Llangollen urged to do Sing for Wales encore

* The loudspeakers used to broadcast across the town. Above, at Pengwern

Llangollen people are once again being encouraged to Sing For Wales at 8pm this coming Monday.

It is a salute to NHS and key workers, people affected by COVID-19, everyone in town missing their family, friends and our busy local life, and also to thank volunteers such as the Llangollen Coronavirus Help Group.

The town took part in the nationwide #singforwales/Canu Dros Gymru event when it was staged for the first time on April 13.

This followed an initiative started on March 23 by Sarah Evans, whose Facebook page Sing For Wales now has over 123k followers.

In Llangollen, technical help for the big sing came from Oliver Bentley, Rachel Bentley and James Barber, of ORB Sound and Lighting, together with Peter Hartigan, Sound Sensation Disco.

They played the anthem sung by the Froncysyllte Male Voice choir through loudspeakers from two locations across the town,

Following the rousing performance, which some said could be heard as far away as Abbey Farm, comments on Facebook included "very moving and beautiful”, “well done Llangollen xx”, “heartwarming”.

Another, fromSusan Gibbons, said:" It was a wonderful experience, one to remember for a long time".

For this second Sing for Wales event on Monday the Fron choir version will again be broadcast through loudspeakers.

Llangollen’s deputy town mayor, Cllr Issy Richards, a keen backer of the event, said: “Let's fill the valley with sound again! Sing Gwlad, Gwlad.. or just listen!”

Council to re-start grass cutting

As of Monday (May 4) Denbighshire County Council will be reintroducing grass cutting in open spaces.   

The grass is now in desperate need of cutting, following the recent good weather and leaving it any longer would make it dangerous and impractical to cut, therefore the work needs doing now, says the council.

Undertaking this work will also make it easier for people to partake in their daily exercise, it believes.  

Grass cutting will also take place on roadside verges, to ensure the safety of motorists, pedestrians and cyclists through improved visibility.

The council will also be starting to resume some further aspects of highways maintenance, including gully cleansing and siding works.  

Again, this work will only be done to a limited extent, and only where it is deemed to be essential.

  

Cllr Brian Jones, Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the Environment, said: “We would like to reassure residents that all work will be carried out by lone workers abiding by social distancing measures at all times, for their own safety and that of the public. 

“We wish to emphasise that maintenance of the highway network and key open spaces is safety-critical work requiring the use of specialist equipment and trained staff and the Council is only planning to undertake work deemed to be essential.”

Denbighshire County Council now manages the vast majority of the county’s highways verges and key open spaces to specific and innovative biodiversity plans with the aim of protecting native local plant and animal species. 

Siding works will initially take place on the A5104 Rhydtalog, the A5104 Crown to Dafarn Dywyrch, the B5429 Pentrecelyn to Llysfasi and the A525 Llysfasi to Llanfair DC.

Town Council to mark VE Day in style next Friday

* What is believed to be the unveiling of the town's Second World War 

memorial in the 1940s.

Next Friday, May 8^th, as the country does its best amidst the lockdown to celebrate the 75^th anniversary of VE Day, which marked the end of the Second World War in Europe, the Town Council will be marking the occasion in style by staging its own Llangollen Stay at Home Party/Parti Aros Gartref Dydd BE Llangollen.

This is a specially made half-hour film to be streamed live on Facebook with which people can join in without leaving their homes.

One of its key features will be a moving ceremony at the town’s World War Two memorial in Centenary Square performed by members of the local branch of the Royal British Legion.

The group in charge of the party recently put out a call for pictures of the wartime period and as a result received some great historical gems, including this one from the collection of former town mayor and town councillor Robert Lube.

It shows a ceremony at the former location of the two memorials off Castle Street before they were transferred to the new Centenary Square.

It is believed to depict the official unveiling of the World War Two memorial, which now bears the names of the 32 local fallen, from beneath a Union Flag in the years which followed peace being declared.

* Llangollen Town Council’s Stay at Home VE Day Party/Parti Aros Gartref Dydd BE Llangollen, is to be streamed live on the Llangollen & District Noticeboard Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/220715008050894/ at 3pm on Friday, May 8^th, and also a little later on the new Stay at Home VE Day Party/Parti Aros Gartref Dydd BE Llangollen page https://www.facebook.com/Parti-Aros-Gartref-Dydd-B-E-Llangollen-V-E-Day-Stay-at-Home-Party-103158784706199/?epa=SEARCH_BOX

Patrols launched to tackle doorstep coronavirus crime

Police and Trading Standards officials in Denbighshire are launching joint patrols in marked vehicles to clampdown on rogue traders committing doorstep crimes.

It comes after a number of reports in neighbouring areas of residents being approached to have their driveways or roofs cleaned to prevent the spread of coronavirus. 

Cllr Mark Young, Denbighshire County Council’s Lead Member for Planning, Public Protection and Safer Communities, said “We are concerned that unscrupulous traders are trying to take advantage of people on their own doorstep.  

"Unfortunately, there are people who prey on the vulnerability of others, don’t become a victim of these cowboy con men. If work needs doing then make your own appointments with reputable tradesmen – if you didn’t call them then don’t use them.

"Genuine trades people will welcome you asking for references and identification, check them both carefully.”

Sgt Beth Jones of North Wales Police added “Officers from both North Wales Police and Denbighshire Trading Standards will be increasing their presence in the local area to identify and where necessary challenge such activity.  

"To state that this type of work is needed to keep you safe is a nonsense and scaremongering.  It is likely to lead to traders declaring other urgent work is needed and this type of criminality will not be tolerated.”

Denbighshire Trading Standards urge people to be on their guard and to follow these simple steps to avoid being caught out:

• Be cautious with anyone who turns up at your door without an appointment.

• Be cautious of any leaflets that you receive through the door offering such services.

• Ask for identification and get comprehensive contact details. A mobile telephone number is not good enough.

• Always make sure you get a written quote for any work to be carried out including written cancellation rights.

• Only pay after the work has been satisfactorily completed

•  If in doubt, keep them out!

Anyone wanting advice on doorstep trading, or to report an incident, can contact the Citizens Advice consumer service on 0808 223 1133 (0808 223 1144 for Welsh language) which gives free, independent and impartial advice on all consumer issues, or the police on 101. 

Any person feeling intimidated or threatened by any doorstep seller should shut the door and call the police emergency number 999.

Care workers to get £500 government bonus

Social care workers in Wales will be given a one-off payment of £500, First Minister Mark Drakeford (pictured) has announced.

The money will be available to 64,000 care home workers and domiciliary care workers across the country.

Speaking at today's Welsh Government press conference, Mr Drakeford said the payment provides recognition for a workforce who are ''under-valued and overlooked.''

''They are undertaking tasks, which involve a high level of intimate personal care, often accepting a greater degree of risk and responsibility,'' Drakeford said.

''Many of our social care workers are juggling their own personal caring responsibilities with their professional ones.

''I want our social care workforce to know their hard work is both appreciated and recognised.''

He also called on the UK Government not to tax the payment, allowing workers to keep the full amount, calling for ''an exception in these truly exceptional circumstances.''

First details released of Llan's VE Day 75th celebration

* Charlie Jones gives first details of the VE Day celebration from the balcony of an empty town hall.

The group overseen by the Town Council in charge of putting on Llangollen's celebration of the 75th anniversary of VE-Day has given first details of the big event.

One of those to be involved, the well-known Charlie Jones, who is facilitator at the Town Hall, featured in a stylishly-shot short film which went out on local Facebook pages yesterday evening "teasing" the party.

Wearing 1940s uniform, she explained that, due to lockdown restrictions, this will now be a "virtual" affair to be streamed live on the Llangollen and District Notebook Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/220715008050894/  from 3pm on the bank holiday of Friday, May 8th and a little later at https://www.facebook.com/Parti-Aros-Gartref-Dydd-B-E-Llangollen-V-E-Day-Stay-at-Home-Party-103158784706199/?epa=SEARCH_BOX

* More information about the party is to be released over the next week leading up to the event. 

Be Mindful in May, says county

Denbighshire County Council is running a campaign urging residents to Be Mindful in May.

The campaign is encouraging everyone, particularly the over 70s and those with underlying health conditions, to look after their physical and mental health and wellbeing during these times of uncertainty.

Staying at home and reducing contact with others can be difficult and we need to get used to doing things differently which is why our campaign focuses on staying positive, helping to take care of yourself and of course those you care for.

During the month of May, the council will be launching themed weeks with a host of ideas, and  suggestions for home based activities.

The campaign kicks off on 3 May with Wellbeing Week, followed by Love Your Local Area Week which aims to highlight the local area and appreciate what’s on your doorstep. 

Love Reading Week starts on 10 May with lots of inspiration and ideas for reading at home and finally Your Community Week will be celebrating the people and activities in your community during the last week of May.

Cllr Bobby Feeley, the council’s Lead Member for Wellbeing and Independence, said: ‘‘During these very difficult times, we can all take steps to make a difference, while spending more time at home and following the social distancing advice. Staying connected is particularly important to our overall wellbeing and nowadays we can choose numerous options to keep in touch with friends and family.

“Doing what we can to encourage everyone to stay physically and mentally active whilst at home is also essential, and I encourage everyone to join in with this campaign and share their ideas with others.”

Denbighshire Council says it will be extending their proactive calling campaign beyond those people who are receiving the shielding letters, to people in Denbighshire who are over 70 and those who are living alone.