County should monitor removal of parking bays, says MP

* Simon Baynes MP, left, on a socially-distanced picture with Hwyn Davies of the butcher's shop.

* ... and with Jan Deeprose of Lily Rose Interiors.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes says he hopes the county council will monitor the effects of the planned temporary parking suspension in Castle Street and reinstate it or modify their plans if necessary.

Mr Baynes made the comment after visiting a number of businesses along Llangollen's busy main street on Saturday.

The county council has been consulting on its controversial plan to temporarily remove parking bays along the street as part of its planned measures to allow better social distancing in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

But the idea has met with opposition from some traders and local residents.

After his Saturday visit, Mr Baynes posted on his Facebook page: "Very good to visit some shops and hospitality businesses yesterday on Castle Street in Llangollen and hear about the recovery since lockdown and also their concerns about Denbighshire County Council’s plans to suspend the parking bays on Castle Street in order to benefit social distancing and improve traffic, cyclist and pedestrian flows."While I understand and respect the council’s objectives, the businesses I met said the short stay parking is very important for quick purchases by customers, takeaways and stock deliveries.
"Having had a town centre second-hand bookshop myself some years ago, I fully understand the importance of a judicious mix of long and short term parking in town centres.
"I hope very much that Denbighshire County Council will carefully monitor the effects of the planned parking suspension during the temporary period and reinstate it or modify their plans in the future if local businesses in Castle Street are badly affected given that the prosperity of the shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants is vital for the long term future of Llangollen, particularly in terms of ensuring a diversity of independent shops and hospitality businesses."

Helicopter rescue drama near Sun Bank

SEE UPDATE AT FOOT OF STORY

More than one helicopter is thought to have was involved in the rescue of what is believed to have been a walker from the Panorama near Sun Bank earlier today.

This picture is taken from a short video film posted on Facebook by local dance instructor Julie Kirk Thomas who lives nearby.

Julie, who runs the weekly Strictly Fun Dancing sessions in Centenary Square at 10.30am on Mondays, told llanblogger: "It's been very busy here with helicopters and I was filming from our garden.

"We noticed climbers on the old quarry behind us this morning whilst dog walking.

"It all went quiet just after 3pm today."

The Daily Post online reported later this afternoon:

"A woman has been flown to hospital after falling at a former quarry now used by climbers.

"Emergency services were called to the Trevor Quarry site at Panorama Walk near Llangollen just after 12.30pm on Saturday after reports that a woman had fallen.

"The Wales Air Ambulance and coastguard helicopter were both required to attend."

County explains why car park can't be used by permit holders

The county council has explained why a sign which has appeared outside the East Street car park in Llangollen saying it can no longer be used by parking permit holders.

A spokesperson for Denbighshire County Council said: “The sign relates to the free two-hour parking offer in six of the county’s car parks which runs up until December 31. 

The car parks chosen for this offer are predominantly short stay car parks where permits are not valid. This is to ensure spaces are kept free for shoppers and visitors, generating a higher turnover of visits to help support our town centre businesses.

“However, in Llangollen because permits are valid in the town’s short stay and long stay car parks, we chose East Street Car Park for the offer to ensure spaces are kept free for shoppers and visitors, while still allowing permit holders to use Market Street, Mill Street or Hall Street car parks.”

Stay safe this weekend, says Wales's tourism minister

* Weekend traffic queues 

on the A5 into Llangollen.

As the first weekend since indoor hospitality has been open begins and with good weather forecast Wales's Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism Dafydd Elis Thomas is reminding residents and visitors alike to enjoy what Wales has to offer safely.

He said: “We are now at the height of summer and with hospitality businesses able to open again, many people will be taking advantage of the good weather to visit Wales or explore their local area.  After the difficulties for the tourism industry this will be welcome for many. "If you are planning to explore and enjoy what Wales has to offer this weekend remember to do so safely.   "There are a few things which we can all do to help keep ourselves, our families and communities safe. “Plan ahead and check local arrangements such as parking facilities. If where you want to go is very busy think about an alternative which is quieter – there are plenty of places to choose from.  You might discover something new. “Remember to maintain social distance, and keep two metres apart from others, including when outdoors and on the streets. “It’s great to see that most tourist businesses are now open and we all have a part to play in keeping everyone safe, and ensuring our restaurants, pubs, cafes and attractions can remain open. “We can enjoy the wonderful countryside and attractions here in Wales over the summer.  Let’s all do so safely.” * Visit Wales is encouraging visitors to make a pledge to care for each other and the place we call home. To sign the pledge visit: https://www.visitwales.com/promise

St Collen's to re-open for services on August 30

St Collen's Church is to re-open following the lockdown later this month.

On its Facebook site, the Llangollen Group of Anglican Churches, it says: "We are pleased to announce, that as part of the Amber Phase of re-opening churches for public worship, we are able to open the doors of St Collen’s church on Sunday 30th August.
"As previously mentioned, this will be a staged process for our group of churches as is the case across the Church in Wales and other Mission Areas.
"There will be one celebration of the Mass at 11am at St Collen’s each Sunday from the 30th. At this stage, we do not know when our other churches will be able to re-open.
"The service on the 30th, ‘Re-Opening the Doors’, will reflect on the mixed feelings of grief, loss, thanksgiving and renewal that many have experienced during the start of the Covid pandemic. If you would like to share your lockdown story during the service, please contact Fr Lee. The service will begin with a short liturgy outdoors (weather permitting) and then it will proceed with a joyful entry into the church.
"As we are not allowed to sing, we can, however, shake a tambourine or ring a handbell! If you have these, please bring them with you.
"There will be clear instructions given at the start of the service and there will be hand-santizing stations and signage around the church to guide your movements and indicate where you are able to sit.
"Please bring a face-covering/mask with you. Someone will be available to take a temperature check before you enter the building. If you have a temperature then you will be advised to go home. This measure is for the safety of everyone.
"Communion will be received in one kind (bread only). You are advised to sanitize your hands before receiving the host. It might be a good idea to bring a pocket-size hand sanitizer with you. You will be invited to receive communion from the front step of the Chancel in front of the iron screen (the chancel will be out-of-bounds). You must form a single line down the central nave aisle whilst observing the 2-metre physical distancing rule. Please return to your seats via the side aisles.
"There will be no sharing the Peace in the traditional way and, as I mentioned above, there will be no singing. Refreshments will not be served after the service.
"Services will continue to be live-streamed via Facebook for those who do not feel they are ready or well enough to gather together with others. Please remember that you do not need to be signed up to Facebook to watch these services. It just means that, if you do not have a Facebook profile, you cannot watch the services ‘live’ but you can watch them once the service has ended and been saved on the page."

Trains picking up the pace at Llangollen Railway

* Pictures by George Jones.

Train services are now back in action at Llangollen Railway following its emergence from lockdown.

Yesterday's service was steam-hauled with No.3802 up front.

In the top picture it is seen passing Berwyn and, below, later arriving at Carrog.

Steam runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday supplemented by diesel trains at the weekend to cater for social distancing requirements.

Pub raises thousands for good causes with its quiz nights

* Online quizzers zoom into action to help good causes.

A local pub has been raising thousands of pounds for good causes over the past few months.

Since March, the Sun Trevor has been running its weekly Wednesday night quiz online and over £2,000 has been raised mostly for Nightingale House Hospice but also including £160 for Chester Zoo when it was in plunged into crisis when it closed due to the pandemic.

This Wednesday night was the 21st online quiz and for the first time since lockdown began some of the regular teams took part from the beer garden, whilst others continued on zoom.

Many team members also took advantage of The Eat Out to Help Out meal deals the pub has available.

* The pub's beer garden where some of

the quizzers took part from on Wednesday.