Paloma Faith fan Ken Skates looks forward to Eisteddfod

* From left, Eisteddfod Board Member David Hennigan with Ken Skates MS and festival Vice Chair John Gambles.

Local Senedd Member Ken Skates says he can't wait for this summer's Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod to begin.

Mr Skates, who represents Clwyd South and is the new Cabinet Minister for Transport and North Wales, is also a Vice-President of the festival.

He recently met up with Eisteddfod organisers for an update as they step up plans for the biggest Eisteddfod for generations.

This year, the festival has partnered with promoters Cuffe and Taylor to bring some of the world’s biggest artists to the town with Bryan Adams arriving in about 50 days' time.  

In June and July, the likes of Kaiser Chiefs, Jess Glynne, Nile Rodgers & Chic and Simple Minds are all heading to Llangollen.  

There are major concerts before and after the core Eisteddfod, which takes place from July 2-7 – with Sir Tom Jones making his Llangollen debut followed by concerts by Welsh folk heroes Calan, Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalists Johns Boys Chorus, West End stars Kerry Ellis and John Owen-Jones, double GRAMMY award winning Gregory Porter, the internationally renowned Choir of the World and finishing with a Gala Concert from Katherine Jenkins.  

The Eisteddfod will also welcome more than 3,000 competitors from over 30 countries with the popular Parade of Nations, its Children’s Day, popular outdoor stages and much more. 

Ken Skates says he is a Paloma Faith fan and is also looking forward to seeing local choir John’s Boys Chorus.  

He said: “Everyone in Llangollen and North Wales is super excited about this year’s changes at the International Musical Eisteddfod. I can’t wait to attend. It is a fantastic occasion and this year is going to better than ever.” 

He added: “When it comes to who I am looking forward to most, I’ve been to see her before, so I’m going to say Paloma Faith because she is phenomenal. And coming from North Wales, how could I not also mention Johns Boys?”

Llangollen Eisteddfod Board Member David Hennigan said: “It was great to update Ken on our exciting plans for this summer.  

"He has been and remains a huge supporter of our peace festival. We were pleased to congratulate him on becoming Cabinet Minister for North Wales and Transport. 

"This year we are set to welcome tens of thousands of extra visitors to our wonderful town and we are pleased to enjoy continued support from the Senedd.  

"Every summer since 1947 something magical happens in Llangollen - we are a small town with a big voice and this year our festival will be even bigger and better.”

Town is now officially dementia friendly

  

        * The Dementia Friendly group proudly display their accreditation. 

The steering group aiming to have Llangollen recognised as age and dementia friendly says it is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded accreditation by the North Wales Partnership Board as a Dementia Friendly Community with a commitment to take action and improve the lives of people affected by the condition. 

Group chair Angela Williams said: “The group will be outside the town hall entrance with information on dementia during Dementia Awareness week on Tuesday May 14, between 10am and 2pm, and Monday May 13, same times, outside Llangollen Health Centre. 

“Come along and chat to us we will have lots of information on dementia, dementia awareness training and all available help. 

“Becky from Nature for Health will be with us on the Tuesday and the wonderful Ruth Moore Williams with stories and music. 

“We have a carers group who meet monthly. Their next group is on May 9 at 2pm in the Hand Hotel a speaker from the North East Wales Carers Information Service (NEWCIS) is attending that meeting to share lots of information for carers. Please look on our Facebook page for details of various events,  or contact John on 07515051696. 

“Let's make Llangollen a happy friendly knowledgeable place for those living with dementia and older people to live and visit.”

Llan panto group makes £1,500 donation to Nightingale House Hospice

* The panto group make their presentation to Nightingale House's Sue Williams.

Llangollen’s Pantomime group have thanked everyone from the town and surrounding areas for their "amazing" support for this year’s smash-hit production of Jack and the Beanstalk.

Spokesperson Neil Barrett said: "Your support enabled us to be in a position to donate £1,500 to Nightingale House Hospice. 

"It was a privilege to present a cheque for that amount to Sue Williams from Nightingale House at our AGM recently."

He added: "We are delighted to support Nightingale House as it provides such amazing care for the local community.

"We had a fantastic response and amazing support from you, our very supportive community who returned to watch Llangollen’s panto group after three years absence. 

"We can't wait to to put on next year’s production of Beauty and the Beast. Dave and Louise Lyne have already written the script which includes lots of hilarious local themes."

Llangollen entrepreneur launches networking brunch

* Claire Marie Quant.

Claire Marie Quant, owner of Clarity Matters, the communications specialists based in Llangollen, has become an ambassador for The Growth Coaching Collective and hosts her next networking brunch on May 7 from 10 am-12noon in the town's Cottage Tearooms.  

The Growth Coaching Collective has announced its business networking events are now international with ambassadors in Marbella, Spain and Tipperary, Ireland.

They join 10 others hosting networking events throughout the UK and beyond.   

Claire is a seasoned communications specialist on a mission to empower business owners to confidently find their voice and shine in the right places.  

With 30 years of experience in the media, she is the owner of Clarity Matters - The Communications Specialists and brings a wealth of knowledge from her background in journalism and PR.

Her expertise extends to crafting copy that aligns seamlessly with the individual style and personality of her clients and their business vision.  

 

Claire said: “I’m delighted to host the GCC (Growth Coaching Collective) Network in Llangollen, to help and support entrepreneurs within the Borderland areas of Denbighshire, Wrexham and Shropshire.  

 

“It can be a lonely business being an entrepreneur and business owner, so the more we can do to share our experiences, our chances of success are raised.

"When we surround ourselves with other people in the same entrepreneurial world we can give each other support, strength, and inspiration to build a successful community with a mix of industries and experiences. 

 

“I’m excited to see the variety of business owners who will join us in Llangollen on Tuesday, May 7 to build our new community and embrace the GCC Network motto of Together We Succeed.” 

 

The Growth Coaching Collective, founded by entrepreneur and sales strategist Kerry Boland, operates networking brunches that are both supportive and inclusive.

* Kerry Boland.

Claire says they bring a new vibe to the networking scene that is "collaborative rather than competitive".  

 

Kerry explains: “Growing up as a child I experienced bullying and felt as though I never really fit in anywhere, as a result I found networking difficult to navigate.

"The Growth Coaching Collective was a pipe dream that is now a reality - I have created inclusive spaces that promote connection, collaboration and community, where there are no cliques and no ick! The mantra of The GCC is that together we succeed. 

 

“It is my mission to show survivors of domestic abuse that they can still be successful entrepreneurs in spite of their experiences not despite them and I am building a legacy here with the Growth Coaching Collective. I am creating lots of safe, welcoming and inclusive networking spaces that will help to nurture and support future entrepreneurs.” 

 

* Interested attendees can get their tickets here https://site.thegrowthcoachingcollective.com/gcc-network-llangollen  

For event dates and to book visit https://thegrowthcoachingcollective.com/the-gcc-business-network 

 

Latest local roadworks alerts

Latest local roadworks alerts from Causeway one.network are:

Berwyn Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 29 April - 17 May   Delays likely - Diversion route   Name: Diversion   Location: Berwyn Street   Description: Streetworks / License - Streetworks   Responsibility for event: Denbighshire County Council   Current status: Planned       Chapel Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 29 April - 17 May   Delays likely - Temporary one-way   Name: Chapel Street, Llangollen   Location: Chapel Street   Description: Streetworks / License - Streetworks   Responsibility for event: Denbighshire County Council   Current status: Planned       Oak Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 29 April - 17 May   Delays likely - Road closure   Name: Oak Street, Llangollen   Location: Oak Street   Description: Streetworks / License - Streetworks   Responsibility for event: Denbighshire County Council   Current status: Planned

Chapel Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 29 April - 17 May   Roadworks, Delays likely   Traffic management: Road closure   Description: REPLACE 8M OF OLD METALLIC GAS MAINS WITH NEW PLASTIC MAINS IN THE HIGHWAY / FOOTWAY   Works location: JUNCTION OF OAK STREET   Public facing description: Wales & West Utilities Ltd has not assigned a specific description to this Works. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by Wales & West Utilities Ltd.   Responsibility for works: Wales & West Utilities   Current status: Planned work about to start   Works reference: XY254003001773199       Oak Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 29 April - 17 May   Roadworks, Delays likely   Traffic management: Road closure   Description: REPLACE 72M OF OLD METALLIC GAS MAINS WITH NEW PLASTIC MAINS IN THE HIGHWAY / FOOTWAY AND RENEW / TR   Works location: JUNCTION OF CHAPEL STREET TO S/O NO.1   Public facing description: Wales & West Utilities Ltd has not assigned a specific description to this Works. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by Wales & West Utilities Ltd.   Responsibility for works: Wales & West Utilities   Current status: Advanced planning   Works reference: XY254003001773240