Fears for tears - Baring all - Prime Minister drops in - Llangollen on the telly - Farms go chic - Olympians run around Wrexham - Community groups clean up - And when you can judge a book by its cover

Fears for tears
A couple have spoken about a medical condition which can stop their toddler daughter's heart every time she cries.

Baring all
People are baring all, attending a group therapy session to cure phobias and swimming two miles - all in the name of Children in Need.

We've cleaned up!
Community groups across north east Wales have cleaned up in an awards ceremony today for reclaiming areas covered in tonnes of rubbish.

Llangollen on the telly
Former Strictly Coming Dancing contestant John Sergeant's new TV series sees him soaking up the fun at Llangollen's world music festival.

Brown's pledge on Airbus factory
Prime Minister Gordon Brown says he is determined the Flintshire Airbus plant will remain the UK's biggest factory.

Farms go chic
From the old image of 'pick your own' fruit farms to fashionable cafes with quality home grown food, farms have been changing.

Book artist
When you can judge a book by its cover - a profile of book artist Angela Davies's work.

Denbigh plum's future assured
After last weekend's festival, the future of Wales' only variety of plum is being assured thanks to people in the town from which it gets its name.

Athletes run around Wrexham
Find out why an Olympic gold medallist and other athletes are running around Wrexham on Monday.

Democracy Live
Keep an eye on activities in Cardiff and Westminster on the new Democracy Live website.

Hwyl am y tro - bye for now

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Flintshire Council traffic chiefs baffled by congestion nightmare - Evening Leader
Transport chiefs faced a grilling after admitting they still have no idea how to solve the congestion nightmare at the county's worst traffic blackspot - on the approach to Shotton.

Villagers fight to save footpath - Daily Post
Villagers turned out in force at a special hearing in a bid to keep open a footpath which they claim has been used by generations. Denbighshire council wants to officially add the path, along part of the driveway of Llanbedr Hall to the county map, but this is being opposed by the property's owner, who bought the property in 2003 and is trying to stop people using it.

Oswestry traders group back car park plans - Tizer
Oswestry's Chamber of Trade has written to Shropshire Council giving its support to plans to build a supermarket on the town's Central car park. But that's against most traders' wishes, says BBC News Shropshire.

Residents campaign against takeaway - Evening Leader
A group of residents have launched a campaign to stop a takeaway being built in the area of Brunswick Road, Buckley, raising concerns about potential problems caused by anti-social behaviour, noise, parking and litter from customers.

Rhyl sewage dumping scheme refused - Daily Post
A controversial application to discharge sewage into an important water course in Rhyl has been rejected by the Environment Agency. Anwyl Construction had applied for permission to discharge sewage into the Aberkinsey Drain, near Dyserth Road, as part of its new development, attracting opposition from residents and local politicians.

Residents protest at Abergele street traffic - Rhyl Journal
Residents are hoping research will highlight the traffic problems blighting their Abergele street. Traffic monitoring has been going on in Kinmel Avenue, after people living in the area complained that the number of cars using the narrow two-way road, along with double parking had driven them to breaking point.

[If you want daily updates, follow us on Twitter or use our Google Reader]

Cast your mind back to earlier this summer and the colourful dancing parade winding its way around the streets of Llangollen during the opening day of the international eisteddfod.

And, among others, seeing former TV political reporter and Strictly Come Dancing contestant John Sergeant leading the dancers and musicians and wondering what the heck he was doing out in front.

Well, all will become clear when his new three-part TV series gets its first airing, John Sergeant on the Tourist Trail [Tuesday 10 November, ITV, 8pm].

He talks here about the programme which includes him seeing Llangollen's annual world music and dance festival from the perspective of overseas visitors, specificially competitors from Java.

But what makes this website different is a new tool - the ability to search all the videos for a spoken word, say 'Wrexham', or 'health' or even 'Cymru' because Welsh language searches are also possible.

Basically, you'll be able to toggle straight to the info you want.

The BBC's Mark Coyle explains it better: "By its very nature, the business of politics can be lengthy. Can you/would you watch an entire six-hour long debate from the House of Commons?

"Democracy Live gives you the ability to search for a specific word or words spoken in the proceedings and the results will give you links to the points in the video where they were spoken."

He goes on: "One aspect we're particularly proud of is that we've managed to deliver good results for speech-to-text in Welsh, which, we're told, is unique."

Wrexham's got its apple festival, and there has even been a campaign to market a sausage over the last couple of years; Mold and Llangollen both have food festivals; and now Denbigh has got a plum festival.

What other fruits, food or drink can we use to market other towns in north east Wales, asks Ruthin's blogger?

Can you help?

There's no doubt we love our food. Just for fun, I searched photo sharing site Flickr for people's food photos and got a return of nearly 6m pictures!

When you log in to the new system, you will be prompted to upgrade your existing account, and you should be able to do that with a minimum of fuss.

More details on this can be found on the BBC Internet Blog.

In lighter news for the town, the Daily Post also reports that Britain's Got Talent favourites Stavros Flatley are to switch on the Christmas lights. The Greek dancing duo will be joined by other entertainers at the ceremony on 19 November.

In Ruthin, a local policeman has praised the town for its community spirit. Rural community beat manager PC Osian Davies has been in post for five months and is quoted by the Denbighshire Free Press as saying that the town's " community spirit glass is very full".

Other stories in the papers this week include:

World's biggest ever Mona Lisa unveiled in Wrexham - The Leader
A giant version of the famous painting has been unveiled at Wrexham's Eagles Meadow shopping centre. It is made up of 86 different segments painted by community groups in Wrexham.

Staff at Wrexham's Glyndwr University to ballot on strike action - The Leader
Staff at the university are to be balloted on strike action following the sacking of the branch chairman of a union. The University and College Union (UCU), claims that Hamish Murphy was dismissed from his post for carrying out trade union activities following a long-running dispute between UCU and the university. Glyndwr University deny the claim.

A campaign for farmers to sell more produce direct to customers launches this winter to boost farm incomes - Daily Post
The Welsh Assembly Government is behind the initiative which will involve a direct sales campaign with consumer advertising, producer events, talks and a regular project newsletter. There will also be a project website to inform producers and consumers of events and the initiative's progress.

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And who can blame them what with the continued round of redundancies [Today: 200 jobs lost when factory closes | Wednesday: 93 jobs to be cut at Llandyrnog cheese plant | Tuesday: 40 jobs to go in Oswestry as firm closes].

That said, market day in Mold was busy yesterday. People were spending.

I was in town to meet a group of people looking to set themselves up in business. They had come together on a business start-up course run by WAG and were taking part in a challenge to put their business skills to use.

There was a great sense of 'we're in it together' as a lot of the other local businesses and organisations with shop fronts in town rallied round them. You can find out more here.

Recent start-ups Tasters Delicatessen provided lunch, Tracy Edwards' Ashfield Images took photos to act as a record of the day, as well as others.

It makes a change to have something positive to say about the jobs front.

Tag: jobs

And now, it seems, she wants to apply that approach to marketing Llangollen where she has some of her hotels, and a 50-acre home where she has an animal rescue.

Episode one starts with Stephanie hosting a meeting of Llangollen Chamber of Trade - where she's appointed the chairperson. Later, she's seen pounding the streets of the town drumming up new members.

She wants 100 local traders on board - and you get the feeling she's going to get them.

Then we see her taking staff to task at Bodidris Hall, Llandegla, and selling a new £5 lunch menu to customers.

How well Stephanie is received by the TV audience remains to be seen.

She has been in the media spotlight before having had gender reassignment surgery - facing scrutiny at the hands of her peers.

But from the preview I've just seen, she has got one fan already.

It's also going to be great to see our part of the world on the telly.

And, if nothing else, she will have succeeded in raising the profile of Llangollen thanks to TV air time.

Hotel Stephanie, Monday, 2 November, BBC One Wales, 10.35pm

Hotelier Stephanie Booth hopes that a forthcoming BBC TV servies about running her businesses will help to generate interest in the area. The Leader has a story about Stephanie, who owns and manages a number of local hotels, including the Wild Pheasant in Llangollen and Bodidris Hall in Llandegla.

The Leader also reports on a Tourism 'masterplan' for Flintshire coast. The plan aims to develop the area in a way that will benefit residents, businesses and the visitors.

Meanwhile in Rhyl locals are worried about the effect the temporary closure of the Foryd bridge will have on their businesses, as reported by the Daily Post. The bridge will be closed sporadically over a three month period for vital structural works and owners of nearby businesses fear for the effect on trade.

Other stories in the papers this week include:

Air Products workers record song to mark closure of Wrexham factory - The Leader
As Air Products closes its doors after 50 years, employees of the firm are to record a song marking its closure with the proceeds going to charity.

Waiting times to be cut as Ysbyty Glan Clwyd gets new operating theatres - Denbighshire Visitor
£5.4m is to be spent on three new operating theatres at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd and it's hoped that this will cut waiting times for for day surgery and diagnostics.

Flintshire fan: 'I've got the beach ball that beat Liverpool' - The Leader
And finally...a Flintshire man is the 'proud' owner of a beach ball which caused 'one of football's strangest-ever goals'!

[If you want daily updates, follow us on Twitter or use our Google Reader]

How big's the 'Old Lady'? - Derek walks Moel Famau - Wobbly bridge - Getting 'hyper local' - Half term and Halloween fun - Holy wells - Castle guides - Band on the radio - Lady Mostyn - Chester owe Wrexham - And more

Derek walks Moel Famau
BBC Wales weatherman swaps his suit for outdoor gear as he heads to Moel Famau for a new series of Weatherman Walking.

How big's the 'Old Lady'?
A yew tree known as the Old Lady has been growing in the churchyard at Gresford for more than 1,500 years - and now it's time to see how big she's getting.

Holy wells
In search of north east Wales' holy wells, Alys finds St Mary's in a tranquil location, far from the beaten track.

Castle guides
Do you know which of our castle ruins featured in a painting by Turner and Shakespeare's Richard II?

Listen again: Roseville on the radio
Local group The Roseville Band perform a live session on BBC Radio Wales' Evening Show.

Postscript: Lady Mostyn
The next episode of BBC Radio Wales' obituary series looks at the life of Lady Mostyn, 89, who died this month, and whose family have lived at Mostyn Hall for 500 years.

Chester owe Wrexham
Chester City could be expelled from the Football Conference if they do not repay debts to Wrexham by Monday.

Half term Halloween fun
Looking ahead to local events over the school holidays, including a host of spooky events to mark Halloween.

Blogging about
Wrexham's wobbly bridge is an award winner and taking a closer look at 'hyper local' websites covering north east Wales.

Hwyl am y tro - bye for now

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For what it's worth, I'm a fan. And, I have to say, these sites in north east Wales have been a help in my work, acting as a source for ideas, stories and talking pointings. I wish there were more!

Only yesterday I was reading http://rhuthun.blogspot.com taking issue with parking charges in town and saying how locals are grumbling.

As a local history fan I'm a regular reader of Colin's http://rhyl-life.blogspot.com which focuses on the resort's history and change.

And as a hill walker I keep up to date with John's website, www.moelfamau.co.uk, as well as the musings of members of North East Wales Search and Rescue who chat via Twitter.

What all these blogs have in common is they're a place for like-minded people to talk and share - and long may they continue.

Which local bogs do you follow?

'Daring' Eagles Meadow bridge wins architectural award, so says today's Leader.

The 'paper highlights Wrexham Civic Society's praise for the structure which is still a talking point a year after it opened:

Is it me or does the bridge wobble?

Here are a few more that caught our attention from the local newspapers.

Birthday home visit for Rhys - Flintshire Chronicle
Teenager Rhys Thomas - left severely disabled after choking on chewing gum two years ago - is leaving hospital and returning to his family's home in Holywell for the first time on his birthday.

£10million boost to improve Deeside - Daily Post
Flintshire Council are hoping to attract £10million over a 10 year period from the Welsh Assembly Government to improve living conditions in Connah's Quay, Shotton and Queensferry.

Review of parking needed in Rhyl and Prestatyn - Rhyl Journal
An urgent review of parking in Denbighshire's coastal towns needs to take place, according to Vale of Clwyd MP Chris Ruane who points out that Rhyl, with a population of 27,000, has one small free car park out of 11 while Corwen, population 1,300, has two free and with free spaces at Ruthin too.

Flood of complaints over Oswestry water -Tizer
Scores of concerned and angry customers confronted representatives from Oswestry's water provider last week. Severn Trent's water strategy manager, David Essex, has admitted that there was, at times, an "unusual quality to the drinking water".

Controversial £3m Flintshire superpub back on - Leader
Plans for a controversial £3 million 'superpub' at St David's Park, Ewloe, have been given the green light, in a dramatic U-turn by council planners.

Family terrified by armed raiders - Daily Post
A mother has told how masked robbers armed with a gun attacked her family in a terrifying raid at their Colwyn Bay home. Three men broke in, tried to strangle Llinos Jones, 49, and tie up her 13-year-old son. The raiders then forced her partner, Alfie Parry, 52, to hand over cash and fled.

[If you want daily updates, follow us on Twitter or use our Google Reader]

Over night, Barbara Lloyd from Wrexham has been in touch claiming to have seen a Hercules plane appear low in the sky from nowhere. It's a description we've had reported to us several times. Barbara made this sighting yesterday on the Wrexham-Chester border and asks whether anyone else saw it.

"...I saw a plane when driving home from Chester to Wrexham about 4.15pm in broad sunny daylight. It appeared first just beyond Dodleston - out of nowhere flying very low and then again as I was turning onto the A483 in Rossett.

"It was only after arriving home that I realised it hadn't made a sound. I looked for the shape on the web and found it - it was a Hercules bomber - dark grey and olive green - it was that close. Did anyone else see it?"

Can you help - and do you believe it could be a phantom plane?
Note. On and off we've had many comments shared about this type of sighting over the last few years.