Update on yesterday's mountain fire in Rhewl

* The gorse fire at its height yesterday afternoon. Picture: Philip Hatcher-Moore. 

One appliance and one wild fire unit are still in attendance at the mountain fire in Rhewl this morning. 

Firefighters are damping down hotspots on the mountain. 

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service received a call at 1.13pm yesterday (Tuesday 1^st June) reporting the fire.

Fire crews worked with colleagues from Natural Resources Wales, Denbighshire Wardens from Denbighshire County Council, North Wales Police and the 4 x 4 volunteer group to bring the incident under control. 

A helicopter attended and dropped water on the incident to help extinguish the fire. The fire was under control around 9pm last night.

Approximately 1km square of gorse, undergrowth and forestry was affected and the cause of the fire is believed to be accidental. 

Paul Jenkinson, Senior Operations Manager, said: “Please continue to avoid this area whilst crews are dealing with the incident. We will have a number of vehicles in the area again today and we are asking the public to assist us by staying away from this area until the incident is over. 

“This incident highlights the importance of partnership working with our colleagues from the other agencies to be able to bring it under control quickly and safely. Our crews worked extremely hard on the mountain yesterday in very hot conditions and I would like to thank everyone who assisted with this incident.”

Trading Standards Wales issues census text scam warning

Trading Standards Wales has been made aware of a text message scam in relation to the national Census. 

Recipients are told that there is information missing from their completed Census and asked to click on a link to complete their form or face prosecution. 

By clicking the link they are directed to a site which appears identical to the original online census form, on completing the form and submitting the recipient is asked to pay a £1.25 fee. 

Helen Picton, Chair of Trading Standards Wales, said: “Scam calls and texts to mobile phones are a serious problem, there is no mobile phone equivalent to a landline call blocker to stop them coming through. 

“Some of these messages are very convincing. Remember, that no government agency would send you a notification demanding money via text or via automated telephone message. 

“If a company sends you a link via text message to click on, ignore it. If you are unsure because you have an account with that company, contact them directly and don't use the link provided.” 

There are some things you can do to cut down the numbers of scam calls and texts: 

1. Most mobile phones have settings to block numbers. Search the internet for "blocking numbers on my (brand) mobile more advice on your phone" or there is usually advice on your mobile phone providers website
2. You can register with the Telephone preference service 
3. Report these texts to National cyber security centre – 7726
4. https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/suspicious-email-actions
5. Contact Census 2021 Contact Centre by Ringing 0800 141 2021 for England and 0800 169 2021 for Wales.

Firefighters tackle mountain blaze near Llangollen

UPDATED WITH MORE PICTURES ....

* A llanblogger reader has sent in these picture of the fire burning up the mountainside.

* This dramatic picture from another llanblogger reader, photographer 

Philip Hatcher-Moore, 

was taken from Moel y Gaer above Rhewl.

The fire has crossed the peak and was heading down towards the other side. 

* Smoke from the mountain fire is visible from the town.

Firefighters are currently in attendance at a mountain fire near Llangollen. 

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said crews from Ruthin, Denbigh and Corwen are currently tackling a blaze in Rhewl, near to Llangollen. 

* For the full story, see: https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/19342195.crews-battle-mountain-fire-near-llangollen/?fbclid=IwAR0e0plbhLCjRHO5_BE_0wm5Re6GueqmP1xCC9c_lL84hN7BBiE3gT8wyjI

In an update, North Wales Fire & Rescue Service say: "Machines from Ruthin, Denbigh, Corwen, Abergele, Johnstown and Wrexham are currently dealing with an event in Rhewl, Llangollen.

"Call received at 1.13 pm this afternoon (1st June)

"Firefighters are currently using curators and pipes at the event which is currently including gorse, undergrowth and forestry.

"Everyone is asked to avoid this area while the crews deal with the event - if you're out walking do not walk through the smoke.

"Fire crews are working with colleagues from Natural Resources Wales to bring the controlled event."

Latest update from the fire service ...

Gorse fire in Rhewl near Llangollen – update 6.00pm

Appliances from Ruthin, Johnstown, Wrexham, Rhyl, Bala and Buckley, narrow access vehicles from Llanrwst, Llangollen and Denbigh, two wild fire vehicles from Abergele and one from Corwen are in attendance at a fire in Rhewl, Llangollen.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service received a call at 1.13pm today (Tuesday 1st June) reporting the fire.

Firefighters are currently using beaters and hose reels at the incident which currently involves gorse, undergrowth and forestry.

Fire crews are working with colleagues from Natural Resources Wales, Denbighshire Wardens from Denbighshire County Council, North Wales Police and the 4 x 4 volunteer group to bring the incident under control.

A helicopter will be attending the incident shortly and will be carrying water from the Llandegla reservoir to help extinguish the fire.

Please avoid this area whilst crews are dealing with the incident – if you are out walking do not walk through the smoke.

If you can smell smoke please close your windows and doors.

Chainbridge owner calls for June 21 re-opening to go ahead as planned

* The Chainbridge Hotel on the River Dee.

The owner of a world-famous Llangollen hotel has made a heartfelt plea for the government to go ahead with lifting all Covid-19 restrictions later this month. 

There has been some doubt about whether this will happen due to a surge in cases due to the Indian variant of coronavirus. 

In a series tweets in the early hours of this morning Seamus O’Keeffe said: “It’s nine years today since we took on the Chainbridge Hotel and the last nine days have been the hardest of that whole period. Operationally, emotionally and physically. 

“Hospitality businesses across the country are operating at full capacity but with one hand tied behind their backs. 

“The restrictions we have to follow slow down service, reduce capacity, make systems more complex and make it all harder to be a success. 

“This impacts the guest, and their enjoyment, which is our most important consideration. They must remove the restrictions as planned on 21st!” 

Taken over by Mr O’Keeffe and his family in 2012, the Chainbridge is an independent, family-owned and run hotel on the River Dee in Llangollen. 

It has 33 rooms, character bars, riverside restaurant, wonderful staff, stunning views.

Police witness appeal after motorcyclist dies

Police have made an appeal for witnesses after a motorcyclist died following a road traffic collision yesterday (Monday) afternoon.

Emergency services attended a fatal road traffic accident collision on the A494 between Llanuwchllyn and Rhydymain, Dolgellau, at around 3.15pm. 

The collision happened on the Bala side of a property called Hywel Dda.

According to North Wales Police, a motorbike and a VW Golf collided and the motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The front seat passenger of the Golf was airlifted to Aintree hospital with serious injuries and the driver of the Golf received minor injuries. 

Sergeant Jason Diamond of the Roads Policing Unit is appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

He said: “I am appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision, or who was travelling along the A494 in this area at around 15.15 who may have dashcam footage to please contact us.”

* Anyone with any information can contact police via webchat or by calling 101 quoting ref Z076329.

The road was closed whilst the vehicles were recovered.

Residents invited to help shape council’s future plans

Denbighshire County Council is beginning to work on developing a new Corporate Plan, and would like residents to get involved and have their say.

The council has to produce a new plan every five years to help all of its services to work together, to achieve specific goals that will help to make Denbighshire a better place to live, work and visit.

The current Corporate Plan started in 2017 following a consultation exercise called County Conversation and will finish in 2022.

From the consultation, residents and the council identified priorities for Housing, Young People, Connected Communities, Resilient Communities and the Environment.

The council is now keen to continue the County Conversation and ask residents what the priorities should be for the next five years.

Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets, said: “It is vitally important residents take this chance to have their say on shaping the Corporate Plan and the priorities during the next five years.

“We had fantastic feedback for our last Corporate Plan and we want to continue that success to find out what's most important to you and help us to make sure we focus on the right areas.

“This is a great chance to have your voice heard, engage with us and help us continue to make Denbighshire a better place to live, work and visit.”

To help with this, the council is launching a survey and running some online focus groups.

The Continuing the County Conversation survey will be live online from May 24 to July 31 2021, with paper copies being distributed to home library service users or available to collect and return from libraries from June 1 to July 31, 2021.

The online focus groups will be hosted on Microsoft Teams in June and July.

To take part and have your say, please visit https://countyconversation.denbighshire.gov.uk/project/596 to complete the online survey and/or sign up for the online focus groups.

Cllr Graham Timms gives update on 2020 project

County Councillor Graham Timms.

Llangollen county councillor Graham Timms gives his latest update to llanbogger readers on the 2020 plan which aims to transform the town centre. Cllr Timms chairs the 2020 Group which is in charge of the project:

"The plans for the new town centre are almost complete and a Denbighshire County Council consultation will take place over a three week period starting in June. 

"The consultation will give everyone the chance to see the proposals in detail and to submit their comments, both in person or online. 

"Denbighshire officers want to provide the opportunity for as many as possible to participate to share their views. 

"Initially Denbighshire intended to tarmac Castle Street at a cost of £500,000, but residents have consistently identified traffic and parking as their number one problem in Llangollen.

"Melvyn Mile [Llangollen's other county councillor] and I were both elected in 2017 having said that tackling these two issues were a priority to us. 

"The Llangollen 2020 group was set up in late 2017 and included both county councillors, two town councillors and two members of the Llangollen Chamber of Trade. Its task was to establish possible solutions and explore where any extra money needed would come from. 

 

"The most important consideration in making such big decisions has been to give everyone the opportunity to take part in discussions and offer their opinions and suggestions.

"This is why a professional consultation was carried out by urban planning consultants from Arcadis Consulting.  Denbighshire's plans will seem very familiar to those who have been following updates as they closely follow the proposals made by Arcadis in 2019.

 

"The new design for the town centre proposed by Arcadis had a price tag of between £1.5 - £2 million. However, since Denbighshire only had £0.5 million there was clearly a huge uphill struggle to find the money needed. 

"We have spent the last two years exploring every possible source of money to help to finance the final plan. This work has been driven forward by the Llangollen 2020 group, with much of the legwork engaging potential donors led by Robyn Lovelock [a town councillor] on a voluntary basis.

 

"As a result of this work, a complex financial package of £1.8million has been granted over the past two months that will enable the town centre regeneration to go ahead, with construction planned to start in the autumn. 

"This means the town has secured nearly four times the proposed initial investment in Llangollen and represents Denbighshire's biggest investment in our town for generations. 

 

"The plans will see the current brick pavements replaced not by concrete or tarmac, but by Yorkshire stone giving the town a long lasting quality feel. 

"The pavements will be edged with slate from our local Berwyn Slate Quarry on the Horseshoe Pass. Although these materials are much more expensive in the short term, they will last for a very long time and prove to be cheaper over their whole life. Importantly, local in line with Denbighshire's climate change policy

 

"Raised crossing points along Castle Street will make the town safer and much more pedestrian friendly, encouraging local residents who have been put off from visiting the town centre by its often hostile environment for the least mobile.

 

"Wider pavements will create more space for shoppers and visitors which will encourage people to stay longer and spend more in the town.

 

"We want more trees and plants in the centre of the town. Denbighshire are committed to planting huge numbers of trees in the next few years and their Tree Officer loves trees! 

"The controversy over the town hall tree is not in the hands of the Llangollen 2020 group, but the tree is certain to remain in its current place if it is healthy. 

"The tree is old, but it will stay unless the experts deem it to have come to an unhealthy or unsafe end to its natural life. Difficult decisions for a much loved tree! 

"If this is the case then an opportunity to plant one or two mature trees in that area could be taken, subject to Llangollen Town Council's decision as they own the land outside the town hall. 

"More widely, town and county councillors are looking at ways to improve biodiversity and green infrastructure across the town. Cittaslow has been looking at this and the AONB [Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty] is also on the case. 

"We hope that you will get involved in this final consultation so that together we can continue to influence the future of our town. 

"Consultations will be held online and in person in a way that respects Covid regulations. 

"As soon as final details are available we will be widely publicising how you can take part and we would appreciate your help letting people who are not online know that this opportunity is coming up."