To Dinbych Cwrss Golf

A day off in Welsh countryside away from 3 computers, three of which will not talk to one another, one which will not use broadband. Their IP addresses move around like shuffled cards.
A lesson on networks needed.

Kate Forrester of The Evening Leader

Link Kate's Facebook (you need to join I think)

Postscript: Or now the Liverpool Post?

Concentrated Solar Power the neglected alternative

Link
Romeu
Solar Power Tower
Solar One

Penyffordd District Manifesto for May 2008

1. Compulsory 20 mph for outside Post Office and main "Route to School" roads.

2. Banning of HGV through traffic.

3. A 30 mph limit on the Penyffordd By-Pass that is currently 40 mph
This will limit road noise for village that sounds like we are situated next to the A55 at present.

4. Youth to better catered for with regards their leisure time.

5. The stopping of Chester Road being a rat run and short cut for outside traffic. The return of Chester Rd to a rural environment. We have a by-pass.

6. The upgrading of the road surface on the by-pass to the same as between Tom Jones' and Jones Garage. Less invasive road noise

7. Penyffordd Community Council and County Councillors to have a website and email address. These items are free from Google and are easy to use.

8. A 30 mph zone for Dobshill.

9. The realisation that The EU, WAG, FCC and Heidelberg want Castle Cement Padeswood to operate and we concentrate on stopping Castle burning cadmium, mercury, arsenic, lead and other nasty substances. Also to cut down noise levels. Castle Cement is clearing up its act as far as rogue cement dust and Welsh Environment Agency appear to be doing their job.

10. The pushing by Penyffordd County Councillors for a new village for Flintshire off the A55 in North Flintshire to stop green field erosion around Penyffordd. re. White Lion

11. The pushing back of the open speed limit on Chester Rd to Mrs Hibberts. The hill down into the village to be 30 mph.

12. The modification of Penymynydd roundabout to improve traffic flow (knock Tom's house down) joke.

Broadband blues

Things have gone bad this afternoon
No broadband
A light on the box says we have it another light says we are downloading uploading all the time.

This happened a bit yesterday but cleared.
This afternoon it will not clear. To the uninitiated it looks like a "denial of service attack"

Three machines cannot use the net. Do we go up to Maureen to retrieve any orders.
Not a good idea if we have a full day tomorrow........plus wine circle.

Good idea. We will ring BT help line.
All the normal stuff, reboot boxes and computers.............. Already done that

Two of their suggestions stand out.

1. Ring their 0900 number, no mention of charges till prodded.
2. Buy a new router, buy one off BT or buy one elsewhere.

About £60 for a BT one, plus no mention that BT may charge to look at non BT routers.

Standards have dropped a little.

Last time we had a similar problem but intermittent it took 12 weeks to sort out.

Undo lead on BT asdl router to Belkin network box, replace with a network computer lead from the back of the Belkin to a computer. This allows one computer to access internet through BT router without using Belkin box. Close down Zone Alarm. Voila! Internet connection for one computer.

A resetting of computers allowed through firewall required I think may solve problem.

Of course there are lots of people out there who cannot work this sort of thing out which is why the technical help dept at PC World is 10 times as long as the sales checkout.

Postscript. In the end its a less lethal variation of where HAL in Kubrick's 2001 won't let Dave back into the space ship.
The firewall decides its time to stop talking to the other computers and the ADSL modem.
No reason given or settings altered.

Its gone 9.00pm but...............

Click here

Flintshire County Council ex auditor payout.

Click here

Andy Sutton.

Mold to get £46,000 from WAG for Environment

Click here

My comment at the bottom.

An email to Inspector Alun Oldfield of North Wales Police

cc. Local Councillors, FCC, The Evening Leader and Politicians.

Dear Alun,

After my declaration last week to keep quiet with regards speeders and politicians. (click here)

I find I am drawn to defend myself and also to speak out with regards agricultural vehicles.

A letter I have had published in The Evening Leader today is a hangover from last week

when a "planted letter" was published in The Evening Leader to rubbish me.

I am delighted The Evening leader gave me a right to reply.

I welcome many more like this.

This is the full version, the Brigadoon bit was funny.

http://penyffordd-district.blogspot.com/2007/10/letter-against-my-speeding-campaign-in.html

An edited version has appeared in tonight's Leader.

Perhaps FCC will correct my figures through The Evening Leader?

The tractors tearing through the village has also been an issue with me for a year.

This week we had what appeared over 100 journeys through the village centre in one day finishing after 9.00 pm.

I realise they have pressure but we are a village centre

The wheel falling off a perfect opportunity to publicise this continuing madness. (click here)

They charge through the village at their maximum speed.

There is a possibility I will be in The Evening Leader tomorrow also

regards Colin Hughes

It's not personal

I introduced myself to GNI Jones on Friday. The Clerk to Penyffordd Community Council. Nigel is a very nice chap even if he keeps an untidy notice board for the community council. Would I have got a better response if I had introduced myself to Nigel when making my initial complaint about 8 months ago?

There seems to be this blind spot deliberate or other wise with regards my issue. I have found it strange since the start that apart from a couple of councillors no one thinks it an issue.

Its only personal in the respect that I am in people's face until it is sorted. The village centre trashed at present.

A Letter from Airbus with regards my issues with traffic in Penyffordd

The letter has been cropped and shrunk as this size image can run up .75 of a megabyte.

Click Image to read

Gemini Sunbed Hire - Wrexham - Chester - Flintshire - Denbighshire - Ellesmere Port

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Sunbeds are retubed with brand new tubes so bed is like new from a tanning power perspective.



Telephone Lisa on 01244 548063
You may get diverted to message but we will get back.

Email halx44@hotmail.com or lisa.harding@btconnect.com

Mobile or Text 0773 4052 779

Seasons are flexible depending on weather and demand.
Due to the high costs of transport an extra fee may be required for delivery

We deliver to Chester, Wrexham and Ellesmere Port
Along parts of the A55 corridor in North Wales

We do not hire stand ups sorry.

Keywords: sunbed hire, ultra violet tubes, sunbeds,, home hire, tanning, retubes, suntan tubes, domestic, 8 tube, Philips
UVA, UVB, buy, purchase, second user, previously owned.

The Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010 (Wales) Regulations 2011 states that to use or buy a sunbed you must be over the age of 18. 

The Centre for Alternative Technology

To Machynlleth

Click Image

Wheel falls off Tractor entering village just before children leave school

Click image to enlarge

Why are we allowing dangerous farm vehicles driving at their maximun speeds through our village centre? A wheel such as this is capable of killing someone if it comes off a tractor whilst in the village. This farmers vehicles require a safety check.


Penyffordd passengers forced to stay on bus for maybe 30 - 45 mins even though the live just to the left of the photo. Bus driver would not let them leave bus. Apparently some of the girls were dying to go to the loo.


It looks like they are putting the wheel back on that fell off the trailer whilst coming into the village just before junior school go home. These tractors have been hammering through the village at their maximum speed. Over a 100 journeys a day.

There seems to be immense pressure on them to do the fields as quickly as possible. They show no respect for the village whatosever. Just how much money they will make. The farmer who runs this operation needs to be brought to book before someone is seriously injured or killed by these reckless tractor drivers.

County Councillor David Williams has had complaints from villagers up the Vounog as well as myself. These tractors have been flying through the village showing no consideration for anyone who gets in their way.

They abuse the Highway Code with regards right of way passed parked cars. They appear to think they have this god given right to plough through the village.

Councillor Williams has also been cut up by the tractors himself.

Councillor Williams has made representations to Inspector Alun Oldfield with regards the farmers' employees conduct in the village.

I finish with the following thought. Why should farmers vehicles that use the roads not have MOT's ?

The First Passenger Flight for the Airbus 380

Click here

Built with the help of Penyffordd people.

Spon Green tries again

The Spon Green development is wheeled out again. Buckley Councillors do not want it. I hope Cllrs Colin Bithell and David Williams think similar. In The Evening Leader. Click here


Links My blog

The Cease Fire

A Suspension of Protest in Chester Road, Penyffordd

cc. Airbus, Flintshire County Council, Councillors, NWP, The Evening Leader and Politicians.

Today I have been to Mold Police Station for a talk with Inspector Alun Oldfield. The invitation was made by Inspector Oldfield.

I hope what written below is a fair reflection of the meeting

1. I have been told that some of my blogs may well pass over into a criminal offence. I have agreed to exercise restraint in future or face possible consequences.

2. I have agreed to suspend my campaign for a month. I will extend it to 8 weeks plus Christmas and New Year as an act of good faith. I will take down my sign and posters on my blog. I will not write letters to The Evening Leader (after this one) on the issue of Speeeding in Penyffordd village. (failed already couldn't let this go passed, look at tractor wheel above)

3. North Wales Police in partnership with Flintshire County Council, Arrive Alive and Penyffordd County Councillors Colin Bithell ,David Williams, Community Councillors and myself unofficially representing Chester Rd residents to work together to find a lasting solution to speeding through Chester Rd, Penyffordd.

4. Education is being futher carried out at Airbus (who do not admit any liability) by NWP.

5. There will be a collection of data and a program of traffic education forthcoming. I hope data collected will not involve any sight of fluorescent jackets by traffic as this will distort figures.

I still feel Flintshire Highways data collected in early May 2007 to be the most honest and the most embarrassing but will go along with the forthcoming collection of data by NWP and FCC.
Data is to be collected to satisfy North Wales Police.

6. Some of you may think that I drink and blog. I do not drink alcohol in the day for perhaps 363 days a year. I do not generally blog after 9. 00 pm. I am however guilty of blogging whilst angry at the continued wholesale disregard for speeding laws in Chester Rd. My frustration is due to the fact that I see speeding passed my house for almost every minute between 5. 30 am and 11.00 pm. My figures are rubbished but I am not that far out

In the future I will be continuing my protest against Flintshire County Council's proposals to allow 2 million cars, buses and lorries a year through Chester Road, Penyffordd after the developments of Warren Hall A55 exit, Broughton Park extension and Warren Hall Business Park.

Penyffordd needs to be protected from the above with an adequate county road network that excludes Penyffordd village. We have The Penyffordd By-Pass. Chester Road must not be allowed to continue to prop up the national road network. I mention Rossett as a shining example.

Penyffordd centre should be 20 mph, a village environment and NOT a rat run or short cut.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Inspector Alun Oldfield of North Wales Police for showing leadership in this matter.

Sincerely Colin Hughes

Penyffordd District.

A Visit to Mold Police Station

at 10.00 am to see Inspector Alun Oldfield. An update plus a caution?

A Website insulting Directors

Here's a judge's ruling on a website that insulted directors of Sheffield Wednesday, a football club to the uninitiated.

Click here

A Letter against my Speeding Campaign in The Evening Leader

The Letter

2000 speeders' a myth

NOT another letter from Colin Hughes about Penyffordd!
To be pedantic it was an article.

I've lived in Penyffordd since 1988 and agree with Mr Hughes
that it is a nice village.
I've lived here since about 1980. NOT a nice village if you live on Chester Rd.

However Chester Rd skirts the village and is not a rat run.
I've been under the impression that outside the Post Office was centre of the village and has been for the last 300 years. It is a rat run as well

It is an "A" road, a bus route to Chester and is approximately 600 yds long.
I think Chester Rd is one of these (Click here) a "non primary A Road."

Of this 600 yds, 100 to 120 yards is a 30 mph zone which to my knowledge
everyone adheres to. It would be suicide not to.
I think Chester Rd runs from The Millstone to the junction of the Broughton / Penymynydd main road.
The whole 600 yard length is 30 mph. Fact .Over 2000 cars are speeding passed my house

Driving to Chester as in The Evening Leader photograph
, once you reach The Lilacs, its a national speed limit zone.
ie. 50 mph for this road. So why oh why does Colin Hughes keep moaning?
Last time I looked it was 60 mph just to be accurate.

Perhaps life is different on Planet Colin than it is to the rest
of us villagers. If he wants an idyllic spot with no traffic and a quiet
life, may I suggest he goes out one clear and frosty night
with a full moon and looks for Brigadoon!
A village environment where buses, lorries and cars can do no more than the speed limit will be a start. A village road that is not a danger to horses, children, OAP's and villagers

I'll pay for him to go.
E Dale, Penyffordd

LINKS Brigadoon

I await with pleasure more letters of this poor quality trotted out by Colin Bithell's cronies.

My letter in return sent to The Evening Leader for consideration.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Evening Leader

Re 2000 Speeder' a Myth letter by E. Dale of Penyffordd

As I live on Chester Rd I am more qualified than most to comment on speed and rate of traffic.

Flintshire County Council have exact data for Chester Rd.

Number of cars, speed and direction for 4 days pre Meeting with Flintshire Highways in May 2007

If Mr Dale gets Cllr Colin Bithell to contact FCC they will tell him that 2800 cars pass

through Penyffordd everyday. To become 5000 a day after Broughton Developments.

I calculate at least 65% of 2800 break the speed limit.

Mr Dale needs to visit an optician if he is seeing all cars doing 30 mph passed my house.

Cllr David Williams who was outside our Post Office for the shiftworkers rat run today might

not agree with you either, nor other Community Councillors.

Thank you for the kind offer to pay for me to go. I'm afraid it's a bit dear. My wife has

half a million, I'll need another half for the move.

Yours sincerely

Colin Hughes

Penyffordd District

Postscript. I didn't look where Brigadoon was, very funny though Mr Dale is a little short on the actualities in most other parts to his letter

For the surveillance Political , Police or Media

Can this girl dance. Puts Michael Jackson to shame. My computer needs to load this before playing.

A Winston Churchill quote

The things we like are either bad for us or immoral.

Edgar Mills RIP

Torquil the Goat

This is Torquil the goat. He belongs to a Witch that Lisa and myself know. We went to see her Friday afternoon. She lives near Oswestry in Shropshire. Torquil has been stuffed!

I see more exalted company value village life

A lot more than my County Councillors Colin Bithell and David Williams.
We have about 3000 vehicles a day, through Chester Rd, Penyffordd soon to double or treble courtesy of Flintshire County Council.
The speeding figure for the day I think is near 2200 vehicles. I downplay the figures on my protest sign

In fact Flintshire Highways seem hell bent on making sure Chester Rd remains wide open.


It is time for all this trash to kept out of our villages. We have a by-pass.

The Link

My thanks to a friend.

The Letter in The Times Monday

CC Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom

Our beautiful villages, ripped apart by traffic

The fate of Selborne is felt throughout the British countryside

Sir, “At the foot of this hill, one stage or step from the uplands, lies the village, which consists of one single straggling street, three quarters of a mile in length, in a sheltered vale, and running parallel with the Hanger.” The village is Selborne, and the author Gilbert White. His book, The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne, written in limpid prose, is the fourth most published book in the English language and has been translated into many others, including Japanese and Chinese. It is widely considered one of the earliest “ecological” studies.

Selborne is in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is within the proposed South Downs National Park. That single straggling street has become the B3006, and, although no wider than in Gilbert White’s time, today it carries 10,000 vehicles a day, including juggernauts. There is a speed limit of 30mph and a ban on lorries over 7.5 tons, but both are widely disregarded. Speeds are often well in excess of 30mph. The pavements are narrow or non-existent.

Wing mirrors are a constant hazard. In the rush hours it is difficult to cross the road. The cottages, shops and inns on either side of the road, many of which are 15th and 16th-century and without foundations, are shaken by the traffic. There is a complete loss of tranquillity and the atmosphere that White describes as “soft” is now heavily polluted with petrol fumes and vehicular noise.

Priority is given to vehicles. Our children cannot walk to school unescorted. They cannot explore the lanes alone. They are limited to their gardens, and to the school grounds. Many are transported from the one to the other by car, including those old enough to walk unescorted. They have a limited experience of the countryside. The normal exploratory joys of childhood are denied them.

Related Links

• Birthplace of ecology swamped by traffic

Gilbert White is acclaimed as the father of ecology and by amazing good fortune the village, its countryside and the natural habitat that was his inspiration still exist. It could be argued that Selborne should be a World Heritage Site and protected as such.

We call upon the authorities to change current policy and protect Selborne and all such villages. This is to be done by ensuring that long-distance commuter traffic stays on the A-roads. With tranquillity restored and environmentally friendly traffic calming in place, village streets could become once more a shared space.

Dr E. M Yates
President of the Selborne Association

James Anderson
Former Vicar of St Mary’s Selborne

The Rt Hon The Lord Archer of Sandwell QC

Professor Sir David Bellamy

Vice Admiral Sir Tom Blackburn KCVO CB

John Britton
Chairman of the Board of Governors Selborne School

Richard Clarke
Senior Lecturer in Conservation, University of London

Maureen Comber
East Hampshire District Council Councillor

Major General Patrick Cordingley DSO
Chairman of Trustees of Gilbert White’s House & The Wakes Museum

Dr Philip Cribb
Former Trustee of Gilbert White’s House & The Wakes Museum

Phillip Dixon
Children & Families' Minister for the Northanger Benefice, Selborne

Derek Edwards
Chairman of the Selborne Association

Professor Stephen Goldsack
Former Professor of Physics, Imperial College

Dr Richard J Gornall
High President of Botanical Society of the British Isles

Roy J Hall
Hon Secretary, The Selborne Society

Professor Sir John Lawton
President of the British Ecological Society

Dr Caroline Lucas
MEP for South of England

Professor Gren Lucas
Former Keeper of the Herbarium and Library Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Richard Mabey

Professor Lord May of Oxford OM AC FRS
Former President of the Royal Society

Sir Derek Morris MA DPhil
Provost, Oriel College, Oxford

Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne MEP

Tony Pears
Rector of the Northanger Benefice, Selborne

Dr Owen Plunkett
Ramblers Association Hampshire

Professor Guy Poppy
Head of Ecology, Unversity of Southampton

Professor Sir Ghillean Prance FRS, VMH
Scientific Director, The Eden Project

Peter Russell

The Earl of Selborne KBE FRS

Tim Smit CBE
Chief Executive, The Eden Project

Philip Stott
Emeritus Professor of Biogeography, University of London;

A D Thomas OBE
Chairman of the Real World Learning Campaign

Mrs Sarah Thorne
The High Sheriff of Hampshire

Canon David Watson

Rt Rev Trevor Willmott
Sufragan Bishop of Basingstoke

Michael Wood
Broadcaster

Airbus' Notice to their Workers- a further email to Mark Stewart

The company have received a number of complaints over the last few weeks regarding motorists who have been witnessed disregarding speed limits in local villages. These complaints have been sent to Airbus UK as they allege that the problem is more prevalent around our various shift start and finish times, and that many of the offenders are Airbus employees. Whilst the company obviously have no jurisdiction over employees driving to and from work,and in fact there is no clear evidence to support these claims, safety is of paramount importance, and therefore we would politely ask all our employees to respect speed limits whilst driving in the local area. Many of you are residents all at Airbus, and examples of our efforts in the area of road safety have been to work in partnership and working to improve cycle paths and road access. As our site and facilities develop, we continue to work to ensure a harmonious and positive relationship with the local community. Your support with this matter would be greatly appreciated. Paul Mckinlay Head of HR, Broughton Operations Dear Mark Thank you for communicating with me this morning. I did not read Paul McKinlay's email properly. The two sections of Paul's communication to the Airbus work force in red are not of any help to Chester Rd, Penyffordd. If Airbus had any sympathy to the village you would arrange an undercover survey of your employees at times when you know they will be coming through the village. I can tell you where to park to see them powering through at 60 mph. You take personnel who will recognise your workers. It is ded easy to see they plough through our village. You discipline them for trashing our environment. You give them all a warning. The continue to work bit is just platitudes. keywords HR@airbus Postscript 2008 August. Airbus employees continue to trash our village with speeding vehicles with illegal modified exhausts. Mark Stewart HR Director refuses to deal with our greviences. Link Mark Stewart keyword: Semtas, Human Resources Director of Airbus UK, Euresas, International School of Toulouse, People Management Board of the Society of British Aircraft Companies.

Airbus' Notice to their Workers

TWB78/07 - Road Safety

By Paul McKinlay / Source: Human Resources

The company have received a number of complaints over the last few weeks regarding motorists who have been witnessed disregarding speed limits in local villages. These complaints have been sent to Airbus UK as they allege that the problem is more prevalent around our various shift start and finish times, and that many of the offenders are Airbus employees. Whilst the company obviously have no jurisdiction over employees driving to and from work,and in fact there is no clear evidence to support these claims, safety is of paramount importance, and therefore we would politely ask all our employees to respect speed limits whilst driving in the local area. Many of you are residents in these areas, and recognise these limits are in place for safety reasons. Health and safety is of paramount importance to us all at Airbus, and examples of our efforts in the area of road safety have been to work in partnership with the authorities to offer advanced driving courses for our apprentice population, and working to improve cycle paths and road access. As our site and facilities develop, we continue to work to ensure a harmonious and positive relationship with the local community. Your support with this matter would be greatly appreciated. Paul Mckinlay Head of HR, Broughton Operations

Don't Drink and Blog

My condolences to the family in the other Penyffordd who had a lucky escape when their son fell asleep after putting the chip pan on after a drink. They were all up stairs, they escaped, he didn't.
No mention of a fire alarm, we have three. I intend to put more in the house.

Occasionally I put things on the blog after a glass or two. Next morning they don't look so grand so I take them off. There are not too many people looking at the blog at present but it will shortly grow.

I hope for the village to have a managed blog where village matters can be brought up and discussed. There used to be a website for Penyffordd. The forum was an embarrassment to me.

I don't drink in the day. So everything I say is usually ok. My big fear is saying something incorrect when emailing my peers. The First Minister, The Chief Executive of Flintshire County Council, etc
So subjects covered are scrutinised and polished endlessly

My 2nd Protest sign against Speeders

Click image if you need to enlarge.
I've "photoshopped" the photo. The wall needed a paint, I've trimmed the hedge and extended the soil pipe to building regs requirements. Photoshopping became famous when a Reuters photo of Lebanon was altered to show an attack by the Israeli's was worse than it really was. Some sharp eyed blogger picked the alterations up.
I have a large list of jobs to finish off. Not sure what PC Chris Pullen thought of our house when he came around last night. lol

The protest sign is blue at night. I have one of those blue low voltage light ropes around the sign.
The vertical pole is telescopic. It's an old gantry affair for holding car wash jets. It was one of those bits of stuff that might come in handy. We are currently going through 2o years of this type of stuff. We have made £120 at metal we took to the scrap yard.

I have welded extra brackets for more signs. My County Councillor will be thinking I am making a fool of my self again.

I have a phone call with the lovely Kate Forrester of The Evening Leader booked for tomorrow morning. Also I have a photographer from the paper coming around.

Then its off to Maesdu to play Golf. To pay my respects to Edgar Mills one of North Wales' finest golfers, a lovely man whose memorial sits on about the 15th with one of the best views in the world. I will note the enscription and put it on tomorrow.

ps. I work Sundays............................

A Blog's view of Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom's call for Legalizing of Drugs

Please read the comments as well

Click here

This comment tickles

"What we could actually do with is a better set of narcotics. Something like a cross between alcohol, pot and MDMA without any of the side effects."

Further Comments from Harry's Place

"Legalise drugs, no thrill in taking, makes a legitimate profit and you can charge Vat and Tax etc."

"I think legalising drugs would probably have three effects: 1. A relatively small impact on usage (a few more people might use them) 2. An absolutely massive impact on organised crime, especially international crime (probably the situation in Afghanistan would be improved as well), and 3. drug taking would become safer (no hesitation about taking someone whose OD'd into casualty, less chance of buying dodgy products)."

"Finally, it gives the Afganistan government a legal market for opium, which then lets them buy in raw opium from their farmers instead of letting this feed into the illegal channels. Such a move would have a very adverse effect on the assorted criminal and terrorist gangs who use this trade as a fundraiser."

Chester Road Penyffordd that used to be a Village Road

An email through the blog to Colin Everett Chief Executive of Flintshire County Council.

Dear Colin,
Hope you are settling in well to your new post. As mentioned in my introductory email to you its no good going in at the top, its impossible to make your mark.

I see you have plenty of balls to juggle. A dilapidated housing stock, villages with no traffic calming or fed up with rat runs, we won't mention A494. I see your employees have the run of the roads. Two of your vehicles charging into the village last Friday at 45 mph approx.
There must be many other tasks, all that need money that appears not to be around.

The picture above is the tea time rat run the morning Rat Run is faster and stronger.

This is pre Warren Hall A55 exit, pre Broughton Park extension and pre Warren Hall Business Park.

I have just had a visit from PC Chris Pullen, as well as telling me about matters Penyffordd he asked how I was. I tell him I'm a little depressed.

Before you joined Flintshire County Council it would appear that certain plans were made for Chester Rd, Penyffordd.

The late Derek Darlington Flintshire Council Leader and County Councillor for Penyffordd was well aware of what faces Penyffordd from the three Broughton developments.
Our current County Councillors appear less up to speed. David Williams is still learning, Colin Bithell has no excuses what so ever.

Flintshire County Council would appear to be pushing millions of extra cars in our direction over the next 5 to 8 years. Flintshire County Council would appear to want Chester Road left wide open to help deal with all this extra traffic that is coming passed Penyffordd along with our By - Pass.

I find this objective disgraceful for a County Council. Our village environment should come before the national road network, we have a by-pass. Flintshire Environment should be challenging Flintshire Highways instead of being in on the plot.

Does Flintshire County Council think we are all stupid in Penyffordd?

There should be a policy for keeping our villages as villages instead of allowing all this trash through our communities.

Wrexham Council are light years ahead with traffic calming. Flintshire Highways seem intent on making Chester Rd the second by-pass for the village.

Over the next month I will be making calls on your Freedom of Information Dept.
I will try to get letters published in The Evening Leader.
I will be making written complaints against Highways and Environment. I have read the rules. If my complaints are not dealt with properly I will petition The Ombudsman.

Yours sincerely

Colin Hughes

Penyffordd District

LINK Derek Darlington

POSTSCRIPT: Another reason that commuters prefer Chester Road is that Penyffordd By-Pass is not "fit for purpose". This is BEFORE the three Broughton developments. Flintshire Highways need to rely on Chester Road to support their collapsing road network.

They have shafted Penyffordd with the aquiesence of our County Councillors.

Miss Dragonfly of Penyffordd District

Miss Dragonfly rescued from being "tits up" in the pond. Click image to see detail.

Speeding Protest Sign for Hedge

My friend's son training to be a Royal Marine

A Protest Strategy Re-alignment

That sounds rather good. In future I'm looking for larger audiences specifically Penyffordd and district voters. I'm three quarter way to finishing my protest sign which will be seen by over a 1000 people (perhaps) each day as they speed passed the house just like today Sunday.
Also all the people visiting the Chinese next door will see it, especially when I get it illuminated

This will attract a letter by Flintshire County Council hopefully, to remove said illumination.

It will be interesting if anyone responds to my request for a progress report through The Evening Leader letters page Click here. It's just about a win / win situation. I win if someone responds, I win if no one responds. The shock would be someone writing to The Evening Leader to say work is in the planning stage for traffic calming!

Penyffordd Traffic Assessments

The Late Derek Darlington 1 here

The Predicted effects on Health from burning Cemfuel in Kiln 4 at Castle Cement

Click here (pdf format) It is free to download if you do not have it

A letter from Ieuan Wyn Jones to Janet Ryder AM about my question with regards Broughton Developments and Penyffordd Increased Traffic

Click on Letter to Enlarge.

The red square being the important part.

A Letter from Janet Ryder AM with regards Broughton Developments

Click on Image to Read

The letter is cropped and shrunk to make image size manageable. Other wise
it would take minutes to load. This is a letter from Janet Ryder with a copy of a letter above written by Ieuan Wyn Jones Minister for the Economy and Transport for the WAG.

Bizarre in Chester Rd

I have been finishing off one of my half done jobs today, I have 100's. I changed the windows for double glazed ones. Whilst I was doing this I found that one of the windows was vertically out of position by 4 inches courtesy of the house builder. Since this would catch my eye forever I hacked out 4 inches of bricks and render. Today I have been finishing this off. I am also going to add a third layer of glazing to stop road noise altogether hopefully. Not sure about Arriva buses though.

I have just fired off a missive to Arriva. I have previously protested through my AM Mark Isherwood. The reply was along the lines of "well no ones been killed but we will get someone to have a look"
I've told them I will be petitioning ROSPA to rip up their awards.

The bizarre bit is this. During my repair of the window I have seen many many 100's speed passed my house.

The Agencies all know this.

The Police
Arrive Alive
My County Councillors Colin Bithell and David Williams.
Flintshire County Council

They have known for 8 months and Flintshire Highways much longer.
They just let it go on and on.

Little games.

To put my puny little protest in Perspective

Here is the master protester with balls of a Titan. Peter Tatchell last week turned up at a rally in London to support Palestine which he has supported for nearly 20 years. Click here.
His protest also gives me more strength.

Castle Cement in the papers

Mike Eberlin who is Managing Director of Castle Cement talks about the companies CO2 reduction with the introduction of the new kiln. Castle have been recently been found guilty for exceeding dioxin emissions to the tune of £99,000.

Castle Cement are always up for a good kicking around the floor at the Penyffordd Community Meetings. They are however investing heavy money to stop rogue cement from leaving the factory site.

I've never really warmed to the Welsh Environment Agency but recent prosecutions of Castle Cement have impressed.

The proof of this can be seen in next to no cement on our cars with the exception of 2 fall outs this year. This is a vast improvement on say 15 years ago.

What Penyffordd people need to be aware of is the emissions through the incineration of waste products. I read something some time ago to the effect that this type of incineration to produce substances like cement have less arduous emission regulations than an incinerator specifically used to burn industrial waste.
More research needed. Perhaps the taller stack will take stuff passed us...................

A Question through the letters pages of The Evening Leader

In the interests of Penyffordd centre village environment, myself and other villagers would wish an answer to the above question I have posed through the letters page of The Flintshire Leader. The question is addressed to Colin Bithell CC and David Williams CC. I would expect a reply within a fortnight. My County Councillors are of course quite free to write to The Flintshire Leader setting out current progress and future on going developments and their vision for Penyffordd village.

They might wish to mention whether they are for a compulsory 20 mph limit for the middle of the village and a road calming system to close down traffic that flies into the village and also vehicles that fly out of the village from the centre causing much noise pollution and danger to villagers, children and horses.

Their vision for children being able to cycle to school safely through our village centre. Also they might wish to discuss the exclusion of passing HGV traffic and the exclusion of through traffic that should really use the by-pass that Flintshire County Council built for them as a result of the caring community of Penyffordd's protests many years ago.

Chester Road residents would also wish to see pressure put on North Wales Police to prosecute our 2000 speeders a day.

Colin Hughes

Penyffordd District

Airbus win Fraudulent Safety Drive Accolade their employees continue to speed at 60 mph through Chester Road everyday.

Email to Mark Stewart Director HR Airbus UK

cc Flintshire County Council.

Dear Mark
I read in The Chronicle that Airbus UK has won award for ensuring that your employees avoid accidents travelling to and from work.
I see Flintshire Highways are in the photo also, who see fit to allow 2000 speeders through Chester Rd each day.
This doesn't square to well with reality. Your employees were ploughing through Chester Rd at 5.40 am this very morning at 60 mph.

A quadruple whammy this one. A photo of two council departments Flintshire Highways and Flintshire Environment that refuse to stop 2000 cars speeding passed my house daily photographed with Airbus who refuse to stop 100's of their workers speeding through Penyffordd village each day. Posing for a safety award in The Chronicle that refuses to comment on 2000 cars that speed passed my house daily.

I see the award is to apprentices. Surely this isn't the apprentices who race passed my house in souped up noisy cars from 05.30 hrs to 23.00 hrs in the evening. Perhaps again I am mistaken, they must be Raytheon.. Its hard to get registration numbers when they are flying up the hill which is still a 30 mph zone at 70mph.

The photo in the Chronicle to me is way out of order. The current behaviour of your workforce through Penyffordd a total disgrace.

regards Colin Hughes

Penyffordd District

The Cement Industry in The Guardian

Here is the dilemma for the for the global warmers. Cement production is not going to get green.
Click here
Just to get some focus on this issue. China currently produces half the cement for the whole planet.

I see our Kiln also replaces the production of 2 kilns at Ribblesdale Kiln at Clitheroe.

Dave Faulkner out and about

Click here

He's done Northop Hall and Holywell when are we having him in Penyffordd?

The Chronicle having trouble with Geography

Rant relief. The Chronicle continues to do howlers. An article by Mike Brennan in The Guide in The Chronicle doing a restaurant review. The article about The Griffin in Mynydd Isa. As any fule kno The Griffin shown is in Mold!

A reply to an email from David Williams

Hi David,

Apols for this one being less than 24 hours.

The reason for this constant bombardment is my continuing frustration that nothing is being done with regards to 2000 speeding cars that trash the middle of the village daily. Also no one tells me anything.

I am dissappointed at the moment at Colin Everett, I thought he might make a difference to "old" Flintshire County Council. Perhaps he is being stopped from acting by the forces of politics. I thought he would have extracted favourable terms to run this broken down council. Perhaps I give him too little time. Being in the private sector I can do things instantly.

Yes I have loads of time to do what I want. I have made it that way. Today I am playing golf at Conway the weather although dull may brighten up. I have also been lucky enough to secure work that is the best job in the world to me.

I will not be standing for County Councillor, I wouldn't get in. On the other hand I will not be standing idily by if Colin Bithell CC thinks an extra 30 mph sign, half a rumble strip and the promise of a flashy sign is going to stop the daily rubbish passed my house.

His quote at a community meeting " We have done all we can!" is breathtaking in its stupidity and ignorance.

He has no idea at all, or he does know what he is doing and he knows it is not in Chester Rd's best interests. It looks from here that he works for Flintshire Highways.

Penyffordd Village centre should be tied down. 20 mph outside the Post Office, no ripping out the village at 50 mph.

No flying into the village at 50 and 60 mph.

Our village should be a peaceful centre against this road chaos that is going to double and treble in the next 5 years.

Flintshire County Council need to be stopped in their ambition to keep Penyffordd in their county road network. I find their current non action disgraceful.

North Wales Police are not far behind, although I hope Inspector Alun Oldfield will make a difference.

kindest regards Colin

Penyffordd District.

An email from David Wiliams CC

I think he is on the case.
2000 speeders a day require treatment.
Colin Bithell CC sitting in his cul de sac oblivious.........................

Why Call for County Councillor retirement?

1. 2000 speeders a day through our village...........
They have no idea................... at all.

3000 people to see protest posters every day.

Does Penyffordd have the thickest County Councillors in North Wales?

This is a question at the moment. What other village in North Wales can Arriva buses thunder through at 50 mph. Airbus workers at 60 mph. Speeders over 2000 of them every day.
Also Flintshire County Council, ArriveAlive and North Wales Police annoy me.
I can however see some light at the end of the tunnel, not from any of the above though.

A Letter for possible insertion . Re - Rhodri Morgan Interview

Dear Rhodri,

With regards your Interview with The Evening Leader.
It's good to see that your heart plumbing is now flowing freely. Your arteries unclogged after your recent operation.

Perhaps it's only when you see unfairness that you turn to your politicians. Although initially indifferent to Welsh Government I now see huge advantages.
Cardiff being a lot closer than London and communication by email to all Welsh Assembly ministers and my excellent AM Carl Sargeant a few keyboard clicks away. As a regular recipient of my emails you are fully aware of the situation in Chester Rd, Penyffordd.

As you know we currently have the A494 on the operating table and Warren Hall A55 exit in the waiting room.


You mention North - South divides. We have a local North - South divide. Flintshire in the North, Wrexham in the South.
Wrexham have money in surplus and excellent creative traffic calming in their villages whilst Flintshire have no money and in Penyffordd we have no traffic calming. In many places in Flintshire we are fed up with unwanted traffic.

Our villages and towns are clogged up with traffic., Connah's Quay, Shotton and Hawarden. Penyffordd is not clogged up but as you know has 2000 speeders daily and is used as a race track by young people with noisy illegal exhausts. Northop Hall has a daily rat run similar but slower to Penyffordd.

A494 and Warren Hall A55 exit will release "more traffic and faster" to our unprotected communities which will give results that will be exactly opposite to that acheived with your heart operation. Our local roads have not been expanded as your small arteries have. The Super Highway and improved artery are going to put unbearable strain on our villages and towns

I feel there is justification for a one off payment by the WAG to be given to Flintshire County Council to restore our village environments. Our villages should be protected from outside traffic which must be forced to use By-Passes and A roads where available, compulsory 20mph village centres. Flintshire Highways to adopt the Wag's excellent Manual for Streets.

I would wish my AM Carl Sargeant to raise this important matter in The Welsh Assembly Government at the earliest opportunity.


Yours sincerely
Colin Hughes
Penyffordd District

Chester Road classification

Is Chester Rd a non primary A - Road?
Link

An email to David Williams about the continued Chester Road speeding

There are 3 "E"'s that traffic engineers refer to when discussing traffic calming: engineering, (community) education, and (police) enforcement. Because neighborhood traffic management studies have shown that often it is the residents themselves who are contributing to the perceived speeding problem within the neighborhood, it is stressed that the most effective traffic calming plans will entail all three components, and that engineering measures alone will not produce satisfactory results.


An Email to David Williams County Councillor for Penyffordd

Hi David,

Its Sunday afternoon again

Many 100's, possibly over a 1000 cars flying through Chester Rd at 50 mph

They don't live here, they just trash the place on the way through from Mid Wales

It's the noise that grates

We shouldn't have it for the danger issues and village environment

If I find out where Flintshire County directors live they may be getting a noise sample before long at 4.00 am in the morning, if things do not develop. I think its called civil disobedience.

A visit to the police station, a caution and possibly a mention in the paper

I don't need a CV, I have no assets either, I married a wealthy woman.

It's not a Police solution, although they have their role to play

It's a civil engineering solution

Colin Bithell CC has the experience but doesn't see the problem

He doesn't see Broughton developments a problem either

He will not like my campaign because I will leaflet every area of

the Penyffordd Voting area.
He only seems to wake up if Castle Cement is mentioned or the name Colin Hughes.
I hope he does not have high blood pressure.
I am getting the impression that Colin Bithell CC is a secret agent for Flintshire County Council
He certainly is no agent for Chester Rd Penyffordd.

I have also bought a very nice stencil kit for making protest signs today at the carboot sale for 50 p.
I will put them up Friday afternoon after the Council have gone home for the week end
One on every light post going out of the village and every light post coming into the village
Low effort and cost signs so that I can replace if they are taken down. A possible photo opportunity for The Evening Leader

Penyffordd are currently showing to have the worst County Councillor in North Wales

Colin Bithell was passed his "sell by date" 3 years ago and may be longer

I wan't you on the back of the Flintshire County Council Directorate

Dave Faulkner needs a call, our environment is being trashed

What does Colin Everett think of The Council's continued disgraceful behaviour?

Ask Flintshire Highways why they will not relinquish Chester Rd as part of their County Road network?

Is Chester Rd pencilled in for Warren Hall A55 Traffic?

What are the predictions of traffic levels for Chester Road Penyffordd AFTER

1. Warren Hall Business Park

2. Warren Hall A55 Exit

3. Broughton Park Extension

Ask them for the data collected when we had the meeting with Charles Hughes Head of Engineering.
Also what is Flintshire Highways current road classification for Chester Rd?

Why can't HGV traffic be banned from the village we have a by-pass?

I leave the above in your hands.
I would like a meeting with you when you have answers to the above off Flintshire County Council

I expect you as my County Councillor to do your job

It's a great handicap that Colin Bithell will not help you in your 1st year as a county councillor.

It is very very unfortunate

kindest regards

Colin Hughes

for Chester Rd Penyffordd, a rat run not a rural village centre.

LINKS
Road Noise
Traffic Calming for Flintshire Highways
A Living Street not a Rat Run

The excellent Flintshire Evening Leader

Just when I become bankrupt of ideas to keep Chester Rd in the news The Evening Leader steps forward with an interview with Rhodri Morgan our First Minister. Click here.
The weekend to polish my letter........

Colin Bithell CC and speeding traffic in Chester Road

I have complained for what seems like a lifetime (9 months). My wife has taken notes at each Penyffordd Community Council meeting. Special attention of course has been paid with regards my speeding issue in Chester Road. This should be an issue for Penyffordd village councillors, for the safety of children, horses, OAP's and villagers.

After October's community council meeting it has become patently obvious why we have 2000 daily speeders passed my house which is in the centre of the village. Click here.

County Councillor Colin Bithell is behaving like he is in the pockets of Flinthire Highways and/or The Road Haulage Association. I should qualify "pockets". I mean by the previous word some understanding or agreement.

Or he is just too old for the job and should retire gracefully?

I take no pleasure from what I am going to do in the next 8 months leading up to the local elections in May 2008. It is unfair to try to unseat an elderly councillor of not good health who has given public service for well over 30 years. If Colin will not see the issues with regards Penyffordd village environment he should retire.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So Colin you either change your ways or I become a one man party fighting for a village environment in Chester Road. I will be helping anyone who sees our village environment an issue. I have the determination, youth,technology,resources and time.

Please pass this to him David.

ps Also David will you please keep me up to date if Flintshire Highways should deign to get serious about traffic calming in Chester Rd instead of offering half token efforts.

An email to David Williams CC with regards speeding traffic

Hi David
A bit rough last night at the Community meeting!
Another day here today as normal. Chester Road a race track. I have been behaving like a county councillor today. A meeting at 7.00am with Inspector Alun Oldfield of North Wales Police. Then a 10.00 am meeting at Alan's Skips.

Do I want your job? No, not really.

There is still this problem of all this traffic. Flintshire seems to be plagued with traffic. Did you see my letter The Evening Leader published for me yesterday?

I have done a little report on last night's Penyffordd Community Council Meeting. Various comments throughout the meeting by Colin Bithell CC show a distinct lack of will in tackling this problem. Is he in the pockets of Flintshire Highways or is there a conflict of interest with his position on Broughton Community Council?

Mold have excellent County Councillors. If you click on the image you will see outlined in red a very good strategy for dealing with speeders.

Perhaps you and Colin can do a site meeting outside The Chinese. Saturday teatimes is good as 100's of shoppers charging through the village on their way home and boy racers zooming around the village.

Perhaps you can persuade North Wales Police to do an operation similar to Mold. I have all the intelligence necessary to advise on an efficient use of their resources.

Weekend traffic is another matter. Hundreds of thousands of holiday makers from the North of England who are used to charging up and down Chester Rd on the way through. Chris Pullen could make millions for whoever gets the money by just standing in Chester Rd at weekends.

It requires a civil engineering solution full stop or restrictions. Through traffic needs to be made to use the By - Pass. Perhaps you and Colin Bithell should have a word with Tony Sharps CC.

A Meeting with Alan Skips

Today I went down to Alan Skips to discuss their vehicles driving through Chester Rd, Penyffordd. I met up with Mr Neil Eccleston who is Group Operations Director for Alan's Skip Hire. Neil showed me how they keep track of their fleet of lorries with GPS and computers. He had this enormous screen with the Penyffordd Road network map showing if any Alan's Skips vehicles were in the village.
I presume he can keep tabs on all the divisions.

He has very kindly told his drivers to use the By - Pass if they are not delivering or picking up in Penyffordd village.

I thank Neil very much for this action and I will be emailing the recipients of recent articles by myself about the company to communicate Alan's Skips positive response.

A meeting with Inspector Alun Oldfield of North Wales Police

A very understated Inspector Alun Oldfield of North Wales Police listening to "yours truly" talking about traffic behaviour in Chester Rd, Penyffordd. I have told Alun where the best places are to get the speeders. Alun commented that villages across the region are complaining about increased traffic levels through their communities.

One of the measures he is going to pursue is the involvement of the Beat Manager of Airbus to educate the employees about their speeding through Penyffordd.

I pointed to the to the Penyffordd Community Council notice board ( Click here) to communicate to him how things are currently run in Penyffordd. There are some bright lights on the committee, we do however need some more.

Community Councillor Quotes

"If you're breaking the law, then you're breaking the law."
Community Councillor Chairman Stan Davies.

Penyffordd Community Council Meeting September 2007

A positive meeting with regards speeding in general but...................
The following was written down as Councillors spoke. I would say the words are verbatim.
signed Colin Hughes.

The following comments by Colin Bithell CC is why we have 2000 cars a day speeding through Chester Rd Penyffordd.

Points mentioned.

1. Colin Bithell CC . Calling me a vigilante. "Didn't like vigilante action of individuals"
If you did your job Colin Bithell I wouldn't have to be a vigilante.
LINK Vigilante WIKIPEDIA

2. "You can't have witch hunts of people" quote Colin Bithell CC during discussion about how fast cars are travelling through villages. Photographing speeders.

2. Colin Bithell CC. 20 mph " The sooner the idea of Penyffordd being a 20 mph zone is "killed off the better" Backed by a Community Councillor called Margaret ..........

3. Colin Bithell CC. "Staggered gateways into villages just cause trouble"

4. "The banning of HGV's is draconian. " quote Colin Bithell.
Quite alright if you live in a cul de sac like County Councillor Colin Bithell. I'm sure Colin is the councillor for the Road Haulage Association and not Penyffordd.

The bottom line is that Colin Bithell CC has either
1. Not looked at the speeding traffic.
2. He is in the pockets of Flintshire Highways
3. Does not see speeding as a village issue.

He really has no, no, no, idea.


Councillor Bell mentioned that the main culprits of speed are people in cars. If you stand outside the Post office you can see it. A gold star to Councillor Bell.

Community Councillor Linda Vidamour brought up The Evening leader article on "Operation Gabe" A gold star for Linda.

Community Councillor Cindy Hinds agreed with the enforcement of the 30 mph speed limits and 20 mph outside schools. A gold star to Cindy

A gold star for Cllr Edwina Davies who is a positive force on the Community Council

A gold star for Cllr Tom Jones for mentioning the spectre of developments of Broughton on which Cllr Colin Bithell remains curiously silent.

More flesh on bones shortly.

Any other Business.

Tom Jones brought up an item about a new fund for the youth of the village that could run in parallel to the Pen Y Group who are a registered charity. This new fund was suggested by David Williams County Councillor.

This brought about about a very heated discussion.

A Big Thank You to The Flintshire Evening Leader

For publishing articles about our local communities who are being plagued by speeding motorists.
LINK The Evening Leader

Also for publishing my letter in todays Flintshire Evening Leader.
LINK The Evening Leader

Lisa Holland of Penymynydd

Click on Image to enlarge

Lisa Holland, daughter of Anne and John Holland of Penymynydd.
Photo Susan Price-Williams of Camera Cat.

Ring The Evening Leader with your tribute to a loved one, special aniversary or birthday
Telephone 01352 707723 or email news@eveningleader.co.uk

Ned Sherrin RIP

Link

Are Flintshire Highways wasting Police Time?

CC. Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom

I have a meeting with Inspector Alun Oldfield of North Wales Police on Thursday. The basic problem is that Flintshire Highways want Chester Road left wide open. They want Penyffordd By-Pass AND Chester Road for their County Road Network. A pretty shabby state of affairs!

They have no consideration for our village environment and neither has Flintshire County Council Regeneration and Environment up to now.

My County Councillors asleep..........................zzzzzz

Flintshire Highways could have had this sorted in the planning stage within 8 weeks of my meeting with them.
Wrexham Council have their villages tied down, they do their work properly using a variety of traffic calming solutions creatively, a forward looking, responsible council.

Flintshire County Council continue to behave in a very unhelpful way to Penyffordd.
Lots of villages have advisory 20 mph limits in Flintshire. Why are they not applying any to Chester Road Penyffordd which is a major route to school?
Wrexham Council has compulsory 20 mph in all communities

They are a disgrace to the County and are wasting Police time on a matter that is a civil engineering solution.
Traffic needs to be stopped speeding into the village and speeding out of the village.

I think Charles Hughes Head of Engineering for Flintshire County Council should consider his position.