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Thursday, July 23, 2020

Plas Newydd cafe opens again today



* The outdoor seating arrangement at Plas Newydd.




The cafe at Plas Newydd re-opends today following the lockdown.

On Facebook it posted yesterday: "We are pleased to announce that Plas Newydd will be opening our tearooms to visitors from Thursday 23rd July! Our daily opening hours will be 10AM - 4PM. ☀️
We will be moving the tearooms to our large outdoor space and will be providing table service for our customers on a reduced menu.
Social distancing measures will be in place across the grounds and a sanitising station will be available for our visitors to use near the entrance. We kindly ask for card payments only, to reduce any unnecessary contact.
Unfortunately, Plas Newydd house will remain closed for the foreseeable future, but any updates will be posted on our social media pages as soon as we have them.
We can't wait to welcome you back to the grounds and look forward to seeing your smiling faces again soon! "

Town centre car parks stay free until end of month


* Market Street car park is among those which will stay free 
until the end of the month. 

Denbighshire County Council is continuing to offer free parking at its town centre car parks throughout July.

The majority of the council’s public car parks in the main town centres have remained open during the lockdown period and continue to be free of charge for the remainder of the month.

The free parking is to encourage residents and visitors to use the county’s town centres for shopping and for doing business.  

Councillor Brian Jones, Cabinet Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the Environment, said: “We wish to remind residents that free car parking in our main town car parks will continue in July, as we recognise that we need to support town centres through encouraging people to come and shop and spend their money locally. 

“Many of our town centre businesses are now open and have done so safely, offering locals and visitors a wide range of services and shoppers can take advantage of free parking to support local businesses.

“We made an early decision to drop the charges during the lockdown, however that position is under regular review.”

Signs have been placed at all car parks that are free and residents are reminded that charges do apply to car parks not located in town centres. You can find more information on the Council’s website: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/car-parks

Council car parks which currently have charges are a number in Prestatyn, Rhyl, Loggerheads, Moel Famau and Llantysilio Green.

Top tenor Rhys Meirion on the lookout for talented singers.


* Tenor Rhys Meirion.

A search has been launched for talented singers from across Wales who fantasise about performing with the musical idol.
The top tenor Rhys Meirion, who hails from Porthmadog, is looking for music-loving dreamers to take part in dazzling duets on his new S4C television show, Canu Gyda fy Arwr (Singing with My Idol).
Anybody wanting to have a go or nominate somebody a friend or a family member need to contact the Caernarfon-based TV production company, Cwmni Da, by August 2.
They are looking for nine people, aged from 10 to 110, to take part in the life-enhancing series which starts filming in the Autumn.
Rhys also presents Cwmni Da’s successful Corau Rhys Meirion, coaching community groups across Wales to form mesmerising choirs.
He said the groundbreaking Sing with Your Idol series is a tremendous opportunity for currently undiscovered vocal talents to sing with a star like Welsh pop’s Elin Fflur or Bryn Fรดn.
Those with the most compelling reasons for wanting to share the spotlight with their music idol will be selected to go forward to the filming stage during which they will be mentored by Rhys and the Cwmni Da team and potentially meet up and sing with their musical hero or heroine.
Producer Siwan Haf said: “We need applications from hidden singing talents from all around Wales.
“What’s different about this series is that we’re not setting out to discover wannabe superstars. It’s not focused on fame but on the human stories behind Wales’s wealth of musical talent.
“Of all the arts music really pulls at the heartstrings and what we’re looking for is those people with a genuinely compelling reason for wanting to sing alongside their idol.
“In creating the series it’s our dream to make their dreams and aspirations come true – not necessarily to further their music careers but for the emotional fulfilment that being able to sing with their favourite artiste will bring them.
“It may be that their idol was much loved by a late mum or dad, for example, and their songs played in the background as they were growing up. Perhaps this person’s music helped the applicant through troubled times, or maybe it was the choice for a first dance at a wedding and one partner now dreams of singing that forever special number for their other half alongside the original performer.
“There are so many touching stories out there, all created by a love of music. We want to hear them all. It’s sure to be an emotional series but also uplifiting for everyone involved, including the viewers.
“All of us here at Cwmni Da are so excited to be a part of making people’s dreams happen.”
Rhys Meirion agreed the series has the potential to change lives.
He said he still recalls the excitement of his early career when he had the chance to perform alongside vocalists he had long respected, benefiting from their advice and encouragement.
His own idol, growing up, was the late Pavarotti who he sadly never got to sing with. But Rhys has shared the stage with Welsh compatriot Bryn Terfel, a moment which he said was overwhelming.
He said: “Singing with Bryn for the first time was just amazing for me. It was a highlight of my career, just being on stage with someone with such a powerful voice who I’d admired for so long. Moments like that really do change your life for the better. To be able to give a gift like that to someone else will be incredible.
“Wales is known as the land of song and we want to be able to bring some of its hidden songsmiths out into the open, shine a light on their talent and get them singing with their musical heroes and heroines.
“I know challenges like this can be daunting, especially for people whose confidence levels might not be high, but what I will say to them is just go fo it.
“Take a chance and apply – you have everything to gain and nothing to lose. What would be terrible is for the application deadline to pass by and to regret not grasping the nettle and applying.
“We want to hear from as many people as possible, for them to tell us about their musical hopes and dreams. What’s more there is virtually no limit on who can apply. We’re looking for people aged from of 10 right up to 110, and the show covers pretty much any music genre from pop to classical, rock to reggae, jazz, soul, folk, anything.”
Siwan said the choice of idol is being left up to the applicant.
She said: “We don’t want to steer people in any particular direction. This is about their own wishes and dreams, so we want them to tell us who they want to sing with. It can be someone who has just made it big in the headlines right now or a singer who has been packing theatres for decades.”
Rhys added: “We’re prepared to be surprised too. It might be that a person harbours a dream of singing with someone who isn’t necessarily a major star but who has been in the music business for a long time, a respected professional from a genre which might not be constantly in the limelight.
“I can’t wait to read the applications. I’m looking forward to it and nervous at the same time as I’m sure it will be a tough choice choosing who to go through.”
Cwmni Da hopes to start filming the series this autumn with a view to it being broadcast on S4C in January 2021.
* For more information and to apply visit the Cwmni Da website https://www.cwmnida.cymru, or email canu@cwmnida.tv or call 07483904452.

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Farmers warned to be vigilant as crooks return after lockdown



* North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones with 
Rob Taylor from the Rural Crime Team.

A police boss is warning farmers in North Wales to be vigilant as criminals take advantage of an easing of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.
The end of the ban on non-essential journeys of more than five miles added to the opening up of the border to tourists is expected to provide cover for the thieves who prey on the countryside, according to the region’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Arfon Jones.
North Wales Police already has a Rural Crime Team which is acknowledged as one of the best in the UK.
Commissioner Jones, a former police inspector who was brought up on a farm near Harlech, has been a champion of the team and last year increased its numbers to 11.
But he sees an increased threat as travel restrictions ease and he said: “Just like everyone else the criminals have been under lockdown but they can’t apply to be furloughed.
“They will be keen to get back to work now that the roads are busier again and the increased number of people moving about in the countryside provides cover for them.
“Our Rural Crime Team does a fantastic job and is the envy of the UK countryside and I know they’ll remain vigilant but we all need to help them and ourselves by being aware and being careful.
“North Wales is a huge rural area and we have been successful in fighting crimes ranging from rustling and the theft of vehicles and machinery to wildlife crime like badger-baiting and egg-stealing but we can’t and won’t relax and neither must people living in the countryside.”
Mr Jones boosted the numbers of the Rural Crime Team to 11 last year and it is headed by team manager and former police sergeant Rob Taylor who also runs the Dyfed-Powys team.
Rob Taylor said: “From day one of lockdown our team have been out patrolling our rural areas seven days a week.
“We did see an initial drop in reported rural offences and that was mainly due to less traffic on our roads and less opportunities for criminals to travel.
“We are now seeing a slight increase in reported offences so we are reminding the public to remain vigilant and to stay on top of your security.
“If you have alarms or CCTV then check them over and make sure they are working correctly and in the meantime we will continue to be out and about providing rural patrols and reassurance.”
The team uses a mix of old-fashioned policing and modern technology such as Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras, DNA profiling and intelligence-led targeting rural crime hotspots.
They use go-anywhere four-wheel drive vehicles fitted with dash-cams and team members are equipped with laptops so they can write up reports on the road and have instant access to information.
They also work closely with organisations like the Farmers’ Union of Wales, National Farmers’ Union, British Association of Shooting and Conservation and the Country Landowners’ Association.
Arfon Jones added: “We have been very successful in targeting the criminals committing a range of crimes from badger baiting to stealing tractors, quad bikes and livestock.
“North Wales is leading the way and the team led by Rob Taylor is doing a fantastic job and being recognised for the way they are dealing with rural crime and wildlife issues but it is vital to continue to support them.
“They have also been integral to the formation of similar teams in Dyfed-Powys, with whom we work very closely, and in Gwent.”
"It's important that we are not just reactive but that we are also proactive so that we can stop rural crime taking place before it happens.
"Our rural areas are geographically very large so we need technology to help us in our fight against countryside crime and to catch to offenders.”

New Isuzu pick-up is a lot of vehicle but a lot of money too



* The new Isuzu D-Max XTR 





Isuzu D-Max XTR road test by Steve Rogers

Young Eddie showed more than his usual interest in my test car as he cycled up and down the cul-de-sac.

No surprise there. The D-Max XTR is built to stand out in the crowd, its body armour suggesting it is about to go into battle. It also happened to be the first test car to grace my drive since lockdown so I have certainly announced my return with a bang.

The Isuzu pick up has done rather well since it replaced the Rodeo in 2012 collecting numerous awards and sending several warning shots to big hitters Toyota, Mitsubishi and Nissan that D-Max is a force to be reckoned with.

In the years that followed the pick-up market went berserk, no longer seen just as muddy, rugged things that plied their trade on farms and building sites but fashionable wheels perfect for hauling leisure kit or doubling as workhorse and family car.

And it is that spirit of adventure that has spawned the new XTR version. It is too swank for a building site or muddy field with its in your face body kit comprising bonnet protector, bumper guard and wheel arch extensions. Even the side steps have a smart angular design and then there is the snazzy paint job topped off with several vibrant green accents.

I asked Eddie how many XTR body badges he could spot and the sharp-eyed youngster came up with nine. Right answer. I thought he might have missed the hard to spot black embossed badges on each wheel, come to think of it Isuzu missed a trick and should have gone for bright green there as well.

XTR is not just style over substance. The company turned to Australian specialist Pedders to upgrade the suspension and brakes and the end result is a sophisticated and relatively comfortable 4x4.

Ride height has been raised to 250mm and as well as beefed up suspension XTR boasts Kevlar ceramic brake pads and performance front discs with visible brake and suspension hardware sprayed in signature vibrant green.

Isuzu is not the most fashionable name on the strip, especially when you can now buy a pick-up with a Mercedes, Volkswagen or Fiat badge, but it has got street cred when it comes to toughness and the XTR moves it into a higher league.

When considering a pick up as a multi purpose vehicle ride quality is key - no one wants the kiddies being bounced around with the inevitable mess that brings - and Pedders have done a decent job smoothing out the ride. It is not up there with Nissan Navara or Mitsubishi's L200 but it isn't far off and remember pick ups are workhorses so do not expect the level of comfort from a big SUV.

Inside has been nicely trimmed with a mixture of leather and durable plastics and there is plenty of XTR branding on the seats and mats. It is flexible too with the seat back folding flat or the cushions lifting back creating enough floor space to take a bicycle. Oddment slots are well catered for, 11 in total plus two neat pull out cup holders.

Power comes from a 1.9 litre turbo diesel which lets the side down against the best opposition. Performance is fine with adequate mid range grunt but the engine is too noisy on tickover and stays noisy until fourth gear when the volume comes down to a more civilised level. Wind and road noise is fairly well managed.

Expect 25-30mpg and there is a good useable range thanks to a generous 76-litre tank.

The only shock came when I looked up the price. D-Max starts at just under £21k with XTR models kicking off at £41,340. 

My double cab Nav+ model is all but £44,000 and while a lot of the cost is out of sight it still feels like too much money. 

It has the usual luxuries like powered windows, heated front seats, cruise control and satellite navigation, but where were the automatic lights and wipers and digital air con. Small things may be but for this money I expect the kitchen sink.

That aside the XTR model is an impressive piece of kit and will do nothing but add to the appeal of the D-Max range.

Fast facts

D-Max XTR Nav+ 6sp auto
£43,920
1.9 litre; 161bhp; 360Nm torque
0-62mph 13secs; 112mph
36.2mpg combined
205g/km. Road tax £264
Insurance group 42
Warranty: 5 years or 125,000 miles

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

First of new hybrid trains gets on the rails



* The new Class 230 alongside one of the units it has replaced at Wrexham General.
Picture and story by George Jones.

The first of the new Class 230 three-car units for Transport For Wales for use on the line between Wrexham Central and Bidston arrived at Wrexham General on Monday evening from the makers at Long Marston.

The hybid unit, which can run on battery power, was seen stabled in the bay platform at Wrexham General alongside a Class 150 unit of the type they will replace.

The new Class 230 headed to Birkenhead North today (Tuesday). 

The type is a rebuild of former London Transport Underground stock now equipped with diesel electric motors as produced by Vivarail.

Chamber relaunches as Llangollen Trade & Enterprise



Llangollen Chamber of Trade and Tourism has just announced its re-launch rebranded as Llangollen Trade & Enterprise.
A message on its Facebook page says the coronavirus pandemic had held up the re-launch it had planned for earlier this year as a way of addressing falling attendances at its meetings.
But its chair, Claire Quant, explains that a “collective group of willing participants” have continued to work hard to develop a new style set-up.


And she says this new group will act as a “fair and reasoned voice for our members where policy changes affecting their businesses appear.”

The blog says: “As many of you are aware the Llangollen Chamber of Trade and Tourism was looking to re-launch earlier this year and we had been busy working behind the scenes preparing for a physical launch.

“Obviously the subsequent lockdown following the Covid-19 outbreak and the impact that has had on many businesses in the town and Dee Valley has been immense.

“At this stage we do not know what this impact will have on the long-term viability of some of these businesses.

“Numbers attending the previous chamber meetings were dwindling significantly and as many of us were no longer following a traditional business model (many were already running face2face businesses alongside a variety of digital initiatives) it was clear a new-style of business forum was needed.”

It adds: “A collective group of willing participants have continued to work hard to develop a new style set-up for members to network, learn and share ideas and collectively gain greater benefits for all those who are passionate about Llangollen and its long-term economic development.

“Most importantly the new group will act as a fair and reasoned voice for our members where policy changes affecting their businesses appear.

“It was and is time for a new start and new focus - to reinvigorate our high street, capture the hearts and minds of residents, business owners and visitors alike and spark enthusiasm and an appetite to put the ‘love’ back into Llangollen.”

The blog explains that the new-look organisation is hoping to become a forum for business and enterprise within a five-mile radius of Llangollen town.

It goes on to give details of membership fees which have an introductory price of £49.

This, says the blog, entitles members to a range of benefits from online business promotion to savings in bulk purchase through tendering opportunities and special offers.

The blog says: “The town’s thriving tourism sector is a critical contributor to the town’s success and we are keen to attract more tourism and service businesses to complement the retail and food representatives.

“Llangollen is in a unique position to elevate its position as a ‘must see’ destination when visiting North Wales.

“We are included in the eleven mile corridor of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct’s World Heritage site and with our beautiful valley landscapes, the River Dee, Dinas Bran Castle and Steam Railway, not to mention excellent eateries and high quality accommodation attracting visitors, it is right that as a business forum we should push our town to the forefront of the minds of potential visitors and the media.

“We want to attract new businesses to Llangollen Trade & Enterprise that complement our existing infrastructure.

“We are looking to work with entrepreneurs, schools and key stakeholders to support the town’s development in order to boost visitor footfall all year round, not just from Easter to October half-term.

“We look forward to getting stuck in and reinvigorating Llangollen Trade & Enterprise with gusto and enthusiasm and encourage as many people as possible to come and join us at this exciting time. As we face the next normal and some restrictions remain in place we will adhere to those guidelines and work around them and look forward to planning our AGM to formalise our ambitions.”