Best of region's food and drink to be showcased online

* Lord Newborough, owner of the Rhug Estate.

A virtual celebration of the best food and drink produced in North East Wales is going online.

Organised by Llangollen and Dee Valley Food and Drink as well as Clwydian Range Food and Drink, it comprises a series of 29 videos encapsulating the work that goes on behind the scenes to produce the award-winning fare.

The Meet the Producers videos also have support from the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB and the local authorities of Flintshire, Wrexham and Denbighshire.

Kirsty Wild from Llangollen and Dee Food and Drink said: “The series of videos we have created are an opportunity for consumers outside the area to meet our amazing food and drink producers and have an insight in to how they create their amazing products.

"Local businesses like Rhug Estate have shown how crucial they are to their communities during the past 18 months stepping up to meet online demand and providing the people of North East Wales with incredible customer service and locally-sourced food and drink. We want to pay tribute and provide a platform for them to showcase their products.”

Many of the local products featured in the videos are available to buy from Rhug Estate’s farmshop which is located near Corwen. The shop is one of the biggest in Wales and is a showcase for the very best local, artisan food, drink and gifts.

Lord Newborough, owner of Rhug Estate said: “As a member of Llangollen and Dee Food and Drink for many years we welcome this opportunity to be able to showcase Rhug Estate’s organic meat and skincare range to a wider online audience. 

"The last 18 months or so have not been easy for us, or any business in this region which relies on tourists and the hospitality sector. The immediate shift to online shopping last year certainly tested our website and our staff.

"We had to act fast to meet the increased online shopper demands. We are delighted to be able to welcome our customers back to visit Rhug Estate but appreciate that the increased demand for shopping with Rhug ‘virtually’ is here to stay and initiatives like this one that directs new customers our way are always appreciated.”

The Meet the Producers videos will be available to view on Llangollen and Dee Food and Drink website and will be shared on their social media over the coming weeks. Click here to view the video that features Rhug Estate: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=365199641809228

Fringe pays tribute to reggae legend Lee "Scratch" Perry

* Lee "Scratch" Perry appeared twice at the Llangollen Fringe Festival.

Llangollen Fringe has paid tribute to a reggae music legend who appeared twice at the festival and has died at the age of 85.

Lee "Scratch" Perry, the legendary producer, provocateur and dub pioneer, first headlined at the Fringe in 2017 and came back again the following year.

Yesterday it was announced he had died at home in Jamaica.

Grammy award-winning Perry was highly influential in the development of reggae and dub music world wide.

Working under many names - as well as in many capacities including disc jockey, producer, record businessman, songwriter, singer - he was a guiding force in the development of reggae.

In addition to his own trailblazing music, Perry produced hits for the Wailers, Junior Byles, Max Romeo, the Heptones, Gregory Isaacs, Junior Murvin, and the Clash.

Known for his bizarre behaviour and stream-of-consciousness interviews, he often donned costumes and headdresses made of found objects such as feathers, toys, playing cards, and coins. 

A spokesperson for the Fringe team said: "What a character he was, still touring and starring in the Fringe well into his 70s.

"His lovely son looked after him throughout making sure his special microphone was alight as he went on stage.

"We at the Fringe feined ignorance as both were so sweet and beautifully eccentric.

 "We feel proud that the Fringe could bring such a renowned international performer to Llangollen."

Police boss calls for end to 'ridiculous' 999 calls

 * Control Room manager Paul Shea, right, and Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales Andy Dunbobbin.

An aspiring police officer rang 999 to check on the progress of his application to join North Wales Police, it’s been revealed.

The region’s police and crime commissioner, Andy Dunbobbin, heard it was one of a string of “ridiculous” emergency calls dealt with by the force’s control room.

It was said, Mr Dunbobbin, a “serious and flagrant” waste of police time that diverted resources away from real emergencies, potentially putting lives at risk.

On another occasion a women dialled 999 to ask for police assistance to move her sofa which had become jammed in her hallway after she tried to shift it from her lounge to another room.

Another example came when a woman stood outside the police station in Rhyl called the emergency line asking for a lift home after she had failed to book a taxi.

According to Mr Dunbobbin, staff at the control room in St Asaph are incredibly busy and don’t have time to deal with ludicrous calls.

The centre already handles an average of 80,000 emergency 999 calls a year and on average they’re answered in just 3.1 seconds.

On top of that they deal with 250,000 non-emergency calls, 18,000 webchats and nearly 60,000 emails which all translates into an average of more than 1,100 contacts every day.

The force is now urging people to report non-urgent matters to them via the website www.northwales.police.uk so that the 999 line can be kept free for emergencies.

Control room manager Paul Shea said: “Unfortunately, we still get too many silly calls like the one from the lady who got the couch stuck in the hall.

“Another call that sticks in the memory was the one from the lady with the spider on the bed. She was scared and wanted a police officer to come to move the spider.

“They’re just not policing matters and it takes valuable resources from people who are in real trouble.

“The flip side of that is that there are other people who should have phoned 999 who called the non-emergency line 101 instead because they didn’t want to bother us.

“I would like to stress that people should always ring 999 if they are suffering a proper emergency.”

Mr Dunbobbin has just signed a £5.8 million cheque to buy a new system for the control room that’s an upgrade of the force’s current command and control technology.

It will be introduced in phases and has been designed to dovetail with the new Emergency Services Network (ESN) that’s due to rolled out in the UK.

Mr Dunbobbin said: “Even with the new system, we will have not have the time to deal with the really silly, time-wasting calls which divert precious police resources and potentially put lives at risk.

“Making prank calls or phoning 999 inappropriately is inexcusable and is not fair.  It’s as simple as that.

“Clearly though, if somebody is in the middle of a proper emergency they should always ring 999.”

It was a message echoed by Chief Inspector Mark Williams, the Senior Force Incident Manager.

He said: “The control room is the front door to policing for most people. Members of the public who need to contact the police invariably come through this room in one form or another.

“Nuisance calls are annoying but there are occasions when people make genuine mistakes.

“What might be an emergency for some people might not be for somebody else and I would say use us if you need to, but we do get some really ridiculous calls.

“There was absolutely no excuse for a prospective police officer to call the emergency number to check on his job application. He clearly was not cut out for the job.

“But time is of the essence when there is a real emergency. We aim to answer 999 calls within 10 second so doing it in under four seconds is pretty impressive.

“Clearly these are life threatening emergencies most of the time so it’s absolutely essential that we get the right person on the end of the phone very quickly so we can start getting officers going to the locations if they’re needed.”

Launch of North Wales-wide bus ticket

* Cllr Brian Jones at the launch of the new 1Bws ticket in Rhyl.

A one-purchase ticket valid on buses across North Wales has been officially launched.

The launch of the 1Bws ticket was held at the Events Arena in Rhyl, and was attended by bus operators from across North Wales as well as invited guests from Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey and Wrexham councils, Senedd members and officers from Transport for Wales.

An adult ticket costs £5.70, a child will pay £3.70 and holders of English and Scottish concessionary bus passes will also pay £3.70.

A family ticket is available for just £12.

One ticket is valid all day on busses in Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey and Wrexham and on buses from North Wales to Chester, Whitchurch and Machynlleth.

There are buses covering most of the region and it is possible to explore the North Wales Coast, Snowdonia and the Clwydian Range and the Dee Valley.

Cllr Brian Jones, Denbighshire County Council’s Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the Environment, said: “I am very pleased we are supporting this initiative, which will encourage local people and visitors alike to use our extensive bus network.

“The initiative is a great way to get people back on buses and open up North Wales in a way that protects the environment.

“This ticket is a great example of the strong partnership that exists between bus operators and local authorities. It has been possible to introduce this ticket because public and private sector, bus operators large and small, have all worked together.”

Richard Hoare, Arriva’s Regional Commercial Director, said: “The introduction of the 1Bws ticket is a result of the close working partnership in North Wales between operators and local authorities. “This is an important development for existing customers and potential new users, as the new product will make travel by bus more convenient and easier to use.

“Buses are an important contributor to the North Wales economy and will be key in encouraging a green and sustainable recovery from the pandemic.”

Timetable information for all buses in North Wales is available online at http://bustimes.org or www.traveline.cymru; or by phone on 0800 464 00 00.

1Bws is valid on all local bus services operating in North Wales with the exception of service 28 between Mold and Flint.

It is also not valid on tourist services operated by open top buses, on National Express coach services and park and ride services.

Llangollen Railway hit by vandalism costing thousands

 

* A picture from Facebook of the vandalised trains.

Just as it is making a good recovery from the pandemic and its own financial crisis Llangollen Railway has been targeted by vandals who have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to its rolling stock.

On its Facebook page earlier today the railway revealed that the wreckers had struck at two trains parked in the sidings, spraying them both heavily with coloured paint.

And railway officials are now urging anyone with information about the attack to ring them in confidence.

The railway’s post says: “Devasted to report that last night Llangollen Railway was targeted by vandals.

“Two DMUs (diesel multiple units) were spray painted and will cost thousands of pounds to repair.

“If you really care and have any information that may help to identify the criminals, please telephone 01978 860979 for a confidential chat.”

Being subjected to this kind of wanton attack is the last thing the railway needs as it tries its best to get back on track following the deep financial crisis of last spring which plunged it into receivership and months of closure due to Covid restrictions.

Despite its troubles the heritage attraction has fought its way back into the financial black and has once again started to run the train services, including steam, which are its life’s blood.

John Joyce, head of railcars department, said: "We were shocked and saddened to discover this senseless vandalism when our crew turned up on Wednesday morning to operate the day's railcar service to Carrog. 

"Fortunately, we were able to operate the day's services as scheduled with another railcar, but the damage will need considerable time and expense to put right. Both the time and money could have been put to far more productive uses than removing this mindless damage."

He added: "After all that the Llangollen Railway has overcome during the last 18 months, enabling it to reopen in stages since July, this is one more setback that was totally unnecessary.

"Many thousands of visitors have enjoyed their visits to the line since that reopening, helping to bring back much-needed tourism to the area and its local businesses."

News of the vandalism prompted a torrent of anger against the culprits on Facebook.      

Comments on the story include:

No words!!! all the time and effort gone into reopening

All that time and effort they spent ...bloody awful

A number of heritage railways have been subject to similar vandalism in the past year. Volunteer night watchmen might help but I don't think Llangollen Police station is open all night so police would send either a mobile traffic team or officers from Wrexham

Disgusting behaviour 

This is dreadful. Is there anywhere one can donate towards the cost of the repaint?

Why absolute idiots

Absolutely unbelievable. After so many people have worked so hard to get the railway going again.

Devastating

Absolutely disgusting 

 

Matt's Foodbank closes after a decade of good work

* Back in 2019 members of the Llangollen Christmas Festival Committee handed over a cheque for £250 to Pastor Brian Smith and Pat Smith in the Matt's Foodbank storeroom. 

A Llangollen-based charity organisation which helped to feed hundreds of people in crisis has closed after almost 10 years in operation. 

Matt’s Foodbank, based at the City Church in Brook Street, shut down earlier this month. 

It had been run by Pastor Brian Smith and his wife Patricia who has told llanblogger: “Sadly, we have had to close Matt’s Foodbank after nearly 10 years. 

“My husband Brian and I are having a few minor health problems so decided this was a good time to close knowing that the Foodshare in town also provides food to people in crisis. 

“We will be giving them our stock of food which will be used, not for the Foodshare but for those in need. 

“I do hope they will be supported by the folk of Llangollen who have so generously supported us over the years. The Co-op has also been amazing in allowing us to have a collection box in their store all these years.” 

Just a couple of years ago the couple told llanblogger the bank was distributing basic supplies to around 400 people a year. 

Vouchers for the bank were available from a variety of places in the town, such as the One Stop Shop in Llangollen Library, the Citizens' Advice Bureau, the health centre and all three schools. 

Donations of food were taken at drop-off points including the Co-op in Regent Street and a typical shopping list included everything from breakfast cereal and biscuits to tinned meat and fish to sugar and dried pasta and rice. 

In a recent post on its Facebook page, the foodbank said: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who has been kind enough to purchase food items and make donations over the years. 

“Every single contribution has helped to support individuals and families who have needed a helping hand. 

“Thank you once again to everyone for your support.”

Welsh Government announces extra cash for police support officers

The Welsh Government have announced additional funding to provide a 100 Police Community Support Officers to tackle crime and support communities.

The First Minister Mark Drakeford and the Minister for Social Justice Jane Hutt have announced an extra £3.7m for additional PCSOs across the country, bringing the total budget to over £22m.

The additional 100 PCSOs brings the total funded by the Welsh Government to 600.

Highlighting the important role PCSOs play, First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “PCSOs have provided a vital link between neighbourhoods and police services and are recognised for their willingness to become part of their communities.

“They have played a critical role in responding to the pandemic and I want to pay tribute to their unwavering commitment.

“The PCSOs have continued to step up, providing support and developing innovative ways to keep their communities safe.”

Police Community Support Officers work with police officers and share some, but not all of their powers. They provide an important link between their communities and the police service to ensure people have the support they need

Some of the things PCSOs support frontline policing with are stopping speeding outside our schools, reporting vandalism or reducing anti-social behaviour.

Minister for Social Justice Jane Hutt said: “Communities right across Wales have appreciated the vitally important difference that PCSOs make to their neighbourhoods. It’s clear to see that they’ve fast become part of their communities and have ensured that when there is a problem, individuals know their local PCSOs have their best interests at heart.

"Their work to identify and understand local issues has enabled a focus on early intervention, ensuring that local support services can link up and deliver for our communities.

"I’m delighted that we’re hitting the ground running on delivering our pledge to recruit 100 more PCSO’s in Wales today, demonstrating our commitment to keeping our communities and neighbourhoods in Wales safe.”