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Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Stranded street sign 'is in only viable place' says council

 

* The left-turn sign now in the middle of the pavement. 

A street sign "stranded" in the middle of the footway by pavement widening on Castle will have to stay where it is, says the county council.  

Since contractors put in the new paving slabs along the town's main street as part of the on-going 2020 project the no left-turn sign which was once on the kerbline is now smack in the middle of the flags.

People have complained on social media that it is now a hazard to pedestrians and looks plain odd.

llanblogger asked Denbighshire County Council, which is overseeing the work, for an explanation and has been told by a spokesperson: "This regulatory sign for a prohibition of left turn has been erected on the eastern footway of Castle Street between the junction of Bridge Street and Oak Street.

“As a regulatory sign, it must be installed on site. 

"We looked at alternative locations but due to the number of services under the footway including gas, electric and telecommunications, this was the only viable location.”



Don’t fall for cruel Covid booster scam

* Wayne Jones, the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales.

Cruel Christmas scammers are trying to charge for arranging bogus Covid booster jabs for victims in North Wales, it’s been revealed.

The warning came from Wayne Jones, the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales, who has himself been targeted with a fake message with a link to “register” for a third vaccination.

The link takes people to a phoney website that appears to look like a genuine NHS site which asks for their banking details.

Mr Jones stressed that the NHS does not charge for such Covid-related services and texts or emails indicating for you to click should not be opened.

The retired police chief superintendent warned that the unscrupulous scammers were aiming to exploit the festive season, with a vast array of illegal swindles at a time when online spending increases in the run-up to Christmas.

He said: “People are doing lots more online these days, including buying Christmas presents or giving to charity, so everybody needs to be mindful that if an offer looks too good to be true, it probably is.

“They need to make sure they have proper software and firewalls on their phones and other devices so they’re not being infected by spyware and illegal software that’s tracking their online activity.

“Any online purchases should be made from reputable suppliers and check out their returns policy and their insurance policy.

“It’s also important to make sure that you’re fully secure in terms of your online banking and that you’re protecting your private information.

“My advice is to make sure your passwords are secure by not using birthdays, family names and the like, and don’t use the same passwords across important accounts.

“There are also a lot of unsolicited emails or text messages, particularly purporting to be in relation to parcels that could not be delivered.

“Sometimes they may be legitimate but there are an awful lot of scam emails and text messages going around. If you receive a message about a delivery, always check the delivery company’s official website where you can track any parcels.

“The purpose of a scam email can often also be to get you to click a link. This will take you to a website which might download a virus to your computer, or steal passwords or other personal information. This is sometimes known as phishing. 

“I would just like people to be on their guard, particularly during the lead up to Christmas and the post-Christmas sales, as they are spending more money.

“Also be alert for phone calls from fraudsters saying they are calling on behalf of banking services.

“You should always be wary of unsolicited calls, texts or emails requesting your personal or financial information, including  your name, address, bank details, email or phone numbers. Always contact your bank/building society directly using a known email or phone number to verify.

“This time of year, the scammers will always be looking for opportunities to make money out of people – particularly asking for charity donations. Scammers have no scruples, no moral compass.

“They will jump on any story they see in the press if they think they can make money out of it because scammers adapt themselves very quickly to changing circumstances. They’re always looking to take your hard-earned cash off you.

“They’re even trying to make money out of Covid and one of their new tricks is pretend to offer an appointment for a booster jab or PCR test.

“I’ve seen it myself where I have seen a link to go to what looks like an NHS website to book your jab. It looks legitimate but it’s not, never click on any links you are sent.

“Another one involves scammers offering to prepare travel documentation in respect of Covid, particularly if you are looking at booking a holiday after Christmas.

“It’s an awful thing to do at any time of year but it’s particularly mean at Christmas. It’s a time when scammers know people will be spending more money than usual on Christmas presents and making donations to charity.

“By all means make your donations to charity but just make sure you know who you’re giving your money to and what you’re giving your money for.

“I’ve seen the impact that being a victim of fraud can have on people and it can be utterly devastating. It can be really damaging for individuals and for businesses.”

It was a message reinforced by North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin.

Tackling online crime is a key priority for the tech savvy Commissioner who is also playing a key role nationally.

The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners have elected him as their deputy lead for police technology and digital and deputy lead for economic and cyber crime, including fraud.

Fellow commissioners decided he was the perfect person for the job because of his background working in the technology industry.

Back in 2012 he helped ensure the London Olympics was successfully beamed across the world to an audience measured in billions.

Mr Dunbobbin said: “We know that during the pandemic cyber crime has gone up by 50 per cent in comparison to previous years.

“Tackling cyber crime was a major commitment in my manifesto and it is a key priority in my Police and Crime Plan which sets out the blueprint for policing North Wales.

“Nobody is immune from scam emails or text messages. I receive them, we all get them. People just need to use a bit of common sense. 

“These scammers are totally unscrupulous – they’re using any opportunity that might be particularly pertinent at that particular time.

“To use the pandemic for a money making scam is the lowest of the low because we all know somebody who has had Covid and tragically some have lost their lives.

“Christmas is supposed to be the season of goodwill but these despicable scammers aim to make it a miserable time for their victims.”

Applications invited for help towards winter fuel bills

Applications for a winter fuel support scheme for Denbighshire are now open.

Denbighshire County Council is administering the Welsh Government Winter Fuel Support Scheme which offers eligible households to claim a one-off £100 payment to provide support towards paying winter fuel bills.

Applications for the scheme opened on December 13.

It is open to households where one member is in receipt of Income Support, Income Based Job Seekers Allowance, Income Based Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit or Working Tax Credits at any time between 1 December 2021 and 31 January 2022.

The payment will be available to all eligible households regardless of how they pay for fuel, this includes payments made on a pre-payment meter, by direct debit or by paying a bill quarterly.

Cllr Julian Thompson-Hill, Denbighshire County Council’s Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets, said: “We will be working with Welsh Government colleagues over the coming weeks to ensure this scheme runs as smoothly as possible for Denbighshire residents.

“We would encourage all those eligible to apply for this support scheme and we will process payments as quickly as possible for our residents.”

All applications must be received by February 18, 2022.

* For more information or to apply for the scheme visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/benefits

Monday, December 13, 2021

Schools to end face to face learning on Friday

Schools in Denbighshire will end face-to-face learning on Friday due to rising cases of Covd-19 nationally.

Denbighshire County Council, following discussions with headteachers, is informing parents that face-to face learning in the county’s schools will finish at the end of the school day on December 17.

The decision has been made today to give parents as much notice as possible.

Remote learning will continue at schools until the end of the day on Tuesday, December 21, which is the last day of term.

The decision has been taken to protect pupils and staff after the UK Government’s move to Alert Level 4, which states transmission is high and direct Covid-19 pressure on healthcare services is widespread.

Cllr Huw Hilditch-Roberts, the Council’s Lead Member for Education, Children's Services and Public Engagement, said: “We have been working closely with our schools and have taken this difficult decision now to give parents as much notice as possible of the end of face-to-face learning on Friday.

“With the emergence of the Omicron variant, rising case numbers across the UK and the change in alert level, we are doing everything we can to protect pupils and school staff.

“Online learning will continue on Monday and Tuesday (December 20th and 21th) up to the end of term.

“I would like to once again thank all of our teachers for their continued dedication during this difficult time, pupils for their support for helping control the virus at school sites and parents for taking their children for tests when requested by Test, Trace and Protect.

“Despite the difficulties in continuing education during the pandemic, everyone involved has given their all to ensure our children get the very best education possible.”

Inner Wheel's Christmas Cheer event cancelled

The Llangollen Christmas Cheer event due to be staged on Friday evening has been cancelled.

The evening of festive pre-Christmas entertainment, organised by the Inner Wheel Club  of Llangollen, was to be held at St Collen’s Community Hall with all proceeds being donated to the charities supported by Inner Wheel in the local area.

But earlier today it was announced that it had been called off.

The organisers said: "It is with great regret that Llangollen Inner Wheel have decided to cancel Christmas Cheer. 

"Due to the recent Covid developments we have had several cancellations. 

"Everyone who has bought tickets will receive a refund.

"Best wishes for Christmas to everyone who was going to support the event."

The evening was to have featured a full programme of entertainment. including a number of promising young performers and some established favourites.


Welsh Government launches winter fuel support scheme

 


Minister for Social Justice Jane Hutt has announced the opening of the Winter Fuel Support Scheme on Monday 13th December. 

Eligible people in Wales may be able to claim a one-off £100 payment from their local authority to provide support towards paying their winter fuel bills. Information on how to apply will be available via Local Authority webpages.

Announcing the further funding package, Minister for Social Justice Jane Hutt said: “Households in Wales are under unprecedented financial pressure, compounded by the cost-of-living crisis and the cruel decision by the UK Government to end the uplift to Universal Credit, which has plunged many more adults and children into poverty.

"Today builds on our previous announcements on the Household Support Fund as well as the Cold Weather Resilience plan, which sets out the actions we are taking, in collaboration with our partners, to safeguard vulnerable and lower income households during periods of cold weather.

"So I’m delighted to announce that from Monday 13th December, the Winter Fuel Support Scheme will open. Local Authorities will be contacting eligible households across Wales where they can identify potential eligibility for the scheme to invite applications for the payment. Anyone who is not contacted by their Authority who believes they are eligible for the payment, can submit a claim via their local authority’s website on Monday. It will be available to all eligible energy customers regardless of whether they pay for their fuel on a pre-payment or a credit meter.

"I want to thank our partners in Local Government for ensuring the scheme was ready before Christmas. This will go some way to helping those in most need at this difficult time.”

She added: “We know that people across Wales are facing unprecedented challenges, that’s why we’re committed to doing everything we can to relieve financial pressures and help households with their living costs – supporting families, businesses and communities through these unprecedented times.”

Search is on for young actors to play TV twins

* Ifan Henri, 10, and Lleucu Owen, 11, are now too long in the tooth to play TV twins Deian a Loli.

Calling budding young actors from Denbighshire!

A search has been launched to find two youngsters to take over the title roles in a hit TV series about a pair of mischievous twins with secret super powers.

Production company Cwmni Da are looking for two child actors to take over the main characters in the multi-award winning S4C show, Deian a Loli.

The current duo, Ifan Henri, 10, and Lleucu Owen, 11, are now too long in the tooth to play their parts in the popular Welsh language series.

The show has earned critical acclaim and scooped no less than three BAFTA Cymru awards, along with a host of other accolades.

According to director and co-producer Martin Thomas, no previous acting experience is needed.

He said: “Any young actors aged between nine and 12 years of age are invited to send us a video telling an interesting story about themselves. It can be literally about anything they have done, have seen or just a figment of their imagination.

“The last time we carried out this exercise we received more than 550 videos and the previous time we got around 300 so the whittling down process will take a bit of time.

“We are looking for children with enthusiasm and a zest for life.”

The closing date for applications is January 3, 2022, and more details can be found on the Cwmni Da website at www.cwmnida.cymru

By saying the magic word, Ribidirew!, Deian and Loli are able to freeze their parents while they go off on fantastic adventures.

With preparations under way for the fourth series, Deian and Loli is now established as a firm favourite with Welsh youngsters and their parents.

Ifan, who lives in Abersoch, and Lleucu, from Cerrigydrudion, say playing Deian a Loli has been an unforgettable, fun-filled experience.

“I really enjoyed it, “ said Ifan. “There was loads of fun with the crew and Lleucu and I got on really well. There were lots of jokes and Lleucu and I would often have a fit of the giggles and we'd have to re-do the scene. I think the most we had to do was seven takes."

Lleucu, who attends Ysgol Brynhyfryd in Ruthin, added: "I’ve watched Deian a Loli since it started and I was pleased to get the part. I was a bit nervous but once we started, I felt confident.

"Filming was great and I learned such a lot about acting. I would like to do something like this again and possibly go into the world of acting," she said.

Lleucu and Ifan were kept busy filming the 15-minute episodes until earlier this autumn after the Covid-19 pandemic upset the production schedule.

Both pair advised anyone applying for the roles to prepare their short videos carefully. They should be no more than two minutes long.

Martin said filming will take place in the Caernarfon area next May, shooting an initial 10 episodes and a further 10 the following year.

He added: "Ifan and Lleucu have been brilliant and I’d like to thank them for their amazing contribution to the success of Deian a Loli.

“The show fires up the imagination of the children and shows that they can have an adventure.

“Some of the tales might have a darker edge but it all works out in the end.

"The programme has been well received but for me the real joy has been to see the faces of our audiences when we stage special events like premieres.

“Sitting in a cinema and looking at the children spell bound and staring at the screen as the episode unfolds is priceless.

"The Covid pandemic meant we were not able to stage as many of these as we would have liked with Ifan and Lleucu but I'm sure we will be able to stage these again," he said.

* The closing date for applications is January 3, 2022, and more details can be found on the Cwmni Da website www.cwmnida.cymru