AM calls for summit talks over bank closures

North Wales Lib Dem Assembly Member Aled Roberts has called on the Welsh Government to hold round-table meetings with the main retail banks to find out if community services can be set up to replace closing branches.

 

In an Individual Member Debate in the Assembly Mr Roberts (pictured) said: “Access to banking services is key, not only to small businesses and retailers, but to individuals, voluntary and charitable groups in communities throughout North Wales.

 

“According to the Campaign for Community Banking Services, community banks and banking centres offer a cost effective way to sustain a branch presence in vulnerable communities, extend coverage and opening hours and reduce banks’ operating costs.

 

"The first step offered by the community banking model would be a shared banking franchise. For some very small rural communities with no banking presence, a limited shared branching franchise could sit alongside an existing post office franchise.”

 

Get a slice of Valentine's action on Saturday

If you would like to send a personalised Valentine’s Day card to someone close to you the  place to be is Llangollen Town Hall on Saturday February 13 between 10.30am and 1pm. 

Cards with  a specially commissioned verse can be purchased  from £1 to £2 depending on the message.

This is all part of a Coffee and Cupcake event organised by the Inner Wheel Club of Llangollen to support Parkinson’s UK both locally and nationally.

There will also be various stalls including cakes and scarves and tombola.

The main raffle prize will be a food hamper donated by AF Blakemore & Son Ltd - Spar Llangollen.

The hall will be decorated with red and pink hearts and there will be appropriate live piano music. 

Coffee and a cupcake costs £2.

This a great way to start off your Valentine weekend  and support a very worthy cause at the same time.    

Two local businesses in countryside honours

Two local businesses are celebrating reaching the finals of the Countryside Alliance Awards.

 

Llangollen Brewery reached the finals in the Local Food Category, and Glyn Ceiriog Post Office were finalists in the Village Shop category.

 

The awards, dubbed the Rural Oscars, are an annual celebration of Welsh rural business, produce and communities.

 

* Llyr Gruffydd with a representative of Llangollen Brewery. 

The awards ceremony was sponsored by Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru the Party of Wales' North Wales AM and his party's spokesperson on rural affairs.

He is also chair of the cross-party group on Rural Affairs at the National Assembly.

 

*Llyr Gruffydd with a representative of Glyn Ceidiog Post Office.   

Mr Gruffydd said: "It was a joy to see both businesses reaching the finals, and deservedly so. It is a recognition of the hard work that both businesses put in day in day out to make sure that they thrive. "But they also contribute significantly to their communities, either through employment, bringing in money or by providing much needed services."

 

Mabon ap Gwynfor, Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales' candidate for Clwyd South nominated both businesses.

 

He said: "Llangollen Brewery do an excellent range of ales, and John and Gilly at Glyn Ceiriog Post Office provide an essential service always with a smile, and Gilly's home baking is something else. Both businesses represent what is best about our rural communities, doing what they do for the love of it and not for any great commercial or financial gain.

 

"Rural communities are more than just green hills and fresh air, they are living breathing communities and these businesses are a reminder of this. It would do well for those who provide services such as banking, health, education and others to remember this."

 

Steven Evans, from Llangollen Brewery said: “We’re very pleased to get this award. An increasing number of people are enquiring about our beer, and we’re selling it as far afield as Anglesey. We’re looking forward to another busy and successful year.”

 

John Keen from Glyn Ceiriog Post Office said: “This was a nice surprise, and timely considering the campaign we’ve had to keep the Post Office here. We wouldn’t have such a thriving little business if it wasn’t for the support of our fantastic customers. We’d like to thank them all for their continued support.”

AM launches free forces swimming scheme

Labour AM Ken Skates has launched a new national scheme to provide free swimming for veterans and Armed Forces personnel in Wales.  

Free Swimming for Armed Forces is the latest initiative to be launched by the Welsh Government as part of its package of support for the forces community.

The scheme is being delivered by all councils in Wales to enable and encourage veterans and serving Armed Forces personnel to enjoy swimming as a form of physical activity and in recognition of the service they have given to their country. 

Launching the £100,000 scheme, Mr Skates (pictured) said: “Like many residents in Clwyd South, I believe very strongly that we need to recognise the service of our Armed Forces personnel, both past and present.

“This scheme is another way in which the Welsh Labour Government is acknowledging their huge contribution.

“I hope serving members of the Armed Forces and veterans in Clwyd South will be able to make full use of this opportunity, and I call on Wrexham Council to ensure the scheme is offered at all public pools in the county borough.”

An Armed Forces spokesman described the scheme as ‘very pleasing and a further show of commitment from the Welsh Government towards Armed Forces personnel and veterans living in Wales’.

41 people fined for littering in county

Denbighshire County Council’s tough stance on littering in the county continues with a further  41 people receiving fines through the courts for offences.

 

The council took action through the courts against 41 individuals.

 

The courts issued a total of £8,800 in fines and ordered individuals to pay £7,380 in costs (in total).

 

The cases against a further 19 individuals were withdrawn, mostly due to the fact they had paid their fixed penalty notices prior to the court appearance.

 

Councillor David Smith, Cabinet Lead Member for Public Realm, said: “Our residents have told us they want to live in a clean environment and that is why we have made cleaner, tidy streets one of our main priorities in Denbighshire.

 

“The majority of residents in our county treat the environment with complete respect and that leads to a better quality of life and improves the visual image of the area.

 

“However, there is a minority of people that are responsible for environmental crime such as dog fouling and don’t clean the mess.  Those are the people we are targeting as part of our on-going education campaign which has received support from local communities.

 

“We will not tolerate examples where people wilfully allow their dogs to foul in public.  Enforcement action is very much a last resort and we will continue to be vigilant and work with communities to try and rid our communities of any kind of environmental crimes."

 

Cynwyd group on song for MS charity

 

 

* Helen Whittaker and Jean Hughes of the MS Society Wrexham branch receive the cheque from y Gymdeithas, Cynwyd.

Cynwyd community group Y Gymdeithas raised £543 for the MS Society following a Christmas service and carol singing in the village over the festive period.

The funds are to be split between the Wrexham MS Society branch and research into MS.

Each year the group organises a community carol singing session, with people of all ages visiting the homes of people who are housebound or lonely and singing at the village square.

The group has grown from strength to strength, and this year over 30 people took part in the singing.

They also arranged a Christmas service at Bethel Chapel, inviting each community group to attend and participate, with the aim of making sure that various village groups worked together for their common good.

This year Y Gymdeithas chose MS Society as their charity of choice.

Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable and incurable condition that affects people’s nervous system. It can attack suddenly or progress steadily, bringing a range of symptoms which can include sight loss, incontinence, fatigue and mobility problems.

No-one with MS can be sure when or how it will affect them next.

In the UK there are more than 100,000 people living with MS. In Wales, over 4,900 people are living with the condition; 300 people are newly diagnosed with MS every year.

Helen Whittaker, representing the Wrexham Branch of the MS Society, said: “We are very grateful for this generous gift from Y Gymdeithas in Cynwyd to the MS Society.

"As a charity we depend on the generous donations of individuals, groups and societies to allow us to continue with our research nationally, and locally to fund equipment to assist people living with and affected by MS.”

Mabon ap Gwynfor, representing Y Gymdeithas, said: “Our small community has seen the effects of MS, and are grateful to the charity for the work that it is doing in helping those suffering from MS and in doing vital work to research into how to beat this disease.

"We all had a lot of fun raising the funds, signing in the rain, and bringing the Christmas cheer to those who were housebound or lonely. We’re looking forward to starting practising for next year’s carol singing.”

Curtain goes up again on New Dot cinema

* A scene from The Lobster, the film to be shown next Friday.

New Dot Cinema is back for a new season.

After a highly successful first year, a new programme of quirky, provocative and entertaining films
kicks off at the Town Hall in Llangollen with a showing of The Lobster on Friday, February 12th.

This year, New Dot will be screening temporarily as 'Micro Dot' in a smaller venue in the Town Hall council chamber.

With seating for around 35 people, organisers say screenings will be intimate (but still very charming) so tickets will be in high demand. Delicious homemade cakes, fairtrade tea and 'real' coffee will be on offer. There’s no bar, but people are welcome to BYOB.

New Dot Cinema co-founder Jen Sandiford explained: “We had such a fantastic response to our first season, we wanted to keep up the momentum. Using this smaller venue gives us a chance to experiment with quirkier films that people might not otherwise get a chance to see.”

Already lined up for the new season are: Tulpan, a funny and moving film set in the stunning Kazakh steppes, about a young man who dreams of being a shepherd; the gentle Oscar-winning Czech film, Closely Observed Trains, in which an apprentice train dispatcher working at a sleepy train depot during WW2, pines for Máša, a pretty train conductor; and Dear White People, an American satire of race relations on an elite university campus.

More films will be added to the programme very soon, including a gala film to be shown as part of the Llangollen Fringe so sign up for New Dot Cinema’s email at the facebook page or at NewDotCinema.org.

Tickets are priced at £5 and are available at Baileys Deli and online at: http://tiny.cc/grds8x

New Dot Cinema is entirely volunteer-led. If you’d like to get involved in any way from programming to being an usher for an evening, please contact the team at: http://newdotcinema.org/dot/contact/

More information: www.NewDotCinema.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/newdotcinema
Twitter: www.twitter.com/newdotcinema

MP pays call on Splash Magic

 

* From left: Craig Williams MP, Claire Duffy,

manager of Splash Magic, Simon Baynes and Shaun Roberts.

 

Cardiff North Tory MP Craig Williams and Simon Baynes, Welsh Conservative Assembly Candidate for Clwyd South, visited the Splash Magic Leisure Centre at Plas Madoc.

 

The leisure centre was saved from closure by Wrexham Council in 2014 by a local community group, which has since formed Splash Community Trust, a charitable organisation.

 

The Trust has been running the centre since December 2014.

 

Craig Williams and Simon Baynes were accompanied by local resident Shaun Roberts and were given a full tour of the centre by the manager Claire Duffy.

 

Craig Williams MP said: “I used to come to the leisure centre as a child as I grew up in Welshpool and Plas Madoc was the place to come for a great day out.

 

"I was very impressed by all the improvements that Claire Duffy and her team have made and by the exciting plans for the future.

 

"In my view, Splash Magic is the most family friendly leisure centre in Wales and it has a great future as an independent trust.

 

"I will keep in touch on developments and will always be available to provide any advice and support in the future.”

 

Simon Baynes said: “Splash Magic was buzzing when we went round it and the recent improvements, like the café and the soft play area, are proving an immediate success, resulting in increased visitors for the centre.

 

"We were particularly impressed by Claire Duffy, who brings a wealth of experience from her previous job as manager of the Beatles’ Story in Liverpool, and by the commitment of all the staff and the many volunteers who help out at the centre.

 

"The potential to develop this amazing building is enormous and the trust can be nimble on its feet because it is independent and has plenty of expertise to draw on.

 

"I will do everything I can to support it and I know the local community will continue to vote with its feet by using Splash Magic and its great facilities in ever increasing numbers in the future.” 

MP demands probe into bank closures

 

* From left: Julia Glover, manager of The Hair Shop,

Chirk, Susan Elan Jones MP and staff and customers at The Hair Shop.

Susan Elan Jones MP has visited 55 small and medium-sized businesses in Chirk and Ruabon to discuss the impact of local bank closures with business owners and customers.

The Clwyd South MP said: "Since HSBC decided it was going to close its Chirk and Ruabon bank branches, we've all been working very hard to try and keep cash-points open and free and sort out other practical things, like paying-in arrangements at local Post Offices.

 

"However, as local MP, I'm also committed to taking things further in Parliament.

 

"What we're seeing in our area is happening right across the UK. Most small towns and villages in this country don't have high street banks any more.

 

"It's totally unacceptable and a very different set-up from the USA and many other Western countries where regional banks with high street branches are the norm. It will be a long and hard campaign, but we need a big change in banking in our country."    

 

As part of her campaign, Susan Elan Jones MP has already met with Iain Wright MP, Chair of Parliament's Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee, who has agreed to her request for a full national inquiry into bank closures, and access to finance for small and medium-sized companies. 

 

 

Theft from van in Berwyn Street

North Wales Police are appealing for information following theft from a vehicle in Llangollen. 
                                                     
Sometime overnight between last Tuesday and Wednesday unknown offenders forced entry into a van parked at a location close to Berwyn Street.

If you noticed anything suspicious, or have any information relating to this incident, contact North Wales Police by dialling 101 quoting reference U016631. 

Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers Wales on 0800 555 111.

North Wales Police would like to urge residents to always report suspicious activity to them at the earliest opportunity.

Finance Minister visits Llan health centre

* Locality Matron Jane Jones and
Finance and Government Business
Minister Jane Hutt at Llangollen Health Centre. 

Llangollen Health Centre is an excellent example of how Welsh Government investment is providing care and support for people in their community, Finance and Government Business Minister Jane Hutt has said.

The Minister was visiting Llangollen on Thursday to see how £5.2 million capital funding from the Welsh Government has helped develop the new facility.

The Health Centre has been established to enable Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, the Llangollen GP Practice, Denbighshire County Council Social Services and the Third Sector to provide integrated services in a modern and purpose built facility.

Opened in September 2015, it offers an improved and more spacious environment for patients and staff as well as expanding the scale and range of health and voluntary services provided.

Jane Hutt said: “Investing in our health service is a priority for the Welsh Government and the new Llangollen Health Centre is a clear demonstration of that commitment.

“I am pleased we have provided over £5 million for this fantastic state-of-the-art facility which is playing a vital role in helping deliver the highest quality service to the local community.

“Investing in our infrastructure makes a positive difference and delivers real and long-term benefits for people.”

Simon Dean, interim Chief Executive of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome the Minister to the new Llangollen Health Centre.

“This major investment has given the town an excellent centre for care services, where GP practice staff and Health Board colleagues, along with social services and the voluntary sector, are now working together more effectively than ever to provide health and well-being services for the local communities.

“The building itself offers first class facilities, and it has the space we need to enable new services to be introduced.”

Young 'Uns make a big splash with Honk!

* Back row,  from left: Little ducklings played by Kate Reardon, Connie Richardson, Maisie Ansloos and Charlie Priestley. Front row: Ugly (Shea Ferron), Drake their dad (Jac Edwards) and  Ida, their  mum (Amy Jones).  

A TALENTED flock of kids from Llangollen Young ‘Uns are making a big splash with their latest production telling the heart-warming tale of an ugly duckling.

Honk! is an award-winning musical adaptation of the hand Christian Andersen story The Ugly Duckling, incorporating a message of tolerance.

The book and lyrics are by Anthony Drewe and music is by George Stiles, of the British songwriting duo Stiles and Drewe.

The West End production opened in 1999 winning the 2000 Olivier Award for Best Musical.

And this version at Llangollen Town Hall by over 40 young members of Llangollen Operatic Society’s junior section, aged six to 18, also takes the honours.

The musical is set in the duck yard of a countryside farm and features Ugly, a cygnet who is mistaken as an ugly duckling after falling into his mother Ida's nest and is rejected by everyone but her, a sly tomcat who only befriends him out of hunger, and several other barnyard characters.

Taking flight as Ugly is Shea Ferron, already a Young ‘Uns old hand following his outstanding shop-boy in their past production of Half a Sixpence.

He plays this part with a nice touch of pathos, especially in the song Different which sums up his predicament after being rejected as a fowl oddity. He handles what is quite a meaty part for a youngster with aplomb.

Outstanding as his mother Ida is Amy Jones, getting plenty of emotion into her concern over Ugly when he goes missing from the farmyard and projecting a powerful singing voice.

Drake, Ugly’s dad who often ducks his fatherly responsibilities, is neatly portrayed by Jac Edwards.

Although he doesn’t have too much to do early in the show, Cassius Hackforth comes into his own later as Bullfrog, the twinkly frog who befriends the lost and bewildered Ugly as he roams the countryside. He bounds on stage and takes it over with his exuberant acting and singing.    

Amelia Keen cleverly portrays the predatory tomcat who is constantly trying to have Ugly for lunch with bags of feline cunning.

Shining as another cat called Queenie that our hero meets on his travels is Talulah Thomas, ably abetted by Erin Roberts as Lowbutt, a fussy hen.

Every member of the versatile and disciplined cast, who constantly switch roles to become different types of fish or fowl clad in a variety of colourful costumes, shines throughout the show.

Minimalist but well thought out stage settings are enhanced by images projected on to a big screen and a live band powerfully backs up a collection of catchy songs.        

Honk! which is the Young ‘Uns’ 26^th production, was the perfect choice for the Young ‘Uns and does credit to the large production team spearheaded by artistic director Chrissie Ashworth,  musical director Julian Cattley and producer Pamela Williams.  

You can still catch the show tonight (Friday) and twice tomorrow when there’s an afternoon matinee and an evening performance.

* Tickets are available from Llangollen Tourist Information Centre, Jades Hair and Beauty, Gwyn Davies Butchers and Stella Bond on 01978 860441 or online at: www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/105287

Eisteddfod welcomes new marketing head

 

* Megan McNutt with Eisteddfod Chairman Rhys Davies.

The new head of marketing for one of the UK’s iconic cultural festivals is fresh from a job promoting a top public school in Hampshire, where Hollywood superstar Daniel Day Lewis and TV property expert Kirsty Allsopp were pupils.

Welsh-speaker Megan McNutt, from Llandderfel, near Bala, has just taken over the marketing brief at the world famous Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod which will be celebrated for the 70^th time this summer.

Keen sportswoman Megan plays hockey, skis and is a former gymnast but she also learned to play the harp and the piano as a pupil at Ysgol Y Berwyn, Bala, before going on to study Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Wales Institute Cardiff – now Cardiff Metropolitan University.

It’s a return to North Wales for the 28-year-old who has spent the last 15 months as Communications Manager at independent Bedales School, in Hampshire, where Daniel Day-Lewis, Minnie Driver, Sophie Dahl, Cara Delevingne, Lily Allen and Kirsty Allsopp are among the former pupils and where Princess Margaret sent her children.

Megan, who now lives in Ty Nant, Maerdy, near Corwen, with her farmer partner Dylan Jones, will be working alongside a team of dedicated volunteers to deliver the marketing for the 2016 event.

She said: “It’s a really exciting job and I’m thrilled to be working for such an incredible festival which has such a rich heritage.

“I have been to the Eisteddfod a number of times as a visitor but I’m really excited to be part of something which attracts people from all over the world as well as stars like Jools Holland.

“I already appreciate the buzz there is about Llangollen and what it means to so many people, especially to be working with over 800 volunteers who give their time to make this brilliant festival happen every year.”

Llangollen’s worldwide appeal is something the well-travelled Megan will appreciate after spending time in Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia, Sri Lanka and South America as well as in France as a Ski Guide, and an Events Assistant at Cannes Lions Advertising Festival.

She said: “I worked at the National White Water Centre at Frongoch, near Bala, and that was a lot of fun and a great experience and in the winter I took a job as a Ski Guide in Val d’Isere in France.

“Since then I have really enjoyed working at Bedales which is a fantastic school but I wanted to come back to North Wales where my boyfriend is a farmer and working for the Eisteddfod is a dream job.

“North Wales can seem like a bit of a bubble but to have these big names coming here to Llangollen is quite amazing.

“It’s a unique place to work and just so impressive that so many people are so committed to making this event possible.”

Eisteddfod Chairman Rhys Davies said: “We’re delighted to have Megan join us and be based at Llangollen full time and I’m sure she will bring many qualities to the role.

“She has an impressive background with a broad range of experience for someone still in her 20s and is well travelled which will help with our international connections.”

Megan, is the youngest of four children, and is the daughter of Brendan McNutt, founder of Bryn Melyn Care which helps and cares for children and young adults with complex needs.

Her mother, Nuala, still lives locally in Llandderfel and is a primary school supply teacher.

She sees her role as building visitor numbers, particularly for the daytime competitions in the Royal International Pavilion and for the daytime events on the festival field.

Tickets sales for the concerts at this year’s Eisteddfod, which begins on Tuesday, July 5, are already going well, especially for the opening night when superstar Katherine Jenkins gets the programme off to a sensational start as she sings Bizet’s Carmen.

Wednesday will be International Children’s Day and will include choral and dance competitions and also a new Under 16s solo competition while the evening will feature the Voices of Musical Theatre.

The great Bryn Terfel will headline the 70^th Classical Gala Concert on Thursday evening while the day will see the crowning of the Children’s Choir of the World.

Friday will celebrate Rhythms of the World and will be a feast of music and dance from the best of the Eisteddfod’s international competitors with the Dance Champions of the World competition climax at the evening concert.

It will open with a Caribbean Carnival Extravaganza, followed by the International Peace message delivered by Theatr yr Ifanc, Rhosllannerchrugog.

In a change of the scheduling Friday will also see the Parade of Nations, led by Eisteddfod President Terry Waite, switched from Tuesday in anticipation of bigger crowds and more competitors being present.

Saturday is dedicated to the top choirs and concludes with the Choir of the World competition for the Pavarotti Trophy while Sunday sees the Eisteddfod let its hair down for Llanfest before the climactic final concert, featuring Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra.

* To book tickets and for more details on the 2016 festival go to the website at www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk

Business events planned for county

Businesses in Denbighshire are urged to get signed up for a series of workshops, aimed at encouraging businesses to grow and flourish.

 

The March for Business workshops have been arranged by Denbighshire County Council’s Economic and Business Development team, in direct response to feedback received from businesses in 2015.

 

Over 400 businesses took part in a survey and identified  their future support needs.

 

The events are:

 

Employment and HR – Business Breakfast – Wednesday, 2^nd of March at Oriel House, St Asaph. 8am -10am. A networking breakfast for businesses with speakers focussing on assistance with recruitment and staffing.

 

A Taste for Local (local producers) – Networking – Wednesday, 9^th March at Llangollen Pavilion -   10.30am-1.30pm.  An event to promote and highlight the wide range of Denbighshire food and drink producers and potential buyers such as hoteliers, B & Bs, retailers, restaurants & cafes.  One of the guest speakers will be farmer and TV personality Gareth Wyn Jones.

 

Open for Business –  Friday, 11^th March at Nova, Prestatyn. 9am-5pm. A full day of keynote business speakers; an opportunity to meet business facing Council services and a range of other support providers. Free and practical 1-2-1 business information.

 

Finance and Funding – Business Lunch – Monday, 14^th March – Brookhouse Mill, Denbigh. 12pm-2pm. A networking lunch for businesses with speakers focusing on current financing options.

 

Social Media for Beginners –   Tuesday, 22^nd March - Rhyl College, Cefndy Road, Rhyl – 4.30pm-7.30pm. A three-hour workshop on how to use social media as a marketing tool in the world of business. Ideal for businesses that are new to social media or those who are looking to fill a few knowledge gaps.

 

Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of Denbighshire and Cabinet Lead Member for the Economy, said: “We are delighted to be hosting these events as a direct result of the feedback we receive d from the business survey.

 

“We have a key role to play in assisting businesses to grow and flourish and are pleased to offer these opportunities to receive and share specialist advice and information and identify ways the businesses can enhance their business potential."

 

* To book a place, contact the Economic and Business Development team, on 01824 706896 or e-mail:econ.dev@denbighshire.gov.uk

 

Walking festival on track for 2016

* The area around Llangollen is a walker's paradise.

This year’s Llangollen Walking Festival will be held from April 30-May 1 and 2.

Organisers say the event gives the chance to walk with professional guides who will share their knowledge of historical sites, rivers, canal and folk tales within the Clwydian Range and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Walkers can choose from a number of routes of eight, 12 or 16 miles. One of the walks includes a heritage steam train ride.

There are short walks around the famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct World Heritage site with a Blue Badge Guide.

There is also a photography walk and talk and two Nordic walking sessions – one for beginners and one advanced.

On certain walks there is free beer, mineral water, energy bars and “dragon poo” cake.

Charges vary and places are limited.

* Book online at: www.LlangollenWALKINGfestival.co.uk Contact the organisers, TREKsmart walking guides at: hello@treksmart.net  and @WalktheMOUNTAIN #LlanWALKfest Tel: 01978 721306

Covering of snow on the hills

Llan residents found a covering of snow on the surrounding hills this morning.

While rain showers were forecast, temperatures were expected to pick up as the day progressed.

Operatic seeks sponsorship for next show

Llangollen Operatic Society is seeking sponsorship for its forthcoming production of the smash hit Mel Brook’s musical The Producers, which will be staged in Llangollen Town Hall from April 12-16.  

 

Producer, Tracey Rawlinson, explained: “As a registered charity, fundraising efforts and the support of our sponsors is invaluable in enabling our junior and senior sections to continue producing high quality productions for the enjoyment of the local community.  

 

“We have been very fortunate to secure sponsorship from a number of local businesses and individuals in previous years and we’ve always received wonderful feedback from them as to their experience. Following the overwhelming success of Sister Act in 2015, we are hoping to attract a similar level of support again this year."

   

For £125.00, sponsors are offered four reserved balcony seats with a prime view of the stage, four drinks of their choice from the bar, four complimentary programmes and the opportunity to display marketing material in the Town Hall on the evening of their sponsorship.

 

They will also have the services of a dedicated sponsor host, who will welcome them on arrival and be on hand to ensure their experience is enjoyable. 

 

Tracey added: “We believe this package represents excellent value and in return for our sponsors’ generosity, we will guarantee an unforgettable evening of entertainment and hospitality."

  

* If you would like to support the production or would like to have more information, contact Tracey Rawlinson on 07875 639533/e-mail traceyrawlinson@btinternet.com 

 

Tickets for The Producers are now available online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/llangollenoperaticsociety 

Residents welcome speeding crackdown

Residents in a Dee Valley village blighted by speeding have welcomed a crackdown on irresponsible drivers.

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates contacted Wrexham Council and North Wales Police last summer and urged them to do anything they could to improve road safety outside Pontfadog school and throughout the wider community, including Dolywern.

Chief Constable Mark Polin promised action would be taken, and safety vans were immediately deployed in the area. They have since been seen regularly and were spotted again near the school last week.

Labour AM Mr Skates was initially contacted by constituent Gayle Watkin regarding speeding and dangerous driving on the B4500.

Mrs Watkin, who has coordinated the local campaign to improve road safety, said: “Speed vans have been deployed a lot more often and personally I think there has been a slight reduction in the amount of vehicles tearing through the village, but there's still work to do.”

Dolywern resident Jools Payne said: “It's really good to see that Ken is using his powers of persuasion and influence to help protect the community.

“Positive action like getting speed cameras regularly monitoring motorists in the valley will, I hope, deter the numpties who think they can flout the law and drive like idiots through our villages. Well done Ken – good job.”

Mr Skates said: “Mrs Watkin asked for my support as residents have had concerns over road safety for years without anything really being done. I’d like to thank North Wales Police to their swift response and commitment to cracking down on this problem.

“However, the area cannot be policed all the time. Drivers need to take responsibility for their actions. How would they feel if it was their community motorists were screeching through and their children’s school people were speeding past?”

Mr Skates said he has written to Wrexham Council again to pursue permanent traffic-calming measures after previously requesting a reduced speed limit through Pontfadog, flashing signs, speed bumps and a barrier outside the school.

He added: “The authority was recently given a huge reprieve worth millions of pounds from the Welsh Labour Government, and it would be great to see some of that money invested in making our communities and roads safer.”

MP calls for official probe into bank closures

After the news that HSBC intends to close Ruabon and Chirk branches, Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones has called on a parliamentary select committee to review how small and medium-sized businesses are affected by the closure of local banks.

 

* Susan Elan Jones MP. 

She said: "I've already met with Iain Wright MP, Chair of the Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee, and he seemed very keen on my idea that there should be a full inquiry into bank closures and access to finance for small and medium-sized companies.

 

"Select Committees in Parliament are cross-party and one of the things that is so important about them is that the  Government has to respond to all inquiries and reviews in full.

 

"It's time that Parliament looked seriously into what happens when bank branches close - as they have done in hundreds of towns and villages across the UK." 

 

She added: "But it's not words that I want - it's action at the highest level. There are plenty of countries in the western world that would never put up with the sort of shabby behaviour we are now getting from our so-called national banks.

 

"The USA, for example, has a comprehensive network of town and state banks. These are part of the regular fabric of American small town life - and vital for US businesses and individuals.

 

"We urgently need to be looking at similar models of banking in this country too."

 

In her letter to Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee Chair Iain Wright MP, Susan Elan Jones MP wrote: "Having access to a bank or to financial services is vital. For a small business or local charitable group, it is the difference between failing or succeeding and it is so important that the government does all it can to support businesses in an already difficult climate. The heavy mechanisation of banking services has already meant that those running  business do not have the support that they may have had in the past; with every local banking facility that closes, that support diminishes further."