Update on Covid-19 situation in Denbighshire

The total number of cases linked to clusters of Covid-19 infections in Denbighshire is now at 31, according to the county council. 

An Incident Management Team (IMT) is currently in operation to manage the situation and comprises of Denbighshire County Council, Public Health Wales and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

The clusters are being identified in a number of settings and venues and the team is working with schools, businesses and sports clubs.

Cases include transmission within households and positive cases include adults and those under 18. 

There are currently a total of 402 pupils self-isolating from Ysgol Brynhyfryd, Denbigh High School and St Brigid’s.

Not all cases have been confirmed as the Delta variant, but as the strain is becoming the dominant one in the UK, positive tests are being treated as the Delta variant.

Members of the public, businesses and sports clubs are being asked to remain cautious and to follow Welsh Government guidelines.

Chair of the IMT, Nicola Stubbins, said: “We are continuing to work on identifying cases linked to these clusters through our Test Trace Protect teams.

“Now the Delta variant is present in Denbighshire, we are asking everyone to remain vigilant against the spread of Covid-19.

“This includes not attending gatherings that contravene Welsh Government guidelines, to practice social distancing and those who have been asked to, must self-isolate for the full period.

“We are reminding businesses they must enforce guidelines and ensure social distancing as well as rigorous track and trace procedures.

“Businesses found to be breaching these regulations can be served with an Improvement Notice, a Closure Notice and/or a Fixed Penalty Notice from the Council while those found not self-isolating can also face a Fixed Penalty Notice.

“Anyone who develops Covid-19 symptoms should book a PCR test at a test centre immediately and following a positive result, should self-isolate and share all relevant information with Test Trace Protect advisors.

“We are also reminding those eligible and not showing symptoms to undertake regular lateral flow tests at home, which are free and can be ordered online for home delivery.

“We know this has been a difficult time and we would like to thank all our communities in Denbighshire for their co-operation and their efforts to follow the guidelines.”

You can now go for a PCR Covid-19 test if you have a wider range of symptoms which include flu-like symptoms, not caused by a known condition, muscle ache or pain, excessive tiredness, persistent headache, runny nose or blocked nose, persistent sneezing, sore throat and/or hoarseness, shortness of breath or wheezing and generally feeling unwell.

An additional mobile testing unit is operating at Caledfryn, Denbigh, while testing centres are also operating in Rhyl, Quay Street Car Park and Llangollen, Market Street Car Park. Booking is required at these sites.

HWB Dinbych is operating a Covid Support Hub offering collection of free lateral flow tests.

Book a PCR test at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test order a lateral flow test at www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests

You can book a PCR test by telephone on 119 between 7am and 11pm (calls are free).

You can pick up free lateral flow tests from HWB Dinbych, Smithfield Road, Denbigh, LL16 3RG from Tuesdays 8.30am - 1pm; Wednesdays 4pm - 6pm; Thursdays 8.30am - 1pm and Fridays 8.30am - 1pm.

You can also pick up free lateral flow tests from Rhyl, Quay Street Carpark LL18 1NS, between 8am and 1pm, seven days a week.

Four-week delay to major Covid rule easing in Wales

The First Minister (pictured) has confirmed a delay of at least four weeks to any major easing of Covid rules in Wales due to the spread of the Delta variant, ITV Wales is reporting.

The story says that the Delta variant of the virus - previously known as the Indian variant - has been confirmed as the dominant strain in Wales.

It adds that Mark Drakeford is due to announce the pause at a press conference today (Friday) on a day when he had hoped to have lifted some of the restrictions on mixing indoors for people not in extended households or “bubbles.” 

Ahead of the announcement, Mr Drakeford wrote on Twitter: "Cases of the Delta variant are spreading across Wales. In the space a few weeks, cases have been confirmed in all parts of the country.

"We have reviewed all the evidence and will pause changes to the rules for 4 weeks."

These changes won’t now happen until at least July 19.

However, some minor changes will come into force on Monday. They include:

A relaxation on the limit of people allowed to attend an indoor wedding or civil partnership reception or a funeral wake, currently capped at 30. It’s not clear what the new limit will be but the Welsh government says it will depend on the size of the venue and a risk assessment.

Gig-goers and comedy fans will be able to go to “grassroots” music and comedy venues on the same basis as people going to pubs and restaurants.

Primary school children in the same school contact group or bubble will be able to stay overnight in a residential outdoor education centre.

Pilot events in theatre, sport and other sectors will also continue throughout June and July.

The number of people who can attend a wedding will increase under the minor changes of restrictions.

More than four out of five new Covid cases in Wales are the Delta variant and two-thirds of these are not linked to travel or contact with another case, suggesting community spread.

St Collen's consults public on its blueprint for the future

* Father Lee Taylor leads a service in St Collen's before lockdown.

St Collen’s has a series of public meetings planned for next month where people can discuss plans for the church’s future.

Last October vicar, Father Lee Taylor, unveiled an ambitious scheme to upgrade the centuries-old place of worship with the aim of making it a hub for a wider range of religious and social use.

During a Zoom meeting he gave full details of the Community Vision proposals, which includes:

* The removal of pews at the front of the nave to allow a raised platform stage to be built for worship and performance events    

* The provision of a folding kitchen to provide refreshments at cafe-style social gatherings

* Repositioning of the font to a more practical location      

* The installation of modern LED lights in the roof to highlight its historic beauty

* Fitting glass doors at entrances to allow the heavy oak front door to be left open to make the building feel more welcoming

* A new chapel for private worship where the current vestry is sited

* Replacing the traditional pipe organ with a digital version

* Part of the church's Community Vision plan.

This week, on social media, he quoted Dr John Inge, Bishop of Worcester, who said:  “Church buildings should never be silent mausoleums, but always vibrant centres of service at the heart of their local communities.”

And Father Lee added: “St Collen’s has for almost fifteen centuries been a place of worship for the people of Llangollen and beyond. The church has been cared for by succeeding generations who have seen fit to make some significant alterations to the building as its purpose has developed in a changing culture. 

“The challenge of re-ordering the church is to ensure that the church is able to reinforce its role as a focal point in the community. This means providing a building which is sufficiently flexible which the wider community can utilise for community gatherings, concerts, school performances and the like. 

“Our re-ordering project began with a community consultation process last year with an online presentation on zoom and with the distribution of questionnaires. This process is ongoing.

“We are holding further community consultations in church on the following days.

Wednesday 14th July at 6.30pm

Sunday 18th July at 12.15pm

Refreshments provided.

“This event is open to all. Refreshments will be provided. If you intend to come along please RSVP: 01978 861768, or email: stcollens@gmail.com” 

In his October public consultation Father Lee said the call to change was more urgent than it had ever been, in the face of dwindling Sunday morning congregations across the whole of the Church in Wales, the lack of younger people joining and fewer priests being available to serve communities.

And he stressed: “The fact is that we must adapt or die. In 10 or 20 years if we don’t do something there will be no parish church. It will close.”

Booking now open for pop up waste service at Pavilion

Denbighshire County Council says on social media this afternoon that bookings are now open for the Llangollen green waste pop up service to run on the first and third Saturday mornings each month at the Pavilion.

The service will initially run until the end September, subject to Covid-19 restrictions announcements from Welsh Government, after which time it will be reviewed. 

This green waste service will run alongside the main recycling pop service on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month. 

Booking slots will be available between 9am and 11am and you can book via www.denbighshire.gov.uk/recycling

Llan man wades into canal to rescue drowning fox

* Nico Decourt with the fox he rescued from the canal. Llanblogger, who was one of those Nico met as he walked along the towpath, took this picture.

A quick-thinking Llangollen man jumped into the canal to rescue a fox he saw drowning in the canal earlier today. 

Nico Decourt was on his early morning run along the towpath when the drama developed close to the bridge near the Sun Trevor. 

As he was passing past a moored boat a woman stopped him and asked if he could help with a fox struggling in the water. 

Without a second thought Nico, clad in his running gear, waded in and helped the floundering female fox to the side and stayed with her for almost an hour as she fought to recover from her ordeal. 

Nico, who works in the education world, said: “I ran past their boat and the lady was on the side of the canal with her spaniel. 

“She stopped me and asked if I could help. To start with I thought she had a pup that was stuck in the water but then realised it was a small fox. 

“I had to go in the water as the fox wouldn’t trust us to pick her up and she started drowning. 

“I found a stick to guide her to the side then lifted her up. 

“She stayed on the side in shock for a good 45 minutes while we tried to warm her up with a small blanket and dry her. 

“I decided to walk back with her along the canal as I didn’t want to leave her on the side of the path on her own. 

“I met some very nice people along the way who enquired about what had happened.” 

Nico added: “I wasn’t too sure about what to do to be honest but the lady’s concern gave me that little bit of energy to rescue the poor animal. 

“I made it to near the pavilion with the fox in my arms when someone else spoke to me. The fox got a bit scared and jumped out of my arms and disappeared into the grounds of the pavilion. 

“So all was fine. She was running and well alive. 

“I believe she milked it from the wharf, enjoying the warmth of my arms and being carried around.”

All the latest action at reviving Llangollen railway

* The little tank engine sets off from Llangollen for its period on hire in Somerset. 

* The insignia of the Austin Motor Company on the engine.

The little tank engine set off from Llangollen Railway for a summer hire period at the Midsomer Norton railway in Somerset today.

Paul Reynolds photographed the engine loaded up ready to leave the yard.

It has been repainted by railway volunteers and given new lining-out with the addition of an insignia for the Austin Motor Company which acknowledges the engine's 40-year career as the shunter at Longbridge car plant in Birmingham.

The hiring out of the engine comes as a useful earner for the railway which is battling to re-open later this summer after emerging from its financial crisis.

* Engine No.3802 completes its steam test at Llangollen station.

* Engine owner Nick Gilbert.

Earlier this week the Heavy Freight GWR engine No.3802 completed a steam test in the yard and came down into the station to take water.

It then ran through the station and posed for photos whilst further checks were carried out. 

Owner Nick Gilbert said he was delighted with the chance to operate the locomotive over the tracks within the limits off Llangollen station, pending a longer run when the Dee Bridge work is complete and trains can cross over.

No 3802 will likely be a mainstay of train operations this season when services resume at Llangollen.

Woman schooled in Llangollen awarded the OBE

* Sara Pierson received the OBE in the Queen's birthday honours.

A woman who went to school in Llangollen has been awarded the OBE in the Queen's birthday honours list.

Sara Pierson, the elder daughter of David and Judy Pierson, was honoured for services to UK education and the promotion of the English language overseas.

Born and brought up in Glyndyfrdwy where her parents still live and she loves to visit them, Sara attended Llangollen Primary School, Ysgol Dinas Bran and Ellesmere College. 

She obtained an honours degree at Warwick University then worked at the Open University in Milton Keynes before moving on to work for the British Council, where she is currently employed as Director of Examinations.  

In her present role since August 2015, Sara has overall accountability for strategic relationships with over 150 UK examination boards and awarding bodies, ensuring delivery of university, school, professional and English language exams in line with their exacting standards and quality frameworks.

She has previously worked in senior partnerships positions at OUW Ltd, a subsidiary of the Open University. 

Her proud parents said: "Sara has many friends in and around Llangollen who we know will be delighted to hear of her success."