Llandrindod Wells lakeside skate park

Nice view here of the local skate park, situated in the lakeside gardens.

Rules breached by Bridgend MP

A BBC investigation reveals that over 20 MPs, including Madeleine Moon, MP for Bridgend, have breached the rules relating to registering and declaring overseas trips paid for by foreign governments.

Full details can be read on the BBC website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8576327.stm

Other MPs who have breached the rules:

David Amess
Norman Baker
Crispin Blunt
Graham Brady
Colin Breed
David Burrowes
Andrew Dismore
Jim Dobbin
Alan Duncan
Liam Fox
Mike Hancock
Lindsay Hoyle
Paul Keetch
Bob Laxton
David Lepper
Andrew Love
Mike Penning
Andrew Rosindell
Richard Spring
Theresa Villiers
Rudi Vis

School closure action group to lobby councillors over closures

Concerned parents and governors are lobbying Powys councillors as they meet to discuss the gloomy future for several high schools. Members of Powys Against Cuts in Education (PACE), will lobby councillors before they meet in Llandrindod Wells.

A spokesperson for PACE said: "All of Powys's high schools are vital to their local communities and provide by any measure a high standard of education as well as a uniquely caring environment for the young people of Powys.

Their sixth forms are both successful and essential to the life of the 13 schools."

PACE is launching it's website www.savepowysschools.com to publicise developments.

In other news there has been a £2.2m boost to be spent improving five Gypsy and traveller sites in Wales. More here.

Llandrindod tower thing

Strange brick tower 'thing' on the main road into Llandrindod Wells, just behind the bus stop. Is it art?





Public sector told 'change working or run out of money'

The Bridge of Death - Llandrindod Wells Rock Park

One of the more worrying aspects of a walk around the Rock Park in Llandrindod Wells is a trip across the deep gorge via the Bridge of Death. As you can see from the photo above it's pretty rotten in places, and hasn't been maintained for years. If the 60ft drop onto rocks doesn't get you then the spiked railings will.

Call me unimaginative if you will, but I think ratepayers money should have been spent repairing the rotten boards and making the bridge safe, before shelling out on wooden gargoyles, a website for wooden gargoyles, and outdoor gym equipment.

Llandrindod lakeside: two paths are better than one

More strange spending decisions from Powys County Council. Despite having no money for street lighting, minibus services for the disabled, etc they instead decided to spend tax payers money on clearing an area of woodland and creating an expensive new pathway, running alongside an existing path less than two feet away.

Brilliant.

Llandrindod Wells Rock Park

Another picturesque route into Llandrindod Wells Rock Park, under the Victorian rail bridge newly decorated in silver and blue by locals.

Shopping in Llandrindod Wells - full size replica human skulls

There have been various campaigns by shopkeepers in Llandrindod Wells to try and stop the new Tesco supermarket being built. Powys County Council have also tried their best to scupper the development.

Save your local shops - after all, where else would you be able to browse a selection of replica human skulls?

Welsh public not satisfied police and councils are dealing with anti-social behaviour and crime

Fewer than half of the people surveyed in Powys, Carmarthenshire, Pemnbrokeshire and Ceredigion have said that local council and police are not dealing with the anti-social behaviour and crime issues in their area, according to a Dyfed Powys Police report.

A survey was conducted in these areas asking local people if: “The police and local council are dealing with the anti-social behaviour and crime issues that matter in this area”, and the results were:

Powys - 44%
Pembrokeshire - 49%
Carmarthenshire - 46%
Ceredigion - 49%

The Government have set targets on the police service to increase these disappointing results to 60% by 2012.

Powys street light sign

These signs have been a common sight on the streets of Powys for the last year or so. Despite the obvious safety and security issues that arise when you turn all the lights off Powys County Council still regard this as a responsible budgetary decision.

Interesting comment from a BBC forum on this issue:

Recently, we had the Powys Update magazine through our doors. How many street lights would the total cost for this non essential item re-light?

Scenery on walk from Llandrindod town to Rock Park

Leaving the high street there's a nice tree-lined walk to the Rock Park, enhanced by local youths and their spray cans.

Elderly and disabled minibus link in Brecon faces cuts

A Brecon minibus service in Powys used by 600 elderly and disabled members could be cut back. Dial-a-ride provides door-to-door transport. It claims Powys council could cut its £26,500 grant by more than 50%. Service spokeswoman Lisa Marsh said it would be "catastrophic" for the scheme's 600 members. More...

However, Powys County Council has allocated itself an extra £135,000 towards the spiralling costs of refurbishment for it's own offices at the Gwalia in Llandrindod Wells after "unforeseen issues that were discovered". More...

Kirsty Williams - funding cuts will hit 'most vulnerable'

Welsh Liberal Democrats party leader Kirsty Williams has claimed £10.5m in education cuts will affect the "most vulnerable" students in Wales.

Kirsty Williams said: "Colleges and schools have already spent this money but are now being told that they will not receive the cash they expected from the government. The Welsh government has not made clear how colleges should deal with this unexpected funding cut. If the college has four learning support assistants, how do they decide which to let go? If a student's support is no longer being funded, should they leave their course?"

Councillor Michael Jones, Powys Council said "There is no doubt that the size of the reduction proposed will put the individual schools and central special needs service under huge pressure"

Read the full story here.

Llandrindod - Rock Park - 'Llandoddie'

Locals display their appreciation for one of the many Llandrindod 'Llandoddie' 'sculptures', this one is in the Rock Park.

Llandrindod Wells lakeside picnic

Another shot taken while walking around the lake in Llandrindod Wells - fancy a picnic?

Llandrindod lake - 'no fishing' signpost

Took this photo of an old discarded signpost on one of the embankments surrounding Llandrindod Wells lake. When I took this there was a boat about 100 yards away with 4 people in it looking at reeds.

A nice walk up to Llandrindod lake

Just off the main road through town, towards the lake.