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NOVEMBER 5, 2008
Newsfile Best business idea THE search is on for Rhyl’s best new business idea. Rhyl City Strategy and its partner organisations are behind an event being staged during Enterprise Week, which runs from November 17 to 21. It comes as part of a campaign to promote self-employment as a route off benefits into work. Rhyl residents are invited to enter a competition, inspired by BBC’s Dragon’s Den, to find the best new business idea. The five best entries will be asked to present their ideas to a panel of leading local business people. The winning idea will be announced at an award ceremony and business start-up exhibition in Rhyl Town Hall on November 20. The competition winner will be awarded £1,000 as a start-up grant as well as a full package of support to get their new business off the ground, including personal development training from Release…Peace and a year’s free membership with Best of Rhyl. Applicants should be unemployed and have a genuine interest in starting their own business. Closing date for entries is November 11. Call 01745 343605 for more information.
Animal testing law PLAID MEP Jill Evans believes a 20-yearold European law on animal testing is in urgent need of updating because it allows too many animals to suffer unnecessarily. The MEP, whose office is in Ruthin, says many experiments are being duplicated leading to animal suffering that could be avoided. She wants the European Commission to establish a Europe-wide database, accessible to researchers, to help reduce the number of animals suffering in experiments. Ms Evans was responsible for an influential report in the European Parliament in 2002 which detailed ways in which the European Directive on the protection of animals for experimental and other scientific purposes should be revised. Six years on the all-Wales MEP says the law is in urgent need of revision and she has written to European Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas calling for the legislation to be reviewed without delay. “Over 12m animals are used in experiments across the EU every year and the number is rising,” she said.
Two officers may face jail for terrorising their pet dogs
Cops are off frontline duty By ANDY DAVIES
TWO police officers who kicked and beat their pet dogs will learn later this month whether they are to be jailed.
A court was told that PCs Craig Macleod, 34, and , 29, who live at The Meadows in Prestatyn, have been removed from frontline duty and may now lose their jobs. A neighbour captured them on film repeatedly hitting their border collie pup called Tess and four-year-old rottweiler Snoopy. Denbigh magistrates were shown footage of the pair using “unnecessary and excessive” violence over a monthlong period during which the animals suffered “mental terror”. A neighbour expressed concerns to the RSPCA over a three-year period, but inspectors found no evidence of cruelty. The neighbour then bought camera equipment and filmed the events in the couple’s yard between March 18 and April 16.
CRAIG MACLEOD In one shot Mason is seen kicking the four-month-old puppy before flinging it in the air by the scruff of its neck. In another Macleod drags the fouryear-old rottweiler towards him by its lead before hitting it on the head. Macleod admitted two charges of causing unnecessary suffering by subjecting both animals to physical trauma. Mason admitted one count of the same charge against the collie pup. Four other charges against the pair were dropped because of lack of evidence. The court heard how Macleod, who is seen in the video throwing a bowl of water at the pets, had taken advice from a dog handler who told him to discipline his “over-zealous” rottweiler by spraying it with water.
School Report
He said he was concerned about it snapping at his eight-year-old daughter. The pair claimed they were trying to train their pets, but admitted they had chastised them. After a veterinary report they signed over the animals which have now been given new homes. Joanne Stephens, defending, said Macleod and Mason stand to lose their jobs. Ms Stephens said the couple “cared for the wellbeing of the dogs” because they were kept fed and watered. They have expressed a great deal of remorse and shame. A North Wales Police spokesman said that both officers have been placed in nonoperational roles. The case was adjourned and the couple will appear before magistrates in Denbigh on November 25.
Call 01745 345891
End of war meeting THE Rhyl WEA is to meet on Tuesday, 11 November to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the ending of the First World War. The meeting will start at 11.30am at Morfa Hall, next door to the library on Bath Street in Rhyl. The lecturer will be Rufus Adams on “The Man Who Won The War.” Tickets are £2 and are available at the door.
RETIRING: Ysgol Tir Morfa Head teacher Steve Murphy and pupils with Pam Green MBE. zytm231008Retire.jpg
Local support at PTA bingo night A FULL house was the order of the night at a bingo event at Groes Parish Hall near Denbigh. Ysgol Rhydgaled’s PTA arranged the evening and were delighted with the support received from the locals. PTA chairman Ffion Clwyd said: “We received great support from the local community to this fun-filled evening and the youngsters were keen to participate in an activity which also supported the school’s annual fundraising activities. “I am delighted to say we raised £200 for the school, which will assist in buying new playtime resources for the children. Thank you to everyone who supported the event.”
Turbine go-ahead CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 10 wind turbines in Denbighshire have been given the go-ahead despite opposition. Councillors approved proposals for the Derwydd Bach windfarm at Melin y Wig, near Corwen, even though residents and community groups fear the 120m development will be a blot on the landscape. The planning committee backed Tegni Cymru Cig’s plans to build 10 120m-high turbines, but only on the condition the company offers funds towards enhancing the surrounding area. Members voted in favour of the generators and electrical control room and compound area on the wildlife site. In October 2007 over 200 local residents turned out in force to find out more about windfarm plans which could see the Vale of Clwyd’s landscape transformed in coming years.
LEAVING COURT: Anja Mason and Craig Macleod will find out later this month if they face jail for animal cruelty.
GIVING THANKS: Pupils at Ysgol Tir Morfa Rhyl, held a harvest thanksgiving assembly at their school. zytm231008Harvest-1.jpg
Thanksgiving tribute to school governor PUPILS at Ysgol Tir Morfa in Rhyl enjoyed a harvest thanksgiving day. There was also a presentation and an
History of war heroes THERE was an opportunity for pupils of Ysgol St Melyd, Prestatyn, to learn about an important period in history when they held a Second World War day. The children were able to try on some of the equipment worn by soldiers and were joined by local residents and also school governors Jean Hughes and Francis Mellor.
opportunity to say thank you and farewell to Pam Green, who is retiring from her role as school governor after 28 years. EYES DOWN: Ysgol Rhydgaled headteacher Emyr Evans, left, enjoys the bingo evening at Groes Parish Hall. zz301008bingo
Book of memories KINGS Hall Writers are inviting people to attend a Reminiscent Afternoon at Kings Hall, Pendyffryn Road, Prestatyn at 2pm tomorrow. The afternoon will see Eileen Jones launch her new book They’ve Had It Chum! based on her memories of her time in the Land Army as a rat catcher. Entry is priced at £1 and includes refreshments and a good chat. There is no age restriction and all are welcome to attend. ■ For details, call Bev Tinson on 01745 890822.