The mobile Covid-19 testing unit (MTU) is now back on the Market Street car park in Llangollen.
According to the Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board website, the walk-in and drive-in centre is open from 9.30am-3.30pm seven days a week with no appointment needed.
* WI members are briefed on the Coppafeel breast cancer campaign in 2019.
* Above and below: Outdoor activities Valley Girls members have enjoyed.
Since its formation its members have taken part in a wide range of activities, from fundraising for good causes to archery and canoeing.
The statement it has issued says: "This is official notice of us suspending ourselves as a WI.
"This decision was made at an online meeting held on Thursday 26th March.
"We have tried to contact all current members as well as past members, attendees and supporters of Valley Girls WI with this news.
"But for any we have missed off the email list we would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your involvement, attendance and support you have given the WI at various times in our seven year history.
"The term suspend is used because we now have a three year window in which we could either reform ourselves or a new group or individuals could come forward to restart/reform this WI.
"If anybody is interested in
taking the WI forward either to reform Valley Girls WI or make a new one for
this area then please contact us here and we can put you in touch with a WI
Advisor for this area.
"We would also be happy to share any information and offer support to any individuals or a new team who want to take this on."
Here is the latest column for Denbighshire Citizens Advice:
Q: My energy bill really shot up last month. I don’t feel like I’ve been using any more heating or electricity than usual, so I’m worried I’m being overcharged. I’ve tried to contact my energy supplier for support, but no one ever seems to answer the phone or respond to my emails. I’ve waited on hold for nearly an hour several times before giving up. What should I do?
A: It’s normal for your energy bills to change depending on the time of year and how much gas and electricity you’re using. But if your bills seem strangely high, then it’s important to investigate why.
Firstly, check your meter is working properly and your usage has definitely not gone up, even accidently. Also check what heaters you have and whether you’re using them correctly. Night storage radiators and immersion heaters in particular can cause very high bills if used incorrectly.
There are a few things worth looking into. It could be that your bill is an estimate, in which case you need to give your supplier a new meter reading. If it’s not an estimate, check your last meter reading to see if it matches the one on your bill. If you still don’t have an answer, your supplier might have raised their prices. In any case, you’re doing the right thing to contact them.
Customer service varies between suppliers and unfortunately we hear of many bad experiences similar to yours. We also know the problem has worsened during the pandemic. If you’re struggling to get through to them, you could make a formal complaint. We offer advice on how to do this and things to consider first.
We publish a comparison table every three months which rates suppliers’ customer service, based on things like telephone wait time, email response time and the accuracy of their bills. Have a look for yours to see how they fare against others. If they’re low on the list, consider switching to a different one.
* If you’d like to talk it through with someone, get in touch with your nearest Citizens Advice for support or contact the consumer helpline.
A pair of cycling enthusiasts are aiming to put new power into old bikes with their latest enterprise in Llangollen.
Beth Ward and Robin Hughes were on a four-month
cycling holiday through Turkey when they came up with the idea of making bikes
a more vital part of daily lives in the UK.
And they realised that this means equipping more
machines with electric power.
Back home they gave up their day-jobs to concentrate
on launching their new social enterprise company, called Drosi Bikes, in Ruthin
specialising in fitting unwanted older bikes with electric power.
Robin
used to work in the fishing industry as a marine surveyor while Beth had trained
as a product designer but for the last few years had been working in the social
enterprise/charity sector as a project manager.
They
started out in the garage at their home but are now about
to open a new, fully equipped community bike workshop in the former Fringe
theatre building in Parade Street.
Their aim is to encourage new riders to get fitter for a fraction of the cost of buying a new e-bike.
Recalling how their new venture was inspired by their foreign holiday, Beth said: "Cycling through Europe, we soon became aware of how bikes are used so much more in daily life to do things like taking the kids to school or to go shopping.
"We realised that the UK really lags behind in this respect and still sees cycling as a hobby rather than a mode of transport.
"As our holiday progressed, we became more and more convinced that we could do something to make a change."
Robin said: “After a year of planning, Drosi was launched just as the Covid pandemic hit its first peak and Wales was in its first full lockdown.
"We could see people were cycling more. They had the time, the roads were quieter and people were beginning to dust off their old bikes, which they probably hadn't used for years.
"People are beginning to learn that the great thing about e-bikes is that you can cycle further for longer. You can choose to pedal or use the motor.
"Either way, you are being more active yourself and you will be using the car less."
Drosi is a play on the Welsh word trosi, for convert, and the pair say they will carry out the e-bike conversions at an affordable price compared with off the shelf e-bikes and that all people have to do is supply the bike.
The
cost of an e-bike conversion is £860. This includes the motor, battery, fitting
and a basic service.
During
the Welsh Government’s Wales Climate Week last year a number of individuals and
organisations across the country were recognised as 'low carbon heroes' via a
panel of government representatives. This acknowledged their work to tackle
Climate Change and amongst them was Drosi Bikes.
The
pair are hoping their new Llangollen workshop will be opening in mid May.
Alongside
converting and repairing bikes they will be taking bike donations for
recycling, running volunteer activities and offering a number of donation-based
activities to support people in the local community to cycle including a DIY
workshop where people can come and use the tools and e-bike rental (full price
for people living outside the LL20 postcode).
* For more information, go to: Drosi Bikes | United Kingdom
Honda Jazz road test by Steve Rogers
For
nigh on 20 years the Honda Jazz has held the unofficial title of most practical
supermini on the planet.
Yet
even this enviable accolade has not been enough to make it the first car on the
supermini shopping list, never enjoying the sales, or adoration, of the likes
of Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa or Volkswagen Polo.
There
are a couple of theories, one that it is a bit pricey and the other that it's a
car for older folk lacking the pizzaz of a Fiesta, Seat Ibiza or Peugeot 208.
Whatever, Honda has tried to put it right with the latest fourth generation
model, jazzing up the design (excuse the pun) but here's the thing, it is even
more practical.
They
have really gone to town with sharper styling but maintaining its unique
identity, fashioning a new dashboard, using plusher materials, and making it a
tad longer so it is even more of a tardis than before.
The
first thing to notice is the terrific all round vision. Styling trends dictate
less glass, more metal but Honda has taken a different tack with a big
windscreen and a wafer thin front pillar, half as thick as before, so nothing
blocks the driver's view, and it is the same in the back with light flooding in
for passengers.
In
fact the back is probably the most interesting part of the Jazz. First up the
doors open wide, so great for parking the kids, then there is all this legroom,
cars this size should not have this much space, or head room, but Jazz does.
Then
we have the pièce de résistance, the cinema style pop up seat cushions. Why no
one has copied this is beyond me because it is simple yet so clever and great
for carrying those tall garden centre plants, you can even wheel in a
youngster's bike.
Talking
of youngsters they will like the little top pocket in the back of the front
seats which is ideal for storing a mobile phone and watching whatever it is
they watch. Storage slots are aplenty on Jazz and as well as the standard glove
box there is another on top of the dashboard.
Honestly,
just call this car Mr Practical because the back could be a model for all small
cars. There is a wide opening tailgate with low loading height taking you into
a big boot which almost turns into a mini van with the back seats folded. It
really is a outstanding space.
From
day one I have found the ride a tad hard and although Jazz has improved down
the years it can't match the likes of Peugeot 208 and Citroen C3 for comfort.
It is fine on smooth roads but disappoints on poorer surfaces. And if you want
a more dynamic drive pick a Fiesta or Ibiza.
No
complaints on performance, there is only one engine option - 1.5 litre petrol
harnessed to two electric motors so it is particularly quick to 40mph and hits
sixty in nine seconds. Driven through a CTV automatic gearbox the engine sounds
strained when pushed and because of the nature of CTV sometimes feels if it
holds on to the gear for too long but that is quickly forgotten when you see
how much it is doing to the gallon.
I
never went below 58mpg and got 70mpg on a 100 mile saunter to Manchester
airport, which is better than good. The electric motor helps a lot and the car
jumps from petrol to electric power as and when although on the open road the
engine does the majority of the work.
The
redesigned dashboard is functional and simply laid out with a nine inch
touchscreen for the technical functions and a neat panel of chunky switches for
the heating controls, just the way I like it.
I
was also impressed by the steering wheel controls which are cream enamel and
stand out for easy use. Small details mean a lot.
So
new Jazz ticks all the main boxes and I have recommended it to my son who wants
a small car with lots of room, big economy and low emissions. I would give Jazz
10 out 10 but have to knock it back to a nine because it is pricey - put a
battery pack, electric motor and automatic box on any car and the price will go
up.
The
price drawback with Jazz is one engine size fits all and when choosing a spec I
would ignore the base SE even though it has a decent amount of kit and look at
the SR but if you want to be pampered the EX is the one to go for.
Fast
facts
Honda
Jazz EX
£21,385
(starts £18,985)
1.5
litre+electric motor 107bhp
0-62mph
9.5secs; 108mph
61.4mpg
combined
83g/km.
1st VED £110
Insurance
group 20
Boot 304 - 1205 litres
* The Market Street car park where there will be a free short-stay parking for residents.
Denbighshire County Council is to provide free short-stay parking for local residents in the Market Street car park.
The move was agreed on Thursday and came as the result of a request from the area's two county councillors, Graham Timms and Melvyn Mile.
They have been asking for the concession since last year when 12 on-street parking places on Castle Street were removed to provide extra space for social distancing and active travel in the centre of the town.
In a joint statement they say: "We are delighted that Denbighshire have agreed to our request for free parking places in the Market Street car park for local shoppers.
"We heard on Thursday that around a dozen free places would be provided for short-stay parking for local shoppers in the central Market Street car park.
"This is great news for local pop- and-shop residents who live on the outskirts of the town and the local traders whose customers will find it easier to support them.
In the crisp, blue sky a lone balloon appeared over Llangollen early this morning and llanblogger followed its progress.
The black, blue and green inflatable carrying a basketful of passengers was first visible above the Bridge End and then slowly made its way eastwards along the line of the canal.
It eventually began its descent and finally came to rest in a field just off the A539 road not far away from the new pocket park.
Soon afterwards its back-up vehicle arrived to pick up the passengers and the crew quickly deflated the airbag.
