WREXHAM’S chief planning officer has said he will take into account Wrexham fans’ wishes to protect The Racecourse ground from being developed on in years to come.
Reds’ supporters have launched a petition to secure the future of the stadium by having it recognised in the council’s forthcoming local development plan (LDP) as an area protected and reserved for leisure facilities.
The emerging LDP will eventually replace the current Wrexham unitary development plan (UDP) and will be the key framework for future development in the county borough up to 2021.
Wrexham Council’s chief planning officer Lawrence Isted says that, although the final decision will be taken by councillors, he will bring the plea to the attention of the planning policy panel, who are responsible for overseeing the preparation of the LDP.
In his response he says: “At the moment the LDP (local development plan) policies have not been drafted so I will certainly take your suggested course of action into account when doing so.
“I cannot at this time say whether The Racecourse ground justifies a specific policy or designation in the LDP or whether it should be covered by general policies for the protection of community facilities.
However, I fully appreciate the importance of the issues that you have raised and I will bring them to the attention of the planning policy panel.
“It will be for the elected members who serve on the panel to recommend how The Racecourse ground should be dealt with in the LDP, although the final decision on the content of the deposit LDP will rest with the council’s executive board.”
He adds: “Please rest assured that I and members of the council fully appreciate the strong feelings among many people in Wrexham regarding the future of The Racecourse stadium and the role which it plays as a venue for sporting and cultural events in North Wales and that we will give the matter careful consideration in the deliberations on the local development plan.
“You will also be aware that in the recent past the council has approved planning applications for the redevelopment of land to the south of the ground with the express intention of helping secure its continued operation and the construction of a replacement stand.”
The petition already has well over 1,000 signatures.
You can be signed by logging on to www.petitiononline.com/LDPWFC21/petition.html.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Swine flu fears rocket throughout Flintshire
THE number of people visiting their doctor with fears over swine flu in Flintshire has rocketed by more than 140 times in a month, the Leader can reveal.
The figures come amid speculation that schools could be forced to remain closed after the summer holidays, although at the moment that is being viewed as a ‘last resort’ in the county.
Figures released by the National Public Health Service (NPHS) for Wales show that an average of 145 people in Flintshire have consulted their GP about the virus in the past week, compared to just one at the end of the first week in June.
Dr Roland Salmon, director of NPHS Wales’ Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, said: “The rise in numbers of people contacting their GP with flu like symptoms illustrates the spread of the disease across Wales.
“Not everyone however, who has contacted their GP with flu like symptoms will have swine flu and not everyone with swine flu contacts their GP.”
NPHS Wales is monitoring the number of flu consultations being carried out by GPs.Government ministers are also being asked to consider keeping schools closed for an extra month after the summer holidays, in order to buy more time for a vaccine to be developed.
A Flintshire Council spokesman said the authority would be following government advice in the autumn.
But Cllr Nigel Steele-Mortimer, the council’s executive member for education, said: “If we were advised to keep schools closed on medical grounds, then that is something we would have to consider, as a last resort.
“I would be very reluctant to interfere with children’s education.
"From what I have heard about the situation so far, I would be inclined to carry on as normal.”
People who think they may have swine flu are being advised not to visit their GP surgery or hospital, but to check their symptoms using the swine flu information line, on 0800 1513513.
The figures come amid speculation that schools could be forced to remain closed after the summer holidays, although at the moment that is being viewed as a ‘last resort’ in the county.
Figures released by the National Public Health Service (NPHS) for Wales show that an average of 145 people in Flintshire have consulted their GP about the virus in the past week, compared to just one at the end of the first week in June.
Dr Roland Salmon, director of NPHS Wales’ Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, said: “The rise in numbers of people contacting their GP with flu like symptoms illustrates the spread of the disease across Wales.
“Not everyone however, who has contacted their GP with flu like symptoms will have swine flu and not everyone with swine flu contacts their GP.”
NPHS Wales is monitoring the number of flu consultations being carried out by GPs.Government ministers are also being asked to consider keeping schools closed for an extra month after the summer holidays, in order to buy more time for a vaccine to be developed.
A Flintshire Council spokesman said the authority would be following government advice in the autumn.
But Cllr Nigel Steele-Mortimer, the council’s executive member for education, said: “If we were advised to keep schools closed on medical grounds, then that is something we would have to consider, as a last resort.
“I would be very reluctant to interfere with children’s education.
"From what I have heard about the situation so far, I would be inclined to carry on as normal.”
People who think they may have swine flu are being advised not to visit their GP surgery or hospital, but to check their symptoms using the swine flu information line, on 0800 1513513.
Enya’s garden is set to bloom with Flintshire housing developer
A PRIMARY school pupil’s garden design has bloomed into life at a Flintshire housing development.
Ten-year-old Enya Hughes’s garden design was picked by housebuilder Morris, from a creative selection of entries from pupils at Bryn Coch County Primary School.
Enya was given the chance to see her colourful paper sketch transformed into a reality at the firm’s new housing development, Soughton Park.
As part of her prize, the youngster was also presented with a family ticket for Chester Zoo and a grow-your-own sunflower by Morris sales advisor, Margie Speakman.
Runners-up Demi-Lee Davies and Sarah Atkinson, both 10, also received grow-your-own sunflower kits.
Bryn Coch teacher, Rachel Potter said: “The children have started to take an interest in the local area and are thinking about what outdoor activities are important to families.
“We’re always encouraging the children to be creative and get involved in outdoor projects and this competition was a great opportunity to do both.”
Ten-year-old Enya Hughes’s garden design was picked by housebuilder Morris, from a creative selection of entries from pupils at Bryn Coch County Primary School.
Enya was given the chance to see her colourful paper sketch transformed into a reality at the firm’s new housing development, Soughton Park.
As part of her prize, the youngster was also presented with a family ticket for Chester Zoo and a grow-your-own sunflower by Morris sales advisor, Margie Speakman.
Runners-up Demi-Lee Davies and Sarah Atkinson, both 10, also received grow-your-own sunflower kits.
Bryn Coch teacher, Rachel Potter said: “The children have started to take an interest in the local area and are thinking about what outdoor activities are important to families.
“We’re always encouraging the children to be creative and get involved in outdoor projects and this competition was a great opportunity to do both.”
Chester City manager Wadsworth battling to keep Blues on track
By Dennis Wall
MICK WADSWORTH today admitted he felt frustrated by the problems his club were facing just two weeks before the Blues’ opening fixture at Grays Athletic.
Wadsworth is continuing to work hard behind the scenes to prepare his squad for the new season, despite being prevented by the Football Association from playing pre-season friendlies.
The FA insist that the club are not currently affiliated and have ruled that the Blues cannot play any matches until Chester provide the necessary paperwork required to obtain a licence.
Chester have so far had to cancel pre-season friendlies against Marine and Liverpool, and this weekend’s scheduled match at AFC Telford.
And City are now facing a race against time to salvage next week’s scheduled home friendly against newly-promoted Premiership club, Burnley.
Wadsworth said: “We’re in a tough situation at the moment and I’ve never experienced a pre-season like this.
"It is difficult trying to prepare for the start of a season without being able to play pre-season friendlies, but we’ll fight on.
“I’m not worried about the players because I know that we’ll be ready for the opening fixture against Grays Athletic on August 8.
It’s just a little frustrating that we can’t play any friendly matches.
“I’ve no idea whether we will be playing Burnley next week because of the situation that we’re in. We can’t give Burnley any guarantees at the moment.
“I know Burnley boss, Owen Coyle, very well and I’m hoping we can fulfil the fixture.
“It would be nice to try and get a few pre-season matches played before the season starts, but many league teams will be wanting to keep the week before the season starts clear of any games.”
Wadsworth is keen to see his players focusing on getting themselves ready for the opening Blue Square Premier Division fixture.
But former Bradford City centre back, Mark Bower, who had been on trial with the Blues, has now decided to accept a two-year deal at League Two club, Darlington.
And Wadsworth is now eager to see his squad in a competitive pre-season match in order to assess the possibility of making further signings.
He said: “Striker Glynn Hurst is currently on trial with us and he has been working really hard with the squad I have assembled.
“I was hoping to see Glynn in action for us at the weekend at Marine, but that match had to be called off because of the administrative issue with the FA.
“I’m sure Glynn can do a job for us at Chester because he’s an experienced forward who has always had an eye for goal wherever he has played.
“But I now want to see how he looks in a match alongside other strikers like Gregg Blundell, Lloyd Ellams, and Fabian Yantorno.”
Richie Partridge has signed for MK Dons after a successful trial with the League One side.
MICK WADSWORTH today admitted he felt frustrated by the problems his club were facing just two weeks before the Blues’ opening fixture at Grays Athletic.
Wadsworth is continuing to work hard behind the scenes to prepare his squad for the new season, despite being prevented by the Football Association from playing pre-season friendlies.
The FA insist that the club are not currently affiliated and have ruled that the Blues cannot play any matches until Chester provide the necessary paperwork required to obtain a licence.
Chester have so far had to cancel pre-season friendlies against Marine and Liverpool, and this weekend’s scheduled match at AFC Telford.
And City are now facing a race against time to salvage next week’s scheduled home friendly against newly-promoted Premiership club, Burnley.
Wadsworth said: “We’re in a tough situation at the moment and I’ve never experienced a pre-season like this.
"It is difficult trying to prepare for the start of a season without being able to play pre-season friendlies, but we’ll fight on.
“I’m not worried about the players because I know that we’ll be ready for the opening fixture against Grays Athletic on August 8.
It’s just a little frustrating that we can’t play any friendly matches.
“I’ve no idea whether we will be playing Burnley next week because of the situation that we’re in. We can’t give Burnley any guarantees at the moment.
“I know Burnley boss, Owen Coyle, very well and I’m hoping we can fulfil the fixture.
“It would be nice to try and get a few pre-season matches played before the season starts, but many league teams will be wanting to keep the week before the season starts clear of any games.”
Wadsworth is keen to see his players focusing on getting themselves ready for the opening Blue Square Premier Division fixture.
But former Bradford City centre back, Mark Bower, who had been on trial with the Blues, has now decided to accept a two-year deal at League Two club, Darlington.
And Wadsworth is now eager to see his squad in a competitive pre-season match in order to assess the possibility of making further signings.
He said: “Striker Glynn Hurst is currently on trial with us and he has been working really hard with the squad I have assembled.
“I was hoping to see Glynn in action for us at the weekend at Marine, but that match had to be called off because of the administrative issue with the FA.
“I’m sure Glynn can do a job for us at Chester because he’s an experienced forward who has always had an eye for goal wherever he has played.
“But I now want to see how he looks in a match alongside other strikers like Gregg Blundell, Lloyd Ellams, and Fabian Yantorno.”
Richie Partridge has signed for MK Dons after a successful trial with the League One side.
Last chance to oppose controversial Flintshire development plans
A SIX-WEEK public consultation is being billed as the last chance for residents to oppose a controversial planning blueprint.
Flintshire’s unitary development plan (UDP) governs all major developments in the county until 2015.
Negotiations over the UDP have dragged on for six years, and more than 15,000 representations were made during a year-long public inquiry.
At a recent special meeting at County Hall, councillors approved a final report.Deirdre Burrows, Welsh Assembly Government planning inspector, had proposed a series of changes.
She recommended “deleting” at least part of seven sites from the UDP that had previously been earmarked for housing.
These were Alyn Park off Denbigh Road, Mold which is the home of Mold Alex FC, the former cricket pitch in Carmel, Lower Ash Farm in Mancot, land north of Issa Farm in Mynydd Isa, Cae Isa in New Brighton, Ysgol Talfryn in Brynford and the council depot in Dobshill.At the same time, she recommended a number of sites be “allocated” in the plan and earmarked for housing.
These were land west of Ash Lane in Mancot, the Broughton Shopping Park compound site, Overlea Drive in Hawarden and Rose Lane, Mynydd Isa.
A six-week consultation period on the final proposed changes is due to start in September.Hawarden’s Clive Carver was one of several councillors who reluctantly voted to approve the final UDP report while objecting to specific developments in their ward.
Argoed Cllr Hilary McGuill re-iterated her claim that the Rose Lane site was unsuitable for housing, while Caergwrle Cllr Stella Jones said it was unfair that a petition signed by many people only counted as one objection.
Planning officer Andy Roberts said representations were judged on quality, rather than quantity.
Cllr Carver, who lives on Overlea Drive, is against the Hawarden site being earmarked for housing.
He said: “I suppose this is effectively the last chance for changes and objections.“The problem is, we have to find new and compelling evidence.”
Flintshire’s unitary development plan (UDP) governs all major developments in the county until 2015.
Negotiations over the UDP have dragged on for six years, and more than 15,000 representations were made during a year-long public inquiry.
At a recent special meeting at County Hall, councillors approved a final report.Deirdre Burrows, Welsh Assembly Government planning inspector, had proposed a series of changes.
She recommended “deleting” at least part of seven sites from the UDP that had previously been earmarked for housing.
These were Alyn Park off Denbigh Road, Mold which is the home of Mold Alex FC, the former cricket pitch in Carmel, Lower Ash Farm in Mancot, land north of Issa Farm in Mynydd Isa, Cae Isa in New Brighton, Ysgol Talfryn in Brynford and the council depot in Dobshill.At the same time, she recommended a number of sites be “allocated” in the plan and earmarked for housing.
These were land west of Ash Lane in Mancot, the Broughton Shopping Park compound site, Overlea Drive in Hawarden and Rose Lane, Mynydd Isa.
A six-week consultation period on the final proposed changes is due to start in September.Hawarden’s Clive Carver was one of several councillors who reluctantly voted to approve the final UDP report while objecting to specific developments in their ward.
Argoed Cllr Hilary McGuill re-iterated her claim that the Rose Lane site was unsuitable for housing, while Caergwrle Cllr Stella Jones said it was unfair that a petition signed by many people only counted as one objection.
Planning officer Andy Roberts said representations were judged on quality, rather than quantity.
Cllr Carver, who lives on Overlea Drive, is against the Hawarden site being earmarked for housing.
He said: “I suppose this is effectively the last chance for changes and objections.“The problem is, we have to find new and compelling evidence.”
Motorcyclist injured in A548 lorry crash
A MOTORCYCLIST was rushed to hospital after a collision with a lorry in Deeside.
Emergency crews were called to the accident scene on the A548 Shotwick Road at around lunchtime yesterday.
One lane was closed on Shotwick Road, while paramedics treated the motorcyclist.
The man, believed to be in his forties, was later taken to the Countess of Chester hospital for urgent medical treatment.
A spokesman from Welsh Ambulance Service said the motorcyclist suffered an ankle injury to his left foot as a result of the accident.
Emergency crews were called to the accident scene on the A548 Shotwick Road at around lunchtime yesterday.
One lane was closed on Shotwick Road, while paramedics treated the motorcyclist.
The man, believed to be in his forties, was later taken to the Countess of Chester hospital for urgent medical treatment.
A spokesman from Welsh Ambulance Service said the motorcyclist suffered an ankle injury to his left foot as a result of the accident.
Fury as taxpayers foot the bill for huge clean-up at illegal travellers’ camp in Flintshire
By Kate Forrester
FURIOUS community leaders say taxpayers will have to foot the bill for the “horrendous mess” left on an industrial estate by travellers.
Flint councillors Ian Roberts and Alex Aldridge say they are appalled at the amount of rubbish that was discarded on Castle Park Industrial Estate, where travellers set up camp last week.
The caravans were set up near the newly-established Dee cycle path, at the back of the park, for several days and Flintshire Council was forced to apply for a court order to move the travellers on.
Cllr Aldridge said: “They have left now, but the mess that has been left behind was absolutely horrendous.
“We are often told we have a moral duty to help travellers, but my moral duty is to the taxpayers of Flintshire, the people I represent and the Flintshire Council workers have had to clear up the mess.
“Millions of pounds has been spent on Castle Park and the footpath along the River Dee next to it, to turn it into a nice place for residents to walk and enjoy the scenery.
“For this amount of mess to be dumped not 300 yards from the public walkway is absolutely disgraceful.”
Cllr Roberts said: “I find it absolutely astonishing that these people can leave a site in such a disgusting, unsanitary condition.
“It shows complete contempt for the local community.“There are old matresses left behind and nappies and used toilet paper in trees.
“It has been dumped on the bank leading down towards the river and if it floods, I’m sure the Environment Agency will be very concerned.”
The pair are now calling on Flintshire Council to prosecute those responsible for leaving the rubbish.
He added: “I am delighted with the response from council workers in clearing up the site, but there are laws in place in this county, set by Flintshire Council, on flytipping.
“No taxpayer would be able to dump their rubbish somewhere without being fined, rightfully so.
“The council must seek to prosecute the people responsible for the mess on Castle Park. If we turn a blind eye to this, then the law is unfair.”
The surface debris has been removed, and Andy Macbeth, Flintshire Council’s environmental services manager, said a clean-up operation is currently under way, but it is too early to estimate the cost of it.
He added: “Sandstone blocks are set to be installed on the site to make it more secure.”
FURIOUS community leaders say taxpayers will have to foot the bill for the “horrendous mess” left on an industrial estate by travellers.
Flint councillors Ian Roberts and Alex Aldridge say they are appalled at the amount of rubbish that was discarded on Castle Park Industrial Estate, where travellers set up camp last week.
The caravans were set up near the newly-established Dee cycle path, at the back of the park, for several days and Flintshire Council was forced to apply for a court order to move the travellers on.
Cllr Aldridge said: “They have left now, but the mess that has been left behind was absolutely horrendous.
“We are often told we have a moral duty to help travellers, but my moral duty is to the taxpayers of Flintshire, the people I represent and the Flintshire Council workers have had to clear up the mess.
“Millions of pounds has been spent on Castle Park and the footpath along the River Dee next to it, to turn it into a nice place for residents to walk and enjoy the scenery.
“For this amount of mess to be dumped not 300 yards from the public walkway is absolutely disgraceful.”
Cllr Roberts said: “I find it absolutely astonishing that these people can leave a site in such a disgusting, unsanitary condition.
“It shows complete contempt for the local community.“There are old matresses left behind and nappies and used toilet paper in trees.
“It has been dumped on the bank leading down towards the river and if it floods, I’m sure the Environment Agency will be very concerned.”
The pair are now calling on Flintshire Council to prosecute those responsible for leaving the rubbish.
He added: “I am delighted with the response from council workers in clearing up the site, but there are laws in place in this county, set by Flintshire Council, on flytipping.
“No taxpayer would be able to dump their rubbish somewhere without being fined, rightfully so.
“The council must seek to prosecute the people responsible for the mess on Castle Park. If we turn a blind eye to this, then the law is unfair.”
The surface debris has been removed, and Andy Macbeth, Flintshire Council’s environmental services manager, said a clean-up operation is currently under way, but it is too early to estimate the cost of it.
He added: “Sandstone blocks are set to be installed on the site to make it more secure.”
Flintshire roadworks 22/07/09
The following roadworks will be in place in Flintshire over the next seven days:
BUCKLEY: Moel View Road will be closed for 24 weeks until Thursday, December 31, due to the installation of a concrete pipe.
CARMEL: There will be temporary traffic lights on Carmel Road while poling works are undertaken on Thursday.
EWLOE: Temporary traffic lights will be put in place outside Pottery Cottages, Ewloe, while Flintshire Council undertake patching works on the road.
EWLOE: There will be temporary traffic lights outside Moorhead, on Aston Hill while a new gas connection is fitted by Wales and West Utilities until Friday.
GWERNYMYNYDD: Swan Lane will be closed until Friday, while Flintshire Council undertake a drainage investigation.
MOSTYN: Traffic lights will be in place outside Borth Villa, Rhewl on Friday, while poling works take place.
PENTRE HALKYN: Traffic lights will be in place near the junction with Bryn Eithin, Pentre Halkyn while Powersystems undertake cabling works there until Friday, July 31.
PENTRE HALKYN: The installation of a new sewer at The Nant, will cause the road to be closed to traffic for two weeks until Friday, July 31.
QUEENSFERRY: Strengthening works to Queensferry flyover bridge will close the westbound carriageway on Wednesday and Thursday from 7.30pm-6am. Lane two on the eastbound carriageway will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday from 7.30pm-6am.
TRELOGAN: Poling works outside Gelli Ucha, to Gelli Road will cause a road to be closed on Friday.
WHITFORD: A road will be closed outside Mertyn Abbot Farm to the junction of Mertyn Downing Lane, Whitford on Thursday, while poling works take place.
BUCKLEY: Moel View Road will be closed for 24 weeks until Thursday, December 31, due to the installation of a concrete pipe.
CARMEL: There will be temporary traffic lights on Carmel Road while poling works are undertaken on Thursday.
EWLOE: Temporary traffic lights will be put in place outside Pottery Cottages, Ewloe, while Flintshire Council undertake patching works on the road.
EWLOE: There will be temporary traffic lights outside Moorhead, on Aston Hill while a new gas connection is fitted by Wales and West Utilities until Friday.
GWERNYMYNYDD: Swan Lane will be closed until Friday, while Flintshire Council undertake a drainage investigation.
MOSTYN: Traffic lights will be in place outside Borth Villa, Rhewl on Friday, while poling works take place.
PENTRE HALKYN: Traffic lights will be in place near the junction with Bryn Eithin, Pentre Halkyn while Powersystems undertake cabling works there until Friday, July 31.
PENTRE HALKYN: The installation of a new sewer at The Nant, will cause the road to be closed to traffic for two weeks until Friday, July 31.
QUEENSFERRY: Strengthening works to Queensferry flyover bridge will close the westbound carriageway on Wednesday and Thursday from 7.30pm-6am. Lane two on the eastbound carriageway will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday from 7.30pm-6am.
TRELOGAN: Poling works outside Gelli Ucha, to Gelli Road will cause a road to be closed on Friday.
WHITFORD: A road will be closed outside Mertyn Abbot Farm to the junction of Mertyn Downing Lane, Whitford on Thursday, while poling works take place.
Employment zone planned for derelict Flintshire ground
By Michael Youds
AMBITIOUS plans to transform derelict land into an employment zone could create up to 300 jobs.
Flintshire Council has submitted a planning application for a major development behind Spencer Industrial Estate, Globe Way, Buckley.
The council-owned land has been going to waste for years, and the plan is to attract new firms to the area by redeveloping the site into a state-of-the-art business park.
Buckley councillor Dennis Hutchinson is confident the project will be a success, despite the recession.
He said: “This scheme is all about job creation.“The access road has been there for some years now, and the idea is to attract interested companies who wish to relocate to the area.
“We’re not talking about heavy industry.
“It’s light industry and low and medium-tech companies that we’re hoping will come along and take up the offer.
“We’re looking for companies to come here with their own proposals and I think ultimately this could eventually create between 200-300 jobs.”
The application for outline planning permission shows the local authority wants to develop 1.8 hectares of land, with a further 2.4 hectares set aside for ‘ecological mitigation’.
Hardings Property Consultants, based in Bangor-on-Dee, is acting as the agent.
Asked about the timing of the project, with unemployment rising steeply in Flintshire, Cllr Hutchinson said: “There is never a perfect time to do something like this, but as far as I’m concerned it’s good to put this in place and then it’s there, ready to use.
“The land, which is adjacent to the Etna heritage park, isn’t conducive to housing – not that there’s a need for more houses.
“It has been earmarked for commercial development.
“No firms have committed to coming here so far, but that’s because we haven’t advertised it properly yet.”
AMBITIOUS plans to transform derelict land into an employment zone could create up to 300 jobs.
Flintshire Council has submitted a planning application for a major development behind Spencer Industrial Estate, Globe Way, Buckley.
The council-owned land has been going to waste for years, and the plan is to attract new firms to the area by redeveloping the site into a state-of-the-art business park.
Buckley councillor Dennis Hutchinson is confident the project will be a success, despite the recession.
He said: “This scheme is all about job creation.“The access road has been there for some years now, and the idea is to attract interested companies who wish to relocate to the area.
“We’re not talking about heavy industry.
“It’s light industry and low and medium-tech companies that we’re hoping will come along and take up the offer.
“We’re looking for companies to come here with their own proposals and I think ultimately this could eventually create between 200-300 jobs.”
The application for outline planning permission shows the local authority wants to develop 1.8 hectares of land, with a further 2.4 hectares set aside for ‘ecological mitigation’.
Hardings Property Consultants, based in Bangor-on-Dee, is acting as the agent.
Asked about the timing of the project, with unemployment rising steeply in Flintshire, Cllr Hutchinson said: “There is never a perfect time to do something like this, but as far as I’m concerned it’s good to put this in place and then it’s there, ready to use.
“The land, which is adjacent to the Etna heritage park, isn’t conducive to housing – not that there’s a need for more houses.
“It has been earmarked for commercial development.
“No firms have committed to coming here so far, but that’s because we haven’t advertised it properly yet.”
Psychic investigations team plan probe at historic Flintshire tower
A PARANORMAL group is planning an investigation at a historic Flintshire site.
Wrexham-based Spirit Quest UK will be looking in to supposed spirit activity at the Tower, near Nercwys.
“The Tower is thought to have been built at the beginning of the 15th century or late 14th century, when it served as a fortification near the border between England and Wales,” said Howard Hughes, Spirit Quest’s UK director of paranormal research.Spirit Quest UK was the first Paranormal Group to investigate the hall, on June 12.
Mr Hughes added: “We had heard rumours of a figure seen on the stairs, the spirit of a woman and other sketchy stories of paranormal activity, but it was really the building’s bloody history and a life-long personal fascination with the building that attracted us to the place.
“There was also the fact that no other paranormal group had ever investigated the place before.”
The team will be going back for a second investigation, on Friday, August 7.To join the team, call 01978 854252 or go to www.spiritquestuk.co.uk.
Wrexham-based Spirit Quest UK will be looking in to supposed spirit activity at the Tower, near Nercwys.
“The Tower is thought to have been built at the beginning of the 15th century or late 14th century, when it served as a fortification near the border between England and Wales,” said Howard Hughes, Spirit Quest’s UK director of paranormal research.Spirit Quest UK was the first Paranormal Group to investigate the hall, on June 12.
Mr Hughes added: “We had heard rumours of a figure seen on the stairs, the spirit of a woman and other sketchy stories of paranormal activity, but it was really the building’s bloody history and a life-long personal fascination with the building that attracted us to the place.
“There was also the fact that no other paranormal group had ever investigated the place before.”
The team will be going back for a second investigation, on Friday, August 7.To join the team, call 01978 854252 or go to www.spiritquestuk.co.uk.
FOOTBALL: Marford and Gresford scoop national award
Marford and Gresford Albion are celebrating after scooping the Club of the Year award at the Welsh Football Trust (WFT) Awards.
The club, from the village of Gresford near Wrexham, were presented with the award by football legend Ian Rush at the ceremony and will now get the chance to play on the hallowed turf at Wembley Stadium as a reward for their achievement.
The WFT, in association with McDonald's, chose the club as the winner of this year's award for their fantastic commitment to grassroots football, catering for approximately 200 players from under sevens through to under 16s.
There are currently 13 Marford and Gresford Albion boys and girls teams playing in the Wrexham and Districtl League, with training sessions held at least once a week organised by volunteer coaches.
Club chairman Steve Harris said: “To be nominated was an achievement in itself, but to win is just incredible. It’s a fantastic boost for everyone at the club and well deserved for all the hard work everyone involved puts in, week in, week out.”
Ian Rush, McDonald’s Head of Welsh Football, said: “Clubs like Marford and Gresford Albion do a great job of getting children involved in and enjoying football at a young age.
“As a great supporter of football in Welsh communities McDonald’s is proud to honour the achievements all the people who work so hard for Marford and Gresford Albion, at the Oscars of grassroots football in Wales.”
Chirk Youth are holding a mini seven-a-side tournament on Sunday, August 23 at Chirk AAAs Holyhead Road Sports Club.
The under sevens and eights will take place in the morning with the under nines and 10s in the afternoon.
Cost of entry is £25 per team, to get an application form and further details, contact club secretary Lisa Jones on (01691) 773587 or email chirkyouthfc@gmail.com
Chirk Youth are also looking to recruit players – especially in the following age groups – Under 8s, Under 9s Under 10s and for the girls team.
The club, from the village of Gresford near Wrexham, were presented with the award by football legend Ian Rush at the ceremony and will now get the chance to play on the hallowed turf at Wembley Stadium as a reward for their achievement.
The WFT, in association with McDonald's, chose the club as the winner of this year's award for their fantastic commitment to grassroots football, catering for approximately 200 players from under sevens through to under 16s.
There are currently 13 Marford and Gresford Albion boys and girls teams playing in the Wrexham and Districtl League, with training sessions held at least once a week organised by volunteer coaches.
Club chairman Steve Harris said: “To be nominated was an achievement in itself, but to win is just incredible. It’s a fantastic boost for everyone at the club and well deserved for all the hard work everyone involved puts in, week in, week out.”
Ian Rush, McDonald’s Head of Welsh Football, said: “Clubs like Marford and Gresford Albion do a great job of getting children involved in and enjoying football at a young age.
“As a great supporter of football in Welsh communities McDonald’s is proud to honour the achievements all the people who work so hard for Marford and Gresford Albion, at the Oscars of grassroots football in Wales.”
Chirk Youth are holding a mini seven-a-side tournament on Sunday, August 23 at Chirk AAAs Holyhead Road Sports Club.
The under sevens and eights will take place in the morning with the under nines and 10s in the afternoon.
Cost of entry is £25 per team, to get an application form and further details, contact club secretary Lisa Jones on (01691) 773587 or email chirkyouthfc@gmail.com
Chirk Youth are also looking to recruit players – especially in the following age groups – Under 8s, Under 9s Under 10s and for the girls team.
FRIENDLY: Wrexham FC 1-1 Preston North End
By Tom Norris
It is early days yet, but the signs are good for Dean Saunders’ side.
The men from The Racecourse looked lively throughout this tough test and even the early departure of injured striker Marc Williams failed to dampen their spirits.
Saunders has said all along that he needs time to build a team that he can call his own and on this evidence that is not too far away.
New signings and talented youngsters have been moulded together under the Wales coach and, given time, they can mount a serious push for promotion this season.
Wrexham, wearing their white away strip, enjoyed the opening 45 minutes as their passion and energy swamped a Preston outfit, who looked sluggish and short of fitness.
New signing Hedi Taboubi was the main creator for Wrexham, passing and probing from his central midfield position.
Another new boy, Adrian Cieslewicz was lively and always looking to beat the offside trap, while Mark Jones and Neil Taylor provided good width.Within six minutes of the start Saunders’ men had carved out their first goalscoring opportunity, Andy Fleming playing a pass to Taboubi, who sent an excellent raking ball to Marc Williams on the left, the striker crossed to Cieslewicz, but he was denied a path to goal and the ball went out for a corner.
The Reds then took the lead from the flag kick as Silvio Spann’s centre caused havoc in the Preston defence.The initial cross found Taboubi, via Fleming, on the edge of the area, he gave it back to Spann, and from his second bite of the cherry he found the head of Mansour Assoumani six yards from goal, the big defender doing the rest with aplomb.
Marc Williams limped off shortly after the celebrations died down and Saunders sent on trialist Matty Wolfenden in his place.
The switch failed to null Wrexham’s attacking threat as Jones fired over from 25-yards and Spann saw another centre flash agonisingly across Nicky Weaver’s goalmouth.Preston finally managed an attack soon after, Chris Sedgwick stinging the hands of Chris Maxwell from distance.
Alan Irvine’s men had caused few problems for the Reds’ defence up until Sedgwick’s strike, but this seemed to spur them in to action and Eddie Nolan fired a weak effort at Maxwell’s goal, while new skipper Callum Davidson miss-kicked when played in after a quickly taken flag kick.
Nolan then forced a smart low save out of Maxwell after a neat interchange with Karl Hawley.
Former Liverpool striker Neil Mellor was next to have a go as he used his strength to out-muscle Assoumani and Sam Williamson before firing inches wide of the right upright.
After soaking up the Championship side’s pressure, Wrexham found their foothold in the game once more, Taylor seeing a chip fail to trouble Weaver, before Wolfenden fired in a smart shot on the turn, only to see the former Manchester City stopper brilliantly tip round the post.
The hard working and pacey Cieslewicz then highlighted his undoubted ability by leaving two defenders for dead and firing a smart left-footed drive at Weaver who was equal to the task and fisted the ball clear.
Preston were able to come forward for one last time as the enterprising Sedgwick found the head of Mellor, but he failed to generate any power and Maxwell gathered comfortably.
There were two different approaches at half-time with Saunders happy to to make just one change as former Preston player Nathan Fairhurst replaced Taboubi.
On the other hand, Irvine rang the changes by bringing on his big guns with Richard Chaplow, Ross Wallace, Jon Parkin, and Chris Brown in place of Neil Trotman, Mellor, Hawley and Adam Barton.
However the changes failed to spark any life into Preston as Cieslewicz went close once more, the teenager driving into the box having picked up the ball on the halfway line and firing at Weaver, who denied a second Wrexham goal.
Slowly but surely Preston found their footing in the game, Chaplow stamping his mark on the game with the equaliser.
When Sam Williamson failed to clear a ball any further than Sedgwick, the former Rotherham winger delivered an excellent cross and the ex-Burnley player headed the visitors level.
Williamson soon found himself out of the action as Saunders brought on promising defender Kai Edwards and switched to a 3-5-2 formation.Preston were looking increasingly likely to grab the next goal, but Wrexham and Cieslewicz were always dangerous in attack, the Pole curling an effort straight at Weaver.
Fleming then fired a drive over the North End bar, before Brown forced Maxwell into a smart low save from eight yards at the other end.Again Cieslewicz went close, hitting the side netting with an acrobatic effort after Spann sent in another teasing cross.Cieslewicz then received a deserved standing ovation when he finally made way for Wes Baynes with two minutes left.
And with time running out, Parkin went agonisingly close to sneaking a late Preston winner, while Brown saw another chance clear the Wrexham bar.
The referee brought an end to proceedings with supporters of both teams giving the players a warm send off.
It is early days yet, but the signs are good for Dean Saunders’ side.
The men from The Racecourse looked lively throughout this tough test and even the early departure of injured striker Marc Williams failed to dampen their spirits.
Saunders has said all along that he needs time to build a team that he can call his own and on this evidence that is not too far away.
New signings and talented youngsters have been moulded together under the Wales coach and, given time, they can mount a serious push for promotion this season.
Wrexham, wearing their white away strip, enjoyed the opening 45 minutes as their passion and energy swamped a Preston outfit, who looked sluggish and short of fitness.
New signing Hedi Taboubi was the main creator for Wrexham, passing and probing from his central midfield position.
Another new boy, Adrian Cieslewicz was lively and always looking to beat the offside trap, while Mark Jones and Neil Taylor provided good width.Within six minutes of the start Saunders’ men had carved out their first goalscoring opportunity, Andy Fleming playing a pass to Taboubi, who sent an excellent raking ball to Marc Williams on the left, the striker crossed to Cieslewicz, but he was denied a path to goal and the ball went out for a corner.
The Reds then took the lead from the flag kick as Silvio Spann’s centre caused havoc in the Preston defence.The initial cross found Taboubi, via Fleming, on the edge of the area, he gave it back to Spann, and from his second bite of the cherry he found the head of Mansour Assoumani six yards from goal, the big defender doing the rest with aplomb.
Marc Williams limped off shortly after the celebrations died down and Saunders sent on trialist Matty Wolfenden in his place.
The switch failed to null Wrexham’s attacking threat as Jones fired over from 25-yards and Spann saw another centre flash agonisingly across Nicky Weaver’s goalmouth.Preston finally managed an attack soon after, Chris Sedgwick stinging the hands of Chris Maxwell from distance.
Alan Irvine’s men had caused few problems for the Reds’ defence up until Sedgwick’s strike, but this seemed to spur them in to action and Eddie Nolan fired a weak effort at Maxwell’s goal, while new skipper Callum Davidson miss-kicked when played in after a quickly taken flag kick.
Nolan then forced a smart low save out of Maxwell after a neat interchange with Karl Hawley.
Former Liverpool striker Neil Mellor was next to have a go as he used his strength to out-muscle Assoumani and Sam Williamson before firing inches wide of the right upright.
After soaking up the Championship side’s pressure, Wrexham found their foothold in the game once more, Taylor seeing a chip fail to trouble Weaver, before Wolfenden fired in a smart shot on the turn, only to see the former Manchester City stopper brilliantly tip round the post.
The hard working and pacey Cieslewicz then highlighted his undoubted ability by leaving two defenders for dead and firing a smart left-footed drive at Weaver who was equal to the task and fisted the ball clear.
Preston were able to come forward for one last time as the enterprising Sedgwick found the head of Mellor, but he failed to generate any power and Maxwell gathered comfortably.
There were two different approaches at half-time with Saunders happy to to make just one change as former Preston player Nathan Fairhurst replaced Taboubi.
On the other hand, Irvine rang the changes by bringing on his big guns with Richard Chaplow, Ross Wallace, Jon Parkin, and Chris Brown in place of Neil Trotman, Mellor, Hawley and Adam Barton.
However the changes failed to spark any life into Preston as Cieslewicz went close once more, the teenager driving into the box having picked up the ball on the halfway line and firing at Weaver, who denied a second Wrexham goal.
Slowly but surely Preston found their footing in the game, Chaplow stamping his mark on the game with the equaliser.
When Sam Williamson failed to clear a ball any further than Sedgwick, the former Rotherham winger delivered an excellent cross and the ex-Burnley player headed the visitors level.
Williamson soon found himself out of the action as Saunders brought on promising defender Kai Edwards and switched to a 3-5-2 formation.Preston were looking increasingly likely to grab the next goal, but Wrexham and Cieslewicz were always dangerous in attack, the Pole curling an effort straight at Weaver.
Fleming then fired a drive over the North End bar, before Brown forced Maxwell into a smart low save from eight yards at the other end.Again Cieslewicz went close, hitting the side netting with an acrobatic effort after Spann sent in another teasing cross.Cieslewicz then received a deserved standing ovation when he finally made way for Wes Baynes with two minutes left.
And with time running out, Parkin went agonisingly close to sneaking a late Preston winner, while Brown saw another chance clear the Wrexham bar.
The referee brought an end to proceedings with supporters of both teams giving the players a warm send off.
WREXHAM FC: Dean Saunders feared the worst for Marc Williams
Dean Saunders admitted that he feared the worst after watching Marc Williams hobble out of action last night.
Williams lasted just eight minutes of the 1-1 draw with Preston North End having taken a knock on the same foot he broke toward the end of last season.
And as Williams headed towards the tunnel, the former Liverpool and Aston Villa attacker said he could think of little else other than the diagnosis.“I’ve just heard that Marc has a bruise and there is nothing wrong with his foot,” said a relieved Saunders.
“I couldn’t think of anything else through the first half to be honest, I was sick.
“I thought he’d broken his foot again and that would have been another striker we would have had to have signed.
“He has been having a bit of discomfort with it for a little while. He had an X-ray last week and got the all clear.
"He has been aching after training. He went over on it and hopefully it is just a fright and he felt something.
“When you get a break you get a lot of bruising around the bone, it takes ages to heal and no blood gets to that area.
“It is like when you break your finger it takes probably two years before you don’t feel any pain so hopefully it is that.
Saunders did manage to switch his attention to the game, giving praise to his side after a battling draw with the Championship outfit.“I thought we played really well first half, we knocked the ball around really well,” he said.
“As you can see some of them pulled up at the end with a bit of cramp so we are still a bit short, but they are four leagues above us, nearly five if they had won their last game the play-offs.
“Credit to the lads they played against a strong team there, they brought the two big front lads on and Chaplow came on in midfield.
“We switched systems to try and resist what was happening to us and we had chances to win it as well.
“I am pleased that they have come and played us, to play them is good for the fans and a good test for the players. I’ve still got three or four to add before the season starts.”
The game against higher opposition gave Saunders the chance to test out a different formation as the Reds went to 3-5-2 late on – and he felt it was the perfect exercise for his young team.
“There were some good performances there, they are learning the game,” he explained.“We went to three at the back towards the end of the game and some of them have never played that before.
“I was trying to teach them out on the pitch, but we need to try these things in pre-season and against good teams it is ideal.
“I was really pleased with how we passed the ball first half and how dangerous we looked, and second half I was pleased with how we defended.“If we had lost it is not the end of the world because you can try things.
“We had five or six missing tonight feeling terrible and obviously Gareth (Taylor) and Ashley (Westwood) are two big players for us.“We need a bit of experience in the team, but we have pace and that is what I want.”
Saunders also took the opportunity to take a look at trialist Matty Wolfenden, declaring his pleasure at the performance of the 21-year-old after he replaced Marc Williams with just eight minutes an the clock, before giving way to Obi Anoruo late on.
The striker was released by League One side Oldham Athletic earlier this week, and Saunders is pleased to have the chance to work with him.
He said: “He is an intelligent player, he makes great runs, he is a great signing for us.”
Williams lasted just eight minutes of the 1-1 draw with Preston North End having taken a knock on the same foot he broke toward the end of last season.
And as Williams headed towards the tunnel, the former Liverpool and Aston Villa attacker said he could think of little else other than the diagnosis.“I’ve just heard that Marc has a bruise and there is nothing wrong with his foot,” said a relieved Saunders.
“I couldn’t think of anything else through the first half to be honest, I was sick.
“I thought he’d broken his foot again and that would have been another striker we would have had to have signed.
“He has been having a bit of discomfort with it for a little while. He had an X-ray last week and got the all clear.
"He has been aching after training. He went over on it and hopefully it is just a fright and he felt something.
“When you get a break you get a lot of bruising around the bone, it takes ages to heal and no blood gets to that area.
“It is like when you break your finger it takes probably two years before you don’t feel any pain so hopefully it is that.
Saunders did manage to switch his attention to the game, giving praise to his side after a battling draw with the Championship outfit.“I thought we played really well first half, we knocked the ball around really well,” he said.
“As you can see some of them pulled up at the end with a bit of cramp so we are still a bit short, but they are four leagues above us, nearly five if they had won their last game the play-offs.
“Credit to the lads they played against a strong team there, they brought the two big front lads on and Chaplow came on in midfield.
“We switched systems to try and resist what was happening to us and we had chances to win it as well.
“I am pleased that they have come and played us, to play them is good for the fans and a good test for the players. I’ve still got three or four to add before the season starts.”
The game against higher opposition gave Saunders the chance to test out a different formation as the Reds went to 3-5-2 late on – and he felt it was the perfect exercise for his young team.
“There were some good performances there, they are learning the game,” he explained.“We went to three at the back towards the end of the game and some of them have never played that before.
“I was trying to teach them out on the pitch, but we need to try these things in pre-season and against good teams it is ideal.
“I was really pleased with how we passed the ball first half and how dangerous we looked, and second half I was pleased with how we defended.“If we had lost it is not the end of the world because you can try things.
“We had five or six missing tonight feeling terrible and obviously Gareth (Taylor) and Ashley (Westwood) are two big players for us.“We need a bit of experience in the team, but we have pace and that is what I want.”
Saunders also took the opportunity to take a look at trialist Matty Wolfenden, declaring his pleasure at the performance of the 21-year-old after he replaced Marc Williams with just eight minutes an the clock, before giving way to Obi Anoruo late on.
The striker was released by League One side Oldham Athletic earlier this week, and Saunders is pleased to have the chance to work with him.
He said: “He is an intelligent player, he makes great runs, he is a great signing for us.”
FA expresses match-fixing concerns as Chester City players receive bans
Disciplinary chiefs have expressed "serious concerns" that a Football League match may have been fixed after four players -including Chester’s Jay Harris and David Mannix - were banned for between five months and a year for betting on the outcome.
The four players have been suspended and fined after betting on the outcome of the League Two match between Accrington and Bury on May 3 2008 - three of the players were with Stanley at the time and the other at Bury, who won the game 2-0.
Harris has been banned for a year and fined a total of £5,500 by an independent FA regulatory commission, Mannix has been given a 10-month ban and fined £4,000, and Robert Williams suspended for eight months and fined £3,500.
Andrew Mangan, who was then a Bury player, has been banned for five months and fined £2,000 for betting on his team to win.
Nicholas Stewart QC, chairman of the regulatory commission, said in a statement: "The regulatory commission have serious concerns that the outcome of the match may have been fixed although none of the players were charged with these offences."
The four players have been suspended and fined after betting on the outcome of the League Two match between Accrington and Bury on May 3 2008 - three of the players were with Stanley at the time and the other at Bury, who won the game 2-0.
Harris has been banned for a year and fined a total of £5,500 by an independent FA regulatory commission, Mannix has been given a 10-month ban and fined £4,000, and Robert Williams suspended for eight months and fined £3,500.
Andrew Mangan, who was then a Bury player, has been banned for five months and fined £2,000 for betting on his team to win.
Nicholas Stewart QC, chairman of the regulatory commission, said in a statement: "The regulatory commission have serious concerns that the outcome of the match may have been fixed although none of the players were charged with these offences."
Peter Mandelson’s eye on bids to take over Vauxhall plants
By Phil Robinson
BUSINESS Secretary Lord Mandelson is keeping a close eye on developments as the battle for ownership of General Motors’ European operations enters its final round.
As bidding to take over Vauxhall Motors and its German sister-company ended on Monday night, three potential new owners had lined up.
They are Canadian-owned parts manufacturer Magna, Belgian-based venture capital group RHJ and China’s Beijing Automotive Industries.
General Motors said it would now carefully consider all the bids before giving judgement on which appears to offers the best deal.
Details will then be scrutinised by the German and UK governments, the EU Commission and the Opel/Vauxhall Trust Board.
A GM spokesman said an announcement would be made on the new owners by the end of the month.
Lord Mandelson is taking a personal interest in how the situation unfolds and has pledged to do all he can to ensure the long-term future of the Vauxhall plants at Luton and Ellesmere Port, where 5,000 jobs hang in the balance, including hundreds from Wrexham and Flintshire.
Although Magna was declared as preferred bidder for GM Europe some weeks ago, the company had to re-submit its bid – along with the other two suitors – by Monday night.
Magna’s bid is supported by Russia’s Sberbank and there has been concern that if it acquired GM Europe, too many details of its highly advanced car technology would be used to boost the Russian motor industry.
It is understood that Magna’s new bid contains assurances that this will not happen.
Insiders say that despite the RHJ bid offering a number of attractive features, Magna remains favourite in the race.German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev have both voiced their support for Magna.
Magna has pledged that “no immediate plant closures are contemplated” at either Vauxhall site until at least 2013.RHJ is also expected to support saving both Vauxhall factories – but may ask workers to take pay cuts.
GM was forced to put its Europeam arm up for sale as part of its massive restructuring that saw it go into Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US – before emerging as a leaner company with less debt.
Opel has been placed under the ownership of a trustee in which both GM and the German government have a stake.
Whichever bid is eventually successful, Lord Mandelson is expected to offer a sizeable amount of Government cash assistance to secure Vauxhall jobs.
BUSINESS Secretary Lord Mandelson is keeping a close eye on developments as the battle for ownership of General Motors’ European operations enters its final round.
As bidding to take over Vauxhall Motors and its German sister-company ended on Monday night, three potential new owners had lined up.
They are Canadian-owned parts manufacturer Magna, Belgian-based venture capital group RHJ and China’s Beijing Automotive Industries.
General Motors said it would now carefully consider all the bids before giving judgement on which appears to offers the best deal.
Details will then be scrutinised by the German and UK governments, the EU Commission and the Opel/Vauxhall Trust Board.
A GM spokesman said an announcement would be made on the new owners by the end of the month.
Lord Mandelson is taking a personal interest in how the situation unfolds and has pledged to do all he can to ensure the long-term future of the Vauxhall plants at Luton and Ellesmere Port, where 5,000 jobs hang in the balance, including hundreds from Wrexham and Flintshire.
Although Magna was declared as preferred bidder for GM Europe some weeks ago, the company had to re-submit its bid – along with the other two suitors – by Monday night.
Magna’s bid is supported by Russia’s Sberbank and there has been concern that if it acquired GM Europe, too many details of its highly advanced car technology would be used to boost the Russian motor industry.
It is understood that Magna’s new bid contains assurances that this will not happen.
Insiders say that despite the RHJ bid offering a number of attractive features, Magna remains favourite in the race.German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev have both voiced their support for Magna.
Magna has pledged that “no immediate plant closures are contemplated” at either Vauxhall site until at least 2013.RHJ is also expected to support saving both Vauxhall factories – but may ask workers to take pay cuts.
GM was forced to put its Europeam arm up for sale as part of its massive restructuring that saw it go into Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US – before emerging as a leaner company with less debt.
Opel has been placed under the ownership of a trustee in which both GM and the German government have a stake.
Whichever bid is eventually successful, Lord Mandelson is expected to offer a sizeable amount of Government cash assistance to secure Vauxhall jobs.
Chance meeting unites Mold and Melbourne penpals
A MAN got an unexpected surprise at a family reunion, when he met his online ‘penpal’ in the flesh.
Ray Roberts, from Mold, had been communicating with Evan Jones, who lives in Melbourne, Australia, by email for several years.
They got in contact with each other through the Clwyd Family History Society mailing list, as both are family history enthusiasts, but had never met in person.
So Ray got the shock of his life at his family’s annual reunion at Cilcain Village Hall last week, when Evan popped his head round the door.
Evan was on holiday and was trying to find out more about his ancestors’ Flintshire roots.
When the pair started chatting, they realised they knew each other.
They started emailing each other through the Clwyd Family History Society mailing listRay said: “I could have fainted.
"We have corresponded and chatted about family history matters for some time.
“I had no idea that Evan and his wife Pauline, whose family originally come from Anglesey, were in the UK. It was lovely to meet them.
“It is such a coincidence that they and I were in Cilcain at the same time.
“We could so easily have missed each other.
"He could have driven off without coming to the village hall, which would have been a great shame.”
Ray has arranged another meeting with Evan, before he and his wife return to Australia.
Ray Roberts, from Mold, had been communicating with Evan Jones, who lives in Melbourne, Australia, by email for several years.
They got in contact with each other through the Clwyd Family History Society mailing list, as both are family history enthusiasts, but had never met in person.
So Ray got the shock of his life at his family’s annual reunion at Cilcain Village Hall last week, when Evan popped his head round the door.
Evan was on holiday and was trying to find out more about his ancestors’ Flintshire roots.
When the pair started chatting, they realised they knew each other.
They started emailing each other through the Clwyd Family History Society mailing listRay said: “I could have fainted.
"We have corresponded and chatted about family history matters for some time.
“I had no idea that Evan and his wife Pauline, whose family originally come from Anglesey, were in the UK. It was lovely to meet them.
“It is such a coincidence that they and I were in Cilcain at the same time.
“We could so easily have missed each other.
"He could have driven off without coming to the village hall, which would have been a great shame.”
Ray has arranged another meeting with Evan, before he and his wife return to Australia.
Hope pupils to take part in Richard Hammond's CBBC TV show
A TRIO of high school pupils are to appear on TV with a top star.
The Castell Alun, Hope pupils are set to take part in Richard Hammond’s Blast Lab.
The three friends will be on the CBBC programme this weekend on Saturday, July 25, when they will be tested on their knowledge of science to compete for prizes.
George Price, 13, from Kinnerton, Shaun May, 13, from Hope, and Edward Spruce, 13, from Kinnerton competed on the show as the team Boom Shacalaca.
They will be going up against The Science Sisters from Dorset.Each programme has a different theme, and this week’s theme is terminal velocity.
The series is set in Top Gear star Hammond’s fictitious underground science laboratory.
The two teams have to impress Richard and the studio audience before going head-to-head for four rounds as they battle to win points and prizes.
The show is broadcast at 8.30am on Saturday, on BBC2.
The Castell Alun, Hope pupils are set to take part in Richard Hammond’s Blast Lab.
The three friends will be on the CBBC programme this weekend on Saturday, July 25, when they will be tested on their knowledge of science to compete for prizes.
George Price, 13, from Kinnerton, Shaun May, 13, from Hope, and Edward Spruce, 13, from Kinnerton competed on the show as the team Boom Shacalaca.
They will be going up against The Science Sisters from Dorset.Each programme has a different theme, and this week’s theme is terminal velocity.
The series is set in Top Gear star Hammond’s fictitious underground science laboratory.
The two teams have to impress Richard and the studio audience before going head-to-head for four rounds as they battle to win points and prizes.
The show is broadcast at 8.30am on Saturday, on BBC2.
Award celebrates skills of busy young Wrexham musician
TALENTED Rachel Hall has been presented with a prestigious honour celebrating her amazing musical skills.
Nineteen-year-old Wrexham-born Rachel has received an award from the Sir John Barbirolli Memorial Foundation which is run by the Royal Philharmonic Society.
Last year only 15 young musicians in the UK were awarded the prize, demonstrating the exceptionally high standards required.
As a young child Rachel briefly dabbled with the violin while at the Rofft Primary School, before beginning to learn the clarinet aged nine.
Finding that she had a natural ability in music, Rachel taught herself to play flute when she started secondary school.
When she was 14, Rachel was identified by Wrexham Music Services as a talented musician and was asked to take up the bassoon.
Within three months of being given a county bassoon to play and having less than 30 minutes of tuition a week, she played it with the Wrexham Youth Orchestra.
Rachel also played bassoon, clarinet and flute for Wrexham Senior County Band.
She toured with them to Belgium in 2006, and Holland in 2008. Rachel is currently the principal bassoonist for North Wales Youth Orchestra and the Four Counties Youth Orchestra.
She is also guest bassoonist for North Powys Youth Orchestra.
In 2006, Rachel started bassoon lessons with Hazel Barrett and through Hazel met Alan Pendlebury, Principal Bassoon with The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra who now takes an active role in mentoring Rachel.
It was also in 2006 that Rachel took the decision to specialise in bassoon.Since 2008, Rachel has been studying for a BA(Hons) Music at Leeds College of Music.
She is studying bassoon with David Baker of Opera North. At college Rachel plays in the Leeds Community Symphony Orchestra, LCM Sinfonietta, LCM Pit Band and LCM Opera Orchestra plus several quintets.
She is currently the only student in the college studying bassoon as their first instrument.
This year she completed a successful concert tour to Luxembourg with the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Wales.Rachel is also founding member of Saxafaction, a much acclaimed saxophone quartet.
Rachel now enjoys arranging music for bassoon quartets.
She records the pieces in her free time at college, playing all of the parts herself.Although Rachel enjoys playing classical music her ambition is to become a pit musician and work in musical theatre.
Rachel has recently played bassoon, baritone sax, clarinet and flute for a performance of the musical Follies at LCM and also had great fun playing saxophone in a pantomime rock band for The Maelor School in Wrexham.
Nineteen-year-old Wrexham-born Rachel has received an award from the Sir John Barbirolli Memorial Foundation which is run by the Royal Philharmonic Society.
Last year only 15 young musicians in the UK were awarded the prize, demonstrating the exceptionally high standards required.
As a young child Rachel briefly dabbled with the violin while at the Rofft Primary School, before beginning to learn the clarinet aged nine.
Finding that she had a natural ability in music, Rachel taught herself to play flute when she started secondary school.
When she was 14, Rachel was identified by Wrexham Music Services as a talented musician and was asked to take up the bassoon.
Within three months of being given a county bassoon to play and having less than 30 minutes of tuition a week, she played it with the Wrexham Youth Orchestra.
Rachel also played bassoon, clarinet and flute for Wrexham Senior County Band.
She toured with them to Belgium in 2006, and Holland in 2008. Rachel is currently the principal bassoonist for North Wales Youth Orchestra and the Four Counties Youth Orchestra.
She is also guest bassoonist for North Powys Youth Orchestra.
In 2006, Rachel started bassoon lessons with Hazel Barrett and through Hazel met Alan Pendlebury, Principal Bassoon with The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra who now takes an active role in mentoring Rachel.
It was also in 2006 that Rachel took the decision to specialise in bassoon.Since 2008, Rachel has been studying for a BA(Hons) Music at Leeds College of Music.
She is studying bassoon with David Baker of Opera North. At college Rachel plays in the Leeds Community Symphony Orchestra, LCM Sinfonietta, LCM Pit Band and LCM Opera Orchestra plus several quintets.
She is currently the only student in the college studying bassoon as their first instrument.
This year she completed a successful concert tour to Luxembourg with the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Wales.Rachel is also founding member of Saxafaction, a much acclaimed saxophone quartet.
Rachel now enjoys arranging music for bassoon quartets.
She records the pieces in her free time at college, playing all of the parts herself.Although Rachel enjoys playing classical music her ambition is to become a pit musician and work in musical theatre.
Rachel has recently played bassoon, baritone sax, clarinet and flute for a performance of the musical Follies at LCM and also had great fun playing saxophone in a pantomime rock band for The Maelor School in Wrexham.
Woman and child injured in ambulance crash in Bwlchgwyn
AN ambulance on its way to an emergency call was involved in an accident.
The ambulance was driving with blue lights flashing along Old Road, Bwlchgwyn, at 2.30pm on Tuesday when it collided with a Vauxhall Corsa.
The ambulance was on the way to another accident where a Renault vehicle overturned on the A5104 Llandegla to Bryneglwys road.
A woman trapped in the flipped Renault was rescued by firefighters who used cutting equipment to free her.
She was then taken to the Wrexham Maelor Hospital suffering with a knee injury.
A second passenger, a man, was checked over by paramedics.
During the crash between the ambulance and the Vauxhall Corsa, a woman received a leg and arm injury and was also taken to the Wrexham Maelor Hospital.
She had a child with her.
A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “An ambulance was involved in a road traffic collision near Gwynfryn on the B5430 at 2.32pm while making its way on a blue light procedure to another accident near Bryneglwys.
More emergency resources were sent straight away to Bryneglwys.“Two ambulances and an officer were sent to the scene at Gwynfryn, a female with a broken arm and a child suffering from shock were taken to hospital.
“Two ambulances attended the scene of the first incident at Bryneglwys, a female with a knee injury and a male were taken to the Wrexham Maelor for a check up.”
Four casualties – described as having minor injuries – were taken to the Maelor Hospital in Wrexham by ambulance following a crash early yesterday morning.
The incident, which involved two vehicles, happened shortly before 7am at Wynnville in Ruabon. The fire service attended and used hydraulic equipment as part of the operation.
The ambulance was driving with blue lights flashing along Old Road, Bwlchgwyn, at 2.30pm on Tuesday when it collided with a Vauxhall Corsa.
The ambulance was on the way to another accident where a Renault vehicle overturned on the A5104 Llandegla to Bryneglwys road.
A woman trapped in the flipped Renault was rescued by firefighters who used cutting equipment to free her.
She was then taken to the Wrexham Maelor Hospital suffering with a knee injury.
A second passenger, a man, was checked over by paramedics.
During the crash between the ambulance and the Vauxhall Corsa, a woman received a leg and arm injury and was also taken to the Wrexham Maelor Hospital.
She had a child with her.
A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “An ambulance was involved in a road traffic collision near Gwynfryn on the B5430 at 2.32pm while making its way on a blue light procedure to another accident near Bryneglwys.
More emergency resources were sent straight away to Bryneglwys.“Two ambulances and an officer were sent to the scene at Gwynfryn, a female with a broken arm and a child suffering from shock were taken to hospital.
“Two ambulances attended the scene of the first incident at Bryneglwys, a female with a knee injury and a male were taken to the Wrexham Maelor for a check up.”
Four casualties – described as having minor injuries – were taken to the Maelor Hospital in Wrexham by ambulance following a crash early yesterday morning.
The incident, which involved two vehicles, happened shortly before 7am at Wynnville in Ruabon. The fire service attended and used hydraulic equipment as part of the operation.
Travellers’ plea to Wrexham residents: ‘Don’t be frightened of us’
By Claire Gallagher
TRAVELLERS have sent out a message to worried residents: ‘We’re not bad people’.
The Romany gipsies living on their own land off Daisy Lane, Rossett, are anxious to put their case after another group of travellers set up camp in Wrexham last week.
A group of travellers, unknown to the gipsies living at Daisy Lane, set up camp on Maesgwyn playing fields last week.
The Daisy Lane families say they have sympathy for the other group because there are not enough pitches for travellers in Wrexham.
Jeremy Wells, 30, who lives with his wife Lisa, 33, and their six children at Daisy Lane said: “The problem is there is nowhere to go for them and nowhere they can dispose of rubbish properly.”
Speaking about the public’s negative attitude to travellers, Mr Wells (pictured) said: “The problem is people don’t know us.“We want to say to the public ‘don’t be frightened of us’.
“We don’t want this negative image because we’re not all like that.“We have never caused any trouble here and live in a peaceful community.
“We don’t want to be tarred with the same brush as other travellers who may cause trouble.”
The six families on the site are waiting for the planning inspectorate to rule on an application to change the land from agricultural to have six caravan pitches.
They have spent thousands of pounds renovating the park to make it into a home and pay for electricity, have a sewage system and a septic tank as well as a small shed serving as a utility room.
Mr Wells added: “We pay our taxes like everyone else,” added Jeremy.
The children, Jeremy Jnr, three, Diomante, four, Analise, nine Shamalia, eight months, Soniell, eight and Sinead five, go to St Peter’s school in Rossett and Mr and Mrs Wells are registered with a doctor in Rossett.
Lisa Wells said: “It would be nice to have more respect,” said Lisa.
“A few people have not looked at me or have called my children names.”But the couple say that in general the community has been supportive.
The planning decision for the Daisy Lane site is expected in the next couple of weeks and say they will appeal if it does not go in their favour.
TRAVELLERS have sent out a message to worried residents: ‘We’re not bad people’.
The Romany gipsies living on their own land off Daisy Lane, Rossett, are anxious to put their case after another group of travellers set up camp in Wrexham last week.
A group of travellers, unknown to the gipsies living at Daisy Lane, set up camp on Maesgwyn playing fields last week.
The Daisy Lane families say they have sympathy for the other group because there are not enough pitches for travellers in Wrexham.
Jeremy Wells, 30, who lives with his wife Lisa, 33, and their six children at Daisy Lane said: “The problem is there is nowhere to go for them and nowhere they can dispose of rubbish properly.”
Speaking about the public’s negative attitude to travellers, Mr Wells (pictured) said: “The problem is people don’t know us.“We want to say to the public ‘don’t be frightened of us’.
“We don’t want this negative image because we’re not all like that.“We have never caused any trouble here and live in a peaceful community.
“We don’t want to be tarred with the same brush as other travellers who may cause trouble.”
The six families on the site are waiting for the planning inspectorate to rule on an application to change the land from agricultural to have six caravan pitches.
They have spent thousands of pounds renovating the park to make it into a home and pay for electricity, have a sewage system and a septic tank as well as a small shed serving as a utility room.
Mr Wells added: “We pay our taxes like everyone else,” added Jeremy.
The children, Jeremy Jnr, three, Diomante, four, Analise, nine Shamalia, eight months, Soniell, eight and Sinead five, go to St Peter’s school in Rossett and Mr and Mrs Wells are registered with a doctor in Rossett.
Lisa Wells said: “It would be nice to have more respect,” said Lisa.
“A few people have not looked at me or have called my children names.”But the couple say that in general the community has been supportive.
The planning decision for the Daisy Lane site is expected in the next couple of weeks and say they will appeal if it does not go in their favour.
Wrexham traffic wardens issues 7,349 fines last year
By Matt Sims
WREXHAM’S traffic wardens issued 7,349 fines in the last year – exceeding their target by more than 1,500 and costing the council an extra £13,000 in processing costs.
Parking enforcement officers in the county were so keen they even beat bigger targets laid down for the next two years, with the vast majority of penalty charge notices issued in the town centre.
Because the processing of fines has been outsourced by Wrexham Council to Denbighshire, the local authority had to pay a levy on every penalty sent to the neighbouring authority – which cost the council more than double the amount it had expected to pay.
More than 59 per cent of fines – a total of 4,348 – were issued for a variety of ‘on street’ parking offences in Wrexham town centre, while nearly 39 per cent – 2,859 – were handed out in Wrexham Council’s car parks.
The total was not only higher than originally anticipated, but also more than the 6,600 target set each year for 2009/10 and 2010/11.
The figures will be discussed by a meeting of the council’s environment and regeneration scrutiny committee today.
A report to go before councillors by chief transportation officer Martin Wright reads: “Parking services not only exceeded the levels of penalty charge notices estimated for year one but also the estimate for subsequent years.
“This is a positive sign that the service is delivering what is expected.
”For each fine processed by the Wales Penalty Processing Partnership (WPPP), based in Denbighshire, Wrexham Council was charged a levy of £6.55 – more than predicted because other authorities did not issue their expected levels of notices.
In his report Mr Wright says: “The expected payment in 2008/09 due to WPPP was £26,150 whereas the actual payment was £53,000.
“As a consequence... the CPE (civil parking enforcement) budget was overspent by £13,000, which was absorbed by the transportation and asset management department.”
Mr Wright goes on to claim in the report that, since the council took over responsibility for parking enforcement from police, improvements have been seen across Wrexham.
He says: “Anecdotal evidence suggest that the county borough’s traffic flow has improved, parking at the county’s schools is safer, there has been a reduction in misuse of the blue badge scheme and it is easier to park in the town centre.”
WREXHAM’S traffic wardens issued 7,349 fines in the last year – exceeding their target by more than 1,500 and costing the council an extra £13,000 in processing costs.
Parking enforcement officers in the county were so keen they even beat bigger targets laid down for the next two years, with the vast majority of penalty charge notices issued in the town centre.
Because the processing of fines has been outsourced by Wrexham Council to Denbighshire, the local authority had to pay a levy on every penalty sent to the neighbouring authority – which cost the council more than double the amount it had expected to pay.
More than 59 per cent of fines – a total of 4,348 – were issued for a variety of ‘on street’ parking offences in Wrexham town centre, while nearly 39 per cent – 2,859 – were handed out in Wrexham Council’s car parks.
The total was not only higher than originally anticipated, but also more than the 6,600 target set each year for 2009/10 and 2010/11.
The figures will be discussed by a meeting of the council’s environment and regeneration scrutiny committee today.
A report to go before councillors by chief transportation officer Martin Wright reads: “Parking services not only exceeded the levels of penalty charge notices estimated for year one but also the estimate for subsequent years.
“This is a positive sign that the service is delivering what is expected.
”For each fine processed by the Wales Penalty Processing Partnership (WPPP), based in Denbighshire, Wrexham Council was charged a levy of £6.55 – more than predicted because other authorities did not issue their expected levels of notices.
In his report Mr Wright says: “The expected payment in 2008/09 due to WPPP was £26,150 whereas the actual payment was £53,000.
“As a consequence... the CPE (civil parking enforcement) budget was overspent by £13,000, which was absorbed by the transportation and asset management department.”
Mr Wright goes on to claim in the report that, since the council took over responsibility for parking enforcement from police, improvements have been seen across Wrexham.
He says: “Anecdotal evidence suggest that the county borough’s traffic flow has improved, parking at the county’s schools is safer, there has been a reduction in misuse of the blue badge scheme and it is easier to park in the town centre.”
Come and have a say on Flintshire policing
POLICE in Connah’s Quay are inviting members of the public to attend meetings to discuss any problems they have.
The first neighbourhood policing panel meeting, which is for the Golftyn and central wards, takes place at 6.30pm on Thursday, August 6 at Connah’s Quay community centre, Tuscan Way.
On Thursday, August 20 a meeting is being held for people in the Wepre and south areas.
It starts at 6.30pm at the civic hall on Wepre Drive.Police community support officer Sian Atkinson said: ”Members of the public can come along and discuss any local issues they have.
“We will be discussing previous action plans and creating new ones.”For more details, telephone PCSO Atkinson on 07854 352 221.
The first neighbourhood policing panel meeting, which is for the Golftyn and central wards, takes place at 6.30pm on Thursday, August 6 at Connah’s Quay community centre, Tuscan Way.
On Thursday, August 20 a meeting is being held for people in the Wepre and south areas.
It starts at 6.30pm at the civic hall on Wepre Drive.Police community support officer Sian Atkinson said: ”Members of the public can come along and discuss any local issues they have.
“We will be discussing previous action plans and creating new ones.”For more details, telephone PCSO Atkinson on 07854 352 221.
Wrexham firm tackles ministers over way of generating ‘greener’ power
A COMPANY is at the cutting edge of the drive towards a “greener” economy and creating new jobs.
Bosses at Sharp in Llay are currently in talks with the UK Government on the wider use of energy-saving power systems, which would radically reduce Britain’s carbon footprint.
As a pioneer in the manufacture and supply of solar panels for the generation of electricity, the factory has just hosted a high-level visit by the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Miliband.
And a top Sharp executive has revealed that the company is now in discussions with Mr Miliband’s departmental colleague, Wrexham MP Ian Lucas, in his role as Under Secretary of State for Business and Regulatory Reform.Steve Crewe, Sharp’s human resources and general affairs manager, said: “The tariff system, which means that excess electricity generated by domestic solar panels is sold on to utility providers, is now in general use in a number of countries across Europe.
“Here at the Wrexham factory we build solar module panels and 95 per cent of what we produce is sold to continental Europe.
“However, there is an untapped market for panels in the UK and, hopefully, we could be at the cutting edge of filling that.”He added: “Sharp has had meetings with Mr Lucas to talk about developing this energy policy.”
Mr Lucas, who accompanied Mr Miliband on the visit to Sharp, said that one of the issues discussed was the Government’s publication of its low carbon industrial strategy.
The Under Secretary has pledged to work with Sharp and other companies to ensure that they can make the most of the opportunities the strategy provides.
He explained: “Helping the UK make the transition to a low-carbon economy really will provide real opportunities for businesses.
“The proof is right here in north east Wales, at companies such as Sharp.“I was among those who pushed to secure a PV cells production plant in Llay several years ago.
“In 2004, that plant had 400 workers – this year, the figure has doubled to 800. The factory is now one of the largest private sector employers in Wrexham. On Deeside, Toyota have secured jobs by working to produce new, greener cars.”
Mr Lucas added: “The Government’s low carbon industrial strategy will help cut carbon emissions and tackle climate change. But it will also secure and create jobs in producing and developing new technologies.
“It is hugely important we invest in these new technologies now – so we can work towards a greener future and so we can make sure we make the most of the new employment opportunities these new industries provide.”
Bosses at Sharp in Llay are currently in talks with the UK Government on the wider use of energy-saving power systems, which would radically reduce Britain’s carbon footprint.
As a pioneer in the manufacture and supply of solar panels for the generation of electricity, the factory has just hosted a high-level visit by the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Miliband.
And a top Sharp executive has revealed that the company is now in discussions with Mr Miliband’s departmental colleague, Wrexham MP Ian Lucas, in his role as Under Secretary of State for Business and Regulatory Reform.Steve Crewe, Sharp’s human resources and general affairs manager, said: “The tariff system, which means that excess electricity generated by domestic solar panels is sold on to utility providers, is now in general use in a number of countries across Europe.
“Here at the Wrexham factory we build solar module panels and 95 per cent of what we produce is sold to continental Europe.
“However, there is an untapped market for panels in the UK and, hopefully, we could be at the cutting edge of filling that.”He added: “Sharp has had meetings with Mr Lucas to talk about developing this energy policy.”
Mr Lucas, who accompanied Mr Miliband on the visit to Sharp, said that one of the issues discussed was the Government’s publication of its low carbon industrial strategy.
The Under Secretary has pledged to work with Sharp and other companies to ensure that they can make the most of the opportunities the strategy provides.
He explained: “Helping the UK make the transition to a low-carbon economy really will provide real opportunities for businesses.
“The proof is right here in north east Wales, at companies such as Sharp.“I was among those who pushed to secure a PV cells production plant in Llay several years ago.
“In 2004, that plant had 400 workers – this year, the figure has doubled to 800. The factory is now one of the largest private sector employers in Wrexham. On Deeside, Toyota have secured jobs by working to produce new, greener cars.”
Mr Lucas added: “The Government’s low carbon industrial strategy will help cut carbon emissions and tackle climate change. But it will also secure and create jobs in producing and developing new technologies.
“It is hugely important we invest in these new technologies now – so we can work towards a greener future and so we can make sure we make the most of the new employment opportunities these new industries provide.”
Young Wrexham swine flu victim recovering well
by Garth ApThomas
A 10-year-old Wrexham schoolgirl is recovering at home after contracting swine flu.Ebony Charles, who attends St Giles Juniors, came down with the illness on Thursday and her family were initially devastated for her.
But she has shown tremendous resolve, her condition has picked up over the weekend and is looking to be well on the road to recovery.
Ebony’s mum, Sue, of Rhosymedre, said that the first signs of illness included a severe headache and feeling sick.“The school got in contact to say that Ebony was poorly. I went over to pick her up and she did look rough, very pale.”
Sue got in touch with her GP and swine flu was diagnosed.
She went to fetch a prescription from the Maelor Hospital and the medication has been working well.“Ebony has picked up a bit over the weekend and looks to be recovering well.
It is such a relief. When I first realised she was ill I was hoping it would just be something like a small viral infection.
I was mortified when swine flu was diagnosed.“We are a big family, with my husband and seven children there are nine of us.
“We were advised to carry on our normal day to day lives.“Ebony has been really good.
"In the beginning she was so bad it felt like her head was going to blow up,” said Sue who has been devotedly nursing her daughter through the illness.
Sue herself came down with a bug on Sunday, but she managed to shake it off within 24 hours.
“I started to get symptoms like headaches and really bad coughing and did think I was starting to get swine flu myself.
But thankfully it has passed off now almost as quickly as it came.
“I would also like to thank the doctors for all their expertise and care, they have been very good.”
A 10-year-old Wrexham schoolgirl is recovering at home after contracting swine flu.Ebony Charles, who attends St Giles Juniors, came down with the illness on Thursday and her family were initially devastated for her.
But she has shown tremendous resolve, her condition has picked up over the weekend and is looking to be well on the road to recovery.
Ebony’s mum, Sue, of Rhosymedre, said that the first signs of illness included a severe headache and feeling sick.“The school got in contact to say that Ebony was poorly. I went over to pick her up and she did look rough, very pale.”
Sue got in touch with her GP and swine flu was diagnosed.
She went to fetch a prescription from the Maelor Hospital and the medication has been working well.“Ebony has picked up a bit over the weekend and looks to be recovering well.
It is such a relief. When I first realised she was ill I was hoping it would just be something like a small viral infection.
I was mortified when swine flu was diagnosed.“We are a big family, with my husband and seven children there are nine of us.
“We were advised to carry on our normal day to day lives.“Ebony has been really good.
"In the beginning she was so bad it felt like her head was going to blow up,” said Sue who has been devotedly nursing her daughter through the illness.
Sue herself came down with a bug on Sunday, but she managed to shake it off within 24 hours.
“I started to get symptoms like headaches and really bad coughing and did think I was starting to get swine flu myself.
But thankfully it has passed off now almost as quickly as it came.
“I would also like to thank the doctors for all their expertise and care, they have been very good.”
Wrexham taxi driver assault man claims his drinks had been spiked
By Claire Gallagher
A FATHER punched a taxi driver seven times on the head following an argument with his wife.
On June 6 Richard Arthur Carroll attended his son’s christening and then he and his wife went out drinking with friends in Wrexham.Carroll, 27, of Concorde Row, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court to admit assaulting taxi driver John Anthony David Barratt by beating and damaging a wooden fence belonging to Brian Clifford Matthews.
Rod Williams, defending, said: “The christening was at All Saints at 12.30pm and there was a reception at the Wynnstay at 2pm.“It finished at 6pm and they went into town with friends.
“He normally drinks pints of lager but later discovered his friends had been spiking his drinks during the course of the night.”
The couple left to get a taxi at about midnight.Emily Downing, prosecuting, said: “The taxi driver picked up the defendant with a female and was taking them to a specific location.
“An argument ensued and the female started saying ‘help me, take me to my mums.’
“The taxi driver told the defendant to get out. Barratt walked to the passenger side of the car and then the defendant punched Barratt.
“Barratt received seven more blows to the head. He grabbed him by the neck to restrain him and they fell through a fence.”
Mr Williams said that his client, a gas engineer, wanted to apologise to the taxi driver and the resident whose fence was damaged.“He accepts full responsibility and he’s thoroughly ashamed of his behaviour,” he said.
“The incident occurred as a direct consequence of too much alcohol. He will lose his job and he is the main breadwinner.”
Magistrates ordered Carroll to pay compensation of £100 to Mr Barratt, to pay a fine of £300 with court costs of £60 and a victim surcharge of £15.
Magistrates chairman Pat Thomas said: “You make sure nobody else sticks anything in your drink.”
A FATHER punched a taxi driver seven times on the head following an argument with his wife.
On June 6 Richard Arthur Carroll attended his son’s christening and then he and his wife went out drinking with friends in Wrexham.Carroll, 27, of Concorde Row, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court to admit assaulting taxi driver John Anthony David Barratt by beating and damaging a wooden fence belonging to Brian Clifford Matthews.
Rod Williams, defending, said: “The christening was at All Saints at 12.30pm and there was a reception at the Wynnstay at 2pm.“It finished at 6pm and they went into town with friends.
“He normally drinks pints of lager but later discovered his friends had been spiking his drinks during the course of the night.”
The couple left to get a taxi at about midnight.Emily Downing, prosecuting, said: “The taxi driver picked up the defendant with a female and was taking them to a specific location.
“An argument ensued and the female started saying ‘help me, take me to my mums.’
“The taxi driver told the defendant to get out. Barratt walked to the passenger side of the car and then the defendant punched Barratt.
“Barratt received seven more blows to the head. He grabbed him by the neck to restrain him and they fell through a fence.”
Mr Williams said that his client, a gas engineer, wanted to apologise to the taxi driver and the resident whose fence was damaged.“He accepts full responsibility and he’s thoroughly ashamed of his behaviour,” he said.
“The incident occurred as a direct consequence of too much alcohol. He will lose his job and he is the main breadwinner.”
Magistrates ordered Carroll to pay compensation of £100 to Mr Barratt, to pay a fine of £300 with court costs of £60 and a victim surcharge of £15.
Magistrates chairman Pat Thomas said: “You make sure nobody else sticks anything in your drink.”
No word from retail giant as Broughton store stalls
MARKS and Spencer is staying tight-lipped over claims that long-held plans for a new store at Broughton Shopping Park have been put on the back burner.
Planning permission for a huge expansion of the retail park, including a flagship Marks and Spencer store, was granted in 2006 but three years on there is no sign of the proposals becoming a reality.
At a recent public meeting in Broughton, councillors claimed that the high-street giant was focusing on getting the final go-ahead for a vast new store proposed at the Cheshire Oaks outlet village in Ellesmere Port.
At 195,000 sq ft, the Cheshire Oaks site would be the second largest Marks and Spencer store in the country and would represent the largest investment by the company in a UK store during the last decade.
The Ellesmere Port scheme was given the go-ahead by councillors but was called in by the Government and has been the subject of a public inquiry.
Asked about the plans for Broughton, a Marks and Spencer spokesman would only say: “We remain committed to expanding in the area and we will review our strategy later in the year.”
Former Broughton county councillor Derek Butler told the Evening Leader: “Marks and Spencer seem distracted by the state of the retail market at the public inquiry at Cheshire Oaks.
“In the meantime, people in Broughton are the last to know as usual.”
He added: “What people in Broughton really want is the interchange on the A55 that would divert traffic around the back of village, because the people here are sick of the gridlock.
“But that is unlikely to happen without the Marks and Spencer scheme because the developers would fund the road improvements.“The money has to come from somewhere.”
Planning permission for a huge expansion of the retail park, including a flagship Marks and Spencer store, was granted in 2006 but three years on there is no sign of the proposals becoming a reality.
At a recent public meeting in Broughton, councillors claimed that the high-street giant was focusing on getting the final go-ahead for a vast new store proposed at the Cheshire Oaks outlet village in Ellesmere Port.
At 195,000 sq ft, the Cheshire Oaks site would be the second largest Marks and Spencer store in the country and would represent the largest investment by the company in a UK store during the last decade.
The Ellesmere Port scheme was given the go-ahead by councillors but was called in by the Government and has been the subject of a public inquiry.
Asked about the plans for Broughton, a Marks and Spencer spokesman would only say: “We remain committed to expanding in the area and we will review our strategy later in the year.”
Former Broughton county councillor Derek Butler told the Evening Leader: “Marks and Spencer seem distracted by the state of the retail market at the public inquiry at Cheshire Oaks.
“In the meantime, people in Broughton are the last to know as usual.”
He added: “What people in Broughton really want is the interchange on the A55 that would divert traffic around the back of village, because the people here are sick of the gridlock.
“But that is unlikely to happen without the Marks and Spencer scheme because the developers would fund the road improvements.“The money has to come from somewhere.”
Flintshire bar staff step up security after samurai raid
By Michael Youds
BAR staff working at pubs in the Flint area have spoken of their fears following a terrifying armed robbery which left two people hospitalised.
Police are hunting a trio of armed raiders who burst into the Coach and Horses in Flint Mountain in the early hours of Monday, carrying baseball bats and a samurai sword.
A customer was tied up and threatened with the samurai sword, and the pub manager was beaten badly.
Stuart Bickerton-Starkey, director of Lovely Day Inns which owns the pub, called it a “severe and shocking crime” and said staff have been left devastated.
The company is offering a cash reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the raiders.
The attack has left landlords in the area fearing they could be next.Linda Leigh, landlady at the George and Dragon on Church Street, Flint, said she would be stepping up security measures.
She said: “What happened is disgusting and it does make you think.
“I guess they’ve gone in there thinking they’ll get a lot of money but most pubs now, including us, bank daily and we never have much money on the premises.
“All pubs are struggling at the minute and something like this is just not on.”
One member of staff from a Flint pub, who asked not to be named, said: “It’s pretty worrying.
“It’s not the sort of trouble you expect around here, and the terrifying part is that there isn’t really anything you can do to prepare for it. I just hope it’s a one-off and not part of a new trend.”
Detectives want to hear from a group of customers who left the Coach and Horses just before the raid.
The three robbers were all wearing dark clothes and had most of their faces covered with clothing.
Anyone with information should call Mold CID on 0845 607 1002, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
BAR staff working at pubs in the Flint area have spoken of their fears following a terrifying armed robbery which left two people hospitalised.
Police are hunting a trio of armed raiders who burst into the Coach and Horses in Flint Mountain in the early hours of Monday, carrying baseball bats and a samurai sword.
A customer was tied up and threatened with the samurai sword, and the pub manager was beaten badly.
Stuart Bickerton-Starkey, director of Lovely Day Inns which owns the pub, called it a “severe and shocking crime” and said staff have been left devastated.
The company is offering a cash reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the raiders.
The attack has left landlords in the area fearing they could be next.Linda Leigh, landlady at the George and Dragon on Church Street, Flint, said she would be stepping up security measures.
She said: “What happened is disgusting and it does make you think.
“I guess they’ve gone in there thinking they’ll get a lot of money but most pubs now, including us, bank daily and we never have much money on the premises.
“All pubs are struggling at the minute and something like this is just not on.”
One member of staff from a Flint pub, who asked not to be named, said: “It’s pretty worrying.
“It’s not the sort of trouble you expect around here, and the terrifying part is that there isn’t really anything you can do to prepare for it. I just hope it’s a one-off and not part of a new trend.”
Detectives want to hear from a group of customers who left the Coach and Horses just before the raid.
The three robbers were all wearing dark clothes and had most of their faces covered with clothing.
Anyone with information should call Mold CID on 0845 607 1002, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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