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.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
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.”
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