Government launches campaign to back Covid-hit businesses

The Welsh Government has launched a new campaign to promote the support available to businesses to help them deal with the continued pressures of coronavirus.

The ‘We’re in Your Corner’ campaign will encourage firms the length and breadth of Wales to take advantage of the skills and employment advice and guidance that is on offer through the Skills Gateway for Business online portal. 

A range of support is available such as assistance with developing the capabilities of staff to advice with recruitment and training programmes. This will help businesses move forward through the coronavirus pandemic and thrive in the future. 

Economy Minister Ken Skates (pictured) said: "We’re in Your Corner’ campaign is crucial in supporting the Welsh Government’s Economic Resilience and Reconstruction Mission which was launched earlier this week and aims to reconstruct and rebuild the Welsh economy so that is more prosperous, fair and green than ever before. 

"The Welsh Government’s Covid Commitment, which has been supported by a £40m funding boost during this financial year, is a key part of the support offer to help anyone wanting to get into work, looking to retrain, or start their own business."

He added: "The past 12 months have placed incredibly pressures on our people and our businesses. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Welsh Government has responded at pace to protect thousands of Welsh businesses and jobs with a package of financial assistance worth more than £2 billion. This is the most generous offer of help anywhere in the UK.

“We are firmly in the corner of businesses and this campaign will be crucial in ensuring they are aware of the support that is available to help them meet the challenges and opportunities that today and tomorrow present.

“Our Covid Commitment will also provide free and subsidised training which will enable firms to develop the skills of the workforce and our Business Wales advisers are on hand to provide expert advice on this to meet individual business needs.

“As we continue to navigate these difficult and uncertain times, we will continue to do all we can to back our businesses and our people, but we also have to think about what comes next. That is why I have launched our new Economic Resilience and Reconstruction Mission which offers optimism for the future and will help our people, businesses and communities to succeed and flourish in a more prosperous, fairer and greener economy.

“By working together, we can truly succeed in rebuilding and reconstructing our economy so that is it better and stronger for people across Wales.”

* To find out more about the programmes on offer, call Skills Gateway for Business on 0300 060 3000 or visit https://businesswales.gov.wales/skillsgateway/ 

MP speaks of Wales' importance as part of UK

* Simon Baynes MP speaking in the Chamber of the House of Commons.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes has spoken of his admiration and gratitude for key workers, Welsh businesses and Wales’ importance as part of the United Kingdom.

His praise came during the annual St David's Day debate in Parliament last week.

The debate, which is held each year in the House of Commons on, or around, St David’s Day, took place last Thursday and usually deals with general Welsh affairs. 

Mr Baynes began his speech by saying: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank the frontline workers in Clwyd South and elsewhere in Wales, including our NHS and emergency service staff, carers, community volunteers, council staff and retail staff, who have done so much to keep us safe during this pandemic."

He continued by offering his sympathies to businesses impacted by Covid and the need for the Welsh Labour Government to make sure its business support package is improved.

He said: "Having grown up in a family hotel business in Wales and now acting as the Conservatives’ Small Business Ambassador for Wales, I speak to many Welsh companies that are struggling in the Covid crisis, particularly in sectors such as hospitality and tourism. 

"A common theme to their comments is the disorganised nature of the roll-out of the Welsh Government’s Economic Resilience Fund, with many people unable to apply due to the IT system crashing, unclear guidelines on information required, and the application period closing in only a matter of hours without any prior warning. 

“Some degree of administrative difficulty is understandable in the current crisis, but businesses feel extremely aggrieved when they hear that the Labour Welsh Government have still yet to spend £650 million of the money that they have received from the UK Government, which could be used to put right the problems caused by short-changing Welsh businesses in business support.”

Commenting later on, Mr Baynes said: "I was very pleased to make a contribution last week to the annual St David's Day debate in Parliament, having made my Maiden Speech in the same debate last year. 

"It’s vital that we continue our progress with the very successful UK vaccination programme to ensure that next year we can mark St David's Day in a more normal way and celebrate all things Welsh together. Until then, I want to wish everyone in Clwyd South and across Wales a very Happy St David's Day!"

Llangollen Health Centre issues latest vaccination update

Llangollen Health Centre has this afternoon issued its latest vaccination update on Facebook.

Its post says: 

"Vaccine Update – Group 6

We are getting many queries from patients asking whether they come under group 6 (those aged 18-64 years with underlying health conditions), so we have copied the extract below from the Vaccination Strategy for Wales.

Priority group 6 is a large and complex group.

It is defined as patients with:

• Chronic respiratory disease (see also explanation re asthma below);

• Chronic heart disease and vascular disease;

• Chronic kidney disease;

• Chronic liver disease;

• Chronic neurological disease, including severe or profound learning disability (see link to separate guidance below);

• Diabetes mellitus;

• Immunosuppression;

• Asplenia or dysfunction of the spleen;

• Morbid obesity;

• Severe mental illness

• Younger adults in long-stay in-patient nursing and residential care.

• Adult carers (see link to separate guidance below)

Priority group 6 is similar to the flu at risk groups, but with some important differences:

• The age range is limited to adults with the exception of some children with severe neurodisabilities

• Those with severe asthma are at increased risk and included. Severe asthma is defined as requiring regular use of oral corticosteroids or previously requiring hospital admission. Individuals with mild to moderate asthma are not at increased risk and not recommended for vaccination as part of this group.

• Those with ‘severe and profound’ learning disability are included and is explained in the separate guidance (see link below)

Further guidance for unpaid carers:

COVID-19 vaccination and unpaid carers | GOV.WALES

Further guidance re learning disabilities:

COVID-19 vaccinations: prioritisation of individuals with learning disability or severe mental illness | GOV.WALES."

Llangollen Railway PLC asks bank to appoint receiver

Breaking news ...

Llangollen Railway has this afternoon (Monday) issued a formal announcement about its future.

It reads: "It is with great regret the directors of Llangollen Railway PLC have had to take the reluctant step of inviting the bank to appoint a receiver.

"The company’s accounts show pre-tax losses of £330,601 in 2018, £329,175 in 2019 and £258,804 in 2020 (pre-audit).  

"A number of significant engineering contract disputes, all of which arose in the years prior to the current board taking over in October 2020, have crystallised in the last few days.  

"The claims against the company are compelling and are in excess of £250,000 in total.  There is no prospect of meeting these liabilities, even over an extended period.

"As a result the balance sheet is now insolvent to the extent of £350,000 approximately, adjusting for intangible assets also. In such circumstances the company cannot legally continue to trade.

"The directors would like to acknowledge the considerable support of the Welsh Government through two significant grants, and NatWest Bank which, together with furlough payments, have enabled the company to continue to meet its commitments over recent months until now.

"The Trust’s balance sheet remains solvent and there is some cash in hand. The Trust board will need to take steps to negotiate with the receiver to try to secure the line and preserve rolling stock and infrastructure to the extent possible. It is intended to recommence operations in due course but this is dependent upon legal and regulatory approvals, including licencing, all of which will clearly take time.

"The directors very much regret the impact this will have on our staff and employees, customers, suppliers, locomotive owners and their organisations, and anyone else with connections to the Railway.  It is hoped to rehire many of our staff and employees and that it will be possible to maintain connections with many longstanding friends.

"Customers who have purchased tickets in advance, including driver experiences, deposits for weddings and gift vouchers, will either be refunded (the monies have been reserved) or will hopefully be able to travel at a future date.

"Where shareholders have ongoing annual ticket entitlements, these will continue to be met through the Trust.

"Anyone wishing to make a claim in the receivership should contact the Railway by e-mail at commercial@llangollen-railway.co.uk and details will be passed to the receiver. Anyone wishing to contact the Trust, please do so at the above e-mail address also."

Comments ...

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes commented: “I have developed a strong relationship with the Llangollen Railway since becoming the MP for Clwyd South and have held regular meetings and made several visits to different parts of their network. 

"I am very sorry that they have had to invite their bank to appoint a receiver but the combination of Covid and past engineering contract disputes has put an intolerable burden on the Railway. 

"I hope, however, that a way forward is found for the Llangollen Railway so that it can emerge from this crisis with a sustainable long term future and continue to provide great pleasure to the many thousands of visitors to Llangollen in the years to come.”

Llangollen town councillor Stuart Davies said: "I am deeply saddened to hear the news today about Llangollen Railway going in to administration.

"I am calling on the County the local MS and Welsh Govt to step in to help save this valuable tourist attraction and employer for Llangollen. Not only is it a superb asset to the town it is traditionally one of its bigger employers.

"Historically its apprentice scheme was one of the best, teaching young people to be skilled maintenance people and engineers. I have always been a champion of apprentice schemes having had the good fortune to be able to go through one with the National Coal Board in the 60s.

"Recently Llangollen Town Council was pursuing a £160k project that would have brought no employment to Llangollen. We need Welsh Government and Lottery funding to save jobs and the Railway which is part of what Llangollen is today."

Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru's North Wales MS, said: "This is a sorry day for the railway but also for Llangollen and Corwen. 

"This has been a terrible year for the tourist trade, effectively facing three winter seasons consecutively, and I hope that the railway, its staff and volunteers can bounce back quickly. It has been a major attraction in the area for many years and has been an important employer in the town.  

"It's vital that businesses, particular in the hospitality and tourism sector, get the support they need to overcome the battering they've had in the past year. I'll do all I can as the regional Member of Senedd to make the case for the railway."

Clwyd South MS Ken Skates said: "This is very sad news for all involved. However, the infrastructure will remain in place and I am confident that this will not be the end for the railway."

North Wales MS Mark Isherwood commented: "This is dreadful and concerning news about a wonderful heritage railway.

“The loss of this railway would not only be devastating for the army of volunteers who support it and the railway’s employees, but also for the wider visitor economy in Llangollen and throughout the Dee Valley.

“I have offered to assist the Railway in any way I can.”

 

St David's Day message from the First Minister of Wales

In his message Mark Drakeford says:

I want to wish you all a Happy St David’s Day – Dydd Gwyl Ddewi hapus i chi.

Over the last twelve months Coronavirus has turned all our lives upside down.

Families across Wales have lost loved ones and many have fallen ill.

Children and young people have had to stay away from schools, colleges and Universities. They have missed out on spending time with their friends.

Businesses and employees have worked extremely hard to adapt to a quick changing environment.

St David told us to do the small things – gwnewch y pethau bychain.

We all, in our own way, have made small sacrifices to keep each other safe.

People have stayed away from family and friends.

Neighbours have been shopping for those who have been shielding.

We have had to cancel those community and national events that we look forward to all year.

People have also been making some big sacrifices.

They have missed out on weddings and birthday celebrations.

Grieving families haven’t been able to attend funerals to say goodbye to loved ones.

Here in Wales we have thousands of key workers and volunteers who have made a huge, heroic effort to help us through this pandemic.

They deserve our thanks and our admiration for the incredible way they have carried on with their work in difficult circumstances.

Now many of the same staff have been part of Wales’ huge vaccination effort, with a third of the adult population already vaccinated.

Those vaccines can help us find a way out of this pandemic and give us all hope for the future.

It’s been a year in which we’ve also left the EU, but we’ve certainly not stopped being European. We are proud to remain an outward looking nation.

We continue to strengthen our relationships with our European friends and partners. Virtual trade missions have continued throughout the pandemic, and our 'Year of Wales in Germany’ is a shining example of our work in action.

Although we can’t celebrate our national day together in person this year, our desire to engage internationally is as strong as ever.

St David also advised us to ‘be joyful – keep the faith’. 

Wise words for us to remember in these dark times.

Things will get better. 

Together we can help Keep Wales Safe and create a fairer, better future.

Happy St David’s day – Dydd Gwyl Ddewi hapus i chi gyd.

Wales Air Ambulance marks its 20th anniversary

* Members of the Llangollen Christmas Festival committee had over a cheque to the air ambulance in February 2020.

Today, on the day of its 20th anniversary, the Wales Air Ambulance Charity is looking back at its incredible evolution and paying tribute to everybody who has contributed to its lifesaving service.

The service is often called to help with casualties in Llangollen and the town's Christmas Festival has raised thousands of pounds to help it continue its work. 

The charity’s founder and first Chair of Trustees was the late Robert Palmer. From his vision, Wales Air Ambulance has grown from a one-helicopter operation based at Swansea Airport to what is now the largest air ambulance operation in the UK, with four helicopters. The aircraft are based across the country, in Caernarfon, Welshpool, Llanelli and Cardiff. 

In the past two decades, it has evolved from a paramedic-led service to a consultant-led service which takes the emergency department to the patient. 

Thanks to the charity’s unique partnership with the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service and NHS Wales, it is one of the most medically advanced air ambulance operations in Europe. 

When the service first started in 2001, it ran eight hours a day, five days a week, and its vision was to become 24/7. This vision was achieved on 1 December last year, with the introduction of an overnight helicopter in addition to the 12-hour day-time cover. 

Since its inception, the charity has undertaken nearly 38,000 missions and to keep the helicopters in the air 24/7, it needs to raise £8 million every year. 

Dave Gilbert OBE, the charity’s Chair of Trustees, said: “Looking back and following the timeline of how Wales Air Ambulance has evolved over the last 20 years gives everyone a huge sense of pride. 

"From Robert Palmer’s early vision through to becoming one of the largest and medically advanced operations is an achievement that the whole of Wales can be proud of. 

"After all, Wales Air Ambulance was created by the people of Wales, for the people of Wales, and the growth of our charity is testament to the skill, dedication, passion and generosity that exists within our country.”

Dr Sue Barnes, the Charity’s Chief Executive, said: “I took up my post with the Wales Air Ambulance last December and it quickly became clear why the charity has thrived over the past 20 years through the professionalism, enthusiasm and commitment of those involved. This has allowed us to deliver a lifesaving service which has positively impacted many lives across the country. 

“Everybody who has contributed to our charity over the years can be proud of their contribution as they have played their part in making the charity what it is today. We would like to say a heartfelt thanks to the medics, pilots, critical care allocators, staff and volunteers, trustees, and all those who have fundraised and donated over the last 20 years.” 

The charity will mark the milestone with a series of activities and events between 1 March 2021 and 1 March 2022 and has begun with its ‘My20’ fundraising challenge. 

* Neil Chattington was the air ambulance's first patient.

The first patient airlifted by Wales Air Ambulance was Neil Chattington. This is Neil’s story.

Twenty years ago, Neil Chattington, started an under 16s rugby match and little did he know that he would become a significant part of Wales Air Ambulance’s history. 

Neil, who was scared of flying, was the first-ever patient that the Wales Air Ambulance attended after its launch in 2001. 

Reflecting on his memories on the day, Neil, who was playing for Glynneath Rugby Club against Aberavon, said: “I remember quite a bit. 

"It had snowed a little overnight and we cleared the ground before starting. Aberavon had a really good team with a couple of players who went onto do good things. We always had tough games with them. 

“At the time of the incident, we were attacking from our half and I'd made a break, getting past their fullback into open space - or what I thought was open space - and got tackled very hard by one of their props. 

"I wasn't expecting to be tackled so wasn't tensed for it. I got spun around and hit the ground hard and when I settled, I felt a really sharp pain in the left side of my neck and lost the feeling in my arms and legs. 

“Initially I was really panicked but I didn't try to move and quickly the referee stopped the game. When the first aiders knew what was wrong, the ambulance was called and I was well looked after by both teams, first aiders and some parents one who used a horse blanket to keep me warm.” 

The Wales Air Ambulance crew that day were paramedics Mark Winter and Paul Haddow, and pilot Steve Rush.

Mark Winter still works with the service today as its Operations Director. 

The crew were sent to the rugby club for its first mission by Brian Knoyle, who worked for the Ambulance Service control, after it was feared Neil had a broken back. 

Neil, who has lived in Cardiff for 14 years, said seeing the helicopter land ‘initially made him feel quite scared’ due to the fact he’s afraid of flying, but he had ‘confidence in the crew’. 

He added: “My first thought was ‘oh dear!’, and definitely ‘something’s wrong’. Having had my fair share of bumps, I knew that this was different. The flight was surprisingly quick and not quite as scary as I thought it would be. I was constantly monitored throughout the flight. Looking back, I think about how simple it was and that it could have been so much worse.” 

The Service’s Operational Director, Mark Winter, was on the first 8am to 4pm shift twenty years ago working as a Paramedic Staff Officer. The crew were initially called to an RTC, but on arrival they were not required and stood down. They then returned to base and refuelled. 

Whilst at the base, Neil’s call came in. Mark added: “We were then tasked to Glynneath Rugby Club where Neil had been playing in a match.  A local ambulance crew arrived on scene and were treating Neil for a neck injury. When we got there, we immobilised him, kept him warm, put him onto patient monitoring and provided the reassurance he no doubt would have wanted at that time.

"We then transported him, by air, to Morriston Hospital. Neil was a first-class patient and thankfully the journey was uneventful.”

Despite his injuries, Neil, who runs his own property maintenance company, returned to the sport.

He said: “It took a while for me to get back to playing rugby again and, unfortunately, I have suffered with some long term affects. As a result, I retired from rugby, aged 23, due to the effects of all my injuries.” 

Being the first patient is a story that Neil can always tell. Speaking on how he feels having that title, he said: “I'd have to say very grateful. Thankfully my injury at the time wasn't as bad as it could have been but the care I received was amazing.” 

Also at the scene that day was Max Boyce, who has supported Wales Air Ambulance ever since.

He said: “I’ve seen the great work that they do and being the president of the South Wales Golfing Association, we have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for the Wales Air Ambulance over the years for such a worthy charity. Twenty years, that is a bit special. Here’s to twenty years again.”

llanblogger wishes everyone a Happy St David's Day

 

Happy St David's Day from llanblogger!