City status will honour Queen's 70 years on the throne

* The Denbighshire town of St Asaph gained city status in 2012.

A Civic Honours competition has been launched across the UK today to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

Rare awards will grant winning towns and cities with city status and Lord Mayor or Provost status for the first time in 10 years.

Local authorities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can enter the competition and make a case for why its area deserves to be granted one of these honours. 

Minister of State for the Constitution & Devolution, Chloe Smith, said: "The Civic Honours competition is an opportunity to promote your hometown and win an honour for it that will last for all time. I encourage entries from local authorities in every part of the UK, from vibrant towns and cities with distinct identities, history, and sense of community.

"The brilliance of the United Kingdom is rooted in diverse and unique communities brought together by a shared sense of civic pride, so I have no doubt the competition will be fierce - but success will be a historic moment of celebration for the winners, which will take its place within Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee."

Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, said: "As we look forward to a year of celebration, growth and renewal in 2022, this prestigious competition will inspire civic pride in communities right across the UK.

"It’s a great opportunity for towns and cities in every corner of the country to showcase their heritage and tell us more about the people and places that make their local area so unique - and a fitting tribute to Her Majesty’s reign in her Platinum Jubilee year."

The competition will close on December 8, 2021 and full entry guidelines and an application form have been published on GOV.UK.

All valid entries will receive individual consideration on their merits, before recommendations will be made by ministers to Her Majesty The Queen. The number of awards made across the UK, Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies will depend on the strength of the applications received.

As part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, four awards were made to Chelmsford, Perth, St Asaph and Armagh - one for each part of the UK. 

After five attempts, Sunderland was deservingly awarded City Status in 1992 to mark The Queen’s Ruby Jubilee, and has now been a city for 25 years. Business leaders, councillors, MPs and the whole of Wearside agreed at the time that their new prestige would mean greater prosperity.

Her Majesty The Queen will be the first British monarch to have reached 70 years on the throne. 

Church launches urgent appeal to repair its spire

* Llangollen Methodist Church from the river side.

Llangollen Methodist Church has launched an appeal to raise at least half of the cost of urgent repairs to its famous spire.

The Grade 2 Listed building in Princess Street, opened in 1904, plays a major part in the iconic river views of the town.

But an expert inspection has revealed a programme of repairs is necessary which has been costed at £20,000.

And the church’s new Spire Appeal aims to raise £10,000 towards covering the bill.

A church spokesperson said: “The preservation of this building for both the congregation and the wider community is an important responsibility.

“ The repairs are to include the replacement of the lightning protection system as the current system has been discovered to be inadequate, the restoration and renovation of stonework and mortar on the spire and the inspection and renovation of metalwork in the spire and weather vane.

“The majority of the work required has already been inspected and assessed by Rafferty's, a firm of steeplejacks.

“The report they delivered recommends urgent action. Any additional funds raised will go towards the ongoing costs of keeping the main church building and the memorial hall functional for congregation and community use.”

There are a number of ways to support the Spire Appeal, including online at: https://app.investmycommunity.com/llangollen-methodist-church-2550.

* To find out more contact go to the church’s Facebook page at: Llangollen Methodist Church

MP slams Welsh Government over flood-hit road

* The landslide in Newbridge caused by flooding as a result of
Storm Christoph earlier in the year.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes has criticised the Welsh Government for not providing support and funding to restore a flood-hit area close to Llangollen.

In February this year, vital infrastructure was damaged due to flooding, including on the B5605 between Newbridge and Cefn as a result of a landslide. 

This has severed the link between the two communities and the wider settlement areas of Chirk, Plas Madoc and Ruabon. 

Mr Baynes says that representatives of the Welsh Government have since confirmed that the landslide on the B5605 between Newbridge and Cefn will be ineligible for funding support, despite assurances made previously.

He claims loss of this road link has also caused distress and inconvenience to the many residents and businesses in these areas and points out that alternative routes are lengthy and inconvenient. 

This stretch of the B5605 previously provided the alternative route for the A483 trunk road.

 He said: "In the event of closures on the trunk road, whether for planned works or emergencies, alternative routes are diverted via Llangollen – a fifteen mile diversion – and this is clearly not sustainable. Particularly when emergency vehicles are taken into account, this is unacceptable. 

"I’m calling on Welsh Government Ministers to step up and take action on an issue that is seriously affecting residents in our part of Wales. 

"I’m concerned that Ministers in Cardiff Bay are turning a blind eye to the damage to our communities in Clwyd South caused by flooding. I’m willing to work with Welsh Government to ensure Wrexham Council receives the funding support they need to repair our damaged infrastructure.”

Health centre says Delta variant of Covid-19 cases are in locality

Llangollen Health Centre has just posted on its Facebook page to says: "We have been advised that there are cases of the Delta variant in the locality.

"Can we please remind everyone of the importance of following Covid-19 rules and social distancing guidelines, even for those who are fully vaccinated.

"If you have any of the three main Covid symptoms (new, continuous cough, high temperature, or loss of taste or smell) you must self-isolate and a get a test. Please see links below.

"Please remember that lateral flow testing is only for those with no symptoms. If you have symptoms you must get a PCR test.

Self isolation info:

https://gov.wales/self-isolation

How to get a test:

https://gov.wales/getting-tested-coronavirus-covid-19..."

Meanwhile, all over-18s will be offered a Covid vaccine by the start of next week, according to First Minister Mark Drakeford.

Wales expects to reach 75% take-up for first jabs across all priority groups and age groups a month ahead of target – the original milestone was the end of July – as the nation’s vaccination programme continues to go from strength to strength.

The focus will now move to maximising vaccine coverage for all by ensuring everyone is offered a second dose by the end of September and that no one is left behind.

Mark Drakeford said: "I am very proud to say that Wales has one of the best Covid vaccination programmes in the world.

"We will make the offer of vaccination to all eligible adults six weeks ahead of schedule and we expect to reach 75% take-up across all priority groups and age groups a month ahead of target.

"This is a remarkable achievement and a tribute to the hard work of all those involved in the programme – to all those doing the complex work of planning behind the scenes and to the thousands of people vaccinating and helping to run the clinics across the country.

"You are doing a fantastic job. I am incredibly proud and thankful for everything you are doing to help protect Wales from this awful virus."

The very latest figures, published today, show 2.18m people, or 86% of the adult population, have had a first dose and almost 1.25m people have had a second dose.  

Take-up is higher than 90% for first doses in all people over 60; in healthcare workers; care home residents and staff and all those who are extremely clinically vulnerable.

An updated Vaccine Strategy is being published today, which sets out the next steps for the vaccination programme, including minimising inequalities and ensuring no one is left behind.

It highlights the importance of second doses, especially as the new delta variant is spreading in parts of the UK.

It also sets out the steps Wales is taking to prepare for any decisions by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) about booster jabs and vaccinating children – the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) last week approved a vaccine for use in children over 12.

Health Minister Eluned Morgan added: "The success of our programme in Wales lies in the supply arrangements we have developed; in our determination to use every drop of vaccine – not to waste any and to store the vaccine in people’s arms, rather than in fridges.

"As we complete first doses, we will be re-doubling our efforts to make sure no one is left behind.

"Subject to vaccine supply, we are confident the delivery of second doses will continue to be as fast and successful as first doses.

"We expect all those who have come forward for their first dose to be offered a second dose by the end of September."

£3m fund set up to provide breaks for unpaid carers

 

A new £3m fund is being set up to provide respite and short breaks for Wales’ small army of unpaid carers, Deputy Minister for Social Services Julie Morgan announced.

Speaking during Carers Week, Julie Morgan said the new fund will extend and improve the availability and quality of respite services, helping to support the valuable work unpaid carers do every day. With no one-size-fits-all form of respite, the fund will be available for flexible support to meet the needs of individual carers through a range of person-centred and innovative options, including face-to-face support and short breaks, helping unpaid carers have regular periods away from their caring routines or responsibilities. Julie Morgan said: “The physical and emotional impact of caring can be overwhelming. Unpaid carers across Wales play a vital role in our society – and their contribution to the pandemic has been immense, often taking on greater responsibilities with fewer breaks. “Respite services can be a lifeline and this new fund will make sure unpaid carers have a short break from their caring responsibilities. "Unpaid carers are some of society’s unsung heroes and it is essential we help them look after their own health and wellbeing.” Around 12% of people in Wales have caring responsibilities – many do not receive any support. Respondents to the Welsh Government’s Strategy for Unpaid Carers consultation, said their levels of stress and anxiety had increased because they could not access respite services; go on a daytrip or even leave their home for a couple of hours, during the height of the pandemic. The £3m fund will be split into two phases – local authorities will be allocated £1.75m in the first phase to meet an anticipated surge in demand for respite services. In the second phase, £1.25m will fund a new Wales-wide short breaks fund. Simon Hatch, director of Carers Trust Wales said: “This funding is very welcome, particularly given the significant impact the pandemic has had on thousands of unpaid carers. Carers have been highlighting for many years that the amount and flexibility of respite care support needs greatly improving. This is an important start in developing the respite support which carers in Wales deserve.”

Local roadworks alert

 

Latest local roadworks alert from one.network is:

Queen Street 09 June — 11 June   Delays likely - Traffic control (Stop/Go boards)   Works location: NR NORTH WALES FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE QUEEN STREET, LL20 8LA   Works description: works in private notice for TM only   Responsibility for works: Openreach   Current status: Planned work about to start   Works reference: BC006MQONSAWNGC1WC7DK70B

Railway says it will 'rise like a phoenix' from cash crisis

* The railway's revised coaching stock.

Llangollen Railway is all set to get back on track later this summer after being hit by a major financial crisis which threatened to kill off the world-famous heritage attraction.

On March 1 the railway's Public Limited Company went into receivership with debts of around £350,000.

A number of the railway’s assets were sold off in an online auction.

But the separate Railway Trust, which remains completely solvent, has been involved in a fundraising campaign to buy as many of the assets as possible and get the railway running again. 

Now, in a message to volunteers, the railway’s operations director Mike Williams says the battle has started to be successful.

He says: “The Railway is now Ours Again!

“Our Stations, Yards, Infrastructure & sufficient Rolling Stock are ready to rise back like the Phoenix.

“But there is still much to do before we can start running much needed, revenue earning train services.

“The (Llangollen Railway Trust) LRT Board & Heads of Departments are currently working on new Safety Management System documentation, for the Office Rail Road's approval.

“Plans are also in place to get the essential maintenance works completed which will then allow for Refresher Training & Competencies Testing. 

“All of which are vital to the railway re-commencing revenue earning services. Currently we are looking at middle/late July to be operational again.

“Meanwhile Llangollen residents may have noticed movement within the coaches parked in the station. This shunting has extracted those coaches sold at auction which have found new owners.

“In summary, one restaurant buffet car went to the Spa Valley Railway at Tunbridge Wells and an open coach went to the Mid Norfolk Railway at Dereham.

“Two further open coaches went to the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam railway in Devon. Three coaches were saved for use on the LR, with an accessible coach acquired by the Trust and a pair by a private group which intends keeping them at Llangollen, one of which is a function coach, The Trust also acquired the Road Rail vehicle as used at Corwen, the 12 ton rail crane and the Lowmac wagon with hydraulic arm.

“These items are of use in essential track maintenance. The diesel shunter went to the Battlefield Line at Shackerstone, Leics.

“The new owners of the large 50 ton Cowans crane intend to keep it at Llangollen.”

It is understood that the railway trust is continuing with its discussions to win further financial backing for the attraction.

To this end, Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates is reported by the Shropshire Star to have called on the Welsh Government’s economy minister to help the railway.

He told the paper: "This week I have written to the Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething, to ask how the Welsh Government can support local efforts to get Llangollen Railway back up and running.

"It is one of numerous tourism businesses in Clwyd South to have been awarded Welsh Government funding in the past."

As exclusively reported by llanblogger, during a recent Senedd election visit to Llangollen, First Minister Mark Drakeford said he wanted to work with local people to come up with a plan that would allow the government to be part of the help the railway will need to get back up and running.

MP backs campaign to ensure Stiwt can welcome back visitors

* From left: Simon Baynes MP, (back) Rhys Davies, (front) Brian Jones, Sue Jones (Head of Art and Design Technology at Ysgol y Grango), Theo Prime (Year 7 Pupil – Ysgol y Grango), Maria Handzhieva (Year 7 Pupil – Ysgol y Grango) outside the Stiwt Theatre in Rhos.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes is backing a fundraising campaign by the Stiwt Theatre in Rhos to ensure repairs are made and it is ready to welcome back visitors. 

To raise the funds necessary to repaint the auditorium and repair a leaking roof, the Stiwt has launched an initiative whereby supporters can receive a long-lasting memento – a 13.5 kilo counterweight stamped with ‘Rhos Theatre’ – when they make a minimum donation of £20 to the fundraising campaign. 

The counterweights have been previously been used in a system of ropes and pulleys backstage to hoist components such as curtains, lights, scenery, stage effects. The Stiwt has a surplus of counterweights which it is using in this fundraising campaign. 

During the visit, Mr Baynes met Stiwt Theatre Trustee, Brian Jones and General Manager, Rhys Davies, who updated him on the campaign and the latest developments at the theatre. 

They also showed him the counterweight mechanism in action on the stage at the theatre. Mr Baynes also met with representatives of Ysgol y Grango who were delivering their donation of £450 to the Stiwt’s fundraising campaign following a very successful ‘Own Clothes Day’ at the school. The school was represented by Sue Jones, Head of Art and Design Technology at Ysgol y Grango, and Year 7 pupils, Maria Handzhieva and Theo Prime. 

Brian Jones, Trustee of the Stiwt Theatre, said: “Once again the support of our community is one to be commended which is greatly appreciated by everyone involved with our Theatre. On this occasion we are very pleased to offer everyone a memento of the Theatre which they can treasure going forward and we look forward to welcoming everyone back in due course. We would also like to thank Simon for his kind contribution once again.”

Simon Baynes MP said: “It was a pleasure to visit the Stiwt again to back their novel fundraising campaign and make a personal contribution myself to receive one of their unique counterweights which now sits proudly in my office. I think this is an innovative and exemplary way of raising funds, and a wonderful opportunity for members of the local community with an interest in the theatre and the local area to claim a piece of Rhos history. And I want to wish everyone at the Stiwt the very best of luck.”

Businesses urged to apply for grant funding

Further covid-19 funding is now available for the hospitality, tourism and leisure sector.

Denbighshire County Council will help administer the Welsh Government funds for businesses impacted during Alert Level 2 restrictions.

Businesses with a turnover greater than £85,000 can apply through the Welsh Government’s Business Wales platform while those with a turnover less than £85,000 can apply through the Council.

Eligible businesses include:

• Nightclubs, late entertainment venues and ice skating rinks

• Events and conference venues

• Business unable to open indoors between May 1 and May 17 and who experienced a drop in turnover

• Hospitality trading under Alert Level 2 conditions from May 17 to June 30

• Supply chain and related business with material impact on turnover

Cllr Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of Denbighshire County Council, said: “We are again encouraging businesses to apply for the funding being made available by Welsh Government.

“It is vital businesses in the county apply for this funding to ensure they are getting all the support that is available to them which helps protect jobs and the economy in Denbighshire.”

To find out if you are eligible and to apply visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/coronavirus/erf-business-support.aspx

 

Further easing of Covid-19 regulations announced

Up to 30 people will be able to meet outdoors and large outdoor activities will be able to take place from Monday, as Wales moves to Alert Level 1, First Minister Mark Drakeford announced today (Friday).

The size of extended households can be increased to up to three households, and a further household with a single adult or single adult with caring responsibilities will also be able to join.

The move to alert level one will be phased, with outdoor events opening first. Ministers will review the public health situation again, ahead of June 21, to determine whether indoor events can restart.

The two-stage approach will enable more people to be vaccinated – and complete their two-dose course – amid growing concerns about the spread of the delta variant of the virus across the UK.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: "I want to thank everyone in Wales for everything they have done to control the spread of coronavirus and keep rates low. The emergence of the delta variant shows the pandemic is not over yet and we all need to continue to take steps to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

"The risk of infection is significantly less outdoors than it is indoors. This is why we are phasing in the changes in this three-week cycle. This will allow more people to enjoy events outdoors and take advantage of the Welsh summer, while we continue to roll out the vaccination programme to all adults.

"We will review the public health situation again in a couple of weeks to see whether we can continue to relax the restrictions and restart indoor events."

The seven-day coronavirus case rate remains very low in Wales and the positivity rate is less than 1%. Wales also has the best vaccination rates in the UK – more than 85% of the population has had one dose and 45% have completed the course.

But there is growing concern about the spread of the delta variant in many parts of the UK, especially in the North West of England.

There are currently 97 cases in Wales, including a cluster of cases in Conwy.

The first phase of the move to alert level one means that from Monday June 7:

• Up to 30 people can meet outdoors, including in private gardens, outdoor hospitality and public places. 
• Larger outdoor organised gatherings and events, such as concerts, football matches and sporting activities, like organised running groups can go ahead for up to 4,000 people standing and 10,000 people seated. All organisers planning events and activities must undertake a full risk assessment and put in place measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus, including social distancing.

The Welsh Government will consider further changes to the regulations on indoor activity later in the month, if public health conditions allow.

These include:

• Rule of six for meeting indoors in private homes and holiday accommodation. 
• Increased numbers for indoor organised gatherings and indoor events.
• Opening ice skating rinks.

Llangollen features in roll-out of full-fibre broadband

* Simon Baynes MP.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes has welcomed plans by Openreach to build full-fibre broadband to Wales’ hardest-to-serve communities, including Llangollen.

Openreach has announced that a total of 140 exchanges across Wales will be upgraded, with rural homes set to benefit the most. 

In Clwyd South, the exchanges in Llangollen, Corwen and Ruabon will be upgraded, enabling access to full fibre broadband many more homes and businesses. 

Openreach’s build plan forms part of the UK Government’s target of delivering ‘gigabit capable broadband’ to 85% of the United Kingdom by 2025. 

This is in conjunction with the UK Government’s commitment to reform the Electronic Communications Code, allowing providers access to rural land more easily to enable build to progress at pace.

Welcoming the announcement, Mr Baynes said: “I’m delighted to hear about Openreach’s plans to connect an extra 415,000 more home and businesses across rural Wales.

"It’s excellent to see that the UK Government is committed to boosting access to broadband for people and businesses across Wales, and projects like this are a huge step forward in achieving that goal.

“Fast, reliable broadband is more important than ever due to more people working at home, and this will be a great step forward for the communities of Corwen, Llangollen and Ruabon.

“Obviously there is still much work to carry out in enabling full fibre access for every property, and I continue to push for a faster rollout to the areas that are not yet included in Openreach’s plans, as well as eradicating the remaining not-spots across Clwyd South. 

"But this project will see very welcome investment pumped into North Wales, providing homes and businesses across rural Wales the connectivity they need to flourish.”

Three-week consultation on 2020 plans for town centre

Denbighshire County Council is set to hold a three-week consultation on major proposals for Llangollen town centre.

The Llangollen 2020 Castle Street Improvement scheme has been created with input from the community and looks to improve Castle Street and some adjacent streets in Llangollen town centre.

The proposals are intended to reduce traffic and parking congestion, to improve facilities for pedestrians and to improve the quality of the public realm.

Cllr Brian Jones, Denbighshire County Council’s Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the Environment, said: “For the past three years the Council has been working alongside the Llangollen 2020 group to develop these proposals.

“The Llangollen 2020 group is a community-led group and has previously consulted with the local community during the development of the proposals, but the Council would now like to seek the community’s views on the latest version of the proposals.

“Funding is in place to deliver the scheme in the autumn and winter of 2021-22. However, no final decision has yet been taken by Denbighshire County Council on whether to proceed with the scheme as this will be dependent upon the outcome of the consultation.

“We are also aware of concerns raised regarding the acacia tree located near the Town Hall. The current situation is that the condition of the tree is still being assessed by tree experts and no decisions have yet been made about the future of the tree.”

A three-week consultation exercise is due to commence on Tuesday, June 15 and will close on July 6.

During the second week of the consultation, a public exhibition of the proposals will be undertaken in Llangollen Town Centre and the Council also intends to speak to Castle Street businesses to give them the opportunity to discuss the proposals with officers.

Full details of the consultation and public exhibition will be provided soon.

Aqueduct and Canal set for UK Government funding bid

Wrexham.com is reporting that the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site are set for a UK Government Levelling Up Fund bid.

* For the full story, see: http://www.wrexham.com/news/world-heritage-site-development-set-for-uk-government-levelling-up-fund-bid-205217.html

Seat gets serious with the new Cupra Formentor

Cupra Formentor road test by Steve Rogers

This is Seat getting serious. The Spanish car maker has always been the sporty sibling in the Volkswagen family and its new Cupra brand has taken it to another level.

Formentor, named after a bay on the Spanish island of Majorca, is Cupra's first exclusive model and is meant to make a big statement.

If this was a Seat it would be the Ateca SUV, yet it looks nothing like a Seat, and nothing like a bulky SUV, not that the neat Ateca falls into that class. 

The designers have been given the freedom to express and have come up with a futuristic coupe crossover that looks as if it has landed from another planet. All we need if for Martians to jump out to complete the fantasy.

It has that 'ready to pounce' look with a long dipping bonnet, sloping roof and body panels with so many slashes and creases it looks as if it has been in a scrap with a wild animal. Exaggeration aside it looks great and has got everyone talking. I lost count of the number who asked what it was and gave the thumbs up.

So this is a crossover or SUV, whatever's your naming preference, that sits lower than the majority, the only real clue to its status is the wide gap between tyres and wheel arches, you don't even sit particularly high which makes it even more appealing.

Formentor is a good drive too and has the engines to back up its aggressive looks yet I am going to make a bold statement: Look no further than the entry level 1.5 litre petrol!

I've been a fan of this VW family engine since it was launched a few years ago because it is an engine that keeps on giving, punchy, refined and good for 40 miles to the gallon. Two of its four cylinders shut down when coasting to reduce engine emissions and give a boost to economy. That's clever stuff.

Those seeking something more racey can look to the 1.4 litre turbo hybrid or the outrageous 304hp 2-litre turbo that will reach sixty in under five seconds but you will be looking to spend 40 grand plus for the pleasure.

Which bring us to another good reason to stick with the entry 1.5 called V1. This is the best equipped starter model I have come across with keyless entry, navigation, LED headlights, and adaptive cruise control highlights of a generous spec sheet.

As expected inside is digital dreamland with a treat for the driver who can choose from six excellent binnacle displays, easily selected from switches on the steering wheel. The display side bars are information overload but are easy to find and easy to close.

Then we have the 12in 'floating' central touchscreen. I am not so sure it needs to be this big and is a bit like putting a 56in flat screen tele in a box room. What's worse is I found the system over complicated and most of the time used voice control, and a very nice lady she is too ending commands with 'OK' or 'sure'.

She was a bit puzzled when I asked for more fan speed because she calls it the blower but we were all friends again after sorting that out.

There are touch sensitive switches for heating temperature but they have no feel or sound so you are never sure if anything has happened which means more time looking at the switch and not the road.

Not enough though to put me off Formentor which is a great driver's car with pedals perfectly positioned and plenty of adjustment to get the perfect seating position. Handling is solid even at V1 level but there is plenty more to come moving up the grades.

It is not all about performance either, the quality of trim is good with some neat touches while the seats are comfortable and supportive. Rear legroom is also generous although if feels claustrophobic sitting fairly low behind the big front seats.

So a good first effort for the Cupra brand, certainly offering something a bit different from the norm with its coupe looks and good value for money to boot.

Fast facts

Formentor V1 6sp manual

£27,3956

1.5 TSI petrol; 148bhp

0-62mph 8.9secs; 127mph

41.5mpg combined

143g/km. 1st VED £215

Insurance group 19

Boot 450 - 1475 litres

Entertainer Shea tells of his day filming for new Netflix drama

* Shea Ferron on stage.

* Shea's picture of members of the John's Boys Choir on the set of the new Netflix drama.

A young entertainer well known to Llangollen audiences has told of his day filming for a forthcoming Netflix TV show. 

Shea Ferron went over to St Helens on Merseyside with fellow members of the award-winning John’s Boys Male Voice Choir from Rhosllanerchrugog last Tuesday to record scenes for Stay Close, a crime drama based on the 2012 Harlan Coben novel of the same title. 

Shea, 18, who lives in Ruabon, said: “Ourselves, along with some friends from the Royal Northern College of Music, were cast in the roles after entering a national search for established male choirs and singers under the age of 25. 

“Aled Phillips, our musical director, was asked to submit a selection of previous pieces we have sung to show producers and directors in charge of casting the roles. 

“They were so impressed with the music they heard that we were asked to sing live on the day. 

“The music was arranged by Aled, who worked with the lead roles throughout to perfect their performances. 

“After arriving in St Helens, the lads were chauffeur-driven to a top secret location at 6am in the morning for costume fittings and makeup, before tucking into a well deserved breakfast  of sausage and bacon sandwiches. 

“We were very enthusiastic about our tight-fitting costumes, none more so than Aled who proudly grew his beard especially for his role. He was, however, told he had to shave it off! 

“The lads spent the previous few days rehearsing the piece, and recording live on set. 

“Audiences and crew were blown away with the quality of the singing, and we had a very enjoyable experience overall. 

Shea added: “There were 10 singers mixed between John’s Boys and the Royal Northern College of Music. It was a really fun day. 

“We had a very early start and a very long day but we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and were looked after well by the production team. 

“There’s not a huge lot we are allowed to give away but the experience that we all had was amazing. A huge thank you to Aled Phillips for giving us the opportunity. 

“Keep an eye out in the near future for our acting and musical abilities in Netflix’s Stay Close.”

Shea has been rapidly building up a useful portfolio of acting and singing appearances in the area for a number of years.

He has joined the cast of numerous shows, with Llangollen Operatic Society, its junior section the Young ‘Uns, and the Collen Players music hall group, winning a number of amateur stage awards into the bargain.

There have also been numerous solo performances in St Collen’s Church and his own church in Ruabon.

But Shea has really came into his own during the pandemic when by singing his way through a series of self-arranged open-air gigs to raise thousands of pounds for good causes.

Update on yesterday's mountain fire in Rhewl

* The gorse fire at its height yesterday afternoon. Picture: Philip Hatcher-Moore. 

One appliance and one wild fire unit are still in attendance at the mountain fire in Rhewl this morning. 

Firefighters are damping down hotspots on the mountain. 

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service received a call at 1.13pm yesterday (Tuesday 1^st June) reporting the fire.

Fire crews worked with colleagues from Natural Resources Wales, Denbighshire Wardens from Denbighshire County Council, North Wales Police and the 4 x 4 volunteer group to bring the incident under control. 

A helicopter attended and dropped water on the incident to help extinguish the fire. The fire was under control around 9pm last night.

Approximately 1km square of gorse, undergrowth and forestry was affected and the cause of the fire is believed to be accidental. 

Paul Jenkinson, Senior Operations Manager, said: “Please continue to avoid this area whilst crews are dealing with the incident. We will have a number of vehicles in the area again today and we are asking the public to assist us by staying away from this area until the incident is over. 

“This incident highlights the importance of partnership working with our colleagues from the other agencies to be able to bring it under control quickly and safely. Our crews worked extremely hard on the mountain yesterday in very hot conditions and I would like to thank everyone who assisted with this incident.”

Trading Standards Wales issues census text scam warning

Trading Standards Wales has been made aware of a text message scam in relation to the national Census. 

Recipients are told that there is information missing from their completed Census and asked to click on a link to complete their form or face prosecution. 

By clicking the link they are directed to a site which appears identical to the original online census form, on completing the form and submitting the recipient is asked to pay a £1.25 fee. 

Helen Picton, Chair of Trading Standards Wales, said: “Scam calls and texts to mobile phones are a serious problem, there is no mobile phone equivalent to a landline call blocker to stop them coming through. 

“Some of these messages are very convincing. Remember, that no government agency would send you a notification demanding money via text or via automated telephone message. 

“If a company sends you a link via text message to click on, ignore it. If you are unsure because you have an account with that company, contact them directly and don't use the link provided.” 

There are some things you can do to cut down the numbers of scam calls and texts: 

1. Most mobile phones have settings to block numbers. Search the internet for "blocking numbers on my (brand) mobile more advice on your phone" or there is usually advice on your mobile phone providers website
2. You can register with the Telephone preference service 
3. Report these texts to National cyber security centre – 7726
4. https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/suspicious-email-actions
5. Contact Census 2021 Contact Centre by Ringing 0800 141 2021 for England and 0800 169 2021 for Wales.

Wales' contract tracing to be extended into next year

Wales' Test, Trace, Protect service, introduced to help reduce the spread of coronavirus, will be extended to next year.

A further £32m will be invested to extend contact tracing to March 2022.

The latest figures show that almost a year after TTP was launched in Wales, contact tracers have reached 99.7% of the positive cases that were eligible for follow up.

They successfully contacted almost 95% of the close contacts that were eligible for follow up, and provided them with advice, or helped to resolve their cases.

And local authorities have also approved more than 12,500 self-isolation support payments to help people to stay at home and reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading in their local communities.

Health and Social Services Minister Eluned Morgan said: "Test, Trace, Protect has been extremely effective at supporting people who have tested positive and their contacts to isolate and providing advice, guidance and support. It is critical to stopping the virus spreading in our communities.

"It’s a year since we set up Test, Trace, Protect from scratch – at what the Auditor General for Wales described as an extraordinary scale and at pace. A great deal of hard work across NHS Wales, local authorities, the voluntary sector and partner organisations has created a highly-effective programme to help us keep Wales safe. Everyone involved can be extremely proud of their efforts.

"I want to thank everyone involved, including Public Health Wales and Digital Health Care Wales. In particular I want to thank the contact tracers and those providing Protect services who have provided much-needed support to people at an extremely difficult time in their lives.

"They have done much more than their title suggests – they have identified vulnerable people and got them extra support, whether that be someone to chat to, a food parcel, or linking in with vital mental health services.

"As we seek to stop the spread of new variants of concern, experienced contact tracers are key to doing this effectively and we are continuing to invest in this work."

Research has suggested that when coronavirus transmission was high before the firebreak last year, TTP reduced the R number from approximately 1.7 to 1.3. Using the more recent R number and improvements to monitoring, its impact may be to reduce R from 1.3 to 0.8.

Contact tracers and advisers working for the TTP service are now undertaking enhanced contact tracing to tackle variants of concern.

They also:

• manage and provide assurance to almost 18,000 travellers from amber list countries who must quarantine and take tests
• take vaccination programme calls from the public, arrange bookings and follow up on those who do not attend
• act as the contact centre for the Welsh Vaccination Certificate Service
• contact large businesses and local employers to encourage them to take up the Welsh Government offer of asymptomatic lateral flow tests, (LFTs)
• contact local business, including licenced premises, hospitality and care homes, to establish correct contact details and establish if any support is needed in relation to COVID-19 measures, regulatory requirements and other public health issues
• support community testing sites.