AM asks Crimewatch about Trevaline case

An Assembly Member is hoping a TV appeal could finally solve the 25-year mystery of missing Llangollen woman Trevaline Evans. 

 

Ken Skates, the Labour AM for Clwyd South, has written to BBC’s Crimewatch programme to ask whether producers have any plans to revisit the case and attempt to finally establish what happened to Mrs Evans, who vanished in mysterious circumstances on June 16, 1990. 

 

After leaving a note in her antiques shop saying she would be back in two minutes, she was never seen again and her body has never been found. She was 52. 

 

Mr Skates, whose constituency office is in Llangollen, said: “Mrs Evans’ husband Richard passed away last month, aged 83, without ever knowing what had happened to her.  

 

“North Wales Police have said the case remains open but the investigation is currently inactive as they have exhausted every avenue. I have written to Chief Constable Mark Polin to see if that is likely to change, and am awaiting a response. 

 

“In all likelihood, the police’s resources are already too over-stretched to consider reopening such an old case without new evidence emerging. And while it may well prove fruitless, there is a chance – however small – that a fresh appeal on national television could yield key information. 

 

“Millions of people watch every edition of Crimewatch and, despite the great length of time that has elapsed since Mrs Evans’ disappearance, you just never know.” 

 

Mr Skates added: “I’m sure Mrs Evans’ surviving family will never lose hope that they might find out what happened to her, and I would urge anyone who has information which could help to contact police. 

 

“A quarter of a century is an incredibly long time, and this is a most unusual case, but of course it’s possible that someone still alive today knows what happened.” 

 

 

Chirk bypass now open following new incident

Shropshire Star (@ShropshireStar)

23/01/2015 16:52 Woman airlifted to hospital as #A483 closes following police incident on #Shropshire border shropshirestar.com/news/2015/01/2… pic.twitter.com/efDUIMLHB1

Tweeted just after 5.30pm:

North & Mid Wales ‏@TrafficWalesN                

#A5 : Now clear : Both directions : Chirk

Another major incident appears incident appears to have taken place on the A5 near Chirk.

The Daily Post tweeted around 4.20pm: "A5 Chirk Bypass closed in both directions closed, due to police incident and air ambulance in the road between A483 and B5070 Chirk Road."

llanblogger reader Mike Edwards, calling from his car, at around 4.30pm said that traffic was once again being diverted through Chirk.

County's dog fouling campaign continues

A campaign to tackle dog fouling in Denbighshire will continue into 2015 with a programme of on-going enforcement activities and promotional activity around the county.

In 2014, a total of 149 people were issued with fixed penalty notices for allowing their dogs to foul in public.

Councillor David Smith, Cabinet Lead Member for Environment, said: "The council has been targeting a number of 'hotspots' in the county which have been identified by members of the public through the reporting of problems with dog fouling.

"We would like to thank the public for this information, as information on offenders and problem areas are a major help to us in our efforts to tackle this anti-social problem.

"We have been running a campaign for the last few years and the number of reports coming in from the public are increasing year on year. We believe this is as a result of a co-ordinated campaign through the media, websites, social media and the local press to tell the public how to report dog fouling.

"However, we still need the public to provide the information that could lead to us identifying the culprits and taking enforcement action. Generally, a fixed penalty notice will be issued and court action may be considered if an individual refuses to pay."

To report dog fouling, please visit the Council's website: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/dogfouling or by contacting the Customer Contact Centre, on 01824 706100 (Welsh language line) or 01824 706101 (English language line).

Right to Buy homes scheme could be axed

New measures to protect Wales’ social housing stock have been put forward by the Welsh Government today.

 

Communities and Tackling Poverty Minister, Lesley Griffiths, has published a White Paper setting out the Welsh Government’s intention to end Right to Buy and Right to Acquire.

 

The Right to Buy and Right to Acquire allows eligible social housing tenants to buy their council or housing association home at a discount of up to £16,000.

Over the past 30 years, the policy has resulted in a significant reduction in social housing stock. Between 1981 and 2014, 138,423 council homes were sold – this is a 45% reduction in the social housing available when the policy was first introduced.

The Minister has also set out plans today to halve the current maximum discount from £16,000 to £8,000.

Lesley Griffiths said: “Many families depend on social housing for a safe, secure and affordable place to live.

“Our supply of homes is under considerable pressure and we are still seeing social rented properties being taken out of our social housing stock because of the Right to Buy, which is forcing many vulnerable people to wait longer for a home. This is why decisive action is needed to protect our social housing to make sure it is available for those who need it most.”

The Housing (Wales) Measure 2011 allows local authorities to apply for permission to suspend the Right to Buy and Right to Acquire locally to help tackle housing pressures. Carmarthenshire Council was the first local authority to ask the Welsh Government to suspend of Right to Buy and, today, the Communities and Tackling Poverty Minister, Lesley Griffiths, approved Carmarthenshire’s application.

Cllr Dyfed Edwards, Welsh Local Government Association spokesperson for Housing, said: “With many thousands of people currently on housing waiting lists, and at a time of acute shortages of affordable homes, the proposal from Welsh Government to abolish the Right To Buy scheme is a welcome step in tackling a growing problem in Wales.

“Despite the considerable efforts that local councils and housing associations are making to increase the overall supply of social housing by building new homes, housing provision continues to struggle to meet the rising level of housing need in Wales. The loss of properties through the Right To Buy has worsened this situation and has, in some circumstances, acted as a considerable disincentive for further housing development. Ending the Right to Buy scheme will help ensure that local councils and their wider housing sector partners can begin to meet housing demand and offer people access to affordable housing more quickly and effectively in the future.”

The Minister added: “We are taking action to protect Wales’ social housing stock – as well as moving to end Right to Buy. During this term of Government, we are investing over £400 million in affordable homes through our Social Housing Grant programme. Since 2011, 6,890 additional affordable homes have been delivered across Wales, while we are just 529 short of our target of bringing 5,000 empty homes back into use this Assembly term.”

The White Paper consultation seeks the public’s views on the proposals. The consultation will close on 16 April 2015.

Peter Black AM, Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Housing, has said the Welsh Labour Government’s announcement of an outright ban on ‘Right to Buy’ is “unnecessary and is taking a sledgehammer to crack a nut.”

 

He said: “We accept that ‘Right to Buy’ is making local authorities reluctant to build new homes.  However, they can already make the case to government to suspend ‘Right to Buy’ if they wish.

 

“The Minister’s plan for an outright ban on ‘Right to Buy’ is unnecessary and she is effectively taking a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

 

“If the Minister wants to give local authorities an additional incentive to build new homes, then she could do this by just restricting the right to buy on new builds – this could be implemented without affecting tenants existing rights while at the same time increasing the housing stock.

 

“Whilst it would be reasonable to stop the option of ‘Right to Buy’ to new tenants, it is completely unfair for people’s hopes and plans to buy their home to be dashed just because the Welsh Labour Government fancies grabbing a headline.  This is cheap politics that will cost many people dear.

 

“If the Welsh Labour Government was serious about sorting out Wales’ housing crisis, then it would finance the building of new homes – something it has categorically failed to do.”

Drink drive campaign sees 76 arrests

North Wales Police arrested 76 people during the recent all Wales Christmas Anti-Drink and Drug Driving Campaign.

Led by Dyfed Powys Police the month-long campaign 30,718 drivers throughout Wales were breath tested between 1^st December 2014 and 1^st January 2015.

 

The force carried out 15,627 breath tests with 76 being positive. Six people were also arrested for driving whilst under the influence of drugs.

Some of the highest readings recorded during the campaign in North Wales were 147, 106 and 105 compared to the legal limit of 35 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. All three Individuals have been charged and have appeared before the courts.

Chief Inspector Darren Wareing from North Wales Police’ Roads Policing Unit said: “We set ourselves a tough target this year in relation to drink and drug driving during the festive period.

"That target was ZERO. That is zero deaths on our roads as a result of drink or drug driving. I am pleased to report, that with the support of our communities, we achieved that.

“Our campaign this year was heavily focussed around preventing drink/drug driving although unfortunately we still found that some people were willing to risk their lives and the lives of others by drink/drug driving. Although we saw a downturn in the number of people we caught this year, which is encouraging, there are still too many willing to take the risk.

“We have had overwhelming support and I would like to thank those who positively engaged with the campaign."

He added: “Operation Sodium - our anti-drink/drug driving campaign continues throughout the year. The operation involves police officers using a number of tactics in specific areas to ensure we catch people who take the risk. Our message is simple yet strong – don’t do it, the people around you do not support what you are doing, the consequences can be devastating plus we will catch you.”

* If you have information relating to someone you think is driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs, please contact North Wales Police on 101 or via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency always dial 999.

AM takes up rail link cut fears

Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates has reacted to concerns over the future of a peak-time rail link from this area to the Midlands.

The 07:47 train from Wrexham to Birmingham has been left out of a draft timetable for May published online, according to the Shrewsbury to Chester Rail Users Association (SCRUA).

If the service is axed commuters face waits of half an hour for a connection at Shrewsbury, the group said.

Arriva Trains Wales has said "nothing has been finalised" on their May timetable.

Ken Skates said: “I have made repeated representations over this issue as the axing of the service would cause major inconvenience to many of my constituents who use Chirk and Ruabon stations, as well as Wrexham.

“I have written to Arriva Trains Wales and have also relayed concerns to Welsh Government Transport Minister Edwina Hart, who recognises the importance of rail travel in North Wales and the border areas.

“I will continue to fight for the best service provision possible for my constituents.”

Young Llan director goes on tour

* Director Natalie Evans.

A budding theatre director from Llangollen will soon be going on tour with a new stage production, supported by the town's own Twenty Club Amateur Players.

Natalie Evans, 21, will direct Winona, a new work from Welsh playwright Christopher T.Harris, which follows siblings Kate and Daf as they retreat to the family cottage following the sudden deaths of their parents.

* A publicity image for the play (Dorit Fuhg).

When a stranger named Ed comes to visit, however, their somewhat quiet retreat turns into something quite different.

Along with Natalie, the production stars fellow Twenty Club members Andy Evans and Ally Goodman on stage, with technician Jack Shimmin behind the scenes.

* The cast of Winona.

Natalie is currently pursuing her career in theatre directing and has previously taken charge of two Twenty Club productions - The Glass Menagerie (2013) and Season's Greetings (2014).

She has also taken the helm in productions with both Aberystwyth and Chester Universities and her own graduate theatre company, Quintus.

Winona will be performed at venues in Liverpool, Aberystwyth and Cardiff in February with more dates to be confirmed for later in the year.

 

The Twenty Club, with its aim of supporting young local theatre talent on stage and behind the scenes, will assist with the production costs along with the Arts Council of Wales.

 

Tickets for the tour start at £5 and more information can be found on the websites below:

Lantern Theatre, Liverpool - 12th February - lanterntheatreliverpool.co.uk
Aberystwyth Arts Centre - 19th February - aberystwythartscentre.co.uk
The Gate, Cardiff - 20th February - thegate.org.uk

Consider fostering says county council

Denbighshire County Council is encouraging people to make a new year's resolution - to consider becoming a foster carer.

The Council is running a campaign called Love Fostering, to increase the number of applications and enquiries received about fostering in the county and to promote the benefits of fostering county-wide.

The 'Love Fostering' campaign includes a new information website, promotional banners and booklets and the fostering team is arranging a programme of information events providing advice and information to prospective foster carers.

There are a number of differing types of fostering including general fostering (short and long term), respite care to allow other carers to take a break from their duties , short break care to support families who have children with disabilities, support care to enable families to overcome difficult periods in their lives and emergency foster care that can see children placed at very short notice.

Councillor Bobby Feeley, Cabinet Lead Member for Health and Social Care, said: "The start of a brand new year is a great time for people to look forward to the future and to consider a fresh new start. We want to use this opportunity to make people think about the possibility of becoming foster carers.

"We have a dedicated team of staff at the other end of the phone who would be more than willing to have an informal chat and advise people about the fostering process, the benefits of fostering and what it involves.  

"Making that phone call may make a real difference to the life of a child or young person in Denbighshire."

* To find out more, visit: www.lovefostering.co.uk or call 0800 7313215. 

Provide more community beds, says campaigner

 

* Mabon ap Gwynfor with Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood outside Llangollen Hospital.

 

Hospital wards should be re-opened as a matter of urgency, following revelations that there are 400 fewer beds in North Wales compared to last five years.

 

That’s the view of a health campaigner, who made his call in the wake of an emergency medicine consultant at Wrexham Maelor blaming lack of beds for the pressures on A&E.

 

Mabon ap Gwynfor, of the North Wales Health Alliance and Plaid Cymru parliamentary candidate for Clwyd South, called on the Welsh Government to set a strategic goal that no District General Hospital should have acute bed occupancy levels of more than 80%.

 

In addition, he said beds should be re-introduced into communities following the closure of four community hospitals in north Wales.

 

Mabon ap Gwynfor said:  “When we formed the campaign to keep hospital beds in Llangollen, it was exactly because of this reason. We knew that patients would find themselves staying longer in General Hospitals or be discharged only to be re-admitted again immediately afterwards.

 

“Staff are working extremely hard and it’s unfair to expect them to work in such conditions. It’s not surprising that morale is low when they’re under such pressure.

 

“This is the consequence of a centralisation agenda by both the Welsh Government and local health board, which has meant taking services away from our communities and also failing to invest properly in a proven alternative before rolling it out. Patients should not be used as guinea pigs for an unproven Home Enhanced Care programme.

 

“Hospital acquired infections are far more likely to occur in hospitals that have 85% occupancy rates or higher, therefore the partial closure of two wards in Wrexham Maelor over Christmas because of noro-virus should not have come as a surprise. Unless drastic changes are made, this will happen again and it will continue to place significant pressure on the hospital and their staff.

“The Government’s by now regular financial injections merely deals with the symptoms and not the cause. They should use the money to invest in community hospital beds and get the service back to working order.

 

"By investing in opening wards and re-introducing community beds, this would take occupancy levels down and ease much of the pressure we are seeing with delayed transfers of care and re-admission.”

Tractor crash road stays closed

Yesterday afternoon's tractor crash on the A5 Chirk bypass will mean a section of the road is closed until tomorrow (Wednesday) according to a story in the Daily Post.

See the full story at: http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/a5-chirk-tractor-crash-bridge-8475639

Paths group plans latest public meeting

THE lobby group which aims to combat the damage it says is being caused to the countryside around Llangollen by off-road vehicles is to stage its latest public meeting next month.

Save Our Paths (SOPS) was set up last year to oppose what it claims is widespread abuse and trespass by 4x4s and motorbikes in the hills around the town.    

The group held its first public meeting at Llangollen Town Hall last October which was attended by affected residents along with representatives of local councils, police, countryside organisations and the off-roaders themselves.

SOPS is now planning a follow-up meeting at the Town Hall starting at 7pm on Thursday, February 19.

Organisers say that questions under discussion will include if the councils and police have listened to the arguments put forward at the last meeting and whether local MPs and AMs have taken up the SOPS cause.

 

They say the meeting is for all residents of the area.

 

Cost of policing to rise by 3.44%

A  3.44 per cent increase in the cost of policing North Wales has been agreed - it works out at 17p a week for Band D households in the region.

 

The rise in the precept was unanimously approved at a meeting today (Monday, January 19) of the North Wales Police and Crime Panel in Conwy.

 

Police and Crime Commissioner Winston Roddick CB QC, pictured below, said: "Its importance to the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of policing North Wales is vital as it is to the ability of the force to keep north Wales a safe place to live work and visit.

 

"That last objective is more challenging now than at any other time. Keeping the people safe has become the policing imperative."

 

Mr Roddick pointed out that 2015/16 will be se fifth consecutive year of severe cuts for North Wales Police, with £19.6m having been cut over the previous four years.

 

He said: "Grants were cut by 18 per over the same period. All the political parties

are committed to reducing the nation’s annual deficit over the next Parliament and we are told that we are only half way there.

 

"It is very likely, therefore, that cuts of a similar level will be made over

the next four years as were made during the previous four years.

 

"Although inflation has been kept to a minimum in the budget itself, it is still a challenge. The cost of the national IT service, for example, has increased by 22 per cent."

 

According to Mr Roddick, the force would need to cut a further £15.5m over the next four years.

 

The Commissioner added: "The front line has been protected as far as possible, but the more cuts that are made the more likely it is that they will affect front line services.

"In the meantime, there are new demands on the police, such as the increased terrorist threat, cyber crime, child sexual exploitation and the new victim’s code.

 

“The HMIC - Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary - report last year found that North Wales Police had identified the savings to cope with the cutbacks.

 

“Since then, of course, there have been further cutbacks but we are satisfied that we will be able to police North Wales effectively although it will be a greater challenge.

 

“I have asked the Chief Constable if he is able to cope and he has said that provided the precept can make up for some cutbacks then North Wales Police will be able to cope.

 

"In future, we will need to ensure we achieve even greater value for money and there is more work to be done in terms of collaborating more with other forces.

 

"A recent example was the alliance we have formed with Cheshire Police in relation to armed response.

 

"At a time when budgets are tight, strategic alliances like this makes a great deal of sense.

 

"Through innovative collaboration like this, we can continue to provide enhanced policing to communities across North Wales and reduce costs at the same time.

 

"I take my responsibilities very seriously and we have struck the right balance between sensible financial management and the operational effectiveness of the force."

Accident on A5 Chirk bypass

The Daily Post's news blog reported just after 2.20pm today (Monday) ...

ACCIDENT: Reports of queuing traffic on the A5 Chirk bypass due to accident involving up to three vehicles . Traffic between A483 (Halton Roundabout) and B5070 Chirk Road / Station Road (Gledrid Roundabout).

Llangollen Fire Station tweeted about 3.30pm ...

Llangollen Fire ‏@Llangollenfire 26m26 minutes ago 
              

Traffic backing up through CHIRK as A5 is shut as tractor is in a dangerous position.


The BBC reported about 4.05pm ...

Tractor hanging off bridge closes A5 Chirk bypass, Wrexham

A car driver has been taken to hospital and a major road in north Wales is closed as a tractor is left hanging off a bridge following a crash.

The A5 Chirk bypass is shut in both directions between Halton roundabout and B5070 Chirk Road, following the incident which also involved two cars.

 

Methodists enjoy New Year gathering

FORTY-TWO members of Llangollen Methodist Church enjoyed a New Year gathering at the White Water Hotel in the town recently.

A carvery meal was followed by a quiz organised by John and Gill Newbrook, which was won by Sue Smith and Laura Davies.

* Church members tuck into their lunch.

 

 

* Quiz winners Sue Smith and Laura Davies with, centre, Gill Newbrook.

Hospital beds question under discussion

North Wales has nearly 400 fewer hospital beds and 350 fewer nurses than five years ago, according to new figures obtained by Plaid Cymru – the Party Of Wales.

The figures, released following a series of Freedom of Information requests, shows that in October 2009 the Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board had 2677 in-patient beds and employed 6276 nurses. By October 2014 the figures were 2284 in-patient beds, a 15% fall, and 5907 nurses, a 6% drop.

Wrexham Maelor Hospital saw a drop of 50 beds coupled with the closure of Flint and Llangollen community hospitals during that period (1).

At the same time, the number of inpatient cases in North Wales rose from 80,867 to 86,249 – a 6.7% rise. But in Wrexham Maelor the rise in the past year alone has been 15% - from 26331 to 30409.

Plaid Cymru’s North Wales AM Llyr Gruffydd said that such a reduction in beds and nursing staff was contributing to the difficulties the NHS was facing in terms of coping with a growing elderly population and ensuring there were beds for those brought in by ambulance to A&E.

Mr Gruffydd said: “Closing wards such as the Acton ward in the Wrexham Maelor , coupled with the loss of many community hospitals, help explain why we are seeing long queues of ambulances outside our main hospitals and why people waiting so long for operations.

“The health board claims that nurse recruitment is the problem but nurses tell us they’ve applied to work Bank shifts and not heard back from the board. Instead, we’re seeing expensive agency nurses being recruited when we need longer-term planning in terms of workforce recruitment and retention.”

He was also critical of the health board’s claims that care was now focussed in the community: “These cuts in hospital services would be easier to stomach if we had seen an equivalent increase in funding for community care and GPs, but the truth is that we are facing a looming crisis in GP and primary-care services. I fear GP shortages will be the ‘health story’ of 2015, unless something drastic is done about it.

 “Care at a hospital might be an out-dated concept for health bosses who want to see more care delivered at home but, until the structure and provisions are in place to ensure that home-care is functioning properly and can be delivered within budget, then there is a real danger that the system will fail if they reduce the number of beds and nurses.

 “In recent years, Labour has underfunded the NHS in Wales and, as a result, we have seen a health service struggling to meet demand, which is rising with every new medical breakthrough and with a population that is living longer. The Cardiff Labour Government is presiding over an NHS that employs fewer nurses and has fewer facilities than it did five years ago – that’s a huge indictment of their misrule.”

* See the statistics at:  

1     https://statswales.wales.gov.uk/Catalogue/Health-and-Social-Care/NHS-Hospital-Activity/NHS-Beds/NHSBeds-by-Organisation-Site

* In a related story local health services campaigner Martin Crumpton has contacted llanblogger to say:

“The current BBC website story in which an emergency medicine consultant has blamed a drop in his hospital's performance on a lack of capacity in parts of the region shows that at last, somebody with a voice they can’t ignored has told them what I’ve been saying all along, but studiously ignored. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-30863360

“As llanblogger readers will know, this confirms everything I’ve been campaigning against since our Cottage Hospital and others were closed. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve written to the Board of Betsi Cadwaladr urging them to reopen our hospital and others in North Wales so misguidedly, reprehensibly and disastrously shut in the now-infamous `North Wales Health Is Changing’ debacle.

“Blaming this on internecine political wars between the Welsh and English NHS authorities is nothing short of ludicrous and is procrastination instead of action. Last week, I watched the Parliamentary Select Committee in which it was made crystal clear that the NHS cannot un-knot itself from the bed shortage without a sharp and immediate increase in bed capacity – well, the capacity was there all along until the bean counters of the loathed Mary Burrows regime decided they could spreadsheet their way to major savings.

“And it’s going to get worse because of the same ill-thought-out policy: When the GP practice and the chemist move to the wholly-unnecessary new and bedless Health Centre at the far edge of Llangollen, are going to react instinctively and dial 999 if they develop worrying symptoms or their children sustain deep cuts. It’s human nature, especially where children are involved. Ambulances DO NOT take people to clinics or Minor Injury Units, only to hospital A&E.

“Llangollen is an elderly town with a high proportion of residents without private transport. For the majority, it’s relatively quick and easy to get to the Regent Street Health Centre for worries and minor injuries. Anyone’s understanding of human nature and physical capability will know that the River Lodge site is beyond reach if you don’t have a car, and you’ll certainly think twice about leaving blood or vomit all over a taxi, if you can afford one – if you can risk waiting for one, as they’re not bound by NHS target times to arrive.

“Something I find genuinely disturbing is the silence coming from the doctors at the Regent Street Health Centre. To date they’ve only given one statement  - they opposed the closure of the Cottage Hospital.

“I ask the doctors to reconsider moving to the new health centre, and to put their weight into helping the campaign to have the Cottage Hospital re-opened. There cannot be a better outcome for us and North Wales at this time.”

Step out in Llan's walking festival this May

* The beautiful countryside around Llangollen where some of the walks will be held.

PEOPLE are being invited to step out in the annual Llangollen Walking Festival, which takes place in and around the town this May.

Organiser Mike Smart, of Summerhill-based walking guides company Treksmart, said: “We’re inviting people to come and join us in this beautiful Victorian town where walkers are welcome, for short, medium and long walks all within the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site.”

Programme for the festival, which takes place over three days on May 2, 3 and 4, is:

Saturday May 2

• UNESCO World Heritage Site walk (easy walk of 4.5 miles)

• Llangollen town history walk (easy)

• Castle, cliff top, valley and fantastic views (moderate walk of eight miles)

• Ponderosa, World's End, High Moors, Cliff Top, castle and fantastic views (strenuous walk of 12 miles)

• Evening entertainment, with local food and drink, Welsh folk tale storytelling (in English), music and song

Sunday May 3

• Food and drink walk (easy 3.5 miles)

• Steam train ride and walk (moderate walk of eight miles)

• Steam train ride and walk and high moors and wilderness trek (strenuous walk of 15 miles)

Monday May 4

• History in the landscape walk (3.5 miles)

• Photography walk (easy)

• Chirk Castle, two aqueducts, Offa's Dyke, battle site and Pilgrims Way (strenuous walk of 12 miles) 

• Nordic walking for beginners

• Nordic walk advanced level

Mike Smart added: “Apart from all this we’ll also have free Welsh beer for the over-18s and other free refreshments on some walks.”

 

* For more information go to: http://www.llangollenwalkingfestival.co.uk/ or e-mail to hello@treksmart.net. The festival is also on Facebook. 

Town awakes to covering of snow

* Castell Dinas Bran with a covering of snow this morning.

Llangollen awoke to a covering of snow this morning (Sunday).

The forecast for the rest ofSunday is that it will be another cold day across the country with some sunny spells and also a wintry mix of showers, especially across western and northern parts.

Snow showers will mainly over the hills in these parts.

Young 'Uns to stage Half a Sixpence

* The full cast of Half a Sixpence line up. (Pictures by Barrie Potter).

LLANGOLLEN Operatic Society’s junior section, The Young ‘Uns, are busy with final preparations for their 26th annual show, Half a Sixpence. 

This is a sparkling new version of the smash-hit musical, based on the novel by H G Wells, which toured across the UK in 2007/2008.

It has all the familiar storylines and characters of the original show and the 1967 film starring Tommy Steele but has been re-imagined for today’s audience with additional scenes, bigger roles for some of the supporting characters, more pace and more humour.

The chorus has as much if not more involvement than in the original show and there are many new minor roles which have given the Young ‘Uns chorus members an opportunity to shine.

Charlie Hackforth (pictured below left) plays the part of Kipps, the oldest draper apprentice in the business. 


Joanna Stallard (pictured above left) is Anne, his long term sweetheart despite Kipps’ short-lived engagement to Helen Walsingham, played by Amy Jones. 

Cassius Hackforth plays Chitterlow, an eccentric actor/playwright who discovers Kipps and shows him he has inherited ‘a fortune’. 

Luke Haynes plays Young Walsingham, who becomes Kipps’ financial adviser and speculates his fortune away, and Beth Evans plays Mrs Walsingham, their mother.

Audiences can expect plenty of singing and dancing from cast members ranging in age from six to 18.

Producer Pamela Williams also provides choreography, Chrissie Ashworth is the artistic director, Dee Smith is assistant producer and Julian Cattley has joined as musical director.

The show will be staged at Llangollen Town Hall on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, February 5, 6 and 7, at 7.30 p.m. On the Saturday there will also be a matinee performance at 2.30pm.

* Tickets, priced at £8 for adults and £5 concessions, are available from Llangollen Tourist Information Centre, Jades Hair and Beauty, Gwyn Davies Butcher or Stella Bond on 01978 860441.