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August 2008 Archives

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....

Dog Tired

Posted by Martin Williams on August 8, 2008 12:05 PM

FOR months I've been barking on about the number of dogs tied up around the area.
Like many, I'm appalled at how people can leave them to jump around and snap at passers-by, driving workers, shoppers and tourists crazy with incessant yelping and snarls of distress.
If you're bored of reading about it this subject then turn away. If you're fed-up of watching their proud owners being dragged around our towns by pitbulls and Rottweilers, then stick with me.
For starters, who takes their canine for a walk in a shopping centre? Why not go to the park or the beach? Simple. They're a status symbol - they must be seen.
Anyway, mustn't worry, or so I thought - Denbighshire's trusted dog wardens will sort the problem out. In fact, I asked them a series of questions on the issue:
l Which dogs are classed as "violent" and need a muzzle?
l Is there a time limit on how long a dog can be tied up to a lamppost or fence?
l Who or what decides where the warden is based?
l Are they aware of the issue of unmuzzled pitbull terriers and Rottweilers being tied up in Rhyl and left for hours?
I'd called several times and had no response from the warden.
I wanted to ask why they spend so little time in Rhyl, when Rhyl is the busiest town in the county.
Anyway, a week or so after my e-mail, I received the following from the council:
l They argue that there are four types of dog named by the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991: Pitbull terrier; Japanese Tosa; the Dogo Argentino; and the Fila Braziliero.
l The two wardens are not responsible for dogs tied-up on our streets, as they only deal with strays. This is a matter for the RSPCA, as "the role of the dog wardens is multi tasked and includes pest control duties as well".
l Work is distributed each morning by the senior officer for that section, and they do respond to calls from the general public regarding stray dogs roaming in a public place.
l Dangerous dogs are dealt with by the Police Authority, and dog wardens will assist if required, but only during normal working hours.
And finally: "The comment made by several business owners that they are fed up with dog owners tying up their animals and walking off sometimes in the rain or even sunshine would be again a matter for the RSPCA."
So tax payers fund two dog wardens and the responsibilities you'd expect them to fulfil are under the remit of North Wales Police Authority and RSPCA?
What exactly are pest control duties? Are dog wardens now catching rats? I think not. This is ruff justice! Talk about passing the buck.

Pay your tribute to Gareth Ryles

Posted by David Rutland on August 6, 2008 10:28 AM

Gareth Ryles plunged to his death from a French motorway bridge


GARETH Ryles, a Rhyl man who emigrated to France has died after falling 30ft onto a French motorway.
Living his dream, with ambitions to eventually travel all around the world, the 25 year old's tragic death has hit many who knew him, hard.

Educated at Ysgol Mair and Emrys ap Iwan, Gareth trained as a builder in Deeside before moving to France in November 2006.

He had many friends in North Wales and on the continent.

His, Bebe, was found dead on the motorway at the same spot a week later.
Gareth's funeral will be held at 2pm on Friday August 8 at Prestatyn Parish Church. Family flowers only and donations to St Kentigern's Hospice.


If you have any messages for Gareth and his family, please leave them below. Thank you.

This page contains an archive of all entries posted to The Day to Day in the August 2008. They are listed from oldest to newest.

July 2008 is the previous archive.September 2008 is the next archive.

Many more can be found on the home page or by looking through the archives.