County's reminder of Covid guidance for seasonal events

Organisers of Christmas events are being reminded by the county council to take extra precautions due to coronavirus restrictions.

Under Welsh Government guidance, Christmas activities such as winter wonderlands, light shows, reindeer trails and other similar activities are highly likely to constitute an event under coronavirus restrictions.

Following restrictions brought in on December 4, the sale and consumption of alcohol is restricted, and organised activities should not include alcohol.

For an event wholly or mainly indoors, no person may be involved in organising an event at which more than 15 people are in attendance, excluding those under the age of 11 or those working or providing voluntary services at the event.

For outdoor events, no more than 30 people may be in attendance excluding those under 11 or those working or providing voluntary services at the event.

However, exceptions include the showing of a film, a market including Christmas markets, a religious service and a sporting event at which only elite athletes are competing.

Cllr Mark Young, Denbighshire County Council’s Lead Member for Planning, Public Protection and Safer Communities, said: “Following a difficult year many people are looking forward to the festive period. To ensure the safety of our communities and to stop the spread of coronavirus it is important that those organising or attending events this Christmas are aware of the guidance.

“Anyone planning to organise an event will need to consider and plan very carefully especially in relation to how numbers will be managed to ensure that they do not exceed the maximum number of attendees at any time.

“It is important to remind organisers that it is your responsibility to ensure that your event is safe and within current covid-19 guidelines.

“We want residents in Denbighshire to enjoy Christmas this year but it is vital they do so in a safe and responsible way by following the guidance, practicing good hygiene and following social distancing rules.”

Anyone organising an event will be required to undertake a risk assessment and take reasonable measures to minimise the risk of exposure to coronavirus, including taking all reasonable measures to ensure a 2m distance is kept between persons not of the same household and not to sell or supply alcohol at the event.

Christmas markets are not treated as events for the purposes of the regulations, but those organising a Christmas market must take all reasonable measures to minimise the risk of exposure to and prevent the spread of coronavirus.

If a Santa’s grotto is part of a number of separate attractions, it is highly likely the rules on events will apply.

Anyone attending or organising an event this festive period is asked to visit the Welsh Government guidance at https://gov.wales/guidance-for-tourism-and-hospitality-businesses-coronavirus-html#section-56295

Denbighshire County Council’s notification process is designed to make it easier for you to contact officers directly when organising an event.

In the current circumstances, please ensure that you have read Welsh Government guidance before making an event submission via http://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/leisure-and-tourism/forms/events-notification-form.aspx

All captive birds to be kept indoors, advises county council

According to Denbighshire County Council, following incidents of avian flu in wild birds in Wales, anyone who keeps poultry or other captive birds must house them indoors from Monday, December 14 and keep a close watch on them for any signs of disease.

This follows the introduction of an All Wales Avian Influenza Prevention Zone in November and is in line with action to prevent the further spread of the disease across the UK.

This requirement to house birds indoors applies to birds kept as pets as well as those for commercial use.

Housing birds indoors will not reduce the risk of disease if it is not combined with the most stringent biosecurity practices. 

As such, all keepers are advised to conduct a self-assessment of their biosecurity measures. 

This will provide keepers with the evidence needed to ensure they have done all they can to meet the Prevention Zone requirements.

* You can find out about the biosecurity measures you should be taking here https://gov.wales/avian-influenza

If you have any concerns about your birds please contact your vet for advice.

Covid-19 vaccine to be rolled out across Wales from today

The first COVID-19 vaccine is being rolled-out across Wales from today (Tuesday), the Welsh Government has confirmed.

Wales was the first country in the world to receive supplies of the vaccine last week, and has today become one of the first to begin protecting people against coronavirus.

The Welsh Government and NHS have been preparing for today since June.

The start of the vaccination programme comes just days after the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved the first Covid-19 vaccine for use in the UK, confirming its safety and effectiveness for mass vaccination centre use, based on a detailed independent expert review of the results of largescale clinical trials.

Some 40 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be available across the UK, with Wales getting its allocation based on its population. In the first wave of vaccine deliveries, Wales will receive almost 40,000 doses, enough for nearly 20,000 people.

All health boards will start administering vaccines to care home staff, those over 80 years and frontline health and social care workers most at risk – over 6000 doses will be given by the end of this week.

Despite the specific storage and preparation challenges posed by the vaccine, work continues to ensure a safe deployment of effective vaccine to care home residents.

First Minister Mark Drakeford, said: “Last week, Wales was the first country in the world to receive supplies of the COVID-19 vaccine. Today, I’m very proud Wales has become one of the first countries in the world to begin the roll-out of the vaccine to its population.

“2020 has been a very difficult year for all of us. This vaccine is a small glimmer of light at the end of what has been a long and dark tunnel.

“But the fact we have a vaccine does not mean we can stop doing those things that keep us safe. We must all continue to do our bit to prevent the spread of coronavirus: regular hand washing, social distancing, and wearing a face covering where required to protect yourself and others.”

Health Minister Vaughan Gething said: “Vaccines can take many years, even decades, to develop. The fact that a safe and effective vaccine has been developed in less than year is a remarkable tribute to all scientists and researchers around the world who have worked so hard to find a vaccine for COVID-19.

“We have been working really hard to plan for its arrival. Today, the first people in Wales will receive the vaccine. This is the positive news we have all been waiting for.

“We will now do everything we can to ensure we successfully deliver the COVID-19 vaccine across Wales in the days, weeks and months ahead.”

SM impressed by progress of new Corwen station

* Mark Isherwood SM, left, with project leader Richard Dixon-Gough at the new Corwen station.

The Covid-19 pandemic has not prevented progress on an "exciting" Denbighshire rail project which is on track to be completed next year, according to North Wales Senedd Member Mark Isherwood.

Mr Isherwood has supported Llangollen Railway’s Corwen Station Project from the start and followed progress with regular visits.

On Friday he made his latest visit and was impressed by all that has been achieved since he was last there in February.

He said: “I always enjoy my visits to Llangollen Railway’s Corwen Station Project and each time I am amazed and impressed by the extent of the development of the platform and facilities, and this time was no different.

“I was last there at the beginning of the year, and what has been achieved since then, in the midst of a pandemic, is incredible. 

"The island platform is essentially now complete with its block paving surface, and the historic columns and steel work for the waiting room are all in place, along with heritage items with the name board and lamp posts. There is further work to complete in the new year, but they are on course with everything.

“All the volunteers, staff and supporters involved deserve huge praise for what has been achieved, particularly in these challenging times. I am now looking forward to prospects for the station opening in 2021 and revisiting to see the finished article.”

Richard Dixon-Gough, Corwen Project leader, said: "We are pleased that Mark was able to find the time to visit the station site for a catch-up with the work completed during 2020, despite the limitations imposed by Covid-19, and his appreciation of the work undertaken by our volunteers and the financial help from our many supporters."

During Mr Isherwood’s visit, the railway's financial position and the need for support was also discussed.

He said: “Although Covid-19 coronavirus restrictions are preventing Llangollen Railway from receiving any income, it is still having to find £40,000 every month to pay for its ongoing overheads.

“It has been an extremely challenging year for them and I therefore encourage people to support them. Donations to safeguard and support this wonderful heritage railway can be made to the Llangollen Railway Trust and shares in the Railway can also be acquired.”

* The online appeal can be accessed by visiting: https://llangollenrailway.enthuse.com/cf/covid-19-appeal

Latest pandemic updates from Welsh Government

 

Latest coronavirus updates from the Welsh Government are:

• Guidance on Christmas bubbles: https://gov.wales/making-christmas-bubble-friends-and-family
• The Welsh Government’s Cultural Recovery Fund is providing essential support to theatres, music venues, heritage sites, libraries, museums, galleries, archive services and independent cinemas, right across Wales: https://gov.wales/cultural-recovery-fund-essential-support-making-difference
• The Welsh Government has announced plans for the safe return of students to Welsh universities after the Christmas break.
• Students will be invited to return to campus over a four week period, starting from 11 January, with a phased return to in-person teaching. Universities will prioritise students who most need to return early, such as those studying in healthcare professions, those on placements or who need access to campus facilities. 
• https://gov.wales/plans-safe-return-students-welsh-universities-new-year
• Guidance: https://gov.wales/managed-movement-students-person-teaching-and-learning-january
• A Technical Advisory Group report about the pre-Christmas non-pharmaceutical interventions, which includes a section about hospitality, is published today: https://gov.wales/technical-advisory-group-statement-regarding-non-pharmaceutical-interventions-pre-christmas-period  

 

• Technical Advisory Group report Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs, Saunas and Steam Rooms and Risks from Covid-19: https://gov.wales/technical-advisory-group-swimming-pools-hot-tubs-saunas-and-steam-rooms-and-risk-covid-19 

Coronavirus in numbers

• The latest figures published by Public Health Wales today show there have been 2,021 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 91,013 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wales since the start of the pandemic.
• Sadly, there were two further deaths reported by Public Health Wales today. The total number of deaths reported by Public Health Wales is 2,711.
• These figures are updated daily at: https://public.tableau.com/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection#!/vizhome/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary 
• Public Health Wales is publishing the bi-weekly local authority review of coronavirus cases, which includes details of infection rates in people under 25 and over 60 – the report is available under the local authority tab on the surveillance dashboard: https://public.tableau.com/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection#!/vizhome/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary

What to do if you have symptoms of coronavirus

• The symptoms of coronavirus are a high temperature, a new, continuous cough and a loss or change in smell or taste.
• If you have symptoms of coronavirus, however mild, you must self-isolate at home for 14 days from when your symptoms started.
• Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
• You should arrange to have a test to see if you have coronavirus. You can book a test at https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-covid-19-test
• You should continue to isolate while waiting for a test result.
• Got a question about what to do if you’ve got coronavirus? Visit https://gov.wales/self-isolation-stay-home-guidance-households-possible-coronavirus#section-38136 

Where to find the latest information

• Information about the new national measures in place in Wales is available at: https://gov.wales/coronavirus-regulations-guidance  

• 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 interpreter. These are held at 12.15pm and live-streamed on our @WelshGovernment Twitter channel.

o   Health Minister Vaughan Gething held today’s press conference. You can watch again at: https://twitter.com/WelshGovernment/status/1335920979847987201

o   Slides from the press conference are available at: https://gov.wales/slides-and-datasets-minister-health-and-social-services-coronavirus-briefing-7-december-2020

 

Railway's bridge appeal hits its £15,000 target

 

* Thanks to a successful appeal Dee Bridge can now be repaired.

The appeal to raise enough cash to repair a Victorian bridge vital to the running Llangollen Railway has reached its target.

As llanblogger revealed in October, the railway put out an urgent call to its supporters for £15,000 to revive Dee Bridge, built in 1865 and now in desperate need of new timbers if it is to continue to carry services over it next year.

In a Facebook post fundraising officer Paul Bailey said at the time: "If we are to run trains over the Dee Bridge next year we first have to renew the timbers on the bridge.

"This work, including purchasing the timbers, is costing £15,000 - monies the railway currently has not got.

"We have therefore launched an appeal to raise these monies without which we will not be able to carry out the necessary repairs to run train services in 2021."

Now a railway spokesperson says Mr Bailey has announced the total was reached last Friday and already been used to pay for 18 new lengths of profiled timbers for the bridge repairs.

The spokesperson added: “This past week has seen a volunteer workforce lift the track from the three-span bridge and remove the old timbers ready for a reassembly exercise in the new year.”

More funding to help people with Rent to Own scheme

An extra £5million has been secured for an assisted home ownership scheme in Denbighshire.

Denbighshire County Council administers the Rent to Own grant for Welsh Government, a scheme which supports applicants who do not have the minimum five per cent deposit to buy a home, but are otherwise able to access a mortgage.

The scheme in Denbighshire, which is operated through Registered Social Landlords (RSLs), was initially allocated £1.8m over a three-year period between 2018 – 2021 and due to the success of the scheme in the county, an additional £5.8m has been secured from Welsh Government.

The funding is used by RSLs to build new homes specifically for the Rent to Own Scheme and currently includes new build sites in Rhyl, Rhuddlan, Meliden, St Asaph, Denbigh and Llanfair DC.

Cllr Tony Thomas, the Council’s Lead Member for Housing and Communities, said: “Rent to Own provides a fantastic opportunity for Denbighshire residents to get on the housing ladder and contributes to our priority of providing homes that meet the needs of our residents.

“Securing an extra £5.8m to develop the scheme shows what a success this has been in the county and will make a real difference to the number of houses that can be created.

“The Council is also continuing to work with RSLs and private developers to ensure there is suitable affordable housing in the county, as well as progressing with our own programme of building council homes.”

Applicants rent one of the new build properties and after a period of up to five years they buy the property, with 25 per cent of the rent paid being returned to the applicant as a deposit for the home. 

The scheme has proved very popular in Denbighshire with a total of 99 new build properties being made available between 2018 and 2022.

These properties are in addition to properties secured for affordable or social housing through the planning process and also complements the 24 council houses being built on land above Tan y Sgubor, Denbigh, the first new council homes to be designed and built for the Denbighshire area in 30 years.

A total of 139 affordable homes were also provided in the county by private developers and RSLs including Cartrefi Conwy, Grŵp Cynefin, Clwyd Alyn and Wales & West between April 2019 and March 2020.

As part of the Rent to Own scheme there are two bedroom and three bedroom properties available under the scheme, applicants need to have a household income of between £18,000 to £60,000 to be eligible.

* Those interested in the scheme should contact Tai Teg on 03456 015 605 or info@taiteg.org.uk

St Collen's stages successful Christmas Fayre

* Parishioner John Jones sells raffles tickets.

* Bargain hunters check out the stalls inside the church.

St Collen's Church held its annual Christmas Fayre yesterday morning.

Due to coronavirus restrictions it moved from its traditional venue at the Town Hall to the church itself, where stalls were set up to sell fancy goods and home-made cakes.

Turkey burgers, expertly cooked by Fabiano Silva, and other refreshments were on sale inside a socially-distanced parish centre.

The morning, for which people all turned up wearing masks, ended with the drawing of two raffles by the vicar, Father Lee Taylor, with many valuable prizes being won.

£10m boost to transform Welsh towns

The Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government has announced a £10m funding boost for town centres, under the £90m Transforming Towns programme, to support businesses and increase vibrancy and footfall in towns across Wales.

The loan scheme will support local authorities to reduce the number of vacant, under-utilised and redundant sites and premises in town centres by providing interest free loans to redevelop or refurbish sites. 

The properties will be redeveloped as shops, homes and leisure facilities, with loans being recycled up to three times over a 15 year period. Once repaid they can be used again to fund new loans and be re-invested in similar projects.

As part of the Welsh Government’s overall investment of £41.6m previous successful projects include Tramshed in Cardiff, Tŷ Castell in Caernarfon and the Magistrates court in Newtown.

The Tramshed in Grangetown Cardiff, which acts as a hub for other local businesses and has fully repaid it’s loan of £500,000, used the funding to create hundreds of jobs, accommodated 25 enterprises, created 7,500 sq ft of business space, supported over 40 community events annually, and increased footfall by 25,000 people per year.

Local authorities funded through this year’s round of applications include: 

* £840,000 for Flintshire

* £500,000 for Wrexham.

The Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government, Hannah Blythyn said: “This Transforming Towns loan scheme highlights the Welsh Government’s commitment to revitalising our town centres and putting their health and vibrancy at the centre of everything we do. These loans supports activities that generate footfall, tackle empty sites and premises and support businesses to grow and prosper.

“The way we use our town centres has changed and many towns are struggling in the wake of declining retail sales. Whilst businesses across our towns and on our high streets have faced challenges during the coronavirus pandemic, we have also seen a positive shift towards shopping local. I hope that this funding will enable this shift to continue and become embedded in how we shop and use our towns in the years to come.”

This funding is part of the Welsh Government’s total investment of £900m for regeneration projects alongside key partners.

Electronic snowflakes fall on town centre

* Multi-coloured snowflakes beamed on the bridge pavements.

* Snowflake lights cast onto Centenary Square.

Llangollen's famous bridge has been lit up to mark the part the town is playing in a county council campaign encourage people to shop locally in the run-up to Christmas.

In addition to the traditional seasonal lighting arranged by Llangollen Town Council, Denbighshire has arranged for LED lights to be fixed to lamposts along the bridge to floodlight the roadway plus a projector to cast multi-coloured snowflakes onto the pavements.

The county council also agreed to a request by Town Clerk Gareth Thomas to cast the same snowflake-shaped lights onto the paved area of nearby Centenary Square.

Llangollen's famous bridge is amongst a number of key sites across Denbighshire towns being lit up in December as part of the overall winter shopping marketing campaign called #lovelivelocal. 

Yaris deserves high marks as a top hybrid

* The Toyota Yaris Hybrid.

Toyota Yaris road test by Steve Rogers

Unlike my primary school reports my parents would have been pleased with my marks for the Yaris hybrid.

Each trip ends with marks out of a hundred and comments on how well, or badly, you have done, and I did rather well. What I wouldn't have given for marks like 86,73 and even 66 along with 'excellent'  and 'very good hybrid driving'. Clearly a late developer.

In some ways Yaris is a bit of a late developer; it has taken four goes and 20 years to make it look really appealing. Now there is style in abundance with its eye catching front and dynamic tail end, in fact Yaris has gone through a total rebuild sitting on a new platform that has transformed the driving experience as well.

Yes it looks pretty but the fourth generation Yaris needs to be hailed as a top hybrid in its class. The pandemic is crippling petrol and diesel but there has been a veritable explosion in hybrid and electric models this year so, remarkably, sales are up and when it comes to a self charging hybrid supermini Yaris is out in front.

Ten years of experience has made Toyota a hybrid master and this is the second Yaris with hybrid power. The more experience the better the product and this comes through strongly with performance, economy and emissions all improved.

This is a one engine fits all set up so we have a three cylinder 1.5 litre petrol beefed up by an electric motor powered by a battery pack slung under the back seats. Compared to the previous Yaris it is like someone has turned on the lights. It is quicker off the line but the biggest improvement is 50-70mph which has been trimmed by two seconds so overtaking is a breeze.

Not that you should be flooring Yaris too often if economy is a key reason for choosing hybrid. Aggression does not work, it has to be the complete opposite with measured, smooth acceleration and gentle braking. The car is at its most efficient puddling along the motorway at no more than sixty, or around town where the electric motor can take over for a short time. That is when petrol consumption can shoot into the eighties although a real time average will be mid fifties.

So all good on that front but how are we feeling about the restyled cabin? It has a modern look with either a seven or eight inch touch screen for everyday essentials and, thankfully, the heating controls are separate with a neat row of touch pads that are beautifully lit up at night but a little too dark in the day so additional back lighting would help.

The driver's binnacle is excellent with switchable information held in a central display, the best of which are the hybrid graphics so you can check how you are doing on battery power, recharging and the like. It is also the place that marks the driver and gives tips to improve hybrid efficiency.

If space is high on the wish list then pile everyone in to make sure they fit! Up front is fine but rear legroom is only average and beaten by some rivals. Honda Jazz is about the best I've come across for space. Boot capacity is also just average and without the option of a false floor suffers from too much of a drop into the well so retrieving heavy stuff is a pain.

With its new platform and sport suspension Yaris is good fun to drive through twists and turns, yet I think Toyota has got this all wrong.

There are four models, the first two with standard suspension and the top two with a sports set up. If you want a model with the best spec you can only have sports suspension which is going to be too hard for a lot of people. Over poor surfaces you can feel pummelled. If you want a hot Yaris then get the GR.

Yaris is one of the more expensive superminis (£19,910-£22,220) but hybrid power pushes up the cost, yet it has one of the best specifications particularly at entry level. All come with a rear camera, which is rare, rain sensing wipers and automatic lights, a strong safety list and mirroring for smart phones. With no satellite  navigation available you need to tag a phone app to the main screen for travel directions.

Like it or not it is starting to make more sense to think about hybrid or electric as your next car so if small is your bag then Yaris is a real front runner, strong on style, performance, economy and low emissions but the full range needs to be offered with standard suspension. Need to know

Yaris Hybrid Dynamic

£21,920

1.5 litre; 114bhp

0-62mph 9.7secs; 109mph

Transmission: CVT automatic

65.6mpg combined

98g/km. 1st road tax £125

Insurance group 14

Boot: 286 litres

Testing of frontline health staff to start this month

Health Minister Vaughan Gething has announced routine testing of asymptomatic frontline health and social care staff will start this month in Wales.

Lateral flow tests (LFTs) will be made available to test frontline health and social care workers twice weekly.

Mr Gething said: “I am pleased to announce that we will now be introducing a programme of regular asymptomatic testing of frontline health and social care staff and others in contact with patients and those receiving social care. This builds on the asymptomatic testing of health workers in Wales to assist with outbreak control and those working in care homes.

“This will be done using lateral flow testing devices, which can produce results in 30 minutes with the potential to be self-administered. While LFTs are not as sensitive as lab-based RT-PCR tests, scientific advice has indicated that by testing more frequently with LFTs their accuracy is on a par with RT-PCR tests.

It is vital everyone understands that testing alone cannot eradicate the risks associated with Covid-19 and testing needs to be carried out alongside other infection prevention control measures, such as the use of PPE, social distancing and hand hygiene. 

Protecting our NHS staff and our most vulnerable citizens in Wales is at the heart of our Covid response and a key element of our Test, Trace, Protect strategy.”

The new testing programme will be available for:

• Clinical NHS staff (doctors, nurses and allied health professionals) and those working with high-risk groups such as haematology staff working with transplant patients.
• Non-clinical staff including porters, cleaning staff, catering staff and volunteers.
• Social care workers, including domiciliary care workers, social workers and inspectors visiting care homes and other social care settings.

Mr Gething added: “We will begin rolling out the programme for these groups from 14 December, starting with those working in services with high risks of transmission, and introducing in lower risk settings in January.  We will also be introducing regular asymptomatic testing of staff working in hospice inpatient units and those delivering hospice at home services.”

Bridge to be lit up to support #lovelivelocal

* Llangollen bridge will be lit up as part of the #lovelivelocal campaign.

Llangollen's famous bridge is amongst a number of key sites across Denbighshire towns being lit up in December as part of an overall winter shopping marketing campaign launched to support local businesses.

In the absence of some of the Christmas activities normally held in the county’s towns, Denbighshire County Council has been working with its partners on an alternative approach to boost the recovery of town centres, in support of the Winter Shopping campaign already underway.

The Light Up Denbighshire project will aim to boost the number of people visiting town centres and to enhance the work already carried out by Denbighshire County Council to make commercial centres safe places to shop and enjoy hospitality.

The lights are expected to be switched on from today (Friday) and will run for a month, to try and reap the benefits of additional visitors, not only in the run up to Christmas but into the New Year as well, says the council. 

Locations due to be lit up are:

·        Llangollen – Main town bridge

·        Prestatyn – Churches and chapels

·        Rhuddlan – Rhuddlan Castle (Currently closed to the public)

·        Rhyl -  Town Hall

• Denbigh -  Denbigh Castle  (Information on opening hours at:   cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/denbigh-castle  )

·        Ruthin – St Peter’s Square, St Peter’s Church

·        St Asaph – St Asaph Cathedral

·        Corwen – The Square

The scheme is funded by Denbighshire County Council.

Leader of Denbighshire, Councillor Hugh Evans BE, said: “The lead up to Christmas is going to be a bit different this year, with large events normally held during switch on of town lights unable to take place.

“Whilst the towns will have their own traditional Christmas lights, the council came up with the idea of adding a little sparkle and bringing some additional Christmas cheer by lighting up historic and iconic buildings and structures in our main towns.  We are delighted to have received support from many city and town councils across Denbighshire to carry out the project.

“Our aim is to bring people into the town and to promote our Winter Shopping marketing campaign, designed to encourage residents to support their local shops through this crucial buying period. This campaign will also look at supporting wider businesses activities, including online sales and forms part of the #lovelivelocal initiative.

“ We hope people enjoy the lighting experience and are tempted to visit the town centre for themselves to see what’s on offer and add some festive cheer."

House fire has tragic consequences

 

* Firefighters at the scene of the tragic fire in Chapel Street last night.

The Leader’s online news site Leaderlive reported just after midnight that a man in his seventies has sadly died following the house fire in Llangollen reported on by llanblogger late last night. 

The story says that firefighters were called to the blaze on Chapel Street at 8.42pm last night. 

It adds: “Firefighters from Llangollen, Chirk, Johnstown, Corwen and Wrexham attended the incident and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the property using hose reel jets to extinguish the fire and carry out a search for casualties.

“The crews found a casualty who was sadly later pronounced dead.

“A joint investigation is now being carried out into the cause of the fire by North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and North Wales Police.”

The man who passed away has not been officially named.

 

Fire crews tackle major blaze in Chapel Street

* Firefighters pump water onto the burning building from the Hand car park.

* Above and below: Fire crews hose water onto the burning building from the Chapel Street side.

Fire crews are currently tackling a major fire at a property in Chapel Street, Llangollen.

It is understood the blaze began at around 8.30pm.

At least four fire appliances are at the scene and firefighters, a number equipped with breathing apparatus, are tackling it with hose-reels from Chapel Street while others, using a high monitor are pouring on water from the Hand Hotel car park.

It is not known whether anyone is inside the burning building.

Police have closed off Chapel Street and the hotel car park and thick smoke has been billowing down Regent Street.    

Latest update on coronavirus at Llangollen Fechan care home

Denbighshire County Council says in its latest update on Coronavirus at Llangollen Fechan Care Home that there has been one further death, taking taking the total since the beginning of this incident to 21.

The statement adds: "There have been no new positive coronavirus tests amongst residents and two members of staff, resulting in a total of 60 residents and 42 staff.

"The Incident Management Team (IMT), comprises of Denbighshire County Council, Public Health Wales and BetsiCadwaladr University Health Board

"These organisations are still working together with the owners of the home to co-ordinate the response. It will take time for the impact of this work to bring this incident fully under control.

"Co-chair of the IMT, Nicola Stubbins, said: “Control measure are starting to have an impact with numbers of infections and deaths reducing. Even so we are still very sad to report this additional death, and to report that there are still residents who are very unwell.

“It is still the case that residents in Llangollen Fechan and other settings, already vulnerable through their age or pre-existing conditions, are more likely to suffer the worst outcomes from this deadly virus. Our thoughts continue to be with all of those affected.

“We expect to see cases in other settings going forward, and we manage any clusters of Coronavirus consistently. 

“Anyone who meets the definition of a contact will be contacted as a routine part of the Test, Trace and Protect process and provided with additional advice for themselves, their household and other contacts. 

“We remind the public that they have a vital role in preventing the spread of Coronavirus.  They can do this by adhering to Welsh Government regulations currently in place in Wales, and by observing social distancing guidelines – that’s staying two metres away from others – and washing hands regularly.”