02/07/2009 by admin.

A new Wales-specific 'top-up', designed help tackle child poverty, has been welcomed by Wrexham's Assembly Member, Lesley Griffiths.

The AM was commenting on the announcement that from September, thousands of families in Wales will be able to claim the new Welsh top-up to the Child Trust Fund.

The new Child Trust Fund Cymru will mean eligible children will be entitled to a voucher worth £50 to be paid into their Child Trust Fund account.

Children from families on low incomes will be eligible for a further £50. This will mean that more than 32,000 children in Wales will be eligible to claim the new top-up.

The top-up initiative is designed to help address the consequences of child poverty in Wales by encouraging saving, improve financial literacy and tackling financial exclusion.  

Child Trust Fund accounts enable families to start saving for their childrens’ future by providing £250 at birth and again at age seven with additional payments for children from low income households. The Child Trust Fund Cymru will be in addition to this.

Commenting on the news, Lesley Griffiths AM said:

"Child Trust Fund Cymru will be an important new 'tool' in tackling child poverty and financial exclusion in communities across the country. The Welsh Government is

committed to helping children from families on low incomes and this extra boost now will provide much needed help for those children, when they reach adulthood.

"The Government have been keen to develop the ability of Welsh credit unions to offer Child Trust Fund accounts. The good news locally is that Wrexham Credit Union is one such outlet where the account is now more easily available."

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01/07/2009 by admin.

Is Nat West bank in Wrexham the worst bank for queues? I’ve had to wait an average of 40 minutes the last three times I’ve been there. They have loads of  cashier desks yet only three staff to man them. In future I will drive from Wrexham to the branch in Rhos because it’s quicker. 

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30/06/2009 by admin.

These events provide businesses large and small from around the region the opportunity to build on and create relationships with other businesses, advisers, public sector organisations, and Glyndŵr University staff.

The events range from regular early morning meetings through to a large annual business dinner, which brings many organisations together to network and be inspired by a key speaker of the time.

At these events businesses can also access valuable information on how Glyndŵr University could potentially help their business through the many business services it offers, which include consultancy, subsidised work placements, KTPs and free job advertising.

Glyndŵr Business Over Breakfast (in conjunction with NetworkShe)Thursday 16 July 2009, 8.00am.

Glyndŵr Business Over Breakfast (in conjunction with NetworkShe)Thursday 17 September 2009, 8.00am.

Glyndŵr Business Over Breakfast (in conjunction with NetworkShe) Thursday 29 October 2009, 8.00am.

Inspiring Enterprise Awards Thursday 19 November 2009

If you would like further information on any of the events or would like to book a place, please contact Laura Willington in Glyndŵr Innovations Ltd on 01978 293495 or l.willington@glyndwr.ac.uk.

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30/06/2009 by admin.

A comparison of FSB data collected over the past ten months suggests that the economic position small businesses are in is starting to improve since a low point at the end of last year.

A rising number of small businesses are now experiencing an increase in trade, with the latest poll showing 23 per cent of FSB members noticing a rise compared with 16 per cent in February.

By the end of last year, up to 40 per cent of small businesses had highlighted the cost of finance as a big problem. Now 25 per cent cite the cost of finance as a concern, which indicates that small firms are seeing a very gradual easing.

According to the latest poll, 68 per cent of business owners are looking to act on a rise in confidence and say they plan to grow in the next six months, with firms hoping to invest in new products, more staff and marketing.

Over half of respondents (57 per cent) said they were ‘quite confident’ about the future prospects of their business. The FSB is urging the Government to ensure small firms can be at the forefront of tackling unemployment by supporting apprenticeships, short-time working subsidies and increasing the thresholds before Income Tax and National Insurance contributions are payable, which would benefit employers and employees.

John Wright, National Chairman, Federation of Small Businesses, said:

“Small businesses are naturally flexible and innovative in recessions and these figures show that despite the very many negative forces on them, they are being cautiously optimistic and are looking to expand. Although we are certainly not out of the woods yet, many small firms are seeing increased footfall and finding it easier to obtain crucial finance in the winter months, when things were at their worst so far.

“The Government must look to small businesses to build the post recession economy and help them employ more people and ease the bureaucracy and tax burdens which many still face.”

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30/06/2009 by admin.

Top webhosting company 1and1 offer businesses the chance to build their own highly professional website for very low cost. The 50% off special offer ends today - see http://wrexhamblog.com/website-design-hosting/ for more information.

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29/06/2009 by admin.

Wrexham Footballer Andy Wicksted demonstrates his skill… 

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29/06/2009 by admin.

A top international hockey tournament to be staged in Wrexham during August. The Men’s EuroNations Trophy tournament - which will be played at theNorth Wales Regional Hockey Stadium at Glyndŵr University - starts in Wrexham on Saturday, 1st August 2009 and runs through to the final a week later on the 8th.

Lesley Griffiths took the opportunity of Heritage Questions in the Assembly, to highlight the importance of the competition to Wrexham as well as the town’s increasing reputation in hosting international sporting events.
 
The EuroHockey tournament will prove to be an important event for both Wales and Scotland, as success in the competition would provide world ranking points, which would in turn impact on the Commonwealth standing of the respective nations.
 
Also at stake at Wrexham during August, will be promotion places into the top flight of Men’s hockey, for two of the successful nations.
 
The week long event is being organised to provide a great family day out with top class international sport, a Euro village of hockey kit and equipment along with exhibitions, activities, games and refreshments.
 
Lesley Griffiths raised the Nations Trophy during a Question in the National Assembly to the Minister for Heritage, Alun Ffred Jones, in which she raised the importance of the forthcoming tournament to both Wrexham and Wales.
 
In her question, the AM said:
 
“During the first week of August at the North Wales Regional Hockey Stadium in Wrexham, Glyndŵr University and the Welsh Hockey Union will host the senior men’s EuroHockey Nations trophy. That will be the largest international hockey event to be held in Wales. Teams from Ireland, Russia, Italy, Belarus, Scotland, the Czech Republic, Switzerland and Wales will compete for the 2009 trophy.
 
“Do you agree that that is good news not only for Wrexham, in continuing to develop a name for itself in hosting an international hockey tournament, but also for raising the profile of Welsh hockey as a whole?”
 
In his response, Alun Ffred Jones Welsh Government said the competition was a great opportunity for Welsh sport:
 
“I agree that this is good news for the Wrexham area and north Wales as a whole, and I am pleased that the Welsh Assembly Government has providedfinancial support to assist with marketing the event.
 
“The Welsh Assembly Government fully supports the development of hockey across Wales, and this event should provide a further boost not only to the sport itself, but to Wales as a destination for hosting such events.”
 
Commenting following her Question, Lesley Griffiths said:
 
“The Nations Trophy will undoubtedly put Wrexham under the international sporting spotlight this summer. This is a major competition which will serve to underline the town’s position as the principal venue for sport in North Wales.
 
“The hockey stadium at Glyndŵr University is a superb resource for Wrexham and I hope local people will support the tournament by going along to watch some world class hockey this August.”

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28/06/2009 by admin.

Waterways leaders, council chiefs and local communities are today celebrating the news that Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal has been given World Heritage Site status.The journey which began in the 1999 when it was put on the UK’s list of potential World Heritage Sites ended this week in Seville when UNESCO granted Thomas Telford’s masterpiece equal status with the Great Barrier Reef, the Taj Mahal and the Acropolis. The announcement will mean a significant boost for the visitor industry in Wales, as the 11 mile site from Chirk through to the Horseshoe Falls on the River Dee at Llangollen is established to define this unique area. Read more http://www.tinyurl.com/worldheritagesite

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27/06/2009 by admin.

St Giles School Fun Day starts at 11am today. At St Giles School, Madeira Hill, Wrexham. There will be numerous side shows and stalls, raffle, football five-a-side competition, Fancy Dress Parade, Bouncy Castles, Netball Game, Crazy Golf, Coconut Shy, Face Painting, Infant Tricycle Rides, Refreshments will be available in the school hall. For more events see www.wrexhamevents.co.uk.
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27/06/2009 by admin.

The June edition of Coed-y-Glyn News is now available for download at www.coed-y-glyn.com. The July issue is currently being compiled - if you are interested in advertising please email margot@coed-y-glyn.com. 

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