AM praises work of heritage groups like Llan Railway

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood spoke in the Chamber yesterday of the "fantastic" work of heritage groups in north east Wales, including Llangollen Railway.  

 

Mr Isherwood (pictured) was questioning First Minister Carwyn Jones on what the Welsh Government is doing to maximise the effect of Welsh heritage on the economy.

 

He said:  “Welsh heritage can have a major impact on the economy of north-east Wales, provided it involves organisations, ranging from Llangollen railway to Greenfield Valley Heritage Park to Brymbo Heritage Group, in designing the visitor offer.

 

"I’ve been asked by Brymbo Heritage Group to extend an invitation to you to visit them and look at the great work they’re doing. I hope you’ll respond affirmatively, but look forward to your answer.”

 

The First Minister replied: “I will certainly try to do that, and I will look at my diary to see if I can visit in the near future.”

 

Mr Isherwood added: “I have been proud to work with Brymbo Heritage Group for many years. Its members deserve huge credit for their vision and determination, and for what they have already achieved on their journey to re-use the surviving ironworks, steelworks and colliery buildings to create a heritage centre, learning zone and commercial complex, celebrating Brymbo’s rich history and embracing the tourism opportunity presented by the fossil forest.”

New Dot screens creepy Halloween film on Friday

* A scene from New Dot's creepy Halloween film, Carnival of Souls.

This  Friday will see New Dot community cinema host another of their movie nights in Llangollen Town Hall.

To mark Halloween, latest will be Herk Harvey’s classic 1962 creepy Carnival of Souls (12a, an atmospheric piece which has become a cult hit said to send shivers down your spine.

Carnival of Souls tells the story of a young woman, Mary, who escapes Death, however Death wants her back.

 

A spokesperson for New Dot Cinema said: "This forgotten little horror has a similar feel to the Twilight Zone which was also very popular at the time.

 

"Herk Harvey created a film full of unease and foreboding which will have you sitting on the edge of your seat and a bone-chilling score of organ music adds to its slow building tension.

 

"The film was chosen as New Dot’s Halloween special and as with all our events the Town Hall will be decorated in all things spooky. There will also be various tricks and treats available on the night.

 

"Dressing up is once again encouraged and New Dot are looking forward to welcoming all manner of spooks, ghouls, ghosts and general public who are brave enough on the night!"

 

* Tickets are available from Bailey’s Delicatessen (Castle St), Lottie’s Vintage shop (Oak Street) or online at newdotcinema.org, adults £8, concessions £5.

Twenty Club returns to Fawlty Towers

Following their acclaimed, sell-out production of Fawlty Towers in 2012, the Twenty Club in Llangollen will be performing three more episodes of one of the UK's finest sit-coms next month.

These include Communication Problems, Waldorf Salad and Basil the Rat.

Many of the 2012 cast will be reprising their roles, including Ally Goodman as the snobbish, manic Basil; Helen Belton as Sybil, his over-coiffeured, domineering wife, and Richard Mascarenhas as the hopeless but ever-hopeful waiter Manuel.

* The dining room scene from the 2012 production of Fawlty Towers.

New members of the cast this time include Carys Stallard as the calm and capable Polly as well as Ian Wright who takes on the role of the oft-confused, Major.

The show will be directed once again by Chrissie Ashworth.

Goodman is particularly looking forward to stepping back into best-loved bad hotel in the world.

He said: "I don't think I've laughed as much during a theatre run than when we did the show three years ago.

"Having the opportunity to do three more episodes is fantastic and all the cast and crew are really excited for people to come and see it."

Fawlty Towers runs from Thursday 5th to Saturday 7th November at Llangollen Town Hall.

Doors open at 7pm each night and there is a one-off matinee performance at 2pm on the Saturday.

Tickets are available now at tinyurl.com/fawltytowerstickets or via the Twenty Club page on Facebook.

The Twenty Club is one of the oldest dramatic societies in North Wales.

It was founded in 1946 with 20 original members, which gave the club its name.

The club presents two plays a year, in autumn and spring, with a mixture of comedy, drama and period productions.

Police seek information on two Llan incidents

The Dee Valley Policing Team has today posted two messages about incidents in Llangollen on its Facebook page.

 

One concerns a burglary and the other criminal damage.

 

Police are appealing for information about the burglary which took place at Finlays sandwich shop some time overnight between Monday and Tuesday.

 

Offenders forced entry into the property on Abbey Road and stole items from within.

 

If you noticed anything suspicious, or have any information relating to this incident, contact North Wales Police by dialling 101 quoting reference RC15153095.

Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers Wales on 0800 555 111.

Police are also seeking information following an incident of criminal damage in which two windows were smashed in Llangollen at a café on Castle street some time overnight between Monday and Tuesday.

If you have any information, call the police on101 quoting reference RC15153141.

* Visit the advice and support pages on the North Wales Police website to see how you can improve your security at home. http://www.north-wales.police.uk/advice-and-support.aspx

Skates pats health centre builders on back

* The new Llangollen health centre.

An Assembly Member paid a visit to a construction company to meet the team behind a ‘fantastic’ new health centre in his constituency.

Ken Skates, AM for Clwyd South, was invited to Read Construction’s UK headquarters at Brymbo Enterprise Centre on Friday (October 2) by managing director Richard Heaton.

The company won the contract from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to build the new Llangollen Health Centre, which opened in mid-September, following a multi-million pound investment by the Welsh Labour Government.

Mr Skates, who is based in Llangollen, said: “It was a pleasure to meet the team behind the fantastic new facility, and I’d like to thank Richard for inviting me to visit.

“The health centre is a very welcome addition to Llangollen and will become a huge asset to the town, and it is particularly pleasing to see a company in my constituency deliver it to such high standards.

“As the local Assembly Member, I’m proud that the Welsh Labour Government, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and the practice have worked together on such a key project, and I’m thrilled that Read Construction has brought the plans to life and created such high-quality, modern healthcare facility the town can be proud of.”

The Labour AM also congratulated the firm on being nominated for a national Construction Quality Award for its work on Ysgol Ty Fynnon in Shotton.

Your chance to raise local health issues

Llangollen county councillor Stuart Davies is asking anyone from the area with concerns about local health services to get in touch with him.

He said: "Denbighshire County Council has a special meeting this Wednesday at which health issues will be discussed.

"There will be representatives from the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board there, so I'm inviting anyone who has issues or concerns to raise about health services to get in touch with me and I'll then do my best to take them up with those concerned at the meeting."

* Cllr Davies can be contacted by phone on 01978 860832, or by email at: stuart.a.davies@denbighshire.gov.uk

The agenda for the meeting is at: https://moderngov.denbighshire.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?MId=5254&x=1&LLL=0

Society about to audition for new show

* Artistic director Nia Pickering, left, with musical director Elen Mair Roberts.

Rehearsals for Llangollen Operatic Society’s next production of Mel Brooks’ risqué, smash hit musical The Producers are now well underway.

And the production team says it could not be more pleased with the interest it is generating. 

Following the overwhelming success of Sister Act earlier this year, the society’s next choice of show was always going to be a challenge but The Producers is already on a promising track with several new or returning members signing up and preparations in progress for auditions, which are scheduled for the beginning of November. 

New artistic director Nia Pickering said: “I’m thrilled to finally be getting the new season and rehearsals underway.

"The interest we’ve had so far is very encouraging and I hope to see even more in the coming weeks.

"The atmosphere is electric with everyone’s excitement and we can’t wait to cast it in the next few weeks."

Auditions for principal roles will be held over the weekend of November 7 and 8 in Llangollen’s Hand Hotel and will be open in format.

Nia added: "There are a good number of comedic roles on offer, in particular for male performers, although there are some fun opportunities for ladies too, including a randy granny and a sultry Swedish receptionist!

"This show promises to have audiences, and indeed the cast, absolutely aching with laughter."

* If you are interested in getting involved, either on stage or off, e-mail Tracey Rawlinson on traceyrawlinson@btinternet.com, call 07875 639533 or like the society's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/llanoperaticproducers2016?ref=bookmarks for further details.