Paedophiles should feel `full force of law' - police boss

A police boss has hit out at suggestions that online paedophiles shouldn't be prosecuted in some cases.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner  Arfon Jones was responding to comments by the Simon Bailey, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for child protection, who believes only offenders who pose a physical risk to children should face a criminal sentence.

According to Mr Bailey, the head of Operation Hydrant, the nationwide inquiry into historical child sexual abuse, the police were struggling to cope with the huge number of criminals looking at indecent images of children online and should concentrate resources on what he described as high risk offenders.

Mr Jones (pictured), a former police inspector, said: "Any offences that involve the sexual degradation of children are heinous. They are among the most serious crimes dealt with by the police and should be punished accordingly.

"Every time an indecent image of a child is viewed it is tantamount to the abuse being repeated over and over again.

"One of the things becoming clear is that many of the people looking at images like these are also creating them so they are also guilty of contact offences with children.

"In my opinion, anybody caught committing offences of this nature should feel the full force of the law and be prosecuted.

"There are strict sentencing guidelines for in relation to crimes perpetrated by paedophiles and they should be adhered to so that the right punishment is imposed and will more often than not involve custodial sentences.

"Of course, there should also be support in place to rehabilitate offenders once they have been punished.

"For example, the Circles of Support scheme works with sex offenders in North Wales has been particularly successful.

"The COSA programme sees members of the community volunteer to work with offenders and since it started in North Wales in 2007 none of the offenders taking part has gone on to re-offend.

"My only concern with COSA is that, while in South Wales it is funded centrally by the National Offender Management Service, we have to pay for it ourselves here in North Wales."

"Protecting children is one of my most important responsibilities and it will be a priority in my new Police and Crime Plan which will be published soon.

"North Wales Police are already leading the way and the force has established a Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) to tackle the emerging threat of child sexual exploitation via the internet.

"They work alongside the force's Cyber Crime Team and High Tech Crime Unit based in St Asaph.

"Online child sexual exploitation is a vile crime committed by dangerous and devious people who come from every section of society and often appear to be leading outwardly respectable lives.

"I’m pleased that we’re investing so many resources in tackling online sexual exploitation because the care of children is the most important thing we do.

"Paedophiles are becoming increasingly sophisticated so it is vitally important that we respond accordingly with a team of our own experts catching those committing these types of crime and bringing them to justice.

"This problem isn’t going to go away and we need to concentrate on raising awareness, education and reducing harm and I think there is some excellent work being done to reach this priority.

"I’m very happy to support the force in providing as much resources as needed to ensure that children, wherever they may be in the world, are safe."

Soup kitchen sessions at Holy Cross Rooms

A series of weekly Lentern soup kitchen sessions are to be held at the Holy Cross Rooms in Llangollen in aid of famine relief in Africa.

Starting from tomorrow, they will take place every Friday up to and including April 7 in the meeting rooms which are at the end of the alleyway opposite the library in Castle Street.

Sessions begin with a coffee morning plus stall starting at 11am with soup being served from 12noon until 1.30pm.

Town's newest antiques fair to be staged

* A water colour of Llangollen in days gone by.

SELLERS from across North Wales and the Marches will be coming to Llangollen later this month for the town’s newest antiques fair.

Taking place at the Hand Hotel (pictured below) on Sunday, March 26, the fair will showcase the wares a select number of dealers from the region.

Staged in two rooms of the historic hotel in the town centre, there will be a wide range of items on sale including quality antiques, collectables including militaria and coins, decorative and vintage homewares.

The fair opens from 9.30am until 3.30pm and there will be refreshments available in the hotel.

Organiser Rob Bellis, of Nook Antiques in Llangollen, has already had a positive response ahead of the inaugural event.

He said: “We’ve had a great deal of interest and are now fully booked in terms of stalls so there will be plenty on offer for collectors or those looking for something interesting or quirky for their home.

“We’ve got some great sellers coming from the west coast of Wales who will be bringing a range of good antiques, some good local dealers, including a couple who make regular trips over to France to source their very interesting stock, and a number of specialists in things like militaria, treen, linens and coins.

“The Hand is a great venue, with its own gardens overlooking the River Dee so it should make for a very good day.”

Admission to the fair is 50p per person.

Parking at the hotel is limited so patrons are asked to use the nearby public car parks when appropriate.

County issues rogue callers alert

Denbighshire residents are advised to be alert following reports of rogue callers impersonating council tax officers.

One man turned up unexpectedly at a house in Prestatyn and stated that he was investigating council tax arrears owed by a previous resident.

No person of that name is known to have previously lived at the address. The householder acted prudently and refused entry to the caller before reporting the incident to North Wales Police and Denbighshire Council the following day.

The caller was driving an unmarked white van and was wearing a lanyard with an identification card which was not shown. He failed to introduce himself and left no paperwork at the address.

A representative from the council tax service has confirmed that no employee of the service was in the area at that time and explains that council employees are instructed to always wear identification, hand it over for inspection and will always leave details of who they are.

The council says it has also received reports of other incidents  in the Rhyl, Prestatyn and Dyserth areas. The first relates to a lone male who stated he was from a money saving website who is believed to be trying to sell insurance, but information on this is limited.

The second incident relates to a group of males knocking door to door selling cleaning products and small knick-knacks, again information is limited on these individuals.

Councillor David Smith, Cabinet Lead Member for Environment, said:  “The council is committed to tackling those involved in rogue calling crime and will use all means at our disposal to ensure they are swiftly brought to justice.”

“Rogue traders usually turn up announced, claim to be respectable tradespeople when they are not and use a range of deceptions to gain personal information which they later misuse or charge inflated prices for sub-standard or unnecessary work.

“However, an effective way of preventing these incidents from happening in the first place is by raising awareness of the problem and advising members of the public on what steps they can take to better protect themselves from falling victim.

"We would recommend that you never engage anyone who turns up at your door and never give them money up front or disclose any personal or financial information. We would also caution against keeping large sums of cash in your own home.”

* More information about how to protect yourself against bogus callers can be found on the Trading Standards section of the Denbighshire County Council website: www.denbighshire.gov.uk

Twenty Club next presents The Entertainer

The Twenty Club has announced that its spring production will be state-of-the nation classic, The Entertainer.

Written in 1957 by playwright John Osborne, the story of struggling music hall comedian Archie Rice is acknowledged as one of the best-written plays of the last century.

Its enduring appeal was highlighted recently by the success of a West End production featuring Kenneth Branagh in the iconic role originally made famous on screen by Laurence Olivier (pictured).

Despite its age the play remains remarkably relevant with its examination, through the use of a dysfunctional family and the background of the Suez Crisis, of the state of the British nation.

The Twenty Club production is being directed by Barry Cook who made his directorial debut with Love on the Dole, and features David Edgar in the challenging role of Archie Rice.

The Llangollen group, founded in 1947, will be hoping to repeat the success of their previous production, The Vicar of Dibley, which played to full-houses and standing ovations on each of its four performances.

The Entertainer tells the story of Archie Rice’s family at a time of collective and personal crisis.

Archie’s father, a successful music hall comedian from the 1930s, despairs at what is happening to this form of popular entertainment.

His son, Archie, beset by money problems, struggles to invest in yet another doomed show and has turned to the device of using motionless nude female performers in an attempt to boost audiences.  

One son, Frank, has refused to do National Service and has spent time in prison because of this. Another has enlisted in the army and is currently fighting in Egypt. His daughter, Jean, has returned unexpectedly from her work in London with news of a broken engagement.

The play is imaginatively staged, with Archie’s performances to diminishing audiences interconnecting with his personal and domestic worries.

With a simple but stylish set, the play features songs specially written for the production.

The Entertainer will be performed at Llangollen Town Hall on Thursday March 30, Friday March 31 and Saturday April 1. Doors will open at 7pm with curtain-up at 7.30pm.

Tickets will be available at the door, if spaces are available on any of the three nights, but anyone wishing to attend is advised to book in advance.

An evening out with the Twenty Club also includes a grand raffle, refreshments on sale and the services of a wine bar.

Tickets are available from: Courtyard Books, Llangollen; Gwyn Davies, butcher; Special Thoughts and Mair Bowen on 01978 822759.
                            
They are also available online.

Volunteering event at the health centre tomorrow

llanblogger reader Mike Edwards has sent details of a volunteering event at Llangollen Health Centre tomorrow, Tuesday March 7, from 10am-12.30pm.

For details, please follow the link: https://mercury.postlight.com/amp?url=http%3A%2F%2Fartisans-collective.org.uk%2Fvolunteer-opportunity%2Fdenbighshire%2F

AM opens Llan's new health and fitness centre

* Clwyd South AM Ken Skates cuts the ribbon to open Verve in Market Street.

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates officially opened Verve, Llangollen's new health, fitness and wellbeing centre yesterday (Saturday) morning. 

Facilities at the Market Street centre include an exercise studio, rehab and personal training gym and three treatment rooms.  

Physiotherapist and pilates tutor Susan Wallace of Get Moving Keep Moving said: “We are delivering a number of group exercise classes, including pilates, yoga, MMA, exercise for the mature mover, Feldenkrais and children's yoga.  

“We are planning to add further traditional exercises classes. However as a physio with a fitness and personal training background I am keen to add specialist rehabilitation classes and, linking with the health centre, provide GP referral, falls prevention, back care etc.

“Our treatment rooms are bringing together a host of experienced therapists currently practising in Llangollen and include physiotherapy, chiropractic and acupuncture.  Our gym will be used for rehabilitation and also small group personal training.”  

Visitors to an open morning watched Mr Skates cut the ribbon to declare the new facility open.  

Chamber can help with business rate concerns

Llangollen Chamber of  Trade and Tourism says it can help local firms with business rate headaches.

Secretary Ian Parry said: "Many people cannot have failed to notice the issue regarding the revaluation of business rates and the potential serious impact a significant rise in rates will have on businesses.

"The chamber has been looking at the Valuation Office Agency’s website and has collated a great deal of information about the changes affecting many businesses in the town.

"We have urged our members to check their new valuations as soon as possible but some businesses don’t seem to be aware of the issue and may subsequently be shocked when they discover the impact the revaluation may have on their business.

"All are urged to look up the Valuation Office’s website or contact David Davies, our chair on 01978 860557, myself on 01978 449365.

"We can provide some help, advice and information to anyone who may need some assistance in trying to obtain the appropriate information. 

"The chamber also has professional contacts who may be able to provide assistance in dealing with anyone wishing to appeal against the new valuations.

"There is the possibility of arranging a presentation by one of these professionals on the whole process of business rates.

"Again, contact me if you feel you would like to appeal or would be interested in attending a presentation."

Llan company wins coveted gold service award

* Peter and Lesley Carol celebrate their gold Feefo win at the shop.

ProAdventure of Llangollen has won a Feefo Gold Service award, an independent seal of excellence that recognises businesses for delivering exceptional experiences rated by real customers.

Created by Feefo, Trusted Service is awarded to businesses that use Feefo to collect genuine ratings and reviews.

A badge of honour, this accreditation remains unique as all the awards are based purely on the interactions with verified customers.

This feedback has been collated by the Feefo review platform, with the accolades being awarded based upon performance.

ProAdventure met the criteria of collecting at least 50 reviews between January 1 and December 31 2016, and achieved a Feefo service rating of between 4.5 and 5.0. (Currently 277 Reviews with a 4.7 average for ProAdventure).

Boss Peter Carol said: “It’s a real honour to receive this award from Feefo. To be recognised for delivering exceptional experiences to our customers is a great achievement.

"We’ve been working hard to ensure our customers receive the best service possible, and being able to listen, understand and respond to their needs has enabled us to improve our offering in 2016. We’re looking forward to another successful year ahead."

ProAdventure has grown out of Peter Carol’s 30 years of experience of working in outdoor adventure training and holidays and Lesley Carol’s 30 years of customer service experience.

Peter is highly trained and qualified in leading and coaching in the outdoors, and ran an outdoor adventure activity business for 25 years.

Lesley Carol has spent all of her life adventuring. She has expeditioned in the UK and Chile and has qualified as a Canoe River Leader. She also trained as a Mountain Leader and Nordic Walking Coach and holds the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Andrew Mabbutt, CEO of Feefo, said: “We would like to offer our congratulations to all the winners of this year’s Feefo Trusted Service award. We are so proud that so many businesses are putting customer service first.” 

“We have been working closely with all our customers to build trust and transparency online, and ultimately helping shoppers buy with confidence and make better decisions.” 

Feefo is a ratings and reviews, and customer analytics platform. It collects genuine, purchase-verified reviews on behalf of over 3,000 businesses.

Feefo ensures that all feedback is authentic, by matching it to a legitimate transaction; we believe this is the best way to combat the rising issue of fake reviews.

Dream Oz trip is prize for eisteddfod competition

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has partnered with one of the world’s biggest cultural festivals to offer musical theatre hopefuls the chance of winning the trip of a lifetime. 

The winner of the 2017 International Voice of Musical Theatre competition will be awarded an international medal, £1,500 and a trip to Australia’s Gold Coast to perform in The Musicale – the Gold Coast annual Eisteddfod’s showcase of rising musical theatre talent.

* Last year's winner Gareth Elis.

The 2017 winner will follow in the footsteps of Carmarthenshire singer and actor, Gareth Elis, who took the title of Voice of Musical Theatre 2016 and performed as a soloist in 2016’s Gold Coast Musicale. 

The Musicale follows seven weeks of competition featuring over 70,000 singers and dancers, most of them under 20, and including 350 bands and orchestras, 175 choirs, almost 1500 dance groups and over 3,000 solo dancers. 

Llangollen eisteddfod musical director, Eilir Owen Griffiths, said: “To be able to offer this incredible opportunity to a rising star of musical theatre for the second year running is wonderful, especially as we celebrate our 70th anniversary and the Gold Coast Eisteddfod marks 36 years of festivals. 

“Following the Gold Coast Eisteddfod’s visit to Llangollen in 2015 and International Eisteddfod winner, Gareth Elis’s performance at The Musicale last October, we have discovered such synergy between our two festivals. 

“The passion for music, performance and nurturing young talent is apparent both in North Wales and in Australia. The International Eisteddfod has always been about forging international links and friendships and we’re hugely grateful to the people at the Gold Coast Eisteddfod for this wonderful offer.   
  
“Our flourishing relationship will ensure that the Voice of Musical Theatre competition, which was introduced in 2015, will grow in popularity and attract singers from all over the world, adding to our already strong hand of prestigious solo competitions.” 

Judith Ferber, the Gold Coast Eisteddfod’s General Manager, said: “We are extremely excited to see the talent that the 2017 International Voice of Musical Theatre competition will reveal.  

“Working with an event that shares our ideals of friendship, passion for music and performance and allows us to open doors for new and exciting soloists is a pleasure and an honour. 

“We are also proud to be forging international links and raising global awareness of the Gold Coast Eisteddfod at its talented performers and competitors. We look forward to welcoming 2017’s winner to our Eisteddfod Musicale Concert on Sunday, October 15.” 

* Entries for the competition will close on Friday March 3.

Hopefuls can apply on the Eisteddfod competitors website http://eisteddfodcompetitions.co.uk/. 

For the preliminary round competitors are required to perform two contrasting musical theatre songs within eight minutes, with all music sung in the original language.

For the final, competitors will be required to submit a contrasting programme of up to 10 minutes of music.

Welsh business rate changes explained

llanblogger reader Mike Edwards points out that while there has been a certain amount of hysterical reaction to the revaluation of business rates - mainly in the South of England - a useful article from In Brief, the National Assembly research service blog, clarifies he situation in Wales.

The link to the article is: https://assemblyinbrief.wordpress.com/

* Mike also points out details of a Wrexham business event: https://wales.business-events.org.uk/en/events/winning-and-keeping-customers/

Cost of new house sparks call for more council homes

Denbighshire should re-start building council houses to answer local demand.

This was the call from Cllr Arwel Roberts, Plaid Cymru group leader on the county council, after a new housing development in Llangollen saw its first house go up for sale at £390,000. 

The development of 90 houses on Vicarage Road has been a bone of contention in Llangollen for several years.

The development was given the go ahead late last year but, even though many councillors and campaigners called for a greater number of affordable housing, the amount of homes deemed “affordable” was limited to 10%.

The first plot of land is Plot 1, a five bedroom detached family home, and has been put on the market for £390,000.

Cllr Roberts (pictured) said: “We have consistently called for more affordable housing not only in Llangollen but throughout Denbighshire.

"We don’t want to stop development, but we would like to see development that is sensitive to the local community, and which meets demand instead of creating a demand.

“Rightmove notes that the vast majority of houses bought in Llangollen last year were terraced houses, and the average price was £128,000.

"Furthermore the average weekly household income for the Llangollen area is £500 a week. As a consequence it’s clear that there is little local demand for such expensive executive homes.

"There are families in Llangollen crying out for affordable family homes, but they are being priced out of the market.

“We spoke up to increase the number of affordable homes, but were frustrated by the council’s inability to do this.

"This is why we are saying that Denbighshire Council should start building council houses once again. The council is here to serve the people and they are demanding good-quality affordable housing. We should respect that and look at what we as a council can do.”

Chamber is looking for Llan legends

* The Chamber of Trade is looking for Llan legends such as the annual eisteddfod.

Llangollen Chamber of Trade is asking local businesses and residents to become involved with the  Year of Legends 2017, a Visit Wales project. 

The main focus will be on culture and heritage, encompassing landscapes, sport and adventure, food and drink and enterprise.  

Llangollen is a legendary town with many stories to tell and the chamber is putting together lists including festivals, people, places and landscape.

As a town, Llangollen is especially legendary for festivals with over 20, from Faeries to Fringe and from the renowned International Eisteddfod to Hamper Llangollen. 

Ian Lebbon, vice chairman said: “We would welcome suggestions and involvement with this project as the Year of Legends is both a celebration and an opportunity to attract more visitors to our town. 

"Do you have a special story, photograph, film footage or memory of a legendary person or event, if so we would like to hear from you.

"Or maybe you would like to help plan specific events such as maps, information and events to promote legendary walks around Llangollen, legendary food experiences giving visitors a chance to sample the best local produce, storytelling sessions, local legends linked with our festivals,leaflets and short films for our website, pop up, exclusive events and activities in your community or in an amazing location.
 
"This is a great idea to provide focus on our town, bringing together a wide range of events and activities under the Year of Legends theme."
 
* If you would like to become involved or contribute to this project, please contact the chamber of Trade at  LlanCTandT@hotmail.co.uk, or drop off your contributions at the Town Hall Office.

If you would like to speak to someone about the project then contact chamber secretary, Ian Parry, on 01978 449365 or 07785 541445.

Twitter @LlangollenCTT @DiscoverDenbs 
http://www.visitwales.com/latest-news/2016/december/year-of-legends-2017

Direct debit scheme for garden waste launched

Denbighshire County Council has launched a Direct Debit payment option for its subscription garden waste collection service.

Whether renewing an existing subscription, or registering for the first time, residents can now opt to pay by a single annual direct debit payment, as well as via the  internet, telephone or face to face payment methods.

The launch of the direct debit payment option means the council can offer its lowest subscription rates to residents who cannot, or prefer not to, use the internet.

The annual cost of a fortnightly garden waste collection service remains £22 (or £34 for the enhanced service) for those who subscribe using the internet.

The cost for residents who choose to pay over the telephone or at a Council One Stop Shop remains £24 (or £36).

Direct debit mandate forms are being sent out to residents with all subscription renewal reminders sent by post.

Residents who receive renewal emails can obtain a mandate form by contacting Denbighshire’s Customer Service Centre, from Council One Stop Shops or by sending an email to gardenwaste@denbighshire.gov.uk or gwastraffgardd@sirddinbych.gov.uk.

Councillor David Smith, Lead Member for Highways & Environment, said: “Denbighshire County Council is committed to keeping the cost of the garden waste service as low as possible. The efficiency of the direct debit process allows us to offer our lowest prices to even more residents. For many it will also remove the worry of having to remember to renew their subscription every year.”

Notes on Payment Options & Rates

Direct Debit/Internet Costs: -

·         STANDARD SERVICE £22.00 per year (26 collections of 1 x 140 litre bin)

·         ENHANCED SERVICE £34.00 per year (26 collections of 2 x 140 litre bins)

https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/cy/preswyliwr/biniau-ac-ailgylchu/gwastraff-gardd.aspx

https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/resident/bins-and-recycling/garden-waste.aspx

Telephone/Face to Face Costs: -

·         STANDARD SERVICE £24.00 per year (26 collections of 1 x 140 litre bin)

·         ENHANCED SERVICE £36.00 per year (26 collections of 2 x 140 litre bins)

Customer Service Centre: Cymraeg :01824 706100, English: 01824 706101

North Wales police officers to have body-worn cameras

* Superintendent Sacha Hatchett  and Arfon Jones,

Police and Crime Commissioner, with PC Luke Fox.

Every front line police officer in North Wales will soon be wearing chest mounted video cameras.

North Wales Police have taken just delivery of 301 extra body worn video kits and 50 docking stations and they're being rolled out across the region.

They have been paid for by North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones, a former police inspector, who has invested £163,000 in the technology.

Mr Jones is fulfilling a promise he made in his manifesto before he was elected with a large majority last May.

Body worn video, which captures evidence of crimes as they happen, was first
introduced in North Wales in 2015, with 120 kits being deployed across
the region which meant a third of response officers had access to the cameras.

The arrival of the additional devices means the force will be the first in Wales to give the crime-fighting technology to all its police officers and police community support officers while on front line duty, including members of the specialist firearms and rural crime teams.

One area where the high-tech equipment has already proved particularly useful is in the aftermath of an incident of domestic violence where evidence of any
injuries and damage can be gathered along with the behaviour and demeanour
of the aggressor and the victim.

It's expected that the extra kits will result in a 12 per cent increase in the number of successful prosecutions in domestic abuse cases, a surge in the number of guilty pleas generally and a reduction in the number of complaints against officers.

Mr Jones said: "I promised in my manifesto that I would supply all front line officers with body worn video and today’s the day. I’m very, very happy that we’ve found the money to be able to do this.

"It’s going to help victims of crime, help us arrest more offenders and improve the quality of life of vulnerable people.

"It's been shown that the introduction of body worn video equipment improves the success rate in domestic violence cases by 12 per cent. That's massive.

"I look forward to seeing more and more offenders appearing in court and less survivors having to put up with a poor quality of life.

"I would expect there to be more guilty pleas and that’s a good thing.  It avoids survivors of domestic violence having to give evidence in court.  It saves money and it’s obviously better for the perpetrator because the earlier they plead guilty, the more reasonable the sentence will be for them.

"Body worn video is making North Wales a safer place. It's good for everybody except for the criminals."

Chief Superintendent Sacha Hatchett, Head of Local Policing Services, said: "We're absolutely delighted the Commissioner has invested in this new kit.

"The results for body-worn video nationally speak for themselves.

"When police officers are using body-worn video they are showing what’s happening in reality - the evidence is incontrovertible.

"Officers are being really innovative. They’re used for anti-social behaviour patrols, they’re used on the night-time economy, so you can actually see if there is affray or fighting taking place, what that actually looks like, what that actually means at that time.

"They're being used when officers go to road traffic accidents and they’re using them when they serve warrants.

"There is a sound evidence-base for us having body-worn video, and it’s supporting my officers on the front line who do a very difficult job well and they are very professional in what they do, so anything to support them gets my support.

"We’re still analysing the data but we are finding that complaints against officers have gone down, people making vexatious complaints have reduced."

PC Matt Jones is a big fan of body worn video.

He said; "It’s made a big difference. When we attend various scenes, for example a road accident, our priorities would be casualties and things like that. We can use our body-worn video on whilst we’re dealing with casualties.

"The equipment also makes people less likely to want to be abusive, threatening or violent because they know they’re being recorded on camera, It nips problems in the bud."

The introduction of the equipment has been masterminded by the force's Chief Information Officer, Ian Davies.

He said: “It can make a massive difference in all areas of policing including domestic related crime and success rates for convictions are going from 70 per cent to 82 per cent. It's fantastic news for the victims and that's the important thing."

The new technology also has the enthusiastic backing of the North Wales branch of the Police Federation.

Secretary Richard Eccles said: "The introduction of extra cameras by the PCC and the notable reduction in public complaints are very much welcomed.

Officers are increasingly keen to utilise the cameras to deter assaults and abuse from those who blight our communities in North Wales.

"Hopefully, as we put more evidence before the courts showing exactly how officers are treated by a criminal minority we will see increased sanctions and increased public confidence."

Two charities receive Christmas bonuses from Llan

* Alyson Winn, community co-ordinator for Wales Air Ambulance, picks up the cheque for £740 raised at the Santa Christmas events from town crier Austin Cheminais.

* The cheque for £1,000 is handed over to Alyson Winn of Wales Air Ambulance by Austin Cheminais watched by fellow festival committee members, from left, Sandy Attenburrow, town clerk Gareth Thomas, George Hughes and Ian Parry.

* Colin Burman, chair of Llangollen Canal Boat Trust, receives the cheque for £500 from Austin Cheminais watched by, from left, Rhodri Thomas, Penri Thomas and Ian Parry.    

Two charities picked up a Christmas bonus from the people of Llangollen at the Town Hall this morning (Thursday).

As a result of the town's successful Llangollen Christmas Festival back in November members of the organising committee handed over donations from the proceeds to Wales Air Ambulance, which received £1,000, and the Canal Boat Trust which was given £500.

Wales Air Ambulance received a further £740 from Town Crier Austin "Chem" Cheminais, which came from various Santa events he arranged around Christmas time including quizzes, an auction and the Rotary sleigh ride through the area.

Chem, who also chairs the Christmas Festival Committee, said: "We normally just support Wales Air Ambulance but this year to acknowledge the significant contribution made by Gill Thomas to the Festival and the grotto before her untimely death last year we decided to make a donation to the Canal Boat Trust which was very dear to her.

"I'm delighted that Gill's two sons, Rhodri and Penri came along to receive the cheque."

He added: "We were overwhelmed by support for last year's festival, which attracted over 2,000 people to the town during the course of the day.

"Santa also arranged a programme of fundraising events in the run-up to Christmas and he passes on his thanks to everyone who supported them in aid of such a good cause."

Tender arrives for railway's steam gala

* The tender arrives in Abbey Road.

An important component of the forthcoming Spring Steam Gala at Llangollen Railway arrived by road yesterday (Wednesday).

The tender for the visiting locomotive Raveningham Hall was trailered to the Abbey Road entrance of the railway in plenty of time for the gala over the weekend of March 3-5.

The front end of Raveningham Hall - the part with the boiler, cab and large driving wheels - arrived separately by low-loader the previous day.

Entitled Along Birkenhead Lines, the gala will feature an intensive timetable of both passenger and mixed traffic trains, a great collection of historic steam locomotives and special attractions along the line.

The weekend also marks the 50th anniversary of two significant events - the last steam-hauled Cambrian Coast Express and 50 years since the last through working from London Paddington to Birkenhead (Woodside).

A railway spokesperson said: "The gala will be one of the most historically accurate and authentic steam events yet achieved at Llangollen. Expect to see cameos, displays, recreations and all the appropriate paper ephemera."

The event will feature a number of special visiting steam locomotives :

• LMS 8F No.48624 (c/o The 48624 Locomotive Group & GCR PLC)
• GWR No.6960 Raveningham Hall (c/o West Somerset Railway)
• LMS 'Flying Pig' No.43106 (c/o The Ivatt Class 4 Group & Severn Valley Railway)

In addition, the Llangollen Railway's 'home fleet' pool of locos for this event will be:

• LMS 'Black 5' No.45337 (making her return after overhaul)
• BR Standard Four tank No. 80072
• GWR '5101' Large Prairie No.5199
• BR Manor No. 7822 "Foxcote Manor"
• Class 03 Diesel No.03162 (a former Birkenhead shunter)

The visiting Ivatt Class 4MT 43106 was the last BR steam locomotive to travel between Chester and Shrewsbury, on August 1, 1968.

* Download our FREE Advanced Information booklet for the latest news on the gala from: http://www.llangollen-railway.co.uk/event/spring-steam-gala-3rd-march/

Refugee talk planned by local support network

Llangollen Refugee Support Network is hosting a talk on refugees by Peter Last at Llangollen Golf Club on Friday March 3, starting at 7.30pm.

Peter Last has worked with Voluntary Services Overseas in Tanzania, Sudan and Thailand and also with Greenpeace for a number of years.

More recently he has been in the refugee camps in Calais and Palestine and is coming to Llangollen to talk about  his experiences and bring awareness of the plight of refugees and asylum seekers.

* For more information, contact Brian on 01691 600307/07884445919.

Prize boost for prestige eisteddfod competition

* Mario and Gill Kreft of Pendine with eisteddfod musical director Eilir Owen Griffiths (right).

A competition to find the world’s best young singers has been flooded with entries after a pioneering care organisation teamed up with opera superstar Sir Bryn Terfel to increase the prize money to £10,000.

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, revealed there's been a huge surge in entries as a result of a boost  to its prize fund by  Pendine Park and the Bryn Terfel Foundation. 

The finalists will compete for the Pendine Prize and a cheque for £6,000 while the two runners up will each receive £2,000. 

Arts-loving Pendine Park, who are long-term supporters of the Eisteddfod, have pledged to contribute £5,000 to the Voice of the Future competition with £3,000 coming from Sir Bryn's foundation and £2,000 from the Eisteddfod. 

As a result, the total prize pot is more than six times the £1,500 awarded in previous years and the aim is to catapult the competition into a whole new league. 

The idea is to showcase and nurture young talent, providing each year’s winner with support and a cash injection to advance their burgeoning careers. 

As well as being awarded the cash and the Pendine Prize, the winner will also have the opportunity to perform in future Eisteddfod concerts, where their talent will be showcased alongside other international performers.

Previous winners include Meinir Wyn Roberts, who will be special guest soloist at this year’s 70th anniversary opening concert, Elsa Roux Chamoux and Eirlys Myfanwy Davies, who performed with Sir Bryn Terfel and the world-renowned Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja at the International Eisteddfod last year. 

The prestigious Voice of the Future competition is open to anyone under the age of 28 and designed to advance the career of a young soloist. Entries for the 2017 competition will close on Friday, March 3, and hopefuls can apply on the Eisteddfod competitors’ website http://eisteddfodcompetitions.co.uk/. 

The festival’s Musical Director, Eilir Owen Griffiths, said: “The generous boost from Pendine Park and the Bryn Terfel Foundation has certainly had an impact on entries this year - they are flooding in and the standard is exceptional.  

“From the entries we have already received, we can promise spectators a spectacular performance and the category is certainly going to be hotly contested this year. 

“There is still time to submit any entry so we encourage any young soloists who would love the chance to compete to enter by Friday 3rd March so they don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity.”

Pendine Park proprietor Mario Kreft MBE said: "We are delighted to be sponsoring the Voice of the Future competition, particularly as music and the arts generally are an important part of our enrichment programme to improve the quality of life of our residents at our care homes in Wrexham and Caernarfon. 

"Our aim in supporting the event and providing the Pendine Prize is to help transform it into a truly international competition that attracts the best singers from across the world. 

"It is wholly appropriate that the Bryn Terfel Foundation is also involved because the Eisteddfod provided him with a stepping stone to his stellar career and he is keen to nurture the talented young singers following in his footsteps." 

The competition will span two days of the 2017 festival, which gets underway on Monday, July 3. 

The preliminary round, on Wednesday, July 5, requires competitors to perform up to eight minutes of music in one of four styles - Oratorio, Opera, Lieder or Song - to be sung in the original language.

For the final this year the selected competitors will take centre stage at the International Celebration evening concert on Thursday, July 6, when they are required to perform up to 12 minutes of music.   

Tickets for this concert, which also features international competitors and special guests, Principality Only Boys Aloud Academi, are available from http://internationaleisteddfod.co.uk/ or phone the Box Office on 01978 862001.  

The announcement about Pendine Park’s sizeable financial contribution was originally made by Ken Skates, the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure and the AM for Clwyd South, which includes Llangollen. 

Mr Skates, whose ministerial portfolio includes tourism and culture, said: “It’s a fantastic, incredibly generous investment by a very well-respected and responsible employer.

“I believe that in Wales we need to have what I call the ‘Martini arts’ because they are available any time, any place and anywhere. 

“Pendine is helping to deliver this in a social care setting, and I toast their success.”

Valle Crucis Abbey invaded by dragons

* Author David Wilson with his new book, Aaron Gray and the Dragon War, which features Valle Crucis Abbey.

Valle Crucis Abbey is set to feature in a new children’s book out next month.

The ancient abbey on the outskirts of Llangollen is the inspiration for St Jadis’s Abbey, the home of Cecil the Dragon in the fantasy novel aimed at ages 10+ which will hit bookshelves on March 1.

The book by David Wilson, called Aaron Gray and the Dragon War, is about a troubled child from a care home who gets sucked into a world of dragons and other magical creatures where he is forced to use every trick he can think of in order to survive.

The abbey is seen almost as soon as Aaron enters the fantasy world, when he lands just outside it ... in a pile of dragon dung.

The story goes: “Behind Aaron and Julia was an ancient church. Grass and mud covered the floor and there was no roof over what once must have been the main room. Most of the church walls remained intact but seemed to have been made from whatever stones had been lying around at the time, stuck together by a strange muddy concrete.

"A group of five small flying creatures, about the same size as dragonflies, were flying around a well that was close to the main entrance, their wings glistening in the sunlight. Aaron could hear water flowing nearby, probably from the river that he'd seen while he was plummeting to the ground.”

Later the children walk around the abbey and past the pond before meeting a terrifying, green dragon who sends them on a quest through the valley.

David Wilson said: "My family shared a caravan on the site next door to the abbey, so I was there for about half of my childhood.

"I lived with my Grandma in Llangollen while I was at university, and was given my first ever dragon by a Llangollen shopkeeper. It seemed only fair to include a small part of Llangollen in my fantasy world, as my way of saying thanks."

Skates hails £10m scheme for small businesses

An Assembly Member has welcomed a new £10m Welsh Government scheme to help small businesses, which he says are ‘the lifeblood of our local economies’. 

Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford has just announced details of a £10m targeted relief programme to provide extra support for independent firms across Wales from April. 

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates (pictured) said: “I’m pleased to see the Welsh Government introduce this scheme and hope it will help ease the pressures which I know many small firms in my constituency and throughout Wales are under.

“Our pubs, restaurants, newsagents, butchers, barbers and so on are the lifeblood of our local economies, and the Welsh Government has been working closely with local authorities to develop the scheme and prepare for its implementation.” 

The scheme will support almost 15,000 businesses, including those which have seen their rates increase as a result of the independent Valuation Office Agency’s (VOA) changes which comes into effect on April 1.  

Eligible retailers will receive up to £1,500 off their non-domestic rates bill if they have a rateable value of £50,000 or less in the 2017-18 financial year. 

Professor Drakeford said:  “Some retailers are concerned about increases in their rates as a result of the VOA’s revaluation. We are therefore providing a further £10m to help businesses which have been adversely affected.

“This new scheme is in addition to the £100m tax cut for small businesses in Wales provided by Small Business Rates Relief. It will provide vital support to ratepayers on high streets across Wales and offer these businesses extra support.”   
   
Retailers can find out whether they are eligible for the high street rates relief scheme in 2017-18 by contacting their local council.  

Ben Cottam, head of external affairs at the Federation of Small Businesses Wales, said:  “We welcome that the Welsh Government has made good on its commitment to easing the pressure on high street businesses. We also welcome the engagement with FSB on this issue in recent months.

“We would now encourage local authorities to engage quickly with businesses to ensure that all those who are entitled to this relief receive it as quickly and simply as possible.”

Young 'Uns' Bugsy Malone is a real blast

* A colourful scene from Llangollen Young 'Uns in Bugsy Malone.

As one of the top songs in the show says, “Everybody loves Bugsy”.

But it wasn’t just our hero who was adored by the packed audience at last night’s final Town Hall performance of the musical Bugsy Malone but the whole impressive cast.

The latest production by the Young ‘Uns, junior section of Lllangollen Operatic, demonstrated once more what a talented bunch of youngsters this outfit attracts.

They can sing, they can dance, they can act, they can do comedy. In fact, the whole works!

And that goes for everyone from the leading characters to the chorus, which at times looks as in it’s in its hundreds as it fills the stage with spectacle and sheer exuberance.

Bugsy, which the Young ‘Uns performed from Thursday to Saturday with a matinee yesterday, is one of the most famous all-kid shows around.

It’s set in roaring twenties New York and is packed with gangster rivalry, molls, rackets, speakeasies and general Prohibition Era naughtiness.

Except it has a nice touch in that the rival mobsters blast each other with custard pies and guns shooting a stream of goo rather than bullets, so they emerge after getting blasted covered in foam rather than full of holes.

It’s all about Fat Sam’s gang of hapless heavies taking on their equally useless opposite numbers from Dandy Dan’s operation.

Caught up in the middle of the chaos are nice guy Bugsy and the girl he falls in love with, singer and wannabe Hollywood star, Blousey Brown.

Taking the part of Bugsy is Cassius Hackforth, a Young ‘Uns veteran who shines in any role he takes on, and this was no exception as he gave another high octane performance. Celyn Orton-Jones made the perfect Blousey, offering a neat line in singing and acting.

Fat Sam was portrayed to perfection by Aled Morris and Shea Ferron made an excellent Dandy Dan. Tallulah, Sam’s goylfriend and his club’s headlining singer, was played with a high degree of confidence by Maia Molloy.

The show had some memorable settings, both in terms of the brilliantly painted backdrops and video excerpts featuring period shots of rolling newspaper presses and a gangster car chase, plus some modern footage showing Bugsy and Blousey in a flashback sequence driving away from outside the Town Hall in the rumble seat of a fantastic 1926 open tourer loaned by Llangollen Motor Museum.

Costumes were also marvellous and a credit to the huge and dedicated behind-the-scenes team.

This was another triumph for director Chrissie Ashworth and producer Pamela Williams so it has to be fedora hats off to them and of all those multi-talented kids.         

Business networking day planned

As part of its March for Business campaign Denbighshire County Council is hosting a Taste for Local day of information and networking, bringing together the county’s food and drink producers and hospitality business across the region.

To be held at Myddelton College, Peake's Lane, Denbigh LL16 3EN on Wednesday March 8, from 10am-4pm, the event includes:

• Food and Drink trade displays
• Presentations from government and industry speakers
• By invitation only business lunch consisting of locally produced ingredients, and a menu to inspire use of Denbighshire’s food and drink products
• Afternoon training workshop for hospitality businesses

* For more information, go to: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/taste-for-local-blas-lleol-tickets-31414215765

Bird boxes donated to Ysgol Y Gwernant

Locally based Marches Ecology has donated and installed several bird boxes at Ysgol Y Gwernant in
Llangollen.

Here, Max Ellson of Marches Ecology is pictured with some of the Eco Committee pupils (from left to right) Lottie Ellson, Harley Coates, Dylan Claybrook and Winnie Bather.

The wooden box incorporates a live-stream camera which it is hoped will enable pupils throughout the school to follow the lives of birds in the nest, Springwatch style.

Pupils are being encouraged to monitor all the boxes and will help with their annual maintenance.

Marches Ecology, established in 2006, is a specialist ecological consultancy serving both private clients, from individual house owners to multi-national companies, and public sector bodies. Further information can be found at www.marchesecology.co.uk.