County says it will repair any urgent safety defects in Castle Street roadway

* The roadworks on the bridge are thought to be unconnected with the potholes in Castle Street.

The county council says it will repair any "urgent" safety defects found in the roadway of Castle Street.

The promise comes after llanlogger highlighted the crop of potholes which have appeared in Llangollen's main street.

Last week llanblogger described how the holes - at least one of which on the bridge is very deep - have become worse as the winter has progressed.

We sent pictures of a collection of the holes to Denbighshire County Council asking when they are likely to be dealt with.

A council spokesperson replied that an officer would be sent out to look at the road to see if any safety defects required immediate action.

Today, a county council spokesperson said: “An inspection of Castle Street has taken place, and any necessary work to repair any urgent safety defects will be undertaken by the council.”

When asked by llanblogger last week when general remedial work on the potholes was likely to be undertaken, the county said in a statement: "Regarding a longer-term solution we have set aside money in our capital budget for resurfacing works on Castle Street.

“However, we have been holding off from delivering this work because as a council we are currently developing proposals for Castle Street as part of the Llangollen 2020 project, which we are working on in conjunction with Llangollen Town Council and the local county councillors. 

"Should this scheme get the necessary approvals, it would enable us to deliver a much wider improvement scheme in that area which will incorporate the resurfacing work. If those approvals are not forthcoming, we will proceed with the resurfacing work alone.”

* Meanwhile, last Friday morning contractors for what is believed to be the water company Hafren Dyfrdwy began an excavation on the bridge thought to be unrelated to the pothole problem.

llanblogger has tried to confirm with Hafren Dyfrdwy whether these are their works and, if so, what is being done but has so far been unable to obtain any answer from its press office.  

Latest coronavirus update from Welsh Government

Latest coronavirus updates from the Welsh Government (dated yesterday) are:

·       North Wales GP Dr Helen Alefounder has been sharing her experiences of rolling out the Covid vaccination programme in Wales on a special call with the Duke of Cambridge and other healthcare professionals from across the UK.

o   Watch the call: https://twitter.com/WelshGovernment/status/1350795399662022656

·         The First Minister has confirmed travel corridors will be suspended in Wales to help prevent new mutated strains of coronavirus entering the UK.

o   Travel corridors will be suspended from Monday until at least 15 February – and possibly longer – as all four nations of the UK act together.

o   The changes, which come into effect across the UK from 4am on Monday 18 January, will mean most people travelling abroad will need to complete a pre-departure test and quarantine for 10 days on their return home to Wales.

o   https://gov.wales/travel-corridors-be-suspended-new-virus-strains-emerge

o   https://gov.wales/travellers-exempt-self-isolation-coronavirus-covid-19

·         More than 35,000 laptops and tablets will be provided to learners over the next few weeks bringing the total provided by the Welsh Government since the start of the coronavirus pandemic to more than 133,000.

o   At the very beginning of the pandemic education Minister Kirsty Williams made a pledge that ‘no child or family would be left behind during this crisis’ and that ‘all children will have the opportunity to continue learning’.

o   https://gov.wales/50-online-learning-logins-second-and-other-ways-show-how-wales-leading-way-digital-services-support

 

·         Updated – Alert level four lockdown: frequently asked questions https://gov.wales/alert-level-4-frequently-asked-questions

 

Coronavirus in numbers

·         The latest figures published by Public Health Wales today show there have been 1,172 newly reported cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 180,161 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wales since the start of the pandemic.

o   Very sadly, there were 48 deaths reported by Public Health Wales today. The total number of deaths reported by Public Health Wales is 4,274.

o   These figures are updated daily at: https://public.tableau.com/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection#!/vizhome/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary

·         The number of people who have received a Covid vaccine in Wales is being published every weekday by Public Health Wales.

o   The next update to the figures will be on Monday 18 January

 

What to do if you have symptoms of coronavirus

·         The symptoms of coronavirus are a high temperature, a new, continuous cough and a loss or change in smell or taste.

·         If you have symptoms of coronavirus, however mild, you must self-isolate at home for 10 days from when your symptoms started.

·         Guidance about self-isolating: https://gov.wales/self-isolation-stay-home-guidance-households-possible-coronavirus

o   Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

o   You should arrange to have a test to see if you have coronavirus once you are self-isolating. You can book a test at https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-covid-19-test

o   You should continue to isolate while waiting for a test result.

·         Got a question about what to do if you’ve got coronavirus? Visit https://gov.wales/self-isolation-stay-home-guidance-households-possible-coronavirus
 

Where to find the latest information

·         Information about the new national measures in place in Wales is available at: https://gov.wales/alert-level-4

·         Public Health Wales provides a daily update about the number of cases of coronavirus in Wales. It is available at: https://covid19-phwstatement.nhs.wales/

·         Information about coronavirus is available on the Welsh Government’s website at https://gov.wales/coronavirus and https://llyw.cymru/coronafeirws

·         Questions about Covid-19 vaccines? Visit: https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/immunisation-and-vaccines/covid-19-vaccination-information/

·         Information about support for businesses is available at the Business Wales website https://businesswales.gov.wales/coronavirus-advice/

·         The Welsh Government holds a regular media briefing about coronavirus. These are on-the-record, on-camera and supported by a BSL interpreter. These are held at 12.15pm and live-streamed on our @WelshGovernment Twitter channel.

Businesses must do Covid risk assessment, says government

* First Minister Mark Drakeford.

Businesses in Wales will have to carry out a specific coronavirus risk assessment under new Welsh Government legislation.

These risk assessments will be the starting point for implementing the reasonable measures that are required to be taken to minimise exposure to the coronavirus on premises open to the public and in workplaces.

This involves considering issues such as:

• whether ventilation is adequate
• hygiene
• ensuring physical distancing is taking place
• use of PPE and face coverings.

It will also include considering how employers maximise the number of people who can work from home.

The highly contagious new strain of the virus means we have had to look again at the rules regulating workplaces and premises that remain open to the public.

During his latest weekly press conference the First Minister thanked businesses for all their efforts to ensure their premises are safe places to work and visit.

He said: "Risk assessments must be reviewed and updated regularly, whenever circumstances change and I want to make clear in law this includes whenever the coronavirus Alert levels change in Wales.

"Recording the risk assessment will only be required by those who employ 5 or more people. We are working closely with employers, trade unions, local authorities and the Health and Safety Executive to consider the detail on how to keep work settings safe.

"Ministers have also met this week with key retailers to discuss their vital role during the pandemic. They set out the actions they are taking from providing sanitisers for hands and trolleys on entry; limiting the numbers in store at any one time; and making regular announcements reminding people to keep their distance from others.

"We will strengthen regulations to ensure retailers take these steps so that their premises are as safe as possible for shoppers and their employees alike. Many are already operating high standards and we need to raise the bar for those who could and should improve.

"However we all have a personal responsibility to help make shops as safe as possible. We all need to shop alone if we can, observe the 2m rule, practise good hand hygiene and wear a face covering unless exempt. Any abuse directed at store employees who remind people of their responsibilities will not be tolerated."

St Collen's offered as vaccination centre, says vicar

llanblogger exclusive

* St Collen's, a possible Covid-19 vaccination centre.

St Collen’s Church in Llangollen could become an official Covid-19 vaccination centre. 

Lichfield Cathedral in Staffordshire has already become part of the massive drive to see millions of people inoculated against the killer bug.

 

And Llangollen vicar Father Lee Taylor says he has volunteered the town’s historic parish church to perform a similar role for the Welsh Government.     

 

By late last week hundreds of people had queued at Lichfield Cathedral to get their coronavirus jab.

 

The centuries-old place of worship has seen field hospital-style facilities along with waiting areas set up inside, including along its central aisle.

 

The Dean of Lichfield said people working there had been "buzzing" to help. 

Although places of worship have been allowed to stay open during the latest lockdown, the cathedral had chosen to close, holding services online. 

The dean said he offered use of the cathedral to the Lichfield Primary Care Network after news of Covid vaccines emerged. 

* People queue outside Lichfield Cathedral for their jabs.

The Very Rev Adrian Dorber told the Press Association setting it up had only taken a couple of days. 

"We've got some really well-drilled volunteers and a really capable staff, who have just kind of gone into 'battle action' and done it," he said. 

Father Lee said the use of the cathedral was a “brilliant idea” and explained: “I’ve told the Welsh Government they can use St Collen’s if need be. I haven’t had a response yet. 

“I made the offer because the church is a large building in the centre of town and is there to serve people in the community.” 

Llanblogger recently revealed how Llangollen Health Centre had become one of the first north Wales GP practices to become a Cvid-19 vaccination centre.

The week before last the centre received and administered 100 doses of the Oxford vaccine. Later its staff received 70 doses and have now administered those too.

Over the next fortnight the centre is due to receive a further 400 doses which it says will be enough to vaccinate all its patients aged 80 and over.

Late last year llanblogger revealed how Father Lee had unveiled plans to upgrade St Collen’s with the aim of making it a hub for a wider range of religious and social use.

His Community Vision proposals include:

* The removal of pews at the front of the nave to allow a raised platform stage to be built for worship and performance events    

* The provision of a folding kitchen to provide refreshments at cafe-style social gatherings

* Repositioning of the font to a more practical location      

* The installation of modern LED lights in the roof to highlight its historic beauty

* Fitting glass doors at entrances to allow the heavy oak front door to be left open to make the building feel more welcoming

* A new chapel for private worship where the current vestry is sited

* Replacing the traditional pipe organ with a digital version

The plans are under discussion and the Diocesan Advisory Committee must approve them before Father Lee makes bids for funding. 

Plas Newydd team unearths historic hidden gem

* The old pumping house uncovered in the Glen at Plas Newydd.

* The pipework is still visible.

A special project at the world-famous home of the Ladies of Llangollen aims to restore a fascinating piece of engineering history.  

The Our Picturesque Landscape project along with site manager Paul Evans are at work in the Glen area within the grounds of Pas Newydd to reinstate the hydraulic ram pump building which originally powered water up to the garden at the back of the historic house. 

The pumping system was installed by General John Yorke of Erddig when he owned Plas Newydd in the 1890s to provide a fresh water supply.

The restoration, which has been funded by Cadwyn Clwyd, is part of a wider volunteer training scheme that has included the restoration of over 50 metres of retaining stone wall, the installation of stepping stones across the Afon Cyflymen as well as pitch-paving to reduce the slipperiness on the summerhouse steps.

* Some of the artefacts uncovered during the excavation. 

Paul Evans said: "The Covid pandemic put a stop to all volunteer involvement and so plans were brought forward to repair the ram building instead. 

"No photos, pictures or illustrations exist revealing what the building originally looked like so the project invited people throughout the area to help with research on social media. 

"As a result, a number of people came forward, all saying that it was shaped like a stone-domed igloo about five feet high with a little window and door. 

"The information provided by the public was a major input to the research needed for the project and enabled the team to plan for the restoration confidently."

Paul added: "The first stages were to dig out the compacted vegetation infill that had built up around and inside the building since the 1960s. 

"As part of this uncovering process, the intact workings were revealed at the bottom, which was a real highlight and means that the original pump which has been kept dry for many years in the garages at Plas Newydd can be returned to its rightful place at some point soon. 

* The 1970s sweet wrappers unearthed.

"It is hoped that one day maybe this form of early green energy can be restored as a working feature.

"The pipework is still evident running from the weir to the ram pump building. It is work in progress but is due to be completed by March 2021."

Paul says the water supply was drawn from the stream via a weir upstream and from there  was fed by gravity via iron pipes, some of which are still surviving, to a hydraulic ram pump which in turn supplied water to the back of the main house via iron pipes. 

This pump was situated in a stone built dome the remains of which can still be seen.

During the current excavation works a number of interesting artefacts have been unearthed such as old bottles, a horseshoe and an old shoe. 

Also uncovered were sweet and crisp wrappers from the 1970s which Paul says Plas Newydd will be able to use for future projects on non-biodegradable waste.

* Also discovered were a horseshoe, a bottle 

screwtop and remains of a shoe.

Healthcare workers "come together as one" on vaccination programme

Wales’s healthcare workforce are coming “together as one” to ensure Wales’ COVID-19 vaccination programme rolls out as quickly as is safe to do, the Health Minister (pictured) has said.

This comes as the first pharmacies in Wales begin to administer COVID-19 vaccines, with a pilot starting in Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board today (Friday).

Vaughan Gething said: “We are in the early stages of delivering the largest vaccination programme Wales has ever seen and the sheer scale of what has been achieved so far, and continues to happen, should not be underestimated.

“The roll-out of these vaccines to everyone eligible adult in Wales as quickly as if safe to do so is truly an example, once again, of our inspiring healthcare workforce coming together as one. 

“A mix of vaccination sites and centres have been selected to ensure everyone across the country has equal access to a vaccination. People can be expected to be asked to attend either a mass or community centre, hospital, GP practice, pharmacy or mobile unit.

“Just because there isn’t a type of service near to you, this does not mean any less is happening.

“Safety is of course at the fore of all that our Health Boards and staff do, but we have also worked to ensure our vaccination locations meet the needs of the characteristics of the vaccines and are as conveniently located as possible for the community it will serve.

“Your local pharmacist may not be offering the jab just yet, but they may very well be working all hands-on-deck at your local mass vaccination centre instead.

“Conversely, mass vaccination centres aren’t suitable for every local authority so you may be asked to attend a community or mobile centre.

“We also want people to feel comfortable to be vaccinated and to do this as conveniently as possible too, especially for those most at risk from the harms of coronavirus. This means using GP practices for a lot of our national delivery and they will be a key focus as the roll-out progresses.

“I cannot stress enough; your local health care workforce are doing absolutely everything they can, and to them I am immensely thankful.

“When it is your turn, you will be notified of where to go. Please do not call your GP or health services to request a COVID-19 vaccine and add undue pressure to their workloads.”

Pharmacy settings are being piloted - similar to how care homes were in the initial stages - to establish the quickest, safest way to deliver vaccinations in these specific settings as they are much different and varied compared to GP surgeries and the bigger vaccination centres.

Fferyllfa Llŷn Cyf in Llanbedrog, which falls under the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board area, is the first in Wales to offer the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine from a pharmacy setting.

Pharmacist Llyr Hughes of Fferyllwyr Llŷn Cyf said: “We are incredibly proud to be the first pharmacy in Wales to roll out the COVID-19 vaccine and are keen to do all we can to support the Health Board and Welsh Government accelerate the roll out of the programme.

“Our aim is to work together with the Mass Vaccination Centres, GP practices and community pharmacies to deliver the largest vaccination programme the NHS has ever seen.

“Pharmacists play a huge role in vaccinating against flu on a yearly basis and have the skills and expertise to provide the new immunisations.

“I’m looking forward to seeing pharmacies across Wales play a big part in helping to protect our communities as the programme expands.”

Llangollen Health Centre sends out update on coronavirus vaccine situation

Llangollen Health Centre has taken to Facebook this morning (Friday) to give an update on the coronavirus vaccine situation.

It says: "This is the current situation regarding vaccines. All our staff are trained.

"Last week we received and administered 100 doses of the Oxford vaccine. This week we have received 70 doses and by the end of today we will have administered those too.

"Over the next fortnight we are due to receive a further 400 doses which will be enough to vaccinate all our patients aged 80 and over.

"We will be contacting patients by phone as and when the vaccines come in to arrange an appointment.

"As yet GP practices in North Wales have not been contracted to vaccinate further eligible groups and we await instructions from the health board regarding what happens next."