Group to fly in from Germany for Operatic show

 * A group of operatic members who appear in the show as frisky grannies try out their costumes outside Llangollen Town Hall.

A GROUP of Germans are planning to fly almost 700 miles to catch the latest show by Llangollen Operatic Society.

There are now just a couple of weeks to go until the curtain goes up on the first of six performances of Mel Brook’s smash-hit musical The Producers at Llangollen Town Hall.

Cast and crew are working hard to put the finishing touches to songs, dances, costumes and scenery and tickets are starting to sell like hot cakes as word spreads and information and action shots of rehearsals are shared on social media.

Society members were particularly thrilled to hear that four people are planning to jet over from Germany to catch the show.

A few months ago two people from Frankfurt, named August and Monika, who were spending time in Llangollen to arrange internships for students from Germany were in the town’s Corn Mill restaurant when a group of operatic members came in for post-rehearsal drinks.

After striking up a conversation, it became clear that The Producers was one of August’s favourite shows, so it was jokingly suggested to him he might to come back and see it when it’s staged next month.

Producer, Tracey Rawlinson, said: “I arrived at the pub to find a group of members laughing and joking with August and his colleague, trying to persuade them to come and see the show.

“Whatever they said, it worked as I received an e-mail from him a few days later requesting four tickets.

“The group from Germany are planning to stay at a local guesthouse and tour around the area for a few days before attending the Saturday night performance.

“We’re so excited to have international supporters and are looking forward to welcoming them back to Llangollen and hope they will join in our post performance celebrations.

“In his e-mail August said he was really looking forward to seeing the show so much that he was jumping for joy.”

The Producers will be staged at Llangollen Town Hall from April 12-16, starting at 7.30pm, and with a matinee performance at 2.30pm on Saturday 16th.

* Tickets are now available online at the following link:  www.ticketsource.co.uk/llangollenoperaticsociety.

Campaign to prepare for social care changes

The six North Wales councils and the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board are supporting a campaign to inform residents across the region of significant changes to the way health and social care is provided in future.

The new Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 comes into effect on April 6 and represents a shift in focus for health and social care providers across the country.

In the face of challenges such as demographic changes, a growing demand for services and further cuts to budgets, the Act calls for smarter, more innovative approaches to delivering cost effective care of the highest possible standards.

Jenny Williams, Director of Social Care at Conwy Council, speaking on behalf of the partner agencies in North Wales, said: “The time for implementing the new Act is fast approaching and a lot of work is going on behind the scenes to prepare for this big change.

“The Act is very much a new way of working. It aims to make residents an equal partner in their care, with access available  to advice and information. Any assessments will clearly focus on the individual and what matters to them.

“It is really important for those who currently use health and social care services, their networks, carers and those potentially needing care that changes are on the way. They need to understand how their care and support will be affected.

“We want North Wales residents to be fully aware of the changes and to embrace the change. We will continue to provide information to residents and signpost them to websites, resident newsletters and other forms of communication over the coming weeks."

* All the latest information on the Act and the changes can be found on your local authority website or through Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s website.

Mike to run in triathlon for air ambulance

* Mike Edwards outside Chirk Leisure Centre with one of the Wales Air Ambulance mascots, Huw HEMS.



Mike Edwards of Llangollen is competing in the Chirk triathlon on April 17, raising funds for Wales Air Ambulance. 

The event starts and finishes at Chirk Leisure Centre and Mike is training at the leisure centre.

Mike, a long-term cyclist,  regularly hits the mountain bike trails at Coed Llandegla  and pounds the roads in the Wrexham and Llangollen areas.  

Following a heart attack five years ago Mike regained his fitness and took up the triathlon event. 

He is a keen supporter of  the air ambulance, being well aware of the value of a speedy response in his sport. 


* To sponsor Mike please contact him at Cittaslow Llangollen Twitter: @Mike262, @MikeBuyLocal(Buy Local Llangollen), Facebook: Michael Edwards : BuyLocalLlangollen, or LinkedIn: Michael Edwards and also on Google Hangout



Mike has so far raised £150 through Virgin Money Just Giving. To support him, follow the link:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserPage.action;jsessionid=zgS4DAybgD59Scs7pGQG4xgq.lgvappprod2:server-one?userUrl=MichaelEdwards262&faId=690831&isTeam=false

Low income familes could cut water bills, says AM

Many lower income households in North Wales could be eligible for savings of up to £250 on their water bills, says North Wales AM Mark Isherwood.

And he is urging local people to check whether they could benefit.

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water has launched a special HelpU tariff for customers in households with a total annual income of no more than £15,000.

Mr Isherwood said: “Welsh Water says that many thousands of customers could benefit from HelpU - and some could see their annual water and sewerage bill cut by a half. People who qualify only have to get in touch with the company and they’ll be helped to make the switch to the HelpU tariff.

“This is an initiative that would benefit many in my constituency and I urge people to think about whether they qualify and, if so, to contact the company immediately. We know that for many the water bill exceeds five per cent of household income and so paying it can be a struggle.

“There are big savings available to those on low incomes. If you don’t qualify yourself, perhaps you know someone else who does. Please spread the word and pass on this valuable information to them.”

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water can be contacted online at www.dwrcymru.com or by calling 0800 052 0145.

60,000 customers already benefit from Dŵr Cymru’s social tariffs for water and sewerage bills. HelpU is the company’s only social tariff based solely on household income. It has been devised after consultation with the Welsh Government, the Consumer Council for Water, and Community Housing Cymru. 

Make sure you register to vote on May 5

Denbighshire County Council is encouraging people to visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote to register to have their say on Thursday May 5 when voters in Wales will go to the polls to elect an Assembly Member and a Police and Crime Commissioner.

The Electoral Commission has launched its major national voter registration campaign across Wales to remind people to register by the deadline of Monday April 18.

In Wales, advertising will appear across TV, radio and online on demand video services.

This is in addition to the work that is already being carried out across Wales by the Commission and partner organisations, which started earlier this year.

The public awareness campaign across Wales aims to encourage anyone not yet registered, to do so as soon as possible.  Research shows that young people, students, and recent home movers are less likely to be registered to vote.

Registering to vote is quick and easy to do online at gov.uk/register-to-vote but you only have until Monday April 18 if you want to vote in these elections in Wales this May.

Castle a popular tourist destination

A trip up to Castell Dinas Bran was a popular excursion for visitors to the town on this sunny Good Friday.

Here, one group enjoys a breather and the spectacular view after their climb to the summit.

Candidate meets mayor and other groups

Welsh Conservative candidate for Clwyd South, Simon Baynes (left), says he had a very good meeting recently at the Hand Hotel with the Mayor, Cllr Mike Adams, Fiona Maher of http://northwalesfaeryfestival.com/ and David Davies, Chairman of the Llangollen Chamber of Trade and Tourism http://www.new.llangollen.org.uk

Mr Baynes added: "This discussion produced many good ideas and points to raise at the postponed meeting with Welsh Minister Lord Bourne which will be held in Llangollen soon."