Man charged with murder following Oswestry death

Detectives have charged an 18 year old man with murder following the death of a 21 year old man earlier this week.

Danny Jones of Chirk died in hospital following the attack in Oswestry on Wed night (24 April) after he received a single stab wound.

The teenager who has been charged is a local man and is due before Shrewsbury Magistrates Court on Monday 29 April.

He was arrested a few hours after the attack and charged this evening (Sat 27 April). He has been remanded in custody.

Detectives working on the investigation have recovered a knife which they believe to be the murder weapon.

Red-hot Latin American band star alongside Strictly duo

 

* Strictly's James and Ola Jordan. 

 

 

 

* Buena Vista Social Club .

 

Television’s Strictly Come Dancing stars James and Ola Jordan are household names – but not to the band who will be supplying the music for Llangollen International Eisteddfod’s Strictly Cuban night.

The glamorous dancers, stars of BBC’s Saturday night smash hit show, will bring their Latin American dance expertise to the Eisteddfod stage this July but the musicians of Havana’s Buena Vista Social Club have never heard of them.

That doesn’t worry them though – they had never heard of legendary American guitarist Ry Cooder when he discovered them in Cuba in 1997 and it didn’t stop them going on to worldwide fame, an Oscar nomination and a Grammy award.

This July their traditional rhythms and haunting melodies will flood a North Wales valley as The Buena Vista Social Club take to the Royal International Pavilion stage on Thursday, July 11.

And although the Eisteddfod’s history and tradition is also something new to the band’s Cuban musicians according to trombonist Jesus ‘Aguaje’ Ramos, band members are honoured and excited at the prospect of making their Eisteddfod debut alongside James and Ola.

Speaking from Havana, Aguaje says he, and his fellow Cuban musicians, are looking forward to meeting the star dancers and their Welsh audience.

He said: “We are learning about the Eisteddfod and the fact it was set up to promote international harmony. Of course we are really excited about being invited to such a wonderful event and are happy to be part of it.

“We play traditional Cuban music and everything surrounding it! This is the roots of our music, our culture, and there are countless different styles within our traditional music, such as Cha Cha Cha, Guajira, Son, Danzón, Montuno, to name a few.

“We are sure James and Ola will enjoy it too and we look forward to seeing them dancing to our sound.”

Eisteddfod Musical Director Eilir Owen Griffiths said: “We’re thrilled to have the Buena Vista Social Club here in Llangollen as their roots go back to the origins of Latin American music.

“It’s a really exciting prospect to have James and Ola dancing on the same stage as them and a little corner of Wales will be transformed into a sultry night in Havana.”

While the Buena Vista Social Club owes its roots to the traditional rhythms of Cuba the band, perhaps, owes its worldwide fame to their collaboration with Ry Cooder.

In 1996 Cooder, who has worked with Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, Van Morrison and Neil Young, among others, was invited, by British music producer, Nick Gold, to Havana to record a session with two African and Cuban musicians.

However, the two Africans, from Mali, were unable to get visas in time so Cooder and Gold changed plans and decided to record an album, along with local musicians, of traditional Cuban music.

Within a few days they’d managed to put together a band and began recording at Havana’s EGREM Studios despite the recording equipment and atmosphere having remained unchanged since the 1950’s.

The album was recorded in just six days with Cooder, unfazed by the language barrier, saying musicians understand each other through means other than speech.

One of the songs featured on the album was ‘Buena Vista Social Club’, a song written by bass player Israel Lopez.

Cooder, who was looking for a name for the album, was told of the history of the actual members-only social club that existed in the Marianao district of the Cuban capital and which had adopted the song as its signature tune.

Following the album’s 1997 release the CD became a word-of-mouth global smash hit selling more than five million copies and winning a Grammy Award.

On the back of the album the Buena Vista – meaning good view in Spanish – Social Club began touring as they generated a revival in interest in traditional Cuban and South American music in general.

And while band members may have changed as the years roll by they will always stick to their traditional Cuban roots, according to Aguaje.

He said: “From the original band there is still Omara Portuondo (vocals), Eliades Ochoa (guitar and vocals), Barbarito Torres (laud, a traditional stringed instrument similar to a guitar) and Guajiro Mirabal (trumpet).

“I joined the band myself after a few shows and we are currently accompanied by a great cast of young musicians.

“Since the band starting touring we have visited so many countries we have lost count and this year we have a long tour coming up, including Llangollen, with a lot of dates still to announce.

“But we still perform, when we can, in Havana. To us music is life and whenever we get the chance we like to gather in Cuba and play.

“We play traditional Cuban music, son, guajiras, montunos, and look to our island¹s rich musical history, and the musicians’ own personal experiences, I think this is what makes our music so special.”

Omara Portuondo says the Llangollen audience will experience the full Buena Vista Social Club band in a high-energy performance that will leave lasting memories.

He said: “The full band will be in Wales and the show will feature Eliades Ochoa and me on vocals. You can expect some classic Cuban songs such as Veinte Años, Chan Chan, or El Cuarto de Tula, but also there would be some nice surprises with new songs we¹ve been working on recently.

“Of course we would love to have Ry Cooder join us again on stage one day but it won’t happen this time.

“Hopefully, some day in the future, our paths will cross and we will remind ourselves of the beautiful memories we have and the music we did with him.

“Within the band we have a number of younger musicians, Calunga and Idania, the singer, Rolando, the pianist, Pedro on bass, Guajirito alongside his grandfather, Guajiro Mirabal, on trumpet.

“And also, in all the music schools in Cuba, the students are taught traditional music so our roots will never be lost!

“We would like to release more albums but only the future knows if we are going to be able to. We are working really hard with some new tracks, such as Changui, and some of them are already included in the set list that you’ll be able to listen to in Llangollen when you enjoy the show.”

Speaking about life in Cuba, Aguaje, says even traditional music is evolving as time goes by.

He said: “For me Cuba is music, it’s my family, my happiness, my reason to live. I think its culture that is constantly evolving; the younger generations of musicians in Cuba are producing some really interesting music, which although it maintains its Cuban roots, does have a real 21st Century sound.

“People ask me why is Buena Vista Social Club has been so successful, well for me it’s because when something is unexpected, you receive it in a natural manner and with great happiness.

“We never imagined we would be so successful and it would last for so long. We just played and still just enjoy playing and making music together.”

The Buena Vista Social Club are part of a stunning lineup at this year’s Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in July.

The will perform with Strictly Come Dancing’s James and Ola Jordan and other top attractions are Jools Holland, harpist Claire Jones, tenor Noah Stewart, percussionist Evelyn Glennie and a 200^th anniversary performance of Verdi’s Requiem.

The Eisteddfod runs from Tuesday, July 9, to Sunday, July 14, at the Royal International Pavilion site and as well as star-studded concerts there are top class music and dance competitions.

Tickets for this year’s concerts are available from the website at www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk and more information is also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/llangollen

Hospital closure referred to older people's czar

Campaigners have condemned a “reckless” hospital closure which they say will endanger patients’ lives in the Llangollen area.

The group fighting to retain hospital beds and improve health services in Llangollen and the Dee Valley are so concerned about the situation that they have called on the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales to hold an investigation into the Health Board’s decision to close Llangollen Hospital.

They say that they fear for the well-being of elderly patients in the area.

Keep Llangollen Health Services have contacted the office of Sarah Rochira, the Commissioner for Older People, urging her to look into the “reckless” decision by the health Board.

Mabon ap Gwynfor, of Keep Llangollen Health Services said: “I recently spoke to a care home professional who said that it was his opinion that the closure of Llangollen Hospital would endanger people's lives.

“He explained that elderly people who needed medical care had no issues with going to a Cottage Hospital, but were reluctant to go to general hospitals because of the risks of contracting hospital-acquired infections, such as C-difficile and MRSA.

“Unfortunately his concerns stack up.”

Mabon ap Gwynfor referred to a paper published in the British Medical Journal, which is quoted by the respected Dr Fosters Hospital Guide, which says “Risks (such as hospital acquired infections) are discernible when average bed occupancy rates exceed about 85%”.

"Last year both Wrexham Maelor and Ysbyty Glan Clwyd had bed occupancy levels reaching 87%.

“The NHS is at crisis point in Wales with A&E in meltdown, ambulances queuing 10 deep, and bed-blocking because there aren’t enough community beds available. The Health Board have compounded this with their reckless decision to close Llangollen Hospital with the loss of 18 beds.

“Elderly and vulnerable patients are especially put at risk because of the closure of the hospital. That is why we have called on the Commissioner for Older people to hold an inquiry into the health Board’s decision.”

The Campaign group are urging people to share their stories with them by emailing keepllanhealthservices@gmail.com

llanblogger's taking a short break

Dear readers,

llanblogger is taking a short break for the next few days.

But we'll be back as usual from next Saturday posting all the best in news and views from Llangollen and the surrounding areas.

See you soon ...

KLS chair attends special event in Fron

Mike Edwards, chair of Keep Llangollen, has this special report of the event he attended recently over in Fron ...

I attended a visit and learning event at Pontcysyllte Aqueduct last Friday organised by the Federation of Small Businesses.

It was an informative session initially consisting of a presentation by officers of Wrexham County Borough at the Visitor Centre at Trevor Basin.

The party of 25 people mainly members of the FSB then strolled over the aqueduct on a pleasant sunny evening to the Fron Basin.

Here we visited the Fron Tea Rooms where a traditional tea of sandwiches and cakes was served.

Later we boarded a canal barge to travel back over the aqueduct with an amusing and informative commentary from Peter Jones (Jones the Boats).

Wrexham Council are strongly promoting the World Heritage Site (WHS) and other visitor attractions in the County Borough as part of their Destination Wrexham.

Following a question I posed an assurance was given that Wrexham Council were co-operating fully with Denbighshire and Shropshire Councils in relation to marketing the 11-mile long WHS Buffer Zone which stretches from Chirk to the Horseshoe Falls above Llangollen.

Members of the FSB expressed concern that the WHS was not sign-posted prominently, particularly from the A483.

It was revealed that there were complications about agreeing the signage with Local Authorities and the Highways Agency.

One member strongly criticised the Authorities for failing to come up with signage four years after World Heritage Status was granted to Pontcysyllte and Llangollen Canal.

As Chair of KLS I have arranged to meet with the FSB to ascertain what benefits they are able to small businesses in Llangollen.

Mike Edwards

Councils team up to launch sport kite mark scheme

Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham Sport Development Units & Glyndwr University have joined forces to launch the Supporting Volunteers Kite Mark to recognise community sports organisations that are committed to supporting and developing their volunteers.

The Supporting Volunteers Kite Mark has been developed by the Sport Wales Regional Coach and Volunteer Development Team to promote good practice in the recruitment, training, deployment and retention of coaches and volunteers.

Signing-up to working towards the Kite Mark, will have a number of benefits for community clubs and sport organisations including free Sport Coach UK training, wider access to and support in recruiting and developing volunteers and advice and guidance from the local authority Sport Development Team.

The Kite Mark has been designed to be accessible to all sporting organisations, bearing no cost implications for a club.  It will offer a chance for some clubs to gain recognition for the work which they already do while for other clubs it will be a chance to develop volunteer support structures by working towards achieving the mark.

Speaking about the launch of the Supporting Volunteers Kite Mark, Sport Flintshire Coach and Volunteer Coordinator Gareth Hayes said:
“Volunteers are the life blood of community sport and the launch of this Kite Mark signifies Sport Wales and the local authorities’ commitment to supporting community sport organisations in providing a positive and worthwhile volunteer experience that will contribute to a lifelong involvement as a sports volunteer.”

Sport Wales North Wales Regional Manager, Graham Williams added:
“The Supporting Volunteers Kite Mark is the first of its kind in Wales and I am sure will provide huge benefits to local sports clubs and their volunteers across Flintshire, Wrexham and Denbighshire. 

“Volunteers are key to ensuring that every child in Wales has the opportunity to become hooked on sport for life.  It is therefore encouraging to see partners coming together in this way to launch a scheme that will benefit those wanting to volunteer within their local community.  We hope that this launch will inspire others to adopt a similar approach across the country.”

For further information regarding the Supporting your Coaches Kite Mark, please contact your local Coach and Volunteer Coordinator. Please find details below:

Flintshire - Gareth Hayes:  gareth.m.hayes@flintshire.gov.uk  (01352) 702465
Denbighshire - Matthew Hilliker:  matthew.hilliker@denbighshire.gov.uk  (01824) 712700
Wrexham - Thomas Robertson:   thomas.robertson@wrexham.gov.uk    (01978) 292088
 
For more information please contact Claire Nicholson at Sport Wales on 02920 338366.

Latest local roadworks

Latest roadworks in the area notified by Denbighshire County Council are:

Birch Hill, Llangollen, road closure until September 20 for water works by Welsh Water. 
A5, junction of B5103 TO Rhysgod Bends, Berwyn, temporary traffic lights from April 24-25 for tree cutting.