Eisteddfod journalist among those remembered today

* The late Kevin Hughes with his wife Sally. 

Among those who died from Covid-19 and will be commemorated today on the anniversary of the first lockdown will be a journalist who covered the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod for a number of years.

Kevin Hughes, who was also a Flintshire county councillor, died at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital after a long battle against Covid-19 in January aged 63.

His death followed that of his mother, June Margaret Hughes, 89, also from the virus on November 25 at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

Kevin had visited her briefly in PPE and accepted that going to the hospital may have caused him to contract the disease but he added: “I don't know how I got it, whether it was visiting my mum, it might have been in the shop or in the garage. I just don't know.”

He was born in Chester and attended Queen’s Park High School, Handbridge, and leaves a wife, Sally, with whom he celebrated 40 years of marriage three years ago, sons Chris, Steve and Andy, and seven grandchildren.

In a varied career Kevin Joined Cheshire Constabulary and was a police diver during his service and after his retirement worked for a time as head diver at the Blue Planet Aquarium, at Cheshire Oaks.

He moved into journalism with the Chester Chronicle and rose to be editor of the Flintshire Chronicle before his retirement and in recent years has worked for North Wales-based public relations company Ceidiog Communication with whom he helped to cover the Llangollen Eisteddfod for a number of seasons until just a few years ago. 

He represented Gwernymynydd as an active and committed Flintshire County Councillor.

He was a former colleague of llanblogger journalist Phil Robinson, both at Ceidiog Communication and previously when they worked together on the Ellesmere Port Pioneer newspaper in Cheshire.

Paying tribute in January Phil said: "The small north Wales journalistic community has lost one of its most outstanding members which it could ill afford to do. 

"Kevin, who I was privileged to know for 20 years, was a big man - in stature, talent and heart."  

Bell will toll at midday for those who died from coronavirus

* The bell will toll at St Collen's Church at midday for all those who have died from coronanvirus. 

Following the national minute's silence at midday today (Tuesday) a bell will be tolled at St Collen's Church to commemorate those who have died with coronavirus, marking one year since the first lockdown began.

The First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford will take part in the National Coronavirus Commemorative Event held at 5.15pm today.

The event will bring the nation together to pay our respects to those we’ve lost and express our sympathy to those who are grieving for their loved ones.

It will be a chance to reflect on how the pandemic has had a profound impact on every community in Wales and celebrate how people in those communities have sustained each other.

The occasion will be an opportunity to express our thanks to our health workers and carers, who have done so much to care for those who have been ill and those who have lost their lives.

Ifor ap Glyn, the National Poet of Wales. will read a poem written especially for the Commemoration and the Morriston Hospital Emergency Department Choir have recorded a special performance for the event.

The First Minister will also take part in the minute silence at midday to remember those who have died over the last year.

Mr Drakeford said: “Over the last 12 months, the pandemic has turned all our lives upside down.

“Too many families have lost loved ones and close friends and so many people haven’t had a chance to say goodbye because of all the changes coronavirus has meant to our lives.

“It’s really important we have an opportunity to come together to reflect on the last year and to unite to support each other through this tough time.”

The National Coronavirus Commemorative Event will presented by Huw Edwards and broadcast at 5.15pm on BBC One Wales and S4C.

* On behalf of Denbighshire County Council, the Chairman Cllr Meirick Lloyd Davies and the Leader, Cllr Hugh Evans are thanking residents for their efforts on the anniversary of the first UK-wide lockdown

Cllr Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of the Council, said: “It has been a very difficult 12 months since the first UK national lockdown was introduced and in the last year all areas of our society have been impacted.

“Many people have been affected by coronavirus and our thoughts and condolences go to those families who have lost loved ones.

“Denbighshire residents are to be commended for their huge effort to stop the spread of the virus by following regulations and guidelines.  Your sacrifices have helped reduce the impact in our communities and has helped save lives.

“I would also like to thank frontline workers who have been protecting and supporting residents, those involved in administering the vaccine, our public service partners who have been working closely with us to keep people safe, as well everyone who has worked throughout the pandemic providing essential services in Denbighshire.

“There have been a large number of volunteers who have come together in our communities during the pandemic to help our most vulnerable residents, with things such as shopping and prescription collection and they also deserve our thanks for their hard work.

“Throughout this period the Council has continued to work for our residents, providing services under difficult circumstances and this has included new ways of working and adapting.

“It has been a difficult time for children as well as parents, carers and staff at our schools. As pupils return to face-to-face learning it is important we continue to do all we can to ensure schools stay open. This includes following the regulations, which include not mixing outside of school or at the school gates when picking up or dropping off children.

“Lockdown has had a huge impact on businesses in Denbighshire and we have been working with the Welsh Government to ensure the available support reaches those that need it as quickly as possible. We will continue to ensure we are doing all we can to support businesses in Denbighshire as they start to re-open.

“The vaccine rollout has been a real success and is reducing transmission of the virus and we hope over the coming weeks and months we can see further lifting of restrictions. But in the meantime it’s vital we all continue to follow regulations to make sure transmission of the virus remains low to allow life to start returning to normal.”

County councillor to stand for police commissioner

* Mark Young is to stand for North Wales PCC.

A well-known Denbighshire county councillor has announced he is to stand as an independent candidate in the May 6 election for North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner.

Mark Young, who represents Denbigh and is the council's lead member for Safer Communities, Public Protection and Domestic abuse and chairs the Safer North Wales Partnership Board.

The father of one, who owns the Denbigh Chocolate Shop, is also is chair of a youth charity and a board member of the vale of Clwyd branch of the mental health charity MIND.

Back in 2015 he hit the national headlines when he patrolled the town centre of Denbigh on three consecutive nights after a spate of burglaries and vandalism.

As a result of his campaign, the then police and crime commissioner, Winston Roddick, requested a meeting with him to discuss how they could keep Denbigh safe.

It led to the setting up of a new partnership with North Wales Police which had a positive impact in reducing crime in the town.

Cllr Young said: “After working with the present commissioner, Arfon Jones, for a number of years, it would be an immense privilege to take on this role and carry on his positive work .

“As an independent police and crime commissioner, I would be able to serve the people unlike other candidates who would have to serve their political masters in Cardiff or Westminster – or both.

“I am the candidate who can keep the political parties out of running North Wales Police.

“Rather than being subservient to vested political interests, I will always put the people of North Wales first.”

His manifesto pledges include: 

• Continue combating county lines drugs gangs, modern slavery and child exploitation whilst effectively working with neighbouring Police Forces in England and Wales

• Fighting cybercrime/fraud as a priority to support and keep children safe online – this will be more successful if we adopt a National approach

• Fully supporting visible community policing and being a visible and approachable police and crime commissioner

• Visiting and engaging with police officers of all levels and ranks to ensure North Wales Police is an effective and efficient force as well as appreciated

• Working with key partners to provide support for vulnerable people with mental health issues – Whilst appreciating the positive ongoing work in this area, I would like to see more resources and a long term commitment in place

• Committing to supporting and looking after the wellbeing of North Wales Police staff and ensuring that they feel valued especially with the increased challenging workload during covid-19

• Ensuring that victims of crime are fully supported and empowered to “speak up” and feel that justice has been delivered for them

• Encouraging improved equality and diversity in North Wales Police as it should reflect the community it wishes to serve

• Setting up and Chairing a North Wales Youth Engagement Group to give young people a voice and understand their concerns and views

• Trial Electric E bikes as a resource for officers allowing them to get to places which are difficult to get to in patrol cars. This will allow targeting of rural crime and at the same time offering more engagement with local communities.

Cllr Young added: “I have the knowledge, the understanding, the energy and the determination to be the next police and crime commissioner.

“I absolutely understand the role which is to support and professionally challenge when needed to get the best outcome for our communities.

“I will scrutinise the work of the force and hold the Chief Constable to account to ensure that North Wales Police operates at the optimum level to keep our communities safe across North Wales."

Former mayor plants first of two community orchards

* Planting the new Pengwern orchard are, from left, Heulwen, chair of the Friends of Pengwern Committee; Cllr and Mrs Cheminais, Mayor and Mayoress of Llangollen; Emma from Denbighshire County Council's Countryside Services, Heather  from Denbighshire County Council's Community Housing Greenspace Development; Cllr Jon Haddy.

Llangollen's immediate past mayor, Cllr Jon Haddy, has used part of his Mayor's Charity Fund to finance the creation of two community orchards in Pengwern Park and the new Wenffrwd Pocket Park. 

The intention is that once the trees crop the apples are picked and used by the people who use both parks.

He has sourced a selection of 10 Welsh heritage varieties of apple trees to be planted at each site and the Pengwern Park orchard was planted yesterday (Monday).

The current Mayor and Mayoress of Llangollen, Cllr Austin and Mrs Jane Cheminais, cut the first sod.

Railway's plight features on BBC Radio Wales

If it can put together a compelling enough case for external help with its current financial plight, its “very likely” that Llangollen Railway could be running again later this year.

That was the positive message from railway Trust chairman Peter Edwards when he was interviewed on BBC Radio Wales yesterday morning.

As llanblogger has been reporting, on March 1 the board of Llangollen Railway PLC asked its bank to call in receivers after it became insolvent to the tune of about £350,000 and could not legally continue trading.

A firm of liquidators was called in which immediately began the process of selling off the assets of the world-famous heritage attraction.

However, the railway's Trust, which is quite separate from the PLC and completely solvent, immediately declared its intention of taking over the running of the line and buying up as many of the assets as it could afford.

This rescue plan is dependent upon grants from outside bodies, such as Denbighshire County Council or the Welsh Government, and also the amount raised by a public appeal which yesterday stood at a healthy £43,000-plus.

In his radio interview with reporter Rob Thomas the Trust board’s new chairman Peter Edwards explained that the receivership had resulted from the PLC losing a “significant” amount of money over the past three years, with closure of the line due to Covid-19 coming as “the final straw”.

Liabilities, he said, were in excess of £250,000 but the Trust board was putting together a proposal to re-focus the railway’s vision and put it into a position where it could ask for financial assistance from external sources.

Asked by the reporter if the railway was likely to be carrying passengers again this year, Mr Edwards said: “Depending on us being able to put together a compelling enough proposal, later on this year it is very likely we will be running trains.”

It has been estimated that Llangollen Railway contributes as much as £8m to the wider tourism economy.

And Chris Frost, chair of North Wales Tourism, said the whole of the town’s economy – it’s shops, restaurants and other businesses - relies upon it.

He added: “It is imperative that strategic partners come together and find the funding to keep Llangollen Railway on track.”

The railway has around 200 volunteers and Aled Rhys, who gives his time as an unpaid signalman, told the interviewer that when they heard about the line’s financial crisis many of the volunteers were in tears.

But he added: “We have faith in the Trust board and we’re sure they will turn things around.”

·     * You can listen to the BBC Radio Wales sequence on: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000tchp

"Fantastic" response reported to railway's rescue appeal

The public appeal to shunt Llangollen Railway out of its deep financial trouble has shown a big upsurge in support.

On March 1 the board of Llangollen Railway PLC asked its bank to call in receivers after it became insolvent to the tune of about £350,000 and could not legally continue trading.

A firm of liquidators was called in which immediately began the process of selling off the assets of the world-famous heritage attraction.

However, the railway's Trust, which is quite separate from the PLC and completely solvent, declared its intention of taking over the running of the line and buying up as many of the assets as it could afford.

Since the crisis was revealed at the start of the month scores of people have been contributing to a public appeal which had raised £10,000 in a matter of days.

The railway's still-active Facebook page posted an update on donations yesterday and describes the public response as "fantastic".

It says: "Fantastic to see our appeal to raise funds for the LR Trust's efforts to rescue the railway topped £40K this morning with nearly 1,000 donations. 

"Thank you to everyone for their fantastic support but let's keep going! https://llangollenrailway.enthuse.com/cf/covid-19-appeal

The donations button figure at 1.15pm on Saturday was almost £41,000, which was up from £24,000 in early March with pledges of financial support still coming in.

llanblogger reader spots singing star sailing the canal

* Michael Ball gives the thumbs-up to Phil Meyer as he glides by on the canal.

Sharp-eyed llanblogger reader Phil Meyers snapped this picture of singing star Michael Ball aboard a narrow boat heading along the Llangollen Canal yesterday (Friday) afternoon.

Giving Phil the thumbs-up, he told him he was on his way to film for a TV show at the world famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.

Michael made his debut at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod - where Phil has been a long-standing volunteer - back in 2004.