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Saturday, April 4, 2020

Cat suggests a Clap for Kids tomorrow

Llangollen Coronavirus Help Group co-ordinator Cat Meade has today (Saturday) sent out a message on Facebook suggesting local people take part in a Clap for the Kids  tomorrow afternoon at 3pm

She explains: "Our Lovely Kids are completely thrown on the current situation, they are not moaning to go out, let's all give our little heroes a clap."

Health boss welcomes plea for business support to produce PPE


The Chair of North Wales Health Board (pictured) has welcomed the First Minister’s plea yesterday (Friday) for urgent business support in producing personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline staff fighting the COVID-19 outbreak.

Mark Polin, Chair of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) said now is the time to appeal to businesses again to show their support for health and care staff working across North Wales.

“This is a rallying call for arms for companies to change their production lines where possible and start making this hugely important protective equipment. It is paramount that our brave and committed frontline colleagues feel safe and are safe so that they can in turn protect and provide the best care they can to those requiring their help. I urge those companies here in North Wales who can assist in any way to come forward.

“Whether it is visors, masks, aprons or gloves, a change in government guidance explaining when PPE should be worn will no doubt see demand for these items rise further throughout the country in the coming days, weeks and months.

“As we are all aware, this virus shows no discrimination as each and every one of us is vulnerable towards it, some more than others. We all have a part to play in making sure our loved ones continue to receive the best care we can give and that our colleagues remain as safe as possible for those of us that will sadly require specialist frontline care.”

"There are a number of ways for companies to help this urgent request for PPE:

·        Visit the North Wales NHS Charity website Awyr Las

·        Emailing the Procurement Department via nwssp.nwales.procurement@wales.nhs.uk

"BCUHB would like to say a very big thank you to organisations and individuals who have already been in touch to offer their support and generosity during this outbreak. This assistance is greatly appreciated.

"A further and urgent call for volunteers and trained return to practice clinical staff is still needed more than ever to offer additional support to the Health Board and the temporary hospitals currently being constructed across North Wales. Here’s how to get involved:

·        Visit the Get Involved page to become a public volunteer

·        Trained healthcare staff wanting to join the staff bank should contact BCU.TemporaryStaffingAdmin@wales.nhs.uk


Statement from the Town Mayor, Cllr Jon Haddy


* Town Mayor, Cllr Jon Haddy.


The Town Council’s thoughts are with the people of the town and especially those who may be particularly vulnerable to this dreadful disease. 

Councillors are aware of the support groups being set up to practicably aid those in need and as a Council, as a whole, will be doing its very best to help and support them in whatever way we can. 

Individual Councillors are directly volunteering with the Llangollen Coronavirus Help Group, ably coordinated by Ms Cat Meade. for which we are deeply grateful.

Through our Town Clerk we shall also be doing our best to signpost to the appropriate departments at Denbighshire County Council and to our Third Sector Partners.

All your local councillors remain available for residents and their contact details are shown on the Town Council website and whilst the Town Hall remains closed, and will remain so for the foreseeable future, our dedicated staff will be offering help through both phone and email.    

In these difficult times it is important we all stay as safe as we can and help each other. 

Please follow Government guidance about self-isolation, and when going out of your house keep your distance from others as by doing this will reduce the chance of contracting or spreading this world-wide virus, so that we can return to a normal, but, I suspect,somewhat different world.

As always, I am confident the great community spirit of the residents of Llangollen will make this happen and will continue beyond the end of these difficult times to ensure that our community bounces back as strong as ever.

Finally, please keep safe and I look forward to seeing you at events in the town later in the year.


Coronavirus local update - Saturday



Llangollen Railway posted on Facebook yesterday details of the shares scheme it has launched to help it survive its current shutdown due to the coronaviris threat.

The heritage railway has warned that the closure could leave it with a £600,000 deficit.

Its post says: “You can help to support Llangollen Railway by purchasing shares.

“The link below takes you to our website where you will find more information. Minimum purchase is £50 which will give you 50 shares.”

The website sets out the benefits of purchasing the PLC shares, which will entitle the holder to travel vouchers.
With a minimum purchase of 50, and a scale of benefits ranges from up to 99 shares – 1 travel voucher up to 3000 + shares – travel pass for holder and three guests.
There is a shares application form and the link to the railway’s website is: https://www.llangollen-railway.co.uk/shares/

Cat Meade, co-ordinator of Llangollen Coronavirus Support Group, has set up a new Facebook page to create raffles. Find it at: 

Prizes will be vouchers/goods from local businesses, both currently open and closed, as Cat explained: "To maintain spend and know we are supporting them in these difficult times."

The first raffle was held yesterday with a prize of a £50 takeaway voucher for Adyan's Tandoori plus 4 beers & a bottle of wine,  all delivered to your door.

It was £2 per number (max 2 numbers per person) and those interested in joining were asked to message their number to the page,with payment via paypal.


* The group's new supplier leaflet.

The support group has also posted the latest list of suppliers for food and other essentials in Llangollen, (pictured above). It also contains a list of up-to-date contact numbers.


* The #Llangollen Family t-shirt to be available soon.

Another big announcement from the group yesterday was that it is making available a t-shirt with the logo #llangollenfamily.

Cat explained: “I started this on my posts and was overwhelmed with our community spirit, volunteers, support, shops etc... the whole package...one big Family.

“Well, I have been working with a local supplier and tomorrow we shall be up and running to take orders on these beauties.

“On the other side of this we will have our own #Llanfest and I want to see you all in these tops. Post on orders coming tomorrow (Saturday).

“A percentage of purchase will all go to the Llangollen Support Group.” 


Meanwhile, Llangollen Group of Anglican Churches invited people on Facebook yesterday to tune in this Sunday at 8pm and sponsor a hymn to be sung which will be dedicated to you during the live stream. You can sponsor a hymn with a donation by visiting:

Friday, April 3, 2020

First food boxes go out to people under shielding measures



The first food boxes are being delivered to the doorsteps of people who are adopting strict shielding measures to protect themselves from coronavirus, the Welsh Government says.
More than 80,000 people across Wales have been asked to undertake shielding measures because they are classed as extremely vulnerable to serious illness if they are exposed to the virus.
Everyone in this group has a particular, long-term, pre-existing health condition, which increases their risk to coronavirus.
The Chief Medical Officer for Wales Dr Frank Atherton has written to all of them asking them to take shielding measures – including staying at home for 12 weeks – to protect their health.
The people in this group who are not able to call on help from family members, friends or neighbours while they are shielding, will receive support, including a free weekly food box.
Housing and Local Government Minister Julie James said:
We are asking a great deal of people to shield themselves for up to 12 weeks and in return we must ensure those without family and friends they can call on to help have support, so they can stay at home safely.
We have worked very closely with local authorities to get this scheme up and running in a matter of days. I am grateful to them for all the work they have done in co-ordinating these food box deliveries.
The Welsh Government has made £15m available for the direct delivery food scheme.
The food boxes, which people request from their local authority, contain essential foods in packages and tins and will provide food for one person who is shielding for one week. They will be delivered weekly directly to people’s doors. If there are two eligible people shielding in the house, there will be two boxes. 
A typical box will contain a range of items, such as UHT long life milk, tinned produce, pasta, toilet roll, breakfast cereal, some fruit and vegetables and bread. All contents will be clearly labelled.
Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths said: 
This is understandably a worrying time for all of our communities across Wales, particularly those who have been asked to undertake these shielding measures and who are unable to draw on the support of others for food deliveries.  
Our new weekly food boxes will provide essential food for people who are shielding and need support. It is great to see the boxes arriving on people’s doorsteps.
Andrew Selley and Hugo Mahoney, chief executives of Bidfood and Brakes, which are delivering the boxes, said: 
We’re very proud that the foodservice industry’s two largest distributors have come together with the Welsh Government to create packages of food and essential supplies for vulnerable people in isolation. 
We plan to use our distribution networks to ensure we reach the vulnerable in every corner of Wales. Our highly professional drivers and warehouse teams are extremely motivated to help this vital national endeavour.

Welsh Government to enforce social distancing at work


* First Minister Mark Drakeford.
The Welsh Government is to enforce 'social distancing' at work with a law requiring employers to abide by the two metre rule where "reasonable", according to Businesslive Wales.
Up to now businesses have been advised to keep two metre distances between staff in a bid to prevent the spread of coronavirus in workplaces.
But concerns have been raised about this by fearful workers and unions - with Conservative Aberconwy AM Janet Finch-Saunders also writing to First Minister Mark Drakeford this week raising issues in the construction sector.

Friday statement from Public Health Wales

Public Health Wales statement on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

This statement will be updated daily at 2pm
Updated: 2:00pm Friday 3 April
Dr Robin Howe, Incident Director for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said:
“345 new cases have tested positive for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 2,466, although the true number of cases is likely to be higher. 
“24 further deaths have been reported to us of people who had tested positive for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), taking the number of deaths in Wales to 141.
“We offer our condolences to families and friends affected, and we ask those reporting on the situation to respect patient confidentiality.
“Public Health Wales has conducted more than 10,000 tests for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) since the start of this outbreak, including testing more than 1,500 healthcare workers. 
“On Thursday 2 April, updated guidance on personal protective equipment (PPE) for health and social care workers which applies across the UK, was published. 
“The revised guidance provides clarity on the type of PPE to be used in specific care settings such as in hospitals, primary care and the community.  It also clarifies how PPE should be used by various health and social care professional groups in order to provide the necessary protection to frontline staff.
 “We are supporting Welsh Government and our NHS partners in the interpretation of the revised guidance.
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is now circulating in every part of Wales.  The single most important action we can all take in fighting Coronavirus is to stay at home in order to protect the NHS, and save lives.
“We know that staying at home can be hard, and we want to thank each and every person across Wales for doing their bit to help slow the spread of the virus.”
“Members of the public must adhere to social distancing rules about staying at home, and away from others, introduced by the UK and Welsh Government.  These rules are available on the Public Health Wales website.
“People no longer need to contact NHS 111 if they think they may have contracted Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).  Information about the symptoms to look out for is available on the Public Health Wales website, or members of the public can use the NHS Wales symptom checker.
“Anyone with a suspected coronavirus illness should not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.  They should only contact NHS 111 if they feel they cannot cope with their symptoms at home, their condition gets worse, or their symptoms do not get better after seven days.
“Only call 999 if you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, do not call 999 just because you are on hold to 111.  We appreciate that 111 lines are busy, but you will get through after a wait.
“The public play a very important role in slowing the spread of infection. By strictly following the latest measures, you will protect yourself, protect the most vulnerable and help to reduce the pressure on NHS Wales and minimise the impact of the virus.”
Numbers of confirmed cases by local health board
Health Board
New cases
Cumulative cases
Aneurin Bevan
102
869
Betsi Cadwaladr
16
133
Cardiff and Vale
86
613
Cwm Taf
87
329
Hywel Dda
10
144
Powys
7
41
Swansea Bay
26
273
Resident outside Wales
4
21
To be confirmed
7
43
Wales Total
341
2445
Total
345
2466