Free schools meals for holidays pledged by Welsh Government

* Marcus Rashford.

The Welsh Government has guaranteed free school meal provision for all school holidays up to and including Easter 2021, thanks to £11m confirmed today by Education Minister Kirsty Williams.

The move has been backed by Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford saying he welcomed ‘the Welsh Government's swift response to this urgent need in protecting the most vulnerable children across the country.’

Making the announcement ahead of the October half term through a video released on her Twitter channel, the Minister said she hoped the confirmation would provide ‘some reassurance in these times of uncertainty’. 

The Minister also confirmed that more than £700k had also been allocated to support colleges with the equivalent provision for eligible learners.

Speaking today, the Minister said: “We have worked tirelessly this year to respond to the coronavirus pandemic and the countless challenges it has presented but we have not, and will not, forget those for who school is about far more than education.

“I am pleased to confirm that we have today made £11m available to provide free school meal provisions over every school holiday up to and including Easter 2021.

“I really hope this provides some reassurance in these times of uncertainty.”

Marcus Rashford MBE added: "Holiday provision is vital to stabilising households during the school closures, given the devastating effects of COVID-19.

“Having this framework in place for the foreseeable future will have a significantly positive impact on children who are struggling to engage in learning due to anxiety and fear, not to mention the noise of their rumbling stomachs.

“No child in 2020 should be sat in a classroom worried about how they are going to access food during the holidays, and the impact that will have on their parents when matched with unemployment, ill health and, in some cases, personal loss.

“There is still so much more work to be done to protect this next generation but I welcome the Welsh Government's swift response to this urgent need in protecting the most vulnerable children across the country. Our children and their welfare should never not be the priority."

Ensuring the continuation of free school meal provision has been a key priority for the Welsh Government as it has responded to the coronavirus pandemic - it had already allocated £41.7m before today’s announcement bringing the total now to £52.7m.

When the Minister announced she would close schools on Wednesday, March 18 she quickly confirmed that £7 million would be made available to local authorities to put in place measures to ensure that children eligible for free school meals would continue to benefit from this scheme.

Then on April 22 Wales became the first country in the UK to guarantee ongoing funding for children to continue to benefit from free school meal provision up to and including the end of the summer holidays

On September 20, after schools had reopened, the Minister confirmed at least £420,000 had been made available to ensure all pupils entitled to free school meals would continue to receive provisions if they were shielding or had to self-isolate.

County council repeats #Keepyourdistance message

Denbighshire County Council is reminding residents of the importance of social distancing, to help the fight against covid-19.

The county is preparing to enter the third week of local restrictions, and the council says that whilst the vast majority of Denbighshire residents have been adhering to social distancing guidelines, now is the time to keep up the good work and encourage everyone to continue to follow the health and hygiene guidelines.

The council, working with its partners across North Wales, has been running its #keepyourdistance campaign over recent weeks, with messages being shared on social media, in the press and in communities.  

Many organisations across North Wales have supported the campaign by sharing the information, to reach as wide an audience as possible.

Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of Denbighshire County Council, who are co-ordinating the campaign, said: “We are proud of the efforts of communities in Denbighshire. They have really played their part in trying to stop the spread of covid-19 across our region but we are asking everyone to step up and think about the health and well-being of friends, family and the wider community.

“It’s more important now than ever to continue to social distance. We have been seeing increases in the number of cases across Wales and we are concerned that the position will continue to escalate unless we all play our part and follow the stringent social distancing and hygiene measures.

“We have seen anecdotal evidence of people not social distancing. This is an issue facing all areas of Wales and all we can do is continue to remind people of the social distancing regulations and hope they take notice.

“Our #Keepyourdistance campaign has been gathering momentum, with organisations and individuals sharing the messages on social media.  

"We thank people for their support and hope that people take notice of the message.  We must continue in our efforts to try and halt the increase in the cases in Denbighshire."

Local MP explains his voting position on Agriculture Bill

Clwyd South Conservative MP Simon Baynes explains why he voted the way he did on the Agriculture Bill earlier this week.

"Recently, a number of constituents have contacted me with concerns about the recent vote on the Agriculture Bill. I have responded to each one, but I also want to share my thoughts publicly, so that people can make up their own minds about the Bill. 

"In short, the quality of food imported into the UK cannot and will not change as a result of the Agriculture Bill. 

"The purpose of the Bill is to set agricultural policy in England only, with agriculture policy in Wales being the responsibility of the Welsh Government in Cardiff Bay. 

"Food from abroad comes in through specific bilateral trade deals. And I will never vote for a deal that allows produce into our country which undercuts our Clwyd South farmers and food producers.

"This means that our food standards, healthcare standards and all other standards cannot be undercut by any trade deal we make with any other nation. Domestic standards can only be changed by a vote in Parliament, which neither I nor the Conservative Party will not vote in favour of or support. 

"For example, chlorinated chicken and hormone injected beef are already illegal to import – and to produce – in this country and will always remain so unless a new law is introduced in Parliament – which neither I nor my colleagues will ever vote in favour of.

"The UK Government has listened to concerns from farmers and those working in the agricultural community. This has resulted in the establishment of an independent Trade Standards Committee will ensure that trade deals are independently scrutinised. 

"As an MP, I have many opportunities to raise concerns about trade deals on behalf of constituents with Government Ministers. Time and time again, Ministers have said on record that they will not lower standards in any trade deals and I remain confident that this will continue to be the case.

"Again, it would take a separate vote in Parliament to lower any food standards and I will not vote in favour of it. 

"I speak regularly with people in the agricultural community, both across Clwyd South and in the rest of North Wales, all of whom are proud of the goods they produce and are looking forward to exporting our high-quality produce across the world. 

"I will continue to fight in Parliament for our farmers and food producers and will not support any measure that lowers our food standards or harms the livelihoods of our farmers."

Wales introduces inward travel ban from Friday

* Now with comments at foot of story from Clwyd South MS Ken Skates

* First Minister Mark Drakeford.

The BBC is reporting this afternoon that people from parts of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland that have high rates of coronavirus will be banned from travelling to Wales from Friday.

Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford said the move was needed "to prevent the spread of infection within Wales" and elsewhere in the UK. 

It follows a row with the prime minister over whether parts of England should have travel restrictions. 

Mr Drakeford had written twice in recent weeks to Boris Johnson asking for travel to be restricted in and out of areas with high levels of transmission in England. 

The UK government has refused to do so, instead asking people in the worst affected areas to avoid non-essential travel.

Mr Drakeford said he had had no "formal response" from the prime minister.

He said: "Evidence from public health professionals suggests coronavirus is moving from east to west across the UK and across Wales. 

"As a general rule, it is concentrating in urban areas and then spreading to more sparsely populated areas as a result of people travelling." 

The rules will come into force on Friday at 18:00 BST.

Local Member of the Senedd has welcomed action by the Welsh Government to stop people from areas with high coronavirus infection rates elsewhere in the UK from travelling to Wales. 

Clwyd South MS Ken Skates said: “I have received a number of emails and calls from constituents who are rightly frustrated that while they are continuing to make sacrifices to keep Wales safe people from parts of England with much higher infection rates have been able to travel over the border into North Wales. 

“People in Llangollen have reported their concerns to me about this since the temporary restrictions were introduced in Denbighshire. 

"The First Minister has repeatedly called on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to follow Wales’ lead by introducing urgent travel restrictions in English areas with high infection rates – which was echoed this week by the Plaid Cymru Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales. Sadly, the Prime Minister has repeatedly refused to take action despite increasing calls from neighbouring English councils for similar measures. 

“This could have been dealt with much earlier by the UK Government taking responsibility rather than delaying matters by forcing the Welsh Government to undertake complex legal discussions. I am glad the First Minister has continued to prioritise the safety of the people of Wales and I’m sure many others will welcome this decisive action.” 

Town centre "Active Travel" work to start on November 2, says county

* Castle Street parking will be suspended by the Active Travel scheme.

Work will begin to help social distancing and make it easier to travel around the town on Monday November 2, says Denbighshire County Council.

The long-awaited start date is officially given in a letter due to be sent out to residents in the affected areas soon, according to one of the area's two county councillors Graham Timms.  

The letter, which has been shown to llanblogger in advance of its release, says: "The proposed works, which will be introduced on a trial basis, for up to 18 months, include reversing the one-way restriction on Church Street from an easterly movement to a westerly movement between its junction with Chapel Street and its junction with Regent Street, with the purpose being to reduce instances of ‘rat running’ and to provide improved access to schools and the town centre for pedestrians and cyclists.

"Further measures include the introduction of a widened pedestrian area on the eastern side of Castle Street between its junction with Bridge Street and its junction with Regent Street. 

"This will be achieved with the introduction of bolt down kerbing and will provide enhanced facilities for people to social distance and travel actively. In order to facilitate this, on-street parking will be suspended on Castle Street for the duration of the trial period.

"A one-way restriction will also be introduced on Market Street between its junction with Castle Street and its junction with East Street. Vehicles will be allowed to enter Market Street from Castle Street and proceed in a westerly direction. The purpose of this restriction is to provide an additional loading bay, for use by businesses, along the north side of Market Street."

Cllr Timms explained: "This is the letter going out imminently to residents in the areas where changes will happen for the covid scheme.

"Work is being carried out during the week after the school half term holidays, beginning on the 2^nd November.

“During the late summer Llangollen had an unprecedented number of visitors after some of the covid-19 restrictions were lifted. Our narrow pavements in the town centre made social distancing impossible. Many residents told me that they would not even visit the town centre because of the overcrowded streets that made them feel unsafe.

“Whilst I understand that some businesses are concerned about the loss of some on-street parking, we have to ensure that everyone feels safe.

“The current local lockdown is creating very difficult conditions for traders and we need to give them all the support that they deserve. These new changes will enable residents and visitors to feel safer and encourage them to visit the town centre again."

He added: "In 2018 Castle Street had a pedestrian footfall of over a million, with a peak of nearly 140,000 in August. That’s even higher than Prestatyn and only slightly lower than Rhyl, which has a population nearly eight times the size of Llangollen.

“We need to make sure that our town remains vibrant and holds its place as the 'jewel in the crown' of its beautiful setting in the Dee valley. It needs to continue to be a major tourist destination as well as being a great place for those that live here too.

“Wider pavements will give more space for everyone and help to create a more relaxed atmosphere. Similar schemes elsewhere have shown that giving a higher priority to pedestrians makes people spend more time (and money) in town centres. It helps to create a more pleasant atmosphere and makes a return visit more likely."

The Active Travel scheme has been made possible because Denbighshire County Council has successfully acquired grant funding from Welsh Government as part of Local Sustainable Transport COVID Response Fund 2020-21. 

The letter to residents will be conducted by Gelli Civil Engineering and it goes on to give contact details for officials in charge of carrying it out.

Police appeal over damage to Llan Railway train, says report

Below: Some of the railway's own pictures of the damage to the train.

Wrexham.com is reporting today that police are appealing for information after the windows of a train in Llangollen were smashed.

The story says: "The offender/s also pulled up seats and tables in the carriages and left empty bottles of alcohol inside the train.

"The train was just outside of the Llangollen station.

"It is thought the incident took place sometime between Friday afternoon and yesterday.

"Anyone with any information is urged to contact police on 101 quoting reference number Y150557"

The force tweeted on its Denbigh Rural page: "Did you see anyone damaging a train in Llangollen sometime between Friday afternoon and yesterday, while the train was just outside the station?

"The offender/s smashed windows, pulled up seats and tables and left empty bottles of alcohol."

Llangollen Railway has just posted pictures of the damage on its Facebook page.

And the post says: "We are devastated at the awful damage that has been done to our beautiful carriages."

Police boss blasts Boris over refusal to ban people from Covid hotspots

 

* North Wales PCC Arfon Jones.

A police boss has blasted “irresponsible and reckless” Boris Johnson for refusing to ban people from Covid hotspots travelling into Wales and potentially bringing the virus with them.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones is furious that the UK Prime Minster had dismissed the request to ban people from travelling from areas of England with high infection rates

Mr Jones spoke out after Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford threatened a travel ban if Mr Johnson does not impose his own.

He said he was giving UK ministers "one final opportunity" before he makes changes in Welsh law.

The UK government announced on Monday that it will advise against non-essential travel from Merseyside.

But it stopped short of making it illegal, angering Welsh ministers and the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner.

Mr Jones said: “The Prime Minister is once again behaving irresponsibly and recklessly in allowing people from Covid hotspots to potentially import and spread the virus here in North Wales.

“He displayed his trademark arrogance in dismissing a perfectly reasonable question from Liz Saville Roberts, the MP for Meirionnydd Dwyfor, when she raised the issue during Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons.

Speaking on the Jason Mohammed show on Radio Wales, Mr Jones added: “The First Minister seems to be extremely frustrated with the Boris Johnson. I think what is being asked for is perfectly reasonable.

“People who live in Conwy cannot leave the county, but people from hotspots like Liverpool, Manchester and Nottingham can travel into Conwy and spend time there.

“The only thing the Prime Minster has said is that they’re advised not to, but there is nothing to stop them from going. So, I do share the First Minister’s frustration on this.

“Policing is between a rock and a hard place on this issue. It is right in principle to do what Mr Drakeford and Mr Gething are suggesting, but it is very difficult for police to enforce it, even though we’ve had more money to enforce Covid regulations.

“But if the Welsh Government do ban people from crossing the border into Wales from England, we will do our best, along with our partners in local authorities and health to enforce the regulations.  

“We’d need to look at how we would enforce these rules and have a conversation with our four chief constables here in Wales.

“I can’t see us lining the border with patrol cars because none of the police forces in Wales have the resources to do that.

“The demand now is as high as it was before the first Covid lockdown. We will try to encourage and educate but if that doesn’t work, we will enforce.

“I think there will be a lower tolerance level because people do know what the rules and regulations are by now. So, there will be much less leeway for people who deliberately break the rules.

“I think there is an ideological difference between the devolved government and Westminster. It’s the health vs wealth argument.

“Obviously, Westminster is concerned about the economy as we all are, but I think the devolved nations want to put public health ahead.”

Author's new spy thriller is set in Llangollen

A WREXHAM-born author has set his second book in the landscape of Llangollen.

Murder in the Welsh Hills by Vic Evans is set in the majestic mountains of North Wales where retired MI5 agent Huw Cecil is reluctantly drawn back into a world of espionage and murder.

While visiting his childhood home of Llangollen, Cecil becomes embroiled in a dangerous mission to obtain top-secret information that could lead to the total collapse of the NATO Alliance. But when his Russian contact is brutally killed, Huw knows that he is the next target.

In a deadly game of cat and mouse, with no one left to trust, Cecil enlists the help of Lottie Williams-Parry, a local woman who is struggling to overcome her own dark secrets, and together they take on dark forces and evil assassins in a bid to outwit their enemies and expose the shocking truth.

Vic Evans was born in Wrexham and grew up in the town and on his aunt’s hill farm.

Having worked in the aircraft industry and in engineering for twenty-nine years and taught in secondary schools for a further twenty years, Vic turned his hand to writing fiction.

His first novel, Miriam, was inspired by his own family history as well as by the recollections of Wrexham men who fought in the Spanish Civil War.

Murder in the Welsh Hills, his second novel, is a tense and gripping political thriller set in the rugged landscape of Llangollen.

Vic now lives on the Kent coast and he has three children and four grandchildren.

* Publisher: Headline Publishing Group 
ISBN: 9781786156907 
Number of pages: 192 

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.