MP discusses future of key heritage building

* David Metcalfe, left, and Simon Baynes MP outside the Ebenezer in Cefn Mawr.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes visited the Ebenezer Chapel in Cefn Mawr to discuss future plans for the building to lead the economic regeneration of the area.

The Ebenezer was secured for the community at auction on May 25.

The chapel was extensively restored in 2007/8 as a part of the Article 4 Cefn Mawr Conservation Area. 

This was part of the preparatory work for UNESCO Inscription of the Pontcysyllte World Heritage Site in 2009.

During the visit, Mr Baynes met with David Metcalfe, project leader for the Plas Kynaston Canal (PKC) Group.

They discussed many topics relating to the future success of the Ebenezer and prosperity of the community. 

These ranged from storm damage and the B5605 landslide to the prospects of the Trevor Basin Master Plan and how the PKC Group seeks to work with Wrexham Council. 

It was stressed that the community needs to be connected to overcome the lack of footfall in Cefn Mawr and the Ebenezer in an area with one of the highest visitor counts in Wales. 

Simon Baynes said: “It was a pleasure to meet with David and to see the excellent plans underway to not only regenerate the old Ebenezer Chapel, which is at the centre of our famous Pontcysyllte World Heritage site, but also, the wider development of our local economy in Cefn Mawr. 

"The project has my full support and I look forward to checking in and keeping a close eye on how it develops going forward.”

Police execute drugs warrant in Lllangollen over weekend

The latest Neighbourhood Action alert from North Wales Police says: "The Conwy and Denbighshire Rural Neighbourhood Police team executed a positive Drugs Warrant in Llangollen over the weekend responding to community intelligence. 

"We have also been on patrol in locations that have experienced a high volume of visitors recently such as Llangollen and Betws-y-Coed as well as patrolling in locations known for illegal off--road biking. 

"Anti-social driving in Ruthin Town Centre will also continue to be a focus at weekends. 

"What else and where else do you think we can focus our attention at the moment?" 

* For details of Neighbourhood Action, go to: https://www.neighbourhoodalert.co.uk/

Paper highlights Llan woman who is Wales' strongest woman

The Denbighshire Free Press has a story about a Llangollen woman who has broken three Welsh records and earned the title of Wales' Strongest Woman.

* For the the full story, see: https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/19497074.llangollen-woman-breaks-three-welsh-records-wins-wales-strongest-woman/

Survey launched on Gypsy and Traveller needs in county

A survey has been launched as part of work to produce an up to date needs assessment for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation in Denbighshire.

Denbighshire County Council is assessing current accommodation need for Gypsies, Traveller and Travelling Show people and this does not include looking for locations for sites.

The process will include talking to Gypsy and Traveller families, key stakeholders and representative groups and will run until October 7.

It will include a review of local data, including the number of unauthorised encampments that have taken place in the county and a consultation with families from the Gypsy and Travelling community living in Denbighshire. 

Elected members and city, town and community councils will also be asked to promote the survey to eligible residents as well as feed in local knowledge around travelling patterns. 

The council has a legal duty to undertake a new Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA) every five years as a requirement of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 and it is also a requirement for the replacement Local Development Plan the Council is currently working on.

A Task and Finish group set up to support the process had a work brief and a communications plan endorsed by the council’s Scrutiny Committee on July 26.

Cllr Mark Young, the council’s Lead Member for Planning, Public Protection and Safer Communities, said: “We have now launched the consultation and will be looking to gain as much feedback from Gypsy and Traveller families as we can to help inform this process. 

“We are encouraging Gypsy and Traveller families to take part in this consultation process. The Council has a legal duty to undertake this Assessment and it is important we do it properly.

“This process is to gain a better understanding of any accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers who live in the area as well as those Gypsy and Traveller families who stay on unauthorised encampments.

“The GTAA will assess any accommodation need only and this work does not include looking for locations for sites. There will be no further work on looking for sites until we understand any potential need.”

Opinion Research Services will be undertaking the assessment on behalf of the Council and it will be carried out in conjunction with Conwy County Borough Council who are conducting a similar assessment in Conwy.

* If you are a Gypsy, Traveller or Travelling Show person living in Denbighshire then contact Michael Bayliss at Opinion Research Services on 07471 267095 or email michael.bayliss@ors.org.uk

Nature for Health sessions planned this week

A number of Nature for Health sessions are to be held locally this week. 

Details are:

Call for businesses to promote vaccines amongst staff

Businesses in Denbighshire are being asked to encourage staff to get vaccinated to reduce the risk of Covid-19.

Denbighshire County Council is supporting the Welsh Government’s campaign urging employers to encourage staff to be vaccinated.

As part of the campaign businesses are encouraged to be as flexible as possible when it is time for staff to have a vaccine as well as urging employees to be cautious about misinformation and to use trusted sources if they are searching for information or answers to questions about the vaccine.

Cllr Mark Young, the Council’s Lead Member for Planning, Public Protection and Safer Communities, said: “Vaccination has helped weaken the link between coronavirus infections and serious illness and hospital admissions, but more people could fall seriously ill if rates of vaccination do not increase further as the delta variant continues to spread.

“Vaccines are helping the easing of restrictions and allowing society to open up again and it is important businesses protect themselves and their staff by encouraging uptake of the vaccine.”

Residents are also being reminded to work with Test Trace Protect (TTP) teams when contacted to help stop coronavirus spreading further.

Cllr Young added: “We are asking people to work with our TTP team when asked to do so, and this includes to isolate when required.

“The Council has been working with regional partners to share the message that restrictions are different in Wales to England and we are reminding people that wearing masks is still a requirements in Wales.

“We are still seeing a high number of Covid-19 cases here in North Wales so it is important everyone plays their part in acting responsibly to help keep communities safe.”

Book a PCR test at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test if you have Covid-19 symptoms or order a lateral flow test at www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests for regular tests when not showing symptoms.

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

It is also quick and easy to book a first or second dose vaccination appointment at a convenient date, time and location using Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s online booking service https://bcuhb.nhs.wales/covid-19/covid-19-vaccination-information/covid-19-vaccination-online-booking

Natural Resources Wales gives update on Pengwern Vale project

 

Richard Dearing of Natural Resources Wales gives an update on the Pengwern Vale scheme in Llangollen, which is one of its five key projects in north east Wales. “In March 2021 Natural Resources Wales [NRW] and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty [AONB] organised a meeting with the community of Pengwern Vale to discuss opportunities around working in partnership to make a positive contribution to the special landscape character of Pengwern Vale. “The quiet valley to the south east of Llangollen is the old bed of the River Dee and lies within the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB. “Within the Vale is a housing estate, two primary schools, farms and some small businesses. It has steep valley sides with woodland some of which is Welsh Government Woodland Estate managed by NRW. “We facilitated a virtual event with the purpose to ‘listen’. By listening we started to understand what’s important to the people who live, work and visit Pengwern Vale, the challenges they face, and how we can all work better to make a positive contribution in responding to the climate and environment emergency. “Over thirty external participants came to a virtual evening meeting including residents, Town & County Councillors, a headteacher, school governor, local businesses and representatives of Friends of Pengwern Vale, Friends of the Earth, Woodland Trust, local health centre, Llangollen 2020 (sports clubs) and Dwr Cymru Welsh Water. “Once people realised there was no pre-determined plan, the discussion became positive and free flowing. Lots of existing and possible initiatives were raised along with the ambition that the group could start to prepare a Plan for the Vale setting out a vision and ambition for at least the next generation. This could be seen almost as an Area Statement in miniature. “Some of the possibilities raised ranged from promoting the local engagement with the environment seen during lockdown, to management of recreation, green infrastructure, sustainable land management, and even as far as promoting engagement in wider environmental issues for the next generation. “This new way of working [in line with the Area Statement process] is organic.  It will take time to build trust and nurture relationships so local stakeholders have the confidence to commit and drive actions that will deliver positive community transformation. “However, there is a clear desire and enthusiasm to do something different.  The next step is for NRW and the AONB to support the community in developing a short, medium and generational ‘plan for the vale’ that will be instrumental in delivering the communities vision with the support of a range of stakeholders and partners. “If you would like to support this project, or would like to learn more please contact richard.dearing@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk”