Find your past with your Llangollen library

Libraries around Denbighshire are giving their members the opportunity to take a look into their past through Find My Past and Ancestry. 

Access to these services is free and allow people to investigate their family background and hear the stories of generations past. 

Both services are easy to use on one of the library’s computers, and only a library card and PIN are needed to get started. The 1921 Census data is also available through the Find my Past service. 

As well as personal history, each library in the county has a section dedicated to local history books, allowing a peek into the past of the local area. 

Libraries also host meetings by local history groups, book launches and talks. 

Councillor Emrys Wynne, Lead Member for Welsh Language, Culture & Heritage said: “This service offered by our libraries is a brilliant way for people to find out more about their personal history and family tree. It is great that our libraries can offer these family history mapping software services to their members so that they can discover more about their personal history.

"Library members can also explore the history of their local area, with a wide selection of area specific books available at many of our libraries."

* For more information on the library service, please go to: https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/leisure-and-tourism/libraries/libraries.aspx

Llangollen bids to be age and dementia friendly

* Llangollen Town Hall where the film will be screened on May 18.

A group of people are pursuing official Age and Dementia Friendly status for Llangollen. 

The scheme is currently administered by Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council and local bidders say they need to meet a number of criteria to gain recognition.  

They say: "We started the process before Covid but of course everything was put on hold but we have managed to set up a working group.  

"We are open to ideas from people living with dementia or carers and would be delighted to welcome anyone who wants to contribute.

"On Thursday May 18 we are screening the documentary film The World Upside Down in the council chamber in Llangollen Town Hall in Parade Street, starting at 1.30pm.  

"It is a new innovative film about dementia and communication.  Following the film there will be tea and coffee and an opportunity for discussion of the film’s main themes."

To book a place follow bit.ly/World_Turned_Upside_Down_LLANGOLLEN_1805 or email Becky at: engagement@dvsc.co.ouk or on 01824 702441.

* If you want to know more about Age and Dementia Llangollen or advice on support with dementia, Denbighshire Social Services are organising a drop-in coffee session in the Town Hall on Friday May 19, from10.30am to 1.30pm.

 

A mean machine with a feeble name!

Honda Civic drive by Steve Rogers

This is not going to go down well with everyone but I am putting it out there anyway.

It is time to give Civic a new name.

It might have suited the family hatchback of the nineties but look at it, this is a mean machine with a feeble name. Call it something that packs a punch.

There, I’ve said it, now let’s back to the usual stuff.

Hard to believe Civic is 51 years old and this is the 11th generation. Thinking about it a good time to switch names would have been 2006 when Honda shocked the motoring world with a bold new look, the Civic with the Knight Rider headlights and space age dashboard.

The design of the new model is bang on the money but the main emphasis has changed from racey looks to hybrid engine efficiency, high end technology and more safety aids.

The new infotainment system, complete with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, is easier to use with sharper graphics, while the Garmin navigation, a bit of a pain on the old model, is now clearer and more detailed.

The real tech fest centres around the driver’s binnacle, now fully digital with a ‘pick a display’ feature. I usually switch off the lane departure alert but left it on because of the new graphics.

They amount to a tiny car sitting between two lines denoting a lane. Move outside the lane and the lines turn from green to orange as a visual warning. But the best bit is a graphic showing a car or lorry overtaking. Little things obviously please my little mind...

Tweaks to Civic’s body styling are best seen from the side. The roofline has been lowered and has a longer coupe style curve to the tailgate which is a new resin construction saving weight.

All this suggests a cramped, dark cabin, particularly in the back, yet it is anything but with generous legroom and plenty of light thanks to more glass. The lower roof is said not to affect headroom but that depends on the height of the passengers. My son is just under six feet and his head was brushing the headlining.

The roomy cabin extends to the boot, only bettered by the Skoda Octavia, so all in all Civic is a good alternative to an SUV.

Up front is classy without being overcomplicated, the standout feature a slim honeycomb grille hiding the ventilation outlets with mini joy sticks to direct the air. The textures and finishes have a quality feel and the centre console and door cards are coated in a scratch and fingerprint resistant finish. Could do with some of that on my car.

Main functions, apart from chunky switches for heating, are stored in a central nine inch touchscreen.

Civic is now hybrid only with a 2-litre petrol engine supported by two electric motors providing short stints on electric only driving at low speeds and occasionally when cruising. This should be good for an average in the mid fifties although I managed an impressive 60mpg on a 340 mile round trip. The only car to better that in the last few months is Civic’s big rival, the Toyota Corolla.

Performance is pacey with the best mid range pick up of any car in its class. Select sport mode and you will get a fake computer generated exhaust rap which some would say is silly, but brought a smile to my face and made me use it again....and again.

Matching the performance is cracking handling, well this is a watered down version of the magnificent Civic Type R so we should expect little else. Steering is nicely weighted and precise, it keeps flat through bends and the suspension, overly hard on previous Civics, is now perfectly damped making for a comfortable yet sporty ride.

The only negative note is more road rumble than expected, but that could be down to the rubber on the 18 inch low profile wheels. Things are probably a touch quieter on the entry model’s 17 inch rims.

Is this the best Civic to date? Undoubtedly yes, not the cheapest hatchback in its class, but given the generous equipment level across the range, safety features and efficiency, it is worth the money.

As for the Civic name, remember that when Honda decides to change it they got the idea from Llanblogger!

Is that a pig flying over Castell Dinas Bran...

Fast Facts

Civic e-HEV Advance

£36,470 (starts £31,040)

2-litre petrol, 184bhp

0-62mph 8.1secs; 112mph

56.6mpg combined

114g/km. 1st tax £185

Boot: 404-1187 litres

Insurance group 28

 

Llangollen Ramblers tackle Wales Coast Path

Twenty-three members of Llangollen Ramblers have spent the last week on the Wales Coast Path. 

Here they're exploring a ruined mill at Trefin, near St David's. 

Over 500 miles have been covered now. Only 300 more and they'll be at the end in Chepstow.

BGT star Shea back in spotlight for Llan charity concert

* Shea Ferron in the John’s Boys line-up on Britain's Got Talent.

* John’s Boys Male Chorus on the show.

A young singer who was part of the choir which wowed judges on Britain's Got Talent is one of the stars of a glittering charity concert in Llangollen later this week. 

Twenty-year-old Shea Ferron was in the line-up of the Rhosllanerchrugog-based John's Boys choir which sang the soulful number Biblical on the TV talent show recently. 

The stunning performance brought tears to the eyes of new judge Bruno Tonioli and led old hand Simon Cowell to declare he had never seen a choir on the show produce 'that' moment before. 

Now Shea, who is currently on BA (Hons) Performing Arts course at the ICTheatre College in Manchester and is from Ruabon, is back in the spotlight for a solo performance in Llangollen on Show, a fundraising variety and music hall show in aid of survivors of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria earlier this year. 

To be staged over two nights at Llangollen Town Hall this Thursday and Friday, May 11 and 12, the show will make history as the first time all three of Llangollen’s most popular amateur stage groups have come together for a joint production.

Llangollen Operatic Society, Llangollen Twenty Club and The Collen Players

are combining their considerable talents for the show all proceeds from which will go to the Disaster Emergency Committee in which 15 of the UK’s top charities have come together to supply a lifeline to areas devastated by the earthquake. 

The Operatic, an all-singing and dancing outfit, will perform numbers from the smash-hit shows Hamilton, Six, Oliver Les Miserables and Half a Sixpence,  while the Twenty Club drama group will present comedy sketches – one specially written for the occasion – inspired by their own hilarious past hits. 

The Collen Players – including Shea who will sing two numbers - will provide a taste of the rip-roaring Victorian music hall shows for which they have rapidly become famous, with their founder Lee Taylor acting as chairman for the show which starts each night at 7.30pm.  

There will be a bar and prize raffle on both nights and a number of local businesses have pledged their financial support. 

* Tickets, priced at £12 (no concessions) are available online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/llangollenoperaticsociety or from Courtyard Books, Llangollen, and the Llangollen Oggie Shop in Caste Street or on the door on the nights.

Tributes paid to town's British Legion chairman

* Phil Stroud.

One of the key figures in the town's ex-service community has died after a short illness.

Phil Stroud, well known locally as chairman of the local branch of the Royal British Legion, passed away at his home last week.

Mr Stroud, who was originally from Manchester and served for a number of years in the army with the King's Regiment, leaves his wife of 23 years Marie, children and grandchildren.

In a tribute to him, Llangollen Town Council says: "The Town Council were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Phil Stroud after a sudden but short illness. 

"Originally from Manchester, he made Llangollen his home where he served as an active member of the town’s Royal British Legion for a number of years most recently in the role of chairman."

Commenting on the loss, the Town Mayor Cllr Paul Keddie said: “Phil was a well-known citizen of Llangollen and a stalwart of the Llangollen branch of the Royal British Legion. 

"He worked closely with the Town Council staff to ensure that the Annual Service of Remembrance ran smoothly and his presence on the day as the chair, supporting the clergy and laying the Legion's wreath will be missed.”

Gareth Thomas, the Town Clerk, commented: “I express my sincere condolences to Phil’s family; he was a gentleman and contributed a great deal of time and effort in supporting the Legion and especially the arrangements for Remembrance Sunday. 

"I will miss his dry wit and the support that he has offered me over the years. It is truly sad news.”

* The funeral of Phil Stroud will take place at St Collen’s Church on Tuesday May 23, at 2pm.

Emergency services called to incident at Chirk Aqueduct

Leader Live is reporting that emergency services have been called to Chirk Aqueduct this afternoon (Monday, May 8).

The Welsh Ambulance Service has confirmed they are responding to an incident and the air ambulance is also in attendance.

* For the full story, see: https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/23508004.live-emergency-services-called-chirk-aqueduct/

Incident update....

Superintendent Jon Bowcott said "Officers from North Wales Police, along with colleagues from emergency services from both Wales and England this afternoon responded to a medical emergency in the vicinity of Chirk Aqueduct. The activity in the area has understandably created significant public interest and concern. Operations at the site have now wound down, and I would like to reassure people that there was never a threat to the wider public nor are there any ongoing issues of concern."

Talk on railway history planned for June

Llangollen Railway will be welcoming heritage specialist Fiona Gale (pictured) on the evening of Thursday June 1.

Until her retirement she was the county archaeologist in Denbighshire and has been a consultant and mentor to numerous community groups.

She has organised, led, or participated in, hundreds of events, guided tours, talks and lectures and in 2020 was was appointed an MBE for her services to heritage in Wales. 

On June 1 she will be presenting her illustrated talk on 'Denbigh, Ruthin & Corwen Railway in the Vale of Clwyd'. This will be held in the Henry Robertson Suite at Llangollen Station, with refreshments available.  

From the 1860s until the 1960s, the Vale of Clwyd was served by a railway which connected Corwen in the south to the North Wales coast line via Ruthin and Denbigh. 

Recently a project in Ruthin to refurbish a crane connected to the railway has worked as a catalyst for a wider project, collecting memories of the line, examining some of its features and researching a little of the history. The talk will explore some of this work. 

Tickets cost £5 each and are available to pre-book through Llangollen Railway's website: https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/denbigh-ruthin-corwen-railway-in-the-vale-of-clwyd-an-illustrated-talk-by-fiona-gale/. 

Due to the size of the venue, only 50 tickets are available and these are being offered on a first-come-first-served basis, so organisers advise people to book now to avoid disappointment. 

Roadworks alerts from Denbighshire County Council

Latest roadworks alerts from Denbighshire County Council are:

FROM NUMBER 57 TO NUMBER 77 PENGWERN 07/05/2023 07/05/2023 Parti Stryd / Street Party, Road Closure

A539 Ponsonby Arms MILL STREET 10/07/2023 11/07/2023 NMWTRA

A539 Castle St, Llangollen CASTLE STREET 15/05/2023 17/05/2023 15/05/23 Road Lining/stop go DCC WORKS UNIT

Market St, Llangollen MARKET STREET 15/05/2023 17/05/2023 Gwaith Llinellu / Lining Works DCC WORKS UNIT

Wrth / Nr DALMORE ABBEY ROAD 22/05/2023 24/05/2023 Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN (DCC)

Chapel St, Llangollen CHAPEL STREET 15/05/2023 17/05/2023 Gwaith Llinellu / Lining Works DCC WORKS UNIT

Wrth / Nr 3 ABBEY ROAD 10/05/2023 10/05/2023 Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

A542 carriageway MAESMAWR ROAD 30/05/2023 02/06/2023 Cynnal y Lon Gerbydau/ Carrigeway Maintenance AARON MACDONALD (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Parade St, llangollen PARADE STREET 15/05/2023 17/05/2023 Gwaith Llinellu / Lining Works DCC WORKS UNIT

Bridge St, Llangollen BRIDGE STREET 16/05/2023 16/05/2023 Adferiad/ Reinstatement DCC WORKS UNIT Road Closure

Oak St, Llangollen OAK STREET 16/05/2023 16/05/2023 Adferiad/ Reinstatement DCC WORKS UNIT Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closurei

Council cash brings power to Riverside Park bandstand

Supplying power to the bandstand in Llangollen's Riverside Park has been completed thanks to cash support from the county council.

A number of projects have been undertaken across Denbighshire to enable communities to host more sustainable and cost-effective events in their areas.

Total value of the schemes supported is £128,000. Also in the programme were sound, lighting and storage improvements at Y Ganolfan, Llandrillo and an upgrade to the kitchen at Carrog Hall.

All projects have been supported by Denbighshire Council’s Community Development Team which has been on hand to offer guidance, facilitation and act as liaison with internal departments as required.  Further projects are expected to be completed by November 2023.

Councillor Rhys Thomas, Lead Member for Housing and Communities said: “This has been a fantastic opportunity for community groups and event organisers to improve facilities across the county. Many of these locations are a crucial hub for community engagement and events and we’re pleased to see the funding has led to improved infrastructure in Denbighshire and we look forward to bringing the remaining projects in receipt of funding into fruition soon.”

* For support in developing a community project or idea, please get in touch with Denbighshire County Council’s Community Development Team via email: communitydevelopment@denbighshire.gov.uk

Llan artist's new exhibition to open at Dory Gallery

A new exhibition by Llangollen-based painter Edward Bell, who designed album covers for stars such as David Bowie and Elton John, opens at the town’s Dory Gallery later this month.

Edward Bell was born in 1950 and he studied at the Royal College of Art.

During the 1970s he was a freelance photographer and illustrator for Vogue, The Times and Penguin Books.

In the 1980s he was a portrait painter and album cover designer for David Bowie, Elton John, Hazel O’Connor and Kim Wilde and others.

During the 1990s he spent 10 years in Southern Ireland where he became a landscape painter and ceased producing commercial art.

In the 2000s he became an inner landscape painter, which means he doesn’t usually paint real places but the impression or idealisation of landscapes.

It's more of an abstract interpretation than realist rendering. In other words, it represents an artist’s own inner landscape.

Bell also lived in Paris and spent long periods in India, Florence and Venice. And for over a decade he has lived and worked in Llangollen, Wales.

His previous exhibitions have been in London and Shropshire.

The exhibition at The Dory Gallery in Regent Street, which runs from May 25 until August 20 and takes over from Jac Williams’s Honest Agriculture exhibition, features his new paintings are produced with oil paint on canvas or board. They explore ‘lies inspired by the photographic eye’.

He explained: “The images are chosen and stolen from Pandora’s Reticule, plucked, juxtaposed and coaxed to sing.”

Opening times for the exhibition are 10am - 4pm on Saturday and Sunday or by appointment.

The Dory Gallery, , which occupies the former National School for the Poor and was later the doctors’ surgery, officially opened in June 2021 and aims to be a creative and cultural space showcasing the best in contemporary art.

The gallery is run by Suzanne Mathieson and artist Tony Mallon.

Latest Citizens Advice column

Here's the latest column from Denbighshire Citizens Advice:

Q: I’ve just had my bathroom retiled, but I’m not happy with the work.  

At first, things seemed to be going well, but then the tradesperson left to do another job and I had to chase them for updates. They did eventually come back and finish the job, but the work was pretty rough around the edges. They also left all the old tiles and plaster for me to dispose of, which I wasn’t expecting. I’ve now got the invoice, but I don’t think the price reflects the work done or the service I got. Can I challenge this? 

A: It’s always frustrating when you run into problems with home improvements. 

You mention that the job looked “rough round the edges”, if this is to a degree you could consider the job unfinished or unsafe, you should be able to get the tiler to come back to fix it. You could also suggest removing the old tiles might be considered as part of finishing the job.  

If the tiler considers the work complete, it’s worth knowing you’re protected by the Consumer Rights Act 2015, which says the tiler should have completed the work with ‘reasonable care and skill’. If they haven’t done this, they’ve broken the law. The Act means you’re legally entitled to ask the tiler to fix the problem (if they provided the tiles as well as the service) or get money refunded (if they just provided the service and you bought the tiles). They should fix the problem or refund you in a reasonable amount of time, without causing too much inconvenience. As you’ve received the invoice for the work but not paid yet, now would be a good time to ask them to fix the issue or you can negotiate a lower price for the work. 

Let the tiler know you understand what you’re entitled to. Speak to them in person, or contact them in writing/over email, there are template letters on the Citizens Advice website, either way make sure you have a written copy of anything agreed. Before you contact them, it’s a good idea to take photographs to use as evidence of the problem. Make notes about what happened, including dates and times. You should also gather any paperwork and receipts - was there any prior written agreement about who would dispose of the old tiles? Was the final cost was in line with estimates or quotes given to you at the outset of the work. If not, there is advice on the Citizens Advice website about steps you can take. 

If you’re struggling to come to an agreement with the tiler, there are other steps you can take to solve your problem  these include using ‘alternative dispute resolution’, which is a way of solving disagreements without going to court. There are full details about how to do this on the Citizens Advice website.

Llangollen Youth FC Under 16s take league title

Llangollen Youth FC Under 16s Pictured) won their respective league last night (Wednesday). 

A 3-3 draw versus Borras Park Albion on Dinas Brân school pitch was the point they needed to secure the title.

A club spokesperson said: "It is a magnificent achievement by all the players, coaches and everyone involved in the youth section."

* The final scoreboard.

Quilting group takes first prize at Midlands show

* Ladies of the Block Club with their winning quilt.

A group of quilters from Llangollen have sewn themselves a place in the honours after landing a top prize at a competition in the Midlands. 

As part of her small business, Bright Quilting, Carie Mason runs a number of classes for all levels of patchwork and quilters.

She instructs everyone from beginners to the more experienced looking to try something new.

Carie's group entered into the Group Quilt category at the Quilt and Stitch Village Show at Uttoxeter Racecourse one weekend recently and were delighted to take first place.

* Their first place rosette.

Carie said: "I have completed several beginners courses and the ladies were keen to learn more. 

"I started the Block Club initially for these ladies but one or two of those with experience joined too. 

"The group has eight ladies and to show them how they can make a large quilt we start a project with the aim of entering it into a quilt show.  Many months and many blocks later we created our quilt. 

"It is made of scraps of fabric which are acquired from everyone's sewing, making what we call a Scrappy Quilt. The quilt is called Sunshine Over The Scrap Box as it was quilted with a sunshine pattern.

"We entered the competition and to our surprise and happiness we came first and received a rosette and silver plate. It was a fantastic day and it was great fun to be part of."

Kia's new Niro ticks all the boxes

Kia Niro drive by Steve Rogers

Here’s a Kia that can’t stop winning awards.

This has been quite a year for the new Niro chalking up UK Car of the Year best crossover, and Women’s World Car of the Year among a string of gongs.

Niro laid the foundations for Kia’s electric programme in 2016 as the first hybrid model.  From its humble beginnings it is now the second best selling model, offered as hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and all electric, in fact more than 40 per cent of the company’s sales have electric power.

So what makes Niro so appealing? It is not a car to take to a track day, or attempt to go off-roading, but when it comes to performing its duties as a medium sized family SUV it ticks all the boxes.

New Niro really is new, sitting on a new platform, a restyled body that is bang on trend, and an eye catching digital dashboard, taking styling cues from Sportage and EV6 which were the first to receive a radical change in Kia’s design direction.

Let’s get straight into the cabin because that is where we can see some of the key changes. Niro has grown in every direction bringing it more into line with its rivals so there is more space for passengers and luggage which has grown by 15 litres.

There is ample room for four adults, five with a bit of a squeeze for the one in the middle, and backseat headroom is fine. This is, after all, a high sided SUV and Kia has avoided getting sucked into the current trend of a sloping coupe style roofline which can have taller folk brushing heads with the roof lining.

A neat addition are USB-C ports in the front seat back rests making it easy for passengers to charge mobiles and the like. There is also wireless charging in the centre console on all but the entry level model.

The new dashboard layout has the wow factor and mirrors the wide screen design first seen in new Sportage although it looks even better with a gentle curve towards the central touchscreen. The graphics are pin sharp and the system takes no time to fathom because the most used functions, heating and radio, are separate with physical buttons. If you want to be pampered voice commands will do the job so the driver’s eyes are always on the road.

My HEV model uses a 1.6 litre petrol engine backed up by a 32kW electric motor that contributes 43bhp and charges on the move, but what about this for a clever new feature. A green zone mode can be configured so the car automatically switches to electric drive in built up areas, or roads near schools and hospitals, to reduce noise and exhaust emissions.

Neighbours would also be pleased if ‘silent running’ was employed.

Don’t expect too much in the way of performance. Acceleration off the line is no more than adequate and the engine note is a tad noisy if pushed to the top end of the rev range but given the Niro’s family role flooring the fast pedal is not likely to happen that often. Economy, with the help of the electric motor, is good so low to mid fifties should be a given.

Safety features high on the spec list and there is plenty of it including adaptive cruise control with stop and go function, and cross traffic avoidance which saved my bacon while reversing out of a side parking space in a Kia XCeed a few months ago. It brakes the car when an approaching vehicle is picked up in the radar sensors.

Niro is one of those annoying cars for people like me who have to look beyond the gushing promotional spiel because it is more or less faultless, and it has the bonus of a seven year warranty.

However I did find one area that is perhaps below par and that is a lot of hard plastic below the waistline and the boot side walls, but I am still giving Niro a nine out of 10.

Fast facts

Niro HEV 3 6sp automatic

£31,560 (starts £28,810)

1.6 litre; 139bhp

0-62mph 10.8secs; 100mph

61,4mpg combined

106g/km. 1st tax £185

Boot: 451-1445 litres

Towing capacity: 1300kg

Insurance group 21

 

Llangollen Library to host evening with best selling authors

Llangollen Library will play host to three bestselling authors tomorrow (Thursday).

They will be talking about their writing and latest books from 7pm onwards. 

Authors Norma Curtis, Trisha Ashley and Juliet Greenwood will each discuss their work, their latest novels, and what inspires them to write.

Norma Curtis was born and raised in North Wales and her new book, The Coronation Party, is set in Llangollen at the time of the Queen’s Coronation in 1953. She is also a former chairman of the Romantic novelists Association. 

Juliet Greenwood is based in Snowdonia, North Wales and her first novel was nominated as a finalist for The People’s Book Prize. Her first two novels also reached #4 and #5 in the UK Kindle store.

Trisha Ashley is based in North Wales and her Sunday Times bestselling novels have sold over one million copies in the UK and have twice been shortlisted for the Melissa Nathan award for Romantic Comedy.  

* To book your place and for further information, call 01978 869600.

Talented Young 'Uns team get ready for the big charity show

* Young 'Uns stars get hard at work in rehearsals for Llangollen on Show for Turkey and Syria. 

Eleven of a junior stage group’s most talented young stars are busy in rehearsals for a glittering charity variety concert in Llangollen next week.

And polishing their comedy routines for the big show alongside  members of the Young ‘Uns - the junior section of Llangollen Operatic Society - are some of the top performers from the Llangollen Twenty Club who have enjoyed hit after hit with their own shows over the past few years.

Also honing their parts for Llangollen on Show for Turkey and Syria, which aims to raise money to support survivors of the earthquake that decimated parts of the two countries and which takes the stage at Llangollen Town Hall on Thursday and Friday May 11 and 12, are stars of the Collen Players who specialise in recreating the dazzling days of old time music hall.

Apart from being one of Llangollen’s biggest-ever fundraisers the concert will make history as the first time three of the town’s performing arts groups have joined forces.

Like all members of the formidable cast, the talented team from the Young ‘Uns, aged from nine to 18, have spent many weeks rehearsing hard for their contribution to the two-act show.

Alongside members of the senior Operatic Society they will belt out such rousing sing-along show numbers as Oom Pa Pa from Oliver and Flash Bang Wallop What a Picture from Half a Sixpence.

Pamela Williams, who has produced some of the Young ‘Uns’ biggest stage hits of recent years such as Little Shop of Horrors and The Addams Family, said: “Just like the rest of the cast, these 11 very talented young people have been working incredibly hard on their part in Llangollen on Show.

“The songs they and the Operatic members will be performing are among the most rousing and memorable ever to come out of big West End musicals and should have our audiences – which hopefully will be large ones – singing and toe-tapping along with them.

“I know all the young people were desperate to be involved in this show because it’s for such a fantastic cause. The earthquakes may have been some months ago but the survivors in both countries are still in desperate need of help and we hope as many people as possible will support us by coming along to one of the two shows.”

The Llangollen Twenty Club drama group will present a series of comedy sketches – some specially written for the occasion – inspired by their hilarious past hits and acted out by some of their favourite performers.

One of the sketches, entitled Three Queens and specially written for the show by Ian Wright, is a nod the coronation that will have taken place the previous weekend.

The Collen Players will provide a taste of the rip-roaring Victorian music hall shows for which they have rapidly become famous, with their founder, Lee Taylor, acting as chairman for the show which starts each night at 7.30pm. 

All proceeds will go to support the Disaster Emergency Committee in which 15 of the UK’s top charities have come together to supply a lifeline to thousands of survivors of the earthquake which devastated southern and central Turkey and northern and western Syria in February.

There will be a bar and prize raffle on both nights and a number of local businesses have pledged their financial support through sponsorships.

* Tickets, priced at £12 (no concessions) are available online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/llangollenoperaticsociety or from Courtyard Books, Llangollen, and the Llangollen Oggie Shop in Caste Street or on the door on the night. Tickets are going fast so organisers advise on booking promptly.  

Drakeford urged to improve North Wales public transport

Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales (pictured), has urged the First Minister to do more to improve public transport in the region during the tourism season.

Speaking in Welsh Parliament, Mr Rowlands, Shadow Minister for Local Government, said: “First Minister, I am sure you will recognise that, during the summer months, North Wales brings in a huge number of visitors, which certainly boost our communities through creating jobs and prosperity. 

“Indeed, your own figures show that North Wales tourism day visits are around 22.7 million every year. And one of the things we desperately need during that peak season is increased provision of public transport. 

“It is unacceptable that parts of North Wales, whilst welcoming those many visitors, are having to work with a skeleton public transport system. It is not fair on the people who live there, as well as the visitors who come to enjoy our part of the world.”

Mr Rowlands asked Mark Drakeford how he will ensure that there is appropriate public transport during the summer months in North Wales as more people are welcomed in the summer ahead. 

The First Minister said his Government would continue to invest in bus services across North Wales. 

Mr Rowlands added: “I still remain very concerned about the public transport system in North Wales as investment is also needed in trains as well as buses. The people of North Wales and our visitors deserve better.”

New interpretation panels for World Heritage site

* One of the interpretation boards placed around the World Heritage site. 

A series of new interpretation panels has been installed along the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Llangollen Canal World Heritage site, as part of a project to engage people with the rich heritage of the area. 

The Our Picturesque Landscape project, a partnership scheme funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, has been working with partners from the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB and Canal and Rivers Trust to develop the interpretation.

It explores the feats of engineering and design that got the site inscribed as a World Heritage site in 2009, and tells the story of some of the pioneering engineers, artists, tourists, entrepreneurs, and canal labouring navigators who have helped to shape the landscape over the centuries.

The interpretation panels, produced by VisitMôr, have been placed at eight key sites across the 11 miles of the World Heritage Site, including Gledrid Bridge, Chirk Aqueduct, Froncysyllte, Trevor Basin and Llangollen, and will help provide visitors with a sense of place, sharing stories of local significance. 

This is the first phase of new interpretation, with further panels to be replaced along the canal between Llangollen Wharf and the Horseshoe Falls this summer.

Hannah Marubbi, Our Picturesque Landscape Project Manager, said: “There are so many special places along the 11 miles of the World Heritage Site, from the Horseshoe Falls, Llangollen Wharf, Chirk and Gledrid as well as the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct itself.  This project has been about telling the story of all these places and encouraging people to explore the whole site.”

Emrys Wynne, Lead Member for Welsh Language, Culture and Heritage, said: “There is a rich vein of history and culture in this wonderful area and I am pleased to see it recognised through this fantastic partnership work."

Town council's coronation gift to two primary schools

Llangollen Town Council has agreed to purchase each primary school child in the town a commemorative mug to mark the coronation of King Charles III on May 6.

There will be an English version for Ysgol Bryn Collen and a Welsh one for Ysgol Y Gwernant, both bearing the council's logo on the reverse.

The Town Mayor will make the presentations to the pupils.

County libraries launch new tablet and Chromebook loan scheme

Denbighshire Libraries have launched a device loan scheme which will enable library members across the County to borrow a tablet or Chromebook from their local library, just like they would borrow a book.

Many services have now moved online, from banking and shopping to universal credit and applying for a bus pass, and the library service want to help residents access the online world and experience the benefits of being connected.

Using a tablet, Chromebook or smartphone also opens up the digital library service to the user, allowing library members to download books, audiobooks, newspapers and magazines 24/7.

The devices will be supplied with internet access and online courses are available if people want to learn more about the devices and services they are using, to help build their digital skills.

The County Library Service is also part of the National Databank, which offers free sim cards and data to people who are living in data poverty.

People who have access to a smartphone but are struggling to pay for internet access should contact their local library for more information.

Councillor Emrys Wynne, Lead Member for Welsh Language, Culture & Heritage said:

“This new device loan service will help people to get online and not be left behind in the digital world. I am delighted to see yet another new initiative by our libraries to support our local communities and to make sure everyone is connected.”

* For further information about the new device loan service please contact your local library.