TODAY we mark Trusted News Day.
Despite being a very difficult year, our coastal titles - the Rhyl Journal, North Wales Pioneer, Denbighshire Free Press and North Wales Chronicle - have continued to keep readers informed throughout these challenging times.
Whether it is updated guidance, new measures or showcasing amazing community efforts, we've been committed to bringing our readers news they can trust, the most important stories of the day, breaking incidents, important campaigns and a sprinkle of light-heartedness as well.
We don't take our readers for granted and love the diverse and interesting patches we work across. Despite being on very limited staff at times, we always strive to do our best; we care about accuracy, quality and getting the tone of every article right.
As part of Journalism Matters, a campaign highlighting the vital role trusted news media journalism plays in our democratic society, we have looked back at some of the 'key' stories and favourite stories from the Rhyl Journal, starting from March when we were just about to head into lockdown.
MARCH
On Wednesday, March 18 - The Journal reported the streets were empty and employees were being urged to work from home.
At the time there has been one confirmed case in Conwy and two people tested positive on Anglesey.
"On Monday, March 16, a person in their 60s sadly became the first to die from Novel Coronavirus in Wales.
"The patient died at Wrexham Maelor Hospital and had underlying health problems.
"On Tuesday, March 17, Public Health Wales confirmed 12 new positive cases for Covid-19 in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 136. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned people to work from home.
"Residents have also been advised to avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and other social venues."
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On March 25: Restrictions on visiting had been put in place across hospitals in North Wales.
Glan Clwyd Hospital
Tattooist Mark Jones, who is from Rhyl but now lives in Spain, gave his account on what life was like in lockdown.
He said Streets in Spain had turned eerily quiet.
The number of cases in Spain at that time had soared to 11,000.
APRIL
On April 1, we reported how staff at a GP surgery in Rhyl were juggling abuse and vandalism.
"A Vandal threw a rock at a patient services manager’s car at a doctor’s surgery, damaging the windscreen beyond repair.
"Gwyn Hughes, patient services manager who has been leading preparations in response to Covid-19 along with other colleagues at Clarence Medical in Rhyl - which looks after 16,200 patients - had to deal with the frightening experience on Thursday, March 26 - the very day NHS workers were applauded in a national clap for carers."
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On April 8, the Journal reported that three temporary hospitals had been renamed after the rainbow symbol of hope, which had become synonymous with the region’s response to the outbreak of Covid-19.
"The temporary hospitals at Deeside Leisure Centre, Venue Cymru Llandudno, and Bangor University have been renamed Ysbyty Enfys Glannau Dyfrdwy (Rainbow Hospital Deeside), Ysbyty Enfys Llandudno (Rainbow Hospital Llandudno), and Ysbyty Enfys Bangor (Rainbow Hospital Bangor).
"The three sites have been handed over to Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to provide a combined 1,000 additional beds to help meet increased demand over the coming weeks and months."
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Eric Edwards, of Rhyl, was diagnosed with cancer more than two years ago and developed secondary liver cancer last year.
He went into Glan Clwyd Hospital on Sunday, March 29 after experiencing shortness of breath, a high temperature and feeling unwell.
Mr Edwards, 75, who has been married to Pauline for 54 years, originally tested negative for Covid-19.
We also reported 'First Covid-19 patient leaves Glan Clwyd'
"Hospital staff lined the corridor as the first patient to receive treatment for Covid-19 on it Critical Care Unit was discharged.
"Neil Price is the first patient to be treated on the Critical Care Unit at the Glan Clwyd Hospital Staff lined the corridor to Ward 9 to see Neil off home on Monday, April 20, after he spent six weeks in hospital recovering from Covid-19.
"Neil, 57, of Holywell, was taken to hospital on March 9 having gradually got more poorly over the previous week."
Neil’s wife Diane said: “He’d got gradually more poorly after first feeling unwell on Monday, March 2 while at work at Airbus."
MAY
On May 6, a headline 'Two big days for Hazel after century of birthday mix-ups' was printed.
The story covered how a newly minted centenarian living in Rhyl has been given two birthdays - just like the Queen!
"After an entire century celebrating her birthday on April 20, Hazel Jones has just discovered that she was, in fact, born on April 23, 1920.
"Staff at Richmond House Specialist Care Home, on Brighton Road, made the discovery while applying for a telegram from Queen Elizabeth II.
"After making the discovery, a birthday party was organised for the actual date. "
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After an entire century celebrating her birthday on April 20, Hazel Jones has just discovered that she was, in fact, born on April 23, 1920.
On May 27, the Journal reported how the SeaQuarium Rhyl in was struggling.
We reported: "The SeaQuarium Rhyl has been closed to visitors since March 22. The attraction, which is self funded and not a registered charity, received a massive blow earlier this month as the Welsh Government ‘rejected’ calls to establish a fund to help zoos and aquariums in Wales.
"It has since joined forces with The Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay and Anglesey Sea Zoo and launched a petition, asking the Welsh Government to re-think it decision and set up a similar scheme as the UK Government."
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JUNE
On June 3, the Journal were proud to cover the wedding of Derek Bond, 69, and Barbara, 80.
The couple were able to have their fairytale wedding on May 31 in their garden after being granted a Special Marriage Licence by the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
"About 50 guests tuned in via Zoom to watch the couple exchange their vows.
"The service was conducted by Reverend David Ash Barbara’s son Michael walked Barbara down the aisle, daughter Hilary read a prayer and daughter Jane acted as ring bearer.
"The couple were permitted to have an officiant priest and legal witnesses and had been granted a special licence due to Barbara’s illness.Barbara has terminal cancer and was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma last year."
Derek Bond and Barbara. Picture: Phil Micheu
On June 24, we published an article stating that children will not be returning to school for the full four weeks requested by the Welsh Government, Denbighshire County Council has confirmed.
Kirsty Williams, Wales’ education minister, stated schools would re-open on June 29 and that term would be extended for an extra week, so children could ‘check in and catch up’ with their teachers.
"Denbighshire County Council said that despite developing plans for the additional week, it had become clear that a national agreement between the Welsh Government and the trade unions has not been reached on the fourth week proposals and as a result, they had opted to close for the summer term on July 17.
"This is in contrast to Conwy County Borough Council who have pledged to open for the full four weeks ‘for the benefit of our children’."
We also reported Glan Clwyd Hospital was lit up in rainbow colours to mark four decades of care and to remember the life of colleague Zaldy Manalo who died after contracting Covid-19.
The Emergency Department was lit up at 9.44pm on Saturday, June 20.
Zaldy, a father-of-two, worked on Ward 5 at the hospital.
The 51-year-old died on Sunday, June 14, having been treated at the hospital’s critical care unit.
Zaldy Manalo
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JULY
"More than 250 staff members, and former patients, joined the moving occasion on Friday, July 3 to pay respects to colleague Rizal Manalo, known as Zaldy to friends.
"As the funeral cortege arrived at Glan Clwyd Hospital, a spontaneous outbreak of applause broke out and staff laid flowers in the path of the hearse; Zaldy loved his garden and wife Agnes had suggested staff might like to scatter flowers in Zaldy’s path as a floral tribute.
"Zaldy, who had two children, Nicole, 21, and Dylan, 16, died on June 14 after contracting Covid-19.
"The 51-year-old from the Phillippines worked as a nurse on Ward 5 at Glan Clwyd Hospital."
Speaking after the procession, Janet Garnett, head of nursing for surgery at Glan Clwyd Hospital, said: “Today has been an extremely moving occasion for everyone at Glan Clwyd Hospital and a very fitting tribute to a much loved colleague who touched the lives of so many staff and patients over the last 19 years.
“Zaldy was described by patients as a nurse who did his job brilliantly, a nurse who made patients feel at ease and a nurse who deeply loved his job.
“He has given us many fond memories, it was an honour to work with him."
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AUGUST
Abergele hit the Rhyl Journal and international headlines too.
The town’s Gwrych Castle will host this year’s ITV hit series ‘I’m a Celebrity Get me Out of Here’ as it takes place outside of Australia for the first time in its 20-year history.
In our August 12 edition of the paper, we covered the story on our front page before ITV made the official announcement days later.
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In our following edition on August 19, we told the sad story of Rhyl Pavilion’s 2020 Panto being cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic.
But, we also covered the story of a lovesick man who was raffling his house off for £2 a ticket so that he could move in with a Prestatyn mum-of-two – Rita Evans – who he had met online.
Romantic Paul put his £335,000 house in Clowne, Derbyshire, up for sale in January but it failed to sell due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
But, he managed to sell more than 15,000 raffle tickets online to those interested in buying his house on the cheap.
In the same edition, we covered the story of several A-level students across Denbighshire who received fantastic grades.
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On August 26, plans for a new 63-bed mental health unit at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd was front page news and it was the turn of GCSE students to impress with some great results.
We also spoke to Derek Bond, whose wedding to wife Barbara we covered in June.
Derek said: “My Barbara was a special person who lifted the spirits of everyone lucky enough to know her.
“I count myself blessed Barbara agreed to marry me. It was a wonderfully happy occasion with Barbara looking absolutely gorgeous.”
SEPTEMBER
On September 2, Suzanne Kendrick spoke to Gwrych Castle owner Mark Baker about the building securing the rights to host I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here 2020.
Kevin Lygo, Director of Television for ITV said it was the castle’s ‘Disney-esque’ vibes which gave it the edge over its competitors.
Dr Baker agreed and said: “The Disney quote is quite accurate. That was very kind of him.
“Since it has been confirmed, it has been very exciting; lots of people getting in touch and lots of support. It is going to give a great boost, particularly with that everyone has been going through with lockdown."
Gwrych Castle
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On September 9, we covered the very colourful Rhuddlan scarecrow Festival, where the likes of Paddington Bear and Freddie Mercury were spotted standing outside residents houses.
In the same edition, we covered the news that Rhyl Air Show would be coming back ‘bigger and better’ next year after being cancelled for 2020.
We also covered the sad news that Rhyl’s Lime Salon, located on Water Street, would be closing its doors after a decade of existence.
In our next edition on September 16, we covered some more sad news of business closures as the Rhyl Comics and Disc co closed its doors after 27 years of operating at various locations the town.
There was some positive news though as the Scala cinema re-opened in Prestatyn and the Bron Haul Residential Home in Rhyl held its first ever festival which proved to be a success and put a smile back onto the faces of residents and staff alike following a tough lockdown period.
The man behind the comics - Stuart Stevenson
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September 23 brought the tragic death of Ethan Ross to our front page.
We covered the tributes paid to him which had come from his school, his football club (Denbigh Town) and his family.
Family members paid tribute by saying: “We are all totally devastated and our hearts ache so very much for the loss of our beautiful, selfless, kind, caring, determined, quiet, gifted, Chelsea FC loving Son, Brother, Grandson, Uncle, Cousin, Nephew, Boyfriend, friend Ethan. He made us burst with pride every single day.
“Ethan’s legacy will live on as he was able to donate his organs and give the most precious thing of all, a gift of life to others. There are not enough words to write how much we are all going to miss him. The world will be an emptier place without him in it. He will be forever our hero - Ethan we love you.”
In the same edition, we covered the story of an emergency medical technician based in Rhyl who broke a Guinness World Record.
Ethan Ross
Stephen Ford did so by taking the most penalty kicks ever in a 24-hr period with a whopping 2,075 shots in total.
In the Rhyl Journal on September 30, we covered the funeral of Ethan Ross as friends and family paid their final respects to the St Asaph teenager.
OCTOBER
Summer and Hayden with their new daughter Darcie, in hospital - Hayden and Darcie and bottom right - Darcie is all smiles!
The first and so far only edition of this month featured the news that more than 300 people across Rhyl were now self-isolating due to a rise in the case of Coronavirus figures.
But, one of the more light-hearted stories in that edition was the tale of a young couple expecting a child who, despite having had two scans at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd and being told they were having a boy, ended up having a bay girl.
Summer Nash, 17 and her partner Hayden Shea, 18, had even picked out a name – Hugo-James – for their son before Darcie-Mae Kathleen Jane Wendy Shea arrived into the world on June 26.
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