Here's how we'll open, say Llangollen businesses and churches

Llangollen businesses emerging from lockdown have been using their Facebook pages to explain how their new arrangements will work.

Fouzi’s Cafe in Castle Street posted: “Come along to the restaurant and we will seat you and take your order.

“Hand sanitizer will be provided before you before you move into the outdoor seating area.

“All seating has been arranged to accommodate social distancing and all staff will be wearing face shields for your and their safety.

“Whilst we are still accepting all forms of payment, we ask that if possible you pay for your meal using contactless payments.

“We hope to see lots of you this weekend!”

* Gales' new outdoor wine bar. 

Giving a preview of the extensive measures it has put in place so that diners can enjoy their meals in the rear parking area, Gales Wine Bar posted a number of pictures and said: “A peek into the new Wine Garden at Gales. Bookings are open at www.gales.wine

The Sun Trevor posted (pictured above) yesterday: “GREAT NEWS! We are open TODAY!

“We are serving food outside in our beer garden and extra covered seating areas from 12pm to 8pm every day, tables need to be booked in advance by phone us, or message on here (confirmed with a reply).

“We have spent lockdown upgrading our toilets; redecorating and giving inside a new look, and cannot wait to show you, and hope to open inside in August - following government advice.

“We hope everyone will understand the necessity for safety not only for you but also our staff.

“When you arrive, there are new procedures and guidelines for you to follow.

Please note - Our carpark is for table bookings only.

“All we ask is to please be patient with us and our staff as this system of doing things will be new and strange to us as well, let's hope that these are the first steps back to normal opening, we look forward to seeing you once again.”

* St Collen's Church will be first to open when all necessary safety

arrangements have been made. 

The Llangollen Group of Anglican Churches set out  full explanation on Facebook of its position on opening.

It posted: “Many of you will now be aware that Churches across Wales are preparing to enter into the ‘Amber Phase’: re-opening for communal worship.

“Whilst it is welcome news that churches can soon reopen for public worship, Fr Lee is working hard to ensure we can open St Collen’s effectively and safely within the Government and Church in Wales guidelines.

“Alongside the Risk Assessment process are a number of detailed considerations and the primary concern must be the health and wellbeing of the clergy, congregation, volunteers and visitors.

“Therefore, this is going to take time and is something we simply cannot rush into.

In our group of churches,

“St Collen’s will be the first to open for worship. Fr Lee will publicise the date as soon as we have completed the process.

“Our other three churches will follow the same process, individually, but at a later date and only if it is safe to do so.

“This is going to be a staged process.

“The structure of our worship will also be very different. Again, Fr Lee will advise on this as soon as possible.”

Shielding to end in Wales next month

The Chief Medical Officer for Wales has confirmed people in Wales who are shielding will no longer need to do so after 16 August, the Denbighshire Free Press is reporting.

Around 130,000 people in Wales have been advised to take shielding measures since the start of the pandemic because they are at high risk of developing serious illness if they contract coronavirus.

* For the full story, see: https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/18587200.shielding-wales-will-paused-august-16-welsh-government-confirms/

County parks and outdoor play areas to re-open from Monday

* The Riverside Park play area is set to open from Monday.

Following Welsh Government guidance, Denbighshire County Council will re-open its parks and children’s play areas from Monday, July 20.

Sites include Riverside Park in Llangollen, the Botanical Gardens and Coronation Playing Fields in Rhyl, Cae Ddol, Ruthin, and outdoor play areas across the county.

Cllr Tony Thomas, the Council’s Lead Member for Housing and Communities, said: “Re-opening our parks and play areas is an important step in the easing of lockdown restrictions. It will allow our residents, and especially children, to spend time outdoors and enjoy open spaces.

“Coronavirus has not gone away and as restrictions ease it is important for residents to keep to social distancing rules and to ensure they practice good hygiene when in these shared spaces.”

Signs will be placed at sites to remind people to maintain social distancing whilst using facilities and those using play areas are asked to:

• Be aware of how many people are on the play area and if it is not possible to follow social distancing, not to enter
• Remind children to play responsibly and be aware of others around them
• Stay no longer than one hour to allow others to use the equipment
• Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times
• Where possible, wipe the equipment using anti-bacterial wipes before and after use
• Wash your hands after using equipment, when you leave the play area and get home
• All litter should be disposed of in the litter bins provided, or taken home where a bin isn’t available.
• Do not meet with more than one household outside in a play area.

Ysgol Y Gwernant says farewell to all its leavers

* The socially-distanced year six leavers in the playground.

* Diane Davies, left, and Bethan Jones who were both leaving Ysgol Y Gwernant. 

* One of the specially-designed leavers' hoodies. 

The Criw Ymadael or Leaving Class of 2020 at Ysgol Y Gwernant enjoyed a socially-distanced leaving party yesterday (Wednesday).

In the current circumstances there was no opportunity for the usual special day out, a leavers' assembly with prize-giving or even the traditional school shirt signing. 

But instead a socially-distanced picnic and game of football was enjoyed by the year six class. 

It also gave them an opportunity to say farewell to the Penaeth Bethan Jones and Assistant Head Diane Davies who also became part of the Criw Ymadael for the day. 

The children and teachers all joined together in wearing their specially designed Leavers' Hoodies by local company Llangollen T-shirts (InfiniteTee UK) https://www.infinitetee.co.uk/ 

The PTFA at Ysgol Y Gwernant worked with Llangollen T-shirts during lockdown to create a design. 

The school says it was a challenge to get the hoodies ready for the children's final week of primary school, but the PTFA is extremely grateful to the team at Llangollen T-shirts for achieving the goal. 

The PTFA has also sent all the children and teachers of the Criw Ymadael best wishes for the future.

Horseshoe Falls project aims to open up public access

* The new railings at the Horseshoe Falls. 

A landscape partnership project led by the Clwydian Range & Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty's Our Picturesque Landscape team has installed new railings at the Horseshoe Falls.

It aims to open up access and provide a viewing area for the River Dee and Horseshoe Falls.

The new railings have been constructed by a North East Wales blacksmith and are in keeping with the existing ironwork at this prestigious World Heritage Site.

A new viewing area has been created on the area formerly closed off to the public.

This enables pedestrian access closer to the river and will relieve congestion on the towpath, allowing visitors to enjoy the area and experience the Horseshoe Falls at the start of the 11 miles of the World Heritage Site. 

The project has been funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund and Natural Resources Wales.

The increasing popularity of the area was demonstrated during the 2019 luminaire staged at the Horseshoe Falls, which showed a 19-fold increase in visitor numbers during October 2019.

Adnan Saif, director at Canal & River Trust, said: “Horseshoe Falls is a beautiful part of the Dee Valley and is where the River Dee and the Llangollen Canal meet. This new viewing area is a fantastic addition to the area and will allow visitors to see the river and valley from a different viewpoint.

“Our research shows that being by water makes you happier and healthier, so I would encourage everyone who visits the area to spend some time exploring this stretch of the canal and river.”

Mark Hughes, North East Wales People & Places Team Leader for Natural Resources Wales said: “Natural Resources Wales has worked in partnership with Our Picturesque Landscape project to enhance parts of the existing green infrastructure in the Dee Valley. 

"At the Horseshoe Falls the work will provide improved access for visitors,with a new perspective, whilst reducing impacts on the special landscape of the AONB.

Councillor Tony Thomas, Denbighshire’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Community, said: “This is a great example of partnership working that is benefiting those visiting Denbighshire, as well as residents of the Dee Valley and surrounding areas.   

"This latest development forms part of the Our Picturesque Landscape project which has been set up to provide better access to the heritage sites through reflecting the area’s inspirational links to various forms of travel, including the canal, Telford’s A5 and the River Dee.

“These projects aim to protect these heritage sites for future generations to enjoy."

Coronavirus update from the Welsh Government

Latest coronavirus update from the Welsh Government, issued yesterday, is: 

• The Welsh Government has fast-tracked more than 50 new Welsh laws to deal swiftly with the coronavirus pandemic.
• 
  
• Speaking from the Senedd in Cardiff, First Minister Mark Drakeford outlined the monumental shift in government resources to limit the damage of coronavirus in his legislative statement.
• 
  
• The measures include the lockdown restrictions to keep people and businesses safe, to protect public health and enable public services to continue to operate in unprecedented circumstances.
• 
  
• https://gov.wales/welsh-government-introduced-over-50-laws-to-deal-with-coronavirus
• Health Minister Vaughan Gething has today published an updated testing strategy for the next phase of responding to the Covid-19 pandemic, as we emerge from lockdown with prevalence reducing and make preparations for the possibility of further peaks in the autumn and winter. It builds on the latest scientific evidence and focuses on four priority areas for testing:
• 
  
• Controlling and preventing transmission of the virus by supporting contact tracing.
• Protecting NHS services to prevent, protect and deliver testing to support the safety of staff, patients and clients.
• Protecting vulnerable groups and managing increased transmission rates to safeguard and control infection in groups, communities or settings with greater risks.
• Developing future delivery to utilise health surveillance and new technologies to improve our understanding of the virus and innovate new ways to test.
• https://gov.wales/written-statement-wales-covid-19-testing-strategy
• Watch Health Minister Vaughan Gething’s press conference: https://twitter.com/WelshGovernment/status/1283362189533777923

• The Welsh Government has confirmed driving lessons will take place in Wales from 27 July.
• 
  
• Theory tests will restart on Monday 3 August, along with vocational, motorcycle, car and trailer tests, and tractor driving tests.
• Driving tests will start from Monday 17 August, as well as the restarting of driving instructor testing and standards checks.
• https://gov.wales/driving-lessons-restart-wales-27-july

• The Welsh Government has made up to £9m available to support town centres recover from the coronavirus pandemic.
• 
  
• Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government, Hannah Blythyn has announced up to £5.3m from the Transforming Towns programme will be used to fund adaptions in town centres to support traders and improve public safety in response to coronavirus.
• A further £3.7m of Valleys Taskforce funding will be invested to enhance small town centres in the Valleys region.
• https://gov.wales/9-million-support-town-centres-recover-coronavirus-pandemic-announced
• Jeremy Miles MS, Counsel General and Minister for European Transition and Rebecca Evans MS, Minister for Finance and Trefnydd have published a written statement about stabilisation and reconstruction in the wake of coronavirus https://gov.wales/written-statement-stabilisation-and-reconstruction-wake-coronavirus-pandemic
• A cross-border response, involving Welsh Government and its partners, to support the Airbus workforce and wider supply chain is well underway.
• The first meeting of the Regional Employment Response Group, established by the Minister, has taken place this week involving Airbus, the supply chain, trade unions, key partners and agencies from North Wales and the Mersey Dee area to ensure the rapid and effective deployment of support required.
• https://gov.wales/cross-border-regional-response-aerospace-sector-underway

• People buying their main homes in Wales costing less than £250,000 will not pay any tax under temporary measures announced by the Finance Minister.
• The starting threshold for land transaction tax will increase from £180,000 to £250,000 for the residential main rates when this new measure is introduced on Monday 27 July. This is a tax reduction that will last until 31st March 2021.
• https://gov.wales/finance-minister-sets-out-homebuyers-tax-holiday-for-wales

• The latest information published by Public Health Wales shows have been a further 18 confirmed cases of coronavirus bringing the total to 16,854 in Wales, although the actual number will be higher.

o   Public Health Wales has reported two more deaths today bringing the total to 1,545 deaths in Wales.

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
• Want to know when and where to wear a face mask? https://gov.wales/face-coverings-frequently-asked-questions
• Want to make your own face covering? https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2020-06/how-to-make-a-3-layer-face-covering.pdf
• 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.

• Health Minister Vaughan Gething held today’s press conference – you can watch again at: https://twitter.com/WelshGovernment/status/1283362189533777923

Welsh Government has fast-tracked over 50 new laws due to Covid-19

The Welsh Government has fast-tracked more than 50 new Welsh laws to deal swiftly with the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking from the Senedd in Cardiff, First Minister Mark Drakeford (pictured) outlined the "monumental" shift in government resources to limit the damage of coronavirus in his legislative statement.

The measures include the lockdown restrictions to keep people and businesses safe, to protect public health and enable public services to continue to operate in unprecedented circumstances.

Changes to planning systems have enabled the field hospitals to be built in a matter of weeks and supported the continued provision of healthcare; schools and the entire education system have been adapted; and protections have been put in place for people and businesses who are struggling to pay their rent.

With priorities having to be quickly shifted the First Minister has said difficult decisions have had to be taken about what legislation the Welsh Government will be introduce during the remainder of this Senedd term.

Bills and regulations will be focused on the response to coronavirus and EU transition.

Mr Drakeford sais the challenging deadline for a significant amount of EU-related secondary legislation remains as the transition period is due to end in December. 

This includes work to implement new regimes being established by UK bills and the Withdrawal Agreement Act, along with those arising from the negotiations with the EU.

The legislation which will continue alongside the coronavirus response in the autumn term are:

• The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill, which will extend the franchise in local government elections to 16 and 17-year-olds, to be in place by their next elections.
• The Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill, introduced last week to support the new curriculum and assessment arrangements as part of a wider programme of education reform to raise standards and tackle the attainment gap.
• The Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill, will improve the rights and position of tenants in the private rented sector.

Bills which have been paused include:

• The Bus Services (Wales) Bill – to continue collaboration with the sector that has been hit hard by the pandemic to establish the best approach for the future and support recovery.
• The Tertiary Education and Research Bill has been issued as a draft Bill for consultation.
• A similar approach will be taken with the Social Partnership Bill.

The Welsh Government says it will also target resources to:

• Extend the smoking ban to outdoor areas of hospital grounds, school grounds, and local authority playgrounds;
• Implement the socio-economic duty and the new additional learning needs system;
• Ending commercial third party sales of puppies and kittens;
• Working with local authorities to extend 20 mph zones.

The First Minister said: “In Wales we have championed a careful and cautious approach to tackling coronavirus, but this by no means, means slow. Behind the scenes, the government has worked rapidly to reorganise and redeploy its resources, to save lives and protect our NHS.

“Thanks to the immense sacrifices by the people of Wales in following the legislation we have introduced in recent months, Wales is at its lowest ebb of coronavirus infections since the crisis began.

“Refocusing our resources to deal with the pandemic has led to some difficult decisions being taken but we will continue to prioritise progressive change, which will make the biggest difference to the lives of the people of Wales.”

Driving lessons can resume from July 27, says government

The Welsh Government has conformed that driving lessons will be able to take place in Wales from July 27.

Theory tests will restart on Monday August 3, along with vocational, motorcycle, car and trailer tests, and tractor driving tests.

Driving tests will start from Monday August 17, as well as the restarting of driving instructor testing and standards checks.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will update guidance shortly to facilitate the safe return.

Ken Skates, Minister for Economy and Transport, said: "Driving lessons and tests are vital in helping people get to work and visit loved ones, and provide the skills for a lifetime of safe driving.

"As Wales recovers from COVID-19 we can now open-up our services to help get the country moving again and I am very pleased to announce the restart of driving lessons and tests in a Covid secure way."

DVSA Chief Executive Gareth Llewellyn said: "It has been vital that lessons and tests only resume when safe to do so and in line with the Welsh Government’s advice. 

"We know this has been a tough time for the whole country including learners and driving instructors but I am pleased to announce the restart of lessons and tests in Wales.

"Tests for critical workers have continued during the lockdown and I would like to thank all those instructors and examiners who have continued to work to help deliver tests for those who have done so much to help us during this terrible pandemic."

Open-air dance class goes through its paces in the square

* Dancers fill the square for the open-air session.

* Julie Kirk Thomas (centre) leads the dance class.

* Dancers stay socially distanced across the square.

Julie Kirk Thomas staged the second of her DisDANCING open-air dance classes in Centenary Square this morning.
She said: "It's being held in accordance with the Welsh Government guidelines, with low-impact. easy-to-follow moves set to Latin music."

* For details, go to: Croeso mawr. danceworkshops@yahoo.co.uk

Steam train makes test run ahead of railway re-opening

* Engine No.3802 on its test run to Glyndyfrdwy yesterday. 

The picture shows how the vegetation has sprung 
up along the line. 

This is one of the things that will need attention 

before passenger trains can run.

A steam train has made its first run on Llangollen Railway for the first time in month.

Services on the heritage line were suspended as the lockdown began  although some essential track maintenance has continued where social distancing rules have allowed.

Yesterday (Tuesday) steam was raised in engine No.3802 as it made a test run to Glyndyfrdwy ahead of the line's planned re-opening on August 1.

This is a further step in the process of re-opening the railway in accordance with the regulations set out by the Office of Road and Rail for all the heritage railways to follow after lockdown.


Railway general manager Liz McGuinness said: "It’s great to see our preparations for opening on August 1 are well under way. 

"Our volunteers tested loco 3802 to ensure it was ready for service. 

"We are all excited at reopening and cannot wait to welcome everyone back. 

"Please check our website and social media for full details of the travel arrangements when they are announced."

More good news about re-opening from Llangollen businesses

* Gales horse box is at the centre of their new outdoors way of operating.

More Llangollen businesses have taken to Facebook to let people know they are either open or will be opening soon.

Gales Wine Bar posted: “We're open from Thursday in our new outside area!

“We've spent a lot of time over the lockdown getting things ready to open again.

Our decking area has had a complete overhaul and our horsebox has found a permanent home as out new outside bar.

“Bookings will be open online from 12pm tomorrow (Wednesday). We'll be open from 5pm Thursday evening for food and drinks then from midday going onwards.

“We are really looking forward to welcoming you back to Gales.

“Numbers will be limited and bookings will be restricted into timed blocks. All the details will follow tomorrow.”

Phoenix Bistro posted: “We’ve still got a few more finishing touches to add to it - but we’ll be ready to welcome guests to our little courtyard this weekend.

“We’ll be open from 12pm until 8pm this Friday and Saturday, serving tiki-style tapas and cocktails.

“As you can see, we have limited space available, so booking is advisable if you wish to come and dine with us or enjoy some drinks.

“We will also be providing takeaway for collection only, however slots for this will need to be booked in advance.

“As per government guidelines, we will not be allowing customers inside the premises - however, we will allow access to our toilet upon request, providing that guests use the provided sanitation products first.

“Please feel free to send us a message if you have any questions or would like to make a reservation. We look forward to seeing you this weekend!”

And Verve Health, Fitness & Wellbeing posted: “Very happy to say after nearly 4 months of closure the clinic area in Verve is now open for PHYSIOTHERAPY, OSTEOPATHY and COUNSELLING with ACUPUNCTURE back at the end of July.

“After a deep clean and sanitise, a little bit of furniture re-arranging and testing out all the new procedures and protocols we're welcoming clients back for necessary treatment.

“Please contact individual therapists directly for more information on how their practice has been affected by COVID rules and to make appointments.”

Finance Minister sets out Homebuyers’ tax holiday for Wales

* Finance Minister Rebecca Evans.

People buying their main homes in Wales costing less than £250,000 will not pay any tax under temporary measures announced by the Finance Minister today. 

The starting threshold for land transaction tax will increase from £180,000 to £250,000 for the residential main rates when this new measure is introduced on Monday 27 July. This is a tax reduction that will last until 31st March 2021.

The new threshold will further reduce the tax burden in Wales. Around 80% of homebuyers liable to the main rates of land transaction tax will not pay any tax. This will be a tax reduction of £2,450 per transaction.

These changes reflect the nature of the housing market in Wales, where house prices on average are considerably lower in Wales (£162,000) than in England (£248,000). For first time buyers the average price paid is £139,000 in Wales, and £208,000 in England.

This tax reduction will not apply to purchases on additional properties including buy to let and second homes.

The Finance Minister will also confirm that the savings made by adopting these temporary rates in Wales will release £30 million in new funding to support the construction of new, energy efficient social housing in Wales.

Finance Minister Rebecca Evans said: "This tax holiday will help first time buyers as well as those selling to move on, but we are taking a different direction to support jobs and house building in Wales.

"While eliminating taxes for those that need extra help, the tax holiday rate also reduces the tax paid on more expensive properties to help the wider housing market.

"Under these changes more than three quarters of homebuyers will pay no tax at all, an increase of 20% under our current measures.

"By setting these rates for Wales I am also able to confirm £30 million to support the construction of new social housing and the much needed jobs they can deliver."

MP welcomes easing of lockdown rules on hospitality and tourism

* Among the local hospitality businesses now trading again is The Hand where people are just allowed to use the new outside seating area. 

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes has welcomed the news that restrictions on hospitality and tourism businesses in Wales are being eased this week. 

Tourism bookings can be made for stays after July 11. This will be at people’s own risk and the official advice is that they should check with the accommodation provider before they book. 

This includes any accommodation that is entirely self-contained, e.g. holiday cottages, holiday caravans including touring caravans, motorhomes, boats and some glamping accommodation with their own kitchens and bathrooms that no other guests use.

The proposed guidance also allows hotels and other serviced accommodation - B&Bs, hostels, etc - that do provide en-suite rooms and can provide room service meals to re-open.

Caravan parks where accommodation is entirely self-contained may be allowed to re-open – but shared facilities on the premises will remain closed, such as swimming pools, leisure facilities, shared shower and toilets blocks, shared laundry, etc, and public areas in other accommodation types.  

This means any caravan or touring site where individual accommodation has its own supply of water for on board shower, WC and cooking with strict application of guidance on shared waste disposal and water points.

Simon Baynes MP, who is a Vice-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Hospitality and Tourism, said: “Tourism and hospitality businesses are the lifeblood of many of our local economies in rural Wales, contributing around £509 million a year in Denbighshire alone. Many people locally are hugely reliant on the industry for income and jobs.

“Many Clwyd South businesses will have had a really hard time over the past few months. So it’s right that as cases remain low, we look towards safely opening up to visitors to get our economy going again, providing the warm welcome our tourism and hospitality business are known for.”