done well at school – I didn’t have a single GCSE.

“I was a mechanic for several years before I pursued a Level 3 Diploma in Child Development, and I actually sat my GCSEs in the school where I worked as a teaching assistant.

“As soon as I had those under my belt, I was in a position to apply to the ambulance service – and here I am.”

Helen joined the service in 2020 as an urgent care assistant in Bala, and is now training to become an emergency medical technician so that she can work alongside paramedics to deliver life-saving care in the community.

She said: “It was the fast-paced nature of the role which attracted me.

“I was also a first aider at the school, and felt proud to have the skills to be able to care for the children who were ill or injured – and sometimes the adults too.

“I love it at the Welsh Ambulance Service, and everyone has been so helpful and welcoming.

“My advice to anyone thinking about applying for a role is that it’s never too late in your career.

“Whatever your background and whatever you’ve done previously, it really doesn’t matter – I’m proof of that.”

Visit the NHS Jobs website to search for jobs at the Welsh Ambulance Service.

To train as an Emergency Medical Technician like Helen, follow the link to apply for vacancies in North Wales: https://bit.ly/3qW92Ao

* The closing date is this Sunday July 11.

Paper features story on rogue speed camera near Llan

The Daily Post has featured a story on a traffic speed camera near Llangollen which went rogue and began snapping motorists at speeds as low as 9mph.

It says that scores of drivers passing the fixed camera, on the A539, complained their vehicles were being flashed despite travelling well below the 50mph speed limit. 

* For the full story, see: The 'rogue' North Wales speed camera that's flashing motorists - even ones travelling at 9mph - North Wales Live (dailypost.co.uk)

Foodshare now reaches out to even more people

* Llangollen Foodservice team at their new premises on the Market Street car park. From left, Stephanie Mitchell, Kirsty Wild, Lesley Greasley and Jess Horner, South Denbighshire Community Partnership Co-Ordinator. Picture by Mandy Jones Photography.

A Llangollen community group has graduated from holding coffee mornings to playing a vital role in the fight against pandemic hardship by feeding up to 40 households a week.

Llangollen Foodshare, which began 18 months ago in the Pengwern Community Centre as a project to prevent food waste going into landfill, has moved into new premises in the heart of the town and is reaching out to even more people.

Supported by South Denbighshire Community Partnership (SDCP), an additional £20,000 in funding has been secured from Community Foundation Wales and the National Lottery Community Fund.

This has allowed the fitting out of new kitchen and storage rooms at the venue on Castle Street.  

It has also enabled the appointment of a part-time project officer to support the operational needs of the project.

The volunteer team behind the project are members of the community who started holding coffee mornings with the Friends of Pengwern and passed on food donated by local food suppliers to families facing challenging circumstances.

Project volunteer and committee member Kirsty Wild said: “It began when Emma Davies, former Chair of Friends of Pengwern Residents’ Association, started collecting surpluses which enabled the coffee morning to run.

“It started with surplus food from the Co-op and Aldi which we shared, but then with Covid it became clear that more and more people were struggling for food.

“Emma, myself and another former colleague Jane Townend developed the project by collecting more surplus food and sharing it more widely, following further voluntary involvement from Steph Mitchell, Lesley Greasley, Heulwen Wright and Jen Davis.”

The pandemic saw the demand for the service increase significantly and they have regularly been providing food parcels for over 130 people.

Kirsty added: “People’s situations were changing very quickly as many families were having to come to terms with self-isolation, unemployment, furlough and increased demand placed on family units from home schooling etc

“There is a perception of Llangollen as a well-to-do little town but you only have to look at the number of children on free school meals and the self-employed people whose work has dried up in the pandemic.

“This said, Llangollen is such a fantastic community with many generous people, groups and retailers who donated many food items and money contributions.”

Llangollen Foodshare has benefited from support from SDCP, which has recently captured further funding from the Big Lottery Fund to expand their community activities and services into the Llangollen area, as part of their Your Place or Ours Project.

Kirsty said: “SDCP have made a huge difference to us. It was crucial for us to find other more suitable premises than those at the Friends of Pengwern.

“It meant we could be supported to rent and fit out the premises and importantly appoint a paid member of staff, who can help the group develop a sustainable future in our own right. Without SDCP we wouldn’t have been able to get us to this point.”

Jess Horner, the recently appointed Llangollen Food Share Coordinator for SDCP, said: “The site is in a prime position backing onto the main car park in the town and is in walking distance for most of our clients.

“It’s perfect for us and we are just looking to get more volunteers with a variety of skills so that we can deliver even more services such as cooking hot meals here on the premises.

“It has been very positive, the way the local community has backed us and we are so grateful for all the donations.

“One of our aims is to reduce food waste so we are happy to receive anything that is within its sell-by and use by date, is non-perishable and un-opened, so that we can distribute to those in real need.  Unfortunately, we are unable to accept home cooked meals.”

In the last three years SDCP have built up a wide portfolio of services for the Edeyrnion area around Corwen including meals-on-wheels, a lunch club, community transport including electric vehicles, green energy generation and grocery and prescription delivery services.

It is hoped that the new premises in Castle Street, accessed via the Market Street Car Park, will also provide a home for Citizens Advice Denbighshire and for SDCP to support other local groups.

SDCP’s Strategic Implementation Officer, Tom Taylor said: “Llangollen already had a number of fantastic groups like Food Share and we are now aiming to work alongside many of them.

“The Food Share Project volunteers are a very committed and enthusiastic group who have worked tirelessly to ensure families facing difficulties receive a worthwhile service.

“Throughout the pandemic they have remained determined to respond to increased demands and coordinated much-needed resources. It’s a commendable project with genuinely lovely people.

“We will now continue to work closely with the Food Share Committee so they can ensure a sustainable future for project, so as to meet the needs of Llangollen residents and the surrounding area.”

* For more information on Llangollen Food Share or you wish to get more involved as a project or Committee volunteer please go to https://www.neighbourly.com/project/5e1dc2f0c7ac8e29d4d3c69b https://www.facebook.com/llangollenfoodshare

* For more information about SDCP visit https://www.facebook.com/sdcpartnership or contact SDCP on 01490 266004.

Police launch probe after protected bird is poisoned

The North Wales Police Rural Crime Team has launched an investigation into the poisoning of a red kite, found dead in the Ceiriog Valley.

The bird of prey, protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, was found on February 27 this year and attended to by RSPB Investigations Team.

Toxicology tests carried out by the Welsh Government have now revealed the bird tested positive for Bendiocarb – a highly toxic insecticide.

Officers believe the incident was potentially a deliberate act and are asking anyone with information to get in touch.

It comes following several similar incidents reported in the area over the past three years, with a number of ravens and crows also found to have been poisoned using another substance.

PC Dewi Evans, North Wales Police Rural Crime Team manager, said: “We suspect the red kite died as a result of the unlawful use of poison and as a result, we have launched an investigation into the incident.

“The deliberate poisoning of a bird brings a serious risk to humans and other animals and is hugely irresponsible.

“We are currently looking into a potential motive for this incident and ask members of the public who have information to get in touch.”

Anybody with information is asked to contact officers at the North Wales Police Rural Crime Team via the website or by calling 101, quoting reference number 21000458355. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Inner Wheel enjoys first live meeting in over a year

Llangollen Inner Wheel met in the garden of one of its members for afternoon tea. 

This was the first live meeting they had been able to have since March last year. 

Members took the opportunity to present a certificate of congratulations to Cat Meade in recognition of the outstanding service she has given to the people of Llangollen during the pandemic.

Several members have been with the club for more than 30 years and they were presented with certificates by Eulanwy Davies, past District 18 Chairman.

Enid Law, President of Inner Wheel Great Britain and Ireland, and a member of the Llangollen club, was presented with a bowl to commemorate her time in office.

Eileen Dart, the club's outgoing President, welcomed Val Cartwright as President for 2021-22.

MP slams Welsh Government's tourism tax plan

* Simon Baynes MP in the Chamber of the House of Commons. 

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes criticised the Welsh Labour Government’s proposed tourism tax during Questions to the Wales Office in the Chamber of the House of Commons.

Mr Baynes highlighted the Pontcysyllte World Heritage Site, Llangollen Canal and Steam Railway as examples of vital tourist destinations and said that the tourism and hospitality businesses in his constituency would be hard-hit by Welsh Labour’s proposal. 

He asked whether the Minister responding would agree with him that the Welsh Labour Government’s plans would be disastrous for the hospitality industry in Wales, particularly as it just comes out of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

In response, Wales Office Minister, David TC Davies MP said: “I absolutely agree with my Hon. Friend and I look forward – I hope – to an invitation to visit his constituency at some point in the future to see some of these superb tourist attractions that are there. 

"And I do agree with him. The UK Government has shown its commitment to the tourism industry by cutting VAT down to 5%. 

"The Welsh Labour Government want to implement a tax on the tourism industry at a time when it is at its most fragile. The UK Government will always want to level-up the economy. Welsh Labour will always want to levy taxes. 

Commenting later, Mr Baynes said: “This tourism tax could devastate hospitality businesses in Clwyd South and the rest of North Wales, which relies heavily on the tourism industry. 

"It will discouraging people from visiting Wales and making the average family holiday much more expensive – at a time when we should be encouraging visitors to come and spend money in our local economies. 

“It’s the job of Welsh Government to want to attract people to come and spend money in Wales – not try and discourage them. I was very happy with the Minister’s response, which highlights the contrast between the UK Conservative Government’s support for Wales and Labour’s ill-conceived policies.”

Comedy series starring Llan actor is up for honours

* Llangollen-based actor Dyfed Thomas plays Eurwyn in Rybish.

* The cast of Rybish, from left Mair Tomos Ifans (Val), Betsan Ceiriog (Bobbi), Dyfed Thomas (Eurwyn), Rhodri Trefor (Nigel), and Sion Pritchard (Clive).

A comedy series starring an actor from Llangollen has helped put a TV company taken over by the staff in the running for a record haul of prestigious awards.

Cwmni Da has been shortlisted for an “incredible” total of seven awards at the Celtic Film and Television Festival – more than any other television company in the history of the event founded more than 40 years ago.

It’s also half the number of nominations for all the other television production companies who make programmes for S4C.

The winners will be announced in September.

Dyfed Thomas, a native of Rhos who now lives just outside Llangollen, and the rest of the cast of Rybish (Rubbish) completed filming the  comedy drama series during the Covid-19 lockdown – by creating a bubble for the cast and crew.

Production of the sitcom,  set in a recycling centre, was brought to a halt in March last year by the coronavirus crisis but undeterred Cwmni Da came up with a plan to carrying on filming.

Members of the crew self-isolated for a fortnight before resuming and they were tested regularly throughout the shoot.

When they were not working, the team were holed up in an empty pub, The Beuno, in Clynnog Fawr on the north coast of the Llŷn Peninsula.

The company built their own recycling centre on an old landfill site at Carmel, near Caernarfon.

They used fixed cameras which were remotely controlled to film the remaining episodes in the six-part series.

A delighted Dyfed said: “Being on set by day and living in the Beuno at night was certainly a very exciting, constructive and creative experience.

“There were six to eight of us together all the time. Instead of going home, we would carry on discussing and pay attention to the job full time.

"That just doesn't happen usually, and there certainly isn’t an opportunity to get so close to the author and producers.”

It’s believed Cwmni Da was the first broadcast company in the UK to become an Employee-Owned Trust just over two years ago.

The move saw former managing director Dylan Huws, who remains on the board, sell his shares to the trust.

The company employs 53 staff and a host of freelancers and is based at a state-of-the-art production centre in the Goleuad building on Victoria Dock.

Their output includes some of S4C’s biggest hits like Fferm Ffactor, Noson Lawen, Deian a Loli, and Ffit Cymru, as well as award-winning international co-productions like Llanw (Tide).

But the news about being shortlisted for seven awards heralds a new high water mark for the respected company that turns over around £5 million a year, making a significant contribution to the local economy.

Among the programmes in line to be honoured is a touching documentary, Eirlys, Dementia a Tim (Eirlys, Dementia and Tim), that’s been shortlisted in two categories – for a single documentary and the blue riband Spirit of the Festival Award.

The programme tells the story of former care worker Eirlys Smith, 61, from Menai Bridge, Anglesey, who tracks down an old school friend, Tim Lyn, who’s now a famous TV director.

A documentary series, 47 Copa (47 Summits), that’s been selected in the sports category, features the successful attempt by endurance athlete Huw Jack Brassington, who hails from Caernarfon and now lives in Cockermouth, Cumbria, to conquer one of the world’s toughest mountain challenges.

Camera crews followed the former GB triathlete in treacherous conditions as he completed the gruelling Paddy Buckley Round, which sees runners covering a distance of some 100km and climbing 8,000 metres which it the equivalent of scaling Everest, taking in no fewer than 47 summits – all in 24 hours.

At the other end of the spectrum is the hit comedy series, Rybish (Rubbish), which was shot during the Covid-19 lockdown last year and set in a recycling centre.

A very different  lockdown show, Côr Digidol (Digital Choir) presented by talented tenor, Rhys Meirion, who hails from Porthmadog and now living in Pwllglas near Ruthin, is among the top tips in the entertainment category and showcases a rousing online performance of the famous Welsh hymn Calon Lȃn which went viral on social media with more than 190,000 views.

The uncertain future of a more traditional choir, Côr Meibion Trelawnyd, one of North Wales’s largest male voice choirs which has an average age of 74, provided the poignant backdrop for Y Côr (The Choir), that’s been shortlisted in the arts category.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the age range the 2020 Christmas special of the hugely popular kids’ series, Deian a Loli (Deian and Loli), is also up for a gong in the children’s category.

Having so many of the company’s programmes shortlisted for awards at the Celtic Film and Television Festival was the source of “quiet” pride for Llion Iwan, who has taken over from Dylan Huws as managing director after originally joining Cwmni Da as director of content in 2019.

Llion said: “What stands out for me is that our programmes have been shortlisted in so many diverse categories which shows how multi-talented our team is.

“As a company, Cwmni Da has always punched well above its weight and this has gone to a whole new level after the company became an Employee-Owned Trust. Everybody is even more committed than before.

“We’re very lucky in that we have a core of highly creative and experienced directors and producers as well as younger people who are being mentored.

“By re-organising our schedules and changing how we work, we have been able to continue producing programmes through the pandemic and we’ve done as much as we can to support experienced freelancers in our area who have been faithful to the company. 

“We’ve also continued to contribute to the local economy and our turnover last year remained stable at around £5 million.

“I’ve been going to film festivals and similar competitions such as this one for many years and I know that they are worthwhile especially if you gain recognition in several categories.

“It’s an excellent shop window for us and it’s going to be good for business because it showcases what we can do.”