Fringe organisers confirm tonight's concert will go ahead

llanblogger has just received an update from the Fringe organisers to say tonight's finale concert at Valle Crucis Abbey WILL be going ahead.

They say:

There is ample car parking nearby (follow the signs). There will also be a hog roast and a bar outside. Don’t forget to bring something to sit on, suitable clothing (and possibly a brolly, just in case the weather isn't kind to us!).   Tel: 0800 1455 779 or visit: www.llangollenfringe.co.uk

Fringe has grand finale tonight

Fringe Finale Concert at Valle Crucis Abbey   Cyngerdd Glyn y Groes   Sunday, July 28, 7.30pm   £7 admission   Join us for a magical evening at Valle Crucis and enjoy the concert in the nave of the ruins of the abbey. The setting is truly stunning and the atmosphere will be electric.     Don’t miss a performance at the spectacular Abbey with Golden Fable. Golden Fable are Rebecca Palin and Tim McIver, she the possessor of the angelic voice that shines through, he the producer and writer of the songs. Both play a seemingly inexhaustible list of instruments. Recorded at their home in the foothills of the Welsh mountains, the debut album ‘StarMap’ is unashamedly linked to the natural world around it, inspired by the glowering mountains that overlook their cottage and the forests and fields that skirt it.     Plus a performance of ‘Shape Note Singing’ by Wrexham Community Choir. Sentimental Journey are also a welcome late addition to the programme. There is ample car parking nearby (follow the signs). There will also be a hog roast and a bar outside. This is an outdoor event and so don’t forget to bring something to sit on and suitable clothing. You are also welcome to bring your own refreshments along.   Choir Workshop / Gweithdy Côr Town Hall / Neuadd Y Dref 2pm - 4.30pm £10 With Wrexham Community Choir Workshop on the awe inspiring and super easy to join in sound of ‘Sacred Harp’ or ‘Shape Note Singing’. A community singing tradition, with its roots in the pioneer era of the U.S.A. currently taking the world by storm. Participants will also have the chance to sing with the choir in Valle Crucis Abbey in the final concert (see details above). Workshop includes free admission to the concert. Childrens Performance / Perfformiad y Plant Valle Crucis Abbey / Abaty Glyn-y-Groes 4pm Come and celebrate the work of local school children performed within the walls of the ancient monument. Through dramatic performance inspired by their visits to Valle Crucis Abbey and Rug Chapel. Normal admission charges apply Adults £3.50, Family £10.50, Concessions £2.65.   Tel: 0800 1455 779 or visit: www.llangollenfringe.co.uk

Caryl gets keys to National Trust property

* Caryl Hughes now has the keys of Llyndy Isaf.

Life changed completely for one young woman from near Llangollen at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show earlier this week.

Caryl Hughes, aged 23, a young farmer from Dyffryn Ceiriog, became the first winner of the National Trust Llyndy Isaf scholarship.

Winning the scholarship means Caryl will be given the keys to Llyndy Isaf - the iconic 614-acre upland farm in Snowdonia saved for the nation through the Snowdonia Appeal in 2012 – and take control of the farm for a year starting in September.

Caryl told us she was both on top of the world and nervous about the challenges ahead of her with this unique opportunity, which she believed would be life changing for her and her dog Mist – who will be moving with her to Llyndy Isaf.

Caryl said: 'This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I intend to take full advantage of. It’s not every day you get the chance to farm a 614-acre farm, especially not at the age of 23 and especially if you are female.

"I’m a bit nervous of taking on Llyndy, it is a daunting challenge, especially because it hasn’t been farmed for a number of years, but I’m really excited about it and all the new experiences and opportunities I’m going to get in the next 12 months. I’m really looking forward to working with the National Trust and getting to know the whole team and all of their work – especially in agriculture.

"I don’t see it why we can’t do it as well as the ‘boys’, if not better. Women are renowned for being better at multi-tasking, but I’m confident I’ll rise to this challenge as well as anyone else. My priorities will be to re-establish a flock here with good grazing management to retain this natural environment around us. That’s Llyndy’s unique quality and challenge all in one.

"The views in Snowdonia are spectacular and I feel honoured to be allowed to live and work there - but also it’s not too dissimilar to home-so maybe that’s why it appeals to me.

"I hope to use the skills and ideas I gain in Snowdonia and adapt them to use at home in the Berwyn when the scholarship is over. I’m sure I will look back on the scholarship with pride, and the skills and experience I gain will live with me forever."

Appeal saves Llyndy for the nation

Llyndy Isaf farm drew international attention when it was saved for the nation in the National Trust's successful one million pound fund-raising appeal last year.

The campaign to acquire Llyndy Isaf was spearheaded by Welsh Hollywood actor Matthew Rhys in his role as Snowdonia Appeal Ambassador.

The Americans series star said: "When I visited Llyndy Isaf, I could see that such a beautiful and special part of Snowdonia demanded our support. I am delighted that Caryl now has the opportunity to learn a vocation and time-honoured way of life, where she can contribute to the survival, preservation and future of this incredibly important place."

This 'once in a lifetime' offer is the result of an innovative partnership between the National Trust and Wales YFC.

Applications were invited from all Wales YFC members. The scholarship was designed to encourage the successful candidate to develop key skills and broaden their knowledge of the industry. The winning scholar will have the opportunity and responsibility of managing all aspects of running the farm including form filling, stock management and practical work.

Caryl is 23 on 28 July, and lives on an upland farm with her parents and brother in Dyffryn Ceiriog.

She went to Aberystwyth University where she studied agriculture and animal science. As part of the course, Caryl went to live and work in New Zealand in her third year - on a milking farm for eight months and a sheep farm for 2 ½ months.

Caryl is interested in training and working sheepdogs (she has a sheepdog called Mist who’s eight-years-old, and who will be joining her at Llyndy).

Betsi board accepts critical report on its management

The BBC is reporting that the board of the Betsi Cadwaladr Univerity Health Board has fully accepted a highly critical report into its mismanagement.

See full report at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-23454408

How to reach the eisteddfodf maes

The maes at the Denbighshire and District National Eisteddfod, being held on the outskirts of Denbigh from August 2-10, is easy to reach and accessible from all directions, say organisers.  

Discussing the traffic management plan put in place with the local council and emergency services, chief organiser Hywel Wyn Edwards said: "I'm sure you've all started spotting the distinctive yellow signs on roads around north east Wales, guiding people to the eisteddfod.

"We urge all visitors travelling by car to the area to ensure they follow the signs as they are there to help to guide you to and from the Maes as safely and as easily as possible.

"It's our aim to run the traffic as smoothly as possible and without affecting local non-eisteddfod traffic, during the week, and once again this year, we are encouraging people to use public transport, the shuttle buses and of course to walk or cycle to the maes.  

"It is well located close to Denbigh, and we hope many people will take advantage of this."

Service buses will run from the train station at Wrexham for anyone wishing to reach the maes by train, and a regular shuttle bus will run between Denbigh and the maes throughout the week.

Details can be downloaded from the Eisteddfod website, www.eisteddfod.org.uk.

Below are the details of this year’s traffic management system, to help you to reach the maes safely from all directions. If you are travelling from Wrexham, the Marches or mid Wales, follow the A541 to Denbigh through Mold after leaving the A483, or travel to Ruthin on the A525, and follow the road to Denbigh. Then, turn right on the Myddleton Park roundabout to join Whitchurch Road before turning left into the car park opposite Kilford Farm.

Llan now has Buy Local page on Facebook

Community group Keep Llangollen Special has just set up a Facebook page to promote its Buy Local initiative, which encourages people to support their local shops rather then spending their money outside the town.

The new page can be seen at: https://www.facebook.com/BuyLocallyLlangollen?fref=ts

People are being encouraged to visit the site and "like" it to show their support for the campaign.

Keep Llangollen Special reviews its first year

Community group Keep Llangollen Special (KLS) held its first annual general meeting at the Hand Hotel on Tuesday night.

New officers were elected for the forthcoming year and retiring chair, Mike Edwards (pictured below), gave the following appraisal of the group's first year:

"Behind scenes the Management Committee have been working hard meeting at least once a month and discussing a number of issues and initiatives.

* I can understand the frustration in certain quarters that little seems to have been achieved, but major projects such as the Business & Community Hub proposal have long lead times particularly when you are trying to attract Grant Aid funding.

* Our main achievement to date is our Buy Local (BL) initiative which has gathered pace as we have established it as a regular monthly event. Even with such a small group of people it has sometimes been difficult to find members to deliver posters and get them printed.

* We have spent some time investigating a loyalty card scheme following a presentation from a company who provide the infrastructure. The result of these investigations has established that Llangollen has too small a population to support a "commercially" viable scheme. We have been offered a template to establish and run our own scheme, but the Committee decided against this at the present time due to a lack of resources.

*One scheme which is making progress towards launch is the Smartphone App.

* Going back to our Business & Community Hub (BACH) initiative, I have visited Glyn Wylfa in Chirk on a number of occasions and I would recommend everyone to visit because it is extremely impressive what they have been able to achieve. However, it has taken them several years to reach the stage they are at having secured Big Lottery Funding, planning consent and a property which generates income to support the community based activities

* My view has always been that we need to move from a campaigning, lobbying protest group and it is proving difficult to lose this image. In order to move forward we need to redouble our efforts to be seen as a constructive, progressive community organisation working with all interest parties in Llangollen to project the image, identity and already internationally known brand of Llangollen. 

* The independent businesses in Llangollen seem not to have fully appreciated the impact that Sainsbury's will have on their business, but they really need to get their acts together to meet this challenge or else we are going to see shops shutting up and we will be left with a high level of vacant properties as there are in many towns and cities throughout the UK. We need business owners to come on board and fight this corner with us.

* Finally, I have done my twelve months as chair so it's time for someone else to takeover and move us forward. I would like to thank Phil Jones and the Committee for their immense support throughout my year."

Rachel Morris was elected chair, Phil Jones as vice-chair, Di Slater as treasurer, Phil Thane as web master, Annie Powell as membership secretary and Mike Edwards stays on the committee as an ordinary member.