Coronavirus latest for Wales and England

People from England's high risk Covid-19 areas should not visit Wales, according to Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Earlier this afternoon he briefed the House of Commons on new measures to halt the spread of the infection in England.

These include a new three-tiered system of COVID Alert Levels - medium, high and very high - being put place depending on local infection rates.

Merseyside will be designated "very high" from Wednesday.  

Asked by an MP about the situation with people from high risk areas of England visiting Wales, he replied: "It's very clear that people from high areas such as Merseyside should not be making those journeys."

* A second national Welsh lockdown is being considered as Covid-19 cases rise, the health minister has said.

Vaughan Gething said there was "growing concern" local restrictions may not be enough to stop a rise in cases, which he said was close to its spring peak.

Seventeen areas of Wales are currently under local lockdown restrictions, including Denbighshire.

There were more than 100 cases per 100,000 people in Wales over the past week and Mr Gething said there were more than 330 people in hospital.

He warned Covid cases in Wales could be back to peak levels seen in the spring within two weeks.

According to Public Health Wales figures the highest number of new cases recorded in a day in April was 391. The total on Sunday was 467.

* After attending a COBR(M) meeting this morning chaired by the Prime Minister to discuss the proposed introduction of the new tiered system of local restrictions in England, Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford  issued a statement in which he expressed "deep disappointment at the inadequate proposals" for travel restrictions in high infection areas in England, and said these would be met with "great dismay" in many parts of Wales where infection rates are lower. 

He also requested greater clarity on the metrics for placing areas into each tier, and agreed with other devolved leaders that the Treasury’s proposals for financial support, while welcome, did not go far enough in protecting the lowest paid workers.

* A summary of the latest measures for England: 

• Three Local COVID Alert Levels - medium, high and very high - will be in place throughout England depending on local infection rates
• The medium level will cover a significant part of England and includes the current national restrictions such as the rule of six and the 10pm curfew for pubs, bars and restaurants
• The high level will see people prevented from socialising with other households indoors. Most of those areas already living under local restrictions - such as Greater Manchester and Birmingham - will move into this category
• The very high alert level will see people banned from socialising with other households both indoors and in private gardens, while bars and pubs will be closed unless they can operate as restaurants
• Residents will also be advised against travelling in and out of these areas, while it will be up local politicians as to whether other leisure venues such as gyms and casinos should also close. However, non-essential shops, schools and universities will remain open
• Merseyside is among the areas to be put into the highest tier

Your views sought on reducing pressure on planet

Llangollen Town Council is seeking the views of local people on how to reduce pressure on our planet.

Through its Cittaslow Committee it has teamed up with Ruthin and Mold Town Councils and a number of local community groups to develop a survey to explore ideas which could help reduce household costs, increase well-being and provide learning opportunities.

Cllr Robyn Lovelock of Llangollen said: "We need to actively try to encourage people from a wide range of perspectives to complete the form, so please send the link to the form out as many groups with differing interests as possible. 

"If you are involved in a group that is able to meet in person, please feel free to print copies or let me know if you need help with printing. We need answers by October 24 please."

The survey form can be found by going to: https://forms.gle/yfRtkdVRuEFHevBe9

* Cllr Lovelock can be contacted at: cllrlovelock@llangollentowncouncil.gov.uk

See letter below:

This story has prompted a letter in response from local resident Mike Edwards, in which he says:

Whilst I could applaud some of these ideas borrowed from initiatives already operated elsewhere in the UK, I am astounded by the title of this survey “Beyond Recycling”!!! 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8mI0I6RQhFxoo13zxAIhNpyoydOxPkZW-cg15bKZNxRiJRw/viewform 

Denbighshire County Council closed our Recycling Centre at Wenffryd thirteen, yes 13 years ago and whilst they initially offered Llangollen a sticking plaster solution of providing a refuse lorry at the Pavilion once a week on a Saturday for two hours that service was withdrawn when National Lockdown occurred in March. To add insult to injury for the Dee Valley they also stood by whilst Wrexham BC barred Denbighshire residents from using the facility at Plas Madoc only six miles away. They have subsequently floundered to negotiate a simple deal with Wrexham to make this facility available to us on a Service Level Agreement. 

During those thirteen years Denbighshire have also closed the facility in Corwen, Llangollen’s sister Dee Valley town, but also in this period constructed and provided a new Recycling Facility in Rhyl and plan another in Denbigh. Of course Ruthin already has such a facility because Denbighshire CC has told residents that they can travel to Ruthin up the dangerous Horseshoe Pass and through the Nant-y-Garth provided they make an appointment and use what they deem an approved vehicle and ban trailers, vans etc. 

You have to ask what have Denbighshire Council got against Llangollen? Numerous issues are left unattended to -  Listed Buildings are not properly protected, we are left with eyesore properties dotted around the town(eg the old Job Centre, Rehoboth Chapel and the derelict building overlooking the Riverside Gardens) despite Llangollen being set set in the UNESCO World Heritage Site and Dee Valley AONB. The “Gateway” approaches to town are in a dreadful state projecting an awful appearance to visitors hardly encouraging them to stop, dwell and shop in our lovely town. Llangollen as we all know has much appealing to us as residents and the visitors who do come, but again Denbighshire Council failed to put in and monitor adequate Social Distancing measures as applied in other neighbouring towns to properly protect Llangollen residents and contributing to the Local Lockdown we now find ourselves in. 

So Denbighshire CC will be delighted that the Town Council through the Cittaslow Initiative are proposing measures which see the Community take matters into their own hands and take on responsibilities which they as the Principal Local Authority for the area should be leading on. They are happy enough to bank receipts from our town centre car parks, Market Street CP being the highest revenue from a Denbighshire car park. But then they give nothing back to Llangollen and the Dee Valley and give priority to expenditure in the North of the County along with Denbigh and Ruthin where their administrative headquarters are centred. They shortly plan to remove parking on Castle Street under the guise of Pandemic measures, which of course which will drive more revenue to their car parks to spend elsewhere in the County. 

Perhaps they should rename our town Llangotten because that’s what it is as far Denbighshire Council are concerned. A former Town Councillor once said to me “Llangollen is the pimple on the backside of Denbighshire”, many a true word spoken in jest, but it's a reality to Llangollen residents. 

Yours Sincerely, 

Michael Edwards

Scheme to help tenants affected by coronavirus launched

A new £8 million Welsh Government Tenancy Saver Loan scheme to help tenants struggling with rent arrears due to coronavirus has been announced by Minister for Housing and Local Government Julie James.

First of its kind in the UK, the Tenancy Saver Loan scheme will be open to private rented sector tenants in rent arrears and those who may also struggle to pay future months’ rent as a result of coronavirus; it will be open  until March 31^st 2021.

Paid directly to landlords or agents, the scheme will offer 1% APR loans to be repaid over a period of up to 5 years and will provide an affordable way to cover rent arrears, or future months’ rent, reducing the risk of eviction and homelessness. 

Once a tenant has applied for the loan they will be able to access support and advice services to help them manage their financial situation.

Managed by Wales Council for Voluntary Action, the loans will be provided by seven Credit Unions across Wales.

The Credit Unions will firstly work with tenants to find out whether they’re eligible for the loan scheme and how much they could afford to repay. If the scheme is suitable for the tenant, then the Credit Unions will provide them with support for the duration of the loan repayment term.

Minister for Housing and Local Government, Julie James said: “We recognise the constant pressure that the coronavirus is putting on tenants and landlords. While we have already taken steps to alleviate some of this pressure, such as extending the temporary six month notice period for eviction and funding Citizens Advice Cymru to deliver the Early Alert Scheme for rent arrears and other household debt for tenants, we want to go one step further. That’s why we’re supporting a low interest loan scheme that provides financial assistance for both tenants and their landlords.

"The Tenancy Saver Loan Scheme will directly support tenants who are struggling with their rent due to coronavirus to stay in their homes, address their debt and avoid eviction, whilst ensuring landlords receive the rent they are owed.

"We are committed to ensuring no-one is made homeless as a result of the pandemic and this scheme is part of our long term strategy to help people manage their debt, prevent homelessness and where it cannot be prevented ensure it is rare, brief and non-recurrent.”

Policy officer for Credit Unions of Wales Claire Savage said: “Seven credit unions will be providing the Tenancy Saver Loans across Wales, working with Welsh Government and the WCVA to provide a financial lifeline to those who have fallen into rent arrears due to the Covid-19 pandemic and are not able to get other forms of support.

“The loans are offered at a very low interest rate of just 1% APR and will be subject to the usual affordability checks to ensure that we are helping private sector tenants keep their homes while not building up unsustainable debt.” The launch of the new scheme comes as the Welsh Government begins the next phase of its Housing Advice digital campaign – focusing on renters who are struggling to pay their rent, at threat of eviction or at risk of redundancy."

Rebecca Woolley, Director, Citizens Advice Wales said: "We know that the Coronavirus crisis has caused financial difficulties for families across Wales, and we're pleased that the Welsh Government has recognised the importance of providing a package of support specifically for renters in the private sector to ensure that the pandemic doesn't force families from their homes.

"Any private sector tenant worried about paying their rent can contact Citizens Advice Cymru's Private Rented Sector helpline for impartial and confidential advice on 0300 330 2177."

* Regardless of circumstances, any private tenant at threat of losing their home can contact Shelter Cymru free and in confidence on 08000 495 495.”

llanblogger reviews the Old Vicarage's Lockdown Legends book

 * At the launch of the book are Old Vicarage owner Bethan Mascarenhas, Town Crier Austin 'Chem' Cheminais and storyteller Fiona Collins. 

Front: Joan Fell, 96, Jill Lidgit, 85, Ena Strange, 99, and Iola Roberts, 87.

Lockdown Legends Review

by llanblogger

When you visit a care home for the elderly and see the residents sitting comfortably in their armchairs it’s easy to get the impression, simply because they’re now getting on a bit, that they are just normal people who have lived pretty unexciting lives.

But if you take the trouble to stop and chat with them you’ll quickly discover that quite a few of them have led lives and had experiences that are far from mundane.

This is exactly the case with The Old Vicarage in Llangollen.

And the talks professional storyteller Fiona Collins had with a group of residents were so downright fascinating that they just had to be brought together in a book.

Fiona was commissioned by home owner Bethan Mascarenhas and took the opportunity of lockdown, which meant visitors weren’t allowed in, to don her PPE and speak at length to them, recording their recollections for the 132-page Lockdown Legends.

Apart from their stories it is lavishly illustrated by Peter Stevenson and contains a host of their family photos.

One of the contributions comes from Amy Lawton, who was a fiery red-headed Post Office telephonist at the time of the Second World War.

Poignantly, she recalls putting through calls to houses that sometimes weren’t there anymore because they’d been destroyed by bombing.

After the war she and her husband of eventually 65 years quite fancied starting a new life in Canada but their dream was dashed when his dad refused to allow him to go.

However, the couple made up for it later in life when they went globe-trotting on frequent foreign holidays. They also lived in many place during their life together but eventually made their home in Llangollen.

Sad to record that Amy died peacefully at the Old Vic in August at the grand old age of 99.

Then there’s Bill Gosson who remembers his early years growing up on Merseyside – and being bombed by the Luftwaffe almost every night for six or seven months during the war.

His family home was eventually destroyed by a bomb which fell nearby and killed a number of his neighbours. Bill had to be dug out of rubble by a rescue party and was evacuated to Llangollen.

Sadly, there was more tragedy in store for him when a fellow young evacuee drowned on his first day in the area after falling into the river.

Later in life Bill lived in Scotland where he did up his own house and, along with his wife, became part of a Scottish country dancing team.

Ena Strange was born in Liverpool and brought up in Manchester. She recalled being a sickly child whose family doctor advised her mother to take her to north Wales to “run with the sheep”.

They took a cottage on Sun Bank, just outside Llangollen, which she reckons saved her life.

It’s a good thing she became strong because as a teenager during the war she served as an officer in the National Fire Service dealing with the dreadful aftermath of bombing raids on Salford Docks.

In December Ena is due to celebrate her 100^th birthday.

In the book we also learn the story of 87-year-old Iola Roberts, who was born in Acrefair and became a well-known mainstay of many local organisations including the eisteddfod and the Twenty Club dramatic group.

One of her outstanding early memories is how she began driving at the tender age of nine.

“My grandfather had the undertaker and building business. The men in the business taught me to drive in the yard – in the hearse.”

Jill Lidgit, 85, was born in London and, unusually for those days just, she and a friend hitch-hiked across a Europe that was still recovering from the war.

They ended up in Italy where she recalls seeing Leonardo’s The Last Supper at a gallery in Milan, being lucky enough to get tickets to enjoy a concert by the great soprano Maria Callas, climbing Vesuvius  and joining the crowds in St Peter’s Square to hear the Pope deliver his Easter message.

Many other tales featured in this delightful book are equally enthralling.

* Lockdown Legends, priced at £9.99, is available from Courtyard Books who are currently taking pre-orders for a print run with all proceeds going to the residents’ fund at the Old Vic..

Orders and payments must be made before 2pm on Monday October 19.

The shop will be open from 10am-2pm, or you can contact them on the Courtyard Books Llangollen Facebook page, or on courtyardbooksllangollen@gmail.com 

They are able to post worldwide for an extra postage fee.

County demands urgent support for businesses in local restriction areas

Denbighshire County Council has called on Welsh Government for an urgent update on the £60 million lockdown fund being made available to support businesses in Wales affected by the impact of local restrictions due to covid.  

Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, who is also the Cabinet Lead Member for the Economy has written to Ken Skates, Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales this week, expressing his concern that local authorities have still not received guidance and application forms for this funding which could help businesses in areas affected by local restrictions.

The council has called on Welsh Government to be more innovative in its approach to businesses during lockdown and to extend the exemptions to allow certain businesses to survive, to consider how it can provide practical support and reduce dependency on public funding.   

As a number of Denbighshire businesses are under pressure, the council has also called for a debate on how the economy can survive whilst the battle against covid continues.

Councillor Evans said: “We fully recognise the need for the restrictions in our counties due to the increasing numbers of coronavirus cases and have worked closely with Welsh Government and Public Health Wales to implement the local restrictions.

“However, we have received many messages from businesses who have been severely disrupted by the decision and the funding pot for areas under restriction could assist businesses affected.

“However, for local authorities to implement such funding schemes successfully we need clear guidance issued in a timely manner, together with the date that applications for funding can be made so we can inform and offer support to businesses.

“There is also concern that as the grant is thought to be based on a first come first serve basis, and that the figures being talked about would not cover all those businesses that satisfy the basic eligibility criteria.

“We’re also concerned that businesses who may have issues in completing the application forms will simply miss out because of timing.

“This could be perceived as unfair and unsupportive of all businesses."

Appeal to students by contact tracing team

Students from Denbighshire studying and living outside of the county are asked to provide their college or university addresses if they request or take a Covid test, to ensure contacts are traced as quickly and efficiently as possible.

The TTP team in Denbighshire have been contacting students from the county that have tested positive for coronavirus, with a view to tracing any contacts that may have been in close contact to the individual, only to be informed they are living outside of the county.  The contact tracing needs to be carried out by the local TTP team.

Councillor Mark Young, Cabinet Lead Member for Planning, Public Protection and Safer Communities, said: “The Test, Trace and Protect service in Denbighshire and across North Wales are running efficiently and effectively and they are playing an important role in our efforts to identify who may have come into contact with positive cases.

“The support of residents has been vital of the success of the service to date and we thank people that have already co-operated with our teams. 

“The information people provide needs to be as accurate as it can possibly be but recently we have noticed examples where students studying outside of the region have given their home addresses rather than their college or university address. This means that the case is handed to Denbighshire’s TTP team, only for us then to find out the real address and need to pass on the case to the relevant authority.

“We recognise it’s a real and understandable mistake, but it’s a duplication of efforts which can easily be avoided."

Ysgol Dinas Bran to stage virtual open day

Ysgol Dinas Bran is to stage a virtual open day on Monday October 19.

For further details go to the school's website at: www.dinasbran.co.uk

Tribute to the Rev Charles Stallard who died recently

* This drawing of Charles Stallard is by his granddaughter Carys.

* Charles meets Terry Waite at a Llangollen Eisteddfod gathering. Picture by Mike Connolly. 

The Rev John Charles Stallard, who was well known in Llangollen where he lived for 10 years, died recently at the age of 85 in Llandudno.

The father of the Venerable Mary Stallard and her husband the Rev Andrew Sully, he had moved with his wife Daphne to the seaside town to be near them when they went there two years ago.

While Andrew became the vicar and ministry area leader of Llandudno, Mary, then the new Archdeacon of Bangor, became an associate vicar in Llandudno.  

Charles attended Whitgift School in Croydon and after National Service he read English and Theology at Selwyn College Cambridge. 

It was during his time at University that his vocation to the priesthood was nurtured, and there he also met his future wife Daphne.

After finishing his degree, Charles trained as a teacher before ordination training at Ripon College, Cuddesdon. 

He and Daphne moved to the Diocese of Birmingham where he served curacies in Sutton Coldfield and Hall Green before taking on his first parish at St Bede’s in Brandwood. 

Charles drew on his drama skills as a priest and became known for his plays, sacred and secular, and for the pantomimes which drew all kinds of people into the life of the church. 

He was always keenly involved with ministry to youngsters, he was a scout-leader and wherever he served he made sure there were youth clubs and Sunday schools. 

In the various dioceses in which he worked -  Birmingham, Newcastle and Worcester - in the parishes of St James and St Basil Fenham, St Hilda’s Warley Woods, Droitwich Spa and Pensnett, he used his gifts of liturgy, drama and education to enrich the life of  communities and to draw fellow clerics together at diocesan events.

In Newcastle, Charles had a school ministry as a chaplain and teacher. He served at Dame Allan’s school.

In retirement Charles continued to offer an active ministry, serving in St David’s, St Asaph, the Diocese of Truro (on the Scilly Isles) and latterly in Bangor Diocese. 

He was a lover of words and always read widely, keeping up a keen interest in theology, history, literature and politics throughout his life. 

He wrote throughout his ministry and had a book published of his reflections from the viewpoint of the rectory dachshund.

Bishop John Stewart Davies, former Bishop of St Asaph, wrote of him: “He seemed to me to possess all the best virtues of an old school parish priest - prayerfulness, intelligence, kindness, dedication. accessibility, that rare quality of 'stabilitas', and much much more. 

"I considered it a privilege to have him in the diocese and was always glad to see him. He came across as ever cheerful and attentive."

Charles had three children, Mary, Andrew and John, and four grandchildren - Mary's daughters Jo and Carys, and also Harry and George.

Mary said: "Dad loved the time that he and Mum spent in Llangollen. 

"They were so happy in the town and Dad loved being an active part of the community. 

"He had many friends in the town and enjoyed continuing to serve in the Church, taking part in Rotary Club meetings, visiting some of the residential homes, being part of various drama societies and volunteering at the Eisteddfod. 

"The family are all so grateful for the many messages of sympathy and shared memories of him that we have received.

"He and Mum both moved to Llandudno two years ago when Andrew and I moved. They came to be near us." 

Old Vicarage finds local distributor for its book

* Bill Gosson, 90, with the book Lockdown Legends. 

Courtyard Books in Llangollen has come to the aid of residents at The Old Vicarage care home after an overwhelming response to their book Lockdown Legends.

Sian from Courtyard books has said that they will be taking pre-orders for a print run, the book will be £9.99 and any proceeds will go to the residents' fund. Orders and payments must be made before 2pm on Monday October 19.

The shop will be open from 10am-2pm, or you can contact them on the Courtyard Books Llangollen Facebook page, or on courtyardbooksllangollen@gmail.com

They are able to post worldwide for an extra postage fee.

Latest coronavirus update from Welsh Government

Latest coronavirus update from the Welsh Government - dated yesterday - is: 

• Businesses across Wales can now find out if they can apply for funding from the third phase of the Economic Resilience Fund (ERF).

• Economy Minister Ken Skates announced the new phase of the fund last week which will see an additional £140 million being made available to businesses.
• The eligibility checker will enable businesses to see if they can access the £80 million tranche of the fund which will support firms with projects that can help them transition to the economy of tomorrow. It will require co-investment from companies and a clear plan about how they will adjust to the post-covid economy.
• More information: https://gov.wales/economic-resilience-fund-find-out-if-your-business-eligible-support-third-phase
• Eligibility checker: https://fundchecker.businesswales.gov.wales/erfphase3?_ga=2.21145278.420969385.1601908497-1590441122.1572622477

• Health Minister Vaughan Gething is urging everyone in Wales to help protect vital NHS services over the winter months by using the right service for their needs.

• Welsh health boards are reporting around 20% to 30% of people who present at emergency departments could be better treated elsewhere or in a different way.
• As part of the Protect the NHS campaign people are being asked to use the online symptom checker on the NHS 111 Wales website or call 111 for advice on where to go to get the right treatment.
• More information at: https://gov.wales/now-more-ever-we-need-people-think-carefully-about-where-seek-advice-avoid-extra-pressure-nhs

• Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services Julie Morgan has published an update about the Welsh Government’s care homes action plan and an independent rapid review undertaken by Professor John Bolton https://gov.wales/written-statement-care-homes-action-plan-update

• Rapid review: https://gov.wales/rapid-review-care-homes-relation-covid-19

 

Coronavirus in numbers

• The latest figures published by Public Health Wales today show there have been 752 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 27,624 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wales since the start of the pandemic.

• Sadly, there were three more deaths reported by Public Health Wales today. The total number of deaths reported by Public Health Wales is 1,643.
• These figures are updated daily at: https://public.tableau.com/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection#!/vizhome/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary 

Where to find the latest information

• Information about local restrictions in Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly borough, Cardiff, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Llanelli, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea, Torfaen and Vale of Glamorgan and Wrexham areas: https://gov.wales/local-lockdown  

• Public Health Wales provides a daily update about the number of cases of coronavirus in Wales. It is available at: https://covid19-phwstatement.nhs.wales/
• Information about coronavirus is available on the Welsh Government’s website at https://gov.wales/coronavirus and https://llyw.cymru/coronafeirws
• Information about support for businesses is available at 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 regular media briefing about coronavirus. These are on-the-record, on-camera and supported by a BSL translator.

• From Monday October 5, these will be held at 12.15pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and live-streamed on our @WelshGovernment Twitter channel.
• Dr Frank Atherton, Wales’ chief medical officer held today’s press conference. You can watch again at: https://twitter.com/WelshGovernment/status/1313799645387055104

Major changes take place on Llangollen Railway board

Major changes have taken place on the board of Llangollen Railway, which is currently closed for the second time due to government coronavirus restrictions.

A press release issued by Llangollen Railway Trust Ltd in the name of director Bob Gordon says: "The Llangollen Railway regrets to announce the resignation of the chairman Liz McGuinness from the board of LRT (Llangollen Railway Trust) and LR (Llangollen Railway) plc.

"Her fellow elected directors Hugh Shipton and Quentin McGuinness and two co-opted members, Robin Matthews and Rhys Williams, have also resigned.

"The sole remaining elected director is Bob Gordon who is presently endeavouring to co-opt new directors for both boards to be in place within the next few days pending the forthcoming AGM.

"The resignations arise from major differences of opinion with the Board’s heritage policy as being applied to the Corwen project.

"Bob Gordon immediately set about reassuring the Corwen project team regarding support for completing the new station as planned with work to start on the building of the platform, waiting room and toilets.

"He said, 'The need is to get the station finished and ready to receive passengers during 2021 with appropriate shelter to hand on the platform. This aim is dependent on this winter’s weather and, of course, any continuing impact of Covid 19 on the volunteer workforce.'

"Supporting these comments, the Railway’s President, Bill Shakespeare MBE, said, 'I am full of admiration for the way in which the Corwen Project team have tackled the creation of the new station and feel they should be allowed to continue the completion of the project with the building of the waiting room.

"We need to overcome this current difficulty and continue the progress towards an opening through to Corwen as soon as resources allow.

"I have always thought that Llangollen Railway is a broad church and can accommodate all shades of opinion.”

Llangollen Railway spokesman George Jones said: "Co-opted members have now formed a new board which has had its first meeting. 

"The board members have experience and long-term commitment to Llangollen Railway."

Abbey Dingle Care Home to hold coffee morning for Macmillan

* Abbey Dingle residents Wynn Hughes and Esther Whittall with some of the raffle prizes.

Abbey Dingle Care Home in Llangollen is holding a coffee morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support tomorrow (Friday) at 3pm.

Due to Covid restrictions they cannot invite anyone from outside the home to join them but you can take part by making a donation and staff will purchase a raffle ticket on your behalf.

Home owner Carol Mascarenhas said: "We have a lovely Christmas pamper hamper with prosecco, two Christmas wine glasses, pomegranate and fig toiletries, a Christmas box of Toffifee, a stag cushion and a red fleece throw, all in a decorated Christmas box.

"Families have donated prizes and we say a big thank you for this. We are very sorry they are unable to join us. Thank you for your support.

"All our residents are looking forward to having a lovely afternoon and supporting such a good cause. There will be home made cakes , a bric a brac stall and the raffle. Teas and coffees of course.

Stick to local restrictions says county council

Denbighshire County Council is reminding residents to continue to follow local restrictions and to follow stringent hygiene and social distancing measures in the efforts to reduce the number of covid cases.

Last Thursday, local restrictions were introduced in Denbighshire, Conwy, Flintshire and Wrexham.  

The restrictions will mean that residents will not be able to travel out of the county in which they live without a reasonable excuse, such as travel for work or education. 

People will only be able to meet people they do not live with outdoors for the time being. They will not be able to form, or be in, extended households  - sometimes called a “bubble”.

The council says residents should also remember about adhering to social distancing measures of two metres, ensuring they wear face marks to visit shops and to travel on public transport and follow stringent hygiene measures.

It is also reminding young people to continue to social distance. Last month the council launched a campaign to ask young people to #keepyourdistance and that campaign has been supported by organisations across North Wales.

Councillor Mark Young, Cabinet Lead Member for Planning, Public Protection and Safer Communities, said: “We really need to carry on with our efforts to try and reduce the spread of coronavirus from escalating in our county. We firmly believe that the restrictions are completely necessary in the fight to halt the increase in the number of cases in our county.

“We fully recognise and understand that this will prove difficult for some residents and that they are making a sacrifice again, but compliance is essential and we really need to do this to try and protect our most vulnerable in our communities.

“We are working closely with our partners to try and keep the public health messages in the public eye and using local media, social media and websites to get the messages across.  It’s only Denbighshire residents that can make the sacrifices to protect Denbighshire communities." 

Residents are also asked to remember to stick to existing guidance, which includes:

• Staying at home if you have Coronavirus symptoms and request a test immediately.
• Working from home wherever you can.
• Avoiding car-sharing.
• Those over 11 must wear a face-mask in indoor public spaces and on public transport.
• Covering your mouth whenever you sneeze or cough.
• Keeping your hands clean.
• Hospitality businesses in Wales have to close by 10pm, with table service only, and off-licences and supermarkets having to stop selling alcohol from 10pm.

* Further information is available at: www.gov.wales

Traffic plan is "waste of money" claims opponents' spokesperson

Castle Street traders continue to be angry that plans to ban all "pop-and-shop" parking and deliveries unloading are to go ahead later this month.

That's the claim of former Chamber of  Tourism and Trade chairman David Davies acting as a spokesperson for those opposed the moves.

The plans approved by Denbighshire County Council (DCC) are part of a package of changes designed to allow for more active travel  - walking and cycling - and Covid-19 social distancing of two metres between people.

They will be applied using temporary traffic orders within weeks.

Mr Davies said: "The plans were put out to public consultation for only two weeks in July and attracted just 91 respondents.   

"According to DCC, this included 25 businesses in Castle Street who objected to the plan and 66 other responses from local residents and visitors of whom 59 were in favour of the plans.

"Census figures suggest around 4,000 people are in the Llangollen, Llantysilio and Berwyn area who could be described as local, out of which 91 responded to the survey - that's  2.3%. Of those 91 some 65% (59 persons) voted in favour.

"Continuing the maths -  those in favour of the plans were 65% of 2.3% which is only 1.5% of the total local population.     

"Thus 98.5% did not respond or objected, yet DCC still plans to go ahead with their scheme. How such a decision can therefore be promoted as a 'huge thumbs up' to the plan remains an unanswered question."

He added: "It seems unbelievable that DCC is misusing and wasting taxpayers' money closing Castle Street to pop-and-shoppers when they and government are trying to encourage buy local shopping.

"Traders are concerned that the plans, 'by coincidence,' are the same as one of the main objectives of the 2020 Group to permanently ban all parking in Castle Street.

"With a number of questions to DCC still outstanding and their refusal to respond, an objection has been lodged with DCC for the scrutiny panel to review the decision.

"This must take full account of the traders; objections, trading conditions, current footfall and the true level of response from the local population.   

"I am also calling on DCC to publish details of the planned footpath, cycle-way and road widths to meet social distancing and road traffic requirements."

Officers out policing latest lockdown measures

During the first weekend since local restrictions were imposed in the counties of Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham, patrols by North Wales Police continued.

Licensed premises were visited and officers undertook targeted vehicle stops across the four counties to ensure those who were travelling had legitimate reasons to do so.

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Nigel Harrison from North Wales Police said: “We’d like to take this opportunity to thank the vast majority of residents in Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham for listening to Government advice by staying within their counties.

“Most are fully supportive of the restrictions and understand the importance of why they have been imposed.

“However, disappointingly we had cause to speak to some individuals who had ignored the restrictions and who had travelled into parts of north Wales that is under local lockdown. 

"This included officers having to disperse an off road event involving 4x4 vehicles in Llwyneinion Woods in Rhos, Wrexham on Sunday. The landowner has been reported for Covid 19 offences.

“People should not think of ways of circumventing the law, this is about making sure loved ones don’t die because of a few selfish actions, and the police should not be needed to reinforce common sense.

“The restrictions are necessary to fight Covid-19 and we all have a personal responsibility to comply to protect ourselves and our loved ones from this deadly virus.

“Throughout the pandemic we’ve been working with our local authority partners to ensure that measures are in place to help communities and prevent the spread of COVID - 19. This will continue as we respond to the current situation.

“Teams continue to be out and about and will continue to engage with people, establish their individual circumstances and will continue to explain the risks and warn of the consequences of failing to comply with the guidance.

“The demand on North Wales Police has returned to pre-Covid level. As a result, it is essential that people comply with the restrictions to reduce the number of breaches which officers have to respond to. 

"We need people to recognise that wilfully flouting the guidance places unnecessary strain on already stretched resources, and ultimately endangers those people who may need the Emergency Services in their hour of need. 

“We all have a shared responsibility to protect the NHS, please use your common sense and help us together to save lives.”

* Further information regarding the restrictions are available via the Welsh Government’s website.

New name board is a sign of the good times for Corwen station project

Llangollen Railway's Corwen station project has received a new name board (pictured) on the eastern end of the platform.

The substantial piece of joinery was lifted into position by volunteers after it was delivered to the site.

Sponsored by rilway enthusiasts' group the Foxcote Manor Society the double-sided name board was constructed by Llangollen Railway member Graham Hoyland[

As a traditional form of station running-on board, it will announce to train passengers their arrival at Corwen and can now be seen as a prominent fixture on the platform, adding to the heritage features already in place.

It can be readily appreciated by walkers across Corwen Common and its erection was a big boost for the project volunteers.

Running-in boards are no longer a feature of stations on the national rail network having been superseded these days by on-train announcements. 

A similar board was unveiled in the Corwen town car park back in December 2011 as a statement of the railway’s intention to return to the adjacent embankment.

It has taken rather longer than originally envisaged, but that board remains in-situ as a local feature announcing to road users where they have arrived.

Traffic changes in town centre to start this month, says council

* Social distancing work on the town centre will goa head in 

mid-October, according to the county council.

The county council says it will implement its plans to allow better social distancing in Llangollen town centre by the middle of this month.

The Active Travel schemes approved for this town and other in Denbighshire were given the go-head by county councillors at the end of August.

But there had been speculation about a hold-up as work has not yet started in Llangollen.

However, in answer to a question from llanblogger about this, a spokesperson for Denbighshire County Council said: “The proposed scheme is scheduled to go ahead as planned with works commencing on site in mid-October.”

Locally, the work will mean: 

* The creation of more space for social distancing by widening the pavements along Castle Street and on Abbey Road at the junction with Castle Street by the removal of parking and the use of ‘lane defenders’ to create safe areas for pedestrians and cyclists.

*  Creating a ‘one-way’ street on the first section of Market Street as it leaves Market Street. The one-way section would only allow traffic to enter Market Street from Castle Street. Vehicles wishing to enter Castle Street from Market Street will follow the route via East Street and Parade Street.   

*  The closure of the link road between Hall Street and Berwyn Street (A5)

*     Reversing the direction of flow of vehicles on Church Street

*   Support cafes, pubs and restaurants to introduce outside seating

The council has said that the changes will be made by a temporary traffic order for up to 18 months and that their effect  be closely monitored as they are introduced.

Detailing the plan in August, Lllangollen county councillor Graham Timms said: "The results of the formal consultation showed huge support for the introduction of these measures. 

"It has been clear to residents over the last few weeks that social distancing in the town has been almost impossible to achieve. 

"The narrow pavements and the huge increase in the number of visitors since the lockdown ended has created a very difficult situation. Many residents have avoided the town centre because they do not feel safe on crowded streets in the middle of the day.

“Both Cllr Melvyn Mile (the other local county councillor) and I were strongly in favour of the introduction of these measures. We believe that they are essential to enable residents and visitors to feel safe in the town centre.

“Denbighshire’s formal consultation through the County Conversation website gave a huge ‘thumbs-up’ for the proposals with nearly 83% of those that responded ‘strongly agreeing’ and a further 12% ‘somewhat agreeing’ with the proposals. Only 5% of the replies were negative."

He added: “The reversal of the one-way traffic flow on Church Street should result in a significant change in the number of vehicles using this route as a 'short cut', particularly at the times just before and just after the school day. This will lead to a much safer route to school for children and their parents who walk and cycle to and from school along this very narrow road.

“The closure of the road between Berwyn Street and Hall Street that passes between Stan’s garage and the M’eating Place will help to make this area safer for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.

“Some businesses expressed their concerns over the loss of ‘pop and shop’ parking and the lack of loading bays by signing a ‘template’ letter which was sent to the council separately. I believe that it is important to address these important concerns.

"The ‘loading bay’ issue has been addressed by providing a bay on the Market Street and Castle Street junction. On the provision of short stay parking, Mel Mile and I have been pressing the council to give free parking in all car parks for 30 minutes to allow ‘pop and shop’ visits for those on the outskirts of the town. 

"The county responded with two hours free parking in East Street Car Park. Other towns in Denbighshire will also get a similar concessions. 

"We don’t think that this meets the needs of Llangollen and so we will continue to press the case for a ‘free half-hour’ in all our car parks to encourage local shopping in the town centre.

“It is vitally important that local residents and businesses pull together to create a town centre that is vibrant and safe for everyone in these very difficult times."

But there was opposition to the plan from the former chair of Llangollen Chamber of Trade and Tourism, David Davies, who claimed banning parking in Castle Street is a waste of money and will have a “negative, deadening effect” on the town centre.

He said: “Castle Street businesses are angered to see that the county council is proceed with the traffic order banning all parking and deliveries in the street on the pretence of Covid-19 social distancing and active travel reasons.

“Twenty-eight businesses - 80% of all operating businesses in the street - individually signed letters of objection to DCC."