New Dot's fabulous Fringe night

* Audience members select their cakes before the show.

* The Town Hall stylishly decorated for the evening.

* Accordionist Dave Greenald sets the tone outside the Town Hall. 

* Founder and chair of New Dot Cinema

Jen Sandiford arrives for the show.

* Glamorous vocalist Betzy Jean rounds

off the evening with a song. 

For last year's Fringe Festival, New Dot Cinema partied like it was the 1920s.

This year, there was a stylish 1930's themed evening based around the film, Cabaret.

The evening drew a healthy crowd of locals and visitors, many of whom took the opportunity to dress-up for the occasion.

Outside the entrance, accordion player Dave Greenald played traditional European music in top hat and tailcoat whilst, inside, a party atmosphere was created by the New Dot team, who decorated the hall with foil curtains and tissue paper pom-poms.

Young artists Pebble Hayward, Niamh Connaughton and Rhianna Martin had decorated lampshades to match the theme.

German coffee cake and heavenly florentines were found on the refreshment table, served on vintage crockery.

An impressively sturdy, pop-up Fringe Festival bar served ice-cold German pilsner alongside
locally brewed beverages.

After the Mayor of Llangollen, Cllr Mike Adams said a few words, the audience was treated to some entertaining film footage from the 1930s.

They then settled down to enjoy the classic musical Cabaret which won eight Oscars and was in turns entertaining, exciting and dark.

It received an enthusiastic round of applause from the appreciative audience.

Finally, the evening was topped off with a live performance by glamorous vocalist Betzy Jean.

Her set included well-loved hits of power jazz and heart-felt blues.

Having recently invested in a new mirror ball for the Town Hall, New Dot was able to turn it on for Betzy Jean and it cast magical beams of lights over the crowd.

Founder and chair of New Dot Cinema Jen Sandiford recently announced that she'll be stepping down to spend more time with her family.

"It's been an exciting and satisfying role and I'm really pleased with what we've achieved in the last twelve months," she said.

"I very much hope that others are inspired to get involved and keep New Dot going from strength to strength.

"Llangollen deserves a cinema showing interesting films and I'm especially proud that we've managed to attract a BFI-funded projector to the Town Hall in our first year."

She added: "I'd like to say a particular thanks to co-founder, Simon Proffitt, without whose creative curation and hard work, the cinema nights wouldn't be nearly as successful.

"Also, a big thank-you to all the volunteers that have stepped up to power the cinema. And finally,
thank-you to everyone who bought a ticket and came along to support the first 12 months of New Dot Cinema Llangollen."

Vintage Singers gather at Chirk Castle

Around 40 gleaming machines gathered at Chirk Castle today (Sunday) for the 40th annual Association of Singer Car Owners Vintage Car Rally.

llanblogger was there to record the scene.

Police boss pledges high tech battle on rural crime

* Arfon Jones, Police and Crime Commissioner for

North Wales, on his visit to Dolgellau

Farmers Mart to meet members of the Rural Crime Team.

He is pictured with Dewi Evans and Rhys Evans.

A police boss has pledged to use high tech methods to combat rural crime.

The new North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, Arfon Jones, is calling for more mobile Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to be used to catch criminals trying to avoid detection by using back roads.

Mr Jones, a former police inspector who was raised on a farm in Harlech, was speaking during a visit to the farmers' mart in Dolgellau when he also promised to support the pioneering Rural Crime Team which was set up by North Wales Police two and a half years ago.

Mr Jones said: "I used to come to the mart in Dolgellau every week and it's great to be back.

"It's important that the rural areas of North Wales are given the same attention by the police as the urban areas.

"I am determined to make sure the police station in Dolgellau remains open 24/7 because this area needs to be policed properly.

"The work of the Rural Crime Team is tremendously important and they are well respected by farmers and others who are interested in the countryside and wildlife.

"The team have been highly successful since they were established two and a half years ago and have won a number of richly deserved awards.

"A lot of forces are looking to this team as a benchmark of best practice so they can try and emulate what's happening in North Wales.

"I am determined to continue funding the Rural Crime Team. In the grand scheme of things, they don't cost a great deal and I would hope that a number of our partners like Natural Resources Wales would contribute because they also benefit from the team's work.

"Farmers are having a tough time so any losses incurred because of theft, whether it is livestock or machinery, can be a hammer blow to them.

"There is a real need for ANPR in rural areas so we know when criminals are in the area.

"They don't use main roads and use instead smaller country roads so we need to a have mobile ANPR kit so it can be used on these back lanes to see who is using them.

"ANPR cameras can read a registration number and instantly check it against database records of vehicles of interest. Police officers can intercept and stop a vehicle, check it for evidence and, where necessary, make arrests.

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

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

"This technology is already used in the urban areas and it's important that rural areas like Meirionnydd enjoy the same level and quality of policing.

"They are first class people and they deserve a first class policing service.

"The message to criminals is clear. There is no welcome for them in North Wales and if they come here they will be caught."

The support of commissioner was welcomed by PC Dewi Evans who has been working with the Rural Crime Team since it was established two and a half years ago.

He said: "We have been successful in reducing farm crime and rural crime.

"We have cut wildlife crime by 80 per cent and we reduced farm crime by 40 per cent early on and we are maintaining that level.

"We have a very good relationship with the people who live in the rural areas as well as other agencies like the Snowdonia National Park and Natural Resources Wales, along with the farming unions.

"We have some excellent contacts and that has been a crucial part of our success.

"The fact that the new police and crime commissioner is so supportive of our work is great news for us and more importantly for the people who live in the countryside.

"The continuing support of the team will help us ensure that rural crime remains at a low level."

The commissioner also met Huw Jones, the county officer of the Farmers' Union of Wales, in Meirionnydd, who is fan of the Rural Crime Team.

He said: "The role of the Rural Crime Team is very important and it is something we had been calling for.

"It is important that we see them in marts like this one in Dolgellau and that farmers get to know the members of the team so that they know who to turn to if they need them.

"The farming community can also act as the eyes and ears of the police in the countryside."

Summit planned to discuss bus services

The Welsh Government will continue providing support to Wrexham and Denbighshire councils to help replace bus services in the wake of the area’s main operator going into administration.

That's the word from Clwyd South AM Ken Skates who has also set up a meeting with all three North East Wales authorities to discuss plans following the collapse of Ruabon-based GHA Coaches.

Mr Skates said: “The news of the demise of GHA Coaches came as a huge blow for our area, with more than 300 people being told their jobs had gone and thousands more who relied on their buses at risk of being stranded.

“People in some of Clwyd South’s most rural and isolated areas, places like Glyn Ceiriog and Penley, have been severely affected, and that is something that the council needs to address urgently. Some of my constituents are effectively trapped until alternatives are provided.”

Mr Skates has arranged a meeting with Wrexham, Denbighshire and Flintshire councils to discuss ways forward.

He added: “The Welsh Government has been working with councils to try to protect the bus network. We will continue to work collaboratively, including with the administrators, to minimise the effects of the firm entering administration.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson said funding to local authorities under the Bus Services Support Grant, to help them to subsidise buses and community transport, has been maintained at £25m since 2013-14 despite ‘very challenging’ funding settlements from the Tory Government at Westminster.

Over that period, a number of councils cut their own budgets, the spokesperson added.

Skates welcomes A5 parking restrictions

Assembly Member Ken Skates has welcomed the introduction of parking restrictions on a busy main road in Llangollen.

The Clwyd South AM has been pressing for double yellow lines to stop parking opposite Stans of Llangollen on the A5 for more than a year,

Mr Skates (pictured on the A5), who is based in the town, said: “The Welsh Labour Government confirmed in February that the work would be prioritised, and I’m glad that my constituents’ concerns have been listened to and it has now been completed.

“I hope this will help improve safety on what is a very busy main road.” 

Residents had complained that parked vehicles opposite the garage caused an obstruction, particularly for older pedestrians trying to cross the road.

Mr Skates recently took over responsibility for trunk roads when he was appointed the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure.

He added: “The Welsh Government has always maintained its intention to do this. I’m pleased to have been able to act upon local concerns and get this matter addressed.”

Mountain biking film gets local premiere

In association with North Wales Mountain Bike Association, One Plant Adventure in Llandegla is hosting an exclusive advanced showing of the film Mountain Biking The Untold Story for riders in North Wales.

It will be projected on to a 2.4m screen in the café between 5 and 7pm on Sunday July 31.

Tour of Britain race heads for county

* The world's top riders will race from Denbigh to Builth Wells.

Britain’s most prestigious professional cycle race, the Tour of Britain, will return to Wales for two stages once again this September.

Wednesday 7 September sees the world’s top riders racing from Denbigh to Builth Wells, where they will finish on the Royal Welsh Showground.

Thursday 8 September will then see the world’s top cyclists racing from Aberdare across South Wales through Rhondda Cynon Taf, Caerphilly County Borough, Torfaen and Monmouthshire before a finish in Bath.

The two stages will include almost 300-kilometres of racing on Welsh roads, with Stage Four from Denbigh to Builth Wells the longest of the 2016 race at 218-kilometres also including the most ascent of any leg, with over 4,000-metres of climbing.

Stage Four will begin from Denbigh town centre at 10:30 and is expected to finish on the Royal Welsh Showground at Builth Wells at around 15:29.  It will mark the first time that Denbighshire has hosted a stage start of the Tour of Britain and the first time that a stage has finished in Powys.

Flintshire will host an intermediate Yodel Sprint, sponsored by parcel delivery company Yodel, in Mold and the day’s opening SKODA King of the Mountains climb to the village of Rhydtalog.

Two further SKODA King of the Mountains climbs will come at Bwlch-y-Safn in Denbighshire’s Berwyn Mountains and at Dyfnant forest in Powys, with the final Yodel Sprints in the villages of Foel and Newbridge-on-Wye.

The Tour of Britain will resume a day later from Aberdare Park in Rhondda Cynon Taf at 11:00 on Thursday 8 September for a 205-kilometre stage to Bath.  From Aberdare the stage will pass through Mountain Ash, Ystrad Mynach and Pontypool, before the opening Yodel Sprint on Monmouth Road in Usk.

The Stage Five route continues through Monmouthshire to Tintern, crossing the River Wye into Gloucestershire via the Bigsweir Bridge north of Llandogo.

Commenting on the Welsh stages, Tour of Britain Race Director Mick Bennett said; “We are looking forward to this year’s Welsh stages of the Tour of Britain and taking in new venues and new climbs.  As always the Welsh stages will be amongst the hardest in the Tour, and this year is no different with both stages in excess of 200-kilometres and containing plenty of climbing.”

Anne Adams-King, Chief Executive Officer at Welsh Cycling said; “Welsh Cycling is delighted to once again welcome the Tour of Britain to Wales. A stage start is a first for the town of Denbigh, and to finish at the heart of Wales at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells will be spectacular. We are also pleased to see Stage Five depart from Aberdare as the race travels across the border to finish in Bath.

“We have a fantastic summer of cycling activities here in Wales for everyone to enjoy. With our elite athletes competing in the Tour de France and Rio Olympic Games, and major events like the Tour of Britain on our doorstep, we hope that Wales will be inspired to cycle this summer.”

Councillor Huw Jones, Denbighshire County Council’s Cabinet Lead Member for Tourism, Leisure and Youth “We are absolutely delighted to have secured the start of Stage Four of the race this year, as we feel it will have great benefits to the tourism industry here in Denbighshire, as well as showcasing what the region has to offer.

“We are working closely with our colleagues in Flintshire and the rest of North Wales to make sure that the level of public support shown over recent years is repeated again this year.

“North Wales is fast earning itself a reputation for hosting and staging major events, with the Tour of Britain a prime example of how councils and event organisers work closely together to deliver these spectacular events.”   

Archeological sites will open this weekend

Anyone who digs archeology is in for a real treat this weekend.

Two excavations are taking place on adjacent hillforts in the northern part of the  Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Archaeologists from Oxford University are continuing their work at Moel y Gaer, Bodfari, and at nearby Penycloddiau another group of Liverpool archaeology students are learning about the principles of archaeological excavation.

* Moel y Gaer, Bodfari.

There are opportunities to see both sites with visits and open days organised by Fiona Gale, County Archaeologist for Denbighshire.

She said: "It is a great opportunity for us to learn more about what life was like in these enigmatic places when people built them around 2500 years ago, the spotlight is really on sites in our area, with archaeologists from across the UK waiting to see what is found.

"It's especially appropriate that this work is taking place during the UK’s Festival of British Archaeology."

On Saturday July 23^rd there is an open morning at Penycloddiau and Fiona will lead a walk up from the Llangwyfan car park (SJ13896663), leaving at 10am.

At the site visitors will meet Dr Rachel Pope of Liverpool University who will explain what has been found so far.

On Sunday July 24^th there is an open day at the excavations at Moel y Gaer (11am to 4pm).

The site is privately owned and not normally open to the public, however for this one day you can park close to the site (SJ09447123) and walk up to see what is taking place.

Fiona will lead people around at the top but there will be opportunities to talk to Professor Gary Lock and Dr John Pouncett from Oxford University who are organising the work.

Police seek help to find missing man

Merseyside Police are appealing for help in tracing the whereabouts of a man seen in Llangollen last Sunday.

Russell Beck, 51, from Port Sunlight, was last seen on Boundary Road in that area at around 8am on Thursday 14 July.

There was also a confirmed sighting at 10am on Sunday 17 July in the Wynnstay hotel, in Llangollen, say officers.

Mr Beck is described as a white male, 5ft 10in tall, of medium build, with short grey hair, grey eyes and glasses.

When last seen on 14 July he was wearing a khaki jacket and light coloured trousers.

Mr Beck is known to frequent pubs in the New Ferry and Port Sunlight areas as well as North Wales.

Anyone who has seen Mr Beck or has any information about his whereabouts is asked to contact Merseyside Police on 101 (quoting log 772 of 16/7/16) or the Missing People charity on 116 000 or 116000@missingpeople.org.uk

Railway swings back to the 60s this weekend

* A vintage bus service will run during the weekend.

It's the seventh 1960's weekend at the Llangollen Railway this Saturday and Sunday.

There's lots of 60's themed things to enjoy all along the line over the weekend.

Visitors are encouraged to dress up in 60's outfits as many of the staff do.

Dr Beeching's Bar in the Robertson Suite at Llangollen station will be open on Friday evening and Saturday from 12 until late.

There will be seven local real cask ales and a cider on offer at £3 a pint and bottled lagers, wines and ciders.

The railway will be running a 1960's-themed pub quiz at around 8pm on Friday evening, entry will be £10 per team with all proceeds to our appeal to build a water tower at our new station in Corwen.

There will be live music performed on the platform during Saturday afternoon and evening, from 7-10pm. Entry is free.

You can also enjoy a burger from the station restaurant barbeque and lots of people get up and dance. 

Berwyn station café will be open and alighting from the train here provides quick and easy access to the Chain Bridge and hotel, offering wonderful views of the railway and the Dee.

The popular and free "rail replacement" vintage bus service will be running between Llangollen and Corwen during the day, also calling at Berwyn and Glyndyfrdwy - where there is a large vintage vehicle rally of 60's era cars and other vehicles and a charming little café in the station serving tea and cakes.

Anyone with a vintage car from the 1960s era or older is welcome to bring it along to display and will receive complimentary travel on the railway for the event.

The buses also call at Carrog on the A5, with the station tearooms a short walk away.

The railway will be running an intensive timetable of superb vintage trains. 

Llan bus services taken over by fresh company

Wrexham.com is reporting today (Monday) that another company has take over the running of the Llangollen bus routes axed last week when GHA went into administration.

See the full story at: https://www.wrexham.com/news/wrexham-industrial-estate-llangollen-bus-routes-taken-over-by-d-jones-son-116266.html

Isherwood raises questions on rail services

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has called on the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure, Ken Skates AM, to answer the calls of rail users in North East Wales and ensure improved services in the region in the future.

Responding to the Cabinet Secretary’s Statement on Transport Modernisation ‘An Update on the Wales and Borders Franchise and Metro Programmes’ Mr Isherwood (pictured) highlighted the issues facing rail users in the region and asked what action the Welsh Government is taking to address them.

He said:  “Given evidence suggesting that 20 per cent of interview or job offers at Deeside Industrial Park are being turned down due to transport difficulties, and that the 2011 census shows the use of rail to travel to work in Flintshire at only 1 per cent - less than half the average for the whole of Wales, in a region where there’s a stronger economy and a significant population living within 5 km of existing stations - how will the Welsh Government’s proposals for rail transport in the region enable people to reliably get from where they are to where they wish to go, at the time they wish to travel, enabling those who can’t drive to access employment and promote a modal shift to rail in our region?

“What is the Welsh Government’s position on calls from rail user groups for two trains per hour on the Wrexham-Bidston route, starting earlier and continuing into the evening, within the franchise specification for 2018?”

He also asked: “With regard to the reference we’ve heard in your Statement to the metro programme for North Wales and the North Wales summit last Friday, in your Statement you say you want to maximise opportunities for cross-border connectivity and you refer to Growth Deals either side of the border. Is it not the case that we need a single Growth Deal with the Governments working together, which was the UK Government offer?

“I’m pleased that the (UK) Under-Secretary was present at the meeting on Friday, but could you comment in the context of that joined-up growth deal and the work of the North Wales Business Council, the Economic Ambition Board, the Mersey Dee Alliance, and others on a proposal that incorporates the whole of North Wales, from Holyhead through into north-west England, not just specifically what you’re referring to as the metro region?”

Mr Isherwood called for improved provision for disabled passengers to include those with sensory impairments - hearing and sight loss.

The Cabinet Secretary agreed that the Wrexham-Bidston line is a crucial route in the national rail network, and said he is “keen and determined that that route should have adequate investment to meet the needs of the passengers it carries and those people who would wish to use the service.”

He also agreed that better  rail access is needed to Deeside Industrial Park, saying: “We have been able to identify the fact, that a new station will be required on Deeside Industrial Park as part of an integrated transport network for that specific region.”

Toy and train fair set for August 20

              

The town's Pavilion is to host the next  annual Llangollen Toy & Train Sale on Saturday August 20, from 10.30am-3pm.

Organiser Chris Dyer said: “Llangollen  attracts a great range of traders from  all over Wales and England and a wonderful array of stock is always available from all the big names such as Dinky, Corgi, Matchbox, EFE, Tri-ang, Hornby, Lima, Wrenn and Bachmann.

"In the current economic climate, prices have never been keener and it is an ideal time to build up collections at budget prices.

"Traders are also very keen to buy and to exchange so do raid your attics and  bring along any of your surplus items. We can promise visitors a great day at Llangollen.

"A sister event, the Oswestry Toy & Train Sale, will be taking place at the Oswestry Show Ground, on Saturday and Sunday October 22 and 23, followed on Sunday October 23 by our all-new event at Venue Cwmru, Llandudno."

* For more details, tel: (01643)702757 and 07966 694579, or see the website: www.chrisdyerfairs.co.uk

Mystery of wool covered landmarks unravelled

* A wool-draped tree outside the Town Hall.

Local WI members have unravelled the mystery of why landmarks across the town centre ended up with a woolly look first thing this (Saturday) morning.


Everything from the phone box to trees were given woollen coverings as part of a special exercise called yarn bombing - sometimes called guerilla knitting or yarn graffiti.


It was a joint venture between Glyndyfrydwy WI,  Llangollen WI and Valley Girls WI with the aim of celebrating creativity and spreading some colour and happiness in the community.


A Valley Girls WI spokeswoman said: “It really has been teamwork with members of all three WI's quietly knitting away at home to create squares,  pom-poms and other motifs.


“We came together to create the larger pieces to cover the key structures.


“We're hoping to salvage what we can of the knitwear to make blankets for needy groups, maybe the elderly in our community or possibly refugees.


“Another idea is to make them into twiddle muffs which are used by people with dementia as this different textures and shapes can help soothe restless hands. 


“Many thanks to all involved and to the Fringe Festival committee for their support too.”

Town landmarks take on mystery woolly look

Famous landmarks in the town have this morning (Saturday) taken on a decidedly woolly look.

llanblogger is looking into how it happened and will bring you the full yarn later ...

MP questions new PM about driving offences sentencing

Susan Elan Jones MP has tabled four written questions in Parliament about sentencing for driving offences.

Her questions coincide with a new Prime Minister taking office.

The Clwyd South Labour Member was awarded the title of 2015 Parliamentarian of the Year by road safety charity Brake.

Now, she is calling on Theresa May and her new Justice Secretary to sort out a Government review of motoring offences and penalties with immediate effect.

The four questions Susan Elan Jones MP has formally tabled are:

 - To ask the Secretary of State if and when a public consultation on motoring offences and penalties will be conducted as part of the government’s announced sentencing review.

 - To ask the Secretary of State when the results of the government’s sentencing review on motoring offences and penalties are expected to be published.

 - To ask the Secretary of State what recent discussions he has had with the Department for Transport about the government’s sentencing review on motoring offences and penalties.

 - To ask the Secretary of State to make a statement about the proposed purpose of the review into sentencing of motoring offences and penalties.

Ms Jones said: "The Government promised a review of motor offences and penalties in 2014. I appreciate now that this is now being considered alongside a review of other offences.

"However it is not fair to the victims of road traffic accidents and the families of those killed on our roads that they should have to wait any longer. Everyone knows that the current sentences for driving offences are a nonsense. That's why I am calling on the new Prime Minister and her Justice Secretary to get this all sorted as soon as possible." 

Business lending drops after bank closures

* Plaid Cymru's Mabon ap Gwynfor with a defunct cash machine.

Bank lending to local businesses in the Ceiriog Valley has dropped by 30% in just two years after it lost its last bank, according to Plaid Cymru research.

The collapse in lending is mirrored in other communities that have lost local bank branches, according to a new report published by campaigning group Move Your Money UK.

Move Your Money UK’s report shows that bank branch closures dampens lending growth among small and medium-sized businesses by 63% on average. This figure becomes 104% when the last bank in town closes.

Plaid Cymru spokesperson for Clwyd South, Mabon ap Gwynfor, who has been campaigning against the closure of numerous bank branches in the constituency, said that while branch closures might make sense for the banks themselves, they were having a " devastating" impact on local communities and businesses, adding to the " slow death" of High Streets across Wales.

He added: “Many of the bank closures have happened relatively recently here, so we do not know the full impact yet.

"But the Ceiriog Valley lost its last bank back in 2011 and lending to medium and small businesses for the LL20 7 postcode area shows a significant year-on-year fall in lending with £14,700,000 being lent in the second quarter of 2013 falling to £10,800,000 by the final quarter of last year. That’s a 30% drop in lending to SMEs in the area.

"The LL14 area, which covers Rhosllanerchrugog, Penycae, Cefn, Ruabon and surrounding areas has also seen a drop in lending to SMEs from £14,000,000 in the final quarter of 2013 to £12,300,000 in the final quarter of last year, and has also seen banks close in Rhos and Cefn Mawr, but the area is yet to feel the full impact of the closure of HSBC in Ruabon.

“These are not just numbers on a spreadsheet, they represent economic confidence in an area, they represent investment, direct and indirect employment, they show a significant loss to the local economy and community.

“While the Government have come up with a banking protocol, which is toothless and frankly not worth the paper it’s written on, they must  enforce the Banking sector to make a full community Impact Assessment before any closure, and if that assessment proves negative than they should remain open."


LL20 7 is the postcode area for the Ceiriog Valley and southern parts of Llangollen, Trevor, and Froncysyllte.

Both the Ceiriog Valley and Cefn Mawr lost their last banks in 2011, and Llangollen has also seen several banks close in the last two years.

Llangollen, Pentredwr and Eglwyseg, LL20 8, records a £1m fall in lending to SME's between early 2013 and late 2015, lending £10.4m in the second quarter of 2013 and £9.5m in the final quarter of 2015.

Mr ap Gwynfor said, "This is bad news for businesses in Llangollen and the area, who are now finding it harder to invest and grow their businesses."

Clwyd South only has one bank branch left - Barclays in Llangollen.

Renowned poet appears at Fringe this Saturday

Levi Tafari, who appears in the Llangollen Fringe Festival this weekend, is the author of three poetry collections: Duboetry (1987), Liverpool Experience (1989) and Rhyme Don't Pay (1998).

His new collection, From the Page to the Stage, is forthcoming.

His plays have been performed at the Unity Theatre and the Playhouse in Liverpool, as well as at the Blackheath Theatre in Stafford.

He has also worked on educational projects running creative writing workshops in schools, colleges, universities, youth centres, prisons and libraries.

And it is from this work that he will be most familiar to a generation of people, not just in Llangollen, but also across Denbighshire and North Wales as Levi has been a regular visitor to schools in the area over the past 15 years, offering workshops and experience in poetry and creative writing in the classrooms of morth east Wales.

He returns to Llangollen to host two very special events this Saturday - a poetry workshop and poetry slam, both at The Bridge End Hotel, Mill Street.

Budding poets are invited to sign up to join in on the slam on the day of the performance or via the form on the Llangollen Fringe website: http://llangollenfringe.co.uk/index.php/en/festival-2016/festival-2017/other-events-calendar/levi-tafari-poetry-slam 

The rest of the festival week continues with world music pioneer JAH WOBBLE, TS ELIOT poetry prize winner SARAH HOWE, U.S. reggae legends EASY STAR ALL-STARS, Welsh music Prize winner GWENNO (who’s band features ex FLAMING LIPS DRUMMER KLIPH SCURLOCK) and Belfast’s DUKE SPECIAL.

The closing weekend packs just as much of a punch, with headline slots from post punk legends GANG OF FOUR, dance floor fillers DREADZONE and a finale outdoor concert with the Spain’s ULTRA HIGH FLAMENCO, in the breath taking surroundings of VALLE CRUCIS ABBEY.

There are also numerous workshops, themed concerts on the Steam Railway and Canal Boats and family activities throughout the festival.

The poetry workshop with Levi Tafari takes place at 2pm followed by the poetry slam at 7pm on Saturday July 16 at The Bridge End Hotel, Mill Street, Llangollen. Tickets for both events are £5.00 each.

* Festival tickets, poetry workshop and slam tickets and full listings are available from www.llangollenfringe.co.uk or by calling the Fringe box office:  0800 1455 779.

County issues statement on GHA school buses

Latest ...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-36793520

* See updates at foot of story

Denbighshire County Council has announced that it received notification yesterday (Wednesday) from GHA Coaches that it was to cease trading as of last night.

The council said it was using its contingency plans to try and ensure that as many former services as possible run by GHA were able to continue to operate by other suppliers on a temporary basis.

A council statement says: "Not all routes will be covered immediately and there will be some gaps in service, as it will take a few days to arrange the necessary vehicles from other suppliers.

"Other bus services will need to operate on a reduced emergency timetable. 

"This information will be updated by the council, as soon as information becomes known.

"As part of its contingency response, the council is giving urgent priority to school pupils who are eligible for free school transport.

"The following arrangements are confirmed as at Tuesday evening:

Ysgol Dinas Brân

* Clawdd Poncen and Corwen: Williams Bala

* Llandrillo/Cynwyd: Williams Bala

* Trevor/Garth: E Jones & Son

* Chirk/Black Park area: Llew Jones Coaches

The council statement adds: "On Thursday 14th July, as at the time of publication, except for school journeys, there will be no former GHA bus services operating.

"We will update information on other services when available."

* See the BBC story on this issue at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-36790290

Denbighshire County Council has announced this morning that the following bus services previously operated by GHA Coaches  WILL operate today (Thursday) ...

X50

Ruthin to Denbigh –

Market Street Dept – 0915,1015,1115,1315,1415

Rhewl (Drovers Arms) – 0920,1020,1120,1320,1420

Llanrhaeadr Church – 0926,1026,1126,1326,1426

Brookhouse – 0929,1029,1129,1329,1429

Denbigh arr – 0935,1035,1135,1335,1435

X50

Denbigh to Ruthin

Denbigh, Lenton Pool, dept – 0950,1050,1150,1350,1450

Brookhouse – 0956,1056,1156,1356,1456

Llanrhaeadr Church, 0959,1056,1159,1359,1459

Rhewl (Drovers Arms) 1005,1105,1205,1405,1505

Ruthin arr – 1010,1110,1210,1410,1510

55 Ruthin to Corwen

Ruthin (Wynnstay Rd) 0845,0945,1145,1345

Llanfair DC – 0849,0949,1149,1349

Pwllglas – 0852,0952,1152,1352

Pandy’r Capel 0900,1000,1200,1400

Bryn SM 0902,1002,1202,1402

Gwyddelwern 0905,1005,1205,1405

Clawdd Poncen 0910,1010,1210,1410

Maes Afallen 0911,1011,1211,1411

Corwen arr, 0913,1013,1213,1413

55 Corwen to Ruthin

Corwen (carpark) dep – 0915,1015,1215,1430

Maes Afallen – 1917,1017,1202,1432

Clawdd Poncen – 0918,1018,1203,1433

Gwyddelwern – 0922,1022,1207,1437

Bryn SM – 0925,1025,1210,1440

Pandy’r Capel – 0927,1027,1212,1442

Pwllglas – 0935,1035,1220,1450

Llanfair DC – 0938,1038,1223,1453

Ruthin(Market Street) Arr – 0942,1042,1227,1457

Llangollen county councillor Stuart Davies says he is shocked to hear about the sudden closure of GHA coaches.

He told llanblogger: "This has an enormous impact on the town with people struggling to get to work in Wrexham and the surrounding areas.

"DCC has no powers regarding service bus routes, these were taken off Ccuncils years ago. However, dedicated DCC officers have been working through the evening to try and get a skeleton service up and running.

"They have been successful in getting the T2 service up, now being run by Lloyds, a big thank you to them.

"Also the X5 service is nearly there as well and hopefully should be running tomorrow."

He added: "My thoughts go to the staff who have been suddenly made jobless. The school Bbs services should be running as per DCC press releases.

"I am also calling on the Welsh Government to reinstate the subsidies that were taken off us over the last couple of years. Creating jobs is no good if people cannot get to them!"

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates said: “The news of GHA’s problems is a bitter blow for our area, and our primary concern must be for those whose jobs are now at risk.

"I will help them in any way I can. The Welsh Government is working closely with local councils including Wrexham and Denbighshire to help those who rely on the services GHA is now unable to provide.”

MP Susan Elan Jones added: “Many of my constituents have been left stranded as result of this, and for a lot of people these buses are how they get to and from Wrexham Maelor Hospital. While our local councils are acting to provide alternatives, I offer my full support to the affected employees at such a difficult, uncertain time.”