New ambulance nerve centre opens in the county

* Staff in the new coordination and communications centre.

The Welsh Ambulance Service has unveiled its new coordination and communications centre in Denbighshire.

The centre, which occupies space within the Trust’s existing estate on St Asaph Business Park, is the new home of Emergency Medical Services Coordination, Operations Quality, Resourcing and Ambulance Care - Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services.

 

The new facility has replaced the former site in Llanfairfechan, which had been in operation since 2001 and was no longer fit-for-purpose.

The official opening was attended by High Sheriff of Clwyd, Julie Gillbanks, who unveiled a plaque at the St Asaph Business Park facility commemorating the occasion.

In a carefully planned operation, staff at the Llanfairfechan site attended their final night shift on 07^th May, with the final 999 call at the site being taken the next morning by Senior Emergency Medical Dispatcher, Lauryn Edwards.

 

Meanwhile, while Lauryn was taking the final call, colleagues on the following morning shift began their first day at Ty Elwy, with 999 call taker Katy Hall taking the first call at the new site.

 

Lee Brooks, Executive Director of Operations at the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “This new facility will have a positive impact on all those who work here as well as our patients.

 

“It’s a state-of-the-art facility, providing everything you would expect to see in a modern ambulance call centre.

 

“At a time when pressure and call volumes are consistently high across the entire system, this new centre gives us greater flexibility and resilience, enabling us to better deal with the demands being placed upon us.”

 

The decision to relocate came when the previous building was deemed to be unsuitable due of the expansion of the service, the natural age of the site, and the costly maintenance required to maintain the facility.

 

In November 2023, after careful consideration, Ty Elwy, St Asaph, was determined to be the most suitable option overall.

 

The new site also boasts a gym, relaxation area, on-site training facilities, secure parking, clean, bright, comfortable working areas and easy access to the A55 expressway.

 

During the opening ceremony, High Sheriff of Clwyd, Julie Gillbanks said: “Today, having seen firsthand what is involved in taking an emergency call to the ambulance service, I can really appreciate the advantages of working from this new centre.

 

“I have learnt so much about triaging and screening calls, ensuring that the right care is provided to the right people while providing alternatives to those who may not require an ambulance.

 

“Each and every one of the wonderful staff who work here should be proud of themselves and I congratulate them all for what they do to help the people of Wales.”

Families invited to join county libraries' Summer Reading Challenge

Denbighshire Libraries are inviting families across the county to take part in The Reading Agency’s 2025 Summer Reading Challenge, encouraging children to explore the magical connection between storytelling and the natural world.

This year’s theme is Story Garden – Adventures in Nature and the Great Outdoors.

Launching on July 5 the Summer Reading Challenge invites children aged 4–11 to visit their local library, discover new books, and enjoy a summer filled with fun, imagination, and outdoor inspiration.

Featuring beautiful illustrations by award-winning artist Dapo Adeola, Story Garden offers young readers a world of stories, creatures, and nature-based adventures. 

Children can collect free activity packs, take part in nature-themed events, and borrow specially selected books — all designed to keep them curious, active, and engaged with reading over the summer holidays.

Deborah Owen, Principal Librarian for Denbighshire County Council said: “We’re really excited to welcome children and families back for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. It’s a brilliant way to spark a love of reading while encouraging young minds to explore nature and creativity. We can’t wait to see our library transformed into a Story Garden this summer.”

Councillor Emrys Wynne, Lead Member for Welsh Language, Culture and Heritage at Denbighshire County Council, said: “The Summer Reading Challenge is a wonderful way to inspire children to read for pleasure while celebrating the beauty of the natural world. Our libraries play a vital role in supporting literacy and creativity, and this year’s Story Garden theme brings all of that together in an exciting and imaginative way. I’d encourage families across Denbighshire to join in and make the most of everything their local library has to offer this summer.”

Now in its 26th year, the Summer Reading Challenge is delivered in partnership with public libraries and is completely free to join. In 2024, the Challenge reached nearly 600,000 children and inspired over 100,000 new library memberships across the UK.

* To find out how to join in the fun visit your local library or go to www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk.

@readingagency

#SummerReadingChallenge #StoryGarden

MP explains why she voted 'yes' in debate on assisted dying

* Becky Gittins MP.

Clwyd East MP Becky Gittins has explained to her constituents why she voted "yes" in today's House of Commons debate on assisted dying. 

By a narrow margin of just 23, Members backed The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which will now progress to the House of Lords where it will face further scrutiny before potentially returning to the House of Commons in due course.  

After several hours of emotional debate MPs were allowed to vote in accordance with their personal beliefs, rather than along party lines. 

Writing to all those constituents who had contacted her about this issue, Ms Gittins says: "Today, I have voted in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill at its ‘Third Reading’

" I would like to thank the hundreds of constituents who have engaged with me on this topic since its ‘Second Reading’ in November. Whether via email, in my constituency surgeries or through the in-person events I have undertaken to hear the views of constituents. I am so grateful for the contribution that these many conversations have made to my understanding of the Bill and ultimately my decision.

"What has been clear is that my constituents in Clwyd East are very divided on this issue, with many representations being made on both sides of the debate. These opposing representations have interestingly come from constituents of the same faith; constituents with a shared occupation, such as in health or palliative care; and constituents with personal experience of terminal illness, be it their own or that of a family member or friend. 

"What unites them all, however, is a recognition that the current state of end of life care in the UK is desperately in need of change. That is why I voted today to include in the Bill a compulsory review of palliative care, reinforcing the case that it is not “either or” and that good palliative care and a limited option for assisted dying should both be treatment options available to the terminally ill."

She adds: "In my view, dignity in dying and freedom from inextinguishable pain comes down to one thing – choice - and today my decision ultimately came down to the importance of giving people that choice over their own lives. 

"With the freedom to choose also comes the freedom to not choose. I believe there are as many safeguards as practically possible contained within this Bill to ensure free and fair choice for patients to make this decision in an informed way, free from coercion. I hope that the high level of parliamentary scrutiny that this Bill has received will encourage a more forensic consideration of the role of patient decision-making across the NHS and broader society. 

"Throughout the legislative process, the attention given to the needs of the most vulnerable people and the importance of ensuring a free choice has brought an essential focus on the role of coercion, domestic abuse, disability, ableism, and poverty on people’s ability to genuinely make a free decision about their lives – whether on this issue or many others. 

"Finally, I would like to note the many people who, regardless of their position on assisted dying, will have found the discourse around this debate in recent months incredibly difficult and traumatic, perhaps rekindling personal experiences of death and dying. Thank you for the openness and kindness that you have shown to me and my fellow parliamentarians in coming to this decision today. As I have said at my in-person events, please remember that all positions on this Bill have been arrived at in good faith and with good intentions."

First curlew chicks of season hatch in this area

The Curlew Connections Wales team are celebrating the arrival of the first Eurasian Curlew chicks of the 2025 season in the South Clwydian Hills and Dee Valley.

This comes as a significant milestone for one of the UK’s most endangered bird species which has seen its numbers in Wales drop by over 80% since the 1990s.

Commonly known as Europe’s largest wading bird, the Curlew is easily recognised by its long, curved bill and distinctive bubbling call. 

Once a common sight across Welsh uplands and wet grasslands, the curlew population has dramatically declined due to only being able to raise one chick every four years, which is far too low to sustain their population.

Working alongside local farmers and landowners, the Curlew Connections Wales team have been working hard to protect these rare ground-nesting birds by monitoring known nesting sites on the moorlands in North East Wales.

To give the nests the best chance of success methods such as temporary electric fencing has been used to keep predators and farm animals away from the vulnerable eggs.

This simple but effective measure is already making a big difference, with 12 nests being protected by the fencing this year, which is a significant increase from four nests fenced last year.

Jillian Howe, Community and Engagement Officer at Curlew Connections Wales said: “The arrival of these first chicks is very encouraging, as it shows that with community support and targeted protection, we can give curlew chicks a better chance to survive and help reverse their decline.”

Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport and Biodiversity Champion, said: “To hear of these Curlew chicks hatching in Denbighshire is a testament to the important work that our dedicated officers and partners do to ensure the protection of these red listed species. Without urgent action the possibility that Curlew’s could be extinct from Wales entirely by 2033 is a harsh reality. However, these early hatches are a positive sign for this iconic bird and a hopeful step forward for curlew conservation in Wales."

* If you see or hear a curlew in the project area, contact our Curlew Connections Wales Officer at: samantha.kenyon@denbighshire.gov.uk or for more information visit: www.gwct.wales/curlew-connections/

New charity shop aims to benefit Dee Valley Trust

A new charity shop is opening in the heart of Cefn Mawr selling clothes, homeware and collectables to raise cash for the Dee Valley Trust  (DVT). 

All profits will go to a registered charity funding projects that will benefit the local community. 

A spokesperson for the charity said: "Our fantastic managers Nadine Earle and Ian Wright have worked hard to get the shop off the ground with the support of adviser Sue Sealy and local artist Carol Davies. 

"We will be celebrating the formal opening on Saturday June 21. Cutting the ribbon we are delighted to welcome Ken Skates MS and Steve Witherden MP. This will be followed by a brief tour of the shop with cake and refreshments to follow.

"If you have good quality items to donate, or would like to volunteer, please contact Nadine or Ian on 01978 219351. Find us on Facebook or Insta."

The directors of Dee Valley Trust CIC are Dave Gittins (Chair), Emma Brennan, Sonia Benbow-Jones and Mark Lacey. For info email mark.lacey@deevalleytrust.org.uk.

Latest Chinese budget-busting E-car comes surfing in

BYD Surf launch by Steve Rogers

They have done it again. Chinese car maker BYD has shaken up the electric market with another budget busting model.

Meet the Dolphin Surf, BYD’s smallest electric car with savagely competitive pricing, £18,650-£23,950, razor sharp looks, and more space than you might think from a car just under four metres long.

The location for the UK launch was London’s Alexandra Palace, an unusual setting but the Chinese certainly do things with a bit of style. The Surf was heralded in a crashing wave of razzamataz with all the the glitz and glamour of a Tom Cruise film premier, the Ally Pally teeming with influencers, bloggers and, of course, good old fashioned motoring journos.

This was a company showcasing its commitment to electric vehicles, and they are not hanging about. In China BYD cars can be charged almost as quickly as fueling. We were told the technology will reach Europe but there was no hint of when.

Before getting into the nitty gritty, what colour would you give the car in the photograph? I would go for a definite yellow but BYD seems to be suffering colour blindness because they say lime green!

It takes all sorts but we can’t deny that the styling is stunning and has been likened to a Lamborghini which is hardly surprising given that it was penned by a former Lambo designer.

How good the car is to drive on the open road will have to wait for another day. The route around the traffic clogged London Borough of Haringey restricted driving mainly to 20mph (there are 20mph limits in London as well as Wales).

It could be argued this was the perfect playground because Surf’s diminutive size suits city and urban driving. It is easy to park in tight spaces and has a terrific lock as I discovered when forced into a tight U-turn to escape a traffic hold up.

But there is still plenty to talk about and high on the agenda is space, not something associated with cars this size. Unlike rivals like Renault 5E and Citroen EC3 the Surf is a four seater, it’s a tad narrower than the aforementioned, but it means the two back seats are wide and comfortable, while legroom here is amazingly good and headroom not bad either.

Second place in space is the boot, not the class leader, but not far off. BYD’s wafer thin battery pack helps out here with minimal intrusion into the floor so packing a large suitcase and a couple of carry-ons should not be a problem. And there is a surprise under the boot floor where there is room for another carry on case.

Up front is standard BYD, minimalist with a 7in digital drivers display, 10.1in touchscreen, with a few rocker switches beneath, one of which is the gear selector. Controlling the heating is through the touchscreen but things have been made a bit simpler by dragging three fingers vertically or horizontally to select temperature or fan speed no matter what is displayed. Until you have managed to work everything out just use voice control which is one of the best I have come across.

There are three models: Active with a 30kWh battery and a modest 137 mile range, Boost, 43.2kWh battery, 200 mile range, and the top spec Comfort with a more powerful motor and a range of 193 miles.

As is BYDs way there is a generous list of standard equipment with vegan leather seats, rotatable touchscreen, air conditioning, rear parking sensors and camera, keyless entry and start, adaptive cruise control, and Android or Apple CarPlay phone connections.

Boost, which has the slowest acceleration to sixty (12secs) despite its name, gets navigation and powered front seats while Comfort add-ons include 360deg all round camera, LED headlights, heated front seats and wireless phone charging.

As one of the least expensive electric cars on the market the Surf is a solid buy and will be a pain in the neck for its European competitors with a combination of great value, space and styling, and it comes with a six year warranty.

All we need now is for the Government to provide the means to charge cars in areas where people often have no option but to leave their car 100 metres or more from where they live.

Fast facts

Dolphin Surf Comfort

£23,950

Range: 193 miles

Battery: 43.2kWh. 154bhp

0-62mph 9.1secs

10-80% charge: 30 minutes

Boot: 308-1037 litres

Enterprising company spreads service with £500,000 boost

* Sally Lloyd Davies, the newly appointed Chief Officer  of South Denbighshire Community Partnership with Margaret Sutherland, the retiring Chief Officer. Picture by Mandy Jones           

A growing social enterprise that provides a lifeline for people in Llangollen and Corwen is expanding after securing £500,000 in funding.

The grant from the National Lottery - People and Places fund will enable South Denbighshire Community Partnership (SDCP) to create two new jobs and extend services into the evenings and weekends as well as weekdays.

The injection of cash also secures the future of the not-for-profit company for the next four years, according to the new woman at the helm.

Mother-of-four Sally Lloyd Davies, from Maerdy, has been appointed as the new chief officer of the organisation.

She’s following in the footsteps of her predecessor and mentor, Margaret Sutherland, who’s retiring eight years after her “immense contribution” which was recognised with an MBE in 2020.

The organisation was founded in 2011, with the “double act” starting to work there on the same day five years later and since then it has gone from strength to strength.

As well as managing two community centres, Canolfan Ni in Corwen and Pengwern Community Hub in Llangollen, SDCP provides a raft of services designed to “improve the health and wellbeing” of mainly older and vulnerable people in the Dee Valley.

They include meals on wheels with 1,500 deliveries every year in Edeyrnion, lunch clubs serving 2,000 meals annually, social activities and a range of community transport services amounting to nearly 7,000 passenger journeys over the past 12 months.

Last year funding from the Motability Foundation enabled SDCP to increase its fleet from three to five vehicles – the fleet consists of two minibuses, two wheelchair-adapted cars and a van fitted with ovens and fridges to deliver meals.

According to Sally, none of what they do would be possible without the “brilliant team” of 43 dedicated volunteers.

She said: “We are absolutely thrilled to secure this vital funding from the National Lottery Community Fund because it gives the organisation and the team security to know that we can carry on with the good work that we are doing.

“It’s also going to enable us to develop some new initiatives and expand some services into evenings and weekends.

“Everything we do is driven by the community and that was one of the things that was highlighted when we consulted local people in Llangollen and Corwen about what they felt was needed in their communities.

“We will also be looking to work with partners to develop new projects that are going to look at education and upskilling people to get re-engaged with learning.

“In the meantime, the new tranche of funding will enable us to expand our existing services which are a lifeline for elderly and vulnerable people in the area..

“The food deliveries not only provides people with a nice hot, nutritious meal but the volunteers visit them daily when they deliver Monday to Friday and they are our eyes and ears.

“There have been occasions sadly we have found somebody that’s fallen and we have been able to ring emergency service or get help for them from the GP or family.

“It’s crucial for people who might otherwise be isolated and can literally be a life-saver.

“With our dial-a-ride service, people sign up for an annual membership fee and journey charge and then they book their journey with a minimum of 48 hours’ notice subject the availability of our volunteer drivers.

“We always give priority to medical appointments – trips for hospital or GP appointments – and we also provide transport for people who want to go shopping or to see a friend.

“Making use of the two minibuses, we have been able to increase our social trips which are really well received because they really help in reducing isolation and loneliness.

“We have two wheelchair accessible vehicles and we are really lucky that the volunteers give us their time to provide the service in Corwen and Llangollen. They are the lifeblood of the organisation.

Sally also paid tribute to Margaret Sutherland’s “inspirational leadership” since 2016.

She added: “I have learned so much from Margaret over the past eight years. I am determined to continue this work, and make both Margaret and our community proud.”

Margaret Sutherland said: ”Knowing that Sally is going to take over makes my retirement a lot easier because it gives me peace of mind about the future of SDCP.

“I know it’s in very good hands with Sally at the helm. I am confident that the organisation is going to thrive and continue to serve our community.

“For every £1 of funding we received, we have created £13 of social value and that’s based on feedback from the community.

“A cornerstone of our success has been developing good relationships with Denbighshire County Council and the health board, enabling us to access more funding to provide more services.

“The reason we have been able to do so much is that we have worked in partnership with other organisations and we have become a go-to organisation to get things done in South Denbighshire.”