Links to news and information about Swine Flu issued by health organisations such as the National Public Health Service for Wales, Welsh Assembly Government and the Health Protection Agency can be found on this page.
Health Protection Agency website
Voluntary donations are an essential part of maintaining Churches, Chapels and other community facilities such as this newspaper and the Neuadd. In these straitened times it is comforting to know that we live in a community where people are still prepared to put their hands in their pockets. However, as running costs rise increasing sums need to be raised – perhaps the only solution will be to think in terms of joint fund raising for all village facilities. The Auction taking place on Saturday 9th May is a good example of how money can be jointly raised for distribution. If anyone has any other ideas as to other means of joint fund raising do contact Y Bont.
Admission to the viewing (from 11 am) and to the Auction (from 2 pm) is free.
Please do look around your house and garden to see if there is anything you can contribute to the Auction – what you do not want may just be what someone else really needs.
A meeting was held on Monday 30th March to acquaint the community with the looming crisis in Church funding affecting many small churches in Wales. Subsidies for the financing of Churches have slowly reduced over a number of years and will cease altogether during this financial year. The result is that the Church in Wales requires each Parish to pay an increased Share, estimated at over £7000 per year for Carrog by 2010. Combined with the rising cost of utilities this means approximately £10,000 per year will be required to maintain Llansanffraid.
A steady increase in regular giving has been matched by a steady decline in money from fund raising. However, it was pointed out that short term fund raising was not a solution to the financial crisis and indeed was in danger of alienating the community. Long term, sustainable funding was required if the Church is to stay open and apart from informing the community of the approaching problems, the meeting also sought ideas regarding long term solutions. One suggestion was to hold an Annual Festival.
County Council Representatives held a forum at Corwen Sports Pavilion on the evening of 2nd April to discuss public services within the community. The county has been spilt into six areas: Dee Valley, Denbigh, Ruthin, Rhyl, Prestatyn and the A55 corridor with a new statement of intent. This comprised 5 key areas: Denbighshire’s citizens, assets, Rhyl south and south west, skill levels and integration of health and social care.
Amongst the issues discussed was the poor state of local roads, and the dangers of the A5 particularly Bonwm Bend. The Highways’ representative explained trunk roads are the responsibility of the Welsh Assembly. All county roads are checked at least twice a year, weather conditions this year meant many had significantly deteriorated with the cost of patching holes substantially greater than resurfacing. Several roads have been highlighted for maintenance work this financial year.
The lack of toilet provision along with the rundown appearance of some buildings on the A5 are having a negative impact on visitors to the Corwen area. The distance of the pay and display machine relative to the disabled parking bays in Green Lane car park was raised, in addition to issues over annual parking permits.
The two bag recycling scheme and the change to tip provision was explained. Lack of public consultation, highlighted by the axing of the mobile library was raised.
It was explained that the next few years would see a tightening of Council spending; 80% of Denbighshire’s budget comes from the Welsh Assembly with only 20% being raised through the Council Tax.
The Environmental Agency’s scheduling of a large part of undeveloped land in the town centre which is flood plain, was a cause of concern to residents particularly as to how this has impacted on provision of a new Health Centre. The Council representatives agreed to report back Councilor Huw Jones concerns on the issues discussed.
Several people commented on the poor communication between the Council and the public, an example of this was how few people were aware of this and other public meetings. The Council representatives are now aware of this problem and promise to address it for the future.
The Society are having two field trips during the summer.
Friday 15th May Trip to Crogen, Llandrillo – meet 2pm at Crogen
Thursday 25th June Trip to Segontium and Caernarfon.
Coach leaves Corwen Car Park at 9am, returning approximately 6.00 to 6.30pm.
Booking is essential
. Please contact Valmai Webb on 430220
The Neuadd is jointly owned by every person in Carrog. It is administered by the Trustees, who are appointed from within the community, and the Management Committee. The Management Committee (Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and their deputies) are elected annually by all eligible community members.
Eligible community members are any persons from the community who regularly attend Committee meetings.
Voting rights are restricted to those who regularly attend Committee meetings.
The running of the Neuadd is governed by a Constitution which is a legal document.
Copies of the Constitution and all minutes of meetings are available to any person interested.
The next meeting is on Monday 27th April 2009 at 7.00pm.
FUNDRAISING
Please remember the Neuadd Lottery which is always open to new members (contact Dave ‘Manweb’ Jones).
A weekly ‘Squares’ draw to help raise funds for Y Bont is available in the Grouse.
Mr Farnon Hadfield-Jones, Senior Team Leader, Denbighshire Youth Service attended the last meeting of the village hall committee to explain the future plans for youth club provision. The financial constraints and other legal requirements meant that the previous youth club arrangements were no longer possible. Youth service is now subject to inspection by ESTYN under provisions for lifelong learning as laid down by the Welsh Assembly Government, with quality having to be demonstrated.
Qualified leaders had been lost and it had proved difficult to recruit new ones. Core Funding for a five year period had been found from sources outside the County to provide a mobile youth club – a bus with computer and high tech equipment. This will be rolled out during Summer 2009 and tour the various villages on a rota system.
It is known that there is interest in having youth provision and with help from DVSC it will be possible to train volunteers to allow villages to open their own Youth Clubs, but there will be no financial help available. To establish a voluntary youth club, leaders will need to obtain the necessary qualification and then become an Affiliated Youth Provider. The insurance and other costs will involve a substantial financial outlay. If anyone is interested in training as a volunteer, contact Mr Hadfield-Jones at Denbighshire Youth Service. The Village Hall Committee agreed to give financial assistance to anyone prepared to undertake the training in order to allow a youth club to re-open in Carrog.
This service was due to cease on 1st April but has now been extended, with the last visit to Carrog on 20th May.
To build on the village archive of old photographs and documents, as displayed during the exhibition weekend last year, we are asking for your help!
Please can you contact us if you would be interested in telling stories from the past, this could include memories of Carrog school, the quarry, village shops, farming methods of the past, life in general, as well as memories of village events like the old Carrog Show. We would also like to make copies of any old photographs or documents you can find. Do you have old family films showing the dress of times gone by and village activities or outings? If we can have access to old film, we hope to be able to transfer images to a DVD that will be made part of the village archives.
Of special interest would be any links that can be made with Owain Glyndwr in this area. Please have a look through your old pictures and contact either;
Sian Dolben 430335, Eric Lea 430259 or Janice Hardie 430644
to have a chat about the project.