your comments
Nick Roe, Wrexham
When travelling along Chester Road I cannot help but fear for the future of the former Grove Park Girls' School. This is an attractive building of the 1930s with period details, and it recalls those heroic women who in the early 20th Century fought for equal rights in politics and education. It is small comfort that a year ago, on 28 April 2008, Wrexham County Borough Council voted by a majority of one that the school should not be demolished. This begs the question of what the building is to be used for, and that vote could be easily overturned if no use is found, or if there is pressure to maximize revenue from the sale of the site. Several educational or community uses have been proposed: Nobody, though, has come forward with the commitment to turn any of these into reality. Since April 2008 there have been at least three projects to set up an action group to secure the future of the school and its playing fields and to promote the site's heritage, but so far as I am aware, no such group yet exists. Unless someone comes forward to lead a dedicated campaign to save the building by finding a viable use for it, I fear that demolition will be inevitable. Will the spirit of those women who fought ignorance and prejudice rekindle and save the school and its grounds for the people of Wrexham?
Tue May 5 12:14:03 2009
Harry, Manchester
To any Remploy Wrexham workers. I was thinking of you guys today, how are things going?
Mon Mar 9 09:50:20 2009
Wil, Wrexham.
Well, the debate over the location of a prison for North Wales has been settled, it's Caernarfon! I still think Denbigh would have been a better choice, but well done Caernarfon councillors, MPs etc. At least there should be no job-snatching by Merseyside and Manchester prison officers, it's out of "travel back home at weekends to keep in touch with brothers, cousins etc." range...isn't it? just as Denbigh may have been, but certainly not Wrexham.And Phil, Manchester, I do have an insight into the thinking of prison officers, without elaborating, though not from incarceration within the walls. I am also very familiar with life on Merseyside and Manchester. Ask anyone living in North-West Wales in easy reach, as most of them are, of the A55 where is easier to travel to, Wrexham or Liverpool or even Manchester, except past the airport 07.30 to 10.30. They don't have normal prison visiting A.M. anyway. As for English people moving to Wrexham to live, what do you think is the cause of the congestion at the Post House roundabout? English, yes and Welsh, people travelling to work in Merseyside and Manchester because Wrexham CBC prefers demolishing factories to finding occupants for them, and they still get voted in, but that's another story for another site.
Tue Feb 17 09:29:02 2009
Phil, Manchester
Wil - You have, I think, deliberately misquoted me in the matter of prison officers moving to Wrexham to work. I did not say they would come from Merseyside to take all the jobs in Wrexham. For all I know, they could come from anywhere in the UK. I did suggest that some people moving to Wrexham to work might stimulate the local housing market to the benefit of all concerned. I will also pick you up on something else you have said when you suggest moving to Denbigh might not be so attractive for people from Merseyside. My goodness Wil, you have an incredible insight into the minds of prison officers and their families - upon what facts do you base your opinion? I'm sure Denbigh is a very nice place to live. I gather it's OK in you book for English people to go to Denbigh to live, but not to Wrexham? People coming into Wrexham to work might balance the congestion on the Chester bypass roundabout you have observed! Whilst I work in Manchester, I only wish I could live in Wrexham and afford the travel to Manchester each day, but alas, I can't. So please don't pre-judge peoples motives Wil, they might be completely honourable. Vive la Wrexham! (to mix a metaphor!)
Fri Dec 19 08:04:41 2008
Wil, Wrexham
For Sue, Wrexham and Phil, Manchester. Prior to the recent arson attack on the former Denbigh Hospital meetings HAD taken place with the national prison authority with a view to adding Denbigh to the shortlist and it's still a viable site. As far as "English" people from Rhyl are concerned you aren't thinking of the same treatment for the many local Eastern bloc immigrants are you? Also, Phil, you hit the nail on the head with the statement about importing prison officers from Merseyside, they'll come to Wrexham and take the jobs but Denbigh would be less attractive to them and their families, too far to travel back "home" to visit. A North Wales prison in Denbigh would be more accessible to ALL North Wales, including Wrexham. Are you implying the populations of Wrexham and Flint are less law-abiding than the rest of North Wales? As far as keeping them "safely" locked up goes, what about recent escapes from Usk prison? A part of any North Wales prison would have to have a similar "trustee" section. Finally, Sue, the houses at Pentre Maelor were, for some years after the war, still owned by, I think, the Ministry of Works or some such Westminster Gov't department. They were put up for sale but fair offers from individuals and groups of residents were rejected and Wrexham local authority of the time bought the lot for absolute peanuts and eventually sold them off at a very substantial profit, even at the discount price, thanks to the Milk-snatcher. There's no chance of having a "dirty" factory on the former Firestone site, although people were happy to work there, dirty though it was. WCBC are only interested in emptying the town centre so that even more unaffordable "affordable" housing can be built there. Post early for Christmas folks, if you can find a Post Office still open!
Mon Dec 8 08:28:23 2008
Sue, Wrexham
In response to Wil, he makes some valid points. However - Denbigh is not on the shortlist. In supporting the proposal for a North Wales site, WCBC are indicating at this stage that they would support Wrexham or Caernarfon. I accept that those receiving custodial sentences at Caernarfon would have to be taken just as far to Wrexham as they currently do to Meseyside. As far as Rhyl is concerned, maybe it's appropriate for some to go to prison in England - because significant numbers are, in fact English. However, Wrexham and Flintshire are the most densely populated in North Wales, and account for a sizeable proportion of custodial sentences - so surely there are considerable savings to be made by siting the prison in Wrexham? Ultimately, taxpayers foot the bill, that's us - the ones who are worried about job losses and affordable homes. Surely a prison would benefit the people of Wrexham in this respect? With regards to the people of Pentre Maelor, you have a point there. Wil- Not many would support the establishment of a massive prison in their backyard - but here's my idea; The houses at Pentre Maelor were originally built as council houses (Do correct me if i'm wrong). The vast majority of these homes are now privately owned thanks to the Thatcher Government. If the prison plan goes ahead, perhaps the council should offer to buy back all these homes and rent them - either to people working at the prison, or to families on their current waiting list.
Fri Dec 5 08:47:29 2008
Phil Manchester
I don't think Wrexham Council can not actively pursue the siting of a prison in the town. As Sue says in these days of credit crunch it will provide much needed work in the area. It will provide work for some local people and will encourage experienced prison workers to move into the area and provide some stimulus to the local housing market. I suspect a trip to Wrexham if you live in North West Wales would be easier than a trip to Manchester or Liverpool. It might even provide more travellers on the local rail services and help secure their future. The council need to pursue many avenues as well as new shops to the town centre. I'm sure no one would actively want a prison as a neighbour, but they do tend to concentrate on keeping people inside! And I think I'd prefer a prison to a dirty great factory next door!
Fri Dec 5 08:33:32 2008
Wil, Wrexham.
For Sue, Wrexham. The proposal is for a prison for NORTH WALES. A prison in Wrexham would not serve Caernarfon, Porthmadog, Pwllheli, Ynys Mon, Bangor, Rhyl etc., believe it or not they are in North Wales too. Sited in Wrexham, a prison would soon become an overflow facility for Walton and Strangeways to the exclusion of offenders from the above Welsh localities, and Wrexham would be no nearer for them than Merseyside. I suggest you also ask residents of Pentre Maelor for their opinions, it would be just across Bridge Road south from them on the former Firestone site. On the former Denbigh Hospital website quite a fair body of opinion seems to be in favour of that site for the prison, and without elaborating too much I think it is still a good use for this historical building in spite of recent attempts to destroy it. No, Sue, Wrexham Council would be better employed finding occupants for the empty shops boarded-up in the town centre. Yes, it still is the town CENTRE, and finding work for locals who can't afford even the so-called affordable housing being crammed into sites on the edge of town.
Mon Dec 1 08:12:35 2008
Sue, Wrexham
I'm pleased to hear that the council are supporting the plan to build a prison here in Wrexham. I can't see a downside to this - it will help our town through the credit crunch and beyond - with the building work and longer-term employment opportunities. Also, local people who are jailed end up in Liverpool or further away and consequently families struggle to visit and keep in touch. If local people serve their sentences here in Wrexham, there is far more opportunity for them not only to retain family links and support, but also to take part in reparation, apologies to victims and local community projects - all of which have been proved to reduce reoffending. It's about time our MP, Ian Lucas, has a considered think about this issue and changes his mind about opposing the proposal.
Fri Nov 28 11:01:04 2008
Peter Salisbury from Oswestry
On the A483 going north there is a large lay-by near Rhostyllen which is used by many truckers as an overnight or evening lay-over. This is protected by a long island between it and the road. Wrexham Council or the Highways Agency or whoever have seen fit to cone off this lay-by to place a mobile warning sign there, which most of the time warns about wearing seatbelts, so it could have gone anywhere. It now means that the truckers will have to go to the next lay-by which is narrower, and right on the dual carriageway affording little protection when alighting from a vehicle. Have the pea brained traffic authorities no commonsense? I am not a trucker myself but I am aware of the need for them to be able to park up safely.
Mon Nov 3 08:34:39 2008
Brian Stapley, Brymbo, Wrexham
With regards to the £17m development at Ruabon. This mostly greenfield site, and will not improve the looks of the area one bit. And yet we have a site in the west of Wrexham that has a need for development, and it looks like someone is holding it back, the place is the former Brymbo Steelworks. I have been at a number of meetings over this subject and every time we ask about, when we will have the spine road across the site, we are taken for a ride, and told that it will take place. This has been the case for the past 8 to 10. The other thing we have been told when we asked about a supermarket on the site, "Wrexham are not in the position of moving the town centre", well it's moved to Eagles meadow. City status?
Mon Oct 27 08:49:06 2008
Brian Stapley
I know most people will have a poppy to wear during the next few weeks, but just a timely reminder that our lads and girls are still fighting a war, not of their making, and we will still see some of them returning ether injured or even worse, so please buy a poppy and wear it with pride. If politicians and Whitehall warriors had to be the first in the front line they would not be in so much of rush to start a war.Please support our troop across the globe, as it looks like the MOD are not.
Fri Oct 24 08:12:49 2008
Karen Lloyd-Jones, Ruabon
Developers claim that 80% of the people of Ruabon are in support of a retail outlet being built on the edge of the village. This will take away the green space marking the difference between Ruabon and Rhosymedre. It will also cause havoc on the A483 as a second supermarket has been announced for the area. Several historic sites are under threat as well as being in contravention of many WCBC/WAG rules and guidelines. Were you asked for your opinion on it anywhere else?
Thu Oct 23 12:29:35 2008
Phil, Rhosymedre
Concur with Ken, we already have adequately sized Somerfields in Rhosymedre and Johnstown. The proposed sites for Tesco and Sainsburys are on green land, especially Sainsburys which is enormous and will extend considerably into the historic Wynnstay park, requiring removing on the symbolic wall.
Mon Sep 22 11:25:52 2008
Ken Williams, Ruabon
What is going on here? The third phase of this [Ruabon business park] plan will bring a total of 2,500 jobs, according to one report. How will the road system cope with this development? It isn't rejuvenating Ruabon, it is expanding onto the old Wynnstay Park land and will close businesses in the village. I found it strange that people in Johnstown and Rhos were informed by leaflets and the people who live near to the site were not on the mailing list. The way the proposal has been drafted it looks as if the project is going ahead full steam before the council has passed planning permission. There are already two Somerfield shops on either side of Ruabon and a plan for a Tesco in Cefn Mawr. Sounds like supermarket madness to me!
Wed Aug 20 08:24:05 2008
Diana, USA
What happened to the bench in Queen's Square? Has it gone? I couldn't see it on the webcam.
Thu Jun 26 09:58:13 2008
Nick, Web Team
Is Wrexham a 'hick' town lacking in culture? That's the perception, according to a debate in the Evening Leader.
Wed Jun 11 12:56:32 2008
Wrexham Remploy employee
To answer your question Harry, and in response to the other comment left by a fellow colleague, Dave, the new manager, is the best thing that could have happened to Wrexham factory. He has secured funding for new machinery, and has moved personnel around so that now there are people in the jobs qualified to do the work, some who had been hiding their light under a bushell. With this kind of commitment, and with such a drastic change of attitude from the workforce, then Wrexham can only go from strength to strength.
Mon Jun 9 14:13:05 2008
Employee Remploy Wrexham
The answer to Harry's question is Dave. So far he's done some good in changing things. Hope he keeps up the good work and it's about time too. Some may not like the change but at least Wrexham's staying open. It's about time Wrexham had some good news with so many other places closing or reducing the workforce.
Fri Jun 6 07:42:51 2008
Harry, Manchester
Who is the new manager at Remploy Wrexham?
Mon Jun 2 09:39:39 2008
Ray JCB, Minera
Why the speed humps by the school? There where no humps when the lorries carried from the quarry, and why the bollards on each side of the road? Are they for decoration or another council cock up - somebody tell me please?
Fri May 9 10:18:31 2008
Remploy Wrexham Employee
To Harry of Manchester - thank you for all your kind words of support during our fight to stay open. I am sorry that your fight did not bring about the ending we all wished for. I wish you well in the future, good health and life. Here in Wrexham we have a new factory manager, and the feeling that something good is growing. There is a real chance for us now, and the moral amongst the lads is good. Most of those to take voluntary redundancy have left, and the rest of us are now working towards showing the Remploy board what a mistake they have made by closing any Remploy factory. We will keep up the good work to show those who had faith in us that their support was justified.
Tue Apr 15 08:30:28 2008
Harry, Manchester
I leave Remploy this week as my factory closes but will continue to watch your progress with great interest.Congratulations on all the hard work put in to keep your factory open. I wish you all good health, happiness and prosperity. Good luck in all your future endeavours.
Tue Apr 8 16:05:50 2008
Remploy Employee
To Donald of Merseyside - I left a response to your comments, however the BBC felt it necessary not to publish my remarks.
Thu Feb 21 15:47:24 2008
Donald from Merseyside
I read with interest the comments from Remploy Wrexham workers, at the frustration after being reprieved from closure, that there seems no urgency in repairing machines when they broken down. Could it be that the management want the Wrexham site to fail? Which would put them back on the threat of closure list, it would not surprise me at all. I am also a Remploy disabled employee in a site that will be closed within the next two months. The Remploy Board don't seem interested in any positive ideas to save the sites.
Tue Feb 5 16:44:14 2008
J Jones, Wrexham
My main complaint about Wrexham is the lack of public toilets particularly in the Island Green area. I have three small grandchildren and I'm sure anyone with small children will agree with me here, that when they need to go they have to go there and then. So please everybody out there bombard the council with emails, letters and phone calls to have more toilets in Wrexham.
Mon Jan 28 09:25:31 2008
Local
I know mostly everyone is fed up at this time of year because everyone I talk to say the same thing but you now got to look ahead and start thinking more positive. I have supported you all the way Remploy Wrexham but you should think how lucky you are that you are one of the factories they are keeping open - think about the ones who have no choice. I know you have problems with machinary etc but isn't it about time the management did something about replacing things? It also sounds like some of the workforce needs to be encourged by the management or the manager at Wrexham to start talking things through on how to improve things and to try & get the morale up.
Mon Jan 21 08:13:16 2008
Remploy Supporter
I have read with interest the comments put on this site recently. It is obvious that morale is at an all time low at the Wrexham site, which is sad considering the factory was given a life line recently. The fact that machinery has broken down and is not being repaired quickly enough is putting pressure on a workforce who are under pressure to succeed and thereby keep the factory open in the long term, and not just for a couple of years. I would say to Harry of Manchester, yes it is very sad that any Remploy employee should lose their job, and quite frankly the Remploy board should be sacked, along with those government ministers that allowed the closures to go ahead. I am sure those who have left negative comments did not mean to be insensitive to the plight of other Remploy workers, they are just venting their frustration that they are not being given the tools promised to be able to do the job required to keep their futures bright. am sure common sense will prevail, and maybe a few nice upbeat comments will appear here soon.
Thu Jan 10 08:41:00 2008
Remploy Worker, Wrexham factory
I think a line should be drawn under all the negative comments being made here by my fellow workers. I know things are difficult at the moment with the machinery being broken down, but look to the future. We are a hard working bunch remember that, we can do whatever the bosses ask of us. We have been given the chance to prove the Remploy board were wrong to even put Wrexham on the closure list in the first place. Now all we need is for the board to keep their part of the bargain and give us the tools to do the job.
Thu Jan 10 08:40:09 2008
Local
I just read your comment Harry & I quite agree with you the thing is they sound like they are thinking of themselves & not about the other factories that are closing. Perhaps you should visit the Remploy concerned in the comments & give them the other side of the story on what is happening to your colleagues as well as the other factories. It may encourage them but I might be wrong. I know it's shame I to wish they would keep all the factories open but what else can you do? I have supported you & I got others to help. I just feel angry that I can't do more.
Thu Jan 10 08:39:17 2008
Harry, Manchester
Some of the recent comments posted by my fellow Remploy factory workers are beyond belief. A little sensitivity to the plight of 1600 Remploy factory workers who are about to lose their jobs wouldn't go amiss! I am based in a factory where 1 to 1 consultation meetings are being carried out this week. I have seen grown men and women, many with 20-30 years' service, in tears during recent weeks. Our Remploy factory, that has given us an opportunity to show that we can make a valid contribution to society will close down at the end of March. Celebrate your good fortune and work towards a better, more prosperous future. Workers at this factory would have been jubilant to have given the same opportunity as Wrexham.
Wed Jan 9 10:34:46 2008
Wrexham Remploy employee
It is true that morale is at an all time low at the moment, and I think the time of year is playing a part in that. It doesn't help that machinery is not being repaired quickly enough, putting additional pressure on the workforce.
Tue Jan 8 13:45:13 2008
Employee of Remploy
I know that we only just start back to work after the xmas holidays so now's the time to start anew. I know we also have a few problems with machinery etc so that's bound to make a few fed-up and morale once again on the low. Perhaps it's the time of year as most people too may be in the same boat. But once everything is up and running and we manage to catch up with the workload some of the morale may be lifted a bit but management should also encourage us. We all say many thanks to all that supported us when we needed it the most and we also need to start paying back those supporters forewith otherwise it's just a waste of time & effort.
Tue Jan 8 10:30:45 2008
Wrexham Remploy
I don't mind any changes, the more the better I say and bring it on and I have done my bit to support this factory but in my opinion some of the workforce don't seem to be bothered one way or another at the moment. There doesn't seem to me to be any spirit here unless I am mistaken it could be the time of year when everyone is at a low. I think that the workforce needs to be encouraged by management etc to start getting the spirits up and to get themselves more organised. I also like to thank those people mentioned above as well as the other supporters and by paying them back with hard work etc.
Mon Jan 7 15:55:28 2008
Wrexham Remploy
Well what a good start to the new year with a few machines breaking down & also waiting for parts. But I still get the feeling that some of the workforce doesn't seem to be pulling together after all the support from various areas they are going to think what a waste of time in helping them save the factory & the Remploy bosses will be thinking the same thing. I think that our own Manager should now start putting his foot down & start shaking up the workforce, we all have our low days put we all must now pull together and keep this factory going. If this does not happen we will not be here in 18 months time.I would like to carry on working for Remploy but with the things that are happening I can't see me being still here which is a damn shame as I have made good friends etc.
Mon Jan 7 10:50:36 2008
Remploy Wrexham Employee
To the Remploy worker who is calling for all the back stabbing to stop have the courage and sign your name. All the lads at Wrexham worked hard to keep the factory open - most gave up their time every Saturday to gather signatures for our petition - the likes of Ray, John Brooks, John Johnson, Stephen Bobby to name a few - some were noticably absent - they wanted to keep their jobs, but weren't prepared to put the effort in. So don't go all Holy now and ask people to band together - you should have done that earlier. There will be changes - some you won't like I am sure - but changes there will be. A big thank you to those who did bother to fight for giving us the chance to keep our jobs.
Fri Jan 4 14:49:51 2008
Remploy Wrexham employee
I'd like to say a big thank you to all of the people who supported us in our time of need. So it's all down to us the workforce to now pull together and show the Remploy bosses etc that they got it wrong and start showing that we can turn this factory around. I know there will be lots of changes etc but it may give us a much better outlook and hope that the New Year will prove to be a good & busy one & to show our supporters etc we can do it otherwise if we don't we will be disappointed in ourselves & let others down. So come on boys & girls, let's show them what we can do.
Wed Jan 2 10:17:47 2008
Remploy employee
I'd like to thank everyone for helping & supporting us in our time of need but it's now up to the workforce to start to work hard and start getting on with others & stop all this back stabbing & blaming. We all need to pull together & to show what we are made of & to show the people who supported us that we can turn this factory around. If we don't we're letting our supporters down as well as ourselves so come lads & lasses don't let the Remploy grind us down - prove them wrong.
Mon Dec 24 09:31:32 2007
Wrexham Lad LGC
A few points:
1) The christmas event in Queens Square what a joke - where all the big names we're used to having?
2) Egales Meadow good or bad, I dunno I think it will be good as long as town center does not suffer a lot of shops boarded up and closing down.
3) This may not effect you all BUT Mecca Bingo, have you seen the prices lately? It ha gone so expensive they're pricing out the older members that made the company what it is. A lot of the OAPs I know used to go a few times a week but now they can only afford once a week unless they win. But all staff there work hard so it's head office that needs to pull their finger out.
Fri Dec 7 08:31:53 2007
Harry, Manchester
Hello Remploy Wrexham. Things are a little grim up here at the moment, people totally demoralised, it would be great to hear some good news for a change. How are things at Wrexham? We are 100% behind you, prove Warner wrong!
Thu Dec 6 12:37:24 2007
Tone P, Wrexham
...and who the chuff is the mayor? Nice fireworks though, shame they can't do a council run display on Nov 5.
Mon Nov 26 09:00:43 2007
Natalie
Who the chuff is Eddie "Nutty" Nuttall? Allegedly a children's entertainer who is doing the Christmas light switch on in Queen's Square.
Webteam replies: Wrexham Council tell us the mayor switched on the lights last night and Eddie entertained the kids along with events.
Fri Nov 23 08:16:10 2007
John Brooks, Team Leader, Remploy Wrexham
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who have shown commitment to our fight, and put in the effort to save our factory. To those who have taken the time to add your comments on this site, thank you, especially Harry of Manchester, whose kind words have meant a lot during these hard times. Speical thanks go to Stephen Bobby, Nicky Green, John Smith, John Johnson, Richard Burt, and Union Rep Denis Morgan who gave up their time to stand and collect signatures in Wrexham, out in all weathers. To Union Rep Ray Lonsdale, who has worked effortlessly during our campaign. Kind thanks go to Janet Ryder AM and her assistant Sian Sweeting-Jones for all their hard work, without which I think we would have had a different outcome. To Lesley Griffiths AM and Ian Lucas MP - thank you. Last but not least, Dave Bithell and his lovely wife for all their hard work, and for giving up their free time to collect signatures with us, and to go door to door to bring our fight into the public eye. Now it is up to us to put in the hard work needed to prove to the Remploy Board that they are wrong in closing any factories, and our thoughts go to those collegues are still fighting for thier futures. We will still support you and fight to keep your factories open, because at the end of the day, no site should be closed.
Wed Nov 14 14:10:48 2007
Harry, Manchester
It is clear that Bob Warner does not want any Remploy factory to succeed and he obviously sees the Remploy of the future as a job introductions service, duplicating the role currently carried out by Job Centre Plus. It is correct, this is where the hard work starts but you have earned an opportunity to secure the future of the Remploy factory in Wrexham. Prove to Warner that he was wrong to doubt the commitment of the factory workforce! Good luck to all at Wrexham.
Wed Nov 14 08:16:56 2007
Remploy Employee Wrexham Factory
Now the news we have been waiting for has arrived, this is where all the hard work starts. It will be interesting to see what, if any investment we receive from the Remploy Board. It has been stated by Bob Warner on the BBC News website, that a voluntary redundancy programme is still required at Wrexham to save money, as we have yet to secure additional orders and work. This is incorrect. The Wrexham factory has secured more work from our customer, and is more than capable of securing public pecurment orders. The figure Bob Warner is talking, regarding voluntary redundancy is 20. How are we going to produce more work, with less people? Taking into account those talking about taking voluntary redundancy are an integral part of the day to day running of our site, losing that kind of skill base will be like starting from scratch all over again. All this to save a few pounds. Ask yourself the question, does Bob Warner really want Wrexham to succeed?
Tue Nov 13 10:03:49 2007
Remploy Worker, Wrexham
To everyone who supported us during our fight to save our factory, I would like to say thank you! We got the news this morning that Wrexham will not be closing. Now we have to make sure that the other 28 factories put forward for closure are saved as well. There will be changes at Wrexham, like no more shifts, but at least we have jobs, in a factory we all love working in. Thank you all.
Mon Nov 12 14:14:09 2007
Harry, Manchester
Tone P, How many of them work at Remploy? Congratulations to all our colleagues at Remploy in winning your hard fought fight for survival! Wishing you a long prosperous future.
BBC Local News: Welsh Remploy plants 'saved'
Mon Nov 12 14:01:26 2007
Tone P, Wrexham
Isn't this section now just the same as the Remploy one? Let's do 'General'! I'll start: aren't there a lot of Polish people in Wrexham?
Mon Nov 12 09:56:19 2007
Remploy Support, Wrexham
I was astounded to hear on the BBC Wales news broadcast this evening that debts of over £13 million (after just 3 years in operation) owed by the Welsh Millenium Centre are to be written off by the Welsh Assembly Government. This mis-management of the Millenium Centre is actually being rewarded. Why then, when Remploy announced the closure of factories in Wales, among those named, Wrexham, the only factory in North Wales, did the First Minister, Rhodri Morgan state that these closures were a matter for Westminster, and distanced himself and the Assembly from the backlash that followed? Imagine if the Assembly Government decided to invest £13 million plus in those factories in Wales threatened with closure, what the outcome could be. It seems that this country of ours has its priorities all wrong, when the jobs of the disabled and most vulnerable in society are made less important than a venue for musical events.
Thu Nov 8 09:12:51 2007
Donald from Merseyside
For all our colleagues at Remploy Wrexham, further to yesterday's brief by management, is there some hint of a repreive by means of saving some of the jobs or am I reading this wrong? Any news about your site as things are still looking very gloomy here up north. What kind of support are you getting from your local MPs and councillors, if any? I would like to hear something more positive from Peter Hain. ie. NO FACTORY CLOSURES!
Fri Oct 19 08:28:36 2007
Harry, Manchester
I agree with everything my two colleagues have said, we appear to have conceeded the chance to make a political impact and the opportunity to put the spotlight firmly on this Government and our plight. All this for a handful of promises made at a meeting behind closed doors. Most of these 'promises' have already been made by Bob Warner and Anne McGuire previously. I can't help but feel that the efforts of factory employees and our hard working supporters could have been used to better effect and that Gordon Brown has benefited more than the Remploy employees. Our Unions have not yet publicised the outcome of the ballot for industrial action. Now the Guardian are reporting that as a result of this meeting, the Unions have deferred the outcome of the ballot for 28 days. Surely this can't be true! KEEP UP THE FIGHT - GOOD LUCK!
Fri Sep 28 13:57:37 2007
Donald from Merseyside
I am confused by the latest report on Remploy. The £555 million funding, no compulsory redundancies for disabled and no closures without ministerial agreement. Was already part of the original proposals? The only new change is that the ministers are going to try and help win more public procurement contracts for Remploy. So in realality none of the original 42 factories are safe from closure.
Thu Sep 27 09:18:55 2007
Remploy Wrexham worker
The announcement by Peter Hain is nothing new. The Remploy board had to have approval from the government on any closures anyway, so Peter Hain is saying nothing any different. From what the GMB website was saying, Hain was to have stated that ministers would make the decision based on their own investigation, and what he actually said at conference was that the management could not close any factories without approval from ministers - not quite the same thing, so all factories threatened with closure are no more secure now than they were when the original announcement was made back in May. I just hope that the lads at Wrexham keep fighting and support us at the petition signing in town centre every Saturday. The public have been great but we need to keep up the pressure.
Thu Sep 27 09:16:24 2007
