New Dot Cinema up for for two major awards

* Happy as Lazzaro will be screened by New Dot on September 13.

Volunteers at New Dot Cinema are celebrating after being shortlisted in two categories in the Film Society of the Year Awards. 

The Cinema For All Film Society of the Year Awards are the highlight of the community cinema calendar. Since 1969, volunteers have come together to celebrate shared achievements and showcase innovation in film exhibition.

Speaking ahead of the award ceremony, which takes place in Sheffield on 21 September, New Dot’s Chair, Yvonne Ryan, said: "Being shortlisted is a wonderful recognition of the efforts our volunteers put in to bring great films to our community. It’s especially good news as we look forward to celebrating New Dot Cinema’s fifth birthday next year."

New Dot Cinema has been shortlisted for ‘Best Marketing and Publicity’.

Speaking about the nomination, New Dot volunteer Jen Rush said: "It's fantastic to be recognised in this category as we put a great deal of effort into making an impact with very limited resources.

"It is a team effort among volunteers to ensure that locals are aware of our events, from distributing flyers and posters to updating our social media, website and mailings."

The hard work and dedication of one of the cinema’s founding volunteers, Simon Proffit, has been acknowledged with a nomination for the category ‘Outstanding Contribution by an Individual’.

Simon has led the way with New Dot’s ever-improving cinema technology, which recently included the installation of a new electric screen in the Town Hall.

He designs New Dot’s eye-catching flyers and posters, leads programme curation and prepares the curious shorts and thematic music local cinema-goers enjoy in addition to the main film.

The next New Dot Cinema screening, Happy as Lazzaro, takes place on Friday September 13.

Lazzaro’s sweet nature means people mistake him for simple-minded. He happily does the bidding of anyone in his local village, which is ruled over by the Cruella de Vil-esque Marchesa.

When Lazzaro agrees to help Tancredi, the Marchesa’s unhappy son, stage his own kidnapping it sets off a chain of events that changes the lives of everyone in this supposed rural idyll forever.

Beautifully shot and incorporating some truly stunning imagery, the film’s textured sepia tinge shifts from a fantastical country paradise that could be set any time in the last 200 years to modern urban decay that could only take place today.

New wine uncorked in memory of food festival saviour

* Pip Gale and Phil Davies with the bottle of Chateau Loughlin.        

A new wine is being launched to honour the memory of the man who saved the popular Llangollen Food Festival – and will be used to raise money for his favourite charity.

Friends and colleagues were devastated by the sudden death of the “larger than life” former wine distributor, Colin Loughlin, 76, after he suffered a heart attack at his home on the outskirts of the town in February.

There was standing room only when hundreds of people turned out to pay their last respects at his funeral at Pentrebychan crematorium near Wrexham.

The red wine, appropriately called Chateau Loughlin, will be unveiled at this year’s food festival that’s being held on Saturday and Sunday, October 19 and 20.

The label features a colourful caricature of Colin in a mural on the side of the Llangollen pavilion where the event is held every year.

The proceeds will be used to help fund a defibrillator on a new boat, the Lady Winifred, that’s recently been launched by the Vale of Llangollen Canal Boat Trust which Colin supported for many years.

Back in 2011, Colin came to rescue of the Llangollen Food Festival and led a team of volunteers who took it over when the previous organiser pulled the plug on the event.

Since then the event has gone from strength to strength and has been named as one of the top 10 food festivals in the UK by both the Daily Telegraph and Independent newspapers.

His contribution as the chair of the festival committee has been celebrated with a painting of him in a mural on the side of the Llangollen pavilion.

A native of Wrexham, Colin ran a wine distribution company called Whitehouse Wines in Coedpoeth before going into business with Lorraine Hughes.

They bought an existing company called Megan’s Kitchen which makes Welsh Cakes.

Lorraine continued to run the business after Colin retired five years ago, before stepping down as festival committee chair in 2016.

She said: “Colin was larger than life and loved telling stories and listening to stories.

“He was the force behind the Llangollen Food Festival and we were all grateful when he returned and started attending committee meetings again a couple of years ago after resigning the chair in 2016.”

Fellow committee member Pip Gale, who also runs Gales Wine Bar in Llangollen, sourced the Chateau Loughlin wine.

Pip said: “I first met Colin many years ago when he was a wine distributor and I bought wine from him.

“He is much missed still, and it was one of the biggest honours to be asked by him personally to join the committee for the food festival, and this does feel like a way to pay back all of the work that he put into that festival, and all of the work he did for me.

 “My brother Andrew has done a great job in designing the label and the jolly look on Colin’s face is the way he should be remembered.

“Chateau Loughlin is a lovely, easy drinking wine from the South of France, made with predominantly with Syrah grapes.  I’m sure Colin would approve.

“If people like it at the food festival we will have it here at Gales afterwards and raise more money for the Canal Boat Trust.”

Another committee member, Phil Davies, has many fond memories of chatting with Colin over a glass of wine.

He said: “It is very appropriate that we are raising money in his memory with red wine because that was Colin’s preferred drink.

“Colin was a hugely popular figure in Llangollen as was shown at his funeral when people were queuing outside the crematorium.

“We were both members of Canal Boat Trust and Colin did a tremendous amount of work for them because it was very close to his heart, so it is fitting that the money raised at his funeral and anything raise from this wine will go towards a defibrillator for the Lady Winifred.

“He was a very kind, generous man and he will be sorely missed by everyone at this year’s event but we will be raising a glass of Chateau Loughlin in his honour.”

Report out on 2018 Llantysilio mountain fire

* The mountainside on fire on July 26 last year.

A report into last year’s Llantysilio Mountain fire has been published.

Denbighshire County Council’s Communities Scrutiny Committee conducted a review into the summer 2018 fire along with the impact on the community, businesses and the local environment.

The report concluded that land management difficulties over an extended period of time contributed towards the length of time the fire burned.

It said the non-utilisation of grazing rights due to the downturn in the agricultural economy, a situation replicated across Wales, was an issue as the grazing of sheep, combined with managed burning and mowing were all essential elements for the maintenance of heathland, which could help reduce the risk from fires.

It also noted that open lines of communication between all agencies is required to facilitate a joined-up, co-ordinated response as well as to communicate clear, accurate information to the public and those affected.

The report has set out a number of recommendations including endorsing those put forward by the North Wales Local Resilience Forum as well as strengthening multi-agency work when responding to similar incidents.

Other recommendations include coordinating land management activities in this and other moorland areas to reduce the risk of similar fires in future and seeking the Welsh Government’s support to maintain the economic and environmental sustainability of upland moorland areas and to consider providing financial assistance to facilitate the necessary restoration work on Llantysilio Mountain.

Cllr Huw O Williams, chair of Denbighshire County Council’s Communities Scrutiny Committee, said: “The purpose of this review was not to apportion blame on any individual, service, organisation or group with respect of the fire or the response to it, but to better understand and learn from the event to help improve the response and management of similar incidents in future.

“On behalf of the Committee I would like to thank the agencies who tackled this difficult mountain fire and subsequently agreed to take part in the Committee’s venture to understand and learn from it. I would like to thank local residents and representatives of those who own or work on Llantysilio Mountain for their valuable contributions to the inquiry.

“The Committee sincerely hopes all agencies, organisations and individuals who participated will find the report informative and useful as a reference point for future collaborative efforts.”

Organisations which took part in the review included North Wales Regional Emergency Planning Service, Natural Resources Wales, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, North Wales Police The Horseshoe Pass Graziers Association, owners of the Llantysilio Estate and their land agents, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, Hafren Dyfrdwy Water Company, Llantysilio Community Council and Denbighshire County Council.

Chief Fire Officer Simon Smith said: “We appreciated the opportunity to take part in the Community Scrutiny Committee review of the Llantysilio Mountain fire and welcome the recommendations made which focus on the lack of robust land management over an extended period of time and on the endorsing the recommendations of the North Wales Local Resilience Forum.

“We look forward to working with the other stakeholders involved in addressing these recommendations.

“We strongly believe that fire prevention is key to mitigating against such incidents and that all stakeholders should work together in this regard - and the recommendation to appoint a moorland management officer is welcomed.

“I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all fire and rescue service staff from across the whole of North Wales who worked tirelessly to bring this incident under control. I am immensely proud of their professionalism in what were some incredibly challenging and unprecedented conditions.”

Bethan Beech, Denbighshire team leader for Natural Resources Wales, said: “Llantysilio Mountain is an important part of the local community and farming economy as well as heathland habitat which is home to black grouse and curlew.

“We welcome this report which makes some valuable recommendations about how last year’s fire was dealt with and how the land can be managed in the future.

“We were pleased to contribute to it and look forward to working with partners to implement its recommendations.

“The proposal to appoint a moorland management officer to co-ordinate the numerous groups involved on the mountain is particularly exciting.

“We look forward to working with Denbighshire County Council and others on delivering this post and a programme of work to help the mountain recover in a way that reduces the risk of future fires. 

“We hope the officer can encourage the common land graziers to exercise their legal grazing rights and actively manage the vegetation. This helps the graziers and also looks after this important wildlife habitat.”

Meeting highlights development plan consultation

* Tuesday evening's meeting in progress.

Llangollen Friends of the Earth member Warren Davies has sent llanblogger this report of the group's meeting in St Collen's Church Hall on Tuesday evening to discuss the implications of the 11 "candidate" sites submitted for possible inclusion in Denbighshire's next Local Development Plan and local response to the consultation process, the deadline for which is August 31.

We had just over 40 local residents attend. 

Local county councillor Graham Timms, myself and a number of Friends of the Earth members also attended to help people respond to the consultation.

Our aim was to help people find relevant information, and find the best way to respond, whether on paper or online. 

Generally people found the Denbighshire County Council (DCC) documentation difficult to pick apart to find the relevant information. With help from ourselves, Graham and knowledgeable residents, we helped boost response numbers, helping people to have their say.

Regarding the candidate sites, there was dismay and confusion at the inclusion of the Youth Club and Youth Club field. Graham Timms was absolutely resolute in his determination to have this site removed from the list.

Strong concerns were also raised about all three of the sites near Maesmawr Road. Development scale, loss of agricultural land and traffic issues were frequently mentioned.

The Berwyn Works brownfield site was generally considered suitable for development so long as it was sympathetic.

Traffic and services were common concerns about the potential growth of the town.

Llangollen Friends of the Earth are concerned that the LDP should use the state of climate emergency to inform the LDP, and that currently it is hardly mentioned. 

Given the declaration of a climate and ecological emergency by the council, and the urgency of action required, the plan should take climate change concerns as a central pillar in any development plan.

Talk at Llangollen Museum tonight

Government to ask Queen to suspend Parliament

In breaking news this morning, the BBC has the following major development in the Brexit story ...

 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-49493632

Response from Clwyd South Labour MP Susan Elan Jones ...

In response to this morning’s news... In a parliamentary democracy (as we are supposed to be), a Prime Minister would propose a general election not use procedural devices to get their way. This is very serious and unprecedented. (Please see the link for the text of the declaration that I and a very large number of MPs signed this week).

https://twitter.com/susanelanjones/status/1166395155844349952?s=21

Mewn ymateb i newyddion y bore ‘ma. Mewn democratiaeth seneddol (fel yr ydym i fod), byddai Prif Weinidog yn cynnig etholiad cyffredinol, nid defnyddio dyfeisiau gweithdrefnol i gael ei ffordd. Mae hyn yn ddifrifol iawn ac yn ddigynsail.
(Gweler y ddolen uchod ar gyfer testun y datganiad a lofnodais i a nifer fawr iawn o ASau yr wythnos hon).

Operatic to stage Chicago next spring

Chicago The Musical is roaring its way into Llangollen next spring.

Full of iconic songs and music such as All that Jazz, Razzle Dazzle, Mr Cellophane and Cell Block Tango, this fabulous show full of love, murder, courtroom drama and true showbiz has been chosen by Llangollen Operatic Society for its next production.

On stage at the Town Hall from April 22-25, Chicago couldn’t be more different from their last show, the smash-hit production of Fiddler on the Roof earlier this year.

Artistic Director Alison Ravenscroft said: "I’m really excited about putting on this show and, judging by the great feedback we’ve already had following the announcement, so is everyone else!"

Producer Helen Belton (My Fair Lady 2018 and Fiddler on the Roof 2019) has the strong team of Alison Ravenscroft as Director, Leigh Mason as Musical Director, Chrissie Ashworth as Assistant Director and Dan May as Assistant Producer and is herself hoping to be on stage. 

She said: "Producing shows for Llangollen Operatic is almost a full-time job and it’s a wonderful feeling seeing everything come together but my first love will always be performing on the stage." 

The society is having a meet and greet evening on September 17 at the Studio in Castle Street to welcome members both old and new to introduce their new season of rehearsals. 

Helen said: "Come and meet us, we’re a very friendly bunch and there will be drinks and snacks available. There will be an introduction to the show and information about auditions will be available.

"If you are a dancer, singer or actor wanting to be in the show come along and find out more, we’d love to meet you.

"New members are always very welcome, and there is lots of opportunity to help with a production, even if you don’t actually want to be on the stage itself. Costumes, scenery, stage crew, front of house – there’s a role for everyone.

"Join our Facebook pages to learn more and get the latest information about rehearsals:

·  Llangollen Operatic Society public page

·  Operatic News and Info group 

·  ‘Chicago’ rehearsal group."

Octavia might be bossy but it's solid and safe

* The Skoda Octavia. 

* The Octavia's rather spartan cockpit.

Skoda Octavia road test by Steve Rogers

This will sound comical but I have just got out of a car where it seemed Big Brother was watching me!

The fictional character in George Orwell's novel 1984 kept a sinister eye on everyone and that was how it seemed in the Skoda Octavia. 

As soon as I turned the ignition a message came up telling the driver not to press the accelerator when starting. Oh, sorry but I always do that.

Then I slipped it into neutral while following a stream of slow moving cars downhill. Another message telling me not to do that either. Later I dared to open the window while driving and was ticked off for doing that as well.

Of course there was nothing sinister going on, the messages that come up in the driver's binnacle are all tips to improve economy, so good for Skoda. The company has always tried to show consideration for its clients and the telescopic umbrella stored under the passenger seat is another example of its caring nature.

Skoda has grown in stature over the last two decades and is doing particularly well at the moment. Being part of the Volkswagen-Audi empire helps but it has worked damned hard to build a solid reputation from the days when its cars were considered nothing more than a joke.

Octavia has played a big part winning over the Brits and is still Skoda's best seller in the UK. At first Octavia carved a niche of its own sitting between VW's Golf and Passat so it was the price of a Golf but nearly as big as a Passat. Now it is more into Passat territory, still offering good value for money and a huge amount of space.

Open Octavia's tailgate and it is like looking into a cave. To give you an idea about what this car can take I travelled three up loaded with three sets of golf clubs and three power trolleys. Impressive or what?

Come to think of it Octavia's boot capacity has always been the main talking point but this time it has been eclipsed by its engine. On the face of it the idea of a one litre petrol, with just three-cylinders, providing the power for a car of this size is barmy, isn't it? I thought so.

One litre three-cylinder petrols are nothing new. They have been popping up faster than weeds offering an alternative to the small diesel, punching well above their weight on performance, economy and, more significantly, puffing out lower emissions. But they are generally used to power smaller city cars or superminis with a few family hatchbacks thrown in like Ford Focus and Honda Civic.

Surely a one litre can't work in a five seater Octavia, a car than transport three hefty adults and all their golf gear? The build up has hardly been subtle so you can guess the answer.

The first thing I did when the car was delivered was check the journey's economy stat. Just over 50mpg at the end of 156 miles so an encouraging start. What I really couldn't wait to find out was whether a one litre could haul this cavernous five seater.

I got the answer within a few hundred yards. Octavia's first job was to pull up a gradient from my cul-de-sac and that is when I knew this engine was something special. Three-cylinder engines are good for picking up at low revs and this was effortless and smooth with none of the putt-putt clatter from engines of the past.

For the next week a day didn't go by when I marvelled at how such a small engine could provide such impressive performance in such a big car. Even Mrs Rogers, who normally finds things to complain about in test cars, could not hold back on her praise for Octavia's sprightly performance.

And the 120 mile round trip to Bull Bay golf course on Anglesey yielded 52.4mpg. I think that just about covers all that's good about this engine.

You do not hear many complaints about Octavia, yes the interior is a bit funereal but that's the way it is when you are part of the Volkswagen quartet. Nothing flash, no creeks or rattles, and everything laid out with typical Germanic precision. 

The inset eight inch touchscreen for navigation, radio etc is quickly mastered and the heating controls are separate. Just how I like it.

Octavia is a solid, safe buy, I would even go so far as to say it is one of the great family cars. And guess what, I stopped pressing the accelerator to start the engine. Well, I didn't want to get ticked off again.

Key facts

Octavia SE Drive

£20,440

1-litre TSI 6sp manual 115bhp

0-62mph 10secs; 127mph

48.7mpg combined

110g/km. 1st year road tax £150

Boot space 1580 litres max

Insurance group 14   

Denbighshire gets positive social services report

Denbighshire County Council has welcomed the positive report from Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) and Health Inspectorate Wales (HIW) on the provision of social care services for older people in the county.  

They say officers have discussed the report in detail with the lead inspector and are working to ensure that the areas for improvement are fully understood by both the council and the Inspectorate and that agreed areas are targeted for improvement through an action plan agreed with elected members.

Cllr Bobby Feeley, Lead Member for Wellbeing and Independence, said: “I am pleased the positive elements of CIWs report recognise the creative and professional approach that we have taken in implementing the Social Services and Well-being Act and evidences that our focus is clearly sighted on supporting people to maintain and recover their independence wherever possible, avoiding unnecessary intervention by both social care and health services. 

“The areas for improvement identified show that Denbighshire, like all Welsh Local Authorities, are working to fully implement the Act in a sensible and flexible way that reflects the spirit of its principles.

 “This report is a recognition of the hard work and professionalism of our staff across all of social care for older people and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their continued support for our most vulnerable citizens.”

Medic's powerful safety message to speeding bikers

* The Horseshoe  bikers congregate.

A medic based in the south of England has issued a powerful warning to bikers visiting Llangollen about the dangers of speeding.

Joel Whitaker put out his heartfelt plea on Facebook yesterday as scores of motorcyclists were making bank holiday visits to the area.

He says: “A little bit of a rant, but for good reason.

“I know that the few give the many a bad name, so this is aimed solely at the bad.

“If you ride your motorcycle recklessly up the Horseshoe, or anywhere for that matter, then you are nothing but a selfish moron.

“The road is purely that, a road. It is not a racetrack. Today I saw at least 5 motorcyclists nearly have head on collisions with people lawfully going about their business. These collisions, had they not been narrowly avoided, would have been fatal.

“I make no apologies for this rant but I say it because I, as a medic, am fed up of having to scrape motorcyclists off the road and tell family members that turn up on scene that their loved ones are dead. I particularly hate that moment when I have to give this news to the families of innocent people. Why should they have to be subjected to this, the result of your decision to ride dangerously?

“Please ride sensibly. I know that you seek that thrill of speed but to put your thrill seeking before other motorists, or even your own families, is ridiculous. Think of your families, especially your children. Your one mistake, a moment of madness, gives them a lifetime of pain. Is it really worth it? 

“Take care all.”

In agreeing to allow llangogger to publish his statement, Joel said: “I am based in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire but moving to Llan shortly and have family up here (historically from the area: I’m a descendant of Billy Meredith).

“There have been incidents where I have had to stop and assist locally, as I have to.

“I thought I’d write the post as, no matter where I’m based, the point is the same. Motorcyclists that ride dangerously put others at risk and Llan gets more than its share of poor riders visiting.”

A number of people have voiced their agreement with what Joel has said on Facebook.

Campaigners question Llangollen public about Brexit

UPDATE ...

* Members of the campaign group in Castle Street with Susan Elan Jones MP 

on the front row, third from right.  

The group has now supplied a higher resolution picture of the results board which, judging by the number of coloured dots cast, shows substantial majorities against Britain leaving Europe with no deal and in favour of Brexit being stopped.

Members of campaign group Denbighshire for Europe were out in Castle Street yesterday (Saturday) with their Brexitometer gauging opinions about Britain leaving Europe.

The group, which describes itself as non-political, has carried out similar exercises at various spots across the county including Denbigh, Rhyl and Prestatyn. The results are fed into a national campaign.

People have been given the opportunity to place a sticker on a variety of questions about how well they think Brexit is going.

Joining the group for the Llangollen session was Clwyd South Labour MP Susan Elan Jones,

Aled Canter, one of the members of the campaign group, said: “We have had a really positive response from these mini Brexitmoters across the county. 

"We welcome having had a local MP there attend. This was an opportunity to let your local MP know how you feel and how they can best represent you at Westminster."

Gas pipe work will cause traffic disruption

Wales & West Utilities has given details of forthcoming work to upgrade gas pipes in Acrefair and Trevor which will affect Llangollen people travelling through these areas.

The work is being undertaken as part of a multi-million-pound 30-year programe by the company to replace old metal pipes with plastic ones within 30 metres of buildings across Wales and the south west of England.

Work will start locally on September 9 on Llangollen Road and is expected to last until the end of November.

The company says it has worked closely with Wrexham Council to keep disruption to a minimum.

A two-way traffic light system will be in use throughout the works and this will temporarily change to three-way lights as work passes the junction of Station Road.

There will also be a two-week road closure in place on Tower Hill from both junctions off Llangollen Road.

Access to residents will be maintained via Tower Hill by the Towers Nursery and there will be a diversion route in place on the opposite junction towards the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct car park. This diversion will be via King Street and will be clearly signposted while the company is working.

More fantastic GCSE results for Ysgol Dinas Bran

Dinas Bran students celebrate their GCSE successes ...

Delighted students celebrated their great results today at Ysgol Dinas Brân.

A spokesperson said the school had achieved some fantastic results again this year with more students gaining A*/A grades. 

"There are so many more students to congratulate for all their efforts and achievements."

There are some superb individual performances. 

Sian Williams achieved 10 A*, 2A grades and a distinction in additional maths. 

James Nicholas achieved 8A* grades, 3A grades and a distinction in additional maths. Sadie Reynolds also achieved 8A* grades and 3 A grades. 

The following all achieved at least 9 A*/A:

Phillipa Bolton

Idris Carney

Cara Hesketh

Lauren McFarlane

Beth McSpadden

Lily Shepley

Rebecca Smales

Emma Smedley-Jones

Kristina Thornton

Headteacher Mark Hatch, said; ‘I am so pleased for all the students that have worked so hard to achieve their results. We are very pleased with the results and we have more A*/A grades than last year, which is fantastic. 

"There are so many students that have achieved great personal success and I wish them all the very best in their futures. I would also like to thank all the staff and parents for their hard work and support for the students."

Denbighshire County Council has congratulated students in the county on their successes in this year’s GCSE examinations.

Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts, Denbighshire's Cabinet Lead Member for Education, Children’s Services and Public Engagement, said: “I would like to congratulate the young people that have received their examination results today (Thursday).

“Whilst acknowledging the enormous achievements of the most able is very important, what gives me the greatest pleasure is the consistent progress that many of our students make irrespective of their ability or starting point.

“The fabulous support of our students from teachers and parents over the last 5 years, especially over the last few months of their schooling is also very much appreciated. 

“The support that has been shown through attendance and ensuring their children have the right working environment at home has enabled our students to flourish and subsequently celebrate these wonderful results.

“These results further build on improvements seen in previous years and will allow our students to follow the path of their choice, whether that be to further education, apprenticeships or further training.”