BT Internet Services for Penyffordd district

are having problems. I've had emails and seen Penyffordd Facebook comments saying this is so.
We're seeing a few cut offs but only a few minutes at a time. The green box near Holly Drive appears to be causing issues.

Hawarden Rd Proposed Development Deadline 21st April

If you feel the village has had enough development please go to the link below and make your objections.
It only takes a few minutes.

https://digital.flintshire.gov.uk/FCC_Planning/Home/Details?refno=056694
Proper reasons for objection.
Reasons matter to FCC Planning.
Pick from that below.
http://www.penyfforddcommunity.org/news/2017/4/17/hawarden-road-time-for-action

At the bottom of the above link there is another link to a large document that took a lot of time and effort to prepare.
Many good reasons for rejection.
Here it is.
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/57a02dc046c3c4c4a2f09e51/t/58f49b115016e1718c807e6a/1492425516381/SUMMARY+OF+OBJECTIONS+-+HAWARDEN+ROAD+170417.pdf

Penyffordd Crime News

Last night there were 8 police cars in Hawarden Rd. People were asking on Facebook what was happening. Apparently they were looking for so and so but he was away on holiday..........

More 192

http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/174830/developers-under-fire-as-proposals-for-almost-200-homes-in-penymynydd-thrown-out.aspx

Looks like I'm running the show...................

Many thanks to The Leader a very good article.
Many thanks also to FCC Planning Committee and Planning Officers.
Many thanks to Cllrs Cindy Hinds, David Williams and Penyffordd Group.

Penyffordd 192 Protest

That's me with the dog. We were asked to frown :)  I now see a few hiding behind signs lol
Anyway they made the effort and turned up.

Flintshire County Council Planning Committee Video discussing the Redrow 192 houses application

This is a recording of this afternoon's meeting of Flintshire County Council Planning Committee discussing the Redrow 192 houses application which was thrown out. Cllrs Cindy Hinds, David Williams and a Penyffordd Group member speak on behalf of the community.

About 60 residents turned up to hear the application.

I presume the link given stays firm, ie. not temporary.
It takes about 60 minutes to go through the Redrow application.
You can fast forward to find our representatives speaking.

Penyffordd Group member 15 mins in
Cindy is about 26 mins in
David is about 31 mins in

https://flintshire.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/282786

Redrow can object the decision to the Welsh Assembly Government if they wish.

Decision Day for The 192

Today at 1.00pm FCC Planning Committee will hear the arguments fore and against the building of 192 houses mainly executive on open farm land.
You are very welcome to attend. Residents will be outside the front of Shire Hall at 12.45am

The Redrow representative will put their arguments forward.

Our County representatives Cllrs David Williams and Cindy Hinds will put their arguments forward against the application.
Also a representative of the Penyffordd Group will speak against the application.

Penyffordd have 5, 5 and 3 minutes respectively to speak.

FCC Planning have advised refusal.
If the FCC Planning Committee refuse planning this makes for a very strong case.

Redrow will have the opportunity to petition the Welsh Assembly Government if the decision today goes against them. If Planning officers and Planning Committee advise against this puts us in a good position. In recent times there have only been two instances where planning has been approved by WAG against the wishes of the two groups mentioned above.

Why refuse?
1. The application goes against WAG law and guidelines.
2. A new school is to be built that will NOT cater for the expected extra 400 children that this application will produce. This means school children will have to find their way to other schools in Buckley, Hawarden and Mold.
3. Current village amenities are not sufficient for current residents.
4. Penyffordd's allocation of new build will be double that of FCC guidelines.
5. These houses are not of the type that the community wants as stated in the recent village survey.

Penyffordd Sky at Night

If you look eastish towards Lower Kinnerton at sunset you can see the planet Jupiter the largest planet in our Solar System.

http://earthsky.org/tonight/why-jupiter-closest-after-before-opposition

No Elections for Penyffordd on May 4th

Cllr David Walker informs me

"After the nominations for Council have closed ( 4th April) there will be no elections in Penyffordd on May 4th
Both County Councillors returned unopposed.

Only 9 applicants for the Community Council. 

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

So what this means is that no residents stood for County Councillor apart from Cllr Cindy Hinds and Cllr David Williams our present county cllrs who are standing again.

There was a shortfall for Community Council positions so all those who stood for community council last time and are standing again will be re elected unopposed.

postscript: plus new community council candidates.

Local Bus Hub - Cllr David Walker comments

" Do you not think there is a need for such a service in the light of the latest proposals by ARRIVA. They have decided to reduce the service to Mold and Chester through the village by 50%. As of Monday the 10th April the bus service to Mold and Chester will be every hour. This was done without any consultation with the Community Council and from what I can make out without any consultation with the County Council. The buses to Mold will be 10 past the hour from the institute and on the Hour to Chester from the institute. They have also withdrawn our ONE AND ONLY BUS THROUGH THE VILLAGE ON A SUNDAY. How people are expected to get to work I don't know. "

Penyffordd Councillor Nominations

Cllr David Williams reminds me that nomination forms for the position of community and county councillor for the ward of Penyffordd need to be in by the 4th April to FCC.

I believe that at least four community cllrs are standing down this time.
Last time I looked there were positions for :-

2 Penyffordd County Cllrs
10 Community Cllrs

County are paid positions, Community unpaid.

Elections 4th May.

David has forms if you want one.

Welsh Assembly Goverment out to lunch

Last Sunday there was a 13 mile queue on the A55 at Conway / Colwyn Bay due to lane reductions.
Plus gridlock off the A55. People were spending 3 hours in queues.
Two days later they decide to have a road census. More queues.

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/a55-traffic-queues-miles-ridiculous-12806781#comments-section

Hawarden Rd Planning Application now online

Please respond if you care about Penyffordd remaining a village.

Quoted from elsewhere.

"Just to let everyone know, the Hawarden Road app is on the planning portal and is now open for comments - none of the documents are visible - but we have untl the 21st April to comment - spread the word!


https://digital.flintshire.gov.uk/FCC_Planning/Home/Details?refno=056694


The application reference is 056694."

Transport Hub Trouble Elsewhere

http://www.newsnorthwales.co.uk/news/173883/work-stopped-on-new-community-transport-hub-in-ewloe-and-hawarden.aspx

Penyffordd district under further attack

http://www.newsnorthwales.co.uk/news/173841/flintshire-council-go-ahead-for-500k-study-into-new-homes-sites.aspx

In the article I think they mean the Emmanuel Church half way up Vounog.

My friends call me Lara Croft' - meet the Flintshire woman trained as a firearms officer

PC Kelly Ellis, from Penyffordd

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/my-friends-call-lara-croft-12749170

Former Cllr Clive Weed

I understand Clive has resigned as a councillor for Penyffordd Community Council.
Most probably old news.
Google and Penyffordd Council website doesn't give a clue.

I also understand that certain longstanding cllrs are standing down and there are new younger candidates ready to stand.

I can remember when the balance of power was a follows.

Independents with a "small c " 9 places
Labour 1 place

How times change.

On an international perspective
Hope Geert Wilders does something in today's Dutch elections.
A very brave man who has to be surrounded by bodyguards all the time.

Interesting times.

keywords: Brexit, Donald Trump

postscript: Penyffordd Community Council Meeting 9th Nov 2016
"The Chairman informed the Council that unfortunately Councillor Dr Clive Weed formally resigned from his position on the Council with immediate effect. The Chair wished to thank Mr Weed for his years of hard work, loyalty and input. He will be sorely missed."

https://penyfforddareacc.com/images/MeetingMinutes_2016-2017/Ordinary_Minutes_09.11.2016.pdf

Seems google doesn't like pdf 's............

Bus Shelter Blues

http://www.newsnorthwales.co.uk/news/173579/flintshire-resident-fuming-as-bus-shelter-is-built-in-front-of-his-house.aspx

Trouble up road....
When I first bought my house 30 years ago BT attempted to put a phone box outside our house.
Also a magnet for youth and others.
Mrs Hibbert the previous owner managed to stop them. BT had done a phonebox base and it was ready to go.

Penyffordd Local Elections May 4th

Cllr Cindy Hinds will be standing for County Council
Cllr David Walker will be standing for Community Cllr

I presume it is a given that Cllr David Williams will be standing for County Council.

It would be good for new faces who have enthusiasm to stand.
Time for those long standing community cllrs to stand aside.

Penyffordd Community Group now give "added value" to our local representatives.
This is not an uncommon situation. Many such groups exist throughout the United Kingdom.

postscript Cllr Jeff Priddin will be standing as well.

Hanson Cement Works looking to expand

Alternative Title: Larger Blot on the Landscape?

Hopefully horizontally and not vertically. They need a new mill and re connection to the rail networks. Perhaps the materials for cement process could be railroaded in? That would mean less HGV.

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/giant-new-cement-mill-can-12715368 

Here's a horizontal one.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cement_mill

A vertical one here
http://www.cementkilns.co.uk/ck_rmp.html
Gets a bit technical at the bottom of the article discussing methods of controlling automatic production.

Prompt gamma neutron activation analysis seems to be the way things have gone........
This is clever stuff. Neutrons are fired through the cement dust to help control process.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prompt_gamma_neutron_activation_analysis

This might not be happening over the road. Just speculation.
If you want to get up to speed with neutrons Wiki is your friend also.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron

Community Bus Service - Cllr David Walker

"Can you please publish on your site that starting on the 1st of April there will be a service to the Surgery at Buckley. This will consist of an 8 seater mini bus pick up points will be Vounog Hill Bistre Close St Johns Church Penyymynydd and Dobshill.I will advise you of the times when the County Council confirm them."

Last Night's Meeting

A very well attended meeting. Standing room only at the back. The future options for the community were put before those that were present. Good to see support from Dobshill.

A very well presented meeting with projection slides and explanations of what action needs to be taken. Lots of questions from community members present.

Penyffordd District is fighting over development. Flintshire are planning to build twice as many houses over the next 15 years than are needed ( more on this later ).
We are building for Chester which is against Welsh Law, this must stop.

Good to see County Cllrs Cindy Hinds and David Williams at the meeting.
It would have been good to see Penyffordd Community Cllrs at the meeting even though they had their monthly meeting in the Institute.

What are Penyffordd Community Council doing to prevent the proposed building onslaught?
Will have to look at their website.

Only problem being last night's council meeting minutes will appear in a months time..........
This setup is 20th century and not acceptable in present times with events happening by the week.

Penyffordd Public Meeting 8th March 2017

Welsh Assembly Government Wellbeing Act as related to Flintshire

Copied from elsewhere.

Wellbeing Act
Flintshire County Council have published a consultation document on the Wellbeing Act relating to Flintshire - you can view the summary, local data and the full document online here:
http://www.flintshire.gov.uk/en/Resident/Council-and-Democracy/Flintshire-Public-Services-Board.aspx

The most interesting bit we have extracted - it basically describes all our ( edit Penyffordd district ) problems in one short section:

2.26.8 Between April 2006 and March 2016 the average completion rate for new dwellings and conversions has been around 405 units per year. The economic downturn in 2007/08 saw a depression in the construction industry, which reduced housebuilding rates.

2.26.9 This reduction in housing completions continues across most of the country, but in Flintshire the past few years have seen exceptional completion rates fuelled by large Unitary Development Plan sites originally identified back in the 1990s being developed. They present a finite land resource for new house building, and once the allocations are built on they are gone. These sites could potentially lose their housing development status as the imminent production of a new Flintshire County Council Local Development Plan (LDP) reviews land allocations, and so there is an incentive to develop sooner rather than later.

2.26.10 Arguably, the recent high build rates could also be due to developers ‘managing’ the market and local supply, particularly given Flintshire’s current position ‘between plans’ and an inability to demonstrate a 5 year land supply, which opens up the possibility of speculative housing sites being promoted. Flintshire’s proximity to areas on the English border which see high housing demand but have restricted land supply also makes the area attractive to the large housing developers, particularly in the absence of an LDP. The neighbouring Welsh local authority of Wrexham also has limited housing land availability, which adds to the pressure on Flintshire. Once Flintshire’s new LDP is produced this speculative development will be curtailed.

2.26.11 The rate of new housebuilding seen in the last three of four years is not thought to be sustainable as there is doubt about long term capacity of developers, particularly when neighbouring local authorities produce their own Local Development Plans (including Chester and Wrexham) and release land for up to 40,000 homes within similar time periods over the next year or two.

2.26.12 Based on the past building rates method over a 5 year and 10 year period the land supply amounts to 6.6 and 8.1 years respectively. The Council is of the view that past building rates method clearly show the actual level of supply, compared with what the development industry is currently achieving on the ground, and is more reflective of recent economic conditions and reduced levels of house building.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My comments
http://www.flintshire.gov.uk/en/Resident/Planning/Development-plans--policies.aspx

With regards 2.26.12 and comment stating 6.6 and 8.1 year land supply.

In the above link it states "TAN1 requires each local planning authority in Wales to ensure that sufficient land is genuinely available or will become available to provide a 5 year supply of land for housing. Where a local planning authority doesn’t have an adopted Unitary Development Plan or Local Development Plan (LDP), it is considered not to have a 5-year supply and cannot publish a Joint Housing Land Availability Study, and this is the current situation in Flintshire."

So do we have a qualifying land supply?

Fears communities will merge together if housebuilding continues

http://www.newsnorthwales.co.uk/news/172998/fears-communities-will-merge-together-if-housebuilding-continues.aspx

Cllr Bithell ( Mold) referred to the villages of Penyffordd, Caergwrle and Abermorddu, where serious concerns have been expressed about being merged together through developments.

Jobs News

Sam Thompson, 29, from Penyffordd and Spencer Youd, 19, from Penymynydd have joined as Audit and Accounts senior and junior respectively.

https://bdaily.co.uk/industrials/20-02-2017/two-new-starters-at-chester-accountants/

Plans for 320 new homes could spell the end for Penyffordd as a village.

Cindy in The Leader
http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/172894/plans-for-320-new-homes-could-spell-the-end-for-penyffordd.aspx

David is also on the case meeting and communicating with FCC planning officials, Welsh Ministers Lesley Griffiths AM and Carwyn Jones AM First Minister.

I think a further public meeting at Penyffordd British Legion will be announced shortly.

All objections will need to be done again for the modified 192 planning application and the other proposed developments.

Are we going to get Carl Sargeant AM on the case?

Roadworks A5104 Best find an alternative route

Unless you like sitting traffic. Lights are 3 way and are happening for about 2 weeks. Deep red and red mean stationary traffic. Screen grab taken at 5.15pm.

Click image to enlarge

Redrow 192 Update

http://www.penyfforddcommunity.org/redrow/

Your objection is required. Link provides valid reasons for objection.
Get to work............

Flintshire - Best Roads in Wales

Something for Bernie to be proud of.

http://www.deeside.com/flintshire-best-roads-wales-according-new-government-data/

Flintshire County Council has said it is preparing for a programme of road surface dressing works to improve the rural highway network.

The County will be investing £400k at various sites across the network.

Work is expected to start next week on the A5104 Penyffordd to Broughton road.

The work will include a number of route treatment safety measures, replacement of street lighting, traffic sign upgrading and junction improvements along the road.

Meanwhile in Wrexham

Daily rants on Penyffordd Facebook Groups about dog stuff

http://www.wrexham.com/news/four-dog-fouling-tickets-issued-in-one-day-as-part-of-council-crackdown-126331.html

Quote "Residents concerned about dog fouling in their area are asked to email contact-us@wrexham.gov.uk stating the location and time of day, if known, the dog fouling was taking place."

Not for us though we're in Flintshire.

Welsh MP's and Brexit

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/welsh-mps-bid-secure-second-12554920

They just don't like democracy.

Lets keep voting till we get the right result.

To paraphrase former President Obama " Brexit won, deal with it"

A View of Kinnerton's failed planning appeal for Penyffordd

And what needs to be done here.

http://www.penyfforddcommunity.org/news/2017/2/2/kinnerton-loses-appeal-56-more-houses-allowed

Penyffordd and Penymynydd War Memorial Institute Website

http://www.penyfforddwmi.co.uk/

keywords: Penyffordd Institute

Items Stolen Penymynydd

4 saddles black country, wintec, albion and eglish saddle and a new energizer all stolen from small yard in Penymynydd Mon Night RM17002578

HGV's using Penyffordd Village and surrounding trunk roads

Steps are being taken to make HGV drivers use lorry Sat Nav. There doesn't seem a month goes by with HGV's hitting Penyffordd and Caegwrle Railway bridges leading to train cancellations.

Through HGV traffic should not be using Penyffordd village either.

http://www.deeside.com/local-government-association-calls-ban-lorry-drivers-using-sat-navs-designed-cars/

A Nearby Blog

Came across this on Twitter. Seems that they have some fun up the Wirral.

https://wirralleaks.wordpress.com/

Penyffordd Community Transport Service set to be launched.

http://leaderlive.co.uk/news/171766/flintshire-council-set-to-launch-new-community-transport-service.aspx

Dog Poo News

This is what Wrexham BC are doing.

http://www.wrexham.com/news/wrexham-council-to-crackdown-on-dog-fouling-issue-no-nonsense-message-to-irresponsible-owners-125777.html

Hawarden Road Development Consultation

Click to enlarge

Information forwarded by Cllr David Williams

Links

http://www.walsinghamplanning.co.uk/resources/planning-applicationsin-wales/13-hawarden-road-hawarden-road-penyffordd.htm

When we leave the EU

Can we get rid of this silly arrangement where I have to agree to accept cookies on every new site that I go on..........

One of the more dick head EU regs.

Wales is Poor

Relatively speaking.....

http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2017/01/single-market-great-wales-poor/

Another Housing Development Planning Application

Hawarden Rd near the bypass.
http://www.penyfforddcommunity.org/hawarden-road/

Chester under assault

Massive New Housing Development this side of Chester.
3000 extra cars in rush hour is madness. Any of you who have to get into and out of Chester for work will realise this. Not sure how Chester Council are going to square the circle with their " traffic survey".

http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/tv-appearance-chester-activists-worried-12479405

Have you looked at your Lotto tickets

Am I in for a percentage if its you?

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2648829/lucky-lotto-punter-will-miss-out-on-their-1m-jackpot-unless-it-is-claimed-tomorrow/

Proposed Rhos Rd Retirement Homes Update

http://leaderlive.co.uk/news/171354/cautious-welcome-to-scheme-for-32-new-flats-in-penyffordd-area.aspx

Quote
"The Penymynydd Road site will then be redeveloped. Would a development of retirement homes not be more suitable there, in the heart of the village? What will be developed there otherwise?”

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

I like the sound of that.

Some might not.

I presume this proposed development was discussed by Penyffordd Community Council last Wednesday. I suppose we have to wait a month until we see the ratified minutes.

Backward Step by FCC over Dog Poo?

Hawarden Road, Penyffordd is a disgrace.
As are many other areas
Flintshire County Council set to do nothing.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/dog-poo-dna-scheme-flintshire-12439810

If the DNA scheme is 100% accurate surely this is the way to go.

I'm a dog owner by the way.

Proposed Rhos Rd Retirement Development to be discussed at Penyffordd Council Meeting

This evening at The Institute back room. All are welcome to attend but not usually speak.. Normally starts 6.30 pm.
http://penyfforddareacc.com/images/MeetingMinutes_2016-2017/Ordinary_Agenda_11.01.2017.pdf

I think it will be discussed under Any Other Business.

Oh Dear !

https://leftfootforward.org/2017/01/labour-hits-lowest-polling-in-wales-since-gordon-brown/

postscript:

One of the comments.

andrew hennager

Today

How can they lose 80 seats on the Welsh assembly when there are only 60 seats in the first place?

Pen y ffordd Community Facebook Group

https://www.facebook.com/penyffordd/

It says managed by the Community Council.
But who runs it ?

Proposed Flats for Rhos Rd

http://www.penyfforddcommunity.org/rhos-road-south/

In front of Mr Heaton's house........

The question being would you want a set of flats instead of a nice green field if you lived there?
A strange proposed development.

A bit like me wanting flats up the garden.........

Living Near Main Roads is a Bad thing

http://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/living-near-busy-roads-may-increase-dementia-risk-study-4461829/

I would like to see Chester Rd become a little less "mainish" at rush hour morning and evening.

After all we have a bypass.

Flintshire village on its way to being a community of lifesavers

http://www.newsnorthwales.co.uk/news/170780/flintshire-village-on-its-way-to-being-a-community-of-lifesavers.aspx

PENYFFORDD COMMUNITY TRANSPORT DROP IN

PENYFFORDD COMMUNITY TRANSPORT DROP IN

WEDNESDAY 18TH JANUARY

VENUE PENYFFORDD INSTITUTE

TIME 2-00 pm TILL 4-00 pm

Link http://www.flintshire.gov.uk/en/Resident/Streetscene/Community-Transport-in-Flintshire.aspx

Cllr David Walker who is co-ordinating the above can be reached through below.

Community Cllr Name and Contact  List here http://penyfforddareacc.com/

A Belated Happy Xmas and all the best for the New Year

From me Colin.

2016 was a hell of year, but not for some.....

Village data on the village survey due out soon.

Challenges for Penyffordd District for 2017 and beyond.
To keep our area a village rather than an urban sprawl.

Well Done North Wales Police ! Stolen goods recovered

Mavis Evans says on Facebook "Thought you'd like to know that all of the Christmas presents stolen from one car have now been returned to their rightful owner, so there'll be happy children this Christmas"

Local Crime News Update

One of the crims caught, some items recovered. Good work NWP. Can we have him locked up till his court case?

More Break ins of cars last night

On Social media
50 presents stolen.
At least 2 breakins last night
Used credit cards in Tesco's and Mcdonalds in Broughton
Police have good images on CCTV but will not release them........
Also know what car they are driving.
Something to do with what happens if they're caught and court appearance?
Human rights? They don't have any...........IMHO

Better not try our car, Charlie will sort them.
That is unless they're carrying chocolate or a lump of steak.....................

As pointed out on Facebook, if they can show alleged criminals on Crimewatch
why can't they release faces and car details to the local papers?

Mass Car Break In's on an Industrial Scale

Loads of cars broke into last night. Locked cars had their systems bypassed. Reported on Facebook.
Some people had left credit cards in their cars.

Quote -  PS 1337 Mavis Evans NWP

Hi residents of Penyffordd/Penymynydd just to keep you the loop when I left work tonight we had received reports of 13 vehicles that had been entered overnight. These cars had been parked at various addresses around Penyffordd and Penymynydd. Some vehicles were left open but some vehicles were locked and they had been entered by means unknown.
We have also had a report from a member of the public who's car wasn't entered. He has cctv and he has checked his camera and a male can be seen on his driveway at 2 am and the male was clearly looking into his car. That male has dropped some items which we have seized for forensic examination.
Some bank cards had also been stolen and have been used, enquiries are being made with banks to get the full locations so that we can get CCTV from the stores in order to catch these badies.
Please can I make an appeal that if you live in the affected areas or in any of the surrounding streets and you have CCTV then this is checked for during the night. I'm guessing that they were around for some time and they were using a car.
There will be extra patrols in the area but if you have any concerns don't hesitate to phone 101 or if you need an immediate response 999

Further
http://www.newsnorthwales.co.uk/news/170383/thieves-target-nearly-a-dozen-vehicles-in-penymynydd-and-penyffordd.aspx

Chester Rd has reverted into a trunk road

postscript: Deeside.com do it better ....http://www.deeside.com/temporary-traffic-lights-cause-chaos-penymynydd-roundabout/

Big increase in traffic yesterday and this morning. Locals on Facebook say there are 4 way traffic lights on Penymynydd roundabout. duh!

I estimate we're seeing over 20 cars a minute and its not even a school day which vastly increases traffic.

How long are the traffic lights at Penymynydd roundabout going to be there?
Will vehicle users develop bad habits and use the village as a short cut in future?

Traffic Levels - Red stuff means stop I think. You can see the orange levels on Chester Rd.
Green marker is Lisa on the A55 at 9.15am not the time as marked on screen shot.

Click image to enlarge.

postscript: Where does traffic data come from? Been scratching my head over this. Some of it comes from your mobile.

When you choose to enable Google Maps with My Location, your phone sends anonymous bits of data back to Google describing how fast you're moving. When we combine your speed with the speed of other phones on the road, across thousands of phones moving around a city at any given time, we can get a pretty good picture of live traffic conditions. We continuously combine this data and send it back to you for free in the Google Maps traffic layers. It takes almost zero effort on your part — just turn on Google Maps for mobile before starting your car — and the more people that participate, the better the resulting traffic reports get for everybody.

A55 Broughton turned into a carpark yesterday

Motorists stuck for hours yesterday teatime onwards due to a multiple crash. Cars had to turn around and get off at the previous junction ( under police direction) as both carriageways were shut.

Penyffordd Council Noticeboard not updated for 4 months...........

Those without internet up "s" creek on council activities.
Cllr Cindy Hinds' newsletter being the exception.

I'm under the impression the keys are lost for the notice board.
Has this happened on purpose?

A Roman Fort to be built at Hope

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/plans-flintshire-theme-park-roman-12321982

It would be fair to say the Romans did not treat the Welsh very well. A few must be turning  in their graves.

A bit like building something to honour  the enemy of World War II ?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wales_in_the_Roman_era

Flintshire Council to invest £4.6m to ‘transform’ high school in Hope

http://leaderlive.co.uk/news/169928/flintshire-council-to-invest-4-6m-to-transform-high-school-in-hope.aspx

Education in Wales - Could do better

Whose fault?
Perhaps the WAG?

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/wales-schools-ranked-worst-uk-12279516

Well known local jogger spotted in Chester

Slight profanity warning.

https://twitter.com/ShitChester/status/805358619550162944?t=1&cn=ZmxleGlibGVfcmVjcw%3D%3D&refsrc=email&iid=f9f1e9bb0fbc4101a6e67ec5073842c0&uid=1372366334&nid=244+272699392

Brian also has letters published in the broadsheets.

Drivers still driving the wrong way at the top of Penymynydd Rd

http://www.newsnorthwales.co.uk/news/169784/residents-have-no-idea-how-to-stop-motorists-driving-the-wrong-way-on-flintshire-one-way-road.aspx

Some Words about the WAG

http://heatst.com/world/this-is-no-time-to-bloat-welsh-politics-even-more/

Bonfire Night Revisited

Just had a look through County Councillor Cindy Hinds' news letter. As mentioned by Cindy there was an awful lot of green garden waste.

Volunteers were burning off excess material before the bonfire and the day after Sunday. One house on Chester Rd was subject to a 2 day barrage of toxic smoke. Lots of the garden waste was from Landscape companies. One client who got turned away was trying to dump a cooker, metal gate and washing machine........

Next year there is going to be a system to control "contributions" for the bonfire. This will be challenging with the road next to the institute field handy for throwing over contributions........

Good News for Chester Rd and Penymynydd Rd

The new single primary school is to be built at Abbott's Lane. Construction planned to start Jan 2018.
Less traffic and less speeding parents entering Penymynydd Rd on 2 wheels. I nearly got "took out" by a parent mounting the path outside the school the other day.

Less traffic first thing. Just speeding cars and through lorries to be dealt with. The Rat Run.

Fiercer bumps perhaps for the  4 x 4 's. Through traffic banned from village. Lorries banned from the village. After all we have a bypass.

Lorries and Penyffordd village

Why do we have lorries coming through the village if we have a bypass?  I've previously queried why lorries need to come through the village to no avail.

Here's some residents in Rhyl who are fed up with lorries and a rat run. We in Chester Rd, Penyffordd have a similar issue if not quite as bad. Our's polarized to early morning and teatime.

Why can't we have " except for access" ?

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/rhyl-residents-plead-motorists-stop-12207660

Skips News

After Flintshire County Council backing down over closing recycling centres ( pressure from WAG to cut down on recycling centres) I hear Buckley recycling is to be closed for about 2 months next January February 2017 whilst modifications are made to upgrade centre.

Flintshire not getting its proper share of Welsh funding

From https://www.facebook.com/caergwrleactiongroup/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED&fref=nf

Interesting session on the continuous austerity faced by Flintshire County Council at Broughton library this evening. Despite being the 6th/22 largest county in Wales, Flintshire is 19th in reciept of funding capita per head of population. Newport for example is similar to Flintshire in terms of population but last year received £29million more pounds in funding. Furthermore, we pay more business rates and tax as a county and get nowhere near as much money as this back.
After cutting back as much as it can (e.g. reducing senior management posts and support by nearly 50%, middle management posts by around 25% and admin/clerical staff by 40%, sharing buildings and services with other authorities), the council is currently making a case to have its funding increased in the coming year.

postscript: In the comments below in reply to Cllr David Walker's comments I mention the North / South Wales divide.
This is what Google tells me:-

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-been-shortchanged-millions-10489132

http://outlawjimmy.com/uk/the-northsouth-divide/

Another day another lorry hits Penyffordd railway bridge

The Daily Post reports that a lorry hit the above bridge at 8.50 am this morning. This usually means cessation of trains between Bidston and Wrexham whilst safety work is carried out.

Perhaps some investment in extra signage, etc. Don't use GPS, my self I'm a Google streets person if I don't know where I'm going, saying that it must use GPS.

Do lorry drivers use GPS? If so are low bridges indicated?

Many of them have tracking systems so it can be seen when they are speeding.

Penyffordd School Footballers in Barcelona

Most probably been up the Las Ramblas

Penyffordd FC’s boys under-15 side, run by coach Michael Cunningham, raised more than £6,000 to pay for every child in the team to be able to go on the trip to Spain.
http://leaderlive.co.uk/news/169158/penyffordd-fc-junior-side-compete-in-international-tournament-in-barcelona.aspx

https://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/ramblas/barcelona-las-ramblas.html

Effluent tanks up the Vounog have gone.

Penyffordd was being used as a base to keep effluent for spraying on the fields somewhere north of the village. ie. Broughton

Why not have effluent holding tanks at Broughton?  :)
Then they wouldn't need to come through the village.

They're digging up the swings

next to the Millstone.
Big job broke out.

Remembrance Sunday at Penyffordd district.

Penyffordd residents remembering those who died in the wars. A very good turnout for the procession through the village. It would appear we could not get Buckley Band as part of the procession. Well done to Paul Blackwell and mate who fixed loud speakers to their van together with the appropriate band music played through the loud speakers leading the procession. Cllrs Cindy Hinds, David Williams and John Martin amongst those in the procession.

Your chance to have a say in the future of Penyffordd, Penymynydd, Dobshill

Below is a link to a questionnaire asking you ( a resident of Penyffordd ward ) to have your say on the future of our community. As far as I am aware its open to all family members.

For efficiency purposes its best if the online questionnaire is used. You will however be receiving a copy of the questionnaire through your letter box in the next week.


http://www.penyfforddcommunity.org/questionnaire-1

Excerpts below.

What is the Questionnaire  for?

This questionnaire has been prepared by volunteers from the village together with the Community Council. Everyone in the village needs to speak up to help to influence how the village will change over the next 15 years.

The worst case scenario could see over 750 extra houses in the village by 2030.

Flintshire County Council are preparing a Local Development Plan (LDP) which defines how the towns and villages in the County will grow between now and 2030. It will decide:

- how many houses are needed in the County
- how those houses will be distributed around the towns and villages across the County
- which plots of land will be available for building in each settlement
- policies which will instruct planners and developers in the way developments are built

As part of the process Flintshire C.C. are consulting with people to get their opinions about the proposals. We will let you know when each of these consultations are ready to be answered.

At the same time as Flintshire’s LDP, we are preparing a Community Development Plan (CDP) which
contains details of how our villagers want Penyffordd/Penymynydd/Dobshill to look in 2030. This CDP
will tell planners, developers and other stakeholders what is important to our community.

Recent House Sales

15, Hawarden Road, CH4 0JD £167,950 19 Aug 2016 2 bed terraced ------------------------------------------------ 27, Vounog Hill, CH4 0EY £125,000 09 Sep 2016 2 bed semi-D ----------------------------------------------- 2, Priory Close, CH4 0JB £175,000 31 Aug 2016 3 bed detached ----------------------------------------------- 98, Vounog Hill, CH4 0EZ £255,000 29 Jul 2016 4 bed semi-D ---------------------------------------------- 29, Min Y Ddol, CH4 0EB £147,142 22 Aug 2016 2 bed terraced

Bonfire Night

Doing turn way business. Queue to get in is 3 wide, 200 yards long. Half way up Chester Rd. Never seen so many people. Bonfire appears to have been kept to a certain size. We've had a mini bonfire this afternoon burning off the surplus.

A New Community Council Notice Board

is to be sited at the entrance to the Well House estate next to the post box. David informs me. Notice boards are a necessary lifeline for those who haven't got internet. Not sure if the one outside the old post office is up to date. There was an issue with the keys.........

A Big Smell coming to Penyffordd?

If we return to standard wind patterns I won't be smelling it at my house. These tanks are filled with "effluent" , the tanks shown at the top of the Vounog on the left. The effluent is sprayed on the fields.

Various substances are used. Some of them highly unpleasant, smells like dead animals. Not sure air borne particles from these operations are good for health.

Not a million miles from David's house......

If you see any of this crap in water courses, clue dead fish, take photos and contact Cllr Cindy Hinds or Cllr David Williams.

It's  against the law.

postscript: http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/126820/stench-from-fields-near-sealand-is-making-us-ill.aspx

Bed time reading or maybe not..... http://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1001&context=manuals
Extract: ( it's to do with workers who work in sewage farms )
7. Are workers exposed to diseases by inhalation? Inhalation itself may lead to a respiratory infection or the respiratory mucous laden with trapped pathogens may be swallowed so that the infection actually occurs in the digestive tract. Aerosols might contaminate food or water and lead infection in the digestive system. Organisms which can infect the lungs include Mycobacterium tuberculosis and some of the enteric viruses. It is difficult to study health effects from aerosols since the treatment plant is located within the area it serves: the ultimate sources of the pathogens in the aerosol are infected individuals in the service area. It is difficult to determine if the route of transmission for a disease was wastewater contact or contact with other people.

The amount and survival of microorganisms in wastewater aerosols depends upon the amount of the organism in the wastewater, aeration basin, or sludge; the amount of material aerosolized; what happens to the aerosol while in the air (such as drying of moisture or impact with a surface); and the die-off of the organisms with distance in the downwind direction. Even when these circumstances are known, interpreting the health risk from the information is difficult since it is necessary to consider what is the quantity of a particular pathogen required to start an infection in people. Bacteria and viruses are not necessarily evenly distributed throughout a liquid, but can concentrate in the in the surface microlayer. This affects how many organisms can be put into the air.

During aeration, when air bubbles break at the air-water interface, microorganisms are ejected into the atmosphere. The bacterial concentration in the ejected drops from bubbles may, depending upon the drop size, be from 1 to 1000 times that of the water from which the bubbles burst. Wind is the most important environmental factor that determines the aerosol spread of the pathogens. When in an aerosol, the survival of the organisms depends upon relative humidity, temperature and sunlight. These factors cause a die-off of microorganisms: the indicator organisms appear to be affected by this shock of aerosolization than are the pathogens, (Pseudomonas, Streptococcus, Clostridium perfringens, Mycobacterium, and enteric viruses.

Typically, indicator organisms are used to indicate the possible presence of associated pathogenic bacteria and human viruses because the pathogens are difficult to assay and seldom occur at readily detectable concentrations. Studies have shown that there can be a very poor correlation between pathogens and indicator organisms. Also, changes in indicator organisms may not relate to changes in pathogen concentrations. Fecal streptococcus may be a better indicator for aerosolized wastewater. The measure of the spread of pathogens by aerosols can be done rapidly and inexpensively by monitoring cyanophages, viruses that attack the blue-green bacteria (cyanobacteria).

The LLP-cyanophages are not fecal organisms but may be good indicators of water pollution since they appear in polluted water when pathogens are present, survive longer than pathogens (more resistant to chlorination than coliforms), and are detected by a simple test. Diffused aeration activated sludge causes little aerosol release of cyanophages in comparison to the mechanical aeration. A trickling filter also produces aerosols while the filter is in operation; the more filters a plant has, the higher the bacterial content of the air downwind of the filter. A study showed that both coliform bacteria and total organisms are higher in the air at night than during the day, showing the effect on bacterial death. Higher airborne levels of organisms were present when the relative humidity was above 35% or during high wind speeds.

Penyffordd Bonfire Night

The Daily Post says

Penyffordd & Penymyndd: Bonfire and Fireworks display at the War Memorial Institute, Penymyndd Road. Saturday November 5. Gates open at 6.30pm. Price Adults £2, children £1. All proceeds go towards the upkeep of the Institute.

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/fireworks-events-around-north-wales-12017796

Gosafe want to know.

I think we should have them in the village
Morning rat run Chester Rd for starters.

Take the time to take part in their questionaire, it only takes a few minutes.

http://www.wrexham.com/news/gosafe-speed-camera-partnership-wants-to-know-what-you-think-121711.html

OAP gets knocked down outside the Spar

There's this sprightly OAP  I see about the village. Recently I've seen him limping, looking the worse for wear. I'm suspecting he has something I don't want to know about.

Anyway he got knocked down on the Spar car park by a reversing vehicle. Vehicle owner said it was his own fault for being on the car park.

Given such an attitude I would be asking for his insurance company. Noting car reg details and reporting him to NWP.

Of course when you get knocked down, the shock etc. kicks in.

I have an acquaintance who reversed into two girls. He ended up before a magistrate.......

Great British Bake Off comes to Penyffordd.

I think minus Paul Hollywood.

The event was organised by the committee at the toddler group, Lynn Jones, Caroline Thompson, Ceri Moore, Laura Goble, Ruth Fletcher, Helen Ing, Laura Weller and Alexandra Trevor.

The junior winner was Ffion Brown, aged four, second was Henry Moore and third was Jack Mullin. The winner for the adult category was Jenny Russell, second was Jane Curtis and Julie Brown came third.
http://www.newsnorthwales.co.uk/news/168288/former-bake-off-contestant-steps-in-to-judge-fundraising-contest-in-penyffordd.aspx

Penyffordd Pedestrian Safety

Someone put the following comment on my blog.

"Too many motorist parking on footpaths and pavements in Penyffordd. This makes a hazard for pedestrians and mums with prams. A bad habit that should not be tolerated by the police. "

Thank you for posting this, an important point especially around schools and the Spar.
NWP aren't interested in such minutae and are no longer responsible for enforcement. It will take pedestrian injury reported in the local media to get any action. Flintshire County Council are now responsible for such misdemeanors.

If you contact County Councillors Cindy Hinds and David Williams they will alert the appropriate dept within FCC.

As people know I live on the corner of Penymynydd Rd. We have a large pavement which is occasionally used for parking. Last year on a Sunday morning when the All Day Breakfast was taking place someone got booked for parking on said pavement at 11 am.
Motorists have also been booked for parking on double yellows near by.

Enforcement seems peace meal to non existent at the moment.
We won't talk about the cretin who blocked my drive for 15 hours............ Had to get NWP on that one. NWP did very well on that.

Loyalty Scheme for Penyffordd district?

http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/hoole-launch-innovative-town-centre-12053004

BT Hub 5 Wifi EMF Microwave radiation alert.

We have BT Infinity. The box is in my office. I don't like sitting in wifi all day because its bad for you.
So I turn it off.

Funny how even though I turn it off it still works on Lisa's ipad.

Been scratching my head about this for a while. Thought Lisa might have been using next door.
But she isn't, she's using ours even though it says its switched off.

There's a second wifi signal that gives everyone free wifi. So I'm still bathing in electromagnetic radiation.
Bastard BT.

I'm reading that below which I hope will show me how to switch off the second. I suppose I could always surround it with a Faraday cage otherwise known as tin foil...................

http://www.michellesblog.co.uk/are-you-hosting-a-bt-hot-spot/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTOj0BkIqv8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8MkqzQBlto

http://educate-yourself.org/cn/microwaveshielding09jan12.shtml

postscript. Getting BT to turn off your wifi may prevent you using your wifi devices elsewhere. ie your mobile phone.

postscript: BT Wifi / Internet box now in old shoe box lined with multiple layers of aluminium baking foil.  Lid to be taken off when wifi is needed which is 5 minutes a day.
It works Lisa's portable devices can't get signal. We'll be staying with network cable.

Local Communities are organising themselves

Gone are the days when communities voted in  community councils then just left them to it. Hope, Caergwrle and Abermoddu have organised an action group just as Penyffordd, Penymynydd and Dobshill have.

Not sure if you can see the link below if your not on Facebook. If not its well worth joining, its quite easy to just put a few vague details down to join.

https://www.facebook.com/caergwrleactiongroup/#

Power to the People !

A Welsh Assembly Government Act to help Penyffordd district

http://thewaleswewant.co.uk/about/well-being-future-generations-wales-act-2015

Penyffordd Penyffordd Community Group meet Senior Flintshire County Council Planning Officers

This week the above group met with senior planners to discuss development within Penyffordd district. A presentation was shown to the planners. Views and fears were communicated with regards over development of the village. The meeting a very important stepping stone.

Shortly all Penyffordd district will be receiving an anonymous questionaire asking them about many facets of village life, current and for the future.

I encourage you to take the time to look through the document, complete and return it to one of the designated drop off points.

A Saturday Morning Meeting is planned in The Institute shortly where residents can raise objections and exchange points of view.

Also further meetings are planned to take place in the British Legion in the near future.

Road Safety Concerns

Cllr Clive Weed raised concerns over road safety outside of the Millstone Play Area.

Noise News

Cllr David Williams advised due to continued noise complaints from residents in proximity to the skate park he is making enquires of acoustic barriers. RESOLVED this will be included on the October Agenda.

Penyffordd Community Council Special Meeting with Penyffordd / Penymynydd Community Group

http://penyfforddareacc.com/images/MeetingMinutes_2016-2017/Special_Meeting_Minutes_21.09.2016.pdf

Ysgol Penyffordd News

http://www.newsnorthwales.co.uk/news/167707/massive-cash-boost-will-bring-top-class-facilities-to-schools-in-flintshire.aspx

Recent House Sales

5, Allerton Close, CH4 0NJ

£165,000

12 Jul 2016

3 bed detached


6, Rhos Road, CH4 0JR

£150,000

11 Aug 2016

2 bed semi-D


2, Abbotts Lane, CH4 0HW

£180,000

08 Jul 2016

3 bed semi-D


23, Min Y Ddol, CH4 0EB

£138,000

13 May 2016

2 bed terraced

Utility Water Pressure in Penyffordd district.

I was among'st a group the other night when water pressure was mentioned. I live in an old property with lead pipes, shared pipes so I expect low water pressure. Recent maintenance work by utilities has seen an improvement.

I didn't realise that water pressure is an issue on relatively new estates. It seems to be partly time related. ie. when everyone gets up in the morning water pressure decreases.

We still have one of those outdated cold water header tanks in the loft. So we can maintain a certain pressure. Modern water systems are not the same. How can it be that in a modern built house when someone uses the toilet that pressure decreases and someone in the shower suffers a drop in water pressure, the shower stopping due to low water pressure.

Cue google for Utility obligations. Post script to be added.

Anti Social Behaviour in Penyffordd

http://www.newsnorthwales.co.uk/news/167376/terrorised-residents-in-flintshire-sick-and-tired-of-knock-and-run-yobs.aspx