Fringe pays tribute to reggae legend Lee "Scratch" Perry

* Lee "Scratch" Perry appeared twice at the Llangollen Fringe Festival.

Llangollen Fringe has paid tribute to a reggae music legend who appeared twice at the festival and has died at the age of 85.

Lee "Scratch" Perry, the legendary producer, provocateur and dub pioneer, first headlined at the Fringe in 2017 and came back again the following year.

Yesterday it was announced he had died at home in Jamaica.

Grammy award-winning Perry was highly influential in the development of reggae and dub music world wide.

Working under many names - as well as in many capacities including disc jockey, producer, record businessman, songwriter, singer - he was a guiding force in the development of reggae.

In addition to his own trailblazing music, Perry produced hits for the Wailers, Junior Byles, Max Romeo, the Heptones, Gregory Isaacs, Junior Murvin, and the Clash.

Known for his bizarre behaviour and stream-of-consciousness interviews, he often donned costumes and headdresses made of found objects such as feathers, toys, playing cards, and coins. 

A spokesperson for the Fringe team said: "What a character he was, still touring and starring in the Fringe well into his 70s.

"His lovely son looked after him throughout making sure his special microphone was alight as he went on stage.

"We at the Fringe feined ignorance as both were so sweet and beautifully eccentric.

 "We feel proud that the Fringe could bring such a renowned international performer to Llangollen."

Views sought on using taxes to tackle 2nd homes issue

Views are being sought on potential changes to local taxes which could be used by local authorities to tackle the effects that large numbers of second homes and commercial holiday lets can have in some parts of Wales.

The Welsh Government consultation on council tax and non-domestic rates is part of a summer of action launched by Climate Change Minister Julie James last month to address the impact of second home ownership seen in some of Wales’ communities.

The government says: "While second home owners and people who stay in holiday lets can make an important contribution to our local economies, we want to ensure all homeowners and businesses make a fair contribution to the communities in which they own or let property."

The consultation will seek views on the maximum level at which local authorities can set council tax premiums on second homes and long-term empty properties and the criteria for a property to be defined as non‑domestic, self-catering accommodation.

Wales is still the only UK nation to give local authorities the power to introduce a 100 per cent council tax premium on both second homes and long-term empty homes (empty for more than a year).

This additional income can be used to address issues affecting the supply of affordable housing or for the provision of public services and other facilities such as public transport.

The consultation also seeks views on the circumstances in which properties are classed as self-catering businesses and are listed for non-domestic rates.

Currently all occupied small business properties below a specified rateable value, including self-catering units, are eligible for Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR), subject to a limit of two properties per business per local authority.

This consultation considers the criteria for defining properties as non-domestic self‑catering accommodation and whether different thresholds are needed.

Finance and Local Government Minister Rebecca Evans said: “We want to hear from people living in communities affected by these issues as well as owners of second homes and holiday lets, trade representatives of the self-catering and tourism industry, and local authorities.

“We anticipate receiving a wide range of responses which will all inform our future policies on potential changes to local taxes so that we have a fairer system for everyone.”

Climate Change Minister Julie James said: “We cherish our reputation in Wales as a welcoming, bilingual society in which tourism and current second home owners have a contribution to make.

“However we also recognise the impact that higher numbers of second homes and self-catered holiday lets can have on local housing and rental markets and on the sustainability of local communities. In some areas they may compromise the sustainability of Welsh as a community language."

Jeremy Miles, Minister for Education and the Welsh Language said: “Ensuring that local people can live in the communities in which they grew up and maintaining the health and vitality of Welsh as a thriving community language, are top priorities for the Welsh Government.”

Pupils urged to take Covid-19 tests ahead of new term

Pupils and school staff in Denbighshire are being reminded to take Covid-19 tests before returning to school in September. 

With the start of the new term imminent, all secondary age pupils and staff not experiencing Covid-19 symptoms are being encouraged to take Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests before returning to school.

Anyone experiencing any of the main symptoms of Covid-19, a new continuous cough; a high temperature; loss of or change to sense of smell or taste, should self-isolate immediately and book a PCR test.

Cllr Huw Hilditch-Roberts, Denbighshire County Council’s Lead member for Education, Children and Young People, said: “The regular testing of pupils and staff was a key tool in mitigating against the spread of the virus in schools during the last school term by identifying infectious individuals.

“We are urging pupils and staff to take two LFD tests before returning to school, ideally one over the weekend and a second on the evening before returning to school. This will help reduce the spread of the virus.

“LFD test kits can be collected from Denbighshire libraries and One Stop Shops as well as from pharmacies.

“I want to thank pupils, staff and parents for their efforts last term and wish all our students the best for the new school year.”

LFD tests are available for collection at the following Denbighshire libraries for all residents not experiencing Covid-19 symptoms:

Denbigh (LL16 3NU); Corwen (LL210DG); Llangollen (LL20 8NU); Prestatyn (LL19 9AA); Rhuddlan (LL18 2UE); Rhyl (LL18 3AA) ; Ruthin (LL15 1DS); St Asaph (LL17 0LU), please check opening times.

Those with symptoms can book a PCR test at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

Police boss calls for end to 'ridiculous' 999 calls

 * Control Room manager Paul Shea, right, and Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales Andy Dunbobbin.

An aspiring police officer rang 999 to check on the progress of his application to join North Wales Police, it’s been revealed.

The region’s police and crime commissioner, Andy Dunbobbin, heard it was one of a string of “ridiculous” emergency calls dealt with by the force’s control room.

It was said, Mr Dunbobbin, a “serious and flagrant” waste of police time that diverted resources away from real emergencies, potentially putting lives at risk.

On another occasion a women dialled 999 to ask for police assistance to move her sofa which had become jammed in her hallway after she tried to shift it from her lounge to another room.

Another example came when a woman stood outside the police station in Rhyl called the emergency line asking for a lift home after she had failed to book a taxi.

According to Mr Dunbobbin, staff at the control room in St Asaph are incredibly busy and don’t have time to deal with ludicrous calls.

The centre already handles an average of 80,000 emergency 999 calls a year and on average they’re answered in just 3.1 seconds.

On top of that they deal with 250,000 non-emergency calls, 18,000 webchats and nearly 60,000 emails which all translates into an average of more than 1,100 contacts every day.

The force is now urging people to report non-urgent matters to them via the website www.northwales.police.uk so that the 999 line can be kept free for emergencies.

Control room manager Paul Shea said: “Unfortunately, we still get too many silly calls like the one from the lady who got the couch stuck in the hall.

“Another call that sticks in the memory was the one from the lady with the spider on the bed. She was scared and wanted a police officer to come to move the spider.

“They’re just not policing matters and it takes valuable resources from people who are in real trouble.

“The flip side of that is that there are other people who should have phoned 999 who called the non-emergency line 101 instead because they didn’t want to bother us.

“I would like to stress that people should always ring 999 if they are suffering a proper emergency.”

Mr Dunbobbin has just signed a £5.8 million cheque to buy a new system for the control room that’s an upgrade of the force’s current command and control technology.

It will be introduced in phases and has been designed to dovetail with the new Emergency Services Network (ESN) that’s due to rolled out in the UK.

Mr Dunbobbin said: “Even with the new system, we will have not have the time to deal with the really silly, time-wasting calls which divert precious police resources and potentially put lives at risk.

“Making prank calls or phoning 999 inappropriately is inexcusable and is not fair.  It’s as simple as that.

“Clearly though, if somebody is in the middle of a proper emergency they should always ring 999.”

It was a message echoed by Chief Inspector Mark Williams, the Senior Force Incident Manager.

He said: “The control room is the front door to policing for most people. Members of the public who need to contact the police invariably come through this room in one form or another.

“Nuisance calls are annoying but there are occasions when people make genuine mistakes.

“What might be an emergency for some people might not be for somebody else and I would say use us if you need to, but we do get some really ridiculous calls.

“There was absolutely no excuse for a prospective police officer to call the emergency number to check on his job application. He clearly was not cut out for the job.

“But time is of the essence when there is a real emergency. We aim to answer 999 calls within 10 second so doing it in under four seconds is pretty impressive.

“Clearly these are life threatening emergencies most of the time so it’s absolutely essential that we get the right person on the end of the phone very quickly so we can start getting officers going to the locations if they’re needed.”

Launch of North Wales-wide bus ticket

* Cllr Brian Jones at the launch of the new 1Bws ticket in Rhyl.

A one-purchase ticket valid on buses across North Wales has been officially launched.

The launch of the 1Bws ticket was held at the Events Arena in Rhyl, and was attended by bus operators from across North Wales as well as invited guests from Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey and Wrexham councils, Senedd members and officers from Transport for Wales.

An adult ticket costs £5.70, a child will pay £3.70 and holders of English and Scottish concessionary bus passes will also pay £3.70.

A family ticket is available for just £12.

One ticket is valid all day on busses in Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey and Wrexham and on buses from North Wales to Chester, Whitchurch and Machynlleth.

There are buses covering most of the region and it is possible to explore the North Wales Coast, Snowdonia and the Clwydian Range and the Dee Valley.

Cllr Brian Jones, Denbighshire County Council’s Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the Environment, said: “I am very pleased we are supporting this initiative, which will encourage local people and visitors alike to use our extensive bus network.

“The initiative is a great way to get people back on buses and open up North Wales in a way that protects the environment.

“This ticket is a great example of the strong partnership that exists between bus operators and local authorities. It has been possible to introduce this ticket because public and private sector, bus operators large and small, have all worked together.”

Richard Hoare, Arriva’s Regional Commercial Director, said: “The introduction of the 1Bws ticket is a result of the close working partnership in North Wales between operators and local authorities. “This is an important development for existing customers and potential new users, as the new product will make travel by bus more convenient and easier to use.

“Buses are an important contributor to the North Wales economy and will be key in encouraging a green and sustainable recovery from the pandemic.”

Timetable information for all buses in North Wales is available online at http://bustimes.org or www.traveline.cymru; or by phone on 0800 464 00 00.

1Bws is valid on all local bus services operating in North Wales with the exception of service 28 between Mold and Flint.

It is also not valid on tourist services operated by open top buses, on National Express coach services and park and ride services.

Your chance to have your say on county council services

Residents are being invited to have their say on how they would like to be involved in shaping county council services.

Denbighshire says it is hoping to improve its approach to engagement and consultation to ensure that residents understand how and when they can get involved in the council’s decision-making.

Residents have previously told the council they would like to be more involved in the decisions that affect them.

It is now asking residents about how often they’d like to be approached to have their say and the best way for them to get involved.

This year, the council is also focussing on whether the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has brought about any changes to the way it communicates that residents would like to be made permanent.

To get involved, it is inviting residents to sign up to one of two online workshops on September 7 and 8 and/or to complete a short survey.

* To find out more visit: https://countyconversation.denbighshire.gov.uk/project/524

To request a paper copy of the survey, telephone 01824 708027 or write to: Public Engagement Officer, Communities and Customers, County Hall, Ruthin LL15 1YN.

Llangollen Railway hit by vandalism costing thousands

 

* A picture from Facebook of the vandalised trains.

Just as it is making a good recovery from the pandemic and its own financial crisis Llangollen Railway has been targeted by vandals who have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to its rolling stock.

On its Facebook page earlier today the railway revealed that the wreckers had struck at two trains parked in the sidings, spraying them both heavily with coloured paint.

And railway officials are now urging anyone with information about the attack to ring them in confidence.

The railway’s post says: “Devasted to report that last night Llangollen Railway was targeted by vandals.

“Two DMUs (diesel multiple units) were spray painted and will cost thousands of pounds to repair.

“If you really care and have any information that may help to identify the criminals, please telephone 01978 860979 for a confidential chat.”

Being subjected to this kind of wanton attack is the last thing the railway needs as it tries its best to get back on track following the deep financial crisis of last spring which plunged it into receivership and months of closure due to Covid restrictions.

Despite its troubles the heritage attraction has fought its way back into the financial black and has once again started to run the train services, including steam, which are its life’s blood.

John Joyce, head of railcars department, said: "We were shocked and saddened to discover this senseless vandalism when our crew turned up on Wednesday morning to operate the day's railcar service to Carrog. 

"Fortunately, we were able to operate the day's services as scheduled with another railcar, but the damage will need considerable time and expense to put right. Both the time and money could have been put to far more productive uses than removing this mindless damage."

He added: "After all that the Llangollen Railway has overcome during the last 18 months, enabling it to reopen in stages since July, this is one more setback that was totally unnecessary.

"Many thousands of visitors have enjoyed their visits to the line since that reopening, helping to bring back much-needed tourism to the area and its local businesses."

News of the vandalism prompted a torrent of anger against the culprits on Facebook.      

Comments on the story include:

No words!!! all the time and effort gone into reopening

All that time and effort they spent ...bloody awful

A number of heritage railways have been subject to similar vandalism in the past year. Volunteer night watchmen might help but I don't think Llangollen Police station is open all night so police would send either a mobile traffic team or officers from Wrexham

Disgusting behaviour 

This is dreadful. Is there anywhere one can donate towards the cost of the repaint?

Why absolute idiots

Absolutely unbelievable. After so many people have worked so hard to get the railway going again.

Devastating

Absolutely disgusting