Nominations sought for county sports awards

* The 2016 sports awards winners.

The Denbighshire Community Sport Awards 2017 are now open for nominations.

Over the last five years the awards have recognised over 60 individuals, teams, schools and clubs for their dedication to local community grass root sport in the county.

There are also elite level athletes representing Wales and Team GB in their chosen sport from the local area who will continue to be rewarded.

All of the award finalists will go forward to the Sport Wales and BBC Wales sport personality awards held in Cardiff, where Denbighshire will be looking to add to its tally of eight finalists and six national winners in the past five years.

Nominees must live in Denbighshire or be affiliated to a Denbighshire club relevant to their nomination and have achieved their success in the last 12 months up to the application closing date which is Friday July 21 2017.

This year’s categories include sports performer, junior sports performer, coach of the year, team of the year, volunteer of the year, disability sport award, young inspiration award, lifetime achievement award and the Sport in School award.

An individual or team will also be chosen from all the previous category winners for their outstanding achievements/contributions to sport and will represent Denbighshire for the next year as Community Sport Ambassador 2017.

Jamie Groves, Head of Facilities, Assets and Housing said: “The Denbighshire community sport awards has helped recognise and share some amazing stories over the last few years.

“Each year there are new nominations from various sport clubs and schools throughout the county, and last year our panel found it difficult picking just 3 finalists for each category.

“This proves to us that the quality of sport in Denbighshire is very high and that there are plenty of opportunities for people to return to playing sport or to try a new sport as a beginner.

“This is all down to the army of selfless volunteers within our community clubs, so let us recognise this and celebrate community sport in Denbighshire again this year!”

Denbighshire Leisure services are also looking for suitable organisations which would like to link to their brand to the community sport awards as a category sponsor and a sponsorship package can be sent for more information.

* For more information on the awards and details on how to nominate or sponsor this year's event please visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/sportsawards.

FoE measures Llan traffic pollution levels

* FoE's findings for Llangollen.

Traffic pollution levels in parts of Llangollen are comparable to those found in major cities, according to environmental champions.  

In one location pollution is close to the legal limit, potentially putting at risk the health of residents, claims Friends of Earth's local group.

In January this year the group deployed five Nitrogen Dioxide measuring kits to measure this pollution for three weeks and they say the results were surprising.

The European Union has set a legal average annual limit for NO2 at 40µg/m3 (micrograms per cubic metre). But even at low levels, short term and long term exposure to NO2 can have significant negative health effects.

FoE says one of the measurement sites was found to be very close to the 40µg/m3 limit and that the levels displayed in Llangollen, especially those on the A539 Mill Street and by the A5/Castle Street traffic lights are comparable to those found in certain locations in major cities, such as Chester, the outskirts of Liverpool, Walsall and the dockland area of Cardiff.

* The table of results.

Group member Warren Davies said: "These readings were taken during January and February when the traffic is pretty quiet. If the rest of the year was taken into account, the average values could be much higher.

"There is a lot of talk about reducing emissions in London and in cities, but localised air pollution in our towns can be just as unhealthy.”

Nationally, outdoor air pollution is responsible for 40,000 premature deaths a year in the UK, according to the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

NO2 is associated with vehicle traffic. Nationally Friends of the Earth is calling for restrictions of the dirtiest vehicles.

Locally, Llangollen & District Friends of the Earth are calling on local decision makers to consider their findings and to invest in schemes locally to reduce emissions by encouraging walking and cycling, and discouraging traffic-generating developments.

Long load passes through town

Traffic along the A5 in Llangollen was briefly held up around 11am this morning (Monday) to allow an abnormal load to pass through under police escort.

The load is believed to have been on route from Ruabon to Clocaenog. 

2017 Fringe festival programme unveiled

* Wilko Johnson (by Paul Crowther).

A disused factory could get all lit up to help illuminate this year’s 20^th anniversary Llangollen Fringe.

Professor Alec Shipley, head of the School of Creative Arts and professor of Contemporary Art Practice at Wrexham Glyndŵr University, has a special project in mind to mark the landmark occasion which means using the old Berwyn Works on the A5 through Llangollen as the base for a spectacular light show.

Prof Shipley was a guest at last Friday’s official launch of the festival at the White Water Hotel and explained that he was currently thinking of ways to create a light show based on the derelict building as a way of celebrating the Fringe’s anniversary.

He said: “I see the building as a kind of lantern and I’m looking at how to light it in a certain way.”

The professor told a large audience he also had in mind marking 20 years of the Fringe by staging another light show outside the Town Hall in Castle Street.

“I like to work with people, light and space and I have an idea of asking people to donate old teacups and saucers which could be turned into some sort of light fitting outside the Town Hall, perhaps a chandelier,” he added.

Highlights of the festival programme, which runs from July 13-23, include appearances by:

* CC Smugglers, a Bedfordshire sextet inspired by American and world folk, swing, jazz and blues on Friday July 14

* A full day festival of acoustic music, Fringe Acoustica, on July 15.

* Prolific activist, documentary maker and comedian Mark Thomas who will talk about his book 100 Acts of Minor Dissent on Sunday July 16.

* An evening in conversation with Guardian columnist, TV chef and austerity campaigner Jack Monroe on Tuesday July 18.

* The return to the Fringe of  singer, guitarist, songwriter and actor Wilko Johnson who is particularly associated with the pub rock/rhythm and blues band Dr Feelgood in the 1970s. He will appear at the Pavilion on Wednesday July 19.

* Singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Seth Lakeman on Thursday July 20.

* Kasai Masai, who specialise in vintage grooves from their native Congo, on Friday July 21.

* Band Pres Llareggub Brass Band, who evoke the flavours of New Orleans marching bands, Bronx-inspired hip hop and Welsh language pop music, on Saturday July 22.

* The anniversary finale concert comes when folk group 9Bach present an audio visual spectacular at Valle Crucis Abbey on Sunday July 23.

Apart from the concerts a Soul Train will run on Llangollen Railway and a Fringe jazz boat will set sail along the Llangollen Canal.

Also planned are drama in town pubs, a storytelling café,  a performance by local dramatist Peter Read, famous for his portrayal of Dylan Thomas, and an art competition based at Plas Newydd echoing the Fringe 2017 theme of Legends.

Llangollen’s New Dot community cinema group has teamed up with the Fringe for a special screening of the 80s film Sing Street on Thursday July 13.

For a limited period only Earlybird festival tickets are on sale, offering £160-£180 worth of concert admissions for £70.   

* For more Fringe information and tickets, go to: http://www.llangollenfringe.co.uk

Band joins school for successful spring concert

* Llangollen Silver Band play during the concert.

* Ysgol Bryn Collen's drama group on song during the evening.

Llangollen Silver Band teamed up with the drama group from Ysgol Bryn Collen for a successful spring concert at the Methodist Church last night (Saturday).

A large audience watched the band, including many younger musicians, play a varied programme interspersed with well received songs from the children.

The band got things underway with items including the quick march Death or Glory and continued with the cornet solo Share My Yoke and the three all-action Bond themes From Russia With Love, Goldfinger and You Only Live Twice.

First set from the school performers included a powerful version of If Only You Would Listen from the musical School of Rock.

The band came back with the spirited paso doble Ampirito Roca and The Prayer, made popular as a recording by Andre Bocelli and Celine Dion, before ending the first half of the evening with Singin’ in the Rain from the hit 1950s musical film.

St Collen’s opened the second half of the concert with another strong selection including My Favourite Things from the Sound of Music, Naughty from Matilda and Tomorrow from Annie.

The band returned to wind things up in style with Simple Gifts, used as the theme from Lord of the Dance, music from Cinema Paradiso and their own memorable version of the 1960s Richard Harris hit MacArthur Park.  

Proceeds from a collection taken at the end of the night were split equally between the band and the school before church members served refreshments.

Railway launches Big Push share brochure

* Work goes ahead on the Corwen project. Pictures by George Jones.

Llangollen Railway yesterday (Friday) hosted a visit by Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones MP on the occasion of the launch of the Corwen The Big Push share brochure.

During the course of the train journey she was reminded of the huge volunteer effort over the past 40 years to rebuild Llangollen Railway.

On arrival at Ms Jones was escorted around the site by project manager Richard Dixon Gough.

Richard explained the work that had been completed to date, which has been done in the main by volunteer effort, and the construction that is still required to complete the terminal station.

* Susan Elan Jones MP with railway officials.

The Corwen Central project was costed at approximately £500,000 of which Llangollen Railway anticipate some assistance from The Welsh Government European Development Fund.

The remaining funds will come from share purchases and donations. Yesterday's promotion was to showcase the project so far and encourage people to make a donation or purchase shares.
The spring 2017 share brochure is available on request from Llangollen Railway office.

Ms Jones said: ‘I am most impressed with the progress that has been made since my last visit in 2016 and the effort of all the volunteers who have been involved in this project.

"I note that for work to continue financial support is imperative an essential part of this support is the launch of the share brochure to encourage much needed funds."

Llangollen railway chairman Peter Lund said: ‘We are very grateful for Susan Elan Jones visiting the Corwen site today.

"Completion of this project in time for the 2018 season is wholly dependent on financial support from share purchases and donations."

County offers help to traders with rate revaluation

Denbighshire County Council is helping traders find the right support following the business rate revaluation.

The revaluation, which came into effect on April 1, will form the basis of business rate liability for the next five years.

It has been seven years since all non-domestic properties in England and Wales were revalued and the 2017 revaluation was based upon rental levels on April 1, 2015.

The council will be applying any relief schemes automatically to businesses’ bills where possible as well as informing them of the help available.

Rebecca Maxwell, Denbighshire’s Corporate Director of Economic & Community Ambition, said: “Because 2017 is a revaluation year some businesses may see a large increase or reduction in their rateable value from their current valuation. In other cases the values will be broadly static.

“Denbighshire County Council is automatically applying rate relief where it is able to and publishing details on our website and social media for businesses, informing them of what schemes are available.

“It is vital businesses check to see if they may be eligible for a relief scheme and we would encourage any businesses who feel they are, to contact us for help and advice.”

Support from the Welsh Government includes Small Business Rates Relief, which offers a 100 per cent discount for businesses with a Rateable Value below £6,000 and a reducing tapered relief up to £12,000 as well as a Transitional Relief scheme to help protect small businesses from the impact of the revaluation.

A High Street Retail Relief scheme designed to help qualifying high street retailers where the business has had a significant increase in their bill is also available.

Denbighshire County Council collects business rates on behalf on the Welsh Government and then returns the funds to them.

The council does not set the rates, the rateable value is assessed by the Valuation Office Agency, which is part of HM Revenue and Customs and Welsh Government sets the multiplier on which business rate bills are based. 

* If you would like the council to review your eligibility for any of the relief schemes you can contact businessrates@denbighshire.gov.uk or 01824 706326 or for more information visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/business/business-rates

Time running out to join Sir Bryn Terfel on stage

Time is running out for a talented boy soprano or treble to apply for the chance to perform with Sir Bryn Terfel on stage at this year’s Llangollen Eisteddfod. 

The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will see the successful boy soprano or treble join the cast of the classic opera, Tosca, in the role of Shepherd Boy, completing the star studded line-up which includes world renowned soprano Kristine Opolais (pictured) and the powerful tenor, Kristian Benedikt.

The concert on Tuesday, July 4, is being sponsored by the arts-loving care organisation Pendine Park and will help celebrate the festival's 70th anniversary.


The deadline for submissions for those wanting to apply for the role  of Shepherd Boy is Saturday, April 8, and the open auditions to find the Shepherd Boy will be held at the Royal International Pavilion on Saturday, April 29. 

Applicants will be asked to perform two individual pieces – ‘I give you sighs’ from Tosca, Act 3 and another of their own choosing. 

According to the organisers, Tosca will be one of the main highlights of a week which will also see audiences wowed by jazz singer Gregory Porter and Welsh rock legends, the Manic Street Preachers.

On the Thursday of Eisteddfod week Pendine Park and Sir Bryn will be teaming up again as sponsors of the Voice of the Future Competition to find the world's best young singers when the finalists will be competing for the Pendine Trophy and a cheque for £6,000.

First up though is Tosca which tells a tragic tale of lust, political intrigue and murder.

The festival's music director, Eilir Owen Griffiths, said: “Being chose for the role of Shepherd Boy is an extraordinary prize and one that could potentially change the winner’s life forever.

“The opportunity to perform with artists of this calibre is not one that comes along often and should be grabbed with both hands!

“I can’t wait to see what fresh talent is unearthed in the Open Auditions and I’m certain that whoever is selected as the ‘Shepherd Boy’ will help bring this wonderful opera to life in the most beautiful way.” 

"On the night, we will be presenting an array of stellar global talent in a fantastic performance of Tosca, which sees Opolais and Terfel perform together for the first time. 

"This hugely talented duo will be reunited on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera in New York for another performance of Tosca, so the Eisteddfod audience will be the first to experience this unique combination on stage.

"The sheer quality of the line-up for Tosca underscores the International Eisteddfod’s reputation for offering audiences world-class performances and the concert will deliver an unrivalled experience that is not to be missed."

Mario Kreft MBE, the owner of Pendine Park, said: "Music and the arts generally are central to everything we do so the ethos of the Llangollen Eisteddfod is close to my hear.

"This performance of Tosca truly will be  unique and will not only showcase global talent but also provide a showcase for a new generation of operatic talent.

“I’m excited to see the outcome of the open auditions and I feel sure this is going to be an extraordinarily special evening.”

* For further information or to apply to audition for the role of the Shepherd Boy, please visit: http://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/events/tuesday-evening/ and to find out how to get involved with the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod or to purchase tickets for all concerts, including Llanfest, please visit: http://international-eisteddfod.co.uk 

Llan is start point for charity heritage walk

Llangollen is the start point for a charity walk in aid of Nightingale House Hospice families on Sunday May 21.

The 12-mile World Heritage walk, billed as a "stroll", takes place along the towpaths and footpaths of  Llangollen and Oswestry, an area steeped in local heritage.

The self-led route will take walkers through the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Chirk Aqueduct, Trevor Basin and the Chirk Tunnel while giving them a sense of the history that lies along the way.

After meeting up at the Lion Quays in Oswestry at 10.15am, a free coach will transport those taking part to the Chainbridge Hotel in Llangollen where the walk begins at 11.30am.

To keep you warm on your hike, tea and coffee can be purchased prior to the walk from the Chainbridge Hotel and at various stopping points along the way.

The walk is completely free of charge. All organisers ask is that you aim to raise as much sponsorship for Nightingale House as you possibly can.

The route is aimed at all the family with the route being suitable for pushchairs and dogs.

* For more information, or to book your place, please contact the Fundraising Team on 01978 314 292 or email info@nightingalehouse.co.uk.

Phil to share recipe of success with business leaders

North Wales is perfectly placed to play a key role in any drive for Britain to produce more of its own food.

This will be the main message a pioneering food entrepreneur from Llangollen will have for members of an influential business group tomorrow (Thursday).

Phil Brown (pictured) is a former schoolmate of Prince Charles who went on to create the nationwide Philpotts chain of sandwich shops with an annual turnover of £7.5 million and struck gold again by opening a hit seaside café on Anglesey. He will be sharing his recipe for success as one of the keynote speakers at the next meeting of Wrexham Business Professionals (WBP) at the town's Ramada Plaza Hotel.

The group is made up of successful businesses and highly skilled professional firms of solicitors, accountants and other business professionals working together to raise the profile of enterprise and expertise that exists in the region and beyond.

The topic for discussion at their latest meeting will be Powering Regional Prosperity – Taxing Times.

Also addressing the theme will be the other speakers, Professor Mark Drakeford, the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, and Rachel Clacher, co-founder of Wrexham-based telephone answering giant, Moneypenny.

Phil Brown, who is originally from Neston on the Wirral and attended the famous Gordonstoun School in Scotland at the same time as the Prince of Wales, began his career as a junior reporter on the Birkenhead News in the late 1960s and went on to start a string of cutting edge businesses, including the first mobile disco in Sydney, Australia.

Back home 67-year-old Phil, who has lived in a Victorian water mill in the Vale of Llangollen for the past 32 years, went on to found the Philpotts bespoke sandwich empire.

After opening his first shop in Chester in 1985 he added fresh outlets right across the UK and likes to be remembered for being the inventor of the coronation chicken sandwich.

He sold his interest in the chain in 2006 and only retains the Shrewsbury shop which he rescued from impending closure by buying it back for just £1.

In the late 1990s he saved an historic but derelict water mill on the banks of River Dee in Llangollen – earning himself the nickname of “Phil the Mill” and leased it on to the group which then turned it into the highly successful Cornmill restaurant.

His own venture into the restaurant business came last July when he created 55 new jobs by ploughing more than £1.5m into launching the Sea Shanty Café in Trearddur Bay, Anglesey, "confounding sceptics who said it wouldn't work". 

Phil said: “I’m looking forward to speaking to Wrexham Business Professionals and will tell them a little about my life.

“Based on my own experiences in the food business, one of the main messages I’ll have for them is I see no reason why Britain can’t produce much more of her own food.

“We currently produce so many things, like honey, meat, and our own fantastic cheeses. One of the few things we can't do in our climate is to grow tropical fruit.

“In North Wales we’re very well served for food producers and I see opportunities everywhere I look.  

“It's clear to me North Wales could play an important role in helping Britain to produce more of her own food.”

Phil’s new Sea Shanty Café on Lon St Ffraid, which he runs with his business partner Neil Gitton, celebrates beaches, holidays and the village’s links with sailing and local history.

The nautically-themed bistro, just a stone’s throw from the beach, stands on the spot - and bears the name - of an old wooden café that was once a much loved haunt of holidaymakers for decades.

The new café’s ceiling is hung with historic sailing boats, while the walls are decorated with sand and shells collected from beaches around the world plus other sailing memorabilia and curiosities.

On the back of rave reviews from foodies, families and tourists the café recently added to its 50-strong team by taking on an extra three chefs and five front-of-house staff.

But Phil says that just as with everything else he’s done in business the Sea Shanty didn’t happen overnight.

“All my past successes have been the result of careful consideration and observation,” he said.

Gill Kreft, the chair of Wrexham Business Professionals, said: "We're delighted that we have such a high-powered line-up for our next meeting.

She said: "Phil Brown's many business successes are an inspirational example of what can be achieved when you have a great idea and the drive and determination to see it through.

"I am sure Phil, Professor Drakeford and Rachel will have some fascinating insights to share with the audience who will be able to apply some of those lessons to make their own businesses even more successful."

County's business programme hailed a success

* The Driving Sales Through Marketing course.

Denbighshire’s biggest-ever programme of business events has been hailed a success.

More than 400 people have taken part in 12 workshops, conferences and networking sessions across the county as part of Denbighshire County Council’s growing March for Business programme.

Events included training workshops around e-commerce, social media and marketing, a conference on growth and investment opportunities in Denbighshire, ‘ask the expert’ sessions and a networking dinner held in conjunction with the Federation of Small Businesses.

The programme was devised by the Council’s Economic and Business Development team following feedback from Denbighshire’s annual Business Survey and is part of the Council’s work on developing the local economy through its Economic and Community Ambition Programme, which aims to support healthy private businesses and create higher paid jobs.

Mike Horrocks, the Council’s team and programme manager for Economic & Business Development, said: “This year’s March for Business has been a fantastic success. We have seen record attendances for our biggest ever programme with many events fully booked.

“The most important thing is that we have had great feedback from businesses who have told us the sessions have been of real benefit to them.

“I’d like to thank all the businesses who took time out of their busy schedules to invest in networking and skills development events that have helped make March for Business a success.  The real target for us is to see the success of the programme translate into local business success and there are some strong signs that this is happening.

“There are now more businesses starting up every year in Denbighshire, from 280 a year in 2012 to 350 in 2015, we have the best one year survival rates and the highest percentage increases in business financial turnover of anywhere in Wales.

“To add to that employment in Denbighshire has topped 40,000, with more than 1,500 more people in work now than when we started the programme in 2013.

“As part of our focus on getting maximum benefit to businesses we’ll be following up with those who registered for March for Business in order to see how they put the contacts, skills and information gathered during the events to good use in their business – that’s what it’s all about.”

Extra workshops have been scheduled for April 25^th and May 16, 17 and 23^rd and will include sessions on marketing, social media and building your business online.

* For more information visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/business/business-support-and-advice/training.aspx

Two more acts announced for Llanfest

Indie band Reverend and The Makers (pictured left) along with Radio 1 regular Huw Stephens (below) have been added to Llanfest line up, supporting Manic Street Preachers.

Renowned for their 2007 smash Heavyweight Champion of the World, Reverend and The Makers will classic songs and hits from their 2015 album Mirrors.

Best known for his weekly appearances on BBC Radio 1 and BBC Cymru C2, Stephens will bring an eclectic mix of inspired tracks and undiscovered gems to Llanfest, setting the tone for the evening line-up. 


The day will begin with performances on the outside stages by acts including Roving Crows, Army of Skanks, Ben Roberts, Buddy Holly and the Black Jacks, Captain Zed, Delta Radio, Full Circle, Living Sounds, Mr Blunders, Skeet Williams, Thunderbug, Tom Wilson and Y Gogs. 



There will also be plenty of exotic international cuisine on offer from a  range of food and drink stalls on the field.

With Llanfest tickets offering all day access to the festivities from 2pm, revellers can choose from either a £65 or £50 ticket, dependent on seating or standing options.   

The festival’s music director, Eilir Owen Griffiths, said: “Llanfest 2017 is going to be an unforgettable day and alongside the rest of the week’s line-up, which features acts including Sir Bryn Terfel and Gregory Porter, will put the festival on the global map as a destination for live music.”

Huw Stephens said: “I’m honoured to be a part of a festival that is celebrating its 70th anniversary and as a passionate supporter of new talent. I can’t wait to see what the day has in store.

“It’s fantastic to see such big names headlining a show in Llangollen, especially Manic Street Preachers, who are world class."

There will be live performances from a range of artists from 2pm on the outside stages, with Reverend and The Makers and Huw Stephens launching evening performances in the International Pavilion, before the Manic Street Preachers take to the stage.

* For more information and to buy tickets go to http://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/events/sunday-llanfest/

Methodist Church has its spring concert

AM raises questions over water takeover

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has questioned Severn Trent Water over its takeover of Dee Valley Water and sought assurances that customers and staff will not be adversely affected.

    

Mr Isherwood attended Friday’s Consumer Council for Water Wales Meeting in Public at Glyndwr University, which included a presentation by Severn Trent Water on their takeover of Dee Valley Water and service in the Dee Valley Water area. 

He also questioned Severn Trent Water over local concerns regarding the takeover.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Isherwood said: “We were told that they remain committed to Dee Valley Water’s Wrexham and Chester sites.

“They told us that they wanted to give everyone in the team at Dee Valley Water at least three options, that they had spoken to them on an individual basis and that just 14 out of 166 team members only had the option of voluntary redundancy.

“Responding to my questioning, they told me that team members still have a month before they have to come back with their decisions and that this information would then be shared with us.

“They stated that their ambition is to be an ‘upper quartile’ performer in water and waste, to join their sector performance on billing.

“They also stated that they planned to improve customer experience through a shift to digital service channels. When I highlighted that the most vulnerable customers were the least likely to use digital channels, they stated that if they identify vulnerable customers in their system, they treat them individually, that identifying vulnerability is a priority and that they were building a cross-industry data base of customers known to be vulnerable.

“I was also told that they will be retaining a ‘Customer Challenge Group’ in Wales.”

Twenty Club skilfully presents The Entertainer

* A scene from The Entertainer featuring, from left, Victoria White, Roberta Bailey and Grahame Smith.

Washed-up music hall comic Archie Rice shows no emotion as he trots through his dated and pathetic routines in front of his bored audience.

And he brings exactly the same non-emotions to bear as he deals with his dysfunctional family.

The character, which has become an icon of the British stage, and his bickering relatives are brought faithfully and believably to life - although there’s precious little of that left in Archie – by a very useful cast as Llangollen’s Twenty Club amateur players staged The Entertainer, John Osbourne’s legendary drama, at the Town Hall over three nights last week.

Archie is hanging precariously to the increasingly bedraggled coattails of old-fashioned music hall as its world is shattered by the advent of television in the mid-1950s.

There’s not a trace of joy in him as he goes through his down-at-heel comedy routines for an audience which wants to be there even less than he does.

He’s grown this hard emotionless shell over many years, developing the motto which he brings out in one of his little songs which has the lines, “If they see you’re blue they’ll look down on you, why should I bother to care?”

Back home there’s his old dad, himself a retired musical hall turn, his alcoholic wife and a son who preferred a spell in jail to doing his National Service and being shot at on some foreign field.

Catalyst for tipping the delicate balance which exists between them is an unexpected visit by Archie’s daughter who has just broken up with her boyfriend.

Archie, a role once occupied on film by Laurence Olivier, was played with panache by Twenty Club stalwart David Edgar employing just the right measure of deadpan comedy and pathos. He also took a prodigious amount of lines easily in his long stride.

His drunken wife Pheobe was neatly portrayed with both sympathy and emotion by Roberta Bailey who is a newcomer to the group.

And although it was only his second time on stage for the club, Grahame Smith very competently handled the role of Billy Rice, Archie’s father.

Another club second-timer, Victoria White, gave a very polished performance as Archie’s granddaughter Victoria and Dan Pedley, who has had three previous roles for the group, was right for the role of Archie’s son, Frank.

The Entertainer’s other son, Mick, we don’t meet but merely see the family mourning after word comes through that he’s been killed in action as he faithfully serves his country in the army which his brother had side-stepped.

This development at least stirs something in Archie but not for too long as he’s soon back on stage doing his patter again.

But as he strides off into the dark at the end of his act we could be left wondering if this is the final curtain for him. Or, actually, like The Entertainer himself, could we really give a damn?

This was a nice piece of work by Barry Cook, taking his first stint as director after many appearances on stage for the club, ably assisted as usual by a small army of backstage volunteers.

A neat touch towards the end was bringing on powerful gospel singer Sandra Butterworth to join in with the farewell to father Billy who dies near the end of the piece. That, unlike Archie, was full of emotion.

llanblogger takes a short break

llanblogger is taking a short break and will be back into about a week's time with the latest in local news.

Llangollen Railway steams back to 1957

* In May Llangollen Station will go back to eisteddfod week in 1957.

Llangollen Railway will soon be turning back the clock to the golden days of Eisteddfod Week in 1957.


During its Victorian Weekend on May 13 and 14 when it will be recreating how things were on the railway more than a century ago, the heritage organisation also has a second time-travelling event planned.


It is taking visitors back half a century to the late 1950s when the platforms were alive with people coming to and from the town’s world-famous international eisteddfod.      


Event organiser Peter Dickinson said: “The key concept of the Victorian Weekend is based around a perceived time-travelling experience from the present day back to the 19th century, so that each section of the journey brings new experiences, opportunities or attractions for our visitors.  


“Walking down the station ramp at Llangollen, the initial stage involves a fictional 60-year change from 2017 back to 1957.


“The next 60-year gap back to Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee year of 1897 is achieved by boarding a steam-hauled train from Llangollen to the next station at Berwyn.”


He added: “With the International Eisteddfod at Llangollen celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, this means that in 1957 it  was its celebrating its 10th anniversary.


“Back then, huge crowds of visitors and competitors would have arrived at Llangollen station by train bound for the Eisteddfod.


“The station staff went out of their way to decorate the station in preparation for the event, with bunting and flags adorning the station platforms. It was known for performances to be made on the platform intermittently, as passengers waited for their train to arrive or as new competitors arrived.


“I have already received support from the Llangollen Motor Museum, who have committed to providing suitable 1957 vintage vehicles for display on the station ramp.


“Likewise, the Llangollen Male Voice Choir have agreed to perform on the platform at regular intervals on the Saturday, with the station being resplendent in bunting and flags once more to recreate the 1957 Eisteddfod Week.”


* Further details on the Victorian Weekend can be found at: http://www.llangollen-railway.co.uk/event/victorian-weekend-14th-may-2/

County launches new volunteering website

* Councillor Hugh Irving and the Little Tern volunteers

helping Countryside Services at Gronant Dunes.

Denbighshire County Council has unveiled its new and improved volunteering website.

The launch will enable the council to significantly build on the time that volunteers give to the local authority. 

A wide range of volunteering opportunities have been identified across the organisation and the roles will suit all kinds of skills and interests. 

Anyone can volunteer, whatever age, and people from all backgrounds and interests are welcome.

Councillor Hugh Irving, Lead Member for Communities, Customer Care and Libraries, said:  “For many years volunteers have been successfully engaged across a diverse range of Council services and have given thousands of hours of their own time. Volunteers have supported the work of countryside services, the arts, leisure services, youth centres and housing services to name just a few. 

“Volunteers have provided the added value and complemented the work of staff to enable the council to deliver better and more effective services.

“Volunteers also gain positive satisfaction from helping others and gaining new skills and making a contribution to their life of their community.”

Volunteering is a worthwhile exercise, according to Sam Mackie, who is a Denbigh High school work placement student.

“Having the opportunity to be assistant coach at 5x60 clubs has really helped to improved my confidence and communication levels with the students at school, something which I really wanted to improve on," Sam said. 

Gareth Evans, Active Young People Officer who provided Sam with his opportunity, said: “Over the past 18 months I have had several volunteer sport leaders who have helped me to deliver full-time 5x60 timetables within my two part-time secondary school roles.

"Not only that, one volunteer has refereed in a local community football league for five years. With the right support and guidance, volunteers can be invaluable to the work we do – without them and their support of projects, very little is sustainable in the long term." 

Visitors to the website can access a host of opportunities including coppicing at Loggerheads Country Park and helping to contribute towards the successful delivery of our Sportzone programme.  All volunteers must register on the new website by visiting www.denbighshire.gov.uk/volunteering 

Superfast broadband roll-out ends in December

A scheme to roll-out superfast broadband will come to an end later this year.

Denbighshire County Council is informing residents that the first phase of the Welsh Government’s Superfast Cymru project will finish in December.

The project, managed by BT, has helped increase the number of properties in Denbighshire with access to superfast broadband.

Areas still waiting for the roll-out will find out by June if they will be covered by this phase of the project.

Rebecca Maxwell, Denbighshire’s Corporate Director for the Economy & Public Realm, said: “Superfast broadband is available in 71 per cent of Denbighshire premises and by the end of the year this will have increased to more than 90 per cent.

“The council is working with the Welsh Government to ensure as many properties as possible still without superfast broadband will be included in the second phase of the project which will begin in 2018.

“We will also be working with them to make sure lessons can be learnt from the first phase, that there is better communication to residents and better targeting of premises.

“It is also important to remember that once your property is connected to superfast broadband you will still have to contact your internet provider to have the service switched on.”

Residents who would like access to superfast speeds before the second roll-out can apply for the Welsh Government’s Access Cymru Broadband grant, available to individuals and businesses, or the Ultrafast Connectivity Voucher which provides funding for the installation of ultrafast connections for businesses.

During the roll-out period the council has been working with businesses to make sure they are able to take advantage of the commercial benefits from being online by providing 45 hours of free digital training to more than 100 businesses as part of its Digital Denbighshire scheme.

Digital Denbighshire is part of the council’s work on developing the local economy to support healthy private businesses, create higher paid jobs and link these with residents to increase household incomes.

* For more information on available grants visit http://gov.wales/topics/science-and-technology/digital/infrastructure/superfast-broadband/?lang=en

Probe for underground structures at castle

* Castell Dinas Bran where the survey is taking place.

Denbighshire County Council is carrying out a geophysical survey at Castell Dinas Bran in Llangollen to see if there are any structures underground.

The work is being done thanks to funding from Cadw and The Castle Studies Trust.

A geophysical survey involves the use of probes and magnetism techniques which will allow the council to get a picture of what is within the castle and hillfort without disturbing the ground at the protected monument and site of special scientific interest.

Work started this week and is being undertaken by specialist company Tigergeo and the results should be available within a few weeks.

County archaeologist Fiona Gale said: “This is a great opportunity for us to try and find out more about this fantastic site which has been an important place in the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for thousands of years.

“It will be intriguing to know whether any remains of the 2,500 year hillfort are evident or did the castle obliterate it all? We think there must have been more buildings within the castle walls but we’ll have to wait and see whether there are any hints of their remains.

“Hopefully, the work will allow us to know a little more about the castle and that will help us care for it in the future and interpret it to enhance the visitor experience.”

Jeremy Cunnington, chair of trustees at the Castle Studies Trust, said: “We’re delighted to co-fund this survey work to advance our understanding of Dinas Bran which is an iconic and vitally important native Welsh Castle."

* To learn more about these and previous projects the trust has funded people can visit the Trust’s website:  www.castlestudiestrust.org

County to swoop in on ways to tackle seagull problems

Denbighshire County Council is to investigate a raft of measures to tackle issues with seagulls across the county.

The authority will also work on a major public awareness, education and enforcement campaign.

Whilst seagulls are seen by many as being a nuisance due to public safety, noise, damage and littering issues, there are limitations to what actions are open to the council to control and manage the seagull population.

Members of Denbighshire’s Communities Scrutiny Committee, meeting in County Hall, Ruthin today (Thursday) supported recommendations to  explore a number of options to reduce issues with seagulls in the county.

One of the key suggestions was to arrange a campaign to educate people not to feed gulls, to look at the possibility of introducing a by-law to ban such activity and to work with businesses and residents on preventative measures that could be taken.

Other suggestions included:

·         The introduction of a variety of methods to “scare”birds in certain problem areas

·         The introduction of netting/ bunting over public spaces

·         To discourage birds from perching on street furniture such as lamp-posts

·         To adapt existing Council  buildings to help make them seagull proof

·         To reduce availability of waste food through the Council refuse collection

Graham Boase, Head of Denbighshire Planning and Public Protection, said: “The council receives complaints from residents and visitors about the seagulls issue on a regular basis and it is an issue that’s causing us real concern.

“The situation is not unique to Denbighshire by any means and there are no simple quick fixes. We have tried innovative solutions to try and address the issue, but we cannot do it without support from the public.

“Many seagulls are protected and we need to be mindful that many see them as being an integral and traditional part of our coastal communities.

“What we want to see is a change in people’s behaviour so that gulls are not fed from food and refuse left on our streets.  This would certainly help our position, but one size does not fit all and we will need to work on a raft of options to hopefully make a difference."

 

County decides against drones ban

Members of Denbighshire’s Communities Scrutiny Committee have agreed not to proceed with efforts to ban drones over public spaces in Denbighshire.

A report discussed by councillors at County Hall, Ruthin today (Thursday)  followed a Notice of Motion that called for a report to be provided on the regulatory framework relating to drones and the powers, if any, for the council to introduce further restrictions.

In order for any ban on the use of drones to be effective, it would need to be enforceable. Merely passing a resolution banning drones would have no legal effect and the only way in which the council could bring a ban into legal effect would be to pass a by - law to regulate the use of drones.

However, the committee agreed that introducing a ban would be unenforceable and that national legislation already in place to regulate the use of drones was adequate. It was agreed that no further action was needed from the council.

The Government has recently been consulting on the legislation around the use of drones. As a result, the council will be keeping a ‘watching brief’ on the outcome of that consultation.

 

Cinema history in the frame at Hand antiques fair

* Some of the items on offer at Sunday's antique fair at the Hand Hotel. 

A slice of Llangollen social history will be among the items on offer at the town’s new antiques fair, taking place at the Hand Hotel this Sunday (March 26).

Film enthusiasts might also be interested in the collection which relates to the old Dorothy Cinema in Llangollen.

The Dorothy Cinema opened on Castle Street in 1931 and operated until 1965.

The collection to be sold at Sunday’s fair comprises programmes from the Dorothy, dating from the 1950s.

The programmes advertise showings of films such as ‘A Girl in Every Port’, starring Groucho Marx and William Bendix, and ‘Prisoner of Zenda, with Stewart Granger and Deborah Kerr.

Fair organiser Robert Bellis said: “We’ll have a wide variety of interesting antiques and collectables on offer but for a local history, or indeed a film memorabilia collector, these should be of particular interest.

“They date from the 1950s which, I suppose, was the latter heyday of the local cinema when everybody would get dressed up and congregate to watch the latest Hollywood blockbuster.

“The Dorothy was where the café and large second hand bookshop are on Castle Street today.

“In fact, you can still see, quite clearly, the evidence of the building’s days as a cinema upstairs in the bookshop.

“People in Llangollen still speak fondly of The Dorothy and, in fact, the name has been resurrected in the New Dot cinema nights which are now regularly held in the town hall.”  

The antiques fair takes place at The Hand Hotel in Llangollen, this Sunday, March 26, from 9.30am until 3.30pm.

Refreshments will be available and admission to the fair is 50p per person.

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

MP still locked inside Parliament praises police over London terrorist attack

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones is amongst those still locked inside Parliament for their own safety following this afternoon's terrorist attack outside the building.

But she has warmly praised the emergency services for the way they have been handling the emergency.  

Media reports say at least two people are dead after a terror attacker brought carnage to central London, mowing down pedestrians on Westminster Bridge before attacking police with a knife in the grounds of the Houses of Parliament.

At least 10 people were been hit by a vehicle on the bridge after a 4x4 drove into pedestrians and cyclists before crashing into the gates of Parliament.

An intruder then managed to break into the grounds of the Parliament and stabbed a police officer before he was shot and injured.

It is reported that the policeman is feared to have since died.

Ms Jones has just texted to llanblogger and confirming she was safe and said: "Police and security have handled things. We can't leave Parliament building yet, though."

She added: "My thoughts and prayers are with those injured and the families and friends of the people who have been killed.

"Huge thanks to our superb police and security services.

"The terrorists must never be allowed to win."