Llan cafe boss arranges mercy missions to Turkey earthquake zone

* Huseyin Duyar with some of the supplies bound for the Turkey quake zone. 

A Llangollen restaurant manager has been co-ordinating efforts to collect clothing and other supplies to help victims of the massive earthquake which struck near the Turkish/Syrian border earlier this week. 

And Huseyin Duyar of the Deeside Cafe in Castle Street is taking part in two missions to ferry the piles of aid donated by the local community out to the worst-hit area – one by road and another by air. 

Huseyin is originally from the city of Diyarbakir in Turkey which is only about half an hour’s drive from the epicentre of the quake in Kahramanmaras, south-eastern Turkey, near the Syrian border. 

Tens of thousands of people are thought to have been killed and thousands others injured in the disaster which has left many people homeless and in dire need of assistance of all kinds. 

Huseyin said: “When I heard about what I happened I immediately knew I had to do something to help the people in my homeland, so I posted something on our Facebook page to say we were collecting warm winter clothing and other supplies for those who have lost everything. 

“The donations just came flooding in from the local community and even from as far away as Holyhead. 

“We have had so much brought into the cafe that we have two store-rooms completely full of warm clothing of all kinds, for men, women and children. 

“The community have been so good it’s just unbelievable what has been donated.” 

Huseyin was originally only planning to take the donated items over to Turkey by plane on Sunday February 26 because it is faster to get the aid to where it is needed most. 

But so much has been brought in that he and friends have now decided to slot in another delivery before that. 

So, this Sunday, he and Oswestry takeaway owner Halit Sevim will be collecting up all the clothing being stored at the Deeside Cafe and taking it by lorry over to Manchester where a group of Turkish ex-pats will be loading up a much larger vehicle for a mercy drive out to the earthquake zone expected to take five days. 

Bags of items collected on Huseyin’s behalf by Cat Meade at nearby Wingetts estate agents will also be loaded on to the wagon bound for Manchester. 

Although Huseyin won’t be heading for Turkey this weekend he and three friends will still be flying out there from Manchester Airport on Sunday February 26 taking as much as they can carry between them, paying for excess baggage. 

They will remain in the country for about five days, staying with friends, and are ready to help distribute the supplies to the affected areas if asked to do so. 

Huseyin added: “What we desperately need now are nappies, baby food, thick socks for men, women and children and sleeping bags. 

“If anyone can help us with these things, we would be delighted to have them brought in to the Deeside Cafe. 

“I’d like to thank everyone who has made donations so far. It's been a fantastic response. 

“This is a terrible disaster which has affected so many people. That includes Haci Subasi who worked at our cafe as a waiter until last summer. His parents live close to where the earthquake struck and their house has been totally destroyed.” 

* Huseyin is not collecting monetary donations for the appeal but his colleague Donna Wynne suggested that people might like to donate to a non-government appeal which she has checked out. This is at: Ahbap Platformu Resmi Sitesi 

Teachers call off February 14 strike

ITV Wales is reporting this afternoon that teachers in Wales have announced they will no longer strike on February 14 after a new pay offer from the Welsh Government.

The National Education Union (NEU) Cymru said it had agreed to cancel the planned industrial action after "detailed talks" with the Education Minister and government officials.

The union has moved the walkout to March 2, while it consults with its members on the new offer.

It comes as NHS staff in Wales and members of the Fire Brigade Union both recently called off strike action after new pay offers.y

Young film-makers of Ysgol Y Gwernant take a bow

* The film-making team from Ysgol Y Gwernant are presented with the framed poster by Cllr Win Mullen-Davies (far left).

Llangollen Town Hall took on the appearance of Hollywood on Tuesday evening when a group of young film-makers from Ysgol Y Gwernant made their glittering debut at a Night on the Red Carpet.

Under the guidance of experts, a group of talented pupils from the Year 6 class recently made a short film entitled 'A Time Travel Adventure: Discovering Castell Dinas Brân’s Camera Obscura, 1869 - 1910' which tells the fascinating tale of how Llangollen's ancient castle developed into a popular tourist area during the Victorian and Edwardian eras.

The team worked hard to research, film and act in the movie that was made in collaboration with the Your Picturesque Landscape team of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). It has both English and Welsh language versions.

Howard Sutcliffe, lead officer of the AONB, said that ever since it was set up 10 years ago it had been their ambition to have a project like this and it was great that it had now gone ahead.

He added that the Ysgol Y Gwernant team had done an "absolutely fantastic job" on every aspect of the film.

Councillor Win Mullen-James, Denbighshire County Council cabinet member for the AONB, said the film showed what a talented group of people Llangollen has.

And she presented the whole group with a framed poster depicting highlights of the AONB - one of six, copies of which are available in Llangollen Tourist Information Centre.

The evening also saw the launch of the AONB's own short film, "An Animated History of the Dee Valley" which tells the story of our picturesque landscape by sweeping across the valley, depicting the changes to the landscape and historic features through the centuries.

* A briefing from a man from the past is one scene from the film.

* A black and white sequence shows how the film dips back into Victorian times.

  * Pupils of the present-day discover details of Castell Dinas Bran's rich past.

* A top-hatted character helps tell the tale.

* A bearded Llangollen resident knows a thing or two about the castle.

* ... and so does this local workman from a different time.

* Edwardian children at play near the castle in another scene from the film.

Latest Citizens Advice column

Latest column from Denbighshire Citizens Advice is:

Q: I’ve been offered, and accepted a new job. The new company wants me to start as soon as possible but we’re really short-staffed where I am now and I don’t know how soon I’ll be allowed to leave. How should I bring all this up with my boss?  

A: Congratulations on your new role! It can feel awkward telling your employer you’re moving on but there are set processes in place. The time between telling your employer you’ve found a new position and you actually leaving is known as your notice period. 

 

If you’ve been in your current job for less than one month, you won’t have to give any notice period (unless your contract says otherwise). If it’s more than a month though, you have to give at least one week’s notice. Check what your contract says to find out how much notice you’ll be expected to give. 

 

If you don’t have a contract, and your employer has no written record of you agreeing to a notice period but you have been employed for more than a month you have to give at least one week’s notice. 

 

Although it may be tempting to hand in your resignation as soon as possible, it’s worth waiting until your new employer has confirmed your new employment, for example by signing your contract or by giving you a start date.

 

 It’s then best to give your resignation in writing (email is fine), so that you have a record of the date you told your employer. You can find guidance on how to do this on the Citizens Advice website, where we have a page on handing in your notice. 

Fixed-term contracts are a bit different, as you won’t need to give notice if you intend to leave on the last day of your contract. Leaving before the end of a fixed-term contract usually means giving at least one week’s notice, but again check your contract to see if this is different. 

Don’t forget about your holiday days during your notice period. If you have any unused annual leave, speak to your employer about either taking these during the notice period or being paid back for them in your final paycheck. 

Finally, sometimes people can change their mind about moving jobs or find their circumstances alter. If this happens to you, you should speak to your current employer to see what your options are and if you can stay in your current role.

Everyone’s situation is different, but if you face any challenges with an existing or potential employer, contact Citizens Advice for advice: 0800 144 8848 or visit our website pages about what to do when you’re leaving a job.

Ysgol Bryn Collen to be closed next Tuesday due to industrial action

Denbighshire County Council has sent out a notification that Ysgol Bryn Collen (Primary) in Llangollen will be closed next Tuesday February 14 due to industrial action by education staff.

Dinas Bran students get taste of world of work

Ysgol Dinas Bran students got a realistic taste of the future world of work recently.

Last Friday all of the school's Year 11s undertook a mock interview with a local employer.

The school says its aim is to raise career aspirations and introduce pupils to employers who can inspire, inform and motivate them.

Over 20 employers gave up their time to participate, including Airbus Careers, SP Energy Networks, Royal Navy Recruitment, A N Richards, Kronospan, Openreach The Open University, Excel Recruitment and Careers Wales.

On its Facebook page the school says: "The day was a complete success. Thank you to all of the employers who took part and to all of our students who were a credit to themselves and the school.

"We are all very proud of them and their impeccable behaviour."

Last-ditch case made for vital A483 improvements

Labour representatives have made a final-hour plea to the Welsh Government not to ditch crucial junction improvements on the A483.

Ahead of an imminent decision over road improvements across Wales, Clwyd South MS Ken Skates has met the Minister responsible for transport, Lee Waters, to press for ‘vital’ work to go ahead.

“The Welsh Government paused work on improvements to the A483 in order to consider them in the context of the climate emergency,” said Mr Skates.

“I’ve consistently argued that the improvements are vital in reducing emissions, safeguarding pedestrian safety on nearby roads and in ensuring buses can operate reliably.

“I have met the Deputy Minister again this week to call on him and Welsh Government to do what is right for the people of Wrexham County Borough and for the environment. It is vital that junction improvements along the A483 are progressed.”

He added: “This decision will impact on the lives of people living in local villages, towns and the city of Wrexham for years to come – a green light for the improvements is essential.”

It is hoped that the go-ahead for improvements at junctions 3-6 on the A483 would open the door for further work to improve junction 1 at Ruabon – and the Halton roundabout.

Cllr Frank Hemmings, who represents Chirk North, said: “I have written to the Minister in the past regarding the A483 improvements. This road is the heartbeat of North East Wales, linking to Mid Wales and the North West of England. We are seeing long delays between Ruabon and Halton on a daily basis, with traffic queueing for some distance either way and creating even more pollution.”

Cefn Mawr councillor Derek Wright said: “I fully support Ken on demanding urgent improvements to the A483. It’s simply unable to cope with the volume of traffic now using it. When you look at the money spent on the junction of the A483-A5 just south of Oswestry, why do we have to put up with the daily congestion in both directions all the way to the Post House roundabout south of Chester?”

Cllr Gary Brown (Brymbo) added: "These improvements – especially for junction 4 – are long overdue, and remain key to unlocking the potential for sustainable growth in our communities to the west of the city centre. It’s vital that the Welsh Government plays its part in directing investment for a better future here in North Wales.”

Cllr Dana Davies, who represents Ruabon, is leader of the Wrexham Labour Group. She said: “Ken has argued all along that these improvements should go ahead, and we are 100% supportive.

“Improving junction 5 is extremely important to the delivery of the Wrexham Gateway project. Given the UK Government’s refusal to support the bid, any infrastructure improvements which can be delivered by the Welsh Government become even more vital.”

Cllr Davies added: “Not only would this project significantly enhance junctions 3-6 and alleviate the near-gridlock we see at peak times, it could then lead to work to improve junction 1 at Ruabon and the Halton roundabout. It’s crucial for our area and we are praying our pleas will be listened to.”