news.wrexham.gov.uk

Category: Featured

Featured posts

  • Did you miss these stories?

    Did you miss these stories?

    There’s only so much time in the day…and with all the news, social media notifications and other info competing for our time, it’s easy to miss stuff.

    So here’s a quick rundown of some key stories on our blog over the past couple of weeks.

    If you didn’t catch them the first time, take a peep. They’re still worth a read…

    1. I don’t do that!

    “I don’t do that” is probably the answer you’d get if you asked anyone if they deliberately dropped litter.

    No-one admits to doing it yet there it is. It also costs us over £1 million a year to clear it up – money that could be used on other front line services.

    READ MORE

    2. Bullying – don’t suffer in silence

    If you or someone you know is being bullied, there is help, advice and support available.

    READ MORE

    3. Heart attack survivor marshals race

    A man who suffered a heart attack while taking part in a triathlon returned to help marshal this year’s competition.

    READ MORE

    4. Help available for veterans to hear better

    A former Welsh Guardsman has called on veterans with hearing loss to get support from a new service run by charity Action on Hearing Loss Cymru.

    READ MORE

    5. Concerned about Alabama Rot?

    We’ve had a couple of queries over the last week where concerned dog owners have asked us about Alabama Rot.

    Please be assured that there are currently no known cases of Alabama Rot in Wrexham’s country parks.

    READ MORE

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    6. Get pushy about our news

    Push-notifications are like elasticated jogging bottoms. Sometimes they’re useful. Sometimes they’re annoying.

    But if you like to stay up-to-speed with our stories, we have some good news…

    READ MORE

    7. The history of North East Wales in 100 objects

    A new exhibition which opens at Wrexham Museum on 21 April is based on the challenge of telling the story of North East Wales in 100 objects.

    READ MORE

    Wrexham FC

    Tell us how we should meet the housing challenges of the next five years.

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  • Let’s get behind this bid!

    Let’s get behind this bid!

    There are calls today for people and businesses in Wrexham and across North Wales to get behind a bid to bring massive investment to the region’s economy.

    Earlier this year the six North Wales Councils who are all part of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board, formally submitted a Growth Bid to the UK and Welsh Governments. The bid for£383 million will enable an investment of £1.3 billion in the North Wales economy.

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    “Fantastic Opportunity”

    Cllr Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham Council and member of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board, said:

    “We’re calling on businesses, groups, organisations and individuals to get online and support this bid. It’s a fantastic opportunity for North Wales and of course Wrexham to benefit from part of this investment which could include new jobs, new businesses, housing, and helping people back into work. We’re also grateful for the help and support of the Daily Post in supporting this bid.”

    “A once in a generation opportunity”

    Cllr Aaron Shotton, Chair of the North Wales Growth Bid, said:

    “We recognised very early on there was an overwhelming need to unify all six councils around a collective vision for the whole of North Wales and I am proud that we have come together with one clear voice – we are all united in backing the Bid. We are in advanced negotiations with the UK and Welsh Governments alongside the Wales Office and Ken Skates (Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills) and these talks are progressing well.

    “The Deal won’t become a reality unless the bid is approved, so we really need the people and businesses of North Wales to join us – and Back the Bid – so we can take our economy to the next level.

    “The people of North Wales can also play an integral part in the success of the bid, so we are seeking their support.

    “This is the opportunity of a generation to transform our economy and we must do that together, united as a region.”

    You can show your support here:

    News on the bid is likely to be available at the end of the year.

    Tell us how we should meet the housing challenges of the next five years.

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  • Town centre gearing up for Festival

    Town centre gearing up for Festival

    The popular Wrexham Street Festival returns on Saturday and there’s plenty on offer to encourage people of all ages to visit the town centre.

    We’re sure you won’t be disappointed with the live entertainment including dancing, singing and a brass band. There’ll be donkey rides and fairground rides for the little ones and an opportunity to go to the top of the Church tower for the more adventurous.

    There’s be a variety of craft and artisan food stalls and family activities include a pop up planetarium and a demonstration by virtual reality company Vorteka in the new Techniquest building in the former TJ Hughes building.

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    Another new addition to the Street Festival is Tŷ Pawb, the newly opened markets and arts facility which will be open and welcoming visitors to their art exhibitions, food and drink outlets and a variety of market stalls.

    There’ll also be plenty of opportunity to visit the town centre’s stores and two other Victorian markets.

    The fun begins at 10.00 and organisers are looking forward to seeing new faces supporting the town centre and joining in the fun.

    The Street Festivals will run on the last Saturday of the month up to October.

    The Street Festival is a partnership effort between the Wrexham Business Group CIC, Wrexham Savers and Wrexham Matters, a number of local businesses and helpers.

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  • What makes Ysgol Heulfan excellent?

    What makes Ysgol Heulfan excellent?

    Back in February Ysgol Heulfan in Gwersyllt showed school inspectors, Estyn, how they educate and care for their pupils – and Estyn judged them excellent!

    Getting an excellent rating is no easy feat. It means that the school demonstrates very strong, sustained performance and practice and looks at five different areas covering standards; well-being and attitudes to learning; teaching and learning experiences; care support and guidance; and leadership and management.

    And Ysgol Heulfan scored excellent in four out of these five areas!

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    “Inspirational leadership”

    Inspectors said: “Ysgol Heulfan is an exceptionally caring and inclusive school. The headteacher and senior leaders are highly effective and provide inspirational leadership…the high levels of care, support and guidance that staff provide throughout the school is remarkable. As a result, pupils thrive, and feel safe and valued.”

    “Positive progress”

    Cllr Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham County Borough Council, said: “I am so pleased to hear what staff and pupils are achieving at Ysgol Heulfan and congratulate them on their “excellent” rating it is down to all of them that their school has had this result.

    “To read that almost all pupils make strong progress regardless of the skills they start school with is very pleasing and I am particularly happy that the special resourced unit, Y Canol, also gives pupils the opportunity to make such positive progress.”

    You can read the full report at https://www.estyn.gov.wales/provider/6652268

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  • Parents! Need free ways to entertain your kids?

    Parents! Need free ways to entertain your kids?

    Are you stuck for something to do with your babies/ toddlers during term time, or maybe you’d like your child to spend less time in front of a screen after school? Your local library has loads of activities on offer to entertain children of all ages. And they’re free!

    From craft sessions to lego club, here’s how you and your child can get involved with your local library.

    Babies and toddlers

    Story and Rhyme Times

    What? Parents, carers and under-fives can come along for stories, songs and rhymes.

    When & Where?

    • Chirk library every Friday for 0-5 year olds 3.30-4.00
    • Ruabon library every Tuesday for 0-3 year olds 2.00 – 2.45
    • Wrexham library every Tuesday 0-5 year olds 2.00-2.30

    Bilingual Stori a Chân sessions

    What? Suitable for children aged 0-5, for new Welsh speakers, non-Welsh speaking parents and fluent speakers.

    When & Where?

    • Wrexham library every Wednesday morning, 10.00-10.30
    • Rhos library once a month on Wednesdays 2.00-3.00

    Chatterbox Language and Play

    What? Language and Play Chatterbox are free sessions for parents and children 0-3 years old to have fun, share stories, chat, play and sing songs.

    When & Where?

    • Brynteg library every Friday during term time, 1.00-2.15
    • Gwersyllt library every Wednesday during term time, 10.00-11.15
    • Cefn Mawr library every Thursday during term time, 1.00-2.15

    Don’t forget that if you’re a playgroup, nursery, parent and toddler group or childminder you can borrow a collection of books to use with children in your care. Please contact your local library.  Details can be found on our web pages.

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    School aged children

    Book buddies

    What? If you are between 5-11 years you can take part in the junior reading group, book buddies, where you’ll discuss the latest book, do puzzles, crosswords and colouring in.

    When & Where?

    • Llay library on every Friday 3.30 – 4.30

    Lego Club

    What? This weekly after school Lego club is for children aged 4+ who love to build and create things out of Lego.

    When & Where?

    • Cefn Mawr library, every Thursday 3.30-4.30

    Glue N’ Stick Friday

    What? Craft session for under 8’s

    When & Where?

    • Chirk library, last Friday of the Month, 4.00 – 4.30
    • Wrexham library, every four weeks from the 28th April, 10.00-11.30

    Kids club

    What? Crafts, colouring and puzzles for 3 – 8 year olds. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

    When & Where?

    • Coedpoeth library on the 1st Tuesday of the month, term time only. 3.30 – 4.15

    4 o’clock Club

    What? Stories, craft, puzzles, games and Lego activities for 5-10 year olds. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

    When & Where?

    • Ruabon library Fortnightly on a Friday 4.00-5.00

    And whilst you’re enjoying some peace and quiet, why not take a look at our collection of parenting books.

    Tell us how we should meet the housing challenges of the next five years.

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  • Want to see improved walking and cycling routes in Wrexham? Read on….

    Want to see improved walking and cycling routes in Wrexham? Read on….

    If you want to see improved walking and cycling routes in Wrexham then please take part in a consultation we are currently running.

    Walking and cycling for your every day journey is known as “Active Travel” and includes journeys to school, work, shops or to access services such as health or leisure centres. It doesn’t include walking and cycling for recreational purposes.

    This may be a route that you currently use for walking and cycling that could be improved to encourage more active travel or alternatively, a route which is currently missing, that, if provided would help to encourage more people to participate in active travel for every day journeys.

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    Your suggestions will be considered and will provide important information in development of the Integrated Network Map, a walking and cycling plan for the County Borough which will be submitted to the Welsh Government in August 2018.

    “We want to hear your views”

    David A Bithell – Lead Member for Environment and Transport said: “We are fully committed to the duties under the Active Travel Act and I would encourage as many residents as possible to look at and respond to the consultation. We want to hear your views on how we can address those barriers which prevent more people from taking part in Active Travel as part of everyday journeys. You input is valued and will be used to help inform us on the future development of the Active Travel Network across Wrexham.”

    You can take part in the consultation here

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  • Tŷ Pawb is jazzing things up this Thursday…

    Tŷ Pawb is jazzing things up this Thursday…

    If you’re in the mood for an evening of beautiful music then look no further than Tŷ Pawb this Thursday!

    Jazz/Blues duo, Blue Ivory, will be performing a set of classic covers of jazz, blues and some contemporary songs with a jazz twist!

    There will be a mix of ever popular up-tempo songs mingled with some dreamy classics, so expect to be whisked back to a more romantic era in the fine company of Richard Spanswick on keyboards and Sonya Smith on vocals.

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    More concerts to come

    This is the first in a series of monthly ‘In Concert’ events to be held at Tŷ Pawb.

    Lead Member for Communities, Partnerships, Public Protection and Community Safety, Cllr Hugh Jones, said: “The ‘In Concert’ events are a chance to see a variety of talented performers in the fabulous setting of Tŷ Pawb’s impressive new performance space.

    “Refreshments will be available at the licensed bar. It promises to be a very enojoyable evening and a perfect opportunity to come and see what Tŷ Pawb has to offer.”

    Tickets are priced at £8 for adults or £3 for students and young people aged under 16.

    Booking is essential! You can purchase tickets at Tŷ Pawb or phone 01978 292093

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  • Childcare offer that may be available to you?

    Childcare offer that may be available to you?

    If you are a working parent and have a child or children aged between 3 and 4 year old you may be eligible for free childcare and early education from September.

    ‘Taking Wales Forward’ commits Welsh Government to providing 30 hours a week of government funded early education and childcare for working parents of three and four year old children for up to 48 weeks of the year from September 2020.

    HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE FUTURE OF HOUSING IN WREXHAM.

    The “Childcare Offer for Wales” has now been tested and used in several areas in Wales since 2017 and from September it will be available to eligible parents in a limited number of areas in Wrexham. It is planned to roll out the offer to the whole of the county by September 2020.

    Cllr Bill Baldwin, Lead Member for Children’s Services, welcomes the news, he said: “This is an excellent initiative and I am very pleased that parents in Wrexham will soon be able to benefit from it. A lack of affordable child care is one of the major obstacles to parents returning to work and this free childcare and early education access will certainly be attractive to many families. We’ll be issuing further information as soon as it is available and we will of course keep you informed.”

    The areas selected to take part from September are Bronington, Coedpoeth, Gresford East and West, Gwersyllt, Holt, Llay, Marford and Hoseley, New Broughton, Overton, Ponciau and Rossett.

    Further information including eligibility and how to apply will be available in the coming weeks and we’ll be keeping you informed about it.

    Tell us how we should meet the housing challenges of the next five years.

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  • It’s snow joke – the cost of winter weather

    It’s snow joke – the cost of winter weather

    As we begin to enjoy the first signs of summer it’s easy to forget the cold, snowy and frosty days we are leaving behind and even easier to forget just how much it cost to make sure the roads stayed open and we were all able to get to and from work.

    The cost of keeping the roads clear for local authority’s has been the subject of a recent BBC article but they didn’t mention the cost to Wrexham – we thought you might like to know what this was.

    “Almost £1 million”

    We started the winter period with a budget of £587,000 which was fully spent which meant we had to use the specific environment reserve of £300,000 as the conditions continued to stay cold and frosty. At the end of the winter period, which this year went from end of October through to March when the Beast from the East stole the headlines and made us all wrap up warm we had spent a further £62,000 which came from our general reserves. That’s almost £1 million but there’s no alternative to this type of spending when the conditions demand it.

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    It really was a very cold winter with over 10,000 tonnes of grit going down to pre-treat and treat the road network which kept it open and safe to use. this had been taking place since before Christmas, which is very unusual as there’s very rarely any gritting taking place before Christmas.

    We won’t be idle through the summer neither. We’ll keep our fleet of gritters fully maintained and ready for action when needed next season. Grit levels will be kept at 10,000 tonnes and any new drivers will be trained and ready for action as soon as the summer is over which we hope won’t be for a few months yet!

    “High quality service”

    Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for the Environment and Transport, said: “It really was a very long, cold and frosty winter and like everyone else I am glad it is over. We have maintained a consistent winter maintenance budget even during times of austerity as it is essential that the roads are kept clear and more importantly safe to use. We never know what to expect during the winter but I am very pleased that the service we continue to offer remains of high quality and is relatively unaffected by the very challenging financial times we live in.”

    Remember this:

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  • I don’t do that!

    I don’t do that!

    “I don’t do that” is probably the answer you’d get if you asked anyone if they deliberately dropped litter!

    No-one admits to doing it yet there it is, along our verges, in our parks, town centre, rural areas – everywhere you look. It also costs us over £1 million a year to clear it up – money that could be used on other front line services.

    It may be a cigarette butt thoughtlessly thrown to the floor or a big bag of fast food containers complete with plastics and food waste – but who is it that’s dropping it? The answer is that many people appear to be telling porkies when they answer the question or perhaps we are not asking the right people.

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    “Number of fines will rise if habits don’t change”

    As the majority of people in the county borough know we use enforcement officers to issue £75 fines to anyone caught dropping litter. During the summer months as more and more of us take to the county’s many parks and open spaces we expect the number of fines to rise if people don’t change their habits. We want everyone to enjoy our public places that are free from litter.

    So, if you drop litter you can expect to be fined £75 if you’re caught by an enforcement officer. If you haven’t been caught littering but do so regardless – it’s probably just a matter of time before you do get caught.

    “Simply look for a bin”

    Cllr David A Bithell, Lead member for the Environment and Transport, said: “Litter is a blight on our communities and, whilst issuing fines has changed some people’s behaviour there are still some who continue to flout their responsibilities and drop it wherever they choose. Please bear in mind the effect this has on the environment and either take it home and recycle if possible or simply look for a bin to drop it in.

    Tell us how we should meet the housing challenges of the next five years.

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