Curtain goes up again on New Dot cinema

* A scene from The Lobster, the film to be shown next Friday.

New Dot Cinema is back for a new season.

After a highly successful first year, a new programme of quirky, provocative and entertaining films
kicks off at the Town Hall in Llangollen with a showing of The Lobster on Friday, February 12th.

This year, New Dot will be screening temporarily as 'Micro Dot' in a smaller venue in the Town Hall council chamber.

With seating for around 35 people, organisers say screenings will be intimate (but still very charming) so tickets will be in high demand. Delicious homemade cakes, fairtrade tea and 'real' coffee will be on offer. There’s no bar, but people are welcome to BYOB.

New Dot Cinema co-founder Jen Sandiford explained: “We had such a fantastic response to our first season, we wanted to keep up the momentum. Using this smaller venue gives us a chance to experiment with quirkier films that people might not otherwise get a chance to see.”

Already lined up for the new season are: Tulpan, a funny and moving film set in the stunning Kazakh steppes, about a young man who dreams of being a shepherd; the gentle Oscar-winning Czech film, Closely Observed Trains, in which an apprentice train dispatcher working at a sleepy train depot during WW2, pines for Máša, a pretty train conductor; and Dear White People, an American satire of race relations on an elite university campus.

More films will be added to the programme very soon, including a gala film to be shown as part of the Llangollen Fringe so sign up for New Dot Cinema’s email at the facebook page or at NewDotCinema.org.

Tickets are priced at £5 and are available at Baileys Deli and online at: http://tiny.cc/grds8x

New Dot Cinema is entirely volunteer-led. If you’d like to get involved in any way from programming to being an usher for an evening, please contact the team at: http://newdotcinema.org/dot/contact/

More information: www.NewDotCinema.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/newdotcinema
Twitter: www.twitter.com/newdotcinema

MP pays call on Splash Magic

 

* From left: Craig Williams MP, Claire Duffy,

manager of Splash Magic, Simon Baynes and Shaun Roberts.

 

Cardiff North Tory MP Craig Williams and Simon Baynes, Welsh Conservative Assembly Candidate for Clwyd South, visited the Splash Magic Leisure Centre at Plas Madoc.

 

The leisure centre was saved from closure by Wrexham Council in 2014 by a local community group, which has since formed Splash Community Trust, a charitable organisation.

 

The Trust has been running the centre since December 2014.

 

Craig Williams and Simon Baynes were accompanied by local resident Shaun Roberts and were given a full tour of the centre by the manager Claire Duffy.

 

Craig Williams MP said: “I used to come to the leisure centre as a child as I grew up in Welshpool and Plas Madoc was the place to come for a great day out.

 

"I was very impressed by all the improvements that Claire Duffy and her team have made and by the exciting plans for the future.

 

"In my view, Splash Magic is the most family friendly leisure centre in Wales and it has a great future as an independent trust.

 

"I will keep in touch on developments and will always be available to provide any advice and support in the future.”

 

Simon Baynes said: “Splash Magic was buzzing when we went round it and the recent improvements, like the café and the soft play area, are proving an immediate success, resulting in increased visitors for the centre.

 

"We were particularly impressed by Claire Duffy, who brings a wealth of experience from her previous job as manager of the Beatles’ Story in Liverpool, and by the commitment of all the staff and the many volunteers who help out at the centre.

 

"The potential to develop this amazing building is enormous and the trust can be nimble on its feet because it is independent and has plenty of expertise to draw on.

 

"I will do everything I can to support it and I know the local community will continue to vote with its feet by using Splash Magic and its great facilities in ever increasing numbers in the future.” 

MP demands probe into bank closures

 

* From left: Julia Glover, manager of The Hair Shop,

Chirk, Susan Elan Jones MP and staff and customers at The Hair Shop.

Susan Elan Jones MP has visited 55 small and medium-sized businesses in Chirk and Ruabon to discuss the impact of local bank closures with business owners and customers.

The Clwyd South MP said: "Since HSBC decided it was going to close its Chirk and Ruabon bank branches, we've all been working very hard to try and keep cash-points open and free and sort out other practical things, like paying-in arrangements at local Post Offices.

 

"However, as local MP, I'm also committed to taking things further in Parliament.

 

"What we're seeing in our area is happening right across the UK. Most small towns and villages in this country don't have high street banks any more.

 

"It's totally unacceptable and a very different set-up from the USA and many other Western countries where regional banks with high street branches are the norm. It will be a long and hard campaign, but we need a big change in banking in our country."    

 

As part of her campaign, Susan Elan Jones MP has already met with Iain Wright MP, Chair of Parliament's Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee, who has agreed to her request for a full national inquiry into bank closures, and access to finance for small and medium-sized companies. 

 

 

Theft from van in Berwyn Street

North Wales Police are appealing for information following theft from a vehicle in Llangollen. 
                                                     
Sometime overnight between last Tuesday and Wednesday unknown offenders forced entry into a van parked at a location close to Berwyn Street.

If you noticed anything suspicious, or have any information relating to this incident, contact North Wales Police by dialling 101 quoting reference U016631. 

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

North Wales Police would like to urge residents to always report suspicious activity to them at the earliest opportunity.

Finance Minister visits Llan health centre

* Locality Matron Jane Jones and
Finance and Government Business
Minister Jane Hutt at Llangollen Health Centre. 

Llangollen Health Centre is an excellent example of how Welsh Government investment is providing care and support for people in their community, Finance and Government Business Minister Jane Hutt has said.

The Minister was visiting Llangollen on Thursday to see how £5.2 million capital funding from the Welsh Government has helped develop the new facility.

The Health Centre has been established to enable Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, the Llangollen GP Practice, Denbighshire County Council Social Services and the Third Sector to provide integrated services in a modern and purpose built facility.

Opened in September 2015, it offers an improved and more spacious environment for patients and staff as well as expanding the scale and range of health and voluntary services provided.

Jane Hutt said: “Investing in our health service is a priority for the Welsh Government and the new Llangollen Health Centre is a clear demonstration of that commitment.

“I am pleased we have provided over £5 million for this fantastic state-of-the-art facility which is playing a vital role in helping deliver the highest quality service to the local community.

“Investing in our infrastructure makes a positive difference and delivers real and long-term benefits for people.”

Simon Dean, interim Chief Executive of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome the Minister to the new Llangollen Health Centre.

“This major investment has given the town an excellent centre for care services, where GP practice staff and Health Board colleagues, along with social services and the voluntary sector, are now working together more effectively than ever to provide health and well-being services for the local communities.

“The building itself offers first class facilities, and it has the space we need to enable new services to be introduced.”

Young 'Uns make a big splash with Honk!

* Back row,  from left: Little ducklings played by Kate Reardon, Connie Richardson, Maisie Ansloos and Charlie Priestley. Front row: Ugly (Shea Ferron), Drake their dad (Jac Edwards) and  Ida, their  mum (Amy Jones).  

A TALENTED flock of kids from Llangollen Young ‘Uns are making a big splash with their latest production telling the heart-warming tale of an ugly duckling.

Honk! is an award-winning musical adaptation of the hand Christian Andersen story The Ugly Duckling, incorporating a message of tolerance.

The book and lyrics are by Anthony Drewe and music is by George Stiles, of the British songwriting duo Stiles and Drewe.

The West End production opened in 1999 winning the 2000 Olivier Award for Best Musical.

And this version at Llangollen Town Hall by over 40 young members of Llangollen Operatic Society’s junior section, aged six to 18, also takes the honours.

The musical is set in the duck yard of a countryside farm and features Ugly, a cygnet who is mistaken as an ugly duckling after falling into his mother Ida's nest and is rejected by everyone but her, a sly tomcat who only befriends him out of hunger, and several other barnyard characters.

Taking flight as Ugly is Shea Ferron, already a Young ‘Uns old hand following his outstanding shop-boy in their past production of Half a Sixpence.

He plays this part with a nice touch of pathos, especially in the song Different which sums up his predicament after being rejected as a fowl oddity. He handles what is quite a meaty part for a youngster with aplomb.

Outstanding as his mother Ida is Amy Jones, getting plenty of emotion into her concern over Ugly when he goes missing from the farmyard and projecting a powerful singing voice.

Drake, Ugly’s dad who often ducks his fatherly responsibilities, is neatly portrayed by Jac Edwards.

Although he doesn’t have too much to do early in the show, Cassius Hackforth comes into his own later as Bullfrog, the twinkly frog who befriends the lost and bewildered Ugly as he roams the countryside. He bounds on stage and takes it over with his exuberant acting and singing.    

Amelia Keen cleverly portrays the predatory tomcat who is constantly trying to have Ugly for lunch with bags of feline cunning.

Shining as another cat called Queenie that our hero meets on his travels is Talulah Thomas, ably abetted by Erin Roberts as Lowbutt, a fussy hen.

Every member of the versatile and disciplined cast, who constantly switch roles to become different types of fish or fowl clad in a variety of colourful costumes, shines throughout the show.

Minimalist but well thought out stage settings are enhanced by images projected on to a big screen and a live band powerfully backs up a collection of catchy songs.        

Honk! which is the Young ‘Uns’ 26^th production, was the perfect choice for the Young ‘Uns and does credit to the large production team spearheaded by artistic director Chrissie Ashworth,  musical director Julian Cattley and producer Pamela Williams.  

You can still catch the show tonight (Friday) and twice tomorrow when there’s an afternoon matinee and an evening performance.

* Tickets are available from Llangollen Tourist Information Centre, Jades Hair and Beauty, Gwyn Davies Butchers and Stella Bond on 01978 860441 or online at: www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/105287

Eisteddfod welcomes new marketing head

 

* Megan McNutt with Eisteddfod Chairman Rhys Davies.

The new head of marketing for one of the UK’s iconic cultural festivals is fresh from a job promoting a top public school in Hampshire, where Hollywood superstar Daniel Day Lewis and TV property expert Kirsty Allsopp were pupils.

Welsh-speaker Megan McNutt, from Llandderfel, near Bala, has just taken over the marketing brief at the world famous Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod which will be celebrated for the 70^th time this summer.

Keen sportswoman Megan plays hockey, skis and is a former gymnast but she also learned to play the harp and the piano as a pupil at Ysgol Y Berwyn, Bala, before going on to study Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Wales Institute Cardiff – now Cardiff Metropolitan University.

It’s a return to North Wales for the 28-year-old who has spent the last 15 months as Communications Manager at independent Bedales School, in Hampshire, where Daniel Day-Lewis, Minnie Driver, Sophie Dahl, Cara Delevingne, Lily Allen and Kirsty Allsopp are among the former pupils and where Princess Margaret sent her children.

Megan, who now lives in Ty Nant, Maerdy, near Corwen, with her farmer partner Dylan Jones, will be working alongside a team of dedicated volunteers to deliver the marketing for the 2016 event.

She said: “It’s a really exciting job and I’m thrilled to be working for such an incredible festival which has such a rich heritage.

“I have been to the Eisteddfod a number of times as a visitor but I’m really excited to be part of something which attracts people from all over the world as well as stars like Jools Holland.

“I already appreciate the buzz there is about Llangollen and what it means to so many people, especially to be working with over 800 volunteers who give their time to make this brilliant festival happen every year.”

Llangollen’s worldwide appeal is something the well-travelled Megan will appreciate after spending time in Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia, Sri Lanka and South America as well as in France as a Ski Guide, and an Events Assistant at Cannes Lions Advertising Festival.

She said: “I worked at the National White Water Centre at Frongoch, near Bala, and that was a lot of fun and a great experience and in the winter I took a job as a Ski Guide in Val d’Isere in France.

“Since then I have really enjoyed working at Bedales which is a fantastic school but I wanted to come back to North Wales where my boyfriend is a farmer and working for the Eisteddfod is a dream job.

“North Wales can seem like a bit of a bubble but to have these big names coming here to Llangollen is quite amazing.

“It’s a unique place to work and just so impressive that so many people are so committed to making this event possible.”

Eisteddfod Chairman Rhys Davies said: “We’re delighted to have Megan join us and be based at Llangollen full time and I’m sure she will bring many qualities to the role.

“She has an impressive background with a broad range of experience for someone still in her 20s and is well travelled which will help with our international connections.”

Megan, is the youngest of four children, and is the daughter of Brendan McNutt, founder of Bryn Melyn Care which helps and cares for children and young adults with complex needs.

Her mother, Nuala, still lives locally in Llandderfel and is a primary school supply teacher.

She sees her role as building visitor numbers, particularly for the daytime competitions in the Royal International Pavilion and for the daytime events on the festival field.

Tickets sales for the concerts at this year’s Eisteddfod, which begins on Tuesday, July 5, are already going well, especially for the opening night when superstar Katherine Jenkins gets the programme off to a sensational start as she sings Bizet’s Carmen.

Wednesday will be International Children’s Day and will include choral and dance competitions and also a new Under 16s solo competition while the evening will feature the Voices of Musical Theatre.

The great Bryn Terfel will headline the 70^th Classical Gala Concert on Thursday evening while the day will see the crowning of the Children’s Choir of the World.

Friday will celebrate Rhythms of the World and will be a feast of music and dance from the best of the Eisteddfod’s international competitors with the Dance Champions of the World competition climax at the evening concert.

It will open with a Caribbean Carnival Extravaganza, followed by the International Peace message delivered by Theatr yr Ifanc, Rhosllannerchrugog.

In a change of the scheduling Friday will also see the Parade of Nations, led by Eisteddfod President Terry Waite, switched from Tuesday in anticipation of bigger crowds and more competitors being present.

Saturday is dedicated to the top choirs and concludes with the Choir of the World competition for the Pavarotti Trophy while Sunday sees the Eisteddfod let its hair down for Llanfest before the climactic final concert, featuring Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra.

* To book tickets and for more details on the 2016 festival go to the website at www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk