No major changes planned to Welsh Covid restrictions before Christmas

The latest Welsh Covid review will not see any major changes to the country's regulations.

But the Welsh Government is asking everyone to use the lateral flow tests before Christmas shopping, going to parties or visiting others.

An diners and drinkers are being asked wear masks when not eating or drinking in pubs and restaurants.

In his latest statement First Minister Mark Drakeford is urging everyone to have their Covid-19 booster vaccine as he warned Wales is facing a new wave of infections caused by the omicron variant.

More than a million people have already received their booster vaccine in Wales but the programme is being speeded up following the emergence of the fast-moving variant.

The First Minister will say, at his regular 21-day review press conference, to be held later today (Friday) that even though only a handful of cases of omicron have so far been confirmed in Wales, we must be prepared for cases to rise quickly and sharply.

Omicron was first identified in South Africa just over two weeks ago. It has quickly spread around the world, including to the UK. There is now widespread community transmission in many parts of England and Scotland. He said: “The emergence of the omicron variant is another worrying development in this long-running pandemic. We are concerned about the speed it is moving and its potential to infect large numbers of people. 

“We are speeding up the roll-out of boosters in response to the new variant. We’re increasing the number of clinics and extending opening hours.

“Every single vaccination is a small victory against the virus – so please make getting your vaccine or booster a priority.

“This will be the best Christmas present you can give yourself and your family this year.”

There are a number of other measures people can take to help protect themselves from coronavirus, including the new omicron variant.

The First Minister will ask people to take regular lateral flow tests before going out and to wear face coverings in all public places help protect people in the lead up to Christmas.

Wales will remain at alert level zero after the latest review of the covid regulations. However, with the spread of the Omicron variant, the Welsh Government is strongly advising:

• People flow before they go. This means taking a lateral flow test before going out – whether that’s to a Christmas party; Christmas shopping; visiting friends or family; going to any crowded or busy place or before travelling.
  
  
• If the test is positive, don’t go out. Arrange for a PCR test and self-isolate.
  
  
• People to wear face coverings in pubs and restaurants, when they aren’t eating or drinking. Everyone must wear face coverings in most other indoor public places, in accordance with the law, including in cinemas and theatres. 

The First Minister added: “None of us wanted to hear about the news of this new variant. After almost two years of the pandemic, we had all hoped that we could put coronavirus behind us this Christmas. But, we have faced challenges many times during this pandemic. And we have learned from each one. 

"We are not back at square one. Please do everything you can to protect yourself and your loved ones. Please follow all the advice and all the measures which have kept us safe over the last couple of years. And let’s stay safe and well this Christmas.”

Parks project event raises £705 for town's open spaces

 

* Jamie Williams, Laura Jones (centre) with Debbie Jones at the event.

Llangollen Parks Project has thanked local people and businesses who supported their recent fundraiser at the RAFA Club.

Organised by Jamie Williams and Laura Jones, it raised a total of £705 for the parks project and the money will go towards equipment and facilities in Llangollen's parks and open spaces.  

Providing the entertainment were DJ Dave Boss and Luke Gallagher. 

These local businesses donated funds and raffle prizes: Ty Nook, Bear Trax, The Three Eagles, Gales Wine Bar, Riverbanc, Safe and Sound Outdoors, Henlle Park Golf Club, Coco Jones Aromas, Nemo Fish and Chips, The Corn Mill Llangollen, Bridge End Hotel Llangollen, Siop Fach, Gwalia Classics, The Wild Pheasant Hotel & Spa, SFTW Barbers, The Sun Trevor, Prince of Wales, Craig Gittins, Liberty Tavern and A N Richards.

Project spokesperson Jessica Evans said: "Their generosity will help to enhance our community and the facilities available for our local children in particular. Thank you all so much."

Llangollen's Four Great Highways scheme explained

 

Since llanblogger’s story yesterday about cash from the UK Government’s Levelling Up fund being used to support various schemes in Llangollen, readers have been requesting more details of one of these projects – ‘connectivity improvements including a new public space at the junction of Castle Street and Abbey Road’. Here Llangollen county councillor Graham Timms, who has been closely involved with what is known as the Four Great Highways scheme, explains what it is all about.

He says: “The Four Great Highways is a scheme that was conceived as another phase of the Llangollen 2020 project. We had community consultations and shared the project with the town council too.

“I understand that part of the levelling up fund for Clwyd South will be for a project based on this.

“The money is split between Denbighshire County Council (DCC) and Wrexham County Borough Council.

“The whole levelling up fund is being concentrated on the Dee Valley with some Aqueduct projects, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty projects, Four Great Highways, the railway to Corwen and other linked projects.

“DCC are managing the project on our side of the county boundary. We expected the Four Great Highways to be the next stage of the Llangollen 2020 project and had been actively seeking funds from a number of grant providers and received indications that it was the type of scheme that would be supported.

“It  will provide better active travel, improved disabled access between Lower Dee Mill Park, Llangollen Bridge and the wharf and a much safer route up to Ysgol Dinas Bran.

“The new public space gives a focal point at this historic junction in the town. It will provide opportunities to highlight the history of transport in Llangollen and encouraging visitors to explore our other great assets in the Dee Valley.

“The DCC part of the bid was approved for submission at a cabinet meeting in May this year. It was brought up in the "Urgent Matters" agenda item and both Mel Mile and I spike in favour of the project in the cabinet meeting.

“Details in the paper and the minutes for the May Cabinet meeting on DCC's website at: https://moderngov.denbighshire.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=281&MId=6270&Ver=4&LLL=0 

LUC environmental consultants, which has been working on Four Great Highways, explained in a briefing document: “The aim of the project is to draw attention to and celebrate the uniqueness of Llangollen in Denbighshire. We will explore issues such as improving access and connectivity, creating an uplift in the visual appearance of the public realm within the setting of the heritage assets.

“We will devise a network of interpretation, signage and public art which promotes a legible environment, creates a sense of place and reinforces the importance of the town’s legacy.”

Summarising the scheme, LUC said it includes:

* A proposed viewing platform located adjacent to Llangollen bridge

* A fully accessible footpath network into Lower Dee Mill Park

* Raised crossing points to resolve pedestrian and vehicle conflict

* An approach to interpretation with precedent examples.

Ford pick-up that's rugged enough for Clint Eastwood

Ford Ranger launch report by Steve Rogers

What did the Romans do for us? Amongst other things they built roads along some pretty treacherous, freezing, windswept Welsh hillsides so their foot-slogging centurions could carry on invading our lands.

Nearly 2,000 years later we are still driving those roads, preferably in off roaders, which I was doing in the Brecon Beacons for the launch of new models of the Ford Ranger. What those poor soldiers wouldn't have given to be tucked up in a warm Ranger cab because it is pretty wild along Sarn Helen even on a sunny winter's day.

So new Ford Rangers, but I am sensing confusion from those who have seen previews of next year's all new pick up on social media. Okay this is not THE new model, merely new names to keep interest alive because the next generation Ranger will not arrive here until 2023.

That said Ford has gone to extreme lengths to promote the additional models producing a film inspired by the classic Clint Eastwood spaghetti western called The Good, the Bad and the Bad-RSE and starring the top of the range Raptor Special Edition. It was even shot on the original film set in the mountains of Almeria Province in Spain.

Raptor SE joins Wolftrak, MS-RT and Stormtrak targeting life-stylers switching from SUVs to double cab pick-ups and the special edition is a real bad boy. It has a beefed up chassis and bespoke multi-link rear suspension, sits 51mm taller than the standard Ranger, is pimped up with blue and red racing style stripes and bulging plastic clad wheel arches and will set you back £54k. Ouch!

Power comes from a 209bhp bi-turbo 2-litre diesel engine mated to a 10-speed automatic gearbox that is shared with the Mustang sports car. This is not the best model for trade or a farmer because the payload is halved and towing capacity down 1000kg.

Even though Raptor SE will tackle the toughest of off road challenges reality can be found in the everyday models which have leaf spring suspension upping the payload to just over 1100kg while towing capacity is 3,500kg, the norm for pick-ups.

The bi-turbo engine is a lot more powerful and more refined than the Isuzu D-Max tested last month with a whopping 500Nm or torque and although the 10-speed auto sounds over the top it provides smooth changes and is fairly quick off the mark.

The cheaper Wolftrak model is offered with a 167bhp power train and a six-speed manual option. It has a healthy 420Nm of torque which is 60Nm up on the D-Max and more than adequate for most heavy duty needs. Expect to average around 32mpg and 29-30mpg for the bi-turbo.

As readers will know I am not a fan of touchscreen heating controls but I will make an exception with the Ranger because it is the easiest I have come across. If you need quick demisting, temperature or fan adjustments there are physical switches in the centre console.

The pick-up market has been turned upside down with only Ford, Toyota, Isuzu and SSangYong left and Ford is hell bent on making sure it stays as the UK's best seller with special edition models taking the range to nine.

As we found out on the test drive Ranger has enough all wheel drive technology to tackle the most demanding of conditions whether it is traversing rocks, descending steep gullies or ploughing through a mud bath thanks to the low range setting, diff lock and hill descent control, and is likely to stay at the top of the pick-up league until more competition arrives.

Fast facts

Ranger Limited Double Cab

£41,455 (starts £28,785)

2-litre Bi-turbo diesel; 209bhp

0-62mph 9secs; 112mph

36mpg combined

205g/km

Insurance group 39

Towing: 3500kg

County hosts waste and recycling recruitment event

Denbighshire County Council is hosting a waste and recycling recruitment event as it looks to take on more workers to help with the expansion of services.

The event will be held at Denbigh Town Hall this Friday, December 10 over two sessions with a choice of attending one of two sessions to learn more about the service and the various roles available.

The first session will begin at 10.30am and the later one will start at 1pm.

The event aims to attract individuals aged 17 and over, who enjoy working outdoors within a friendly team environment, to discover available training and career opportunities.

Staff from the council will be talking about how local jobseekers can make a positive difference to the county as well as informing individuals on the benefits of working for Denbighshire.

A variety of posts from entry level right through to LGV driver level are available to help residents recycle even more.

Individuals who wish to apply for available waste and recycling vacancies will be supported on the day, says the council.

* Anyone is welcome to attend the free event but must register their attendance beforehand by emailing employmentcoordinators@denbighshire.gov.uk.

Welsh Secretary visits sites to receive Levelling Up boost

* Welsh Secretary Simon Hart, second right, with Simon Baynes MP, second left, and council officials at the aqueduct. 

Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart has viewed sites in north east Wales which are receiving more than £13m in UK Government funding to boost tourism and improve facilities for visitors, including one in Llangollen.

The Welsh Secretary joined Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes and Wrexham Council last Friday to see how the money, allocated as part of the UK Government’s new Levelling Up Fund, will transform connectivity, public spaces and services in the area.

A total of £13.3m was granted to the project in October’s Autumn Budget – part of the first round of successful bids for the £4.8bn Levelling Up Fund which invests in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK, including regenerating town centre and high streets, upgrading local transport, and investing in cultural and heritage assets. 

There are three phases in the north east Wales project: 

1. The Trevor Basin Technical Masterplan which will see investment in a new arrival area, rewilding former industrial land, setting up a woodland activity and education area and creating a new Dee Valley walking route in the area around the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct World Heritage site. 

2. Connectivity improvements in the area including a new public space at the junction of Castle Street and Abbey Road in Llangollen, improving links between Llangollen and the Wenffrwd Nature Reserve through a walking / cycling route along a disused railway line and new visitor facilities at Llantysilio Green / Horseshoe Falls. 

3. Improvements to Corwen Station and car park including electric vehicle charging points and the creation of a walking / cycling route along the disused railway line between Corwen and Cynwyd. 

On Friday, Mr Hart, Mr Baynes and members of Wrexham Council visited the Trevor Basin, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and the River Dee to learn how the levelling-up investment would benefit the area. 

Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart said: “The UK Government is completely focused on levelling up our communities, improving infrastructure and connectivity and creating opportunity for people right across Wales.

“It was fantastic to see the ambitious plans for the Dee Valley and surrounding area and learn how the major injection of funding we are providing will unlock the potential of all our local areas.

“We are aiming to provide investment where it’s needed and where it can make a real difference to people’s lives.”

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes said: “I am hugely grateful to the Secretary of State for taking the time to join us at the Trevor Basin to discuss the ambitious plans underway to level up Clwyd South and our communities in North East Wales, with the Trevor Basin masterplan, the investment in Llangollen and Chirk, and the proposals for the Corwen area.

“The projects have huge potential to benefit Clwyd South residents and visitors alike. They will not only provide jobs and a much needed economic boost to Clwyd South but also improve the well-being of our residents by widening access to recreation, outdoor and other amenity activities. And will celebrate the amazing history, language and culture of our part of Wales and bring them to a wider audience.”

The Wrexham and north east Wales project was one of 10 successful bids in the first round of applications for the new Levelling Up Fund including the regeneration of Aberystwyth seafront, an important dualling of the A4119 in South Wales and redevelopment of the Theatr Brycheiniog Arts Centre in Brecon. 

It was also announced last month that more than 160 projects across Wales will also receive a share of more than £46m in the first round of the Community Renewal Fund which will pilot new programmes that invest in people, boost skills and support local business.  

And three further projects in Wales received over £460,000 from the new Community Ownership Fund designed to protect valued community assets.

Popular Christmas Cheer returns with a new venue

The popular Llangollen Christmas Cheer event is returning - with a move to a new venue.

The evening of festive pre-Christmas entertainment, organised by the Inner Wheel Club  of Llangollen, is being held at St Collen’s Community Hall on Friday, December 17, starting at 6.30 for 7pm. 

Apart from last year’s pandemic hit event, it has been a permanent fixture for the past 30 years, starting as a wassail at what was then the ECTARC Centre  - now the library - and moving to the Town Hall where it evolved into Christmas Cheer.

The format has changed very little in that time. Members of the audience are greeted with a warming glass of punch on arrival. In between the two halves of entertainment in words and music, everyone enjoys a two-course meal.

Over the years members of the club have been keen to nurture local talent with a number of past performers having gone on to become professional opera singers.

This year will be no exception when they welcome James Reardon, a promising young pianist from the town. Also appearing will be Helen Belton, well known to many for her singing talents especially as a member of St Collen's church choir.

Also living locally Caitlin Drake is fast making a name for herself on the professional musical theatre stage. To add gravitas to the occasion Gethin Davies will be performing some favourite monologues.

The accompanist and musical coordinator is Owen Roberts, a valued friend of the club who has been performing this task for most of the 30 years.

The evening will end with a hearty sing-a-long of familiar carols conducted by Gethin.

Due to Covid restrictions the numbers of tickets available has had to be restricted but there are a few remaining prices at £15. There will be a bar available and a raffle. All proceeds will be donated to the charities supported by Inner Wheel in the local area.

* For more information or to purchase tickets, contact enid.law@froncastell.co.uk  or phone: 01978 869285/07816 286436