Police close Castle Street following collision

* Above and below: the scenes in Castle Street this morning.

Castle Street has been closed by police following a collision in which the casualty had to be flown away from the scene by air ambulance earlier this morning.

A message from North Wales Police sent out at around 11am said: "Castle Street in Llangollen is currently closed following a serious RTC involving a pedestrian and a car. Please use alternative routes. Thank you."

A large number of police are at the scene and are diverting traffic away from the town's main street.

This has been causing widespread traffic congestion.

Pedestrians are being allowed to walk along the street but are being asked by police officers not to walk on the roadway.

A unit from the force's forensic collision investigation unit is parked outside the Town Hall.

Ysgol Dinas Bran celebrates "fantastic" A Level resullts

* Above and below: Dinas Bran students celebrate their A Level results.

Delighted A level students celebrated fantastic exam results at Ysgol Dinas Bran today.

Overall the pass-rates at A level are very pleasing with over 75% of grades awarded at A*-C, well above national averages and nearly 30% achieving A*/A grades. 

 Among subjects, Chemistry, Design and Technology, French, Further Mathematics, History and Physics, all had 100% pass-rates at A*-C.

There were some outstanding performances from students. 

Laura McAndrew achieved four A* grades, in Maths, Further Maths, Physics and French -a terrific achievement! She will now continue with her studies doing Modern Languages in Newcastle University. 

Zoe Nicholas also achieved three A* grades in Maths, Further Maths and Chemistry and is now going on to study Chemistry in Oxford University. Emma and Lucy Brown both gained 3A* grades in Maths, Biology and Physics. Emma is going on to study Biomedical Sciences at Birmingham University and Lucy will be studying Physics at Birmingham University. 

Laura Gibbs gained 2A* in Further Maths and Physics and an A grade in Maths. She is now going on to study Physics and Astronomy in Durham University.

It is also congratulations to Eve McSpadden who achieved four A grades and is going on to study Ecology and Conservation at Lancaster University. Other students who achieved two A grades or more were:

Sarah Gibbs                            3 A Grades

Eve Barrett                            1 A* Grade 1, A Grade, & 1 B Grade

Oliver Evans                            1 A* Grade 1, A Grade, 1 B Grade & 1 C Grade

Megan Jones                            2 A Grades & 1 B Grade

Thomas Bolton                             2 A Grades & 1 B Grade

Olivia Eggington              2 A Grades & 1 B Grade

Ryan Verschueren              2 A Grades & 1 B Grade

Early indicators suggest that the vast majority of students who applied to university have been successful in their first choice applications, says the school.

Headteacher Mark Hatch said “We are delighted with these results. A levels are hard exams; the students have worked hard and deserve their success. 

"We wish them well for the future, whatever their chosen route. A big thank you also to all the teachers for their tremendous work and support of the students.”

* Denbighshire County Council has congratulated the county’s young people on their examination successes. 

It says early indications show an increase above the Welsh national standards in students achieving A*-C grades. 

The council says: "There are some excellent individual achievements across all schools with most young people progressing to their chosen pathways. There is also a pleasing increase in students achieving A* and A grades this year."

Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts, Denbighshire's Cabinet Lead Member for Education, Children’s Services and Public Engagement, said: “Yet again this year we have seen some great results in Denbighshire, with some outstanding performances from individuals across the county.

“The results reflect the hard work going on in our schools to maintain and improve performance and we must commend our students and staff for the tremendous amount of work and effort that went into preparing for their examinations. 

“Young people are at the very heart of our Corporate Plan and we want to see them achieve and have the skills to progress to further education, alternative training or new careers. We would like to offer our sincere congratulations to the class of 2019 and we wish them every success in their chosen pathway.”

Police warn over "safe account" phone scams

North Wales Police are warning people to be alert to ‘safe account’ scams after an increase in reports from members of the public.

Residents have reported receiving phone calls from scammers claiming to be calling from their bank, or police fraud investigators. 

The caller will state that there is an issue with the victims bank account and advise them to move their money to a ‘safe account’. 

The victim will often be told that bank staff are suspected of being involved in a fraud which deters the public from seeking advice in their local branch.

In some cases victims have been played an automated message stating £600 had been taken from their account and requesting the victims press ‘1’ to continue.

Financial abuse safeguarding officer DC2675 Rachel Roberts said: “This is not a new scam but there has been a recent resurgence in victims being duped in this way. Many of the victims are elderly and have lost thousands of pounds.

“Often the victims have no reason to doubt the fraudsters as they appear to know the victims personal details. The fraudsters will urge victims to act quickly and create a fear that the victims money is in danger of being lost.”

Police have issued the following advice to residents 

• If you receive a telephone call from anyone asking you to move your money into a different account end the call immediately. 
• Do not give personal details, including banking details, to anyone you do not know either in the street, on the doorstep, over the telephone or internet as these details can be used to steal your identity.
• Beware of cold calls even when the caller appears to have personal information such as your address, date of birth or bank account details.
• Your bank and the police will never ask you to transfer your money into a ‘safe account’.
• If you receive unexpected contact from persons claiming to be from your bank take time to think. Do not be rushed. If you have concerns about your money wait 10 minutes and call your bank on a trusted number to check the validity of the call.

* For further information visit the North Wales Police public web page and clicking on the fraud information box. Here you will find advice on various types of fraud and a link to Action Fraud (www.actionfraud.police.uk) or call on 0300 123 2040.

Direct trains from Gobowen to London planned

Direct trains from Gobowen to London have been promised by the new operator of the West Coast Main Line. 

First Trenitalia has today (Wednesday) been announced as the successful bidder to operate the West Coast Partnership.

The Department for Transport says this will mean that from December 2022 passengers will benefit from 263 extra train services every week and that destinations including Gobowen and Llandudno will now be served by direct trains to and from London.

Subject to approval from the Office of Rail and Road, two trains per hour will run between Liverpool and London.  

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: "This award is positive news for passengers, with more services, more direct connections and ambitious plans for a cleaner, greener railway, and also represents a decisive shift towards a new model for rail."

Keith Williams, Chair of the Rail Review, said: "The railway needs reform that prioritises the customers and communities it serves, with an absolute focus on delivering benefits for passengers. I have also been clear that my review must not stop or delay investment and innovation.

"This West Coast Partnership delivers for passengers. It is a step forward that is firmly in line with the review, introducing benefits for passengers today and capable of incorporating the reforms needed for the future."

First Trenitalia will oversee the introduction of new environmentally-friendly trains, entirely replacing the diesel-only fleet and reducing CO2 emissions by 61%. 

It will also invest £117 million in a major refurbishment of the current Pendolino fleet, providing more comfortable seats and additional luggage space.

Obituary of distinguished Llangollen-born diplomat

The Guardian has carried the obituary of Sir Wynn Hugh-Jones (pictured) who was born in Llangollen and died recently at the age 95 after a distinguished career as a diplomat and general secretary of the Liberal Party.

You can see this at: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/aug/11/sir-wynn-hugh-jones-obituary

Petrol Honda CR-V is a strong family market contender

* The Honda CR-V. 

* The CR-V cockpit.

Honda CR-V road test by Steve Rogers

CARAVANERS have always loved the Honda CR-V. The SUV offered a huge amount of space and effortless towing but has the Japanese company shot itself in the foot by dropping diesel from the latest model?

Honda would say not because diesel sales have fallen off the cliff and are unlikely to recover as car companies plough resources into petrol hybrid and electric power. Catering for towing is hardly top of the priority list but pulling a caravan or trailer with a petrol engine is always going to be second choice.

So here's a challenge for CR-V. Towing my four berth 7.2 metre caravan 340 miles to Redruth in Cornwall. The car's 1.5 VTEC turbo engine seems an unlikely match and more importantly what is it going to do to the gallon? My last petrol experience was 1989 when I got 20mpg from a 2-litre Mazda 626. Painful on the pocket.

With 170bhp under the bonnet I had no worries about CR-Vs ability to pull my van. It has a capacity of 2000kg, way more than I need. No, my concern was the 220Nm of torque, a lot less than a diesel. The six speed gear box was going to be busy.

How did CR-V do? I was right about having plenty of gear change practice but as long as the right gear was chosen the car felt very comfortable and pulled strongly uphill. The downside is engine noise. The VTEC likes its revs and tends to shout and scream once passed 3000rpm.

I kept a close eye on the computer readout for fuel consumption and was pleasantly surprised. The CR-V never fell below 25mpg and even reached 30mpg for the long cruise down the M5. The average at journeys end was 27.2mpg and it was much the same for the return trip, not a a bad return and not much worse than a Mazda CX-5 with similar power to CR-V from a 2.2 diesel which I used to tow a few weeks earlier.

Given the choice I would still opt for diesel but those choosing CR-V for towing are not going to be too disappointed.

But what of CR-V as an everyday family car? It has been the people's choice since it was launched 24 years ago and according to Honda is the world's best selling SUV. I drove it at the launch and wrote that it was a game changer with driving characteristics much closer to a car than the cumbersome 4x4s of the time.

Honda has done such a lot to improve CR-V down the years and the fifth generation is the best yet, as it should be, and is built on the same global platform as the Civic. It doesn't look a lot different from the previous model until you get close up and see all the new body creases and bulging wheel arches, all intended to give CR-V more kerb appeal.

A spacious cabin has been a big strongpoint and has got even better thanks to the longer wheelbase. Back seat legroom has to be the best in its class, there is even room for a seven seater version, a first for CR-V, while the boot is massive with the back seats dropped.

A couple of adults could sleep in it and it took my two adult bikes without any trouble. The sill is about as low as it will go and the tailgate aperture nice and wide for easy loading.

The SUV/crossover market is crowded, some would say overcrowded, so Honda has tried to distance itself from the pack with a combination of greater cabin space and more upmarket trim. It is not premium, but is knocking on the door.

Dashboard layout is clean and simple with the gearstick perched high in the centre console. This leaves a lot of space for stowage between the seats with the central box large enough to take a litre bottle of water with room to spare.

Honda has chosen Garmin for the navigation system which isn't my favourite. The graphics are not detailed enough and look more suited as illustrations for a child's book. At least reaction time for the touchscreen is good although I was none too impressed by the advanced traffic warning that twice wanted to send us on a wild goose chase.

We ignored the first report of a big delay and found there wasn't any, but took the second alternative route because of an apparent delay which also turned out to be out of date.

That apart, CR-V continues to be a strong contender. Driven solo the 1.5 VTEC is a bit of a flyer with 40mpg plus economy and commendably low emissions, and while the handling is not as dynamic as the Mazda CX-5 or the new Seat Tarraco, it has a more comfortable ride which is more in tune with the needs of a family.

Key facts

CR-V SE 6sp manual

£28,405

1.5 VTEC turbo; 170bhp

0-62mph 9.3secs; 130mph

44.8mpg combined

143g/km. 1st year tax £210

Boot: 1756 litres max

Insurance group 24

Gardening club's summer open show this Saturday

Llangollen & District Gardening Club has its Open Summer Show at the RAFA Club this Saturday, August 17.

A copy of the show

 schedule can be picked up from Watkins & Williams, the Library, Tourist Information, Zingibers and Courtyard Books.