Tidy Town Team leader slams county council 'neglect' of Llangollen

* Now with county council response at foot of story.

* Members of the Tidy Town Team at work on Centenary Square last September. 

The leader of a busy Llangollen voluntary group has strongly criticised Denbighshire County Council (DCC) for its “neglect” of the town.

The Tidy Town Team has completed thousands of hours of unpaid community work on jobs ranging from litter picking to marshalling traffic for the international musical eisteddfod since it was set up in 2006.

Last year alone its members notched up over 500 hours' work and collected 53 bags of litter from the area

But in the team’s 2021 annual report its founder and co-ordinator David Davies attacks the county council on a number of counts, including 'withdrawing' its annual funding. 

He writes:  “Working within Covid-19 regulations the team has continued to meet at least once a month throughout the year. 

“With litter easier to see, our litter picking activities are concentrated in the winter months. Areas covered this year included the canal and riverside from Horseshoe Falls to Wharf, Dinas Bran Castle Hill and roadside approaches to the town.  

“Regretfully this year we have been in receipt of written objections from Street Scene Supervision at DCC to some of litter picking activities.  

“In retaliation, after years of supporting us, they refused to pay our annual insurance costs of approximately £100 this year and have withdrawn the final funding we receive from DCC.” 

Later in the report Mr Davies says: “Unfortunately it is increasingly easy to see DCC’s neglect of the town and that much maintenance is needed. 

“We have, to name a few, inoperative playground equipment, derelict mini golf area, broken riverside seating, damaged and broken footpath railings and a footbridge closed awaiting repair for nearly three years. 

“Efforts by the team and others who care have been met with excuses for non-action by DCC of Covid restrictions, or no money, or shortage of staff.  

“The town and Llangollen council taxpayers are entitled to and expect far better service from DCC.” 

In the report Mr Davies gives a general picture of what the team has achieved over the past 12 months. 

He says: “We have continued to support the Llangollen Health Centre with traffic management on vaccinations days, roadside hedge cutting by the surgery and have given all the outside furniture at the centre a refreshing treatment of wood preservative. 

“Our contract continues with the Town Council to maintain tidy the town’s Centenary Square.  

“As a special project this year we replaced the grassed covered area at the corner of the square that was being abused by humans and dogs. With professional guidance we dug out and prepared the base area and in-filled with local slate chips from Berwyn Quarry. 

“Some members of the team, in partnership with Ysgol Dinas Bran, have enhanced part of the footpath by the school up to the castle with new hurdle fencing, whilst other members have undertaken repairing some stiles along our public footpaths on the edge of town.” 

He adds: “In Cemetery Woods, an area between Llangollen railway station and the river, in partnership with the church, we have continued tree and shrub clearance and erected a temporary post and rail fence to protect the growing young yew hedge planted along the cliff edge. We have now started to identify a circular pathway around the area and planted five young Welsh oak trees. 

“A big thank you to all our supporters and to the team members for collecting this year another 53 sacks of litter and yet again contributing over 500 hours of work effort to benefit the town.”

A spokesperson for Denbighshire County Council said: “The Council is committed to maintaining and improving the town and surrounding area for the benefit of the community and visitors to Llangollen.

“We have worked closely with the Llangollen 2020 group and listened to residents and businesses to introduce improvements in the town centre area.

“Work on the Llangollen 2020 Project has been underway since October 2021, following extensive consultation and engagement around the town.

“When completed the project will provide more space for pedestrians through the construction of wider footways using natural stone paving materials; and improved pedestrian crossing facilities making it easier for pedestrians to walk around the town centre, while upgraded traffic signals will improve the flow of vehicles.

“We have engaged also with Llangollen Town Council in relation to the draft Llangollen People’s Plan, and the Council has responded that we are happy to work with the Shape My Town group, Llangollen Town Council and other partners to support the delivery of projects wherever possible.

“The Council is committed to continuing its regular maintenance in the town and surrounding area to maintain areas, and no reduction in service has been implemented in Llangollen.”

SM calls on people to vote for favourite kebab house

Senedd Member for North Wales Sam Rowlands is calling on his constituents to nominate their favourite kebab house.  

Voting is now open for the 10^th Annual British Kebab House Awards and Mr Rowlands, who says he has been known to enjoy the occasional kebab, wants to see a kebab house in North Wales take the top spot in Wales.  

He said: “I am a big fan of kebabs and I am now encouraging my constituents to vote for their favourite so we can find out which house is the best for kebabs in North Wales.  

“The kebab trade is estimated at being worth a staggering £2.8 billion to the British economy with over 20,000 kebab houses all over the UK selling more than 1.5 million of them every day. 

“I want to back North Wales' best Kebab House to take home the Best Kebab House in Wales Award so please vote for your favourite by January 19 by going to - https://www.samrowlands.org.uk/north-wales-best-kebab-house-ty-cebabs-gorau-gogledd-cymru.” 

The UK’s first kebab shop, Istanbul Restaurant in Soho, opened during the Second World War and pictures of it feature in the Imperial War Museum. 

However, it was not until 1966 that the famous doner kebab – cooked on a vertical spit – first appeared with the opening of the Hodja Nasreddin Kebab House by Çetin Bukey and Konjay Hüseyn in North London’s Newington Green.   

There are now over 20,000 kebab outlets in the UK selling around 2,500 tonnes of lamb and chicken doner a week. There are also around 200 doner kebab manufacturers in the UK, with a turnover in excess of £750m.  

* To submit your own entries for the national competition and nominate a kebab house for any of the other categories go to  http://voting.britishkebabawards.com/. 

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.

Latest Covid-19 updates from Welsh Government

Latest Covid-19 update from the Welsh Government (dated yesterday) is:

• First Minister Mark Drakeford 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.
• https://gov.wales/people-asked-keep-wales-safe-alert-level-2-measures-stay-place
• Written statement – weekly review of alert level two measures: https://gov.wales/written-statement-review-health-protection-coronavirus-restrictions-no5-wales-regulations-2020-1
• Watch the First Minister’s press conference: https://twitter.com/WelshGovernment/status/1479426357062893568
• Slides used in the First Minister’s press conference: https://gov.wales/slides-and-datasets-first-ministers-coronavirus-briefing-7-january-2022 

• Economy Minister Vaughan Gething has published a written statement about emergency Covid financial support for businesses, including for newly-established businesses: https://gov.wales/written-statement-emergency-covid-financial-support-including-newly-established-businesses 

• Updated guidance for schools: https://gov.wales/schools-coronavirus-guidance
• Get tested for coronavirus: https://gov.wales/get-tested-coronavirus-covid-19
• Alert level two – reasonable measures action cards for gyms, leisure centres, sports clubs and indoor sports facilities: https://gov.wales/gyms-leisure-centres-sports-clubs-dance-studios-and-other-indoor-sports-facilities-potential-reasonable-measures-action-card-alert-level-2
• Coronavirus Infection Survey (positivity estimates) – latest results: https://gov.wales/coronavirus-covid-19-infection-survey-positivity-estimates
• NHS beds, admissions and hospitalisations during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic: https://gov.wales/nhs-beds-admissions-and-hospitalisations-during-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic
• Travelling to Wales if you are fully vaccinated: https://gov.wales/travelling-wales-if-you-are-fully-vaccinated-coronavirus
• Rules for children travelling to Wales: https://gov.wales/rules-children-travelling-wales-coronavirus
• Find out whether your Covid-19 vaccination from another country is recognised in Wales: https://gov.wales/countries-whose-covid-19-vaccine-programmes-are-recognised-wales 

• The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has re-published its statistics on provisional weekly deaths, including deaths involving Covid-19, for the week ending 24 December 2021. 
• There have been 9,169 deaths involving Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic in March 2020.
• Of these, 49 deaths involving Covid-19 were registered in the latest week. This was 6% of all deaths and two fewer than the previous week.
• The numbers reported by ONS are different from those from Public Health Wales because of different reporting methods and timing. The ONS figures are higher because they include some extra cases.
• https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/deathsregisteredweeklyinenglandandwalesprovisional/latest 

Coronavirus in numbers

• The latest figures published by Public Health Wales show there were 7,915 newly-reported cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 706,873 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wales since the start of the pandemic.

• There were 21 deaths reported by Public Health Wales. The total number of deaths reported by Public Health Wales is 6,626.
• These figures are updated daily at: https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection/viz/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary   

• The number of people who have received a Covid vaccine in Wales is published every weekday by Public Health Wales.
• The latest figures show 2,494,287 people have received their first dose.

• 2,314,745 people have had two doses of the vaccine.
• To date, 1,695,590 people have had their booster dose of the vaccine.
• https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/public.health.wales.health.protection/viz/RapidCOVID-19virology-Public/Headlinesummary
• For more information about getting your Covid-19 vaccine: https://gov.wales/get-your-covid-19-vaccination
• Can you support the vaccination programme? More information for NHS staff and volunteers at: https://heiw.nhs.wales/jobs/nhs-wales-covid-19-vaccination-team-returning-healthcare-professionals/

What to do if you have symptoms of coronavirus

• The symptoms of coronavirus are a high temperature, a new, continuous cough and a loss or change in smell or taste.
• If you have symptoms of coronavirus, however mild, you must self-isolate at home for up to 10 days from when your symptoms started.
• Guidance about self-isolating: https://gov.wales/self-isolation
• You can book a test at https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-covid-19-test
• You should continue to isolate while waiting for a test result. 

Where to find the latest information

• Wales is at alert level two. More information is available at: https://gov.wales/alert-level-2
• Alert level two: frequently asked questions: https://gov.wales/alert-level-2-frequently-asked-questions
• Our latest Coronavirus Control Plan, setting out the longer-term plan for Wales is at: https://gov.wales/coronavirus-control-plan-autumn-and-winter-2021-update  
• Information about coronavirus is available on the Welsh Government’s website at https://gov.wales/coronavirus and https://llyw.cymru/coronafeirws
• For more information about getting your Covid-19 vaccine: https://gov.wales/get-your-covid-19-vaccination
• Can you support the vaccination programme? More information for NHS staff and volunteers at: https://heiw.nhs.wales/jobs/nhs-wales-covid-19-vaccination-team-returning-healthcare-professionals/