Snow starts to fall on Sunday morning

Snow has just started to fall across the town and the forecast for the rest of Sunday is for more of the same.

Latest Citizens Advice column

Latest column from Denbighshire Citizens Advice is:

Q: I’ve fallen behind on my bills and the debts are building up, and there’s Christmas on top of this. I don’t know where to start? 

A: You’ve already taken a great first step by asking for help, and it’s important to know you don’t need to face this alone. You can contact your nearest Citizens Advice for help.

In the meantime here are four steps you can take to get started:

1. Work out how much you owe - Make a list of whom you owe money to and add up how much you need to pay each month. If you don’t have your most recent statements, contact your creditor to find out what you owe. Some creditors will have special arrangements for people with Covid-related arrears.
2. Prioritise your debts - Your rent or mortgage, energy and council tax are called priority debts as there can be serious consequences if you don’t pay them. Separate these and work out how much you owe. Again, you can ask the companies or council what support might be available during the pandemic.
3. Work out how much you can pay - Create a budget by adding up your essential living costs, such as food and housing, and taking these away from your income. The Citizens Advice budgeting tool can help.
   Any money you have spare can be put towards your debts, starting with the priority debts first.

If you have any money left after paying priority debts, but not enough to make your usual payments on other debts, consider getting advice on the best way for you to start getting on top of them. Or contact your creditors and offer them what you can afford to pay.

4. If you can’t pay your debts - If you’ve got little or no money spare to pay your priority debts seek advice from Citizens Advice straight away. If you’re struggling to pay for basics like food, seek help immediately to see what support might be available to you. If you can’t pay off other debts, such as credit cards and loans, it would also be worth contacting your nearest Citizens Advice.

We know it can feel very daunting to deal with debt, but having a plan really helps and our team will be here to help you each step of the way.

Hundreds of over-80s have Covid-19 jabs at Llan Health Centre

* People turn up for their Covid-19 jabs at the health centre.

* Traffic management is taken care of by Llangollen Tidy Town Team.

As part of the Welsh Government's policy of spreading the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine to GP practices, Llangollen Health Centre held a busy vaccination session today.

The centre was aiming to give the inoculation to around 350 people in the over-80 age group from 10am this morning until 2pm this afternoon.

Despite the wintry weather, which came complete with flurries of snow, a steady stream of people turned up for their jabs by prior appointment.

Once again traffic management on the centre's two car parks was taken care of by the volunteers of Llangollen Tidy Town Team under the direction of David Davies.

Cat's heartwarming story of Llan community spirit

Llangollen Coronavirus Support group founder Cat Meade has told a heart-warming story which shows the town's strong sense of community spirit.

Yesterday evening she posted on the group's Facebook page: "I went to Aldi to get some bits for those we are helping, bulking up on cup of soups, pot noodles, snack and drinks. 

"While going through the checkout the lady asked why I was buying such foods, I explained for those we are supporting with maybe only a kettle for various reasons, she asked what she could do to help.

"So I explained we have a collection point on Abbey Road, Recollections Ltd, should anyone be able to help. As I pulled out my card to pay she swiped the machine with a card from her phone, oh I thought 'staff discount' thanks! No!! she said, 'I want to pay for this shop to help.'

"This resulted in both of us in tears.

"What a wonderful person. She was touched by our conversation and wanted to help! Amazing kind hearted gesture Tracy Griffin.

"Always happy when you see her in Aldi, a credit to the shop, one of our own, once again helping.

"I am overwhelmed daily by the community care and spirit we have here in Llangollen. This past week YOU have provided all housing needs to 2 families, supported others with clothes and helped donate to this very important need of food and drinks.

"What a fantastic bunch you all are, my heart-warming thanks to each and every one of you.

"A BIG shout of THANKS to Kelly's Chippy, Dee Pizza, Adyan's Tandoori Restaurant and Llangollen  Pizza & Kebab who have all donated hot food this week."

New Llangollen Covid testing centre open this morning

* Staff prepare to open the new centre on Market Street car park this morning.

The new Covid-19 testing centre on Llangollen's Market Street car park is due to open this morning (Friday).

The Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said on its social media yesterday it was opening the walk-in and drive-in centre to make it easier for people in the area to get tested closer to home.

It will open from 9.30am until 3.30pm, seven days a week.

No appointment is needed - anybody needing a test is invited to attend.

The testing unit located in Denbigh is now closed.

Father Lee's Pimm's and Hymns shows hit BBC headlines

* A screenshot of the BBC story on Father Lee.

St Collen's vicar Father Lee Taylor has hit the national headlines with his regular Pimm's and Hymns online singalongs.

A story about how his Sunday evening streamed shows have picked up audiences from as far away as Brazil is featured on the BBC Wales News website.

For the full story, see: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-55738385

* Father Lee at the keyboard in the vicarage.

MP praises emergency teams for way they coped with floods

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes (pictured) has spoken out in sympathy for the families affected by Storm Christoph and praised the frontline emergency service workers and council staff involved in tackling incidents of flooding locally. 

He also thanked the Plas Madoc Leisure Centre for accommodating residents from Bangor-on-Dee who were evacuated from their homes and the many residents who have helped their friends and neighbours affected by the flooding.

Mr Baynes said: “I want to thank all the staff at Wrexham and Denbighshire councils and emergency service personnel who have done such a fantastic job in helping people across Clwyd South during the terrible flooding that we are experiencing. 

"I have received and read many reports and first-hand accounts of the way in which they have gone above and beyond to help people. And this excellent service and kindness is on top of the exceptional demands created by the Coronavirus crisis.

“My constituency team has been very busy providing help to people affected by flooding and please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can be of help by emailing simon.baynes.mp@parliament.uk or phoning 01978 810319.”