Wrexham Blog

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

St Giles School Fun Day Saturday 28th June 2008 starting at 11am. There will be a football 5-a-side competition, Talent Show, Bouncy Castles, Netball Game, Crazy Golf, Coconut Shy, Face Painting, Infant Tricycle Rides and much more! Refreshments will be available including hot dogs, chips, sandwiches, and tea and coffee.

At St Giles School, St Giles Primary School, Madeira Hill, Wrexham. Tel: 01978 318880 or email info@stgilesschool.co.uk for more information.

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.”

Photos by Steve Brown. 

It’s official: Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground has officially been declared as the oldest international football ground in the world.

The newly confirmed record has been raised in the Welsh Assembly by the town’s AM. Wrexham supporter Lesley Griffiths, has Tabled a Statement of Opinion in the Senedd congratulating, what she describes as “this historic achievement”, making the record books. The Assembly Member’s move comes after Guinness World Records confirmed to another lifelong Wrexham supporter - Glyn Davies - that it had now recognised the Racecourse as being the oldest ground in the world still to host international football matches.

The first international match held at the Racecourse was in 1877, when Wales lost 2-0 to Scotland. Guinness World Records declared the record following confirmation from the Football Association of Wales (FAW) that it intended to use the ground to host international football in the future.

This positive message from the FAW, was underlined by the AM in the conclusion of her Statement, as she hoped the “Welsh national football team will continue to grace the turf of the Racecourse Ground for the next 131 years.”

Commenting on her Statement of Opinion, Ms. Griffiths said: “This is a wonderful achievement to have confirmed by Guinness World Records and I congratulate Glyn Davies on his excellent detective work in establishing the record as being correct.

“The Racecourse is known all over the world as a great football stadium and many people have some great memories about games they have seen at the ground.
“I have seen many international matches there over the years. My favourite being when Wales hammered England 4-1 in 1980 during the old Home International Championships.

“The Racecourse Ground gives a huge sense of pride to local people and by making the record books for this truly historic reason, just emphasises what Wrexham people have know all along - it’s a very special place. That’s why I have Tabled this Statement of Opinion in the Assembly.”

Lesley Griffiths is a lifelong fan of Wrexham FC and prior to becoming the Assembly Member for Wrexham, she was an elected director of Wrexham Supporters Trust.

At 50.35p a litre, the duty paid on diesel in the UK is the highest rate in Europe, where the average level is 22.7p a litre. Did you know that around two-thirds of the price of petrol is tax? For every £50 you spend at the pumps, you only get £17 of petrol. And don’t forget that VAT is charged fuel tax too - a tax on a tax. Why should an essential like fuel be taxed at several hundred %, when heating fuel is only taxed at 5%? Below is a link to the official government petition aiming to lower fuel tax

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Lowerduty30/

Sign it, you all complain about high fuel prices, so do something about it. To ’sign’ the petition via email you need an email address and a home address!