Trains return to Llangollen Railway in time for half term

It's now just a week before trains return to Llangollen Railway in time for the half term holiday starting on Saturday, February 19.

A two-train heritage diesel railcar service will be in operation on the weekends of 19th & 20th and 26th & 27th of February when Timetable B is to operate with trains leaving Llangollen for Carrog at 1030am, 1200 noon, 1.00pm, 2.30pm and 3.15pm.

A one-train railcar service will run on Wednesday 23rd to Friday 25th February. Timetable A operates with departures at 11am, 12,50 pm and 3.10pm.

Units expected to be in use are the Class 108/104 hybrid set and the unique Class 109 Wickham set, the latter following a major engine repair. All date from the late 1950s and show how trains used to be in British Railways days when operated on branch lines. 

Riding the railcar offers the best views of the Dee Valley in the late winter season when the results of wintertime maintenance work might be seen to advantage. 

The trains also offer the opportunity to enjoy recreational visits to the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with many short walks, or longer from the stations at Berwyn, Glyndyfrdwy and Carrog. 

According to Llangollen Railway Unofficial Facebook page, the platform at Deeside is being demolished.

The facility, which dates from 1990, has become unstable and following the removal of the points which formed the loop, the platform is no longer required. 

Re-sleepering of six panels of track west of Deeside has also taken place during early February as shown on LR Facebook page.

One noticeable change for the start of the new season is that passing of trains must now take place at Glyndyfrdwy.

Wales to gradually relax Covid rules, says Drakeford

Wales will gradually begin to relax some of its remaining coronavirus protections as cases continue to fall, First Minister Mark Drakeford (pictured) announced today.

From 18 February the legal requirement to show a COVID Pass to enter certain venues and events will be lifted and from 28 February face coverings will no longer need to be worn in all indoor public places.

The changes will be confirmed today, following the first three-week review of Wales’ alert level zero measures.

The latest results from the ONS Coronavirus Infection Survey suggest levels of infection have recently fallen, but community transmission rates remain relatively high in all parts of Wales.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: "With increasing numbers of people vaccinated and boosted and thanks to the hard work and efforts of everyone across Wales, we are confident that coronavirus rates are falling and we can look forward to brighter times ahead.

"We can start to gradually and carefully remove some of the remaining protections we have in place at alert level zero. But we are not removing all the measures at once because the pandemic is not over yet.

"To keep Wales safe we need to remain cautious and do everything we can to reassure those who feel most at risk. We will keep some important protections in place, including face coverings in health and social care settings, on public transport and in all shops. We will also keep self-isolation rules in place.

"Next month, we will publish a plan setting out how we will move beyond alert level zero and the emergency footing on which we have been operating for nearly two years. This will help us all to make some plans for the future.

"From Friday 18 February, the domestic COVID Pass will no longer be required for entry into indoor or outdoor events and venues, including nightclubs, cinemas, theatres and concert halls. But events and venues will be able to continue to use it if they choose to.

"The international COVID Pass will continue to be integral to arrangements for safer international travel. Travellers will need to check the relevant countries’ rules for entry, including any different requirements for children.

"From Monday 28 February, the requirement to wear face coverings will be removed from most indoor public places, apart from in retail, public transport and health and care settings.

"If the public health conditions continue to improve, the legal requirement to wear face coverings in all remaining settings could be lifted by the end of March.

"Schools will return to using their local decision framework from 28 February and from 11 February the guidance will be updated to make it clear adults can remove their face coverings when they are interacting with babies and small children at baby and toddler groups.

"The next three-weekly review of the coronavirus regulations will be carried out by 3 March, when the remaining measures at alert level zero will be reviewed."

County explains marks in road at Parade Street junction

* The lines etched into the roadway at 

the junction of Parade Street and Castle Street.

Denbighshire County Council has responded to concerns about the new pavements being created as part of the Llangollen 2020 project.

As the work progresses contractors appear to have marked out the line of the new paved areas to be created around the corner of the Parade Street/Castle Street junction using saw cuts.

The shape of the lines cut into the carriageway has prompted the campaigning Facebook page Llangollen Advocate to post: "Llangollen 2020 works ... Follow the cut mark to see the planned line of the new pavement from Parade Street down to the bridge.

"As well as significantly reducing the width of the exit from Parade Street to Castle Street for the buses and larger vehicles, it certainly appears to be choking down the road.

"Have Denbighshire County Council got this right? Cllr Brian Jones?"

Cllr Jones is the council’s Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the Environment, which is overseeing the 2020 project.

The post adds: "Let’s not forget DCC Cabinet told the team to test this out for operability before finishing it off. DCC officers were very confident of their computer modelling though. Let’s hope the design team are keeping a close eye on this."

A number of people have commented on the post.

One said: "That looks like the buses will have to go on opposite side of road to get out."

 

• • 
    
  Another said: "They are off their heads. Large vehicles have to cut on to the opposite carriageway already ... this is suicidal and already a longstanding problem for buses using East Street.

A spokesperson for the county council said: "Work continues on the construction of the Parade Street/Castle Street/Bridge Street raised junction table.

"The junction table is designed to reduce vehicle speed and promote pedestrian movement.

"The works involve widening pavements to make it safer and easier for pedestrians, including vulnerable road users, to walk around the town centre.

“The saw cut line, on the junction of Parade Street and Castle Street, delineates the extent of the excavation and not the proposed kerb line. The finished kerb line will be 30cm inside the current saw cut line.”

Appeal for the return of unwanted therapy equipment

County residents are being urged to return unwanted therapy equipment to help others in need.

Denbighshire County Council’s Equipment Service is calling on residents to return community therapy and disability equipment that is no longer in use.

The appeal follows a shortage of equipment for the service along with other local authorities and NHS Trusts across the UK.

An amnesty is in operation to help source any unrequired equipment across the county.

The service provides equipment for Social Services and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board services within Denbighshire.

If you have any unwanted equipment, staff will arrange to collect, clean and reuse any that is in a good condition previously provided by the service.

Items in particular demand include raised toilet seats, toilet frames, shower chairs, perching stools, kitchen trolleys, commodes and shower stools.

If you have community therapy or disability equipment that you no longer need to use, please contact the Community Equipment Service to return the items to support the service in helping others.

* Tel: 01745 344675

* e-mail: CESI@denbighshire.gov.uk

Police boss warns the lonely about scammers

A police boss has issued an urgent warning to lonely men and women in North Wales not to be fooled by heartless scammers.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin (pictured) spoke out after it was revealed that cruel fraudsters had duped their targets out of nearly £500,000 last year

Mr Dunbobbin said the region’s police force had received more than 100 reports of romance fraud in 2021.

But he fears it could be “just the tip of the iceberg, with many more lovelorn victims who were too embarrassed or ashamed to contact the police about being swindled.

According to Mr Dunbobbin, the increased isolation and loneliness caused by the pandemic had also led to an increase in romance fraud.

One of the cases that came to light involved  a single man aged 57 who was conned out of £150,000 after being groomed over a period of months when he was gradually isolated from family and friends.

The fraudster told him she wanted to renovate a property abroad so that she could sell it to move to the UK so they could spend the rest of their lives together.

The victim was persuaded to send money to the suspect for the work to be completed.

He was persuaded by the scammer that she needed to pretend to be married to claim and inheritance and he was persuaded to pose as her husband.

It ended up with him making “significant payments”  for bogus legal fees to various bank accounts to release the funds to the suspect.

North Wales Police are investigating the case and providing support for the victim.

Tackling fraud is a key priority in Mr Dunbobbin’s Police and Crime Plans which sets out the blueprint for the policing of North Wales.

The commissioner has pledged to bolster the force’s Economic Crime Unit with three extra officers.

Mr Dunbobbin also provides funding for the Victim Help Centre in St Asaph which serves the whole of North Wales.

The centre brings together the support services of North Wales Police, the Witness Care Unit of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the former Victim Support organisation.

The commissioner also revealed that people who fear they have been victims can now call a new hotline, 159, which aims to be a “999 for fraud”.

The 159 number is being trialled by Stop Scams UK, a group of banks and telephone firms and will enable people to speak to their bank instantly about a suspected fraud

Mr Dunbobbin said: “Being a victim of fraud can have a devastating and traumatic impact on peoples’ lives, often leaving them emotionally destroyed.

“The problem is that these scammers are incredibly plausible and have the gift of the gab so it is understandable that people can get taken in, particularly if they are feeling lonely.

“It’s therefore important for people to be on their guard for this kind of crime and not to be fooled by these smooth-talking swindlers whose only interest is fleecing their victims remorselessly.

“Over the past two years it’s understandable that due to the pandemic people have been feeling insecure and lonely which has increased this type of fraud.

“The pandemic has also provided fraudsters with the perfect excuses as to why they cannot meet their victims in person.

“I am  urging anyone who is concerned they may have been a victim to seek help and support.”

If you have been the victim of a fraud you can report it to Action Fraud via the website, www.actionfraud.police.uk or by ringing them on 0300 123 2040 while people who suspect they have been scammed can also call a new hotline by ringing 159.

Winter of wellbeing planned for youngsters in Denbighshire

Children and young people in Denbighshire can get involved in supporting their wellbeing this winter.

Denbighshire County Council is providing a range of free sporting, cultural and play based bilingual activities as part of the Welsh Government’s Winter of Wellbeing Programme.

This winter, the Welsh Government announced funding for a variety of interactive, creative, and play-based activities for a wide range of ages. 

By creating plenty of safe places for free play and physical activity, children and young people alike can come together and have fun while also strengthening their social, emotional, and physical wellbeing.

Events are taking place across the county and include Saturday Morning Family Art Workshops at Llangollen Library.

The workshops offer the opportunity to experiment and have creative fun as a family. 

Artists at the workshops will be:

• Donna Jones on February 26
• Penny Alexander, March 12
• Nerys Jones, March 19

The workshops are for families with children aged between 6 and 11 years old and are at the library from 10am to 12noon. 

* Find out how to get to Llangollen Library

Cllr Huw Hilditch-Roberts, the council’s Lead Member for Education, Children's Services and Public Engagement, said: “We are pleased to be supporting this project and offering a fantastic bilingual programme of events in Denbighshire. The council is working with a number of partners on this project and I would like to thank all those taking part."

All events and activities will have Covid-19 safety measures in place, which attendees will need to follow.

* To book onto one of the events in the county or activities, or for further information on the Winter of Wellbeing, please visit the web page: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/winter-of-wellbeing

MS urges people to have their say about policing

Senedd Member for North Wales Sam Rowlands is calling on his constituents to have their say and help the police prioritise their neighbourhood policing activity. 

The initiative, ‘North Wales Talking’, which is aimed at understanding the crime and disorder concerns of local communities across North Wales, is  a key priority of North Wales Police Neighbourhood Policing Teams.

Mr Rowlands said: “I think it is a great idea to ask local people, who live and work in my Region, what issues matter to them in their communities.

“I know that North Wales is one of the safest places to live, work and visit and I welcome any measures which will help to keep it that way.

“It is also good to see people being given the opportunity to have their say and I urge everyone to take part in the survey.”

The short survey asks people what it is like to live in their areas and what issues matter most to them in their community. There is also an opportunity to raise any concerns they may have.

Feedback via North Wales Talking will enable Neighbourhood Policing Teams, together with partner agencies to tackle the issues raised and have a voice in how Neighbourhood Policing activity is prioritised. You can also choose to register for the North Wales Community Alert, NWP’s  free community messaging system where you will then receive updates from your Neighbourhood Policing Team on the action taken to tackle the top three local community issues.

Superintendent Helen Corcoran said: “North Wales Talking will provide residents the opportunity to tell us what issues matter most to them in their local community. It could be anti-social behaviour that is worrying you, or perhaps you have information to pass on about drug dealing in your local area.

"We want your feedback which we will use to help identify the top three issues in your area that our Neighbourhood Policing Teams will work on over the next few months.

* To take part and be part of the conversation, visit: www.northwalestalking.co.uk Or www.gogleddcymrunsiarad.co.uk for our Welsh survey.