Penyffordd Bonfire 2012

Saturday 3rd November 2012

If you wish to help with the bonfire organisation please contact Cllr Cindy Hinds.

I'm just nipping around to The Spar

Ice on the car windscreen this morning , a cold northerly wind.
Which brings me nicely to the state of Alaska.

We sell books. We have sold a book called the Alaskan Bootlegger's Bible, I picked it up at Chirk Car Boot Sale for 50p.

Shopping can be an annual event in Alaska. Or even to the extent where you get an annual visit by a boat delivering your yearly shop. In the introduction the author talks about a friend who lives on one of the outlying islands. One year the boat sank but they were able to retrieve the cans of food.

One problem was that all the labels came off the cans so every meal that year was a surprise !

Have a good weekend.

The Secret Bonfire Update

Jewsons the building suppliers have dropped off a lorry load of pallets.

Mark Tami MP speaks up for the badgers

speaker:Mark Tami : 1 Commons debate
====================================

Business of the House: Badger Cull (25 Oct 2012)
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2012-10-25a.1095.0&s=speaker%3A11267#g1104.2
Mark Tami: Does the hon. Lady accept that if the vaccine was available,
there would be no need for a cull? I think some Government Members House
want the cull regardless.

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What's happening out and about

Three degrees this morning.

Each day you want to be up to date with what's happening on the roads etc.

I usually find  lots of stuff online out of date.
The Daily Post have started North Wales Live which tells you what's happening in the region now.

Link http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-live/

For example olympic champion Jade Jones twitters that she doesn't want to get out of bed !

On a serious note its traffic info seems accurate and very current.

Something to look at before going out or even out on your mobile. Best not to start the day with an hour long wait on the A55.

Bear Grylls meets Penyffordd Scouts

Chief Scout Bear Grylls dropped in at Llyn Brenig on Sunday where Scouts from across North Wales – including a group from Penyffordd – were taking part in activities including sailing and canoeing.

Penyffordd Scout Jamie Dixon, 13, said: “It’s good that Bear came to see us today as you see him on the TV but you don’t really get to see him in person that much.

Read further Flintshire Chronicle. 

Penyffordd Bonfire Night 2012 - Is it happening?

I'm being asked by readers what's happening. My spies tell me pallets are being stock piled on the Institute field, this is a good sign.

Perhaps time to role out some advertising. Over 2500 vehicles through the village each day. Time to put the sign up?

Mark Tami MP in The House debating Energy Security

speaker:Mark Tami : 1 Commons debate
====================================

Opposition Day - [7th Allotted Day]: Energy Market Reform (24 Oct 2012)
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2012-10-24a.929.1&s=speaker%3A11267#g931.2
Mark Tami: Does my right hon. Friend agree that, while it is all very
well for the Government to have a mythical lowest-tariff policy, until
they have a coherent energy policy that ensures security of supply,
prices will continue to go up and uncertainty will remain?

speaker:Mark Tami : 4 Westminster Hall debates
==============================================

There are more results than we have shown here. See more:
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/search/?s=speaker%3A11267+section:westminhall&o=d

[Sir Alan Meale in the Chair] - Offshore Wind Generation (North Wales) (24 Oct 2012)
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/whall/?id=2012-10-24a.255.0&s=speaker%3A11267#g255.2
Mark Tami: I agree totally with my hon. Friend. Does he agree that in
the past the argument has wrongly been seen as a choice between
renewables-such as wind-and nuclear, when they are part of the same
package?

[Sir Alan Meale in the Chair] - Offshore Wind Generation (North Wales) (24 Oct 2012)
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/whall/?id=2012-10-24a.255.0&s=speaker%3A11267#g257.1
Mark Tami: Does my hon. Friend agree that, although we have the skills
base, if the certainty is not there or people do not see it, they will
look for jobs in other sectors and that that will be a loss to the
energy sector?

[Sir Alan Meale in the Chair] - Offshore Wind Generation (North Wales) (24 Oct 2012)
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/whall/?id=2012-10-24a.255.0&s=speaker%3A11267#g264.0
Mark Tami: I was about to make that very point. If Mostyn had been
unable to expand into other areas, the whole cost would effectively have
fallen on to Airbus, because that is the route that the A380 wings take.
There would not be a feasible alternative route, and that would impinge
on whether the work was at that factory.

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Strange men with theodolites

have been seen on Chester Rd. Perhaps measuring up for the traffic calming? Let's hope so.

A Happy Ending for Jimbob

of Dobshill. Full story in The Leader 

Pontblyddyn Road Accident Further

in The Daily Post

Penyffordd District Website Statistics Porn

Weekly Stats Report: 15 Oct - 21 Oct 2012 
Project: Penyffordd-district
URL: http://penyffordd-district.blogspot.co.uk/

Summary

	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thur	Fri	Sat	Sun	Total	Avg
Pageloads	162	192	131	188	116	115	110	1,014	145
Unique Visits	111	128	98	129	90	83	87	726	104
First Time Visits	85	103	79	102	72	65	76	582	83
Returning Visits	26	25	19	27	18	18	11	144	21

Every community needs a blogger

Well they do in my opinion. Someone who will bring up that which needs to be said. The blog also functions as a forum for anyone who feels strongly about an issue and wants the issue raised.

The door is open to any serious topic to be discussed.

A Fan writes...........

"99% of your blog is still a rambling vendetta with only one clear path - speeding. Parking with four wheels on the pavement is illegal - as illegal as speeding - we know of someone who does that don't we! Speeding is a pain and dangerous, so is parking on pavements, so is the idiotic parking and driving by the Spar. You have previously stated it's your views on this blog, as does your current tagline, but your constant slating of people, councillors or not, at the same time running under this blog name and URL, is casting aspersions on the village as a whole. These are not the views of the village as this does suggest based on name and URL alone. Change the name to "Victor Meldrew's Views On Speeding, And Random Rants" – that would be better, and would stop people who happen by this blog on the off chance - ultimately leaving in the belief that the entire Penyffordd area is filled with people harbouring these such of views! on Traffic News"

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The above was written on 15th Oct 2012

Some points.

This blog was started when I wrote a polite letter to the Penyffordd Community Council pointing out there was a lot of speeding on Chester Rd.

Tom Jones got Clerk Nigel to phone up to say " speeding is nothing to do with the council"

FACT: In 2007 the average daily vehicle count through Chester Rd was 2800
Of which two thirds were breaking the 30 mph speed limit

It is a fact that speeding in the village is everything to do with the council.
It is part of their remit.

I should also point out that the cars that are parked outside my house on the path every night are 99 times out of a 100 nothing to do with our household.

Local Blackspot claims another life

Link http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/116979/pregnant-woman-dies-in-horror-collision-on-a541.aspx

Condolences to the deceased's family.

My view is that accident blackspots such as this should be made compulsory 30 or even 20 mph and rigorously enforced.

Whilst not wishing to pre-empt any investigation it should be noted that all the usual elements are in place.

The Pontblyddyn to Penyffordd road is also a constant accident issue. You would not believe the number of vehicle drivers who go well over white lines on blind bends.

The authorities seem content to allow it to continue.

Penyffordd Health Care

Re Minute 98 in which Mary Burrows CE of the University Health Board  informs the council that a review of health care in Penyffordd shows no shortfall.

One presumes the Health Board ( I presume Betsi Cadwallider ) thinks it ok for all residents of Penyffordd district to use personal and public transport to visit their doctor whether that be Buckley, Broughton or Hope.

Our former clinic now lying unused.

Penyffordd sacrificed so a new heath centre can be built in Buckley?

We are not the only community stuffed by the Health Authorities. The town of Flint springs to mind.

Extra Penyffordd Allotments

Cllr David Williams' efforts to increase allotment facilities in the village have taken a move forward with a planning application to FCC. This will include a plot for a disabled person.

Penyffordd Post Office Cafe

has been granted planning approval. This now means there will now be a non licensed meeting place for residents that is open all day. Mary and Jim are to be congratulated on this development which has been helped by a Welsh assembly Government grant.

Wrestling comes to Penyffordd

Read further in The Flintshire Chronicle.

Cinemas and Restaurants - Spoilt for Choice

Coming our way at Broughton Retail Park.

In The Leader

Penyffordd Community Council minute - Re Hanson Cement Investigation - long

Below was minuted at a Special Meeting held August 1st.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
83. HANSON CEMENT INVESTIGATION – PUBLIC HEALTH WALES



The Chairman, Cllr T E Jones informed members that he had been approached by the Vice Chairman, Cllr C Bithell, who had been very much involved with the enquiry, which is probably the  most important report ever to become before the Council
He continued that in his opinion the report merits a response, and that he had received a request from the Vice Chairman to call a Special Meeting.



He added that he had been criticized in calling a Special Meeting in August, it was however at his discretion to call this meeting, and as long as a quorum is present, then the business could proceed.
He concluded that the document is of a very professional nature and that it had been compiled by professional people in their appropriate fields.



The Vice Chairman, Cllr C Bithell informed the meeting that the report had been received very late, and that Buckley Town Council had in fact not received a copy of the report prior to the final meeting.
Cllr Bithell referred to Recommendation 1, Communication and Engagement, which is to be improved between Hanson Cement, public agencies and bodies and the local community in order to rebuild trust.



Cllr Bithell continued that the report did not say how communication would be improved.
Cllr Bithell commented that what we want is something put in place to protect the generations to come.
He quoted from the report that dioxin level has been exceeded for six months, and that self reporting is not satisfactory.
He informed that at the meeting that he posed the question how long does it take to catch cancer, unfortunately there was not an answer.
On the whole the report was considered to be poorly written.
Cllr Bithell continued that a monitoring system had been in place, but that cancer is not a notifiable disease.

The Chairman, Cllr T W Jones stated that we must have some credit to the bodies involved, part are environmental people.  And that this is a report that all bodies have agreed to.
With regard to the report, the Chairman, Cllr T W Jones stated that it must be realized that if there are any complaints they will fall back on the report, he questioned who would be competent enough to argue with its content.

Cllr Dr D C Weed informed that he had read the report from back to front; he considered it to be a very good report.

Cllr Mrs L Vidamour stated that the eminent people involved had worked independently not together.

Cllr T W Jones questioned who has prepared the report;  Cllr Mrs L Vidamour responded Public Health Wales is the parent body, and that she did not consider the report to be a whitewash.

Cllr Dr D C Weed considered that Dr Andrew Jones was the wrong person to be in charge of the enquiry.

The Chairman Cllr T W Jones considered that to reject the report outright would be irresponsible and that we should make our own points and direct them to the Secretary of State.

Cllr Dr D C Weed commented that as individuals we can make our own observations to the Environmental Agency.
With regard to self reporting this was considered not to be satisfactory, and that the Environmental Agency should have the right to demand figures, statistics etc from Hanson Cement.
It was considered therefore to look at the recommendations and then to make the necessary points.
Prior to this a paragraph in the report, to the effect that soil samples and animal health had not been taken into account was considered to be negligent, and this would not build trust within the community.
For example milk taken from Dyke Farm had to be mixed with other volumes of milk, before it could be fit for human consumption.

Resolved

That the following points be made.

To Dr Andrew Jones informing that the report was recently considered by the Community Council, the report recognized that communication should be improved between Castle Cement, public agencies and bodies, and the local community, unfortunately the report does not state how communication and engagement will be improved.


The Community Council would recommend therefore that half yearly reports should be prepared on the state of health in the area, included instances of Cancer, and relevant illnesses.

Furthermore there should be more extensive research into the contents of the smaller particles in the atmosphere.
The comment from the Community Council is that all relevant monitoring and sampling is reviewed by regulatory agencies.


The Community Council is concerned that self reporting is not ideal and that the Environmental Agency is not on a regular basis provided with the information, consequently the Environmental Agency should have the powers to demand relevant monitoring figures, statistics and information.
As a general point, under the heading of Building Trust within the community, the report states that animal health was not included in the investigation.
As you will be aware there has been speculation with regard to animal health in the close vicinity of the Castle Cement works, therefore if animal health issues were not included, then this will obviously lead to mistrust in the thoroughness of the investigation.

We are told that mild in the vicinity cannot be used until it is mixed with mild from elsewhere, furthermore there have been animal deaths, which are unaccounted for.
The report therefore should provide updates on soil contamination, animal health with regard to farms surrounding the area.

To the Environmental Agency, that the Community Council welcome any observations which it may have considered, following the report.

The Community Council would wish to extend an invitation to yourselves to attend a special meeting of the Community Council, in order to receive the benefit of your expertise.


4. To Mrs Mary Burrows Chief Executive, Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board, to provide Mr Burrows with copies of correspondence forwarded to Public Health Wales and to the Environment Agency, and a request for any observations that the Board may have stemming from the report which would be of benefit to the Community Council.

Black Gold Hunter

We have two of these dogs not as sturdy as this one. The above dog Nellie can find truffles. Must try ours up the woods.

Link Daily Mail

plenty of ammunition of things Penyffordd coming up

Ian Charlesworth for Prime minister

Ian wants petrol diesel reduced to £1 a litre
I'm with him on this one.
We'll forget his lorries use Penyffordd as a short cut

To be sure Ian's vision will spur the economy.

There's one large problem. This government continues to spend more than the last government and it's increasing. We are basically broke.
I see the latest madness is to let new fathers have a year off work.

To be sure none of these plonkers have ever run businesses which supply all the money they spend.

Blockade story in The Daily Post

Penyffordd Community Council website setup - easy peasy

During the July council meeting discussing the promotion of local democracy Cllr Clive Weed stated " that running the Institute website is an enormous amount of work, he suggested that one person running a  a council website would be too much work."

Quite frankly Clive talks "pants".

Prerequisites. An email from Scribe Nigel with last month's minutes and an email with the next meeting agenda.

1. Create a gmail account
2. Create a Blogger account
3. Disable comments
4. Press new post fill in title " Penyffordd Community Council Meeting Minutes July 2012 "
5. Copy ( Cntrl C ) Nigel's minutes into body.
6. Create label " Council Minutes ".
7. Publish

Time from No.1 to completion about 10 minutes
Cost to rate payer Zero.
Monthly time spent copying and pasting agenda and minutes, about 2 minutes.

Come on Clive ! Better is expected of you !

Stop the BS.

Wrexham.com

If you have an interest or work in Wrexham you may be interested in Wrexham.com

Penyffordd Train Chaos

TRAINS have been halted after a lorry struck a railway bridge.

The incident happened shortly after 3pm when the heavy goods vehicle hit the bridge on Penyffordd Road, Penyffordd.

A spokesman for Arriva Trains Wales said engineers were enroute to assess the damage to the bridge.
The 3.32pm train from Wrexham to Bidston is currently stopped at Penyffordd Station, while the 15.32 Bidston to Wrexham service is stopped at Shotton Station while checks are carried out.
Delays of up to 60 minutes are expected.

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

Thus says The Leader on Facebook

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

More information on Wrexham.com 

Penyffordd Community Council October meeting

is tonight at 6.30 pm at the Institute in the meeting room. All are welcome to attend. I'm told the agenda may be even online. Do not have any time now to hunt.

Get well to soon to Scribe Nigel who is having trouble scribing.

The Handshake

This what I call the perfect handshake for human beings. Eye contact with a pleasing disposition. You would be surprised the number of people who cannot bear looking at you when they have  to shake your hands.

Link http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/9597601/England-players-could-be-banned-if-they-breach-FAs-new-code-of-conduct.html

Remember to be reasonable to burglars breaking into your home

in The Telegraph.

Link http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/9595103/Tory-Party-Conference-It-must-be-made-clear-burglary-is-not-acceptable.html

Can you make some of this stuff up?

Extreme prejudice can be expected here.

You would be surprised how many householders keep baseball bats, cricket bats, etc behind the front door or in the bedroom. Someone  I know keeps a police truncheon on a hook on the back of the front door.
My preferred weapon is a mashie niblick.

Call it premeditated, call it self defence. Take your pick

Today in The Daily Post

The end of the A483 at the A55 is going to get an upgrade. This is the junction with a silly pre roundabout that is difficult for an HGV to get around beside a car in the other lane. The number of idiots that try to go around this joke of a roundabout doubled up with HGV is troubling.

If you allow an HGV to go around the mini roundabout on its own you get muppets behind you pushing. You can see the looks on their faces. Go on get going, what's the problem !

So plenty of holdups here.

Which MP do you prefer? Mark Tami or David Hanson. You soon may have to make a choice.

Link http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2012/10/08/8m-to-improve-a55-blackspot-55578-31990829/

Yours for the taking at just 425K

in Dobshill.
http://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/26437996

Situations Vacant

The Institute are looking for new committee members and a secretary. 

Friday Night Fun - Or not if you are the man involved

Steve and Eric - Friday night early

House Sale News

Sales recently added within 500m of CH4 0LS	Edit location
5 Fammau View Drive £125,000 Penyffordd, CH4 0JQ 12th July 2012

Sales recently added within 500m of CH4 0LJ	Edit location
46 Well House Drive £230,000 Penymynydd, CH4 0LB 31st July 2012

Sales recently added within 500m of CH4 0HP	Edit location
38 Berwyn Avenue £230,000 Penyffordd, CH4 0HS 5th July 2012

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

Traffic News

1. This morning it seemed that all the bypass traffic was being diverted through the village at rush hour. Perhaps the accident at Dobshill was to blame.
Link: Flintshire Chronicle

2. Someone's taken out ( as in knocked it flat)  a sign at the junction at the top of the village going to Hope.

3. Someone's taken out the sign on Penymynydd roundabout.

4. A lorry ran into the back of a learner car at the junction at Bannel Lane this week. The lorry driver said " Why did you stop? " My friend who is a driving instructor said the driver was learning to drive and stalled the car..............
Not sure why some lorry drivers should have driving licenses.

5. Talking of driving instructors. There used to be one in the village who complained to a councillor about me complaining about speeding. At the time in 2007 there were approx 2000 vehicles a day breaking 30 mph on Chester Rd.

Yes it's you can't make this stuff up !

If you don't believe my figures do an FOI to Flintshire County Council for April/May 2007 Chester Rd traffic data. Then come back and comment.

6. Penyffordd Traffic Calming Consultation ended today.

keywords: Carry on crashing, muppets,

Expert Tree Services

Telephone 01244 535944 or 07875 476052

Best to use phone for contacting.

Met Steve the boss today. Very friendly knowledgeable service.

Highly recommended.

All work to BS 3998

Fully qualified tree surgeons with over 20 years experience

LANTRA Trained

http://www.lantra.co.uk/

Areas covered include Chester, Flintshire, Wirral, Cheshire, Denbighshire.

Questions over Sharps future at Llay

A £3 billion loss last year has raised fears about re-organisation.

Full story in The Daily Post

Penyffordd Wine Circle - Canapes and Pre Dinner Drinks

The evening's feast made by wife Lisa. An exhibition of finger food.

Penyffordd Airport continued.............

Further.............
In the Flintshire Chronicle, Dave Goodban  reports a meeting between Airbus, Aviation Park Group and  Broughton and Bretton Community Council over the above

Judith Richards, chairwoman of Broughton Action Group said the councillors are acting like "lapdogs".
Councillors did not ask the right questions.

They will do anything Airbus want.

Airbus' assurances over the limitations of the commercial airport operation are full of generalizations.

Will council leader Penyffordd Cllr Tom Jones take a stand or just be seen to be doing the right thing?
Will the airport reach the Penyffordd Council agenda sheet?

I'm presuming those who want to take an interest can do so through here.
http://www.broughtonaction.co.uk/

Nothing about the airport on the site so far.

Further link Broughton and Bretton Community Council *

* they have council agendas and minutes on the site.

Penyffordd Accident Black Spot Numero Uno

BT replacing the telegraph pole that got bust in half a couple of days ago. The section of road past Penyffordd Railway Station to Pontblyddyn is a death trap. Motorists, lorries and bikers go so fast around these bends they can't stay on the same side of the road even on blind bends.

The accident rate along this section of road is large.

No one wishes to do anything about it though.

It's a matter of Carry On crashing !

As a daily traveller along this road I would recommend staying as far from the middle white line with hand on the horn to blast anyone coming over the line.

I've nearly been killed by a fuel oil lorry along this section

Downpour Day 3

Penyffordd remains relatively unscathed due to our geographical position. Other localities have suffered. To have a house that gets flooded every time we have sustained downpours is heart breaking.

Implications of house value, replacement, insurance, etc.

Here is news of various difficulties in The Leader

Farmers are going to start killing badgers

Your chance to make a difference. It's not happening in Wales at the moment but you can make your feelings known. 

One line of attack being if they don't stand against the farmers killing badgers you will stop shopping at their stores

Tesco Customer Services customer.services@tesco.co.uk

Asda Customer Services http://your.asda.com/contact-us

RSPCA calls for badger friendly milk

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/9563335/RSPCA-call-for-badger-friendly-milk.html

Postscript: Many thanks to Mark Tami MP for raising this matter in The Flintshire Chronicle.

Mark says as in our comments section that culling is not the way forward.

Mark is to be congratulated as opposed to ASDA who sit on the fence.

Padeswood Main Rd Closed Yesterday

In Flintshire, the A541 at Caergwrle, A548 at Greenfield and A5118 between Padeswood and Penyffordd were closed.

Read further BBC NE Wales

Village Grant Time Again

Thank you to Scribe Nigel who has pushed the grant form through the door for the Penyffordd Wine Circle. Last year the hand outs were a farce with councillors getting revenge for my intransigence.

My continued protest on speeding traffic, etc.

Grants are handed out by Penyffordd Community Council to local groups. This is part of national governments attempt to halt the decline in local social cohesiveness which by the way continues to slide down hill rapidly.

May I suggest the following.

1. Grants are handed out on an equal, transparent and fair basis.

2. If you wish to use alcohol as an excuse for blocking grants please consider doing this across the board. ie Red Lion groups and Pontblyddyn Cricket Club which are based at licensed premises.

3. The voting for one's own groups by cllrs be it religion, youth or otherwise should be stopped as it is unfair and not allowed at county or national level.

postscript: I think the term used is " vested interests " .


Penyffordd Wine Circle could be described as the following.

A group of mainly Penyffordd residents who meet monthly who have an interest in wine and food. Previous meetings have included talks by the Erddig Head Gardener, a local beekeeper, food and drink grown in various regions of the world. Recently Ludlow Food Festival was visited.

Penyffordd Wine Circle use the Penyffordd Institute and pay money annually for the Institute's upkeep.

Notes: Cllrs Tom Jones, Colin Bithell and Clive Weed are community cllrs and are also members of the Penyffordd Institute Committee.

Last year I wrote to the Penyffordd Institute Committee condemning Cllrs Jones and Bithell for recommending Penyffordd Wine Circle should not receive any further grant money.

postcript: I got an email back saying if Institute Committee members wanted to stick the boot in to a group that had used the Institute for 25 years it was ok and above board !

Lets hope this does not arise again and that sense and fair play will prevail.

Chester Rd flooding issues

This is part of the cause of Chester Rd flooding issues.
Photo taken for council reference purposes. re traffic calming and drains infrastructure.

There are three added extras to Chester Rd surface water

1. The above which I think is a BT grid on Penymynydd Rd
2. The council grid on the road next to it. Water comes out of it rather than the other way around.
3. Surface water off the Institute flows through gateway and onto Chester Rd.

Mrs Olwen Williams

passed away in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Mrs Olwen Williams, devoted wife of John and mother of six. A woman completely devoted to her family who asked nothing of anybody and was always ready to help others. Born in Drury, one of eight children of the family of the Wainwrights shop and news agents in Drury that was started by her father.

Funeral arrangements will be announced shortly.

Penyffordd Fibre Broadband Further

Someone knowledgeable in such matters has left the following comment.

" The Cabinet on Corwen Road provides FFTC service to the part of the village towards Vounog hill. The FFTC cabinet outside Penymynydd school provides FFTC service to the top portion of Penyffordd/Penymynydd. The centre of the village including all the oldest properties are served by the cabinet outside the Spar. BT has no plans to install FFTC here. Thus denying most of the businesses and Junior School fibre broadband."

The question is does the above comment accurately reflect the current situation. If so this needs to be challenged with BT.

Street Light Problems in Penymynydd

So says the notice in the Post Office window. It requires the utility company to spend some of their billions. The notice is unsigned, anonymous.

How about putting your name to stuff who ever you are.

I'll have 50p on it being Cllr David Williams.

'No evidence' Padeswood cement plant caused cancer

in The Leader.

Bowel cancer increase only. Usually diet related.

Some Penyffordd cllrs and local politicians ( not necessarily of Penyffordd residence )  will not be pleased with this outcome.

A quote from Cllr Carolyn Thomas of Treuddyn. Everyone else silent.

Gosafe presence on Chester Rd this morning

Many thanks. You would be surprised how many drivers just don't get it though.

Penyffordd Parish Plan

Before the elections I went on about Penyffordd Council not  having a strategic village plan. That's a plan that goes beyond spending as little money as possible. This drew considerable comment so it must have hit a nerve or two.

I have before me " Guilden Sutton Parish Plan ". This is a grand affair. No expense spared. A 32 page, A4, cast coated, full colour booklet.

A steering committee was set up in 2006 of councillors and non councillors. It was setup to be separate from the community council.

The contents

1. The Introduction
2. Our Parish
3. Timeline
4. Overarching Aims of Parish Plan
5. Household Analysis
6. Communications in the Parish
7. Guilden Sutton as a community
8. The Parish Council
9. Parish Events
10. Transportation
11. Public Transport
12. Policing
13. Local Business
14. Environment
15. Planning
16. The Way Forward

Annex

Facilities Young People
Communications in the Parish
Parish Council Communication
Events : What residents would like to see more of
Traffic and transport
List of Actions

The above annex contains graphs of questionare's of people's views.

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This document is highly recommended to be read. Perhaps our councillors will consider asking Penyffordd residents what they wish for the future of Penyffordd.

This would involve ALL Penyffordd councillors working together for the good of the village.
Is it possible?

Link http://www.guildensutton.org.uk/

The above document is available to be borrowed, please ask.

Flintshire County Council approves Penyffordd bungalow bid

PLANS for a new dwelling in Penyffordd received a cautious thumbs-up from Flintshire planners last week.
Applicant Dave Evans submitted a proposal for a new four-bedroom, two-bathroom bungalow on land at the side of Talossamme, Abbotts Lane.

read the full story here Flintshire Chronicle

The Penyffordd Taliban

The other day I had a conversation with someone about
the proposed " bloody traffic calming ". Really it was a waste of time engaging in a conversation. This person also holds the view that traffic matters can be solved by stopping women from driving........

I suppose there will be some out there who will be hunting out this individual to tell that the Penyfford blogger has mentioned them on the Internet.

Welsh Education

So you do your examinations. They are marked, then the results published.

You would think the above is how education examination is carried out.

You would however be entirely wrong.
It would appear chicanery is carried out by those in charge. This devalues the hard work done by pupils in preparation for their exams.

The system stinks. Employers use exam results these days as a guideline only. They have developed their own metrics for dealing with the rigged education exam system.

Link  http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2012/sep/11/exam-board-pressurised-by-ofqual

E S Jones' Showroom ( one of ) to become a pet store

Pups and Pets are moving from Hawarden to Dobshill

Link www.pupsandpets.co.uk

A sign of the times. A European wide slow down in car sales
Vauxhalls at Ellesmere Port are to halt production for one week

Charity - Weekend comment

If you walk around the middle of a the likes of Chester you are likely to be confronted ( pressurised) to give to charity by paid sales people. I personally think it should be banned.

When I hear media going on about child poverty in UK I always question what they mean by poverty.

Below is an article by a doctor which lays out in a plain manner
the current state of  "child poverty" and the charity industry.

Link The Telegraph

Roman 'eco-fort' plan for Penyffordd outskirts

FLINTSHIRE is tipped to become home to the world’s first reconstruction of a Roman eco-system.

Plans are progressing for a major tourist attraction at Fagl Lane Quarry in Hope.

Full story in The Leader

Here's a thought. Have you ever thought where the sand in Fagl Lane came from?

Further on this when I find the link.

Hawarden Airport Operators shoot themselves in the foot

Dave Goodban in The Flintshire Chronicle reports on the turning of Hawarden Airport into a regional setup. Airport bosses say light passenger aircraft will be used. It won't be like Gatwick.

The last line in the article has airport bosses saying Hawarden will provide a fast convenient alternative to Liverpool and Manchester.

This is precisely the fears of those interested in local environment.

Why the Main Stream Media hate the Internet

On this rainy Bank Holiday Monday.

Simple equation: free, open uncontrollable Internet versus shackled newspapers equals no newspapers. Let's get real.
Rupert Murdoch

A beautiful post from Murdoch disclosing fully and unashamedly the big media agenda; the use of state power to shut down more efficient and better competition.

Link http://www.zerohedge.com/news/guest-post-good-riddance

You go to the above comments section at your own risk

Jack of Speed

Rhymes

What a Shame About Me

Penyffordd schoolgirl burned by toxic park plant

in the Flintshire Chronicle

"Bo Slater, from Penyffordd, near Mold, suffered severe blisters after coming into contact with giant hogweed when playing with other children while on holiday at a campsite in Devon."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I used to have one of these. An import from Russia. Without checking I think they are bi-ennial. Second year they will shoot up to 14 feet.
(wrong on that, a short lived perrenial)
The insects love the flowers. If you allow one to seed you are in trouble.
No need for the protection gear as long as you do them no harm.

There used to be hundreds around Blacon the council have done their best to erradicate them. Northop has a field full every year. I've seen them growing along the A55.

Lovely plants but deadly to the ignorant and unknowing which includes children and most people. The plant sap will cause erruptions on your skin. Mine looked a bit like bubonic plague. Large bubble erruptions.

Respect is what they demand.

The plant is notifiable to Defra.

I'm sure Wikipedia has the full hit.

Link Giant Hogweed

Hawarden Airport continued

Sorry I mean Chester.

Link http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/115510/fears-over-major-airport-expansion-played-down.aspx

Lorries, Lorries, Lorries

Over 20 an hour through the village today.
Why do we have a bypass?

Penyffordd Past Times

This photo resides in the Penyffordd Council Committee room at the Institute

Paul Hughes ( Jockie ) - Funeral

on Friday 24th at Pentrebychan Crematorium at 9.30 am

Welsh Cllrs Codes of Conduct - An afront to democratic speech?

The Welsh Ombudsman earns his money.
A good article in Wales On Line 

£10,000's to be knocked off Penyffordd property prices

in The Leader.

An environmental disaster for Penyffordd.

This has been on the cards for a while.

keywords: Chester Airport, airfield, regional airport,

Campaigner calls for council meetings to be broadcast online

We're talking county here but I don't see why it can't be extended to town and community councils.
Of course Penyffordd Council needs an email address first..........

Link Full story Walesonline

Welsh Assembly Government Grant Money

for Penyffordd Post Office. Many thanks to Carl Sargeant AM Minister for Local Government for making this money available. The WAG recognises the need to keep village centres active. They are to be commended. I'm sure Cllr Cindy Hinds will have been in the mix making sure the grant was applied for, filling in the forms.

Full story in The Flintshire Chronicle.

Home at Last

Steely Dan

Decline

Yesterday we returned to R*ncorn town centre after about 4 years. It was supposed to be a  treat for Lisa. A vegan lunch. The Vegan /vegetarian cafe has gone. Most of the charity shops have closed down.
We buy out of print books from charity shops hence the interest.
Many shops are boarded up. The soul of the town has gone.

This is what Buckley and Mold need to guard against.

It was a depressing sight.

Mervyn King the Governor of the Bank of England expects zero growth in 2012.
What planet does Mervyn live on!

Of course it can't all be blamed on Mervyn and the Bankers.
Supermarkets and the Internet are big players in the race to destroy community centres.

Alfa Romeo dealership at ES Jones Dobshill gone

Link http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/general-alfa-discussion/347589-es-jones-dobshill-nr-wrexham-gone.html

Further on Broadband

There's been an article on the future of broadband and some of its possibilities in The Guardian.
Google as per normal are ahead of the game.

Link The Guardian

The Guardian comments section worth a read.

Penyffordd British legion is looking

for new members. Enquire within.

Jack of Speed

Nightfly

Higher Kinnerton Traffic Calming

Is now complete.

My own view is that Penyffordd should be a village where through traffic use the bypass.
That's why its called a bypass.

The benefits of having a slower village is less noise, less danger, a better environment.

Penyffordd Broadband still in the Stone Age

On the BT box at the start of Corwen Rd, that's the cabinet that you see the OpenReach man with his head in there is a label advertising Fibre Broadband.

However Penyffordd does NOT have it as yet.

A check on a telephone number on either Buckley or Caegwrle exchanges says we haven't got it

You can check your speed here http://speedtest.net/

Ours comes up 2.2 Mb

My mate in Hawarden is showing 30 Mb

Fibre is £30 plus VAT when it arrives

Link http://business.bt.com/broadband-and-internet/fibre-optic-broadband/

Penyffordd Post Office Cafe passed by Flintshire Planners

This is good news for Penyffordd. A place to meet during the day that is not alcohol based.

Flintshire house-hunters offered 30% discount at Penyffordd development

Read in the Flintshire Chronicle.

Taylor Wimpey off to a fast start

The Wood Lane 220 house development well under way. Alan's Skips and Hollingsworth lorries back and to from the site all day. Footings and scaffold shooting up. I seem to remember a junior football field next to Nigel. A glance sideways the other night reveals a building site. This was the football field that couldn't be used because of sheep grazing?

A strange affair.

The draw bridge has been lifted on comments.
They are open again to all and anonymous.

Redundant Penyffordd Play Areas

Penyffordd district is dotted with play areas. I wonder how often some of them are used.

Perhaps the unused ones could be sold off and money put towards "central village land" before it all disappears?

In my opinion the village lacks a central full size football playing field. Whilst it's very good of Hanson Cement to supply a football pitch for seniors it's hardly just around the corner.

More centrally situated facilities must encourage a more social cohesive village.

Cabbage Patch

This is an area formerly used by villagers as a common before it was bought by a horse loving owner. What used to be a field full of green grass is now barren land with electric fences and dock leaves.

Residents need open spaces to walk. Perhaps those who have profited greatly from recent building land sales will consider giving something to the village.

Perhaps a target for Penyffordd councillors to work towards?

Overt and Covert Action

to be taken by North Wales Police against offenders of restricted traffic rules in upper Penymynydd Rd at the behest of residents.

The area is an access only road for residents.

Complaints against Flintshire councillors increase

I think they're all marvelous !

Link http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/114465/complaints-against-flintshire-councillors-increase.aspx

Tom tells it as it is

Much quoting of rules in the June Community Council meeting.

" The Chairman Cllr Tom Jones referred to Standing Orders, which provide that once a matter has been resolved then that resolution has a life of 6 months, unless it is revoked by a Notice of Motion supported by a quorum of Members. "

The above was said in response to a resident criticism over a planning application.

Apparent Population Increase Flintshire

CENSUS 2011: POPULATION SIZE

Flintshire
152,500 people live here, a change of 3% since 2001

In 2001, there were 148,600 people living in Flintshire

Age group	Total pop	%	Male %	Female %
All	152,500	-	49%	51%
0 to 4	9,300	6%	52%	49%
5 to 14	17,400	11%	52%	49%
15 to 64	98,900	65%	50%	50%
65+	26,900	18%	46%	54%
90+	1,100	0.7%	27%	73%

The figures above seem not to deal with reality.
You look at the massive housing development activity.
3% my eye !

Link  http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/datablog/interactive/2012/jul/16/census-2011-uk-map-data

Quiet rural roads face 40mph limits

Link http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/9399135/Quiet-rural-roads-face-40mph-limits.html

In my opinion an excellent move.

Good news for Lower Mountain Rd?

Will Wales follow?

Penyffordd Junior School to have CCTV

Outside on the lamp post apparently. It's purpose?
Parking on double yellow lines outside the school?
Does its scope cover the start of Penymynydd Rd?

Cllr Colin Bithell on Facebook

With that well known local figure Cllr Arnold Woolley

Link 

http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/114175/padeswood-factory-cancer-probe-cost-taxpayer-500k.aspx#.T_q7Rpzu27I.facebook

Hanson Cement works inquiry cost nearly £500,000

"We recommend that no further investigations into the concerns relating to the health of the local population are required, unless new evidence comes to light”

Andrew JonesInvestigation team chairman

Read further BBC NE Wales Website.

Floods close Penymynydd to Mold Road

The A5118 at Penyffordd, Flintshire was closed in both directions.

Read the story in The Daily Post

Penymynydd Rd had water coming out of the grids at 9.15 am. BT's underground cable trunk system also manholes raised.

Barn Dance Saturday July 7th

at The Penyffordd Institute
Starting at 4.30 pm
Details to follow.

Run by FOPS.  ( Friends of Penyffordd Schools )

Link http://opencharities.org/charities/1019962

RBS and Natwest Banking

Things you should know.

There is some slight profanity with the appropriate asterisk.

Link http://hat4uk.wordpress.com/2012/07/04/the-rbs-glitch-hesters-hijackers-go-from-the-ridiculous-to-the-incredible/


We are with Natwest and have been for 20 years even thought they ripped us off sometime ago with over draft charges. The reason why we stuck with Natwest are now not required.

The Coop are looking more attractive by the day .........................

Finding your dream home in Penyffordd

Link http://www.easier.com/104552-find-your-dream-home-at-the-groves.html

The Groves such an apt name for a village development in Wales................

Stunning new homes within earshot of a major route into Wales.

It sounds like Oulton Park come the weekend.

On the plus side Taylor Wimpey and Flintshire County Council have developed a scheme for those who don't earn 50k a year.

Penyffordd Community Council Meeting July 2012

6.30 pm starts in The Institute back room tomorrow Wednesday. All are welcome to attend.