MP backs campaign to ensure Stiwt can welcome back visitors

* From left: Simon Baynes MP, (back) Rhys Davies, (front) Brian Jones, Sue Jones (Head of Art and Design Technology at Ysgol y Grango), Theo Prime (Year 7 Pupil – Ysgol y Grango), Maria Handzhieva (Year 7 Pupil – Ysgol y Grango) outside the Stiwt Theatre in Rhos.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes is backing a fundraising campaign by the Stiwt Theatre in Rhos to ensure repairs are made and it is ready to welcome back visitors. 

To raise the funds necessary to repaint the auditorium and repair a leaking roof, the Stiwt has launched an initiative whereby supporters can receive a long-lasting memento – a 13.5 kilo counterweight stamped with ‘Rhos Theatre’ – when they make a minimum donation of £20 to the fundraising campaign. 

The counterweights have been previously been used in a system of ropes and pulleys backstage to hoist components such as curtains, lights, scenery, stage effects. The Stiwt has a surplus of counterweights which it is using in this fundraising campaign. 

During the visit, Mr Baynes met Stiwt Theatre Trustee, Brian Jones and General Manager, Rhys Davies, who updated him on the campaign and the latest developments at the theatre. 

They also showed him the counterweight mechanism in action on the stage at the theatre. Mr Baynes also met with representatives of Ysgol y Grango who were delivering their donation of £450 to the Stiwt’s fundraising campaign following a very successful ‘Own Clothes Day’ at the school. The school was represented by Sue Jones, Head of Art and Design Technology at Ysgol y Grango, and Year 7 pupils, Maria Handzhieva and Theo Prime. 

Brian Jones, Trustee of the Stiwt Theatre, said: “Once again the support of our community is one to be commended which is greatly appreciated by everyone involved with our Theatre. On this occasion we are very pleased to offer everyone a memento of the Theatre which they can treasure going forward and we look forward to welcoming everyone back in due course. We would also like to thank Simon for his kind contribution once again.”

Simon Baynes MP said: “It was a pleasure to visit the Stiwt again to back their novel fundraising campaign and make a personal contribution myself to receive one of their unique counterweights which now sits proudly in my office. I think this is an innovative and exemplary way of raising funds, and a wonderful opportunity for members of the local community with an interest in the theatre and the local area to claim a piece of Rhos history. And I want to wish everyone at the Stiwt the very best of luck.”

Businesses urged to apply for grant funding

Further covid-19 funding is now available for the hospitality, tourism and leisure sector.

Denbighshire County Council will help administer the Welsh Government funds for businesses impacted during Alert Level 2 restrictions.

Businesses with a turnover greater than £85,000 can apply through the Welsh Government’s Business Wales platform while those with a turnover less than £85,000 can apply through the Council.

Eligible businesses include:

• Nightclubs, late entertainment venues and ice skating rinks

• Events and conference venues

• Business unable to open indoors between May 1 and May 17 and who experienced a drop in turnover

• Hospitality trading under Alert Level 2 conditions from May 17 to June 30

• Supply chain and related business with material impact on turnover

Cllr Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of Denbighshire County Council, said: “We are again encouraging businesses to apply for the funding being made available by Welsh Government.

“It is vital businesses in the county apply for this funding to ensure they are getting all the support that is available to them which helps protect jobs and the economy in Denbighshire.”

To find out if you are eligible and to apply visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/coronavirus/erf-business-support.aspx

 

Further easing of Covid-19 regulations announced

Up to 30 people will be able to meet outdoors and large outdoor activities will be able to take place from Monday, as Wales moves to Alert Level 1, First Minister Mark Drakeford announced today (Friday).

The size of extended households can be increased to up to three households, and a further household with a single adult or single adult with caring responsibilities will also be able to join.

The move to alert level one will be phased, with outdoor events opening first. Ministers will review the public health situation again, ahead of June 21, to determine whether indoor events can restart.

The two-stage approach will enable more people to be vaccinated – and complete their two-dose course – amid growing concerns about the spread of the delta variant of the virus across the UK.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: "I want to thank everyone in Wales for everything they have done to control the spread of coronavirus and keep rates low. The emergence of the delta variant shows the pandemic is not over yet and we all need to continue to take steps to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

"The risk of infection is significantly less outdoors than it is indoors. This is why we are phasing in the changes in this three-week cycle. This will allow more people to enjoy events outdoors and take advantage of the Welsh summer, while we continue to roll out the vaccination programme to all adults.

"We will review the public health situation again in a couple of weeks to see whether we can continue to relax the restrictions and restart indoor events."

The seven-day coronavirus case rate remains very low in Wales and the positivity rate is less than 1%. Wales also has the best vaccination rates in the UK – more than 85% of the population has had one dose and 45% have completed the course.

But there is growing concern about the spread of the delta variant in many parts of the UK, especially in the North West of England.

There are currently 97 cases in Wales, including a cluster of cases in Conwy.

The first phase of the move to alert level one means that from Monday June 7:

• Up to 30 people can meet outdoors, including in private gardens, outdoor hospitality and public places. 
• Larger outdoor organised gatherings and events, such as concerts, football matches and sporting activities, like organised running groups can go ahead for up to 4,000 people standing and 10,000 people seated. All organisers planning events and activities must undertake a full risk assessment and put in place measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus, including social distancing.

The Welsh Government will consider further changes to the regulations on indoor activity later in the month, if public health conditions allow.

These include:

• Rule of six for meeting indoors in private homes and holiday accommodation. 
• Increased numbers for indoor organised gatherings and indoor events.
• Opening ice skating rinks.

Llangollen features in roll-out of full-fibre broadband

* Simon Baynes MP.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes has welcomed plans by Openreach to build full-fibre broadband to Wales’ hardest-to-serve communities, including Llangollen.

Openreach has announced that a total of 140 exchanges across Wales will be upgraded, with rural homes set to benefit the most. 

In Clwyd South, the exchanges in Llangollen, Corwen and Ruabon will be upgraded, enabling access to full fibre broadband many more homes and businesses. 

Openreach’s build plan forms part of the UK Government’s target of delivering ‘gigabit capable broadband’ to 85% of the United Kingdom by 2025. 

This is in conjunction with the UK Government’s commitment to reform the Electronic Communications Code, allowing providers access to rural land more easily to enable build to progress at pace.

Welcoming the announcement, Mr Baynes said: “I’m delighted to hear about Openreach’s plans to connect an extra 415,000 more home and businesses across rural Wales.

"It’s excellent to see that the UK Government is committed to boosting access to broadband for people and businesses across Wales, and projects like this are a huge step forward in achieving that goal.

“Fast, reliable broadband is more important than ever due to more people working at home, and this will be a great step forward for the communities of Corwen, Llangollen and Ruabon.

“Obviously there is still much work to carry out in enabling full fibre access for every property, and I continue to push for a faster rollout to the areas that are not yet included in Openreach’s plans, as well as eradicating the remaining not-spots across Clwyd South. 

"But this project will see very welcome investment pumped into North Wales, providing homes and businesses across rural Wales the connectivity they need to flourish.”

Three-week consultation on 2020 plans for town centre

Denbighshire County Council is set to hold a three-week consultation on major proposals for Llangollen town centre.

The Llangollen 2020 Castle Street Improvement scheme has been created with input from the community and looks to improve Castle Street and some adjacent streets in Llangollen town centre.

The proposals are intended to reduce traffic and parking congestion, to improve facilities for pedestrians and to improve the quality of the public realm.

Cllr Brian Jones, Denbighshire County Council’s Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the Environment, said: “For the past three years the Council has been working alongside the Llangollen 2020 group to develop these proposals.

“The Llangollen 2020 group is a community-led group and has previously consulted with the local community during the development of the proposals, but the Council would now like to seek the community’s views on the latest version of the proposals.

“Funding is in place to deliver the scheme in the autumn and winter of 2021-22. However, no final decision has yet been taken by Denbighshire County Council on whether to proceed with the scheme as this will be dependent upon the outcome of the consultation.

“We are also aware of concerns raised regarding the acacia tree located near the Town Hall. The current situation is that the condition of the tree is still being assessed by tree experts and no decisions have yet been made about the future of the tree.”

A three-week consultation exercise is due to commence on Tuesday, June 15 and will close on July 6.

During the second week of the consultation, a public exhibition of the proposals will be undertaken in Llangollen Town Centre and the Council also intends to speak to Castle Street businesses to give them the opportunity to discuss the proposals with officers.

Full details of the consultation and public exhibition will be provided soon.

Aqueduct and Canal set for UK Government funding bid

Wrexham.com is reporting that the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site are set for a UK Government Levelling Up Fund bid.

* For the full story, see: http://www.wrexham.com/news/world-heritage-site-development-set-for-uk-government-levelling-up-fund-bid-205217.html

Seat gets serious with the new Cupra Formentor

Cupra Formentor road test by Steve Rogers

This is Seat getting serious. The Spanish car maker has always been the sporty sibling in the Volkswagen family and its new Cupra brand has taken it to another level.

Formentor, named after a bay on the Spanish island of Majorca, is Cupra's first exclusive model and is meant to make a big statement.

If this was a Seat it would be the Ateca SUV, yet it looks nothing like a Seat, and nothing like a bulky SUV, not that the neat Ateca falls into that class. 

The designers have been given the freedom to express and have come up with a futuristic coupe crossover that looks as if it has landed from another planet. All we need if for Martians to jump out to complete the fantasy.

It has that 'ready to pounce' look with a long dipping bonnet, sloping roof and body panels with so many slashes and creases it looks as if it has been in a scrap with a wild animal. Exaggeration aside it looks great and has got everyone talking. I lost count of the number who asked what it was and gave the thumbs up.

So this is a crossover or SUV, whatever's your naming preference, that sits lower than the majority, the only real clue to its status is the wide gap between tyres and wheel arches, you don't even sit particularly high which makes it even more appealing.

Formentor is a good drive too and has the engines to back up its aggressive looks yet I am going to make a bold statement: Look no further than the entry level 1.5 litre petrol!

I've been a fan of this VW family engine since it was launched a few years ago because it is an engine that keeps on giving, punchy, refined and good for 40 miles to the gallon. Two of its four cylinders shut down when coasting to reduce engine emissions and give a boost to economy. That's clever stuff.

Those seeking something more racey can look to the 1.4 litre turbo hybrid or the outrageous 304hp 2-litre turbo that will reach sixty in under five seconds but you will be looking to spend 40 grand plus for the pleasure.

Which bring us to another good reason to stick with the entry 1.5 called V1. This is the best equipped starter model I have come across with keyless entry, navigation, LED headlights, and adaptive cruise control highlights of a generous spec sheet.

As expected inside is digital dreamland with a treat for the driver who can choose from six excellent binnacle displays, easily selected from switches on the steering wheel. The display side bars are information overload but are easy to find and easy to close.

Then we have the 12in 'floating' central touchscreen. I am not so sure it needs to be this big and is a bit like putting a 56in flat screen tele in a box room. What's worse is I found the system over complicated and most of the time used voice control, and a very nice lady she is too ending commands with 'OK' or 'sure'.

She was a bit puzzled when I asked for more fan speed because she calls it the blower but we were all friends again after sorting that out.

There are touch sensitive switches for heating temperature but they have no feel or sound so you are never sure if anything has happened which means more time looking at the switch and not the road.

Not enough though to put me off Formentor which is a great driver's car with pedals perfectly positioned and plenty of adjustment to get the perfect seating position. Handling is solid even at V1 level but there is plenty more to come moving up the grades.

It is not all about performance either, the quality of trim is good with some neat touches while the seats are comfortable and supportive. Rear legroom is also generous although if feels claustrophobic sitting fairly low behind the big front seats.

So a good first effort for the Cupra brand, certainly offering something a bit different from the norm with its coupe looks and good value for money to boot.

Fast facts

Formentor V1 6sp manual

£27,3956

1.5 TSI petrol; 148bhp

0-62mph 8.9secs; 127mph

41.5mpg combined

143g/km. 1st VED £215

Insurance group 19

Boot 450 - 1475 litres