New singing group takes to the stage

* Members of the Llangollen-based Stage 2 Stage singing group. Picture by Barrie Potter.

Stage 2 Stage is a recently founded group of amateur singers, whose mission is to bring the glamour, vibrancy and magic of professional musical theatre to a stage near you.

Based in Llangollen, the 15 vocalists and their Musical Director, Elen Mair Roberts, have a long association with local artistic and musical organisations and their collective experience in treading the amateur boards spans several decades.

Formerly attached to the town’s Operatic Society and known as the Troupe, the group decided to go solo at the end of 2013 in order to pursue their own ambitions with greater autonomy and freedom, though many members still maintain active membership of the Operatic. 

Close friends in addition to colleagues in chorus, Stage 2 Stage members hail from an eclectic mix of backgrounds, professions, age groups and even countries but have the common denominator of a passion for music, a sense of fun and a desire to share this with others. 

The group’s repertoire is extensive and has something to appeal to most tastes. The main component is musical theatre, however further genres include opera, screen, popular music, festive favourites and Welsh folk and Elen strives continuously to introduce exciting, new pieces.

So whether you are an ardent fan of Rodgers and Hammerstein, enjoy more contemporary shows such as Hairspray and Chicago, or like to rock the evening away to Queen, you can rest assured that Stage 2 Stage will have something to suit your preference. 

The group firmly believes that high quality entertainment should be accessible to all. To this end, their broad repertoire and very reasonable fees make them a fantastic choice for any type of event, from an intimate family celebration, to a fully choreographed show complete with their own, five piece band. 

In their previous guise, they performed at a host of private and public events, with notable credits including Barmouth Festival of Arts 2012, Welsh rugby team captain Ryan Jones’ Testimonial Dinner, Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod’s “Llanfest” and Llangollen Women’s Festival of Music.

Their debut as Stage 2 Stage was in April at Dolgellau Music Festival where they performed a full concert to an appreciative audience at Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor and received warm praise from the festival organisers, who said: “The choral sound was rich and disciplined at all times, and the company as a whole radiated energy and a tremendous delight in what they were doing...Following this first outing as an independent group, the company deserves to prosper."

The group is currently working on new material for the autumn/ winter season, so if you are planning an event and would like to find out more about how Stage 2 Stage could enhance that, contact Tessa Orton-Jones or Alison Jarvis on 07413 822408 or e-mail stage2stage@outlook.com

Details are also available at www.stage2stage.net for details of past and future public performances, and to view photographs and testimonials.

Biker casualties prompt chief constables' statement

The high number of collisions involving motorbikes in both North Wales and Dyfed Powys Police areas has led the Chief Constables of both Forces to make the following joint statement:

"This year has seen a significant number of motorcyclists return to North, Mid and West Wales to make the most of the scenery and facilities that Wales has to offer, helped of course by the fine weather that we have all enjoyed.

 

Unfortunately though we are seeing a significant increase this year in the number of motorcyclists killed and seriously injured on our roads, with 16 fatalities across both of the policing areas of North Wales and Dyfed Powys Police and a further 72 motorcyclists seriously injured as a result of collisions. Amongst the most common reasons for the collisions are rider error and excessive speed, particularly on bends.

 

This year’s increase is a very real public safety concern and a priority for both police forces.  Our approach on enforcement has not changed; we will robustly enforce the law so that we can assist in reducing the risk to all road users. Motorcyclists, and other motorists, taking their time to visit the beautiful countryside of Mid and North Wales are very welcome so long as they ride or drive safely and within the law. Those who choose to break the law can expect to be prosecuted. Roads Policing Officers are equipped with a number of detection tactics and they have both overt and covert patrol cars and bikes. There will be no need for any riders to encounter police enforcement tactics if they ride as they should.

 

The approach around reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads is not, of course, based around enforcement alone. We continue to work with riders through a variety of engagement events and we will use what opportunities we can to educate riders as to the risks associated with riding inappropriately. We continue to be avid supporters of Bike Safe, an extremely valuable resource that is very well received, and we wish to encourage as many riders as possible to engage with a local Bike Safe workshop.

 

Many police officers and staff are keen motorcyclists who understand the attraction of the beautiful, but notoriously challenging, routes in North Wales and Dyfed Powys. Fellow motorcyclists are welcome, all we ask is that they ride safely and with respect for other road users."

Chief Constable Mark Polin                           Chief Constable Simon Prince
North Wales Police (motorcyclist)                  Dyfed Powys Police

Iron animals to star at Hamper Llangollen

 

* Two by two...Colin Loughlin (right) and Phil Davies (centre), from Hamper

Llangollen food festival, with Clive Knowles, from the British Ironworks Centre.

 

Forget the Russell Crowe film blockbuster Noah - an array of iron animals is set to take pride and place at a top food festival.

 

Around 30 sculptures created by the British Ironworks Centre, Oswestry, will make their way to Hamper Llangollen later this year on October 18-19.

 

These will include a flock of iron sheep, chickens, a giant boar and a giant ostrich.

The event, hailed as one of the Top 10 food festivals in the UK, is supported by the rural development agency, Cadwyn Clwyd.

 

Cadwyn Clwyd’s contribution comes via the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Welsh Government.

 

Hamper Llangollen Chairman Colin Loughlin asked the creative metal workers to support the event after spotting a three and a half tonne Uri Geller-inspired gorilla made from spoons at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

 

Colin, who is delighted that the British Ironworks Centre has chosen to sponsor the festival, said: “If you go down to the British Ironworks Centre and just go down the drive it looks like a giant safari park, with all sorts of exotic animals all over the place – it’s incredible.

 

“It came about because they sponsored the Llangollen Eisteddfod. I asked if they could provide us with some tables and chairs like they’d done for the Eisteddfod and they said that they’d go one better and bring along some iron animals as well.

 

“The animals will reflect what is happening at Hamper Llangollen. For example there is going to be a stall there that sells ostrich meat and wild boar. It's going to be a bit like an iron version of Noah's Ark - minus Russell Crowe!"

 

Clive Knowles, Managing Director of the British Ironworks Centre, added: “It’s to add drama and theatre to the event.

 

“I’ve never been to Hamper Llangollen and I’m really looking forward to it. I really love Welsh lamb so I’ll be looking for a bit of lamb shank while I’m there.

 

“Colin said they had a lot of natural and free range things going on so we want to reflect that with the sculptures we bring to Hamper Llangollen.

 

“We’re going to bring around 20 small pieces and about 10 large ones. The large ones can weigh up to three tonnes.

 

“Hamper Llangollen is a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase what we can do.

 

“We’re going to be opening our own café at the British Ironworks Centre so it’s also an opportunity for us to source local produce. Sourcing local produce is incredibly important and it’s something that people are looking for more and more these days because it’s good quality and people want to support their community.”

 

A quartet of Wales’s best chefs will have a starring role at the festival. Graham Tinsley, executive chef at Carden Park in Cheshire and Conwy’s Castle Hotel, will be cooking up a Welsh feast with Mike Evans, hospitality lecturer at Coleg Llandrillo, Rhos on Sea, and Dion Jones, one of Europe’s finest young chefs.

 

The ever popular Dai Chef, now the resident chef at Bodnant Welsh Food, the centre of excellence for Welsh food in the Conwy Valley will be there too.

 

Robert Didier, a baker who trained with culinary legend Raymond Blanc will also unveil the UK’s most expensive loaf – made with champagne and 24 carat gold, at the event.

Cadwyn Clwyd’s Agri Food Officer, Robert Price, believes this year’s festival is going to be one of the best ever.

 

He said: “Thanks to a whole host of indigenous companies like Orchard Pigs, North East Wales is rapidly establishing a reputation as a centre of excellence for high quality cuisine.

 

“The food festival is a perfect shop window for the companies who form the backbone of our rural economy.

 

“The location of the Pavilion is absolutely spectacular – I can’t imagine that any other food festival in the UK has a more beautiful setting.”

 

For more information about Hamper Llangollen 2014 visit www.llangollenfoodfestival.com

Skates slams "despicable" attacks on churches

POLICE in North Wales have recorded more than 300 incidents of vandalism at churches and thefts from religious buildings, including Llangollen, over the past three years, new figures have revealed.

The data, obtained by Assembly Member Ken Skates under the Freedom of Information Act, shows Wrexham as the county with the highest number of incidents (79), while Anglesey was targeted least (17).

The figures cover the period from April 1, 2011, to the same date this year and reveal a total of 334 thefts and vandalism offences over 36 months.

There were more than 60 incidents in Conwy and more than 50 each in Denbighshire, Flintshire and Gwynedd.

At least two incidents were recorded in Llangollen in June last year – first at St Collen’s where the lock on the church gate was glued shut and the second when lead was stolen from the roof of St John the Baptist.

Mr Skates, the Labour AM Clwyd South, said: “These incidents include charity collection boxes being stolen, dozens of thefts of lead and other metals and also handbags, purses and wallets being taken.

“The police have also had reports of windows being smashed, break-ins and fires being started. I don’t know what types of people would commit such crimes. Some of them would be sickening at the best of times, but when they take place in buildings that mean so much to so many people they’re nothing short of despicable.”

However, Mr Skates said he was ‘encouraged’ to see the figure falling from 132 in 2012-13 to 83 last year, and said he believed the additional 500 Police Community Support Officer roles created by the Welsh Government earlier this year were playing their part in reducing crime across North Wales.

He added: “I recently spent an afternoon on the beat in my constituency with one of our PCSOs, who are now a vital part of modern-day policing. They play an important role in solving crimes and ensuring people feel safe, and they are already making a difference in our communities throughout North Wales.”

 

GCSE celebration time at Ysgol Dinas Bran

* Jubilant scenes at Ysgol Dinas Bran this morning.

There were scenes of great jubilation at the school this morning as delighted students received their GCSE results.

All in all 99% achieved a level 2 pass (five GCSE grades or equivalent at C or above) and 60% achieved the level  2+ (five grades at C or above including English and Maths).  The last figure is a 5% improvement on 2013.

Excellent results were achieved across many subject areas with several having a 100% rate of higher grade passes (see below).

There were some significant student achievements. 

Joshua Jones, from Chirk, gained an incredible eight A* grades and an A grade.  Nadine Evans, from Trevor, also performed outstandingly well in securing six A* grades, three As,  a B grade and a Distinction in Further Maths.  Helen Newbrook, from Glyn Ceiriog, did similarly well with six A* grades, three As and a B grade.

Other high achieving students include:

Bethan Williams (Trevor) five A* grades, six A grades, Merit in further Maths, Ross Litchfield Briscoe (Chirk) four A* grades, four A grades, one B grade, Lowri Bates (Glyn Ceiriog) three A* grades, seven A grades, one B grade, Distinction in Further Maths, Morgan Jones (Glyn Ceiriog)   three A* grades, three A grades, two B grades and a Distinction in Further Maths, Tomos  Morris  (Chirk)  two A* grades, four A grades, three B grades and a Distinction in Performing Arts,
Abigail Claybrook  (Llangollen) two A* grades, two A grades, three B grades and Distinction* in Dance.

Kirsty Prescott  (Chirk) two A* grades, two A grades, five B grades, Meuryn Hughes (Pentredwr)   two A* grades, one A grade, four B grades, Amber Griffiths (Chirk Bank)  nine A grades, one B grade, Merit in further Maths, Ceri O’Connell  (Llangollen)  seven A grades, one B grade,
Olivia Holgate (Chirk) one A* grade, six A grades, two B grades, Merit in further Maths, Luke Andrews (Chirk) one A* grade, four A grades, one B grade, Distinction* in Media, Rhys Kynaston (Chirk) one A* grade, five A grades, two B grades, Merit in Further Maths.

Across the whole range of students a huge number achieved good grades , sometimes in challenging circumstances.

Headteacher Martyn Froggett said: “The students have worked extremely hard and fully deserve their results.  To achieve a 99% pass rate at level 2 is a phenomenal achievement.  They have excelled themselves – well done to all of them. 

"Many thanks to all the staff and parents who have supported them whole-heartedly in their journey.  It is a record summer of success and, on top of really good A levels last week, an excellent year for the school.”

Denbighshire County Council says early indications show that approximately 89% of students in the county have achieved 5 A*-C or equivalent.

The council says Denbighshire schools have also seen an improvement in the number of students achieving 5 A*-C or equivalent, including Welsh or English and maths and that there have been some outstanding personal successes.

Councillor Eryl Williams, Cabinet Lead Member for Lifelong Learning, said: “These results are fantastic and I would like to congratulate all students who have achieved the grades needed to further their education with support from their teachers. The results this year really are excellent and show that Denbighshire is continuing to improve.  “We are committed to improving standards in education. We can see the results of everyone's hard work to improve education in Denbighshire and I am delighted that these huge efforts are making a real difference to our young people.” 

* Pictured below: Various students celebrate their GCSE results ...

Health centre foundations taking shape

llanblogger reader Mike Connolly has sent in this picture of the foundations of the town's new health centre which is being built on the site of the old Woodlands Hotel in Mill Street.

Mike says: "The photo which looks like Llan's very own Roman excavations actually shows how fast things are progressing with the new health centre."

Read Construction has its own Facebook page containing the latest information on the development, which you can see at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Llangollen-Health-Centre/652361501479939?fref=ts

This gives a schedule of works showing:

Completion of Demolition Works – 8th August 2014
Commencement of Substructure Foundation Works –11th August 2014
Commencement of Superstructure Works – 13th October 2014
Completion of Roofing Works – 27th February 2015
Completion of Internal Fit Out Works – 5th June 2015
Building Completion – 12th June 2015

There's also a development website at: http://www.readconstruction.co.uk/listings/view/llangollen_health_centre/

* Below, a picture from the site shows concrete being poured into the foundations.

Help shape the future of Pen y Coed Wood

The Woodland Trust is hosting a special event in Llangollen to help shape the future of Pen y Coed Wood.

People engagement officer Jane craven said: “We would like to meet with you and give you the opportunity to share your stories of Pen y Coed wood, let us know what you think of the wood and help us improve it for the future.

“Join us on Friday, August 29, between 2pm and 4pm, at the community hall, St Collen’s.

“There will be fun craft activities and wildlife art for children and free refreshments. Everyone is welcome. Your opinion counts.”