* St Collen's is bringing back an ancient tradition to help workers in the field get to church. The ringing of the Angelus Bell at noon.
The
newly-formed Llangollen Coronavirus Group has been busy working out the duties
its band of volunteers will perform as they come to the aid of those worst hit
by the outbreak.
In
a message put out yesterday one of its founders, Cat Meade, said: “I have had
several contacts today from local police, DCC, Health Centre and local businesses.
“Safeguarding
of those we are helping is paramount, any duties the volunteers carry out are
being carefully planned.
“We
have confirmed with the Health Centre and Rowlands who is able to collect and
deliver prescriptions, Rotary are also on board.
“Rowlands
Pharmacy is under huge demand on medication, they will close 12 -2pm daily to
keep up with orders.
“Under
no circumstances will any volunteer take a card with pin to run errands, we are
in talks with local business on card payments etc.
“Newspapers
- a lot of requests, we have teamed up with Sam at the Newsagents (former Mr
Lees) to arrange daily deliveries, if you would like to add to the list please
call our volunteer Verity Maybury on 07500103945 who is collating a database of
requests, this will be rolled out in the coming days. Working on volunteers for
delivery.
“Gwyn
the Butchers is now teaming up with Dee Valley Produce to deliver meat supplies
with your veg order, contact Gwyn on 01978 860075 ... this may become very
popular so will be limit per customer and may require further volunteers to
help with deliveries.
“I
have had many calls today to simply say "thank you", felt worried and
concerned until heard what we are all doing and what a comfort it is to our
elderly community.
“Thank
you once again to all of you amazing people keeping our town going, keep
shopping local, help all our businesses get through these trying times
#llangollenfamily.”
St
Collen’s went on Facebook yesterday to announce it is bringing back a
time-honoured tradition during this difficult time - the ringing of the Angelus
Bell.
Vicar,
Father Lee, says: “Many of us rely on alarms and alert sounds on our mobile phones
to remind us of things. The tolling of the Angelus Bell, which goes back to the
11th century, was to alert people of a time of prayer.
“At
12noon each day the Anglus Bell will ring (three sets of three with a pause in
between, followed by nine rings).”
If
you would like to join Fr Lee live for the Angelus prayers, this will be
live-streamed at 12 noon. Simply visit the Facebook Page: Llangollen Group of
Churches.
Well-known
local figure Pete the Hat, who is the key organiser, was on Facebook yesterday
to announce that another major event, the Red Dragon music festival planned for
May at the Pavilion, had fallen victim
to the coronavirus outbreak.
He
posted: “We have been advised and therefore it is with a heavy heart that we
have to announce that May’s Red Dragon will not be going ahead ...... that’s
the bad news.
“The
good news is we have snapped up the last available date at the Pavilion and we
can announce that the Red Dragon has been postponed until Friday 9th October
till Sunday the 11th October.2020.
“We
have messaged all the bands and it’s looking very positive that the line up
won't change, we will keep you posted. Oliver/Dawson Saxon are good to go.
“All
tickets already purchased are valid for the October Red Dragon, or next Mays
Red Dragon. Any problems call me 07784 519900.”
Llangollen
Health Centre out a message about Covid-19 and the drug ibuprofen on its new
Facebook page, South Wrexham Group of GP Practices.
They
said: “There has been a lot of concern regarding the use of ibuprofen in
relation to Covid-19. Whilst there is no
conclusive evidence overall, the current recommendation from the Chief Medical
Officer for Wales is that patients who have confirmed Covid-19 or feel that
they may have Covid-19 should use paracetamol to manage their symptoms.
“Those
who take ibuprofen for other medical reasons (such as arthritis) should not
stop taking it.
“This
position is being kept under constant review by the CMO and any changes to
guidance will be posted on here.”
In another post the health centre said: “We cannot provide
med-3's (fit/sick notes) for patients who are self-isolating.
“These are unprecedented times and the advice from the UK
government to employers is this:
‘By law, medical evidence is not required for the first 7
days of sickness. After 7 days, employers may use their discretion around the
need for medical evidence if an employee is staying at home.’
“We strongly suggest that employers use their discretion around the need for medical evidence for a period of absence where an employee is advised to stay at home either as they are unwell themselves, or live with someone who is, in accordance with the public health advice issued by the government. This will allow GPs to focus on their patients."
Rowlands
Pharmacy next door to the health centre had its own message for the public when
it said: “Please be aware that Rowlands Pharmacy Llangollen is closing every
day between 12 and 2pm. They are so busy
and this allows them time to catch up with all the medication requests.”
New
Dot Cinema posted to say: “We have been carefully following advice from the
government, health services and cinema organisations regarding COVID-19.
“As
the situation around the country has worsened, the Town Hall has decided to
close until Monday, June 15th - a decision we fully support.
“Our
main priority is to support the Town Hall in ensuring our audience is as safe
as possible. However, this means that we will no longer be able to show most of
our Spring programme.
“We
are very excited about the films we have lined up for the upcoming quarter but
we will be equally excited about them when we are finally able to resume
screenings in the Summer.
“Online
tickets will be automatically refunded, paper tickets can be returned at
Llangollen Oggie Shop & Fine Foods.
“We
will let you know when we can resume screenings and we hope we can come back
with something cheering after what is likely to be a very trying and difficult
few months for everyone in our community.”
Courtyard
Books said it is still open for books, games and jigsaws to help pass the time
and is also able to offer cards and
stamps to help keep in touch.
They
said: “You can message us for a book and if we haven't got it in stock will
order it for you. Payment can be made over the phone and as long as it is
within Llangollen. I can deliver for you ... a walk would be good exercise for
me!
“Please
ask if there is anything we can do to help in these strange and worrying times.
Stay safe and healthy.”
Sam’s
Coffee at Gales Wine Bar said it had “regretfully”
decided to close yesterday until it knows what’s happening.
It added on Facebook: “It’s upsetting as we’ve had the best
few months since we opened, it’s been getting busier all the time and it’s been
so good meeting you all.
“The shop will be back better and stronger and tastier when we
return, we had some plans for summer which we will hopefully be able to carry
out. Best of luck to our neighbours during this time, please support them as
best you can. Look after yourselves and your loved ones and see you soon.”
Bethan Mascarenhas at the Old Vicarage care home in
Llangollen posted: “If you are out of work at present and
stuck, there are a few care homes that are in need of extra staff for care,
kitchen and cleaning.
“If you
would like information of local homes who need staff, please get in touch and I
will pass on their information.”
Meanwhile,
Arriva Buses Wales said on its own website that emergency timetables will be
introduced on many of its services from next Monday.
It added
that details were being finalised and would be announced soon.
The
UK Government has announced a radical package of measures to protect renters
and landlords affected by coronavirus.
It
says that, as a result, no renter in either social or private accommodation
will be forced out of their home during this difficult time.
Emergency legislation will be taken forward as an urgent priority so that
landlords will not be able to start proceedings to evict tenants for at least a
three-month period.
A press release adds: “As a result of these measures, no
renters in private or social accommodation needs to be concerned about the
threat of eviction.”
