Julie zooms in on new skills to lift lockdown spirits

* Julie streams one of her new dance classes on Zoom.

One of Benny Hill's original Angels is using her skills to use to keep people active during the Covid lockdown.

Julie Kirk Thomas normally delivers her fun dance classes in Llangollen, Rhos and Oswestry.

But during the coronavirus crisis she's learned a set of new online skills to forge them into one Zoom class every Wednesday morning at 11am.

“It’s a whole new performance area I knew nothing about,” said Julie. “You could call me a ‘virtual virgin'!"

* Julie, centre, during her time in the Hill's Angels dance troupe.

Thanks to some technical assistance from her son Morgan she was up and running in a couple of weeks. Newcomers are always welcome.

“I even have a few ex-pro dancer friends from London joining in, which I was initially nervous about, but everyone is so friendly and just there to get moving and get together – we always have a good chin-wag at the beginning and end of each class."

Julie auditioned for the Benny Hill Show at the age of 19 and it was with trepidation that she agreed when they offered her a series contract.

* Julie with Benny Hill.

She recalled: “I didn’t always feel confident when it came to the sexy stuff, but luckily Benny wrote some nice character roles for me and I ended up appearing in two consecutive series with him.

“Benny and his producer found themselves in a ratings war with Kenny Everett and his new dance group Hot Gossip, so they decided to host an audition to find girls for an all-new group. This is how the Hill’s Angels came about.

“I remember performing in one particularly raunchy dance routine, which was set in a gymnasium. The phone lines at Thames TV were blocked up with complaints from viewers, including Mary Whitehouse, a self-appointed guardian of British morals, getting on her soap box about it. She really had it in for Benny, and I later learnt contributed to his demise from our screens.”

Julie's long CV includes West End performances, roles on the big screen and features on Jeremy Beadle's Beadle's About.

A couple of years ago Julie was invited to perform at The London Palladium, in tribute for Dame Vera Lynn’s 100th birthday celebrations. Julie was thrilled to be able to finally tick off two of her wish lists: to perform on the Palladium stage and dance in front of the Queen, who attended.

More thrills came for Julie’s Strictly Fun Dance class in Llangollen, as they were invited to appear on Sky's Got to Dance featuring her oldest attendee, 96-year-old Edward.

During the lockdown Julie has been busy creating the Fun Seekers’ Club, a group of like-minded people who love music and movement. Every alternate Friday at 6pm she delivers a 45-minute dance workshop on a different theme.

* To learn more and get involved, contact Julie on danceworkshops@yahoo.co.uk.

Inner Wheel members donate goodies for women's refuge

Moira (pictured above) and Mike Gleed of Llangollen have collected a car boot full of toiletries and small gifts from members of Llangollen Inner Wheel to be donated to Wrexham Women's Refuge. 

New TV licensing scam uses Covid-19 as a hook

North Wales Police are warning the public to be aware of a new TV Licencing scam which is using Covid-19 to try to steal personal information.

Action Fraud continue to see a large volume of TV licencing phishing emails circulating, but last week they received over 70 reports of a new version of the scam. 

Minor changes to the messaging and links have been made, with some including a Covid-19 related hook to reel people in.

The emails now being reported claim that the recipient’s direct debit has failed and that they need to pay in order to avoid prosecution.

These emails display the subject header “We couldn't process the latest payment from your Debit Card - COVID19 Personalized Offer: You are be eligible for a 1 x 6 months of free TVLicence”.  

They include a link to set up a new direct debit on a website controlled by the criminals.

The end of the email also offers six free months of a TV license, and to click the link to apply the offer. The link goes to a sign in page with an online application form, providing the criminals with an opportunity to steal email logins, passwords, and personal details.

Police say that if you receive an email like this one, or any other suspicious email, report it to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) immediately by forwarding it to report@phishing.gov.uk

Police add that the NCSC’s automated programme will immediately test the validity of the site. Any sites found to be phishing scams will be removed immediately. This will help to protect yourself from fraud, as well as allowing us to warn others as well.

Temporary road closure to allow work on new water main

* The section of Vicarage Road to be closed to allow work on the new water main.

Denbighshire County Council is to make a temporary order prohibiting traffic from a length of Vicarage Road in Llangollen for just over a month to allow the laying a new water main.

The order, which will be effective from June 15 and last until July 20, will prevent traffic using Vicarage Road from its junction with Hill Street in a westerly direction for a distance of about 160 metres.

The order is necessary to facilitate the installation of a new water main, the transfer of services and the abandonment of the existing main by Amey Utilities.

A signposted alternative route will be via Willow Street, Hall Street, Hill Street, Bache Mill Road, Grange Road to Bank Farm and Fron Bache.

Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the period of closure.  

Skates urges people to "stay home and stay local" this weekend

As another bank holiday approaches Minister for the Economy, Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates (pictured) has been urging people to stay home and stay local.

The Minister, said: “Although it goes against our normal welcoming nature, we’ve been asking people to please stay home. We want nothing more than to welcome visitors to enjoy our wonderful scenery and attractions but to protect our NHS and keep people safe – stay home. “We are all acutely aware of the impact Coronavirus is having on the tourism and hospitality sector. As the industry remains closed to help stop the spread of the virus, we are also doing all we can to help the industry at this difficult time.” The Minister has this week announced that the Economic Resilience Fund eligibility checker will be available for new applications by the middle of June, allowing companies time to prepare their applications.   This will enable access to the remaining £100m of the £300m already approved and allocated to support micro businesses, small and medium enterprises and large businesses. Phase 2 of the Fund will operate in the same way as Phase 1 but with an update to the micro scheme.   This will enable limited companies who are not VAT registered to access the Fund, something which many small businesses, especially those in the hospitality sector, have been calling for.  Mr Skates said: "Our tourism industry is at the very foundation of our economy and plays such an important part in many communities across Wales. "Many businesses have adapted to help their communities and the NHS – by accommodating key workers and vulnerable people or running food delivery schemes for local hospitals.  “Although the sector has been hit hard by this crisis, it’s brilliant to see the welcome and caring nature of the industry still shining through – even these difficult times.” The Minister has said that the package of support offered by the Welsh Government is the most generous for businesses anywhere in the UK including: £100 million in loans to more than 1,000 businesses through the Development Bank of Wales; A £400 million Economic Resilience Fund grant scheme – which for phase 1 has received more than 9,500 applications, with over 6,000 offers already made to date worth over a £100m; Non-domestic rates based grant support for small businesses and businesses operating in the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors, awarding to date 51,100 grants worth more than £626m. A total package of £1.7 billion worth 2.7% of GDP. The Minister concluded: “The rules don’t change because it’s a bank holiday, lifting restrictions now would risk increasing spread of the virus, which could endanger more lives and cause longer term disruption and hardship for our visitor economy.  Along with the industry, I look forward to welcoming people back - but not now – later.”

MP welcomes extension of mortgage payment holiday

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes has welcomed news that the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, in conjunction with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), has extended the mortgage payment holiday for a further three months for homeowners struggling to pay their mortgage due to Coronavirus.

The availability of a three-month mortgage holiday was first announced by the Chancellor in March as part of the package of support for individuals, businesses and the economy. 

Since then over 1.8 million mortgage payment holidays have been taken up.

Lenders will contact their customers next month about extending their mortgage holiday for a further three months.

Simon Baynes said: “This is good news for people and families in Clwyd South struggling to pay their mortgage due to COVID-19. 

"Everyone’s circumstances are different, and where homeowners can pay some or all of their mortgage, they should work with their lender on a plan. 

"But I want every resident in Clwyd South to know that this mortgage holiday support is available for a further three months if you’re still struggling.

“As always, if there’s anything I can do to support you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me by email at simon.baynes.mp@parliament.uk.”

Coronavirus updates from Welsh Government

Latest coronavirus updates from the Welsh Government are:

• The maximum fine for repeated breaches of the coronavirus lockdown rules in Wales will rise from £120 to £1,920, First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced.
• The increased fines are being introduced ahead of the bank holiday weekend and they follow a request from the four police forces in Wales and the Police and Crime Commissioners for increased penalties to help deter people from repeatedly breaching the stay-at-home regulations.
• https://gov.wales/fines-increased-repeat-coronavirus-lockdown-breaches-wales
• A new made-in-Wales antibody test is being introduced throughout the UK to tell whether people have had coronavirus.
• Wales – and the rest of the UK – will roll out the new-style blood tests, including those produced in Pencoed by Ortho Clinical Diagnostics (OCD).
• The company is one of a number to produce the antibody tests for the UK – it became involved after responding to a call to action to help with the coronavirus response from the First Minister and Life Sciences Hub Wales.
• https://gov.wales/new-made-wales-blood-test-coronavirus
• Health Minister Vaughan Gething has approved £650,000 to fund a new system to allow GPs, paramedics and other healthcare professionals to get immediate specialist advice when reviewing and treating patients.
• The Consultant Connect app has been fast-tracked for use in NHS Wales to help deal with the Covid-19 outbreak and support primary care in the long term to offer better advice and guidance to patients.
• https://gov.wales/new-app-provide-specialist-advice-gps-seconds
• £30m will be invested in improving public transport and encouraging economic growth, Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates has announced.
• Wales’ 22 local authorities were invited to submit proposals to Welsh Government’s Local Transport Grant funding to deliver projects which will:
• support economic priorities for jobs and growth
• reduce economic inactivity by delivering safe and affordable access to education, key services and employment, particularly for those living in disadvantaged or rural communities
• connect communities
• encourage active and sustainable travel
• improve public transport reliability and reduce journey times
• https://gov.wales/substantial-investment-improve-public-transport-and-support-economic-growth-announced
• How Wales created 19 new field hospitals in less than eight weeks… https://gov.wales/how-wales-created-19-new-field-hospitals-less-8-weeks  
• Professional sport and coronavirus https://gov.wales/written-statement-professional-sport-and-coronavirus
• The Wales Tourism Business Barometer 2020 https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/statistics-and-research/2020-05/tourism-barometer-coronavirus-covid-19-impact-survey-wave-3-2020.pdf

• Public Health Wales has today confirmed a further 166 cases of coronavirus in Wales today bringing the total number of cases to 12,846 – the real figure will be much higher.
• Sadly, there were a further nine deaths reported by Public Health Wales today, bringing the number of confirmed coronavirus deaths reported by Public Health Wales to 1,247.

Where to find the latest information

• Public Health Wales provides a daily update about the number of cases of coronavirus in Wales. It is available at: https://phw.nhs.wales/news/public-health-wales-statement-on-novel-coronavirus-outbreak/
• Information about coronavirus is available on the Welsh Government’s website at https://gov.wales/coronavirus and https://llyw.cymru/coronafeirws
• Queries about support for businesses, including about eligibility for the Economic Resilience Fund? Visit the Business Wales website https://businesswales.gov.wales/coronavirus-advice/
• If you can help the effort to produce PPE in Wales please visit https://businesswales.gov.wales/news-and-blogs/news/provision-critical-equipment-and-personal-protection-equipment-ppe
• The Welsh Government holds a daily media briefing about coronavirus. These are on-the-record, on-camera and routinely supported by a BSL translator. They will be held at 12.30pm every week day. They are live-streamed on our @WelshGovernment Twitter channel and are broadcast live on BBC One Wales and S4C.
• Dr Andrew Goodall, chief executive of NHS Wales, held today’s press conference – you can watch again at: https://twitter.com/WelshGovernment/status/1263431858894721024

Covid delays start on new pocket park at Wenffrwd

* llanblogger's picture of site investigation work going on at

Wenffrwd in March 2019. 

The start date for work on a new “pocket park” on an approach road to Llangollen has been delayed by coronavirus restrictions.

Denbighshire County Council is currently working through details of planning applications for the project on its land at Wenffrwd off the A539 around what was the area’s civic amenity site until its closure in the late 1990s.

In 2017 the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Team on behalf of the Our Picturesque Landscape Partnership applied for permission to create the park.

According to the original application this would see paths, tracks and parking for 36 cars.

The original planning brief said: “The proposed new park would be developed along with community groups and other interested parties over a number of years and as this will take time, the ethos for this initial phase was to create a welcoming site for people to enjoy both in its own right but also as a gateway to the wider area.

“The plan has been developed as part of a Heritage Lottery Fund – Landscape Partnership Scheme bid and as part of this process consultation with stakeholders and communities has been ongoing.

“The site is seen as a key gateway into Llangollen and the wider Dee Valley, it will provide a new access point for the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, promoting wider exploration of the area and a longer stay.”

Asked about progress on the scheme, last reported on by llanblogger in March of last year, a spokesperson for Denbighshire County Council said:  “Planning permission has been granted for proposals to develop a car park and new access road at Wenffrwd as part of plans to develop a pocket park on the site. 

“We are currently working through re-commencement planning conditions and putting tender documents together.

“However, the anticipated start date for works has been delayed due to the current restrictions.”  

Local groups or people could qualify for Covid grants

Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council (DVSC) has announced a new round of funding to help organisations and individuals across the county cope with the coronavirus crisis.

The funding for #COVID19, the Voluntary Services Emergency Fund, has been enabled by Welsh Government with £25,000 ready to distribute to support Denbighshire's voluntary and community groups, not for profit organisations and registered charities which can apply for up to £2,000. 

Aim of the fund is to enable those providing vital support to people in isolation, the elderly, carers and people struggling to access food.

“This new round follows a highly successful community grants round launched on April 1 which has enabled local voluntary and community action and supported entrepreneurial initiative," said Helen Wilkinson, chief executive of DVSC. 

“This new fund will enable voluntary groups, not for profit organisations and registered charities to apply for up to £2,000 and we are operating a rapid grant decision-making process with applications being considered on a rolling basis until funds are disbursed. 

"Denbighshire voluntary groups and organisations are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to ensure their initiative or project receives funding.”

Among projects which have attracted grants so far is Llangollen Town Council for supporting local groups and foodshare projects.

New projects must meet one of three funding criteria outlined by Welsh Government:

• Maintain or increase activities that support the vulnerable during the #COVID19 pandemic 

• Ensure third/voluntary sector organisations have the resources needed to deliver vital services for their communities e.g. volunteer expenses 

• Encourage stringent health and safety protocols for volunteer activities to safeguard volunteers, beneficiaries, and voluntary sector staff, volunteers and beneficiaries, e.g. the purchase of PPE, hand sanitiser

Examples of activities that could be supported are:

* Activities that provide or build capacity for counselling and bereavement support

* Initiatives to support meals on wheels on services or get food to people in need.

* Online learning to support #COVID19 volunteers, beneficiaries, or staff 

* Capacity building for organisations and groups that wish to become anchor organisations or groups to support DVSC’s #COVID19 Volunteer Community Response.

+ To apply for the grant, fill out our online grant application form at: bit.ly/DVSC_Voluntary_Services_Grant

New higher fines brought in for breaking lockdown rules

The maximum fine for repeated breaches of the coronavirus lockdown rules in Wales will rise from £120 to £1,920, First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced.

The increased fines are being introduced ahead of the bank holiday weekend and they follow a request from the four police forces in Wales and the Police and Crime Commissioners for increased penalties to help deter people from repeatedly breaching the stay-at-home regulations.

Evidence from the four police forces show a small minority of people are breaking the coronavirus regulations, particularly by travelling to well-known beauty spots throughout Wales, even though they have been closed since the end of March.

Announcing the changes to the fines structure, which will come into force on Friday,  Mark Drakeford said: “I am very grateful to the chief constables and our Police and Crime Commissioners for all the work they have done to keep Wales safe throughout the coronavirus pandemic.


“The police have adopted a ‘4Es’ approach to the regulations – they have engaged people, explained what they need to do and encouraged them to comply. But when people haven’t responded, they have used their powers to enforce the regulations.

“Fines are a last resort in the enforcement of the regulations which keep us all safe.

“The evidence from the chief constables and Police and Crime Commissioners shows we need a stronger fines structure to deter that small minority of people who persistently fail to keep to the rules.”

Evidence from the four police forces and Police and Crime Commissioners shows more than 1,300 fixed penalty notices have been issued since the lockdown restrictions were introduced at the end of March.

The existing fines structure, which imposed a £60 fine for a first offence rising to £120 for a second and subsequent offences, will be replaced by a new structure in which the fines double for every offence – rising from £60 to £120 to £1,920 for the sixth offence.

The First Minister added: “As we approach the bank holiday weekend, we continue to ask people to stay at home to protect themselves and their loved ones from coronavirus. If they are exercising – please stay safe and stay local.


“I want to thank everyone for their continuing support in reducing the spread of coronavirus in Wales – by sticking to the rules, we are all helping to protect each other and our NHS and we are saving lives.

“These changes will send a strong signal to the small minority of people who are blatantly ignoring the rules and undermining the efforts of everybody else who are doing the right thing.”

New regulations to increase the fines will be laid in the Senedd on Thursday and will come into force on Friday.

Police boss demands heavier penalties for Covid coughers and spitters

* Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones.

A police boss is urging the courts to inflict the maximum penalty on people found guilty of spitting our coughing in the faces of officers saying they were infected with coronavirus.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones has been sickened after hearing of frontline police officers and other emergency workers being subjected to the “vile practice”.

Mr Jones, a former police inspector, spoke out after hearing of a growing number of cases.

The issue has also been raised by First Minister Mark Drakeford who is “very concerned” about reports of police being assaulted, including being coughed and spat on.

Earlier this month a woman appeared before magistrates in Mold after spitting in the faces of two officers in Holywell.

The offence happened  after the officers were called to deal with a disturbance involving a man and a woman at a kebab shop in the town.

After the man was detained the woman became aggressive with both officers and spat in their faces.

She was charged with two counts of assaulting an emergency worker under Section 5 of the Public Order Act.

The woman received a 26-week prison sentence which was suspended for 12 months and she was ordered to pay £150 in compensation together with a Victim Surcharge of £128 and a curfew for 26 weeks with electronic monitoring

Other incidents are understood to have taken place in Flint and Bangor while a man from Rhyl was recalled to jail after preparing to spit at police whilst saying he had COVID-19.

Mr Jones said: “Unfortunately, we have had a number of examples of people spitting or coughing in the faces of officers in North Wales.

“The sentence was criticised by the Police Federation for being unduly lenient and it is unfortunate the magistrates did not take the opportunity to send a message out.

“The Sentencing Council for England and Wales, which produces guidelines on sentencing for the judiciary and criminal justice professionals, go by the seriousness of the offence and not by the evidence and there is nothing more serious than breaking the law to spread a deadly virus.

“This vile behaviour by a minority of offenders are putting these brave frontline staff at risk of contracting this awful virus, with potentially fatal consequences.”

After hearing the punishment imposed on the woman who was prosecuted following the incident in Holywell, Mark Jones, General Secretary of North Wales Police Federation, said: “I am absolutely appalled at this pathetic sentence.

“Two police officers, carrying out their public duty have been disgustingly spat on, in their faces, by this vile person. My two colleagues have received no justice whatsoever and have been completely let down by the judiciary.

“Given the national crisis we are in with COVID-19; the dangerous and killer virus that it is, for the Courts to give a light slap on the wrist for this disgusting act is shameful.

“We seemed to be making some progress recently with tougher sentences being issued to those who weaponised COVID-19 but with taking one step forward we have now taken two steps back."

Latest Citizens Advice column

Q: I’ve got tickets to an event next week and I’m not sure what will happen in light of coronavirus. I bought the tickets for myself and a few friends, one of them is worried about attending. What can I do?

A: Ticket holders who change their mind about going to see an event, such as a concert that is still going ahead, have no legal right to a refund.

If, however, the event is cancelled, your refund rights will depend on how you bought the ticket.

If you bought your ticket from an official seller and the organiser cancels, moves, reschedules, or makes the event behind closed doors, you should get a refund. This is the case even if it is cancelled due to a government ban on large events. The official seller is the best person to ask about how to get a refund.

If you bought your ticket from a ticket-reselling website, refunds will depend on the site's terms and conditions.

If you bought from a private seller and the event is cancelled or rescheduled then it is unlikely you will be able to recover your money. We recommend you contact the seller.

If you're due to go to an event, keep checking the information from the official seller or organiser to ensure you're up to date.

Unfortunately we’ve found that in these situations scammers prey on those who are affected.

If your event is cancelled and people or companies offer their services to try to recover money on your behalf, make sure that you're looking out for the signs of a potential scam.

MP welcomes extra £64.5 million for Wales

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes (pictured) has welcomed the announcement that Wales will receive an additional £64.5 million as a result of UK Government funding allocated to Transport for London earlier this week.

The UK Government has so far announced over £2.2 billion of additional funding in Wales to support people, business and public services in the ongoing fight to tackle COVID-19.

This funding is in addition to the UK-wide measures that the people and businesses in Wales can access, such as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme and the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme.

Simon Baynes said: “Transport organisations across the UK are facing hardship as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, and those in Clwyd South and Wales are no exception. 

"While the Government is urging people to work from home where possible and only travel when absolutely necessary, there are still those who need to travel by train and bus to work and people need to be able to travel safely while respecting social distancing once restrictions are gradually lifted.

"In addition, with schools, private hire and the tourism industry currently closed, life is particularly difficult for coach companies – of which there are a sizeable number in Clwyd South – and they like the rest of the transport sector need additional support during the Coronavirus crisis.

"I really welcome this additional funding, and encourage the Welsh Government to spend it wisely to help support Wales’ economic recovery from COVID-19.”

Young singer Shea raises £1,200 for charity during lockdown

* Keep singing: Talented young singer Shea Ferron.

During lockdown 17-year-old Shea Ferron, well known for his acting and singing in a range of local amateur shows, has raised over £1,200 for charity through his outdoor performances. In an article written originally for the Eistedfodd volunteer newsletter, he describes how he did it.

"I was very saddened to hear that this year’s eisteddfod was cancelled due to the current circumstances.

Eisteddfod week for me is one of, if not, the best week of the year.

I love how people from all around the world are able to come together and unite in the language of music, and really I’ve been using this as an inspiration during lockdown.

Two weeks before we were in lockdown I was seeing videos of Italian people singing on their balconies to entertain one another and this gave me the idea for my street concerts and fundraising concerts.

Within the first few days of lockdown I was having neighbours passing my home telling me that I should hold some sort of concert for the neighbours and at first I wasn’t sure how everyone would react but I gave the idea a go.

I went live onto my Facebook page and performed live for my street. The neighbours loved it along with 12,000 people who were watching online.

This idea has continued and we are regularly holding them each week and look forward to carrying them on post lockdown!

I take requests for donations each concert to raise money for the NHS and we have raised just under £200.

As well as this, I have been posting online videos onto my singing page on Facebook.

Taking part in the Musical Theatre Self Isolation Challenge has been great fun and something that has kept me busy!

My video raised £300 for Cancer Research in memory of a teacher from my primary school who sadly passed away.

This has developed into holding charity concerts online in a concert series I’m calling “From Stage to Sofa”.

I was first approached by North Clwyd Animal Rescue Centre, near Holywell, wondering if I’d be interested in supporting.

I didn’t hesitate in responding with a yes as we have supported the centre for a number of years having adopted two dogs from there. The concert was a success having raised £500 for the charity.

I have since held another in aid of Nightingale House Hospice and raised £250 and am looking to hold more during the weeks to come.

One thing I’ve found in doing these is that people have united (at a distance) just like they would at the eisteddfod.

Neighbours who would usually be a hermit in their homes have come out and socialised with us and relationships have developed with people who were new to the neighbourhood and were a little shy to get to know others.

One thing to look forward to post lockdown is the community spirit that has been developed and the long-lasting friendships that have been gained.

We can all take lockdown and have our own little eisteddfod within our own communities using the important message to unite."

Urgent call goes out for care staff in the county

A major recruitment drive has been launched in Denbighshire to recruit contracted staff to assist in the county’s care homes, extra care and domiciliary services and to support independent providers during the current coronavirus outbreak.

The county council has already enlisted the help of 55 staff, volunteers and members of the public and this week it has launched its Gallu Gofalu?/Care to Care? campaign to fill numerous care home contract vacancies.

The biggest need is for hands-on care and the council is keen to recruit contracted staff to work in care teams throughout the county. 

There are a variety of roles and some will provide critical support to local communities. 

These people will need to be experienced in working in adult care, have a current Disclosure Barring Service certificate, have their manual handling passport and a full UK driving licence (for community work).

Councillor Bobby Feeley, Cabinet Lead Member for Well-being and Independence, said: “This is an urgent appeal for care home staff. We are in unprecedented times and the future with coronavirus looks really uncertain.

“There is a lot of pressure on social care and resources are being stretched to the limit.  That is why we are having such a major push on recruitment and we would ask anyone who fits the bill to get in touch as a matter of urgency."

* To find out how to apply for contract vacancies please visit: http://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/coronavirus  or by phoning the Human Resources Team, on 01824 706200.

Officers have busy weekend policing the lockdown

It was a busy weekend for officers, Special Constables and PCSO’s ensuring compliance with Covid regulations, says North Wales Police.  

They say over 2,500 vehicles were stopped across the force area - the vast majority of these were local people with valid reasons to travel.

Approximately 60 were from out of the area and were either reported for breaching COVID legislation or sent home having had suitable advice.

On Sunday, officers issued four fines to the occupants of one car who were driving back to Wales after a weekend visiting family in London. 

They were also issued with fines for not having their two and four-year-old children in child car seats.

On Saturday, on the A539 at Acrefair, three men from Birmingham were reported for travelling to Wales to visit Snowdonia.

In Flintshire, one visitor from Wigan going to the Lighthouse in Talacre was advised regarding the restrictions and sent home.

In Conwy Rural and Anglesey, officers had a busy weekend engaging with motorists, and again most people had a valid reason for travel. 

However, vehicles from London, Manchester and Norwich received fines for breaching Covid regulations. A couple from Scotland, who were camping near Llyn Geirionedd also received summons notices.

In Denbighshire Coastal, police responded to various reports from members of the public in Kinmel Bay and Abergele, regarding possible breaches at caravan parks etc. 

All incidents involved key workers and we were able to reassure the community that all was in order. 

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Nigel Harrison said: ‘We will continue to adopt a proportionate response towards everyone – we always look to engage with our communities, explain the regulations, encourage people to do the right thing, and only where necessary will we need to enforce the regulations with a fine.

‘These results show that in the vast majority of instances, people are complying with the current restrictions. 

"We have received an overwhelmingly positive response from the motorists that we have stopped. We thank you for your support and understanding in these exceptional times, and we continue to work hard to make north Wales as safe as possible."

You can still get dental care despite lockdown

People can still access emergency dental services in North Wales during the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, says the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

A limited number of appointments are available for daytime and weekend emergency dental clinics by appointment only, and you can find out more information here.

This also includes details about emergency dental clinics that will be available on Bank Holiday Monday (25 May) at Llanfairpwll Dental Clinic, the Royal Alexandra Hospital and Deeside Community Hospital.

The health board says: "If you are currently registered with a dental practice, please contact them in the first instance as they may be able to offer you an emergency appointment. If your registered practice is closed or you are not registered then please call NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47.

"Please be advised that if you present at an appointment-only clinic without an appointment you may be turned away as they are generally filled."