its at the turning of the year that we like to reflect on the comings and goings of the year past and who did good and who did bad.....
Heroes...
david peter- nominated for his solo lone voice as a representitive in the fight against the persecution of people suffering from alcoholism and realising moving folks on is no solution.
Don hughes-jones- nominated for offering a non persecuting solution for the drinkers in the local press,although much begrudged and abused by the moral majority.
Karma tensing- nominated for her humanity in fighting injustice and bringing an other worldliness to the debate.
cllr gary price- although very much wrong in the drinking issue and perhaps the hostelgary continues his purge against the allowance scandel at powys hq.
Villians
cllr keith tampin-we have known keith professionally and socially for many years and know of some of his leisure activities including hiding behind curtains in certain llandod venues but we are still staggered at his gross insensitivity towards ill people he describes as undesirable.He even now late in the year berates parkers of cars who have been displaced by others who have a selfish attitude to public ammenities.
cllr mike hodges-tory boy mike never fails to sadden us.despite inheriting a tailor made business his undying alllegience to the tories continue to stoop to new lows this year although he beat tampin in the county council election.He somehow thinks it was the tories and him personaly who saved his wifes margaret post office and got the street lights put back on.come on michael you are better than that.
Dr herman Venter-oh dear the uncaring attitude of a health care pro towards ill people must question his status as a professional.perhaps it is his afrikaaner roots that leads him to diparity and aloofness.
justin baird Murray-the md of the metropole continues to exploit migrant workers and further alienate locals who are unemployed.He also condemmed the drinkers as they were affecting his profits and allows his staff to park outside his business boundries and deny access to county amenieties.tosser.
harold nichols-self elected spokesperson for the folks of lant avenue and all round hypocrit and right wing zealot.harolds agenda was not clear untill the end of the scenario although always suspected as he was happy to accomadate 'ne'er do well's' in his properties during the 80's and 90's.looks like he has missed his piece of the pie now tho.
cllr gary price-unique in appearing in both lists.despite his unopposed reelection and love by his electorate ,gary is a loose cannon but withhis heart sometimes in the right place.although wrong over the drinks ban his purge over allowances is credible although he is making too many enemies.
so there it is heroes and villians.
worse offenders, well it has to be a tie between tampin,baird murray,ventner.
All for their ignorance and lack of humanity.
hope next year brings guidance and good sense humanity.
Tuesday, 30 December 2008
end of year ignorance....
the last town council meeting of the year was reported on in the festive edition of the county times.
Once again dept town mayor keith tampin shows a staggering ignorance of the needs of the people of the town by stating that they will have to get used to paying for space to park in town.
This is in light of the openining of the pay car park in beufort road.
Their was also mention of people visiting and working at the museam who have been put out by the introduction of this charging area although cllrhodges seems pleased it has generated a £100.
It just so happens that when i pass their are less than four cars parked in there,not like before.
And also the taxi firm now parks on the road as it can no longer park for free which means when you include the staff cars from the metropole the displacement by these two companies stretch the length of the street.however the taxi firm are usually back and fore unlike the metropole staff who park outside the day centre and county library even when their car park is empty.
The town council and tampin should be concentrating on doing something about them.
Once again dept town mayor keith tampin shows a staggering ignorance of the needs of the people of the town by stating that they will have to get used to paying for space to park in town.
This is in light of the openining of the pay car park in beufort road.
Their was also mention of people visiting and working at the museam who have been put out by the introduction of this charging area although cllrhodges seems pleased it has generated a £100.
It just so happens that when i pass their are less than four cars parked in there,not like before.
And also the taxi firm now parks on the road as it can no longer park for free which means when you include the staff cars from the metropole the displacement by these two companies stretch the length of the street.however the taxi firm are usually back and fore unlike the metropole staff who park outside the day centre and county library even when their car park is empty.
The town council and tampin should be concentrating on doing something about them.
Sunday, 21 December 2008
There is a light that never goes out....
powys chief exec mark kerr has sent an email to county hall staff requesting them to keep unlit xmas trees at county hall unless they are powered by battery and not mains as it might invoke an unfavourable reaction from the tax payer in light,sorry, of the continued fallout from the debacle over the street lights unless its for 'special events'.
these 'special events' are and i quote 'santa style celebrations and activities or parties'.
What the hell is going on at county hall!
these 'special events' are and i quote 'santa style celebrations and activities or parties'.
What the hell is going on at county hall!
too late to save yourself
The continued fallout abounds from AM's abuse of the expenses row with Nick Bourne donating to charity the price of a Ipod.
A hopeless and naive gesture but even more staggering when you read today that he calls for urgent reform of the expense claim system.
Why abuse it if you know you are going to get found out.
He is also continued to be supported by our own llandrindod radio wales star cllr sarah'comfort break' millington who was thrilled to recieve a personal call from nick to thank her for her support despite being rumbled as a tory councillor during the radio conversation.
A hopeless and naive gesture but even more staggering when you read today that he calls for urgent reform of the expense claim system.
Why abuse it if you know you are going to get found out.
He is also continued to be supported by our own llandrindod radio wales star cllr sarah'comfort break' millington who was thrilled to recieve a personal call from nick to thank her for her support despite being rumbled as a tory councillor during the radio conversation.
greetings
just want to wish everyone who passes here a non abusive and peacefull mid winter!
Nature is all we have and we are its product so self preservation is natural.-Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Nature is all we have and we are its product so self preservation is natural.-Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Monday, 15 December 2008
oh he shall be adored.
A sickening piece of self promotion has appeared in this weeks county times where by cllr mike hodges has taken credit himself alongside sarah'comfort break'millington for the relighting of street lights in certain areas of llandod.
Why not go the whole hog,mike, and claim the whole of the town,radnorshire and eventually powys.
he claims that his beseeching of the authority is the reason for the turnabout with out an ounce of recognition for the work done by the lib dems or more importantly in this case the huge outcry from the council tax payer and electorate of powys in general.
What next for mike, world peace or the quick end of the credit crunch.
only time will tell.
thanks for helping us mere mortals.
another example of tories sickening self promotion that is unwarranted and misplaced.
Why not go the whole hog,mike, and claim the whole of the town,radnorshire and eventually powys.
he claims that his beseeching of the authority is the reason for the turnabout with out an ounce of recognition for the work done by the lib dems or more importantly in this case the huge outcry from the council tax payer and electorate of powys in general.
What next for mike, world peace or the quick end of the credit crunch.
only time will tell.
thanks for helping us mere mortals.
another example of tories sickening self promotion that is unwarranted and misplaced.
Friday, 28 November 2008
ban bullying in the workplace
At last a creditable place to help with the appalling practice of bullying in the workplace which is often ignored.
Anybody who heard the account given by Andrea Adams on R4 saturday live 22nd november will have been moved and encouraged by her bravery and determination and appalled at the way herself and her family were treated.
One of the main aims of this blog is to eradicate and bring to account those who have the power to employ but abuse it.
You know who you are and you will be brought to justice!
heres the website of Andreas trust
www.andreaadamstrust.org
Anybody who heard the account given by Andrea Adams on R4 saturday live 22nd november will have been moved and encouraged by her bravery and determination and appalled at the way herself and her family were treated.
One of the main aims of this blog is to eradicate and bring to account those who have the power to employ but abuse it.
You know who you are and you will be brought to justice!
heres the website of Andreas trust
www.andreaadamstrust.org
Tuesday, 18 November 2008
how long ago was this decided.
the fallout from the big switch off continues with some council tax payers threatening to go to jail for non payment if Powys doesnt get itsact together whether it be the lights,allowances,lost money in foreign banks,lack of conviction by newly elected members.
The list goes on.
in light[pun unintended]of the switch off as part of a money saving inititive together with powys inviting consultants to help with over 300 late planning submissions at a cost of 60k.
how long ago was it decided on the erection of 'aesthetic' victorian street lights around the recently upgraded high street together with the number of lights at the new recycling centre,remember the centre is locked at around five in the evening so no one really needs that amount of lighting.
And i doubt if victorian style lights make much difference to the voluntary workers in high street or the elderly and local residents as they are bound to cost a lot more money.
The list goes on.
in light[pun unintended]of the switch off as part of a money saving inititive together with powys inviting consultants to help with over 300 late planning submissions at a cost of 60k.
how long ago was it decided on the erection of 'aesthetic' victorian street lights around the recently upgraded high street together with the number of lights at the new recycling centre,remember the centre is locked at around five in the evening so no one really needs that amount of lighting.
And i doubt if victorian style lights make much difference to the voluntary workers in high street or the elderly and local residents as they are bound to cost a lot more money.
not quite what wee expect form councillors.
A big story in the local rags and the storm it has created in the letter pages concerns recently elected llandod south cllr sarah millington who when cllr gary price was making his proposal about council members declineing their increase of allowances conveniently popped out for a 'comfort break' and on returning and having missed most of garys suggestion then decided to abstain from voting on the issue.
If this wasnt bad enough she further confounded the people she represents by asking them in the local press what they thought she should do in relation to the allowance rise although she did state that being a cllr takes up a lot of her free time and uses a lot of stationary.
Well thats alright then.
We know that she is new to this level of politics but is she really fit for office,you have to remember the llandod town councilcould not find anyone to stand in this ward so perhaps she was elected owing to voter apathy.
Perhaps another tory who is not up to it and should go all together and not trouble council tax payers at all.
If this wasnt bad enough she further confounded the people she represents by asking them in the local press what they thought she should do in relation to the allowance rise although she did state that being a cllr takes up a lot of her free time and uses a lot of stationary.
Well thats alright then.
We know that she is new to this level of politics but is she really fit for office,you have to remember the llandod town councilcould not find anyone to stand in this ward so perhaps she was elected owing to voter apathy.
Perhaps another tory who is not up to it and should go all together and not trouble council tax payers at all.
Friday, 31 October 2008
the cyber mob rules
has anyone been to the 'reading' room in the llandrindod branch of powys library services lately?
over the last couple of weeks the pc terminals within the 'reading' room have increased to a total of eight and now occupy the central round table and the long table next to the photocopier,which used to be the designated study area that must of been supported as part of powys' commitment to lifelong learning and education.
it seems the mob rule as the library service has catered for the internet surfers needs but in doing so have marginalised the readers of the dailys,weeklys and the periodicals as well as the students.
howfar are pcc library service going to go?
if the demand is great enough and we all know that IT is where we have all been forced to go to recieve welfare benefits and to pay our direct debits,will they eventually get rid of all the books and turn the branch into a cyber cafe.
over the last couple of weeks the pc terminals within the 'reading' room have increased to a total of eight and now occupy the central round table and the long table next to the photocopier,which used to be the designated study area that must of been supported as part of powys' commitment to lifelong learning and education.
it seems the mob rule as the library service has catered for the internet surfers needs but in doing so have marginalised the readers of the dailys,weeklys and the periodicals as well as the students.
howfar are pcc library service going to go?
if the demand is great enough and we all know that IT is where we have all been forced to go to recieve welfare benefits and to pay our direct debits,will they eventually get rid of all the books and turn the branch into a cyber cafe.
Thursday, 30 October 2008
out of sight out of our minds
last weeks mid wales journal reported the last town council meeting at which concern at the failure of the police to execute their duty with regard to the drinking ban in the town gardens.
Cllr eddie williams accused the pcso's of not doing their job as they ride around in a panda car instead of on foot.
well everyone has to work to a budget and as we know dyfed powys police have maybe lost 2 million quid in icelandic banks.
Cllr sheila richards was quoted as saying that she fears the drink problem has and may spread to other areas of the town including the lake and the rock park and was concerned about the amount of litter and damage in these areas.
WELL DONT SAY WE DIDNT WARN YOU!!!
alcoholism is a psychologically addictive illness that cannot be cured by moving addicts from one place to another or implementing a policy of out of sight out of mind.
indeed we have witnessed police officers interacting with members of the crew on several occasions but not executing the banning orders or taking alcohol off the drinkers.
Good for them.
they are obviously more in touch with the human condition then the mealy mouth town council who think llandod can be and should be immune to social ills.
the only way to truly solve this problem is to persuade the drinkers that admittance to a rehab programme is the way forward utilising behaviour and rehab professionals.
Cllr eddie williams accused the pcso's of not doing their job as they ride around in a panda car instead of on foot.
well everyone has to work to a budget and as we know dyfed powys police have maybe lost 2 million quid in icelandic banks.
Cllr sheila richards was quoted as saying that she fears the drink problem has and may spread to other areas of the town including the lake and the rock park and was concerned about the amount of litter and damage in these areas.
WELL DONT SAY WE DIDNT WARN YOU!!!
alcoholism is a psychologically addictive illness that cannot be cured by moving addicts from one place to another or implementing a policy of out of sight out of mind.
indeed we have witnessed police officers interacting with members of the crew on several occasions but not executing the banning orders or taking alcohol off the drinkers.
Good for them.
they are obviously more in touch with the human condition then the mealy mouth town council who think llandod can be and should be immune to social ills.
the only way to truly solve this problem is to persuade the drinkers that admittance to a rehab programme is the way forward utilising behaviour and rehab professionals.
Tuesday, 21 October 2008
markkerr of authority or no mark
Im sure everyone has been following the continuing story of the lost millions of local authorities that have dissappeared in the thermal springs of iceland.
thats the country not the frozen food company btw.
what staggers me is the explanations eminating from powys hq and especially those attributed to chief exec mark kerr.
first after the fall out of the lights out situation he states in print that a immediate u turn by switching the lights back on would make the council look indecisive and weak.
Why not try bumbling and untrustworthy mark.
Then he tries to explain the loss of the icelandic investments as part of the day to day 'managing' of finances.
If they knew that the credit crunch was biting and lets face it most of us have known the economy was in trouble for over a year with house prices falling alongside their sales as well as standard and poors rating of icelandic offshore investments as high risk then why were they not withdrawing the maximum amount each day!!!
Ok so their might have been risk in investing the withdrawn sums in uk banks and institutions but at least if they were managing daily they could of moved the sums around in a diversified portfolio like most private investors do.
Both kerr and michael evans seem to think that as since its only a 'reserve' fund that is kept for emergancies then it is no great loss but then they turn round and state the annual budget recieved from cardiff bay is again inadequate to run all services.
surely this 'reserve' could of been withdrawn and used to cover the short fall in the street lighting budget.I would say that is sufficent enough of an emergancy.
All this on top of mark kerrs arrogance when he stood in front of protesting bus companies drivers and prevented them from demonstrating the potential loss of their livelihoods when the contract was 'awarded' to veoila is a step too far and like all fair minded citizens of powys demand that mark kerr does the decent thing and resigns with immediate affect and without a compensation package offered to him.
thats the country not the frozen food company btw.
what staggers me is the explanations eminating from powys hq and especially those attributed to chief exec mark kerr.
first after the fall out of the lights out situation he states in print that a immediate u turn by switching the lights back on would make the council look indecisive and weak.
Why not try bumbling and untrustworthy mark.
Then he tries to explain the loss of the icelandic investments as part of the day to day 'managing' of finances.
If they knew that the credit crunch was biting and lets face it most of us have known the economy was in trouble for over a year with house prices falling alongside their sales as well as standard and poors rating of icelandic offshore investments as high risk then why were they not withdrawing the maximum amount each day!!!
Ok so their might have been risk in investing the withdrawn sums in uk banks and institutions but at least if they were managing daily they could of moved the sums around in a diversified portfolio like most private investors do.
Both kerr and michael evans seem to think that as since its only a 'reserve' fund that is kept for emergancies then it is no great loss but then they turn round and state the annual budget recieved from cardiff bay is again inadequate to run all services.
surely this 'reserve' could of been withdrawn and used to cover the short fall in the street lighting budget.I would say that is sufficent enough of an emergancy.
All this on top of mark kerrs arrogance when he stood in front of protesting bus companies drivers and prevented them from demonstrating the potential loss of their livelihoods when the contract was 'awarded' to veoila is a step too far and like all fair minded citizens of powys demand that mark kerr does the decent thing and resigns with immediate affect and without a compensation package offered to him.
Wednesday, 1 October 2008
small victory for some greater loss for others.
So the result is in.
The gwynfa hostel has been approved, although in reality it was never going to be prevented as powys are committed to these ventures by their paymasters in cardiff and to money saving by offloading properties they no longer utilise.
David Peters on his blog heralds it as a victory against harold nichols tories and their xenophobia but also then points out that a similar venture in llandod failed due in large to its mis management.
well this is exactly what some of the local residents who are long term powys tax payers have been concerned about.
do mid wales haousing association have authority to turf people out if they are unruly,if this scenario happens where will they then go,will they be intergrated into the community by taking accomadation with local landlords such as harold nichols.
we all know that more will be known in time but as large numbers of local residents areelderly and infirm will it affect their immediate quality of life.
The gwynfa hostel has been approved, although in reality it was never going to be prevented as powys are committed to these ventures by their paymasters in cardiff and to money saving by offloading properties they no longer utilise.
David Peters on his blog heralds it as a victory against harold nichols tories and their xenophobia but also then points out that a similar venture in llandod failed due in large to its mis management.
well this is exactly what some of the local residents who are long term powys tax payers have been concerned about.
do mid wales haousing association have authority to turf people out if they are unruly,if this scenario happens where will they then go,will they be intergrated into the community by taking accomadation with local landlords such as harold nichols.
we all know that more will be known in time but as large numbers of local residents areelderly and infirm will it affect their immediate quality of life.
Tuesday, 30 September 2008
change of tac or true meaning
Today is the meeting at powys hq on the gwynfa hostel planning application.
Cllr gary price continued to drum up support yesterday with a mail shot but todays weather may have a bearing on the attendance of locals.
This imminent meeting has seemed to bring a change of direction or a slip from the self appointed champion of the residents of Lant avenue the saintly harold Nichols in the letter page of the B&R in which he now seeems to apportion blame at powys for taking up the option of an hostel for whoever? or as harold likes to call them 'non local drug users and general scum' when there are sixty flats available in town for rent.
This seems very odd as we all read harolds campaigning as keeping out a certain element from llandod and not as relayed to some by Cllr gary price who claims that the reason local landlords would not accomadate homeless or dss was because of the trouble they had done to landlords properties in the past.
The trouble with this appication all along is that powys are commited to welsh assembley govt to find accomadation for homeless single persons.
Whether there are any should be known by social services.
Whether gwynfa situated as it is in a residential area is suitable is a big question that possibly will only be known in time.
If not utilised by this application it will be offered by powys for some other use as they're commited to saving money and offloading properties that they no longer need.
the role of the housing association is also questionable as they have probably acquired a bargain even in todays dropping market.
all told this issue was never going to favour everyone,and the best intentions can frequently cause greater losses and further divide communities.
Cllr gary price continued to drum up support yesterday with a mail shot but todays weather may have a bearing on the attendance of locals.
This imminent meeting has seemed to bring a change of direction or a slip from the self appointed champion of the residents of Lant avenue the saintly harold Nichols in the letter page of the B&R in which he now seeems to apportion blame at powys for taking up the option of an hostel for whoever? or as harold likes to call them 'non local drug users and general scum' when there are sixty flats available in town for rent.
This seems very odd as we all read harolds campaigning as keeping out a certain element from llandod and not as relayed to some by Cllr gary price who claims that the reason local landlords would not accomadate homeless or dss was because of the trouble they had done to landlords properties in the past.
The trouble with this appication all along is that powys are commited to welsh assembley govt to find accomadation for homeless single persons.
Whether there are any should be known by social services.
Whether gwynfa situated as it is in a residential area is suitable is a big question that possibly will only be known in time.
If not utilised by this application it will be offered by powys for some other use as they're commited to saving money and offloading properties that they no longer need.
the role of the housing association is also questionable as they have probably acquired a bargain even in todays dropping market.
all told this issue was never going to favour everyone,and the best intentions can frequently cause greater losses and further divide communities.
Tuesday, 23 September 2008
out of darkness comes.....
The protestations against the blackout is still continuing andindeed growing to such an extent that the County times is warning residents in montgomeryshire that it may arrive at a neighbourhood near you!!!!
so does this mean that radnorshire was part of an experiment, seems odd as cllr millington of howey has stated that county hall is lit up through the night like a blackpool illumination.
Also strange is the new recycling centre adjacent to the new road which has security gates in the form of bollards and a swing gate a lovely surround fence,street light poles which number around 4 to 6 and a grass verge.Now we suppose the cost of this has been met by tesco who as we all know had to pay for the road.
If it wasnt paid by tescos and by the tax payers instead then this is another place where street lighting costs could be saved as the tax payer will be paying for them once they are in use!!
Also why, if the council are so intent on saving money did they permit the erection of a victorian style street lamp in the new one way streeting design in high street.
This little project has always flummuxed us as it seems unnecessary and has not contributed to the greater good or provided better facilities for the busy gwalia junction where access to the precious rock park area is severely tested.
All in all there is too much hypocrisy and money wating of tax payers money by powys county council.
so does this mean that radnorshire was part of an experiment, seems odd as cllr millington of howey has stated that county hall is lit up through the night like a blackpool illumination.
Also strange is the new recycling centre adjacent to the new road which has security gates in the form of bollards and a swing gate a lovely surround fence,street light poles which number around 4 to 6 and a grass verge.Now we suppose the cost of this has been met by tesco who as we all know had to pay for the road.
If it wasnt paid by tescos and by the tax payers instead then this is another place where street lighting costs could be saved as the tax payer will be paying for them once they are in use!!
Also why, if the council are so intent on saving money did they permit the erection of a victorian style street lamp in the new one way streeting design in high street.
This little project has always flummuxed us as it seems unnecessary and has not contributed to the greater good or provided better facilities for the busy gwalia junction where access to the precious rock park area is severely tested.
All in all there is too much hypocrisy and money wating of tax payers money by powys county council.
Tuesday, 16 September 2008
wrong season or silly season
the inevitable public reaction has started in the local press regarding the switch off of the street lights.
It has even brought claims of civil disobiediance by some including a certain gentleman who not only claims he can get 200 fellow drivers to fill powys car park at 6am in the morning as aprotest and no doubt a first,but a threat of if the lighting is not restored to full capacity then residents will stop recycling.
the car park takeover is a grand idea however the recycling stoppage is a no brainer and must not be allowed to get off the ground as if powys and its residents do not meet wales assembley govt targets for recycling then the authority will be punished which will inevitably be passed on to the residents.
Also Cllr david peters pours scorn and a certain mockery at cllr prices',i believe genuine concern over tha darkness from the lack of lighting in certain areas of town.
It should be remembered in the more populated areas of llandod and especially the trefonnen estate safety to its citizens should not be trifled with as recently a property adjacent to the main thouroughfare was the scene of potentially a fatal accident.
The question is did powys conduct a risk assesment with regard to the switching off!!
cllr tampin in the press has encouraged victimsof potential accidents to lodge a civil lawsuit against the council in such an event.
Potentialy costly on all counts!!
This is an issue that is concernng many and should not be underestimated the gravitas of these concerns.
here in llandod comprimises could be found by switching off lights at powys car park,the defra office during holidays and weekends,aldi car park which may also help put a stop to the bi weekly boy racer burn ups,and at the hospital car park far end as few cars park their throughout the night.
It has even brought claims of civil disobiediance by some including a certain gentleman who not only claims he can get 200 fellow drivers to fill powys car park at 6am in the morning as aprotest and no doubt a first,but a threat of if the lighting is not restored to full capacity then residents will stop recycling.
the car park takeover is a grand idea however the recycling stoppage is a no brainer and must not be allowed to get off the ground as if powys and its residents do not meet wales assembley govt targets for recycling then the authority will be punished which will inevitably be passed on to the residents.
Also Cllr david peters pours scorn and a certain mockery at cllr prices',i believe genuine concern over tha darkness from the lack of lighting in certain areas of town.
It should be remembered in the more populated areas of llandod and especially the trefonnen estate safety to its citizens should not be trifled with as recently a property adjacent to the main thouroughfare was the scene of potentially a fatal accident.
The question is did powys conduct a risk assesment with regard to the switching off!!
cllr tampin in the press has encouraged victimsof potential accidents to lodge a civil lawsuit against the council in such an event.
Potentialy costly on all counts!!
This is an issue that is concernng many and should not be underestimated the gravitas of these concerns.
here in llandod comprimises could be found by switching off lights at powys car park,the defra office during holidays and weekends,aldi car park which may also help put a stop to the bi weekly boy racer burn ups,and at the hospital car park far end as few cars park their throughout the night.
Thursday, 11 September 2008
ecological shining beacon or not so bright
Powys county council have this week implemented their money saving 'inititive' by cutting down on the number of street lights in use by switching off one in every three.
This inititive was prompted as a money saving exercise and more dissapointingly as an ecological saving inititive.which should of been the main reason.However,
the good burghers of powys were notified and asked to vote on the matter and we guess the outcome voted in favour.
However this dark damp september is not the time to start it as apart from the weather the natural light is starting to fade.This would of been a much better option in the 'summer' months when despite the awfull weather it would have been more efficent and safer.
despite writing that, all efforts to save the planet and money should be applauded although a better execution by the council would have gone down better.
What also should follow progressively is greater savings could be and should be made by switching off the lighting at Powys HQ carpark, which are left on through out the night.The council never cease to astound me.
The same goes for DEFRA where during the xmas holidays the office lights stayed on 24 hrs throughout.
This inititive was prompted as a money saving exercise and more dissapointingly as an ecological saving inititive.which should of been the main reason.However,
the good burghers of powys were notified and asked to vote on the matter and we guess the outcome voted in favour.
However this dark damp september is not the time to start it as apart from the weather the natural light is starting to fade.This would of been a much better option in the 'summer' months when despite the awfull weather it would have been more efficent and safer.
despite writing that, all efforts to save the planet and money should be applauded although a better execution by the council would have gone down better.
What also should follow progressively is greater savings could be and should be made by switching off the lighting at Powys HQ carpark, which are left on through out the night.The council never cease to astound me.
The same goes for DEFRA where during the xmas holidays the office lights stayed on 24 hrs throughout.
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
the gwynfa hostel
the big story in llandod of late is the proposed siting of a temporary homeless hostel at the bottom of lant avenue in the former pcc offices.
Powys have a precept from welsh assembley govt to havefacilities to house homeless.
llandod already has such a facility for families in the fairview flats on temple street but needs a place for homeless single youngsters.
of course there are two sides to every story and it is not always easy to find the truth,whether there is a need for such a facility for 'local' homeless is the crux of the issue, as david peters writes on his blog,daifull pelt.blogspot there are llandod youngsters who 'couch surf' at friends as they have no other shelter,he claims they have to find a new address most nights and they may number up to ten,if this is infact correct then of curse there is a need for this facility although there ismuch debate in the local press about what constitutes locals, local to llandod,radnorshire or powys and beyond.
vehmently opposing this facility is local landlord and tory supporter harold nichols who ironicly has emptyflats available and housed various dss claimaints during the 1980'sand 90's but like other landlords in the town now ,according to cllr gary price refuses to accomadate owing to their poor behaviour in the past.
one of the requirements for such a facility is alack of available properties but what happens when they are available but when the landlords are unwilling to let them to certain claimants is unsure.
Harold has promoted himself as spokesman for the local residents,who exactly granted that is unclear but what is the time and effort he has put in canvassing and writing to the local press.
finally,the planning meeting for this proposal was deferred as the council needed to view the police report into the callout numbers to such properties and the impact on the locals,surely this should of been sorted out before the meeting.
Powys have a precept from welsh assembley govt to havefacilities to house homeless.
llandod already has such a facility for families in the fairview flats on temple street but needs a place for homeless single youngsters.
of course there are two sides to every story and it is not always easy to find the truth,whether there is a need for such a facility for 'local' homeless is the crux of the issue, as david peters writes on his blog,daifull pelt.blogspot there are llandod youngsters who 'couch surf' at friends as they have no other shelter,he claims they have to find a new address most nights and they may number up to ten,if this is infact correct then of curse there is a need for this facility although there ismuch debate in the local press about what constitutes locals, local to llandod,radnorshire or powys and beyond.
vehmently opposing this facility is local landlord and tory supporter harold nichols who ironicly has emptyflats available and housed various dss claimaints during the 1980'sand 90's but like other landlords in the town now ,according to cllr gary price refuses to accomadate owing to their poor behaviour in the past.
one of the requirements for such a facility is alack of available properties but what happens when they are available but when the landlords are unwilling to let them to certain claimants is unsure.
Harold has promoted himself as spokesman for the local residents,who exactly granted that is unclear but what is the time and effort he has put in canvassing and writing to the local press.
finally,the planning meeting for this proposal was deferred as the council needed to view the police report into the callout numbers to such properties and the impact on the locals,surely this should of been sorted out before the meeting.
up and running?
ok, so over two weeks into the drinking ban and some of the people whowere drinking there before the ban are back drinking there although situated behind the toilet block,out of sight out of mind is what the town burgers wanted anyway!!!
certainly the police have called upon the drinkers but whether they have taken action is unknown but they have stepped up their patrolsin that area but can they be bothered to do the paper work?
certainly the police have called upon the drinkers but whether they have taken action is unknown but they have stepped up their patrolsin that area but can they be bothered to do the paper work?
Tuesday, 29 July 2008
friday tis the day!
so the much debated drinking in designated places comes into force on friday 1st of august.
some would say a loss to liberties and freedom of choice,although as we all know it is more of an oppertunity lost to help people with psychological addictive illness!!!
that doesnt mean that the work of powys challenge and david peter in particular has been wasted as the numbers of drinkers dwindled to almost none.
I suppose this is another example of power relations with those who have meansdictating to others and this case especially highlights the ignorance of so called professional people who are only interested in making money and keeping it to themselves.
pathetic.
the guilty are as follows:Justin baird Murray managing director of the licsensed hotel metropole,Dr herman Venter local dentist and afrikaaner who obviously beleives in birth rights and two tier systems.
Councillors keith Tampin,gary Price and Mike Hodges who is a proprieter of a off license.
some would say a loss to liberties and freedom of choice,although as we all know it is more of an oppertunity lost to help people with psychological addictive illness!!!
that doesnt mean that the work of powys challenge and david peter in particular has been wasted as the numbers of drinkers dwindled to almost none.
I suppose this is another example of power relations with those who have meansdictating to others and this case especially highlights the ignorance of so called professional people who are only interested in making money and keeping it to themselves.
pathetic.
the guilty are as follows:Justin baird Murray managing director of the licsensed hotel metropole,Dr herman Venter local dentist and afrikaaner who obviously beleives in birth rights and two tier systems.
Councillors keith Tampin,gary Price and Mike Hodges who is a proprieter of a off license.
Wednesday, 9 July 2008
hypocrisy over anti social behaviour!
one of our major criticisms in the begining of the drinking ban saga is the hypocrisy of those such as baird murray and mike hodges who complain about anti social behaviour but who have license to sell alcohol.
we have long extolled the belief that if people are spending money in the hostelries of town then when they behave badly it is some how accepted.
last saturday was the carnival,to some an oppertunity for a drink up,in fact a group of faces were seen strolling through treffonen on there way to the middy with cans of strong beer in hands as early as eleven o'clock in the morning.
they were not 'alkies' from the gardens but local lads including the towns most influential rugby player,who as everyone knows is a handfull when hes had too much to drink and is currently seeking help from the drug and alcohol centre.
indeed alcohol used to be served next to the bandstand on carnival day!!!
the fall out of this is currently doing the rounds on youtube!
ok it doesnt mention llandod, but everyone local knows where the hampton is.
why is this behaviour so eagerly captured by llandods goalkeeper tolerated!
sad but sadder still as its tolerated in the name of economics!!
which seems to some members of the council and borgoise more important than llandods genteel image.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH2xWu9mo6sof
we have long extolled the belief that if people are spending money in the hostelries of town then when they behave badly it is some how accepted.
last saturday was the carnival,to some an oppertunity for a drink up,in fact a group of faces were seen strolling through treffonen on there way to the middy with cans of strong beer in hands as early as eleven o'clock in the morning.
they were not 'alkies' from the gardens but local lads including the towns most influential rugby player,who as everyone knows is a handfull when hes had too much to drink and is currently seeking help from the drug and alcohol centre.
indeed alcohol used to be served next to the bandstand on carnival day!!!
the fall out of this is currently doing the rounds on youtube!
ok it doesnt mention llandod, but everyone local knows where the hampton is.
why is this behaviour so eagerly captured by llandods goalkeeper tolerated!
sad but sadder still as its tolerated in the name of economics!!
which seems to some members of the council and borgoise more important than llandods genteel image.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH2xWu9mo6sof
well done canon loat
as read on david peters blog,the civic service for new mayor ken richards on sunday the vicar recited the parable of the good samaritan and suggested nayencouraged the same principle should be applied to those less fortunates like the people who drink/drank in temple gardens.
of course as seated amongst the congregation sat several old and recently elected councillors including tampin,gary price,mike hodges and sara millington who all vetoed help towards these people with social and addiction problems it meant much twitching in the pews.
pity baird murray and herman venter were not also present.
'lest ye judge for thy will be judged'
well done vic,always liked the fella!
of course as seated amongst the congregation sat several old and recently elected councillors including tampin,gary price,mike hodges and sara millington who all vetoed help towards these people with social and addiction problems it meant much twitching in the pews.
pity baird murray and herman venter were not also present.
'lest ye judge for thy will be judged'
well done vic,always liked the fella!
Tuesday, 8 July 2008
the parking situation to worsen
whilst we have been away there have been some serious in a delusionary way developments in so far as street parking has been greatly altered.
High street lower end has nowbecome a dropping off zone only, where you can only enterto drop off or pick some one up.
This has greatly reduced access to park and made some entrances and exits on to the gwalia roundabout both difficult and unnecessary and a huge cost to the tax payer.
in a real problem area behind the metropole and by the day centre and county library the council car park is about to be made pay per hour
this is going to affect locals including local taxifirm who parks his vehicles in there next to his home/office, if he doesnt intend to pay he will have to park in the streets surrounding adding to the problem
there is also the problems of haulage firms and busses from other hotels taking up parking space mostly in the evenings it has to be said.
and it must be said the council is taking hell of a long time to get this scheme off the ground which is a suprise isnt it but most welcome.
maybe we will regain somemore parking space when delegates from the metrople realise a homeless hostel is planned on the adjacent streets.
Monday, 7 July 2008
What is his great interest?
as some of you may know powys county council are in the midst of selling off their unwanted premises,mostly because they are surplus to requirements as the budget from cardiff wag does not allow pcc to employ as many people as in previous years,despite cheif exec mark kerr receiving an above inflation pay rise of 5%.
one of these said venues is located at the bottom of lant avenue and graig road.pcc have sold it to wales and west housing assoc who plan to convert it to temporay short stay accom for homeless,in prionciple a fine idea but unwarrented as llandod does not have sufficent numbers of homeless to support a six bedroom venture as their is already a family hostel at fairview.
very active in opposing these proposals is mr harold Nichols,well known tory landlord.
Now Mr Nichols used to accomadate several dss recipients during the eighties and nineties and despite still having several properties in llandod decides now not to help them by renting out his rooms to them.
we guess thats his choice,so as harold is not a resident of this area in which this venue is proposed why is he so active in generating support to oppose it?.
Perhaps hes afraid that if pcc agree to take homeless people forom outside powys and theres no temporary bolt hole fpor them and with little chance of intergrating into the community owing to the lack of available jobs they will become dss recipients and forced to be accomadated in his flats,perhaps pcc will pay harold an incentive to accomadate these people,surely not, that cant be his point of interest.
one of these said venues is located at the bottom of lant avenue and graig road.pcc have sold it to wales and west housing assoc who plan to convert it to temporay short stay accom for homeless,in prionciple a fine idea but unwarrented as llandod does not have sufficent numbers of homeless to support a six bedroom venture as their is already a family hostel at fairview.
very active in opposing these proposals is mr harold Nichols,well known tory landlord.
Now Mr Nichols used to accomadate several dss recipients during the eighties and nineties and despite still having several properties in llandod decides now not to help them by renting out his rooms to them.
we guess thats his choice,so as harold is not a resident of this area in which this venue is proposed why is he so active in generating support to oppose it?.
Perhaps hes afraid that if pcc agree to take homeless people forom outside powys and theres no temporary bolt hole fpor them and with little chance of intergrating into the community owing to the lack of available jobs they will become dss recipients and forced to be accomadated in his flats,perhaps pcc will pay harold an incentive to accomadate these people,surely not, that cant be his point of interest.
Like sh*t on a stick
just when we thought it was safer or even safer.
despite councillor Keith Tampin being disposed from his county council seat owing to a vacancy in the south ward he has returned or probably as he would put it he has arisen.
i used to beleive that you had to live in the ward district to be nominated and elected but obviously cllr tampin has so many friends on the council that he has returned.
despite councillor Keith Tampin being disposed from his county council seat owing to a vacancy in the south ward he has returned or probably as he would put it he has arisen.
i used to beleive that you had to live in the ward district to be nominated and elected but obviously cllr tampin has so many friends on the council that he has returned.
Monday, 30 June 2008
migrant workers exploited
Heres an example of how the system of migrant workers are being exploited and whilst recognising it is in no way comparable to the way staff at the Metropole are treated or rewarded it emphasises the potential to exploit when there is an endless supply of cheap and accessible labour.
It is typical of the way the 'borgoise' can maximise their profits whilst at the same time furthering social ills.
Atthe metropole the migratory staff are mostly contracted through agencies and are made to work long unsociable hours for wages that work out at barely the minimum wage when you consider the length of shifts and the times of the day that the shifts cover.
it also alienates the large number of local unemployed who quite rightly decide not to put up with such measures in 2008.
Gangsters make migrants work on building site for 22p an hour
EXCLUSIVE: Scandal of immigrant builders who work for peanuts with no sick pay or holidays
(What's this?)Ruthless gangmasters are putting migrants to work on building sites for as little as 22p an hour.
The scandalous pay abuse saw one man get £8.80 for a 39-hour week and another £66 for 70 hours.
Mean bosses are illegally deducting large sums from wages for rent and utility bills - leaving many workers destitute. One had £228 taken in a week for tools.
Despite grafting round the clock, most do not get overtime, sick pay or holidays.
Scandalously, the worst example of the modern-day slavery was found on a £600million Government redevelopment site.
But with 800,000 immigrants having arrived from Eastern Europe in four years, it is feared the abuse could be far more widespread.
Alan Ritchie, boss of construction union UCATT, said: "This case is the worst we have seen, these workers were virtually destitute.
"We have been building up a big file on abuses of ganged workers.
"The fact it has occurred on a Private Finance Initiative site using taxpayers money is scandalous."
In the worst case the Mirror uncovered, Lithuanian men were recruited to work on the Government site by small dry wall lining firm called Produm Ltd.
Payslips show on top of money deducted for accommodation, each man had £76.80 taken weekly as their payment to the "construction industry scheme".
This basically registers them as self-employed - meaning their employer does not have to pay National Insurance But it is in breach of the law because none of the workers are believed to have given consent.
The pay abuse only came to light after some workers' wages stopped altogether with Produm owing up to five weeks' pay.
Last night most of the workers were too frightened to talk.
But one colleague, who refused to be named, said: "At the beginning of this month there were seven workers living in a cramped three bedroom flat in Mansfield. They cycle to work every day and are very hard grafters.
"They are being paid around £6 an hour but were hit heavily by illegal deductions which left them with next to nothing to take home.
"One week Produm took rent or tool money, then they'd take for utility bills, it was unbelievable.
"They struggled to find money for food some weeks. £8.80 won't even get you a few pints."
The migrants had been working at the Kings Mill hospital site in Mansfield, Notts, which is a closelymonitored development. According to industry guidelines, workers there should earn a basic £7.31 an hour.
Experts said wages of the man paid £8.80 for 39 hours makes a mockery of the National Minimum Wage, which is £5.52 an hour.
It is typical of the way the 'borgoise' can maximise their profits whilst at the same time furthering social ills.
Atthe metropole the migratory staff are mostly contracted through agencies and are made to work long unsociable hours for wages that work out at barely the minimum wage when you consider the length of shifts and the times of the day that the shifts cover.
it also alienates the large number of local unemployed who quite rightly decide not to put up with such measures in 2008.
Gangsters make migrants work on building site for 22p an hour
EXCLUSIVE: Scandal of immigrant builders who work for peanuts with no sick pay or holidays
(What's this?)Ruthless gangmasters are putting migrants to work on building sites for as little as 22p an hour.
The scandalous pay abuse saw one man get £8.80 for a 39-hour week and another £66 for 70 hours.
Mean bosses are illegally deducting large sums from wages for rent and utility bills - leaving many workers destitute. One had £228 taken in a week for tools.
Despite grafting round the clock, most do not get overtime, sick pay or holidays.
Scandalously, the worst example of the modern-day slavery was found on a £600million Government redevelopment site.
But with 800,000 immigrants having arrived from Eastern Europe in four years, it is feared the abuse could be far more widespread.
Alan Ritchie, boss of construction union UCATT, said: "This case is the worst we have seen, these workers were virtually destitute.
"We have been building up a big file on abuses of ganged workers.
"The fact it has occurred on a Private Finance Initiative site using taxpayers money is scandalous."
In the worst case the Mirror uncovered, Lithuanian men were recruited to work on the Government site by small dry wall lining firm called Produm Ltd.
Payslips show on top of money deducted for accommodation, each man had £76.80 taken weekly as their payment to the "construction industry scheme".
This basically registers them as self-employed - meaning their employer does not have to pay National Insurance But it is in breach of the law because none of the workers are believed to have given consent.
The pay abuse only came to light after some workers' wages stopped altogether with Produm owing up to five weeks' pay.
Last night most of the workers were too frightened to talk.
But one colleague, who refused to be named, said: "At the beginning of this month there were seven workers living in a cramped three bedroom flat in Mansfield. They cycle to work every day and are very hard grafters.
"They are being paid around £6 an hour but were hit heavily by illegal deductions which left them with next to nothing to take home.
"One week Produm took rent or tool money, then they'd take for utility bills, it was unbelievable.
"They struggled to find money for food some weeks. £8.80 won't even get you a few pints."
The migrants had been working at the Kings Mill hospital site in Mansfield, Notts, which is a closelymonitored development. According to industry guidelines, workers there should earn a basic £7.31 an hour.
Experts said wages of the man paid £8.80 for 39 hours makes a mockery of the National Minimum Wage, which is £5.52 an hour.
Friday, 27 June 2008
its been a while! and lots has happened.
so due to other commitments its been some time since ive posted.Ive also missed laurences messages,i guess hes caught up in business.
Drinks ban!
ok as foreseen the ban looks likely to take place and after the delay caused by powys county council it is likely to become official in august.
So we all knew it would happen.....but...... due to the intervention of humane locals such as david peters those who were drinking in the gardens have dissappeard from sight.....perhaps baird murray or venter has had them disposed of.
actually davidpeters has helped solve their social problems which was always the way forward but not good enough for the hang em and flog em brigade.
May elections
hope it wasnt connected to the negative publicity over the ban but long time county councilor keith tampin got kicked out on his arse....couldnt of happened to a moredeserving person.....although he was beaten by a tory!
so congrats to mike hodges,although david peters also got voted out due in part to harold nichols smear campaign,someone who has benefitedfrom dss tennants in the past but now refuses to house them and in doing so contributes to llandods social problems of which he often voices his displeasure.
what goes around comes around.
Post office closures
of the two sub post offices targeted to close the tremont stores branch has been saved.proprieter and newly elected tory councillor mike hodges is obviously delighted as we all are its just a shame that the tory machine seem to be using it to further their own needs.
typical!!!
Drinks ban!
ok as foreseen the ban looks likely to take place and after the delay caused by powys county council it is likely to become official in august.
So we all knew it would happen.....but...... due to the intervention of humane locals such as david peters those who were drinking in the gardens have dissappeard from sight.....perhaps baird murray or venter has had them disposed of.
actually davidpeters has helped solve their social problems which was always the way forward but not good enough for the hang em and flog em brigade.
May elections
hope it wasnt connected to the negative publicity over the ban but long time county councilor keith tampin got kicked out on his arse....couldnt of happened to a moredeserving person.....although he was beaten by a tory!
so congrats to mike hodges,although david peters also got voted out due in part to harold nichols smear campaign,someone who has benefitedfrom dss tennants in the past but now refuses to house them and in doing so contributes to llandods social problems of which he often voices his displeasure.
what goes around comes around.
Post office closures
of the two sub post offices targeted to close the tremont stores branch has been saved.proprieter and newly elected tory councillor mike hodges is obviously delighted as we all are its just a shame that the tory machine seem to be using it to further their own needs.
typical!!!
Friday, 28 March 2008
victoriana or something more modern
below is a copy of the fast becoming famous article that apperaed in the Guardian! the saturday that wales rugby won the grand slam.
It claims that llandrindod is the party town of the WHOLE of BRITAIN!
with more drinking spots per head then any other town.
The question then if this article is to be believed is does the council support this claim and the fact there are going to be drunken revellers marauding the streets as thats what happens in the big cities and towns.
what about the towns genteel victorian image.
its going to be a tough one for Cllr Tampin and the boys as alcohol and all that it brings with it is economiclly viable, or will they be setting up exclusion drinking zones or is that just for local alcoholics who have seemed to have dissapeared from temple gardens of late.
Paul Rees
Saturday March 15, 2008
The Guardian
Why Wales is on a high, and it's not just the Rugby
Singing sensation
Duffy, currently No1 in the singles charts with Mercy and at the top of the album rankings with Rockferry, is from Gwynedd.
Sienna Miller's moving in
Yesterday's Mirror quoted the actor as saying that she "loves Wales". "I think it is the most beautiful country in the world," she "told pals".
The place to party
Llandrindod Wells (pop: 5,024) was recently named the best place to go out in all of Britain, having more pubs, wine bars, restaurants and takeaways per capita than any other town.
Unmissable sights
It's not just the castles: the National Slate Museum in Llanberis is home to the largest working waterwheel in mainland Britain.
Boxing and sheepdog trials
Last year Gavin Rees became Wales' 10th boxing world champion. Other recent sporting achievements include Aled Owen winning the 2007 International Sheepdog Trials with his faithful partner Roy.
It claims that llandrindod is the party town of the WHOLE of BRITAIN!
with more drinking spots per head then any other town.
The question then if this article is to be believed is does the council support this claim and the fact there are going to be drunken revellers marauding the streets as thats what happens in the big cities and towns.
what about the towns genteel victorian image.
its going to be a tough one for Cllr Tampin and the boys as alcohol and all that it brings with it is economiclly viable, or will they be setting up exclusion drinking zones or is that just for local alcoholics who have seemed to have dissapeared from temple gardens of late.
Paul Rees
Saturday March 15, 2008
The Guardian
Why Wales is on a high, and it's not just the Rugby
Singing sensation
Duffy, currently No1 in the singles charts with Mercy and at the top of the album rankings with Rockferry, is from Gwynedd.
Sienna Miller's moving in
Yesterday's Mirror quoted the actor as saying that she "loves Wales". "I think it is the most beautiful country in the world," she "told pals".
The place to party
Llandrindod Wells (pop: 5,024) was recently named the best place to go out in all of Britain, having more pubs, wine bars, restaurants and takeaways per capita than any other town.
Unmissable sights
It's not just the castles: the National Slate Museum in Llanberis is home to the largest working waterwheel in mainland Britain.
Boxing and sheepdog trials
Last year Gavin Rees became Wales' 10th boxing world champion. Other recent sporting achievements include Aled Owen winning the 2007 International Sheepdog Trials with his faithful partner Roy.
Monday, 17 March 2008
it's all kicking off!
there has been quite a few feathers flying around the old town lately.
Mike Parkers tv show 'great welsh roads 4' visited llandod and mr parker proceded to pour scorn on the idea of a town basing its future on its victorian past.mr parker doesnt think much of the idea of a town basing its future on its victorian past,and made mocking commentsto the effect that why doesnt the town go the whole way bysending kids up chimneys and adding cholera to the water suply.Mildly amusing but taken out of context by a precious few.
these sentiments have been opposed by the town council of course but supported by some of the locals.
the county times journo andrew Morris added flames to the fire with a muck raking sensationalist piece of tatty journalism as well.
By Andrew Morris
SHOCKING claims that could damage the image of Powys' county town have been made by an ITV television presenter.
Last night's episode of Great Welsh Roads, saw presenter Mike Parker, 41, travel through Llandrindod Wells and onto other towns in Powys.
It was while visiting the town during last year's Victorian Festival in August that he said on camera: "Why don't they go the whole hog and introduce cholera in the town's water supply or send the kids up the chimneys?"
ITV's programme synopsis added insult to injury, claiming: "Llandrindod Wells' Victorian past seems to be the only key on offer to the town's future."
The comments have been blasted by irate county councillor Gary Price, who said that if Mr Parker re-visited the town, he would see an area undergoing great regeneration in preparation for a promising future.
He said: "These comments are shocking. They could damage the image of the county town of
Powys. I really don't think that Mr Parker has seen enough of the town to offer a full and fair judgement.
"If he came to speak to me or anyone else from the town it would be clear to him that we are an area that is not relying on the past for the future.
"We are soon to be welcoming a new out-of-town development for the emergency services, while last year £2.5million was spent on updating older buildings.
"The Victorian Festival is a time of celebration of our past, yes, and it attracts tourists from far and wide, but we are a town on the up."
Councillor Derek Law, Mayor of Llandrindod Wells, supported Cllr Price's views, he said: "I would depricate any suggestion that we have nothing to offer, we have plenty to offer.
"Yes as far as the Victorian past is concerned it is very acceptable and very popular and it brings alot of people in. But we also happen to have alot of wonderful parks. How many towns are there in Britain where the green truly comes into the town?"
We also have the lake which people come from far and wide to see, from Wales and beyond. As well as our beautiful neighbouring countryside", he added.
Cllr Price also stressed that he was worried Mr Parker's comments about cholera could give some people ideas.
"What kind of comments are these? To say this could be dangerous. Imagine if someone listened to him and upset the watercourse. And as for saying that about our youth, I'm speechless.
"I grew up in Llandrindod Wells and know that while every town has a few bad eggs, the youth here are good people.
heres some of the letters that have appeared from old and young alike!
"grumpy youth",Llandrindod 29/02/2008 20:50:54
I personally agree with Mike Parkers comments , along with my family, friends and colleagues. This town offers nothing at all for people who aren't over the age of 70.
Apart from one measly attempt at a night club there is nothing here for us young people. When one of our local buisness men offered us a bowling alley and many other things in one building the people of the town turned it down because they were afraid of the noise, there are only elderly people in the council so no young people's views are being heard. If it was not for my job I would of left town along time ago along with most of my friends. There is nothing to keep us here, along with settens possibly closing down it brings little hope of anyone staying in town.
We have in place a conservation order, this means we are not allowed double glazing along with sky dishes on the front's of our house's. Although this seems quite a nice idea I feel the only reason this is in place is beacuse the councilors want us to keep up the victorian image. There is no hope of us ever moving into the 21st century, the sooner we do that and drop the 'retirement village' image the better for the town. We do not want to wreck the town or cause havoc but to have somewhere to shop, somewhere to go out, something to do on the weekends, a job!!
The only thing this place has to offer is it's scenery and the dreaded victorian week...
that wa a leeter from a young person and heres one from a senior citizen!
Victorian slurs are close to the truth
« Previous « PreviousNext » Next »
View GalleryVICTORIAN slurs: i note your story in the County Times of February 29.
Mike Parker's comments are a little over the top, but he is not far from the truth.
I was born here 65 years ago. Yes this town tries to live in the past. Yes the Victorian Festival brings in a lot of people just for a few days a year, but for the benefit of a few, mostly hotels who employ foreign staff, like they did in the 50s and 60s. Then they had staff from Italy.
This a town run by councillors who live in the past, as always nothing for the young, that's, why they wander the streets.
It was never any different in the 50s and 60s. It's run by councillors who as always have their snouts in the trough at Powys county hall.
As for it being a town on the up and up, it seems to me it's become a town for dropouts from all over the country. It's a town of day people and night people.
As for the regeneration, very nice if you own the property. But as always, nothing for the young, very little work here outside of powys council.
Will it change? I don't think so.
lon cwm
Llandrindod wells
Mike Parkers tv show 'great welsh roads 4' visited llandod and mr parker proceded to pour scorn on the idea of a town basing its future on its victorian past.mr parker doesnt think much of the idea of a town basing its future on its victorian past,and made mocking commentsto the effect that why doesnt the town go the whole way bysending kids up chimneys and adding cholera to the water suply.Mildly amusing but taken out of context by a precious few.
these sentiments have been opposed by the town council of course but supported by some of the locals.
the county times journo andrew Morris added flames to the fire with a muck raking sensationalist piece of tatty journalism as well.
By Andrew Morris
SHOCKING claims that could damage the image of Powys' county town have been made by an ITV television presenter.
Last night's episode of Great Welsh Roads, saw presenter Mike Parker, 41, travel through Llandrindod Wells and onto other towns in Powys.
It was while visiting the town during last year's Victorian Festival in August that he said on camera: "Why don't they go the whole hog and introduce cholera in the town's water supply or send the kids up the chimneys?"
ITV's programme synopsis added insult to injury, claiming: "Llandrindod Wells' Victorian past seems to be the only key on offer to the town's future."
The comments have been blasted by irate county councillor Gary Price, who said that if Mr Parker re-visited the town, he would see an area undergoing great regeneration in preparation for a promising future.
He said: "These comments are shocking. They could damage the image of the county town of
Powys. I really don't think that Mr Parker has seen enough of the town to offer a full and fair judgement.
"If he came to speak to me or anyone else from the town it would be clear to him that we are an area that is not relying on the past for the future.
"We are soon to be welcoming a new out-of-town development for the emergency services, while last year £2.5million was spent on updating older buildings.
"The Victorian Festival is a time of celebration of our past, yes, and it attracts tourists from far and wide, but we are a town on the up."
Councillor Derek Law, Mayor of Llandrindod Wells, supported Cllr Price's views, he said: "I would depricate any suggestion that we have nothing to offer, we have plenty to offer.
"Yes as far as the Victorian past is concerned it is very acceptable and very popular and it brings alot of people in. But we also happen to have alot of wonderful parks. How many towns are there in Britain where the green truly comes into the town?"
We also have the lake which people come from far and wide to see, from Wales and beyond. As well as our beautiful neighbouring countryside", he added.
Cllr Price also stressed that he was worried Mr Parker's comments about cholera could give some people ideas.
"What kind of comments are these? To say this could be dangerous. Imagine if someone listened to him and upset the watercourse. And as for saying that about our youth, I'm speechless.
"I grew up in Llandrindod Wells and know that while every town has a few bad eggs, the youth here are good people.
heres some of the letters that have appeared from old and young alike!
"grumpy youth",Llandrindod 29/02/2008 20:50:54
I personally agree with Mike Parkers comments , along with my family, friends and colleagues. This town offers nothing at all for people who aren't over the age of 70.
Apart from one measly attempt at a night club there is nothing here for us young people. When one of our local buisness men offered us a bowling alley and many other things in one building the people of the town turned it down because they were afraid of the noise, there are only elderly people in the council so no young people's views are being heard. If it was not for my job I would of left town along time ago along with most of my friends. There is nothing to keep us here, along with settens possibly closing down it brings little hope of anyone staying in town.
We have in place a conservation order, this means we are not allowed double glazing along with sky dishes on the front's of our house's. Although this seems quite a nice idea I feel the only reason this is in place is beacuse the councilors want us to keep up the victorian image. There is no hope of us ever moving into the 21st century, the sooner we do that and drop the 'retirement village' image the better for the town. We do not want to wreck the town or cause havoc but to have somewhere to shop, somewhere to go out, something to do on the weekends, a job!!
The only thing this place has to offer is it's scenery and the dreaded victorian week...
that wa a leeter from a young person and heres one from a senior citizen!
Victorian slurs are close to the truth
« Previous « PreviousNext » Next »
View GalleryVICTORIAN slurs: i note your story in the County Times of February 29.
Mike Parker's comments are a little over the top, but he is not far from the truth.
I was born here 65 years ago. Yes this town tries to live in the past. Yes the Victorian Festival brings in a lot of people just for a few days a year, but for the benefit of a few, mostly hotels who employ foreign staff, like they did in the 50s and 60s. Then they had staff from Italy.
This a town run by councillors who live in the past, as always nothing for the young, that's, why they wander the streets.
It was never any different in the 50s and 60s. It's run by councillors who as always have their snouts in the trough at Powys county hall.
As for it being a town on the up and up, it seems to me it's become a town for dropouts from all over the country. It's a town of day people and night people.
As for the regeneration, very nice if you own the property. But as always, nothing for the young, very little work here outside of powys council.
Will it change? I don't think so.
lon cwm
Llandrindod wells
Thursday, 21 February 2008
metropole staffing policy?
heres the response from respected mirror columnist Paul Routledge to liz hurleys husband who paid a domestic he brought from india and paid her the equivilant of £1.20 an hour and she had to work over a period of seven days a week without a day off.
We have for a long time claimed that the metropole exploit the mass european migratory worker market at the expense of the local unemployed.
of course there may be other issues as to why the metropole dont employ locals!
perhaps the way they treat their staff and baird-murray will probably state that he is only maximising the oppertunity that european federalism has presented to him.
and yet Llandrindod has the highest unemployment in powys!and associated social problems such as anti social behaviour and drink related troubles.
WAGE SLAVERY FIGHT
Paul Routlegde On Why Britain Needs Fair Pay
Violet D'Souza is not alone in her plight. She is just the tip of an iceberg of exploitation in Britain today.
Despite the introduction of the National Minimum Wage, Scrooge employers still seek to get round the law and pay starvation wages to migrant labour.
And in many cases they get away with it, through fear, ignorance and bullying. The scandal only comes to light when brave people take action. Many unhappy migrants are brought into the UK by unlicensed agencies that scour the world for cheap workers, who are sometimes kept in conditions of virtual slavery. It is anybody's guess how many there are. Tony Woodley, general secretary of Unite, says: "This situation is about exploitation, not migration. Greedy bosses will take advantage of vulnerable workers if they are allowed to do so."
What we do know is that in Britain today, 1.4 million men and women don't have full employment rights because they work for agencies.
On Friday, MPs will vote on a Labour member's Bill demanding the Government signs up to a European directive giving all workers the same rights whether they are part or full time.
This proposed law would not end the scandal of immigrant workers being exploited. But it will make it harder for the corrupt traders in workpeople to make profits. That's why every Labour MP should be on parade to vote against the 21st century version of slavery.
We have for a long time claimed that the metropole exploit the mass european migratory worker market at the expense of the local unemployed.
of course there may be other issues as to why the metropole dont employ locals!
perhaps the way they treat their staff and baird-murray will probably state that he is only maximising the oppertunity that european federalism has presented to him.
and yet Llandrindod has the highest unemployment in powys!and associated social problems such as anti social behaviour and drink related troubles.
WAGE SLAVERY FIGHT
Paul Routlegde On Why Britain Needs Fair Pay
Violet D'Souza is not alone in her plight. She is just the tip of an iceberg of exploitation in Britain today.
Despite the introduction of the National Minimum Wage, Scrooge employers still seek to get round the law and pay starvation wages to migrant labour.
And in many cases they get away with it, through fear, ignorance and bullying. The scandal only comes to light when brave people take action. Many unhappy migrants are brought into the UK by unlicensed agencies that scour the world for cheap workers, who are sometimes kept in conditions of virtual slavery. It is anybody's guess how many there are. Tony Woodley, general secretary of Unite, says: "This situation is about exploitation, not migration. Greedy bosses will take advantage of vulnerable workers if they are allowed to do so."
What we do know is that in Britain today, 1.4 million men and women don't have full employment rights because they work for agencies.
On Friday, MPs will vote on a Labour member's Bill demanding the Government signs up to a European directive giving all workers the same rights whether they are part or full time.
This proposed law would not end the scandal of immigrant workers being exploited. But it will make it harder for the corrupt traders in workpeople to make profits. That's why every Labour MP should be on parade to vote against the 21st century version of slavery.
Friday, 15 February 2008
perhaps the real reason for the drinking ban.
this is the article in the county times regarding the town counils new home.
Strangely enough it is on site of the proposed drinking ban....!
cant have three alcoholics despite them being locals interupting the important business of ensuring tourist pennies stay in a few select pockets after all there is only 400 unemployed in the llandrindod travel to work area!
the only blessing is they didnt burden the community tax payers with a mortgage.
And yet Harold Nichols was prepared to buy the place for the town himself.
pity we didnt have some councillors like builth have got.
Council eyes development of rooms at its new premises
"We're very happy to be here," Cllr Derek Law, Llandrindod Mayor
LLANDRINDOD Wells Town Council are eyeing a development opportunity in their new premises and have said they are "very happy to be here".
The council has moved into its new home in the old town hall, where it will hold its monthly meetings.
The Mayor, Derek Law is now hoping to develop one room into an office for council purposes.
The two rooms in the old town hall, previously occupied by the Tourist Information Centre, will also be made available to local charitable organisations.
The council agreed to enter into a lease agreement with the new owner to take over two rooms and a storeroom located at the side of the building.
Cllr Law said: "We have in mind an office and one room will also be made available to other local organisations, especially charities."
He admitted the town council had harboured the idea of buying the building themselves after Powys County Council put it up for sale.
"We considered it and weighed it up against all other options but we would have had to take out rather a large mortgage."
Cllr Law hailed the benefit of having an office at the town council's disposal.
"We're very happy to be here," he said.
"Despite this we remain disappointed that the old Radnorshire chamber in the Gwalia is being changed."
At the January meeting of the town council members were told the new premises were in need of a bit of decoration
Strangely enough it is on site of the proposed drinking ban....!
cant have three alcoholics despite them being locals interupting the important business of ensuring tourist pennies stay in a few select pockets after all there is only 400 unemployed in the llandrindod travel to work area!
the only blessing is they didnt burden the community tax payers with a mortgage.
And yet Harold Nichols was prepared to buy the place for the town himself.
pity we didnt have some councillors like builth have got.
Council eyes development of rooms at its new premises
"We're very happy to be here," Cllr Derek Law, Llandrindod Mayor
LLANDRINDOD Wells Town Council are eyeing a development opportunity in their new premises and have said they are "very happy to be here".
The council has moved into its new home in the old town hall, where it will hold its monthly meetings.
The Mayor, Derek Law is now hoping to develop one room into an office for council purposes.
The two rooms in the old town hall, previously occupied by the Tourist Information Centre, will also be made available to local charitable organisations.
The council agreed to enter into a lease agreement with the new owner to take over two rooms and a storeroom located at the side of the building.
Cllr Law said: "We have in mind an office and one room will also be made available to other local organisations, especially charities."
He admitted the town council had harboured the idea of buying the building themselves after Powys County Council put it up for sale.
"We considered it and weighed it up against all other options but we would have had to take out rather a large mortgage."
Cllr Law hailed the benefit of having an office at the town council's disposal.
"We're very happy to be here," he said.
"Despite this we remain disappointed that the old Radnorshire chamber in the Gwalia is being changed."
At the January meeting of the town council members were told the new premises were in need of a bit of decoration
Tuesday, 12 February 2008
So what do you now think of 'society prepares the crime'
Heres the item from the mirror[12-02-2008].they seem to have caught on to the fact that the supply of alcohol could be the problem.So would llandods town council endorse this if a link between shopkeepers selling booze and anti social behaviour could be proven.
Would they be prepared to support a ban on shops or guilty parties being 'brought to justice' £20,000 is an awful lot of money.
Would Mr Baird -Murray at the metropole have to ensure that his staff are more vigilant to whom they serve drinks to,justin will tell you that wet sales are his most profitable.
Of course when enjoyed responsibly then alcohol is not a problem.
Daily Mirror campaign: Stop kids drinking
Can it!
12/02/2008
Teenage drinking (Pic:Getty Images)
Related Articles
More Top Stories
What are you talking about? Get published
News picturesIt was a terrifying picture of modern Britain.
Yesterday a Mirror investigation revealed kids as young as 14 bragging how they regularly binge-drink, leading to violence, unprotected sex and trips to casualty. Our revelations came on the day the teenage killers of Warrington dad Garry Newlove were sentenced to life in prison for kicking him to death on a drunken rampage.
Here those concerned about under-aged drinking address the problem while the Mirror launches Can It, a campaign to stop under-18s being sold or served alcohol - and to help prevent more tragedies like the senseless murder of Garry Newlove. Our demands are:
1 Shopkeepers and landlords who sell alcohol to under-18s to face a maximum fine of £20,000 (double the current £10k) and to AUTOMATICALLY lose their licence to sell drinks for six months (double the current three months)
Advertisement
2 Police under obligation to confiscate booze and caution under-18s found drinking in the street or licensed premises
3 Courts to properly enforce the current law imposing a £5,000 fine on adults who knowingly agree to buy alcohol in shops, off licences or pubs on behalf of under-18s
DAVID POLEY
Chief Executive of the Portman Group, which represents drinks firms
Anyone who looks under 21 should have to prove their age, and rogue retailers must face tougher punishments. Enforcement of the law is far more desirable than putting up prices which would affect everyone.
Drinks producers must continue to advertise responsibly and only to adults.
Education can change the culture just as it did with drinkdriving.
SRABANI SEN
Chief Executive of Alcohol Concern
Alcohol education should be a compulsory part of the curriculum and teachers should be properly trained to deliver it. Parents also need to understand how their own drinking and attitudes to alcohol influence their children.
But none of these measures will work fully until we tackle the fact that it is still too easy and cheap for young people to get hold of alcohol. Our research has also shown that children are overexposed to alcohol ads.
JAMES LOWMAN
Chief Executive of the Association of Convenience Stores
Retailers have to prevent under-18s from buying alcohol. They must always check for ID.
If you're caught selling alcohol to anyone under age you face a fine, a 48-hour closure or even losing your licence.
But young people who try to buy alcohol are breaking the law too. They are getting more fearless and retailers can feel intimidated. It is crucial that police work together with shop owners to solve this problem.
ROSS SCARBOROUGH
17-year-old former binge drinker from Nottingham
If I hadn't turned my life round, I'd be an alcoholic by now.
After leaving school I stopped doing things like playing sport. All that mattered was hanging out with my mates and drinking.
It's so cheap I have got off my face on a £2 bottle of cider. But raising prices wouldn't make any difference, it would only be 10p here or there.
The way to keep young people off drink is to provide them with facilities, especially sport, to take their mind off getting drunk.
DR PATRICIA SPUNGIN
Parenting expert and founder of raisingkids.co.uk
There's an unhealthy attitude to alcohol here: people drink to get drunk, which in turn is passed on to our teenagers.
Parents should set a good example by drinking in moderation themselves, and keep an eye out for the warning signs.
Alcopop makers must also take much of the responsibility - generally nobody took a first sip of beer or wine and liked it, it's an acquired taste. Alcopops made alcohol palatable to kids.
ANNETTE FLEMING
Director of Aquarius, a counselling service for young people with alcohol problems
A lot more has to be done to prevent the sale of alcohol to under-18s. There needs to be a lot more support for staff who work in off-licences to enable them to refuse sales, and to ask for proof of ID.
The marking of bottles so they can be traced back to the seller should also be more widespread. Then sellers will be able to see the consequences of what they are doing.
JOHN GROGAN
Labour MP for Selby, Chair of the all-party Parliamentary beer group
Supermarkets in particular should make a promise not to sell alcohol below cost price. Over Christmas you could get 60 bottles of lager for £20. It's cheaper than water, so it's not surprising it appeals to teenagers.
Somehow we have to get the message across to young people that it's not a clever or smart thing to lose control of what you're doing.
DR CLARE GERADA
Vice-chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners
Lead by example. There's no point telling your teenager not to binge-drink if you're having a bottle of wine every night.
Alcohol should also be less available and alcopops should be banned. Any alcohol which is directly marketed at children is unacceptable.
I see lots of 16-and 17-year-olds who are drinking very, very heavily. If parents think that their teenager is drinking too much then they should contact their GP.
JAN BERRY
Chair of the Police Federation
It is up to all of us to deal with the problem of teenage drinking. There is no simple solution.
Police used to hope for rain on a Friday or Saturday to keep people indoors, but now there's drinking every night of the week. Now kids are drinking to excess before they even leave their house
Parents need to set a good example as if they're drunk the kids will think they can be too.
Christine Sharples whose husband Ron was killed by a gang of teenagers
There should be more police on the streets. In Marske-by-the-Sea near Middlesbrough, you never see police. My husband would still be alive if there were police on our streets. The yobs who killed Ron thought they could get away with anything.
It's outrageous these children can buy alcohol. The age should be raised to 25 and there should be tougher penalties for people who sell alcohol to kids. That way the streets would be safer.
Would they be prepared to support a ban on shops or guilty parties being 'brought to justice' £20,000 is an awful lot of money.
Would Mr Baird -Murray at the metropole have to ensure that his staff are more vigilant to whom they serve drinks to,justin will tell you that wet sales are his most profitable.
Of course when enjoyed responsibly then alcohol is not a problem.
Daily Mirror campaign: Stop kids drinking
Can it!
12/02/2008
Teenage drinking (Pic:Getty Images)
Related Articles
More Top Stories
What are you talking about? Get published
News picturesIt was a terrifying picture of modern Britain.
Yesterday a Mirror investigation revealed kids as young as 14 bragging how they regularly binge-drink, leading to violence, unprotected sex and trips to casualty. Our revelations came on the day the teenage killers of Warrington dad Garry Newlove were sentenced to life in prison for kicking him to death on a drunken rampage.
Here those concerned about under-aged drinking address the problem while the Mirror launches Can It, a campaign to stop under-18s being sold or served alcohol - and to help prevent more tragedies like the senseless murder of Garry Newlove. Our demands are:
1 Shopkeepers and landlords who sell alcohol to under-18s to face a maximum fine of £20,000 (double the current £10k) and to AUTOMATICALLY lose their licence to sell drinks for six months (double the current three months)
Advertisement
2 Police under obligation to confiscate booze and caution under-18s found drinking in the street or licensed premises
3 Courts to properly enforce the current law imposing a £5,000 fine on adults who knowingly agree to buy alcohol in shops, off licences or pubs on behalf of under-18s
DAVID POLEY
Chief Executive of the Portman Group, which represents drinks firms
Anyone who looks under 21 should have to prove their age, and rogue retailers must face tougher punishments. Enforcement of the law is far more desirable than putting up prices which would affect everyone.
Drinks producers must continue to advertise responsibly and only to adults.
Education can change the culture just as it did with drinkdriving.
SRABANI SEN
Chief Executive of Alcohol Concern
Alcohol education should be a compulsory part of the curriculum and teachers should be properly trained to deliver it. Parents also need to understand how their own drinking and attitudes to alcohol influence their children.
But none of these measures will work fully until we tackle the fact that it is still too easy and cheap for young people to get hold of alcohol. Our research has also shown that children are overexposed to alcohol ads.
JAMES LOWMAN
Chief Executive of the Association of Convenience Stores
Retailers have to prevent under-18s from buying alcohol. They must always check for ID.
If you're caught selling alcohol to anyone under age you face a fine, a 48-hour closure or even losing your licence.
But young people who try to buy alcohol are breaking the law too. They are getting more fearless and retailers can feel intimidated. It is crucial that police work together with shop owners to solve this problem.
ROSS SCARBOROUGH
17-year-old former binge drinker from Nottingham
If I hadn't turned my life round, I'd be an alcoholic by now.
After leaving school I stopped doing things like playing sport. All that mattered was hanging out with my mates and drinking.
It's so cheap I have got off my face on a £2 bottle of cider. But raising prices wouldn't make any difference, it would only be 10p here or there.
The way to keep young people off drink is to provide them with facilities, especially sport, to take their mind off getting drunk.
DR PATRICIA SPUNGIN
Parenting expert and founder of raisingkids.co.uk
There's an unhealthy attitude to alcohol here: people drink to get drunk, which in turn is passed on to our teenagers.
Parents should set a good example by drinking in moderation themselves, and keep an eye out for the warning signs.
Alcopop makers must also take much of the responsibility - generally nobody took a first sip of beer or wine and liked it, it's an acquired taste. Alcopops made alcohol palatable to kids.
ANNETTE FLEMING
Director of Aquarius, a counselling service for young people with alcohol problems
A lot more has to be done to prevent the sale of alcohol to under-18s. There needs to be a lot more support for staff who work in off-licences to enable them to refuse sales, and to ask for proof of ID.
The marking of bottles so they can be traced back to the seller should also be more widespread. Then sellers will be able to see the consequences of what they are doing.
JOHN GROGAN
Labour MP for Selby, Chair of the all-party Parliamentary beer group
Supermarkets in particular should make a promise not to sell alcohol below cost price. Over Christmas you could get 60 bottles of lager for £20. It's cheaper than water, so it's not surprising it appeals to teenagers.
Somehow we have to get the message across to young people that it's not a clever or smart thing to lose control of what you're doing.
DR CLARE GERADA
Vice-chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners
Lead by example. There's no point telling your teenager not to binge-drink if you're having a bottle of wine every night.
Alcohol should also be less available and alcopops should be banned. Any alcohol which is directly marketed at children is unacceptable.
I see lots of 16-and 17-year-olds who are drinking very, very heavily. If parents think that their teenager is drinking too much then they should contact their GP.
JAN BERRY
Chair of the Police Federation
It is up to all of us to deal with the problem of teenage drinking. There is no simple solution.
Police used to hope for rain on a Friday or Saturday to keep people indoors, but now there's drinking every night of the week. Now kids are drinking to excess before they even leave their house
Parents need to set a good example as if they're drunk the kids will think they can be too.
Christine Sharples whose husband Ron was killed by a gang of teenagers
There should be more police on the streets. In Marske-by-the-Sea near Middlesbrough, you never see police. My husband would still be alive if there were police on our streets. The yobs who killed Ron thought they could get away with anything.
It's outrageous these children can buy alcohol. The age should be raised to 25 and there should be tougher penalties for people who sell alcohol to kids. That way the streets would be safer.
Tuesday, 5 February 2008
i wonder what prompted it????
heres the copy of the order in legal notice.
did i mention that the area affected was next to the town hall.
On 13th November 2007 the Board of Powys County Council agreed to a proposal to consult on the making of a Designated Public Places Order (DPPO) under section 13 of the Criminal Justice & Police Act 2001. The Order was initially proposed by Llandrindod Wells Town Council and supported by Dyfed Powys Police.
The Order, if approved, will become effective on 1st May 2008 and will create a zone in which the police have powers to confiscate alcohol from people drinking in a public area where:
(a) nuisance or annoyance to members of the public; or a section of the public; or
(b) disorder
has been associated with the consumption of intoxicating liquor in that place.
This first DPPO would be for Temple Gardens and Memorial Gardens in Llandrindod Wells. The proposal will be discussed at Full Council in April 2008 where the decision will be taken whether to approve it or not..
If approved, this Order will not make it an offence to drink alcohol in a public place for law abiding citizens. However failure to comply with a police officer's requirements in respect of public drinking and surrender of alcohol, without reasonable excuse, would be an arrestable offence or punishable by a fixed penalty notice. There are no specific human rights implications as DPPO's have not been deemed to infringe human rights when "serving the public interest" by reducing alcohol related disorder. Any person who may have a dependency upon alcohol will be able to continue consuming alcohol in their own homes or those of family and friends, licensed premises or treatment/support centres that allow alcohol consumption on their premises.
The restriction on public drinking will not apply to any premises holding a premises licence or covered by a Temporary Event Notice under the Licensing Act 2003 authorising the sale of alcohol, for example public houses, clubs, cafes or restaurants and the curtilage of their premises.
Copies of the draft Order and accompanying plan may be downloaded below, or inspected from 1st February 2008 at the offices of Powys County Council at County Hall, Spa Road East, Llandrindod Wells and the Gwalia, Ithon Road, Llandrindod Wells and also at Llandrindod Wells Police Station during normal office hours.
The Council is required to consult with the Town Council, the public and the licensee of any licensed premises or temporary event notice holders who may be affected by the designation as well as the owners of the land which is the subject of the designation. You are hereby invited to comment on the proposal having considered the following questions;
Do you agree with the proposal?
What do you see as the benefits or drawbacks of this proposal?
What experience, and or evidence do you have of crime and disorder caused by alcohol consumption in Temple Gardens and Memorial Gardens, Llandrindod Wells?
If you object to this proposal, do you have any suggestions as to how to resolve the problem of behaviour caused by intoxicated individuals without addition funding or reducing policing allocated to other parts of town.
there are specific boundries as to where you can drink, so if you cross the road from the designated area then you are not violating the order!!!!What a nonsense.
this ban also does not include 'the lads' who drink from jugs outside of 'frankies bar' in the summer months.thats because they are spending lots of money i suppose.
What i forgot to mention is that the designated drinking ban area is part of the gardens that house the Town Hall!!!
Funny that, and even funnier it is up for sale by powys at the moment.
who are not interested in keeping it for llandod but will sell it to a private investor and will then have to find more tax payers money to build a new meeting place for the town council.
did i mention that the area affected was next to the town hall.
On 13th November 2007 the Board of Powys County Council agreed to a proposal to consult on the making of a Designated Public Places Order (DPPO) under section 13 of the Criminal Justice & Police Act 2001. The Order was initially proposed by Llandrindod Wells Town Council and supported by Dyfed Powys Police.
The Order, if approved, will become effective on 1st May 2008 and will create a zone in which the police have powers to confiscate alcohol from people drinking in a public area where:
(a) nuisance or annoyance to members of the public; or a section of the public; or
(b) disorder
has been associated with the consumption of intoxicating liquor in that place.
This first DPPO would be for Temple Gardens and Memorial Gardens in Llandrindod Wells. The proposal will be discussed at Full Council in April 2008 where the decision will be taken whether to approve it or not..
If approved, this Order will not make it an offence to drink alcohol in a public place for law abiding citizens. However failure to comply with a police officer's requirements in respect of public drinking and surrender of alcohol, without reasonable excuse, would be an arrestable offence or punishable by a fixed penalty notice. There are no specific human rights implications as DPPO's have not been deemed to infringe human rights when "serving the public interest" by reducing alcohol related disorder. Any person who may have a dependency upon alcohol will be able to continue consuming alcohol in their own homes or those of family and friends, licensed premises or treatment/support centres that allow alcohol consumption on their premises.
The restriction on public drinking will not apply to any premises holding a premises licence or covered by a Temporary Event Notice under the Licensing Act 2003 authorising the sale of alcohol, for example public houses, clubs, cafes or restaurants and the curtilage of their premises.
Copies of the draft Order and accompanying plan may be downloaded below, or inspected from 1st February 2008 at the offices of Powys County Council at County Hall, Spa Road East, Llandrindod Wells and the Gwalia, Ithon Road, Llandrindod Wells and also at Llandrindod Wells Police Station during normal office hours.
The Council is required to consult with the Town Council, the public and the licensee of any licensed premises or temporary event notice holders who may be affected by the designation as well as the owners of the land which is the subject of the designation. You are hereby invited to comment on the proposal having considered the following questions;
Do you agree with the proposal?
What do you see as the benefits or drawbacks of this proposal?
What experience, and or evidence do you have of crime and disorder caused by alcohol consumption in Temple Gardens and Memorial Gardens, Llandrindod Wells?
If you object to this proposal, do you have any suggestions as to how to resolve the problem of behaviour caused by intoxicated individuals without addition funding or reducing policing allocated to other parts of town.
there are specific boundries as to where you can drink, so if you cross the road from the designated area then you are not violating the order!!!!What a nonsense.
this ban also does not include 'the lads' who drink from jugs outside of 'frankies bar' in the summer months.thats because they are spending lots of money i suppose.
What i forgot to mention is that the designated drinking ban area is part of the gardens that house the Town Hall!!!
Funny that, and even funnier it is up for sale by powys at the moment.
who are not interested in keeping it for llandod but will sell it to a private investor and will then have to find more tax payers money to build a new meeting place for the town council.
consultation period has started
The consultation period of the proposed designated drinking ban has started.
it will take place over 21 days.
it is likely that it will sucseedin going through unless there is a huge opposition towards it.
When llandrindod local councillors mailshot llandrindod residents only 245 people replied in favour that is less than a tenth of llandods population.
This banning order will not work in stopping anti social behaviour or curing alcohlism.
some people who drink in the pubs on a weekend will still create trouble when they've had too much to drink, look at the local press the court cases are full of drink related episodes.
and it will not cure the alcoholism of the small bunch of dependent drinkers[currently three in number, but only when the weather is fair].
Those who drink in the park can be a nuisance when pissed but need to be encouraged into specialist care!!! NOT Persecuted!!!
this is a small enough community to put this right.
There are also issues of freedom to choose here and if this order goes through it is a victory for the largely right wing hang them and flog them brigade.
here is the link to powys to oppose the ban.
http://www.powys.gov.uk/index.php?id=4691
it will take place over 21 days.
it is likely that it will sucseedin going through unless there is a huge opposition towards it.
When llandrindod local councillors mailshot llandrindod residents only 245 people replied in favour that is less than a tenth of llandods population.
This banning order will not work in stopping anti social behaviour or curing alcohlism.
some people who drink in the pubs on a weekend will still create trouble when they've had too much to drink, look at the local press the court cases are full of drink related episodes.
and it will not cure the alcoholism of the small bunch of dependent drinkers[currently three in number, but only when the weather is fair].
Those who drink in the park can be a nuisance when pissed but need to be encouraged into specialist care!!! NOT Persecuted!!!
this is a small enough community to put this right.
There are also issues of freedom to choose here and if this order goes through it is a victory for the largely right wing hang them and flog them brigade.
here is the link to powys to oppose the ban.
http://www.powys.gov.uk/index.php?id=4691
Wednesday, 16 January 2008
pathetic 'environmet' policy
The Directors, managers and staff of the Metropole Hotel recognise and accept that the activities involved in running the business necessarily impinge upon the environment. In an effort to minimise these effects, the Hotel is committed to a policy of sound and responsible environmental management, leading to a sustainable use of resources and optimal management of waste.
Therefore, the Hotel undertakes that it will:
ensure that all employees at all levels are aware of the potential environmental effects of their activities and the benefits of improved environmental performance, and will provide specific environmental training to this effect.
communicate this environmental policy and promote environmental awareness amongst all employees;
ensure that all employees are instructed on the potential environmental effects of their activities and the benefits of improved environmental performance;
display this policy statement in a prominent position within the Hotel;
make this policy statement available to all interested parties on request;
comply with all applicable environmental legislation as a minimum standard;
promote the principle of 'sustainable development' whereby the present needs of the Hotel will not compromise the abilities of future generations to meet their own needs;
adopt a policy of 'green procurement', taking environmental factors into account in all purchasing and supplier contracts;
provide organic produce where available and never knowingly use genetically modified ingredients or products;
take all measures that are reasonably practicable to:
reduce waste at source;
re-use waste components where it is safe and practicable to do so;
recover/recycle those fractions of the waste stream where an outlet is available; and
dispose of final wastes by the most environmentally suitable means;
adopt the practice of responsible energy management through reduced consumption and the encouragement of energy efficiency throughout the business;
encourage the use of public transport and the provide facilities for the disabled, pedestrians and cyclists; and
aim for continuous improvement.
This policy statement will be reviewed annually to ensure that it remains applicable to the activities of the Hotel and any agreements made between the Hotel and its stakeholders.
Signed: Justin Baird-Murray
Position: Managing Director
Date: 21st May 2007
Heres a copy of the metropoles environmental policy,what a load of bullshit.
The directors of the metropole 'recognise and accept' that running a business impinges on the environment!!!!!
WELL THATS ALLRIGHT THEN!!!!!
'sustainable use of resources'.
this obviously doesnt extend to the chaos his delegates cars create outside the county library and arlais day centre or on the local community.
'all employers are aware of potential enviroment affects'
emmm,Justin,you and your staff are still parking on the road!!!!.
'Encourage the use of public transport'
So the metropole dictates that their guests,delegates and staff use public transport !!!!NO WAY.
This policy is going to be reviewed!!!Hooray,well that will help.not. as nothing will be done,as long as the money keeps coming in is all they care about and no consideration is given to the local environs.
The Metropole put money before local environmental needs!!!!
and the only way to help is to stay away from the Metropole.
Therefore, the Hotel undertakes that it will:
ensure that all employees at all levels are aware of the potential environmental effects of their activities and the benefits of improved environmental performance, and will provide specific environmental training to this effect.
communicate this environmental policy and promote environmental awareness amongst all employees;
ensure that all employees are instructed on the potential environmental effects of their activities and the benefits of improved environmental performance;
display this policy statement in a prominent position within the Hotel;
make this policy statement available to all interested parties on request;
comply with all applicable environmental legislation as a minimum standard;
promote the principle of 'sustainable development' whereby the present needs of the Hotel will not compromise the abilities of future generations to meet their own needs;
adopt a policy of 'green procurement', taking environmental factors into account in all purchasing and supplier contracts;
provide organic produce where available and never knowingly use genetically modified ingredients or products;
take all measures that are reasonably practicable to:
reduce waste at source;
re-use waste components where it is safe and practicable to do so;
recover/recycle those fractions of the waste stream where an outlet is available; and
dispose of final wastes by the most environmentally suitable means;
adopt the practice of responsible energy management through reduced consumption and the encouragement of energy efficiency throughout the business;
encourage the use of public transport and the provide facilities for the disabled, pedestrians and cyclists; and
aim for continuous improvement.
This policy statement will be reviewed annually to ensure that it remains applicable to the activities of the Hotel and any agreements made between the Hotel and its stakeholders.
Signed: Justin Baird-Murray
Position: Managing Director
Date: 21st May 2007
Heres a copy of the metropoles environmental policy,what a load of bullshit.
The directors of the metropole 'recognise and accept' that running a business impinges on the environment!!!!!
WELL THATS ALLRIGHT THEN!!!!!
'sustainable use of resources'.
this obviously doesnt extend to the chaos his delegates cars create outside the county library and arlais day centre or on the local community.
'all employers are aware of potential enviroment affects'
emmm,Justin,you and your staff are still parking on the road!!!!.
'Encourage the use of public transport'
So the metropole dictates that their guests,delegates and staff use public transport !!!!NO WAY.
This policy is going to be reviewed!!!Hooray,well that will help.not. as nothing will be done,as long as the money keeps coming in is all they care about and no consideration is given to the local environs.
The Metropole put money before local environmental needs!!!!
and the only way to help is to stay away from the Metropole.
Monday, 14 January 2008
Wanted : for crimes of fashion
here is the manager of The metropole who continues to take up valuable parking space outside the Arlais day centre and the County library despite there being sufficent room to park on the metroploles car park {occasionly, when there isnt a conference on}.
I would like readers to know that the jumper Mr Hughes is wearing is not the one he recieved for christmas but one of a type he always wears to relax in.ghastly is'nt it.
you can tell mr hughes to stick his parking up his jumper by telephoning him on 01597823700
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