Time for George to hand over his role as town hall clock winder

* George wields the heavy metal winder of the famous town hall clock.

George Hughes's time as official clock winder at Llangollen Town Hall has come to an end.

Twice a week for the past six years the former town councillor and mayor has climbed the steep wooden stairs up to the very top of the civic building in Castle Street to wind the complex heavy metal mechanism of the clock which dates back to 1886.

But, now into his 80s, he reckons the physical strain of the role has become a bit too much for him and has handed over the huge cast iron winding key to a younger person, Rob Edwards.

George said: "I took on the unpaid job from Alan Maybury who had done it for a few years and I was shown what to do by the former town hall careta hiker John Roberts, who had done it before him.

* The complex 136-year-old winding mechanism behind the clock face.

"I have been going up to the loft where the mechanism is every Tuesday and Friday to wind it up.

"There's two things that have to be wound - the clock itself and the bell which sounds with it. The whole machine, which is stamped with the name of its makers, Gillett & Co of Croydon, is a real work of art and I've thoroughly enjoyed operating it.

"But even to reach the winding mechanism is a bit difficult. You have to climb up to the balcony, squeeze through a very small wooden door and then climb up a steep flight of narrow wooden stairs.

* Some of the old-fashioned pulleys which help control the clock.

"The whole thing's very physical and has now got a bit too much for me, so I've handed over the role to someone younger."

George, who served three terms on the council, was town mayor from 2007-2009 and spent 10 years as a retained firefighter based in the town, added: "I was terribly sorry to give it up but I wish Rob lots of luck with being the new clock winder. 

"I've really enjoyed doing it over the past six years and used to go straight up to do the job  after coming back off holidays.

"I'll now have a bit more time on my hands."

Homes suffer from "north south divide" over fees, claim care champions

* Mario Kreft MBE, the Chair of Care Forum Wales.

Denbighshire County Council has been accused of paying unrealistically low care home fees.

An investigation by social care champions Care Forum Wales (CFW) has revealed the local authority is among the worst payers in Wales.

The figures are contained in a table published by CFW of the postcode lottery of fees paid across Wales.

They say the rates set by the councils were “budget driven” and were not based on the true cost of providing care.

Anglesey is sixth from bottom of the table  and Conwy is 10^th from bottom, with Denbighshire fourth from bottom and Wrexham second from bottom.

Right at the foot of the table is Flintshire County Council who have been awarded a giant wooden by CFW for being “the meanest” local authority in Wales.

A care home owner in Flintshire, who declined to be named for fear of being victimised and blacklisted by the council, was shocked to discover that the funding for individual residents in Flintshire is up to £11,000 a year less per person than in parts of Wales – for providing exactly the same level of service.

The revelation came after what social care champions Care Forum Wales (CFW) describe as a “fee-fixing North Wales cartel” was blown apart by Gwynedd Council whose Cabinet voted unanimously for increases of up to 25 per cent.

Their decision followed similar hikes in Merthyr Tydfil where councillors were warned that not paying fees that reflected the “true cost of care” would be unlawful.

According to CFW, it’s left the remaining five local authorities in North Wales “with nowhere to hide” and Flintshire County Council at the bottom of what’s come to be known as the League of Shame, detailing the fees paid in different parts of Wales.

As a result, the local authority has been awarded a giant, five foot tall wooden spoon.

The unnamed Flintshire care home owner said: “I am left feeling physically sick when I see the levels of funding for people in care in other parts of Wales.

“It is our residents who are suffering from the penny-pinching attitude of Flintshire Council but it costs the same to look after someone in Flintshire as it does in Gwynedd or Merthyr but Flintshire Council pay a lot less.”

CFW say the Flintshire care home is also at the wrong end of a growing North-South divide.

They say the postcode lottery was brought into sharp focus when Torfaen Council announced big increases in their rates – 17 per cent for residential care and 25 per cent for nursing care.

It means that a 50-bed care home in Torfaen will receive £546,000 a year more for providing residential EMI care than a similar sized home in Anglesey, Wrexham and Flintshire for exactly the same levels of care.

In the case of Denbighshire it equates to an extra £494,000 a year and £444,600 more than a home in Conwy.

The anonymous Flintshire care provider added: “I love my job. I love the role of supporting and caring for people who need that help and the days that I’m hands on and providing that care are the best days of my week.

“Ten years ago I enjoyed the management side of the job as well but not anymore, not when we’re starved of the necessary funding which means I can’t afford to decorate or even properly clean the place and I know that council-owned homes are decorated every year.

Last year’s bottom two were Swansea and Neath Port Talbot and both have boosted their care fees by over 12 per cent while Blaenau Gwent  (14.9 per cent) and Caerphilly (13.40 per cent), found even more money.

It’s a state of affairs that has Mario Kreft MBE, the Chair of Care Forum Wales which represents around  500 of the country’s independent care providers, fuming.

Mr Kreft said: “We are calling on all fair minded people in local government – and through the good offices of the Welsh Local Government Association – to ensure, as put to the councillors in places like Merthyr, Torfaen and Gwynedd, they need to urgently review their fees.

“A number of other councils deserve credit for committing to conduct urgent reviews of their rates and we trust that they will now also follow suit and do the right thing.

“It is vital that these authorities fulfill their statutory responsibilities and ensure that they act lawfully and set their rates in such a way that they reflect the true cost of providing care for the most vulnerable people in our society.

“If, however, they continue to act unlawfully, it will put more unacceptable pressure on hard-pressed, hard-working families to make up the difference which is unfair at the best of times but totally intolerable during the current cost of living crisis.

“We are in an absurd situation where you can go from North to South Wales and find a person in Flintshire with exactly the same needs and receiving exactly the same service but in Torfaen they receive £11,000 more per person a year for providing it.

“Either the likes of Torfaen are being totally profligate with Council Tax payers money or Flintshire need to step up to the plate and meet their statutory, lawful obligations by recognising the true cost of social care.

“It is frankly unbelievable that in Wales we have 22 local authorities all setting their own fees and we are seeing massive differences in those fees – it means that in most parts of Wales the system is just unsustainable.

“We rightly have national standards that we need to abide to and we need a national framework for setting fees as recommended by the Welsh Government in their White Paper, Rebalancing Care and Support.

“Gwynedd, Torfaen and Merthyr councils deserve praise for doing the right thing in setting fees at a level that is nearer to covering the true cost of care for the sake of the vulnerable people who live in care homes and nursing homes.

“This has certainly ratcheted up the pressure on the remaining North Wales authorities whose position is now completely and demonstrably untenable and unlawful unless they follow suit.

“At the moment the only way providers in places like Flintshire and Wrexham, Denbighshire, Anglesey and Conwy can manage is to go back to the hard-working families of their residents who will suffer financially – it’s a stealth tax.

“How can it be that for providing an identical service in Connah’s Quay you receive £11,000 less per person than you receive in Caerphilly?

“It’s a North-South divide and in the 20-odd years since devolution, the level of fees paid by the North Wales local authorities have gone from top of the league to relegation candidates.

“As a consequence we are seeing care homes closing across Wales because they are not financially viable which is something that is required by law.

Mary Wimbury, the chief executive of Care Forum Wales, said: “We rightly have national standards that are required in terms of the quality of the care provided and the national regulations governing the social care sector.

“What we need now is a complete overhaul of the system and the introduction of a sensible and fair national framework for commissioning a national fee which ensures realistic and sustainable rates that cover the true cost of care and allow providers to properly reward their valued workforce.

“This is becoming increasingly urgent because the demographics are going in one direction with the recently published census results show that one in five people in Wales are now aged 65 or over.

“Our network of care homes and domiciliary care providers provide essential support for the NHS.

“Without that scaffolding, the burden on an already stretched NHS with hospitals bursting at the seams will become even more intolerable and the whole system could collapse like a house of cards.”

Low-income households now eligible for £200 heating payment

* Social Justice Minister Jane Hutt. 

More than 400,000 low-income households in Wales will be eligible to benefit from a £200 payment to help keep their homes warm this autumn and winter.

The Welsh Government is investing £90m in the Welsh Government’s Fuel Support Scheme in recognition of the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on those struggling to pay their energy bills.

Previously, around 166,000 households on universal credit, legacy means-tested benefit and working tax credits benefitted from the £200 2021/22 Winter Fuel Payment.

The extension of the fuel support scheme will mean nearly 200,000 more households on child tax credits, pension credits, disability benefits, carers allowance, contributory benefits and those receiving help from the Council Tax Reduction Scheme to pay their council tax bill will now be eligible.

The scheme is being extended as the impact of the current cost-of-living crisis is greatest on low-income households and to allow more households on benefits to be eligible.

Social Justice Minister Jane Hutt said the scheme was being extended so the most vulnerable struggling to make ends meet could afford to keep their homes warm during the cold winter months.

It comes after the Minister announced earlier this year that the 2021/22 Winter Fuel Support Scheme payment would be doubled to £200 as the cost-of-living crisis intensified and to support eligible households with rising energy bills and costs.

The extended Fuel Support Scheme includes the £4m announced last month for the fuel voucher scheme to support those on prepayment meters and households not connected to mains gas.

The extra funding and target support comes as households across Wales are struggling to pay higher energy bills, exacerbated by the increase in the domestic energy cap rise in April. There is expected to be a further rise in the cost of energy and standing charges in the autumn. People with prepayment meters are the most susceptible to rising costs and increased standing charges.

Social Justice Minister Jane Hutt said: “We know people across Wales are struggling to make ends meet during the cost-of-living crisis, as they see inflation, petrol, essential household items and energy bills all rising.

“We are targeting the Fuel Support Scheme at low-income households and extending the number of those eligible, as we understand how the winter months can be the hardest of the year and families face the difficult choice of heating or eating.

“We are committed to supporting the most vulnerable and doing everything we can to ensure they can get through this difficult moment.”

Dinas Bran students scoop prize for film-making skills

* The students pick up their prize cheque.

Students at Ysgol Dinas Bran in Llangollen have won £100 as part of a film making competition.

As part of the Creative Pathways event run by Careers Wales, year nine pupils across Denbighshire were invited to attend a one-day workshop with Screen Alliance Wales to create and edit a film.

For the first half of the workshop, students learned how to plan, film and edit a video.

For the second half, they created and edited their own 60 seconds film, following the theme of ‘the path’. 

Entries were judged by Stifyn Parri from BAFTA Cymru during the Creative Pathway event.

Lucy Giles, Natalie Hughes, Katie Jones, Kara Roberts and Maddy Wilson from Dinas Bran scooped the £100 prize, which was provided by Gogledd Creadigol.

Simon Sinclair, the head of media at Ysgol Dinas Bran, said: "The film workshop and competition were brilliant experiences for the students.

"It was great for them to have an insight into how films are made, the industry, and working as part of a team.

“We all thoroughly enjoyed the process - especially winning the £100 at the end. Hollywood watch out!"

The prize money will go towards media equipment for the school, and the winners will also have a say on what it is spent on.

Gwenda Roberts, a team manager from Careers Wales, said: “Before the workshop, many of the students wouldn’t have been aware of the different roles and responsibilities that goes into making a film.

“It’s sessions like this that really help to broaden young peoples’ understanding of what potential career paths are out there for them, in a way that’s a bit different and more engaging.

“Thank you to Screen Alliance Wales for its support and of course to Gogledd Creadigol for contributing the prize.”

Heatwave leads to rocketing demand for water

 

• Welsh Water sees demand for water exceeds 1,000 mega litres per day on hottest day
• Teams working around clock keeping the water flowing and fixing leaks
• Customers can do their bit by following top tips on ways to save water in home and garden

With Wales basking in glorious sunshine at the moment, it wasn’t just the mercury that was rising in the record-breaking heat. 

While the sun shone over Wales yesterday (Monday) on the hottest day recorded, not for profit utility company Welsh Water saw demand for water from its customers soar – reaching the same levels seen at the peak of the 2018 heatwave. 

On a typical day, the company normally treats and supplies around 850 mega litres of fresh, clean water to its three million customers.  This is roughly the same amount of water needed to fill around 320 Olympic sized swimming pools.  Yesterday the company saw this level exceed 1,000 mega litres per day.

This extra demand makes it a challenge to get water through the pipes fast enough and also drains the water quicker from the reservoirs and rivers that supply the water.  This is especially important as between March and April, rainfall across Wales was only 50% of the long term average while between March and May it was just 60%. 

While water resources in the majority of Wales are in a good position, there is a slight concern about the situation in Pembrokeshire.  While this shouldn’t have any immediate impact, if the there is no significant rain between now and the end of August, some level of restriction may be required later in the summer.

To keep up with the demand, the company has had to ramp up its operations to ensure that it keeps the water flowing for customers.  This included working around the clock to ensure the water treatment works kept up with demand and also deploying its full fleet of water tankers to top up local water systems.

The company has also increased its work on fixing and repairing leaks and is already finding and fixing between 500 – 600 leaks a week. 

Customers can also play their part by following some of the simple hints and tips the company has around ways to avoid wasting water in the home and garden.  These include:

• Don’t leave the tap running while washing hands or brushing teeth
• Take a shower instead of a bath
• Wait until the washing machine and dishwasher are full before putting them on
• Don’t fill the paddling pool to the top – and when you’ve finished, use the water on the plants in the garden
• Don’t use a sprinkler on the lawn to keep it green – the colour will soon come back once it rains

Ian Christie, Managing Director of Water Services said: “I’m sure we’ve all been enjoying this warm weather and as a company we always see an increase in demand for water when the sun shines.  Peaks in demand normally only last a short period but with these unprecedented temperatures we’re seeing a sustained period of increase in demand.  It was no surprise that we saw the demand reach 1,000 mega litres per day yesterday.

“Meeting spikes in demand naturally brings with is some additional challenges for the company and people will have seen our teams out and about to make sure that we keep the water flowing.  While we will do all that we can, it will help us as well if customers play their part as well by avoiding wasting water. 

“Garden sprinklers for example are one of the biggest consumers of water in the garden as they use on average 1,000 litres of water every hour. This is the equivalent of what a typical family would use inside the house in two days. By avoiding using sprinklers, or investing in a water butt to collect rain water, people could use significantly less water.

“Another way customers can help is by reporting any leaks to us which they may notice so that we can get a team out straight away to look at it.  By working together in this way, wecan help ensure that we keep the water flowing through the summer”.

* More information on water saving tips and details of how to get hold of water saving devices, visit www.dwrcymru.com

Consider not walking dogs in the heat, says police message

Police have issued a timely warning about keeping dogs safe in the heatwave.

Local PCSO Lucy Green has sent out a message over the Neighbourhood Alert system to say: "In this hot weather, please consider not walking your dogs - the pavements are hot and the air is humid, this can cause our furry friends to overheat, and worse. 

"It concerned me yesterday seeing so many dogs out and about in the peak heat - the forecast today is looking hotter again."

And on a general safety theme, she adds: "Whilst it is also imperative that us humans stay cool too, remember to keep properties secure, where possible don't leave accessible windows and doors open and unsupervised. Criminals will take any opportunity."

Senedd Member tries out new-style PE lessons

* Ken Skates MS shapes up during the school PE session.

A Member of the Senedd took part in a programme which transforms the way PE is taught in primary schools. 

Ken Skates, MS for Clwyd South, visited Ysgol Y Waun in Chirk on Thursday (July 14) to see how staff are supporting the health and well-being of pupils through an initiative called real PE. 

He first observed a Key Stage 2 PE lesson with Year 6 during which the children were supported by real PE videos to improve their physical skills and develop their coordination. Mr Skates then participated in a Key Stage 1 lesson when children practiced their balancing skills. 

He said: “The children were great at helping to coach me when I took part, and they were so welcoming. I really enjoyed the session. It’s great fun and really and strips PE back to basics.”  

Year 2 teacher Beth Cornford said she has seen an improvement in the children’s cores since the introduction of real PE at Ysgol y Waun. 

She added: “Children can now sit without fidgeting as much! I have also seen an improvement in their skills such as handwriting, which all comes from having a better posture.” 

The programme, created by Create Development, has a ‘child-centred approach’ and aims to support pupils to become physically literate by developing their Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) – agility, balance and coordination.  

Mr Skates added: “PE is a fantastic vehicle not only to improve the children’s health, fitness and well-being, but also to develop a range of personal, social, physical and creative abilities that transfer outside the PE and sporting environment. I was hugely impressive with the real PE lessons and it’s clear that the children have really taken to them.” 

Mr Skates and the Create Development team thanked teacher Amy Roberts, the school’s health and wellbeing lead, for organising the event.

Summer events lined up at Valle Crucis Abbey

Valle Crucis Abbey is playing host to a number of activities over the next few weeks.

A Medieval Fun day is lined up for this weekend, July 23 and 24. 

The Prince’s Retinue will be doing some archery demonstrations and a faux melee. Medieval Fun Day | Cadw (gov.wales)

The Abbey also has some guided tours on the same weekend. Valle Crucis Guided Tours | Cadw (gov.wales) 

There are also two more Guided Tour events planned.

Neither of these events are ticketed, you just pay the usual addition fee of £4.80 for an adult.

Free – Members of Cadw, Historic Scotland, English Heritage or Manx Heritage

Free – Under 5

£3.40 – Under 18, students and Armed Forces

£4.60 – Over 65

£15.80 – Family

Also planned is an outside theatre production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by the Duke’s Theatre Company on Tuesday August 2 at 7pm. VALLE CRUCIS ABBEY, LLANGOLLEN, LL20 8DD @ 19:00 | TheDukesTheatreCo (thedukestheatrecompany.co.uk)

Details of prices are on the website. However, please note that the information on parking on the website is wrong. There will be parking provided by the campsite.  

Abbey Opening times –

Thursday – Monday – 10:00-17:00

Closed Tuesday & Wednesday.

Keep an eye on water usage in hot weather, says supplier

With an amber weather warning for extreme heat in place for this area, Welsh Water is asking customers to be help them keep the water flowing by being mindful of how much they use.

During the recent spell of warm weather, the company has already seen demand for water soar to near record levels.  

This extra demand makes it a challenge to get water through the pipes fast enough and also drains the water quicker from the reservoirs and rivers that supply the water.  

This is especially important as between March and April, rainfall across Wales was only 50% of the long term average while between March and May it was just 60%. 

Welsh Water usually treats and supplies about 800 million litres of clean water a day to its three million customers - roughly the same amount needed to fill 320 Olympic-sized swimming pools. 

Over the past days, Welsh Water has seen demand increase by 25% which meant it has had to supply an additional 198 million litres of water per day.

In popular tourist areas such as Pembrokeshire, the demand for water is also exacerbated by the volume of people visiting the area.  Wales is already a popular destination, but with a lot of people still choosing to holiday in the UK this year, the number of people visiting is again set to be high.

In response to the warm weather, the company sys it has ramped up production at its water treatment works.  It has also deployed its full fleet of water tankers to move water around the system to try and keep the levels topped up where demand is highest.

The company also claims to be doing everything it can to cut losses from the system and has teams working across the country finding and fixing leaks as quick as they can.  Their teams are currently fixing between 500 and 600 leaks per week.  Customers can also help by reporting a leak to the company as soon as they spot one. 

To help customers play their part and identify simple ways they can save water around the home and in the garden, the company is offering handy hints and tips.  These include:

• Don’t leave the tap running while washing hands or brushing teeth
• Take a shower instead of a bath.
• Wait until the washing machine and dishwasher are full before putting them on.
• Don’t fill the paddling pool to the top – and when you’ve finished, use the water on the plants in the garden.
• Don’t use a sprinkler on the lawn to keep it green – the colour will soon come back once it rains.
• Use our ‘Get Water Fit’ calculator to help with hints and tips on how to save both water and money – there are even free products available if you sign up.

Businesses are also being asked to make an extra effort not to waste water, particularly caravan parks, golf courses and farms. Even making small reductions in the amount of water a business uses has the potential to make a big difference in helping Welsh Water to keep water flowing this summer, with the added benefit of reducing a business’ water bills and helping it protect the environment.

Local MP appointed government minister

* Simon Baynes MP in his Ministerial office at the Home Office.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes has been appointed to a Ministerial role as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice and the Home Office.

He said: “I am very honoured and delighted to have been appointed by the Prime Minister as Minister for Justice and Tackling Illegal Migration. 

"I am very much looking forward to delivering on the Government’s commitments in the Ministry of Justice and the Home Office as well as continuing to work hard for the people of Clwyd South as their local Member of Parliament.”

Packed programme on offer in 25th anniversary Fringe Festival

Organisers say the 25th anniversary Llangollen Fringe Festival which kicks off next Friday, July 22, offers a great line-up of performers, workshops and activities.

Here are details they have supplied of the programme:  

"Friday 22nd – Comedy featuring some top-quality jokers headed by Paul Sinha who not only knows everything there is to know, but tells great jokes as well.  Saint or Sinha – you decide? Note to Festival Ticket holders - please email Paul with your preferred seating position for the Comedy - Front, Middle, Back or Balcony.  Thanks Saturday 23rd – World Music from The Turbans.  They may be London-based, but their canvas is drawn from traditional near-eastern and eastern-European styles.  This is music for all ages, so bring gran and the kids and treat yourself to the celestial glow of some truly vibrant music.  I saw them a couple of years ago and they were great! Perfect for a Saturday night and guaranteed to get you dancing! Monday 25th – And now for something completely different and also something of a coup for the Fringe, because Roger Eno hasn’t been a prolific live performer of his Ambient music over the years.  But he’s going to perform some for you.  I would call his music mesmeric if I knew what that meant, but I think you’ll find yourself transported to another and better place while you’re listening to it.  Don’t let this one pass you buy, let it pass through you instead. Tuesday 26th – The evening for all you aspiring hipsters and cool cats out there, but anyone who loves great music is welcome as well.  If it’s a Tuesday then it must be Jazz, because Tuesday is Jazz Night at the Fringe.  The Zoe Gilby Quartet are cool and sophisticated players of both original material and some well-known jazz standards as well.  A great live band, satisfaction guaranteed and with special guests So What Now what could possibly go wrong? Wednesday 27th – Right it’s midweek and time to “get down” to “fractured rock and roll at its best”. Warmduscher first got together at the end of 2014 and have been on an upward trajectory ever since.  Iggy Pop no less, the Godfather of Punk graced their 3rd album with his presence.  If you’re looking for some Ramalama and a Shindig this is the band for you, or maybe you’re looking for a “mix of in-your-face-punk and sinister electronica” again Warmduscher will deliver.  Hot stuff indeed.  Supported by Red Telephone, a band from Cardiff who make layered neo-psych at-rock combining angular guitars, Kraftwerkian-inspired rhythms and New Wave-tinged synths all mixed with masses of melodic melancholy..   Thursday 28th – And tonight we have for you one of the most important figures in the history of Folk Music, a man who has inspired Paul Simon and Bob Dylan no less, and countless others as well.  Martin Carthy, for it is he, has been interpreting traditional songs in an innovative way since he first heard Lonnie Donegan playing “Rock Island Line”.  The music of the common people kept relevant and fresh for modern times.  And, as if that wasn’t enough, he will be accompanied by his daughter Eliza Carthy who is of course a star in her own right.  Mark Radcliffe described her in my presence as “a force of nature” and he was spot on. Friday 29th – If the Carthy’s have retained a youthful outlook, Talisk actually are youthful and this shows in their energetic and powerful live performances.  Hailing from Scotland they draw on influences from all over for their folk-based music and their fusion of concertina, fiddle and guitar is enthralling.  Winner of countless awards – you’ll be kicking yourselves if you don’t come along and see why!  Saturday 30th – Is it Saturday again already? But what a finish this promises to be to the 2022 Fringe Town Hall and as always with the Fringe something a little different.  Ebony were one of the first Steel Bands to be formed in the UK, their latest project has been to take the classic electronica of Kraftwerk and turn it into, well…something else.  Anyway, check in with your doctor if they don’t get you smiling and leaping about with gay abandon in what promises to be a fabulous finale show. Okay that’s a lot about the main performances, but don’t forget that the Fringe is about so much more than them.  There’s a jam-packed programme of fun and exciting activities and workshops that will cater for all ages from 1 to a 101 so even I can join in. Wow, I wish I lived in a place that put stuff like that on…hang on I do, it’s called Llangollen and it’s part of the Fringe. Please follow the link below and find out what’s on offer, you’re bound to find something whether for yourself, the kids or your mum. There’s art, poetry, music, archaeology, walking, singing, dancing, story-telling, circus, jewellery making and much, much more. Llangollen Fringe Workshops - Llangollen Fringe Festival We are so looking forward to seeing you all at Llangollen Fringe 2022, 22-31 July. P.S. Don’t forget to check out the entertainment being provided by our friends at Gale’s Wine Bar throughout the Fringe."

What's On at the Pengwern Community Hub

 What's on at the Pengwern Community Hub this month:

Warning over lighting fires in open after blaze in Pen Coed Wood

* The station's narrow 32M1 appliance used to deal 

with the fire in Pen Coed Wood.

Llangollen Fire station is warning about the dangers of lighting fires in woods after its crew were called to tackle a tricky underground blaze in Pen Coed yesterday (Friday) morning.

And it is calling for extra caution with extremely high temperatures predicted for the next couple of days. 

A post on the station's Facebook page says: "09:40 today 32M1 attended a fire in Pen Coed Wood, Llangollen. 

"The fire had crept underground popping up in a different place. Crews used a high pressure lance to create a fire break and extinguisher the fire. 

"32M1 is our narrow access vehicle and can get to places the fire engine couldn’t. It can travel up to fires on hard standing ground. 

"Please take care when lighting fires in woods they can spread very quickly in these dry, warm conditions. 

"Please take extra care over the weekend as temperatures a set to rise to over 30 degrees." 

Free school meals payments to continue over holidays

Denbighshire County Council is informing parents and guardians of arrangements being made to pay for free school meals throughout the summer holidays.

Over recent years, the council has put in place a system where it provides payments instead of free school meals, with £19.50 being paid to parents or guardians, per child per week.

So far, 4,275 children are benefitting from the free school meals payments.

Councillor Gill German, Cabinet Lead Member for Education, Children and Families, said: “When the Covid outbreak started, the council’s catering service responded immediately to continue to provide free school meals to those eligible and the Welsh Government announced that funding would be available to assist those individuals over the school holiday period.

“Denbighshire has administered the funding on behalf of the Welsh Government and funding has been paid directly into the bank accounts of parents and guardians. This means that families are receiving regular payments to meet the costs of buying and preparing meals.

“Now that the school holidays is nearly upon us, we’re making plans to re-start the payments, with the first payment due on July 25^th. This will be followed by weekly payments, with the last payment being made on August 30^th.

“Parents and guardians who qualify and who have received these payments will receive the monies directly and they do not need to contact the council.

* Further information about free school meals is available on the council’s website: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/costofliving

Poetic walk on the Panorama planned for July 25

* The monument to poet I D Hooson on the Panorama walk.

An event combining people's love of walking and appreciation of poetry is coming to the area later this month.

Between 10 and 11.30am on Monday, July 25 the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley organisation and the Picturesque Landscape Team have arranged for local poet Sara Louise Wheeler to lead its Panorama Poetry Walk in the hills close to Llangollen.  

This literary tour with a difference explores the work of the famous poet Isaac Daniel Hooson.

Sustainable development officer Jillian Howe said: "Taking the Panorama walk, you’ll come across a large stone monument to him.

"The Welsh inscription translates as 'Poet, Eisteddfod-goer, and friend to children'. 

"The monument was placed there by the Urdd in 1952 and is an important part of the local cultural heritage and landscape. 

"But who was I.D. Hooson, what kind of poetry did he write and why, given that he was from neighbouring Rhosllannerchrugog, did he choose to have his ashes scattered overlooking Llangollen? 

"Also, why has so little been written about this seemingly once-prominent poet and social entrepreneur, in either or Welsh or English?

"To find out the answers join Sara Louise Wheeler and the team for a literary tour of the local wildlife and habitat."

* For more details of the walk, go to: https://www.clwydianrangeanddeevalleyaonb.org.uk/events/panorama-poetry-walk/

Public urged to take precautions as temperatures rise

The Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Wales is urging people to take extra precautions and to plan ahead to keep themselves and others safe as the Met Office warns of extreme heat.

The Amber warning, issued for Sunday 17 July, Monday 18 July and Tuesday 19 July, suggests some parts of east Wales could see temperatures reach early to mid-thirties.

The Welsh Government is working with emergency services, local authorities, schools and businesses to keep the public safe during the Met Office warning period.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Wales (DCMO) Chris Jones said: “Extreme heat warnings are not issued lightly by the Met Office and the potential health risks need to be taken seriously.

“Very high temperatures can be dangerous for everyone but elderly people, children, those with chronic health problems and vulnerable people who may struggle to keep cool are at a higher risk.

“Demand on NHS Wales and our emergency services is already high so by taking extra precautions to keep ourselves and our families safe, we can all help to reduce pressure on these vital services.

“These temperatures can be particularly worrying for vulnerable or elderly people so I would also urge people to check in on neighbours and relatives to make sure they are keeping as cool as possible as the temperature rises.”

To protect yourselves and others:

• Stay hydrated – drinking water is vital as your body loses more fluid in higher temperatures.
• Plan ahead and stay in the shade – it is best to avoid the hottest part of the day between midday and 3pm and avoid doing strenuous outdoor activities between these times.
• Wear sunglasses and sun protection – sunscreens or sun blocks will help to prevent sunburn.
• To keep your home cool, turn off non-essential lights and electrical equipment and keep rooms shaded by closing blinds and curtains.
• Do not leave young children, elderly people or pets in parked cars as temperatures inside can soar.
• While the temptation to cool off may be high, be careful around open water including river and lakes and supervise children.
• Wear loose fitting clothing and a hat if outdoors.

If you are worried about any symptoms related to heat visit the NHS 111 website - 111.wales.nhs.uk - to check your symptoms or call 111 for advice.

The extreme heat warning is likely to have a significant impact across society:

TRANSPORT

There may be significant impacts on transport infrastructure in Wales during the period of extreme heat, including road and rail. Travellers should plan ahead and ensure they have plenty of water. The heat will mean that vehicles are more likely to break down on roads and could also place strain the rail network, both of which could lead to travel disruption and delays. Travellers should check with their rail or bus operator, Traffic Wales or Traveline Cymru to be alerted to any disruption and change their travel plans accordingly.

 SCHOOLS AND CHILDCARE

Advice is being provided to schools and childcare settings to deal with the extreme heat, including avoiding vigorous physical activity and maximising shade and ventilation. Children should wear loose, light-coloured clothing if possible, wear hats outdoors and drink plenty of water.

WORKPLACES

All workplaces have a legal responsibility to ensure a safe and healthy environment for their workers. Employers should make reasonable adjustments to ensure that employees can carry out their work safely and in line with the Health and Safety Executive’s advice on working in hot temperatures. https://businesswales.gov.wales/news-and-blogs/news/hse-working-hot-temperatures-guidance

 EVENTS

For all events scheduled during the extreme heat period, organisers should review additional communications out to attendees, spectators and participants - both prior to and during, the event - advising on recommended safe behaviours in extreme heat. They should also consider the need for any additional measures, in relation to event staging and infrastructure, in order to mitigate against the worst effects of extreme heat – for example provision of extra shade, water stations and other measures. Based on further consideration of the risks, they should assess whether all or part of the event should be postponed.

ROYAL WELSH SHOW

The extreme heat warning coincides with the start of the Royal Welsh Show in Llanelwedd. Visitors and exhibitors should follow all advice from the show organisers to ensure the safety and well-being of attendees and welfare of animals. Anyone who owns or is responsible for an animal has a legal duty to take reasonable steps to ensure its welfare needs are met. Show exhibitors should inspect their animals often. If they have any concerns about the welfare of livestock, they should immediately contact the on-site veterinary team.

Welsh Government Ministers and officials are also taking part in UK-wide Civil Contingencies structures to ensure a co-ordinated approach to cross-border issues caused by the extreme heat.

Local MP says he's backing Sunak in Tory leadership race

* Simon Baynes MP.

Clwyd South Conservative MP Simon Baynes has announced that he is backing former Chancellor Rishi Sunak in his party's leadership contest 

Posting on his Facebook page today (Wednesday) Mr Baynes says: "As a Boris loyalist who backed him until the end, I have found the leadership campaign upsetting and difficult to navigate. 

"Now that Priti Patel, whom I urged to stand, has withdrawn from the race, I have decided to back Rishi Sunak as I think he is the best placed in terms of ability and experience to be Prime Minister at this exceptionally difficult time both at home and abroad.

"I have either spoken to all the leadership candidates or seen them speak in a hustings meeting and I have had many private conversations with colleagues about them. 

"They are a diverse, highly talented and compassionate group of people who are a great credit to the modern Conservative Party which has, in turn, made making my choice even more difficult.

"I have chosen to support Rishi Sunak on ability and experience but recognise that he still has a great deal of persuading to do with not only my band of Boris loyalists but also the membership of the Conservative Party who will make the final choice between the two candidates shortlisted by us as MPs."

Mr Baynes says there are four main reasons why he is supporting Mr Sunak and outlining them he says:

"1. Due to his government experience, particularly during the Covid crisis where he excelled in supporting people and businesses throughout the pandemic, Rishi can hit the ground running as PM, a necessity in these troubled times.

"2. He is right to be cautious about immediate tax cutting as there are also massive spending priorities that we face such as helping people with the cost of living, social care for the elderly, increasing defence spending and funding our support for the war in Ukraine which I think is of paramount geopolitical importance.

"3. I had a chance to see him at work since I was elected in 2019 and have been impressed by not only his exceptional intelligence, imaginative ideas, good communication skills and administrative ability but also by the interest he has always shown in us as colleagues, particularly as new backbenchers. This is a vital aspect of good leadership and one at which Boris excelled. And this accessibility and collegiate approach will be very important in bringing the party together after the leadership race has finished.

"4. Rishi is a compassionate politician and not divisive by character - these are important attributes for taking the country forward and persuading people to continue supporting the Conservative Party in the future.

"Over the next week, MPs will vote on reducing the list of 9 candidates down to 2 via a series of ballots which start today and finish by Wednesday next week. Two names then go before the membership of the Conservative Party and the winner will be declared on 5th September in time to take part in his or her first PMQs as our new Prime Minister.

"If you have any questions or comments to make on the leadership contest, please don’t hesitate to contact me on simon.baynes.mp@parliament.uk."  

Teens jumping from Llan Bridge sparks debate

Tombstoning - or youngsters jumping into the River Dee from Llangollen Bridge in high summer - has become the subject of a story in the Daily Post.

The newspaper has taken an interest in the custom after a debate started on Facebook when a passer-by took photos of the jumping teens, expressing concerns for their safety. 

* For the full story see: https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/tombstoning-river-stunt-thats-cherished-24471182