Police seek witnesses after man dies in Ruabon crash

A MAN has died after a crash in Ruabon yesterday (Sunday).

Police are appealing for witnesses following a crash on the A539 between Erbistock and Ruabon.

Sergeant Jason Diamond, of the Roads Policing Unit, said: “A white Fiat Panda was involved in a collision and sadly a male died at the scene.

“We are appealing to anybody who was in the area or may have witnessed the collision that occurred at approximately 10.40am to contact us.

“The vehicle was travelling in the direction from the junction at Pen y Lan towards Ruabon.”

The force issued an alert at around 11.15am yesterday informing drivers of the closure, warning it would be in place for several hours.

The fire service was called to attend the scene at 10.40am also – but were later able to leave the scene in the care of the police.

Witnesses or anybody with information or dash cam footage that could assist the investigation are asked to contact North Wales Police on 101.

Frontline police will be trained to spot domestic abuse victims

 

* Sergeant Mike Taggart.

All frontline police officers in North Wales are being given specialist training to provide better protection for domestic abuse victims and to save lives.

North Wales Police has launched a pioneering “cultural change programme” to improve their understanding of abuse and coercive control.

The force will work with the Safe Lives charity over the next 18 months to deliver the Domestic Abuse Matters course, with police staff also being trained.

It will give them a better insight into what is meant by the term coercive control, challenge victim blaming and prompt them to recognise high levels of manipulation by the abusers.

The force’s work to tackle domestic abuse is being championed by Sergeant Mike Taggart who was recently honoured with an MBE for his work in supporting victims of domestic abuse.

The crusade by Sgt Taggart, who works in the Protection of Vulnerable People Unit (PVPU), is motivated by his tragic family history.

He was just 15 when his mother Donna Crist was murdered by his abusive stepfather Derek Evans in 1997.

Sgt Taggart explained that control and coercion stops short of serious physical violence but amounts to extreme psychological and emotional abuse.

Since 2015, the offence carries a maximum of five years’ imprisonment.

“Officers are aware of coercive control, but now, we want this knowledge to have more of an impact,” Sgt Taggart said.

“The aim of this training is to educate officers and give them more tools for their kit really, to be able to take it that step further.

“The more we can pick up on, the more thorough the investigation will be and hopefully that will help in making victims safer and getting better conviction rates in court.”

He added: “There have been times where there have been missed opportunities and there is work that could have been done to change an outcome or make it better for someone.

“So, to see us as a police force to put something into place that’s going to accommodate those things is massive.”

The news about the training programme has been welcomed by North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin, who is a long-standing campaigner against domestic abuse.

Mr Dunbobbin said: “I have been an official ambassador for the White Ribbon campaign to end male violence against women since 2013 so this cause is close to my heart.

“The work being done by North Wales Police in general and Sgt Taggart in particular to tackle the scourge of domestic abuse is exemplary.

“The roll out of the Domestic Abuse Matters course is another example of how the force is leading the way in this vitally important area of policing.

“I am sure that ultimately this training will save lives and I can think of no better or more fitting tribute to Sgt Taggart’s beloved mother.”

Previous initiatives masterminded by Sgt Taggart have included attending a tattoo convention and training staff in salons to spot signs of abuse.

He also welcomed the stiffening of prison sentences for domestic abuse offences in recent years and called for a serial stalker register to help monitor perpetrators.

According to Sgt Taggart, had his mother had the information available today, along with encouragement and support, she may well have been given the “push she might have needed” to seek help as a victim of domestic abuse sooner.

“I think back in the 90s, domestic abuse was probably seen as that – as something that happened at home and it was nobody else’s’ business,” Sgt Taggart added.

“But it isn't just about what happens behind closed doors now, it’s about how we as police and bystanders deal with it.

“We can all be eyes and ears and help a victim, who could be so frightened that they’d never come forward, but sometimes you can have that little guardian angel somewhere that will make that call that will get the ball rolling in terms of support.

“There was nothing like that available when my mum was alive.

“Having that information in my time, readily available, and having that encouragement and support might well have given my mum that push she might have needed.”

Hopeful the programme will go on to save lives, Sgt Taggart added: “People will contact police as their first port of call if they’re in a crisis.

“So, for an officer to turn up at their door and to identify the issue goes beyond that one incident, and it is in fact a pattern of behaviour, I think will have a massive impact.

“If we can identify those situations earlier, we can intervene earlier and implement safeguarding measures that are ultimately going to keep them safer and give them the confidence and encouragement to leave that relationship.”

Training is currently being rolled out to all frontline officers and staff.

Face coverings will have to stay in some places, says government

As the Welsh Government prepares to publish an updated Coronavirus Control Plan setting out what will happen beyond alert level one, face coverings will continue to be required in certain settings, such as public transport and taxis, and health and social care, as a minimum, while coronavirus remains a public health threat.

Active further consideration is being given to whether face coverings should also be required in other settings, such as retail, if restrictions are relaxed further.

Wales is currently at alert level one – face coverings are mandatory in all indoor public places at alert level one and above.

Next week, Ministers will hold the regular 21-day review of the coronavirus regulations, which will set out whether restrictions can be relaxed in some indoor places, including people’s homes.

They will also publish new plans setting out how Wales will move beyond alert level one to a new alert level zero, with fewer legal restrictions.

But Ministers today confirmed face coverings will continue to be required by law in some places while coronavirus remains a public health threat.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: "We will need everyone’s help to keep coronavirus under control as we continue to respond to the pandemic – this virus has quite certainly not gone away.

"We know many people are still worried and anxious about going out. We will maintain the requirement to wear face coverings in certain places – on public transport and health and social care settings, and others where necessary – to help keep us all safe."

Scientific evidence supports the use of face coverings, alongside other measures, as a way of reducing the transmission of the virus.

They largely protect other people, rather than the wearer, against the spread of infection because they cover the nose and mouth, which are the main sources of transmission of virus. They are particularly useful in busy or crowded, indoor and poorly-ventilated areas.

Public transport vehicles are usually enclosed spaces. If a train or bus is crowded it may not be possible for people to choose not to get on as it could be their only route to work.

Health and social care settings can be high risk environments where sick patients and staff could be at increased risk of exposure to the virus. Wearing face coverings in these areas can help protect others.

The rules on face masks will also be changing in schools. On Friday, Education Minister Jeremy Miles wrote to all schools in Wales explaining that wearing face coverings in the classroom will no longer be recommended from September.

Health Minister Eluned Morgan added: "Wearing face masks is an effective way of reducing the transmission of coronavirus.

"We all have a duty to help to protect each other. Keeping everyone safe has been the Welsh Government’s priority through the pandemic and will continue to be the priority in future."

The First Minister will make a statement to Plenary on Wednesday setting out the outcome of the 21-day review and providing further details on the new alert level zero.

Invite goes out to see St Collen's future plans

 

St Collen's is encouraging people to see the plans it has for adapting the church for modern-day needs.

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.

The Genesis Programme proposals include:

* 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

When introducing the plan Father Lee said: “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."

The latest community consultations are being held in church on the following days.

* Wednesday July 14 at 6.30pm

* Sunday July 18 at 12.15pm

The events are open to all. Refreshments will be provided. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP on 01978 861768, or email: stcollens@gmail.com 

Denbighshire meets its affordable homes target

A target to create more affordable homes in Denbighshire has been met.

As part of its Corporate Plan Housing priority, Denbighshire County Council committed to help create 260 new affordable homes in the county between 2017 and 2022 and to date 394 homes have been delivered.

The homes have been built by private developers and in partnership with registered social landlords with the Council managing the Social Housing Grant programme, which has enabled the building of the majority of affordable homes in the county.

The council also sets the priorities for affordable housing in accordance with its Corporate Plan, Housing and Homelessness Strategy and social housing waiting list.

Between April 2020 and March 2021, 174 additional affordable homes were delivered in the county.

Cllr Tony Thomas, Denbighshire County Council’s Lead Member for Housing and Communities, said: “Housing is a priority for the council and we recognise there is an important need to make sure housing is available to suit the needs of Denbighshire residents.

“Reaching and exceeding this target early is a fantastic achievement for all those involved and really benefits residents here in Denbighshire. I would like to thank everyone for their hard work in reaching this goal.

“We will be continuing to build on this success and create even more homes. Providing more affordable homes in our communities is part of our ongoing work to ensure we can retain more young people in Denbighshire.”

Affordable housing is a mix of social housing, intermediate rental, and home ownership through shared equity and rent to own options.

The properties created are spread across the county and include a mix of traditional new build, modern methods of construction and refurbishing existing dwellings.

The Council has also pledged to support the development of 1,000 new homes in Denbighshire between 2017 and 2022, including affordable homes and 170 as council houses.

Further developments of affordable homes due to be completed include:

Awel Y Dyffryn Extra Care facility in Denbigh, developed by Grŵp Cynefin, providing 74 dwellings for vulnerable and older people, due to be completed in the autumn.

Adra Affordable development site in Meliden providing 44 homes of mixed tenure due to be completed December 2021 with the first properties now being advertised on Tai Teg, the affordable housing register for applicants.

Cartrefi Conwy development site in Rhyl providing 18 social housing apartments due to be completed January 2022

Clwyd Alyn development site in Ruthin providing 63 affordable homes of mixed tenure due to be completed May 2023

Denbighshire Housing is developing sites at Caradoc Road in Prestatyn and Tan Y Sgybor in Denbigh which will bring forward 26 social rent homes in 2022.

MP praises Eisteddfod organisers

* Simon Baynes MP next to the fabric patchwork on Llangollen Bridge.

As the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod begins this weekend, Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes praised the organisers of the festival and thanked them for the effort involved in coordinating a full digital programme of competitions and concerts streamed across the world. 

During a series of visits around Llangollen, Mr Baynes also visited the patchwork fabric artwork currently covering Llangollen bridge. 

He said: “I was pleased to pop along and see for myself the 60m (200ft) patchwork fabric artwork covering Llangollen bridge which was designed by international artist Luke Jerram and comprising 1m x 1m fabric squares made and submitted by local residents, fans of the Eisteddfod and the friends and families of people participating.

“This year, the festival will be held digitally, with competitions and concerts streamed across the world. As a former trustee of the Eisteddfod, I would strongly encourage everyone to look at their exciting and diverse programme of events for this year. 

“Da iawn i bob un o’r trefnwyr a phob lwc i’r cystadleuwyr!"

First train leaves station on re-born Llangollen Railway

UPDATE: With pictures and words by George Jones.

Llangollen Railway is officially back in business.

One of its supporters took this picture as the inaugural service left for Berwyn Station at 11am today.

After overcoming the problems put in its way by the pandemic and the financial crisis which led to its public limited company going into receivership, a massive effort has been put in by the Llangollen Railway Trust to get the heritage attraction back on track.

The first train with the class 108 heritage diesel railcar got away right on time.

* Guard John Doyle was on hand to wave the green flag for the driver Graham Parkin. 

At Berwyn the 15-minute stop-over allowed for passengers to enjoy the view of the gorge or sample the Chain Bridge, while others alighted to take in the walk to the Horseshoe Falls and return on a later train.

On the return trip the newly restored Dee Bridge was seen from the rear of the train.

The first train had 44 passengers on board and many came from the local catchment area - Wrexham, Chirk. Chester, Deeside, Shrewsbury, Wirral and Stafford - to show their support for Llangollen Railway Trust.

Others were holiday-makers from Norwich, Wiltshire, North Yorkshire and Leicester.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes was aboard the train for Berwyn.

He said: "It was a great pleasure to visit Llangollen Railway today on the day that they have re-opened and started running their first trains since October. I went on the train between #Llangollen and #Berwyn and back with Phil Coles, the Vice Chairman of Llangollen Railway, where I also met Ben Jackson - the Station Master at Berwyn who has worked there for 22 years.

"I had the opportunity to meet with many of the volunteers who work so hard and with such commitment to the railway.

"It’s wonderful to see the railway back in operation and it’s a great tribute to the board members and volunteers who have dedicated a huge amount of time to make this happen. And I wish them a very successful summer season."

* Simon Baynes MP, right, welcomes the train back to Llangollen.