Kerry fights back from poverty to win national business award

* Award-winning Kerry Mackay at work on her Scrubbies products.

A young woman who rescued herself from poverty to start a successful business has been named as one of the UK’s most inspirational and dynamic female entrepreneurs.

Kerry Mackay from Glyn Ceiriog recalls that three years ago she had to use the food bank in Llangollen.

In 2019 she came up with the idea of starting ScrubbiesUK which manufactures a home-compostable alternative to the plastic sponge.

Over the past year she has won three awards for her initiative and in her latest accolade has been chosen as one of the top 100 business people in the UK by the f:Entrepreneur ‘#ialso100’ campaign. 

The campaign aims to celebrate the multi-achievements of women running businesses in the UK today. Now in its fifth year, it attracted a record number of applications during 2021. 

Scrubbies are washable, durable, reusable and affordable which reflects the sustainable heart of the business and the focus on putting people and the planet before profit. 

* Kerry's highly successful Scrubbies in their range of designs.

In November 2018, Kerry had to use the food bank for the first time in her life, and, as a working single mother, this was a devastating low point for her.

She designed Scrubbies in the following days and it is now sold to wholesale and retail partners with more than over 60,000 made so far.

Kerry won three other national business awards in 2021 including Product of The Year at the National Environmental Awards and using Scrubbies as a means to highlight both environmental and social issues having started her eco business whilst in food-bank poverty. 

On being featured in the #ialso100 lineup, Kerry Mackay said: “It's an incredible honour to be recognised alongside such inspiring female entrepreneurs. Hard work and sheer determination really do pay off, even if your only dream is to escape poverty.” 

Both f:Entrepreneur and Small Business Britain were founded by Michelle Ovens CBE, who is also the director of Small Business Saturday UK. 

“Congratulations to Kerry Mackay at ScrubbiesUK, and all of the brilliant female entrepreneurs featured in this year’s #ialso100,” she said.

“It is so vital that we recognize and celebrate the phenomenal contribution that women running businesses are making across the UK, and the far-reaching, positive impact they are having, not just on the economy, but on wider communities too. 

“The last few years have been hugely challenging for small businesses, yet despite this female entrepreneurship continues to grow and flourish in the UK, and is very much at the heart of the UK’s recovery.” 

* To see the full line-up of the 100 women featured in this year’s f:entrepreneur #ialso100 campaign  visit https://f-entrepreneur.com/ialso-100-2022/

Mazda breaks into premium sector with new CX-30

Mazda CX-30 drive by Steve Rogers

Here’s a car that has lived up to expectations. When Mazda’s compact SUV was launched two years ago it was predicted to become the company’s best seller, and it has, toppling CX-5 and the Mazda3 hatchback.

Hardly a risky forecast as the great British public had made it quite clear they prefer high riding cars that drive like a hatchback of old, yet it still had to win the showroom battle.

And that is where Mazda’s desire to be different paid dividends because CX-30s sleek styling is a crowd puller and nothing like its rivals. In fact the CX-30 is more pumped up hatchback than a boxy SUV.

Not only is the styling out of sync with the rest of the pack, so is the engine. Mazda has turned its nose up at the trend for a smaller turbo charged petrol in favour of a normally aspirated 2-litre but with a kick of its own.

The engine has compression controlled spark ignition that brings in the power sooner than a conventional petrol but not quite as instant as a turbo. To close the gap a mild hybrid electric motor has added 5bhp and 16Nm or torque while updating the hybrid software has also lowered emissions and increased economy.

It is a completely different feel to a turbo engine, not quite as responsive at low revs with more gear changes needed to feel the benefit, but charging through the super slick six speed gearbox up to the rev limit without so much as a squeal for submission is terrific fun.

My wife has been looking over my shoulder and asking why I am rabbiting on about technical mumbo jumbo when people want to know if CX-30 is a good family car. Fair point.

Because of its curvaceous styling the Mazda is not as roomy as some rivals but is not far off when it comes to cabin space and more than adequate for most families. Rear legroom is okay although the high waistline and smaller glass area makes it a bit gloomy in the back. Boot space is a little down and there are no levers in the side walls to drop the back seats but you do get a powered tailgate higher up the range.

Mazda has been busting a gut to break into the premium sector and I think it has made it with the CX-30. It has aced it with classy design, high end materials and build quality. The driving position is perfect with a clear instrument binnacle although additional driver information is thin on the ground compared to rivals in the VW-Audi group. It does have a brilliant head up display – why doesn’t every car have this important feature?

I have always praised the simplicity of Mazda’s infotainment centre which has been refined with a larger 8.8in central screen and new graphics, and it is sticking with the rotary controller between the front seats which is safer and easier to use than a touchscreen.

There is a choice of five trim levels and two power outputs, 120bhp or 183bhp tested here. Unfortunately the 120bhp e-SkyActiv G engine does not have the compression controlled ignition and lacks punch but if performance is not on the must have list then take a look at the SE-L Lux at £25,245 with reversing camera and heated seats part of a generous package along with much lower group 13 insurance.

My GT Sport Tech is a beauty with leather heated front seats, heated steering wheel, 360 degree surround camera and a 12 speaker Bose sound system fronting a very long spec list not to mention a comprehensive safety pack but you will need to go the other side of 30 grand for the pleasure.

I would stick with the more powerful e-SkyActiv X engine which is more economical than the 120 G version and mate it with the superb manual gearbox, but money can be saved by going down the model range without taking too much pain on spec.

Fast facts

CX-30 GT Sport Tech

£31,305 (range starts £23,745)

2-litre e-SkyActiv X 183bhp

0-62mph 8.3secs; 127mph

49.6mpg combined (49.8mpg tested)

128g/km. 1^st VED £175

Insurance group 21

Boot: 422-1398 litres

Testing reminder as face-to-face learning restarts tomorrow

As schools in Denbighshire return to face-to-face learning from tomorrow (Monday) pupils and staff are being reminded to take regular lateral flow tests to help stop the spread of Covid-19.

With the spread of the Omicron variant, all school staff and secondary pupils are asked to follow Welsh Government guidance and take lateral flow tests on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays prior to attending school if they aren’t displaying symptoms.

Those who are displaying symptoms should not go to school and arrange for a PCR test.

Denbighshire County Council says it has been working closely with schools in the run up to face-to-face learning resuming.

Cllr Huw Hilditch-Roberts, the council’s Lead Member for Education, Children's Services and Public Engagement, said: “With the Omicron variant and the rising case numbers across the UK we are continuing to work closely with schools to do everything we can to protect pupils and school staff.

“It is important pupils and all school staff take regular lateral flow tests when they do not have symptoms to help stop the spread of the virus. Anyone displaying Covid-19 symptoms is asked to take a PCR test and stay home until they get a negative result or they complete the self-isolation period.

“However, the case rates nationwide are likely to impact on staffing levels and the ability for our schools to maintain face to face provision over the coming weeks.

“This means decisions may need to be made to close classes or year groups due to the numbers of teachers in isolation.

“I would like to once again thank all of our school staff for their continued dedication and hard work and parents and pupils for their support for helping control the virus.

“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.”

School staff are asked to wear a face covering in all indoor areas where physical distancing cannot be maintained with secondary learners also asked to wear face coverings in classrooms, with staff and pupils encouraged to practice good hygiene, which includes regular handwashing and sanitising.

Parents and carers are also asked to be aware that due to the high number of Covid-19 cases there may be some disruption, possibly at short notice, to school transport.

Alternative arrangements will be put in place where possible and those affected informed, however parents and carers are asked to discuss options and contingencies with their child or children should school buses or taxis not arrive and we thank parents and carers for their understanding at this time.

'Fight your corner over lost benefit cash', says Skates

People facing benefit cuts are being urged to "fight their corner" by a Member of the Senedd who says hundreds of claimants in his constituency have had theirs reinstated on appeal. 

In 2020, Ken Skates helped a disabled Cefn Mawr woman who had her Personal Independence Payment (PIP) slashed by more than £80 a week win her appeal to the UK Government’s Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). 

Now the Clwyd South MS is repeating his calls for people to ‘fight back’ after learning that at least 440 claimants in his area have won their own appeals in recent years. 

He said: “Although benefits are not devolved to Wales and are the responsibility of the UK Government, I have seen an increasing number coming to me for help in recent years after having their PIP or other claims cut by the DWP. 

“Many people have been successful in appealing and having them reinstated, but I’m concerned that many feel there is no point or don’t know where to turn. Charities like Scope have also spoken out about this, and it’s important that people know they can fight back.” 

Mr Skates previously raised the issue in May 2020 when he helped cancer survivor Karen Richards take on the DWP and win. She also received back-dated payments after the UK Government admitted they should never have taken away her mobility support payments. 

PIP is the main disability benefit and is designed to support people with the extra living costs associated with their long-term condition. 

Mr Skates says that as reported by the Liverpool Echo in November, Scope analysed UK Government data between July 2019 and June 2021 and found there had been 12,579 successful appeals for PIP claims each month – equating to a wrong benefit decision being made every minute of the working day. In December, the newspaper also revealed that the DWP had 67% of its PIP decisions reversed.

The MS, who was also an outspoken critic of the UK Government’s cut to Universal Credit, said: “These payments are a lifeline for some of the most vulnerable people in our society, and the fact that so many are being overturned shows the number of incorrect, unfair decisions being made every single day.

“The numbers also highlight why people should fight their corner. If they don’t know how to, there is help available, and Scope has some really useful information on its website. There are also other organisations like Citizens Advice which can help free of charge.” 

Mr Skates says that if you want to challenge a benefit decision, you have one calendar month from the date on your decision letter to ask the DWP to ask for a ‘mandatory reconsideration’. 

Figures released by the DWP show that, in Clwyd South, there were 100 successful appeals against PIP reductions in the 2016-2017 financial year, 90 each in 2017-18 and 2018-19 and another 80 in 2019-20. Last year 40 of Mr Skates’ constituents managed to get their reductions reinstated.

Drakeford says Covid Alert Level 2 will stay in place

First Minister Mark Drakeford (pictured) has asked people to keep taking steps to protect each other and keep Wales safe from the wave of omicron cases.

He has confirmed alert level 2 measures will stay in place in Wales following the outcome of the latest regulations review.

Cases of coronavirus have risen sharply to their highest ever levels as the omicron wave has surged across Wales in the post-Christmas period. The latest figures show there are more than 2,200 cases per 100,000 people in Wales.

Mr Drakeford said: “The omicron wave means we are all facing a difficult month ahead of us. We are already seeing extremely high case rates in communities and we must be prepared for cases to rise even higher, just as they have elsewhere in the UK.

“This variant may not be as severe as we had initially feared but the speed at which it is travelling and its infectiousness continue to be cause for concern.

“That makes it vital that we all take action to keep each other safe. The things which have helped to protect us all throughout the pandemic will continue to protect us now.

“This includes getting vaccinated and making your booster a priority, limiting the number of people you meet who you don’t live with, and taking a lateral flow test before going out and mixing with others.

“Together, we will keep each other safe and we will keep Wales safe.”

At alert level 2 people must:

• Wear a face covering (unless there is a reasonable excuse not to wear one) in all indoor public places, including when not seated in a pub, café or restaurant.
• Meet no more than five other people at a café, restaurant, pub or other public premises (unless with their household of a larger number). This applies to both outdoor and indoor areas of the premises.
• Work from home if they can.
• Self-isolate for seven days if they test positive for Covid-19. People should take a lateral flow test on day six and day seven. If either test is positive they should remain in isolation until two negative lateral flow tests or after day 10, whichever is sooner.
• Not take part in an organised event indoors of more than 30 people or outdoors for more than 50 people. All organised events must be organised by a responsible body and have a risk assessment.

People are also being encouraged to follow strengthened guidance to help them stay safe at home, this includes limiting the number of people they meet who they don’t live with, to flow before you go by taking a lateral flow test before going out, meeting people outdoors wherever possible and making sure indoor spaces are well ventilated.

Company takes over recycling sites - but not Llangollen

* The running of the 'pop-up' waste site at the Pavilion car park will not be taken over by Bryson Recycling.

A social enterprise company has landed the contract to manage three household recycling centres in Denbighshire - but not including the 'pop-up' site in Llangollen.

As part of the same seven-year contract Bryson Recycling will also be running five sites in Conwy County Borough.

The company says it aims to increase recycling rates, introduce more reuse activities and implement their local circular economy approach to recycling.

The Denbighshire sites it will be running are those at Lon Parcwr in Ruthin, Colomendy in Denbigh and Marsh Road, Rhyl.

Bryson told llanblogger the contract does not include the sites at Llangollen Pavilion car park and Green Lane car park, Corwen which a spokesperson said were "outside the scope of the tender".

Bryson have been working with Conwy County Borough Council since 2014 when they won a contract to manage their household recycling centres, and in 2020 they introduced a garden waste collection service for their local residents. 

The company says this new contract, which is due to commence on April 1st 2022, will result in them significantly increasing their operation in North Wales.

General manager Gareth Walsh said “We are extremely pleased to be working in partnership with both councils and are looking forward to introducing our social enterprise approach to recycling across all five sites with the aim of increasing recycling and reuse whilst providing an excellent service to local residents. We are also keen to look an innovative ways to engage and work with local communities.”  

Councillor Brian Jones, lead member for Waste, Transport and the Environment at Denbighshire County Council, said: “Working together with Conwy Council to appoint a single operator has enabled us to provide value for money for our residents as the management costs have reduced. 

"We know the recycling centres are very popular with our residents and we receive many compliments about the staff that work there.  

"The site staff, currently managed by CAD Recycling Ltd, will transfer to the new operator, meaning residents will still receive the same high standard of service they are used to, but will also benefit from new investment in our facilities.   

"I’m delighted to see that the new contract also includes more green initiatives, such as availability of free compost to site users and support of reuse projects within our communities.”

* To find out more about Bryson Recycling visit www.brysonrecycling.org

Area awakes to thin covering of snow

Llangollen awoke to a thin covering of snow this morning (Wednesday) as can be seen from these pictures of the castle and surrounding hills.