Welcome back to Llangollen Railway says general manager

* Llangollen is due to open again on Saturday August 1.

General manager of Llangollen Railway has sent the following statement confirming the opening of the heritage attraction after lockdown on August 1.

She says: "We are extremely excited to be able to announce our reopening on the August 1 after over four months enforced closure. 

"We have put a great deal of consideration and planning in to the type of service we can offer to keep our passengers, volunteers and staff safe and adhere to social distancing and other safety measures. 

"We want our passengers to enjoy their day out and feel safe and secure while visiting our railway. 

"Tickets are now on sale for services during August."

She adds: "We would ask that you arrive 15 minutes before your departure time and not before, this will allow the previous passengers to exit the station and cleaning of the carriages to take place. 

"When you arrive, your tickets will be checked and you will be shown to your allocated seats.

"As part our reopening, we are offering pre-booked, non-stop services with limited capacity.

"Services will be a mixture of Heritage Railcar, Diesel and Steam, please check our revised timetable for more information.  

"Services will operate between Llangollen and Carrog non-stop return with a 20-minute stop at Carrog. The café at Carrog will be open for refreshments.

"Advance tickets are now available to purchase online and passengers will be able to travel from Saturday August 1. 

"Passengers can book a private compartment on our Steam or Diesel services and a small number of seats in our open carriage on these services will be available, strict social distancing will be in place.

"On our Heritage Rail Car service, we will have open carriage seating and strict social distancing measures will be in place. 

"All seating will be allocated and you will have to stay in the same seat for your return journey. Passengers will include children from one year old.

"Tea Rooms and station shops are open as usual but strict social distancing measure will be in place. 

"Two people at any one time will be allowed in the shop. The Station Café will be take away only and the Carriage Tea Rooms will be advanced bookings."

Fringe gets big-headed about new arts project

* One of the Massive Heeds - the Giantess.

* A Massive Heed called Barbara.

Historical, mythical and living legends of Llangollen will be celebrated in a unique art project as part of the town’s Fringe celebrations helmed by Glyndwr University staff and students.

The Massive Heedz project was initially conceived as a live-action spectacle by Ali Roscoe, lecturer in fine art at Wrexham Glyndwr University, and Alec Shepley, dean of the faculty of arts, science and technology.  

The project would have taken part as part of the annual Llangollen Fringe celebrations, which begin this today (Friday).

However, as the coronavirus pandemic put events on hold across the country, a decision was taken by the Fringe to adapt this year’s event to become a festival people could take part in online – which saw some major changes to the Heedz project.

Chris Stone, a member of the Fringe organising team, explained: “There was a big plan for this year’s project where we would be developing Massive Heedz for people to wear and there would have been a parade through the streets.

“However, for obvious reasons, that has now had to go online – like much of the Fringe.”

The change to the Fringe’s plans came as preparations were underway for its 24^th season – which would see, as ever, a mix of arts, music, theatre, comedy, storytelling and much more.

Public health restrictions meant that much of the original planned programme could not continue in the usual fashion.

However, as Chris added: “A lot of things are still going ahead - just in a different way.

“For instance, there has always been a  storytelling aspect and people will still be getting together and telling stories at three High and Mighty tall tales events online – they don’t even have to climb to Dinas Bran like they have done in the past!

“There’s a comedy session produced by one of our local comedians, who does a lot with the comedy club at the Town Hall, Silkie, and a fellow comedian called David Eagle – that will be great.

“There is a circus skills session with my daughter, who lives in Llanberis – she is doing a short online session where people can take part, and get told beforehand a few simple items they should be able to gather together online for the session.

“There’s a band for the day session, which brings together individuals who are not in groups and get them to play as part of a wider band. Again, that’s being put together online, and it’s going to be really good.

“Plus, of course, there’s the Massive Heedz project.”

For this project, participants are being invited to consider Legends of Llangollen to be celebrated in art

Chris added: “They could be historical legends of the town, or they could even be living legends – someone in Llangollen right now who should be celebrated.

“People then create a portrait of that person’s face or head. This could be a very simple thing, or very detailed – it entirely depends on how the artist feels and we don’t require people to be highly trained artists for this – everyone is welcome and the main thing is for people to have fun!

“They then send us through a full-body image of themselves somewhere interesting as well as their portrait of their legend as a separate picture, and a short paragraph explaining their choice. These are combined and we are going to create an online Massive Heedz portrait gallery!”

Ali Roscoe, lecturer in fine art at Wrexham Glyndwr University, said: “The plan for the portrait gallery is to bring together the images sent in to create these legendary characters – however they are legendary to the creators themselves - enlarging the ‘heedz’ of course.

“Next, with the help of our fine art students, my fellow lecturer Paul Jones and artists’ collective Datamosh, they will be transformed into an animation.

“This project is now one of two parts - with the second part planned to take place next year  in what would have been the original intended brief, which will see us actually make Massive Heedz for people.

“When that happens, our students will collaborate and help to make the Massive Heads alongside students from Ysgol Dinas Bran and their teacher, Ali McDonald.

“And hopefully, during the Llangollen Fringe Festival 2021 the Massive Heedz will appear in a celebratory opening parade!”

Anne Hill, a BA fine art student at Wrexham Glyndwr University, is among those who have been helping to bring the project to life.

She added: “Having been involved with the Fringe through Wrexham Glyndwr over the past two years, I was keen to continue my links with my fellow artists in these projects.

“This year has been different, but having adapted to using social media to share my degree show, this feels like an extension of that concept and hopefully next year we will get to show our Massive Heedz for real! 

“Last year, as well as helping the pupils at Ysgol Dinas Bran produce artwork for the Fringe, I was storyteller, sharing the information about the Legend of St Collen. And so my Massive Heed, Bras, is one of the colourful characters from

the legend.

“Some of us have been creating physical examples to show what is possible for the future - although we are now asking others to just design Heedz.”

Chris added: “It has been good working with Glyndwr – both Ali and Alec have been very helpful, and Ali brings everything together with a  light touch.

“I think it’s very good to have students from the school taking part – you have the links between the school, the university and the things happening in Llangollen town centre through the fringe.

“I also like the range of students Glyndwr brings to project, of all ages – it shows you can develop through life!

“By working with Glyndwr, we are developing those links both with Wrexham and with the various towns and cities the students at Glyndwr have come from – it all helps to link Llangollen and our events to the wider world.”

* The Llangollen Massive Heedz project can be found on Instagram at llangollenmassiveheedz

To find out more about studying Fine Art at Wrexham Glyndwr University, visit: https://www.glyndwr.ac.uk/en/Undergraduatecourses/FineArt/

To find out more about Llangollen Fringe – including how to submit your own Massive Heed, the full programme of activities, and ways in which you can join in, online, for free, visit: https://llangollenfringe.co.uk/index.php/en/

Here's how we'll open, say Llangollen businesses and churches

Llangollen businesses emerging from lockdown have been using their Facebook pages to explain how their new arrangements will work.

Fouzi’s Cafe in Castle Street posted: “Come along to the restaurant and we will seat you and take your order.

“Hand sanitizer will be provided before you before you move into the outdoor seating area.

“All seating has been arranged to accommodate social distancing and all staff will be wearing face shields for your and their safety.

“Whilst we are still accepting all forms of payment, we ask that if possible you pay for your meal using contactless payments.

“We hope to see lots of you this weekend!”

* Gales' new outdoor wine bar. 

Giving a preview of the extensive measures it has put in place so that diners can enjoy their meals in the rear parking area, Gales Wine Bar posted a number of pictures and said: “A peek into the new Wine Garden at Gales. Bookings are open at www.gales.wine

The Sun Trevor posted (pictured above) yesterday: “GREAT NEWS! We are open TODAY!

“We are serving food outside in our beer garden and extra covered seating areas from 12pm to 8pm every day, tables need to be booked in advance by phone us, or message on here (confirmed with a reply).

“We have spent lockdown upgrading our toilets; redecorating and giving inside a new look, and cannot wait to show you, and hope to open inside in August - following government advice.

“We hope everyone will understand the necessity for safety not only for you but also our staff.

“When you arrive, there are new procedures and guidelines for you to follow.

Please note - Our carpark is for table bookings only.

“All we ask is to please be patient with us and our staff as this system of doing things will be new and strange to us as well, let's hope that these are the first steps back to normal opening, we look forward to seeing you once again.”

* St Collen's Church will be first to open when all necessary safety

arrangements have been made. 

The Llangollen Group of Anglican Churches set out  full explanation on Facebook of its position on opening.

It posted: “Many of you will now be aware that Churches across Wales are preparing to enter into the ‘Amber Phase’: re-opening for communal worship.

“Whilst it is welcome news that churches can soon reopen for public worship, Fr Lee is working hard to ensure we can open St Collen’s effectively and safely within the Government and Church in Wales guidelines.

“Alongside the Risk Assessment process are a number of detailed considerations and the primary concern must be the health and wellbeing of the clergy, congregation, volunteers and visitors.

“Therefore, this is going to take time and is something we simply cannot rush into.

In our group of churches,

“St Collen’s will be the first to open for worship. Fr Lee will publicise the date as soon as we have completed the process.

“Our other three churches will follow the same process, individually, but at a later date and only if it is safe to do so.

“This is going to be a staged process.

“The structure of our worship will also be very different. Again, Fr Lee will advise on this as soon as possible.”

Shielding to end in Wales next month

The Chief Medical Officer for Wales has confirmed people in Wales who are shielding will no longer need to do so after 16 August, the Denbighshire Free Press is reporting.

Around 130,000 people in Wales have been advised to take shielding measures since the start of the pandemic because they are at high risk of developing serious illness if they contract coronavirus.

* For the full story, see: https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/18587200.shielding-wales-will-paused-august-16-welsh-government-confirms/

Ysgol Y Gwernant says farewell to all its leavers

* The socially-distanced year six leavers in the playground.

* Diane Davies, left, and Bethan Jones who were both leaving Ysgol Y Gwernant. 

* One of the specially-designed leavers' hoodies. 

The Criw Ymadael or Leaving Class of 2020 at Ysgol Y Gwernant enjoyed a socially-distanced leaving party yesterday (Wednesday).

In the current circumstances there was no opportunity for the usual special day out, a leavers' assembly with prize-giving or even the traditional school shirt signing. 

But instead a socially-distanced picnic and game of football was enjoyed by the year six class. 

It also gave them an opportunity to say farewell to the Penaeth Bethan Jones and Assistant Head Diane Davies who also became part of the Criw Ymadael for the day. 

The children and teachers all joined together in wearing their specially designed Leavers' Hoodies by local company Llangollen T-shirts (InfiniteTee UK) https://www.infinitetee.co.uk/ 

The PTFA at Ysgol Y Gwernant worked with Llangollen T-shirts during lockdown to create a design. 

The school says it was a challenge to get the hoodies ready for the children's final week of primary school, but the PTFA is extremely grateful to the team at Llangollen T-shirts for achieving the goal. 

The PTFA has also sent all the children and teachers of the Criw Ymadael best wishes for the future.

Horseshoe Falls project aims to open up public access

* The new railings at the Horseshoe Falls. 

A landscape partnership project led by the Clwydian Range & Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty's Our Picturesque Landscape team has installed new railings at the Horseshoe Falls.

It aims to open up access and provide a viewing area for the River Dee and Horseshoe Falls.

The new railings have been constructed by a North East Wales blacksmith and are in keeping with the existing ironwork at this prestigious World Heritage Site.

A new viewing area has been created on the area formerly closed off to the public.

This enables pedestrian access closer to the river and will relieve congestion on the towpath, allowing visitors to enjoy the area and experience the Horseshoe Falls at the start of the 11 miles of the World Heritage Site. 

The project has been funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund and Natural Resources Wales.

The increasing popularity of the area was demonstrated during the 2019 luminaire staged at the Horseshoe Falls, which showed a 19-fold increase in visitor numbers during October 2019.

Adnan Saif, director at Canal & River Trust, said: “Horseshoe Falls is a beautiful part of the Dee Valley and is where the River Dee and the Llangollen Canal meet. This new viewing area is a fantastic addition to the area and will allow visitors to see the river and valley from a different viewpoint.

“Our research shows that being by water makes you happier and healthier, so I would encourage everyone who visits the area to spend some time exploring this stretch of the canal and river.”

Mark Hughes, North East Wales People & Places Team Leader for Natural Resources Wales said: “Natural Resources Wales has worked in partnership with Our Picturesque Landscape project to enhance parts of the existing green infrastructure in the Dee Valley. 

"At the Horseshoe Falls the work will provide improved access for visitors,with a new perspective, whilst reducing impacts on the special landscape of the AONB.

Councillor Tony Thomas, Denbighshire’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Community, said: “This is a great example of partnership working that is benefiting those visiting Denbighshire, as well as residents of the Dee Valley and surrounding areas.   

"This latest development forms part of the Our Picturesque Landscape project which has been set up to provide better access to the heritage sites through reflecting the area’s inspirational links to various forms of travel, including the canal, Telford’s A5 and the River Dee.

“These projects aim to protect these heritage sites for future generations to enjoy."

Welsh Government has fast-tracked over 50 new laws due to Covid-19

The Welsh Government has fast-tracked more than 50 new Welsh laws to deal swiftly with the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking from the Senedd in Cardiff, First Minister Mark Drakeford (pictured) outlined the "monumental" shift in government resources to limit the damage of coronavirus in his legislative statement.

The measures include the lockdown restrictions to keep people and businesses safe, to protect public health and enable public services to continue to operate in unprecedented circumstances.

Changes to planning systems have enabled the field hospitals to be built in a matter of weeks and supported the continued provision of healthcare; schools and the entire education system have been adapted; and protections have been put in place for people and businesses who are struggling to pay their rent.

With priorities having to be quickly shifted the First Minister has said difficult decisions have had to be taken about what legislation the Welsh Government will be introduce during the remainder of this Senedd term.

Bills and regulations will be focused on the response to coronavirus and EU transition.

Mr Drakeford sais the challenging deadline for a significant amount of EU-related secondary legislation remains as the transition period is due to end in December. 

This includes work to implement new regimes being established by UK bills and the Withdrawal Agreement Act, along with those arising from the negotiations with the EU.

The legislation which will continue alongside the coronavirus response in the autumn term are:

• The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill, which will extend the franchise in local government elections to 16 and 17-year-olds, to be in place by their next elections.
• The Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Bill, introduced last week to support the new curriculum and assessment arrangements as part of a wider programme of education reform to raise standards and tackle the attainment gap.
• The Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill, will improve the rights and position of tenants in the private rented sector.

Bills which have been paused include:

• The Bus Services (Wales) Bill – to continue collaboration with the sector that has been hit hard by the pandemic to establish the best approach for the future and support recovery.
• The Tertiary Education and Research Bill has been issued as a draft Bill for consultation.
• A similar approach will be taken with the Social Partnership Bill.

The Welsh Government says it will also target resources to:

• Extend the smoking ban to outdoor areas of hospital grounds, school grounds, and local authority playgrounds;
• Implement the socio-economic duty and the new additional learning needs system;
• Ending commercial third party sales of puppies and kittens;
• Working with local authorities to extend 20 mph zones.

The First Minister said: “In Wales we have championed a careful and cautious approach to tackling coronavirus, but this by no means, means slow. Behind the scenes, the government has worked rapidly to reorganise and redeploy its resources, to save lives and protect our NHS.

“Thanks to the immense sacrifices by the people of Wales in following the legislation we have introduced in recent months, Wales is at its lowest ebb of coronavirus infections since the crisis began.

“Refocusing our resources to deal with the pandemic has led to some difficult decisions being taken but we will continue to prioritise progressive change, which will make the biggest difference to the lives of the people of Wales.”