Llan event aims to boost businesses

Promoting Denbighshire as a great place to do business and giving local companies the chance to shine, grow and flourish in this economic climate is the aim of an event being hosted in the county next week.

The Open for Business event, being hosted by Denbighshire County Council at Llangollen Pavilion on Thursday, April 3 between 5pm and 8.30pm, will allow representatives of local businesses to make vital contacts from a wide range of council services, other external organisations and the business community.

The event will also offer businesses some food for thought on how they can develop their businesses and maximise the opportunities available to them.

Keynote speaker for the event will be Richard Staniszewski, a North Wales-based entrepreneur, public speaker and business mentor who has a wealth of experience from wide ranging career both in the UK and America.

During the event, the Council will launch a brand new video promoting the county as a great place to do business.  People attending will also be able to record their own short promotional pitches for their own marketing purposes.

The evening will also include the launch of the county’s Economic and Community Ambition Strategy, ‘Developing Opportunities, Creating Confidence’.

Leader of Denbighshire, Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, who is also the Lead Member for Economic Development, said: “We want Denbighshire businesses to have a clearer understanding of how the council will support business growth and development, as well as learning more about the range of services they can access from the Council.

“We also want businesses in the county to be more confident about their future prospects and to work with the Council to develop the local economy, as well as encouraging local people to think local, do business local.

“This is a great way of showing that Denbighshire is open for business.”

To register, please contact Kirsty Hutton Davies on 01824 706701 or e-mail: kirsty.huttondavies@denbighshire.gv.uk

The event has been sponsored by BT’s Superfast Programme.

Health board appoints new chief executive

Professor Trevor Purt has become the new chief executive of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. 

 

He is currently chief executive of Hywel Dda University Health Board, a post he has held since 2009. 

 

He has over 11 years experience as an NHS chief executive, with earlier equivalent experience within the private sector. 

 

The details of when Prof Purt will take up his new post are being worked through. In the interim Geoff Lang will continue as acting chief executive.

 

Prof Purt's appointment follows an extensive recruitment and selection exercise, which attracted candidates from across the globe. 

 

The BCUHB says work will now progress on the appointment of a new director of finance, for which interviews are planned in early May.

Llyr Gruffydd, Plaid Cymru North Wales AM, said of Prod Purt's appointment: “I’m pleased a decision has been made and I hope Mr Purt brings some stability to the top of Betsi Cadwaladr.

"I look forward to forming a good working relationship with him over the coming months. I look forward to meeting with him as soon as possible and I will continue to speak up for constituents’ concerns about the Welsh health service and how we can improve it.”

 

AM completes Sport Relief challenge

* Ken Skates AM receives his participant's medal from the Mayor of Wrexham, Cllr David Bithell.

ASSEMBLY Member Ken Skates was among the first across the finishing line after tackling a six-mile run in aid of Sport Relief.

Mr Skates, the Labour AM for Clwyd South, completed the challenge at Ty Mawr Country Park in Cefn Mawr on Sunday in just under 42 minutes.

He said: “It was a fantastic occasion. People were in great spirits and I was delighted to be a part of it, especially as the event was in my own constituency, and there was a really good turn-out.

“The run was tough, but thousands of pounds were raised and I’m proud that I was able to play a very small part in the most successful Sport Relief campaign ever.”

The biennial charity event, run in association with the BBC, brings together the worlds of sport and entertainment to raise money for people in need in the UK and the world's poorest countries. Friday night’s live TV broadcast generated more than £51m.

Mr Skates added: “I’d like to thank everyone who sponsored me – your money really will a make a difference to people’s lives.”

Anyone who still wants to donate can sponsor Mr Skates by visiting his Sport Relief page – my.sportrelief.com/sponsor/kenskates.

Soldier's family allowed to seek new inquest into her death

The father of a soldier who died at Deepcut barracks 18 years ago hopes the decision to allow him to seek a new inquest will bring "closure", according to a BBC report.

The attorney general is allowing the family of Pte Cheryl James, who grew up in Llangollen, to ask the High Court for a new inquest.

Pte James, 18, was found dead at the barracks in Surrey in 1995 and an inquest recorded an open verdict.

For the full story see:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-26720962

Dinas Bran's Shannon wins Battle of the Bands

* Emily Bolwell, Catrin Jones, Sherrie Paterson, Shannon Robertson, Catrin Lawson,

Brannon Liston-Smith, Sarah Baines, Cari Miles, Martha Peters.

A GIRL from Ysgol Dinas Bran in Llangollen took first place in a talent competition staged in Ruthin, winning herself a recording session.

Theatre John Ambrose played host to the county's first Battle of the Bands 2014 competition last week as nine bands and acts took to the stage for the chance to win a half day session in a recording studio.

The audience was treated to a mix of performances from solo singers, duets, bands and orchestral groups with all participants ranging from 12 to 18 years of age (school year 7-13) from a number of Denbighshire secondary schools including Dinas Bran, Ysgol Glan Clwyd, Blessed Edward Jones CHS and St Brigid’s.

Pupils from Ysgol Brynhyfryd volunteered to help out for the evening to ensure everything ran smoothly.

The event was organised by Sherrie Paterson, Denbighshire's 14-19 Network Development Officer, with the aim of raising funds for the School Council Forum and charity.

Shannon Robertson from Ysgol Dinas Bran took first place gaining a half day recording session on behalf of TAPE Community Music and Film, Colwyn Bay.

River, a duet from St Brigid’s, took second place and Di-Enw, a band from Ysgol Glan Clwyd was third.

Sherrie said: "The event was really well attended and £386 was raised towards Barnardo's and the School Council Forum, which helps young people make valuable decisions and to share best practice in order to improve their schools for future generations."

Two taxis prohibited after roadside checks

Roadside checks have been carried out on cars and taxis in south Denbighshire, in the interest of road safety.

The detailed roadworthiness safety checks were carried out by officers from Denbighshire County Council's Licensing and Community Safety section,  North Wales Police and Driver Vehicle Standards Agency.

A total of six taxis were examined during the course of the operation and subjected to stringent inspections in pursuance of road safety.  The checks resulted in two taxis being immediately prohibited and suspended by DVSA officers and Council Licensing/ Community Safety Enforcement Officers for two defective tyres and lighting defects.  Councillor David Smith, Denbighshire Cabinet Lead Member for Environment, said: "These operations must send a clear message that the Police, DVSA and Denbighshire County Council are jointly committed to a course of action that will seek out any vehicles that are not fit for purpose.

"This activity is also designed to gain the confidence of both public public who use taxis/ private hire vehicles and all those persons who use the roads of Denbighshire.

"In order to further public safety, North Wales Police, DVSA and Denbighshire County Council Licensing/Community Safety Enforcement Officers will continue to work in partnership in carrying out taxi, private hire vehicle roadworthiness checks and other motor vehicle checks and take appropriate action where necessary."

“Local officers took part in the day,” said Sergeant Beth Jones who is based in Ruthin.

“Members of the public can be reassured that we will continue with this work to ensure the safety of all who use the road and that of any passengers that are carried in such vehicles.”

Peace and harmony for eisteddfod performers

 

* Krasnoyarsk City Children’s Choir from Siberia in Russia.

 

* Barvinochok dancers from the Ukraine.

 

UKRAINIAN and Russian performers heading for this summer’s Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod say the current political rift between their two countries won’t stop them enjoying the big annual festival.

Despite international tensions running high after Russia moved into the Crimea, leaders of the Barvinochok folk dance group from the Ukrainian capital of Kiev and the Krasnoyarsk City Children’s Choir from Siberia in Russia have both confirmed their attendance at the Eisteddfod, which runs from July 8-13, and both have said how much they are looking forward to it.

Eisteddfod chairman Gethin Davies stressed the spirit of international peace and co-operation on which the Eisteddfod was founded in 1947 and promised there would be an equally warm welcome for the Ukrainians and the Russians.

The Barvinochok folk dance group was founded in 1976 and today has over 500 children and young people aged from three to 23 in its ranks.

Barvinochok have been to Llangollen before, in 2009 when they won a certificate of merit for taking second place to a group from Slovakia in the choreographed folk dance competition.

Speaking from her home in Kiev one of Barvinochok’s leaders, Okasana Cherkas, said: “Despite what is happening on the political front at the moment we are going to take part in the Llangollen festival this summer as planned.

“Our big hope at the moment is that there will be peace in our country by that time.

“Members of our group have not been personally affected by what has been happening, although we did all see the recent demonstrations going on in our own city of Kiev, which were of course of concern to us.

“We will be bringing about 40 members of the group with us to Llangollen and are looking forward very much to performing there.”

The Russian performers coming to Llangollen are members of the City Children’s Choir from the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk who will be making their debut in the festival.

From her home in Krasnoyarsk, which she explained is in the very centre of Russia on the border between Europe and Asia, choir founder and chief conductor Ludmilla Stebenkova said: “We are certainly going to take part in this year’s festival and are looking forward to competing in Llangollen for the first time.

“The current political situation certainly won’t stop us coming.

“I know there will be a group from the Ukraine also at the festival but I think everything will be fine with us and them. There is no problem between people only between the authorities.

“Llangollen is all about international co-operation and peace, and in that way is very much like the Olympic Games.”

Eisteddfod chairman Gethin Davies said: “The whole ethos of our festival is about creating harmony between different nations and helping to heal wounds.

“The festival certainly has nothing to do with politics and is a way of bringing people together regardless of their politics or ethnic background.

“Both these groups, from the Ukraine and Russia, will be very welcome at Llangollen. When they get on stage here everyone is equal.”

Barvinochok are due to make two appearances at the festival, in the Cultural Showcase competition on Wednesday, July 9, and in the Children’s Folk Dance Group on the Thursday.

Dance styles the group specialises in include classical, traditional Ukrainian, modern and global culture and more than 100 of its graduates have so far graduated to become professional ballet dancers in the Ukraine and abroad.

Over the years Barvinochok has received recognition and won awards at a host of international festivals and competitions in countries such as Russia, Hungary, Germany, Greece, France, Spain, Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Portugal, Italy and Cuba.

The City Children’s Choir are bringing a 46-strong ensemble, who will be accompanied by six adults, and they will be competing in two competitions, the Senior Children’s Choir and Children’s Folk Song Choir, both on Wednesday.

Founded in the 1970s, the choir regularly tours the Russia, the Czech Republic, Mongolia,Georgia, Bulgaria, Romania and the Ukraine. It has also visited the USA as part of a project called Friendship Ambassadors and co-operates with the Krasnoyarsk State Academic Symphony Orchestra.

Ludmilla said the aim of the choir was to unite children of their own city through singing and their wide repertoire includes sacred and secular music by Russian and foreign classical composers, and Russian folk songs.

Meanwhile, the curtain raiser for this year's Eisteddfod will mark the return of opera superstar Bryn Terfel to Llangollen.

The acclaimed bass baritone will be playing the lead in a special English-language production of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street featuring an all-Welsh cast.

This year's will also feature concerts by Dutch jazz sensation Caro Emerald and veteran British rockers Status Quo as well as a world premiere of a new work, Adiemus Colores, by top composer Karl Jenkins.

He will conduct his Latin American themed work with American tenor Noah Stewart, Venezuelan trumpeter Pacho Flores and Latvian accordion player Ksenija Sidorova to the accompaniment of the Llangollen International Eisteddfod Orchestra.

The Friday night concert, Spirit of Unity, will feature the Cape Town Opera, Africa’s premiere opera company, famed for their "vibrant vocalism and high-octane stage performances".

Appearing with them will be Wales’ representative in Cardiff Singer of the World, Gary Griffiths, the Wales Millennium Centre Only Kidz Aloud Chorus under the baton of celebrity conductor Tim Rhys Evans and British Sinfonietta, one of the UK's leading independent professional orchestras.

The Choir of the World competition for the Pavarotti Trophy on the Saturday night is the blue riband event of the week-long festival which will close with a Sunday night concert by Status Quo.

To book tickets and for more information about this year’s Eisteddfod go to the website at www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk