Latest news with #Holywell
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
A55 temporarily closed in both directions
Traffic chiefs are having to implement temporary stops on the A55 after sheep got on the dual carriageway. The incidents were first reported by Traffic Wales at around 9.30am this morning. They were between the junctions for Caerwys and Holywell. At 9.49am they said road had now been closed in both directions to deal with the incident. READ MORE: North Wales city ranks among five worst seaside resorts in the UK READ MORE: Man dies after car crashes into Llandudno bus stop There are now delays of 35 minutes on the route according to Traffic Wales. A55 traffic cameras show major tailbacks due to the stoppages. At 9.30am Traffic Wales said: "Sheep in the road on the A55 in both directions between J31 Caerwys - J32 Holywell. "A series of temporary traffic stops are currently in place." They later added: "A55 is now closed in both directions between J31 - J32. Please avoid the area." AA traffic and travel said: "Road blocked and queueing traffic due to animals on road on A55 both ways around J32 A5026 (Holywell)."
Leader Live
10-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Flintshire actress stars in Calamity Jane UK Tour 2025
Over the next few months, audiences will be treated to performances of Calamity Jane across the UK and Ireland including Venue Cymru in Llandudno from August 26-30. The show stars Carrie Hope Fletcher as Calamity Jane, and Holywell actress Seren Sandham-Davies as Katie Brown. Seren trained at Laine Theatre Arts and graduated as head girl. Other training includes NYT, NYMT and The Whitton Morris school of dance. Carrie Hope-Fletcher is Calamity Jane (Image: Mark Senior) Following an impressive opening night, Seren has told the Leader all about her new role. Her character is ambitious and witty, and due to some mistaken identity she ends up leaving her life as a dresser in Chicago to tread the boards in Deadwood. Katie quickly becomes friends with Calamity, and Seren describes a wonderful female friendship blossoming on stage. She said: "When I watched the film years ago I was desperate to play that part, I love playing comedic characters - it's so much fun. Seren Sandham-Davies (Image: Hettie Pearson photography) "Then on top of that she gets to dance and sing a couple of great numbers. It's a dream role for me." After working with the cast in a rehearsal room for six-weeks, Seren says it was brilliant to have an audience reacting to the script. "Opening night was really exciting", she said. "There are so many comedic moments so to hear the audience laughing out loud and enjoying the show was incredible. And it was an extra-special performance with her parents in the audience who had travelled down to Cornwall from North Wales especially. Llandudno will also be a huge tour highlight for Seren who will be supported by more of her family and friends in the audience. She said: "The feeling of 'hiraeth' is so strong for me so I can't wait to be on home turf. "Before this role I was working as a creative practitioner with Arts Council Wales in a primary school in Llandudno. It would have been last October I was thinking that the next time I'll be in Llandudno will be to perform in Calamity Jane in August. It felt so far in the future but now it's finally here." Seren explains she has been strongly influenced by the people she has worked with over the years. "Every job I do keep learning", she said. But, it doesn't come without it's challenges which have occasionally left Seren with feelings of self-doubt. MORE THEATRE NEWS Comedian Jason Byrne to perform in Wrexham - Book now 'Fantastic' events lined up at Wrexham and Flintshire theatres this August 'Huge moment' in career of Wrexham actor as he is cast for Off-Broadway show "Of course that period between acting jobs can be difficult. The audition process never gets easier - the rejection is still difficult and most roles gets thousands of applicants." To all aspiring actors, she has offered some advice. "Be curious", she said. "Ask questions. Acting is imitating life and people so the more life you can experience the more you can use this in your performance." To find out more, and to view dates and buy tickets, visit
Leader Live
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Ben agrees to loan switch from TNS to league rivals Flint
Making the move to the Essity Stadium ahead of the big kick-off is Ben Woollam, who has made a loan switch from defending champions The New Saints. Woollam, a 21 year-old-defender, has 40 Cymru Premier appearances under his belt and he has previously enjoyed loan spells at Bala Town and Aberystwyth Town. Flint boss Lee Fowler told the club's website: 'We have signed Woolly on a season-long loan from TNS and I would like to thank Craig (Harrison) and TNS for helping us with this. 'Ben is someone we've been after for two seasons and with interest from another Welsh Prem side in signing him, we are made up he has decided to come here. 'I'm looking forward to working with Ben and I know he will fit in with the lads and we are really pleased to have landed him. 'With Isaac Lee's future looking increasingly likely to be away from the club, this transfer was always planned and we will be looking to add one more face ready for our first game (versus) Holywell.' Flint last week revealed they had received formal offers from EFL clubs for Lee and permission had been granted for him to hold talks with all parties involved. The Silkmen meet Holywell in the Welsh League Cup in early August to open their season.
Leader Live
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Holywell boss Haseldin pays tribute to retiring Andrews
During a brilliant career with the Wellmen, Andrews grabbed 58 goals in 139 appearances, helping the club to win the Cymru North title during the 2023-24 season. Team boss Johnny Haseldin told the club's X site: 'As captain, he led from the front. He played with professionalism, pride, passion and honesty - and he set the tone for everyone around him. 'When big moments came, you could count on him. He didn't hide. He stepped up. 'The standout moment? Seeing him lift the league trophy in 2023/24. That image summed up everything he gave to this club, one that became his own. 'It's not easy saying goodbye to someone who's meant so much. The place will feel different without him, but we part ways with nothing but respect and appreciation. 'Danny has been a top player, a leader and a massive part of our journey.' Holywell will continue their preparations for the new campaign on Saturday when they play host to Llangefni Town in their first pre-season friendly. There's one pre-season friendly scheduled this evening, with Penycae travelling to Ellesmere United. Wales are in competition with North Macedonia in their World Cup qualification efforts - and the link between the countries will continue in European competition next season. In the first qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League, Cymru Premier League winners The New Saints have been paired with North Macedonian champions KF Shkëndija. Shkëndija came up against Welsh opposition during the 2023-24 season when they lost out on penalties versus Haverfordwest County in the Europa Conference League. Craig Harrison's charges will have the home advantage for the first leg at Park Hall on July 8/9, prior to the reverse encounter in 15,000-capacity Ecolog Arena, in Tetovo, a week later.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- BBC News
Ex-Warwickshire Police officer sentenced for harassment
A former police officer has been sentenced to a community order for harassing his ex-partner and breaking the terms of a restraining Whitehurst, 54, who served as a detective sergeant in the Warwickshire Police force had previously been sentenced to 18 weeks in jail after admitting attacking court at the time heard Holly - not her real name - had felt imprisoned in her own breaking the terms of the restraining order banning him from contacting her, Whitehurst was given an 18-month community order with probation at Mold Magistrates' Court on Friday. Whitehurst was ordered not to contact his ex-partner or her family directly, via social media or a third party, but 16 days later searched for her online. Appearing at his trial in Mold last month, the court heard Whitehurst, from Holywell in north Wales, accessed Holly's LinkedIn gave evidence and said that she had received a notification that her ex-partner had clicked on to her profile and that of her had started a new job, and her profile detailed the company she worked for and in which areas she would be working. "I was absolutely horrified and petrified," Holly told the court."Paul Whitehurst went to prison for assaulting me. The thought that he'd come out of prison and was still infatuated with me was terrifying."There's a restraining order stopping him from going to where I live but what is there to stop him coming to where I work.""I now have to have colleagues walk with me through the car park and to the station."Whitehurst told the court he had been checking that the jobs he was looking to apply for were not in the same business park as Holly."If I'd wanted to message her I'd have messaged her," he said."I was being diligent by checking where she worked." As part of his community order, Whitehurst is required to complete 26 court accredited programmes with probation,180 hours of unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He is also required to pay £650 to the prosecution and a £114 victim compensation was not awarded, on the grounds that his ex-partner did not want contact. Warwickshire Police Crime and Commissioner said the force did not so far have grounds to make an application to force Whitehurst to forfeit his pension. Holly is not the only woman to report being harassed by Whitehurst.'I felt a prisoner at hands of my police abuser'Charlotte Smith had previously complained to Warwickshire Police about Whitehurst's said she was stalked and harassed by him over a two-and-a-half-year period after ending their brief relationship in 2021, but was told there was not enough evidence to charge him. Ms Smith said she had more than 30 videos recorded of Whitehurst being outside her house."He would literally appear out of nowhere. It would feel like somebody was watching me," she said."He felt like he was above the law and he felt like he could do whatever he wanted to do."Warwickshire Police held a gross misconduct hearing into the former officer's behaviour in May 2024 which found he would have been dismissed had he not retired a month force has not commented following the latest sentencing.
