MP receives update on railway's financial situation

* Simon Baynes MP, left, and Bob Creasey at Llangollen Railway.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes has visited Llangollen Railway where he had an update on its financial crisis.

As llanblogger has been reporting, on March 1 the board of the railway’s public limited company (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 with the aim of selling off the assets of the world-famous heritage attraction.

The Trust board, which remains completely solvent, has declared its intentions of buying as many of the railway's assets as possible and has already raised over £50,000 from a public appeal. https://llangollenrailway.enthuse.com/profile

Mr Baynes received an update on the situation from Bob Creasey, secretary of Llangollen Railway PLC and am board member.

He said afterwards: “I am very sorry that Llangollen Railway PLC has 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."

He added: "I fully back the efforts of the Llangollen Railway Trust team to refocus the Trust as an outward-looking organisation centred on delivery of a high-quality visitor experience, and I fully support their fundraising efforts to secure the long-term future of our much loved Llangollen Railway.”

* If you would like to make a donation, please visit: https://llangollenrailway.enthuse.com/.

Anyone wishing to contact the Railway, please do so by email at trustllanrail@gmail.com and details will be passed on as appropriate.

Couple's special way to say thanks to hospice

* The crew of Lancaster DV180 who will be commemorated on the balloon.

A couple are putting their weight behind Nightingale House’s latest fundraiser as a thank you for the support they get from staff at the hospice.

Roger and Jen Cotter, from Llay, are the latest sponsors of the 2021 Build A Balloon Campaign – a unique initiative to build a hot air balloon to raise vital funds for those with life-limiting illnesses accessing Nightingale House’s Day and In-patient services.

Jen has Multiple Myeloma and has regular appointments at the hospice on Chester Road, together with Roger who is able to access the family support service. 

The pair have opted for very different balloon panels as a way of saying thank you to the hospice team for the support and care they receive.

Roger’s balloon panel is an image of the crew of the Lancaster DV180 that crashed over Berlin during WW2.

Jen’s father-in-law was brought up in Liverpool by the mother of one of the aircrew, W.H.Clarke. The photo was found in his belonging’s years later. 

The crew members are already commemorated on the side of Sally B’s Roll of Honour, the B17 Flying Fortress in Duxford, where it is maintained and flown as a memorial to the 79,000 Allied airmen who lost their lives in Europe during the Second World War. 

He felt it was fitting to keep their memory flying high and decided on putting their picture on the hot air balloon and “give them wings.” 

Roger said: “These young men went through 20 missions together. I thought it important they are remembered as young men with faces and attitude and not simply as names alphabetically listed on a war memorial. I felt it was fitting that when the Nightingale House hot air balloon takes flight that these young men will reach for the skies once more.”

Hi wife Jen, who was recovering from major surgery for cancer when she was diagnosed with Myeloma, chose to sponsor a panel as a gift to her friend depicting an image of her friend’s great grandchildren.  

She believes the comfort and support she has found at the hospice has got her through challenging months and wanted to say thank you by supporting Build-A-Balloon.

She said: “Nightingale House is a community within a community. I don’t know where we would have been without the care we have both received from the hospice in recent times. Kay in Day Care Services has been an absolute rock to us during very difficult times.” 

The couple have been able to access numerous services on offer at the hospice whilst Jen has been undergoing treatment at the Shooting Star Unit at the Maelor Hospital such as mindfulness and art courses, all of which are provided free of charge thanks to the kindness of so many fundraisers and donors who support events and campaigns like Build-A-Balloon. 

Sarah Povey, Fundraiser at Nightingale House, said the charity was overwhelmed with the positive support the Build-A-Balloon campaign had received. 

She said: “To know when we look up and see the Nightingale House balloon floating over that we, as a communitycame together to create this magnificent spectacle is incredible. 

"It will be a wonderful feeling. Not only will it represent our supporters and our corporate partners but also Nightingale House and the difference we, all together, have made to those with life limiting illness in Wrexham and the surrounding area just like Jen and Roger.” 

* To sponsor a panel on our unique hot air balloon that will fly in summer 2021 then go to www.nightingalehouse.co.uk/event/build-a-balloon/ before the closing date of 30 April.

Vaccination update from the health centre

Llangollen Health Centre has this afternoon (Monday) issued its latest vaccination update, which says:

Groups 1 – 9: We are holding a mop-up clinic on Thursday 15th April for anyone in groups 1 – 9 who has not yet been vaccinated – that is anyone aged 50 and over, anyone on the shielding list or anyone who is eligible as part of group 6 (see link below). If you fall into one of these groups and would like to book an appointment please ring us on 01978 860625.

Astra Zeneca second doses: We are holding clinics for second doses every Thursday and are contacting patients one to two weeks in advance of their second dose being due. If you are concerned that we have missed you please contact us on 01978 860625.

Pfizer second doses: If you had the Pfizer vaccine with us between 5 - 7 February you will be due your second dose between 23 – 25 April. Your second dose appointment time is on the vaccine record card that you were given at your first dose appointment. It is very important that you attend the appointment for your second dose at the time stated as there are no plans for us to receive a further supply of Pfizer vaccine.

Group 10 (rest of the adult population): We are waiting to hear from the Health Board regarding vaccine supply for this group and will post an update as soon as we have one.

https://phw.nhs.wales/.../eligibility-for-the-vaccine/ 

High-level view of the new pocket park from Panorama

* The new pocket park on the A539 now nearing completion. Picture by Mike Edwards.

The Llangollen man interested in a weekly run to be based at the pocket park now being built close to the old refuse tip on the A539 approach to the town has sent in this picture of the development, now nearing completion.

Mike Edwards said: "I took this photograph from the top of the Panorama which shows the progress of works being carried out on behalf of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) team at Denbighshire County Council led by their manager David Shiel to create the pocket park and multi-use path linking it to Llangollen Health Centre and the town centre.

"The GP practice at the health centre are registered as a Park Run Practice to enable them to encourage patients in suitable circumstances to enhance their health and wellbeing and take exercise or volunteer and become part of the Park Run Community.

"Park Run is a global concept as people may already know and there are currently 730 Park Runs in the UK. 

"Park Runs are free weekly community events which take place every Saturday using a 5k route which people can walk, jog or run, but also volunteer to marshal the course etc and assist those taking part. For more information see www.parkrun.org.uk. 

"We have also set up a facebook group Llangollen 5k Run that people can join to learn more(it will not be called Llangollen Park Run until it is formally launched)."

Mr Edwards added: "Locally, working with Dr Michael Clarke from the health centre and Jenny Coppock of InfiniteTee, a Llangollen-based company, we set up a core group some time ago to establish a Llangollen Park Run. 

"Obviously matters have been delayed due to the pandemic lockdowns, but with work now progressing well on the pocket park and multi-use trail we are now looking forward to setting up our run.

"Park Run Wales - there are actually 29 park rRuns in Wales already - have appointed an ambassador to assist and mentor the core group in setting up our local park run and we have been having constructive discussions with David Shiel and his team with a view to our run being launched as soon as events are cleared to operate in Wales under COVID 19 restrictions and work is completed on the pocket park and multi-use path later this year."

Three sets of local roadworks planned

Local roadworks notified by one.network are:

Berwyn Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 12 April — 15 April   Delays likely - Traffic control (multi-way signals)   Works location: O/S 8 BERYWN STREET (REGENT STREET)   Works description: ALTER AN EXISTING SERVICE 3M PRIVATE   Responsibility for works: Wales & West Utilities Ltd   Current status: Planned work about to start   Works reference: XY254004000167429/PTS1 Castle Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 12 April — 15 April   Delays likely - Traffic control (multi-way signals)   Works location: O/S 8 BERYWN STREET (REGENT STREET)   Works description: ALTER AN EXISTING SERVICE 3M PRIVATE   Responsibility for works: Wales & West Utilities Ltd   Current status: Planned work about to start   Works reference: XY254004000167429/PTS2   Regent Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 12 April — 15 April   Delays likely - Traffic control (multi-way signals)   Works location: O/S 8 BERYWN STREET (REGENT STREET)   Works description: ALTER AN EXISTING SERVICE 3M PRIVATE   Responsibility for works: Wales & West Utilities Ltd   Current status: Planned work about to start   Works reference: XY254004000167429

Church bell will toll 99 times for Prince Philip

* St Collen's flag is being flown at half-mast.

A bell will be tolled 99 times, half-muffled at midday today (Saturday) at St Collen's Church to mark the death of HRH Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh. 

The Union flag will fly at half mast from the church tower until the day after the funeral.

The death at the age of 99 of the Queen's husband was announced yesterday and tributes to his life have been pouring in from across the world.

Buckingham Palace has announced that Prince Philip’s ceremonial royal funeral will take place on April 17 in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, and a national minute’s silence will be observed as it begins at 3pm.

* Flags in Centenary Square are also at half-mast in honour of Prince Philip.

Candidates line up for two key elections

* The Senedd chamber in Cardiff Bay.

The 2021 Senedd election will be held on Thursday May 6 to elect 60 members to the Senedd Cymru – the Welsh Parliament. 

It will be the sixth general election since the Senedd was established in 1999.

Also being held the same day is the election for North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner.

Due to Covid-19 precations polling stations will have plastic screens and hand sanitiser.

People are being asked to take their own pen or pencil to fill in ballots. Those who might be vulnerable to coronavirus or are otherwise concerned can apply for a postal vote.

Proxy votes (where you nominate someone else to cast your vote) are available. Emergency proxy votes will be available on the day up until 17:00 BST if voters need to isolate.

Counting will start the next day - not overnight, because of the pandemic.

In constituencies, the candidate with the most votes wins. Regional seats are picked using a system which aims to elect MSs according to how many votes their party picked up in that region.

Once the results are in there is the question of who runs the next government.

If a party wins more than 30 seats, it will be able to form a government without help from the opposition.

If it does not win more than 30 seats, the largest party may try to govern anyway. But it might need help from others - either through occasional deals or a more formal arrangement, known as a coalition.

From this year, anyone over the age of 16 can vote, as well as an estimated 33,000 foreign nationals who did not previously have the vote.

Voters must be living in Wales and registered to vote. They can be a British, Irish or Commonwealth national, an EU citizen or a foreign national permitted to be in the UK.

They can register to vote online, and must have done so by April 19.

Candidates for the Clwyd South Senedd seat, currently held by Welsh Labour's Ken Skates and which covers Llangollen, are: 

Jeanette Bassford-Barton - UKIP Scrap the Assembly (Senedd)

Jeanette Barton spent her childhood years in Gresford and had lived in Bwlchgwyn for the past 15 years. She is a post graduate with degrees in International Transport and Counselling Psychology.

She is a highly experienced Consultant Manager in Logistics, Transportation, Construction, Psychological Services and Social Care and has worked in partnership with NHS as a Counselling Psychologist.

She has been a member of UKIP since 2015 and has served as the Secretary and Treasurer of Wrexham & Clwyd South since 2016 and Secretary and Treasurer of Wrexham, Clwyd South, Alyn & Deeside and Delyn since 2020. PIC ON FILE

Leena Farhat - Welsh Liberal Democrat

Leena Farhat studied at Aberystwyth University and is now working on a masters at Bangor University while working for Technocamps based in Glyndwr University. 

Working in STEM outreach, she teaches bilingually children in schools across Wrexham and Flintshire. 

She says this has renewed her passion in education and delivering for young people across North Wales. 

She is also a keen scientist and current Engineering Leadership Scholar at the Royal Academy of Engineering. 

She is the youngest trustee of the Institute of Welsh Affairs as well as a lover of culture and languages. She says she is a proud internationalist and aims to create a strong Wales that works for everyone.

Llyr Gruffydd - Plaid Cymru

Mr Gruffyd has represented the North Wales region in the Senedd since 2011.

Before his election he was the National Trust’s consultancy manager for north east Wales, an area that includes Erddig and Chirk Castle.

He has a record of campaigning, including the fight against the Dee Valley Water buy-out and to retain bank services in Corwen, Llangollen and Ruabon.

He has also supported local communities in raising concerns about pollution issues at Kronospan and the the Hafod landfill tip.

Having felt for a long time that the north of Wales doesn’t get its fair share of investment and jobs, he set up and chaired the Senedd’s Cross Party Group for North Wales. He has also chaired the Senedd's Finance Committee.

Jonathon Harrington - Abolish the Welsh Assembly Party

No details available.

Barbara Hughes - Welsh Conservative

Barbara Hughes was born and bred in Corwen and runs a 220-acre dairy farm with her husband Derek as well as pick your own pumpkin and strawberry ventures..

She is a former national vice-chairman for the Women’s Farming Union (WFU) and served as dairy chairman.

She was also the first lady chairman of Wrexham National Farmers Union (NFU) and won the NFU Cymru wales Woman Farmer of the Year in 2011.

A mentor for the Welsh Government Farming Connect programme,shre says she is passionate about improving communication and connectivity.

In her spare time she enjoys reading, swimming and equestrian sports. She is married with three children and five grandchildren.

Mandy Jones - Reform UK

Originally from Wolverhampton she came to north Wales in 1986 and attended Llysfasi Agricultural College studying agriculture and then small animal husbandry. 

A resident of Corwen, she has four grown up children. She has worked in a chip shop, a bakery, and has run her own micro business making designer dog coats and doing corporate and company branding. She has been a shepherdess, a tractor driver and a meter reader for G4S.

Ms Jones joined UKIP in 2014, having been attracted by its policies. She was a candidate for Clwyd South in the general election of 2015, and in the Assembly Elections 2016. 

She was also a list candidate and an active campaigner for the referendum in June 2016.  She was returned as a Regional Assembly Member in December 2018 on the resignation of Nathan Gill.

Ken Skates - Welsh Labour 

Ken Skates has represented Clwyd South in the Welsh Parliament since 2011.

He worked as a journalist after leaving university and before being elected worked for Alyn and Deeside MP Mark Tami.

He says he got into politics largely because of his experience of growing up in the 80s and 90s and having a very strong feeling that too many young people ended up having their future prescribed – their destiny set for them – based on where they came from rather than how much hard work they put in.

He currently serves in the cabinet as Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales.

He says that, if re-elected, he will continue to “put Clwyd South first, stand up for and champion our area”.

PCC election

* Candidates for the election for North Wales Police Commissioner, also to be held on Thursday May 6, are:

Conservative	Pat Astbury
Labour	Andy Dunbobbin
Plaid Cymru	Ann Griffith
Independent	Mark Young