30/10/2008 by admin.

Anyone going to Eagles Meadow for the grand opening? The list of events is listed here. If you do go wrap up warm, believe me it’s cold out there. There’s just a light covering of snow around Erddig end of Wrexham, but I’m told there’s about 4″ in Acrefair.

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25/10/2008 by admin.

I was very disappointed to hear this week that the Parish Church of St Giles in Wrexham is agreeing to have a mobile phone mast erected on it’s steeple. There needs to be a lot more research into the health effects of these masts, but research so far indicates that they cause cancer.

Particularly worrying is the Church’s close proximity to a primary school (St Giles School).  Children are more at risk because their brains and nervous systems are still developing and because – since their heads are smaller and their skulls are thinner – the radiation penetrates deeper into their brains. 

Sadly it seems that the Church, like many other organisations, is driven by greed. I always thought that the church were supposed to be the protectors, caring for the local community, but as always actions speak louder than words. Money talks and it’s talking to the church. So next time you hear a minister from the church spreading the word about God, ask them about their policy on spreading cancer to the local population too.

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25/09/2008 by admin.

I went to St Giles School tonight to their open evening for parents of children who are due to start school next year. Its a lovely school, not only because of the wonderful staff and the fantastic learning resources (including the ‘dens’ in each classroom), but also because it is such a wonderful spacious and airy building with oodles of character - very conducive to learning.

They are also holding an Open Day on Thursday 9 October - morning session: 9.45-11.15am and an afternoon session: 1.15-2.50pm. So if your child starts school next year pop along and have a look around - I guarantee you’ll get a warm welcome!

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24/09/2008 by admin.

The new Eagles Meadow complex is nearly ready to open and personally, despite what many critics are saying, I think it looks great. It will be really good for Wrexham. The majority of the shops are new to the town, and although there are some shops moving out of the town centre, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the town centre will become a ‘ghost town’. It would be nice to see some craft shops, quaint cafes and cobbled streets in the town centre…something to give it character, something that will entice visitors to Eagles Meadow into wanting to explore that bit further…

For an insight into how the new shopping centre is shaping up take a look at this BBC video.

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30/07/2008 by admin.

Wrexham MP Ian Lucas has called for people to make sure their voice is heard on proposals for the Post Office network in Wrexham.

He said: “What is vital if people want to save their post office is that they make their views known to Post Office Ltd.

“Today and tomorrow I will be out in the communities affected by these plans, distributing a letter and survey to constituents about the proposals. This sets out how they make representations about their Post Office and who they need to contact to register their concerns.

“I understand feelings are running high at the moment. There have been many claims made about the Post Office’s proposals in the past few months and I do fear the issue has become a political football.

“The fact remains that the Government has put billions into the Post Office network – investment which would not be matched by opposition politicians. That investment means that 14 out of 18 Post Offices in my constituency will definitely remain open. Without public investment that would not be the case.

“And while they have exploited people’s fears with negative attacks, I have heard very few actual proposals from the Tories, the Lib Dems or Plaid about how they would help preserve the Post Office network.

“I will be working hard to consult and then to make sure my constituents’ views are heard.”

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20/07/2008 by admin.

Is anyone interested in holding an Usborne book party? Get free books for your family or you can join my Team before 21st July for the fantastic price of just £10! It usually costs £38 for the Starter Kit but this month you can take advantage of this great offer. For £10 you will get over £100 worth of books and stationery, so you’ll be ready to start making extra cash from day one.

See http://www.usbornewrexham.co.uk for more information.

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04/07/2008 by admin.

A group of Yale college students are calling on chancellor Alistair Darling to redistribute monies collected in fines from media giant GCap Media.

I was quite peeved to read about how thirty GCap Media stations, including Wrexham-based Marcher Sound, had been fined for unfair conduct. Mainly because I suspected at the time something wasn’t quite right with their secret sound contest - I guessed correctly on a few occasions but despite phoning numerous times with my answer they kept putting people on air who were giving the wrong answers. On one occasion I was phoning in for over a week with the correct answer but my messages were obviously falling on deaf ears…

 They must have made a fortune out of it because it really was quite addictive. So too right they were fined.  Yale College has estimated that, if distributed evenly, each community radio station in the UK would receive about £6,790 - a windfall that Yale College Radio Station manager Brian Cullen believes would be well spent.

I haven’t heard Yale College Radio Station yet - will have to try and find out how to tune in. Currently I tune in every day to Calon FM which is a great station on 105FM - find more info on them at www.calonfm.com.

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23/06/2008 by admin.

Jewsons and Kronospan help Glyn Valley Tramway Trust move first piece of rolling stock.

Two of Britain’s major industrial organisations joined forces yesterday to help the Glyn Valley Tramway Trust, they are Jewsons a major stockist and supplier of building materials through their distribution centre in Chirk, Wrexham, and major international board manufacture Kronospan, whose British headquarters are also based in Chirk, Wrexham.

The two organisations have joined forces to help move the GVT Trust’s first piece of rolling stock, an 11 ft long replica of an original GVT freight wagon, from Chard Junction in Somerset, where it has been built, to Chirk. There it will go on display at the forthcoming Chirk Carnival and Fun Day, where the GVT Trust will have a strong presence, featuring three separate stalls for marketing, recruitment and membership whilst operating in collaboration with the Wrexham Model Engineering Club, a 5inch passenger carrying railway.

Mike McKenna of Kronospan said “ We are delighted to have been able to help in this project, which we see as leading to the ultimate restoration of the Glyn Valley Tramway which will do so much for the economy of Chirk and the Ceiriog Valley”

His views were echoed by Lee Davies, Jewsons Manager in Chirk, who added that as a Chirk resident and having ben born in the town, he was very pleased to see the old GVT line being restored.

See pictures here: www.wagon.glynvalleytramway.co.uk.

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21/06/2008 by admin.

Meet the Glyn Valley Tramway Trust at the Chirk Fun Day and have a ride on a steam train (a miniature one)!

The itinery for this years Chirk Fun Day has been set and is busier than ever. The fun day, organised by Chirk Celebrations Committee and Lights Committee, will open the gates at the AAA’s recreation ground at 12.30pm on Saturday, June 28, admission £2 per adult, children enter for free.

One of the main attractions will be the Glyn Valley Tramway Trust who are using the day to help them engage with the people of Chirk. The Trust will have three stalls with souvenirs, information, and the chance to join them as members of the Trust as they embark on their exciting new project.

In collaboration with the Wrexham Model Engineering Club, there will also be a 120 ft passenger carrying railway of 5in gauge operating, which throughout the afternoon will run from Chirk to Glyn Ceiriog (in miniature), charging a nominal sum for transportation. Finally, fresh from the workshop, will be the Trust’s GVT ‘style’ Wagon No.5, a most impressive piece of rolling stock some 11ft in length and 6ft high, brought to Chirk by Jewsons of Chirk as a token of their support for the Trust.

Also on the day will be entertainment provided by Pantonic All Steel Orchestra, Border School of Dance and a Tae-Kwon-Do display.

A six-a-side football tournament of eight Under 12s teams will battle it out for the Chirk Celebrations Invitation Trophy and other children’s sports events will be held.

Headteacher of Chirk Infants School, Mrs Kath Eccleston, will be on hand to crown the Fete Queen and refreshments will be available as well as a funfair and, for the first time, a Village Show in a Kronospan sponsored marquee.

The list of categories for the Village Show has been announced, and is as follows: Children aged 4-11, one entry per category: Garden on a plate; Vegetable face or figure; Six home made cakes or six home-made cookies; Paint or draw a picture of your favourite sports star or pop star.

Adults: one entry per category: Floral Arrangement, table centre maximum 15” x 15”; Jug of home grown flowers; Six herbs in a basket (and named); Home baked traditional Victoria sponge; Home baked traditional Bara Brith; Home baked apple pie; Pot of home made jam; Photograph of a local scene, no larger than A4; Painting, any topic and medium, must be your own work; Small wooden object, must be your own work; Piece of embroidery, must be your own work; Home made greetings card.

Entries on the day for the Village Show must be received no later than 10.30am.

For more information contact Christine Ashford on 01691 777133.

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20/06/2008 by admin.

Wrexham MP Ian Lucas is calling on his constituents to take part in a public consultation on lap dancing clubs. The move follows an announcement by Culture minister Gerry Sutcliffe that the way such clubs are licensed is to be examined by the Government. The move could mean that the clubs – which are currently treated in the same manner as bars and pubs – have more stringent licensing conditions. Such a move would make it easier for local people to object to such clubs.

Mr Lucas said: “I know there is a spectrum of opinion on the matter, and the Government have been approached by groups who feel the laws ought to be tightened.

“Ministers are currently consulting with local councils to see if their licensing departments feel there are any problems linked to lap dancing clubs which require further licensing powers.

“I welcome this move, and I am also interested to hear the opinions and experiences of people and groups in and around Wrexham on how such clubs should be regulated.”

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