Latest update on the fire

* The fire scene at 10.23am today (Saturday).

The Daily Post has given this latest update on the mountainside fire this morning (Saturday):

More fire crews have been called in again this morning as the fierce wildfire in Llangollen rages on.

Despite heavy downpours in the area last night, the rain has made no dent on the blaze on Llantysilio Mountain and the Horseshoe Pass.

So far this morning, seven fire engines and seven off road vehicles are at the scene.

The Horseshoe Pass is still closed due to drifting smoke and flames.

Eisteddfod to celebrate International Friendship Day

* Volunteers, such as these on the Floral Committee, are the heart and soul of the eisteddfod every year.

On International Friendship Day next Monday Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod will be honouring relationships it has established over the 70 years since it began.

On the day it will be celebrating the 800 volunteers who provide crucial support throughout the week-long event.

International Friendship Day was established by the United Nations and aims for more people to make and celebrate friendship throughout the world leading to less chance of injustice, war and poverty.

Eisteddfod chairman Dr Rhys Davies said: “We only have six employees. Without our friends of the festival who volunteer each year we simply couldn’t function.

"It is through the camaraderie of friendship that our festival is able to thrive. By accumulating these bonds, we contribute to the aims of the UN in developing strong ties of trust which are needed to achieve peace and lasting stability.

“As our festival continues to grow, it’s fantastic to welcome both familiar and new faces. What remains year-on-year is the joyful atmosphere of the eisteddfod, which is enhanced by the extensive network of volunteers who dedicate so much energy and commitment.

“This International Friendship Day we extend our thanks to all of those who give up their time to journey from far and wide across the globe, as we celebrate the coming together of nations.”

The eisteddfod's Competitiors Club co-ordinator Ann Ankers, said: “From working as an usher at the Eisteddfod in 1956 to stewarding in the 1960s I met a lady called Carol who travelled from Glasgow to sing at the festival. Being so inspired, the following year she returned, bringing along a friend for eight consecutive years. 

“I came across Carol three years ago, returning again to support the festival and we have never looked back.

"Carol has come back to fulfil her ambition of choral singing. Having fallen in love with the peace, harmony and togetherness of the Llangollen Eisteddfod. She has been inspired to be part of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and this year is performing at The Proms, an amazing achievement that I am so proud of."

Each year the family of Selina, Daniel and Bill Kong travel from their home in Hong Kong to volunteer in the Competitors Club.

Sisters Lynette Haber and Jane Rysanski from Connecticut, USA, have been regular visitors to the eisteddfod.

This year they decided to volunteer as part of the Floral Committee, creating the beautiful arrangements that decorated the festival stages.

Acknowledged as one of the foremost world peace festivals, Llangollen has been nominated for a number of awards, including the Nobel Prize for Peace.

The eisteddfod has volunteering opportunities suited to all ages and abilities. From office-based roles to floral and archive duties, there are plenty of roles available throughout the year as well as during the festival week itself.

Armed police stop car on the A483

Wrexham.com has just posted a story with pictures about armed police stopping a car at the Ruthin Road junction of the A483 earlier this evening.

For the full story, see: http://www.wrexham.com/news/multiple-armed-police-units-stop-car-on-a483-slip-road-153536.html

llanblogger takes first hand look at the fire frontline

UPDATE 8pm Friday ...

Flames are now visible on the mountainside near Llantysilio from the town centre. Taken by llanblogger with a telescopic lens.   

llanblogger exclusive

* The fire is clearly visible from the Horseshoe Pass - currently closed to traffic. 

* The blaze on the mountainside not far from property on the Horseshoe Pass.

* Part of the fire command centre near the Ponderosa Café.

* Llangollen's deputy mayor, Cllr Issy Richards, right, thanks Silviu Pop and his partner Gyulaydan Ali at the S&G Bistro for their donation of today's lunchtime sandwiches.

* Cllr Richards checks donations to the website set up by Cat Meade at Wingetts. 

llanblogger has seen at first hand the massive battle being fought to control a huge fire raging on the mountainsides above Llangollen.

And we have also witnessed the major effort back in town to get vital supplies to the teams of firefighters involved the operation.

Since it flared up again earlier this week the blaze has turned many acres of grassland into scorched earth.

Relays of firefighters from Llangollen and other parts of North Wales have since been braving soaring temperatures to beat out the flames.

Numerous people have been supporting them by donating food, water and other items.

And one woman from a local business has co-ordinated an appeal to keep the supplies flowing which had raised over £1,000 within hours of being set up.

This lunchtime (Friday) llanblogger joined Llangollen’s deputy mayor, Councillor Issy Richards, and her partner Mike as they delivered the latest batch of sandwiches and cold drinks to the two locations from where the fire is being fought.

Two big boxes of freshly-made sandwiches came courtesy of Silviu Pop and his partner Gyulaydan Ali at the S&G Bistro in Castle Street.

Our first delivery was to the fire crews battling the blaze from the hills around Llanstysilio and the second was to the busy command centre which North Wales Fire & Rescue has set up with other emergency services on the car park of the Ponderosa Café on the Horseshoe Pass.

The pass itself was closed by the county council earlier today at the request of the fire service who said sightseers were hampering their operations. However, we had special permission to use it for our delivery.

We had hoped to speak to some of the Llangollen-based firefighters who have been in the thick of the action but a colleague from the Wrexham station said they were busy in an inaccessible part of the nearby mountainside.

* One grateful firefighter's

message on Facebook.

However, he thanked Cllr Richards sincerely for the donation and said it would be much appreciated by the crews.

Back in town Cat Meade from Wingetts estate agents in castle Street described how as a gesture of support for what the fire crews were doing she had arranged an online donation page the money from which will help to pay for more supplies.

Cat, who lives in town, explained how she had set this up around 8pm last night and within minutes it had started clocking up the pounds. By around 1pm today the donation total stood at just over £1,000 with more coming in by the minute.

She said: “I’ve been overwhelmed and very touched by the amazing response to the appeal.”

Cat said other cash donations were being made in person by members of the public at her office.

Food, water and soft drink supplies have also been coming in from a host of local businesses and a supply collection point had been set up as far away as Oswestry.

The BBC reports that 60 firefighters are currently tackling the blaze above Llan, with 12 crews involved at Llantysilio and near the Horseshoe Pass.

The fire service said its control room has received calls from concerned people reporting smoke in the air from 12 miles away in Wrexham.

* To donate to Cat’s appeal go to: gf.me/u/j5y9gc

Horseshoe Pass closed by fire

North Wales Police have just issued the following message on social media:

A542 Horseshoe Pass LLANGOLLEN will be closed due to mountain fire. 

Please avoid the area.  People taking photographs have been causing problems for fire crews.

Keep away for your safety and take alternative route.

A further message from the county council says:

The Horseshoe Pass is closed until further notice. The request has been made by the North Wales Fire and Rescue to allow them to continue to deal with the grass/gorse fire. We will let you know as soon as the situation changes. Thank you for your patience during this time.

Rising rock band Gallops dashes for the Fringe

After announcing their reformation and releasing their much anticipated second album Bronze Mystic in April 2017, experimental rock band Gallops have been storming headline shows and festival appearances across the UK and beyond.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Gallops will headline Llangollen Fringe Festival alongside rising US hip hop artist Miss Eaves (pictured) as part of the International Beats night.

Shanthony Exum (aka Miss Eaves) is a fierce femcee known for her unique electro-pop-rap feminist stylings and fun-dance-explosion stage presence.

With her tongue-in-cheek rhymes in tow, her music has led her to perform at shows such as Tomorrowland, Dour, Les Rockomotive, and a packed out gig at South by Southwest. Most recently, touring with Wheatus and MC Frontalot around the UK.

* Tickets for International Beats at Llangollen Fringe Festival are on sale now at www.llangollenfringe.co.uk 

Gallops and Miss Eaves are joined on a stellar bill (the festival's biggest to date) by LEE SCRATCH PERRY, CRAIG CHARLES, MARK RADCLIFFE’s GALLEON BLAST, LAURA CORTESE & THE DANCE CARDS, LINTON KWESI JOHNSON, LLOYD LANGFORD.  Plus the return of BAND FOR A DAY, the music themed STEAM TRAIN and AQUEDUCT BOAT trips, and many other fringe events.

The event rounds off with its now legendary closing concert in the stunning surrounds of VALLE CRUCIS ABBEY. The Fringe Finale at the spectacular Valle Crucis Abbey will this year feature the ethereal sound of GOLDEN FABLE and THE NEW SINFONIA ORCHESTRA.

Tickets for all other Llangollen Fringe performances are also available from the website, or by calling the Fringe box office: 0800 1455 779.

Latest official update on mountainside fire

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service continues to impress upon communities the importance of being extra careful and to stop and consider the consequences of grass fires during the current heatwave.

Crews remain at a gorse fire in Llantysilio in Llangollen after having first being called to the scene over a week ago - demonstrating just how much of a drain on resources these fires can be.

Firefighters have been continually present at the scene of this fire ensuring it is brought under control and kept under close surveillance - and once again this afternoon the fire has gathered pace in prevailing winds with seven appliances in attendance tackling an extensive fire front.

With part time or retained firefighter resources being used to tackle this incident this means that local employers are also affected as staff are released to attend the fire.

Kevin Roberts, Senior Fire Safety Manager, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said:

“Fires like this one in Llantysilio, where access is extremely difficult and water supply is limited, place tremendous pressure on our resources. Our firefighters have been tied up for a considerable length of time working to bring it under control.

“It’s still too soon to determine the exact cause of this fire but we continue to strongly urge people to take extra care when they are out and about in the countryside to help reduce the risk of such fires – especially in such unprecedented dry weather.

“In these dry conditions, fires involving grass, bracken and heather can develop extremely quickly, especially in raised winds, and can soon get out of control and spread to neighbouring properties or forestry, with the need for us then to attend to extinguish them.

“So if you are out and about, it is more important than ever in these conditions to make sure that any smoking materials are discarded and extinguished properly. If you are camping, again make sure that campfires or barbeques are fully extinguished. Better still, avoid open fires altogether in this dry period.

“We would like to thank the public for acting in a safe and responsible manner by notifying us of such fires - we ask people to keep well away from the area affected to allow firefighters to continue to deal with the incident, and for their own safety.

“And we would also like to thank our firefighters who are working in challenging conditions, their employers for releasing the from work, and our partners such as Denbighshire County Council for their assistance.

“Remember - setting fires is a criminal offence and we are actively working alongside North Wales Police to combat deliberate incidents – those found to be responsible will be prosecuted.

“Anyone with information on such crimes is advised to anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Padde-boarders dice with death on the aqueduct

The Shropshire Star has a story about paddle-boarders taking huge risks in the hot weather 125ft up on the Pontcysyllte Canal aqueduct.

For the full story, see:

https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/local-hubs/mid-wales/llangollen/2018/07/26/dicing-with-death-125-feet-up-warning-issued-to-aqueduct-paddle-boarders/?platform=hootsuite

Town councillor helps organise supplies for firefighters

2nd UPDATE ...

More dramatic fire pictures have been sent to the blog by Val Roberts. 

They show the scene in the morning and then the afternoon from Pentredwr. The Horseshoe Pass can be seen below the fire.

Thanks to Val for sharing them with our readers.

1st UPDATE ...

Donations of water and food (pictured below) have been made to the firefighters tackling the blaze by residents and local shops #helpourfirefighters.

Donations are at Wingetts and also the Leisure Centre.

* The fire scene at 10am today (Thursday). Smoke can be seen

rising from various points on the hillside.

* The fire at its height last night.

A Llangollen town councillor is helping to organise supplies for the firefighters who have spent the night battling a blaze on the mountainside near Llantysilio.

After being damped down over a week ago the fire in the undergrowth reignited yesterday afternoon.

Later in the evening seven fire engines were involved in the effort to bring the blaze under control.

Back in Llangollen Town Councillor Issy Richards was making arrangements to get supplies to the firefighters.

She said this morning: "I've spoken to Fire Chief Kevin Jones and he said that the fire dampened down overnight, but they are expecting it to kick off again as the day warms up.

"At the moment, they are about to swap the crews, so they don't need anything now, but he expects supplies will be needed later on.

"Wingetts have very kindly offered to take supplies in, we can also use the Council Chamber  - where you vote, around the corner from the Town Clerk's office - if required, to store supplies. I will be there from 9am today.

"Although I am a town councillor, I am acting just as a resident who lives near the Fire Station and is very aware of the tireless efforts made by these brave firefighters.

"Town Councillors Andy Beech and Karen Edwards will be around today to help too."

Pengwern gets free taxis to beat bus problem

A free taxi service is now running on the bus route between Llangollen town centre and Pengwern.

According to one of the local county councillors, Graham Timms, this has been arranged by Denbighshire until a suitable bus to serve the area can be arranged.

He explained: “There has been an intermittent problem with the service between the town centre and Pengwern due to the lack of availability of a suitable bus.

“I understand that the service will only cover Pengwern if a small bus is used. When a larger bus is used on the service it has been missing out the Pengwern section of the route, causing problems for residents who have been unable to catch the bus into town, or who have been left to find their own way home when the smaller bus is not available for the return journey. 

“I understand that the route is under a Wrexham contract with a financial contribution to the service being also made by Denbighshire.”

Cllr Timms added: “The situation is clearly highly unsatisfactory for local residents who rely on this route.

“easybus are trying to resolve the problems and are likely to have the service back to normal in August.

“Until that time Denbighshire have agreed to put a taxi service on the bus route running at the same time as the easybus timetable to ensure that passengers are provided with public transport according to the timetable provided.

“It will also ensure that passengers can travel on to Llangollen Health Centre should they wish. The taxi service is being provided by Premier Cars and will be free to bus users until the normal service is resumed. 

“Residents have been discouraged from using the service due to the intermittent and unreliable provision at a time when we should be encouraging the use of public transport. 

“There may be some duplication in the service until easybus are able to resolve their problems as they are unable to predict when their Pengwern service will run.

“The taxi replacement taxi service started on Monday 23rd July.” 

Seven fire engines tackle re-newed hillside blaze

* From the Horseshoe Pass at around 9.30pm. Picture: Karen Edwards.  

* The fire just before 9pm Wednesday.

* The fire pictured by Karen Edwards.

* Smoke from the fire drifts across the mountainside. 

Seven fire engines are currently tackling a blaze on the mountainside in Llantysilio.

A story on Leaderlive earlier this evening says: "A fire which experts had under control has flared up again in Llangollen.

"North Wales Fire and Rescue have been attending a blaze on a mountainside in Llantysilio since 2.20pm on Thursday, July 19.

"A spokesman told the Leader this evening that the fire has "re-flared" and more crews are now in attendance.

They said: "Crews have been tackling the fire since last week using dampening methods. It was not completely extinguished from last week but at around 4pm today the fire sparked up again.

"Four fire engines are in attendance an three off-roader vehicles.

"The incident is still ongoing."

New website gives details of local and national services

A new national well-being website will be launched across Wales this week at the Royal Welsh Show.

Dewis Cymru provides information about a wide range of local and national services that can help people take control of their own well-being and make informed choices about the way they choose to live their lives.

The site helps people find the information they need to improve their well-being and access local services across Wales.

The Dewis Cymru website is an important first for Wales – a single, clear and reliable information source that can be used by members of the public as well as care service professionals, information and advice services and others across Wales to help support people achieve their well-being goals.

Cllr Huw David (Bridgend), Spokesperson for Health and Social Care at the Welsh Local Government Association, said: “Finding the right information can be challenging. This new resource aims to cut through the confusion by offering people clear, consistent and up-to-date information and advice on their well-being and what services are available in their local area. The website is a real cause for celebration, and a marker of true regional and national collaboration. It is a resource that has been built in Wales, by Wales for Wales.”

Richard Palmer, Assistant Director of Data Cymru, and project lead for Dewis Cymru, said: “The 2014 Social Services and Well-being Act placed a duty on local authorities across Wales to make information about local services available to the public. Dewis is part of their response to this duty.

"Information is key to enabling people to make their own choices about how to best meet their well-being needs. After my mother died, my father wanted to live independently in the family home. Despite hours on the web, I struggled to find appropriate services to support him – largely due to inaccurate or out-of-date information.

"Dewis ensures that we have a wide range of up to date information which is easily available to the public – enabling them to have choice and take control of their own lives.”

Dewis Cymru has been developed by Data Cymru on behalf of the 22 local authorities in Wales in conjunction with a wide range of national and local stakeholders.

* For more information visit www.dewis.wales or www.dewis.cymru or see our social media pages:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/dewiswales Twitter: www.twitter.com/dewiswales  

"Rare" 37-acre site near Llan goes on sale

* Picture of the site for sale (taken from estate agent's website).

The Oswestry Advertizer is reporting to day that a rare 37-acre site near Llangollen has just gone on the market with offers in the region of £100,000.

For the full story see: http://www.bordercountiesadvertizer.co.uk/news/16373752.rare-37-acre-land-near-llangollen-up-for-sale-for-100000/

* The site which is for sale (taken from estate agent's website).

County presses for free childcare funding

Denbighshire County Council has welcomed the “positive soundings” from Welsh Government Minister for Children, Older People and Social Care, Huw Irranca Davies to work with the county council to aim to introduce the free childcare scheme county-wide from April 2019.

The Council had written to the Minister, expressing disappointment that the county had not been included in the next tranche of areas which will receive the funding

Following positive and constructive discussions, the Minister has pledged, in principle and subjects to a number of factors,  to provide funding to all areas of Denbighshire at the same time, rather than a phased community by community approach.

Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts, Cabinet Lead Member for Children, Young People, Education and the Welsh Language, said: “This subject has been making headlines over recent weeks and we want to ensure that we do all we can in Denbighshire to bring funding to the county, to allow the free childcare scheme to progress.

“We want to make sure that the families who need this kind of support can actually receive it sooner, rather than later and at the same time.

“We wrote to the Minister following concerns raised locally about the roll-out of the scheme and the response from the Minister has been positive.  He’s engaged  with us and there have been very positive discussions between the Minister and the Council to work to try and make this happen.

“We will continue to press for the funding until it has been approved and, subject to approval, look forward to letting communities know how they can access the free childcare scheme in April of next year”.

The scheme would be delivered in partnership with Flintshire County Council and the capital funding available for the scheme would be administered through Denbighshire County Council, not individual nurseries.

Couple to spend part of honeymoon at LlanBikeFest

* Celebrating their marriage at LlanBikeFest will be Ian Davies and Debbie Roberts.

Bike mad Ian Davies and Debbie Roberts are celebrating their marriage in style by spending part of their honeymoon at the Llangollen Motorcycle Festival - LlanBikeFest.

The couple, from Penycae, tied the knot yesterday (Monday) at Castle Rushen, Castletown, Isle of Man.

But after dashing back to Wales for a party then returning to the island for a few days they will be at LlanBikeFest to do their bit promoting Blood Bikes Wales.

Part of a nationwide network, Blood Bikes will be at LlanBikeFest, which runs at the Royal International Pavilion on August 4 and 5, to raise awareness of their work and sign up even more volunteers.

The couple are part of a team of volunteers who ride all hours and in all weathers to transport everything from blood plasma to vital documents between NHS facilities.

Debbie said: “Ian proposed to me in the Isle of Man because he’s bike mad – and we are both passionate about supporting Blood Bikes, so we have to be back for the festival.”

LlanBikeFest director John Hutchinson said: “There has been at least one marriage proposal at LlanBikeFest but this could be our first time as a honeymoon destination.

"All good wishes to the happy couple. We are delighted to support Blood Bikes Wales for another year, as well as raising more money for our official charity, Wales Air Ambulance.”

Starring Isle of Man TT legend John McGuinness, 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.

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.

* Follow the event on Facebook at Llangollen Motorcycle Festival.

Day tickets are £10 online at www.llanbikefest.co.uk , or £12 on the gate, with accompanied children 16 and under free. Club stands and exhibitor bookings are free. Contact the Festival office at 07960 693398, office@llanbikefest.co.uk

Clean-up company Kingdom pulls out of county contract

Kingdom Services Group have informed Denbighshire County Council of their intention to withdraw services in the county from August 17 in line with their 28 days contractual notice.

Councillor Tony Thomas, Cabinet Lead Member for Housing, Regulatory Services and the Environment, said: “The Group have partnered the Council in dealing with environmental issues such as littering and dog fouling over the last five years, in response to the Council’s efforts to make its streets cleaner and creating a pleasant environment for people to live in and visit.

“The joint work has made an impact in terms of awareness and there has been a marked reduction in the number of littering and dog fouling incidents.

“Whilst disappointed, we must respect Kingdom’s decision and would like to thank them for their co-operation over the past five years.

The Council says it will now consider how the environmental education and enforcement work will continue in the future, as having clean and tidy streets remains a key priority.

Llan car used in Chirk ram-raid, says paper

* The Co-op store in Chirk. Picture from Oswestry Advertizer.

The Oswestry Advertizer is reporting this afternoon that a car stolen in Llangollen was used in a ram-raid on the Co-op store in Chirk.

For the full story, see: http://www.bordercountiesadvertizer.co.uk/news/16371156.chirk-burglars-ram-raid-co-op-store-using-stolen-car/

 

Network Rail boss sees progress on Corwen station

* Andy Thomas with members of the project team at line side at Corwen Central station.   
Picture: George Jones. 

Andy Thomas, Network Rail managing director England and Wales, has visited the Corwen Central station site to see progress on the volunteer-led project. 

He was given a guided tour of the station works site by project leader, Richard Dixon-Gough.

He was shown the current progress with the building of the platform 1 wall and the recently installed new-build water tank.

The building of the base wall for the soon-to-be-installed signal box was also inspected and the need for redundant materials to complete the heritage signalling facility was noted. 

In the course of discussions with the volunteers, Mr Thomas noted the similarities of issues the project faced with station projects being undertaken by Network Rail and the need for more resources to complete the task.  

Mr Thomas said: “I was delighted to visit the Corwen site, and see the tremendous work of volunteers first hand, especially the recently installed water tower.

“The Llangollen Railway provides the local community and visitors to the area the chance to journey back in time, and I am pleased to see the heritage railway able to expand through generous donations, including from Welsh Government.  

“This is an exciting time as the new station platform is completed at Corwen Central, and I would encourage staff from Network Rail to use their volunteer leave to support the Llangollen Railway volunteers in these final stages of the project.” 

Richard Dixon-Gough said: “We were very pleased to be able to show Andy how the Corwen project is progressing and contrast our efforts with those of Network Rail on developments elsewhere. Help from all sources is essential if the station is to be completed to receive trains in 2019 and the prospect of Network Rail employees volunteering to help would be most valuable.”

Terry Waite tells business leaders about his captivity

* Host Gill Kreft along with Gareth Parry, Gwyn Edwards, Paul Ffoulkes, Ian Edwards, guest speaker Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas AM, Rob Williams and guest speaker David Pountney.

Former hostage Terry Waite told how the Islamic jihadists holding him captive unwittingly gave him a book called Great Escapes.

The revelation about the irony of reading material presented to the president of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod by his guards who were unable to speak English came during a speech to the Wrexham Business Professionals Group at the town’s Ramada 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 other keynote speakers at the event were Welsh National Opera’s Artistic Director David Pountney and Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, Welsh Government Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport.

The theme of the meeting Powering Regional Prosperity … The Art of Business and Mr Waite was there in his capacity as President of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

The ex-Church of England envoy described what life was life being held in an underground prison in Beirut for five years and how he was chained to the wall for 23 hours and 50 minutes every day, with just a 10 minute toilet break.

“I’d been negotiating for the release of hostages on behalf of the Church of England for many years,” he said.

“Today I’m responsible for Hostage UK, which operates worldwide.

“When you are attempting to deal with this particular problem you have to run the risk of being captured yourself and it was inevitable that one day I’d be held hostage.”

“People ask me all the time what I missed most,” he said. “Family and friends of course, but I also missed books and music.

“I pleaded with the guards to bring me books. They asked why – we’ve never read a book in our lives, they said.

“Eventually a guard said he would get me a book and a day or so later he provided one. Would you believe it was called Great Escapes and was the story of successful escapes from prison camps in the Second World War.

“The next book he got was a manual on breastfeeding and when the third was Dr Spock I decided something had to be done.

“I asked for a pencil and paper and drew a penguin. Two weeks later I got my first Penguin book. It showed a symbol is able to cut across cultural and language barriers.”

Mr Waite said he was then taken as a hostage somewhere else in Beirut and heard someone singing.

“I heard the man for a couple of days as he kept passing the building where I was held,” he said.

“It turned out it was the time of Ramadan and it was the man who walked around the town to wake people up and the way he used to do it was by singing.

“Music and language have the capacity to breed harmony into the soul.

“When today we are engaged in business and trade we have difficulty dealing with ill health or stress. We need inner calmness and the arts are a vital component.”

The meeting at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Wrexham opened with a performance by members of the academy of the Only Boys Aloud choir. They sang three songs, finishing with a rousing rendition of Calon Lȃn.

* For more information about Wrexham Business Professionals contact Kate Edwards on 01978 752500 or at admin@wrexhambusinessprofessionals.com or go to the website www.wrexhambusinessprofessionals.com   

Fringe stars give new twist to WW1 marching song

* Brothers Jonathan and Robert Guy.

The founder of an orchestra which will play at the closing concert of this year's Llangollen Fringe Festival has given a new twist to the famous First World War marching song, Pack up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag.

The words of the song were written by George Henry Powell while the music was composed by his older brother Felix Lloyd Powell, who was an organist at the cathedral in St Asaph where they lived.

And while George was a choir boy Felix was certainly no angel because he etched his name on the back of one of the cathedral’s stalls.

The song won first prize in a World War One competition for the best morale-building song and it’s claimed to be the most optimistic song ever written.

Now, the enduring favourite has provided the inspiration for the overall theme and an education project at this year’s North Wales International Music Festival which is held annually at the cathedral.

The festival, which runs from Saturday, September 15, to Sunday, September 30, is being supported by the Arts Council of Wales and Tŷ Cerdd.

Composer and professional clarinettist Jonathan Guy is writing a new musical piece, Smile, Smile, Smile, based on Pack up Your Troubles, which will be premiered by young musicians of all abilities during a festival workshop.

They will be performing it at the festival on Saturday, September 29, alongside the event’s resident orchestra, NEW Sinfonia, which Jonathan established with his brother, Robert, the conductor and artistic director.

NEW Sinfonia will play the finale concert of Llangollen Fringe Festival at Valle Crucis Abbey on Sunday July 29.

Jonathan was asked by the International Music Festival to write a piece of new music to go along with the theme of this year’s festival, Reflections, reflecting upon the centenary of the end of the Great War.  

He said: “The fact Felix Powell etched his name into the back of a choir stall at St Asaph Cathedral is amazing and there is a blue plaque commemorating the brothers in the High Street which is attached to the building where they were born.  

   

“It will be an amazing concert and I can’t wait to hear my composition played in front of the cathedral audience, it will be something special especially as we will be giving young string and wind musicians, of all abilities, an opportunity to join in and play with an orchestra.” 

Proud brother Robert added: “I’m thrilled Jonathan has been commissioned by the festival, with the support of The Thomas Howell’s Education Fund for North Wales, to write this piece based on Pack up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag which will have different parts for different abilities so everyone can take part.

“We will have young performers of all ages and abilities joining the workshop and learning the piece which is called Smile, Smile, Smile. It’s going to make it a truly memorable final concert.”

Artistic director Ann Atkinson believes Smile, Smile, Smile will be the perfect way to reflect. She said: “The theme this year is Reflections as we want to look back on the centenary of the end of the Great War, as well as reflecting on life and love.

“The story behind Pack up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag is intriguing and as George and Felix Powell were from St Asaph it’s the perfect way to commemorate their work.

“George, who sang in the cathedral choir, wrote the lyrics under the pseudonym George Asaf, a name he used to reflect his St Asaph birthplace. His brother, Felix, who played the organ in the cathedral aged 11, wrote the music.

“George, who was born in April 1880, was a pacifist and conscientious objector when conscription was introduced in 1916. He died after a long illness in December 1951.

“Felix who was a staff sergeant in the British Army was in the Peacehaven Home Guard in Sussex in World War Two. He committed suicide in 1942 using his own rifle to shoot himself through the heart. He was aged 63. Their history is incredibly sad.”

She added: “I’m delighted with the line-up for this year’s festival and the first concert will feature a world premiere.

“We have a concert called Hymn to the Fallen, a programme of remembrance to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the Armistice featuring the popular Voces8.

“International pianist Freddy Kempf will perform a concert of music by Chopin and will also perform Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin, which was written in 1917 and is dedicated to friends that perished in the Great War.

“Our festival community choir will perform with Welsh National Opera and we have another world premiere, Materna Requiem, by composer Rebecca Dale.

“We also have a concert called Reflections of Love which will see classical guitarist Craig Ogden and jazz singer Jacqui Dankworth come together to perform a diverse mixture of songs by everyone from Paul Simon and James Taylor to Henry Mancini and Michel Legrand.

“Reflections is a concert featuring soprano Elin Manahan Thomas, pianist Jocelyn Freeman and Family Affair, and on the Saturday evening we will have the Smile, Smile, Smile concert with NEW Sinfonia and the workshop students as well as a performance of the Elgar cello concerto by celebrated cellist Raphael Wallfisch.

“The festival will close on the Sunday with a concert reflecting on the centenary of the end of the Great War and will include performances by, Trelawnyd and Bro Glyndŵr Male Voice Choirs, Côr Cytgan Clwyd and A5 Brass Quintet.

“The programme will include a selection of wartime songs and poetry along with works by Barber, Kamen and Karl Jenkins.”

Ann added: “It’s going to be a very special festival this year and there really will be something for everyone. I’d encourage anyone who likes classical and contemporary music to get their tickets as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.”

* Tickets are available online, from Theatr Clwyd, Mold – 01352 701521 or Cathedral Frames, 28 High Street, St Asaph - 01745 582929. To find out more about the North Wales International Music Festival please visit www.nwimf.com.

Hillside fire burns through the night

The large grass fire which began yesterday (Thursday) afternoon appears to be still burning on the hillside near Llantysilio this morning.

A number of fire crews have been battling the blaze the smoke from which is clearly visible from Llangollen town centre.

Kids invited to read their way through summer

Denbighshire libraries are calling for children to sign up to read six books this summer as part of Mischief Makers, Summer Reading Challenge 2018.

The Summer Reading Challenge asks 4-11 year olds to borrow and read any six library books over the summer.

The theme for the 2018 Summer Reading Challenge is Mischief Makers, inspired by the much-loved children's title Beano, which celebrates its 80th anniversary.

Children will explore a map of Beanotown to find a hidden treasure chest full of pranks and become ultimate mischief makers.

As children read library books for the Summer Reading Challenge, they will receive special stickers, some with mysterious smells.

By adding these stickers to their map, young readers will help Dennis, Gnasher and friends solve clues and discover the treasure, having lots of fun and adventures along the way.

To take part in Mischief Makers, all children need to do is sign up at their nearest library for free where they will be given a colourful collector’s map of Beanotown to keep a record of their Summer Reading Challenge journey.

Mischief Makers runs throughout the summer until the end of September and several young people will be volunteering in their local library to help younger children take part in the challenge.

In Wales the Summer Reading Challenge is fully bilingual and supported by Welsh Government through the Welsh Books Council.

Sue Wilkinson, CEO of The Reading Agency said: “At The Reading Agency, we believe that everything changes when we read and we know from our research how much fun families and children have when taking part in the Challenge. Mischief Makers offers intergenerational appeal and we hope this family friendly, accessible theme will inspire more children than ever to read over the holidays and make use of their local library throughout the summer and beyond."

Councillor Richard Mainon, Cabinet Lead Member for Developing Community Infrastructure, said:  “The Summer Reading Challenge is great fun and helps children discover new books and authors for themselves. We’re looking forward to welcoming them to their local library again this year - last year over 3,000 children took part.”