Inner Wheel's delicious Festive Tea Party goes down a treat

* The cast of the panto Dick Whittington.

Llangollen Inner Wheel staged it's annual Festive Tea Party at St Collen's Community Hall yesterday (Sunday).

On the menu was traditional afternoon tea plus fizzy wine and a full programme of local entertainment ranging from a taste of pantomime to traditional Welsh song.

The panto selection came from around 30 cast members from Llangollen Pantomime Group's forthcoming production of Dick Whittington, which hits the Town Hall stage from January 15-18.

They sang numbers from their past shows plus a couple of Christmas favourites including Santa Clause is Coming to Town and Frosty the Snowman.

Another treat was an appearance by the duo Idle Lies, consisting of Ewan Smith and Sam Leonard, whose highlight number was Next Christmas You'll Be Home, written by Sam as a tribute to their friend Daniel Parsonage, who suffered a life-threating brain haemorrhage last summer, and with performances of which they have so far raised £5,000 for the Walton Centre NHS Foundation where he was treated.

David Scott, a member of the Rhos Male Voice Choir, sang two moving traditional Welsh songs - Dafydd y Garreg Wen (David of the White Rock) and My Little Welsh Home - without accompaniment.

Mike Connolly gave an impromptu rendition of the seasonal number Mary's Boy Child and Phil Robinson opened the show in festive spirit with Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and Winter Wonderland.

The show, which was compered by well-known after dinner speaker Andy Conde, was rounded off by a selection of carols in which the audience was led by Gethin Davies.

* Idle Lies (Ewan left and Sam right).

* David Scott.

* Mike Connolly.

* Phil Robinson.

* Gethin Davies conducts the closing carols.

Part of Castle Street closed today for manhole works

* The diversion sign at the Mill Street end of Castle Street.

Part of Castle Street is closed today to allow work to be carried out on a manhole outside number 36.

The section of the carriageway closed is from Market Street to Berwyn Street (A5).

There is a diversion sign at the Mill Street end of the street pointing back towards Trevor, which some drivers appear to be taking as an indication that the entire length is closed.

However, this is not the case and drivers heading on into Castle Street are finding a second diversion sign near the roadworks pointing into Market Street. And those following this route are eventually finding their way along Market Street and onto the A5 at the end.

* The other diversion sign pointing into Market Street.

Latest local roadworks bulletin from county council

Brook Street, Llangollen until 27/03/2026, Active Travel Improvements from the A5 up Brook Street, towards Ysgol Bryn Collen / Y Gwernant, Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

Carriageway OS Number 36 Castle Street, 14/12/2025, Gwaith ar Dwll Archwilio/ Man Hole Works, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

A539 LLANGOLLEN ROAD 16/12/2025, Torri Coed / Tree Cutting 

OUTSIDE NUMBER 9 CASTLE STREET 01/02/2026, Gwaith Nwy / Gas Works WALES & WEST (DCC)

Collen Players present a cracker of a Christmas show

* The Collen Players assemble for the final curtain.

Llangollen's Collen Players gave an audience in festive mood a real Christmas cracker of a show with Deck the Halls, their heart-warming festive variety treat last night (Friday).

As promised, it was an evening packed with timeless singalong favourites, sparkling nostalgia and old-fashioned charm, which was the perfect way to start the seasonal celebrations.

All money raised on the night goes to the appeal to restore and preserve St Collen's ancient and historic hammer-beam ceiling.

Topping the evening's bill was Colin Bourdiec, the ukulele maestro who pays a jolly tribute to the great George Formby and many more old time favourites besides.

The Chairman of Charm, Leonard Naylor, delighted with some daring ditties and delightful solo numbers. 

Stepping up on stage first came Collen Players regular Phil Robinson with a couple of numbers designed to charm the chill from the night - Winter Wonderland and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.   

Miss Susan Stokes, billed as the Silver Songbird, followed with her candle-glow cosy song I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas, then a reading of A Yorkshire Nativity by Gervaise Fin. In the second half she sang Mary Did You Know.

Mike Connolly exercised his considerable choral range to the full with Let There Be Peace on Earth in the first half. He was back later for a touching version of O Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fidelis).

The Chairman himself captured the fun of the night with his rendition of the comedy nugget The Night I Appeared as Macbeth and, later, his showpiece asked, Who'll Come and Roll Mother's Pudding? 

Alison Jarvis entertained with her amusing poem Santa's Greatest Secret.

Colin Bourdiec gave us a musical reminder of why we still love the legendary Lancashire lad George Formby before leading the audience in an hilarious Twelve Days of Christmas, which had them bobbing up and down like corks and he was back for the grand finale with a touch of magic.  

Jayne on keyboard and Clayton on drums provided some solid accompaniment to the various artistes throughout the bill, with Jayne also teaming up with the Chairman for the piano duet Jingle Bells. 

And there was ample opportunity for the audience to air their own vocal talents with the many seasonal-themed sing-along numbers available, including the closing numbers of Down at the Old Bull and Bush and White Christmas.

* Pictures by Jeanette Robinson

* The Chairman.

* Alison Jarvis.

                                                   * Colin Bourdiec.

* Mike Connolly.

* Susan Stokes.

* Phil Robinson.

* Clayton on the drums and Jayne on the keyboard.

Collen Players present their festive variety show tonight

Llangollen's Collen Players are giving you the chance to step back into the magic of Christmases gone by with their heart-warming festive variety show tonight (Friday).

They promise an evening filled with timeless singalong favourites, sparkling nostalgia and old-fashioned charm, which is the perfect way to start your Christmas celebrations.

All money raised goes to the appeal to restore and preserve St Collen's ancient and historic hammer beam ceiling.

Topping the evening's bill, which starts at 6.30pm, will be Colin Bourdiec, the ukulele maestro who pays a jolly tribute to the great George Formby.

The Chairman of Charm delights with some daring ditties and Phil “Razzle-Dazzle” Robinson returns with a seasonal selection. 

Miss Sue Stokes, billed as our Silver Songbird, will enchant with her splendiferous arrangements and Mike Connolly will exercise his considerable choral expertise to the full.

Jayne and Clayton — the Melodious Magicians of Melody and Mirth - will provide some stupendous backing throughout the night, with Jayne weaving wonder upon the keys and Clayton conjuring cadence on the drums, this dynamic duo deliver rhythm, rapture and rollicking rejoicing.

There will also be the chance for the audience themselves their own vocal talents with many sing-along opportunities. 

Entry price includes festive supper.

* Book your tickets at: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/llangollen/st-collens-community-hall/deck-the-halls-christmas-show/2025-12-12/d-zvvxkysygvqkp

Suspected mortar shell found in Acrefair

A  suspected mortar shell was the reason for a large police presence in Acrefair today. 

* For the full story, go to: https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/25691342.suspected-mortar-shell-discovered-wrexham-village/

*Picture from Leader live story.

Crews battle blaze at chocolate factory in Chirk

* Picture from the Oswestry Advertizer.

The Oswestry Advertizer is reporting this afternoon that emergency services are currently at the Mondolez Factory in Chirk due to a fire. Workers have been evacuated.

* For the full story, go to: https://www.bordercountiesadvertizer.co.uk/news/25690239.live-crews-battle-fire-chocolate-factory-chirk/

•