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Hail to the Chief!

Posted by David Rutland on October 15, 2008 3:49 PM

HE'S a bit of an odd chap, our chief constable here in North Wales.

It could seem, to an outsider that Richard Brunstrom is a man incapable of making up his mind and remembering his own decisions and statements.

First, it was the debacle over whether or not he will retire next year.
Shark jokes aside, there was great rejoicing throughout the land, when this August, he said in an interview that he will be retiring by Christmas 2009 for a life of messing about in boats on the seven seas.

The jubilation of motorists was short-lived, however, as later that month he denied ever having mentioned retirement.
The comments had been made live on a BBC TV programme. Hard to deny, but he managed it.

In December 2007, Mr Brunstrom, who was made a druid in 2006, told the nation that he broke into his own headquarters to "test security."
Scaling the outside of the building using scaffolding placed there for repairs, Mr Brunstrom entered through an open window.
It transpired later, that the chief merely had a faulty key fob for the doors.

Only last week it was reported that Mr Brunstrom, himself an Englishman, wanted to remove the were "Police" from all the police cars in his bailiwick, leaving only the Welsh word, "Heddlu."

Regardless of whether or not this was a good idea, his press office people obviously didn't think it was and rushed out a press release saying that the ageing copper had raised "rhetorical questions" and that "There are no proposals for related changes to our current Welsh language policy or indeed the vehicle livery. If any such changes were to be made, full consultation would take place prior to this."

In other words, he didn't mean it.

Many, many times, when we at the Visitor have contacted the police press office to get updates on mundane things such as crimes, there's no-one there to take our call. When there is, they often take several days to give us an answer.

I can't help but wonder, if the press officers of North Wales Police spend most of their working hours checking up on their boss and issuing implausible excuses for incomprehensible actions.



The Secret's Out

Posted by Martin Williams on September 17, 2008 11:31 AM

"We are not down and outs. We are just trying to make Rhyl better."
The words of Geraldine Hughes during last Tuesday's Secret Millionaire rang true for many people in the struggling seaside town, particularly those who've lived in the West End for more than five minutes.
As a man who grew up in Rhyl, went to school in Rhyl and until last week was sat editing the Visitor from Rhyl High Street, I have written many times about its problems, as well as the wonderful people who work hard to make it a better place.
But watching this Channel Four programme left a bitter taste in the mouth.
Millionaire Gavin Wheeldon hopped off the train and was met by two closed pubs - Costigans and the Bee and Station.
He was then accosted by a group of lads with Manchester accents, who complained about not being able to find a job.
What struck me was the girl on a bicycle, who rather than get off it and help hard-working Geraldine with the new community house, slated the town and told poor Gavin to "sort it out".
Before "sorting out" the dilapidated buildings, empty properties and boarded-up buildings, we should perhaps address Rhyl's fundamental problem - the people.
Watching Secret Millionaire was frustrating, with the millionaire in question only managing to find a handful of individuals he could help. Over past weeks, the other millionaires visit equally run-down communities but there were an abundance of groups and organisations, striving to make their lives better.
We don't have that in Rhyl. There are some, a few diamonds among the rough - the likes of Jack Baker, Lee Barlow and Tony Cheetham - but they are few and far between.
Instead, Rhyl is cursed with those who refuse to work, drink for most of the day and complain about their lot.
I am in no way xenophobic or closed-minded but it's been well-documented that the area has been overrun by newcomers from the Midlands and North West, here for the cheap rent. They see Denbighshire County Council as a soft touch - they may be right.
Why would they want to join a community group and better the place? They have no affinity with Rhyl. It's a horrible place, why should they bother?
Many of them move to this resort, and then resort to crime.
While I was, on the whole, proud of what I watched last Tuesday - proud of the likes of Geraldine and Jack - I was overwhelmed and emotional at how my town - our town - has fallen so greatly.
I just hope local town and county councillors were watching, especially as it was up to Gavin to point West Rhyl Community Group in the direction of Lottery funding.
He was amazed at how a quarter of the properties in the West End were empty, yet Rhyl has a problem with homelessness.
He's right, and I admired the fact he was no easy mark. He wasn't going to waste his money on those who refuse to help themselves.
I was delighted to see the guys at the Labour Club - a club my own grandad used to run - strive to keep it going, and the young girl who wants to go to college and better her life. Good for her, I wish her every success.
I'm proud to be from Rhyl. If everyone in the town was equally proud it may start moving in the right direction.
Hopefully the Secret Millionaire was the straw that broke the council's back. I pray they give the town the support it needs so Rhyl can welcome a new era and we can put the last 15 years behind us."

Booting Wellington

Posted by Martin Williams on September 3, 2008 11:25 AM

"DON'T forget about us."
That's the cry of business owners in Rhyl's West End, who are tired of being ignored by shoppers, tourists and, most importantly, council bosses.
There are dozens of shops along Wellington Road and its surrounding streets, but very few people know about them.
On strolling down Bedford Street the other day I found a cake shop, a barber, a record store, conveniences and a dog grooming service.
If you just stroll between KFC and Aldi you'll find dozens of stores, the occasional pub, food outlet and hairdresser.
These outlets are struggling to survive because there is no signage to support them, and footfall is low. There is nowhere to park - unless you have a Blue Badge of course - and the area looks like hell, if hell had overgrown seagulls and a traffic warden.
The punters do not walk through this area of Rhyl unless they have to, and it's a pity, particularly when you stroll down Rhyl High Street and glance at your reflection in several empty shop windows.
With millions being pumped onto West Parade, perhaps a little cash could be syphoned-off and spent on sprucing up these West End properties with plants and flowers, maybe the odd lick of paint or grants to help them revamp the fascias and fronts of their ailing properties.
I met with several of these entrepreneurs recently and was amazed at the diversity of products on sale, and how they stick together and battle to survive.
It's admirable, and they deserve your support. Next time you're out shopping, go and take a look.

Grange hotel - six months on

Posted by David Rutland on August 27, 2008 9:33 AM

It is now almost six months since Rhyl's once famous Grange Hotel was gutted by fire.
12 fire engines and 80 firefighters attended the blaze on West Parade in March and a 45 year old man was hospitalised.
It is believed that homeless people had been staying in the derelict building and that candles used for light had set fire to the soft furnishings.

This week The Visitor took a tour of the building.


Rain, don't go away.

Posted by Martin Williams on August 21, 2008 9:29 AM

Strolling over Vale Road bridge into work this morning - the rain battering down on passing cars, soaking my clothes and emptying the streets ahead - I couldn't help but smile.
Why, you may ask? Well, this weather and a subsequent breeze filled my senses with what could be.
The smell of the seaside, salty air and a waft of the ocean really brightened what can be one of the most depressing three-minute walks you'll ever experience.
Looking down on Rhyl High Street is depressing; it's a landscape that will never take your breath away (for the right reasons, anyway).
Your gaze is often met by whirlwind of litter, empty buildings and, these days, the occasional beggar.
But when it's quiet, when you can soak up the atmosphere, sense the water and unlock this town's potential - it does give you a sense of hope.
Things are moving forward, and I pray that one day this same short amble will include a view of the beach, as it once did, before concrete and rusting metal barred our relationship with that once-glorious seafront.
The Grange has gone, so has Bar Blu, the funfair, the Coliseum Theatre and a raft of attractions.
But the beach remains, and if we can deliver it back to the required cleanliness levels, and tear down the wall that hides it away, it will once again be our greatest asset.

Going to the Zu

Posted by Martin Williams on August 13, 2008 12:40 PM

Rhyl's latest nightspot - the Zubar - is set to open tomorrow night (Thursday), giving punters an alternative place to dance, mingle and enjoy a few drinks after midnight.
Since Bar Blu's closure the Honey Club/Billy's is the only venue left in the town, though revellers will find several late bars open after the pubs close.
The Visitor is inviting readers to send their pictures from the opening night. We'll publish the best in the paper, and online. E-mail them to martin.williams@northwalesnews.co.uk or drop them in to the Visitor, 84 High Street, Rhyl, LL18 1UB.

Thanks....