Preparations almost complete for Llan Fringe

Preparations are almost complete for this year’s Fringe festival.   There is a huge variety of events this year and it’s all about participation.    Organisers have put together eleven nights of superb entertainment with the blend of music and spoken word.   Stand-up comedy is back; World music; Welsh contemporary music with Gulp; Nostalgia with The Blockheads; Evenings with Alexi Sayle and Andrew Motion; Chartered Jazz Train on the Llangollen Steam Railway; Magical finale at Valle Crucis Abbey; Friday and Saturday dancing with The Dub Pistols, Alejandro and the Tombolinos and Yaaba Funk; and tickets are selling fast.         This year’s printed programme is twice the size of last year’s.   Organisers say it reflects the increasing number of events and activities that are happening in Fringe week.   Workshop sessions are really taking off, withs something for (almost) everyone to enjoy.   Online tickets – If you have bought tickets online, you won’t get them through the post. In an effort to save you money, Fringe staff ask that you bring a copy of the receipt (or identification) and you go straight in.   Festival Tickets – If you have bought a festival ticket, you will receive your pass when you attend your first event. If you haven’t, they are just £60.   Organisers say: "If you think that you may be able to help us during the festival this year, then please let us know. "You could help by distributing programmes to places of interest or community venues near where you live, stewarding or helping out at the workshops or concerts, or just generally giving us ideas of how to publicise the events to a wider audience. Please get in touch if you are able to help."   Bryn Fon will be playing with his band on Saturday 14th July in Llangollen Town Hall. The concert is being jointly staged by the Fringe and the International Eisteddfod. Doors open 7.30pm £12.50. (This event is not included in the Festival ticket).   PROGRAMME UPDATE Yaaba Funk (World Music from Ghanaian/London band) will replace Osibisa on Saturday 20th July. (Ticket price now down to £10).   Alun Cochrane will replace Paul Sinha on 18th July. Silkie of “Kill for a Seat” + special guest will be a great night of the best stand-up around.     The Festival Ticket is available to buy at our website: Tel: 0800 1455 779 or visit: www.llangollenfringe.co.uk

Team serving delicious strawberry teas

* The strawberry teas team at the Memorial Hall this afternoon.

llanblogger took these pictures earlier this afternoon (Saturday) of the team serving delicious strawberry teas, in aid of Llangollen Methodist Church funds, at the Memorial Hall in Market, opposite the car park.

We've just tried one and can recommend them.

They'll be serving teas until around 4pm today.

Scheme is on the lookout for young artists

Following the success of the art master class programme held for children Denbighshire Council’s Criw Celf is looking for young artists to enrol in the class of 2013.

The aim of the Criw Celf scheme is to allow children who have shown artistic promise and interest to practice and develop their skills, with master classes led by local professional artists.

There is room for up to 25 children, and the county’s primary schools and individuals are invited to nominate year 6 pupils who have shown artistic talent.

 Jo McGregor, Criw Celf Coordinator said: “The Criw Celf master class sessions have proved very popular, and they have proved to be real success, the professional artists who led the courses saw a real development in the skill and passion of these young artists.”
 
“We’re now looking for children in Year 6, who will be in Year 7 in September to become part of the 2013 Criw Celf class, so if you know a child who dreams of becoming an artist, then why not put their name forward?”
 
Members of the 2013 Criw Celf will attend a series of one-day master classes in the company of professional artists who specialize in various art genres.

A total of six days training will be on offer; as well as an art exhibition of their work. Each member will also receive an art pack containing various quality art materials so that they can practice drawing at home.
 
Sian Fitzgerald, Community Arts Development Officer at Denbighshire County Council added:
“I am delighted that Denbighshire’s children will again this year be able to make the most of the pioneering Criw Celf project, it is a great opportunity for children interested in art to develop their skills.”
  
Every applicant will need to send the following for assessment to the Ruthin Craft Centre by Friday, 12 July:
 
• A 2D self-portrait, created using any art material or combination of art materials. (No more than A3 sized paper)

• A drawing of the view from any window in their home, created using any art material or combination of art materials. (No more than A3 sized paper) or a 2D/3D artwork inspired by the theme of ‘Dream’ (if the work is big photographs accepted)

• A short paragraph explaining why they would like to join Criw Celf. (No more than 50 words).
 
Please ensure that all submissions include name, age, school, home address and home telephone number on the back of each piece of work. Post the entries to:
Criw Celf, Ruthin Craft Centre, Park Road, Ruthin, Denbighshire, LL15 1BB.
 
For more information, or if you wish to nominate a child for the 2013 Criw Celf, contact Jo McGregor, Criw Celf Coordinator on  jo.mcgregor@hotmail.co.uk and 01745 730209 / 07973931097 or Sian Fitzgerald, Denbighshire County Council’s Community Arts Development Officer on: sian.fitzgerald@denbighshire.gov.uk

Facebook – ‘Criw Celf’

*Criw Celf Denbighshire  is funded by Denbighshire County Council  and the Arts Council for Wales.

Health shake-up consultation should be done again, says AM

NORTH Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has called for the controversial consultation on the future of health services in North Wales to be revisited following the recent identified management failings in Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

 

Mr Isherwood raised the matter during an urgent question in the Assembly Chamber this week.

 

He also called for a reassessment of the Welsh Government’s decision in the last Assembly to scrap the Independent Review that formed the second stage of the complaints procedure for patients and relatives, and asked for assurances  of ‘no expensive pay offs’ to senior figures standing down.

 

He said: “As you will be aware, the report identified management failings contributing to significant risks with hospital infections, operations being delayed and waiting lists allowed to grow.

 

"Given that matters such as these have been populating my casework inbox, and, I am sure, those of many other North Wales Members, for many years, will you revisit the Welsh Government’s decision in the last Assembly to scrap the independent review that formed the second stage of the complaints procedure and ensured that complaints could be scrutinised properly?

 

"Will you revisit the recent consultation that campaigners described as a ‘sham’?

 

"In Flint, they said that the figures being picked were those that the health board wanted. Will you assure us that there will not be expensive pay-offs to senior persons who may have to stand down as a consequence of this report?”

 

Health Minister Mark Drakeford told Mr Isherwood that “the report does not lead in any way to a re-opening of those matters that were agreed last year between the health board and the community health council. I have no intention of revisiting those matters on the basis of a report that did not address them." 

* In another story, responding to the Welsh Labour Health Minister’s praise for local health boards for breaking even at the end of the financial year, Aled Roberts, North Wales Welsh Liberal Democrat AM said: “This praise of local health boards meeting their financial requirements is a slap in the face for many patients in North Wales.

 

"Just last week, a controversial report made it clear that the only way Betsi Cadwaladr was able to make it to the end of the financial year was by allowing waiting lists to grow and cancelling routine operations.

 

“The Welsh Labour Government cannot see the people and the suffering behind meeting targets. Cancelling operations and allowing waiting lists to grow is not an acceptable way to run a health service.”

Strawberry teas now serving at Memorial Hall

Traditional strawberry cream teas ware being served at Llangollen Memorial Hall, opposite the car park in Market Street, today (Saturday), from 9.30am to around 4.30pm.
 
On offer are coffee, tea, scones, cakes and other gastronomic delights - all served to the accompaniment of music from the 1950s.

One of the organisers of the event said: "Whether you wish to partake simply of coffee or tea with cakes or a full afternoon tea with sandwiches, cream scones with strawberries and home–made cakes we guarantee you will have a wonderful experience."

Historic bus stops off at classic vehicle event

 

 

 

A former Chester City Transport bus is making a journey into Wales this weekend, July 6/7, from its base at the North West Museum of Road Transport in St Helens, Merseyside.

The Guy Arab double decker was new to the Chester in June 1953, Coronation year, and sported the No.1 in the bus fleet.

 

In celebrating its 60th anniversary it will be joining other examples of classic transport for the rally organised by the museum at the field near the railway station in Glyndyfrdwy.

 Organiser Matt Davie said: "The field at Glyndyfrdwy offers a splendid location for a gathering in association with the heritage railway.

 

"Based on our experience of previous events, we will again be offering visitors to the rally the chance to sample a free ride on the vintage buses when they make demonstration road runs between Glyndyfrdwy and Corwen on Saturday and Sunday.

 

"Those travelling along the A5 road will have the opportunity to see the work on the railway's extension west of Carrog and be able to view the location of the temporary platform to be sited at Corwen East.

"As well as the road transport vehicles attending, we are also expecting members of the Jowett Car Owners Club to be gathering at Glyndyfrdwy with examples of this iconic British automobile, on this the 90th anniversary of the club's formation."

In support of the classic transport rally, Llangollen Railway will be operating a half hourly train service on the heritage line in the Dee Valley with a mixture of steam and diesel locomotives and diesel railcars to add the variety of transport items from a bygone era.

The Jowett Car Club celebrates the classic British cars made in Bradford from 1906 to 1954, including the Jupiter, Javelin, Bradford, Jason, Black Prince, Curlew, Kestrel, Weasel, Flying Fox, Falcon, Long Four, Focus, Blackbird, Kingfisher, Black Prince, Wren, Grey Knight, Silverdale, Chummy, 7cwt Van and Short Two.

Police issue warm weather warning

North Wales Police are advising residents and car owners across the region to remain vigilant as weather forecasters predict a forthcoming hot spell.

 

“It is very tempting, particularly during warm spells to leave windows and doors open and so by simply checking all doors and windows are secure before going out or to bed we can deter any would-be thieves.   Days out to the beach or countryside can also bring about an air of complacency and so we are asking that all valuables are removed from cars or at the very least locked securely out of sight.”

 

“Together with our partners and local communities we have all worked hard and seen a significant reduction in crimes relating to burglaries and theft from vehicles.  It’s important that we remain on course to improve this even further and so I’d ask we all take some simple steps to secure our property, remain vigilant and report immediately any suspicious behaviour.

 

"These types of crime are often opportunistic targeting insecure homes or vehicles. By taking some basic steps we can reduce the opportunity for thieves and thereby prevent the loss of valuables and the associated inconvenience that follows.  Always ensure that your homes and vehicles are locked and that no valuable items are left on display and if you require further information about crime prevention visit http://www.north-wales.police.uk/advice__support1.aspx

 

If you see any suspicious behaviour or activity contact North Wales Police on 101 or alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111