Our community cinema in the frame

A volunteer from New Dot Cinema Llangollen shares some insights into the role of programmer with the popular community organisation ...

* New Dot volunteers Keiron Preston or James Rush in the frame.

Programming is one of the most critical roles at New Dot Cinema Llangollen.

Any of the volunteers who want to can pitch a film for screening.

Much as we'd love to just put forward our favourites, we have to think about what our customers might want to see.

It's all trial and error - as we've found out from month to month - and in 2018 we're developing a programme of the best new independent films and some old classics.

Our programming committee of seven meets twice a year to plan the next season.

Everyone brings three or four suggestions that can be films that are British, independent, archive, foreign language, classic, documentary or fine art.

Then we go through each one, look at trailers, listen to the pitches (which can be quite impassioned) and try and draw up a shortlist.

Everyone is then encouraged to go watch the shortlisted films in the hope that we can whittle down the list!

We'd love to show more Welsh films so if anyone has any suggestions, please let us know via our Facebook page.

Although we're a not-for-profit run solely by volunteers, it's important for us to stay in the black.

To give some idea of costs, licences for most feature length films have a minimum cost of around £100 per screening with a maximum of 35% of ticket sales.

Our programmers also need to consider if licences are available and if they're affordable. This can lead to some serious detective work.

For new films, we have a lot of help from the Independent Cinema Office (ICO), an organisation that hosts Screening Days a couple of times a year.

They offer film societies and community cinemas, previews of a curated selection of unreleased films.

New Dot tries to send at least one representative to each event. It's an intensive experience, but we've found it important to never programme a film we've not watched.

We have to remember not to shout about all the great new films before the release date though, as there's a press embargo on them.

New Dot Cinema Llangollen's next programme is out soon, covering January - July 2018. We screen films once a month at Llangollen Town Hall on Castle Street LL20 8NE (next to the library / tourist information centre.) New volunteers are always welcome. More information at www.newdotcinema.org or Facebook/Twitter @newdotcinema

* New Dot's next screening comes tomorrow (Friday) night with Tangerine (15)

The Christmas film is a riotous, huge-hearted tale of a working girl who tears through Tinseltown on Christmas Eve searching for the pimp who broke her heart. It shatters casting conventions and its filmmaking techniques are up-to-the-minute, but it’s an old-fashioned comedy at heart — and a pretty wonderful one at that.

Doors open at 7.30pm, film starts at 8pm. Tickets: £8, £6 conc. Buy them from Baileys, online (with no booking fee) or via the Facebook page or on the door.

Operatic present cracker of a Christmas show

* A scene from Christmas Eve in the Parlour from the second half of the show.

* A duet from Simon Orton-Jones and Helen Belton.

* Members of the chorus belt out a seasonal number.

* A powerful solo performance from the Young 'Uns' Cassius Hackforth.

* The Young 'Uns on stage together in the first half of the show. 

Llangollen Operatic Society delivered an early Christmas present at the Town Hall last night, lovingly wrapped in enthusiasm and talent.

First on stage for their seasonal show, Mistletoe and Merriment, were over 30 members of  the society’s junior section, the Young ‘Uns, who served up a delicious taster for their forthcoming show, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which runs from February 8-10 next year.

They set the perfect pace and style for the whole evening with a selection of songs from the production, including Any Dream Will Do, Jacob and Sons and Close Every Door.

Star atop the Christmas tree was young Cassius Hackworth as Joseph but, as always with this group, there was strength in depth as strong and thoughtful backing came from the entire ensemble.

Cassius stayed on stage – and did a quick change of character and pace – to present the World’s Greatest Dad from another hit show, Elf. He was followed by another Young’Uns gem, Shea Ferron, with a moving delivery of Walking in the Air from The Snowman.

It was then time for the society’s very useful chorus to let loose with songs from Home Alone 2, White Christmas, Polar Express and Meet Me in St Louis.

There were some strong duet and solo numbers, such as O Holy Night (Cantique de Noel),  Prayer from Quest for Camelot and When a Child is Born, by Helen Belton – also the show’s musical director – Jo Lloyd, Simon Orton-Jones and Daniel May.  

As last year, links between the pieces were hilariously provided by Louise Cielecki and Nathan Lloyd – both former Young ‘Uns members – who doubled up with their own interpretation of Baby It’s Cold Outside.

Spotlight next fell on keyboard wizards David Evans and Jayne Belton who set toes tapping within the large and appreciative audience with Jingle Bells and Sleigh Ride.

The chorus was back to end the first half with a poignant Happy Christmas (War is Over) and rousing Jingle Bell Rock.

Second half of the show was given over to a play written and directed by Lyn Aston entitled Christmas Eve in the Parlour, a seamless selection of comedy sketches on a seasonal theme.

At various points this featured the Cielecki/Lloyd double-act, Marcus Ansloos, Clare Wall, Sue Griffiths, Lizzie and John Clifford, James Reardon, Katie Clark, Joanne Lloyd, Tony Jones, Jan Bellis plus other society members who had already appeared in the first half – all neatly accompanied on electric keyboard by Chris Sims.

The evening was suitably rounded off with the audience joining in enthusiastically with A Partridge in a Pear Tree and a selection of carols. 

If this colourful and brilliantly performed show didn’t get you in the Christmas spirit it’s hard to know what will.      

Concern over proposal to develop community garden plot

* Community gardeners on their plot. 

Concerned volunteers running Llangollen Community Garden claim Denbighshire County Council has agreed to gift its vegetable plot to a private developer in return for unspecified improvements to Plas Newydd.

Last month the council's Asset Management Group decided to gift the 0.5-acre plot for housing on the basis that the developer will carry out works to nearby Plas Newydd.

Founders of the garden, which was established in 2012, say they received just four days’ notice ahead of the decision, which is due to be ratified on  January 11.

They claim that although they have requested to buy the land themselves, the council has said it is not prepared to commission an independent valuation of the site.

One of the gardeners, Warren Davies, said: "There was no consultation and we have put so much work into this project, an investment of thousands of hours of volunteer work.

“It is hard not to feel disillusioned. The council is an elected public body and we feel passionately that it needs to be accountable to that community. We do not believe they have met their responsibilities under the Well-being of Future Generations Act.”

The community garden is attended by local volunteers every Saturday morning throughout the year. It has attracted more than 75 gardeners since it began and welcomed 120 local children.

Labour, Conservative and Plaid politicians have all spoken out on the issue. 

_{Graham Timms, the Welsh Labour county councillor for Llangollen, said:  “There has been a huge reaction to the possibility of the community garden losing their current site adjacent to Plas Newydd and I have received lots of emails urging me to take action.}  

_{“The community garden has made a substantial contribution to the wellbeing of the town over the last five years. They should be proud of their achievements in providing a wide range of opportunities for lots of adults and children in Llangollen.} 

_{“Over the last few years Denbighshire, in common with councils across the country, has suffered from a huge loss in funding due to the austerity programme of the Government. This means that It has had to explore ways of using its assets that would never have been considered in more normal times.}

_{“Whilst I understand the duty of the council to maximise the value of its assets, I fully understand the valuable contribution that organisations such as the community garden play.}  

_{“Local residents can be assured that I will do everything I can to ensure that the community garden has a long term future.  I will be presenting the views of all those who have contacted me about the community garden at the meeting in January when it meets to reconsider the issue.”} 

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones said: “I urge Denbighshire Council to liaise to take into consideration the community wellbeing of both current and future generations. Community wellbeing needs to be protected wherever possible.”

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates said: "I completely support Susan’s call for Denbighshire County Council to work closely with the community garden group towards the overall wellbeing of the community with a view to bringing this matter to a satisfactory conclusion.”

Mark Isherwood, Conservative AM for North Wales, said: “All councils should acknowledge that meaningful dialogue between public services, communities and individuals – and consideration together of all options – is crucial before decisions are made affecting community assets and local services, not only because Welsh law requires this, but also because it produces better outcomes for all."

Plaid's North Wales AM Llyr Gruffydd said "The community garden in Llangollen was a piece of wasteland before the community garden got their hands dirty and turned it into a fantastic community resource, which educates children and adults alike.”

"There are plenty of other parcels of land in the area that are more appropriate sites for development and there's no reason for a committee of unelected people to decide the future of such an important community resource."

The group is appealing to Denbighshire Council to save the Community Garden, and has set up a petition which can be found on their Facebook page and website.

A spokesman for Denbighshire County Council said: “The developer has offered an alternative location for the community garden, but this offer has been rejected.

“The council has continued to engage with the Community Garden and are trying to be open and transparent with them. To this end the Community Garden have been provided with all the reports associated with the proposal.

“The council has also committed to providing a revised report for the next meeting of the Asset Management Group in January, when this group will review the decision made at the November meeting, reflecting on the additional information and supporting documentation provided by the Community Garden.

“The Group will then decide whether to progress with the proposed exchange or follow a different course of action."

Ysgol Dinas Bran tops school meals picture contest

The catering team at Ysgol Dinas Bran have come out top of the class in a national competition for the most mouth watering pictures of school food.  

As part of activities for this year's 25th National School Meals Week Dinas Bran entered a competition for school caterers across England and Wales called #cookeditmyselfie which encouraged them to send in pictures of the food they prepare and serve daily.

The online competition took place on Twitter @NSMW and hundreds of photos were sent in showing what modern day school food looks like.

A judging panel, including last year’s winner, looked at every picture and Ysgol Dinas Bran was named as the winner and took the prize of £500 worth of equipment or marketing support.

Emma Williams, catering manager at the school, said:  “We have been heavily involved with #cookeditmyselfie this year.

"Not many days have gone by in the past few months where we haven’t posted a meal. The pictures show what we do every day, the food is great and the pupils love it. We use lots of local ingredients and prepare the food with love and passion."

Councillor Julian Thompson Hill, Cabinet Lead Member for Finance Performance and Strategic Assets at the county council, said: “This competition gave school catering teams across the country the opportunity to showcase their service and the pictures submitted by Emma and her team at Dinas Bran were not of food or dishes devised specially for the competition – they were of food and dishes served on a daily basis.

"Emma has a highly motivated and dedicated catering team and the Denbighshire School Meals Service and Denbighshire County Council are rightly proud of their achievements."  

Venerable steam loco heads off to new owners

* No.2859 on Abbey Road as it heads off for its new owner's base where it will celebrate its centenary next year, having been built at Swindon in 1918.

A steam locomotive which has stood sentinel at the railway yard in Llangollen for the past 30 years has left for pastures new.

Great Western Heavy Freight loco No.2859 came to Llangollen from a scrapyard in October 1987 as an intended restoration project.

However, the cost of the task proved too much for the owners, the Llangollen railway GWR Loco group, who already had a project underway to restore a GWR tank engine.

After much heart searching, the owners agreed to find someone else to buy the No.2859 and the successful bidder brought an articulated lorry along to take the engine away to a restoration base at Congleton in Cheshire.

One day, when No.2859 has been restored to steaming condition, it may come back to Llangollen to operate on the line.

In the meantime, the proceeds from the sale are being put into speeding up the completion of Prairie tank No.5532 which the group now hopes to have in action once the boiler has been overhauled.

Operatic's Christmas event is next Tuesday

Llangollen express back to boost Ruthin

* Putting their shirts on Ruthin, Waterco are sponsoring Ruthin Rugby Club for the sixth season and pictured with top try scorer Josh Wilson, left, and 1^st XV captain Jordan Jones is Waterco Managing Director Peter Jones.

Flying winger Josh Wilson is back to boost one of North Wales’s top rugby clubs and is in hot pursuit of its try-scoring record.

The Llangollen express, who rejoined Ruthin this season after two years away at Chester, has run in nine tries in his first eight games back.

It is his second spell with the Blue and Whites and he is now past the 50-try mark for them and closing fast on the club record of 81 held by team-mate Gethin Hughes.

Things are looking up for Ruthin, who have just celebrated a short sponsorship deal with flood prevention and water management experts Waterco who are based in Ruthin and have offices in Chester and Manchester.

They have put their shirts on the Cae Ddol club, the only one of the original members of the old North Wales League never to have been relegated, and are also kitting out the 2^nd XV.

And Waterco’s faith is being repaid as the club, which narrowly survived the drop on the final day of last season, are up to fifth in Division One North of the Welsh National League and have already claimed the scalp of leaders Nant Conwy.

Their young side, coached by former Wales and Sale prop Eifion Roberts and Andy Williams, are fresh from two thumping home bonus point wins, 33-22 over Bethesda with including two tries from Wilson, followed up by a 31-0 thumping of Caernarfon.

Wilson missed that game but is likely to be back for the trip to Croesyceiliog this Saturday in the Welsh Rugby Union Cup.

The 25-year-old, who lives in Cefn Mawr, said: “It’s great to be back at Ruthin. I had a successful time here before when we won the North Wales Cup and that season I had 26 tries in 23 games.

“This season has started well too so I hope to score a few more tries.

“It would be brilliant to get Gethin’s record but I just love playing for Ruthin. They’ve done a lot for me and the expansive way they like to play means I’m going to get plenty of ball.

“I know they struggled last season and I hated to see that because they’re a top five club and a great club to play for but we’ve got a good young side and a good squad and we’re headed in the right direction.”

Pedr Jones, Director of Waterco whose clients include major construction and civil engineering companies across the UK as well as local authorities and utilities businesses, used to wear the blue and white hoops of Ruthin himself.

The prop played alongside Eifion Roberts in a very successful Ruthin Youth side which also included Bristol and Scarlets centre Rob Higgitt, the last man to score a try at historic Stradey Park.

He said: “Ruthin has always been a fantastic club with flourishing mini, junior and youth sections and almost all their first team began as little kids playing mini rugby on Sunday mornings.

“Their roots are in the local community and so are our own and we’re delighted to be involved with Ruthin Rugby Club for a sixth season.

“It’s great to see them on their way back again and the current side is young enough and good enough to make a big impression on North Wales rugby in the coming years.”

To keep up with Ruthin Rugby Club go to http://www.rygbirhuthun.com/ and to see what Waterco are doing go to https://www.waterco.co.uk/

TT ace McGuinness to guest again at LlanBikeFest

* One of the stunts performed at a previous LlanBikeFest.

Legendary 23-times Isle of Man TT winner  John McGuinness will be guest of honour for a second year at LlanBikeFest 2018 –  the Llangollen Motorcycle Festival – at the town’s Royal International Pavilion on August 4 and 5. 

Despite being chair-bound and battling pain from horrific injuries he sustained when he crashed at the North West 200 in Northern Ireland in May, John (pictured below) reckons he had such a good time at LlanBikeFest in 2017 that he is raring to return.

“I will definitely be at LlanBikeFest in August,” he said.

“It’s a weekend of fun and a great family affair. I feel completely re-charged. Everything feels good – but it’s been a long journey.

"Hopefully I will be in better shape next year and there is no reason I can’t bring a few more of my bike collection with me and just enjoy it.”

LlanBikeFest co-founder John Hutchinson said: “John’s courage at this year’s festival was amazing. He worked so hard to talk with fans and well-wishers that we virtually had to drag him away to take breaks occasionally. We are absolutely delighted he will be fit enough to enjoy even more of the event this year.

“As John said, LlanBikeFest is a great weekend for families as well as bike enthusiasts, with free entry for accompanied children aged 16 and under,  and lots to see and do -  hundreds of motorcycles of every type on show, spectacular riding displays, birds of prey, rides and children’s’ entertainments, plus a great line-up of bands both days.”

Star entertainments will include jaw-dropping stunts by champion trails rider Steve Colley and Savage Skills, the UK’s leading freestyle mountain bike team, plus beautiful birds from the Talonted Feathers falconry.

llanblogger takes a short break

llanblogger is taking a short break and will be back in a few days' time

Magazine highlights opportunities of Llan Railway

* Llangollen Railway volunteers at the end of the station site in Corwen.

A national railway magazine has highlighted the opportunities arising from the expansion of two heritage railways in the Dee Valley area.

Writing in the November 2017 edition of Heritage Railway magazine, a monthly journal reporting on the UK steam railway scene, the editor, Robin Jones, says that extensions to the Bala Lake Railway and the Llangollen Railway will offer a myriad of opportunities at Bala and Corwen, highlighting to local councils the multiple benefits to their economies that heritage railways can guarantee.

Reviewing the development of the heritage railway scene since the first volunteer-led preservation of the Talyllyn Railway in 1951, Robin Jones puts the spotlight on the former rail route between Ruabon and Barmouth, closed by Dr Beeching in 1965.

He says, the two heritage railways on the former track bed in the corridor of the Dee Valley are now adding themselves to the list of lines that go somewhere to somewhere, offering so much more than a steam ride for its own sake in the middle of nowhere. And both of them richly deserve your support at this stage.

Llangollen Railway’s big push into Corwen Central is making rapid strides each month.

It will not only be railway passengers who will benefit, being able to alight and visit the town centre’s shops and pubs, but coach operators who will see the line as a way of getting their customers into Llangollen.

Indeed, coach tour operations will have a big part to play at both of these lines, being able to offer their passengers rides on two heritage railways which pass through some of the most beautiful scenery Britain has to offer, simply by turning off the main road into a car park.

Then there is Bala Lake Railway whch is now just 80 yards short of the land it needs to complete its extension on ‘virgin’ land into Bala town centre, and give passing tourists a big reason to stop off there and spend their money in local establishments.

The scheme will benefit everyone – not least of all the railway, whose current out-of-the-way Bala terminus is by comparison ’finicky’ to find and misses out on much potential custom.

Both lines, says Robin Jones, need further public support in terms of donations or share purchase, and this is the time and place to jump on board.

Commenting on the editorial, Liz McGuinness, Interim General Manager at Llangollen Railway said: “We entirely agree with Robin Jones’s comments as to the prospects for Corwen when our new terminus opens in 2019. 

“Whilst the current temporary platform at Dwyrain Corwen East has become established as our western terminus over the past three years, it is not operationally convenient and lacks the immediacy of access to and from the town centre and car park.

"Terminating trains at a station central to the town, the bus interchange and the car park will open up a new market segment to attract passengers from North West Wales.

"With the Bala Lake Railway just ten miles away, visitors will be able to sample two contrasting lines using the Traws Cymru T3 bus as a connection.

“There are not many places in Britain where a ride on a big standard gauge steam train can be readily contrasted with the smaller train of the narrow gauge in the midst of countryside that can boast an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or a National Park.

“We are grateful to Robin Jones for promoting the need for support to assist the completion of our major development project. Businesses in the Corwen and Bala townships would do well to support the ambitions of either line in the expectation of increased economic activities arising from visitors to the railways at their new terminus stations.”

Heritage Railway, edition 235, is now on the shelves and includes progress reports for both the Bala Town station project and the Corwen Central development.

* See: https://www.heritagerailway.co.uk/corwen-gets-new-stairway-to-heaven-but-more-cash-needed/

Llan gets into Christmas spirit with annual festival

* The fireworks display which followed the switch-on of the Christmas lights.

* Town crier Chem leads the cheers as the lights are switched on to his right by Ken Simms.

The town centre was packed for today's Llangollen Christmas Festival.

The event began with the traditional parade over the bridge and continued with a wealth of entertainment and attractions, from choirs to specialist food stalls.

In the Town Hall Siôn Corn was on hand to meet young visitors in his grotto.

Rounding off the day at 5pm will be the big Christmas lights switch-on, performed by Ken Simms who is a major supporter of the festival's chosen charity, Wales Air Ambulance, followed by colourful a fireworks display.

* llanblogger will bring you an updated report including switch-on pictures later

* Siôn Corn arrives on his sleigh with his little helper from Wales Air Ambulance.

* A horsey contingent in the parade pleased onlookers. 

* Town crier Chem leads Llan Silver band into town. 

* Festively dressed children play a part in the procession. 

* The Faery Festival is represented by this float.

* Santa's elves get a lift aboard a vintage car.

* A veteran steam engine was a popular sight.

* The town mayor, Cllr Sheena Burrell, gets a lift from a gleaming machine from the Motor Museum.

* More youngsters arrive, including one dressed as a Christmas table groaning with food. 

* The Lions roar past the Town Hall.

* Members of the Young 'Uns, junior section of Llan Operatic Society, perform a selection from their upcoming production of Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.

* Stalls in the Town Hall selling Christmas gifts do a brisk trade.

* A specialist food stall in Market Street.

* Ready for all the fun of the fair in Market Street.

Stage is set for town's Christmas Festival

* Last year's switch-on of the Christmas lights in Castle Street.

Thousands are expected to come flocking to today's Llangollen Christmas Festival.

The big annual event will feature a parade, street stalls, raffles, a grotto, an appearance by Llangollen Silver Band, and local choirs and singers plus the ceremonial switch-on of the Christmas lights as darkness sets in.

This year the festival also features Llangollen Good Grub Club and an additional stage organised by Llangollen Woman’s Festival.

The parade starts from Mill Street car park at 1pm and later Siôn Corn will be on hand to meet
young visitors in his grotto inside the Town Hall.

Entertainment will be centred on the steps of the library and tourist information centre as
well as the Town Hall and Market Street.

Proceeds from the event will once again be donated to Wales Air Ambulance.

Council premieres Christmas shopping film

* Brass ensemble DMC6, made up of pupils from Ysgol Brynhyfryd and Ysgol Dinas Bran.

Christmas has arrived in Denbighshire with the release of a video showcasing the county’s high streets, including Llangollen.

Denbighshire County Council has released its festive shopping clip to promote the wide range of products available on the county’s high streets.

You can view the clip on the Council’s Facebook, YouTube and Twitter accounts.

The two-minute video features a host of traders highlighting what is available in Denbighshire with scenes filmed in all eight of the county’s towns.

Leader of Denbighshire, Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, said: “I would like to thank all the businesses, residents and groups who helped make this video possible.

“Denbighshire has everything shoppers need to help celebrate Christmas coupled with excellent service and friendly staff.

“Shopping locally benefits the local community with money spent locally staying in Denbighshire’s economy, benefiting everyone in the county.

“Denbighshire offers a more relaxed and enjoyable shopping experience than bigger cities and out of town shopping parks so I would encourage residents to see what Denbighshire has to offer this Christmas.”

Businesses featured in the clip are Nouveau Riche, Prestatyn; Detour menswear, Rhyl; The Oriel Country Hotel & Spa, St Asaph; The Little Cheesemonger, Rhuddlan; State of Distress, Ruthin; Snow in Summer, Denbigh, Rhug Estate Farm Shop, Pethau Tlws, Corwen and Llangollen Baby.

Sandra Griffiths has run Denbigh’s Snow in Summer for the last three years selling vintage items, greeting cards and locally made artisan crafted goods and gifts.

She said: “It was very nice to take part in the shop local video.

“Shopping locally gives customers the opportunity to buy locally designed and made goods, and to purchase unique items for themselves or for the home.”

The video was produced as part of the #LoveLiveLocal campaign which supports local traders by encouraging customers and businesses to post pictures of great products and experiences on social media.

Heather Powell is managing director of Denbighshire Music Co-operative, which provided the senior brass ensemble DMC6, made up of pupils from Ysgol Brynhyfryd and Ysgol Dinas Bran aged 12 to 16.

She said: “The band was delighted and proud to be asked – they always like supporting local events and really enjoyed the event.

“The experience was great for them. As a local business shopping locally is vital – we always support other local businesses and think there are a wide range of lovely local shops.”

The council is providing free car parking in all of its town centre car parks after 3pm until December 31.

Your views sought on Dee Valley planning

The views of the public are being sought on new planning guidelines for the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which includes Llangollen.

The Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is one of Wales’ most treasured landscapes, and officers from Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham have joined together with the AONB Partnership to produce a new Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) note for proposed development in the area.

The purpose of the document is to ensure that new development is designed to fit in with the area to conserve and enhance its natural beauty for current and future generations.

The draft SPG was presented for public consultation commencing on November 20 and ending on January 29 next year.

There will be two drop in sessions, where planning officers will be available to answer questions, at Loggerheads Country Park (A494 Ruthin Road, Loggerheads, CH7 5LH).

These will be on Wednesday December  6, from 10am-2pm, and Thursday January 18, from 2pm-6pm.

The document can be viewed on each of the following websites and copies are also available at Denbighshire County Council libraries and one-stop-shops, at County Hall in Mold and at Contact Wrexham, 16 Lord Street, Wrexham, LL11 1LG:

• www.denbighshire.gov.uk;
• www.flintshire.gov.uk;
• www.wrexham.gov.uk;
• www.clwydianrangeanddeevalley.org.uk

If you wish to speak to a planning officer in Denbighshire, call 01824 706916, send an email to planningpolicy@denbighshire.gov.uk, or meet them at the Council Offices in Denbigh (Caledfryn).

Comments should be forwarded to Flintshire County Council who are coordinating the consultation on behalf of the three Local Planning Authorities. They should be forwarded by 5.00pm on 29th January 2018 using one of the following methods:

• by e-mail to developmentplans@flintshire.gov.uk
• in writing to Flintshire County Council, Andrew Farrow, Chief Officer (Planning and Environment), County Hall, Mold, Flintshire, CH7 6NF

The day I survived David Cassidymania

llanblogger's Phil Robinson recalls a momentous day over 40 years ago

Back in the day David Cassidy, who has just died in Florida, had it all.

In the early 70s he was only a couple of years older than me but he had the looks, the talent and the charisma, all of which ensured he also had the hearts of legions of young girls.

And for a couple of days in the spring of 1973 most of them were outside my office window.   

Not that it had anything to do with me, of course.

* David Cassidy on stage at

Belle Vue in 1973.

In that heady year I was working in the publicity department of the famous Belle Vue leisure centre in Manchester – the place where Cassidy was due to do four shows on March 13 and 14 as part of his smash-hit European tour.

Thanks to his starring role as son Keith in the enormously popular US show the Partridge Family he had rapidly taken on heartthrob status and become one of the hottest properties of the era.

The tour followed and every place he went he was mobbed by thousands of doting, screaming girls.

We’d witnessed a similar phenomenon with Beatlemania a decade earlier but this was much bigger. And louder.

In fact, by ’73 Cassidy’s fan club had more members than either its Beatles or Elvis counterparts.

It was against this crazy background that this handsome young actor/singer was due to take the stage of the Kings Hall arena at Belle Vue.

We knew in advance that the place was going to be thronged by his adoring teenage and sub-teenage female fans. But we weren’t quite prepared for the scale of the invasion.

Nor were we expecting how long it would continue because when I arrived for work on the morning of the first day hundreds of them were already outside the main gates and were tuning up their noisy renditions of his hits, like I Think I Love You, which continued at increasing volume for the next 10 hours or so.

As the day wore on they continued to arrive on buses, in trains and out of cars driven by worried-looking dads.

I could see all this going on from the window of my office (pictured left) which overlooked the car park where they were gathering.

I viewed the unfolding scene with fascination but also growing concern as my treasured Hillman Imp was parked down there amongst the screaming, chanting hordes.

And as its decaying metalwork was held together by plastic filler I began to write off its chances of survival in the face of all the pushing and shoving going on.

Some wag in the office joked that I shouldn’t worry because David would probably fork out for a replacement Imp if this one was destroyed by his army of adherents. Not likely and therefore no consolation.

The cacophony did go on all day, right up to my leaving for home at around 5pm and beyond until showtime when the gates finally opened allowing the barmy girlie army to launch their big push on the Kings Hall. Cassidy, as far as I recall, had been smuggled in through another entrance to the complex so stayed completely untouched.

And no, despite my press office status, I didn’t get to attend the concert or meet the man himself, either that day or the next when the whole mad scene took place again.

My Hillman Imp and my hearing survived but sadly, ultimately, David Cassidy hasn’t now made it beyond the age of 67.

But it was a day I’ll never forget – only to be repeated to a lesser extent that same year when The Bay City Rollers gigged at Belle Vue. But that’s another story.  

Another competition win for Llan Silver Band

* Members of the youth band who took first prize at Ruthin last Saturday. 

Llangollen Silver Band's youth section took first prize in section 6b at the North Wales Brass Band Association Contest held at Bryn Hyfryd School, Ruthin last Saturday. 

Beaumaris Intermediate Band took second place and Llandudno Youth Band were third. 

Llangollen's chosen test piece for the competition was Rufford Abbey by Drake Rimmer and the chosen hymn tune Fewster was their opener. 

For the third year running Llangollen also took best soloist prize, won this year by cornet player Taya Castley. 

The youth bBand are now  busy getting ready for their upcoming Christmas jobs, Friday December 22 being their last performance of the season and that is their own Sparkle and Shine Cracking Christmas Concert at the Town Hall where they will be performing along with the intermediate band and training band.

Backing small businesses on December 2

Businesses and shoppers in Llangollen are being reminded that they can take part in this year's Small Business Saturday.

The event, which will be held on December 2, Business Saturday UK is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to ‘shop local’ and support small businesses in their communities.

The day itself takes place on the first Saturday in December each year, but the campaign aims to have a lasting impact on small businesses.

On Small Business Saturday, customers across the U.K go out and support all types of small businesses, online, in offices and in stores.

Many small businesses take part in the day by hosting events and offering discounts.

Steam engine inches out onto Abbey Road

* The engine is backed carefully out into the road and traffic waits in both directions.

* 80072 is slowly inched around parked cars.

*

* The engine out on Abbey Road ready for the off.

Traffic in both directions on Abbey Road was held up for a short while earlier this afternoon when a heavy loader carrying a steam engines from Llangollen Railway had to inch its way onto the roadway.

Thanks to some skillful driving and the ability of the wagon to make some tight moves, BR Standard Four tank No. 80072 eventually made it to the A539 and its onward journey.  

Call goes out for eisteddfod competitors

* The Aeolian Choir of Oakwood University, California, celebrate victory at the eisteddfod.

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is on the lookout for talented groups of singers, dancers and instrumentalists from across the globe to enter its competitions next year before the deadline of November 24.

The 2018 eisteddfod takes place from July 3-8 and successful entrants will compete for a range of prestigious titles including the Dance Champions of the World, International Acapella Group and the jewel in the crown of the festival, Choir of the World.

There are cash prizes of up to £6,000, international medals and opportunities for aspiring musical singers to win the chance of a lifetime to perform at the Gold Coast Eisteddfod in Australia.

The globally acclaimed Choir of the World competition is the grand finale to the festival, which determines the best overall choir of the event and has launched many an iconic career.

In 1955 the winning choir, from the town of Modena in Italy, included a young trainee teacher named, Luciano Pavarotti – the legendary tenor who, in 2005, added his name to the competition trophy in recognition of his appreciation of the festival and its influence on his career.

Applications for non-competitive acts are also open and community groups are being encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to perform on one of the eisteddfod’s international stages and experience the unique atmosphere of the festival. Closing date for this category is also on Friday November 24.

Eisteddfod chairman Dr Rhys Davies said: “Our competitions offer the opportunity for performers from across the globe to compete on an international stage alongside some of the world’s most talented musicians and dancers.

“With more than 20 categories to apply for there really is an opportunity for all types of performers, from all disciplines and of all ages to get involved.

“Every year we aim to extend our offer and both the Outstanding Conductor and International Acapella Group categories are exceptionally exciting additions to the syllabus. We’re looking forward to see this year’s applications.”

* For more information on all the competitions or to apply on the Eisteddfod competitors’ website visit: http://eisteddfodcompetitions.co.uk/

To purchase tickets for the Llangollen International Eisteddfod or for more information visit: www.Llangollen.net

Have your say on support for the vulnerable

A new inquiry will look at how effective support for vulnerable people in their homes is in Wales - and Llangollen people can have their say.


The National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee will examine the Welsh Government’s Supporting People Programme, which provides grant funding to deliver services for people with learning difficulties, mental health issues, and young people with support needs.

Services are provided either through local authorities, or through third-party providers such as charities.

The programme currently supports around 67,000 people in Wales and for 2016-17 financial year has a ‘ring-fenced’ budget of almost £125 million.

However, the recent publication by the Welsh Government of the detail of its budget plans has created some uncertainty about the way in which Supporting People funding will be managed in the future and this will be taken into account as part of the committee’s work.

A report from the Wales Audit Office earlier this year found inconsistent levels of delivery in different parts of the country, due in part to inadequate guidance from the Welsh Government.

“The Supporting People Programme delivers what are undoubtedly valuable services to vulnerable people in a range of different circumstances,” said Nick Ramsay AM, Chair of the Public Accounts Committee.

“However, the pace of progress is a concern and it is disappointing that the Welsh Government still does not have a good enough understanding of the programme’s overall impact some fourteen years on from its initial launch.

“We will be looking at how the programme is developing to meet the needs of some of the most vulnerable people in our society, how almost £125 million pounds is being spent, and how the effectiveness of these services and all that money is being monitored.”

* Anyone wishing to contribute to the inquiry can find more information on the Public Accounts Committee’s web pages. The consultation closes on 22 December 2017.