From the Beatles to Beeching at Llangollen

* Foxcote Manor leaving Llangollen in an evocative black and

white image from last year's 60s event.

 

 

* One of the locomotives that will be used at the event subject to repairs.

 

* A young lady in a classic 60's dress posing with a classic 60's Bubble car at Glyndyfrdwy.

 

* Sophie Francis performing at last year's event,

looking and sounding the 60s part.

The clocks are all set to be turned back to the swinging 60's in Llangollen this Saturday and Sunday when Llangollen Railway hosts its fourth annual 1960's Weekend.

This year sees the 50th anniversary of the publication of Dr Beeching's infamous report that led to the closure of thousands of miles of railway and 45 years since the anniversary of the "15 Guinea Special", the last official steam-hauled passenger train on British Railways.

 

Organisers say they are determined not to allow the recent incident of suspected vandalism on the track to spoil the event. 

 

Black 5 locomotive number 44806, one of those due to take part in this weekend's event, was damaged when it hit an object placed on the track on the July 13.

 

Llangollen Railway press officer George Jones said: "Black 5 cannot be repaired in time for our 60's weekend, which is a real shame.

 

"We are, however, hopeful that a second Black 5 currently visiting us for repairs can star in the event. 

 

"It's a race against time but we are hopeful that our engineering team can get our visitor back in steam by this weekend.  

 

"We are determined not to let this unfortunate and mindless act spoil our weekend. All other plans for the weekend remain unchanged - it's business as usual."

 

Event co-organiser Tez Pickthall said: "Our latest event is going to be our biggest yet. The railway will be running a busy timetable of steam, diesel and railcar trains - just like you would have been seen on Britain's railways in the 60's.

 

"It was a time of great change with steam locomotives disappearing altogether in 1969 along with many stations and lines thanks to Dr Beeching's "Reshaping of Britain's Railways" report - including the line that is now the Llangollen Railway. 

 

"There is lots to do. We have great live music, which is all being provided by volunteers who work on the railway. 

 

"We have a range of trade stands and Dr Beeching's Bar at Llangollen, with seven local real ales to try.

 

"You can enjoy a vintage open-top bus ride between Llangollen and Carrog and at Glyndyfrdwy station you will find a staggering array of vintage vehicles on display, from the ubiquitous VW Beetle to the legendary E-Type Jaguar.

 

"We will also be applying special temporary rust-coloured paint to one of our usually immaculate steam locomotives to show visitors how run-down and unloved these engines were at the end of their careers in the late 60's.

 

"Whether you're a railway fan or just looking for a fun day out, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Lots of folk dress up in 60's clothes which make the event a lot of fun and add to the fantastic retro atmosphere."

 

Musical performances will be given at Llangollen station by 19-year old A-level student Sophie Francis, who can usually be found hard at work in Victoria's tea rooms on the station, and Matthew Grindley, a locomotive fireman, on both Saturday and Sunday afternoon at 4pm.

 

Saturday evening sees Harry Barber, a Llangollen engine driver, perform a concert with his band. The concert starts at 7pm on Llangollen station.Anyone interested in bringing a vintage vehicle to the rally or purchasing a discounted advanced ticket is encouraged to contact the railway on 01978 860979 or visit its website http://www.llangollen-railway.co.uk/. 

Town Council vacancy is filled

The vacancy left on Llangollen Town Council by a recent resignation will soon be filled.

Tim Palmer, who had served on the council for a short while, recently announced he was leaving as he and his family were moving to live in the United States

The process of finding a replacement then started.

After first establishing that there was no official demand for a bye-election, town clerk Gareth Thomas then sought applications from anyone interested in becoming a councillor

At last week's council meeting, he reported to members that two people had initially sent in applications but that one had withdrawn on the basis they couldn’t afford the time the role required.

This left just one applicant of whose application former mayor, Cllr Jon Haddy, said: “I can see from her CV that we couldn’t have had a better applicant.”

He proposed that she be co-opted on to the council and this was unanimously agreed by members.

The new councillor will be formally co-opted at the next council meeting.      

Royal baby is a boy, says palace

The BBC reported just after 8.30pm tonight that the Duchess of Cambridge has given birth to a baby boy, according to Kensington Palace.

The baby weighed in at 8lbs 6ozs at 4.24pm.

Alexei Sayle guns up the Fringe audience

Why is it that Roy Chubby Brown has performed in Wrexham when Alexei Sayle has not?

According to Mr Sayle himself, that's because no-one bothered to shoot "the ****" with a Heckler & Koch rifle before he took to the stage at Glyndwr University last November.

This was one of Sayle's characteristically blunt answers to a question from a member of the audience during his own appearance at the Llangollen Fringe last night (Sunday).

* Alexei Sayle copies of his books for fans
after the show. 

Of course it got a big laugh, as did his expletive-seasoned references to some other big names of showbiz, including former poet laureate Sir Andrew Motion who is due to make his own appearance at the Fringe on Thursday.

In fact, his verbal attacks on the great man became sort of a running gag threading its way through Sayle’s two-hour some show in a packed Town Hall.

The gig revolved around the 80s comedy legend’s readings from his two books, Stalin Ate My Hamster and, the latest, Overtaken – copies of which he signed for delighted fans at the end of the evening.

These were amusing enough, as Sayle recounted his unusual Liverpool upbringing by parents who were both committed Communists.

His recollections sound funnier coming from the foul mouth of the Scouser himself rather than being paraphrased here.

But one that doesn’t lose too much in the re-telling was the story about how, in his early teens, he used a couple of heavy duty swear words to shock his mother only to discover to his horror that his own outburst brought forth a torrent of  language from her foul enough to shock a Liverpool docker.

The second half of the show was taken up with the question and answer session that prompted his attacks on old-style comics such as Roy Chubby Brown and Jim Davidson.

There were also some vicious side-swipes at the likes of Eddie Izzard and Alan Davies which again seemed to go down very well with the audience.   

He got a similar reaction when he had a pop at the late Lady Thatcher, saying he considered himself lucky to have been on a stage the day she died.

But one suspects it was nothing like the acclaim the same attack would have won him in the halcyon days when he was known as the abusive fat bloke in a too-tight suit.

Sayle’s now heading for the Edinburgh Fringe where, he admitted, he’d be louder and jump about quite a bit more on stage.

But judging by his warm reception in Llangollen, he can afford to dump that hackneyed old routine – now every bit as clichéd as the Roy Chubby Brown’s jokes he so obviously despises – and be just as funny by being gentler with his audiences.   

He also promised his Fringe audience that one day he will appear in Wrexham.

That’s presumably just as long as he’s not picked off first by a Chubby Brown fan with a high powered rifle.

AM re-opens hospital closure argument

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood is concerned that the Health Minister has overlooked “very serious reservations”  expressed by the North Wales Community Health Council regarding community hospital closures.  

 

The Labour Health Minister Mark Drakeford’s Written Statement to Assembly Members ‘Changes to Health Services in North Wales’ on 17 July failed to refer to the “very serious reservations” expressed by the North Wales Community Health Council about the transition and implementation plans in the communities affected by hospital closures and related service withdrawal - Flint, Llangollen, Prestatyn and Blaenau Ffestiniog.   

 

Concerned by the omission, Mr Isherwood has written to the Minister asking him to “detail the agreed transition and implementation plans in the communities affected by hospital closures and related service withdrawal.”

 

His letter states:  “In your Statement, you state that you are ‘very pleased to report that I have now received a joint letter from the CHC and Health Board which confirms agreement has been reached on the outstanding issues’. 

 

“You further state that the elements of the Health Board’s proposals which the CHC referred to the former Minister for Health and Social Services for determination on 4 March related to:  minor injury services in South Gwynedd;  the removal of X-Ray services from Tywyn Hospital and older people’s mental health service for people living in Gwynedd.

 

“However, specific reference is not made to other elements of the Health Board’s proposals referred to by the North Wales Community Health Council in their letter to the former Minister for Health and Social Services.

 

“This includes the statement that “The CHC has already confirmed that it will not be referring the changes to four of the nineteen community hospitals in North Wales to the Minister. However, the CHC’s letter also says that it has ‘very serious reservations’ about the transition and implementation plans for these community hospitals…….”.

 

“Serious concern about this remains in the communities affected by withdrawal of local services. If these are not addressed, it is of little comfort to them if “the CHC is now content, subject to the outcome of the agreed monitoring and review."

Local directory "is a good idea"

A reply to the story below from Gill Thomas ...

The local directory suggested by the Town Council is a very good idea.

Just to let you know the Llangollen Chamber of Trade & Tourism is in the process of listing Professional & Emergency Services on the www.llangollen.org.uk website in the Information section.

We are also undertaking a disabled access survey and the results will also appear on the website.

We would be grateful for any information on access and facilities for people with disabilities, provided by local businesses. Details can be sent to Gill Thomas, email: thomastheelms@hotmail.co.uk

At-a-glance local directory idea wins approval

Llangollen Town Council is to look into the possibility of financing the production of a quick guide to local services.

The idea was put forward at Tuesday night’s council meeting by Cllr Sheena Burrell (pictured left) who said it would be handy if there was a single sheet containing the contact details for local services such as doctors, hospitals, council offices and the opening times for public toilets.

“I think something like that could be very useful for people who are staying here for a week or so on holiday and want to use local services. It might also be of use to local people,” she said.

“I think we should take this on board because it could raise the profile of the town council.”

Members voted to have the town clerk look further into the idea.