news.wrexham.gov.uk

Category: Featured

Featured posts

“My children speak Welsh but I can’t get past ‘Bore da’” – Help is at hand!
So you’ve made the decision to send your child or children to a Welsh Medium school – fantastic!
There is a lot of strong evidence which indicates that being bilingual increases creativity, retention of information and can also make learning a third language a lot easier.
But some parents find that while their children race ahead learning Welsh at school, they can find themselves lagging behind.
GET INSTANT NEWS AND INFO FROM WREXHAM COUNCIL WITH MYUPDATES.
Luckily, help is at hand to help parents catch up with their kids.
Heidi Phoenix, a parent from Wrexham chose to send her son to Ysgol Bodhyfryd.
She said: “I wanted to send him to a Welsh medium school as I didn’t go to one myself, and think it’s strange that I live in Wales, and yet I don’t speak Welsh…we all should!”
“I’ve always wanted to speak Welsh so I intend on learning with my son. I firmly believe that it will open doors for him when he eventually goes out to find employment.”
Stephen Jones, Welsh Language Coordinator for Wrexham Council added: “My parents made the decision to send me and my siblings to Welsh medium schools and I can’t thank them enough for doing this, but that was way back when – I’m sad to say that the internet had not yet taken off!
“These days there are loads of helpful online resources to get you speaking Welsh alongside your child and I would urge anyone to have a go.”
Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Communities, Partnerships, Public Protection and Community Safety, said: “Welsh Medium education at primary and secondary school is incredibly important and we want to do what we can to encourage children to learn Welsh – but parents should be able to take advantage of the resources out there to help them learn Welsh in tandem with their children.”
It has never been easier to learn to speak Welsh in Wrexham, with the huge range of courses available at Coleg Cambria, chatting sessions at places like Saith Seren and some great online resources to help you further your knowledge.
Get instant news and info from Wrexham Council with MyUpdates
[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/user_register/register.cfm”]SIGN ME UP[/button]

September 1, 2017
Triumphant return for Welsh language event next year
A Welsh language music and culture event held as part of a Wrexham-based music festival will return next year.
After a successful pilot earlier this year, Wrexham Council and FOCUS Wales are pleased to announce the return of HWB Cymraeg in 2018.
Based in a tipi on Queen’s Square throughout the three-day FOCUS Wales event, which took place between Thursday, May 11 to Saturday, May 13, HWB Cymraeg held a number of events – including Welsh language workshops, live radio sessions and talks from a number of artists.
GET INSTANT NEWS AND INFO FROM WREXHAM COUNCIL WITH MYUPDATES.
The 2018 leg of the HWB will feature similar events, with some big names to be announced soon.
Stephen Jones, Welsh Language Co-ordinator at Wrexham Council, said: “We are extremely excited to be working in partnership with FOCUS Wales, Menter Iaith Fflint a Wrecsam, Mudiad Meithrin and Coleg Cambria again on this event.
“This event is a great opportunity to really showcase the Welsh language and culture to the 7000-plus visitors from across the UK and overseas, who attend FOCUS Wales each year.
“We would like to build on the success of this year’s pilot and for 2018 we aim to increase the Welsh language content across the whole festival program.”
“It’s important to have high quality events like this for Welsh speakers in the town and therefore we are working with FOCUS Wales to include top Welsh language artists throughout next year’s festival.
“Always looking for ways to promote importance of Welsh language”
Neal Thompson, one of the organisers of FOCUS Wales, said: “HWB Cymraeg saw great success last year and we were really keen to see it resume as part of the program for FOCUS Wales foe 2018.
“We certainly want to work alongside Wrexham Council to build up on last year’s success and see how much further we can push it this year.”
Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Communities, Partnerships, Public Protect and Community Safety, said: “We at Wrexham Council are always looking for further ways in which we can promote use of the Welsh language and its cultural importance, and FOCUS Wales certainly provides us with an excellent forum in which to do so.
“I’m very grateful to those at FOCUS Wales for their support in helping us to put the HWB Cymraeg together for next year, and wish the event every success.”
Get instant news and info from Wrexham Council with MyUpdates.
[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/user_register/register.cfm”]SIGN ME UP[/button]
September 1, 2017
Cafe in the Corner – looking forward to a brighter future
As we continue our tour of independent town centre traders, we called into Cafe in the Corner – situated in the South Arcade of the former People’s Market – to speak with owners Sue and Kev Dipple.
Sue and Kev have been at the South Arcade since last September, having moved from the main market hall before the works to create the new £4.5 million arts and markets facility started.
Originally from the Midlands, Sue and Kev came to Wrexham in 1999 when Kev’s workplace moved to the Industrial Estate.
A few years later he was made redundant his works closed, and Kev then decided to go full time into the trading business as he was determined not to be made redundant again.
He started trading Mold market selling hot potatoes. This continued successfully for some time, and Kev made the decision to move into permanent premises when Café on the Corner came up for sale in 2012.
He snapped it up and has been trading in the town centre ever since.
GET INSTANT NEWS AND INFO FROM WREXHAM COUNCIL WITH MYUPDATES.
Business for the café is quite slow at the moment, as the closure of the market hall has hit footfall in the area.
But they’re ever-optimistic for the future and can see the benefits of the bigger picture when the new facility is open for business next year.
Kev said: “I am disappointed with trade at the moment but the future is looking good and I’m looking forward to the new facility opening, which will bring a whole new market for us and our existing regular customers. We’re always looking to keep on top of our market and we will be prepared to change if the new market means that we must.”
We asked about their marketing ideas and Kev was excited to be moving into digital marketing having relied on word of mouth for many years.
He said: “Whilst I know that not many of our current regular customers are big into social media we’d be daft not to recognise the power of social media and how it might help our business in the future. We are on Facebook and we will be looking to increase our followers over the coming months ready for the opening of the new facility and meeting new customers. Our regulars have nothing to worry about though, as we’re very grateful for their continued support and custom, and they’ll always have a welcome for them here at Cafe in the Corner.”
Kev is already linking in with the arts scene and the cafe is supplying refreshments for Oriel Wrecsam workshops. He’s also taking on business support and advice from the Council, which has also offered financial help while construction works continue to affect his trade.
Here at news.wrexham.gov.uk we would like to thank Kev and Sue for their time, and we wish them good luck for their future.
Cllr Terry Evans, Lead Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, said:
“I congratulate both Kev and Sue on their commitment to Wrexham and their determination to remain loyal to their customers during the construction phase of the new arts and markets facility. The future is certainly looking brighter for this area of town and I am looking forward to seeing the new facility up and running and bringing greater numbers of customers to independent businesses who continue to trade there.”
You can find Cafe in the Corner on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cafeinthecorner
Get instant news and info from Wrexham Council with MyUpdates.
[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=”http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/user_register/register.cfm”]SIGN ME UP[/button]
September 1, 2017
Why we’re supporting Merchant Navy Day on 3 September
We’re supporting the Merchant Navy on 3 September by flying the Red Ensign to honour the brave men and women who have served in the Merchant Navy during the two world wars, and who continue to serve, to ensure we have supplies to keep our island nation afloat.
The Merchant Navy suffered the veryfirst casualty of the second world war when the S.S. Athenia, a merchant vessel that was torpedoed with the loss of 128 passengers and crew just hours after hostilities were declared. Since then the 3 September has been acknowledged as Merchant Navy Day.
Sadly, the losses from the sinking of the Athenia would not be the first and hundreds of ships and thousands of seafarerers would meet the same fate in the years to come.
GET INSTANT NEWS AND INFO FROM WREXHAM COUNCIL WITH MYUPDATES.
As an “island nation” the UK relies on merchant Navy seafarers for 95% of our imports, including half the food we eat. The UK has the largest ports industry in Europe. 75% of our exports (by volume) are shipped from UK ports, some of which are supporting the campaign by encouraging visiting ships to sound their horns at 10 am on 3 September.
Cllr David Griffiths, Armed Forces Champion, said:
“Many of you have been or still are serving with the Merchant navy. Your loyal service is a tribute to the service and the incredible contribution you make to the national economy. On this day every year we pay our respects to them and I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who has or is currently serving with the Merchant Navy. ”
Get instant news and info from Wrexham Council with MyUpdates.
[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=”http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/user_register/register.cfm”]SIGN ME UP[/button]
August 31, 2017
Don’t miss your bin collection – put it out early
Last year we made big changes to our recycling service so we could recycle more and to make our rounds more efficient. During these changes you were great and it worked. Our rounds became more efficient and we hit a fantastic 68% recycling for the first time!
We’ve now reviewed all the changes we made, particularly the amount of vehicles we have on our rounds, and we’ve found we can make more improvements by reducing the total number of recycling vehicles used.
We’re going to make these changes from the 4 September and the only change that you may see is the time of day your recycling is collected.
It is very important that you place your waste and recycling out for collection by 7.30 am on your normal collection day from 4 September.
If you do you can be sure that your collection will not be missed.
GET INSTANT NEWS AND INFO FROM WREXHAM COUNCIL WITH MYUPDATES.
“changes have been made to improve efficiency”
Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for the Environment and Transport, said:
“Your help and support with our recycling efforts has been brilliant and I would like to thank you all for that. This change we are making will only affect the time of day collections are made so it is very important that from 4 September you put your waste and recycling out for collection by 7.30 on your normal bin day. There are no changes to your collection day and these changes have been made to improve efficiency.”
If you never want to miss a bin collection in the future you can sign up for bin day collection reminders on the link below. By signing up you will receive an email alert the day before your waste and recyclables are due to go out.
Get instant news and info from Wrexham Council with MyUpdates.
[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=”http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/user_register/register.cfm”]SIGN ME UP[/button]
August 31, 2017
Get crafty – 5 events to get stuck into this week
The final week of the school holiday is here and if you are looking to make the most of those final few days with your little ones, read on to find out what is happening across the county borough!
1. Busy Bees and Lovely Lavender
  If you come down to Ponciau Banks Country Park on Monday, August 28, 1.30-3.30pm you can get your hands on some fresh lavender from the park to make a small posy and make a mini bee model to include in the decoration. You can also learn all about the importance of bees! Cost is £2.50 per child and you can just drop in at the Bowling Pavillion to take part. contact 01978 763140 for more details.
2. Magi-Ann
  If you fancy a treasure hunt and some craft making with your little one, come to Wrexham Library on Tuesday, August 29, 2-3.30pm and you will get just that! This is a bi-lingual event.
3. Wonderful Windmills
  Call in at Alyn Waters Country Park on Wednesday, August 30, 1.30-3.30pm to make your own windmill to take home! There is no need to book, costs £2.50, and this activity is suitable for all ages. Call 01978 763140 for more information.
4. Clay tiles
  This Thursday, August 31, why not call in to Ty Mawr Country Park and make a clay tile to hang up on your wall or put your cup on. This activity is £2.50 and is suitable for all ages. Contact 01978 763140 for more details.
5. Fun Friday
  Cefn Mawr Library invites you to enjoy simple craft for little hands! This and every Friday children ages 0-8 can come along and enjoy a fun session between 3.30 and 4.30pm. The session is free, although donations are gratefully received. For more information contact cefnmawr.library@wrexham.gov.uk.
Enjoy this last week of the school holiday everyone, and good luck to all the children in their next school year!
August 27, 2017
Car buyers advised to take care after faults found in vehicle.
People buying new cars are warned to check the condition of their vehicles, after one seller was fined for selling a car with dangerous levels of corrosion.
Zaviz International Ltd, a seller of high-performance cars, pleaded guilty to the sale of an unroadworthy car at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Tuesday, August 22.
The case was brought by Wrexham Council’s Public Protection Service, after the purchaser of the car – a high performance Mitsubishi Evo 9 – complained of a number of faults.
GET INSTANT NEWS AND INFO FROM WREXHAM COUNCIL WITH MYUPDATES.
Investigations by Trading Standards officers found the vehicle was suffering badly from corrosion, which could have proven dangerous for the vehicle.
£2900 in costs and fines were imposed on the traders, who were also ordered to refund the car’s purchase price of £13,000 to the buyer.
“Damage could have been catastrophic or fatal”
Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Communities, Partnerships, Community Safety and Public Protection, said: “It’s very disturbing to find that a car in the condition described was sold as roadworthy. Due to corrosion, the vehicle was not in a good condition and this could have had implications for the safety of the owner and the public with potentially catastrophic or fatal results.
“Businesses have a duty to ensure that the vehicles they sell are roadworthy, and that they employ technicians to carry out thorough checks to make sure this is the case.
“Buyers should also take care, and consider whether it would be worthwhile having vehicles reviewed by independent inspectors to make sure they are safe and free from hidden defects.”
If you have a problem with a vehicle you have bought you can get advice from Citizens Advice Consumer Services on 03454 040506, or Welsh language service 03454 040505 or at www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Get instant news and info from Wrexham Council with MyUpdates.
[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/user_register/register.cfm”]SIGN ME UP[/button]
August 25, 2017
Donations directly to the Groves site “undermines everything we are doing”
Cllr Hugh Jones, Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Communities, Partnerships, Community Safety and Public Protection, reiterated the need for people keen to help the vulnerable to make donations to the charities supporting them, rather than handing out food or other supplies directly.
Cllr Jones said: “I have urged, in the strongest possible terms, that people do not make direct donations to those on the Groves site.
A number of those on the site are not homeless and others have either refused to engage with support agencies or have behaved inappropriately with support workers.
GET INSTANT NEWS AND INFO FROM WREXHAM COUNCIL WITH MYUPDATES.
“We’re getting reports back from those engaging with the people on the site that supplies of food and other donated items are being sold for drugs – this, obviously, only makes things worse.
“As a result, this means they don’t have to get involved with agencies and organisations – the ones that can provide them with long-term support – and it’s actually preventing us from being able to work with them.
“To continue to make donations to the site is irresponsible and counterproductive, and it undermines everything we are doing.
“Donations of food, supplies, money and anything else are certainly welcome at Ty Croeso, on Grosvenor Road.
“Anyone who wants to help should take whatever donations they may have there.”
“Situation doesn’t benefit from unfettered handouts”
The head of a North Wales-based addiction charity has also spoken of the need for people to make donations to the right organisations instead of donating directly.
In an update on the website of the drug and alcohol addiction charity Cais, Chief Executive Clive Wolfendale said: “I believe the situation doesn’t benefit from simply providing unfettered handouts to street homeless individuals. The sad likelihood is that they will consume the food and then spend what other resources they have on drink and drugs.
“Welfare support needs to be combined with robust attempts to engage the individuals concerned and direct them into the range of services that actually are available.
“Simple donations are highly likely to induce individuals to continue to hang around the area. This is in nobody’s interests, least of all those sleeping rough.”
Get instant news and info from Wrexham Council with MyUpdates.
[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/user_register/register.cfm”]SIGN ME UP[/button]
August 25, 2017
Why this local sports club was bowled over by improvement work…
A local sports club has received free refurbishment work from a council contractor.
Plas Kynaston Bowling Club in Cefn Mawr had a brand new kitchen installed by Mitie, a contractor that has been carrying out housing improvement work in the Cefn area.
The work was donated free of charge as part of a Community Benefit scheme.
Contractors that carry out housing improvement work for the council are required to set up Community Benefit schemes which help local people and the economy.
GET INSTANT NEWS AND INFO FROM WREXHAM COUNCIL WITH MYUPDATES.
“This will help us get more people to take up the sport”
Bowling Club member and council tenant, Joyce Evans, said: “This is a popular local sports club and the club house is a well-used facility. However, until now, we only had limited facilities for providing refreshments. There was little more than a table and some very basic tea making equipment.
“The new kitchen will make a huge difference. We’ll be able to provide proper food and we have much more worktop space to use. We’re always looking to hold more events here and get more people into the game so this new kitchen is going to be a great help to us.
“We would all like to thank everyone who organised and carried out the work. Hopefully we can use this to promote the club to newcomers. It’s only £1.50 for a game and we can provide all the equipment.”
Record investment in housing improvement work
Mitie have recently been installing External Wall Insulation and carrying out reroofing work on council properties in the Cefn area.
This is part of the Council’s extensive project to ensure we achieve the Welsh Government’s Welsh Housing Quality Standard by 2020.
A record £56.4m is being invested on improving council owned homes in 2017/18. This includes a £7.5m Major Repairs Allowance grant which the Welsh Government awards to help local authorities achieve the Welsh Housing Quality Standard.

“Great to see money being pumped back into the local community”
The Community Benefit schemes which contractors sign up to can include refurbishing local facilities, purchasing supplies from local businesses and providing jobs and training schemes for local people.
Local Member for Cefn, Sonia Benbow-Jones, said: “It’s great to see the money we’ve invested in housing improvement work being pumped back into the local community. Council tenants’ homes in Cefn have been transformed and modernised thanks to the project and many of the members of the Bowling Club are council tenants too so we are seeing a number of benefits in Cefn from this project.”
Fellow Local Member for Cefn, Cllr Derek Wright, said: “It’s excellent news that community facilities are being upgraded as donations thanks to the housing improvement programme.
“Many local clubs like this rely on volunteers and donations to keep their services running and a brand new kitchen is not something they can always afford by themselves so I’m delighted Mitie have been able to step in and help here.”
“Positive times” for social housing in Wrexham
Thanks to Community Benefit schemes, over 60 apprentices have been taken on by council contractors, over 70 staff have been given full or part-time employment and more than £63,000 has been donated as cash or in-kind to organisations or projects within Wales.
Lead Member for Housing, Cllr David Griffiths, said: “We’ve had several records years of investment in housing improvement work in Wrexham and it’s very pleasing to see that so many local clubs and facilities have been able to benefit from this. Employment and training schemes have also been boosted.
“These are very positive times for social housing in Wrexham and this is set to continue as we see more work being completed over the next year and beyond.”
More information on Community Benefits and the Welsh Housing Quality Standard is available on the council website
Get instant news and info from Wrexham Council with a MyUpdates.
[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=”http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/user_register/register.cfm”]SIGN ME UP[/button]
August 25, 2017
Got a new idea on how to promote the Welsh language?
As the government looks at reaching its 2050 goal of getting one-million Welsh speakers in Wales, new and innovative ideas are sought to encourage more people to speak Welsh and promote the language.
It’s becoming increasingly easy to start learning Welsh, with a range of starter services for budding learners on offer.
It can also be a big benefit to businesses, helping them to build up their local brand and engage more with Welsh-speaking customers.
GET INSTANT NEWS AND INFO FROM WREXHAM COUNCIL WITH MYUPDATES.
But as technology improves and the opportunities and connectivity offered by apps and social media get better, there will be new ways out there of learning Welsh – and the Welsh Government is keen to support anyone who can help unlock their potential.
The government is looking for new ways to encourage more people to use Welsh in their day-to-day lives, taking advantage of new technologies and community activities.
As part of the appeal for new ideas, organisations are being offered grants of up to £20,000, which would help put make the ideas suggested into action.
As part of Miliwn o Siaradwyr/One Million Speakers push to get one million people in Wales speaking Welsh by 2050, the Welsh Government is keen to find ways of using new technologies to get people using and speaking Welsh.
Projects that offer new ideas and activities, take advantage of new technology or offer original ways of encouraging and promoting the language are sought.
Applications are open to businesses, charities, or public sector groups – or a consortium of any of them.
The closing date for submissions is Friday, September 22.
More information is available on the grant scheme at www.gov.wales/welshlanguage, or by e-mail to mewnflwch.grantiau@gov.wales.
Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Communities, Partnerships, Community Safety and Public Protection, said: “People are making increasing use of apps and online resources to learn Welsh – but there’s bound to be even more new ideas out there on how to make good use of emerging technologies, to the advantage of Welsh learners and speakers.
“Anyone who has any new ideas on how the government can get people learning Welsh should certainly get in touch with the Welsh Government and apply for the grant.”
Get instant news and info from Wrexham Council with MyUpdates.
[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/user_register/register.cfm”]SIGN ME UP[/button]
August 25, 2017