Eisteddfod committee's Christmas concert

On Sunday 13th December the Music and Staging Committee of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod will hold their annual Christmas Concert at the Pavilion, starting at 7.30pm.

Now in its third consecutive year, the concert has become a popular and eagerly anticipated date in the Eisteddfod calendar and with a programme bursting with a mix of seasoned performers and rising talent, this year’s event promises to be a real cracker. 

Hosted by sports commentator Nic Parry, who has become a familiar face on the main stage during Eisteddfod week, the concert will showcase several local groups including TRIO, a young, male ensemble from the heart of Snowdonia.

The threesome, who have recently released their debut album of the same name, describe themselves as a “new singing experience” and have a broad, bi-lingual repertoire of varying genres. 

A Christmas concert would not be the same without children and local pupils will also feature strongly in the form of the Flintshire Country String Orchestra and the Rhos Boys’ Choir.  

The String Orchestra, conducted by Aled Tudor Marshman, is part of the highly successful Flintshire County Youth Music School which was established in 1996.

In recent years, it has performed at a host of events across the UK and Europe and has also competed at the National Festival of Music for Youth, which is Europe’s largest youth music event.   

Now entering its third year, the Rhos Boys’ Choir, which is affiliated to the Rhos Male Voice Choir, has enjoyed a number of achievements during its relatively short existence.

These include performances alongside leading artists and a recording for a Christmas CD, which has been aired on both local and national radio stations. 

All of the performers say they are delighted to be taking part in this festive celebration of music and we look forward to welcoming them, and indeed our audience, in Llangollen.

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit our website www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk. Tickets are priced at £10.00 (concessions £8.00) and can also be purchased directly from the box office at the Pavilion or from Llangollen Tourist Information Centre.   

 

Special event at RAFA Club

Health board stays in special measures

The BBC is reporting that the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board will remain in special measures for two years.

They say the announcement has been made by Deputy Health Minister Vaughan Gething.

Betsi Cadwaladr health board's chief executive Prof Trevor Purt, suspended since June, is stepping down, adds the report.

For the full story, see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-34602975

In a statement, the North Wales Health Alliance campaign group said: “Trevor Purt’s departure is an opportunity for the health board to re-engage with both staff and the general public, who have grave concerns about the way health services in the North are being run.

"His time here will be remembered as one of centralising and downgrading services and failing to be open and transparent with the community.

 

“But the problem goes much deeper than just one man or one position. The health board and Welsh Government has to accept that their direction of travel has to change or we will see further problems emerge.”

                                                              

Tools stolen in Llangollen burglary

North Wales Police are appealing for information following a burglary in Llangollen.

Sometime between 5.45pm on October 8 and 6.30 on October 9  unknown offenders gained entry to a secure yard off the A5 in Llangollen.

The location is the Old Dobson and Crowther site where a new food store is currently under construction.

Entry was gained to a storage container and a quantity of tools were stolen from inside.

Police say that if you noticed anything suspicious, or have any information relating to this incident you should contact North Wales Police by dialling 101 quoting reference RC15154759.

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

North Wales Police urges residents to always report suspicious activity to them at the earliest opportunity.

MP calls for no change on Sunday trading

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones has urged the Prime Minister to think again about changing Sunday trading hours.

Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions today, she quoted Government retail sector champion Kevin Hawkins who described the current laws as "a workable compromise that most people seem satisfied with most of the time".

Ms Jones (left) said: "There's a balance to be kept here - between opening hours for big stores, the rights of small shops and the rights of shop-workers and their families to enjoy family life.

"The current laws are a good compromise that most people agree with. We should stick with them."  

Church's Christmas tree festival launched

Llangollen Methodist Church has launched its annual Christmas Tree Festival.

This very popular  - and closely contested - event will be held once again starting with setting up on Friday 11th December and finishing with dismantling on Monday 4th January.

This year there will be two classes of entry plying for visitors votes – traditional trees and creative interpretations.

Church spokesman David Davies said: "You will need to supply and decorate a small tree, no taller than five feet, using an appropriate Christmas theme.

"You might like to link the decoration to your business or organisation, or just be creative.   

"Any lights must be battery operated. Hard bases are provided that you can cover with a cloth or paper as you wish. Small business cards or promotional materials can be placed at the base of the tree for visitors to pick up.

"More details later but start planning now and please register your intention to enter by Saturday 5th December at the latest by emailing:  yand.davies@btinternet.com or phoning 860557."

AM urges at-risk people to have flu jabs

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood is showing his support for Public Health Wales’s annual campaign aimed at getting more ‘at-risk’ people vaccinated to prevent them getting ill with flu, a debilitating and contagious illness that can kill.

 

Mr Isherwood (pictured) is joining the calls being made by charities and health professionals and is urging people aged 65 or over, carers, pregnant women and those with certain chronic or long-term illnesses to make an appointment with their local GP and get the free flu vaccine.

 

He said: “A major flu immunisation programme is underway throughout Wales to offer free vaccines to individuals most at risk of serious complications from flu, and my message to them is ‘Beat flu before it beats you!’

 

“Last year in Wales only half (49.3%) of those in at-risk groups under the age of 65 took up their free NHS vaccination, and we really need to significantly increase the numbers of people being vaccinated in order to prevent the spread of this largely preventable illness.”

 

Dr Richard Roberts, Head of the Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme at Public Health Wales, said: “A free flu vaccine is available for those in at-risk groups, which includes those aged 65 or over, people who have long term health conditions which puts them at increased risk of complications if they get flu, carers, pregnant women as well as all two to six year olds.

 

“For most people influenza (or ‘the flu’) is usually a relatively minor, albeit unpleasant and inconvenient, illness. But every year vulnerable people can and do die from the flu and its many complications.”

 

* You can find out more about how to get their free vaccine by visiting www.beatflu.org or www.curwchffliw.org, or finding Beat Flu or Curwch Ffliw on twitter and facebook.