Air ambulance called to collision on the Gwernant

* A picture of the scene used by courtesy of Matthew Jordan Hughes.

Emergency services were called to a road traffic collision on the Gwernant earlier this evening (Monday).

Road ambulances were seen speeding along the A5 towards the scene just after 7pm and soon afterwards a bright yellow air ambulance also headed for the area and is believed to have landed in a nearby field.

Matthew Jordan Hughes, who has allowed llanblogger to use his picture of the incident, said on Facebook: "Everyone avoid the Gwernant either way not passable.

"Accident by the bottom police fire engine etc all there now. Hopefully everyone involved is okay."

* The air ambulance heading towards the collision scene.

Council alert about emergency closure of Hill Street

The county council has this evening (Monday) sent out a warning about the emergency closure of a local street.

It says: "Hill Street, Llangollen, has been closed by Hafren Dyfrdwy, to facilitate urgent repairs to a defect manhole cover."

 

Care home residents visited by special animal friends

The Leader is reporting how residents of a Llangollen Care Home experienced a very special visit from some furry (and not so furry) friends.

* For the full story, see: Llangollen Care Home residents welcome furry friends | The Leader (leaderlive.co.uk)

Ruthin Road, Wrexham closed after police incident

 

On their Facebook page this morning (Monday) North Wales say that North Wales Police are reporting: 

ROAD CLOSURE, Ruthin Road Wrexham, from the Junction of Croesnewydd road to junction of Victoria road. Emergency services at scene, road is likely to be closed for some time.

Corwen benefits from a Levelling Up facelift

* The new Corwen station is part of the town's Levelling Up facelift.

Significant developments are taking place in Corwen town centre as a result of substantial investment from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF).

During the first round of LUF, Denbighshire County Council was successful in its joint application with Wrexham County Borough Council for the Clwyd South Constituency, which was supported by Simon Baynes MP. Denbighshire secured £3.8 million to invest in the communities of Llangollen, Llantysilio, Corwen and surrounding areas.

Following the LUF investment towards the completion of the new Corwen heritage railway station, two further projects are due to commence soon in Corwen with the aim of rejuvenating the surrounding highway area of the high street and improving town centre infrastructure.

The Council will manage a project to improve the highway and public realm within the town centre and has recently contracted Tom James Construction Services Ltd. to undertake the works, which will be completed in two phases.

The first phase of work started on Monday July 3 for two weeks on the Corwen highway improvement scheme. The scheme involves a number of improvements on the A5, surrounding high street and Green Lane car park.

There will be temporary traffic signals on the A5 and Green Lane during new pavement works and temporary pedestrian crossings will also be used to minimise disruption.

The public realm improvements will consist of a general freshen up of the current paving slabs, replacement of broken street furniture and painting of signs and metal work. There will also be installation of bollards, bins and a pedestrian guardrail as well as creating a designated area within the high street for a Christmas tree to be erected each year. This is scheduled to begin on Monday, September 4 for up to six weeks.

As part of these town centre improvements, Cadwyn Adfywio will be undertaking an external refurbishment project to preserve Canolfan Llys Owain (former HSBC bank) on the high street. This is expected to include new replacement windows, guttering and rendering. The project will improve the visual appearance of a key heritage building and safeguard it for ongoing use by the community.

The external improvements to Canolfan Llys Owain are due to start towards the end of summer 2023.

Cllr Jason McLellan, Council Leader and Lead Member for Economic Growth & Tackling Deprivation said: “We are delighted to be moving forward with these projects to help improve town centre infrastructure in Corwen. The Council will work closely with local businesses and residents throughout this process to ensure disruption is minimised and any concerns or issues are identified and addressed as soon as possible throughout the duration of the works.

“We hope that this investment in the area will help to address the needs of both residents and visitors in the South of Denbighshire.”

* You can find more information about the Levelling up Fund in Denbighshire on the Denbighshire County Council website: https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/community-and-living/community-development/levelling-up-fund/levelling-up-fund-luf.aspx

Summer Reading Challenge launches at the library

This summer, children can visit their local library in Denbighshire to join a superstar team and their marvellous mascots and get involved in a Summer Reading Challenge themed around the power of play, sport, games and physical activity. 

The challenge is called ‘Ready, Steady, Read!’ and is free to join and take part for all children.

Through taking part in the Challenge, by accessing the free bilingual materials from the library and online via the Challenge website, children will be encouraged to keep their minds and bodies active over the summer break. The characters – brought to life by children’s author and illustrator Loretta Schauer – navigate a fictional summer obstacle course and track their reading as they go, rewarded by free incentives including stickers. 

By participating in the challenge at their local library, young people will have the opportunity to explore new reading material, develop skills, and discover new interests.  

There will also be games and craft activities available in libraries during the school holidays, with more details to be found on Denbighshire Libraries’ social media channels. 

The Summer Reading Challenge has been running since 1999 and helps to improve children’s reading skills and confidence over the summer holidays, ensuring they are ready for their return to school. 

With the help of local libraries, the Summer Reading Challenge is accessible to all and provides a fun, free activity for children. In 2022, the Summer Reading Challenge reached 723,184 children and families across the UK, with 608,015 children taking part through their local library service, a 31% increase compared to 2021.

Councillor Emrys Wynne, Lead member for the Welsh Language, Culture and Heritage said: “The Summer Reading Challenge is one of the highlights of the year in our libraries, with thousands of local children taking part. The challenge helps children enjoy reading, discover new books and authors, and have fun with their friends in their local library. 

"I would encourage every family to take part this year as it’s all free, and open to everyone. Children can also keep up with their Welsh skills over the summer by borrowing and reading Welsh books from the library for the Challenge. I would also like to thank our friendly and helpful libraries staff who will be helping children get the most out of the Summer Reading Challenge again this year."

Council reminds parents of grant funding scheme

Denbighshire County Council is informing parents and guardians that they can apply for the School Essentials Grant.

The grant scheme, known as the School Essentials Grant (previously Pupil Development Grant), is open for applications, and people may qualify if they receive at least one benefit, such as: 

• Income support

• Income based job seekers allowance

• Income related employment and support allowance

• Child tax credit (but not working tax credit) with an annual income below £16,190

• Pension credit (guaranteed credit)

• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

• Universal Credit and your yearly net earnings must be no more than £7,400.

Parents or guardians who receive a qualifying benefit can receive a grant of £125 if their children are in Reception or Years 1 to 11. 

If the child is in Year 7, parents/guardians may be entitled to a grant of £200 if they receive one of the benefits. 

The grant can cover: 

•  School uniform.

•  School sports kit.

•  Kit for sports outside of school.

•  Uniform for wider activities such as Scouts and Guides.

•  Equipment for activities to support the curriculum, such as design and technology.

•  Equipment for out of school hours trips, including outdoor learning.

•  Duke of Edinburgh activities.

•  Computers, laptops and tablets. 

People cannot receive a School Essentials Grant if they are in receipt of Working Tax Credit.

If your child goes to a school in Denbighshire, you can apply online for a grant by visiting www.denbighshire.gov.uk/school-essentials-grant

People that are eligible for Free School Meals, as well as the School Essentials Grant, may use the same online application form to apply for both. 

Councillor Gill German, Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Education, Children and Families, said: “We know that families are feeling the pressure due to the cost-of-living issues and will be searching for further financial support to assist them.

"This grant funding can be a real lifeline to assist in paying for these goods."