Wales - A Dependency Culture

Next time you hear a politician saying Wales should go it alone the following should be borne in mind.

20 % work in the private sector.

So in effect these pay for the other 80%. England and the EU make up the very substantial short fall. Statistics are available from the ONS, Office of National Statistics.

Penyffordd British Legion

This afternoon I bumped into Arthur Arnold who has a lot to do with the legion. I asked how things were going in the current climate and the difficulties Llay Legion is facing ( Head office wants to sell site for about £3 million)
He said the club is in robust health and now allows community groups free* use of the Legion. Many community groups now use Penyffordd Legion as a meeting place. This is good news for Penyffordd residents.

* non business use

Followed by idiot No2

Wales' carbon emissions drop 15% over past five years. (The green brigade reckon the news below is good)

"Welsh environmentalist Gordon James said the recession is likely to be playing a big role, with businesses shutting and individuals aiming to cut back on energy and vehicle fuel bills."

"He added: “Another reason carbon emissions seem to be going down is we’ve exported so much of our manufacturing to China."

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Yes, Gordon so what are all our youth going through universities going to do? Sheep farm?

Link http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/09/16/wales-carbon-emissions-drop-15-over-past-five-years-91466-29431118/ 

One presumes non of these environmentalists (muppets) has a proper job in the private sector that pays for ALL the public sector. I'm all for having a green and pleasant land but we do after all have to eat. Whose going to pay for
all the kids iPhones?

Wrexham Industrial Estate has an embarrassing amount of space for sale or rent. Warren Hall Business Park down the road hasn't started yet. The WAG will have to bribe someone like Moneysupermarket to go there.

Times are hard and will be for some time.

Brass neck of gargantuan proportions from the architect of our current economic woes

Gordon Brown fears euro crisis worse than Lehman as 1930s beckon.

Links Telegraph  (read the comments section, someone calls him "McBust" )

You couldn't make this up.........................

""The European banks as a whole are grossly under-capitalised: they have liabilities far in excess of American banks. We have now got the inter-play with sovereign debt because we socialised the liabilities," he said.

 "It has morphed into a sovereign debt crisis, and is more serious than 2008 because governments then could intervene to sort of out banks. Now both banks and governments have problems," he said."

Memory

Can you remember what you did and said on a certain day two years ago? I have trouble with last week or even half an hour ago. It does however depend on subject matter. Cllr Arnold Woolley who has been castigated for keeping detailed notes on a daily basis has been having a little trouble. The Labour led Welsh Assembly Government must be loving this.
As a tool the Public Services Ombudsman is perfect to keep councillors in their place. Especially non Labour.

Link http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2011/09/16/flintshire-council-leader-arnold-woolley-accused-of-lying-to-tribunal-55578-29431696/

Klaus also thinks the Ombudsman a good idea. Alex Aldridge and the fragrant Carolyn Thomas are fed up with him so are thinking of complaining to the WAG.
Klaus says he will be loosing no sleep.

http://www.flintshirechronicle.co.uk/flintshire-news/local-flintshire-news/2011/09/15/flintshire-councillors-call-for-investigation-into-behaviour-of-klaus-armstrong-braun-51352-29421724/ 

Crash Central Penyffordd District

FIVE people including a child were treated by paramedics after a two-car collision in Padeswood.

The carnage goes on. Seems its alright with the authorities. It's not alright with those affected. The behaviour considered acceptable by Flintshire Highways and our politicians.

http://www.flintshirechronicle.co.uk/flintshire-news/local-flintshire-news/2011/09/12/woman-cut-from-car-after-crash-in-padeswood-51352-29406183/

The Millstone

Has reopened. Staff are required.

Important news – we’re updating your BT Business Total Broadband service

Honest they are!
They say there may be a few minutes disruption.
That won't be anything new our broadband can go off many times in a day requiring a modem reset.

I think we are getting faster speeds. I think it applies to Buckley exchange 01244 of which half of Penyffordd is connected. The other half are 01978.
Perhaps it applies to business lines?

Date of upgrade 3rd October.

For the best possible broadband speeds and experience, we recommend using a router or modem that's been built or upgraded specifically for ADSL2+ (for example BT-supplied equipment such as the BT Business Hub or the Voyager 220).

Flintshire Town centres the future

"TOWN centre chiefs say action must be taken to help struggling town centres before it is too late.

The call comes after Flintshire Council announced it is to carry out major health checks on its eight town centres – Mold, Flint, Holywell, Connah’s Quay, Shotton, Queensferry, Saltney and Buckley."

Link  http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2011/09/13/call-for-action-in-flintshire-town-centres-55578-29410360/ 

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It is too late. What can a council do to stop people not spending money on local high streets. In effect nothing.
Rates are too high, the business model of a bricks and mortar shop is not sustainable. For example I needed an inner tube for the gate. Its a heavy gate it's got wheels. Ebay click, click, click ordered and paid for. The inner tube will arrive today by first class post.

On the broader front, goods are going up in price, people are not spending over job security fears. They are paying off money they borrowed against their houses which was an ill advised folly of enormous magnitude.

I have watched change of behaviour at Chirk carboot sale over the last 4 years. People are even being careful there over spending a pound.

Public service unions promising strikes may find they will come unstuck this winter. They will only hurt those who need help.

We are fed up of paying for you all, get real

What is required is a low tax economy. Governments of either side have milked the golden goose dry. Now you will reap what you have sowed. I watch from the side lines.

234 houses continued

At the July meeting ( ratified September) Cllr Stan Davies opined that the above could take over 10 years to build at 25 houses per year.
In my opinion this is good news. Cllr David Williams continues to play hardball over the design of the development from the sewers to the number and function of units built. This is to be commended. Cllrs Tom Jones and Colin Bithell seem ideal councillors for developers, an easy push over which explains why Penyffordd has few recreation facilities when considering its size.

If council minutes were digital I would quote TEJ and CB ( who represent the "sheet of 10" ) verbatim. This is still some way off. It's done on purpose. Perhaps I'll get Lisa to type it out so you can see what a wet CB is. CB needs to remember he represents Penyffordd not the developer. PCC should vigorously back David.

I think they are more keen to see him come unstuck and for that matter Cllr Cindy Hinds. Local politics rearing its ugly head again?

We need more councillors like David Williams. ( that will not go down well in many quarters)

Mark Tami or David Hanson?

Will that be the choice?

Link http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/09/13/labour-warns-plans-to-cut-welsh-mps-will-cause-massacre-of-community-links-91466-29414384/

A big thank you to walkers in Cefn Lane, Bagillt

whose presence of mind helped a distraught wife. Trolley the dog whilst on his weekly run around decided to go awol. The walkers far more attractive than running around with other dogs at the farm.

They rang the mobile number on the tag on his collar. Silly dog ( what's the problem) reunited with part time family in twenty minutes. (that's after I had to rugby tackle him as he wasn't wanting to go back on the lead.)

Would you like a Penyffordd Allotment?

 

growing strawberries vertically

David my favourite councillor * asks. Attempts are being made to form an allotment society. This is most commendable.

A large piece of land has been identified in the village for this purpose. Penyffordd Community Council are supporting the venture.

Perhaps one of our developers or Mr Hewitt who has recently sold land for 234 houses might wish to donate an allotment for the village ( plus a few football fields inc. all weather with lights?)

* actually he dislikes me

David's details at this time are 01978 762486 or dwillderw@yahoo.co.uk

Perhaps I could become a member without a plot?

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I am fortunate to have a large allotment at the bottom of the garden along with a polytunnel and greenhouse. Have started to build an orchard in pots. I have over a 100 strawberry plants. I'm aiming to have everbearers which crop from June to September. I'm also looking to grow them vertically to keep the fruit off the floor. I'm looking for automatic watering for everything which currently takes about 30 mins to do. I've invested heavily in roof water collection. Current capacity is near 3000 litres. (that's no misprint) Currently I have over 70 different fruits in the garden, many started from small cuttings which have some way to go.

Security is pretty impressive with large teeth and a very fast 0 - 60 mph, very protective of the property, with free roaming after dark. It's said they don't let go but they do eventually, honest!

postscript: Why mention security and allotments? I have had two targeted vandalism attacks against my car. You may think I imagine the targeted bit. The car has been vandalised in two different locations. We have little people who live here. They like to hammer through the village each morning. They stand against civilised streets in Penyffordd. Some councillors stand with them by their constant non action, their sitting on hands. Time to go councillors, your ideals are bankrupt.
Wrexham and Chester have 100's of compulsory 20 mph zones. Flintshire has one.
A neanderthal county who backs the speeder unless you live in Northop Hall. 

keywords: Neal Cockerton, Cllr Tony Sharps, 

Hanson Cement Dioxin Output

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-14883871

"Since 2004, measured dioxin emissions from the cement plant have reduced dramatically,"

Ann Weedy, from Environment Agency Wales, said: "As regulators of Hanson Cement, we prevent, or where that is not possible minimise, the impact of the site on the local community and environment."

Further work still to be carried out includes a study of the health impacts of environmental factors such as noise and odour.
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Penyffordd District says "What about Penyffordd Bypass noise? This is far in excess in quantity and loudness of anything put out by Hanson Cement.

Penyffordd Institute - current standing

Tony and Decima are "gone"

In the short term Treasurer John Martin is dealing with any booking enquiries on
(no longer required) ( see below )

This number will be removed when proper communication with Institute users ( I think they are called customers) is resumed.
Lets have a booking clerk of good temperament who knows how to deal with people.
Lets have some proper info on the notice board Institute Committee, preferably in ink that does not fade in the sun.

Will Chester Rd get revenge on the EU?

EU money built A55 Warren Bank exits. Chester Rd is used as an unpoliced short cut to the A55 even though we have a bypass.
We have been hung out to dry by WAG and FCC.
Our councillors did write a letter of protest I am told.

Greece is bankrupt. Will the EU fall apart?
Lets hope so. Just keep looking at the headlines over the next month. The Germans are fed up with bankrolling those countries that have lived for years beyond their means.
Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland and us UK.
The faceless unelected eurocrats have shown they are not up to the job.
Perhaps our AM's will loose their jobs too?
Perhaps the end of the United States of Europe without our proper say so?

keywords: Von Rompuy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herman_Van_Rompuy 

I have a kingdom

 

not too far from Penyffordd. The above photo is near a badger sett one of dozens I know. My MP Mark lives quite near. It is over 10 square miles in size and contains three small Welsh mountains, rivers, streams, woods large and small, fir and deciduous, a Roman road, demonic concrete gargoyles sitting on a wall. 

There are bridle paths and footpaths, quite a few local land owners have tried to destroy. Ordnance survey does not normally lie however. We also have our secret paths through woods that join up to the official paths. The above photo location might see humans once or twice a year. Idris a former local councillor used to plough the fields up here

There are ruined houses left to rot that would cost a fortune if planning was available. In the last century people used to die of cold up here.

A former chapel has five footpaths that converge to its door. Local people would walk miles across fields there and back to praise the Lord on the Sabbath. 

There are occasional visitors. The Bike Man a Scouser who has escaped the smoke and Friar Tuck who we think a secret naturist. Always happy to pass the time of day are they. Bike Man can be seen fast asleep under a tree in summer right in the middle of no where, not a care in the world, his bike propped up against a tree. There are the brothers who live on a hill, one an awful sad man who scowls if you park on council verges near his house. One the other side a joyful soul who has a dog called scumbag.

In my Kingdom foxes and badgers are left largely to their own devices. There are redstarts, peacocks, one type which are white, herons and Canada geese, ravens, magpies and crows, squirrels and rabbits, newts and toads.

At sunset you can hear owls and see bats. A large brown owl can be seen gliding silently over a large derelict walled garden built by a soldier exactly two centuries previous.  He would be proud of his legacy, huge beech and fir woods which he would never see in their prime. Perhaps less proud of the crumbled remains of his estate which has miles of delapidated stone walls which must have taken years to build.

During the day you can hear buzzards calling from the air thermals well above the forest. The roads are little used. Paradise and so it shall remain, a secret part of Flintshire that's much less traveled. 

Storm Warning

The forecast team at the Met Office are continuing to keep an eye on the remains of Hurricane Katia as it moves across the Atlantic Ocean. Currently the storm lies just south of Newfoundland in Canada, but it is expected to move towards northwestern parts of the UK through the course of this weekend, arriving some time on Monday morning.

Perhaps it will miss. 

Penyffordd Community Council Open meeting further

Apparently 30 kids turned up to ask for a skateboard  run. Another example of Penyffordd being at the back of the queue. Some chap wanted to know why we needed a tidy up man. He thought people should take their litter home! He needs to get out more and read the papers. Mervyn does a very good job.

Penyffordd Institute further

Former bookings clerk has removed phone number from Institute notice board. No secretary phone number available. No Cllr Tom Jones phone number who is chairman on the web.

Customers wondering what's happening.
Lisa has to go to the Post Office to take Tom's number off the Community Council notice board.

Welcome to Penyffordd 21st century. I offered to do a village website for free with free running costs. What do we get? An embarrassment with loads of dead pages. Come on David admit defeat. You haven't the time or inclination.

http://www.penyfforddcouncil.com/

How about putting Penyffordd councillors who hide their email addresses on David? Our conditionally elected representatives.


postscript: Institute vacancies may be premature.......... 
prevarication the order of the day.
Who was it who sung " When you see a chance take it" ? 
Stevie Winwood of course. 

The Millstone

Is shut, no lights on. Not open at lunch time either. Another one bites the dust?

postscript: Apparently they have done a runner. The pub is owned by Punch Taverns.
They are in a bit of a mess as well.
Taking on a pub in the current climate is in my opinion kamakazi.
The outlook for the medium term depressed.

The Institute - Situations vacant

Required -

Caretaker

A DIY background would help.

This position carries a remuneration.

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Booking Clerk

A willingness to work with people essential regardless of their politics. You will be required to bring bookings register to each meeting. Co-operating with the Institute committee will also be helpful.


postscript: I live across the road and am available for the caretaker post, will also do booking clerk job as well.

Penyffordd property sales

Property sales are slow .......................

69 Penymynydd Road £144,000
Penyffordd, CH4 0LF 1st July 2011

You can search all these sales totally free of charge by going to OurProperty.co.uk.

The reality - Penyffordd Cllrs are scared of upsetting the speeding vote

 

The won't ask Flintshire County for speed data for Chester Rd.

They won't ask North Wales Police to traffic police Chester Rd.

They won't ask Gosafe to stop our speeding morning rat run.

Risking lives for votes next May

A letter from Chief Constable Mark Polin to the Flintshire Chronicle over last week's cover story " Secret Police"

Letter from Chief Constable to Flintshire Chronicle
01/09/2011

I was extremely disappointed by the sensational and misleading cover story – “Secret Police”, Flintshire Chronicle.

To say that 99% of crime is not revealed to the public is not just grossly inaccurate, it is misleading. North Wales Police is now more open and transparent than ever with up to date crime statistics readily available on the website. Information is also regularly disseminated at local council and public meetings, on Facebook, Twitter and through local newsletters.

The Force has never sought to suggest that crime is lower than it is and to suggest otherwise is to attack the integrity of an organisation, the members of which strive hard to tackle crime where it does occur rather than become embroiled in cosmetic and distracting debates about how figures should be interpreted or not. To the contrary, the crime statistics we regularly issue to the public are full, accurate and audited nationally. I can assure local people that North Wales, including Flintshire, remains a safe place to live, work and visit.

I understand that local newspapers are under extreme commercial pressure, given that residents may choose to get their news from the many other more reliable sources available, including the North Wales Police website, which has on average 100,000 hits a month.

However, the paper and the wider public need to understand that we are not a news agency and we will only issue news releases when there is a policing need to do so and not to assist the paper in boosting circulation figures and income.

The basis of the Chronicle article appears to be that the editorial team are not happy because they do not always get what they want from North Wales Police.

Their apparent frustration is mirrored by our own regular disappointment at the quality of some reports which seem bent on unnecessarily scaring and unsettling local communities. It therefore came as no surprise to us that this misleading, no doubt attention grabbing headline appeared on the front page when the more thoughtful and insightful piece about how the Force is coping with the budget cuts was consigned to page 14.

I would also ask them to consider that in many cases the issues we deal with involve human trauma and tragedy and our first concern is always for the victim and not the demands of a local newspaper.

I would suggest that the editorial team needs to take time to think about their approach and to appreciate that what they may consider to be of interest to the public may not, from a police operational point of view, be in the public interest.

My final suggestion is that rather than waiting to be spoon fed by North Wales Police, reporters could, if they so wished view local crime statistics at street level through Crimemapper, an electronic database which is regularly used by members of the public. The information that was obtained through a Freedom of Information request, requiring a member of staff to reply, was after all freely available by reference to the website and arguably in a more useful form to a member of the public who might be interested.

I would encourage your readers to explore Crimemapper as I believe it is an important tool in assisting our officers and communities to understand where crime is occurring and to tackle it.

Yours sincerely,

Chief Constable Mark Polin

* published with NWP permission

Bannel Golf Driving Range

Bannel Golf Driving Range
Bannel House, Chester Rd, Penymynydd
Chester Cheshire CH4 0EN

Tel: 01244 544639

Open weekdays 10 am to 8 pm.
Sat and Sun 10am to 5 pm.

At the time of writing a small basket of balls is £2.50, large £4.50.

Golf Professional Tony Davies

Golf Lessons available

Direction Bannel Golf Driving Range

Do we need to get someone killed councillors

before speeding on Chester Rd gets onto the council agenda?

Speeding in Dobshill is on Wednesdays agenda. Would it be because of the recent death of the girl cyclist?

Is there more speeding in Dobshill than Chester Rd? You have no idea have you.
All you have is lies from Gosafe and Flintshire Highways who even lie to North Wales Police over speeding levels in Chester Rd.

Cllr Cindy Hinds finds it very difficult in deed to say there is speeding in Chester Rd on her newsletter. Not sure what Cllr David Williams' newsletter says can never find one.

Five years on cllrs since I was informed by Clerk Nigel that speeding was nothing to do with Penyffordd Community Council and so it remains so. Traffic still hammers through the village every morning. What gives these drivers the right to speed through our community?

Your continued ignoring of speeding in Chester Rd shows you have little interest in the welfare of children, OAP's and residents environment.

You fail to press Gosafe or North Wales Police to take action. Most of you should be gone come the next local elections. Not fit for purpose.

Postscript: As Penyffordd cllrs you continue to shoot yourselves in the foot collectively. My account remains the only on line statement of what happens in Penyffordd. Your future relatives will wonder what you were all playing at. Having a bypass and allowing HGV and through traffic to hammer through the village when ever they want. All named and shamed.

Further postscript: An elderly lady in the post office says she nearly got run over earlier in the week.

Road safety measures

KEEPING children, pedestrians and others safe is a top priority for one council.
No not Penyffordd it's not even on the horizon. A previous attempt to slow traffic down by getting grant money was quietly dropped.

Speeders ignore our lollypop man everyday cllrs.
Penyffordd Council, no vision just a village that's a speedy short cut to everywhere.

It doesn't help having a philistine dept such as Flintshire Highways who are pro speeding and HGV in Penyffordd.

Denbighshire is due to submit an application for Safe Routes in Communities funding for the town.

Safer routes, what are those?

Link http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2011/09/05/road-safety-measures-for-bodelwyddan-55578-29363209/

Back to school

Colin the lollypop is back on duty. Traffic increases, being more frenetic as children are ferried to school. It takes my wife 10 minutes longer waiting in vehicles queues to get into Chester during school term.

Favourite Dish has a Health Warning

Apparently it's official. I only have one every now and again and it's from the Bengal Dynasty who use top quality ingredients. Once a week I have lunch at someone's house. The food tastes rubbish even though a lot of care is taken in preparation and variety. The reason why is that no salt is added to ingredients during the cooking stage. The salt is hidden away because hubby has heart issues and is on a low salt diet.

The chicken tikka  masala sauce at the Bengal is divine.

Link http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/foodanddrinknews/8737535/Takeaway-meals-contain-entire-days-fat-or-salt-allowance.html

Bank of America - local employer - further

A couple of weeks ago BOA said its Chester credit card operation was up for sale.
Local politicians went through the " we are very concerned bit" but in reality they will be able to do nothing whatever BOA decides.

I'm a regular reader of The Slog. Below he covers BOA. It would be fair to say things are not looking very good. Some slight profanity, lots of financial stuff. Bottom line they are in big trouble.

Link http://hat4uk.wordpress.com/2011/09/03/crash-2-why-bank-of-america-looks-a-prime-candidate-for-failure/

The comment by DaninSpain at the bottom particularly grim.

postscript. I should add that John Slogs middle name for some is " doomster" lol

Dog walkers should be more aware of cattle

Our bull terrier would love to chase cows. Perhaps its got something to do with the name of the breed...... Another fatality this week. The changeover to farmers breeding more continental breeds part of the issue.

We have just about given up walking in fields with cows in. The last time we got chased over a hill by 20 bullocks. They thought it was great fun as did the dogs.

Farmers have a duty of care to walkers. It can cost them dearly. Precedents have been successfully set in the law courts where injuries to walkers have happened.

Link The Telegraph

Penyffordd Bypass accident further

Link
http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/105802/family-speak-of-fears-for-their-horror-crash-son.aspx

According to Wxmgirl in the comments the car involved in the accident swerved to avoid another vehicle. This is the driver NWP want to interview.

Bacon sandwiches for Alison?

In the Daily Post

Cllr Carol Ellis of Buckley - Welcome to the real world.

Buckley councillor Carol Ellis said she would be raising the issue at the town’s next police liaison meeting.

"I can’t see the reasoning behind (NWP) saying crime is lower than it is," she said.

"We are not being told the full story and it is totally wrong.

"People need encouragement to come forward and give information about crimes and the media can be used for that.

Taken from here
http://www.flintshirechronicle.co.uk/flintshire-news/featured-stories/2011/09/01/99-of-flintshire-crimes-not-revealed-to-public-51352-29338518/ 

The excuses by NWP pathetic.  The corporate speak crap defending the indefensible makes you want to vomit.  
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Hi Carol
Seems you've stumbled on something.
Shall I tell you a secret, promise not to tell.

North Wales Police and Flintshire Highways continually down play speeding ( which is a crime to communities) and accidents in Flintshire which are of epidemic proportions. Former Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom did an audit of Penyffordd when we had about 2000 vehicles  a day breaking the speed limit on Chester Rd. He forgot to mention speeding in his 2 inch thick report which Penyffordd cllrs liked because speeding doesn't really exist.
Flintshire Highways and their Gosafe representative have speed data for Chester Rd Penyffordd for May 2007. It's been continually refused even when asked for on FOIE's. Ask Arnold Woolley.
It's so Penyffordd cllrs can say there is not much speeding.

Flintshire Highway officers told our bobby that speeding in 2008 was 5% a day over 30 mph when it was really 34%. Our bobby told Penyffordd cllrs who were really happy with the 5%  so they could ignore speeding in Chester Rd. See Carol its me I'm mad making speeding up.

FACT. North Wales Police and Flintshire Highways continually down play speeding in Flintshire communities it makes their job easier. You will notice no roll out of 20 mpg zones in Flintshire that were promised. Why is that?
Sharpies all right he's got his speed bumps what about the rest of us who suffer daily?

Over the past 6 months you may have noticed NWP  bragging about how lots of crime is falling. As you know their presence on the streets is ghost like yet they are apparently performing miracles. Car theft down plus many other crimes.
My theory is that its an unexpected side effect of our current ongoing depression. Nothing to do with the police.

The bottom line is that public servants are pretending to do their jobs. It's got to end.

postscript. Why does NWP need a head of corporate communications on over a £1000 per week plus silly pension rights. I thought NWP were in the business of crime prevention and detection. One supposes they are needed for media cover ups.


Why do NWP need diversity personnel? This takes according to NWP 3.54 staff.
http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/61434/response/156930/attach/html/4/2011%20084%20Published%20Response.pdf.html 


Our political elite continue to show they are hopeless. Except for lining their own pockets. eg. Carl Sargeant AM and wife salaries £2000 per week.

and David Hanson MP former head of police well...................He takes the biscuit.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/5751247/Police-spending-half-their-time-away-from-front-line-as-paperwork-increases.html

Further Postscript. NWP have retired from any form of traffic policing in Chester Rd Penyffordd with the full backing of Cllrs Cindy Hinds, David Williams and Penyffordd Community Council. We have a rat run every workday morning.

A small part of the great sickness.

99% of Flintshire crimes not revealed to public

or Penyffordd either. Speeding has never made NWP crime statistics in Penyffordd which suits  Penyffordd councillors. They are collectively like the three monkeys.
Hear no speeding, see no speeding etc. What morning rat run?

Well done Flintshire Chronicle  for raising this important issue.

NWP is run by blockheads.

Read the pompous reply by North Wales Police’s head of corporate communications Sue Appleton.

Pure cow muck of the male variety.

Read in the Flintshire Chronicle 

Tutor offers advice to Flintshire GCSE students

Sharon Hughes, of Penymynydd, who runs Tutors4GCSE says she received numerous calls from parents and students who thought they would need to re-sit maths and English exams before results were even released

Read the full story in  The Flintshire Chronicle

Link   Tutors4GCSE

Penyffordd Community Council Meeting 7th September 2011

Open Meeting.  For the rest of the year you can say nothing unless asked if you attend community council meetings. On Wednesday at 6.00 pm until 6.30pm you have your chance to question Penyffordd councillors.

Last year I asked why various community councillors hid their email addresses from me. It's not against the law advised Cllr Colin Bithell. It may not be against the law Colin but its against he spirit of being a community councillor. Its a symptom of the sickness by the "sheet of 10"

Cllrs Linda Vidamour, Cindy Hinds and David Williams freely give out their email addresses. The other nine either hide their email addresses or do not have a computer.

North Wales Police catch 589 speeders in week on A55, A470 and A483

but still won't go anywhere near our daily rat run. Sorry to be repetitive it happens every work day morning, councillors don't care. I'm going to put a sign up so 3000 motorists who come through here very day can see it.

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2011/09/01/north-wales-police-catch-589-speeders-in-week-on-a55-a470-and-a483-55578-29340721/

Penyffordd Morning Rat Run

Each workday morning 100's of cars hurl through the middle of the village. They have the full support of all Penyffordd Community and County Councillors, Flintshire County Council. Mark Tami, Carl Sargeant AM Welsh Minister for Transport,  Arnold Woolley , Neal Cockerton, Chief Constable Mark Polin and North Wales Police Authority.

Councillors Tom Jones, Colin Bithell, Linda Vidamour, David Williams, Cindy Hinds, Margaret Jones, Stan Davies, Edwina Davies, John Bell, Jane Hopwood.

The above are part of the sickness which leads to death on the roads. No traffic policing or control equals suffering for some.

Next week Penyffordd Community Council  will meet as they have for the last five years since the speeding was pointed out to them. I believe it was in the vicinity of 2000 vehicles a day breaking the 30 mph speed limit. The speed data recorded is illegal hidden by Flintshire County Council and Gosafe the unaccountable quango.

The above recorded for future generations.

keywords: freedom of information act, FOIE

Car crash - Daily Post - The Leader

 

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2011/08/31/man-seriously-injured-in-flintshire-crash-55578-29332627/ 

http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/105802/family-speak-of-fears-for-their-horror-crash-son.aspx 

Two car crash?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-14713860

Further

http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/105770/flintshire-road-closed-after-serious-crash.aspx 

http://www.flintshirechronicle.co.uk/flintshire-news/local-flintshire-news/2011/08/30/north-wales-police-appeal-after-serious-car-crash-in-flintshire-51352-29328205/ 

Investigators believe the driver of the vehicle may have witnessed the incident which saw a blue Citroen Saxo leave the road between the roundabout at Rhos Brynia Farm and Dobshill and crash into a tree at 6.50am.

A crash in Penyffordd?

My blog log reveals activity.
Sirens were going before 8.0am
Tomorrow may reveal the truth.
You read it here last.......

Here it is
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2011/08/30/two-in-hospital-after-crash-in-flintshire-55578-29327428/ 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-14713860 

One of the consequences of the daily unpoliced race to work?

Welsh Education going down the toilet

Children not reading at aged 7.
What pray do they actually do in school?
Is it the parents fault for supplying duff material?

Children with attitude issues, no discipline?

Links
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2011/08/30/welsh-education-in-crisis-says-expert-55578-29324985/

Eric tells it as it is

Rules for them rules for us

Penyffordd a damp start. Sirens on the bypass. A victim of the morning race to work?
I read over the weekend that serial offenders of more than 15 crimes are still being let off with a slapped wrist. ie don't do it again or else!

Yesterday and over the weekend Penyffordd Bypass sounded like a race track with the sound of screaming exhausts. We have a morning rat run that no one will address.
Gosafe the quango in charge of keeping our roads safe are unaccountable.
North Wales is a race track at weekends.

Welsh Assembly Minister for Transport Carl Sargeant AM and his wife are on 100k a year. What does Carl do for this money.

Here's where some of our money goes. There is a sickness in our ruling classes. They just don't "get it". Read the comments section.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/8729962/Quango-bosses-double-their-pay.html 

Have a nice day.

Things you shouldn't do in public - excess drinking - especially if you are someone

No news in Penyffordd. Showers and getting slightly cooler. Leaves are changing colour Autumn has started.

Recently local employer Bank of America have been in the news over plans to sell their UK credit card business. One might wonder why a company would sell a profitable going concern. Ben gives the answer below.

Here's Ben Bernanke USA Federal Reserve Chairman holding forth. WARNING There is profanity. Whether it's real or not is another matter. It is however not too wide of the mark.
http://www.theonion.com/articles/drunken-ben-bernanke-tells-everyone-at-neighborhoo,21059/

EU countries signed up to the Euro are in a similar mess. Spain has a million new properties unsold for example.

Whatever happens in the Eurozone will affect us even though we are not a member.

Locally Buckley have announced a 10 year renewal plan.
http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/105673/flintshire-town-s-10-year-plan-for-makeover-unveiled.aspx 

There is a vast change taking place on Welsh town and village streets. Pubs and small shops will  all but disappear.

The trouble with British Education

Link Eric Schmidt Chairman of Google.

A Penyffordd Housing Estate with a view

Also you get free noise from the bypass.
Sounds like a race track come the weekend.

Penyffordd Allotments

Excuse barbwire. This is a small section of the allotment.

Police clampdown on speeders on A55, A470 and A483

 

"Chief Inspector Dave Roome from North Wales Police said: “We want to work with drivers and that is why we are giving advance notice of this week-long operation. Speeding is an issue that concerns many residents and one that we take extremely seriously."

No you don't Dave you do bugger all for Chester Rd. We have a rat run every working morning. Penyffordd Cllrs, Gosafe, Cllr Tony Sharps, Mark Tami MP and Carl Sargeant AM know this and do nothing. 

What about communities. What about Penyffordd Bypass. You can't get bikers with the van because they have no number plate on the front. What about all the illegal exhausts?

Link
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2011/08/23/police-clampdown-on-speeders-on-a55-a470-and-a483-55578-29284314/


postscript. Just seen a black Mercedes 60 plate overtaking three speeders going up our hill towards Broughton, still on the wrong side of the road on the bend. Scumbags really who shouldn't have a license. " Working with drivers", there's a laugh Dave.

I presume our rat run will not be policed because our councillors are too scared of the  speeders? I await our local elections.

A Model for Cllr Arnold Woolley Flintshire Council Leader

Not sure where this has originated from but it look good. Needs to include methods for stopping traffic hammering through Flintshire communities such as Wrexham Borough Council strategy.
Also keeping HGV to trunk roads.

This is a start though.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A maverick mayor elected after promising to slash council spending, clear the streets of yobs and ditch politically correct services is the torchbearer for how towns should be run.

On his first morning as Mayor of Doncaster in South Yorkshire , Peter Davies cut his salary from £73,000 to £30,000 then closed the council's newspaper for "peddling politics on the rates".

Now three weeks into his job, Mr Davies is pressing ahead with plans he hopes will see the number of town councillors cut from 63 to just 21, saving taxpayers £800,000.
Mr Davies said: "If 100 senators can run the United States of America , I can't see how 63 councillors are needed to run Doncaster "..

He has withdrawn Doncaster from the Local Government Association and the Local Government Information Unit, saving another £200,000. Mr Davies said, "They are just talking shops".

" Doncaster is in for some serious untwinning. We are twinned with probably nine other cities around the world and they are just for people to fly off and have a binge at the council's expense".

The mayor's chauffeur-driven car has also been axed by Mr Davies and the driver given another job. Mr Davies, born and bred in Doncaster, swept to power in the May election with 24,244 votes as a candidate for the English Democrats, a party that wants tight immigration curbs, an English Parliament and a law forcing every public building to fly the flag of St. George.

He has promised to end council funding for Doncaster 's International Women's Day, Black History Month and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History Month.
He said, "Politicians have got completely out of touch with what people want.

"We need to cut costs. I want to pass on some savings I make in reduced taxes and use the rest for things we really need, like improved children's services".

Mr Davies has received messages from well wishers across the country and abroad as news of his no-nonsense approach spreads.

Now it's your chance to spread this most sensible way to run a town council.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Links  
Peter Davies, The Mayor of Doncaster 

Not plain sailing though 

No News in Penyffordd

The daily non traffic policing of our village centre continues. Gosafe a waste of public money as far as Penyffordd is concerned.

Why are HGV allowed through the village when we have a bypass?
Some of our cllrs are supporting local HGV business over village environment.
There needs to be a massive stand down come the election next year. Cllr Tom Jones and his cronies need to go. I offer Rossett village centre as the standard. Road humps and a 20 mph compulsory zone.

Back to the headline.................


It would appear the economy continues to slow down however. Shopping in Wales is down by a massive 9.2%. On Sunday I heard traders at Chirk carboot saying business is down.

Link http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2011/08/22/footfall-to-shops-in-wales-down-9-2-55578-29277730/ 

Chirk Carboot

An unusual item, an unusual stall. Old fashioned trunks and boxes for sale. Chirk Carboot are now charging for entry after 8.00 am, £1 per car. Still good value, the biggest carboot in UK?

Penyffordd Allotments

are coming along well. Quite a few taken. I'm sure Cllr Cindy Hinds will know if any are available. Seems to be a bit of sharing with caravan people over use of the land.

Targets met to cut deaths and injuries on Welsh roads

Propaganda through the use of statistics by North Wales Police in The Daily Post.
Performing miracles.
How many people killed on the roads of Flintshire in the last month? Is it five? The standard of driving on the roads is risible. Lots of drivers race around with no thought for other drivers, cyclists, horses and pedestrians.

You get pushed and tailgaited. Traffic policing is next to nothing. There is a free for all after 6 at night. Cars hammer through communities ( except for Northop Hall)  safe in the knowledge that police presence is non existent.

Gosafe are a joke. Why won't they police our morning daily rat run?
Bikers hammer down our bypass doing ton plus with illegal exhausts by the 100 each weekend. North Wales is a race track for them.

CBM's have retired from traffic policing except for media puffs.

North Wales Police  are a joke over traffic policing. The statistics are more likely an issue of social change due to the credit crunch. As far as traffic policing is concerned NWP just about retired from it when Richard Brunstrom took over. This has been highlighted in the local media by a former traffic policeman. "Decimated" was the word he used.

“Together with partner agencies we are working to identify solutions and with the growing use of pedal cycles we would advise cyclists to wear helmets, light coloured clothing and reflectors at night,” Insp Hughes added."

What about the idiots behind the wheel Insp Hughes?

The bullshit  is here in The Daily Post. 

postscript: Stay away from the A5104 Penyffordd to Pontblyddyn road at rush hour, it's deadly. The white line regularly crossed on bends by idiots who go too fast. That's from my wife who was there at tea time.

Goldfinches, Cobras and Polar Bears

Alison blogs, its a bit gruesome in bits. Flintshire education shakeup is discussed.

The best view of Flintshire County Council by a county councillor.
More cllrs should blog.

Links

http://www.alisonhalford.co.uk/2011/08/30th-july-4th-august-blog-cornerstone-community-in-bloom-and-cobras/

http://www.alisonhalford.co.uk/2011/08/8th-august-2011-not-a-good-start-to-the-week/ 

http://www.alisonhalford.co.uk/2011/08/schools-modernisation-plans-on-the-rack-16-08-11/

Penyffordd jobs at risk

Bank of America at Chester are moving out. Full story on Walesonline

Penyffordd to retain British Legion Club status

in The Leader.

The special meeting held very heated. One presumes not being affiliated to the British Legion saves money or is it about being a  British Legion?
Special meetings normally require a proposer and  a number of seconders.

Welsh MP's and AM's have no pride in North Wales

Why is it that every weekend N Wales is used as a race track by bikers with illegal exhausts?

Many 100's of bikers scream along Penyffordd Bypass and many other roads in N Wales.

Carl Sargeant AM, Mark Tami MP and Mark Isherwood AM - guilty. Why do we pay them, they just talk.

The Welsh Assembly Government wants more powers. The above to me proves they are not fit for purpose.

A sad end

Anne Davies, 65, whose family live in Penyffordd near Mold, died in May this year, following the accident outside the Tesco store at about 2.40pm on December 19 last year.
Anne's husband who had been unwell also died whilst she was in hospital.

Link Flintshire Leader 

Penyffordd this morning

Autumn has temporarily arrived
HGV taking short cut through the village
As do a 1000 outside motorists each day
An extra 1000 vehicles a day through Chester Rd come the extra 234 houses
at Wood Lane Farm.

The Welsh Assembly  / Flintshire Highways plan for Chester Rd working fine.
We have been betrayed, stuffed by the above.

How many of our Penyffordd councillors sat on their hands?
Time to go councillors, not fit for purpose.

Why are we in this mess?

So sayeth The Slog

After 1959, small business, communities, educational standards, life balance, responsible local government, families, marriage, judicial openness, personal responsibility, manufacturing, creativity, meritocracy, the rule of law, legislative power balance, infrastructural investment, and sound fiscal practices were all eroded and gradually undermined.

At the same time, unrestrained immigration, bigoted gender politics, illiberal political agendas, government secrecy, administrative careerism at the expense of the nation, undemocratic Cabinet Government, credit consumption and process at the expense of creativity were all encouraged.

Why is anyone surprised that, as I write, Treasury insolvency, ineffectual armed forces and police, privacy invasion, barely literate looters, banking irresponsibility, four kids by three mothers, self-pitying loafers, unaccountable Ministers, vast inequities of wealth, desperation, violence, community degradation and economic stagnation dominate our media?

The blame can be pinpointed with three succinct words:  
the political class.



Link The Slog

postscript Melanie Phillips enough said.

Similarities

Traffic currently hammering through the village as it does every work day. Trouble in UK cities (less than 30 miles away) . Liberalism of law from community councillor all the way up to the prime minister.
Soft policing , soft punishments, politicians to blame red, blue, yellow and white.

As you sow so you shall reap.

Broadband Blues

It's been tough. 30 hours without proper internet ( Blackberry only). Service has now been resumed. Thank you BT.

Penyffordd and Hope - Sport

Although separate have various commonalities. We use their health clinic we haven't got one. Our children go to Castell Alun for secondary education. I presume we use their sports facilities as we have none. Our Penyffordd Cllr Tom Jones is a school governor.

Hope County Councillor Tim Newhouse is trying to improve certain Hope sporting facilities which are described in the Flintshire Chronicle as a slum in "School Slum Row" on the back page of the Flintshire Chronicle ( article not currently online)

Tim wants improvements to the sports pavillion. Castell Alun management are being bloody minded refusing parking for cricket, rugby and football. Also they are against the scale of his sporting ambitions for the community.

Tim knocked Cllr Sam Shone off his perch at the last local elections. As a result the old establishment of Hope are not happy bunnies. So it seems they are quite happy to punish Hope sporting enthusiasts to get at Tim.

Lets hope Tim stands again and buries the old fogies further. Would I take a bet that our Cllr Tom Jones is backing Tim in his noble efforts to direct youth energies in a positive direction at Castell Alun?

I think not.

It took our local CBM Ian Millington to remind Tom that you need to make investment on youth facilities.

And Penyffordd football sporting facilities?  The locals might say dire. And who is this down to?

Links:
Flintshire Chronicle
Castell Alun School 

Gosafe ( Arrive Alive)

In attendance this morning on Chester Rd. Thank you. Lets hope this is part of a strategy to slow speeders down. August is a relatively slow month due to the summer holidays. Gosafe know this though. They also have the data on when most speeding occurs. It's not when they turn up at present............................

Dobshill fatal accident further and consequences for Penyffordd children

Alternative Title. Wake up call for Penyffordd Cllrs over village safety.


Quotes below from Cllr David Williams and Cllr Cindy Hinds who has campaigned for local people to have speed limits reduced at Dobshill. Have Penyffordd Community Council ever backed Cindy over this issue?

The facts of the matter is the spot where  the girl was knocked down has a very high accident rate. There are accidents at this exact location on a regular basis.

In my campaign for  against speeding through the middle of our village ( Penyffordd) I have come across plenty of foot dragging by Penyffordd councillors.

I am looked at as something of an oddball for wanting to live in a village rather than a speedy unpoliced short cut for to Airbus, A55 and Broughton Retail Park. Perhaps this fatality will convince local councillors that village safety is of importance.

Living here I see young children cycling across Chester Rd with no thought for their own safety. At the end of the day Tom there is more than being "seen to do the right thing" you actually have to do it!

You lot have sat there for the last 5 years ignoring speeding through the village for the best part. No pushing of North Wales Police or Gosafe. No pushing for a 20 mph zone through the middle of the village. If you had anything about you you would have demanded data held by Flintshire County Council on speeding through the village. You're function is to prevent accidents rather than quote after events.


It should be noted that Mark Tami MP and Carl Sargeant AM have consistently sat on their hands with regards safety on Chester Rd, Penyffordd. Politics being part of the reason.

The "big picture" Carl is that a good percentage of drivers take no notice of children on bikes, horses or old age pensioners. They make no allowances for them whatsover. As Minister of Transport for the Welsh Assembly Government what are you going to do about it? Flintshire County Council ( Neal Cockerton and Cllr Tony Sharps) are currently doing a large foot dragging exercise  over 20 mph zones for Flintshire communities.

One final thought. Cyclists and a percentage of modern drivers are not a good mix the authorities should be banned from encouraging cycling on public highways.

http://iccheshireonline.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/tm_headline=girl-13-dies-in-crash-at-dobshill-flintshire%26method=full%26objectid=29156214%26siteid=50020-name_page.html

keywords: Cllr Tom Jones

Rethink needed over cross-border housing says North Wales AM

“It would appear that Flintshire has been ready to accept its role as part of the Liverpool City sub-region, whilst Denbighshire was never considered to be part of the policy.

Aled Roberts AM in The Daily Post

Cat fights, dirty politics and high principles

Alison Halford on the blog.

Link: Alison Halford blog

Family tributes to 13-yr-old killed in Flintshire road accident at Dobshill

Links http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2011/08/01/family-tributes-to-13-yr-old-killed-in-flintshire-road-accident-55578-29156867/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-14363283 

Cllr Cindy Hinds has campaigned for some years for a reduction of speed limits in Dobshill. When are Flintshire Highways going to wake up to the risks posed by a largely unpoliced motoring public?

Cycling, A roads and modern driving do not mix. It's time the public were told.

ps.  In 2007 there were 2000 vehicles speeding through Chester Rd, Penyffordd. You want proof? Ask Flintshire County Council. They won't show you though because its hidden on purpose. Time for FCC to wake up and smell the coffee.

All traffic doing the speed limit this afternoon

Would this have anything to do with Gosafe being on Chester Rd.  Many thanks.
The rat run happens every school work day morning between 7.30 and 9. Why do you never turn up then. Are Penyffordd cllrs against such action?

On the walk tonight near Bwlchgwyn

 

Found one of these tonight under a plank of wood. It's a common grass snake. It was about a foot long, darker brown than this one. It was all curled up but hung around long enough for Lisa to tie the dog up and have a look. The yellow band around the neck was very striking. 

Where we walk also plays host to the adder or viper. Black zig zags on the back. Best not to stand on one as their bite is poisonous and painful

Garden in Penyffordd, near Mold, to open to the public

Dove Cottage, Penyffordd, near Mold, will be open from 2-5pm on Sunday (July 31) as part of the National Gardens Scheme (NGS).

Link Cheshireonline

postscript. Apparently David Butler of Butler TV was on the gate, over 70 cars in the car park.

Perhaps yet another accident?

Dobshill main rd closed 4.15 pm today.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
And here we are, fast A road traffic and bicycles don't mix.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2011/07/30/road-closed-after-car-and-cyclist-accident-at-dobshill-55578-29145425/ 

postscript: Outside Dobshill garage where there are numerous accidents. Cllr Hinds has been trying to get this 60 mph speed limit reduced to 30 mph. As usual Flintshire foot dragging on speed limit reduction. It needs to be 20 mph for the muppets.

Road closed at Penyffordd after crash

also in The Daily Post

Speed limits to be slashed on Flintshire death roads

in The Daily Post

The question is who will enforce speed limits? North Wales Police and Gosafe have no idea, don't want to have any idea.
NWP have effectively retired from traffic policing but none of the media will report it. ( backed by county cllrs may I add)
We have a rat run every work day morning. There seems to be this god given right that workers can hammer through Chester Rd and many other places in Flintshire.

Why is this? Votes over safety and environment?

The A5104 between Penyffordd and Pontblyddyn is a deadly road. How many deaths do you have to have before Tony appears in the local paper. Flintshire Highways policy with regards dangerous roads needs seriously upgrading and who is going to police the idiots?

Also to be noted that you can't speed in and out of Northop Hall where Cllr Tony Sharps is in charge due to the speed bumps..............
HGV are also banned in Northop Hall where Chester Rd, Penyffordd is now a short cut for A55 Warren Bank.
I get the distinct impression Penyffordd has been shat upon by WAG and FCC over through traffic.

Roll on the local county elections.

Places where I fear to tread

The main letter in The Chron today is written by a friend. He discusses a subject I leave to others. He is very brave dealing with people whose values are medieval.

Cllr Arnold Woolley v Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh edition)

Press Complaints Commission - Read below.

http://www.pcc.org.uk/news/index.html?article=NzI1Nw==

A view of Hanson Cement

 

From outside the Spa. Quality of phone camera something of an issue. It's two houses on The Forge development with a car at the bottom.

Flintshire tea party raises £354 for Access to Counselling Wales

FUNDRAISERS put the kettle on to raise funds for a counselling charity.

Access to Counselling Wales (ACW) held a tea party at the Penyffordd and Penymynydd War Memorial Institute on Saturday.

Read the rest in The Flintshire Chronicle

Biker killed on Kinnerton Rd

in The Daily Post and The Flintshire Chronicle.

Leisure Facilities for Penyffordd

There was a special meeting held on 18th May 2011 by Penyffordd Community Council to discuss the erection of 234 dwellings at Wood Lane Farm.

During which Cllr David Williams stated that according to an Open Space Survey we should have a recommended minimum requirement of 5.9 hectacres for Penyffordd area. We currently had, he stated 0.85 hectacres.

Further in the meeting Cllr Tom Jones suggested  that the community council should not seem to be too greedy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

These two items taken from the meeting minutes suggest that Penyffordd community has for years been short changed by landowners and developers. Football is a main sporting activity in the village that has over 5000 residents that will soon rise to near 7000. As far as I am aware we do not even have a full size football pitch, never mind full size all weather pitches with illumination.

There seems to have been a long term trend for us to rely on other communities such as Hope, Broughton or Buckley for our requirements whether we are talking sport or medical care. It would be fair to say that if we only have a sixth of that normal for a community of our size that we have been far from greedy Tom.

Time to catch up David. There is pressure on the building trade due to the current economic circumstances which are most probably going to get much worse ( EU). Penyffordd  should take advantage for a change.

Letting the village down

Penyffordd has entered a FCC Environmental Competition 2011. We have entered various competitions inc Under 5000 population best kept village.

My hedges are currently wild and the gable end wall a mess. I presume speeding traffic is not on the menu. So does that make it a draw?

Congratulations to Ruth Purdie

our former village bobby who is now Assistant Chief Constable of Cheshire.
Ruth has risen high from humble beginnings.
Previously Ruth was Chief Superintendent for South Flintshire of which Penyffordd was part of until the recent shake up.
Ruth had no interest at all in traffic policing in Chester Rd which was about 2000 vehicles a day in 2007. It would be fair to say that she is not on her own. The list includes
Former Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom*, Chief Constable Mark Polin, Carl Sargeant AM Head of Transport Welsh Assembly Government, Mark Tami MP, Mark Isherwood AM.

* RB managed to do an audit of the village with Penyffordd Cllrs in tow that ignored the 2000 a day speeders. Did any of our cllrs raise the question.............

It may be quiet cllrs on the email front but traffic is still hammering through the village. It does every workday morning and has done for 5 years plus.

Zumba Fitness

at Penyffordd British Legion on Mondays at 6 pm

or Kinnerton Village Hall at 9.30 am.

Contact Laura on 07788120100 for details.

The "Forces of Evil"

as mentioned by Alison in The Daily Post

Penyffordd Air Quality

I have a copy of Hanson Cement Investigation Issue 3. In it a review is mentioned of fine particulate levels in local air undertaken by the Centre for Radiation Chemical and Environment Hazards ( Wales).

Data was analysed between 2001 and 2010 on how Hanson Cement had influenced local fine particulate levels. Fine particles are present everywhere and come from such sources as sea salt, dust from sand storms as well as human activity such as industry and road traffic.

Data shows there is a continual improvement around Penyffordd. The air quality report can be read here.
http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/888/page/49601


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think noise pollution of much more import to Penyffordd. Noise from the bypass. Noise from speeding traffic in the village. There is also emissions from traffic on the bypass. These are largely ignored by our older political leaders. Perhaps its because they live in cul de sacs?

Local and National Politics

I've heard it said and at the time agreed the sentiments that local and national politics should be kept apart. I no longer share this view. Chester Rd has reverted to a part time trunk road courtsey of a Labour led National Welsh Assembly and a Labour led Flintshire County Council.

The amount of traffic using Chester Rd as a speedy non policed short cut is depressing. How much has through and HGV traffic increased since the construction of  A55 Warren Bank exits? Our councillors are too scared to ask.

From a Chester Rd perspective

Labour don't deserve a Penyffordd county councillor. They have sold Chester Rd down the river.

Flintshire led Independent County Council do not deserve a county councillor either as they know the score but do nothing.

And Tom Jones' Dad's Army don't deserve one for sitting on their hands whilst all this was happening. They seem incapable of doing anything more than writing letters of protest.

Can the good people of Penyffordd be persuaded of the above? We shall see. A slim chance but so were the differences at the last council elections.

http://www.transportdatacollection.co.uk/

Hi Colin,

Thank you for your e-mail, we were undertaking a traffic count at 4 locations at Penyffordd.

The aim of the survey is to determine to direction vehicles are turning at these location, we were instructed to undertake the survey on behalf of an independent Highways and Transport Planning consultancy.

Regarding speeds through Penyffordd, if you ever wanted to prove you point regarding the high speeds, a week long speed survey would cost £175 +vat

An example of the output is attached,

Kind Regards,

Carl

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
I wonder if Chester Rd is on the list?

Traffic Surveillance Penyffordd Bypass

 

This camera is situated on Hawarden Rd looking at the section of road where Penyffordd village traffic joins and leaves the bypass. What is its purpose? There is a telephone number on the lampost to ring, I've emailed instead lol.

http://www.transportdatacollection.co.uk/ 

This is NOT a junction I use in the rush hours and that's before we have 234 extra households on Wood Lane Farm.

I see they do speed surveys. How about an honest one on Chester Rd, councillors? 

keywords: Transport Data Collection Ltd, Arrive Alive, Gosafe.

Hacking comes to Flintshire

Cllr Bernie Attridge's email account has been hacked by Flintshire County Council officers. Big questions here. I work along the lines that everything I do on my computer is monitored. I have 20 meg of data uploaded off my computer everyday without my permission.

You may say why do I not stop it? The question is how? I've worked out the IP address taking the info belongs to Google.

Anyway here's the story. This involves big issues between elected members , county officers and the Welsh Assembly.

Link The Daily Post

Alison blogs on Welsh auditors

and rightly questions their function.

Link Alison Halford

To the hospital yet again

Perhaps we should consider getting a season ticket. The knee is a wonderous mechanism until forced outside its normal parameters. Ask Michael Owen about cruciate ligaments, he must be an expert.

To the Wrexham Maelor A+E this afternoon.
It's into the main drive then immediate left along a narrow road that leads to the entrance. You book in at reception if you are amongst the walking wounded. They book you in after checking your computer file then you have a small time to wait whilst a nurse judges where you should be on the schedule (food poisoning gets you straight in, I found out the hard way). The place is full. Our appointment is about an hour and fifteen minutes away so we sit down and wait patiently.

There is a steady procession of customers. A little Polish lad who has split his head open blood every where on dad and the little lads shirt. A girl crying carried in on a wheelchair with anxious parents. A look at her clothes and I guess correctly that she has fell off her horse. There's a chap whose taking some blood thinning drug and his cut just won't stop bleeding. Lot's of wrist and cut injuries.

We are looked at just over the hour. Expert professional attention, the offending leg X-rayed and bandaged up. Lets hope the swelling goes down before the visit next week to see the physiotherapist.

Me? No, I'm playing golf this week I have an important match! It's wifey again.
Once again Maelor rated 10 out of ten for service.

Further

Since there is nothing much to do whilst you wait your turn you turn your attention to the other similar less fortunates. If you are near the reception you can earwig.
A+E is supposed to be for serious stuff that your doctor can't attend to. You soon notice that that people have taken the time consuming ring up for an appointment at your local surgery out of the equation. A+E has all the specialist people on hand, specialized doctors, nurses, x-ray facility.

Why mess around at your surgery who will refer you to the hospital anyway?

Sunny in Penyffordd

Not much happening

On the local scene Stephanie bites off more than she can chew. Can't understand the expansion due the economic forecast for the next five years.
A lot of businesses are currently hurting.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2011/07/09/ruthin-hotel-closes-as-crisis-hits-stephanie-booth-s-business-chain-55578-29021047/ 

A further explanation here

Nationally the cesspit continues to swirl
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/andreas-whittam-smith/andreas-whittam-smith-bullies-and-cowards-who-have-killed-a-newspaper-ndash-for-nothing-2309532.html

Peter Odone
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/phone-hacking/8626421/Phone-hacking-David-Cameron-is-not-out-of-the-sewer-yet.html 

postscript  Alistair Campbell 
further postscript with Twitters from George Michael: Heresy Corner

Village Tea Party

Penyffordd Institute

Sat 16th July 2011

1 pm to 5 pm

In aid of Access Counselling Wales

www.accesscounsellingwales.com

Steely Dan

Safer Routes in Communities

On Wednesday Penyffordd Council at their monthly meeting will discuss correspondence from Flintshire County Council Head of Assets and Transportation Neal Cockerton.

Chester Rd is effectively unpoliced by NWP, we continue to have no effective measures taken by Gosafe, speeding traffic even ignores our new lolly pop man Colin.

Where is Carl Longland, Director of Environment in all this? Does village environment not interest him?

It will be of interest if Chester Rd is mentioned in the correspondence, one does not hold ones breath. 5 plus years on and still traffic hammers through the village every workday morning with increasing numbers including increased HGV because of A55 Warren Bank construction.
We have become one fast convenient short cut due to our geographical position in relation to A55 Warren Bank, Airbus and Broughton Retail Park.

Stuffed by FCC and WAG.

Carboots for Sunday

The Best - Chirk - Free entry for buyers, sellers from £8
Can be dusty or muddy, sheep muck if he's had them on the field........
You can expect near 2000 there tomorrow given the good weather outlook.
How many stalls? What if I said 300?
Takes us 3 hours to walk around.
Good for flowers and plants, children's toys, books, clothes, car parts and accessories, local produce, meat,  antiques, mobile phones, computers, bikes,  golf clubs, anything goes except live stock.
 No trouble there it's very easy going.
It will be getting busy by 8 tomorrow.
Very multi cultural.
Yes dogs are allowed.
We don't take ours as we would never get around.................
A nice English bull terrier brindle puppy there last week
It "mouths" and had teeth like needles.............

Chester Hospital - They have a long list of what can't be sold where Chirk allows everything. Held on concrete

Chester Rugby Club starts 10am , Chirk starts at day light or earlier if you have a torch. You think I'm joking don't you. I'm not, it's keen for some stuff.
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Broughton Carboot Sale at Airbus Carpark

In support of Help for Heroes.
Sunday July 10th 2011 

£10 plot,  can be paid for on the day
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Marchwiel Carboot
When's it on? most Sundays in the summer.
Relaxed
Is "fill a bag for a pound" still there?

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Chelford Carboot
When we went you had to pay £3  to get in per car.
Not that many there although it was raining.
Brags 2nd biggest carboot in UK
Not these days I think.
Charging to get in a big downer.
No one charges you to get in..................

Things you don't really need to know (stridulation)

We have these in the pond.

In The Telegraph

Martial arts: Schoolboy

PENYFFORDD youngster Matthew Jones has entered the highest ranking class of Korean martial art tae kwon-do, the black belt, at the age of just 10.

read further Flintshire Chronicle