St Collen's hosts atmospheric Carols by Candlelight

An atmospherically-lit St Collen's Church was the setting for the annual Carols by Candlelight service yesterday (Sunday) evening.

Traditional carols such as We Three Kings and O Come All Ye Faithful were sung by members of the congregation - all observing Covid regulations by wearing face coverings - and choir.

Music was interspersed with a series readings on seasonal themes by Leigh Mson, musical director of the From Male Voice Choir, Helen Belton of Llangollen Operatic Society, Dr Rhys Davies, chairman of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes and Julie and Dyfed Thomas whose  Twelve Days of Christmas with a comedy twist by JJ Norwich raised some laughs.

The service was led by vicar Father Lee Taylor who also augmented the choir.

* The congregation hold up their Christmas candles. 

* The choir with Father Lee Taylor.

* Simon Baynes MP delivers one of the readings.

* Dyfed and Julie Thomas read The Twelve Days of Christmas.

Details of Welsh Government budget revealed

 

Investment to tackle the climate and nature emergency will be at the heart of the Welsh Government’s budget, published later today. Targeted, green investment of more than £160m revenue and a total investment of £1.8bn capital will be committed over the next three years. Responding to both the climate and nature emergency it will be spent in a range of areas including the national forest, biodiversity, active travel, the circular economy, renewable energy, flooding, and decarbonising housing. Wales has a legacy of over 2,500 coal tips pre-dating devolution and due to the growing impacts of climate change these tips are now exposed to increased risks of slippage.  The Welsh Government will also provide funding to support essential maintenance works and to develop a future reclamation programme, with an additional £4.5m and total capital investment of £44.4m.  It follows the UK Government’s decision not to provide funding of its own in October’s Spending Review. In April 2019 Wales was the first country in the world to declare a climate emergency and in October this year the Welsh Government published ‘Net Zero Wales’ - setting the foundations to make Wales net zero by 2050. Rebecca Evans, Minister for Finance and Local Government, said: “Today’s budget will shape the Wales we want to hand over to future generations. Tackling the climate and nature emergency will require a collective effort and as a Government we know it’s vital we step up and lead the way. “That’s why we’re providing significant investment in a wide range of areas, so Wales can cut emissions and be a greener nation. “The effects of the climate and nature emergency are with us now. Intensifying rainfall and increasing temperatures have added to the urgency of providing funding to make coal tips safer. The UK Government failed to act but our funding will provide some reassurance to the communities. “This budget will leave Wales in a better place to manage the effects of the climate and nature emergency that are already affecting so many communities in Wales, and will only affect more in the future. We can never lose sight of the importance of protecting our planet.”

Police issue advice on how to deal with scams

Through its Neighbourhood Alert system North Wales Police has out out  advice on how to deal with scams. They say:

Fake emails and text messages are a common tactic used by cyber criminals, their goal is often to convince you to click a link. Once clicked, you may be sent to a dodgy website which could download viruses onto your computer, or steal your passwords and personal information. In order to try and convince you that their messages are legitimate, criminals will pretend to be someone you trust, or from some organisation you trust. This could be your Internet Service Provider (ISP), local council, even a friend in need. And they may contact you by phone call, email or text message. Reporting suspicious emails: If you have received an email which you’re not quite sure about, you can report it by forwarding the email to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service at: report@phishing.gov.uk As of 31st October 2021, the number of suspicious email reports stands at more than 8,100,000, with the removal of more than 67,000 scams and 124,000 URLs. Thank you for your continued support. *In a small number of cases, an email may not reach our service due to it already being widely recognised by spam detection services. The vast majority of reports do reach our system so please keep reporting any suspicious emails you receive. Reporting suspicious text messages: You can report suspicious text messages to your mobile network provider, for free, by forwarding the text to 7726. If you forward a text, your provider can investigate the origin of the text and take action, if found to be malicious. If 7726 doesn’t work, you can find out how to report a text message by contacting your provider. (On many Android devices and iPhones, pressing and holding on the message bubble should present the option to forward the message) * For more of the government’s latest advice on how to stay secure online, visit the Cyber Aware website: ncsc.gov.uk/cyberaware

 

A539 closed in both directions following accident

North Wales Police posted around 6.30pm: UPDATE- The A539 between Llangollen and Trevor is now open. Thank you for your patience.

The Daily Post is reporting that the A539 near Llangollen is shut in both directions following crash this evening (Saturday).

* For the full story, see: https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/live-a539-near-llangollen-shut-22507757

Llangollen features in 2022 mountain biking series

British Cycling has announced the dates and venues for the 2022 for the National Downhill Series. 

The series is to be delivered by five separate organisers, beginning in Rheola in April. Round two will be a UCI C1 in Fort William, followed by a UCI C2 event in Llangollen for round three.

The series ends with rounds in Caersws and at Revolution Bike Park, which hosted the national championships in 2019.

National Downhill Series

Round 1: Rheola, 16 – 17 April (event organiser – Malc Dunn, Gravity Events)
Round 2: Fort William, 7 – 8 May (UCI C1) (event organiser – Colin Houston, SDA)
Round 3: Llangollen, 28 – 29 May (UCI C2) (event organiser – Si Paton, BDS Events / Malverns Classic Team)
Round 4: Caersws, 13 – 14 August (event organiser – Malc Dunn, Gravity Events)
Round 5: Revolution Bike Park, 17 – 18 September (Mike Marsden, Borderline Events)

Large metal gate stolen from Vivod area, say police

A Neighbourhood Alert from North Wales Police says that a large metal gate was recently stolen from the Vivod area near Llangollen.

Measuring 12ft by 5ft, it was taken sometime between 6pm on Tuesday December 6 and 7am the next day.

PC2264 Chris Jones, rural crime constable for Central, Conwy and Denbighshire, said: "Only the gate was taken and no further reports have been received at this time.

"This message is to make people aware of the incident and to ask that any suspicious vehicles, especially at night, are reported to North Wales Police.  

"We are asking that gates, especially those alongside roads, are secured as safely as possible." 

Reminder of Denbighshire's ‘Free after Three’ parking scheme

 * Market Street car park offers Free after Three parking until December 31.

Denbighshire County Council is reminding residents about the free parking scheme which is running until December 31.

Council-run town centre car parks will be free to use across Denbighshire every day from 3pm to encourage more people to use their local high street for shopping in the run-up to Christmas and New Year.

The Free After Three initiative will be available in the following car parks:

•  Llangollen - Market Street, East Street, Hall Street and Mill Street.

•  Corwen - Green Lane

•   Denbigh - Barkers Well Lane, Factory Ward, Crown Lane, Post Office Lane and Vale Street.

•   Prestatyn - Lower High Street, Kings Avenue and Railway Station

•   Rhuddlan - Parliament Street

•  Rhyl - Central, Morley Road, West Kinmel Street, Library (disabled bays only), Town Hall, Sky Tower and Railway Station.

•  Ruthin - Market Street, Park Road, Crispin Yard, Troed Y Rhiw, Rhos Street, St Peters Square and Dog Lane

•  St Asaph - Bowling Green

Morfa Hall private car park, Rhyl, is not included in the initiative.

The council says it is also reminding people to follow Welsh Government guidance, to shop safely, including wearing masks in shops and to be courteous to our local traders during this busy period.

Residents reminded to follow Covid-19 guidance

* Cllr Mark Young receives his own jab.

Denbighshire County Council is reminding residents to follow Welsh Government guidance around Covid-19.

The Welsh Government is advising people without Covid-19 symptoms to take a lateral flow test before going out – whether that’s to a Christmas party; Christmas shopping; visiting friends or family; going to any crowded or busy place or before travelling.

University students returning home for Christmas are also being encouraged to test before coming home.

Those who test positive, or who are showing symptoms of Covid-19, should not go out and arrange for a PCR test and self-isolate.

Residents are also being reminded to attend their booster jab appointment when they are offered one.

Cllr Mark Young, the Council’s Lead Member for Planning, Public Protection and Safer Communities, said: “With the Omicron variant spreading throughout the UK, we are reminding residents of Welsh Government guidance around Covid-19 ahead of Christmas.

“We want as many people as possible to stay safe and Covid free during the festive period so they can celebrate with family and friends, safely and sensibly.

“Taking a lateral flow test before going out or visiting loved ones helps reduce the spread of Covid-19 and free lateral flow tests are available to pick up from your local Denbighshire library, pharmacy or to order online.

“We are also reminding people to continue to wear a mask when needed, and if you are meeting up with people to allow fresh air into indoor spaces.

“The emerging evidence around the Omicron variant shows three doses of the vaccine – two primary doses plus the booster – gives people better protection.

“Therefore it is vital residents who are offered the booster jab attend their appointments.”

* Free lateral flow tests, for those without symptoms, are available from Denbighshire libraries (libraries are closed from 1pm on December 24 and re-open on January 4) or you can order them or find out the location of pick up points at pharmacies at https://gov.wales/get-rapid-lateral-flow-covid-19-tests-if-you-do-not-have-symptoms

* Those with Covid-19 symptoms can book a home PCR test at https://gov.wales/get-tested-coronavirus-covid-19 or to find your nearest test centre visit https://bcuhb.nhs.wales/covid-19/covid-19-testing/book-a-covid-19-test/

Community pharmacies to offer extended services

All community pharmacies in Wales will be able to offer an extended range of services from April 2022 as part of substantial reforms agreed by the Health Minister.

The changes mean patients will have accessible and convenient NHS services closer to home which will in turn free up GP and other NHS services for patients with more complex needs.

The Health Minister Eluned Morgan has approved changes following re-negotiation of the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework with Community Pharmacy Wales, the representative body for community pharmacies in Wales.

The agreement will introduce a national clinical community pharmacy service enabling all pharmacies to provide treatment for common minor ailments, access to repeat medicines in an emergency, annual flu vaccinations, and some forms of emergency and regular contraception. 

The agreement also includes plans to roll out a Wales-wide pharmacy prescribing service which will allow appropriately trained pharmacists to treat an extended range of conditions that currently require people to visit their GP.

Eluned Morgan said: “The reforms to the community pharmacy contractual framework represent the most fundamental change to the way pharmacies operate since the inception of the NHS more than 70 years ago.

“Our ‘new prescription’ for community pharmacy sets out a collaborative, innovative and progressive approach to the delivery of pharmaceutical care. Pharmacists are experts in medicines and undertake extensive training to help people manage a range of common ailments. Utilising the skills of community pharmacy teams will mean we are able to better meet the needs of the NHS and people in Wales now and for future generations.

"We are always looking for innovative ways for our health service to improve services for patients and these substantial reforms will help pharmacies better meet the changing expectations of Welsh citizens and the NHS.”

Initially pharmacist prescribers will be able to prescribe medicines for acute illnesses like urinary tract and upper respiratory tract infections, and also prescribe routine contraception. 

By April 2024 funding for independent prescribing services will increase from £1.2m to £20.2m per year and funding for the community pharmacy clinical services will increase from £11.4m to £20.0m per year.

Funding continues to be made available to support for pharmacists undertaking independent prescribing training and pre-registration pharmacy technician training.

In addition to the reforms, the Welsh Government has provided funding for pharmacies to implement innovative automated systems. Dispensing robots and ATM style prescription systems that allow prescriptions to be collected 24 hours a day will improve convenience for people collecting prescriptions and make pharmacies more efficient, providing greater access to the clinical services available.

Since April 2019, 24 pharmacies across Wales have benefited from an investment of nearly £500,000 to support adopting new and innovative technologies.

Ken Skates welcomes plans for community bank in Wales

 

* Ken Skates and Banc Cambria project lead Mark Hooper (second right) with small business owners in Cefn Mawr. 

Member of the Senedd for Clwyd South, Ken Skates, has welcomed the announcement that the Welsh Labour Government is working with Monmouthshire Building Society to accelerate the establishment and roll-out of a community bank across Wales. 

Welsh Labour’s manifesto for Senedd election earlier this year included a commitment to creating a community bank for Wales, supporting its growth so it can open an initial 30 branches over the next decade.  

Economy Minister Vaughan Gething has confirmed that Monmouthshire Building Society, working with the Welsh Government and Cambria Cydfuddiannol Ltd (CCL), will deliver Banc Cambria – which will aim to provide everyday full retail banking services in communities by 2023. 

The UK has one of the least diverse retail banking systems in Europe, dominated by a small number of very large banks which operate according to a shareholder-value business model, seeking to maximise profits.  

Since Welsh Ministers initially set out plans to explore the creation of a community bank for Wales, traditional high street banks have further accelerated their retreat from Wales’ high streets. 

Mr Skates, whose constituency is the worst-affected in North Wales, launched the plans for the community bank during his time as Economy Minister.  

He said: “Over the last few years, we’ve all seen the big banks leave our local communities and high streets, leaving many people without access to accessible banking services. Clwyd South has seen 80% of its high street banks close since 2015 – more than any other area of North Wales – and now has just one surviving branch. 

“I raised this issue in the Senedd earlier this year and was pleased to welcome Banc Cambria's project lead Mark Hooper to Clwyd South last month. I'm delighted that the plans are progressing at pace. 

"Unlike other banks, this will be owned and controlled by members – not outside shareholders. Communities across North Wales have been abandoned by their banks and the UK Government's scrapping of its agreement with the sector that that last branch in each community should remain open. We desperately need this. 

"Banc Cambria cannot replace the increasing number of branches closed, but will focus on communities that have lost provision. I will continue to make the case for Clwyd South. I hope this will provide a positive impact on our communities and high streets and improve access to financial help and support in locations that are convenient for the people of Clwyd South." 

Banc Cambria aims to provide full everyday banking services for individuals and small businesses, accessible by telephone, online and face-to-face. It hopes to have a customer launch during 2023.

Can pioneering SUV keep up with its competitors?

Nissan Qashqai drive by Steve Rogers

Fed up seeing nothing but SUVs on the roads? Blame Nissan.

It all started in 2007 when the Japanese company hit a brick wall with the Almera hatchback. I had the misfortune to have two company cars and hated both.

It could not compete with anyone, let alone leaders Ford and Volkswagen, so Almera was ditched in favour of something radical. Enter the Qashqai, a strange name for a very different looking car, a high riding five door, five seater that crossed the boundaries between hatchback and SUV.

Bold, brave, gamble? All three, and we Brits loved it making it the best selling SUV in the land year after year. So far more than three million have come out of the Sunderland factory, a third going to British buyers. That is a fantastic achievement.

It didn't take long for the rest of the car industry to realise that Nissan had struck gold and followed suit as quickly as they could making life far more difficult for the third generation Qashqai. Can it hold on to the top spot?

Each generation has improved but this one has made the biggest strides. More tech, more comfort, more room, better handling, more money. My Tech+ is the other side of £37k with extras and that is a whole load of cash.

To put it into context Tekna+ has a full suite of safety kit and is fully loaded with heated steering wheel, heated windscreen (shouldn't every car have that) brilliant head up display, heated front seats and loads of other stuff. The only car I can think of with a better spec sheet is the Kia Sportage which has air conditioned front seats and heated outer rear seats.

So what has happened to Qashqai to make it a top contender again? For starters it is built on a new platform which has sharpened the handling and there has been a quantum leap in the quality of trim, certainly on my Techna+. It was evident along the dashboard and door cards where everything has moved up a few notches.

All the key functions are nicely placed with physical switches for the heating controls and a dominant nine inch screen for navigation, smart phone connections etc. Better still is the 12.3in driver's display which has super sharp graphics which can be changed by toggling through a switch on the steering wheel along with clear head up display for speed, navigation directions and speed limits. I like to think of it as selecting a chapter in a book and then scrolling through the pages. Works for me and friends who find the whole digital dashboard a confusing minefield.

The driver gets powered memory seats which always gets you off to a good start as I hate the manual ratchet adjustment for the back rest which never gets the perfect position for driving. A little extra cabin space and a higher level of technology is one thing but the performance and economy from the 1.3 litre petrol engine tops both. There are two output levels and I can only speak for the most powerful which is a revelation when mated to the seven speed automatic gearbox and steering wheel paddle shifters. How they do it is beyond me but car companies are brilliant at pushing the boundaries.

It is even economical averaging 48mpg over a 100 mile cruise through twisting mid Wales roads and topping just over 44mpg at the end of nearly 600 miles of mixed driving.

You can enter the world of Qashqai at £23,535 but as you can see from my test car you have to spend a lot more to get the things we all crave. I particularly like the adaptive LED auto dipping headlights, you always worry they are dazzling oncoming drivers but never seem to, and the air bag between the front seats to cushion a side impact is an excellent innovation.

This third generation Qashqai is going to have its work cut out against a mountain of opposition compared to when it first appeared all those years ago. But it has evolved and improved and although it has not got the best handling, or is the most comfortable, it has a bit of everything so is still the benchmark SUV. 

I ended up wishing I could trade in my Renault Kadar for a new Qashqai. Because of the tie up with Nissan the Kadjar is basically a Qashqai with Renault trimmings, but at this moment I want a new Qashqai.

Fast facts

Nissan Qashqai Tekna+

£36,125 (starts £23,535)

1.3 litre petrol; 156bhp

0-62mph 9.2secs; 124mph

43.8mpg combined

146g/km

Insurance group 16

Boot 436-1379 litres

Community group which covers Llan up for major award

* Partnership chief officer Margaret Sutherland.

A Denbighshire social enterprise is in the running for a major award after boosting the economy of the south of the county by over £4 million in just three years.

South Denbighshire Community Partnership (SDCP) has been short-listed in the prestigious Steve Morgan Foundation Awards for its pioneering work in the Dee Valley area, including Llangollen, in fighting rural poverty and isolation.

Their services were extended to the Llangollen area in January after they won a £500,000 lottery bonanza to fight rural poverty in the Dee Valley with the cash to be spread over four years to autumn 2024.

Now they are appealing for local supporters to vote for them in the awards which cover North Wales, Merseyside and Cheshire, in the over £250,000 category for Charities and Social Enterprises making the Most Local Impact.

In the past three years SDCP, a grant-funded community charity with its headquarters at Canolfan Ni in Corwen, has helped local people claim unpaid benefits, introduced community transport along the Dee Valley, run a meals on wheels service and even pioneered a hydro-electric power scheme.

That quarter of a million figure is dwarfed by the economic and social impact made by the small team and their willing volunteers that operate from the community centre of Canolfan Ni on London Road, Corwen, and which extended its services to Llangollen earlier this year.

SDCP Chief Officer Margaret Sutherland said: “We’re thrilled to have been short-listed for this major award and for a small organisation here in the Dee Valley to be named alongside major charities and organisations from across Liverpool and Cheshire.

“We feel it is recognition for the work we and the people of Corwen and the Dee Valley have done to make life better for the local community and in particular for those suffering from poverty and loneliness.

“Now we’d just like to appeal to our many supporters to help by voting for us at https://stevemorganfoundation.org.uk/ by the end of the year as those votes will count towards 20 per cent of the final decision.”

The awards were launched in 2001 by multi-millionaire businessman Steve Morgan CBE, the founder and former chairman of housing giant Redrow who lived in Ruthin for a number of years and even played rugby for the local club, and over the past 20 years his Foundation has donated over £300 million to charities.

SDCP’s work locally with Citizens Advice Denbighshire (CAD) has helped people in the Edeyrnion area claim £1.8 million in benefits in just over two years with 70 per cent of that money spent locally and with each £1 estimated to be spent three times, providing a £4.1 million boost to the Dee Valley economy.

SDCP Chief Officer Margaret Sutherland added: “We have received huge support from the Wales National Lottery Community Fund and worked closely with CAD who were an integral part of the bid that we made for funds to fight rural isolation and rural poverty.

“We are working to reduce fuel poverty through the Corwen Energy Local scheme and we also work with CAD on their school uniform recycling and on helping people reduce their energy costs and on debt.

“This is helping people in very difficult circumstances, many of them are very worried about debt but although they were eligible for these benefits but they just weren’t claiming them.

“We work across so many areas of need and the activities we organise and provide at Canolfan Ni are so important as are the links our Meals on Wheels service and prescription and grocery deliveries create with some of the most isolated people in the community.

“We live in a spectacularly beautiful area but often that beauty hides real poverty as well and its part of our mission to reach out to people in need and connect them to their community.”

Among the most recent activities to be launched at Canolfan Ni is an arts and crafts group run by mum-of-three Kelly Kibble-White, from Cynwyd, who said: “SDCP are great and they work so hard here.

“I became involved because they organised activities for the children over the summer and it really was a lifeline for me.

“They do so much and the vulnerable in our communities rely on them so much.”

SDCP also receives funding support from other sources including Betsi Cadwaladar Health Board, Morrison’s, Moondance, Community Foundation Wales and Cadwyn Clwyd, while continuing to work closely with Denbighshire County Council on joint Community Development and Community Transport schemes.

Their rural transport services include bus trips on their 16-seater community minibus while their fleet also includes a Toyota Rav 4 hybrid SUV and an MG electric and a Peugeot van cars, used for dial-a-ride and meals on wheels service – they also provide two electric vehicle charging points at the rear of Canolfan Ni.

The Partnership serve Corwen and the surrounding villages of Glyndyfrdwy, Carrog, Cynwyd, Llandrillo, Gwyddelwern, Betws Gwerfil Goch, Melin Y Wig and Bryneglwys, an area covering 100 square miles and this year extended its activities down the A5 to Llangollen.

Community Engagement Officer Sally Lloyd Davies said: “This is an area where there is a great deal of rural poverty with older people often living in isolated areas and in the pandemic it has been a very frightening time for them.

“At the height of the pandemic we have been a vital link for many isolated people, bringing them shopping and prescriptions, making regular buddy phone calls for a chat and just being a friendly face dropping in.

“We sent out a flyer to every household in Edeyrnion, over 1800 homes, with a phone number for people to contact us and our volunteers have been brilliant whether it’s taking calls or making deliveries and making phone calls to vulnerable people to make sure they’re well and just to have a chat with them.

“Every Tuesday we’ve been phoning the people who registered for our shopping service to take their orders, we’ve done the shop on Wednesday and we deliver on Thursdays.

“There’s been a great response to our appeal for donations to the food bank as well and we’ve kept people up to date with posts on Facebook.”

* For the latest information on SDCP go to https://www.facebook.com/sdcpartnership and for those in need of support contact SDCP on 01490 266004.

Stranded street sign 'is in only viable place' says council

 

* The left-turn sign now in the middle of the pavement. 

A street sign "stranded" in the middle of the footway by pavement widening on Castle will have to stay where it is, says the county council.  

Since contractors put in the new paving slabs along the town's main street as part of the on-going 2020 project the no left-turn sign which was once on the kerbline is now smack in the middle of the flags.

People have complained on social media that it is now a hazard to pedestrians and looks plain odd.

llanblogger asked Denbighshire County Council, which is overseeing the work, for an explanation and has been told by a spokesperson: "This regulatory sign for a prohibition of left turn has been erected on the eastern footway of Castle Street between the junction of Bridge Street and Oak Street.

“As a regulatory sign, it must be installed on site. 

"We looked at alternative locations but due to the number of services under the footway including gas, electric and telecommunications, this was the only viable location.”

Don’t fall for cruel Covid booster scam

* Wayne Jones, the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales.

Cruel Christmas scammers are trying to charge for arranging bogus Covid booster jabs for victims in North Wales, it’s been revealed.

The warning came from Wayne Jones, the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, who has himself been targeted with a fake message with a link to “register” for a third vaccination.

The link takes people to a phoney website that appears to look like a genuine NHS site which asks for their banking details.

Mr Jones stressed that the NHS does not charge for such Covid-related services and texts or emails indicating for you to click should not be opened.

The retired police chief superintendent warned that the unscrupulous scammers were aiming to exploit the festive season, with a vast array of illegal swindles at a time when online spending increases in the run-up to Christmas.

He said: “People are doing lots more online these days, including buying Christmas presents or giving to charity, so everybody needs to be mindful that if an offer looks too good to be true, it probably is.

“They need to make sure they have proper software and firewalls on their phones and other devices so they’re not being infected by spyware and illegal software that’s tracking their online activity.

“Any online purchases should be made from reputable suppliers and check out their returns policy and their insurance policy.

“It’s also important to make sure that you’re fully secure in terms of your online banking and that you’re protecting your private information.

“My advice is to make sure your passwords are secure by not using birthdays, family names and the like, and don’t use the same passwords across important accounts.

“There are also a lot of unsolicited emails or text messages, particularly purporting to be in relation to parcels that could not be delivered.

“Sometimes they may be legitimate but there are an awful lot of scam emails and text messages going around. If you receive a message about a delivery, always check the delivery company’s official website where you can track any parcels.

“The purpose of a scam email can often also be to get you to click a link. This will take you to a website which might download a virus to your computer, or steal passwords or other personal information. This is sometimes known as phishing. 

“I would just like people to be on their guard, particularly during the lead up to Christmas and the post-Christmas sales, as they are spending more money.

“Also be alert for phone calls from fraudsters saying they are calling on behalf of banking services.

“You should always be wary of unsolicited calls, texts or emails requesting your personal or financial information, including  your name, address, bank details, email or phone numbers. Always contact your bank/building society directly using a known email or phone number to verify.

“This time of year, the scammers will always be looking for opportunities to make money out of people – particularly asking for charity donations. Scammers have no scruples, no moral compass.

“They will jump on any story they see in the press if they think they can make money out of it because scammers adapt themselves very quickly to changing circumstances. They’re always looking to take your hard-earned cash off you.

“They’re even trying to make money out of Covid and one of their new tricks is pretend to offer an appointment for a booster jab or PCR test.

“I’ve seen it myself where I have seen a link to go to what looks like an NHS website to book your jab. It looks legitimate but it’s not, never click on any links you are sent.

“Another one involves scammers offering to prepare travel documentation in respect of Covid, particularly if you are looking at booking a holiday after Christmas.

“It’s an awful thing to do at any time of year but it’s particularly mean at Christmas. It’s a time when scammers know people will be spending more money than usual on Christmas presents and making donations to charity.

“By all means make your donations to charity but just make sure you know who you’re giving your money to and what you’re giving your money for.

“I’ve seen the impact that being a victim of fraud can have on people and it can be utterly devastating. It can be really damaging for individuals and for businesses.”

It was a message reinforced by North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin.

Tackling online crime is a key priority for the tech savvy Commissioner who is also playing a key role nationally.

The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners have elected him as their deputy lead for police technology and digital and deputy lead for economic and cyber crime, including fraud.

Fellow commissioners decided he was the perfect person for the job because of his background working in the technology industry.

Back in 2012 he helped ensure the London Olympics was successfully beamed across the world to an audience measured in billions.

Mr Dunbobbin said: “We know that during the pandemic cyber crime has gone up by 50 per cent in comparison to previous years.

“Tackling cyber crime was a major commitment in my manifesto and it is a key priority in my Police and Crime Plan which sets out the blueprint for policing North Wales.

“Nobody is immune from scam emails or text messages. I receive them, we all get them. People just need to use a bit of common sense. 

“These scammers are totally unscrupulous – they’re using any opportunity that might be particularly pertinent at that particular time.

“To use the pandemic for a money making scam is the lowest of the low because we all know somebody who has had Covid and tragically some have lost their lives.

“Christmas is supposed to be the season of goodwill but these despicable scammers aim to make it a miserable time for their victims.”

Applications invited for help towards winter fuel bills

Applications for a winter fuel support scheme for Denbighshire are now open.

Denbighshire County Council is administering the Welsh Government Winter Fuel Support Scheme which offers eligible households to claim a one-off £100 payment to provide support towards paying winter fuel bills.

Applications for the scheme opened on December 13.

It is open to households where one member is in receipt of Income Support, Income Based Job Seekers Allowance, Income Based Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit or Working Tax Credits at any time between 1 December 2021 and 31 January 2022.

The payment will be available to all eligible households regardless of how they pay for fuel, this includes payments made on a pre-payment meter, by direct debit or by paying a bill quarterly.

Cllr Julian Thompson-Hill, Denbighshire County Council’s Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets, said: “We will be working with Welsh Government colleagues over the coming weeks to ensure this scheme runs as smoothly as possible for Denbighshire residents.

“We would encourage all those eligible to apply for this support scheme and we will process payments as quickly as possible for our residents.”

All applications must be received by February 18, 2022.

* For more information or to apply for the scheme visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/benefits

Schools to end face to face learning on Friday

Schools in Denbighshire will end face-to-face learning on Friday due to rising cases of Covd-19 nationally.

Denbighshire County Council, following discussions with headteachers, is informing parents that face-to face learning in the county’s schools will finish at the end of the school day on December 17.

The decision has been made today to give parents as much notice as possible.

Remote learning will continue at schools until the end of the day on Tuesday, December 21, which is the last day of term.

The decision has been taken to protect pupils and staff after the UK Government’s move to Alert Level 4, which states transmission is high and direct Covid-19 pressure on healthcare services is widespread.

Cllr Huw Hilditch-Roberts, the Council’s Lead Member for Education, Children's Services and Public Engagement, said: “We have been working closely with our schools and have taken this difficult decision now to give parents as much notice as possible of the end of face-to-face learning on Friday.

“With the emergence of the Omicron variant, rising case numbers across the UK and the change in alert level, we are doing everything we can to protect pupils and school staff.

“Online learning will continue on Monday and Tuesday (December 20th and 21th) up to the end of term.

“I would like to once again thank all of our teachers for their continued dedication during this difficult time, pupils for their support for helping control the virus at school sites and parents for taking their children for tests when requested by Test, Trace and Protect.

“Despite the difficulties in continuing education during the pandemic, everyone involved has given their all to ensure our children get the very best education possible.”

Inner Wheel's Christmas Cheer event cancelled

The Llangollen Christmas Cheer event due to be staged on Friday evening has been cancelled.

The evening of festive pre-Christmas entertainment, organised by the Inner Wheel Club  of Llangollen, was to be held at St Collen’s Community Hall with all proceeds being donated to the charities supported by Inner Wheel in the local area.

But earlier today it was announced that it had been called off.

The organisers said: "It is with great regret that Llangollen Inner Wheel have decided to cancel Christmas Cheer. 

"Due to the recent Covid developments we have had several cancellations. 

"Everyone who has bought tickets will receive a refund.

"Best wishes for Christmas to everyone who was going to support the event."

The evening was to have featured a full programme of entertainment. including a number of promising young performers and some established favourites.

Welsh Government launches winter fuel support scheme

 

Minister for Social Justice Jane Hutt has announced the opening of the Winter Fuel Support Scheme on Monday 13th December.  Eligible people in Wales may be able to claim a one-off £100 payment from their local authority to provide support towards paying their winter fuel bills. Information on how to apply will be available via Local Authority webpages.

Announcing the further funding package, Minister for Social Justice Jane Hutt said: “Households in Wales are under unprecedented financial pressure, compounded by the cost-of-living crisis and the cruel decision by the UK Government to end the uplift to Universal Credit, which has plunged many more adults and children into poverty. "Today builds on our previous announcements on the Household Support Fund as well as the Cold Weather Resilience plan, which sets out the actions we are taking, in collaboration with our partners, to safeguard vulnerable and lower income households during periods of cold weather. "So I’m delighted to announce that from Monday 13th December, the Winter Fuel Support Scheme will open. Local Authorities will be contacting eligible households across Wales where they can identify potential eligibility for the scheme to invite applications for the payment. Anyone who is not contacted by their Authority who believes they are eligible for the payment, can submit a claim via their local authority’s website on Monday. It will be available to all eligible energy customers regardless of whether they pay for their fuel on a pre-payment or a credit meter. "I want to thank our partners in Local Government for ensuring the scheme was ready before Christmas. This will go some way to helping those in most need at this difficult time.” She added: “We know that people across Wales are facing unprecedented challenges, that’s why we’re committed to doing everything we can to relieve financial pressures and help households with their living costs – supporting families, businesses and communities through these unprecedented times.”