Fears for local jobs as hardware store faces axe: The closure of B. J. Stokes & Daughter, Arrton’s only DIY and hardware store, has been met with dismay by local politicians. Aretown’s mayor, Kenneth Endaf, said: ‘I’m very disappointed to hear the sad news that BJ’s have been forced to announce this closure. The loss of this store along with a number of jobs will obviously hit the town like a hammer blow. I am particularly disappointed having myself worked for BJ’s when I first left school in lino, tiles and sundry floor coverings. They don’t sell carpet.’ It is believed that B. J. Stokes was coming under severe pressure due to competition from online network retailers offering free delivery. The store’s owner-manager Branwen Owen-Stokes declined to speak to your Arrton News reporter but a member of staff who asked not to be named told me: ‘We’re screwed.’
Security man assaulted woman in Paene: A private security services operative, who was sacked for gross misconduct, appeared in court last week accused of sexually assaulting a woman protester. Tony Bell, 45, formerly of Market Street, Arrton denied the charge and instead entered a plea of guilty to carrying out a common assault on her in April last year when he arrested her and forcibly removed her from the street. The woman was protesting about low wages and conditions at the HQ of a phone sex company in Paene, Arrton where she used to work. The prosecution accepted Bell’s plea and the accusation of sexual assault was withdrawn. A spokesperson for the security company Force 4U told this reporter that: ‘The matter before the court concerned a criminal allegation arising from a related incident and the outcome stroke verdict does not affect the misconduct proceedings, which are ongoing. Mr Bell has appealed.’ Employees of the phone sex company were unable to comment because they are subject to a gagging order.
Vale Memorials, headstones of distinction. Quality renovations and additional inscriptions, also business name plates and plaques. Visit our display without obligation and catch our seasonal offers this winter. Vicarage Cross, Pile, Arrton. Follow us on Twitter @Valeoftears
Bin litter louts, storms councillor: Editor, the lack of civic pride in this town is disgraceful! I’d like to say it’s probably the tourist’s but it’s not! People also complain to the bus drivers about the rubbish on board but it’s the public who put it there! What a shame the general public don’t want to preserve this beautiful town. If they did, it would bring in business. These people should be ashamed of themselves; there are no standards anymore, no pride in our society. There are those who would like to blame the student’s, but we have to lead these young people by example. Every single day, the council works hard to open up Arrton for investment and development, trying to minimise wasteful public space. Even my 10-year old would pick up a sweet wrapper if she dropped it. Yours etc, Victoria Bunge.
This idea ran out of steam but I thought I'd share it... Unfortunately, my local paper, the Cambrian News, features the greatest writer of parody of all time so taking the piss is almost impossible: Bev Davies, unsung genius!