Work to ensure beauty spots' safety as stay local guidance lifted

* Horseshoe Falls in Llangollen.

Denbighshire County Council and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB have put plans in place to ensure countryside sites remain safe as travel restrictions ease.

The Welsh Government is removing the stay local guidance from today (Saturday) and work has taken place at sites across Denbighshire, including Moel Famau and Loggerheads country parks, to ensure measures are in place to keep visitors safe.

These include improvements to the car parks at Moel Famau and the upgrading of paths at Loggerheads and works at Horseshoe Falls to improve access.  

Huw Rees, Denbighshire County Council’s Countryside and Heritage Services Manager, said: “We know it has been a difficult period for residents not being able to enjoy the countryside here in Denbighshire and I would like to thank all those who have been following the exercise from home rules.

“The council and Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB have been preparing for the change in restrictions. However, it is vital visitors play their part when returning to our countryside sites.

“It is important visitors know what restrictions and guidelines are in place before travelling and to keep themselves and others safe they should avoid busy times, check ahead to see if facilities are open and where possible access quieter sites and walks during the initial period of re-opening. This will help avoid busy periods and parking issues.

“It is also important visitors respect the countryside and act responsibly during their visit and this means keeping dogs on leads and not to litter.

“We would like to reassure residents we will continue to work with North Wales Police and with partners to spread the message that cross-border travel is still restricted.”

* A list of alternative walks in the county can be found at www.clwydianrangeanddeevalleyaonb.org.uk/projects/community-miles/

"Great shame" not all hospitality will open, says industry leader

 

* Jim Jones, the chief executive of North Wales Tourism.

A tourism leader in North Wales says it’s a “great shame” that attractions and most of the hospitality industry won’t be open for Easter.

Jim Jones, the chief executive of North Wales Tourism, said that their was a real sense of frustration in businesses that had been battered as a result of the pandemic.

He accused the Welsh Government of failing to listen to the sector’s pleas for a proper roadmap to navigate the return to something near normality.

First Minister Mark Drakeford has revealed the “stay-local" rules will lift in Wales from tomorrow (Saturday) and unrestricted travel within its borders will be allowed.

It means Wales will be the first UK nation to scrap travel restrictions within country boundaries since lockdowns were re-imposed in winter.

Self-contained tourist accommodation - including many hotels and cottages - will also be able to open then.

But non-essential travel to and from other UK nations will be banned for at least two weeks.

Mr Jones said: “It’s excellent news that slowly we are on the right track as we slowly start to open up the sector across Wales but it's a great shame that many of our attractions and hospitality won't be open for Easter. 

“There is still a real and palpable sense of frustration in the sector, as it feels that the Welsh Government haven't been listening to the mood on the ground. If they had, then we would have a plan to take us forward post April. 

“It is very difficult to understand why they won't map this out, especially as the other three home nations have now done so. 

“Maybe it's a matter of pride on the First Minister’s behalf that he wants to stick to his agenda of not budging on his opinion, even though the evidence and feedback tell him otherwise.  I really don't know.

“But he needs to realise that when running a business, people need time to plan. They now have very little resource, which makes things a lot harder. 

“We at North Wales Tourism, on behalf of the sector, have consistently offered advice and guidance to Welsh Government throughout this whole pandemic. But it appears to be of no avail. 

“However, we know dates will eventually be forthcoming, based on the success of the vaccine roll out and reduction in cases.

“In the meantime, more targeted financial support is still needed for the sector to help with recovery. Be under no illusion, this is still going to be a very tough and bumpy ride for many businesses going forward.”

Subscription service launched to end period poverty

The county council, through the Welsh Government 2020/21 Period Deprivation Grant, has secured a subscription service for young people in Denbighshire where period poverty could be a barrier to their education. 

The free service, in conjunction with social enterprise Hey Girls, will run until March 2022 providing either a package of re-usable period products or a monthly delivery of eco-friendly disposable products directly to subscribers’ homes.

Those eligible must be enrolled at either a primary or secondary school in Denbighshire and it is deemed a lack of period products could be a barrier to a young person accessing education. 

Geraint Davies, Denbighshire County Council’s Head of Education, said: “I welcome this collaboration with Hey Girls which will ensure period dignity isn’t a barrier to education in Denbighshire.

“This service will allow products to be delivered to young people’s homes or at an alternative location, if the learner wishes to receive them discreetly.

“Free menstrual products have always been available in schools and they continued to be provided for those attending during the lockdown.

“Schools themselves have been sending products home to those not in school during the lockdown and during the summer of 2020 there was an additional delivery service by the TRAC team.

“This new service continues and enhances the offer to leaners here in Denbighshire.”

Celia Hodson, CEO and founder of Hey Girls, said: "Hey Girls is delighted to be expanding our work within Wales to provide period dignity to students in Denbighshire. 

“The subscription service gives pupils the choice to find the correct period products to suit their individual needs, offering a range of products that they may not have tried before, including sustainable, reusable products.

“Hey Girls is supporting Denbighshire by providing educational resources for primary and secondary aged pupils, covering periods and menstrual health, and guides on how to use period products. By encouraging open conversations about menstruation in schools, pupils can address taboos, stigma and shame in a safe space and better understand how menstrual health affects themselves and others around them."

* To check if you are eligible for the service contact DCCHG@denbighshire.gov.uk

Tourism sector can start re-opening tomorrow, says First Minister

Wales' tourism sector will be able to start re-opening from tomorrow (Saturday) as the stay-local rule is lifted, First Minister Mark Drakeford (pictured) has announced.

The rules will also be changed to enable organised outdoor activities and sports for children and under-18s to take place and up to six people from two different households to meet and exercise outdoors.

The relaxations continue the Welsh Government’s planned, step-by-step approach to relaxing the coronavirus restrictions, taking account of the highly-infectious Kent variant, which is now the dominant form of the virus in Wales.

These are the final stages of the relaxations in this three-week review cycle and they follow the successful return of primary pupils and many older secondary school and college students to face-to-face learning and the start of the phased re-opening of non-essential retail, including the opening of hairdressers and barbers.

Wales is moving out of alert level four, and now starting to move into level three. Welsh Ministers will consider further alert level three measures in the next review of the regulations.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: "These further relaxations are part of our careful and phased approach to unlocking the restrictions and enabling people and businesses to resume their activities in the safest possible way.

"We’re only able to do this because of the sacrifices everyone across Wales has made over the last few months – everything you are doing to keep your loved ones safe is also keeping Wales safe.

"The public health position remains stable; our incredible vaccination programme goes from strength to strength – we have headroom to make these changes.

"Self-contained holiday accommodation, including hotels with en-suite facilities and room service, will be able to reopen to people from the same household or support bubble.

"The stay local rule will be replaced by an interim all-Wales travel area, which will remain in place until April 12, subject to the public health situation. For the next two weeks, only those with a reasonable excuse, such as work, will be able to travel into or out of Wales." 

The current restrictions on international travel for holidays will remain in place.
Other changes include:

• Six people from two different households, excluding children under 11, will be able to meet and exercise outdoors and in private gardens;
• Organised outdoor activities and sports for children and under 18s will be able to resume;
• There will be a limited opening of outdoor areas of some historic places and gardens;
• Libraries and archives will be able to re-open.

The First Minister added: "We are taking a step-by step approach to relaxing restrictions and want to carry on being able to open up Wales.

"To do that we need everyone’s help. That means staying vigilant for signs of infection; isolating if we have symptoms and arranging to get tested.

"It also means following the basic steps to keep us all safe while we’re out and about – keeping our distance from others; not mixing indoors; avoiding crowds; washing our hands regularly and wearing face coverings."

The next review of the regulations will take place next week. Welsh Ministers will consider the following relaxations, which will come into effect from April 12, subject to the public health situation:  

• All pupils and students can return to schools, colleges and other education;
• All shops and close contact services can open;
• The interim all-Wales travel area can be lifted.

Health centre's latest vaccination update

Llangollen Health Centre has just posted a vaccination update on social media, which says:

"We are running three clinics this weekend and are busy booking patients into these clinics.  

"We have tried to contact all patients aged 55 and over and have now started on those aged 50-54 (Group 9).

"If you are aged 55 and above and you are worried that we may have missed you, please contact us on 01978 860625.

"Important information for those attending a clinic this weekend:

"If you are attending the clinic on Saturday morning in Plas Madoc, please be aware that this is Plas Madoc Leisure Centre. Please park in the Leisure Centre car park – there will be marshalls there to guide you.

"All other clinics are taking place at Llangollen Health Centre. There are no clinics in Glyn Ceiriog this weekend.

"If you are attending the Saturday clinic in Llangollen, it is important that you park in the correct car park as advised when booking. 

"The patient car park is the one near the Pharmacy, the staff car park is the one furthest away from Llangollen.  There will be marshalls there to guide you.

"*If you drive yourself to the clinic please be aware that you need to wait in your car for 15 minutes after your vaccination.  If someone else drives you or you walk, you will not have to wait*"

Extra cash made available to tackle potholes

* Potholes on the bridge after they received attention from the county council.

Housing and Local Government Minister Julie James has announced an extra £12m of funding for local authorities to fix potholes and improve roads, pavements and active travel routes across Wales.

llanblogger understands that Denbighshire's share is £476,071.

This could be welcome news in Llangollen where there have been numerous complaints about the state of the roads in and around the town centre.

llanblogger recently highlighted the growing number of deep potholes in Castle Street and as a result some of these of these received attention from the county council. 

The additional Welsh Government funding will allow local authorities to continue with planned highways maintenance works, boosting the economy and making active travel safer. 

Local authorities will also be better able to respond to the impact of recent weather events, including damage to highways caused by the recent flooding.

Llwybr Newydd, the Welsh Government’s new transport strategy, pledged a 'bold' increase in the number of people using public active travel or walking and cycling to get around. 

It  also highlighted the need to make best use of existing infrastructure through effective maintenance and management.

Local Government and Housing Minister Julie James said: "We know that during the pandemic with a quieter road network most councils have already made good use of the opportunity to undertake repairs and improvements.

“We are providing this extra funding to reflect the flood damage we have seen to highways across Wales and the ways in which we are using our local environment differently. 

“By providing this extra funding, we are enabling local authorities to continue making improvements to roads in Wales, boosting the economy and making roads safer for active travel."

Companies present Bryn Collen children with Easter egg gifts

* A Ysgol Bryn Collen pupils gives the thumbs-up to the Easter eggs.

* The consignment of Easter eggs ready for delivery.

Children at Ysgol Bryn Collen will finish for the Easter holidays this week with an extra special treat, courtesy of  the Three Eagles and Tyn Dwr Hall. 

Each child from nursery through to Year Six will be presented with an Easter egg before finishing for their two-week break.

Speaking on behalf of Three Eagles and Tyn Dwr Hall, company director Vicky Jones said: “We were delighted to donate almost 200 Easter eggs to the pupils of Bryn Collen before they finish school for Easter. 

"As a group of businesses we care passionately about our local community and recognise that some of the youngest residents have had a difficult year away from school and their friends. We hope this small gesture will bring a smile to their faces.”

Purchased from Aldi Llangollen earlier in the week, the supermarket staff were kind enough to help Vicky carry and load the eggs before they were distributed at the school.

Headreacher Lisa Howden said: “The children were thrilled to each receive an Easter egg as part of this act of kindness by the team behind Three Eagles and Tyn Dwr Hall. 

"This is the third year the team have generously donated something at Easter time to the students and we are tremendously grateful.”