Work begins to restore fire-damaged Llantysilio Mountain

* The fire-damaged Llantysilio Mountain.

Natural Resources Wales has begun work to restore the fire-damaged Llantysilio Mountain.

Around 400 bags of heather have been cut ready to be airlifted later in March by helicopter to some of the worst fire damaged areas of the mountain on Moel y Gamelin and Moel y Faen. 

* The heather bags will be lifted into place by helicopter. 

Just over one hectare of heather cuttings will be spread as a mulch, stabilising the soil and creating conditions for moorland plants like heather and bilberry to recolonise. 

A further 68ha of the mountain will also be sown with an upland grass seed mix to create a nursery crop for moorland plants to recolonise.

This year’s restoration work will only cover half of the worst damaged area of the mountain and further work is planned in the future.

This approach has been successful on fire damaged moorlands in other areas and it is hoped that over time the vegetation will re-establish to benefit wildlife, farming and local communities alike.

For health and safety reasons, members of the public are requested not to venture out on to the Llantysilio mountain when the helicopter is airlifting the bags of heather.

New art project showcases Dee Valley

* The scenery of the Dee Valley.

North East Wales' beautiful and historic landscape is the subject of a new art project aimed at connecting the local community with its rich natural heritage.

The Our Picturesque Landscape project is a partnership scheme funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund that centres on the Dee Valley, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and the Canal World Heritage Site. 

The picturesque beauty of the Dee Valley has been a source of inspiration to artists, poets and writers for centuries.  

To continue with this tradition, the Our Picturesque Landscape project is hosting four literary themed Artist Residencies in 2021. These are:

Hywel Griffiths is a poet and geographer in the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, Aberystwyth University. 

He has won the chair and crown competitions in the National Eisteddfod and his most recent collection - LlifCochAwst - won the Wales Book of the Year Poetry category. His academic interests include the relationships between people and landscape, flooding and river processes and art-science collaborations. 

Jessica and Philip Hatcher-Moore are a husband and wife team based in the Dee Valley. Jessica is an award-winning journalist, author and travel writer who worked for the Guardian in East Africa for five years before making a home in North Wales. 

Her storytelling is characterised by unheard voices and improbable things. Jessica's first book, After Birth, about postnatal recovery, will be published by Profile in May 2021.  

Philip is a photographer living on a hillside in North Wales. His work, which has been recognised by several international awards and exhibitions, explores society's relationship with the landscape and environment, and spans more than a decade of reportage from across the globe.

James Hudson is a visual artist working on semi-fictional projects that combine original photography, text and collage. His projects are usually commissions or residencies for cultural organisations and brands.

Sian Northey is a poet, author, translator and workshop leader. She writes for children and adults. 

Her latest volume is Circles (Y Bwthyn Press, 2020), a collection of short stories with pictures by photographer Iestyn Hughes.

The residencies will explore the connections between people and place, past and present. 

Throughout the year the artists will be spending time in the landscapes of the Dee Valley and meeting the people that live and work within it. 

Their work - including poetry, writing, spoken word and visual art - will be created in response to these experiences and shared with local residents and visitors to the area through exhibition, performance, in print and digitally. 

Updates on the residencies will be posted throughout the year, so follow the #OurPicturesqueLandscape project on social media (@Clwyd_Dee_AONB) to keep up to date with any events and activities that are happening.

Andrew White, Director of The National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wales, said: “The Dee Valley – with its stunning scenery, rich industrial architecture and history, is not only an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a World Heritage Site, it is also a national treasure.

“For the last two years, we have supported the Our Picturesque Landscape project to connect people with this inspiring landscape and improve access to it. This latest stage of the project which has been made possible thanks to National Lottery players, is continuing this important work."

Town council agrees motion on bridge weight restriction

Llangollen Town Council last night passed a notice of motion from new councillor Stuart Davies seeking support for his plan for an environmental weight restriction on the town bridge.

In his speech he claimed residents of the town were supportive of the measure and had been asking the question about it for many years.

He said: "From a structural perspective, in 2017 a report was presented to the local members by the Denbighshire County Council bridges engineer identifying issues to a varying degree with the Llangollen Town Bridge and the Kings Bridge at Berwyn. 

"Subsequently in 2018, a weight limit of 18 Tonnes was imposed on Kings Bridge whilst Llangollen Railway were requested to cease using the Town Bridge for movement and handling of heavy rolling stock.

"Politically the landscape is changing. In written and verbal communications, I raised the possibility of an EWR on the Town Bridge with Ken Skates on February 18 this year. 

"In our discussions it was agreed there was an issue that could be investigated locally at county level and at the Welsh Government level. Simon Baynes, the MP for Clwyd South, has publicly offered his support to the initiative."

He added: "These weight limits prevent large vehicles from using inappropriate roads, routes, and areas to prevent damage to buildings, roads, and bridges; preserve the character, amenity, and environment of an area; reduce and manage congestion on the roads; and reduce danger to pedestrians and other road users.

"Viable technology now exists for an Environmental Weight Restriction EWR to be policed/managed through Automatic Number Plate Recognition Technology (ANPR). There is documented evidence of  existing schemes in operation on bridges with EWR’s in force in several counties in the UK." 

He gave examples of other areas where weight restrictions were being enforced by cameras including Oxfordshire and Maidenhead and Windsor. 

After the meeting Cllr Davies said he would now be looking further into the technicalities of implementing an environmental weight restriction in Llangollen. 

Police commissioner's advice to help keep women safe

* North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones.

A police boss and two abuse charities are urging men in North Wales to do more to help women feel safe in the wake of the abduction and murder of Sarah Everard.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones, the Domestic Abuse Safety Unit North Wales and the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) North Wales were frustrated the onus appeared to be on women to keep themselves safe rather than men changing their behaviour.

The  disappearance of 33-year-old Sarah while walking home in London became national news followed by millions and it highlighted the dangers women can face when they are out alone.

Sarah’s body was found in a Kent woodland and serving Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens, 48, has been charged with her murder.

Mr Jones, a former police inspector, said women had posted helpful tips on social media, most of which were small gestures that could make a big difference to how safe women feel walking alone at night.

 

According to the commissioner, there were several key points that recurred in the replies which he wanted to share with men in North Wales. 

Mr Jones said: “As the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, I work tirelessly to ensure that North Wales Police and its partners effectively tackles all violence against women and that perpetrators are brought to justice. We do not, and will not, tolerate such behaviour in North Wales.

“Women are not  attacked because they park in the wrong place, or because they aren’t paying attention to their surroundings when out in public.

“Women get attacked because men attack them.

“Sarah's disappearance has rightly prompted people to think how men can help women to feel safer on the streets, especially at night time.

“Many women have taken to social media to explain what men can do to make women feel safer when they’re out on their own.

 

“This list is by no means exhaustive, but it’s based on the real experiences of multiple women.”

Keep your distance

When walking behind a girl or woman at night, remember that the closer you are, the more threatening you seem. So make sure to leave a good amount of distance between yourself and her.”

Alert women to their presence – but not by engaging in conversation

Approaching a woman in silence can provoke fear and panic. If you’re behind a woman and she cannot see you, try to make some noise to let them know you aren’t sneaking up behind them – call a friend, jingle keys – basically make any noise to draw attention to yourself

Offer to walk friends home

A stranger wouldn’t appreciate an offer from an unknown man to walk her home. But a friend might. Whilst you might think a route is safe or it’s only a short walk, having a male presence is sadly a valuable tool in warding off unwanted attention.

Talk to other men

Whilst staying away from women and being helpful to your female friends is all well and good, violence towards and harassment of women is a problem that is ingrained in our society. The true solution is changing the way that men treat women – and this means calling out your friends and other men when they’re crossing the line. If you want to make a true and meaningful change, bring up the fact that 97 per cent of young women have experience sexual harassment next time you’re with your male friends. The resulting conversation might surprise you.

Don’t run up from behind

Having someone run up behind you at night can give anyone a fright, but for a girl or woman it can be terrifying. Next time you’re out for an evening jog and see a woman walking ahead… cross the road or make sure to leave a good amount of space while passing.

Don’t stare

If you’re by yourself, being stared at is intimidating and unsettling. Taking out your phone and focusing on something else can go a long way to showing you’re not a threat. Look out the window to focus on something else, or call a friend to have a chat.

Keep comments to yourself

What you might see as just a bit of fun, or even flattering, is actually harassment and can be terrifying to lone women and girls.”

Keep your mates in line

You may not harass women, but if you stay quiet while your mates do then you’re part of the problem.

Be an active bystander

If you notice a woman is uncomfortable with someone’s behaviour, show your support by being an active bystander. It can be as simple as standing between a woman and her harasser to block their line of sight. Ask her if she is OK, and back up anyone else who is intervening

Gaynor Mckeown, chief executive of DASU North Wales, said:: “We work closely with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and North Wales Police to support and offer advice to women who may be subject of harassment or abuse.

“We welcome the commissioner’s  comments on the need to establish that it is every women's right to walk safely in our streets, at whatever time she chooses wearing exactly what she wishes.

“Women do not ask to be harassed, stalked or assaulted and we have a collective responsibility to hold perpetrators of such abuse to account. 

“It is not acceptable to make comments, follow either on foot or in a vehicle, beep at, call to or whistle at women or girls.

“As a mother of two teenage daughters who are regularly made uncomfortable and scared by this type of behaviour. We need to educate our sons, friends, colleagues and others who do this, explaining that it is not acceptable it is not appropriate, and it causes fear, and distress." 

RASASC operations manager Fflur Emlyn said: “Women have a right to not only feel safe but BE safe – in public, at home, at work – everywhere. 

“Sarah Everard was walking home, everyone of us can identify with this horrific incident, it could’ve been anyone of us: 97% of women in Britain have been sexually harassed at some point during their lives. 

“We welcome the Police and Crime Commissioners statement and advice, women are not to blame for being attacked and/or assaulted.  There is and should be no shame, blame or guilt for any women who has been attacked/assaulted, it is always the perpetrators fault. 

“Let’s talk about this, educate your male friends and family members and don’t be a bystander, all of us in society has a responsibility to hold such perpetrators to account.”

Mr Jones added: “If men follow these common sense guidelines it will make a real difference in making women feel safer when they are out on their own.

“Horrific crimes like this are rare and North Wales remains one of the safest places in the UK to live and work but these simple measures can do a great deal to address the fear of crime.”

Health centre's jabs update

Llangollen Health Centre has this evening issued its latest vaccination update. it says:

Vaccine supply improved significantly last week and we are currently busy booking patients into the three clinics we have set up this week.

We will be running clinics every Thursday and every weekend in Llangollen until mid-April, plus additional clinics in Glyn Ceiriog as required, to enable us to meet the Welsh Government’s target of offering a vaccine appointment to everyone in groups 1-9.

We are currently about one quarter of a way through vaccinating Group 6 (please refer to my previous posts regarding eligibility for this group) and, depending on take up from Group 6, we should be moving to Group 7 by the end of next week. Therefore we will be starting to contact patients in Group 7 (those aged 60-64 years) next week. We will also be starting to contact the first group of patients who are due their second doses.  

Once again we are asking for your patience. We realise how frustrating the situation is and that in England younger groups of patients are now being vaccinated but we are in Wales and we are working to the Welsh Government’s targets. We are being told by the Health Board that we will receive the number of vaccines that we need to meet the target and as long as that happens we are on track to achieve that.

County's public toilets to open tomorrow

Denbighshire County Council is informing residents it is re-opening public conveniences on Wednesday, March 17.

The Council made the decision to close public toilets in January to keep public convenience staff and residents safe.

The Council has undertaken an extensive clean and maintenance check of the county’s 21 public convenience facilities during the closure.

Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets, said: “We are re-opening our public conveniences following a period of closure which included an extensive clean.

“We would like to thank residents for their understanding during this period of closure.

“The Council would like to remind residents that Welsh Government regulations state you should continue to stay local when exercising as well as following social distancing guidelines.”

All public conveniences that normally remain open during the winter will re-open from March 17. Those only open during the summer season, will re-open on April 1. 

Details of opening hours and locations can be found at www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/community-and-living/public-toilets.aspx

 

North Wales to get Covid commemorative woodland

First Minister Mark Drakeford (pictured) has announced the creation of commemorative woodlands in memory of those who have died from coronavirus. 

Two new woodlands will be planted – one in north Wales and one in south Wales – as a symbol of Wales’ resilience during the pandemic and one of regeneration and renewal as the new woodlands grow. 

It is hoped they will be places of commemoration where families and friends can remember lost loved ones. The woodlands will also be locations where the public will be able to reflect on the pandemic and the huge impact it has had on all our lives.

The woodlands will be planted with a range of tree species, making them resilient to a changing environment; a fitting symbol of the strength the people of Wales have shown over the past year.

The First Minister said: “Today, we mark a deeply sad anniversary as we remember the first person in Wales to die from coronavirus.

“Since that day too many people have been taken too soon. We remember them today and keep them in our hearts and our minds.

“Today I am announcing the creation of two commemorative woodlands - one in north Wales and one in south Wales – as permanent living memorials to all those who have died.

“These woodlands will grow into natural spaces of reflection, where families and others can come to remember all those we have lost. 

“The pandemic has cast a long shadow on all our lives over the last year, but we can also look to the future with hope.”

The locations of the two sites will be announced shortly and Natural Resources Wales will engage with local communities to plan and design the woodlands.

Clare Pillman, CEO Natural Resources Wales said: “Our woodlands play a vital role in our environment and communities and are powerful, poignant symbols of life and memory.

“The new commemorative woodlands will provide a living, growing memorial that will honour the memory of all of those who have sadly lost their lives to coronavirus.

“In addition to being a symbolic representation of Wales’ resilience during the pandemic, the woodlands will also provide a safe, quiet and accessible place where families can come to visit and remember their loved ones.”

The First Minister also announced there will be a National Coronavirus Commemorative Event broadcast on BBC One Wales and S4C at 5pm on the 23rd of March.