Police boss warns of possible surge in post-Covid sex attacks

* With the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones is Sarah Staveley, who manages SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) which has received a grant through the PCC to employ a new Independent Sexual Assault Advisor to help cope with the Covid Crisis.   

A police boss is warning people to be on their guard amid fears of a surge in sex attacks as the coronavirus restrictions are eased.

The region’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Arfon Jones, revealed the number of reported cases had dropped during lockdown as a result of people having to stay at home.

But Mr Jones fears the number of assaults will start to rise as the night time economy opens up once more.

The commissioner is also concerned that victims are suffering more mental health problems as a result of being isolated and courts falling behind in dealing with cases.

Mr Jones, a former police inspector, has now secured extra funding to provide more support to survivors.

He has been successful in gaining almost £77,000 from the Ministry of Justice’s Rape Support Fund to fund a full-time Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) for the next two years.

The post will be based at the Amethyst Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Old Colwyn and will support victims from the six counties across North Wales.

It will enable the centre  to work on clearing existing caseloads which have increased due to demands with courts closing and a number of clients suffering severe mental health issues due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The centre receives between 500 and 550 referrals a years with the victims ranging in age from one to pensioners in their 70s.

SARC manager Sarah Staveley said: “The length of time lockdown has gone on has had a detrimental effect on the mental health of some of our service users.

“These are people that already had mental health issues as a direct result of their traumatic experiences.

“The delay in getting investigations underway and court cases through the criminal justice system has just made matters worse.

"We have also had the problem of not being able to conduct face to face interviews or hold meetings with clients. We have maintained a telephone service and have always been there if needed but it isn't the same and adds to the stress experienced by victims.

"It is highly likely we will see a rise in referrals as lockdown measures are eased. There will be more opportunities for people to meet and as a result for sexual assaults to occur.

“We are also likely to see a rise in referrals once people are able to seek help and advice.

“The £76,824 grant secured by the Police and Crime Commissioner will allow us to appoint an ISVA who will have a big role to play in supporting victims of rape and sexual violence and their families.

“The role will mean the ISVA will see a case through the criminal justice system from beginning to end. Some victims need more support than others but it’s important that we are there for every victim that needs support.

“It’s wonderful that Mr Jones recognises the need for our service. He and his office have always given SARC a great deal of support and help.

“It’s clear Mr Jones really understands the needs of victims and the positive impact our services can have on the well-being of those affected by rape and serious sexual assault.”

Tackling sexual violence and providing support for victims is a key priority in the commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan which provides the blueprint followed by North Wales Police.

Mr Jones said: “I am acutely aware of the backlog of cases being investigated or going through the criminal justice system and understand the impact delays due to the Coronavirus pandemic could have on victims.

“The work that takes place at SARC is absolutely vital and should never been underestimated. It’s so important that a victim of rape or serious sexual assault has somewhere to go knowing they will be taken seriously and get the help and advice they need.

“Covid-19 and lockdown has been a very difficult time for everyone but for someone that is waiting for a case to go to court or who has had a court case postponed due to the pandemic it can have a devastating impact and they need further support.

“This additional money from the Rape Support Fund will help us ensure that North Wales victims of rape and sexual assault get the help and support they need and that really is vital.

“While the number of referrals has dropped in recent months, I am concerned there will be an increase in the number of offences as the restrictions are eased and I would urge victims to seek help.

Sarah Staveley added: “Victims are able to seek the advice and the support they need whether the crime took place recently or in the past. We will, if the victim chooses, support them in making a formal complaint to the police.

“We have an amazing facility where we can undertake forensic medical examinations as well as follow up health checks. We also have video interview and counselling rooms and a live link to the courts so victims can give their evidence to the courts from the SARC.

“Victims are often traumatised when they come here so it’s our role to help them understand their choices. We will support them and empower them in making decisions and how to move on from their experiences.”

* Anyone who has any concerns over sexual abuse or child sexual exploitation  should call North Wales Police on 101. The North Wales Sexual Assault Referral Centre can be contacted by calling  0808 156 3658 or emailing: BCU.Amethyst@wales.nhs.uk and for further information visit the website at www.amethystnorthwales.org.uk

New Bentley Continental is a mighty performer

* The Bentley Continental.

Bentley Continental GTC V8 road test by Steve Rogers

The week of Storm Francis wasn't the best time to be spending a few days in the Continental convertible but it certainly proved the insulation qualities of the multi-layered fabric roof.

As I drove away from Bentley's headquarters at Crewe the rain was pounding down but the sound deadening was so effective I forgot I was driving a convertible. Bentley says today's convertible is just as quiet as the previous Continental coupe and I am not going to argue with that.

Continental first appeared in 2003 and we are now into the third generation which has a significant twist in the story. 

It has always been powered by the mighty W12 six litre petrol... but what is the new badge that has appeared on the front wing? V8. Can this be true? A humble 4-litre V8 in a Bentley.

Too right, and before anyone thinks this is Bentley dumming down the Conti with a cheaper entry level model then think again. 

True it is £12,500 less than the W12, £167,000 plays £179,500 but there is nothing as common as an entry level Bentley. Most of this is the difference in the price of the engine, the rest of the car is the same bespoke handcrafted opulence found in any other Bentley.

Yes but it won't be as quick as the W12. Yeah right, we lose three tenths in a sprint to sixty and top speed is down 9mph so we have to make do with the V8's four seconds to 60mph and a top end of 198mph. No too shabby then.

Now I have enjoyed the W12 in a couple of Bentleys, it is indeed a mighty performer, but I am going to put my head on the block and say the Continental is better suited to the V8. On the one hand we have unparalleled luxury and on the other an out and out sports drop top or coupe that will happily take on a McLaren, Ferrari or Porsche.

I recall feeling mildly intimidated by the McLaren 720S, which, granted, generates more power from its 4-litre V8, but felt quite comfortable and secure behind the wheel of the Conti even when I did feel the full force of the twin turbos and whopping 770 Newton metres of torque.

In truth this sort of power is not for our roads, the car is too quick and you could find yourself in a lot of trouble with the law if you exploit the performance. A ton takes a mere 8.4 seconds, and that is Bentley's figure by the way.

The best place to get maximum fun is on a track where you would no doubt feel the full benefit of Bentley's brilliant dynamic ride system, I should say that is an extra £4,000 and not really worth the expense unless you enjoy flat out track days. 

Basically a 48 volt powered anti roll system makes suspension changes in milliseconds which makes the car feel as if it is stuck to the road in the same way as a roller coaster terror ride.

Performance through the eight speed automatic is immense with the V8 emitting a satisfying growl as opposed to the gentle burble of the W12. 

Surprisingly it was not the performance or the utter luxury of the Conti's cabin that left the biggest impression, it was the economy. 

Had this been the W12 I would have been lucky to break the 20mpg barrier yet I averaged 30mpg and some of that was down to cylinder deactivation which knocks off four cylinders on light throttle loads which covers 70mph motorway drives.

One small downside is the noticeable jerk as the other four cylinders engage when the throttle is floored at low speed but I can live with that.

Having said how impressed I was with economy sitting in the Continental' s cabin is pretty special, you can tell this has been put together with lots of tender loving care, much of this opulence coming from the special Mulliner specification which adds even greater detailing to the surfaces and stitching, and adds £12,535 to the price but as the Bentley PR people say no one buys a basic car and there are lots of packages and individual items that can be added. 

My test car had 14 totalling £53,880 of which I would have gone for the front seat comfort spec with neck warmer, heated or ventilated and massage functions (£4,005) central 12 inch rotating touchscreen display (£4,770) touring specification (£6,290) and the Bang & Olufsen bespoke sound system (£5,075).

That came in handy when the roof was down. There is hardly any buffeting but the wind swirls around the cabin once passed 60mph and communication becomes a shouting match so a good sound system is essential if you like your music.

The bottom line is that Continental is a world class sports car especially with V8 power which is there on merit. Here we have performance, luxury and style in one fabulous package.

A little aside: Bespoke it might be but Volkswagen-owned Bentley does share some of the group's parts. 

The headlight touch pad can be found in the new Golf 8 and the amber blind spot warning light on the door mirrors are also fitted to my Skoda Superb test car. 

There are a few others but we will keep them to ourselves...

Need to know

Continental GTC

£167,000 (tested £224,800)

8sp auto all wheel drive

4-litre V8; 542bhp

0-60mph 4secs; 198mph

Torque: 770Nm

23.3mpg combined

260g/km

1st year tax £2135 then £145pa

Boot 235 litres

Roof down: 19 seconds

Applications sought for government's Cultural Recovery Fund

From today, organisations in the culture and heritage sector can find out if they are eligible to apply for financial support from the Welsh Government’s £53m Cultural Recovery Fund.

The new fund will see music venues, recording and rehearsal studios, heritage organisations and historic attractions, accredited museums and archive services, libraries, events and their technical support suppliers, independent cinemas and the publishing sector being able to bid for a share of £18.5m. 

A number of organisations in Llangollen could qualify for help.
The latest funding is part of the Welsh Government’s £53m package to support the culture and arts sectors which are coping with a dramatic loss of revenue as a result of the pandemic.

A separate element of the Cultural Recovery Fund, worth £27.5m, is being delivered through the Arts Council of Wales to support theatres and galleries. This fund was launched 17 August with details available on the Arts Council’s website. 

The online eligibility checker opens today (Tuesday, 1 September) from 10am and organisations will be able to make applications for support from the fund from 14 September. The closing date for applications is 30 September.

Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Lord Elis-Thomas, said:“We have listened to, and worked with our partners across the cultural and creative sectors to put this second package of support together. We recognise the massive and unprecedented challenges the pandemic is having on the very fabric of Welsh life and we applaud the resilience and creativity on show.

“We are today opening our eligibility checker for the funding. This will allow companies to find out if they will be eligible to apply and then give them time to prepare their applications, ahead of the fund opening for applications later this month.”

A non-repayable grant of up to £150,000 (up to 100% of eligible costs) per organisation will be available via two application entry points:

• Under £10k: quick process for smaller organisations based on eligible costs
• Between £10k - £150k: more detailed process based on eligible costs.

The triage system will indicate the appropriate route for organisations to follow.

The Eligibility Checker for the  Cultural Recovery Fund will be live on Tuesday 1 September from 10am - - https://fundchecker.businesswales.gov.wales/culture

There will also be a £7m fund for freelancers to support individuals in the sector who have been impacted by the pandemic. Please visit the eligibility checker to find more detail for this fund.

MP welcomes government cash aid to local businesses

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes has welcomed the announcement that the UK Government-owned British Business Bank has issued its 75,000^th loan through its Start Up Loans programme, marking more than £623 million invested in small businesses across the UK since its launch in 2012.

Across Wales, 3,443 loans have been made so far to small businesses and entrepreneurs, totalling £32,226,155 with the average loan being £9,360. 

Self-employed people in Clwyd South have accessed £7,500,000 worth of Government grants, which do not need to be paid back, to cover lost earnings. 

And £20,514,589 has been paid out to local businesses in the form of Bounce Back Loans, which provides loans of up to £50,000 within days of an application.

Mr Baynes said: “Small businesses in Clwyd South are the backbone of our local economy, and this Conservative UK Government has long been committed to giving them all the support they need to flourish and thrive.

“Our Start Up Loans scheme has now provided £32,226,155 worth of investment and support to thousands of small businesses and entrepreneurs across Wales, including for those who may otherwise have struggled to access it, helping to drive investment here and boost our local economy.

“As we build Clwyd South, Wales and Britain back in the months ahead, I will continue to work to give our local entrepreneurs and innovators all the support they need to keep them in business so they can create and protect jobs.”

Local roadworks alert

Latest roadworks alert from one.network is:

Church Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 31 August — 04 September Delays likely - Road closure Works location: 7 Works description: EXCAVATE IN FOOTWAY FOR REMOVAL OF FAULTY LINK BOX AND REPLACEMENT WITH NEW.... Responsibility for works: MANWEB Current status: Advanced planning Works reference: GY03011181356

St Collen's welcomes its congregation for the first time in 22 weeks

* Father Lee gives the blessing to parishioners outside the church.

* The socially-distanced congregation.

* Father Lee leads worship inside the church for the first time in 22 weeks. 

After 22 weeks in lockdown St Collen's Church finally opened for worship with a congregation this morning (Sunday).

Vicar, Father Lee Taylor, began with a blessing ceremony outside the building before over 50 worshippers, who were requested to wear masks, filed inside the church which had been specially prepared with extra space between the pews to allow proper distancing and hand sanitization.    

Before going inside people had their temperature taken. 

No hymns were allowed but there was a full service including the celebration of Holy Communion.

Later everyone was invited to a barbecue in the car park  prepared by Fabiano Silva. 

In his address, Father Lee spoke of how challenging lockdown had been including the cancellation of 21 weddings due to have been held in church.

It was revealed that during the period from June when only private worship had been allowed 773 people had visited St Collen's.  

Operators to increase bus services from today

Denbighshire County Council has been working with bus companies and the Welsh Government to ensure capacity is increased on services while maintaining social distancing guidelines.

From today (Sunday) services will run at between 70 and 100 per cent of their pre-covid-19 timetable with the addition of extra buses on services across the county, with funding secured from Welsh Government.

Cllr Brian Jones, the council’s Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the Environment, said: “The council has been working closely with bus companies to ensure extra buses will be provided in Denbighshire to increase capacity while maintaining social distancing, allowing more passengers to travel safely.

“I would like to thank the team at Denbighshire and bus companies for the hard work during this long process.

“The extra capacity will ensure pupils returning to school in September who travel on public transport and customers will be able to use services safely and with as little disruption as possible.”

Customers and those travelling to school via public transport are being reminded that face coverings must be worn at all times while using public transport.

The council has previously introduced the Fflecsi pilot in Denbigh and Prestatyn, which allows people to request a demand-responsive bus to pick them up near home, work or shops for essential travel, rather than following a set timetable at fixed bus stops.

Cllr Jones added: “While up-to-date time tables are available online, we are in the process of replacing time tables at bus stops with the latest service information and would like to thank residents for their understanding and patience during this time.”

* For more information or to see the latest bus timetables for services in the county visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/travel

Life returns to normal along the railway line

* Foxcote Manor steaming through Berwyn station. 

Llangollen Railway photographer George Jones was out and about along the line yesterday to capture a couple of stunning images of life gradually returning to normal following lockdown.

First he shot the railway's flagship engine Foxcote Manor - complete with its "Thunderbirds are Go" slogan on its headboard - passing Berwyn hauling the first passenger train of the day.  

Near the Chain Bridge later he snapped people watching the progress of a group of whitewater rafters through the River Dee gorge.

 * Rafters testing their skill near the Chain Bridge.

Steve completes his high-wire challenge and raises over £200

* Steve flies like a bird on the zipwire over Bethesda.

A long-standing volunteer with Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has successfully completed a hair-raising challenge in aid of overseas competitors – despite being as old as the festival itself.

Steve Price, who lives in Johnstown, has been helping out at the eisteddfod for the past quarter of a century.

And after identifying a growing problem with attracting competitors from overseas he decided to take the heart-stopping high ride at Zipworld in Bethesda on Thursday afternoon.

He accomplished his high speed challenge and raised over £200 into the bargain.

Steve, who is manager at Sharps Bedrooms at Island Green in Wrexham, said: “I am the same age as the eisteddfod, 73 this year.

“I have been a volunteer with them for the past 25 years.

* Steve said he was "absolutely terrified" of heights.

“Over that time it has become increasingly difficult for overseas and UK competitors to take part in this fantastic event due to the ever-increasing costs of travel, accommodation and visa applications.

“The money I raised from my Zipworld challenge will go to support all competitors and the continued success of the eisteddfod.”

Before taking to the high wire, he explained that he was “absolutely terrified” of heights.

Afterwards he said: “I am not a thrill-seeker and the thought of jumping off a mountaintop some 500ft in the air and travelling at speeds approaching 100mph above a quarry and a lake was not something that I would under normal circumstances consider. But this was my challenge.”

Apart from the eisteddfod, Steve was also doing the challenge in aid of Hope House Hospice.

* He says donations to the eisteddfod are still welcome on his JustGiving page at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/steve-price24?fbclid=IwAR1i4rRJR9Vvlo7m_Ba3uEUUM9xZBD3jYEWb8gH9rEvnKpwuDTKyP3EnFQU&utm_campaign=pfp-share&utm_content=Steve-Price24&utm_medium=fundraisingpage&utm_source=Facebook&utm_term=w5XeEajZJ

If anyone wishes to donate to Hope House they should go direct to the hospice’s website and follow the links there.

Free school meal information in Denbighshire

Parents and guardians in receipt of direct payments for free school meals will continue to receive the payment for the first two weeks of term, says the county council.

Those receiving the payment will be required to use the funds to pay for their child’s meal while at school up until Friday, September 11.

The last direct payments are being made on Monday, September 14 (for the week of September 7th – 11th) after which children eligible for free school meals will receive them in school free of charge.

During school closures the Council has been providing direct payments to those eligible for free school meals with money provided to parents or guardians instead of a school meal.

More than 3,500 children (1,900 families) were eligible for this scheme.

Railway thrown a £161,000 lottery lifeline

Breaking news ...

Llangollen Railway has received £161,000 of National Lottery support to help address the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The cash, from the Heritage Fund, will support the attraction through the coming difficult winter months and help with the implementation of its recent governance review.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown began the railway has been working hard to raise funds to ensure its survival. 

It has also been implementing many changes to help safeguard its future.

Railway general manager Liz McGuinness said: “Thanks to the National Lottery and its players we can now look forward to a secure future for our heritage railway and we can continue to support our local economy. 

"We’re grateful that the National Lottery Heritage Fund is supporting us at this crucial time – it’s a lifeline to us and others who are passionate about sustaining heritage for the benefit of all.”

The funding, made possible by National Lottery players, was awarded through The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Heritage Emergency Fund. 

This is a £50m pot aimed at providing emergency funding for those most in need across the heritage sector.

The UK-wide fund aimed to address both immediate emergency actions and help organisations to start thinking about recovery.

Ros Kerslake, chief executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Heritage has an essential role to play in making communities better places to live, supporting economic regeneration and benefiting our personal wellbeing. All of these things are going to be even more important as we emerge from this current crisis.

“Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players we are pleased to be able to lend our support to organisations such as Llangollen Railway during this uncertain time.”

Historic columns take pride of place at new Corwen rail station

* Putting the canopy columns in place are, from left, Peter Robson, Tony Cook and John Mason. Picture: George Jones.

Volunteers at the Corwen Railway Development Project are celebrating the successful completion of work to install a series of historic canopy columns at the site of the new station.

The large metal structures have been brought 200 miles to north Wales from London where they were originally part of Blackfriars station.

The installation of the final pair of columns was completed last weekend after the work was delayed by the advent of Covid-19.

A substantial foundation was required to secure their installation against the prospect of high winds on the exposed site and the work to excavate a trench on the platform ready for delivery of a load of ready-mix was restarted after lockdown was lifted.

With the slab of concrete in place, the two columns were lifted onto their anchor points and bolted down with the cross piece.

Their acquisition, renovation, re-engineering and installation has been an epic tale of volunteer time and effort over the past four years, coupled with the financing of the task.

Eight are now in-situ on the platform, with six around the stairwell and the final pair forming the eastern end of the canopy support, in-between which a station building will provide the integral roofing link.

Seen from the town's car park, they make an impressive sight on the elevated platform as a further statement the project is nearing completion.

Project Manager Richard Dixon-Gough said. “The project team members are delighted to see the columns in place after many hours of site preparation, a process interrupted by the pandemic. 

"The canopy will be subjected to significant wind forces at this elevated, exposed station location and called for a substantial foundation to secure the columns.

"As now erected, the columns are another notable achievement by the volunteers engaged in working towards completion of the station.”

Change of engine

* The tank engine Jennifer passes Berwyn yesterday. Picture: George Jones.

There was a change of engine on the Llangollen line yesterday (Thursday).

A tank engine named 'Jennifer' was hauling the passenger trains.

It is a 0-6-0 built in 1942 for industrial use and was restored at Llangollen in 2008.

The engine normally works on other shorter heritage railways when out on hire. 

Oak Street Gallery hosts new exhibition

Llangollen's Oak Street Gallery is hosting an exhibition by artist Jon Young until September 13.

He is showing some striking new paintings - beautiful colours in acrylic of People and Places, including some iconic North Wales views.

The gallery will be open every day during the exhibition's run from 12-5pm.

Prints and cards of Jon’s work will also be available alongside the paintings and if anyone sees a painting on his website they’d like to see which isn’t in the exhibition, he says he can arrange for it to be brought to the gallery for viewing. 

* Jon's website is at: www.jonyoungart.co.uk

Council reassures parents and guardians ahead of new term

* Ysgol Dinas Bran.

Denbighshire County Council has moved to reassure parents and guardians that "everything possible" is being done to protect the safety of pupils and school staff when the new term begins next week.

It says all schools have carried rigorous risk assessments and have introduced measures to try and protect the health and well-being of pupils.

This may include staggered school days, safety signage, re-organisation of classrooms and reduced contacts with other year groups. 

The council adds that all schools continue to follow stringent hygiene guidelines issued by Welsh Government.

Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts, Cabinet Lead Member for Education, Children’s Services and Public Engagement, says: “First of all, I’d like to thank parents and guardians across the county for their continued support during these unprecedented times. 

“Over recent months, many parents/guardians have been supporting schools to ensure that children and young people can continue learning at home – a great example of partnership working. We also recognise that many parents/ guardians will have changed working patterns to accommodate children and young people being at home.

“The Minister has made it clear that she expects all schools to be open by September 14 and our schools have worked tirelessly to put plans in place to welcome pupils as safely as possible.   

"I must thank schools and various council teams for their work to date. This has been a significant logistical and practical challenge, taking into account issues around catering, buildings, curriculum and transport.

“Stringent hygiene measures are in place and each school has come up with arrangements for conducting classes and activities, whilst reducing contact with other pupils as much as possible.

“Now the priority is on getting on with the task of educating our children and young people in a safe environment.”

Use 999 responsibly over bank holiday, says ambulance service

The Welsh Ambulance Service is appealing to people to use 999 responsibly this Bank Holiday weekend.

Traditionally, the service will see an increase in demand on Bank Holidays as people take advantage of the long weekend – and this weekend is expected to be no different.

Lee Brooks, the Trust’s Director of Operations, said: “More people are out and about socialising with family and friends on the Bank Holiday weekends, and this can lead to more people becoming ill or suffering injuries and requiring medical attention.

“While there are plans in place to deal with the increase in demand, we only have a limited number of crews and vehicles available which means that we need to prioritise those sickest patients first.

“It also means that people not facing a serious or life-threatening emergency could wait longer for a response or be asked to seek alternatives to an ambulance response.

“We certainly don’t want to discourage people from calling 999 in a genuine emergency, but are asking people to consider whether an emergency ambulance is the most appropriate service for their needs.”

Examples of when to call 999 include choking, chest pain, stroke, serious blood loss and unconsciousness.

Using 999 correctly helps crews to reach those patients most in need of clinical attention.

“Our clinical staff often find themselves responding to patients who have reported a serious condition only to find they have a minor illness or injury which could have been treated by an alternative service,” said Lee.

August has been an exceptionally busy month for the Welsh Ambulance Service already.

Wednesday 12 August, which was the hottest day of the year in Wales, was its busiest day of the year so far second only to New Year’s Day.

The service is reminding the public of the alternatives to 999.

Lee said: “If you’re ill and unsure what to do, please visit 111.wales.nhs.uk for advice and information or to take a symptom checker quiz.

“Alternatively, visit a pharmacy, your GP or a Minor Injury Unit.

“You can also call 111 to speak to a Nurse Advisor, or 0845 46 47 if it’s not available in your area.

“Keep yourselves and others safe so that emergency ambulances are available for those who need them most.

“We also continue to live with the presence of Covid-19 and so we need to continue to follow the guidance from Public Health Wales and Welsh Government.”

Anyone visiting Wales this weekend should remember to bring any essential medicines and stock up on repeat prescriptions before they travel.

Kiosk to be taken over by Denbighshire Leisure, says councillor

* The kiosk in Riverside Park.

Following social media speculation about what its future might be, one of the area's county councillors has outlined what is due to happen to the kiosk in Riverside Park.

The cafe facility has been closed since the start of lockdown and there were fears it might not open again.

But Llangollen county councillor Melvyn Mile has told llanblogger: "I’ve been informed that Denbighshire Leisure will be refurbishing the kiosk and will be operating it themselves."

Denbighshire Leisure is the private firm which oversees leisure centres, community facilities, theatres and attractions on behalf of the county counil. 

MP congratulates Sun Trevor on its lockdown renovations

* Sun Trevor owners Paul and Katy Jones, their daughters Seren and Darcey, dog Poppy and Simon Baynes MP.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes made a socially- distanced visit to The Sun Trevor near Llangollen to learn more about how the team has used the time during lockdown to upgrade facilities.

Mr Baynes met owners Paul and Katy Jones as well as their daughters Seren and Darcey, and dog Poppy. 

He was also joined on the visit by Chirk town councillor Gareth Baines.

Paul and Katy used lockdown to refurbish areas including the kitchen and toilets, which now have full disabled facilities. And they have been working on converting the nearby stables into holiday lets.

The team received the Travellers’ Choice Award on Tripadvisor for consistently earning great reviews from travellers and for being ranked within the top 10% of hospitality businesses on the site.

Paul Jones said: “I want to thank my wife Katy and our family and friends for their support and for their hard work at the pub. 

"I’m also extremely grateful to our staff who have worked tirelessly to ensure we could re-open safely and on time. It’s great to finally be able to welcome customers back and we’re so appreciative of everyone’s support.”

Simon Baynes said: "The whole team at The Sun Trevor have done an incredible job earning the Travellers’ Choice Award. 

"Their Quiz evenings on Zoom during lockdown have been a hit with the local community and have really added to The Sun Trevor’s reputation as friendly, community-spirited pub. 

"It’s great to see a local business doing so well and I wish them every success for the future.”

Advice on using public transport to travel to school

Denbighshire County Council is advising parents and guardians of children travelling on public buses that owing to social distancing and reduced capacity on public transport, those using public bus services may be adversely impacted.

Parents and guardians of children and young people using public transport to travel to school or college are being advised to make alternative arrangements during the first weeks of term.

The council says it is currently working with bus companies to ensure that extra buses are provided to increase capacity where possible.

Cllr Brian Jones the Council’s Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the Environment, said: “Owing to reduced capacity on public transport to ensure social distancing, wherever possible we are putting on extra services for school and college learners, and we are working to ensure they can travel to school safely, which is of paramount importance.

“We understand this is a very difficult time for parents and we want to assure them that we are working to make sure the return to school runs as smoothly as possible.

“However, owing to a number of pressures associated with Covid-19, we are asking parents who are able to transport their children to school or college to do so for the first two weeks of term or, where possible, to encourage the use of active travel.

“Those parents who can transport their children to school or college are asked to walk where possible or to park further away from school to avoid congestion.

“Parents of all pupils aged over 11 using school buses or public transport to get to school are also reminded they need to wear a face covering while using buses, coaches and where appropriate taxis.”

Some schools are also using staggered times which will impact transport to and from school and parents are being advised to check with their school.

Timetables for public bus services have also been impacted by Covid-19 and parents should check their local provider for the most up to date information.