Top tenor Rhys Meirion on the lookout for talented singers.

* Tenor Rhys Meirion.

A search has been launched for talented singers from across Wales who fantasise about performing with the musical idol.

The top tenor Rhys Meirion, who hails from Porthmadog, is looking for music-loving dreamers to take part in dazzling duets on his new S4C television show, Canu Gyda fy Arwr (Singing with My Idol).

Anybody wanting to have a go or nominate somebody a friend or a family member need to contact the Caernarfon-based TV production company, Cwmni Da, by August 2.

They are looking for nine people, aged from 10 to 110, to take part in the life-enhancing series which starts filming in the Autumn.

Rhys also presents Cwmni Da’s successful Corau Rhys Meirion, coaching community groups across Wales to form mesmerising choirs.

He said the groundbreaking Sing with Your Idol series is a tremendous opportunity for currently undiscovered vocal talents to sing with a star like Welsh pop’s Elin Fflur or Bryn Fôn.

Those with the most compelling reasons for wanting to share the spotlight with their music idol will be selected to go forward to the filming stage during which they will be mentored by Rhys and the Cwmni Da team and potentially meet up and sing with their musical hero or heroine.

Producer Siwan Haf said: “We need applications from hidden singing talents from all around Wales.

“What’s different about this series is that we’re not setting out to discover wannabe superstars. It’s not focused on fame but on the human stories behind Wales’s wealth of musical talent.

“Of all the arts music really pulls at the heartstrings and what we’re looking for is those people with a genuinely compelling reason for wanting to sing alongside their idol.

“In creating the series it’s our dream to make their dreams and aspirations come true – not necessarily to further their music careers but for the emotional fulfilment that being able to sing with their favourite artiste will bring them.

“It may be that their idol was much loved by a late mum or dad, for example, and their songs played in the background as they were growing up. Perhaps this person’s music helped the applicant through troubled times, or maybe it was the choice for a first dance at a wedding and one partner now dreams of singing that forever special number for their other half alongside the original performer.

“There are so many touching stories out there, all created by a love of music. We want to hear them all. It’s sure to be an emotional series but also uplifiting for everyone involved, including the viewers.

“All of us here at Cwmni Da are so excited to be a part of making people’s dreams happen.”

Rhys Meirion agreed the series has the potential to change lives.

He said he still recalls the excitement of his early career when he had the chance to perform alongside vocalists he had long respected, benefiting from their advice and encouragement.

His own idol, growing up, was the late Pavarotti who he sadly never got to sing with. But Rhys has shared the stage with Welsh compatriot Bryn Terfel, a moment which he said was overwhelming.

He said: “Singing with Bryn for the first time was just amazing for me. It was a highlight of my career, just being on stage with someone with such a powerful voice who I’d admired for so long. Moments like that really do change your life for the better. To be able to give a gift like that to someone else will be incredible.

“Wales is known as the land of song and we want to be able to bring some of its hidden songsmiths out into the open, shine a light on their talent and get them singing with their musical heroes and heroines.

“I know challenges like this can be daunting, especially for people whose confidence levels might not be high, but what I will say to them is just go fo it.

“Take a chance and apply – you have everything to gain and nothing to lose. What would be terrible is for the application deadline to pass by and to regret not grasping the nettle and applying.

“We want to hear from as many people as possible, for them to tell us about their musical hopes and dreams. What’s more there is virtually no limit on who can apply. We’re looking for people aged from of 10 right up to 110, and the show covers pretty much any music genre from pop to classical, rock to reggae, jazz, soul, folk, anything.”

Siwan said the choice of idol is being left up to the applicant.

She said: “We don’t want to steer people in any particular direction. This is about their own wishes and dreams, so we want them to tell us who they want to sing with. It can be someone who has just made it big in the headlines right now or a singer who has been packing theatres for decades.”

Rhys added: “We’re prepared to be surprised too. It might be that a person harbours a dream of singing with someone who isn’t necessarily a major star but who has been in the music business for a long time, a respected professional from a genre which might not be constantly in the limelight.

“I can’t wait to read the applications. I’m looking forward to it and nervous at the same time as I’m sure it will be a tough choice choosing who to go through.”

Cwmni Da hopes to start filming the series this autumn with a view to it being broadcast on S4C in January 2021.

* For more information and to apply visit the Cwmni Da website https://www.cwmnida.cymru, or email canu@cwmnida.tv or call 07483904452.

Farmers warned to be vigilant as crooks return after lockdown

* North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones with 

Rob Taylor from the Rural Crime Team.

A police boss is warning farmers in North Wales to be vigilant as criminals take advantage of an easing of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

The end of the ban on non-essential journeys of more than five miles added to the opening up of the border to tourists is expected to provide cover for the thieves who prey on the countryside, according to the region’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Arfon Jones.

North Wales Police already has a Rural Crime Team which is acknowledged as one of the best in the UK.

Commissioner Jones, a former police inspector who was brought up on a farm near Harlech, has been a champion of the team and last year increased its numbers to 11.

But he sees an increased threat as travel restrictions ease and he said: “Just like everyone else the criminals have been under lockdown but they can’t apply to be furloughed.

“They will be keen to get back to work now that the roads are busier again and the increased number of people moving about in the countryside provides cover for them.

“Our Rural Crime Team does a fantastic job and is the envy of the UK countryside and I know they’ll remain vigilant but we all need to help them and ourselves by being aware and being careful.

“North Wales is a huge rural area and we have been successful in fighting crimes ranging from rustling and the theft of vehicles and machinery to wildlife crime like badger-baiting and egg-stealing but we can’t and won’t relax and neither must people living in the countryside.”

Mr Jones boosted the numbers of the Rural Crime Team to 11 last year and it is headed by team manager and former police sergeant Rob Taylor who also runs the Dyfed-Powys team.

Rob Taylor said: “From day one of lockdown our team have been out patrolling our rural areas seven days a week.

“We did see an initial drop in reported rural offences and that was mainly due to less traffic on our roads and less opportunities for criminals to travel.

“We are now seeing a slight increase in reported offences so we are reminding the public to remain vigilant and to stay on top of your security.

“If you have alarms or CCTV then check them over and make sure they are working correctly and in the meantime we will continue to be out and about providing rural patrols and reassurance.”

The team uses a mix of old-fashioned policing and modern technology such as Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras, DNA profiling and intelligence-led targeting rural crime hotspots.

They use go-anywhere four-wheel drive vehicles fitted with dash-cams and team members are equipped with laptops so they can write up reports on the road and have instant access to information.

They also work closely with organisations like the Farmers’ Union of Wales, National Farmers’ Union, British Association of Shooting and Conservation and the Country Landowners’ Association.

Arfon Jones added: “We have been very successful in targeting the criminals committing a range of crimes from badger baiting to stealing tractors, quad bikes and livestock.

“North Wales is leading the way and the team led by Rob Taylor is doing a fantastic job and being recognised for the way they are dealing with rural crime and wildlife issues but it is vital to continue to support them.

“They have also been integral to the formation of similar teams in Dyfed-Powys, with whom we work very closely, and in Gwent.”

"It's important that we are not just reactive but that we are also proactive so that we can stop rural crime taking place before it happens.

"Our rural areas are geographically very large so we need technology to help us in our fight against countryside crime and to catch to offenders.”

New Isuzu pick-up is a lot of vehicle but a lot of money too

* The new Isuzu D-Max XTR 

Isuzu D-Max XTR road test by Steve Rogers

Young Eddie showed more than his usual interest in my test car as he cycled up and down the cul-de-sac.

No surprise there. The D-Max XTR is built to stand out in the crowd, its body armour suggesting it is about to go into battle. It also happened to be the first test car to grace my drive since lockdown so I have certainly announced my return with a bang.

The Isuzu pick up has done rather well since it replaced the Rodeo in 2012 collecting numerous awards and sending several warning shots to big hitters Toyota, Mitsubishi and Nissan that D-Max is a force to be reckoned with.

In the years that followed the pick-up market went berserk, no longer seen just as muddy, rugged things that plied their trade on farms and building sites but fashionable wheels perfect for hauling leisure kit or doubling as workhorse and family car.

And it is that spirit of adventure that has spawned the new XTR version. It is too swank for a building site or muddy field with its in your face body kit comprising bonnet protector, bumper guard and wheel arch extensions. Even the side steps have a smart angular design and then there is the snazzy paint job topped off with several vibrant green accents.

I asked Eddie how many XTR body badges he could spot and the sharp-eyed youngster came up with nine. Right answer. I thought he might have missed the hard to spot black embossed badges on each wheel, come to think of it Isuzu missed a trick and should have gone for bright green there as well.

XTR is not just style over substance. The company turned to Australian specialist Pedders to upgrade the suspension and brakes and the end result is a sophisticated and relatively comfortable 4x4.

Ride height has been raised to 250mm and as well as beefed up suspension XTR boasts Kevlar ceramic brake pads and performance front discs with visible brake and suspension hardware sprayed in signature vibrant green.

Isuzu is not the most fashionable name on the strip, especially when you can now buy a pick-up with a Mercedes, Volkswagen or Fiat badge, but it has got street cred when it comes to toughness and the XTR moves it into a higher league.

When considering a pick up as a multi purpose vehicle ride quality is key - no one wants the kiddies being bounced around with the inevitable mess that brings - and Pedders have done a decent job smoothing out the ride. It is not up there with Nissan Navara or Mitsubishi's L200 but it isn't far off and remember pick ups are workhorses so do not expect the level of comfort from a big SUV.

Inside has been nicely trimmed with a mixture of leather and durable plastics and there is plenty of XTR branding on the seats and mats. It is flexible too with the seat back folding flat or the cushions lifting back creating enough floor space to take a bicycle. Oddment slots are well catered for, 11 in total plus two neat pull out cup holders.

Power comes from a 1.9 litre turbo diesel which lets the side down against the best opposition. Performance is fine with adequate mid range grunt but the engine is too noisy on tickover and stays noisy until fourth gear when the volume comes down to a more civilised level. Wind and road noise is fairly well managed.

Expect 25-30mpg and there is a good useable range thanks to a generous 76-litre tank.

The only shock came when I looked up the price. D-Max starts at just under £21k with XTR models kicking off at £41,340. 

My double cab Nav+ model is all but £44,000 and while a lot of the cost is out of sight it still feels like too much money. 

It has the usual luxuries like powered windows, heated front seats, cruise control and satellite navigation, but where were the automatic lights and wipers and digital air con. Small things may be but for this money I expect the kitchen sink.

That aside the XTR model is an impressive piece of kit and will do nothing but add to the appeal of the D-Max range.

Fast facts

D-Max XTR Nav+ 6sp auto

£43,920

1.9 litre; 161bhp; 360Nm torque

0-62mph 13secs; 112mph

36.2mpg combined

205g/km. Road tax £264

Insurance group 42

Warranty: 5 years or 125,000 miles

First of new hybrid trains gets on the rails

* The new Class 230 alongside one of the units it has replaced at Wrexham General.

Picture and story by George Jones.

The first of the new Class 230 three-car units for Transport For Wales for use on the line between Wrexham Central and Bidston arrived at Wrexham General on Monday evening from the makers at Long Marston.

The hybid unit, which can run on battery power, was seen stabled in the bay platform at Wrexham General alongside a Class 150 unit of the type they will replace.

The new Class 230 headed to Birkenhead North today (Tuesday). 

The type is a rebuild of former London Transport Underground stock now equipped with diesel electric motors as produced by Vivarail.

Chamber relaunches as Llangollen Trade & Enterprise

Llangollen Chamber of Trade and Tourism has just announced its re-launch rebranded as Llangollen Trade & Enterprise.

A message on its Facebook page says the coronavirus pandemic had held up the re-launch it had planned for earlier this year as a way of addressing falling attendances at its meetings.

But its chair, Claire Quant, explains that a “collective group of willing participants” have continued to work hard to develop a new style set-up.

And she says this new group will act as a “fair and reasoned voice for our members where policy changes affecting their businesses appear.”

The blog says: “As many of you are aware the Llangollen Chamber of Trade and Tourism was looking to re-launch earlier this year and we had been busy working behind the scenes preparing for a physical launch.

“Obviously the subsequent lockdown following the Covid-19 outbreak and the impact that has had on many businesses in the town and Dee Valley has been immense.

“At this stage we do not know what this impact will have on the long-term viability of some of these businesses.

“Numbers attending the previous chamber meetings were dwindling significantly and as many of us were no longer following a traditional business model (many were already running face2face businesses alongside a variety of digital initiatives) it was clear a new-style of business forum was needed.”

It adds: “A collective group of willing participants have continued to work hard to develop a new style set-up for members to network, learn and share ideas and collectively gain greater benefits for all those who are passionate about Llangollen and its long-term economic development.

“Most importantly the new group will act as a fair and reasoned voice for our members where policy changes affecting their businesses appear.

“It was and is time for a new start and new focus - to reinvigorate our high street, capture the hearts and minds of residents, business owners and visitors alike and spark enthusiasm and an appetite to put the ‘love’ back into Llangollen.”

The blog explains that the new-look organisation is hoping to become a forum for business and enterprise within a five-mile radius of Llangollen town.

It goes on to give details of membership fees which have an introductory price of £49.

This, says the blog, entitles members to a range of benefits from online business promotion to savings in bulk purchase through tendering opportunities and special offers.

The blog says: “The town’s thriving tourism sector is a critical contributor to the town’s success and we are keen to attract more tourism and service businesses to complement the retail and food representatives.

“Llangollen is in a unique position to elevate its position as a ‘must see’ destination when visiting North Wales.

“We are included in the eleven mile corridor of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct’s World Heritage site and with our beautiful valley landscapes, the River Dee, Dinas Bran Castle and Steam Railway, not to mention excellent eateries and high quality accommodation attracting visitors, it is right that as a business forum we should push our town to the forefront of the minds of potential visitors and the media.

“We want to attract new businesses to Llangollen Trade & Enterprise that complement our existing infrastructure.

“We are looking to work with entrepreneurs, schools and key stakeholders to support the town’s development in order to boost visitor footfall all year round, not just from Easter to October half-term.

“We look forward to getting stuck in and reinvigorating Llangollen Trade & Enterprise with gusto and enthusiasm and encourage as many people as possible to come and join us at this exciting time. As we face the next normal and some restrictions remain in place we will adhere to those guidelines and work around them and look forward to planning our AGM to formalise our ambitions.”

* For more details, go to: https://www.facebook.com/commerce/products/2722719164522937/

Two more Llan festivals become Covid casualties

* One of the attractions from a previous
Steampunk Spectacular.

The coronavirus crisis has led to the cancellation of two more major festivals planned for Llangollen’s Royal International Pavilion this year.

The organiser of the Cogwarts Steampunk Spectacular posted on Facebook: “I regret to announce this year's Cogwarts Steampunk Spectacular has been postponed to 2021.

“I had hoped to hear from the venue in June, but as I understand it, they have not been told anything about opening by Denbighshire Council, who in turn are still waiting to hear from the Welsh Assembly.

“I was told that if they did open, the toilets would remain closed and that would just create too many problems.

“I cannot see how we could possibly observe social distancing on the train, or at the evening events, (both nights) and that just leaves the Bizarre Bazaar (without loos). So, rather than present a pale, stripped back version of Coggies, let's go full-throttle next year, shall we?

“Unlike my Faery Festival, many steampunks are, 'of an age' to be a little more vulnerable to the pandemic and the thought of anyone getting sick or even dying of Covid-19 after attending Cogwarts is unbearable - and would see the end of this event.

“I hope you understand I have done my best and I have only taken this step to safeguard our beloved Cogwarts in the hope it can run for many more years.

“All stallholder fees automatically transfer, and even if there is the annual rise in venue rental, I guarantee you will not have to pay a penny more.

“The stress of having to make this decision alongside postponing the Faery Festival with so much conflicting information, (go to work unless you can stay at home, lockdown easing, schools in or out, lockdown in Leicestershire, second wave or not), has resulted in me having a stroke at a relatively young age.

“I now have a year to recover and both myself and dear old Cogwarts will be back, better than ever next year.”

And Peter Stubbs, organiser of the popular Red Dragon music festival, posted: “Just to let all you Dragons know that we have had to postpone till 21-23rd May 2021, all tickets will transfer over to the 2021 event.”

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=821824611555356

Two new services to benefit Llangollen people

South Denbighshire Community Partnership has given details of two services to benefit Llangollen people.

They are:

* Its extended Meals on Wheels service which is now available in the Llangollen/Dee Valley area

* A new summer holiday online programme for families and children in both Llangollen and Corwen areas.

For further details of both schemes, go to Facebook Canolfan Ni Corwen, or its page, South Denbighshire Community Partnership.

Latest Citizens Advice column

Here is the latest column from Denbighshire Citizens Advice:

Q: In more normal times I do a lot to help my elderly mum, like picking up shopping, sorting out her finances, making important calls and organising her post. But unfortunately with lockdown in place I’m not able to see her as frequently, and though I’ve still been able to drop off her shopping, I’m no longer able to help her with the other things. I’m particularly worried about how much I’ve read about scammers at the moment, and I wondered whether there’s anything I can do from a distance to help protect my mum?

A: There are a few steps you can take from a distance to keep your mother safe and lessen your need to worry.

With your mother’s permission you can register her landline with the Telephone Preference Service. It’s free to register and doing so will reduce the amount of unwanted sales and marketing calls you receive. This won’t block all unwanted calls (it won’t work on calls from abroad or companies she’s given her number to already, for example), so your mother will need to continue to remain vigilant, but it’ll certainly lessen the number of them.

You can encourage your mother to talk to her phone provider to see what privacy services and call-blocking services are available. These services aren’t always free but are useful in ensuring any call coming through is from a trusted or known source.

In terms of unwanted post, with your mother’s permission you can contact the Mailing Preference Service to have her name taken off of any marketing lists. You can also contact Royal Mail and opt out of receiving any leaflets or unaddressed promotional material. Attaching a ‘no junk mail’ sign to her front door may also help with this.

When it comes to your mother’s finances, if you supply an organisation with a letter of authority from the account holder, this may allow you speak to them on her behalf. This may not always be accepted, so if you find yourself needing to take over your mother’s finances in the future, it’s worth looking into a long term solution like a Power of Attorney.

It’s also vital that you chat to your mother to help her spot the marks of a scam herself. At Citizens Advice we always advise the following:

●     Be suspicious if you’re contacted out of the blue, even if it’s from a name you recognise

●     If it sounds too good to be true it probably is

●     Never give out your bank details unless you are certain you can trust the person contacting you

●     Don’t be rushed – you never need to make a decision straight away and if you feel pressured say “no”, hang up the phone, or close the door.

Lastly, if your mother is receiving care from her local authority and you think she might be being scammed, it’s worth reporting your concerns to their Adult Safeguarding team.

This year's garden railway festival is cancelled

* One of the garden festival's railway layouts.

An event billed as the “UK’s newest premier model garden railway festival”, due to be held at the town’s Royal International Pavilion this autumn, has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The organising team for Llangollen Garden Railway Festival posted on Facebook yesterday: “Unfortunately, I am writing to you this evening with the sad news that the Llangollen Garden Railway Festival 2020 rescheduled for 3rd of October 2020 will not be going ahead as planned.

“The Event Manager Mr Keith Potts has been informed that the venue, where the show was due to be held, will remain closed until at least January 2021.

“This is totally beyond our control and we feel the disappointment that no doubt you will feel too.

“With the current uncertainty surrounding the Covid19 virus, it will be difficult to arrange a definite date for 2021 but we are hoping that we will be able to arrange another show for next year, depending on the prevailing circumstances.

“We thank you for your continued support and will keep you updated on any developments as they happen.”

Welcome back to Llangollen Railway says general manager

* Llangollen is due to open again on Saturday August 1.

General manager of Llangollen Railway has sent the following statement confirming the opening of the heritage attraction after lockdown on August 1.

She says: "We are extremely excited to be able to announce our reopening on the August 1 after over four months enforced closure. 

"We have put a great deal of consideration and planning in to the type of service we can offer to keep our passengers, volunteers and staff safe and adhere to social distancing and other safety measures. 

"We want our passengers to enjoy their day out and feel safe and secure while visiting our railway. 

"Tickets are now on sale for services during August."

She adds: "We would ask that you arrive 15 minutes before your departure time and not before, this will allow the previous passengers to exit the station and cleaning of the carriages to take place. 

"When you arrive, your tickets will be checked and you will be shown to your allocated seats.

"As part our reopening, we are offering pre-booked, non-stop services with limited capacity.

"Services will be a mixture of Heritage Railcar, Diesel and Steam, please check our revised timetable for more information.  

"Services will operate between Llangollen and Carrog non-stop return with a 20-minute stop at Carrog. The café at Carrog will be open for refreshments.

"Advance tickets are now available to purchase online and passengers will be able to travel from Saturday August 1. 

"Passengers can book a private compartment on our Steam or Diesel services and a small number of seats in our open carriage on these services will be available, strict social distancing will be in place.

"On our Heritage Rail Car service, we will have open carriage seating and strict social distancing measures will be in place. 

"All seating will be allocated and you will have to stay in the same seat for your return journey. Passengers will include children from one year old.

"Tea Rooms and station shops are open as usual but strict social distancing measure will be in place. 

"Two people at any one time will be allowed in the shop. The Station Café will be take away only and the Carriage Tea Rooms will be advanced bookings."

Overflowing car parks lead to 'plan your weekend journey' plea

* The car park at Horseshoe Falls was at capacity last Saturday.

Denbighshire Countryside Service is asking visitors to plan their journey this weekend and have alternative plans if they find car parks are full.

Last weekend was reported to be extremely busy across all countryside sites across the county as visitors took advantage of the lifting of restrictions.

Horseshoe Falls car park, which has a capacity for 45 vehicles, was closed by midday on Saturday and 103 vehicles were counted between Trevor Woods and Panorama Cottages. 

Significant number of visitors were attracted to the Horseshoe Pass and parked on the informal parking area opposite the cafe on the minor lane leading towards Moel y Faen Quarry and on the A542.

Car parks at Moel Famau and Loggerheads Country Park were full by the afternoon on both days. 

Vehicles were also reported parked on verges between the Moel Famau and forest car parks and barriers were lifted at Coed Moel Famau to try and reduce road side parking.

Councillor Tony Thomas, Cabinet Lead Member for Housing and Communities, said: “We expected last weekend to be busy and visitors took advantage of the lifting of restrictions to visit countryside sites across the county. 

“We are pleased to be welcoming visitors back to our scenic areas – it’s been a long wait.  People should plan their journey whenever possible and consider visiting at less busy times of the day.  They should also have a Plan B if they find car parks full. 

“Last weekend, we saw some examples of vehicles parked on narrow country roads and we urge people to park responsibly and make sure they allow space for passing vehicles and for any emergency services."

Fringe gets big-headed about new arts project

* One of the Massive Heeds - the Giantess.

* A Massive Heed called Barbara.

Historical, mythical and living legends of Llangollen will be celebrated in a unique art project as part of the town’s Fringe celebrations helmed by Glyndwr University staff and students.

The Massive Heedz project was initially conceived as a live-action spectacle by Ali Roscoe, lecturer in fine art at Wrexham Glyndwr University, and Alec Shepley, dean of the faculty of arts, science and technology.  

The project would have taken part as part of the annual Llangollen Fringe celebrations, which begin this today (Friday).

However, as the coronavirus pandemic put events on hold across the country, a decision was taken by the Fringe to adapt this year’s event to become a festival people could take part in online – which saw some major changes to the Heedz project.

Chris Stone, a member of the Fringe organising team, explained: “There was a big plan for this year’s project where we would be developing Massive Heedz for people to wear and there would have been a parade through the streets.

“However, for obvious reasons, that has now had to go online – like much of the Fringe.”

The change to the Fringe’s plans came as preparations were underway for its 24^th season – which would see, as ever, a mix of arts, music, theatre, comedy, storytelling and much more.

Public health restrictions meant that much of the original planned programme could not continue in the usual fashion.

However, as Chris added: “A lot of things are still going ahead - just in a different way.

“For instance, there has always been a  storytelling aspect and people will still be getting together and telling stories at three High and Mighty tall tales events online – they don’t even have to climb to Dinas Bran like they have done in the past!

“There’s a comedy session produced by one of our local comedians, who does a lot with the comedy club at the Town Hall, Silkie, and a fellow comedian called David Eagle – that will be great.

“There is a circus skills session with my daughter, who lives in Llanberis – she is doing a short online session where people can take part, and get told beforehand a few simple items they should be able to gather together online for the session.

“There’s a band for the day session, which brings together individuals who are not in groups and get them to play as part of a wider band. Again, that’s being put together online, and it’s going to be really good.

“Plus, of course, there’s the Massive Heedz project.”

For this project, participants are being invited to consider Legends of Llangollen to be celebrated in art

Chris added: “They could be historical legends of the town, or they could even be living legends – someone in Llangollen right now who should be celebrated.

“People then create a portrait of that person’s face or head. This could be a very simple thing, or very detailed – it entirely depends on how the artist feels and we don’t require people to be highly trained artists for this – everyone is welcome and the main thing is for people to have fun!

“They then send us through a full-body image of themselves somewhere interesting as well as their portrait of their legend as a separate picture, and a short paragraph explaining their choice. These are combined and we are going to create an online Massive Heedz portrait gallery!”

Ali Roscoe, lecturer in fine art at Wrexham Glyndwr University, said: “The plan for the portrait gallery is to bring together the images sent in to create these legendary characters – however they are legendary to the creators themselves - enlarging the ‘heedz’ of course.

“Next, with the help of our fine art students, my fellow lecturer Paul Jones and artists’ collective Datamosh, they will be transformed into an animation.

“This project is now one of two parts - with the second part planned to take place next year  in what would have been the original intended brief, which will see us actually make Massive Heedz for people.

“When that happens, our students will collaborate and help to make the Massive Heads alongside students from Ysgol Dinas Bran and their teacher, Ali McDonald.

“And hopefully, during the Llangollen Fringe Festival 2021 the Massive Heedz will appear in a celebratory opening parade!”

Anne Hill, a BA fine art student at Wrexham Glyndwr University, is among those who have been helping to bring the project to life.

She added: “Having been involved with the Fringe through Wrexham Glyndwr over the past two years, I was keen to continue my links with my fellow artists in these projects.

“This year has been different, but having adapted to using social media to share my degree show, this feels like an extension of that concept and hopefully next year we will get to show our Massive Heedz for real! 

“Last year, as well as helping the pupils at Ysgol Dinas Bran produce artwork for the Fringe, I was storyteller, sharing the information about the Legend of St Collen. And so my Massive Heed, Bras, is one of the colourful characters from

the legend.

“Some of us have been creating physical examples to show what is possible for the future - although we are now asking others to just design Heedz.”

Chris added: “It has been good working with Glyndwr – both Ali and Alec have been very helpful, and Ali brings everything together with a  light touch.

“I think it’s very good to have students from the school taking part – you have the links between the school, the university and the things happening in Llangollen town centre through the fringe.

“I also like the range of students Glyndwr brings to project, of all ages – it shows you can develop through life!

“By working with Glyndwr, we are developing those links both with Wrexham and with the various towns and cities the students at Glyndwr have come from – it all helps to link Llangollen and our events to the wider world.”

* The Llangollen Massive Heedz project can be found on Instagram at llangollenmassiveheedz

To find out more about studying Fine Art at Wrexham Glyndwr University, visit: https://www.glyndwr.ac.uk/en/Undergraduatecourses/FineArt/

To find out more about Llangollen Fringe – including how to submit your own Massive Heed, the full programme of activities, and ways in which you can join in, online, for free, visit: https://llangollenfringe.co.uk/index.php/en/