River clean-up has some startling finds

* The pistol taken out of the river. 

* A traffic cone retrieved during the clean-up.

* On the carpet.

* A window frame discovered by a paddler.

* Another huge metal object retrieved.

A group of canoeists came up with some interesting finds when they did a clean-up of the River Dee yesterday. 

Amongst their haul were traffic cones, carpet, mattresses ... and a gun. 

The paddlers were all part of the Dee Valley clean-up group which is dedicated to keeping their waterway clean and healthy for all its users. 

During last weekend’s  venture onto the water, which is their fifth so far during the three years they’ve been doing it, they removed three large bagsful of trash but the most startling thing they retrieved from the depths of the Dee was an automatic pistol with a few parts missing. 

Aaron Kendall, the clean-up organiser, said: “The gun was spotted by people on a rafting trip and then we went and cleaned it up. It was by the King’s Bridge under the water. Police firearms came and collected it."

He added: “You’d be amazed what you find in the river. 

“We had about 30 paddlers involved and a lawn mower, cash, washing machines, canisters and car parts were found. 

“We all love and use the river and we aim to give everyone the opportunity to keep this special environment in the best possible condition that we can. 

“Everyone taking part is doing so at their own risk and paddling well within their capabilities. All Welsh Government Covid guidelines are followed. 

“Huge thanks to Project Wanderer and Whitewater Active for supporting the clean-up.”

Rhos Male Voice Choir stars on breakfast TV

Rhos Male Voice Choir made a guest appearance from Llangollen Wharf on Good Morning Britain this morning.

All wearing their stylish tuxedos by the waterside, the singers and their conductor were featured a couple of times during the course of the breakfast show alongside presenter Andy Peters as he introduced the station's prize competition. 

Latest local roadworks alert

 

The following local roadworks have been notified by one.network:    Brook Street 23 June — 25 June   Delays possible - Traffic control (Stop/Go boards)   Works location: Brook Street junction of Queen Street...   Works description: TM PURPOSES ONLY   Responsibility for works: Openreach   Current status: Advanced planning   Works reference: BC006MQONSAWNWC2WC5MWN1P   Queen Street 23 June — 25 June   Delays likely - Traffic control (Stop/Go boards)   Works location: Near North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Queen Street, LL20 8LA   Works description: MJ Quinn to clear blockage in footway   Responsibility for works: Openreach   Current status: Planned work about to start   Works reference: BC006MQONSAWNGC1WC7DK70B Queen Street 23 June — 25 June   Delays likely - Traffic control (Stop/Go boards)   Works location: Queen Street   Works description: MJ Quinn to carry out works involving - Installing fibre splicing...   Responsibility for works: Openreach   Current status: Planned work about to start   Works reference: BC006MQONSAWNWC1WC5MWN1P

Motorcycling safety campaign underway

A campaign aimed at reducing the risk of motorcycle-related deaths and serious injuries on the roads is underway across Wales.

The annual Operation Darwen campaign, which runs from early Spring through until the autumn, is aimed at promoting rider safety and will see high visibility patrols being carried out along key routes which have been identified as risk areas.

Over the coming months, officers from the Roads Policing Unit, the Armed Alliance Unit, the Special Constabulary Road Safety Unit and Go Safe will be engaging with riders at popular meeting spots for enthusiasts as well as on certain routes as part of the operation.

Officers will also be checking that bikes are roadworthy, paying particular attention to tyres. Worn or under inflated tyres on motorcycles have been one of the most common themes during collisions, and yet is easily prevented by riders doing basic checks.

Motorcyclists are amongst the most vulnerable groups of road users, and they are at a higher risk of injury and collision than other road users. Although a motorcyclist may not be at fault, their vulnerability invariable means that they suffer more serious injuries in a collision.

In 2020 there were 70 motorcyclists killed or seriously injured in North Wales a -4.10% decrease from the previous year of 2019.

Motorcycle casualties are highly represented and on average represent 25% of all killed or seriously injured casualties within the region based on the last 3 years.

Chief Inspector Jon Aspinall from the Roads Policing Unit at North Wales Police said: “Reducing casualties on our roads remains one of our top priorities.

“We look at all motorists as part of the Op Darwen campaign, however during the spring and summer months, increased focus is given to motorcycle safety as larger numbers of motorcyclists take their bikes out to take advantage of the good weather and fantastic scenery we have here in north Wales.

“As such, motorists are being urged to be extra vigilant for motorcycles during their journeys and ensure they give sufficient room when following bikers.

“Similarly, drivers are reminded to continually check for motorcycles when moving off, or emerging from junctions.

“Riders also have an important role to play in ensuring their own safety by travelling at an appropriate speed for the road, weather and traffic conditions, wearing high-visibility clothing and always wearing a helmet and other appropriate attire.

“We want people to enjoy travelling on some great roads here in north Wales and in Wales as a whole, but most of all we want them to ride and drive safely and responsibly. We will continue to target, with a view to prosecution, all those that ride or drive dangerously, at excess speed, overtake on solid white lines or commit any other road traffic offences.

“Our officers – as well as partners from other emergency services see far too many tragedies, many preventable on the roads. Staying safe on the road applies to every single one of us, whether we have two or four wheels on our vehicle. I would urge riders and drivers to think about their behaviour and what changes they could make to improve their own safety and that of other road users.

“Op Darwen is not about spoiling people’s fun but encourages all road users to be safe and competent with the aim of reducing the number of collisions on our roads.”

North Wales Police are also encouraging bikers to ensure their machines are ready for the months ahead – paying particular attention to tyres and brakes.

Teresa Ciano, GoSafe Partnership Manager and Chair of Road Safety Wales said: “Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable of road users and through the engagement and education delivered through Operation Darwen we hope to encourage more bikers to make the safe choice when out riding.

“Ride within the legal speed limit, prepare for your journey, give yourself enough space and time, position yourself in the safest and best place to maximise your visibility of potential hazards and consider further skills training to improve your performance and safety on the road.”

Entertainer Shea to stage grand finale charity concert

* Shea Ferron will host his finale charity concert on June 26.

Enterprising young entertainer Shea Ferron has arranged the last in a series of virtual concerts to raise money for good causes. 

And the one he has chosen to benefit from his final Stage to Sofa show is Hafal, the Welsh mental health charity.

At just 18, Shea has been rapidly building up a portfolio of acting and singing appearances in the area for a number of years.

He has joined the cast of numerous shows, with Llangollen Operatic Society, its junior section the Young ‘Uns, and the Collen Players music hall group, winning a number of amateur stage awards into the bargain.

There have also been numerous solo performances in St Collen’s Church and his own church in Ruabon.

But Shea has really came into his own during the pandemic by singing his way through a series of self-arranged open-air gigs to raise thousands of pounds for good causes.

His finale concert, at Llangollen Town Hall on Saturday, June 26, will be a hybrid affair with a small, invited live audience and people also able to watch online on a link still being arranged.

Shea said: “There’s been five months of planning involved working closely with ORB Sound and Lighting, who are involved with the tech side of the concert, and also working  closely with Llangollen Town Council and the Town Hall team to make sure we keep within the current Covid-19 guidelines.

“The reason for the concert is that we wanted to finish the series on a high, where we can all get together and perform in the same room as each other rather than over a screen. 

“All of the performers in the concert have been affected hugely by the Covid-19 pandemic, especially those with a strong link to the arts sector. Two of them had to be flown home from international tour productions.” 

Performing in the concert are many of the people who were a part of Shea’s virtual concert series, either last year or this year, plus a few new faces. 

From the concert series he will be joined by Celyn Orton-Jones, Louise Cielecki Cornelia, Andy Snowden as compère, and star of Blood Brothers UK Daniel Taylor. 

Shea added: “Joining us just for the concert is local singing star Amy Grace plus my friend and fellow John’s Boys choir member Sam Snowden. 

“Throughout the series, I’ve been raising money for various charities who have been hit hard by the pandemic, raising over £2,500 for them. 

“In deciding the charity for the finale, I couldn’t make up my mind which I should support until reading a fact about mental health during the pandemic, and this was that the suicide rate within the UK is the highest it has ever been in over two decades due to the affects of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

“In my opinion, the real pandemic that has gone on over these past 12 months is the one that people have suffered personally and mentally. That is why we are raising money for Hafal, a Welsh mental health charity. 

“I would particularly like to thank all the local businesses who have supported us along the way in the production of the concert.” 

Shea says he is still working on providing a link to watch his finale concert online and llanblogger hopes to publish this soon. 

* He is asking people to support Hafal by visiting: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/hafalconcert

The stream will begin at 17:55 with the show starting at 18:00, fantastically streamed by ORB Sound and Lighting.

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.