Fete promises to be bigger and better than ever

* Plas Newydd, setting for today's summer fete.

The annual Plas Newydd Fete today (Saturday) promises to be bigger than ever this year. 

There is a big emphasis on family activities. 

An Art Exhibition will display the work of talented young artists at our local primary schools. 

Children can take part in a creative crown competition to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday. 

An expert will be on hand to teach children, and their parents, the art of fly-fishing.  There is also a chance to make pom-poms and to try your hand at pebble painting.

To celebrate the Euro 2016 Football Tournament, under-11 players who come in a team or country kit will be given two free goes in the football competition.

Wrex the Dragon, Wrexham’s mascot will be on hand to meet everybody.  There is also a Punch and Judy and a Magic Show.

It is hoped that this will be a real community event.  Although it is organised by the Rotary and Inner wheel Clubs of the area, other organisations will be represented, including RAFA, the National Trust, Hearing Dogs for the Deaf and the new Micro Dot Cinema.

There should be plenty of things to buy, including hand-made jewellery, cosmetics and the usual selling stalls such as plants, cakes, books and toys. Home-made refreshments are available at a reasonable price.

The Fete opens at 2pm. and the winning raffle tickets will be announced at the end 4.15 – 4.30pm.

Taking a break

llanblogger is taking a short break and will be back online in about a week's time

Libraries looking for young volunteers

Libraries in Denbighshire are offering volunteering opportunities for young people to support children who are taking part in the successful Summer Reading Challenge.

 

By getting involved, young people can gain valuable work experience and volunteer hours, an opportunity to develop confidence, social skills, employability and literacy skills, and an opportunity to make a positive contribution to their communities and make new friends.

“If you’re looking for something to do this summer, want to develop skills and confidence that could help with college or job applications, or need to be involved with volunteering for the Welsh Bacc or DofE – this could be ideal for you,” said Bethan M Hughes of Denbighshire Libraries.

“We’re looking for young people aged 14-24 who can offer us a minimum of three hours a week over at least four weeks between July and September. You’ll need to have good communication skills and preferably a willingness to engage with children and families in both Welsh and English, an interest in supporting and working with children, and in books and reading, and you’ll need to be flexible, friendly, and reliable.

“You will help children to take part in the Summer Reading Challenge, which this year is called Record Breakers. You will chat with children about what they’re reading, help them choose books to read and use the Challenge website, and encourage them to complete the challenge.

“This year, the volunteering opportunities are on offer in all eight of our libraries. The closing date for applications is Friday June 17^th and there will be a training session for each library (details in the application pack).

“If you think you’d like to join our team of Young Volunteers, just contact one of these libraries to pick up an application pack or go to denblibs.wordpress.com”

Last year, 38 young people volunteered in libraries in Denbighshire and the scheme won a Highly Commended award in the Marketing Excellence Awards for libraries, museums and archives in Wales.

In 2015, 3965 children in Denbighshire took part in the Record Breakers Summer Reading Challenge in their local library. This year’s challenge will be called The Big Friendly Read and follow the theme of Roald Dahl’s centenary.

Invitation to murder at Trevor Hall

* Trevor Hall - scene of the murder evening.

Local people are being invited to dress fit for the Hollywood red carpet on June 15.

It's for a special evening at the exclusive Trevor Hall, a venue not usually open to the public. 

Champagne and canapés will be served on arrival, but the evening will take a twist when it’s revealed that a murder has taken place. 

Guests will each be given roles, and tasked with finding out who the murderer could be by quizzing the other guests over the course of the evening.

Tickets are £25, and all proceeds from the evening will go to local charity TCC.

TCC worker Kay Polley said “We’re really lucky to be allowed into Trevor Hall for the evening, it definitely makes it a really special event. 

"We’re looking forward to an evening of mystery and luxury.  Tickets are limited, so please get in touch with TCC as soon as possible if you’d like to reserve your place.”

* To book your place please call 01978 262588 or email kay@tcc-wales.org.uk.

Young Llan chef commended in Dahlicious competition

* Competition winner Nicole Garratt of Ysgol Pendref.

A PUPIL from a Llangollen primary school was one of the young chefs from across the county who took part in the Great Denbighshire Menu Primary School Final 2016.

Rhys Penge of Ysgol y Gwernant took part in the big decider held recently at Denbigh High School. 

The competition was one of Denbighshire Education and Children’s Services’ centrepieces to mark 100 years since the birth of Roald Dahl.

It took as its theme “Dahlicious” and asked children to choose their favourite Roald Dahl book to create a healthy (fictional) breakfast that could be served at school. 

Organisers say all the finalists impressed the judges and audience of parents and teachers with their culinary skills by whipping up their “dahlicious” menus. 

The aromas that filled the kitchen had everyone envious of the two lucky judges – Mark Young, Denbigh Chocolate Shop proprietor, and Teleri Owen, Head of Catering at Denbigh High School - who tasted all the mouth-watering dishes. 

The judges found this year's competition of a very high standard, with students demonstrating a wide range of culinary competencies. 

After the judges had deliberated, they congratulated all nine finalists for their great work and delicious menus. 

They said it had been a tough decision and commended them all on their efforts. 

However, they declared there could only be one winner and Nicole Garratt, Ysgol Pendref, was crowned Great Denbighshire Menu Primary School Chef 2016. 

The Great Denbighshire Menu is open to all budding young chefs across the county from seven to fifteen years of age. 

Competition categories include primary, secondary and special schools. 

Paula Roberts, Denbighshire Healthy Schools Co-ordinator, said: "Each year it is wonderful to see the children’s delight and sense of accomplishment, as well as how proud their parents and teachers are of them. 

"If you know a child with any interest in baking or cooking, this is a great opportunity for them to step up to the plate." 

And Denbighshire Education and Children’s Services has announced that in 2017 it will be launching “The Great Denbighshire Bake Off” competition for Denbighshire schools. 

To keep up to date with any news about future activities, workshops, competitions and events on www.denbighshireenrichment.com and follow us on Twitter @cyfoeth_enrich

LlanBikeFest wins backing of the town

* Supporters of LlanBikeFest 2016 line up outside the Town Hall to promote the festival.

Llangollen businesses and organisations say they are looking forward to an even bigger and better LlanBikeFest 2016 - Llangollen International Motorcycle Festival - on Saturday and Sunday July 23 and 24.

Harley-Davidson rider and Mayor of Llangollen, Mike Adams, and Town Crier Austin ‘Chem’ Cheminais will officially declare the event open, along with supporters including  Llangollen and District Motorcycle Club (LLDMC) and local TT and road race star Paul ‘Moz’ Owen.

They will be joined by guest of honour Giacomo ‘Ago’ Agostini – winner of an unbeaten 122 Grand Prix wins and 15 World Championships – who is flying in especially from his Italian home to spend the weekend at the festival meeting fans, judging competitions and providing opportunities for autographs and photos. 

LlanBikeFest co-organiser John Hutchinson said: “We are grateful for the fantastic support we are receiving from the town to make this a real Llangollen festival which will be enjoyed by local people as well as bikers from far and wide.”

Held at the town’s Pavilion, on-site attractions will include hundreds of bikes, displays, stunts, demonstrations, trade and club stands, plus beer, bands and evening entertainment in Llangollen town.

There will also be a charity raffle in aid of Wales Air Ambulance.

Follow the event on Twitter at @llanbikefest and Facebook at Llangollen International Motorcycle Festival.

Day tickets are £10 on the gate or online at www.llanbikefest.co.uk with concessions, or contact the festival office at 07960 693398, office@llanbikefest.co.uk. Club stands and exhibitor bookings are free.

Twenty Club holds auditions for The Vicar of Dibley

* The TV cast of The Vicar of Dibley.

Following the recent success of Fawlty Towers and Love on the Dole,  Llangollen Twenty Club will be putting on a production of  The Vicar of Dibley this November.

The stage version of the popular BBC series starring Dawn French as the vicar of the rural parish of Dibley, sees several of the TV episodes merged together to create a show full of familiar characters and classic moments.

Roles on offer in the production include Geraldine Grainger (the vicar), Alice Tinker, David Horton and his son Hugo, Frank Pickle, Jim Trott, Owen Newitt and Letitia Cropley, as well as some smaller parts for adults and children alike.

For those who don't fancy treading the boards, there will also be lots of opportunities to be involved in the show backstage on aspects such as sound, costume, props and much more.

Open auditions will be held on July 26 at the Town Hall in Llangollen at 7.30pm.

For an audition pack or to register your interest in working on the show behind the scenes, please email director Lyn Aston, on vicarofdibley2016@hotmail.com

The show's run in Llangollen will take place from November 3-5, 2016.

* For more information, visit facebook.com/twentyclub