Twenty Club present 1930s drama with true grit

It really was grim up north in the 1930s.

Especially so if you lived in the deprivation ghetto of Hankey Park in Salford, had next to no money and few prospects of getting any because you didn’t have a job.

It was an even grimmer prospect being in love against all these odds.

* Chris Sims and Louise Bosanquet in Love on the Dole.

And that is exactly the message of Love on the Dole, the latest and very gritty drama production from Llangollen Twenty Club at the Town Hall.

Penned by Ronald Gow and Walter Greenwood, it reflects the desperation and frustration of trying to live some semblance of a normal life against the background of an economic depression that was so awful that it makes our own recent recession look like, well, a walk in Hankey Park.

The 16-strong Twenty Club cast tackle this thought-provoking piece with sensitivity and, when called for, displays of real power.

For almost half of them it was their first time on stage but all of the debutantes make a good impression, particularly Louise Bosanquet who does an excellent job with the leading female role, Sally, the real driving force behind the suffering Hardcastle family who provides the cash and the inspiration for them all to keep battling on against unemployment and despair.

Louise looks and acts the part of a stalwart Lancashire lass with a real conviction that belies her lack of stage experience.

There was plenty of support for her in the shape of old hand Chris Sims as her love interest, the somewhat hapless Larry Meath who is ultimately just too good for his own good.

Another Twenty Club favourite Arwel Tanant Jarvis takes the role of the oafish Mr Hardcastle, who can’t quite grasp the fact that economic doom has robbed him of his traditional role as head of the household, doing so with aplomb.

The part of his long-suffering wife is taken by Helen Belton, showing exactly the same flair for hard stuff like this as she did when producing the comedic tour de force of Cybil in the group’s last production of Fawlty Towers.

The interplay between these two actors in one of the final angry scenes is one of the highpoints of the night.

Further accomplished performances come from young Aron Roberts, another stage first-timer who turns in a neat portrayal of the teenage Harry Hardcastle whose formative years are marred by grinding hopelessness, and David Edgar as the flash bookie Sam Grundy whose slimy chicanery makes him odds-on favourite to be a great baddie.

All the supporting cast members are strong and completely believable, as are, thankfully, the Lancashire accents.

Sets are little short of brilliant and the attention given to creating the Hardcastles’ grim kitchen is admirable.

Love on the Dole, directed superbly by Barry Cook assisted by Mike Law who also makes a cameo stage appearance as a drunk, is another very neat piece of drama from the Twenty Club.

It’s been on since Thursday and has its final performance this evening (Saturday) at 7.30pm.   

New youth choir set for launch

TALENTED youngsters are tuning up for the launch of a new youth choir for Llangollen.

It’s been jointly orchestrated by Amanda Morgan Thomas and Elen Mair Roberts of the famous Flintshire County Junior Choir to start the group which is due to have its first vocal workshop at the town’s International Pavilion on Tuesday April 5.  

Amanda said: “I’m delighted to be working with Elen in getting Llangollen Youth Choir off the ground.

“We have some pretty talented young singers locally who regularly perform with Llangollen Operatic Society’s junior section, the Young ‘Uns, and annually with Llangollen Panto Group.

“We hope that this new choir, meeting regularly throughout the year, will only further enhance their already

“I’ve seen Elen in action with Flintshire Youth Choir.  She works the choristers hard but rehearsals are great fun too. 

“They all sing off-copy and are expected to work in between rehearsals too in order to make good progress. outstanding quality and give our kids an amazing platform to sing their socks off.

“There is a Denbighshire Youth Choir but it is based in Rhyl which is a fair distance for families based in the south of the county.

“Many small local primary schools feed into local high schools and it’s a great opportunity to get stuck into a new venture, make some outstanding sounds and most importantly make new friends along the way as they move towards their chosen secondary school.

“We’re also keen to give the kids some self-selection opportunities too. Every year, although there will be set pieces to produce a balanced programme, we’ll have a shortlist of fun stuff that the choristers can select.

“We’ll also be recruiting amongst them for some extra roles like section reps and social media officers to set up and run our Facebook Page.”

Amanda added: “We’re holding our first workshop on April 5 during the Easter break at the Llangollen International Pavilion. It’s from 10am-2pm and full details are on-line at www.llangollenyouthchoir.com.

“After that, for those that are interested in joining up, rehearsals will be monthly with breaks every August and January.

“In time we’ll probably be looking for sponsorship but for now we’re just excited to be working together voluntarily to get this off the ground. 

“This is a mixed choir so we’re looking for musical boys and girls in current school years of 5, 6, 7 and 8. Numbers will be limited so please check online for registration details and costs.

“My daughter Manon is a great singer, getting to the National Urdd finals last year in Cardiff and winning at regionals again this year, and she’ll be the first - and officially the youngest - chorister we get to sign up.

“She even designed the logo for us she’s so keen to help us get going on the project.”

MP welcomes Government's Sunday trading defeat

* Susan Elan Jones MP with Shadow Business

Secretary Angela Eagle MP backing the Keep

Sunday Special campaign on Sunday trading hours.

A local MP who last autumn urged the Prime Minister to think again about changing Sunday trading hours has said she is "delighted" with yesterday's Government defeat on the issue.
 Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions on October 21, Susan Elan Jones MP 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”.
 The MP 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 and keep Sunday special.”

The Clwyd South Labour MP also spoke in yesterday's debate in Parliament, saying there was an "unity" that brought together a huge range of MPs based on "support for family life, high streets and small shops; and against the exploitation of shop-workers."
 SEE BELOW FOR NATIONAL MEDIA COVERAGE OF SUSAN ELAN JONES MP's QUESTION TO THE PRIME MINISTER:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/11946602/Strong-case-for-extending-Sunday-trading-hours-David-Cameron-says.html
http://www.acs.org.uk/press-releases/local-shops-pm-wrong-on-sunday-trading/
http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/oct/26/sainsburys-chief-attacks-sunday-trading-law-change
http://www.christian.org.uk/news/pm-backs-calls-for-more-sunday-shopping/

New Dot screens its spring offering

New Dot Cinema is celebrating the arrival of spring with its latest showing, Tulpan, this Friday, March 11.

It’s a gentle coming-of-age comedy that, although set in a strange almost alien landscape, tells a story that will be recognised by anyone, anywhere.

Asa dreams of becoming a shepherd on the remote Kazakh steppe where he lives in a yurt with his sister and her nomadic family but he must first marry.

He sets his sights on Tulpan, the only eligible woman for many miles around, who rejects him on the basis of his big ears.

Undaunted, he sets off with his best friend Boni and a photograph of Prince Charles  - as evidence that big ears are no deterrent to getting on in life - to win Tulpan’s heart.

Tickets for Tulpan are priced at £5 available at Baileys Deli in Llangollen and online at www.newdotcinema.org

This year, New Dot will be screening temporarily as Micro Dot in a smaller venue, the Town Hall Council Chamber.

With seating for around 35 people, 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 bring their own with them.

Despite the smaller venue, New Dot audiences might notice a much clearer picture this year, thanks to a new digital projector generously awarded to New Dot Cinema and Llangollen Town Council by the British Film Institute (BFI).

The source of the funding is National Lottery via the Neighbourhood Cinema Scheme.

The award forms a successful first step in securing improved cinema facilities at the town hall by New Dot.

* Sign up at facebook or on the New Dot website to hear the latest updates to the new season's programme : www.NewDotCinema.org, Facebook:
www.facebook.com/newdotcinema, Twitter: www.twitter.com/newdotcinema

Aled Roberts to fight Clwyd South for Lib Dems

Wrexham and Clwyd South Liberal Democrats have announced that Aled Roberts will be standing in the Assembly Elections for the Clwyd South seat.

“I am delighted that local Liberal Democrats have backed me to stand in Clwyd South for the Assembly,” said Aled Roberts.

“In my campaign I want to highlight three major issues.

“The first is the 10% pay rise for Assembly Members which I have opposed – the only AM in North Wales to do so. At a time when so many cuts are being proposed to vital services in our communities and working people have to survive on pay increases of 1%, it is not only wrong, but immoral.  If elected I will donate the pay increase I receive after paying tax to local charities – I couldn’t look my constituents in the face if I did anything less.

“The second issue I want to campaign on is the state of our health service. Too often the Welsh NHS is used as a political football – the Welsh Government highlights success but fails to get to grips with management problems. On the other hand Conservatives make unrealistic promises to increase funding in complete contradiction to the cuts they are making at Westminster. Then Plaid Cymru promise to recruit more doctors when we can’t fill existing posts while their plan to create an all-Wales Hospital Board would create yet again the sort of structural upheaval that has been so damaging in the past – not t o mention that it would probably mean North Wales hospitals being managed from South Wales.

“There have been too many reorganisations in our health service over the last 15 years. What we need to do now is work with dedicated staff on the front line to improve the way in which individual services are run. Some progress is being made but this needs to be speeded up so that waiting times start to decline and new patients are not forced to wait in ambulances outside Ysbyty Wrexham Maelor because there is no bed for them.

“The third issue I want to highlight is education. During the last five years we have managed to get the Welsh Government to agree substantial increases in funding children who receive free school meals. Also as a result of Lib Dem pressure 16-18 year olds now receive a one third discount on all their journeys by bus. In this election one of our priorities will be capping class sizes at 25. Children are our future and I don’t think that anyone will argue with the view that teachers should have the time to properly teach every child.

"I am looking forward to the campaign and hope to meet as many people as possible over the next few months to discuss the issues of AM pay, the Welsh NHS and fracking along with any others that concern Clwyd South residents."

“A former Leader of Wrexham Council between 2005 and 2011 Aled Roberts is well known as an effective campaigner who gets things done,” said local Lib Dem Chair Rob Walsh.

“Since 2011 when he was elected Liberal Democrat Regional Member for North Wales, Aled has campaigned tirelessly. With the support of local campaigners he secured the survival of the T3 bus which links Wrexham with Barmouth.

“When the Welsh Government decided against dualling all the railway line between Wrexham and Chester Aled campaigned against leaving out the section between Wrexham and Rossett – he pointed out t hat this omission would make it impossible to create commuter trains linking Wrexham with Manchester and Liverpool.

“Aled stands heads and shoulders above most politicians in North Wales with his knowledge, understanding and determination to find solutions to problems.  I am certain that, if elected, he would make bring about change for the good of everyone in Clwyd South.”

Crime tsar will not seek re-election in May

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Winston Roddick is standing down.

 

Mr Roddick (pictured) announced at a meeting of the Police and Crime Panel today that he will not be seeking re-election in May.

 

His deputy, Julian Sandham, a former chief superintendent with North Wales Police, is expected to try for the top job.

 

There were tributes paid to Mr Roddick at the meeting and Gwynedd County Councillor Dilwyn Morgan, from Bala, said: “There were great expectations on his shoulders and people who had doubts about the role and what it meant but he has set very high standards and brought doubters around to believe in the system.

 

“Whoever comes in his place will have very difficult shoes to fill.”

 

Conwy County Councillor Julie Fallon, Deganwy, said: “He will be a very hard act to follow,” and fellow Conwy Councillor Phillip Evans, Llandudno, added: “Winston brought to the role a wealth of knowledge of government, law and justice which have all helped us here in North Wales.”

 

Mr Roddick made history when he was elected as the area's first ever police and crime commissioner in November 2012 when he stood as an independent candidate.

 

Despite massive budget cut-backs, his time in office has seen an overall reduction in crime of 11.7 per cent while victim-based crime has fallen by 10.5 per cent.

 

During the same period, the number of people killed or seriously injured on the roads of North Wales has decreased by 17 per cent.

 

After Mr Roddick vowed to step up the fight against child sexual exploitation in North Wales, a new specialist team was set up last year.

 

As a result there has been a tenfold increase in the number of arrests of perpetrators - up from 10 last year to 107 so far this year.

 

A native of Caernarfon, Mr Roddick originally worked as a police constable in Liverpool, before studying law at University College London from where he graduated as a Master of Laws.

 

Mr Roddick went on to carve out an illustrious career as a barrister,  taking ‘silk’ as a Queen's Counsel in 1986 and later becoming the Leader of the Wales and Chester Circuit, a Recorder of the Crown Court and the first Honorary Recorder of Caernarfon.

 

In 1986, as a member of the first Welsh Language Board, he was responsible for drafting  the report which lead to the passing of the Welsh Language Act of that year. He was appointed as the first Counsel General of Wales in 1998, the most senior legal adviser to the Welsh Assembly.

 

He was also the first independent chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and the first chair of the Police Reform and Transformation Board for England and Wales.

 

According to Mr Roddick, the decision to stand down was a difficult one.

 

He said: "I have come to the decision to stand down gradually after considering it very carefully with my family and others over the past two or three months.

 

"It certainly isn’t because I haven’t enjoyed the role. It’s a very exciting role despite its very high demands.

 

“Following my election, our world changed. Our two granddaughters were born.  The youngest is only one and the eldest is not yet three. They live quite far away and we don’t see enough of them and I would like to see much more of them. That’s not the only reason but it’s the main one for not seeking re-election.

 

"I’m not the young person I was but despite that I have lots of energy and lots of enthusiasm, and when I give up I shall of course renew my practicing certificate as a barrister, and I believe there are public responsibilities which I might  be asked to undertake and of course I’ll take  them, but they will be nowhere near as demanding as this role has been, enjoyable as it was.

 

"I am immensely grateful for the wonderful support I have received from my family and, of course, the exceptionally talented team in my office.

 

"The idea of police and crime commissioners was entirely new when I started so there was no precedent and therefore you have to do the best you can to plough your own furrow in a way that produces and effective and efficient police service and reduces crime.

 

"It’s been the success that it has because North Wales Police and my office have worked as one team to considerable effect. The understanding between me as a Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable, the relationship between us, and the relationship between my office and the senior officers, has been exemplary."

 

Among the commissioner's proudest achievements was setting up a pioneering centre to help victims of crime in North Wales. Demand for the services provided by  the Victim Help Centre in St Asaph, the first of its kind in the UK, has exceeded all expectations.

 

One more high point for Mr Roddick was the creation of the Rural Crime Team which has slashed crime in the countryside and is now being copied across the UK and as far afield as Australia.

 

Specialist teams were also established to combat emerging problems like child sexual exploitation and cyber-crime.

 

Another successful initiative from the commissioner, supported by North Wales Police and North Wales Police and community Trust (PACT), was the use of cash seized from criminals to reward community groups devoted to tackling anti-social behaviour and combating crime and disorder which Mr Roddick describes as "poetic justice for villains".

 

Mr Roddick also launched the Police and Crime Commissioner Community Awards to honour unsung heroes of the community who go the extra mile to make North Wales a safer place to live and work.

 

The latest crime figures show that North Wales Police is the best performing force in Wales and the only one where crime has been reduced, with a cut of three per cent.

 

Mr Roddick added: "Public confidence in the force is high and North Wales Police is doing a very good job in ensuring that people feel secure in their homes and safe in public places.

 

"These latest figures reflect well  on the force's dedicated team of officers and I am pleased that North Wales Police is in a good place. It is a good starting point for my successor.

 

"I’m not getting any younger and the burdens of this job are going to increase and therefore I think I’ve done my bit. It’s now the turn of somebody else. "  

 

Powerful working-class drama opens this week

Love on the Dole, a play by Ronald Gow and Walter Greenwood, will be performed by The Twenty Club on three nights this week at Llangollen Town Hall - Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The story of the Hardcastle family takes place in Hanky Park, a part of Salford, where playwright Greenwood grew up.

It was written as a response to the crisis of unemployment, which led to the General Strike of 1926.

The story follows the family as they are pulled apart by mass unemployment and the problems which follow. 

The play has been performed by the club once before over 25 years ago and they say they are pleased to welcome back original cast members and new faces alike for this latest production.

* Tickets are on sale from facebook.com/twentyclub or via Skiddle.com

* A scene from Love on the Dole by the Twenty Club. Photo: Dave Roberts.