Local coronavirus update - Good Friday

* A police officer acknowledges the light sabres thank you gesture by residents of Bishops Walk.

* Bishops Walk residents come out to salute NHS carers and emergency services staff with
light sabres like the one lit up below. The police car responded with a display of
"blues and twos".

Llangollen residents were out with their light sabres and clapping last night to say a big thank you to NHS carers and emergency teams helping the country through the coronavirus crisis.

Supply if the sabres was arranged by the town’s Coronavirus Help Group to make an even bigger impact at the weekly Thursday evening applause sessions taking place across the UK and some of the proceeds from their sales through the Castle Street newsagents have gone to the group to help with its work.

* County Councillors Graham Timms, left, and Melvyn Mile Skype their "stay at home" appeal.

Llangollen’s two county councillors, Graham Timms and Melvyn Mile, teamed up on Skype yesterday to send out a “stay away” message to anyone thinking of visiting the town over the Easter holiday.

In their joint appeal they said: “Whilst Easter weekend is traditionally one of the busiest times of the year in Llangollen, we are urging everyone to continue to stay away during the current lockdown. 

“The local economy relies heavily on tourism and will be severely affected by the absence of visitors in the coming weeks. However, it is essential that we all stay at home so that we don’t risk spreading the virus to others and to protect our family and friends.

“The first weekend of the lockdown saw many thousands of visitors in Llangollen, but since then there has been a complete change in behaviour.  Thank you for staying at home.

“We are looking forward to better times when we will be able to welcome you all again to this beautiful area where we can once again say that this is ‘the town where Wales welcomes the World’.”

* The array of  loudspeakers through which the town crier broadcast his
thank you message yesterday.

Llangollen’s town crier, Austin “Chem” Cheminais, boomed out a message of support over the town to show support for NHS and key workers at 8pm last night.

He did it courtesy of a bank of loudspeakers set up on a vantage point up by Ollie and James from Llangollen-based Orb Sound and Lighting.

The message, which was recorded by Chem earlier as he is self-isolating due to a heart condition, started off with a couple of his trademark oyezs and said: “Llangollen thanks the NHS carers and all the other people supporting us through these difficult times. It ended with three cheers for the carers and “take care and stsy safe Llangollen!”   

* Prizes from a Help Group raffle yesterday.

Cat Meade streamed the draw for the latest Cornoviris Help Group raffle live on Facebook, with the winners being chosen during the course of the filming.

Simon Baynes, MP for Clwyd South, posted yesterday: “I wanted to send my very best wishes to everyone involved in the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod at this difficult time.

“I much enjoyed being an external Trustee between 2016 and my election as the MP for Clwyd South at the end of 2019.

“During that time we faced many difficult decisions but none so challenging as having to postpone the Eisteddfod, unavoidable as that recent decision has been.

“But I know the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod will weather the storm due to its decades long, deep-rooted history and its importance to the culture of Wales and its international significance.

“Above all, however, it will be sustained by its Trustees, staff and many hundreds of volunteers who all work with such inspiration and dedication for this unique cultural celebration in the beautiful town of Llangollen.”

The vicar, Father Lee Taylor (pictured above), streamed his Maundy Thursday service live on Facebook from St Collen’s yesterday evening. He will stream other services over Easter weekend.

Betsi Cadwaladr health board, which covers Llangollen, posted yesterday to say: “This Easter, if you need to access urgent medical help in North Wales over the bank holiday weekend and outside of normal GP Surgery hours from Thursday 9th April to Tuesday 14th April, call the GP Out of Hours Service on 0300 123 55 66."

* North Wales Police's own pictures of their officers out on coronavirus patrol.

North Wales Police posted a number of times yesterday to say: “We continue to urge people today not to travel to North Wales this Easter weekend.

Travelling is for essential reasons only.

Our tourist attractions, mountains, beaches, pubs, restaurants, caravan, holiday parks and campsites are all closed.

“Companies including Airbnb have announced that second home bookings are only for key workers and other essential stays only in order to support front line staff in the fight against Covid-19.

“We ask that local people take into account that some of those staying in holiday homes will be NHS staff and other essential workers who are staying away from their families to protect loved ones whilst they work.

“Police officers, PCSO’s and the Special Constabulary continue to be out on patrol today and throughout the weekend stopping people travelling here to ensure journeys are for essential purposes only.

“Thank you to those of you who are staying at home. You really are playing your part in helping to save lives.”