Latest column from Citizens Advice

Latest column from Denbighshire Citizens Advice is: 

Q: I recently applied for a job at a local pub which offered National Minimum Wage. I did a short interview and at the end the manager asked me for some documents and also how old I was. After telling her I was 25 she told me she would be in touch, but it would be unlikely I’d get the job because they wouldn’t be able to afford to pay me the required wage. She said she would prefer to hire someone younger. Is this legal?

A: Nobody should be asking you how old you are in a job interview. Being 25, you’re entitled to the National Living Wage. On the Citizens Advice website there are full details of the wages people are entitled to by law. But these rules shouldn’t mean employers avoid hiring people because of how old they are. That’s known as ‘direct age discrimination’ in the Equality Act 2010. You’re also protected by the National Minimum Wage Act 1998, which says employers can’t not hire you (and they can’t fire you) because your age means you’re entitled to a higher rate. 

We have a lot of information on our website about what to do if you’re being treated unfairly when applying for a job. If you’ve been discriminated against, there are steps you can take to either get compensation or convince the person to give you a job. 

Make a note of what happened as soon as you can - noting down exactly what you were asked and any other remarks the interviewer made. This will be useful as evidence later. 

Next, you should write a letter of complaint to the employer. Keep a copy of this letter for your own records. There’s advice on the Citizens Advice website on what this letter should include and you can also speak to an adviser at your local Citizens Advice to get help writing it. 

If the letter doesn’t get an outcome you’re happy with, you could take the employer to an employment tribunal. You’ll need as much evidence of discrimination as possible. Evidence should include the job advert, the job description, your notes about what was said at the interview and any contact you’ve had with the employer since - like your complaint letter. 

Remember that you only have three months minus one day from the date that the ‘discriminatory act’ (in this case, the comments in your interview) happened to start tribunal proceedings. You do this by contacting the government organisation Acas and telling them that you intend to bring a claim. 

* Nobody should have to worry about being discriminated against when job hunting. For more advice on your rights when searching for work, visit citizensadvice.org.uk/work or call Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133.

Test train makes first run into new Corwen station

* The Class 47 diesel locomotive shortly after arrival at Corwen station. Picture by Iain Ross.

Llangollen Railway has announced that a test train successfully ran to the new Corwen Central station last night (Saturday) to gauge clearances to platforms and other structures following completion of track work. 

The train consisted of a rake of empty passenger coaches, running with special permission under an engineering possession. 

It was hauled by historic Class 47 diesel locomotive No 1566, which has been at work in North Wales for over 40 years. 

The train was crewed by expert volunteers Mark Smales, Iain Ross and Mike Williams, who between them have given over 70 years of voluntary service at Llangollen. 

Richard Dixon-Gough, Corwen Station Project Manager, said: “Seeing the test passenger train arrive at Corwen was a real delight for our dedicated team of volunteers, who have worked tirelessly to build our new station from scratch, all largely funded by donations from supporters, well-wishers and grant aid from the Welsh Government. 

"It was a perfect late-spring evening and the train looked superb in our new station under a clear blue sky. We’ve got a bit more work to do before we can run public trains. 

"We’ve the station building and canopy to complete and then the whole project will require final sign off from the Office of Road and Rail. But we’re getting close and this test train took us a step closer.

"Corwen station will be open to the public over the Jubilee weekend to see what we’ve been up to and one of our works trains will also be on static display for people to take a look at."

Tom Taylor, LR Trust Manager, said: “What a way to kick off a week where we will see the Platinum Jubilee celebrations and Volunteers’ Week begin. 

"Our new station at Corwen is looking superb and this successful test train demonstrates the power of volunteering. Our railway is a vital part of the local economy and our volunteers also help sustain local employment, both on our railway and in the wider tourist industry. 

"We can’t wait to return services to Corwen and offer our passengers the full 10 mile ride through the Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty again. Running between these two bustling riverside towns will help us take the Llangollen Railway forward into the future."

Corwen resident Owen Reynolds- Rees, whose house looks over the new station, said: “I was sat in my living room, looked up and was amazed to see the train pootling gently into Corwen Station, so dashed upstairs to get some photos. It was a lovely thing to see, especially on such a beautiful evening.”

Steam and diesel trains will also offer a range of services between Llangollen and Carrog over the Jubilee Weekend between June 3 and 5, with stations specially decorated. Visit www.llangollen-railway.co.uk for more details and tickets.

Town council plans special events for Jubilee weekend

Special events next weekend to mark the Queen's platinum jubilee have have been organised on behalf of Llangollen Town Council by ex-councillors and council staff.  

Saturday June 4 will see a street market being staged in Market Street from about 10.30am. 

Organisers say this will be an opportunity for local community groups, charities, crafters and producers to market themselves and sell their products. 

They add: "We are hoping to create a buzz and an exciting market atmosphere. 

"On Market Street, during the afternoon, there will also be some entertainment with Llangollen Silver Band and Chris Burton performing. We’ve also got a Punch and Judy show."

During Saturday afternoon a stage will be set up in Centenary Square to present a programme of live entertainment, which includes: 

* 12noon - Alfie Thomas

* 1.15pm - Leonie-Anne Kirkby

* 2.30pm - Shea Ferron

* 3.45 - Melodic Mondays 

On Sunday June 5 the Town Council is hosting a Queen's Jubilee Vintage Tea Party and Dance from 2-6pm in the Town Hall.

This is billed as an afternoon of 1950s vintage film and dancing with three local dance teachers. Tea is served at 3.30pm and entry to the event is free. 

Glyndyfrdwy station volunteers hit their jubilee purple patch

* The parcels van in all its purple glory.

Glyndyfrdwy Railway Station on the Llangollen Railway has been given a striking and colourful new look as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Station Master Paul Bailey and his team have been busy with their paintbrushes to adorn part of the station in royal purple colours. 

An ex-Southern Railway parcels van, lamp post, milk churn, sack barrow, porters trolley and plant pots have all received the royal treatment. 

* The porters trolley ablaze with royal colour.

The milk churn even carries the regal signature of “ER”.

Paul said: “We were inspired by our friends at the Severn Valley Railway, who have painted one of their locomotives in Royal purple for the Jubilee.

* The painted milk churn.

"Our small team of dedicated volunteers have had a lot of fun getting the paint out at Glyndyfrdwy and we hope our visitors will enjoy looking out for all the purple bits and pieces around the station over the bank holiday weekend, where we are running a busy schedule of steam and diesel trains."

Her Majesty and Prince Phillip visited Llangollen on the Royal Train in July 1953, when the line was still part of the national network and ran between Ruabon and Barmouth. 

It closed in 1964 as a result of the infamous Beeching cuts, but was reopened in stages by volunteers from the 1970’s onwards. 

The long-awaited final piece of the Llangollen Railway jigsaw is also about to be completed, with a new station at Corwen set to open soon.

Ian Bibby, Volunteer Liaison Officer for the Railway, said: “As well as the Jubilee, June 1^st to 7^th is Volunteers’ Week. Our wonderfully atmospheric stations have all been restored and cared for by volunteers. 

* The artistic Glyndyfrdwy station volunteers.

A railway spokesperson said: "Paul and his team at Glyndyfrdwy have done a fantastic job of making the station look even better than usual with their Jubilee display. 

"Getting stuck in, having fun and then having a stunning achievement like this to stand back and admire is very much what volunteering is all about at the Llangollen Railway. 

"As part of Volunteers’ Week, we are keen to encourage new volunteers to consider joining us. You don’t need to be qualified or experienced in anything beyond having a bit of spare time to give us and some enthusiasm to try something different. 

"We provide full training for all roles. Anyone interested in getting involved can make-contact with us via our website or telephone."

Meanwhile, Llangollen, Berwyn, Carrog and Corwen stations are also joining in with the celebrations. Llangollen will host a fascinating display of Queen Victoria’s Royal Train memorabilia. 

Superbly restored Carrog and Berwyn will be showing visitors what the line was like in its GWR heyday, with tea rooms serving delicious cakes and ice cream. Finally the partially complete station at Corwen will be open for visitors to have a look at work-in-progress.

Steam engine No 5619, visiting from the Telford Steam Railway, will run on all three days of the Jubilee weekend.

Also back by popular demand will be 1956-built Class 08 diesel-electric Shunter No 13625, offering the chance for visitors to try their hand at being a train driverfor just £5 a go.

The shunter will also be working a shuttle service between Llangollen and Berwyn Stations, which will run in-between the three daily steam trains that run between Llangollen and Carrog.

All main works on 2020 project complete, says council

* An artist's impression of how the finished project would look.

In its latest update Denbighshire County Council says that all main works on the town's 2020 project are complete but adds that efforts to clear the compound on the Market Street car park will carry on for the rest of the week.

Historic diesel engine in action on railway this weekend

* Number 47449 pictured by Kevin Lane in June 1979 making her way alongside the cars of the day on the A547 towards Llandudno Junction with Conwy Castle in the background. 

* The Class 47 in Llangollen River Sidings waiting to work the day’s trains back in May 2019.

A historic diesel engine saved from the scrapyard by enthusiast Pete Waterman will be in action at Llangollen railway this weekend.

The Class 47 loco, also known as a Brush Type 4, was a regular performer on the North Wales Coast line and spent a good proportion of her working life at Crewe Diesel Depot between 1973 and 1990, just a mile or so from where she emerged brand new from Crewe Works in March 1964. 

Moving South to London in 1990, 47449 ended her 29-year career with British Rail working the semi-fast passenger trains between London Paddington and Oxford before being withdrawn in March 1993. 

After being saved from scrapping by the renowned music impresario and railway enthusiast Pete Waterman, 47449 was purchased by the Llangollen Diesel Group in 1996 for use on the Llangollen Railway, where she has been ever since.

Number 47449 has now been preserved at Llangollen for nearly as long as she spent working for British Rail.

With the exception of a few years out of traffic for repairs to her bodywork, engine and cooling system, the loco, currently running with her early 1970’s era number of 1566, has been a very useful and active member of the Llangollen Railway fleet.

She is powered by an 83 litre, 2580hp 12 cylinder twin bank Sulzer LDA28C engine. 

Sulzer are a Swiss Engineering business, but the engines for the 47s were all built in England under licence by Vickers at Barrow in Furness using a factory built in the early 1950s to produce submarine engines in large quantities in anticipation of an escalation of the war in Korea, which was never required. 

The diesel engine drives a Brush TG160-60 Direct Current generator which in-turn drives six traction motors, one for each wheelset.

The Class 47 will be working on Saturday and Sunday this weekend. 

Castle Street to be closed Friday evening

Llangollen county councillor Karen Edwards has received information that Castle Street will be closed once more between 6pm and midnight on the evening of Friday May 27 to complete the lining works.