A COMMUNITY facility in Saltney is looking to expand as it approaches its first anniversary.
Deva Academy – a registered charity and member of the Young People’s Clubs of Great Britain was set up last September.
Based on the Central Trading Estate, Marley Way, Deva is run by Mark Shepherd, 44, from Connah’s Quay and Dave Evans, 42, of Saltney.
Both are fully qualified coaches.
“We’re a non-profit organisation,” said Dave, a former Manchester United apprentice and Chester City footballer.
“I’m giving something back.
"It’s a community facility. All the money we make goes into a community account via a group of trustees. "
“We started out as a boxing club with a couple of kids, but its snowballed from there.
We’re now trying to get as many organisations as possible to use the facilities.
Any affiliated group or sport that comes under the Olympic banner can come in, but we don’t do mixed martial arts"
In addition to spending £6,000 on new flooring, the academy houses three boxing rings, a dance room, spectators balcony, gym mats, full cardio section and infra red sauna.
Disabled group the Mulberry Centre from Sealand Road and the Chester Goddesses cheerleading squad are among those who have used the facilities.
For more information call 01244 671 288 or visit http://www.devaacademy.co.uk/.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Flintshire community leaders slam 'unrealistic' targets
A MAJOR waste reduction strategy has been heavily criticised by senior community leaders in Flintshire.
Flintshire Council’s executive members say some of the targets in the Welsh Assembly Government’s ‘Wise About Waste’ plans are ‘unrealistic’ and could put too much pressure on local authorities.
The strategy includes specific recycling and waste reduction targets, which the council must meet within a certain time limit if it is to avoid being hit by heavy landfill taxes.
Cllr Nancy Matthews, executive member for waste management, said the food waste recycling target in particular was too high for Flintshire to meet.
She added: “It is completely unrealistic and could have a detrimental effect on the whole process of reducing waste.
“The report does not even take into account or mention the residents of Flintshire and how they are expected to help take the strategy forward.”
The Welsh Assembly Government is currently gathering feedback and comments about the strategy from local authorities, but Carl Longland, the council’s director of environment, said Flintshire’s views did not appear to have been acknowledged.
Flintshire Council’s chief executive, Colin Everett, said lots of people had ‘very strong views’ on the subject and that the council would submit its formal response to the assembly in the near future.
Flintshire Council’s executive members say some of the targets in the Welsh Assembly Government’s ‘Wise About Waste’ plans are ‘unrealistic’ and could put too much pressure on local authorities.
The strategy includes specific recycling and waste reduction targets, which the council must meet within a certain time limit if it is to avoid being hit by heavy landfill taxes.
Cllr Nancy Matthews, executive member for waste management, said the food waste recycling target in particular was too high for Flintshire to meet.
She added: “It is completely unrealistic and could have a detrimental effect on the whole process of reducing waste.
“The report does not even take into account or mention the residents of Flintshire and how they are expected to help take the strategy forward.”
The Welsh Assembly Government is currently gathering feedback and comments about the strategy from local authorities, but Carl Longland, the council’s director of environment, said Flintshire’s views did not appear to have been acknowledged.
Flintshire Council’s chief executive, Colin Everett, said lots of people had ‘very strong views’ on the subject and that the council would submit its formal response to the assembly in the near future.
Chester City postpone match against Liverpool
CHESTER CITY have postponed tonight’s scheduled pre-season friendly against Liverpool at the Deva Stadium.
The club’s preparations for the start of next month’s Blue Square League Premier Division campaign have been disrupted following a directive issued by the Football Association.
The FA’s governance department has been in touch with the club to advise that they are not currently an affiliated club, which means Chester have been unable to fulfil their arranged friendlies.
Last weekend’s scheduled friendly match at Marine was cancelled, and now the Blues have been forced to postpone tonight’s match against Liverpool and this Saturday’s friendly at AFC Telford.
Meanwhile, Chester director, Bob Gray, says that everything is being done to remedy the situation in a bid to salvage the club’s remaining pre-season arrangements and put things in order before the start of the league season which is scheduled to kick-off at Grays Athletic on August 8.
He said: “We would like to reassure fans that we’re working hard to rectify the administrative issue with the Football Association and will rearrange our pre-season friendlies as soon as possible.
“I worked late last night to ensure the FA received everything they had requested and the club has solicitors and the administrators working hard to try and resolve the situation.
“Postponing tonight’s scheduled home friendly with Liverpool has hit us in our pockets because that game would have helped provide funds for the club ahead of the start of the season.“If we can save next week’s home friendly match against Burnley we will do, but the most important thing is to ensure everything is sorted out before we start our league season.
“I’ve been in constant contact with the FA and I’m confident we can clear up the situation before our game at Grays next month.
“The transfer of ownership from old company to new company is still in the hands of our solicitors and the administrators, and we are still hopeful of finding a solution acceptable to the FA.
“All the relevant paperwork that was requested has been forwarded to the FA. Technically, we could play friendly matches and I am still hopeful that we will receive our affiliation very soon.”
FA spokesman Mark Hooper said: “When clubs go into administration and transfer to a new owner, there are certain regulations every club has to meet to safeguard the financial integrity of the game.
“These regulations are outlined to the club and, to date, they (Chester City) haven’t met our rules. Some of the information we need has been supplied but not all of it.
It is not us that’s the issue.”The situation has frustrated Blues boss, Mick Wadsworth, who was hoping to watch striker Glynn Hurst, and goalkeeper Andrew Murphy in pre-season action.He said:
“We’ve put a very good team together and our training has been going very well.“We’ve all been enthused about the start of the season, but the fact that we’ve been unable to play any of our pre-season friendlies has cast a cloud on our preparations.
“We’re just sticking with it at the moment and continuing to train in the hope that the situation can be resolved ahead of our first league game of the season.”
Wadsworth confirmed that trialist and centre back Mark Bower had yesterday agreed to join League Two club Darlington.
He said: “Mark had been training with us but he gave me a courtesy call yesterday to say that he had been offered a two-year deal at Darlington.
“I sensed he felt guilty about leaving us but I told him that he had to think about himself and his family and he has n
The club’s preparations for the start of next month’s Blue Square League Premier Division campaign have been disrupted following a directive issued by the Football Association.
The FA’s governance department has been in touch with the club to advise that they are not currently an affiliated club, which means Chester have been unable to fulfil their arranged friendlies.
Last weekend’s scheduled friendly match at Marine was cancelled, and now the Blues have been forced to postpone tonight’s match against Liverpool and this Saturday’s friendly at AFC Telford.
Meanwhile, Chester director, Bob Gray, says that everything is being done to remedy the situation in a bid to salvage the club’s remaining pre-season arrangements and put things in order before the start of the league season which is scheduled to kick-off at Grays Athletic on August 8.
He said: “We would like to reassure fans that we’re working hard to rectify the administrative issue with the Football Association and will rearrange our pre-season friendlies as soon as possible.
“I worked late last night to ensure the FA received everything they had requested and the club has solicitors and the administrators working hard to try and resolve the situation.
“Postponing tonight’s scheduled home friendly with Liverpool has hit us in our pockets because that game would have helped provide funds for the club ahead of the start of the season.“If we can save next week’s home friendly match against Burnley we will do, but the most important thing is to ensure everything is sorted out before we start our league season.
“I’ve been in constant contact with the FA and I’m confident we can clear up the situation before our game at Grays next month.
“The transfer of ownership from old company to new company is still in the hands of our solicitors and the administrators, and we are still hopeful of finding a solution acceptable to the FA.
“All the relevant paperwork that was requested has been forwarded to the FA. Technically, we could play friendly matches and I am still hopeful that we will receive our affiliation very soon.”
FA spokesman Mark Hooper said: “When clubs go into administration and transfer to a new owner, there are certain regulations every club has to meet to safeguard the financial integrity of the game.
“These regulations are outlined to the club and, to date, they (Chester City) haven’t met our rules. Some of the information we need has been supplied but not all of it.
It is not us that’s the issue.”The situation has frustrated Blues boss, Mick Wadsworth, who was hoping to watch striker Glynn Hurst, and goalkeeper Andrew Murphy in pre-season action.He said:
“We’ve put a very good team together and our training has been going very well.“We’ve all been enthused about the start of the season, but the fact that we’ve been unable to play any of our pre-season friendlies has cast a cloud on our preparations.
“We’re just sticking with it at the moment and continuing to train in the hope that the situation can be resolved ahead of our first league game of the season.”
Wadsworth confirmed that trialist and centre back Mark Bower had yesterday agreed to join League Two club Darlington.
He said: “Mark had been training with us but he gave me a courtesy call yesterday to say that he had been offered a two-year deal at Darlington.
“I sensed he felt guilty about leaving us but I told him that he had to think about himself and his family and he has n
Chester's salute for Dragoon Guards
LORD Mayor John Ebo and the Duke of Westminster took the salute when the 1st Queen’s Dragoon Guards marched through Chester city centre.
Near the saluting dais was 23-year-old Lance Corporal Phil Meadows from Upton who lost a leg when his vehicle hit an explosive device in Afghanistan eight months ago.
The march began at the Castle Street car park with the salute taken near the Cathedral in St Werburgh Street. Cllr Ebo said: “There are many links between the city and the Dragoon Guards.”
Leading the march was the Prince of Wales Band and among the people who were also there were Lt Col Alan Richmond, the High Sheriff of Cheshire, William Fergusson; the Sheriff of Chester, Cllr Hilarie McNae and Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr Neil Ritchie.
The Queen’s Dragoon Guards lineage stretches back more than 300 years and has seen active service all over the world and most recently, the tour in Afghanistan.
On Friday the Duke of Westminster received a cheque for more than £1,200 from Queen’s Dragoon soldiers for the British Limbless Ex Service Men’s Association (BLESMA)L/Cpl Meadows’ fellow soldiers in C Squadron raised the money by taking part in a cycle ride on static machines in Afghanistan, cycling 6,000 miles which is the equivalent from Garmsir to Chester.
Near the saluting dais was 23-year-old Lance Corporal Phil Meadows from Upton who lost a leg when his vehicle hit an explosive device in Afghanistan eight months ago.
The march began at the Castle Street car park with the salute taken near the Cathedral in St Werburgh Street. Cllr Ebo said: “There are many links between the city and the Dragoon Guards.”
Leading the march was the Prince of Wales Band and among the people who were also there were Lt Col Alan Richmond, the High Sheriff of Cheshire, William Fergusson; the Sheriff of Chester, Cllr Hilarie McNae and Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr Neil Ritchie.
The Queen’s Dragoon Guards lineage stretches back more than 300 years and has seen active service all over the world and most recently, the tour in Afghanistan.
On Friday the Duke of Westminster received a cheque for more than £1,200 from Queen’s Dragoon soldiers for the British Limbless Ex Service Men’s Association (BLESMA)L/Cpl Meadows’ fellow soldiers in C Squadron raised the money by taking part in a cycle ride on static machines in Afghanistan, cycling 6,000 miles which is the equivalent from Garmsir to Chester.
Chester hotel evacuated in fire scare
HOTEL guests had their mornings cut short after their building was evacuated in a fire scare in Chester.
However, residents staying at the Best Western Queen Hotel, City Road, were allowed back into their rooms shortly after the source of the alarm was found to be an electrical fault.
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service sent two appliances to the scene after receiving a call at about 10.30am on Friday.
White Watch manager Chris Rodaway said upon arrival firefighters found a strong smell of smoke coming from the basement staircase of the hotel.
He said: “Firefighters conducted a search of the area and using the thermal image camera, identified that a light fitting was overheating.
The electrician for the building was notified and electrics isolated until repair.“There were no injuries.”
He added: “We recognise the good work by the staff at the hotel for a full and orderly evacuation at the premises in response to the alarm.”
Smokers are being asked to be careful when discarding their cigarettes after a blaze in Chester over the weekend.
Emergency crews responded to a call after a pile of rubbish became engulfed in flames behind The Terrace Bar, Cheyney Road.
City firefighter Anthony McCarthy said the fire was caused after a lit cigarette was thrown on bags of waste that were stored against the back of the building at 2.30am yesterday.
He said: “There are two things immediately wrong with this.
The rubbish should not have been stored against the building and it was a careless throwing of a lit cigarette. There were no injuries.”
Campaigners call for more public toilets for Chester's disabled
DETERMINED campaigners are pushing for more public toilets to be built for disabled residents in Chester.
They say visitors who are handicapped often need extra space for changing and other tasks and are urging council leaders to take a serious look at the issue.
Last year Chester became one of the first areas in the country to launch a Community Toilet Scheme, which aimed to provide improved access to clean and safe public toilets through a partnership between the local authority and businesses.
The scheme, which came after pressure groups campaigned on behalf of the millions of visitors to Chester every year, involved a network of shops, pubs and restaurants which allowed full use of their toilet facilities without the need to purchase goods.
It also worked to increase awareness of the availability of such amenities.Business which signed up to the scheme included Burger King, Foregate Street, Tesco, Frodsham Street, Little Roodee Café, The Groves Bar and Bistro and the Slug and Lettuce, Bridge Street.
Public toilet facilities can also be found in Frodsham Street, Princes Street, The Groves, Union Street and Grosvenor Park.
However, some residents now say many of these toilets are not equipped deal with visitors with severe disabilities and their carers.
Colin Pinches, of Ullswater Crescent, Plas Newton, is involved in a national campaign called Changing Places which is pushing to increase the number of facilities for disabled people throughout the country.
He said: “I think it is a disgrace Cheshire West and Chester Council do not provide enough public toilets that meet the needs of local people with severe disabilities.“Whilst we have one in the area this is far from enough.”
Colin said people with profound and multiple learning disabilities need Changing Places toilets, with a hoist, changing bench and plenty of space.
“Without them, carers are often forced to change their disabled loved-ones on dirty toilet floors,” he said.
“I urge the council to install more Changing Places toilets. People with profound multiple learning disabilities should have the same opportunities as everyone else.“And carers have enough to contend with. Let’s not make their lives harder by denying them the right to basic public facilities.”
CWaC spokesman Mike McGivern said: “There are a number of shops which have a sticker in the window which says these toilets are available for public use as part of the campaign from last year.“The Chester City Centre Access Guide contains details of the Council-owned toilets that are wheelchair accessible.“Also, many have been spruced up in the last year so. The guide is available in DIAL House, Shopmobility, TIC, The Forum, Quaker Meeting House.”
To find out more about public toilets in Chester go to www.chester.gov.uk/communitytoilets. For details about the Changing Places campaign go to www.mencap.org.uk/changelives.
They say visitors who are handicapped often need extra space for changing and other tasks and are urging council leaders to take a serious look at the issue.
Last year Chester became one of the first areas in the country to launch a Community Toilet Scheme, which aimed to provide improved access to clean and safe public toilets through a partnership between the local authority and businesses.
The scheme, which came after pressure groups campaigned on behalf of the millions of visitors to Chester every year, involved a network of shops, pubs and restaurants which allowed full use of their toilet facilities without the need to purchase goods.
It also worked to increase awareness of the availability of such amenities.Business which signed up to the scheme included Burger King, Foregate Street, Tesco, Frodsham Street, Little Roodee Café, The Groves Bar and Bistro and the Slug and Lettuce, Bridge Street.
Public toilet facilities can also be found in Frodsham Street, Princes Street, The Groves, Union Street and Grosvenor Park.
However, some residents now say many of these toilets are not equipped deal with visitors with severe disabilities and their carers.
Colin Pinches, of Ullswater Crescent, Plas Newton, is involved in a national campaign called Changing Places which is pushing to increase the number of facilities for disabled people throughout the country.
He said: “I think it is a disgrace Cheshire West and Chester Council do not provide enough public toilets that meet the needs of local people with severe disabilities.“Whilst we have one in the area this is far from enough.”
Colin said people with profound and multiple learning disabilities need Changing Places toilets, with a hoist, changing bench and plenty of space.
“Without them, carers are often forced to change their disabled loved-ones on dirty toilet floors,” he said.
“I urge the council to install more Changing Places toilets. People with profound multiple learning disabilities should have the same opportunities as everyone else.“And carers have enough to contend with. Let’s not make their lives harder by denying them the right to basic public facilities.”
CWaC spokesman Mike McGivern said: “There are a number of shops which have a sticker in the window which says these toilets are available for public use as part of the campaign from last year.“The Chester City Centre Access Guide contains details of the Council-owned toilets that are wheelchair accessible.“Also, many have been spruced up in the last year so. The guide is available in DIAL House, Shopmobility, TIC, The Forum, Quaker Meeting House.”
To find out more about public toilets in Chester go to www.chester.gov.uk/communitytoilets. For details about the Changing Places campaign go to www.mencap.org.uk/changelives.
'Half of all Chester's waste is being recycled'
THE amount of waste Chester area residents recycle has doubled under the new waste collection service.
Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) is now collecting waste in blue, green and brown wheelie bins from eight out of 10 households in and around Chester.
In the other areas bags continue to be used. There have been many teething problems and a limited number of households have not yet had a single waste collection since the new system was introduced.
But overall council leaders are delighted with the way the introduction has gone and since its introduction last month, a staggering 55 per cent of all household waste collected has been sent for recycling or composting.
The amount of waste sent for disposal has also tumbled by more than a quarter, helping to reduce the council’s reliance on landfill, a significant contributor to climate change.
Chester was previously recycling only a third of its household waste, lagging behind the two other parts of the new CWaC territory, Ellesmere Port and Neston and Vale Royal, which were both recycling 40 per cent plus of its waste.
In a message of congratulation, council leader Mike Jones said: “Thank you so much to everyone who is supporting this new service.
“This has been a mammoth task and to achieved such a high level of recycling so far is a testament to the good will and community spirit of people in this area.”
Cllr Jones added: “Due to the exceptional performance of the new service additional pressure has been placed on the recycling collection operatives who are out from 7am to 8pm.
“For those households that have suffered problems with their collections, I apologise and offer my assurance that we are working with our collection partner Focsa to provide additional resources and overcome these issues as fast as we can.”
A new Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) has been installed at Bumpers Lane, off Sealand Road. specifically for the area’s new waste collection service.
The cutting-edge facility costing £900,000 operated by Fosca processes waste on behalf of the local authority.
Flintshire firms come to churchyard's aid
A CHURCHYARD which had fallen into a state of disrepair has been given a new lease of life thanks to local businesses.
When the pathways at St John the Baptist Church, Penymynydd, churchyard became impassable the church struggled to find funding to restore the hazardous paths.
Church warden Andrew Bronnert said: “It is rare for there to be a churchyard still open for burials but the old pathways have made access difficult for people visiting and tending graves.
“The ground has also caused damp in the church building itself.”
Nearby Hanson Cement, formerly Castle Cement, stepped in and donated cash for materials to get the project up and running.
Work started in the grounds of the grade two listed church to replace the paths, improve the drainage and alter the ground to prevent further damage.
As word spread, Marshall Paving, Travis Perkins, Read Construction, AH Plant Hire, Scarfo & Sons and DP Williams all came forward to offer their help.
Vicar, the Rev Paulette Gower held a special service recently to thank the local businesses for their generosity.
When the pathways at St John the Baptist Church, Penymynydd, churchyard became impassable the church struggled to find funding to restore the hazardous paths.
Church warden Andrew Bronnert said: “It is rare for there to be a churchyard still open for burials but the old pathways have made access difficult for people visiting and tending graves.
“The ground has also caused damp in the church building itself.”
Nearby Hanson Cement, formerly Castle Cement, stepped in and donated cash for materials to get the project up and running.
Work started in the grounds of the grade two listed church to replace the paths, improve the drainage and alter the ground to prevent further damage.
As word spread, Marshall Paving, Travis Perkins, Read Construction, AH Plant Hire, Scarfo & Sons and DP Williams all came forward to offer their help.
Vicar, the Rev Paulette Gower held a special service recently to thank the local businesses for their generosity.
UK's firefighters in Chester for charity kickabout
FIREFIGHTERS from all over the UK travelled to Chester to compete in a football tournament in aid of a good cause.
The seven-a-side team tournament featured 20 teams, including some of “the best teams from the North West”, to compete for the Burning Issue Trophy in aid of the UK Firefighters Charity.
Winners were Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue with Chester side Hoole Rangers runners-up.
The event, which will take place at the Cheshire County Sports Club at the weekend, aimed to raise about £5,000 to help the rehabilitation of injured firefighters.
Editor of The Burning Issue magazine, Brett Tudor, said: “Fire service teams from the North East to the south coast will descend on Chester for what promises to be a great day out for all the family.”
Entertainment on the day also included a bouncy castle, a rowing competition, face painting and raffles.
Football-themed entertainment included a Soccer AM-style ‘Beat The Goalie’ competition’ and ‘Keepy Uppie’ which should keep spectators amused between games.
Brett added there was a prize for the winning teams as well as for the top goalscorer.
There will also be trophies and raffle prizes for spectators to win on the day.
The seven-a-side team tournament featured 20 teams, including some of “the best teams from the North West”, to compete for the Burning Issue Trophy in aid of the UK Firefighters Charity.
Winners were Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue with Chester side Hoole Rangers runners-up.
The event, which will take place at the Cheshire County Sports Club at the weekend, aimed to raise about £5,000 to help the rehabilitation of injured firefighters.
Editor of The Burning Issue magazine, Brett Tudor, said: “Fire service teams from the North East to the south coast will descend on Chester for what promises to be a great day out for all the family.”
Entertainment on the day also included a bouncy castle, a rowing competition, face painting and raffles.
Football-themed entertainment included a Soccer AM-style ‘Beat The Goalie’ competition’ and ‘Keepy Uppie’ which should keep spectators amused between games.
Brett added there was a prize for the winning teams as well as for the top goalscorer.
There will also be trophies and raffle prizes for spectators to win on the day.
Campaigners’ anger over plan to scrap Chester town twinning
DETERMINED campaigners are gearing up for a fight as council leaders prepare to end twinning with foreign towns by next year.
Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) says it will scrap the “wasteful” scheme in the face of budget cuts and staff redundancies.But enthusiasts claim town twinning, which has been in place since the end of the Second World War, has led to cultural enrichment and economic benefits for the region.
The CWaC executive took the decision after stating there should be a “new way of managing the council’s policy on international co-operation”.
However, the council will allow each former twinning association to continue through to 2010, granting them each £2,000 to do so.
Chester is twinned with Sens in France, Lorrach in Germany and Seneghalia in Italy. Vale Royal is linked with Rychnov-nad-Kneznou District in the Czech Republic and Ellesmere Port with Reutlingen in Germany.
Chester International Links Association (CILA), which manages the twinning scheme, receives a large chunk of its funding from CWaC.
Former city council leader and president of the Walled Town Friendship Circle, John Price, said it would be very difficult for the new authority to push Chester as a must-see European destination by 2015 if it abruptly ended its relationships with its twin towns.
He said: “This takes no account of what the people actually want.
This brings in social, cultural and economic benefits. For example, last year there were youth games in all four towns.”
He added there were various partnerships set up, like international police conferences and art exhibitions.
“How are people around the world going to regard CWaC after they have discarded their partners without so much as a consultation?” he said.
Chester and Palestine Exchanges (CAPE) chairman Rod Cox said most of the concerns seemed to be over European partners in the twinning agenda, but residents should be reminded there were also cities in other regions linked up with West Cheshire.
Chester has a “friendship agreement” set up with Jericho, Palestine.Rod, who has helped traumatised war victims in Palestine, said: “There are lots of practical and real benefits that come out of twinning partnerships.
“Members are now involved in a project called ‘Portico’, which is about the preservation of historic buildings and from which Chester stands to benefit.
CILA won’t give up.”A CWaC spokesman said there would be a new “international framework” drawn up in October to concentrate on research, manufacturing, finance and knowledge-based businesses such as chemical and life sciences, rural and waterway development, food and drink, tourism and regeneration.
Cllr Herbert Manley, who will chair the International Framework Group, said: “The traditional twinning links that the former district council established did good work in the area of cultural and civic exchanges.
“However, we now have one large strategic authority which needs to compete and promote CWaC’s interests on a larger stage and to that end we should focus our attention on the trade, investment and local economic benefits of international networking, not just in Europe, but also with the emerging economies of the Far East.”
Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) says it will scrap the “wasteful” scheme in the face of budget cuts and staff redundancies.But enthusiasts claim town twinning, which has been in place since the end of the Second World War, has led to cultural enrichment and economic benefits for the region.
The CWaC executive took the decision after stating there should be a “new way of managing the council’s policy on international co-operation”.
However, the council will allow each former twinning association to continue through to 2010, granting them each £2,000 to do so.
Chester is twinned with Sens in France, Lorrach in Germany and Seneghalia in Italy. Vale Royal is linked with Rychnov-nad-Kneznou District in the Czech Republic and Ellesmere Port with Reutlingen in Germany.
Chester International Links Association (CILA), which manages the twinning scheme, receives a large chunk of its funding from CWaC.
Former city council leader and president of the Walled Town Friendship Circle, John Price, said it would be very difficult for the new authority to push Chester as a must-see European destination by 2015 if it abruptly ended its relationships with its twin towns.
He said: “This takes no account of what the people actually want.
This brings in social, cultural and economic benefits. For example, last year there were youth games in all four towns.”
He added there were various partnerships set up, like international police conferences and art exhibitions.
“How are people around the world going to regard CWaC after they have discarded their partners without so much as a consultation?” he said.
Chester and Palestine Exchanges (CAPE) chairman Rod Cox said most of the concerns seemed to be over European partners in the twinning agenda, but residents should be reminded there were also cities in other regions linked up with West Cheshire.
Chester has a “friendship agreement” set up with Jericho, Palestine.Rod, who has helped traumatised war victims in Palestine, said: “There are lots of practical and real benefits that come out of twinning partnerships.
“Members are now involved in a project called ‘Portico’, which is about the preservation of historic buildings and from which Chester stands to benefit.
CILA won’t give up.”A CWaC spokesman said there would be a new “international framework” drawn up in October to concentrate on research, manufacturing, finance and knowledge-based businesses such as chemical and life sciences, rural and waterway development, food and drink, tourism and regeneration.
Cllr Herbert Manley, who will chair the International Framework Group, said: “The traditional twinning links that the former district council established did good work in the area of cultural and civic exchanges.
“However, we now have one large strategic authority which needs to compete and promote CWaC’s interests on a larger stage and to that end we should focus our attention on the trade, investment and local economic benefits of international networking, not just in Europe, but also with the emerging economies of the Far East.”
Tributes flood in for Neston crash victims
TRIBUTES have been paid to four friends who died when their car crashed into a tree at Neston.
The blue Vauxhall Tigra Coupe collided with the tree as they were travelling along the A540 Chester High Road, Neston, in the early hours of Sunday.
The car was severely crushed upon impact which has delayed formal identification of the bodies.
Cheshire Constabulary spokeswoman Jo Preihs said they believe the driver was 19-year-old John David Aston, an employee of the Brewers Arms in Neston and the front passenger to be former Neston High School student Michaela Louise Favager, 19, who worked in Iceland in Neston.
The rear passengers were Gillian Fowle, 43, who also worked in the Brewers Arms, and Edward Thomas (Eddie) Smith, 19, a builder.
All were from Neston.
A tribute group in memory of the four friends has been set up on social networking site Facebook.
One message read: “Such a tragic loss of four lives. May you all rest in peace.”
Another read: “So tragic, my thoughts go out to all the families. Rest in peace to the four of you."
Another: “So sad, so tragic...RIP.”Miss Preihs said details of the four friends would be released shortly.
“Police are still investigating the cause of the collision and witnesses are still being sought,” she said.A roadside tribute has been set up by friend and family, naming the victims as “Eddie”, “John”, “Jill” and “Michaela”.
Police are appealing for any witnesses to come forward and anyone with information should contact Cheshire Constabulary on 0845 458 0000.
BREAKING NEWS: Motorcyclist seriously injured in Flintshire crash
A MOTORCYCLIST has been seriously injured in an accident in Flintshire.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene on the A548 Shotwick Road, Deeside to reports of a collision between a motorcyclist and a lorry at around 1pm this afternoon.
Paramedics treated the motorcyclist at the scene, before he was rushed to the Countess of Chester Hospital.
A spokesman from Welsh Ambulance Service said that the man is still undergoing urgent medical treatment.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene on the A548 Shotwick Road, Deeside to reports of a collision between a motorcyclist and a lorry at around 1pm this afternoon.
Paramedics treated the motorcyclist at the scene, before he was rushed to the Countess of Chester Hospital.
A spokesman from Welsh Ambulance Service said that the man is still undergoing urgent medical treatment.
Flintshire town gives green light to new homes plan
PLANS to build nearly 60 homes on Saltney High Street have been given the thumbs-up by town leaders.
But Saltney Town Council members have raised concerns over access to the housing development, and are suggesting a one-way system be introduced.
Goldrock Investments Ltd has applied for planning permission to build 58 two-storey homes at 142 high street.
Asked for its observations at a recent meeting, the town council welcomed the application but expressed reservations over access.
Cllr Veronica Gay said: “This could be a godsend because we are desperately short of housing in this area, but my only reservation is that the designs only show one access route for 58 homes.
“This isn’t enough, and I’m concerned it could create a Shotton or Connah’s Quay-type traffic situation on the high street.
“Other than that, I think it’s a fantastic scheme.”
Town clerk Alan Thorniley said: “We are suggesting a one-way access system off the high street.”
The town council’s comments will now be passed to Flintshire Council’s planning department.
Morrisons says it is “hopeful” it will get planning permission for a new 65,000 sq ft supermarket on Saltney high street later this month.
The store would be based on the site of the old GT Owen and Bramall Quicks stores.
But Saltney Town Council members have raised concerns over access to the housing development, and are suggesting a one-way system be introduced.
Goldrock Investments Ltd has applied for planning permission to build 58 two-storey homes at 142 high street.
Asked for its observations at a recent meeting, the town council welcomed the application but expressed reservations over access.
Cllr Veronica Gay said: “This could be a godsend because we are desperately short of housing in this area, but my only reservation is that the designs only show one access route for 58 homes.
“This isn’t enough, and I’m concerned it could create a Shotton or Connah’s Quay-type traffic situation on the high street.
“Other than that, I think it’s a fantastic scheme.”
Town clerk Alan Thorniley said: “We are suggesting a one-way access system off the high street.”
The town council’s comments will now be passed to Flintshire Council’s planning department.
Morrisons says it is “hopeful” it will get planning permission for a new 65,000 sq ft supermarket on Saltney high street later this month.
The store would be based on the site of the old GT Owen and Bramall Quicks stores.
Flintshire school bids to go green with plan for windmill
By Laura Jones and Kate Forrester
A SCHOOL is hoping to become the greenest around by setting up its own windmill to generate electricity.
Huw Jones, headteacher at Ysgol Glan Aber, Bagillt, is keen to make his plans to build a windmill in the school field become a reality.
He claims the venture would reduce the school’s electricity bills by between 50 and 100 per cent – but the school needs to overcome several hurdles before the project takes off.
Mr Jones said: “We are currently looking around for funding to get it off the ground, but the idea is still in the very early stages of development, there is funding and planning to consider yet.
“There is a fantastic spot on the top of the school but we have a consultant coming soon to see if it is a viable option for us.
“We would love a windmill here. The cheapest one we have seen is about £30,000, so we are looking for sponsorship for about £15,000 so we can get match funding from the Welsh Assembly.”
Mr Jones says the school might even be able to make a profit on the project, by selling its unused electricity back to the National Grid.
He added: “The windmill would be a great educational resource for the school and it would teach our children about the importance of green energy and there will be a digital screen to show them how much energy the windmill is producing.
“The school is on its third eco award and this would be a great addition for us.”
Bagillt councillor Mike Reece says Ysgol Glan Aber is leading the way in eco-friendly technology and hopes other schools will follow its example.
He said: “I will be doing all I can to help and I really hope the project gets the green light.
The staff are children at Glan Aber are really ahead of their game.”
Any businesses who want to sponsor the school can call Mr Jones on 01352 711995 or visit www.glanaber.org.uk.
A SCHOOL is hoping to become the greenest around by setting up its own windmill to generate electricity.
Huw Jones, headteacher at Ysgol Glan Aber, Bagillt, is keen to make his plans to build a windmill in the school field become a reality.
He claims the venture would reduce the school’s electricity bills by between 50 and 100 per cent – but the school needs to overcome several hurdles before the project takes off.
Mr Jones said: “We are currently looking around for funding to get it off the ground, but the idea is still in the very early stages of development, there is funding and planning to consider yet.
“There is a fantastic spot on the top of the school but we have a consultant coming soon to see if it is a viable option for us.
“We would love a windmill here. The cheapest one we have seen is about £30,000, so we are looking for sponsorship for about £15,000 so we can get match funding from the Welsh Assembly.”
Mr Jones says the school might even be able to make a profit on the project, by selling its unused electricity back to the National Grid.
He added: “The windmill would be a great educational resource for the school and it would teach our children about the importance of green energy and there will be a digital screen to show them how much energy the windmill is producing.
“The school is on its third eco award and this would be a great addition for us.”
Bagillt councillor Mike Reece says Ysgol Glan Aber is leading the way in eco-friendly technology and hopes other schools will follow its example.
He said: “I will be doing all I can to help and I really hope the project gets the green light.
The staff are children at Glan Aber are really ahead of their game.”
Any businesses who want to sponsor the school can call Mr Jones on 01352 711995 or visit www.glanaber.org.uk.
Flintshire street’s parking issues may go to court
by Laura Jones
A SOLUTION could be in sight for residents of a street which has been plagued by parking problems for more than a decade.
People living on Bistre Close in Buckley have fought for years to stop drivers who do not have allocated parking putting cars on the roadside and blocking the close.
The road, which falls between two Buckley council wards, Mountain and Bistre West, is made up of sheltered accommodation bungalows occupied by elderly residents.
Concerns have been raised by those residents about access for fire engines and ambulances to their properties.
Now, Buckley Mountain Cllr Carol Ellis and the council’s executive member for estate management, Cllr Helen Yale, have started a legal battle to have residents-only parking put in place on the street.
Cllr Ellis said: “We have been trying to get something done for years and we have finally started what will be a lengthy procedure to get the problem solved.
“Bistre Close was allocated as an ‘adopted road’ when sheltered accommodation complex was built 30 years ago and it’s accessible to anyone who wants to park there.
“Flintshire Council do not have any legal powers to change the parking in the street to residents-only unless they go through a legal procedure which could take months to pass.
“But as it stands, access to the road is a great concern and I wouldn’t like to think what would happen if there was a fire.”
Cllr Ellis added: “This is the only solution that we have come up with that will resolve the problem.”
Joe Bennett, 81, has lived in Bistre Close for more than eight years, and said the situation has ‘got out of hand’.
He said: “It is about time something was done.
“We are pensioners and we really don't need this. It is not our fault that people buy houses that don’t have parking.”
A SOLUTION could be in sight for residents of a street which has been plagued by parking problems for more than a decade.
People living on Bistre Close in Buckley have fought for years to stop drivers who do not have allocated parking putting cars on the roadside and blocking the close.
The road, which falls between two Buckley council wards, Mountain and Bistre West, is made up of sheltered accommodation bungalows occupied by elderly residents.
Concerns have been raised by those residents about access for fire engines and ambulances to their properties.
Now, Buckley Mountain Cllr Carol Ellis and the council’s executive member for estate management, Cllr Helen Yale, have started a legal battle to have residents-only parking put in place on the street.
Cllr Ellis said: “We have been trying to get something done for years and we have finally started what will be a lengthy procedure to get the problem solved.
“Bistre Close was allocated as an ‘adopted road’ when sheltered accommodation complex was built 30 years ago and it’s accessible to anyone who wants to park there.
“Flintshire Council do not have any legal powers to change the parking in the street to residents-only unless they go through a legal procedure which could take months to pass.
“But as it stands, access to the road is a great concern and I wouldn’t like to think what would happen if there was a fire.”
Cllr Ellis added: “This is the only solution that we have come up with that will resolve the problem.”
Joe Bennett, 81, has lived in Bistre Close for more than eight years, and said the situation has ‘got out of hand’.
He said: “It is about time something was done.
“We are pensioners and we really don't need this. It is not our fault that people buy houses that don’t have parking.”
Wrexham Lager Club fundraiser to benefit Olivia’s fund
WREXHAM Lager Club will be holding a special charity evening on Friday to raise money for Olivia’s Fund, set up in memory of Olivia Wood.
Julie and Darren Wood, of Gwersyllt, set up the fund through Hope House Hospice for their six-year-old daughter who died in a road traffic collision in Merseyside along with four other people, including grandmother Linda Wood.
The evening will feature a soul night featuring Denzil on Disco, as well as fun and games for everyone to take part in.
There will also be a charity raffle taking place on the night, featuring a number of prizes.
Julie said: “Hope House and all their staff have provided enormous comfort to us over the past few months.
“The service they provide is amazing and we will continue to do all we can to raise money for Hope House.
We’ve planned a fun evening and would encourage everyone to come along to support a worth cause.
We would like to thank the Lager Club for letting us use the venue for free.”
The event kicks off at 7.30pm, with tickets available on the door for £3.
Julie and Darren Wood, of Gwersyllt, set up the fund through Hope House Hospice for their six-year-old daughter who died in a road traffic collision in Merseyside along with four other people, including grandmother Linda Wood.
The evening will feature a soul night featuring Denzil on Disco, as well as fun and games for everyone to take part in.
There will also be a charity raffle taking place on the night, featuring a number of prizes.
Julie said: “Hope House and all their staff have provided enormous comfort to us over the past few months.
“The service they provide is amazing and we will continue to do all we can to raise money for Hope House.
We’ve planned a fun evening and would encourage everyone to come along to support a worth cause.
We would like to thank the Lager Club for letting us use the venue for free.”
The event kicks off at 7.30pm, with tickets available on the door for £3.
Cats feeling crunch as recession hits protection charity
THE credit crunch is starting to bite hard at a Wrexham animal charity.
The town’s Cats Protection branch, which runs an adoption centre in Madeira Hill for stray and abandoned felines says in its latest newsletter that it is being overwhelmed with calls from desperate owners, who are being forced to quit their own homes and move into rented property where landlords do not allow pets.
The article in Cat’s Cradle also reveals that the branch is being asked to care for a growing number of abandoned cats - as its own income slumps because of the recession.
For the first time ever, it has had to dig into its reserves to make ends meet.
Lynn Gay, who is in charge of the adoption centre, said: “At the start of the year we didn’t seem to have been too badly affected by the credit crunch but now it is really starting to bite.
“Not a day goes by when we don’t receive a number of calls about cats and kittens being abandoned outside homes that people have been forced to move out of.
“At a recent open day we had at the centre we even had someone bring along a kitten in a box.
“We are also having a lot of pregnant female cats being brought in whose owners have not been able to afford to have them neutered.”
Lynn added: “We have also seen our own income go down. People used to come in and give us a donation of £20 or £30 but that is just not happening any more.
“When we arrange an adoption, it has been our policy to ask for a donation of £30-40 towards the full medical check and tagging we give to every cat before it is re-homed.
“But it is getting to the stage where we are wondering about reducing this.”
One piece of good news for the branch is that the recession has brought a surge in business at its charity shop in Wrexham town centre as people go hunting for bargains.
But this means that stock levels have become very low, with the branch particularly short of women’s wear and bric-a-brac.
It is also short of volunteers to help look after cats at the adoption centre between 9 and 11am on Saturdays and Sundays.
For details of volunteering opportunities, call the centre on 01978 313574.
The town’s Cats Protection branch, which runs an adoption centre in Madeira Hill for stray and abandoned felines says in its latest newsletter that it is being overwhelmed with calls from desperate owners, who are being forced to quit their own homes and move into rented property where landlords do not allow pets.
The article in Cat’s Cradle also reveals that the branch is being asked to care for a growing number of abandoned cats - as its own income slumps because of the recession.
For the first time ever, it has had to dig into its reserves to make ends meet.
Lynn Gay, who is in charge of the adoption centre, said: “At the start of the year we didn’t seem to have been too badly affected by the credit crunch but now it is really starting to bite.
“Not a day goes by when we don’t receive a number of calls about cats and kittens being abandoned outside homes that people have been forced to move out of.
“At a recent open day we had at the centre we even had someone bring along a kitten in a box.
“We are also having a lot of pregnant female cats being brought in whose owners have not been able to afford to have them neutered.”
Lynn added: “We have also seen our own income go down. People used to come in and give us a donation of £20 or £30 but that is just not happening any more.
“When we arrange an adoption, it has been our policy to ask for a donation of £30-40 towards the full medical check and tagging we give to every cat before it is re-homed.
“But it is getting to the stage where we are wondering about reducing this.”
One piece of good news for the branch is that the recession has brought a surge in business at its charity shop in Wrexham town centre as people go hunting for bargains.
But this means that stock levels have become very low, with the branch particularly short of women’s wear and bric-a-brac.
It is also short of volunteers to help look after cats at the adoption centre between 9 and 11am on Saturdays and Sundays.
For details of volunteering opportunities, call the centre on 01978 313574.
Wrexham workers delighted at Toyota jobs boost
A TOYOTA worker from Wrexham has spoken of his relief after the car giant announced it will build new hybrid engines at its Deeside plant from next year.
As we reported on Friday, the Japanese firm will be making a hybrid model of its Auris hatchback in the UK from mid-2010, with the cars being manufactured at Toyota’s plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire and the engines being made in Deeside.
It is hoped the news will help safeguard the jobs of about 550 workers at the Deeside plant, which has endured a difficult year due to the recession.
Marc Baird, 28, from Borras, who works at the Deeside plant, said the news had come at a ‘crucial time’ for workers at the factory.
He said: “It’s really good news for Toyota, but looking at the bigger picture it’s great news for the area as well as the environment, which is important to think about today.
“I think it will be exciting working on the hybrids, which is a new thing in modern engine production.
“Toyota haven’t done anything like this in the UK before, so to be part of a groundbreaking project is a real boost for everyone that works here.”
The news will provide a much-needed morale boost at the Deeside plant, which was effectively shut down temporarily during a non-production week in April.
Working hours and basic pay were cut by 10 per cent earlier this year.
Alyn and Deeside MP Mark Tami described the announcement of the hybrid engine plan as ‘outstanding news’ for the area.
He said: “The hybrid engine will be the first to ever be produced for the firm outside the US or Japan.
“Hybrid technology has enormous potential and I am confident this will secure the long-term future for many skilled workers at the Deeside plant.”
Ieuan Wyn Jones, deputy first minister for Wales, hailed the decision as ‘an investment by a world-class company in a world-class facility’.
Toyota began engine production at Deeside in 1992.
It was previously thought that Toyota would not start making the new model for another three years.
As we reported on Friday, the Japanese firm will be making a hybrid model of its Auris hatchback in the UK from mid-2010, with the cars being manufactured at Toyota’s plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire and the engines being made in Deeside.
It is hoped the news will help safeguard the jobs of about 550 workers at the Deeside plant, which has endured a difficult year due to the recession.
Marc Baird, 28, from Borras, who works at the Deeside plant, said the news had come at a ‘crucial time’ for workers at the factory.
He said: “It’s really good news for Toyota, but looking at the bigger picture it’s great news for the area as well as the environment, which is important to think about today.
“I think it will be exciting working on the hybrids, which is a new thing in modern engine production.
“Toyota haven’t done anything like this in the UK before, so to be part of a groundbreaking project is a real boost for everyone that works here.”
The news will provide a much-needed morale boost at the Deeside plant, which was effectively shut down temporarily during a non-production week in April.
Working hours and basic pay were cut by 10 per cent earlier this year.
Alyn and Deeside MP Mark Tami described the announcement of the hybrid engine plan as ‘outstanding news’ for the area.
He said: “The hybrid engine will be the first to ever be produced for the firm outside the US or Japan.
“Hybrid technology has enormous potential and I am confident this will secure the long-term future for many skilled workers at the Deeside plant.”
Ieuan Wyn Jones, deputy first minister for Wales, hailed the decision as ‘an investment by a world-class company in a world-class facility’.
Toyota began engine production at Deeside in 1992.
It was previously thought that Toyota would not start making the new model for another three years.
Meet the Wrexham man who speaks Welsh, English...and Klingon
WHEN it comes to learning languages Alex Greene’s skills can be described as being absolutely out of this world.
Alex is fluent in Welsh, English and Klingon - a fictional race which was created as part of the ever-popular science fiction television and film series Star Trek.
Alex, from Hightown, said that he decided to take up the challenge of mastering the Klingon tongue when he attended a Star Trek convention some years ago.
As part of the event there was a Klingon dictionary available. Alex enthusiastically bought a copy and steadfastly set about his studies.
It took Alex, aged 46, about 12 months to become proficient and now he greatly enjoys regularly getting in touch with fellow Klingonists.
“My favourite characters in Star Trek are Lieutenant Uhura and Hoshi Sato who are communication officers and that’s what I like to do, communicate with people.
“As well as the languages which I can speak fluently I also have a smattering of French, Latin and Japanese. It is a subject which I find totally fascinating.”
Alex said his great ambition would be to utilise the varied and extensive skill set that he has developed in a satisfying career progression.
Asked if he ever thought it might be a waste of time to become fluent in a language which has its origins in a television show, Alex pauses briefly, smiles patiently and then answers: “No, not at all.
"This is something which I have wanted to learn and enjoyed doing so. I have found it to be very worthwhile.”
The Klingon Dictionary was launched in the mid 1980s.
It has gone on to prove to be a very popular publication with hundreds of thousands of copies being sold.
Enthusiasts have also created a Klingon Language Institute which is reported to have translated epic works such as Shakespeare’s Hamlet into Klingon
Alex is fluent in Welsh, English and Klingon - a fictional race which was created as part of the ever-popular science fiction television and film series Star Trek.
Alex, from Hightown, said that he decided to take up the challenge of mastering the Klingon tongue when he attended a Star Trek convention some years ago.
As part of the event there was a Klingon dictionary available. Alex enthusiastically bought a copy and steadfastly set about his studies.
It took Alex, aged 46, about 12 months to become proficient and now he greatly enjoys regularly getting in touch with fellow Klingonists.
“My favourite characters in Star Trek are Lieutenant Uhura and Hoshi Sato who are communication officers and that’s what I like to do, communicate with people.
“As well as the languages which I can speak fluently I also have a smattering of French, Latin and Japanese. It is a subject which I find totally fascinating.”
Alex said his great ambition would be to utilise the varied and extensive skill set that he has developed in a satisfying career progression.
Asked if he ever thought it might be a waste of time to become fluent in a language which has its origins in a television show, Alex pauses briefly, smiles patiently and then answers: “No, not at all.
"This is something which I have wanted to learn and enjoyed doing so. I have found it to be very worthwhile.”
The Klingon Dictionary was launched in the mid 1980s.
It has gone on to prove to be a very popular publication with hundreds of thousands of copies being sold.
Enthusiasts have also created a Klingon Language Institute which is reported to have translated epic works such as Shakespeare’s Hamlet into Klingon
Bankruptcy figures reach all-time high for Welsh counties
THE number of new bankruptcy cases in Denbighshire and Wrexham last year was higher than the average for England and Wales.
Figures from the Insolvency Service reveal that the figure for Denbighshire was among the highest, with 17.4 people per thousand members of the county’s adult population officially going bust.
That represents a total of 135 individual cases.And it was a considerable increase on the previous year when 121 cases were recorded, equal to 121 people per thousand of adult population.
Another bankruptcy blackspot was Wrexham, where 172 cases were registered last year, or 16.5 per thousand of adult population.
This was also a considerable hike on the previous year when 137 cases were recorded, representing 13.2 per thousand of adult population in the county.
Both these figures were higher than the England and Wales average rate for 2008 of 15.7 - itself up from 15.2 in 2007.
In Flintshire the number of bankruptcy cases in 2008 was 161 - a rate of 13.6 per thousand of adult population.
This compared to 147 cases the previous year, giving a rate of 12.5.For the whole of Wales, there were 3,324 new bankruptcy cases in 2008 - the highest on record.
The figures also show that there were 2,276 Individual Voluntary Agreements (IVAs) in 2008 in Wales, also the highest on record.
Eleanor Burnham, Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for North Wales, said: “These figures show just how hard the recession is hitting the pockets of families in Wales.
“This government has done far too little to prevent the mountain of personal debt building up and now we are seeing this debt timebomb go off.”
She added: “The real tragedy is that with so many households going bankrupt, we are likely to see further rises in long-term unemployment, child poverty and homelessness.
“The government cannot continue to make announcements claiming they are delivering help without ensuring that is readily available for families when they need it.”
MP ignites jobs row with Wrexham Council
A FIERCE row has erupted over Wrexham Council’s record on attracting new jobs to the borough.
Clwyd South MP Martyn Jones says that when it comes to the authority’s handling of planning applications he wonders whether the ‘right hand knows what the left hand is doing’.
But council leader, Cllr Aled Roberts, says the planning committee must be allowed to operate without ‘political interference’.
The row blew up after Mr Jones hit out at the council’s recent rejection of a plan by Kingsmoor Park Properties Ltd to build two new warehouses on Wrexham Industrial Estate.
The bid was supported by TDG, a local employer which wanted to expand its existing Wrexham facility on to the site.
A second unit was also being promoted for another local company.Councillors refused permission on policy grounds as the application sought permission for two occupiers of the new floor space whereas the unitary development policy limits the site to a single occupier.
But Mr Jones launched an attack on Cllr Roberts on the basis of his comments in the Evening Leader last week in which he said North East Wales needed to attract new businesses.
The MP said: “I am stunned the council can claim to be working to support local businesses when they turn down planning proposals that could support the local economy and workers on mere technicalities.
“You do wonder sometimes whether the right hand knows what the left hand is doing.”
Mr Jones added: “TDG’s proposal would have developed the Wrexham Industrial Estate and brought new jobs into the region.
“Maybe the rigid application of the rules in this case has some deeper motive behind it.
“It does seem hypocritical to be denying opportunities to local businesses one week and then waxing lyrical about the need for more local business jobs in the area.”
Cllr Roberts hit back: “I was not aware until Martyn Jones’ press release that Wrexham Council was responsible for all the job losses within the manufacturing sector in Wrexham.
“Obviously Mr Jones does not accept any responsibility on behalf of the UK government for the area’s current economic performance.
“I would have hoped we would be working together to tackle the serious difficulties we face.
“Although Mr Jones would have us believe otherwise, there has been discussion regarding the apparent conflict between the need to follow planning law and the need to provide jobs.
“That is why the council’s Economic Development Department was a supporter of the TDG application rejected by the planning committee.”He added: “Due to our statutory responsibilities the planning committee must be allowed to operate without political interference.
“Mr Jones seems to imply that planning applications should be considered differently if they are made by big business compared to other residents.
“My comments were that this council will do everything it can to attract jobs to the area working alongside the Welsh Assembly Government and UK agencies but this will not be at the price of forcing our planners to adopt one rule for business and another for everyone else.”
Clwyd South MP Martyn Jones says that when it comes to the authority’s handling of planning applications he wonders whether the ‘right hand knows what the left hand is doing’.
But council leader, Cllr Aled Roberts, says the planning committee must be allowed to operate without ‘political interference’.
The row blew up after Mr Jones hit out at the council’s recent rejection of a plan by Kingsmoor Park Properties Ltd to build two new warehouses on Wrexham Industrial Estate.
The bid was supported by TDG, a local employer which wanted to expand its existing Wrexham facility on to the site.
A second unit was also being promoted for another local company.Councillors refused permission on policy grounds as the application sought permission for two occupiers of the new floor space whereas the unitary development policy limits the site to a single occupier.
But Mr Jones launched an attack on Cllr Roberts on the basis of his comments in the Evening Leader last week in which he said North East Wales needed to attract new businesses.
The MP said: “I am stunned the council can claim to be working to support local businesses when they turn down planning proposals that could support the local economy and workers on mere technicalities.
“You do wonder sometimes whether the right hand knows what the left hand is doing.”
Mr Jones added: “TDG’s proposal would have developed the Wrexham Industrial Estate and brought new jobs into the region.
“Maybe the rigid application of the rules in this case has some deeper motive behind it.
“It does seem hypocritical to be denying opportunities to local businesses one week and then waxing lyrical about the need for more local business jobs in the area.”
Cllr Roberts hit back: “I was not aware until Martyn Jones’ press release that Wrexham Council was responsible for all the job losses within the manufacturing sector in Wrexham.
“Obviously Mr Jones does not accept any responsibility on behalf of the UK government for the area’s current economic performance.
“I would have hoped we would be working together to tackle the serious difficulties we face.
“Although Mr Jones would have us believe otherwise, there has been discussion regarding the apparent conflict between the need to follow planning law and the need to provide jobs.
“That is why the council’s Economic Development Department was a supporter of the TDG application rejected by the planning committee.”He added: “Due to our statutory responsibilities the planning committee must be allowed to operate without political interference.
“Mr Jones seems to imply that planning applications should be considered differently if they are made by big business compared to other residents.
“My comments were that this council will do everything it can to attract jobs to the area working alongside the Welsh Assembly Government and UK agencies but this will not be at the price of forcing our planners to adopt one rule for business and another for everyone else.”
Tom Kearney leaves Wrexham FC
Midfielder Tom Kearney has become the latest Wrexham player to cancel his contract by mutual consent, after reaching an agreement with the club.
The former Everton player scored on his debut back in August last year, but is another who failed to feature regularly since the appointment of Reds’ boss Dean Saunders.
Of his 15 Blue Square appearances, 11 were made before the end of last September, although he did start in the final two fixtures of last season.
Kearney joined the club from Halifax Town a year ago and looks likely to stay close to his Liverpool home by joining another BSP club in the north-west of England shortly.
However, he does have other irons in the fire: “I’ve been coaching with the Everton Academy and I’m working towards my football qualifications,” said Kearney.
“So I’ll continue with that in the short term and see what opens up for me. I do have one particular club that has offered me a deal, so now I’ll try and get that sorted out.
“I’m just sorry it didn’t work out better for me and the club, but I have enjoyed my time at Wrexham.”
Kearney joins a growing list of players to leave the club this summer with Darran Kempson, Michael Proctor, Gavin Ward, Sam Aiston, Patrick Suffo, Carl Tremarco, and Nat Brown among those to depart.
The former Everton player scored on his debut back in August last year, but is another who failed to feature regularly since the appointment of Reds’ boss Dean Saunders.
Of his 15 Blue Square appearances, 11 were made before the end of last September, although he did start in the final two fixtures of last season.
Kearney joined the club from Halifax Town a year ago and looks likely to stay close to his Liverpool home by joining another BSP club in the north-west of England shortly.
However, he does have other irons in the fire: “I’ve been coaching with the Everton Academy and I’m working towards my football qualifications,” said Kearney.
“So I’ll continue with that in the short term and see what opens up for me. I do have one particular club that has offered me a deal, so now I’ll try and get that sorted out.
“I’m just sorry it didn’t work out better for me and the club, but I have enjoyed my time at Wrexham.”
Kearney joins a growing list of players to leave the club this summer with Darran Kempson, Michael Proctor, Gavin Ward, Sam Aiston, Patrick Suffo, Carl Tremarco, and Nat Brown among those to depart.
Wrexham FC News: Nathan Fairhurst out to impress
NATHAN Fairhurst is determined to show former club Preston North End exactly what they are missing at The Racecourse tonight, (7.30pm).
The 20-year-old from Chorley spent nine years at Deepdale, but joined Wrexham shortly after Dean Saunders took over as managerHaving played 20 times, including 15 starts, Fairhurst was ready to join the club on a permanent basis despite Preston boss Alan Irvine offering him a new one-year deal.
Now Fairhurst wants to impress both his current and former employers by carving out a long and successful career in the professional game.
“There will be a few familiar faces at the game that’s for sure and I am looking forward to playing against some of my former team mates,” he said.
“I am really looking forward to it, I keep in touch with a few of the lads on a day to day basis and it will be nice to see them and hopefully get the better of them.
“It was difficult to leave Preston in the first place. I had to make the decision about whether to stay for another year or come here and play first team football.
“I made the choice to come here and play regularly and I am pleased to have done it really. It is a chance to push on and I can really dig deep to get myself a starting role on a regular basis.
“There is a lot more competition for places now with the gaffer signing a couple more midfielders, but as a midfielder you have to thrive on that.
“Competition will make you a better player and it is good to be pushed by other people. I want to show everybody who watches the match that I have what it takes.”
Fairhurst is expected to play some part in tonight’s friendly encounter, while Saunders is also hoping to finally have Liverpool goalkeeper Dean Bounzanis available to him for the clash with the Championship outfit.
Speaking about the teenage shot stopper, Saunders said: “Hopefully he will be here tonight, I am still waiting.
“They are just trying to tie up his contract at the club and once he has sorted that out he will be on his way over.”
Saunders also outlined his plans for this evening, admitting that now is the time for some of his first team squad to get 90 minutes under their belt.
“Some will play the full game, some won’t,” he said. “I might also have a look at other players throughout the game as well.
“Not many trialists will play because it is a big game for us really against Preston and attitudes have to be right.
“They are not where I want them to be fitness wise, we have had a number of hard days training and some of the players have not played a whole game yet.
“I am going to try and have a look at the whole thing, I might try playing in a different formation or I might look at one or two other things.”
One man who is expected to line-up against Wrexham is former England under-21 and Manchester City goalkeeper Nicky Weaver.
The 30-year-old has joined Irvine’s men on trial and will get the chance to impress with regular stopper Wayne Henderson currently out injured.
Supporters attending tonight’s friendly are reminded that the Eric Roberts Stand will be closed for the game and all remaining pre-season fixtures.
The club apologises to those supporters who particularly enjoy sitting behind the goal, but any pre-bought tickets for the remaining friendlies can be used in either the Mold Road or Yale stands.
The 20-year-old from Chorley spent nine years at Deepdale, but joined Wrexham shortly after Dean Saunders took over as managerHaving played 20 times, including 15 starts, Fairhurst was ready to join the club on a permanent basis despite Preston boss Alan Irvine offering him a new one-year deal.
Now Fairhurst wants to impress both his current and former employers by carving out a long and successful career in the professional game.
“There will be a few familiar faces at the game that’s for sure and I am looking forward to playing against some of my former team mates,” he said.
“I am really looking forward to it, I keep in touch with a few of the lads on a day to day basis and it will be nice to see them and hopefully get the better of them.
“It was difficult to leave Preston in the first place. I had to make the decision about whether to stay for another year or come here and play first team football.
“I made the choice to come here and play regularly and I am pleased to have done it really. It is a chance to push on and I can really dig deep to get myself a starting role on a regular basis.
“There is a lot more competition for places now with the gaffer signing a couple more midfielders, but as a midfielder you have to thrive on that.
“Competition will make you a better player and it is good to be pushed by other people. I want to show everybody who watches the match that I have what it takes.”
Fairhurst is expected to play some part in tonight’s friendly encounter, while Saunders is also hoping to finally have Liverpool goalkeeper Dean Bounzanis available to him for the clash with the Championship outfit.
Speaking about the teenage shot stopper, Saunders said: “Hopefully he will be here tonight, I am still waiting.
“They are just trying to tie up his contract at the club and once he has sorted that out he will be on his way over.”
Saunders also outlined his plans for this evening, admitting that now is the time for some of his first team squad to get 90 minutes under their belt.
“Some will play the full game, some won’t,” he said. “I might also have a look at other players throughout the game as well.
“Not many trialists will play because it is a big game for us really against Preston and attitudes have to be right.
“They are not where I want them to be fitness wise, we have had a number of hard days training and some of the players have not played a whole game yet.
“I am going to try and have a look at the whole thing, I might try playing in a different formation or I might look at one or two other things.”
One man who is expected to line-up against Wrexham is former England under-21 and Manchester City goalkeeper Nicky Weaver.
The 30-year-old has joined Irvine’s men on trial and will get the chance to impress with regular stopper Wayne Henderson currently out injured.
Supporters attending tonight’s friendly are reminded that the Eric Roberts Stand will be closed for the game and all remaining pre-season fixtures.
The club apologises to those supporters who particularly enjoy sitting behind the goal, but any pre-bought tickets for the remaining friendlies can be used in either the Mold Road or Yale stands.
Police appeal for witnesses after Wrexham crash victim named
THE driver of a car who died following a road accident near Wrexham on Sunday night has been named.
He was Aaron Griffiths-Mahoney, aged 20, from Brynteg. The collision took place at New Road in Rhosddu at about 10.45pm.
A statement from North Wales Police which was issued yesterday said a male passenger – believed to be aged 22 – who was in the car with Mr Griffiths-Mahoney is in hospital with injuries which are described as serious but not thought to be life threatening.
Emergency services rushed to the scene of the accident after it was reported. The road was closed for a period of time, with diversions put in place.
North Wales Police are carrying out an investigation into the tragedy and house to house inquiries in the area have been conducted.
The force is appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the crash or seen the vehicle, a Peugeot 106 prior to the collision taking place, to get in contact with them.
Anyone who is able to help is asked to telephone PC 450 Aled Jackson at the Eastern Road Policing Unit.
He can be contacted on 0845 607 1001 for the Welsh language line and 0845 607 1002 for the English language line.
If you knew Mr Griffiths-Mahoney and would like to pay tribute to him, you can do so on the Evening Leader website. or by emailing us at news@evening leader.co.uk
He was Aaron Griffiths-Mahoney, aged 20, from Brynteg. The collision took place at New Road in Rhosddu at about 10.45pm.
A statement from North Wales Police which was issued yesterday said a male passenger – believed to be aged 22 – who was in the car with Mr Griffiths-Mahoney is in hospital with injuries which are described as serious but not thought to be life threatening.
Emergency services rushed to the scene of the accident after it was reported. The road was closed for a period of time, with diversions put in place.
North Wales Police are carrying out an investigation into the tragedy and house to house inquiries in the area have been conducted.
The force is appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the crash or seen the vehicle, a Peugeot 106 prior to the collision taking place, to get in contact with them.
Anyone who is able to help is asked to telephone PC 450 Aled Jackson at the Eastern Road Policing Unit.
He can be contacted on 0845 607 1001 for the Welsh language line and 0845 607 1002 for the English language line.
If you knew Mr Griffiths-Mahoney and would like to pay tribute to him, you can do so on the Evening Leader website. or by emailing us at news@evening leader.co.uk
Landlord vows to reopen Flintshire pub hit by blaze
A MAN who was set to take over the lease of a pub before it was badly damaged by fire has vowed to get the business back on its feet.
Pub leaseholder Rob Lewis is facing an unexpected uphill struggle after agreeing to take over the Lifeboat Inn, on Phoenix Street, Sandycroft.
The first floor of the pub was left with shattered windows and severe smoke and fire damage after a blaze at 10.25pm on Sunday, from which 84 drinkers and staff escaped.
One person was treated by paramedics at the scene for ankle injuries, after jumping out of a first floor window.
Three crews, from Deeside and Buckley, used two hose reels and four sets of breathing equipment to tackle the blaze and the ground floor of the pub escaped damage.
Mr Lewis, who currently owns the lease on the nearby New Inn, had been preparing to take over the Lifeboat on Friday, July 31.
He said: “The pub will obviously not be able to open now, which is really disappointing.“It will require some serious investment and renovation to put it right again.
“I will still be opening the doors at some point, but I will have to do a lot of work first.”
A probe into the cause of the blaze has been launched by the fire service and North Wales Police, who are appealing for witnesses.
Anyone with information can call officers on 0845 607 1002.
Pub leaseholder Rob Lewis is facing an unexpected uphill struggle after agreeing to take over the Lifeboat Inn, on Phoenix Street, Sandycroft.
The first floor of the pub was left with shattered windows and severe smoke and fire damage after a blaze at 10.25pm on Sunday, from which 84 drinkers and staff escaped.
One person was treated by paramedics at the scene for ankle injuries, after jumping out of a first floor window.
Three crews, from Deeside and Buckley, used two hose reels and four sets of breathing equipment to tackle the blaze and the ground floor of the pub escaped damage.
Mr Lewis, who currently owns the lease on the nearby New Inn, had been preparing to take over the Lifeboat on Friday, July 31.
He said: “The pub will obviously not be able to open now, which is really disappointing.“It will require some serious investment and renovation to put it right again.
“I will still be opening the doors at some point, but I will have to do a lot of work first.”
A probe into the cause of the blaze has been launched by the fire service and North Wales Police, who are appealing for witnesses.
Anyone with information can call officers on 0845 607 1002.
Flintshire firm reassures staff after job rumours
By Laura Jones
BOSSES at a Flintshire-based food testing firm have moved to quash rumours that it is going into administration.
ALcontrol Laboratories on Hawarden Industrial Park has sent out letters to its 300 Flintshire employees, reassuring them the company is “OK”, following claims in the national press that administrators Zolfo Cooper had been lined up to move in.
Simon Gibbs, chief executive of ALcontrol, said the reports were “alarmist and untrue”.
He said: “We are a profitable company that is trading well and the forecast for the business is a positive one.
“We have hired Zolfo Cooper as corporate finance advisors, not as administrators.”
After a report was published this weekend, Mr Gibbs moved to reassure workers at the Hawarden-based laboratory that the company was “not in crisis".
“These stories scare people, but we want to reassure them that they have nothing to worry about,” he added.
“We have appointed corporate finance advisors for future planning and we are in negotiations with the banks – but we are still a stable and sound business.”
The company, which moved to Hawarden three years ago, tests soil, water, food, oil and air for contaminants or hazardous substances.
ALcontrol Laboratories has more than 2,000 employees in 30 laboratories and service centres, in 11 countries across Europe.
BOSSES at a Flintshire-based food testing firm have moved to quash rumours that it is going into administration.
ALcontrol Laboratories on Hawarden Industrial Park has sent out letters to its 300 Flintshire employees, reassuring them the company is “OK”, following claims in the national press that administrators Zolfo Cooper had been lined up to move in.
Simon Gibbs, chief executive of ALcontrol, said the reports were “alarmist and untrue”.
He said: “We are a profitable company that is trading well and the forecast for the business is a positive one.
“We have hired Zolfo Cooper as corporate finance advisors, not as administrators.”
After a report was published this weekend, Mr Gibbs moved to reassure workers at the Hawarden-based laboratory that the company was “not in crisis".
“These stories scare people, but we want to reassure them that they have nothing to worry about,” he added.
“We have appointed corporate finance advisors for future planning and we are in negotiations with the banks – but we are still a stable and sound business.”
The company, which moved to Hawarden three years ago, tests soil, water, food, oil and air for contaminants or hazardous substances.
ALcontrol Laboratories has more than 2,000 employees in 30 laboratories and service centres, in 11 countries across Europe.
Two attacked and beaten by samurai raiders at Flintshire pub
By Michael Youds
ROBBERS armed with baseball bats and a Samurai sword raided a Flintshire pub, and continued attacking their helpless victims even after they had handed over the cash.
A customer was tied up and threatened with the blade during the terrifying robbery at the Coach and Horses in Flint Mountain, which has sparked a major police hunt.
The pub manager was beaten badly, and is still in hospital with serious injuries.
Stuart Bickerton-Starkey, director of Lovely Day Inns, which owns the pub, said: “This is the most severe and shocking crime I’ve ever known of in all my time in the pub industry.
“These two men put up no resistance but were still being attacked and beaten after they had handed over the money, which shows you the mentality of the people who did this.
“They should not be allowed to get away with it, and we will be offering a cash reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of these criminals.”
Three men, whose faces were hidden with clothing, burst into the pub just before 1am on Monday as it was closing for the night.
They demanded cash, punched the manager and beat him with baseball bats.
The thugs also tied up the customer, who is in his early 40s, and threatened to slit his throat with a samurai sword if he moved.
Mr Bickerton-Starkey said: “The manager, who is by no means a big lad, is still in hospital with very serious injuries.
“He was due to go on holiday next week to celebrate his 30th birthday, but obviously that won’t be happening now.
“We are like a family in this company and our staff are devastated by what happened.
“We never hold significant amounts of cash in our pubs, for safety and insurance reasons.
“These people need to be caught for the safety of the general public. We won’t rest until they are brought to justice.”
Detectives want to hear from a group of customers who left just before the raid.A North Wales Police spokesman said: “The employee sustained injuries to his arm, upper body and leg.
“The customer also sustained arm injuries and both were later taken to Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan by ambulance, having sustained injuries which are not believed to be life threatening.
“All three who entered the pub are described as wearing dark clothes and had most of their faces hidden with clothing.”
Witnesses should call Mold CID on 0845 607 1002, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
ROBBERS armed with baseball bats and a Samurai sword raided a Flintshire pub, and continued attacking their helpless victims even after they had handed over the cash.
A customer was tied up and threatened with the blade during the terrifying robbery at the Coach and Horses in Flint Mountain, which has sparked a major police hunt.
The pub manager was beaten badly, and is still in hospital with serious injuries.
Stuart Bickerton-Starkey, director of Lovely Day Inns, which owns the pub, said: “This is the most severe and shocking crime I’ve ever known of in all my time in the pub industry.
“These two men put up no resistance but were still being attacked and beaten after they had handed over the money, which shows you the mentality of the people who did this.
“They should not be allowed to get away with it, and we will be offering a cash reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of these criminals.”
Three men, whose faces were hidden with clothing, burst into the pub just before 1am on Monday as it was closing for the night.
They demanded cash, punched the manager and beat him with baseball bats.
The thugs also tied up the customer, who is in his early 40s, and threatened to slit his throat with a samurai sword if he moved.
Mr Bickerton-Starkey said: “The manager, who is by no means a big lad, is still in hospital with very serious injuries.
“He was due to go on holiday next week to celebrate his 30th birthday, but obviously that won’t be happening now.
“We are like a family in this company and our staff are devastated by what happened.
“We never hold significant amounts of cash in our pubs, for safety and insurance reasons.
“These people need to be caught for the safety of the general public. We won’t rest until they are brought to justice.”
Detectives want to hear from a group of customers who left just before the raid.A North Wales Police spokesman said: “The employee sustained injuries to his arm, upper body and leg.
“The customer also sustained arm injuries and both were later taken to Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan by ambulance, having sustained injuries which are not believed to be life threatening.
“All three who entered the pub are described as wearing dark clothes and had most of their faces hidden with clothing.”
Witnesses should call Mold CID on 0845 607 1002, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Wrexham team helps thousands claim welfare benefits
By Matt Sims
MORE than £5 million has been secured in benefits for residents in Wrexham by the local authority’s welfare rights workers.
The team has helped nearly 3,000 clients in the county claim benefits they were entitled to including disability living allowance, attendance allowance, housing and council tax benefit and pension credit.
They work with partner organisations such as the Shooting Star Unit at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, Nightingale House Hospice, Communities First areas and Warm Wales.
Staff were praised by Cllr Joan Lowe, lead member for social care, who paid a visit to their premises in New Broughton after it was revealed a total of £5.6 million additional benefits had been secured for Wrexham residents.
Cllr Lowe said: “I met with the team recently and was very surprised and delighted to hear that they have been able to help so many of their clients get the financial support they were entitled to.
Often, when our lives are affected by changes in health and welfare circumstances, financial worries can bring even greater pressures and to have help during such times must be a great comfort and relief to clients.”
For anyone who lives in Wrexham and would like telephone advice on benefit entitlement issues, the unit can be contacted on 01978 298254.
MORE than £5 million has been secured in benefits for residents in Wrexham by the local authority’s welfare rights workers.
The team has helped nearly 3,000 clients in the county claim benefits they were entitled to including disability living allowance, attendance allowance, housing and council tax benefit and pension credit.
They work with partner organisations such as the Shooting Star Unit at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, Nightingale House Hospice, Communities First areas and Warm Wales.
Staff were praised by Cllr Joan Lowe, lead member for social care, who paid a visit to their premises in New Broughton after it was revealed a total of £5.6 million additional benefits had been secured for Wrexham residents.
Cllr Lowe said: “I met with the team recently and was very surprised and delighted to hear that they have been able to help so many of their clients get the financial support they were entitled to.
Often, when our lives are affected by changes in health and welfare circumstances, financial worries can bring even greater pressures and to have help during such times must be a great comfort and relief to clients.”
For anyone who lives in Wrexham and would like telephone advice on benefit entitlement issues, the unit can be contacted on 01978 298254.
Wrexham 'psychic' made 70 hoax 999 calls
By Claire Gallagher
A WOMAN has admitted making 70 hoax calls to the emergency services.
Julie Ann Pritchard made the calls from her Llangollen home and on one occasion said she was psychic and thought something ‘bad would happen’.
Wrexham magistrates court heard that on most occasions Pritchard, 48, was drunk and during one call asked the operator for a taxi.
Pritchard, of Hill Street, admitted making the hoax calls on May 31, June 1, June 2, June 11 and June 12.
She admitted 29 offences in court and was fined for 41 of the remaining offences.
Emily Downing, prosecuting, said: “When she was making the calls other genuine calls could not get through.
“On May 31, she phoned 999 at 6.24pm and wasn’t making any sense.“She called to say she wasn’t abusing 999.
“At 7pm she said she wanted to press charges against another member of her family.“The officer attended and she refused to open the door.”
Miss Downing said that at 7.22pm Pritchard called again and when the operator told her to stop phoning 999 she told them to “hush.”She phoned again at 7.38pm, 7.41pm and 7.52pm.
The court heard that on June 1, Pritchard called 999 four times.
On June 2 and 3 she made more calls when “intoxicated,” Miss Downing said.
“At 39 minutes past midnight on June 4 she called to say she does not like the people of Llangollen,” she said.“She also said she called to have a ‘talk’.”
During the same call she said she had cooked a meal for her boyfriend and that they were going to watch a film.
On June 11, Pritchard called to say she thought something bad would happen because she was psychic.“She was abusive and slurring her words,” said Miss Downing.
On June 12, she said she had to get a taxi for her friend and the operator told her that 999 was not a taxi service.
At 8.15pm on this day Pritchard phoned and began talking about ‘historic incidents’, Miss Downing said.
Gavin Rogers, defending, said: “She has indicated that she is very sorry for what she has done.
“Drink has played a big part in the case.“She is a lonely person, she gets depressed and has panic attacks.”
Mr Rogers added that she had a history of mental health problems.
Magistrates adjourned the case to enable the probation service to prepare a pre-sentence report.
She was granted conditional bail not to contact the emergency services without good reason.
She will appear back at Wrexham magistrates on August 14 for sentence.
A WOMAN has admitted making 70 hoax calls to the emergency services.
Julie Ann Pritchard made the calls from her Llangollen home and on one occasion said she was psychic and thought something ‘bad would happen’.
Wrexham magistrates court heard that on most occasions Pritchard, 48, was drunk and during one call asked the operator for a taxi.
Pritchard, of Hill Street, admitted making the hoax calls on May 31, June 1, June 2, June 11 and June 12.
She admitted 29 offences in court and was fined for 41 of the remaining offences.
Emily Downing, prosecuting, said: “When she was making the calls other genuine calls could not get through.
“On May 31, she phoned 999 at 6.24pm and wasn’t making any sense.“She called to say she wasn’t abusing 999.
“At 7pm she said she wanted to press charges against another member of her family.“The officer attended and she refused to open the door.”
Miss Downing said that at 7.22pm Pritchard called again and when the operator told her to stop phoning 999 she told them to “hush.”She phoned again at 7.38pm, 7.41pm and 7.52pm.
The court heard that on June 1, Pritchard called 999 four times.
On June 2 and 3 she made more calls when “intoxicated,” Miss Downing said.
“At 39 minutes past midnight on June 4 she called to say she does not like the people of Llangollen,” she said.“She also said she called to have a ‘talk’.”
During the same call she said she had cooked a meal for her boyfriend and that they were going to watch a film.
On June 11, Pritchard called to say she thought something bad would happen because she was psychic.“She was abusive and slurring her words,” said Miss Downing.
On June 12, she said she had to get a taxi for her friend and the operator told her that 999 was not a taxi service.
At 8.15pm on this day Pritchard phoned and began talking about ‘historic incidents’, Miss Downing said.
Gavin Rogers, defending, said: “She has indicated that she is very sorry for what she has done.
“Drink has played a big part in the case.“She is a lonely person, she gets depressed and has panic attacks.”
Mr Rogers added that she had a history of mental health problems.
Magistrates adjourned the case to enable the probation service to prepare a pre-sentence report.
She was granted conditional bail not to contact the emergency services without good reason.
She will appear back at Wrexham magistrates on August 14 for sentence.
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