A DEE Valley mayor has certainly got tech-savvy over the last few months.

Cllr Austin Cheminais is enjoying his time as the mayor of Llangollen - although he could not have anticipated how he would end up becoming au fait with many technological tools!

He said: "Being mayor during the pandemic has had its challenges.

"Meaningful communication without being in the same room was initially a big challenge.

"When we first locked down I never believed I’d come to terms with meetings via Zoom and as soon as I got used to using it Teams appeared and then people wanted to use Skype and Facetime and WhatsApp.

"But now regular 'virtual' meetings with others locally, nationally and internationally have become second nature."

Potentially, there is light at the end of the tunnel as far as Covid-19 is concerned and Cllr Cheminais stressed: "I was elected mayor in the middle of the pandemic so I’m not really in a position to make any comparison with being a mayor in 'normal times'.

"I know that there’s not been as many opportunities to attend civic events and meet other mayors.

"I’ve missed the opportunity to meet our community during the many events that usually define Llangollen.

"Meetings have been harder to manage, but we’ve worked through it still and managed to achieve our goals.

"But it’s been inspiring to see and be part of the tremendous effort made by the community to support those more vulnerable and in need."

He has been filled with pride seeing how the community has responded to challenges.

"Llangollen is a beautiful town in a beautiful place and I believe our community throughout the pandemic has demonstrated an inner beauty," he added.

"Llangollen has some amazing volunteer organisations and individuals and they continue to offer help and support to others.

"Over the last, nearly, two years it has been so heart-warming to see people working together and helping each other, going the extra mile to ensure that those most in need are helped and supported and cared for.

"These thousands of group and individual acts of kindness make me proud to be part of the Llangollen community. I’d like to thank everyone who has worked hard to help others overcome the multiple hurdles that have come our way over recent times."

Cllr Cheminais has been pleased to see visitors returning over the past few months, while other positives have been much-needed work inside the town hall and the upgrading of Castle Street.

He added: "After nearly two years of not being able to host events it’s been wonderful to see Llangollen emerging from lockdown in recent months with Dot Cinema, the Fringe Festival, Twenty Club, Llangollen Food Festival and the Collen Players leading the way.

"It’s been great to see Llangollen’s Silver Band out and about again, as well as other local bands and entertainers.

"I’d like to thank all the volunteers that work hard to promote Llangollen’s reputation as a cultural hub and festival town. Hopefully they pave the way for a return to full programme of events in 2022.

"Being mayor during what have been some challenging times might have been different but in the last two years Llangollen’s community has demonstrated that, if we work together, support each other and show compassion and kindness towards others we can overcome anything."