Welsh Conservatives unveil tourism strategy

Welsh Conservatives have unveiled a policy which they say promises to deliver a tourism "boom” for Wales.

The Party is pledging to promote Wales to the rest of the UK and the world and put industry expertise in the driving seat.

The announcement follows statistics which Conservatives claim shows that under Labour day visits to Wales by British residents have fallen by one fifth.

They have announced a five-point plan for the tourism industry and outlined a commitment to introduce a Tourism Bill as a core tenet of their legislative programme should they win the May 5 Welsh Assembly election.

Visit Wales would be removed from government control and operate at arm’s-length.

A new fund would also be established, offering grants to small and medium-sized operators, helping them expand and grow.

Firms would be able to bid for the grants in exchange for up-skilling, or taking on new staff. 

Mark Isherwood, candidate in North Wales, (pictured) said: “A decline in visits to Wales by British residents highlights the need of a change of emphasis.

“Tourism contributes massively to t he North Wales economy.  The people who know best in attracting tourists to Wales are those in the industry itself - and it is time to put the experts in the driving seat.

“We’d remove Visit Wales from government control, freeing it both from the shackles of bureaucracy and Labour’s ‘safety first’ approach."

Welsh Conservatives Leader, Andrew RT Davies, said: "We know many tourist operators struggle with costs such as VAT bills, and a Welsh Conservative Government would provide a dedicated fund, helping small and medium-sized operators grow, expand, and meet costs.

“Meanwhile, our dedicated Tourism Bill will enshrine, in law, an independent, expert-led approach to boosting tourism into Wales, and deliver a mechanism that ensures local communities are involved in promoting visitor experiences. 

“We have so much to be proud of, and with a renewed emphasis on attracting visitors to Wales, we can see our seas swell, beaches throng and mountains move.

“Whilst the sector faces challenges, in Wales, we have tremendous potential to ensure Wales is a world-leader, promoting our castles, seaside towns, growing cities, stunning landscapes and industrial heritage. Under a Welsh Conservative Government, the industry would be freed from government interference, unleashing Wales’ potential as a world-leader in tourism, securing real change and delivering a boom for the sector." 

Welsh Conservatives say they will also safeguard Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Llan Operatic produce another hit with their latest show

* A scene from Springtime for Hitler.

Llangollen Operatic Society likes to break free from the mould of traditional am dram fare with its
big annual show.

And they’ve certainly done that again with their latest production.

While last year there were the singing nuns, gangsters and cops of Sister Act, this time the Town Hall stage is packed with dodgy Broadway Mr Fixits, showgirls, crazy Nazis and even a gang of libidinous dancing grannies as a multi-talented cast serve up the musical comedy version of Mel Brooks’ Academy Award winning movie, The Producers.

And apart from all that, there are also a couple of four-letter words and a bit of simulated sex thrown in for good measure.

But it’s all done in the best possible taste.

The story centres on two theatrical producers, Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom, who scheme to get rich by overselling interests in a Broadway flop.

Complications arise when the show unexpectedly turns out to be successful.

The humour of the show draws on ridiculous accents, caricatures of Nazis and many show business in-­jokes.

It also features the outrageous title song Springtime for Hitler.

Much of the action revolves around the crooked Bialystock, so the character is hardly ever off stage. But John Clifford proves he’s well up to the job of handling the gargantuan part, shining in every department – line delivery, singing and even some dancing.

Sidekick Leo Bloom is excellently portrayed by Ross Wilson who brings a neat touch of pathos to the role along with some rare acting and singing ability.   

Love interest is provided by the boys’ ultra-sexy Swedish secretary Ulla, played with plenty of va-va-va-voom by a blonde-wigged Louisa Jones.

Bialystock and Bloom go looking for the worst director on Broadway to ensure they get a flop which pays them a fortune. And they get him in the extravagantly gay Roger de Bris who finds his perfect embodiment in Nathan Lloyd.

Taking the part of Franz Liebkind, the outrageous old Nazi who pens  a musical called Springtime for Hitler on which the whole theatrical scam is based, is Joe Scatley. He goes deliciously over the top with the role, which is exactly what is called for.

The supporting team of around 30 people provide powerful and tuneful back-up for the main characters.

Particularly memorable are the team of nymphomaniac grannies who are Bialystock’s willing backers in more ways than one.

The whole crazy romp culminates in a grand finale piece of Springtime for Hitler which brings a spectacular touch of Broadway to Llangollen Town Hall, despite the straight arm salutes and swaztikas.   

Musical director Elen Mair Roberts shines as usual at the head of a versatile six-piece band.

It was Nia Pickering’s first time as artistic director but on this showing it won’t be the last.

The Producers is on at the Town Hall again tonight  (Wednesday) and also Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings with a matinee on Saturday.

I’m told tickets are becoming as scarce as honesty amongst Bialystock and Bloom, so if you want to see it you’d better make sure you grab some as soon as you can.

MP calls for government action on tax havens

Clwyd South Labour MP Susan Elan Jones (pictured) has written to Prime Minister David Cameron MP calling on the government to take action on the issue of tax havens.

She said: "The Panama Papers has rightly brought the issue of tax havens into focus and there are also real questions the Prime Minister and Chancellor need to answer on a personal basis.

"But we shouldn't be allowed to ignore the wider action that needs to be taken too.

"I was and remain very supportive of what former Labour Leader Ed Miliband MP proposed on this issue in the run up to the last general election when he warned that tax havens costing British families and businesses billions of pounds should be given just six months to put their house in order and open their books - or face being placed on an international blacklist.

"Ed Miliband highlighted figures that showed how despite David Cameron boasting more than 18 months ago that he had forced tax havens to open up, not one of the tax havens linked to Britain as Overseas Territories or Crown Dependencies had yet delivered on Cameron’s promise that they would publish a register showing who owns the companies registered there.

"We need action on this serious issue. Ordinary families and businesses from our area do not get away with this sort of behaviour, which as we have seen recently is quite shocking and unethical. It's vital we have tough action on this issue."

Skates tackles mobile phone companies over service

Ken Skates has urged people in Clwyd South to contact their mobile operators and report problems with loss of service.

Welsh Labour candidate Mr Skates recently wrote to phone companies and Ofcom to raise concerns about repeated signal issues in Wrexham and the Dee Valley.

He had reported problems in several areas throughout the constituency, and continues to press for better provision from providers.

He said: “People contacted me from Penley, Overton, Ruabon, Llangollen - where my office is - and a host of other areas in Clwyd South.

“This week I received an official response from EE which suggested there are 'no issues' in some of the areas I highlighted, which certainly doesn't tally with my experience - nor, I'm sure, with that of many other people in our area.”

Mr Skates added: “Strong, reliable mobile phone signals are crucial for our businesses and for people going about their day-to-day lives, so I wrote to mobile operators demanding urgent action to address the issues we are experiencing.

“I have also written to the Conservative UK Government, which should be enforcing the obligation for networks to provide 4G to 95% of customers by the end of next year. Sadly, they haven't responded yet.”

Mr Skates said he will continue to update people on progress made via his Facebook page www.facebook.com/kenskates4am.

He added: “Anyone who would like more information can contact me on 07526 742607 or email ken4clwydsouth@gmail.com.”

Good turnout for new youth choir's first workshop

* Young singers at the new youth choir's first workshop.

NINETEEN young singers from seven schools in the area turned up for the first vocal worshop of the new Llangollen Youth Choir held at the Pavilion.

Family and friends of the children also came along to enjoy their debut performance and organisers say they were suitably impressed.

Next three rehearsal dates will be on the Saturdays May 14, June 11 and July 16. They will take place at Ysgol Dinas Bran and the cost is £6 per session from 10am-1pm.

Parents have been asked to register their interest online by emailing: singing@llangollenyouthchoir.com

Spokeswoman Amanda Thomas said: "We’ve been asked if we’re looking for sponsorship. We most likely will in time 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.

"Further details about the choir can be found online at: www.llangollenyouthchoir.com.  We’ll be setting up a Facebook page over the next few months with help from our singers."

Operatic duo's radio interview about new show

Two members of the team staging Llangollen Operatic Society’s forthcoming show, The Producers, spoke live about the production on radio this morning (Friday).

Artistic director Nia Pickering and Ross Wilson, who will take one of the lead roles as Leo Bloom, were guests on the Am Dram slot during the Wynne Evans Show on BBC Radio Wales.

Nia told the host this was her first time as a show director but that things had been made easier for her by a “phenomenal team” both on stage and behind the scenes.

She said she would hopefully be directing again in the future after The Producers, which is on at the Town Hall next week.

Ross, who explained that his day job was as assistant manager at the Cornmill restaurant in the town, said his first time on stage had been with the society’s junior section, The Young ‘Uns, at the age of just four and that he had go on to study drama in Newport.

One of the numbers from the show, recorded at a recent rehearsal, played the interview out, with Wynne wishing them all the best with the show.

Follow the link to hear the interview:

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=10679339844BBEAF!49427&authkey=!AMelL26UGigq7ds&ithint=file%2cwav

Operatic to chat on air about new show

* John Clifford and Ross Wilson in a scene from the show.

Cast and crew of Llangollen Operatic Society's forthcoming show, The Producers, will go on air to talk about the production this morning (Friday).

They will chat live to host Gwynne Evans on his BBC Radio Wales show at around 11.30am.

Gwynne will also be playing a recording of one of the main chorus numbers, Along Came Bialy, which the cast recorded during a recent rehearsal.

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 can still be purchased online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/llangollenoperaticsociety.

Pictures: Jon Haddy.

* A roistering scene from The Producers.