Wintry weather warning from council

Denbighshire County Council is advising motorists to take extra care on the county's roads, as wintry weather is forecast.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning of the potential of snow and ice affecting parts of Wales over the weekend and into next week.

As a result, the council is asking people to allow extra time for journeys and to follow news and weather bulletins for further information.

Staff from the council's highways department will be monitoring weather forecasts and will be out treating the county's roads if frost and ice is forecast.

Book your place at crunch health meeting

Anyone wishing to attend next week’s meeting of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board at which the future of health services in Llangollen will be discussed is advised to book their place in advance.

The meeting will be held from 10am-12.30pm next on Friday, January 18, in the Conference Room, Optic Centre, St Asaph.

A board representative writing to Llangollen health services campaigner Mabon ap Gwynfor said: “As attendance of members of the public to observe this meeting is expected to be high we would appreciate if you could let us know how many people would like to attend.”

·         The board can be contacted on 01248 384384.

Llan prepares for Peter Pan panto fun

* The Davies family - known as Llangollen's Panto Von Trapps.

Ten-year-old twins Ella and Jake Davies, of Pengwern, are starring together in the town’s production of the pantomime Peter Pan.

This will be Ella's third show but the first time she is being joined by twin Jake.

The youngsters will also be accompanied by seven other members of their family  -earning them the title of Llangollen’s Pantomime Von Trapps.

Ella who plays one of the pirates, said: “It feels really good having my brother in the panto with me, everything makes him laugh."

 

She made her debut in Llangollen Panto alongside her Aunty, Ali Burke, who this year plays one of the shows idiots, Miss You.

 

Ella and Jake's cousin, 19-year-old Aaron Davies of Wrexham, is this year's bright new talent and plays Peter.

 

Aaron has previously starred in Nia Ben Aur at the National Eisteddfod, High School Musical at the Stiwt Theatre, Rhos and Llangolen Operatic Society's production of Scarlet Pimpernel.

 

Ella and Jake will also be joined on stage by their dad Rob who plays another pirate but cannot be named.

 

Aaron’s sister, Tesni, is performing in her second show and plays the wife of the Indian Chief.

 

Ella and Jake's mum, Chris, is doing hair and make-up and Debbie and Phil, Aaron and Tesni's mum and dad are helping backstage and with sewing.

 

This is the third consecutive year that the Llangollen Pantomime has been staged at the Pavilion, with the previous two years seeing nightly sell-out shows. 

 

Director and Dame Simon Orton-Jones said: “This year’s show is a musical pantomime with an even bigger cast than last year.

 

"We have a fantastic 50-strong cast and crew, live band and the excellent lighting and sound facilities that the Pavilion has to offer.

 

"Following from last year's show, Sarah Marshall, the resident choreographer, has once again come up with fantastic new dances."

Chairlady Sharon Jones, who has been associated with the pantomime for 13 years, said: “The show tells the story of Peter Pan but Nanna the dog has become this year's Dame!

 

"Music is predominant in the show with songs such as Wings' ‘Live and Let Die, Queen’s I Wnt to Beak Fee’ and Crocodile Rock by Sir Elton John.

 

"The 18 songs are played by our eight-member band, led by our wonderful musical director Paul Young.

 

"The show is another huge production which has been made real thanks to the help and experience of our stage manager Michael jones and his crew.

 

"We have once again diverted from panto tradition by having Peter played by the talented Aaron Davies, supported by our ever-amazing Jo Potts (Tinkerbell) and the fantastic newcomer Dani Chamberlain (Wendy).”
 

* The show runs from Wednesday, January 16 to Saturday, January 19 at Llangollen Pavilion.

 

Doors 7pm, show 7.30pm, Saturday matinee (doors open 2pm, show 2.30pm).

 

Wednesday £5/£3 concessions, Thursday – Saturday £7/£5 concessions.

 

Tickets are available from Jades Hair & Beauty, Llangollen, Gwyn Davies (Butchers), Llangollen, or by calling 01978 860297.

North Wales is possible site for new super-jail

The BBC is reporting this afternoon that UK ministers say north Wales is being considered as a possible location for a so-called super prison, housing more than 2,000 inmates.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-20971109

County facelifts almost 3,000 homes

Denbighshire County Council has refurbished 2,972 properties across the county as part of its efforts to ensure that its entire housing stock meets the Welsh Housing Quality Standard.

A further 477 properties are due to be refurbished in the next 12 months and by the end of 2013, the total number of properties refurbished will be 3,463.

The council has sought to use the contracts for the works to support local sub-contractors and supply chains within Denbighshire.

Examples include:using local apprentices; all sub contractors used by Adever and 69% of site personnel with Brammal came from the county; all kitchens supplied locally; 100% of heating contract works dealt with by local workforce.

Councillor Hugh Irving, Cabinet Lead Member for Community Development, said: "The original objective of Welsh Government was that all social housing stock would be brought up to the standard by the end of 2012.

"However, this has not proved to be a realistic target for many landlords. Here in Denbighshire, the programme has been smoothed to reduce an over-reliance on one contractor, some small delays in approving contracts and respecting the wishes of tenants not wanting work carried out around Christmas time have all added to the 2012 target being exceeded.

"The majority of residents say they are happy with the work undertaken, with satisfaction rates of over 90% being recorded on all completed contracts. The Welsh Government says it is also happy with progress being made by Denbighshire and the Council continues to make improvement to its housing stock a key priority over the coming years."

The Head of Housing and Community Development for Denbighshire, Peter McHugh has been appointed to a Ministerial Task Force to advise the Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage on options to enable local authorities to achieve Welsh Housing Quality Standard.

Archeologists reveal what they've unearthed

* Eliseg’s Pillar near Llangollen where a dig took place last year. 

Are you interested in archaeology?

Did you know that there has been quite a lot going on in north east Wales during the last year?

There have been excavations on three Iron Age hillforts, a medieval castle and settlement as well as Eliseg’s Pillar near Valle Crucis, Llangollen.

Bookings are now being taken for the event on Saturday, 23 February, when archaeologists involved in all these projects will be taking part in a Day School at Theatr Twm o’r Nant, Denbigh, where they will be telling us about what they have found and what they still hope to do.

Fiona Gale, County Archaeologist with Denbighshire, said: “There have been so many archaeological excavations taking place in the area over the last year, the spotlight really shone on north east Wales.

“The day should be a real treat for anyone interested in the heritage and history of the area.”

Archaeologists from Oxford University have been examining the hillfort of Moel y Gaer, Bodfari. Liverpool University has organised a training excavation at Penycloddiau and Bangor University has been involved at Moel Fodig near Corwen.

Added to this, archaeologists from Cadw, have been working at Hen Caerwys, Chester and Bangor University have been working at Eliseg’s Pillar and Wrexham’s Archaeologist, Steve Grenter, exploring Holt Castle

The day which starts at 9am with registration, tea and coffee and finishes by 5pm, costs £12 which includes a light lunch.

If you would like to attend, please contact the Countryside Service on 01824 708262 or modap.countryside&leisure@denbighshire.gov.uk to book your place and receive further details.

Group seeks new singers

Llangollen-based all-women singing group, Melodic Mondays, have put out the following notice seeking new members: