Tributes paid to ex-Wrexham and Wales goalkeeper Dai Davies

* Dai Davies being put through his paces during a 

physio session at Nightingale House last year.

According to a story which has just appeared on North Wales Live, tributes have been flooding in for ex- Wrexham and Wales international goalkeeper, Dai Davies, who has died.

Mr Davies, who ran a natural healing centre in Llangollen, had been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer earlier last year and had been spending time at the Nightingale House Hospice, in Wrexham.

* For the full story, see: https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/tributes-flood-welsh-goalkeeping-legend-19807921?fbclid=IwAR1wTCxUmp3qfZkkJHq-FNIVuoUWJnwcgnJqY1DX4LxNAw_eDszO9DJruZA

SM challenges First Minister over vaccination standby lists

North Wales MS Mark Isherwood has challenged the First Minister over vaccination standby lists following reports of people not in the national priority groups being offered the jab in North Wales.

Speaking during yesterday’s meeting of the Welsh Parliament, Mr Isherwood provided numerous examples of people not in the national priority groups being offered the vaccine ahead of frontline police officers, teachers and other workers at risk of coming into contact with people infected with Covid, and asked the First Minister why this is happening.

He said: “Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board stated last Thursday  that no vaccines will go to waste as 'we are using a standby list created in accordance with the national priority groups’. 

"However, many Flintshire residents have contacted me stating otherwise.

“One said ‘A neighbour had a knock on the door from a new resident, who said everyday there are spare vaccinations as many people were not turning up, and if she was interested in a jab her contact at Deeside Vaccination centre would call her later in the day’.

“Another said ‘I have been made aware of a person, employed on IT duties, aged 26 with no underlying health conditions vaccinated at short notice, this is the third situation where I have heard of somebody that is outside of the roll out criteria being vaccinated on short notice’.

“Another said ‘there are people who are not frontline NHS staff/over 80 etc receiving appointments to have the vaccine - none had underlying health conditions’."

He added: "What, therefore is going on when surely any standby list should prioritise people like frontline police officers and teachers?”

In his response, the First Minister described Mr Isherwood’s comments as “a collection of random and unattributed anecdotes that really don't amount to a single piece of serious commentary” and said that “the health service across Wales, and in Betsi Cadwaladr too, is working as hard as it possibly can to deliver vaccination in line with the JCVI advice.”

He added: “Of course health boards have reserve lists, so that when people are unable, for all sorts of reasons, to take up an appointment at short notice, there are other people who can be called upon, so that vaccine does not go to waste. What could possibly be objectionable in that?”

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Isherwood added: “I have been inundated with e-mails just like these, but was only allowed enough time to quote a few examples. 

"Of course we praise everyone involved in delivering the Vaccination Programme, but that doesn’t exempt this First Minister from scrutiny and his insulting dismissal of my constituents concerns is deeply regrettable.

“If the Welsh Government was following  JCVI advice, then the circumstances I described could not be happening. If they are, why won’t they admit it and instead prioritise on standby lists those whose employment means that they run the risk of coming into contact with people infected with COVID, when vaccines would otherwise go to waste?”

Prostate cancer support group gets its own website

* The support group's new website.

The Llangollen Prostate Cancer Support Group has started its own website to get its message of support across to the public during the pandemic.

This was announced on Facebook yesterday with a post which says: "The Group was established nearly 10 years ago to provide support and information to men diagnosed with prostate cancer and other prostate related problems.

"We used to meet every month at the Hand Hotel but because of the pandemic it has not been possible to hold face to face meetings for some time.

"Prostate Cancer UK, in recognising that this affected similar Support Groups up and down the country, paid for Zoom licences so that groups could hold virtual meetings with their members.

"Our Group in Llangollen took advantage of this and we now continue to hold Zoom meetings on the third Wednesday of the month.

"However, because of the pandemic it has been difficult to attract new members and make them aware of the Group and provide the support they and their families may need.

"We have publicity leaflets but, in the current circumstances, are unable to distribute them to Health Centres, GP Surgeries and the Urology Department of Maelor Hospital.

"Therefore we have now developed a website that provides a lot of useful information about the Group so if you know of anyone who has been recently diagnosed with prostate cancer or has had the disease for some time but who would like some support and someone to talk to then do tell them to visit: https://llangollenpcsg.co.uk

Essential work to begin on A5 River Ceiriog Viaduct

 

Essential work is due to take place on the A5 River Ceiriog Viaduct to replace the major bridge deck movement joint.

The works, which are being carried out in consultation with Highways England, will begin on February 22 and are programmed to take eight days. Built in 1990, the viaduct spans 500m from the northern side of the Ceiriog Valley in Wales to its southern side in England.  After 30 years, the large expansion joint at the southern end of the viaduct is reaching the end of its operational life and must be replaced. The works will include the demolition and re-construction of the reinforced concrete viaduct where it joins its support on the southern side of the Ceiriog Valley.  Planned routine maintenance and bridge investigation works will also take place to make the most of the closure.  Highways England will also carry out work on their section of the road between the southern end of the viaduct and the Gledrid roundabout. The A5 will be closed over a length of 3.6km between the Halton and Gledrid roundabouts for the duration of the work, with traffic diverted through the town of Chirk along the B5070. Temporary traffic lights will be installed on the B5070 Chirk Road bridge over the River Ceiriog.  The bridge must be restricted to single lane working for the duration of the works to ensure that the bridge can carry heavier vehicles without being over-loaded. To minimise disruption the work will be carried out 24 hours a day at a time of year when traffic flows are historically lower.  The work site is small enough to be protected against the worst of the winter weather, reducing the risk of adverse weather delaying the completion of the project. Road users can find out the latest traffic information and project updates on the Traffic Wales website or Twitter channel. The planning for this work has been agreed with Wrexham and Shropshire Councils. Transport Minister Ken Skates said:  “It is essential that this work is carried out to maintain the condition of the A5 River Ceiriog Viaduct. Every effort is being made to minimise disruption as much as possible and to complete the work as quickly as possible. “Planned full closures of carriageways are never taken unless they are absolutely necessary, but the safety of the travelling public is paramount and this work needs to take place to ensure that. “I would urge the travelling public to follow the diversion route signage while this work is in progress, and I thank them and local residents for their co-operation and patience.”

Petition started to remove Castle Street bollards

* The bollards along Castle Street.

An online petition has been started to remove the temporary bollards and lane defenders on Castle Street.

The temporary measures, along one side of Llangollen's main street where the butchers, bakers and charity shops are located, were put in place last November as part of Local Sustainable Transport scheme to ensure adequate pedestrian space for Covid-19 social distancing.

Parking along the opposite side of the street was temporarily banned at the same time.

However, the bollards and defenders have proved to be unpopular with some local residents and traders.

Ruthin rejected similar measures last week following resistance from the local Member Area Group.

Similar plans for Denbigh were shelved after public opposition to the idea.

Today, a petition to remove the bollards has been started by former town mayor and county councillor Stuart Davies who over the weekend announced his intention to stand for the vacant town council seat at a by-election on March 18.

By mid-afternoon today (Monday) it had been signed by 47 people.  

The petition, on Change.org http://chng.it/NhwVcbYC and intended to be passed to Denbighshire County Council's chief executive, says: "The changes brought in to Castle Street in Llangollen came about as a result of a flawed initial consultation with Denbighshire County Council.

"There was a lack of community awareness on the plans once published and how to respond to them once they were made public.

"Since implementation of the scheme its impact has been clearly evident with the complete loss of parking for the disabled, as well as the loss of any loading bay facilities on the high street.

"The ability for local residents to pop and shop has been lost impacting Castle Street businesses when they have been able to open.

"There are reports that people have been injured.

"The justification for social distancing is not warranted at a time of low footfall and lockdown.

"The measures taken over a 300m stretch of road have no significant impact on the aims of improving active travel.

"The lane defenders/bollards and associated fitting are unsightly and should be removed."

Llangollen county councillor Graham Timms, who supported the Sustainable Transport measures, has been asked for a comment.  

Former mayor to stand in election for town council vacancy

* Stuart Davies is to stand for the vacant town council seat. 

One of the area's best-known politicians is bidding to make a council chamber comeback.

Former Llangollen town mayor and local county councillor Stuart Davies has declared his intention to stand as an independent in a by-election for the vacant seat on the Town Council on March 18.

He was mayor in 1998 and served as one of the two county councillors for Llangollen, first from 2004-2008 and again from 2012-2017.

The vacancy he is contesting occurred as a result of the resignation of George Hughes last October. 

Announcing his candidature well in advance of the closing date for nominations of February 19, he gave a statement of his aims if elected which he said are: 

"To restore the voice of the people of Llangollen in the council chamber and hold to account our county councillors.

"Resolve the issues with the provision of waste disposal and recycling facilities, working with Phil Jones and his excellent petition to ensure the wishes of 900 residents are respected.

"Ensure that the proposals for change to Llangollen by the 2020 group have full and thorough public consultation and take into account the current views of the community.

"The potholes are a result of 2020 delays, so I will ensure a proper community based public consultation is put in place quickly that isn’t simply a paper exercise that endorses the 2020 plan."

He added: "Basically its about waste, bollards, potholes and parking and taking back control for the residents."

* So far Mr Davies is the only candidate to announce his intention to stand to llanblogger and we would be happy to highlight any further nominations. 

Health centre vaccinates 1,200 70-79s over weekend

Llangollen Health Centre has been on Facebook to give an update on its busy weekend vaccinating scores of people aged 70 to 79.

The post last night said: "Thanks to everyone for their lovely comments about our vaccination clinic this weekend.  

"It takes a lot of work and all the thank-yous and gestures of appreciation really lift the team and help us to keep going. It’s so good to be able to do something positive! 

"These clinics are a huge community effort. Not just health centre staff are involved, there are many volunteers who are all fabulous. We have vaccinated just short of 1200 patients this weekend."