Welsh lockdown to continue for another three weeks

The First Minister will today confirm alert level 4 lockdown restrictions will remain in place in Wales for the next three weeks. 

While the situation in Wales is improving, lockdown restrictions must continue for another three weeks to allow the NHS to recover, says the Welsh Government.

Mark Drakeford will also indicate that the youngest learners in primary school could begin returning to school after the February half term, if rates of coronavirus continue to fall.

The Welsh Government says it will work with schools and education partners on a phased and flexible return to school after 22 February, if the public health situation continues to improve.

Rates of coronavirus across Wales have fallen below 200 cases per 100,000 people for the first time since early November. And every day, thousands more people receive their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine – the latest figures show almost 11% of the population have been vaccinated.

Scheme aims to help people needing help with digital technology

* Volunteer Digital Buddy Keith Owen.

Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council, Digital Communities Wales and Denbighshire County Council have teamed up to launch a new digital volunteering scheme in the county to help those that need assistance with digital technology. 

The pandemic has highlighted more than ever that digital inclusion is fundamental and without technology it would be extremely difficult to stay connected with family, friends and loved ones in lockdown. 

However, there are still people who are not as confident in using tablets and smartphones, and the aim of this scheme is to reach out to those that feel left behind and help them acquire those invaluable digital skills. 

Technology can be life changing, can make people more independent and boost mental health.

 Denbighshire Digital Buddies have been recruited to offer much needed help over the phone. 

Gareth Jones, of Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council, said: “Communities across Wales and especially in Denbighshire have come together during this pandemic, and our digital buddies scheme aims to tap into that positive energy within our communities to support each other." 

Cllr Bobby Feeley, Denbighshire County Council’s Lead for Wellbeing and Independence, said: “This pandemic has brought to light the need for digital assistance more than ever. At the beginning of this pandemic most people were able to learn quickly on how to stay in touch, but for others in our community, they found it extremely difficult. This scheme will hopefully reach those people who need extra help and helped keep our communities connected." 

“The council felt it was essential for us to support this scheme, as it is a positive step forward to helping those in need”. 

Deian ap Rhisiart of Digital Communities Wales said: “We have been working in the field of digital inclusion for nearly a decade across Wales, and this is a timely response to tackle the digital skills gap. People need to be able to stay connected, to be able to use digital services, sustain their mental health in lockdown, and technology is an integral part of the solution." 

Digital Buddies will begin to assist people over the phone next month. 

Volunteer Keith Jones said: "There is a danger of some people in society being left behind. This has become more evident during the pandemic. I would like to use my skillset to assist. 

If you have or know of a relative or friend that has received a tablet or smartphone for Christmas and require help how to use it, the scheme would like to hear from you and they can be paired up with a Digital Buddy.

* Contact Gareth Jones on 01824 702441 for further information or e-mail office@dvsc.co.uk. 

Eisteddfod makes plans for its 2021 festival

* A scene from the 2019 eisteddfod parade through Llangollen. 

Digital options and a hybrid weekend performance are amongst the options being considered by Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod for its 2021 festival.

Due to the pandemic the 2020 eisteddfod was cancelled.

In a statement issued this morning, the festival says: "In light of the ongoing global battle against Coronavirus, we are working on plans to adapt the format of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod for July 2021.

"There continues to be significant uncertainty about the possibility of mass events in Wales in the summer of 2021 and we recognise that the Covid-19 restrictions operating around the world have had a significant impact on the groups of choirs and dancers that would usually attend our event.  

"These circumstances mean that we have decided to suspend the traditional live competition strands for Llangollen 2021, and reimagine our event in a way that can be delivered safely but which will still capture the magic of our international Eisteddfod.

"We are working hard to create a format for Llangollen 2021 involving digital options and a weekend hybrid event featuring artists from the 2020 concert programme including Llanfest. 

"Details will be confirmed in the late Spring when further information about government guidelines is expected and we will have clarity about what can be achieved.

"Further updates will be shared through our website and social media channels."

MP becomes chair of performing arts training group

* A screenshot of inaugural APPG for Performing Arts Education and Training meeting.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes has been elected chair of the new All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Performing Arts Education and Training.

This has been set up to examine the challenges facing the performing arts training sector and wider creative education issues.

The election took place during the APPG’s inaugural meeting in which former Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries, Lord Vaizey of Didcot, Sharon Hodgson MP, Lord Aberdare, Lord Clement-Jones, Lord Taylor of Warwick and Jack Lopresti MP were confirmed as vice-chairs.

The group is made up of a partnership between MPs and industry body, the Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT).

The purpose of the group is to support parliamentarians in discussions relating to: 

•          Training, education, assessment and professional practices across the performing arts, particularly in drama, dance and musical theatre

•          The continuing Professional Development of practitioners within the creative and cultural industries

•          The wider benefits of engagement with the performing arts for students, practitioners and audiences. 

The APPG will meet on a quarterly basis with the next gathering scheduled for March 2021 at which, fully constituted, it will begin this important work in earnest. 

Mr Baynes said: “I’m delighted to be elected as chair of this new APPG and I want to thank the Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT) for its tireless commitment and talents in making this initiative come to life. 

"This is a cause close to my heart as an amateur musician and, before I became an MP, as chairman of the Holroyd Community Theatre near Chirk, and as a Trustee of Mid Wales Opera and the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. 

"I also set up the charity Concertina – Music for the Elderly which provides live music in care homes and day centres across Wales and England."

He added: "Covid-19 has impacted the performing arts and creative industries very seriously, so I’m keen that we work as a group to examine the issues facing industry professionals at this critical time.

"All of us involved in this new APPG are determined to support to the best of our ability training, education, assessment and professional practices across the performing arts, particularly in drama, dance and musical theatre.”

Police dealing with incident near Wrexham vaccine factory

5pm update ...

Incident over:

Wockhardt UK confirmed the incident is over.

A spokesman said: "We can confirm that the investigation of the suspicious package today has been concluded. The package was made safe and staff are now being allowed back into the facility.

"We are grateful to the authorities and experts for their swift response and resolution of the incident."

* Picture from the scene sent to Leaderlive by Mark Evans.

Police are dealing with an ongoing incident at Wrexham Industrial estate where doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine are produced and stored.

• It said a cordon has been put in place near the Wockhardt plant and the public have been asked to keep away.

* For the full story on Leaderlive, see:  https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/19042445.live-bomb-disposal-squad-wrexham-suspicious-package-sent-wockhardt-covid-vaccine-plant/

Bronagh wins county-wide greetings card challenge

* The greetings card designed by Bronagh Cooke 

of Ysgol Gymraeg y Gwernant.

A six-year-old pupil at a Llangollen primary school has risen to the creative challenge set by the county council.

Whilst schools remain closed to most pupils, Denbighshire Education and Children’s Services has been offering opportunities for children and their families to engage creatively with them online.

January’s creative challenge invited pupils to find out about St Dwynwen’s Day - the Welsh equivalent of Valentine’s Day - and design their own greetings card.

Celebrated every year on 25 January, St Dwynwen’s Day commemorates the Welsh saint of lovers and has risen in popularity in Wales in recent years, with lovers exchanging gifts such as Welsh love spoons and even concerts and parties are held on that date.

More than 100 children responded to the competition and entries were of so high a standard that judges said it was difficult to produce a shortlist and even tougher to select winners.

The winners are:

Up to 7 years:   

BRONAGH COOKE, Ysgol Gymraeg y Gwernant, Llangollen

7 to 11 years:    

GRACE ALLSOPP, Ysgol Bryn Hedydd, Rhyl

12 to 14 years:  

EMMA DALLIMORE, St Brigid’s School, Denbigh

New police task force aims to stop crime before it happens

* North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones.

Plans have been unveiled for a new task force of 20 police officers to spearhead a crime prevention drive across North Wales.

The proposal is one of the final flagship programmes of the region’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Arfon Jones, who recently revealed he will be standing down at the next election.

It’s part of a bold plan revealed by the Commissioner in his final precept-setting proposal for a 29p weekly increase.

The 5.14 per cent rise – around the cost of a Cadbury’s Freddo chocolate bar – will cost the average householder, in Band D of Council Tax, just £14.94 a year.

It is also in line with the Commissioner’s annual survey of the public which saw a significant percentage of respondents, 45 per cent, in favour of an increase of 27p a week or more.

Mr Jones will be seeking the backing of the North Wales Police and Crime Panel for the proposed increase at a virtual meeting on Tuesday, February 2.

It will help pay for the new Central Crime Prevention Hub to co-ordinate the work of regional teams in North Wales Police’s East, Central and West Areas (based in Llay, St Asaph and Caernarfon.

Mr Jones, a former police inspector,  who will be retiring at the next election that’s currently scheduled for May, said: “The history of people in prison shows that the vast majority will have had traumatic experiences as children and we really need to focus on why and how to prevent that rather than on punishing them.

“It’s a culture change and police officers in North Wales are adapting very well and I’m very pleased to see them looking at offenders in a different way.

“A small proportion of offenders commit the vast majority of crime and if we can look at the causes in a different way and intervene earlier in their lives then that is better for them and for society.”

Mr Jones added: “The Prevention Hub really ties in with my priorities and with schemes like Checkpoint Cymru which aim to intercept people before they get caught up in the criminal justice system.

“This was we can address the root causes of criminal behaviour and stop the re-offending patterns.

Despite the recurring £33 million a year cuts inflicted on the force as a result of UK government austerity cuts since 2010, North Wales Police had succeeded in identifying a further £2.9 million in savings to help bolster their programme for the next 12 months.

This will also include an ambitious two-way digital communications project to keep communities and their local policing teams in close contact.

Other projects will cover domestic violence, sexual abuse, modern slavery and delivering safer neighbourhoods and Mr Jones added: “We have had to produce this precept plan at an unprecedented time because of the pandemic which has disrupted almost all aspects of normal life.

“The officers, staff, specials and volunteers of North Wales Police have responded so positively to these extraordinary circumstances which have included the postponement of the 2020 Police and Crime Commissioner elections to May 6, 2021.

“Now is not the time to set new priorities for the Chief Constable and North Wales Police who quite rightly need to focus all of their efforts on responding to the current crisis while I have to ensure they have the resources to respond to the emergency.”