Couple's custom-made decorations hand-crafted with love

* Wendy and Andy Radley outside their Flower Studio near Llanarmon yn Ial. 

* An example of their work.

A wreath on the front door or a floral centrepiece for the Christmas lunch table may be part of a romantic festive scene and for one Denbighshire business couple the beautiful countryside surrounding their home provides inspiration for their artistic creations, all hand crafted with love with incredibly realistic and long-lasting artificial flowers. 

Making an Entrance is a company run by Wendy and Andy Radley from their home in the Clwydian Range near Llanarmon yn Ial. 

Everything is made to order in a log cabin-style Flower Studio which they converted from a stables at the bottom of their garden.

Making door wreaths and centrepieces all year round which reflect each new season, their company motto is ‘A wreath isn’t just for Christmas’

Originally from Warrington, the couple moved to Llanarmon at the end of October 2019 and have got actively involved in community life, including volunteering in the local shop and singing in the community choir. 

They have also been busy with their online shop: www.makinganentranceuk.co.uk, an Etsy Shop and have a combined total of 8000+ active followers on their Making An Entrance U.K. Facebook and Instagram pages. 

Making An Entrance has received nothing less than a 5 star rating from hundreds of genuine customers for the quality of their products and exceptional customer service, these are proudly displayed at their online shop, Etsy shop, Facebook and Google pages and is perhaps why they have attracted so many social media followers and loyal customers in Denbighshire, throughout Wales and the rest of the U.K. even as far afield as the U.S, Canada, Australia and Europe. 

The company is one of a number of businesses across Denbighshire supporting the Winter Shopping campaign, co-ordinated by Denbighshire County Council, which encourages residents in the county to support local businesses this winter.

Wendy said: “We moved to Wales a year ago from Warrington to start our new ‘chapter‘ as ‘Empty Nesters’ as our two boys have ‘flown the nest’ and it’s the best thing we’ve ever done. The move here has allowed us to build a lovely flower studio with inspiring country views where I can create seasonal floral decor for my lovely clients all year round”. 

“Unfortunately during the lockdown Andy was made redundant from his management position with a national construction company so we have worked really hard together to create new business opportunities, generate increased sales and to grow our company reputation, particularly here in Wales. 

"Andy is now working for the business full time we make a good team: he has taken over many of the (non-creative) tasks which I previously did myself including delivering orders to local clients (following Covid safety guidelines) which allows me to fulfil more orders and therefor increase our sales revenue. 

“As a small business we have a limited budget for advertising so we rely on word of mouth and promoting our business with local Facebook groups. The support we’ve received has been incredible. I’m delighted to say my sales figures have increased week on week even during the pandemic for which Andy and I are incredibly grateful."

Wendy added: "Clients often share with me the ‘stories’ behind their Making An Entrance purchases. I find it both humbling and heart-warming to have such an insight into the love between families and friends separated by Covid and to be able to facilitate their acts of kindness by making the floral gifts they’ve ordered and delivering them to their loved ones‘ doors on their behalf.   

"I have clients who purchase wreaths for the gravesides of loved ones, others order door / wall wreaths to brighten their surroundings and to cheer themselves up, particularly those who are now working from home who have often described feelings of loneliness and feeling imprisoned in their own homes.

“I’ve made heart-shaped floral wreaths to be delivered to elderly relatives in care homes to show them they are loved by those on the outside and to remind them they will be together again soon. I’ve created flower wreaths for brides and grooms whose wedding plans have been changed and numbers reduced and yet they remain determined to say ‘I Do’. I’ve made wreaths to be sent as gifts from my clients to nurses and teachers to show their gratitude for the amazing work they do.

“And recently, in response to client demand I’ve created a personalised, heart-shaped door / wall wreath with a heart pendant at the centre inscribed with the words ‘A Hug In A Heart’ for my clients who are wanting to show family and friends how much they miss seeing them due to local travel restrictions and social distancing measures. These are just a few examples of why every single order is hand-made with love.

“I am incredibly proud of our small business and extremely grateful to our loyal clients, particularly during these difficult economic times.   I feel blessed to do what I love for a living for clients who truly appreciate the effort my husband and I put in to offer quality hand-made products and exceptional customer service." 

Hundreds turn up for drive-through flu jab session

* Cars queue for the drive-through flu jab session at the Pavilion.

Hundreds of eligible people in the 50 to 64 year old age group turned up at a rain-swept Llangollen Pavilion for their flu jabs this morning (Sunday).

Those receiving the injections in the busy drive-through session, which has now finished, had to pre-book their places. 

The jabs were given by a team from Llangollen Health Centre while volunteers from the Tidy Town Team took care of traffic management.

Campaigner puts case for convenient recycling facility

The Llangollen resident leading the campaign, backed by a petition, to have a permanent recycling facility people from this area can use has explained why he thinks a conveniently located centre is so important.

Phil Jones said:  "Can you guess what the picture above is?

"It's an example of fly tipping. Why do people do such things you may wonder? Well, one reason is that they value their own convenience over and above the environment and the countryside in which they live.

"When all convenience is effectively removed from our ability to recycle, then more people will choose the easy option and throw their rubbish over the nearest convenient embankment.

"It happens on the Gwernant and on the Panorama, and it's the council, - you the ratepayer - who picks up the bill for clearing up the mess.

"The example pictured was found in Denbighshire this week and thankfully not in the Dee Valley AONB.

"In the Dee Valley we have been deprived of convenient access to a proper recycling facility for nearly a year now, and that’s why we have launched our campaign for access to the Plas Madoc recycling site.

"You may have already signed our petition, but we need as many people to sign it as possible. So, we urge you to get like-minded friends and family to sign it too.

"You can sign the online petition by clicking this link:

https://www.change.org/p/denbighshire-county-council-return-of-recycling-in-llangollen-and-the-dee-valley 

"We are now up to 443 signatories and still growing. Paper petitions are available as an alternative in Watkin & Williams, Gwyn the Butcher , Lilly Rose and Fouzi’s."

Roadworks alert for Regent Street

Latest roadworks from one.network is:

Regent Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire

15 December — 18 December

 

Delays likely - Traffic control (two-way signals)

 

Works location: OUTSIDE 36.

 

Works description: NEW SERVICE LAYING - 3 PUBLIC OUTSIDE OF 36 REGENT STREET...

 

Responsibility for works: Wales & West Utilities Limited

 

Current status: Planned work about to start

 

Works reference: XY254004000165215

 

Covid-19 testing centre opens on Market Street car park

* The testing centre at Market Street car park.

The Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board has set up a temporary Covid-19 testing centre on the Market Street car park, which opens at 9.30am this morning (Saturday).

The walk-in and drive-in centre, which will stay open until 3.30pm and remain there until Monday December 28, is located in the coach parking area of the car park.

The health board says the aim is to make it easier for people in the area to get tested for Covid-19 closer to home.

The board adds that no appointment is needed for a test. Anybody with symptoms of COVID-19 can attend for testing.

The temporary testing unit in Ruthin has now closed.

* For more details about testing, go to: https://bcuhb.nhs.wales/covid-19/book-a-covid-19-test/

Hospitality firms can check on level of government support

Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism businesses impacted by latest coronavirus restrictions can now find out how much they can expect to receive from the latest round of the Welsh Government’s business support package.

The government recently announced £340m to assist businesses affected by coronavirus restrictions which came into force on 4 December.

The latest package includes a £160m Restrictions Business Fund, predominantly for businesses paying non domestic rates, and a £180m grant fund specifically for impacted businesses in the tourism, leisure and hospitality sectors.

Under this latest round of Welsh Government support a typical hospitality business in Wales with the equivalent of six fulltime staff could be eligible to receive between £12,000 and £14,000 to help them through this period of restrictions and into the New Year.

The £160m Restrictions Business Fund will see impacted businesses that pay non-domestic rates within the hospitality, tourism, leisure, retail sectors and their supply chain qualifying for a one-off payment of between £3,000 and £5,000.

Hospitality businesses that received non-domestic rates funding under the previous firebreak restrictions can expect this payment before Christmas. However, all other eligible businesses will need to register in the New Year to receive their payment.

Impacted firms, including those not paying business rates, can also apply for a share of the £180m Sector Specific Fund. This part of the package, which is calculated on a business’ staff count and turnover, is expected to support up to 8,000 businesses in sectors impacted by the restrictions and potentially a further 2,000 in related supply chains.

A new eligibility checker and calculator is now live on the Business Wales website to help businesses work out what support they can expect to qualify for.  Guidance will also be available for firms to help them through the application process for the Sector Specific Fund which will open during the week of 11 January.

Minister for the Economy, Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, said: “We know how difficult the latest restrictions are for our hospitality businesses, particularly at this time of year, but accelerating coronavirus rates have meant we have had to make difficult decisions to protect people’s health and save lives.

“Available evidence, including a recent paper by the UK’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) tells us that measures in Scotland’s level three and England’s tier three are effective in reducing virus spread. We have introduced this latest round of restrictions to bring us in line with Scotland level three and England tier 3.

“Through this £340m package of support we are working to directly assist hospitality businesses and to get financial support to them as quickly as possible. Many will receive between £3K and £5K this side of Christmas, and in addition can apply for a sector specific grant that will follow in the New Year.

Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Lord Elis-Thomas, said: “We are fully aware, not least from our hospitality stakeholder group, of the impact of the restrictions that we have had to bring in. This is not the Christmas period that any of us wanted but I would urge businesses to take advantage of the help available and to use the calculator to find out how much help they can expect to receive so they can plan accordingly.

“We will continue to do everything we can to support our firms and our people through to the other side of this dreadful pandemic.”

This latest in Welsh Government funding is in addition to other UK Government support, such as the Job Retention Scheme, making it the most generous business support offer in the UK.

Primary schools to close in Denbighshire

Following discussion with all of its schools, Denbighshire County Council has taken the decision to close all of its primary schools, special schools and pupil referral units from Wednesday (December 16) for face to face learning.

This follows the Welsh Government decision to move all secondary schools and colleges in Wales to online learning from Monday (December 14).

Cllr Huw Hilditch-Roberts, the Council’s Lead Member for Education, Children's Services and Public Engagement, said: “We have reluctantly taken the decision to close our primary schools for face to face learning early. Confirmed cases associated with Denbighshire schools continue to be in single figures owing to the hard work of pupils, parents and staff.

“With primary schools closing across North Wales, the Council felt it had no choice but to take the decision to provide continuity with other areas, giving parents and guardians sufficient notice to prepare and to further ensure the safety of children and staff in the run up to Christmas.

“Primary schools will remain open for vulnerable learners and the children of key workers until Friday, December 18.”

The Welsh Government announced the decision to move all secondary schools and colleges in Wales to online learning as part of a ‘national effort to reduce transmission of coronavirus’ following advice from Wales’s Chief Medical Officer.

Cllr Hilditch-Roberts added: “As we approach Christmas and the end of term I want to thank all pupils, staff and families for their support and their effort in the fight against COVID-19.  

“Primary schools, special schools, pupil referral units and secondary schools in the county will be arranging remote learning for pupils until December 18 and to echo the words of the Education Minister, this period is not an early Christmas holiday.

“Christmas is a time of great excitement and joy for our students but it is also a time when the temptation to stray from the strict rules we have been asked to follow may be higher than ever. It is important for everyone who has worked tirelessly to enjoy a happy Christmas holiday that we continue to observe the rules as I know so many of you have.

“I would again like to thank pupils, parents and staff for their support during what has been a hugely challenging term for all of our schools and the communities they support and work in.”

The final day of face to face learning for primary schools will be Wednesday, December 16 with remote learning for pupils taking place on December 17 and 18.

 

Latest Covid control plan to be published next week, says Drakeford

* First Minister Mark Drakeford.

An updated version of Wales’s covid control plan will be published next week, the First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced.

The plan sets out in detail how national measures will be introduced in a more uniform and predictable way, depending on a range of indicators, including the level of the virus in Wales and the risk of infection.

It updates the approach to changing restrictions set out in Leading Wales out of the Coronavirus Pandemic and Unlocking Our Society and Economy. 

And it aims to provide greater certainty for people and businesses about the restrictions, which are needed to protect people’s health and slow the spread of the virus.

Wales is currently at alert level three. The national measures were strengthened on December 4 in response to rapidly accelerating levels of coronavirus across Wales.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “This has been a truly challenging year. The impact of coronavirus on us all – on all aspects of our lives – cannot be underestimated. Like almost every country in the world, we have put restrictions in place to control the spread of this deadly virus.

“This updated plan shows how the national measures will be introduced in a more uniform way as we move through the pandemic, providing greater certainty for people and businesses.”

The updated plan has been informed by latest analysis from our scientific and medical experts and the UK’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE). It has also been informed by the experience in other parts of the UK.

The plan sets out four alert levels – from alert level one to alert level four:

• Alert level one (low-risk) – this represents the closest to normality we are likely to have before the summer and the widespread take-up of vaccinations.

• Alert level two (medium-risk) – additional, targeted controls are put in place to maintain infection rates at lower levels. These may be complemented by more targeted local restrictions to manage specific incidents and outbreaks.

• Alert level three (high-risk) – these are the strictest package of restrictions, short of a firebreak or lockdown.

• Alert level four (very high risk) – restrictions at this level are equivalent to a lockdown and reflect the seriousness of the situation.

The First Minister said that if the strengthened national measures, together with the efforts everyone is making, do not succeed in reducing the rates of coronavirus, Wales will need to move to alert level four after the five-day Christmas period. But this move is not a foregone conclusion.

He added: “The most important thing we can all do to control the spread of coronavirus is to reduce the number of people are in contact with. This virus thrives on human behaviour – whenever and wherever we come together and spend time together, the virus can be transmitted from person to person.”

The national measures will continue to be reviewed every three weeks, whatever alert level Wales is currently in.

MP congratulates team repairing historic rail bridge

* Simon Baynes MP, right, and Robert Gordon, chairman Llangollen Railway Trust, at the Dee Valley Bridge.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes made a visit to Llangollen Railway to learn more about how the team are progressing with repairs and renewal of the Dee Bridge.

To run trains over the bridge next year the railway has had to replace its worn-out timbers. 

New woodwork cost £15,000 and an appeal was launched in November by Llangollen Railway Trust to raise the required funds.

The appeal has proven a major success with members of the public and the trust together raising the entire amount.

During his visit Mr Baynes met trust chairman Robert Gordon who said: “I would like to thank everyone that has contributed to our appeal in helping to raise the money to enable these works to take place and also the volunteers and staff of Llangollen Railway who are undertaking these critical works to enable services to continue to run next year.”

Simon Baynes MP said: “Everyone at the Llangollen Railway Trust is doing an excellent job of carrying out the necessary repairs to run train services in 2021. 

"I was really impressed to hear more about their plans for the forthcoming year despite the challenges posed by Covid, with new services being planned for the restored Corwen station.”

Secondary schools and colleges to begin online learning from Monday

Secondary schools and colleges in Wales will move to online learning from Monday, December 14 as part of a national effort to reduce transmission of coronavirus, Education Minister Kirsty Williams confirmed today.

The Minister made it clear that, thanks to the efforts of education staff across the country, schools and colleges are "safe and secure environments", with almost half of all Welsh schools having had zero covid cases since September.

However, it is also recognised that education settings being open can contribute to wider social mixing outside the school and college environment.

By making this decision, the Minister felt it was important to make a ‘clear, national direction’ to take pressure off individual schools, colleges, local authorities, parents and carers.

The Minister said her decision followed expert advice from Wales’s Chief Medical Officer showing that the public health situation in Wales was deteriorating.

The latest TTP data shows that rates of Covid-19 have further increased across Wales and have now exceeded 370/100k with a test positivity of 17%.

The R rate in Wales has increased to 1.27 with a doubling time of just 11.7 days.

Education Minister Kirsty Williams said: “Every day, we are seeing more and more people admitted to hospital with coronavirus symptoms.

“The virus is putting our health service under significant and sustained pressure and it is important we all make a contribution to reduce its transmission.

“In his advice to me today, the CMO recommends that a move to online learning should be implemented for secondary school pupils as soon as is practicable.

“I can therefore confirm that a move to online learning should be implemented for secondary school pupils and college students from Monday next week.

“We recognise, as we did during the firebreak, that it is more difficult for primary and special school age children to undertake self-directed learning.

“That is why we are encouraging primary and special schools to continue to stay open.

“Having spoken to local education leaders, I am confident that schools and colleges have online learning provision in place.

“This will also be important in ensuring that students are at home during this time, learning and staying safe.

“Critically, and this is very important, children should be at home.

“This is not an early Christmas holiday, please do everything you can to minimise your contact with others.”

“The education family in Wales has pulled together so many times this year to make a real difference to the course of this virus and ultimately to save lives and I know we can do the same again.

“Together we will keep Wales safe.” 

Eviction protection extended for Covid-hit businesses

Retailers, pubs, restaurants and other businesses affected by coronavirus will now be protected  from eviction until the end of March 2021, Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales Ken Skates (pictured) has announced.

As part of the action Welsh Government is taking to support the business community from the impact of Covid-19 the moratorium against forfeiture for the non-payment of rent, which was due to end on 31 December, will now be extended until 31 March 2021.

While businesses should continue to pay rent wherever possible, the latest measure will ensure no business is forced out of its premises if it misses a payment between now and the end of March 2021. The move will help ease the burden on a range of sectors, including retail and hospitality, at what continues to be a time of immense challenge.

Since the start of the pandemic Welsh Government has put together the most generous package of support for business anywhere in the UK, worth nearly £2bn. This includes £340m that is available through the latest round of the Economic Resilience Fund to support businesses affected by restrictions that came into force on 4th December.

Ken Skates, said: “Despite all of our ongoing efforts to reduce the spread of coronavirus, instances of the virus remain worryingly high. We recognise that the ongoing restrictions and wider behaviour changes are putting significant pressure on many of our businesses and we are working hard to quickly support our businesses with the most generous support offer for business anywhere in the UK.

“As part of that package of support, I am pleased that we are also able to extend measures to prevent forfeiture for the non-payment of rent. This will protect many businesses from eviction and help to secure jobs, safeguard businesses and shield our economy over the critical months to come.

“We will continue to put pressure on the UK Government to provide further support as we progress towards a prosperous post-pandemic Wales.”

The Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government, Hannah Blythyn said: “Supporting Welsh businesses whilst balancing the need to protect our most vulnerable and stop the spread of the virus has not been an easy task. Ensuring retailers, pubs, restaurants and other businesses will be protected from eviction until the end of March 2021 is just one of the ways we helping our town centres to not just get by but come back better as they safely continue to trade during this challenging time.

“Giving our towns a sense of place is more important than ever, and in line with our Transforming Towns agenda we will continue to work collaboratively with partners to build sustainable town centres for the future where businesses can thrive.”

"Brilliant" response to Christmas scarecrow competition

Organisers say the response to the Christmas Scarecrow trail has been "absolutely brilliant". 

The contest, which has seen a large number of creative and colourful entries across the town, is being run by the Christmas Festival Committee to help keep up seasonal spirits after this year's event fell victim to the pandemic.

The Town Mayor Austin "Chem" Cheminais, who chairs the festival committee, said: "I estimate well over 50 scarecrows all over Llangollen.

"I know of  40 locations that are on the list above and think there are a lot more out there that I don't know about.

"They all look amazing, people in Llangollen are so creative and imaginative.

"I hope people have fun finding them to see for themselves how fantastic they are."

He added: "Santa and his elves will judge the competition in the week leading up to Christmas, and there are two prizes of £25.

"If anyone wants to help choose the winner they can send a picture of their favourite to santa@btinternet.com."

Parents and carers of self-isolating children eligible for £500

Parents and carers on low incomes with children who are self-isolating will be eligible for a £500 support payment.

The Self-Isolation Support Scheme was launched last month to provide financial support to people on low incomes or facing financial hardship when they were asked to self-isolate by the NHS Wales Test Trace Protect service.

It will now be extended to help parents and carers who have to take time off work to look after their children when they have to self-isolate because of a coronavirus outbreak in their school or childcare setting.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “Working from home is not an option for everyone so when a child has to self-isolate, this can be a stressful period for parents and carers.

“A significant number of people are losing income because they are unable to work while looking after children who cannot go to school or their normal childcare setting because of coronavirus. 

“Extending this scheme will help ease the financial hardship some parents and are facing, helping them care for their children.”

The Self-Isolation Support Scheme will be extended to parents and carers on low incomes who meet the criteria for the main scheme. To qualify, they must have a child attending a school or childcare setting up to and including in year eight – or up to age 25 if the learner has multiple and complex additional needs – and who has received a formal notification to self-isolate from Test Trace Protect or their education or childcare setting.

Minister for Housing and Local Government Julie James said: “We are committed to doing everything we can to support people and protect people’s health and wellbeing.

“The £500 self-isolation payment will help us give people the financial security they need to stay-at-home and break the cycle of transmission. As well as support the wider efforts of schools and other services to control the spread of the virus

“Local authorities have been working hard throughout the pandemic to support their communities and I thank them for their hard work. I will continue to keep the scheme under review to ensure that those most in need receive the support they need to self-isolate and reduce transmission.”

Parents or carers who are not on benefits but meet the other criteria and are at risk of financial hardship can apply to the scheme under the discretionary element to support.

People will be able to apply for the self-isolation payment via their local authority website from 14 December and payments will be backdated to 23 October.

Covid-19 testing centre for Market Street car park

* A testing centre will be located on Market Street car park.

The Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board has just announced on its Facebook page that a walk-in and drive-in testing centre will open in Llangollen this Saturday, December 12.

They say the aim is to make it easier for people in the area to get tested for Covid-19 closer to home.

The testing centre will be located on the Market Street car park and will be open from 9.30am until 3.30pm.

The board says no appointment is needed for a test. Anybody with symptoms of COVID-19 can attend for testing.

From 4.30pm today (Wednesday) the testing unit in Ruthin will close.

* For more details about testing, go to: https://bcuhb.nhs.wales/covid-19/book-a-covid-19-test/

Date set aside for possible town council by-election

* Former town councillor George Hughes.

A by-election could be held in February to fill the vacancy on Llangollen Town Council left by the recent resignation of Cllr George Hughes if the seat is contested.

The Returning Officer at Denbighshire County Council has issued this information.

In Wales, any by-election that was scheduled to take place after March 16, 2020, or was due to a vacancy that occurred during the pandemic could not take place before February 2021. 

Any person wishing to stand as a candidate at the by-election should contact the Returning Officer at Denbighshire County Council on 01824 706114 or 706118, or email elections@denbighshire.gov.uk<mailto:elections@denbighshire.gov.uk> to obtain nomination papers. 

Completed nomination papers must be presented in person by appointment with the Returning Officer or her Deputy at County Hall, Ruthin no later than 4pm Friday, January 22, 2021. 

Should the election be contested polling will take place on Thursday February 18, 2021.

Changes being made to self-isolation payments

Denbighshire County Council is informing residents of amendments to the Self-Isolation Covid Support Scheme launched by Welsh Government last month.

The Self-Isolation Support Scheme was set up by Welsh Government to provide financial support to people on low incomes or facing financial hardship when they were asked to self-isolate by the NHS Wales Test Trace Protect service.

This will now be extended to help parents and carers who have to take time off work to look after their children when they have to self-isolate because of a coronavirus outbreak in their school or childcare setting.

Parents and carers on low incomes with children who are self-isolating will be eligible for a £500 support payment. To qualify, they must have a child attending a school or childcare setting up to and including in year eight – or up to age 19 if the learner has multiple and complex additional needs – and who has received a formal notification to self-isolate from Test Trace Protect or their education or childcare setting.

Denbighshire County Council will be administering the payments on behalf of Welsh Government and application forms will be available on www.denbighshire.gov.uk from 3pm Monday, 14 December.  

The council says it will update residents when the application process opens and provide information on how to apply.

Call for relatives to be allowed to visit care homes by Christmas

With family members in England allowed to visit relatives in care homes if they test negative, North Wales MS Mark Isherwood (pictured) has called for the same programme to be rolled out in Wales in time for Christmas.

Mr Isherwood raised the matter in the Welsh Parliament after being contacted by families who are desperate to see loved ones in care homes over the festive period.

He said: “On 23 November, the Welsh Government announced a pilot programme for supporting visitors to care homes in Wales, and I call for a Welsh Government statement on provision for families to visit loved ones in care homes this Christmas.

“The Welsh Government statement then said you were offering testing to care home visitors across a small number of care homes, intended to pave the way for a wider roll-out to more Welsh care homes starting on 14 December. 

"Last week, the UK Government announced that care home residents in England will receive indoor visits from family and friends this Christmas if they test negative for COVID-19, unless there is an outbreak in the care home, with over one million rapid Lateral Flow Tests sent to homes as the first phase of an English national roll-out to enable visiting by Christmas. 

“As a constituent then e-mailed, and I'll quote them: 'Testing of relatives in England, and more and more people going into the care homes and holding their loved ones is beautiful, but what about Wales? Why are we always last in the queue? For God's sake, just roll it out and let the Welsh residents be granted the same lifeline as England’.

“I call for a statement and update accordingly.”

In her response, the Trefnydd, Rebecca Evans MS, said they are working to strike the balance of keeping residents in care homes safe from Covid, but also recognising that they have important well-being and mental health needs as well.

Mr Isherwood added: “As my constituent also stated, ‘We are once again let down by the Welsh Government, it's no good saying they are starting pilot testing. I am heartbroken that we are getting  nowhere, please speak for us in Wales , this situation  is disgusting and so, so unfair’.”

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