Tourism sector can start re-opening tomorrow, says First Minister

Wales' tourism sector will be able to start re-opening from tomorrow (Saturday) as the stay-local rule is lifted, First Minister Mark Drakeford (pictured) has announced.

The rules will also be changed to enable organised outdoor activities and sports for children and under-18s to take place and up to six people from two different households to meet and exercise outdoors.

The relaxations continue the Welsh Government’s planned, step-by-step approach to relaxing the coronavirus restrictions, taking account of the highly-infectious Kent variant, which is now the dominant form of the virus in Wales.

These are the final stages of the relaxations in this three-week review cycle and they follow the successful return of primary pupils and many older secondary school and college students to face-to-face learning and the start of the phased re-opening of non-essential retail, including the opening of hairdressers and barbers.

Wales is moving out of alert level four, and now starting to move into level three. Welsh Ministers will consider further alert level three measures in the next review of the regulations.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: "These further relaxations are part of our careful and phased approach to unlocking the restrictions and enabling people and businesses to resume their activities in the safest possible way.

"We’re only able to do this because of the sacrifices everyone across Wales has made over the last few months – everything you are doing to keep your loved ones safe is also keeping Wales safe.

"The public health position remains stable; our incredible vaccination programme goes from strength to strength – we have headroom to make these changes.

"Self-contained holiday accommodation, including hotels with en-suite facilities and room service, will be able to reopen to people from the same household or support bubble.

"The stay local rule will be replaced by an interim all-Wales travel area, which will remain in place until April 12, subject to the public health situation. For the next two weeks, only those with a reasonable excuse, such as work, will be able to travel into or out of Wales." 

The current restrictions on international travel for holidays will remain in place.
Other changes include:

• Six people from two different households, excluding children under 11, will be able to meet and exercise outdoors and in private gardens;
• Organised outdoor activities and sports for children and under 18s will be able to resume;
• There will be a limited opening of outdoor areas of some historic places and gardens;
• Libraries and archives will be able to re-open.

The First Minister added: "We are taking a step-by step approach to relaxing restrictions and want to carry on being able to open up Wales.

"To do that we need everyone’s help. That means staying vigilant for signs of infection; isolating if we have symptoms and arranging to get tested.

"It also means following the basic steps to keep us all safe while we’re out and about – keeping our distance from others; not mixing indoors; avoiding crowds; washing our hands regularly and wearing face coverings."

The next review of the regulations will take place next week. Welsh Ministers will consider the following relaxations, which will come into effect from April 12, subject to the public health situation:  

• All pupils and students can return to schools, colleges and other education;
• All shops and close contact services can open;
• The interim all-Wales travel area can be lifted.

Health centre's latest vaccination update

Llangollen Health Centre has just posted a vaccination update on social media, which says:

"We are running three clinics this weekend and are busy booking patients into these clinics.  

"We have tried to contact all patients aged 55 and over and have now started on those aged 50-54 (Group 9).

"If you are aged 55 and above and you are worried that we may have missed you, please contact us on 01978 860625.

"Important information for those attending a clinic this weekend:

"If you are attending the clinic on Saturday morning in Plas Madoc, please be aware that this is Plas Madoc Leisure Centre. Please park in the Leisure Centre car park – there will be marshalls there to guide you.

"All other clinics are taking place at Llangollen Health Centre. There are no clinics in Glyn Ceiriog this weekend.

"If you are attending the Saturday clinic in Llangollen, it is important that you park in the correct car park as advised when booking. 

"The patient car park is the one near the Pharmacy, the staff car park is the one furthest away from Llangollen.  There will be marshalls there to guide you.

"*If you drive yourself to the clinic please be aware that you need to wait in your car for 15 minutes after your vaccination.  If someone else drives you or you walk, you will not have to wait*"

Extra cash made available to tackle potholes

* Potholes on the bridge after they received attention from the county council.

Housing and Local Government Minister Julie James has announced an extra £12m of funding for local authorities to fix potholes and improve roads, pavements and active travel routes across Wales.

llanblogger understands that Denbighshire's share is £476,071.

This could be welcome news in Llangollen where there have been numerous complaints about the state of the roads in and around the town centre.

llanblogger recently highlighted the growing number of deep potholes in Castle Street and as a result some of these of these received attention from the county council. 

The additional Welsh Government funding will allow local authorities to continue with planned highways maintenance works, boosting the economy and making active travel safer. 

Local authorities will also be better able to respond to the impact of recent weather events, including damage to highways caused by the recent flooding.

Llwybr Newydd, the Welsh Government’s new transport strategy, pledged a 'bold' increase in the number of people using public active travel or walking and cycling to get around. 

It  also highlighted the need to make best use of existing infrastructure through effective maintenance and management.

Local Government and Housing Minister Julie James said: "We know that during the pandemic with a quieter road network most councils have already made good use of the opportunity to undertake repairs and improvements.

“We are providing this extra funding to reflect the flood damage we have seen to highways across Wales and the ways in which we are using our local environment differently. 

“By providing this extra funding, we are enabling local authorities to continue making improvements to roads in Wales, boosting the economy and making roads safer for active travel."

Companies present Bryn Collen children with Easter egg gifts

* A Ysgol Bryn Collen pupils gives the thumbs-up to the Easter eggs.

* The consignment of Easter eggs ready for delivery.

Children at Ysgol Bryn Collen will finish for the Easter holidays this week with an extra special treat, courtesy of  the Three Eagles and Tyn Dwr Hall. 

Each child from nursery through to Year Six will be presented with an Easter egg before finishing for their two-week break.

Speaking on behalf of Three Eagles and Tyn Dwr Hall, company director Vicky Jones said: “We were delighted to donate almost 200 Easter eggs to the pupils of Bryn Collen before they finish school for Easter. 

"As a group of businesses we care passionately about our local community and recognise that some of the youngest residents have had a difficult year away from school and their friends. We hope this small gesture will bring a smile to their faces.”

Purchased from Aldi Llangollen earlier in the week, the supermarket staff were kind enough to help Vicky carry and load the eggs before they were distributed at the school.

Headreacher Lisa Howden said: “The children were thrilled to each receive an Easter egg as part of this act of kindness by the team behind Three Eagles and Tyn Dwr Hall. 

"This is the third year the team have generously donated something at Easter time to the students and we are tremendously grateful.”

Reminder that hospital grounds are now smoke-free

Denbighshire County Council and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board are working in partnership to remind residents that hospital grounds, as well as school grounds, public playgrounds, outdoor day care and child-minding settings, are now required to be smoke-free.

Emlyn Jones, Denbighshire County Council’s Head of Planning and Public Protection, said: “We will be working with the health board to assist their approach of advice and guidance to those visiting hospital sites.

“Smoking is extremely harmful and damaging to health and remains one of the main causes of inequalities in health in Wales. These measures have been introduced by Welsh Government to protect employees and the public from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.

“Smoking will no longer be tolerated on hospital grounds. Officers will only be called to take enforcement as a last resort when it is clear people are ignoring the legislation and where the health board has taken all reasonable measures. Our main focus will be on assisting the health board in providing advice and guidance. Our officers will be dealing sympathetically and compassionately with patients experiencing difficult circumstances in line with the guidance contained within the legislation.

“I would also like to thank the health board for their increased efforts around encouraging people to quit smoking in light of this new legislation.”

Teresa Owen, Executive Director of Public Health, said: "The new Welsh Government regulations will support our efforts to help people quit smoking.

"We welcome the assistance we're receiving from our Local Authority colleagues to help keep public areas smoke free."

Library and One Stop Shop open from next Monday

* Llangollen Library will re-open next Monday, March 29.

Libraries across Denbighshire will be re-opening their doors from Monday, March 29 for browsing for books, using a computer and printing, and accessing One Stop Shop services. 

To ensure a safe visit, customers will need to phone their local library to make an appointment to visit.

Libraries are a safe place to visit with plenty of room for social distancing, limited numbers of people in at any time, and hand and equipment sanitiser available. All returned books are quarantined for 72 hours before being touched.

Visits to browse and choose books are limited to 20 minutes, and computer sessions are currently limited to 45 minutes, and one per week. You will need your library card number to book a computer session.

If you require help at the One Stop Shop with a council query or to make a payment, please call the library and ensure you have all the relevant details, so that we can deal with your query, and arrange an appointment if you need to come in.

The popular Order and Collect service will continue if you would prefer for library staff to choose the books for you to collect or have delivered to you. 

The Home Library Service is making deliveries of books to anyone who is unable to visit their local library – please call the library or visit the website to find out more about this service.

So that the shelves can be stocked up, you are asked to please return any books you’ve had on loan by dropping them off at the library. All the books currently on loan are being automatically renewed and you won’t be fined even if you’ve had them for months.

You can join the library, order books and download e-books, e-audiobooks, magazines and newspapers free – visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/libraries

Wales votes to protect its pets as new law passes Senedd

A vote has just passed in the Senedd introducing new regulations for pet sales. 

The regulations will also ban third party sales of puppies and kittens.

This means that from 10 September it will be an offence to sell a puppy or kitten which the seller has not bred themselves. 

Crucially the new regulations requires the seller to have bred the puppy or kitten “at the premises” – which puts a stop to lengthy and multiple transportations for the young animals, which can cause distress. 

This applies to travel in and around Wales, as well as banning puppies and kittens from being brought in to Wales, for sale.

Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths said: “Our much-loved pets fill us with joy, complete our families, and have helped us get through tough lockdowns during the pandemic.

“I want to thank all Senedd members for voting to ban the third party sales of puppies and kittens today. The people of Wales who responded to our consultation were overwhelmingly in favour of making this happen, and the charities, vets, volunteers and organisations that have worked tirelessly to help form the law into what has been passed today also deserve our thanks.

“We hope a ban will encourage respectful and responsible attitudes towards all animals, provide greater transparency for people who wish to welcome puppies or kittens into their homes as to how they have been bred, and empower Local Authorities to take action if they have concerns about how puppies and kittens are being bred and sold.”

Chief Veterinary Officer Christianne Glossop said: “The way we treat animals reflects the values of our society. That is why Welsh Government and the Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework Group work in conjunction to promote high animal welfare standards and the responsible ownership of animals. This law will now close loopholes to protect the welfare and wellbeing of our puppies and kittens, while educating us all about what is right and fair for our pets.”

The Regulations will come fully into force on 10 September.  

During this time Statutory Guidance will be co-produced to support enforcement by Local Authorities and this timeline will also allow existing sellers affected to make changes and consider a different operating model to mitigate any potential impact.

MP calls for support for Corwen station project

* Simon Baynes MP asks a question in the Commons.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes has highlighted in Parliament the potential benefits of the levelling-up fund for projects in North Wales, and in particular his constituency.

Mr Baynes asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of Wales, David TC Davies MP, whether he would meet with him and visit projects in Clwyd South that fulfil the requirements of the fund, such as the reopening of Corwen station on the Llangollen steam railway and Wrexham's regeneration plans.

In response, the Minister said: “I assure my Hon. Friend that it is always a pleasure to meet him and hear about the enormous amount of hard work he is undertaking in his constituency. 

"Unfortunately, I have been advised that it would not be appropriate for me to visit any specific project site, but I of course look forward to supporting him and other Members of Parliament who continue the work of using the funds being made available by the UK Government to drive forward regeneration in their constituencies.”

Speaking later, Mr Baynes said: “These projects have real potential to bring funding and investment to Clwyd South which our communities vitally need following the Covid-19 pandemic. 

"So I’m keen, whenever possible, to bang the drum and support these projects and am eager to work with the UK Government to boost our North Wales economy and encourage growth and the creation of new, well-paying jobs locally.”

St Collen's carefully plans its Easter service

Llangollen Group of Anglican Church has issued information about its forthcoming Easter service.

This says: "Our Easter Sunday celebration at 11am will be going ahead as planned and in accordance with the latest restrictions from the Welsh Government. 

"Under Alert Level 4 for Wales, churches are allowed to remain open for public worship. 

"We have reviewed our arrangements (including Risk Assessments) for this service so that everyone will be kept safe.

"St Collen's is a large building and we have worked out a maximum number for attendance so that everyone is kept at a safe distance. 

"All those planning to attend will need to REGISTER (their names and contact numbers) by email: stcollens@gmail.com, or by signing up after the 11am service this Sunday (28th March).

"The services are much shorter than they would usually be.

"There is a small choir (of physically distanced singers) leading the music in full compliance with the Welsh Government.

"Face coverings in church are mandatory.

"The church building is fully sanitised after each service and hand sanitiser is readily available for individuals around the church. 

"All up-to-date information can be accessed online by visiting the Welsh Government & Church in Wales websites."

Welsh Government's coronavirus update

Latest coronavirus update from the Welsh Government (dated yesterday) is: 

•  First Minister Mark Drakeford has led tributes to all those who have died during the pandemic in Wales and the enormous contribution from people across the nation as Wales today marks the first anniversary of the pandemic.
• Statement in Plenary: https://record.assembly.wales/Plenary/11187#A65549
• National Commemorative Event: https://gov.wales/national-coronavirus-commemorative-event
• Health Minister Vaughan Gething has published an update about Wales’ Vaccination Strategy: https://gov.wales/written-statement-covid-19-vaccination-strategy-update-0
• Vaccination Equity Strategy: https://gov.wales/covid-19-vaccination-equity-strategy
• Up to £30m to support Wales’ diverse culture sector through the ongoing pandemic has been announced by Welsh Government in a second round of the Cultural Recovery Fund.
• The fund will be delivered jointly by Welsh Government, the Arts Council of Wales and local authorities.
• https://gov.wales/cultural-recovery-fund-extended
• Update about field hospitals: https://gov.wales/written-statement-review-field-hospital-phase-2 

Coronavirus in numbers

• The latest figures published by Public Health Wales today show there have been 127 newly-reported cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 208,119 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wales since the start of the pandemic.
• There were no deaths reported by Public Health Wales today. The total number of deaths reported by Public Health Wales is 5,488.
• These figures are updated daily at: https://public.tableau.com/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection#!/vizhome/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary

• The number of people who have received a Covid vaccine in Wales is being published every weekday by Public Health Wales.
• The latest figures show 1,288,250 people have received their first dose.
• And 353,347 people have received two doses of the vaccine.
• https://public.tableau.com/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection#!/vizhome/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary
• If you think you’ve been missed off the vaccine appointment list: https://gov.wales/get-your-covid-19-vaccination-if-you-think-you-have-been-missed
• The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has today published statistics on provisional weekly deaths, including deaths involving Covid-19 for the week ending 12 March 2021.
• The cumulative number of deaths involving Covid-19 occurring in Welsh residents up to 12 March 2021 was 7,731.
• Of these, there were provisionally 68 deaths involving Covid-19 registered in Welsh residents in the week ending 12 March. This was 35 fewer than the previous week. The number of registered deaths involving Covid has declined for eight successive weeks and is at its lowest level since late October.
• For the period 7 March 2020 to 12 March 2021, there were a total of 5,600 excess deaths (17%) above the five-year average.
• More deaths involving Covid were registered in the second wave of the pandemic than the first.
• The excess death rate for Wales for the pandemic period to date was lower in Wales than in England.
• For the latest week, both England and Wales saw deaths below the five-year average.
• The numbers reported by ONS are different from those from Public Health Wales because of different reporting methods and timing.
• https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/deathsregisteredweeklyinenglandandwalesprovisional/latest 

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 10 days from when your symptoms started.
• Guidance about self-isolating: https://gov.wales/self-isolation-stay-home-guidance-households-possible-coronavirus
• Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
• You must have a test on day one and day eight if you have been told to self-isolate by NHS Wales Test Trace Protect.
• 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 

Where to find the latest information

• Wales is at alert level four. A stay local rule is in place. A summary of what to do is available at: https://gov.wales/alert-level-4-summary
• More information about the national measures is available at: https://gov.wales/alert-level-4 and the roadmap in and out of alert levels is at: https://gov.wales/coronavirus-control-plan-alert-levels-wales

• Information about coronavirus is available on the Welsh Government’s website at https://gov.wales/coronavirus and https://llyw.cymru/coronafeirws
• Questions about Covid-19 vaccines? Visit: https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/immunisation-and-vaccines/covid-19-vaccination-information/ and https://gov.wales/vaccine-coronavirus
• Want to join Wales’ vaccination team? https://gov.wales/join-covid-19-vaccination-team
• If you think you’ve been missed off the vaccine appointment list: https://gov.wales/get-your-covid-19-vaccination-if-you-think-you-have-been-missed
• Information about support for businesses is available at the Business Wales website https://businesswales.gov.wales/coronavirus-advice/ 

Town Hall lit up in tribute to those who have died from Covid-19

 

* Llangollen Town Hall is one of the buildings in Llangollen and Wrexham lit up this evening by a team of technicians from locally-based Orb Sound and Lighting on the National Day of Reflection  in tribute to those who have died from Covid-19.  The castle was also lit up tonight.

Eisteddfod journalist among those remembered today

* The late Kevin Hughes with his wife Sally. 

Among those who died from Covid-19 and will be commemorated today on the anniversary of the first lockdown will be a journalist who covered the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod for a number of years.

Kevin Hughes, who was also a Flintshire county councillor, died at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital after a long battle against Covid-19 in January aged 63.

His death followed that of his mother, June Margaret Hughes, 89, also from the virus on November 25 at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

Kevin had visited her briefly in PPE and accepted that going to the hospital may have caused him to contract the disease but he added: “I don't know how I got it, whether it was visiting my mum, it might have been in the shop or in the garage. I just don't know.”

He was born in Chester and attended Queen’s Park High School, Handbridge, and leaves a wife, Sally, with whom he celebrated 40 years of marriage three years ago, sons Chris, Steve and Andy, and seven grandchildren.

In a varied career Kevin Joined Cheshire Constabulary and was a police diver during his service and after his retirement worked for a time as head diver at the Blue Planet Aquarium, at Cheshire Oaks.

He moved into journalism with the Chester Chronicle and rose to be editor of the Flintshire Chronicle before his retirement and in recent years has worked for North Wales-based public relations company Ceidiog Communication with whom he helped to cover the Llangollen Eisteddfod for a number of seasons until just a few years ago. 

He represented Gwernymynydd as an active and committed Flintshire County Councillor.

He was a former colleague of llanblogger journalist Phil Robinson, both at Ceidiog Communication and previously when they worked together on the Ellesmere Port Pioneer newspaper in Cheshire.

Paying tribute in January Phil said: "The small north Wales journalistic community has lost one of its most outstanding members which it could ill afford to do. 

"Kevin, who I was privileged to know for 20 years, was a big man - in stature, talent and heart."  

Bell will toll at midday for those who died from coronavirus

* The bell will toll at St Collen's Church at midday for all those who have died from coronanvirus. 

Following the national minute's silence at midday today (Tuesday) a bell will be tolled at St Collen's Church to commemorate those who have died with coronavirus, marking one year since the first lockdown began.

The First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford will take part in the National Coronavirus Commemorative Event held at 5.15pm today.

The event will bring the nation together to pay our respects to those we’ve lost and express our sympathy to those who are grieving for their loved ones.

It will be a chance to reflect on how the pandemic has had a profound impact on every community in Wales and celebrate how people in those communities have sustained each other.

The occasion will be an opportunity to express our thanks to our health workers and carers, who have done so much to care for those who have been ill and those who have lost their lives.

Ifor ap Glyn, the National Poet of Wales. will read a poem written especially for the Commemoration and the Morriston Hospital Emergency Department Choir have recorded a special performance for the event.

The First Minister will also take part in the minute silence at midday to remember those who have died over the last year.

Mr Drakeford said: “Over the last 12 months, the pandemic has turned all our lives upside down.

“Too many families have lost loved ones and close friends and so many people haven’t had a chance to say goodbye because of all the changes coronavirus has meant to our lives.

“It’s really important we have an opportunity to come together to reflect on the last year and to unite to support each other through this tough time.”

The National Coronavirus Commemorative Event will presented by Huw Edwards and broadcast at 5.15pm on BBC One Wales and S4C.

* On behalf of Denbighshire County Council, the Chairman Cllr Meirick Lloyd Davies and the Leader, Cllr Hugh Evans are thanking residents for their efforts on the anniversary of the first UK-wide lockdown

Cllr Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of the Council, said: “It has been a very difficult 12 months since the first UK national lockdown was introduced and in the last year all areas of our society have been impacted.

“Many people have been affected by coronavirus and our thoughts and condolences go to those families who have lost loved ones.

“Denbighshire residents are to be commended for their huge effort to stop the spread of the virus by following regulations and guidelines.  Your sacrifices have helped reduce the impact in our communities and has helped save lives.

“I would also like to thank frontline workers who have been protecting and supporting residents, those involved in administering the vaccine, our public service partners who have been working closely with us to keep people safe, as well everyone who has worked throughout the pandemic providing essential services in Denbighshire.

“There have been a large number of volunteers who have come together in our communities during the pandemic to help our most vulnerable residents, with things such as shopping and prescription collection and they also deserve our thanks for their hard work.

“Throughout this period the Council has continued to work for our residents, providing services under difficult circumstances and this has included new ways of working and adapting.

“It has been a difficult time for children as well as parents, carers and staff at our schools. As pupils return to face-to-face learning it is important we continue to do all we can to ensure schools stay open. This includes following the regulations, which include not mixing outside of school or at the school gates when picking up or dropping off children.

“Lockdown has had a huge impact on businesses in Denbighshire and we have been working with the Welsh Government to ensure the available support reaches those that need it as quickly as possible. We will continue to ensure we are doing all we can to support businesses in Denbighshire as they start to re-open.

“The vaccine rollout has been a real success and is reducing transmission of the virus and we hope over the coming weeks and months we can see further lifting of restrictions. But in the meantime it’s vital we all continue to follow regulations to make sure transmission of the virus remains low to allow life to start returning to normal.”

County councillor to stand for police commissioner

* Mark Young is to stand for North Wales PCC.

A well-known Denbighshire county councillor has announced he is to stand as an independent candidate in the May 6 election for North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner.

Mark Young, who represents Denbigh and is the council's lead member for Safer Communities, Public Protection and Domestic abuse and chairs the Safer North Wales Partnership Board.

The father of one, who owns the Denbigh Chocolate Shop, is also is chair of a youth charity and a board member of the vale of Clwyd branch of the mental health charity MIND.

Back in 2015 he hit the national headlines when he patrolled the town centre of Denbigh on three consecutive nights after a spate of burglaries and vandalism.

As a result of his campaign, the then police and crime commissioner, Winston Roddick, requested a meeting with him to discuss how they could keep Denbigh safe.

It led to the setting up of a new partnership with North Wales Police which had a positive impact in reducing crime in the town.

Cllr Young said: “After working with the present commissioner, Arfon Jones, for a number of years, it would be an immense privilege to take on this role and carry on his positive work .

“As an independent police and crime commissioner, I would be able to serve the people unlike other candidates who would have to serve their political masters in Cardiff or Westminster – or both.

“I am the candidate who can keep the political parties out of running North Wales Police.

“Rather than being subservient to vested political interests, I will always put the people of North Wales first.”

His manifesto pledges include: 

• Continue combating county lines drugs gangs, modern slavery and child exploitation whilst effectively working with neighbouring Police Forces in England and Wales

• Fighting cybercrime/fraud as a priority to support and keep children safe online – this will be more successful if we adopt a National approach

• Fully supporting visible community policing and being a visible and approachable police and crime commissioner

• Visiting and engaging with police officers of all levels and ranks to ensure North Wales Police is an effective and efficient force as well as appreciated

• Working with key partners to provide support for vulnerable people with mental health issues – Whilst appreciating the positive ongoing work in this area, I would like to see more resources and a long term commitment in place

• Committing to supporting and looking after the wellbeing of North Wales Police staff and ensuring that they feel valued especially with the increased challenging workload during covid-19

• Ensuring that victims of crime are fully supported and empowered to “speak up” and feel that justice has been delivered for them

• Encouraging improved equality and diversity in North Wales Police as it should reflect the community it wishes to serve

• Setting up and Chairing a North Wales Youth Engagement Group to give young people a voice and understand their concerns and views

• Trial Electric E bikes as a resource for officers allowing them to get to places which are difficult to get to in patrol cars. This will allow targeting of rural crime and at the same time offering more engagement with local communities.

Cllr Young added: “I have the knowledge, the understanding, the energy and the determination to be the next police and crime commissioner.

“I absolutely understand the role which is to support and professionally challenge when needed to get the best outcome for our communities.

“I will scrutinise the work of the force and hold the Chief Constable to account to ensure that North Wales Police operates at the optimum level to keep our communities safe across North Wales."

Former mayor plants first of two community orchards

* Planting the new Pengwern orchard are, from left, Heulwen, chair of the Friends of Pengwern Committee; Cllr and Mrs Cheminais, Mayor and Mayoress of Llangollen; Emma from Denbighshire County Council's Countryside Services, Heather  from Denbighshire County Council's Community Housing Greenspace Development; Cllr Jon Haddy.

Llangollen's immediate past mayor, Cllr Jon Haddy, has used part of his Mayor's Charity Fund to finance the creation of two community orchards in Pengwern Park and the new Wenffrwd Pocket Park. 

The intention is that once the trees crop the apples are picked and used by the people who use both parks.

He has sourced a selection of 10 Welsh heritage varieties of apple trees to be planted at each site and the Pengwern Park orchard was planted yesterday (Monday).

The current Mayor and Mayoress of Llangollen, Cllr Austin and Mrs Jane Cheminais, cut the first sod.

£100m plan to help health and care recover from Covid

Health Minister Vaughan Gething has today published a plan, supported by an initial £100m funding, to help the health and care system in Wales to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Health and Social Care in Wales COVID 19: Looking Forward looks at the following key aspects of recovery:

• Reducing health inequalities to achieve a fairer Wales
• Building more responsive primary and community care
• Creating supportive mental health services
• More effective and efficient hospital services
• Better working between health and social services
• Supporting and building a resilient workforce
• Providing accessible digital support

Mr Gething said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on our health and social care system, patients and staff. As we emerge from the most serious stage of the pandemic, we are now in a position to set out how we can start to recover.

“This plan sets out the broad principles of recovery and more detailed actions will follow. I am making available an initial £100m now to support the first steps, but it is clear more resources will be needed to make a full recovery.

“It will be a long journey, but it is also an opportunity to transform how we deliver health and care services in the future, and to tackle the health inequalities in our society that the pandemic has made even more evident.

“That is why, alongside our recovery plan, I am also pleased to announce our National Clinical Framework, which sets out how we see NHS clinical services developing over the next decade.”

The National Clinical Framework is a commitment made in A Healthier Wales and describes how the strategic development of clinical services can make the NHS fit for the challenges of the 21st century. It responds to key aspects of the Parliamentary Review on the future of health and social care in Wales.

It is underpinned by the introduction of Quality Statements that set out in more detail the standards and outcomes we expect to see from particular clinical services. The first two quality statements are for cancer and heart conditions, and replace the Cancer and Heart Condition Delivery Plans, which came to an end in December.

Railway's plight features on BBC Radio Wales

If it can put together a compelling enough case for external help with its current financial plight, its “very likely” that Llangollen Railway could be running again later this year.

That was the positive message from railway Trust chairman Peter Edwards when he was interviewed on BBC Radio Wales yesterday morning.

As llanblogger has been reporting, on March 1 the board of Llangollen Railway PLC asked its bank to call in receivers after it became insolvent to the tune of about £350,000 and could not legally continue trading.

A firm of liquidators was called in which immediately began the process of selling off the assets of the world-famous heritage attraction.

However, the railway's Trust, which is quite separate from the PLC and completely solvent, immediately declared its intention of taking over the running of the line and buying up as many of the assets as it could afford.

This rescue plan is dependent upon grants from outside bodies, such as Denbighshire County Council or the Welsh Government, and also the amount raised by a public appeal which yesterday stood at a healthy £43,000-plus.

In his radio interview with reporter Rob Thomas the Trust board’s new chairman Peter Edwards explained that the receivership had resulted from the PLC losing a “significant” amount of money over the past three years, with closure of the line due to Covid-19 coming as “the final straw”.

Liabilities, he said, were in excess of £250,000 but the Trust board was putting together a proposal to re-focus the railway’s vision and put it into a position where it could ask for financial assistance from external sources.

Asked by the reporter if the railway was likely to be carrying passengers again this year, Mr Edwards said: “Depending on us being able to put together a compelling enough proposal, later on this year it is very likely we will be running trains.”

It has been estimated that Llangollen Railway contributes as much as £8m to the wider tourism economy.

And Chris Frost, chair of North Wales Tourism, said the whole of the town’s economy – it’s shops, restaurants and other businesses - relies upon it.

He added: “It is imperative that strategic partners come together and find the funding to keep Llangollen Railway on track.”

The railway has around 200 volunteers and Aled Rhys, who gives his time as an unpaid signalman, told the interviewer that when they heard about the line’s financial crisis many of the volunteers were in tears.

But he added: “We have faith in the Trust board and we’re sure they will turn things around.”

·     * You can listen to the BBC Radio Wales sequence on: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000tchp

"Fantastic" response reported to railway's rescue appeal

The public appeal to shunt Llangollen Railway out of its deep financial trouble has shown a big upsurge in support.

On March 1 the board of Llangollen Railway PLC asked its bank to call in receivers after it became insolvent to the tune of about £350,000 and could not legally continue trading.

A firm of liquidators was called in which immediately began the process of selling off the assets of the world-famous heritage attraction.

However, the railway's Trust, which is quite separate from the PLC and completely solvent, declared its intention of taking over the running of the line and buying up as many of the assets as it could afford.

Since the crisis was revealed at the start of the month scores of people have been contributing to a public appeal which had raised £10,000 in a matter of days.

The railway's still-active Facebook page posted an update on donations yesterday and describes the public response as "fantastic".

It says: "Fantastic to see our appeal to raise funds for the LR Trust's efforts to rescue the railway topped £40K this morning with nearly 1,000 donations. 

"Thank you to everyone for their fantastic support but let's keep going! https://llangollenrailway.enthuse.com/cf/covid-19-appeal

The donations button figure at 1.15pm on Saturday was almost £41,000, which was up from £24,000 in early March with pledges of financial support still coming in.

llanblogger reader spots singing star sailing the canal

* Michael Ball gives the thumbs-up to Phil Meyer as he glides by on the canal.

Sharp-eyed llanblogger reader Phil Meyers snapped this picture of singing star Michael Ball aboard a narrow boat heading along the Llangollen Canal yesterday (Friday) afternoon.

Giving Phil the thumbs-up, he told him he was on his way to film for a TV show at the world famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.

Michael made his debut at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod - where Phil has been a long-standing volunteer - back in 2004.