Labour politicians make statement to "clarify" PM's lockdown announcement

* Clwyd South MS Ken Skates is amongst those who have signed the statement.

Six North Wales Labour politicians have put out a joint statement "clarifying" what they say is confusion caused by the Prime Minister's announcement on Sunday about the easing of lockdown.

The statement has come from Ken Skates MS, Hannah Blythyn MS, Lesley Griffiths MS, Ann Jones MS, Jack Sargeant MS and Mark Tami MP.

It says: "As elected members for constituencies close to the border with England, we recognise that the Prime Minister's statement regarding the UK Government’s easing of the lockdown (Sunday) created confusion for many of our constituents following the First Minister’s statement last Friday.

​

"Firstly, we would like to clarify the position for people who live in Wales but work in England.​​ The regulations on employment have not changed. 

"You are able to go to work whether in England or Wales as long as you can’t work from home and it is safe to do so. 

"​​If your normal place of work is in Eng​land, you should discuss your working ​arrangements with your employer in the first instance. 

"If they ask you to go back to work, they should be able to demonstrate why you can’t work from home and what measures they have taken or are putting in place to help with hygiene and social distancing. If they are unable to do so, please do not hesitate to contact us or your trade union if you're a member of one.​"

It goes on: "The Covid-19 situation remains extremely serious. The over-arching advice in Wales has NOT changed. It remains that you should stay at home wherever possible. 

"Please only travel when necessary and continue to follow the Welsh Government guidance.​ Measures including staying at home and social distancing are in place to continue to protect you, and our NHS, from the transmission and spread of coronavirus. ​​

​

"We un​derstand that having slightly different rules in W​ales and England may cause some ​confusion. However, the Welsh Government is working hard to ​make sure people are aware that, in Wales, our rules apply. 

"Travelling to Wales to ​spend​ time in the countryside or at the coast is not allowed ​under Welsh law​. We are in regular contact with North Wales Police and traffic flow on all main routes ​into Wales is being monitored.​

​

"In Wales, we have been able to make the very small changes the First Minister announced last week - such as allowing people to go out locally for exercise more than once a day - because of the impact the regulations have had in slowing the spread of coronavirus in Wales and ​people’s ​compliance and the sacrifices they have made.​ 

"This ​has helped control t​he situation in Wales - reducing ​the number of people who are admitted to hospital with coronavirus,​ the ​number of people who are seriously ill in intensive care​ and ​the number of people ​who are, sadly, dying from coronavirus.​​

​

"Exercising outdoors is an ​important exception, but the main aim of all Welsh Government regulations is to reduce the speed and spread of coronavirus. ​Preventing unnecessary travel helps to reduce the risk of the virus spreading further ​and imposing additional burdens on health services. ​So please stick with it - stay home, protect the NHS and save lives.​

​​

"Last but by no means least, we would like to thank everyone in North Wales who is playing their part in helping get us through this extremely difficult and challenging period.​"

Drakeford fears traffic could increase as result of PM's announcement

* First Minister Mark Drakeford leads today's press conference.

Welsh police bosses reported an increase in traffic activity over the weekend and the First Minister is concerned this trend could continue as a result of the Boris Johnson’s announcement that travel to exercise is to be allowed in England.

During his press conference earlier today Mark Drakeford said that in their latest weekly briefings to him all four of Wales’s Police and Crime Commissioners had reported a “distinct increase” in activity over the bank holiday weekend.

This, he said, came after English-based national papers were reporting last Thursday that an easing of lockdown regulations was just over the horizon.

Mr Drakeford said the police chiefs had also reported an increase in traffic across areas of the Welsh road network.

He added: “They and we have concerns that traffic flow could continue to increase as a result of the Prime Minister’s announcement that travel to exercise will be allowed in England.

“I want to be clear that in Wales it is Welsh law that applies. Travelling to exercise in Wales is not to exercise locally.

“We will use whatever means to convey this message, including signs on the major roads and motorways and in articles we hope to place in local newspapers across our border.

“The Welsh Government will continue to make decisions that are right for Wales using expert advice on how coronavirus is circulating here to keep us all safe.” 

* To view the First Minister's press conference, go to: 

https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=568265914105731&ref=watch_permalink

Advice for Wales has ‘not changed’ says First Minister.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the nation on Sunday evening and revealed a road map to guide the UK out of lockdown.

But there was an immediate response from First Minister Mark Drakeford (pictured) in which he stressed that things have not changed it Wales.

* For the full story in the Denbighshire Free Press, see: 

https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/18439292.advice-wales-not-changed-says-first-minister-responds-ministerial-broadcast/?fbclid=IwAR09nKfNZCkyInP4tGZFfoii8wvoMkTIyP4_bSU0Z3AoW9mNyJN1C1f_oFA

MP backs efforts to protect Lllangollen Railway from virus impact

* Simon Baynes MP in blue helmet with Phil Rogers and Richard Dixon-Gough on the Corwen stretch of the railway in February this year.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes is backing fundraising efforts to secure the future of the Llangollen Steam Railway in response to serious loss of income brought on by Covid-19 measures.

Llangollen Railway Trust stands to lose up to £600,000 in the coming period, which could threaten its existence, according to general manager Liz McGuinness.

The trust has set up an appeal for donations to offset loss of trade caused by lack of visitors. 

So far, £75,000 has been raised from donations including gift aid, but much more is needed. 

The appeal page can be found on Llangollen Railway Trust’s website.

Simon Baynes said: “Everyone in the area knows how vitally important the Llangollen Steam Railway is to us as a community. 

"It is of great importance, culturally and economically, with tourists coming from far and wide to see our beautiful steam trains in action.

“It would be a massive blow to lose our incredible Llangollen Railway, and I’m calling on the Welsh Government, which is in charge of transport in Wales, to do whatever they can to help.

“In the meantime, I’d encourage anyone who’s able to to support this incredibly worthwhile campaign. It’s vital we do what we can to keep our railway going through this difficult time."

Blood donation star Mel passes his own 75th milestone

* Mel Lawrence with his certificate
for achieving 75 blood donations.

* Above, Mel's 75th donation badge and, 

below, his letter from the Welsh Blood Service.

While the country is marking the 75^th anniversary of VE Day, a Llangollen man has been honoured for passing another special 75^th milestone.

Mel Lawrence, well-known in the town as chair of Llangollen Civic Society, has just received a certificate and badge to acknowledge his 75^th blood donation session.

In a letter to Mel, who is also a regular volunteer at Chirk Castle gardens, Paul Wilkins, head of collection services for the Welsh Blood Service, says: “This is quite a remarkable commitment to blood donation.

“Only a small number of blood donors on the Welsh panel ever reach 75 donations and you can be justly proud of your achievement.”  

Mel, who is 75, said: "I started donating blood in the early 1970s when I worked in Derby and donations could be made at a place very close to my office.

"Later when I moved to work in Swansea donations could be made in a church hall which was again near my office.

"Back then, people had to lie on a bed for about 20 minutes to recover from making a donation but nowadays you can get up and go straight away.

"I was doing three donations a year. I'm still donating and now do about four a year."

He added: "It's nice to be acknowledged with the letter and the badge and I was really chuffed to get the letter as it's recognition for my donations."  

Llangollen celebrates VE Day anniversary in its own special way

* Llangollen Town Hall illuminated to commemorate V E Day 75 by Ollie, Rachel 

and James of Orb Sound and Lighting.

Despite the lockdown, Llangollen still managed to celebrate the 75^th anniversary of VE Day in style yesterday.

During the day scores watched a special half-hour programme arranged by the town council.

The professionally-shot Stay at Home Party including memories of those who lived through the Second World War recorded at The Old Vicarage Care Home, a poignant ceremony of remembrance in Centenary Square and songs and poetry of the era.

Residents across town dressed up their homes and gardens to hold their own VE Day while “street” parties observing strict social distancing rules.

And in the evening the Town Hall was bathed in a striking array of red, white, blue and red and green lights, while St Collen’s church bells rang out to mark the victory at 7pm.

On Facebook many shared their stories of how their families had lived through and served in the war which was finally ended in Europe on May 8^th 1945.

\

* Residents of The Old Vicarage care home recorded their wartime memories for the town council's Stay at Home Party. The programme can still be seen and shared at: 

https://www.facebook.com/malachy.molloy/videos/10222697809823370/UzpfSTEwMzE1ODc4NDcwNjE5OToxMzEzOTAwNzE4ODMwNzA/?__tn__=%2Cd%2CP-R&eid=ARC9WZ_jyovPx9BB8wciwc79zmCIAZhBkkUTzq7DH5FjgXZqygb5fUHpxFa_3hD3x_7Wa87SoVZ93A5U

* Phil Stroud, chair of Llangollen Royal British Legion. leads the VE Day remembrance ceremony in Centenary Square during the programme.

* Eleri Jones recites the poem Red Poppies by I D Hooson at the war memorial during the programme.

* A picture from Facebook of Bishops Walk residents 
marking VE Day while staying at home.

Food Share distributes 300 VE Day gift packs to the elderly

* Some of the volunteers involved in distributing the gift packs.

Llangollen Food Share members are celebrating the massive achivement of distributing 300 VE Day 75th anniversary gift packs to the town's elderly people.

Those living in Llangollen's care homes and sheltered or supported accommodation each received a special pack containing a cake, an apple, a note and a commemorative keepsake.  

* Packs made up ready to go out.

The distribution was made possible thanks to funding from Llangollen Town Council, Llangollen Coronavirus Help Group, Llangollen Foodshare, and a generous contribution from an anonymous donor who was a baby when the war ended in Europe on May 8, 1945.

The gift packs went out to coincide with the Town Council’s live streaming of its virtual Stay at Home VE Day Party yeterday (Friday) afternoon.

* A souvenir included in the packs.

Steve Kennedy of the Swan Inn at Pontfadog, who has done much to help the town’s coronavirus support group, used his culinary skills and his kitchen to produce homemade cakes for the gift packs. 

Dee Valley Produce has given 300 apples to go in the packs and Gecko T-shirts produced the bespoke VE Day anniversary keepsakes. 

Cat Meade, co-ordinator of the coronavirus support group, assisted with the demographics and contents and its volunteers distributed the packs this Thursday and Friday.

Food Share's Kalamity Wild posted on Facebook yesterday afternoon: "I cannot thank you all enough! 300 VE Day gift bags made and distributed to many of Llangollen's elders, an idea we had only a week ago... you wonderful lot! 🥰

"Stephanie Mitchell Jen Davis Jane Louise Tornado from Llangollen Zero Waste and Food Share for making and distributing the gift bags 🛍;

"Cat Meade, Nick, Lisa Griffiths, Mel, Barry and Robin from Llangollen Coronavirus Help Group for transport and distribution 🚐;

"Stephen Kennedy at The Swan Inn, Pontfadog, and Amelia at Pretty Vintage Tearoom and Barista Coffee for baking hundreds of cakes 🍰;

"Jenny Coppock and Andy Coppock at Llangollen Tshirts - InfiniteTee UK for sourcing and printing 300 coasters to our bespoke design 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇬🇧;

"Wayne Siddall and Samantha Fletcher at Dee Valley veg for 300 delicious red apples 🍎;

"Rose Brown for making masks for all our volunteers 😷;

"And Gareth Thomas at Llangollen Town Council and a generous local donor for inspiring and helping to fund the project." 👏.