Weather forces Fringe finale into Town Hall

Due to the grim weather forecast the Fringe Finale with Claudia Aurora this evening (Sunday) will now take place in Llangollen Town Hall.

A Fringe spokesperson said: "The persistent rain will make it impossible to set up the event  - and miserable to watch it - at the Valle Crucis Abbey.

"Apologies for any inconvenience caused."

Pavilion hosts toy and train sale

Llangollen Pavilion is to host the next  annual Toy & Train Sale on Saturday August 15, between 10.30am and 3pm.

According to organiser Chris Dyer, this is the only event of this type at the venue  in 2015, although he says arrangements are well in hand  for another similar show next year.

Mr Dyer said: "The Pavilion at Llangollen has always proved a big hit with the public in recent years and the unique atmosphere helps to create a special day alongside all of the many attractions on offer at this fine inland resort.


* Llangollen Pavilion.

"The venue boasts an excellent in-house cafe and the nearby Llangollen Railway station is within easy walking distance along Abbey Road and  will  be operating a good service throughout the day.

"A trip on this line should not be missed under any circumstance and therRailway has recently been extended to Corwen. 

"There is ample free parking at the venue and access is level and easy whilst a footpath links the Toyfair with the station and the town."

He added: "Llangollen  attracts a great range of traders from  all over Wales and England and a wonderful array of stock is always available  from all the big names such as Dinky, Corgi, Matchbox, EFE, Tri-ang, Hornby, Lima, Wrenn, Bachmann etc.

"In the current economic climate, prices have never been keener and it is an ideal time to build up collections at budget prices. Traders are also very keen to buy and to exchange so do raid your attics and  bring along any of your surplus items."

A sister event,  the Oswestry Toy & Train Sale, will be taking place at the Show-ground, Oswestry,  on Saturday October 17. 

* For more information, call 01643702757 or 07966 694579, or go to the website www.chrisdyerfairs.co.uk 

Yetis to gather in Llan

* Yeti cycles have a cult following.

Riders from the UK are expected to attend a gathering for owners of Yeti cycles to be held in Llangollen on August 8 and 9.

The race-bred brand has a cult like following and the yearly 'tribe' gathering continues to attract Yeti fans from a wide area who travel to take part in the meet each year.

The 2015 gathering is set to take place on the trails around both Llangollen and Llandegla, with two days of riding available on both natural and trail centre tracks.

Based at the Abbey Farm caravan site, Saturday will see riders have the option of participating in either one or two guided rides taking place throughout the day.

Both rides will head out around the natural trails of Llangollen taking in some of the best local singletrack on offer in the area.

After the ride tribe members will gather at the campsite's main bar area where a selection of Yeti retro bikes will be on display as well as the chance to discuss the day's riding.

Sunday sees the tribe meeting located up the road at One Planet Adventure, Llandegla where riders will have the chance to sample the network of way-marked trails available at their own pace as well as visit the onsite shop and café.

On display will also be a selection of new and retro Yeti bikes as well as Yeti Cycles UK staff.

* For further information, see: Facebook.com/yeticyclesuk

Bikers heading for big Llan show

The Mayor of Llangollen and town crier will welcome thousands of bikers to the Llangollen International Motorcycle Festival - LlanBikeFest 15 (www.llanbikefest.co.uk) – on August 1 and 2.

Mayor Mike Adams, who rides a Harley-Davidson Sportster, and town crier Austin ‘Chem’ Cheminais (pictured with LlanBikeFest team members Debbie Rogers and Jimmy Aspinall), will officiate at the opening of the show by seven-times TT winner Mick Grant and Carl ‘Foggy’ Fogarty MBE, the most successful World Superbike (WSB) racer of all time, at 11.00am on Saturday, August 1 .

Mike said: “LlanBikeFest promises to be an excellent opportunity to attract new visitors to the town – and a great weekend for local people and businesses. We would love to see it develop into an annual festival with even closer links the community.”

Llangollen businessman and show organiser Harry Edwards said: “The level of support for the event in the area and from the biking fraternity is fantastic. We are determined that everyone will have a good time – and we have assured the Mayor that we will be strongly urging visitors to ride sensibly and with respect for local residents and road users.”

The On The Edge Trials Stunt Display Team will be performing amazing feats of skill on both days.

 

Billed as the world’s best stunt riders, the team is led by Jack Challoner and Martin Crosswaite, who between them have won multiple British, European and world trials championships.

 

On Sunday, August 2, more than 100 classic trials machines will compete in a stage of the Northern British Bike Pre-65 Trials Championship (NBBC), as part of a championship round hosted by Llangollen and District Motorcycle Club.

Other attractions will include a TT race bike simulator, live bands, a Saturday night party,  vintage funfair, face-painting for kids of all ages by Glitterbugz and the opportunity to meet and handle some beautiful birds of prey with Rockcliffe Raptors. 

The Llangollen site has previously hosted successful bike shows – the last in 2011 – but LlanBikeFest 15 is being organised by a new team of local motorcycle enthusiasts, led by Harry.

Follow the event on Twitter at @llanbikefest and Facebook at Llangollen International Motorcycle Festival.

Book tickets and stands online at www.llanbikefest.co.uk or contact the festival office at 07960 693398 or office@llanbikefest.co.uk.

Bike event organisers reassure residents

Organisers of a major motorbike event to be staged in the town next weekend have written to residents assuring them it will do all it can to minimise any disruption it may cause.

LlanBikeFest 15 will be staged at the Pavilion on Saturday and Sunday, August 1 and 2 and is expected to attract thousands of biking enthusiasts from across the UK.

John Hutchinson, from the organising team, says in his letter to residents: “As you may know, several motorcycle shows have been hosted by the site in recent years, but this a new event, organised by a group of enthusiasts, headed by Llangollen businessman Harry Edwards and supported by the Llangollen and District Motorcycle Club.

“We want to make this an annual, family-friendly festival which will be enjoyed by local people as much as the motorcycling fraternity, and bring real benefits to the Llangollen community.
“We are very much aware of our responsibility to minimise any disruption to local residents and businesses, so noise on site will be strictly controlled and we will be actively urging motorcycling visitors to ride respectfully and responsibly, especially along Abbey Road and through the town.”

Details of attractions and activities at the festival can be found at www.llanbikefest.co.uk and on Facebook, but here’s a summary of what’s happening on site:

Date	Time	Activity
Friday, July 31st	10.30am >	Some activity on site as exhibitors, clubs and traders arrive to set up.
Saturday, August 1st	9.00am – 6.00pm	First day of show. 11.00am official opening by Mayor of Llangollen and celebrity guests. Trials riding and stunt displays throughout the day. Some live music inside the Pavilion. Commentaries over PA system.
Saturday, August 1st	7.30pm – 12.00	Main showground closed. Live music inside the Pavilion only.
Sunday, August 2nd	9.00am – 5.00pm	Second day of show, including trials riding and stunt displays throughout the day. 11.00am – 2.00pm: Pre-65 trials bikes visit and leave site. Some live music inside the Pavilion. Commentaries over PA system.
Sunday, August 2nd	5.00pm – 10.30pm	Exhibitors, clubs and traders leave site.

 

Operatic's Young 'Uns to perform Honk! next year

* Members of The Young 'Uns during their performance in the RAFA Club. 

LLANGOLLEN Operatic Society’s junior section, The Young ‘Uns, has announced that its next show will be the musical Honk!

With music by George Stiles and book and lyrics by Anthony Drewe, it is based on the story of The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Anderson.

The recipient of an Olivier Musical Award, this heart- warming show was first performed by The Young ‘Uns 13 years ago and members are now excited about reprising it with a new cast and crew. 

Producer Pamela Williams said: “We are all really looking forward to getting started with this show.

“It’s incredibly funny and is guaranteed to charm all who come to see it.

“We are actively looking for children aged 11-18 who would like to join in the fun, particularly boys, as some of previous members have now left us to move on to university.

“We currently have a waiting list for 6-10 year olds but anyone wishing to join should please still get in touch so we have your contact details for the future. 

“Similarly, we would love to hear from anyone, of any age, who might be interested in getting involved on the production side, designing and building the set, organising and making costumes or helping in some other capacity. It’s always great to get new faces on board.” 

Honk! will be performed at Llangollen Town Hall from February 4-6 next year.

Over the past five weeks, members of The Young ‘Uns production team, assisted by friends of the society, have run a series of workshops for children aged 6 to 11 years, with the aim of developing performance skills and building confidence.

The workshops included drama games, group story telling through mime, character development and singing and culminated with a performance of songs and more for family and friends on the evening of Monday July 13 at Llangollen RAFA Club. 

Every child was rewarded with a certificate for their teamwork and commitment.

The team involved in the workshops and performance included Pamela Williams, Dee Smith, Helen Belton and Alison Jarvis.

Adventure centre marks 10th anniversary