MP elected vice-chair of Parliament woods and trees group

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes (pictured) has been elected a vice-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Woods and Trees.

The group meets to discuss ways in which woods and trees can be preserved, protected, expanded and the impact of climate change.

During the meeting at which Mr Baynes was elected members of the APPG also received a presentation of The Woodland Trust report entitled State of UK Woods and Trees.

Mr Baynes said: “I’m delighted to be elected vice-cChair of the APPG for Woods and Trees. 

"This is an extremely important group and places woods and trees at the forefront of the agenda, ensuring they are protected at a critical time for our environment. 

"I look forward to working with the group, to ensure that the vital role they play in safeguarding our eco-systems is recognised and that we can prevent further damage to our precious Welsh and other UK woods and trees.”

Pandemic forces eisteddfod to make staff redundancies

* Happier times - a scene from the eisteddfod parade in 2019.

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has blamed the pandemic for having to make four staff redundant.

However, as part of a restructuring exercise, two roles have been created and filled by existing staff from the team of six, with a further one due to be advertised shortly.

Due to the pandemic the 2020 eisteddfod had to be cancelled and replaced with a series of online events.

This year’s festival has also fallen victim to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis and has been postponed until next year. A similar programme of alternative events is being planned.

In a statement about the staffing cuts the eisteddfod management says: “The impact of the pandemic has been devastating for us as an organisation.

“We had no other option but to review our costs and re-structure to safeguard the future of the eisteddfod. 

“It must be emphasised that the cuts are in no way a reflection of the standard of work or dedication of our staff. It follows the financial situation that has arisen following the Covid-19 pandemic.  

“Our board have been cautious in our discussions, ensuring that we have looked at every possible source of funding to safeguard as much of the workforce as possible. 

“We have managed to maintain a core staff team to oversee key areas of work over the next year until we’re in a position to rebuild.”

In a further comment to llanblogger, they add: “The redundancy process involved the restructuring of the staff team of six. To confirm, four people have been made redundant.

“Following a consultation, two new posts were created and two of the six staff members were successful in securing these positions. A further post will be advertised next week.

“The changes reflect the current needs of the organisation in light of the reduced workload and changing circumstances.”

In an announcement back in January the eisteddfod said: “It is with deep regret that after careful consideration, we have to announce the postponement of our usual eisteddfod until 2022. 

“We are working hard to create an alternative format for 2021 involving digital and hybrid options - details will be confirmed in late spring.” 

Update given on household waste campaign

* Phil Jones is campaigning to secure access for local people to Plas Madoc tip.

The man behind the on-going campaign to provide Llangollen people with a convenient waste recycling facility has given his latest update on how it is going:

Phil Jones says: "It has been six months since Wrexham County Borough Council (WCBC) confirmed that it was in discussion with Denbighshire County Council (DCC) to negotiate an access agreement to the Plas Madoc Recycling facility for residents of the Dee Valley.

"I contacted our County Councillors recently to enquire as to the state of progress in these discussions.

"Cost information has been provided by WCBC and although it has been implied that the possible charges will put added financial pressure on DCC, the quantity of waste has not changed. 

"So if DCC is no longer processing it, then there should be cost savings to our council. 

"I trust our councillors will be able to get a thorough financial appraisal from officers to identify costs and savings associated with any possible change in service.

"I was informed that this matter will be considered at the next meeting of the Dee Valley MAG which is due to take place on May 17. 

"You may not have heard of the MAG (Member Area Groups), so here is a link to their purpose: https://www.audit.wales/publication/member-area-groups-denbighshire-county-council

"In summary these local groups of County Councillors, served by senior officers, are intended to 'provide on-going engagement and dialogue with communities at grass roots level'

"We have had a massive response to our campaign. Over 800 residents have signed the petition submitted to DCC last January, so I hope that our County Councillors will be in no doubt that access to the Plas Madoc site is THE highest priority for their electors. 

"So we will have to wait a bit longer to find out whether our County Council has listened to their rate-payers and responded effectively to our request for full-time access to a modern recycling facility. Watch this space."  

Outdoor hospitality will re-open on Monday

Outdoor hospitality will re-open on Monday with customers able to enjoy outside beer gardens, cafes and coffee houses.

Denbighshire County Council says it is working with businesses to ensure they are able to re-open safely to help customers enjoy themselves while protecting communities.

It adds that customers can also play their part by following guidance:

• There may be some queueing at premises so you will be expected to remain socially distanced from anyone not in your household.

• All premises must take your contact details for Test, Trace and Protect should they need to contact you.

• You will not be able to stand in a seating area to consume your drink.

• Please treat all staff with respect. They've missed you and want you to enjoy yourselves but abusive behaviour towards staff will not be tolerated.

•  If you use public transport or need a taxi you will need to wear a face mask. Drivers, including taxi drivers, have the right not to take you if you do not wear a mask.

• Proprietors and landlords must stick to the rules as well so if you’re concerned about any premises contact covidppadmin@denbighshire.gov.uk

Emlyn Jones, Denbighshire County Council’s Head of Planning, Public Protection and Countryside, said: "Re-opening outdoor hospitality is a major step in the easing of lockdown and businesses have been working hard to ensure they are providing a safe space for customers to enjoy themselves.

"Covid-19 hasn't gone away and we still have to take every precaution to ensure it doesn't return. We are asking customers to please do their bit so we can continue to keep levels low and help protect our communities.”

Welsh Government confirms further easing of Covid rules

* First Minister Mark Drakeford.

The Welsh Government has confirmed further relaxations will be brought forward from 17 May to 3 May – including the resumption of indoor supervised activities for children, indoor organised activities for up to 15 adults, such as exercise classes, and the re-opening of community centres.

This means Wales will have completed the move to Alert Level 3 by Monday 3 May.

First Minister Mark Drakeford has also indicated that the hospitality sector – bars, pubs, restaurants and cafes – will be able to open indoors from May 17.

From Saturday 24 April, the rule of 6 will allow for up to 6 people from 6 households to meet outdoors, not including children under 11 years of age or carers from those households.

The Welsh Government has also confirmed the relaxations that will take place on Monday 26 April. Outdoor attractions, including outdoor swimming pools, funfairs and theme parks, will be allowed to reopen, while outdoor hospitality can also resume, including at cafes, pubs and restaurants.

Organised outdoor activities for up to 30 people will be able to take place and weddings receptions can begin again outdoors for up to 30 people.

Wales has the lowest coronavirus rates of the UK nations. The successful vaccine programme continues with a higher proportion of people vaccinated in Wales than other nations of the UK for both first and second doses.

Changes from Monday 3 May:

• Gyms, leisure centres and fitness facilities being able to reopen
• People will also again be able to form extended households with one other household.

Relaxations planned for 17 May will be brought forward to the 3 May, including:

• The resumption of indoor supervised activities for children
• Indoor organised activities for up to 15 adults (such as exercise classes and swimming lessons)
• And the re-opening of community centres.

The First Minister said:

"The sacrifices we have made continue to show results. By us all working together and sticking to the rules, combined with our vaccination programme, mean we continue to make progress. Rates of the virus continue to fall and the public health situation is improving.

"Due to these efforts we are able confirm more easing of the restrictions from 26 April and for early May we are again able to bring forward some of our plans. However, this progress is dependent on all of us continuing to work together to keep Wales safe.

"At the last three-week review, I set out a forward-look of how the restrictions could continue to be lifted in the weeks ahead, if the public health situation remains stable.

"It will be for the incoming Welsh Government to confirm these arrangements at the next three-week review, which will be held on May 13 – a week after the election. It is my assessment that the hospitality sector – bars, pubs, restaurants and cafes – will be able to open indoors from May 17, together with all other tourist accommodation, indoor entertainment and attractions."

Further possible easements are subject to the public health situation remaining favourable.

Former landfill site becomes new pocket park

* The entrance to the new pocket park.

* One of the trails within the park.

* A tree-lined walkway with the nature reserve.

A former landfill site at Wenffrwd on the outskirts of Llangollen has taken on a new lease of life.

Denbighshire County Council and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) team have worked together with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and European Rural Development Fund, to create a new nature reserve - or pocket park - on the former landfill site at Wenffrwd – just outside Llangollen.

Visitors are now able to use a small car park at the nature reserve and explore the new site by following the 0.5 miles of new surfaced path which winds through a variety of habitats and offers views of the River Dee and across the valley.

Huw Rees, Countryside and Heritage Services Manager, said: “It’s hard to imagine now that this whole mound of land is the result of several decades of tipping household waste from the Llangollen area. 

"Up to 75,000 tonnes were dumped each year until it stopped receiving rubbish in the 1980s, although the transfer station was available for the local population until 2008.

“Nature has done an excellent job at reclaiming the site. The wildflower meadows provide food for pollinators and yellow meadow ants which make the anthills that you will see. The thick bramble offers safe areas for birds and mammals. 

“This is still a work in progress and in the coming year we will continue to work on creating links from this site to the canal and back to the Health Centre in Llangollen along the old railway line.  We will also be adding diversity to the site through tree planting and the creation of new wildflower areas.” 

Welsh Secretary visits businesses in Chirk

* From left, the owner of the Hand Hotel Paul Rodgers, candidate Barbara Hughes, Simon Hart MP and Simon Baynes MP at the Hand Hotel beer garden in Chirk.

While Labour's two leaders, Sir Kier Starmer and Mark Drakeford, were on the campaign trail in Llangollen this morning, Conservatives were out and about in neighbouring Chirk earlier this week.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes welcomed the Secretary of State for Wales, Simon Hart MP, to the area following the launch of the Welsh Conservative manifesto for the 2021 Senedd elections in May.

Along with the Welsh Conservative candidate for Clwyd South, Barbara Hughes, they visited a number of different businesses, including Castle Bistro where they met the owner Reza Noori, the Hand Hotel with owner Paul Rodgers, Jamie Ward’s Traditional Family Butchers, M.G. Hughes Fruit & Veg and Manford’s Little Lambs with its owner Vicki Mitchell.

Simon Hart said: “I much enjoyed meeting businesses in Chirk and hearing about how they have served the community throughout the Covid crisis. 

"I congratulate them on their hard work and wish them all the very best as we gradually come out of the pandemic.”

Simon Baynes said: “It was a great pleasure to be joined by the Secretary of State for Wales and to have the opportunity to show him some of excellent Clwyd South local businesses, many of whom have gone above and beyond during the Covid crisis to meet the needs of customers and give back to the community."