New Operatic season to start with a bang

Llangollen Operatic Society’s new season begins on Tuesday 10th September with a get together in the studio at 7.30pm.

There's an exciting programme planned for 2013/2014, starting on Tuesday 10th December with the Christmas show, A Christmas Cracker.

More details will follow in due course. 

For the main production, society members will be performing their own take on WS Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan’s The Mikado from 14th to 17th May 2014.

Whilst keeping to the original score, replete with its beautiful melodies and trademark humour, the production will have a modern day setting and the characters real attitude.

With three griping little maids and a power hungry Katisha to name but a few, it promises to be a show like no other and will appeal to everyone, from Gilbert and Sullivan stalwarts to complete newcomers.   

Auditions will be held during November and company rehearsals will commence on the first Tuesday in January. 

If you would like to get involved with the Operatic either on stage or off, please contact Membership Secretary, Helen Belton, on 07718 368434 for further details.

The society welcomes all new members with or without experience and guarantees great camaraderie and lots of laughs.

The society's junior section, the Young Uns, has announced its next production will be the ever popular Oliver by Lionel Bart and will be performed on 6th, 7th and 8th February 2014.

Once again, the show will be produced by Tessa Orton-Jones with Elen Mair Roberts as Musical Director and this year Christine Dukes is Artistic Director.

The first meeting of the new season will be a social event on Monday 2nd September from 6:00pm until 8:00pm in the studio where we a DVD of last year’s show will be screened.

Rehearsals for the new production will then start on Monday 9th September.

The Young Uns are always pleased to welcome new members between the ages of 7 and 17 and no previous experience is needed, just lots of enthusias.

If you/your child would be interested in getting involved, please contact Tessa Orton-Jones on 07882 825292. 

The society's Travelling Troupe is available for bookings. So if you would like to add a touch of the West End to your event, contact Tracey on 07875 639533 or Louisa on 07989 985644 for further information.

In a message to friends and supporters, society chairman Mike Jones says:

"In the words of Bertolt Brecht, `a theatre without audience makes no sense' and as we embark on the new season,

"I would like to take the opportunity to express heartfelt thanks to the people of Llangollen and surrounding area for their continued support of Llangollen Operatic Society. 

"Founded in 1908, we are one of the oldest surviving artistic organisations in the town, which is testament not just to the hard work of the generations of players and production teams but also to those who have supported and enjoyed our shows year after year.

"Our senior section, Young Uns and Troupe all have exciting programmes ahead of them in 2013/2014 and we look forward to bringing you more of the high quality entertainment you have come to expect. 

"For further details of upcoming events and productions, please read Llanblogger, visit us at www.llangollen-operatic.co.uk or follow us on Facebook. If you have any comments, questions or would like to get involved , please do not hesitate to contact me."

Crime prevention event planned for Llandegla

 

 

Llangollen residents are being invited to a crime prevention event in Flintshire today (Sunday).

 

The event at Coed Llandegla Forest, Llandegla LL11 3AA on August 25 is from 10am - 4pm and is being organised and supported by North Wales Police, Cheshire Constabulary, community safety partnerships  from across North Wales and the One Planet Adventure Centre in Llandegla.

 

Visitors will be offered crime prevention advice and information on bicycle tagging devices, property marking kits and security equipment.

 

Activities will be taking place throughout the day including bicycle marking and registering and events at Coed Llandegla Forest.

Ken Skates visits Llan food bank

* Clwyd South AM Ken Skates, right, with (from left) Matt’s Food

Bank volunteers Jean Onslow and Sheila Evans and church pastor Brian Smith.

Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates has paid tribute to the dedicated volunteers who run a ‘vital’ project in Llangollen to help feed a community’s most vulnerable people.

Mr Skates visited Matt’s Food Bank at City Church yesterday (Friday) to see how the team provides support to those in crisis by giving out emergency supplies.

The project was named in honour of the late Matt Price, the former manager of St Collen’s Community Hall in Llangollen, and offers people items of food when they are struggling to feed themselves or their families. It serves the Dee Valley from Corwen to Cefn Mawr.

Mr Skates said: “I understand it was a dream of Matt’s to create a food bank in our community – it was a vision that was shared and Matt’s Food Bank was officially opened in October 2012.

“It is a vital project designed to help some of the most deprived people in our area, and the work this team of dedicated volunteers do is amazing.

“It shouldn’t be the case that in 21^st century Britain we need projects like this to help feed people and families struggling to make ends meet. Sadly, however, food poverty is on the rise and schemes like this are having to step in more and more.

“While there are people in our communities who cannot afford to eat properly, projects like Matt’s Food Bank are a godsend. I cannot speak highly enough of the church volunteers who give up their time to help those in need.”

People struggling to make ends meet are given food vouchers by doctors, district nurses, schools, the Citizens Advice Bureau and other welfare agencies which can be redeemed at the church on Mondays and Fridays.

There are also drop-off points at the Llangollen Co-op and St Collen’s Church where members of the public can donate tins, packets and other non-perishable food.

The group also runs Matt’s Community Bite, which offers people in the local community a home-cooked meal and company every Monday and Friday from noon-2pm.

Church pastor Brian Smith said: “The aim is for people to have access to a friendly and safe environment where they have the opportunity to establish friendships and enjoy company whilst enjoyed tasty, home-cooked food. The food is free of charge and people are more than welcome to come along.”

The food bank is keen to get local businesses on board as sponsors, and also wants to establish more drop-out points in the area where food can be donated. If you can help, call Brian on 07957 728473.

Dion has starring role in Llan food festival

 

* Graham and Dion.

 

One of world's most talented young chefs will have a starring role at a top food festival, it's been revealed.

 

Rising star Dion Jones, 25, will be hitting the culinary high notes at  Hamper Llangollen that's being held in the town on Saturday and Sunday, October 19 and 20.

 

Last year Dion, from Valley, Anglesey, and now living in Wrexham, became the first Briton beat rivals from around the globe to win the world’s oldest culinary competition, the International Escoffier Challenge in the South of France.

 

At Hamper Llangollen, now recognised as one of the UK's top 10 food festivals, Dion will be cooking up a Welsh feast with TV chef Graham Tinsley and Harri Williams.

 

 

* Harri.

 

The three chefs, who all compete for Wales in the Welsh National Culinary Team, will take over the main Pavilion kitchen throughout the Sunday for six demonstrations.

 

Dion hit the headlines again after he emerged in second place in one of the UK’s toughest-ever cooking competitions – the Roux Scholarship - judged by a host of celebrity chefs.

The competition reduced to 18 semi-finalists and just six finalists in 10 one hour-long episodes screened on the Watch TV channel.

 

Young chefs had to compete under pressure for the Godfathers of modern cuisine, the Roux family – brothers Michel and Albert and their equally legendary sons Alain and Michel Jnr.

 

As if that was not testing enough, the judging panel contained a stellar list of celebrity chef names, including Rick Stein, Angela Hartnett, James Martin, Raymond Blanc and Andrew Fairlie – the first ever winner of the Roux Scholarship.

 

“I came second overall in the competition which ran for 10 episodes,” said Dion. “I won various cash prizes and knives but it was the taking part which was the important thing.

“I was told it was ‘very close’ between myself and the guy who won, Paul O’Neal. Taking part in this has to rank alongside the International Escoffier win.

 

“The series was filmed in the Roux’ famous Le Gavroche and Waterside Inn restaurants and in Switzerland.”

 

After working at Grosvenor Pulford Hotel and Spa and De Vere Carden Park, Dion now works for Simon Rimmer at his Earle restaurant in Hale, commuting from his home in Tanyfron near Wrexham.

 

Dion says his mother Ann “pushed” him towards cookery and persuaded him to go to Coleg Menai. After that he never looked back. He too was a captain for the Welsh Junior National Culinary team and now competes in the senior team under team manager – and former boss Graham Tinsley.

 

This year's festival is being supported by the rural development agency, Cadwyn Clwyd.

Cadwyn Clwyd’s contribution came via the Rural Development Fund for Wales 2007-2013, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Welsh Government

 

Welsh speaker Harri Williams, from Conwy, a chef at the award-winning Ellenborough Park Country House Hotel in Cheltenham, has just returned from Hong Kong.

 

“I was there for a week promoting Welsh produce for the Welsh Government,” said Harri, 21.

 

“We were taking part in a big show the idea of which was to find distributors for Welsh products and I was cooking Welsh produce for people to taste. It was a brilliant trip.”

 

Harri is captain of the Welsh Junior National Culinary, and led them to a silver medal at the Culinary Olympics last October in Germany.

 

He’s also been to No 10 Downing Street with his former boss Graham to cook for Prime Minster David Cameron at a star-studded get together on St David’s Day for a host of Welsh celebrities and sports stars.

 

His interest in cooking comes from his mum, Rhian Williams, co-founder and owner of the hugely successful Llanrwst-based bakery Siwgwr a Sbeis – a regular at the Llangollen Festival.

 

“I started working for Graham Tinsley when I was 15, first at the Castle Hotel in Conwy and then I moved with him to De Vere Carden Park Hotel and Spa in Cheshire,” said Harri, a De Vere Junior Chef of the Year. He started working at Cheltenham at the beginning of March but travels home to North Wales regularly.

 

Graham, executive chef at De Vere Carden Park and director of the Castle Hotel at Conwy, has taken the Welsh culinary team as high as seventh in the world rankings.

 

He said: “I must have been to Llangollen now about eight or nine times. It’s still a really good festival, and one of the friendly ones. I go to a lot of festivals which are ‘man-made’where tents and marquees are brought in. But at Llangollen you have the Pavilion and the great surroundings; it’s such an eye-catching place.”

 

Adopted Welshman Graham has enjoyed a distinguished career which has taken him to some of top hotels in the UK and Europe including working for Anton Mosimann at the prestigious Dorchester Hotel in London.

 

In 1991, Graham was head hunted to help develop and open the first four star hotel in North Wales - St David's Park Hotel in Ewloe. The hotel was such an overwhelming success that, in 1997, he was appointed to the team that developed and opened the renowned Carden Park Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort in Cheshire.

 

He was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s 80th birthday celebrations in 2006 for his services to the food industry.

 

He has cooked for the Queen and members of the Royal family on numerous occasions, as well as the Emperor of Japan and European Heads of State at Cardiff Castle. Prince Charles, as patron of the Welsh National Culinary Team, has requested that they cook for him and his guests at every formal occasion in Wales and Graham was invited to attend his wedding celebration at Windsor Castle.

 

Robert Price, Cadwyn Clwyd's agri-food project officer, said: "We are so lucky that North Wales is a hotbed of culinary talent and I am sure that Graham, Dion and Harri will put on a great show at this year's festival.

 

"In addition to many favourites, we have lots of new food producers wanting to come this year.

 

"The location of the Pavilion is absolutely  spectacular - I can't imagine that any other food festival in the UK has a more beautiful setting.

 

"It's also brilliant news for the local economy. If you buy from a local producer, all that money is recycled through the local economy and that sustains employment in our rural areas."

 

For more information about Hamper Llangollen 2013 go to: www.llangollenfoodfestival.com

Best GCSE results ever for Ysgol Dinas Bran

Year 11 students at Ysgol Dinas Bran have worked hard with staff to achieve the best overall GCSE  results ever, says the school.

Every student achieved at least 5 GCSE grades A* to C, and 100% of them notched up higher grades.

Notable individual achievements are: Steven Hughes, 5A*, 4As and 1B; Ffion Mitchell, 5A*s, 4As and 1B, Joanna Stallard, 5A*s, 4As and 1B; Bethan Phillips, 4A*s, 4As, 2Bs and 1C, Amar Azad, 3A*s, 6As and 1B; Morgan Hanley 3A*s, 4As, 2Bs and 1C; Maddy Brown, 2A*s, 6As and 1B; Owen Roberts, 2A*s, 5As, 4Bs and 1C; Anirudh Menon, 1A*, 6As, 1B and 3Cs; Alex Sergiou, 1A*, 6As, 1B and 2Cs;  Michael Jones, 1A*, 5As and 6Bs.

A school spokesperson said: "Congratulations to all ou students. We look forward to welcoming all students back to our flourishing Sixth Form. 

"Sign up day is on Friday 23rd, see you then!"

Hairy Bikers roar in to film at railway

* The Hairy Bikers, pictured left in green overalls, film at Llangollen Railway.

The forthcoming third episode of the popular Hairy Bikers series exploring heritage restoration projects is due to feature the duo's visit to Llangollen Railway.

Si King and Dave Myers came to Llangollen in the spring to help with a new locomotive project which aims to rebuild an example of an extinct Great Western express freight engine known as the ‘Night Owl’.

The project is being promoted by the Great Western Society at Didcot Railway Centre, Oxfordshire and the assembly work is being undertaken by Llangollen Railway’s engineering department. 

The project benefits from the fact that Great Western engines had many features in common and, by dismantling three derelict, ex-scrapyard locomotives which are surplus to requirements many of the parts needed for the rebuild have become available for incorporation into new framework.

The dismantling of the engines took place at Llangollen and during their visit the bikers assisted with the acquisition of parts from Great Western No.2861, a former heavy freight locomotive.

However, the major items missing from the list of components were two main driving wheels.

At 5ft 8 inches in diameter these had to be specially cast and the programme will feature the two presenters visiting the foundry where the wheels were specially made for delivery and, later, their assembly at Llangollen.

Project Engineering Manager, Paul Carpenter, said. “The programme will show what tremendous skills and abilities are available within the engineering team at Llangollen Railway. 

"The two presenters fully involved themselves with the work process during their visit which made a big impression on everyone involved. Their down to earth commentary on the tasks undertaken will make the processes comprehensible to viewers, as well as providing some light hearted entertainment.

“The successful completion of this project will produce a Great Western type of express freight locomotive which had otherwise been lost to preservation and it has been given No.4709 as the follow-on number in the Great Western series.”

George Jones, for Llangollen Railway, said: “The Night Owls, as they were nicknamed, were a batch of just nine large locomotives which mainly operated fast freights to London during the night.

"Locally the type is well remembered by rail fans for their appearance through Wrexham in the late
evening on the freight trains from Birkenhead conveying livestock to the markets at Smithfield in London, until that traffic ceased during the early 1960s.

“The trailer for next week’s episode showed the two presenters riding on the footplate of locomotive No.3802 at Llangollen and enjoying a hearty breakfast cooked in the traditional way - on the shovel heated in the engine’s firebox.”

The programme goes out on Sunday, 25 August 2013 at 9.00pm on BBC2.

Further details about the forthcoming episode will be found on the BBC2 website.

New stage group casts its first production

A new local amateur stage group has chosen the cast for its first production.

Llangollen Musical Theatre Group has been formed to complement existing organisations by staging contemporary musical theatre productions at the Llangollen Pavilion.

A Meet and Greet event, held on Tuesday, August 6, was extremely well attended.

Almost 40 people registered their interest in getting involved with the November 2013 production of the jukebox musical Return to the Forbidden Planet.

Auditions for the show, which is set on a spaceship and combines the story of Shakespeare's The Tempest with a soundtrack of 60s and 70s hits, were held the following week.

The show's director, Paul Brown, said: "The auditions highlighted what a wealth of talent there is in Llangollen and the surrounding area.

“Myself and our musical director, Nigel James, faced some agonising decisions. We're delighted with the cast we've assembled for what looks set to be a fantastic production.

"This is a truly rock and roll show, so it seems fitting that several of our cast are singers and musicians in bands that gig locally.

“Captain Tempest will be played by Geth Foulkes, who has performed at the Eisteddfod with his band The Sublimes.

“Bill Hughes, of rock covers band Rain, has previously starred in shows for Llangollen Operatic Society and Tip Top Productions and will be playing Doctor Prospero.

“Jo Potts will be a familiar face to Llangollen audiences, having starred in the Pantomime Group's productions for the past few years as well as playing bass with popular band The Truth. She'll be playing Doctor Prospero's daughter Miranda.

"We're also delighted to have some young up and coming talent on the stage. Lucas Howson has just sat his GCSE exams at Ysgol Rhiwabon, where he starred as Seymour in the school's production of Little Shop Of Horrors. He's studying theatre at Yale College from September, and I know he's going to be fantastic in the role of Bosun.

"Stuart Dillon, known to many as a member of local band The Docktors, will actually be reprising a role he last played 12 years ago. Stuart wowed audiences with his performance as Cookie when Ysgol Dinas Bran staged this show, and he can't wait to don his chef's whites once again! You can expect an incredible guitar solo during the song She's Not There."

The other members of the cast are Justine Bradey (Science Officer), NIco Decourt (Ariel the Robot), Tracey Rawlinson (Navigation Officer) and Jillian Handley and Leonie Anne Kirby (Damage Control Crew).

Return to the Forbidden Planet will be staged at the Llangollen Pavilion on Thursday 28th - Saturday 30th November.

Llangollen Musical Theatre Group will be staging a number of fundraising events throughout September and October, with the first being a walking treasure hunt around Llangollen.

+ More information is available on the group's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/llangollenmusicaltheatregroup, or by emailing llangollenmusicaltheatregroup@gmail.com.

Llangollen visited by locomotive film star

 

* The replica of the locomotive Planet is

visiting Llangollen Railway for a filming session. 

 

Llangollen railway has been turning back the clock to the early days of steam.

 

The  locomotive Planet and two vintage passenger coaches has arrived at Llangollen for a filming session.

 

The replica Planet normally resides at the Manchester Museum of Science & Industry.

 

It is a modern version of a locomotive design used on the original Liverpool & Manchester Railway, opened 1830, and was built in 1992. 

 

Quite apart from other details of its small design and appearance the tall chimney gives it away as a very early steam locomotive.

 

The engine, tender and two vintage coaches are at Llangollen for a brief filming session on the railway which will be used in a feature about the English artist Turner.

 

George Jones, press officer at Llangollen Railway, said: "It is wonderful to be able to host a visit by Planet which is a remarkable recreation of an early locomotive.

 

"It follows earlier appearances, in 2002, of the other L&MR replicas - Rocket, San Pareil and Novelty - which came to take part in a recreation of the Rainhill Trials of 1829 based around the station area at Carrog."

 

 

See picture below of loco as delivered to Llangollen Railway yard.

Speeding campaign starts today

Motorists who risk live by speeding will be targeted by North Wales Police as part of a week-long campaign.

 

The crackdown on speeding motorists is set to take place throughout Europe this week as part of the European-wide initiative to crack down on speeding motorists - starting today, Monday, August 19^th until Sunday August 25^th.

 

The TISPOL (European Traffic Police Network) campaign will see all police forces across Europe tackling speeding by conducting random speed checks.

 

North Wales Police Roads Policing Officers along with Go Safe will be combining their efforts to deter and detect motorists who choose to ignore the speed limits. Drivers who are caught speeding will be issued with anything from a Fixed Penalty Ticket to a summons to attend court.

 

The warning is issued on the day the announcement has been made that the cost of a fixed penalty notice for speeding has increased from £60 to £100.

Roads Policing Temporary Sergeant Mark Jones said: “Speeding is an issue that concerns many residents and one that we take extremely seriously.

 

“North Wales Police has a robust strategy around enforcing the ‘Fatal 5’ offences which are speeding, failing to wear a seat belt, drink and drug driving, dangerous and careless driving including unnecessary risk taking and using a mobile phone while driving.

“We are committed to assisting in reducing casualties on the road through the use of targeted enforcement operations around high risk groups of people and locations while enforcing the ‘Fatal 5’ offences.

“The risk of being seriously injured or killed rises dramatically if a decision is taken to commit a ‘Fatal 5’ offence and I want people to be aware of the devastating affect it can have and make a conscious decision not to take any chances.”

 

He added: “There is no doubt that this campaign will have a positive impact on road safety in North Wales and those who choose to ignore the speed limits can expect to be prosecuted for their actions.”

 

Further information regarding the increase in fines is available via the Department for Transport website

.

Couple to le-launch historic biscuit at Llan festival

* James and Natasha Shepherd have revived the Aberffraw Biscuit.

A sweet-toothed couple have revived the oldest biscuit in Britain that dates back to the 13th century.

James Shepherd and his wife, Natasha, have set up a company to make the historic Aberffraw Biscuit which was first baked in the Anglesey village of the same name 800 years ago.

The tasty scallop-shaped biscuit will be launched at the new products section of Hamper Llangollen, the 16^th Llangollen food and drink festival on October 19-20, which is now officially one of the UK’s top 10 food festivals.

The couple have taken the basic ancient shortbread recipe and use only premium Welsh ingredients to produce a very moreish biscuit in a variety of flavours.

James, originally from Llandudno, and Natasha, a Welsh-speaker from Trefriw, met at Leicester University, married 10 years ago and have two children Rowan, seven, and Jasmine, five, both pupils at Ysgol Bro Aled in Llansannan.

While Natasha continues to work part-time for a governmental agency, James – whose background is in journalism – is developing Aberffraw Biscuit Company and is co-founder of Yoller, a web design and digital marketing agency.

“We were watching the Great British Bake Off last October and they had a feature about the Aberffraw biscuit.

“We started chatting about it and realised that despite the fact we were both from North Wales and lived here all our lives, we had never even heard of it, never mind the fact it was supposed to be Britain’s oldest biscuit,” said James.

“The first thing I did was to buy the domain names for the website and then did some research to build an informational website and start developing a business plan.”

An enthusiastic home cook and amateur baker, James makes the biscuits and even designs the packaging.

Along the way he has received plenty of expert help. “I was introduced to the founder of Patchwork Pate, Margaret Carter from Ruthin, who does brilliant work mentoring young entrepreneurs.

“Then I was introduced to Roberet Price at the rural development agency Cadwyn Clwyd and he put me in touch Coleg Menai’s food technology centre at Llangefni and now I’m looking at rural business support grants.”

“From the start we wanted everything to be as authentic as possible, from the unique stamp for the scallop shape of the biscuit to the ingredients which include Calon Wen organic butter and Bacheldre Mill stoneground organic unbleached flour.

“The biscuit has a great marketing story. When you think about it all the gift shops and tourist shops in North Wales all seem to sell Scottish shortbread and I would just like to get them out and the Aberffraw in.

The Aberffraw biscuit (or sometimes Aberffraw cake) and is said to originate from 13th Century Anglesey.

Legend has it that a Welsh king was holding court in Aberffraw and his wife was walking on the beach there and, spotting a pretty scallop shell, asked for a cake to be baked in the same form.

A far more realistic source for the biscuit was the famous pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.

This pilgrimage to the church of St James in Galicia, north western Spain, began in about the 8^th Century with pilgrims wearing badges on their hat in the shape of a scallop shell.

It’s for this reason Aberffraw biscuits are sometimes also called James cakes. Under the patronage of King Gruffudd ap Cynan (1075-1137) or his son and successor Owain Gwynedd (1137-70), a stone church was built at Aberffraw with Romanesque features similar to 12^th Century churches on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.

This building is the final link to the scallop shell of St James pilgrims and the small Welsh village of Aberffraw.

The Aberffraw biscuit also appeared in the famous Cassell’s Dictionary of Cookery in 1892.

“Aberffraw Biscuit Co is all about resurrecting a piece of great history… the oldest biscuit recipe in Britain. We want to rekindle this gem of Welsh heritage and bring it to wider attention for people of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities to enjoy,” said James.

The flavours produced are chocolate, lemon, orange, traditional and vanilla.

James worked for the Rhyl and Prestatyn Visitor, North Wales Weekly News, and the Flintshire Chronicle where he was news editor and finally at the group’s Chester headquarters as its digital editor.

He left journalism in 2011 to work for kitchenware group Meyer at Bromborough where he headed up their e.commerce division. He is still retained by the group in that capacity on a freelance contract.

Cadwyn Clwyd’s contribution to Hamper Llangollen comes via the Rural Development Fund for Wales 2007-2013, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Welsh Government.

Robert Price said: “One of the main aims of the festival is to provide a show window for our wonderful array of food producers.

“This year we have decided to have a special section devoted to new products like the Aberffraw Biscuit so that we can showcase what they have to offer.

“We were thrilled to be named as one of the top 10 festivals in the UK and this year’s event is looking as if it is going to be one of the best ever.

“The location of the Pavilion is absolutely  spectacular – I can’t imagine that any other food festival in the UK has a more beautiful setting.”

Check out Aberffraw biscuits at www.aberffrawbiscuits.com and Hamper Llangollen at www.llangollenfoodfestival.com

Meeting will discuss town's new health centre plans

Health board officials have explained the reason behind a meeting of an organisation called the Stakeholder Reference Group at Llangollen Pavilion next month.

Llanblogger has had sight of an invitation to the meeting on the afternoon of Wednesday, September 11.

However, it wasn’t clear from the invitation who exactly belongs to the group, what the exact purpose of the meeting is and who is entitled to attend.

We sought and explanation from the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, which issued the invitation, and a spokesperson said: “The Stakeholder Reference Group is a group of local stakeholders for the South Denbighshire and South Wrexham localities who have met a number of times over the past two years in workshop style meetings to consider and review the proposals for changes to healthcare services in the Llangollen area. 

“The invited group has included local elected members, representatives from Denbighshire and Wrexham Social Services, the Llangollen Hospital Association of Friends, the Llangollen GP practice, the CHC, the DVSC and AVOW, acting on behalf of the third sector, and the leads within the health boards for primary care services amongst others. 

“One of the proposals was the development of a Primary Care Resource Centre – or more simply a Health Centre - within Llangollen.

“It is intended that the Stakeholder Reference Group event on the 11^th of September at The Pavilion will provide an opportunity for the current plans for the Health Centre to be presented back to the group and for an update from the Health Board to be given on some of the issues raised at a public presentation of the plans which was held on the 11^th June in the Town Hall.”

The spokesperson is still checking whether llanblogger will be able to be there to cover the meeting.

Segway adventure trail planned on edge of town

Planning permission is being sought for a segway adventure trail on the edge of Llangollen.

 

An application for planning permission for the scheme, on land to the north of Cilmedw Farm, was submitted to Denbighshire County Council last Friday. 

It calls for the creation of a segway adventure trail, demolition of existing building and erection of replacement building to provide facilities for a segway centre and, as a white water rafting centre, the formation of vehicular access and creation of car park and associated development.

* People ride on segways.

The planning brief has been prepared by Owen Devenport Ltd, chartered town planning consultants of Colwyn Bay.

 

According to the planning brief, the site of the application is situated to the west of the A5 and to the north west of the White Water Hotel, and is located close to the edge of Llangollen amongst a cluster of development associated with the town and set around the A5. 

The site is currently agricultural land which slopes up from the A5 towards the northern and western sides of the site in line with the land form of the area, which is defined by the wooded slopes that form the western side of the Vale of Llangollen. 

The brief explains: “The proposal is a full application for the creation of a segway adventure

trail and a white water rafting centre which involves the following elements:

• Creation of a segway track (with a grass surface);

 

• Demolition of existing agricultural building on site and erection of a replacement building of a similar size and scale which will provide facilities for the segway centre, and will also be used as the base for the applicant’s whte water rating bsiness;

• Creation of a new access and formation of a parking area (gravel surface);

• Provision of wood chip path between parking area and building;

• Formation of soakaways to serve the building."

The brief goes on: “The site has been chosen due to its sheltered location and position amongst existing development, which together with the low-impact nature of the design reduce the visual impact of the proposal.

 

“The proposed replacement building will be located on the site of an existing agricultural building of a similar size and height, and will be timber clad. This along with its modest scale and form will ensure that it forms an unobtrusive feature, and that it will have a similar visual impact to the existing building. 

“The proposal would make a positive contribution to the area’s economic character as it would provide employment and would be an additional attraction that would assist in attracting and retaining visitors. 

“A new access will be provided for the site onto the road bordering the northern section of the western edge of the site, this will then allow access onto the A5 via the existing junction.” 

 

Well-known local campaigner Martin Crumpton, of Berwyn, who led the initial opposition to the Sainsbury’s supermarket on the Dobson & Crowther site off the A5 and also battled plans for the closure of Llangollen Cottage Hospital, is now opposing this new scheme and is asking for it to be called in by the Welsh Minister responsible for planning. 

Writing to a county council planning official yesterday (Thursday), he said: “Notice of this planning application arrived today, which means there is very little time to formulate a full, thought-out objection, which will follow, but I want to have the Minister’s attention initially drawn to the fact that this development will destroy an identified, active badger sett."

Mr Crumpton is also asking all recipients of the notice to help build a successful objection to what he calls “further decimation of AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and World Heritage land”.

 

Full details of the application can be found online by going to:

http://planning.denbighshire.gov.uk/lg/GFPlanningSingleResult.page and putting in the reference number 03/2013/1014.

Dinas Bran celebrate fantastic set of A level results

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ysgol Dinas Bran in Llangollen is celebrating another fantastic set of A level results.

And successful students are now plotting their courses to universities all over the country where they have been offered places. 

They will be studying a range of subjects from - Medicine to Law, Languages to Speech and Drama, International Politics to Vetinary Science. 

All students did well but there have been some exceptional performances, notably: Bethan Chandler 2A*s, 2As and a B – Durham; Elysha Cookson, "As, B – Warwick; Charlotte Evans A* and 3As, Oxford; Layla Morris, 2As, B, Liverpool; Alice Newport, 3As and a B, Liverpool; Adam Saunders, “As, B Cardiff; Beth Savage, 4As, Warwick; Larissa Davies, 2As, B, Manchester; Matthew Tipuric, 2As, B, C, Sheffield; Louise Cielecki, London Central School of Speech and Drama; Connor Jones, Cardiff, Amy Carter, Manchester and many more.

Headteacher, Alison Duffy, congratulated all students on their successes.

She said: “They have been a fantastic group of students who have given so much to the school, working with younger students and getting involved in charity events, our amazing choir and so on. 

"They really brought a new dimension to the school and we will miss them all.  All of our students now have the opportunity to build on the excellent foundation they have had here, as they move to a new stage in their lives.  We wish them well for the future.  Congratulations to you all.
  
"Our school welcomes students from Ysgol Dinas Brân as well as other areas to our Sixth Form where they quickly settle in and have done brilliantly. 

"The signing up date for Sixth Form for September 2012 is on Friday, August 2, between 10.00am and 12.00pm.  We look forward to seeing you then."  

* Early indications show that A Level results have improved overall at Denbighshire’s secondary schools in 2013.

The county council says that more students achieved A*- C grades at A Level improving to 77.7% this year; this is 1% higher than last year.
Significantly more students in Denbighshire were entered for post-16 qualifications in 2013 than in previous years.

There has been an improvement in pupils achieving the top A and A* grades, up to 22.1% which is nearly 2% higher than the 2012 figure,  however this is below the Wales average of 22.9%.  The county's school results are:
 
Grades         A*- C                 A*-E                 A& A*
2013                 77.7%                98.2%                 22.1%
2012                 76.7%                98.9%                 20.4%
2011                 73.0%                97.7%                 22.5%

170 candidates were awarded the Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification's Advanced Diploma. This is an average of 94.5% - well above the Welsh average of 82.7%.

Councillor Eryl Williams, Cabinet Lead Member for Education, said: “Education remains a top priority in Denbighshire and I am extremely pleased to see our A level results continuing to rise.  “I would like to congratulate the students who have achieved the results they need and I wish them every success in their future education and careers.”

* Commenting on today’s A Level results in Wales, Aled Roberts, Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for North Wales and the party’s Spokesperson on Education said:

 

“Today’s results are the culmination of years of hard work by Welsh pupils and teachers.

 

“I am, however, concerned that the percentage of Welsh pupils who attained the highest grades has fallen for the fourth year in a row and is lower than rates in England and Northern Ireland. This is something I will be pursuing with the Education Minister when the Assembly reconvenes next month.

 

“I wish every student well in obtaining a place at either their chosen university or an alternative via the clearing system.

 

“Many will also be going on to study apprenticeships and I wish them well in their future endeavours.

 

“This is an important day in the lives of prospective Welsh graduates, employees and even future employers, and I have every confidence that the work they have put in so far will lead them on to exciting and interesting times ahead.

 

“I also want to offer encouragement to those who didn’t do as well as they had hoped.  They must remember that there are still a great number of options available to them and I urge any people who are unsure about their next move to speak to an available careers adviser who will be able to assist them and give them advice about their future plans.

 

“I am pleased that so many young people were successful in achieving the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma.

 

“With an overall A Level pass rate of 97.6%,  the same as last year’s, this is a day of celebration for students in Wales.”

Call MEIC to help with exam stress

 

 

Emotional support is on hand for pupils across Wales who are feeling the stress as they wait for their exam results, Communities Minister Jeff Cuthbert has said.

 

MEIC, the Welsh Government funded advocacy and advice service for children and young people, is highlighting the support it offers to those waiting for their GCSE and A-Level results.

 

It has started a Facebook campaign to make pupils aware that whatever their problem, they are there to listen.

 

MEIC is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It can be contacted by phone, SMS text and instant messaging.

Since going 24/7 in January 2011, just over 17,000 children and young people have contacted MEIC.

The Welsh Government provides £850,000 a year to support the service.

MEIC can be accessed online at www.meiccymru.org or by calling 080880 23456.

Jeff Cuthbert said: "This can be a very stressful time of year for young people as they wait for their exam results and they think about the options open to them as they prepare for the next stage of their lives.

“We want to make sure they know they are not alone and have somewhere confidential, anonymous and free to discuss their concerns and help solve their problems.

“MEIC has shown it can make a real difference to people’s lives and it ensures children and young people across Wales have a voice and are listened to."

County council set to launch new website

Denbighshire County Council has announced that it is launching a new website www.sirddinbych.gov.uk | www.denbighshire.gov.uk soon.

A council spokesperson said: "As part of our priority of  modernising the council to deliver efficiencies and improve services for our customers, the new website will make it much easier for our customers to access and use our services.

"We’ve introduced a wide range of new improvements including new online content that’s clear, concise and easy to understand, new and improved services for our residents, businesses and visitors, better website navigation for quicker access to services, and a fresh and modern design.

"Our website will be temporarily unavailable on Tuesday, August 20 whilst we make these improvements.

"We understand the inconvenience that this may cause and we would like to apologise to customers in advance for this temporary disruption to service."

Golden Mold Cape on show just up the road

* The golden Mold Cape. 

 

The Mold Cape, one of the British Museum’s top 10 treasures and one of Wales’s most iconic archaeological objects is now on display at Wrexham County Borough Museum.

 

The cape was found by workmen digging stone from a stone cairn just on the eastern outskirts of the town in October 1833.

It was brought to the notice of the antiquarian authorities by the local vicar and in the absence of a museum in Wales was acquired by the British Museum shortly afterwards.

Research into the cape and its significance has continued ever since. It is now thought to date to the Early Bronze Age between about 1900 and 1600BC, and to have been associated with a female burial.

This summer’s exhibition is only the second time the complete reconstructed cape has returned to north east Wales. Its first visit to Wrexham Museum in 2005 attracted over 11,000 visitors. This visit is in association with Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales.

The museum has attempted to place the cape in its archaeological context by looking at other sites of similar date in the immediate area. The exhibition will also reveal for the first time the results of recent research into the cape and its place and significance within wider understanding.

Councillor Neil Rogers, Leader of Wrexham County Borough Council, said: “I am delighted that the cape is making a return visit to Wrexham Museum.

"The cape is one of Wales' most important cultural artefacts and I would urge everyone to take the time to see the amazing cape for themselves.

"I would also like to thank both the British Museum and Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museums Wales for facilitating the loan and in the case of the latter for working so closely with Wrexham Museum to develop the exhibition itself."

Capes Beads & Burials will be open to the public   until Saturday September 14.

The museum will open from 10am until 4pm on Saturdays to cater for the expected crowds and will also be open on the August Bank Holiday.

The Mold Cape Spotlight Tour has been financially supported through the Art Fund Prize as part of the British Museum’s Partnership UK programme.

The Capes, Beads and Burials exhibition has been jointly funded by Wrexham County Borough Council and Amguedda Cymru – National Museum Wales.

Search for builders of historic narrowboat

* The narrowboat Cressy which was built at Pontcysyllte Boatyard in about 1915.  

Hanes-Llangollen-History has been contacted by Professor Timothy Peters of the Institute of Archaeology and Antiquity, Birmingham University, who is researching canal history.

At the moment he is anxious to find more information on the men who originally built the narrow boat Cressy, which was rebuilt in the 1930s by Tom Rolt, who was instrumental in re-opening the canal system, much of which had fallen into disrepair. 

Cressy was built at the Pontcysyllte Boatyard (now Anglo-Welsh) in Trevor in about 1915 and Professor Peters would like to hear from anyone who remembers the men who worked there at the time or who has a family member associated with the boatyard.

He has discovered a list of men who worked at the boatyard during the period 1890-1920.

Their names are: Stephen Robert, Alfred Moses Jenks, Edward Gillens, Theophilus Mellor, Richard Evans, Jas Stacey, Evan Davies, John Peter Dainty, Jonah Evans, Henry Price and E. Fisher.

Tom Rolt bought Cressy in 1939 and adapted and fitted her out to make a permanent home for himself and his first wife, Angela.

He had had his first trip on Cressy with his uncle and cousin 10 years earlier.

After he bought Cressy, Tom and Angela Rolt made a journey of some 400 miles along the canals of central England.  He got to know the network of canals and the life and culture of the people who used them.  You can read about Cressy's journey in Rolt's classic book on canals, Narrow Boat. See also the map of 'Cressy's' journey, which was retraced by narrow boat 'Heron' in 2010, as part of the Rolt Centenary celebrations.

Professor Peters is working with the Llangollen Museum on this project and any information should be sent to Peter Jones, Llangollen Museum, Parade Street LL20 8 PW Tel: 01978 862862, email: enquiries@llangollenmuseum.org.uk

County council to carry out Welsh language audit

Denbighshire County Council has announced it is to carry out a county-wide audit of the Welsh language, to try and halt the decline in the number of Welsh speakers in its communities.

The 2011 Census data notes that 24.6% of Denbighshire residents can speak Welsh, with 18.6% able to speak, read and write in Welsh. 

This compares to 20.7% of residents being able to speak, read and write in Welsh in the 2001 Census, a decline of 2%. 
. 
Hywyn Williams, Corporate Director for Communities and Learning, said: "Nationally, efforts are being made to enhance the Welsh language through  the publication of the Welsh Government’s Welsh Language Measure (Wales) 2011,  the appointment of a Welsh Language Commissioner,  the imminent introduction of Welsh Language Standards and the publication of the Welsh Government’s  A Living Language:  A Language for Living, a Welsh Language Strategy.

"The Council feels it is timely to undertake a full audit of the use of the Welsh Language within our community, to respond to the situation locally.  The findings from the audit should pave the way forward in order to develop a strategy to secure the growth of the language well into the future.

"Other key developments within the County such as the adoption of the Local Development Plan, the Modernising Education Strategy and our Regeneration & Economic Ambition Strategy will present challenges and opportunities in terms of the development of the Welsh Language.

"The risk of a further decline in the use of the Welsh Language is a real one, and if no action is taken, in all likelihood, the 2021 Census will confirm this decline.

The audit will look at four key areas:

1) Education provision, which will include the provision of Welsh Medium and Bilingual Education across the Authority, childcare provision, informal learning provided largely through the statutory Youth Service and broader Youth Support Services, pre-school provision and Adult Learning Provision

2) The support provided for families.  This to include the information that is provided for families and the information and support provided for the most vulnerable of families, together with the support for families to develop the Welsh Language within the home context and the support provided for non-Welsh speaking families, where their children are educated in Welsh medium/bilingual education.

3) The support for the Welsh Language and culture within communities which includes the support for voluntary sector organisations, business support and key policies that shape the future of communities such as the Local Development Plan, Modernising Education Policy and housing provision

4) Services provided directly and indirectly by the Council to include internal working arrangements, our ability to respond through the medium of Welsh and bilingually to residents and visitors, the way the Council promotes the use of the Welsh Language, the minuting of meetings, translation facilities, the use of social media, and the place of the Welsh Language in policy development

Councillor Huw Jones, Cabinet Lead Member with responsibility for the Welsh Language said: "Our intention is to begin the audit in September and we will consult widely with interested groups and individuals such as Menter Iaith, Urdd, the business and voluntary sectors.

"The audit work will be carried out by an independent organisation and we expect to have clear recommendations as to how  Denbighshire should take the important matter of promoting and facilitating the acquisition and use of the Welsh Language within its community further through a robust action plan, which will lead to a greater number of residents able to use the Welsh language confidently by 2021".

Groups invited to lottery funding surgery

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood is inviting community groups in the region to a Lottery funding information surgery in Flint on Friday, August 16.

 

The session will be held between 10.00am – 12:30pm at Flint Town Hall, Y Farchnad, CH6 5NW, and will provide information on Lottery funding programmes and its impact throughout the constituency.

 

There will be opportunities to discuss specific issues around funding your project with staff from the Big Lottery Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund, Sport Wales, and Flintshire Local Voluntary Council.

 

Anyone interested in attending the session should email Jessica.Webb@wales.gov.uk

 

Mr Isherwood said: “This is a great opportunity for projects in the region to find out what funding they may be eligible for. Lottery funding is having a positive impact throughout Wales with money helping to establish groups, societies and clubs, promoting learning, increasing volunteering opportunities and helping to build stronger communities and it would be great to see more North Wales projects benefit from this funding opportunity.”