Llan's Little Voice is big noise in Wrexham show

* Anna Turner takes centre stage as Little Voice

in Wrexham’s Grove Park Theatre.

By day 23-year-old Anna Turner from Llangollen uses her dulcet tones to answer telephone calls for large businesses but by night she is using them in a very different way, wowing audiences at Wrexham’s Grove Park Theatre as the lead in their latest production, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice.

Anna, who works as a Moneypenny receptionist, has been acting since the age of 10, but this is the first time she has taken centre stage.

She began with the Llangollen Twenty Club and has also performed with Tip Top Productions and Suitcase Theatre Company.

Last year she directed a play called Boxed Set which ran for four days in Theatr Clwyd.

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, tells the tale of a young girl who is grieving over the death of her father.

She never leaves the house and barely speaks, while her larger-than-life mother, Mari, enjoys life to its fullest and mocks her daughter’s quiet ways.

The only way Little Voice is able to express herself is to sing along to her late father’s records, imitating icons such as Judy Garland and Marilyn Monroe.

One night, Mari’s boyfriend overhears Little Voice singing and cajoles her into performing on stage. Thus begins the rise, and ultimately, the fall, of Little Voice.

Anna says: “This is my first performance with Grove Park Theatre and my first ever time singing solo on stage.

"I was quite nervous before we started the show on September 5th but we have been receiving standing ovations so that feels amazing. There is something very special about performing and it’s wonderful to get to play such a fantastic character.” 

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice is sponsored by Moneypenny and runs until September 14. Tickets are available from www.groveparktheatre.co.uk or the Box Office on 01978 351091.

Eisteddfod wins chorus of approval

* This year's colourful Eisteddfod parade. 

 

There has been a chorus of approval for the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod for its contribution to putting Wales on the global map.

 

The first to sing the praises of the renowned festival was Huw Hampson-Jones, the Chair of the Wales in London organisation, who read about the Eisteddfod in the influential South China Morning Post while on a trip to Hong Kong.

 

According to Mr Hampson-Jones, the festival that put opera legend Luciano Pavarotti on the road to superstardom is a gem in terms of marketing Wales on the world stage.

The point was driven home while he was reading the South China Morning Post.

Mr Hampson-Jones recalled: "My eye catches the headline on page three, 'Singer 11, follows in the footsteps of greats', and a large article reporting the fact that Ella Ng has won the solo prize at the International Eisteddfod in Wales.

"The article points out that Placido Domingo, Kiri Te Kanawa, Jose Carreras and Elaine Page have all performed at the Eisteddfod.

"The point to note, of course, is that the paper’s worldwide readership will be made aware of this wonderful international cultural event held in Llangollen, Wales.

"Welsh culture is sophisticated – the Eisteddfod in Llangollen is living proof of that."

It was a sentiment echoed by Welsh Secretary David Jones MP who is a big fan of the colourful cultural event founded in the aftermath of the Second World War as a means of promoting world harmony through music and dance.

Mr Jones said: "Llangollen International Eisteddfod has taken a great Welsh tradition and turned it into a truly international event. I have visited the event for many years, and this year, I was honoured to be invited to be their Vice President.

 

"I always look forward to seeing just how far Wales’ culture and history can reach across the world, and how deeply it can become embedded in other nations. 

 

"It is so important that we share and celebrate our similarities, as well as our differences, at every opportunity. I congratulate the Llangollen International Eisteddfod on its successes over the last 67 years, and I wish it many more years of success."

 

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates is also enchanted by the festival.

 

He said: "I love the International Eisteddfod, it's one of my favourite events of the year and one of the many fantastic jewels in Llangollen's crown, and this summer's event was one of the best yet.

 

"The atmosphere was brilliant and the warmth of the welcome extended was - as always - amazing.

 

"The event gives Llangollen another opportunity to showcase itself and provides a massive boost to the local economy, but it also helps to promote Wales on an international stage, which is hugely important as we strive to further strengthen our burgeoning tourism industry."

 

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones was proud that she had been asked to be a Day President at the 2013 event.

 

She said: "I was struck yet again by how Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod really does bring people and cultures together.

 

"For many of the groups and visitors present, it is their very first experience of Wales and they go on to have many more.

 

"We shouldn't forget that had a young Pavarotti not come to Llangollen, he would probably never have been to Wales in his life. 

 

"As someone who lived overseas in my twenties, I know first hand that when people have experienced a country for themselves that offers huge potential for the business growth that we need." 

 

The acclaim for the contribution of the Eisteddfod was music to the ears of the festival's Chairman, Gethin Davies.

 

He said: "Llangollen has long been known as the town where Wales welcomes the world but it is gratifying to hear recognition from such senior figures of our role in reaching out across the globe and playing a positive part in the drive to market our wonderful nation."

Attempts to sabotage major cycling event

* A North Wales Police officer tweeted a picture of one of the nails found along the route. 

Reports have been coming in throughout the day of attempts to sabotage this morning's Wiggle Etape Cymru cycling event which took in the Horseshoe Pass and for which competitors registered at Llangollen Pavilion on Friday.

Most comprehensive story is on the cycling website road.cc, which says: "A number of riders on today’s Wiggle Etape Cymru suffered punctures after saboteurs reportedly laid tacks on the route.

"A thousand cyclists took part in the 88 mile course starting and finishing at the Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse in Wrexham.

"Half a dozen of the riders, and one of the safety marshall motorcyclists were said to have had punctured tyres, but no-one was hurt in the incident.
North Wales Police were called to help remove the nails that had been scattered."

The story adds: "Sergeant Mark Jones, of the North Wales Police Roads Policing Unit tweeted: “We’ve had reports of tacks being placed on the road on the Etape Cymru route. Several cyclists suffering punctures. Very disappointing.

“Police are trying to clear as many as possible.

“Approximately six cyclists affected however they’ve managed to repair. We’ve had to lose one of the safety motorcycle marshals though.”

"Cock Bank in Wrexham and near Pentrecelyn, Ruthin were the areas affected.

"It’s not the first time the Etape Cymru has been sabotaged. In 2011 a number of riders got lost after signage was allegedly moved."

Limelight take on Strictly and win with musical odyssey

Those adventurous enough to tear themselves away from the Strictly Come Dancing launch episode on TV last night (Saturday) and get down to Llangollen Town Hall couldn’t have been disappointed with their decision.

Because they were treated to an evening of great music from an amateur stage group with a growing local reputation.

And at the end of the packed programme of entertainment it would have been easy for the judges to hold up a row of appreciative tens.


Limelight has recently branched out from its Wrexham base to start presenting a bill of drama and musical shows here in Llangollen.

Latest of these was Musicals in the Limelight, staged by a talented ensemble cast of 14 performers under the skilful musical direction of Kevin Whiteley.

The production whisked the audience, which should have been larger, on a whirlwind tour of the West End and Broadway by presenting a varied selection of memorable numbers from shows such as South Pacific, Sound of Music, Guys & Dolls, Wicked and Les Miserables.

They opened up with four pieces from Godspell, the show with which they had a recent success at the Town Hall.

And then it was an almost non-stop musical odyssey through shows such as Carousel, Camelot, Phantom of the Opera, Jekyll & Hyde and Oliver!

Although the chorus work was powerful, Limelight proved that it has strength in depth by putting forward a string of very competent soloists to enhance the overall effect of their presentation.

Outstanding were John Clifford, John Whitfield, Jim Davies, Debbie Peate, Liz Jones and Fiona Bassett.

The tempo and mood of the musical offerings ranged from the rollicking – Oom Pah Pah from Oliver! and Master of the House from Les Mis – to the poignant – If Ever I Would Leave You from Camelot and I Dreamed a Dream from Les Mis.

Grand final came, of course, from Les Mis when the entire Limelight cast joined forces behind the Paris barricades to pump out the stirring One Day More.

If he’d been there rather on telly presiding over Strictly 2013 Sir Brucie would surely have said, “didn’t they do well!”     

Next Limelight production in Llangollen is Dixie Or Me, a comedy play penned by local poet and playwright Peter Read about local football hero Dixie McNeil and Wrexham Football Club, on September 18 and 19.
 

Police charge kids with getting creative

Budding young artists across Denbighshire are being set a challenge by police to get creative and design poster which highlights safety in and around the home.

 

The competition is open to all primary school pupils in the county and is being launched by District Inspector Siobhan Edwards at the beginning of a new school year.

 

“Its aim is to educate children about security in and around the home as well as raising awareness of vehicle crime,” said Inspector Edwards. “Designing posters seemed an ideal way to get children thinking about the issues and ways to relay messages effectively.”

 

She added: “By taking part, it’s hoped the pupils’ artwork will help stress the importance of keeping property safe and also reiterate key messages to family and friends and help them and others avoid becoming victims of crime.”

 

Three age groups have been set (• Year 1 - 2 Foundation Phase, • Year 3 - 4 Key Stage 2 • Year 5 - 6 Key Stage 2 Years) and children are being tasked to create an A4 poster around one of the following three categories:

•             Security in the home

•             Vehicle crime

•             Security around the home

 

Head teachers have already been made aware of the competition and pupils have until September 27 to submit their entries.

 

From then on in, a winner from each age group will be chosen by school staff and all winning designs will then be collected. Once in, they will be put before a panel of judges who will select winners who will be invited to an awards ceremony.

 

Inspector Edwards added: “We hope that as many pupils take part as possible and help make it a success. Each year we as local officers issue countless warnings and advice about keeping items and homes secure. We hope that the children will come up with some great designs that will help us in our forthcoming crime prevention campaigns.”

 

The winning entries will be printed and distributed across Denbighshire. 

Railway's Corwen extension update

The following is an update from Llangollen railway on the extension of the line to Corwen ...

During August deliveries of recycled ballast brought in 200 tonnes of stone via the access at Bonwm.

This has allowed the base ballasting of the trackbed to be brought forward towards the access gate and track laying by full time permanent way staff saw the rail head extended by six panels, with a further six to be installed shortly.

The stack of concrete sleepers at Bonwm has now been cleared thanks to a further period of hire for a JCB Load-all machine and sleepers have been dispersed along the track bed towards Corwen. A calculation of the short fall in sleepers can now be made for a further quantity to be ordered.

Further deliveries of 1,000 tonnes of ballast will provide for the base towards over bridge 28a, with pegging out of this section to be undertaken during September. It is now envisaged that track laying during the autumn will begin at bridge 28a working backwards towards Bonwm, a stretch of approximately 900 metres.

Tenders for the repair of the under arch and abutments to bridge 28a are awaited from contractors who have expressed interest in this work, but, in the meantime, a volunteer team has started repairs to bridge 28, a fisherman’s access underpass.

The repairs to the road/railer machine have been completed and, following certification, the machine is now on site at Bonwm as the essential tool for further track laying. Two members of the full-time staff are passed competent to operate this machine and two volunteers will be similarly instructed. A volunteer work force is being assembled to undertake the track laying through to bridge 28a and beyond to the Corwen platform site.

Dwyrain Corwen East Station site

The complications with the under bridges within the area of the platform appear close to being resolved. We are advised that Denbighshire County Council has let a contract for the installation of the flood relief scheme outfall to the river which will involved the removal of bridge 30. Subject to confirmation, we can expect the contractor to be on site from September with construction work taking place during the next few months.

We are further advised by Denbighshire Countryside Services that the flood relief scheme also has implications for the route of the link foot path to bridge 29. This will provide access to the nature reserve and some grant aid may be in prospect for work on refurbishing this bridge, if it can be completed during September.

Elsewhere, within the wider context of Corwen, discussions are underway with the artists for the design of the access pathway from the Corwen car park to the station site. Wide ranging discussions are also taking place with regard to the opportunities to promote the new station at Corwen as a destination in 2014 and initial plans for the train timetable have started.

Whilst it is intended that a first train will arrive at Dwyrain Corwen East on St David’s day, 1^st March 2014, it is now likely that an official opening occasion will be held some weeks later to obtain maximum publicity, subject to all the work being completed, including the acquisition of the outstanding funding.

A promotional display for the Corwen Extension was provided during the period of the National Eisteddfod held at Denbigh during August with thanks to Denbighshire County Council for providing facilities.

Busy time for Tidy Town Team

Llangollen's Tidy Town Team has been out in force today (Friday).

A large number of the group, which keeps the town looking clean and tidy on a voluntary basis, were seen clearing ivy and other unwanted foliage and generally tidying the grounds of the museum in Parade Street, working on the railings on Riverside Walk and renewing flowers in the planters in front of the Town Hall in Castle Street.

* Top, members of the team at work around the museum in Parade Street and (below) on the railings in Riverside Walk.