Tackling non-compliant vaping products in Denbighshire

Denbighshire’s Trading Standards team have been taking action to tackle the issue of non-compliant vaping products within the county.

The market for vaping products continues to grow, with retailers sourcing a variety of stock to meet consumer demand. 

However, an increasing amount of the stock being bought by retailers in the UK are being found to be non-compliant with laws relating to e-cigarettes.

In recent weeks the council’s Trading Standards team have been conducting visits to various premises and providing retailers with advice and guidance relating to the wide range of vaping products available.

Whilst a large amount of non-compliant stock that would be illegal for sale in the UK has previously been seized in the county, a joint operation carried out by Denbighshire’s Trading Standards team and North Wales Police’s Denbighshire Coastal team on July 28 found that levels of compliance had improved in a majority of premises in Denbighshire selling vaping products.

By law, e-cigarettes are limited to contain 2ml of liquid (roughly 600 – 800 puffs) and no more than 20mg of nicotine per ml. There is also labelling and warning requirements - including an ingredient list, batch number and UK importer name and contact details, amongst others. 

Packaging must not mislead consumers in any way that would encourage them to make purchases that they would not have ordinarily made, and the product must fully match the description provided on the packaging.

The council is urging business owners to make themselves aware of the laws in relation to the vaping products they are selling and to ensure that they seek advice from Denbighshire’s Trading Standards team if they are ever in doubt about stock that they have purchased or are considering purchasing.

Cllr Win Mullen-James, Lead Member for Local Development and Planning, said: “The popularity of vaping products has increased dramatically in the UK in recent years and so it is vital to ensure that products being sold within Denbighshire comply with the legal requirements to protect the health and safety of our residents who use them.

“Denbighshire’s Trading Standards team will continue to monitor the compliance of businesses in Denbighshire and ensure that appropriate action is taken if a business is found to be selling non-compliant vaping products. It is the responsibility of business owners to ensure that they comply with the law through their business practices, and so we encourage any business owners to contact the team for advice and guidance in relation to vaping products that they are selling.”

Businesses can get in touch with Denbighshire’s Trading Standards Team for advice on vaping products here: https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/licences-permits-and-trading-standards/forms/contact-us-trading-standards.aspx

The council are also advising that if residents are aware of businesses in Denbighshire selling non-compliant vaping products, or selling them to underage persons, that they can report them anonymously to Crimestoppers by phone on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or to No Ifs. No Butts at www.noifs-notbutts.co.uk.

Archives gives you chance to delve into your past

North East Wales Archives in Ruthin are to host a free ‘open doors’ event on Saturday September 9 welcoming all to come and explore some of the historical photographs that are held there. 

There will also be activities planned for families and children, such as Cyanotype printing with a local artist. This uses an early photography process known as Cyanotype or sun printing to create a beautiful blue toned image using inspiration from archive collections. 

There will also be a guest exhibition by local photographer Jac Williams named “Honest Agriculture”. The exhibition highlights the photographer’s lifelong project capturing evocative images of farming in North Wales.

Visitors will even get a chance to have their portrait taken by ‘The Vintage Camera lady’ who has the only street box camera in all of Wales. 

Located at the Gaol in Ruthin, the open doors event will run from 10am to 4pm and will join the more than 200 other historic sites, landmarks and hidden gems that will be opening their doors during September. 

‘Open Doors’ is Wales’ annual contribution to the European Heritage Days initiative, which invites heritage organisations, private owners, local authorities and more to open their doors or offer activities to the public free of charge during September. 

Earlier this year, North East Wales Archives, which is jointly run by both Flintshire and Denbighshire County Councils, was awarded Archive Service Accreditation. 

Archivist, Sarah Roberts said: “We are excited to be involved in Open Doors once again and have joined up with some new partners this year to make the event even better. We will have some of our favourite photography collections on display which are always a popular attraction with visitors during open days.” 

Councillor Emrys Wynne, Lead Member for Welsh Language, Culture & Heritage said: “It is great that the service is opening its doors for free to the public for this special event. The archives hold information and photographs from across the county, and beyond so it will be a great opportunity for locals to come and discover more about the history of the area they live in.” 

Artist activity has been funded by Welsh Government as part of the annual Explore Your Archive Campaign. This is a free event, except for takeaway portraits provided by The Vintage Camera Lady.

Ysgol Dinas Brân students celebrate 'very pleasing' GCSE results

 

There were scenes of joy at Ysgol Dinas Brân as Year 11s received their GCSE results this morning (Thursday). 

Many students have achieved their grades and are excited for their future and next steps in their education.

Headteacher Mark Hatch said the results were very pleasing after all the hard work that staff and students had put into achieving them. 

"'I am so pleased for all of the students that have worked so hard and gained fantastic grades. 

"The students are still suffering post pandemic from having missed so much education, however, with all the hard work and dedication of the students, staff and parents they have done so well. 

"I would like to thank everyone for the achievements and I wish all of our students the very best in their next steps, whether that be in our sixth form or college. Well done everyone!'

* Denbighshire County Council is congratulating pupils receiving their GCSE results.

Councillor Gill German, Cabinet Lead Member for Education, Children and Family Services, said: “On behalf of the Council I would like to congratulate all pupils that have received their GCSE results.

“This cohort has faced significant challenges over the past few years and they have made a tremendous effort to achieve their results, they have worked very hard to get here and overcome a lot of obstacles.

“There has been some fantastic partnership working to ensure students achieved the best results possible and pupils have received support from their families and schools. I would like to thank all those who have supported our hard-working students this last year.

“We would like to wish all learners the very best in their next steps.”

Proud Grandad

* Llangollen man Mike Edwards says he's proud of his identical twin grand-daughters, Katie and Lucy, who have both achieved 13 A-stars in their GCSEs.

The girls, pictured below, live in Wrexham and attend St Joseph’s School.

Roadworks set up at scene of electrical hatch blaze

* Roadworks around the site of the fire in the hatch on Mill Street.

Roadworks have now appeared around the site of yesterday (Wednesday) evening's fire in an electrical inspection hatch in Mill Street.

But a spokesperson for the power company carrying out the repair work says they are aiming to have the road clear again by tomorrow afternoon.

Two crews from the town's fire station were at the scene within minutes after the blaze erupted in the hatch, near to the bus stop on Mill Street (A539) just across the road from the Bridge End pub.

It is believed the fire was preceded by a large explosion which was heard across town around 7.20pm and appears to have blown the heavy metal cover off the hatch.

As firefighters tackled the outbreak using dry foam extinguishers police directed traffic around the area.

A team from the power company was also at the scene. 

* Traffic lights controlling the roadworks.

The incident coincided with a power cut affecting a number of local postcode areas, including LL208EB, LL208NU, LL208NY, LL208PN, LL208RJ, LL208RQ, LL208RY, LL208RZ, LL208SA, LL208SD, LL208SE, LL208SG, LL208SH, LL208SN, LL208SW, LL208TA, LL208TF, LL208TH, LL208UE.

A power cut warning put out by power company SP Energy Systems last night said the fault would take until at least 2am this morning to rectify. 

Today a note on the company's website said the power cut had been resolved.

The roadworks at the site, surrounding a large excavation where the hatch was located, have closed the pavement running behind the bus stop and are being controlled by temporary traffic lights at either end.

* A spokesperson for SP Energy Networks said: “There was a fault in an underground link box on Mill Street. Our engineers responded immediately and worked to swiftly and safely isolate the incident and restore supplies. 

"Our teams are onsite replacing the link box and are working hard to ensure this is done as quickly as possible to limit disruption.

"We apologise for any inconvenience and are working with our excavation service partners to ensure the works are fully reinstated and the roadworks removed by Friday afternoon.”

Council gets ready for influx of bank holiday visitors

Preparations have been made by the county council and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB for an increase in visitors to Horseshoe Falls, Llangollen (pictured above), Moel Famau and Loggerheads Country Park this bank holiday weekend. 

They say people should check ahead to see if facilities are open and where possible access quieter sites and walks as this will help avoid busy periods and parking issues. 

It is also vital that people respect the countryside and act responsibly, this means not littering, parking sensibly and only to ride bikes on routes where cycling is permitted. 

The council has introduced a series of measures at Moel Famau and Horseshoe Falls to reduce congestion in the area. 

Drivers are also asked to park responsible or risk a fixed penalty fine as parking enforcement officers will patrol during the bank holiday. 

At Horseshoe Falls, visitors coming in on a Saturday can park in Llangollen and use the Dee Valley Picturesque Bus service - https://www.clwydianrangeanddeevalleyaonb.org.uk/projects/the-picturesque-bus/ 

Visitors can use Llangollen Railway to disembark at Berwyn Station to visit the falls from either Llangollen or Corwen. 

If the weather is dry over the weekend people ae urged not to have BBQs, camping stoves or campfires on the moorland areas of the AONB because of the significant risk of fire. 

Dog owners are also asked to act responsibly and keep their pets on leads when walking through the countryside around livestock especially as lambing season continues. 

* For more information on planning your trip ahead, visit https://www.clwydianrangeanddeevalleyaonb.org.uk/  and follow the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Volunteering opportunities to be highlighted at Town Hall

Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council is hosting a Volunteer Recruitment Fair at Llangollen Town Hall on Wednesday September 20, from 10am-1pm.

Over 20 organisations looking for volunteers will have stalls with information on all the opportunities currently available.

* For further details, email: office@dvsc.co.uk

Firefighters tackle blaze in electrical inspection hatch

* Fire rages in the inspection hatch.

* A firefighter puts out the flames with an dry powder extinguisher.

* Police control traffic on Mill Street as fire engines stand by.

Fire brigade crews were in action this evening (Wednesday) when an electrical blaze broke out in an inspection hatch on one of the main roads into Llangollen.

Two crews from the town's station were at the scene within minutes after the fire erupted in the hatch, near to the bus stop on Mill Street (A539) just across the road from the Bridge End pub.

It is believed the blaze was proceeded by a large explosion which was heard across town around 7.20pm and appears to have blown the heavy metal cover off the hatch.

As firefighters tackled the outbreak using dry foam extinguishers police directed traffic around the area.

A team from the power company was also at the scene.

* Power company SP Energy Networks has put out a power cut warning for the area.

It says: "There is a power cut in the LL20 postcode area of Llangollen. Restoration is taking longer than expected because of the extent of the repairs required and our team are now working to get your electricity supply back on as quickly and as safely as possible by 2.00AM. 

"The latest updates can be found on our website www.spenergynetworks.co.uk. 

"We will update this message if this information changes. If you require any further help or support, please call us on 105. We apologise for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience."

The warning adds that postcodes affected are: LL208EB, LL208NU, LL208NY, LL208PN, LL208RJ, LL208RQ, LL208RY, LL208RZ, LL208SA, LL208SD, LL208SE, LL208SG, LL208SH, LL208SN, LL208SW, LL208TA, LL208TF, LL208TH, LL208UE

Reference Number: INCD-2085980-i