Zorro cuts a fine dash at Plas Newydd

* A slice of action from last night's production of Zorro at Plas Newydd.

The wit flew as fast as the flashing blades in last night's open-air production of Zorro at Plas Newydd.

As a large audience munched on their picnics and sipped their chilled wine, 17 members of the Off the Ground theatre group thrilled with this touring tale of old New Meckicko, which was a little heavier on the comedy than the high drama.

On the brink of Mexican Independence, the Viceroy of New Spain, aided by the evil Ramón family, has turned New Mexico into a tyrannical, poverty-stricken wasteland for the townspeople.

Their legendary hero, Zorro, is their only hope of relief and resolution.

* Zorro (Felipe Pachero) dashes to

the aid of his lady-love Esmerelda

(Billy Czajkowska) 

As the rebel group, The Alliance, attempt to fight back, Zorro must be smarter than he has ever been to keep the Ramóns from turning his beloved people against him.

Can he change his ways to stop them? Well, of course he can.

With the aid of his trusty rapier and cunning our hero, played nicely by the aptly named Felipe Pachero, rights all wrongs and in a couple of brisk acts vanquishes all the sneering baddies - male and female.

Unfortunately, one thing he couldn't deal with were the midges but, heck, we were in the great outdoors.

Along the way there were plenty of laughs, not least of which came from the direction of Esteban the second-hand mule salesman played by Eric J Blakemore, a particular audience favourite.

But the entire company were stars and it was a great night's theatre.

Let's see more al fresco entertainment in this wonderful local setting.  

Treat for those who dig archeology

There's a treat in store this weekend for anyone interested in archaeology and heritage.

Excavations are taking place at Penycloddiau hillfort in the northern part of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Liverpool University Archaeology Students alongside students from America are taking part in a training excavation directed by Dr Rachel Pope and Richard Mason on an area of the hillfort ramparts and on an area where a house was built.

There is the opportunity to visit the site organised by Fiona Gale, County Archaeologist for Denbighshire, who said: "It's a great opportunity for us to learn more about what life was like in these enigmatic places when people built them around 2,500 years ago, the spotlight is really on sites in our area, with archaeologists from across the UK waiting to see what is found."

When can you visit the excavations?

Today (Saturday August 6) there is an open morning at Penycloddiau and Fiona will lead a walk up from the Llangwyfan car park (SJ13896663), leaving at 10am.

At the site will be Dr Rachel Pope of Liverpool University who will talk about what they have found so far.

If you have any queries please contact the Loggerheads Information Centre on 01352 810614 or email loggerheads.countrypark@denbighshire.gov.uk

Davies calls for help for Wild Pheasant staff

Llangollen county councillor Stuart Davies (pictured) says everything possible should be done to help the staff affected by the closure of the town's Wild Pheasant Hotel earlier this week.

He said: "I feel for the people involved in the closure of the Wild Pheasant.

"I am calling on the Economic Unit of DCC to get in touch with the administrators to see what we can do to ensure that the hotel is opened again as soon as possible.

"When the Dobsons and Crowther printworks closed we worked with the administrators and the now owners to help them as much as we could to re open the facility."

He added: "The Welsh Government has its part to play as well and I hope that the Minister, who is the local AM, is working as hard as possible to ensure that any possible help by them is instigated as soon as possible.

"Hotel spaces are important to the town, without them we cannot continue to offer a premium tourism product."

Wild Pheasant Hotel closes, says report

The Daily Post is reporting that the Wild Pheasant Hotel in Llangollen has closed.

For the full story see: - http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/llangollens-wild-pheasant-hotel-closes-11701301 

Council chiefs discuss bus services after GHA failure

Council leaders say a "positive" meeting took place yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon between the three North East Wales local authorities of Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham and Welsh Government to respond to the failure of GHA Coaches Ltd. 

In a statement the group said it was are committed to working together to ensure services are maintained as far as possible with a particular priority given to statutory school transport to be in place for September.

Ken Skates AM, Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure, said that Welsh Government is committed to examining possible funding solutions in the interim. 

The group discussed options for a collaboration for transport to look at the wider strategic issues. 

While the replacement service will not be exactly the same, it is anticipated that a reasonable level of service will be provided within the available resources, added the statement.

 

Appeal over missing man last seen in Llan

North Wales Police are appealing for help tracing a 51-year-old man from the Mold/Buckley area.

Paul Nickson has not been seen since leaving a friend’s home in Regent Street,  Llangollen at about 7.30pm yesterday (Monday August 1).  

* Missing: Paul Nickson.

All enquiries to trace him have thus far proved fruitless and family and friends are becoming increasingly concerned. 

Mr Nickson’s grey Ford Transit van was discovered today (Tuesday) north of Coed Nercwys and police we are appealing to anyone who may have seen him to make contact.

Sergeant Mavis Evans at Mold Police Station said:  “Paul is about 5’6 tall of medium build with brown hair and blue eyes.  

"The area of Coed Nercwys is a popular with dog walkers and mountain bikers and we are appealing for witnesses in that area.  If you have seen Paul, or know of his whereabouts, please contact Police as we are concerned for his welfare."

* If you can assist with this investigation please contact North Wales Police on 101 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and quote Missing Person Ref 16117.  Alternatively, contact the control room direct via the new web live chat /contact/chat-support.aspx

Police appeal follows Sunday's A5 collision

North Wales Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman sustained serious injuries following a road traffic collision on the A5 in Chirk on Sunday, July 31.

Shortly after 4pm officers were called to a report of a two-vehicle collision by the Halton roundabout involving a Volvo car and a motorcycle.

The emergency services were called and the woman, who was a passenger on the motorcycle, was taken to hospital in Stoke with serious leg injuries which are believed to be life changing.

The road was closed whilst the initial investigation was carried out and was re-opened shortly before 8.30am.

Anybody who may have witnessed the collision is asked to contact officers at the Roads Policing Unit on 101, quoting reference number U113298.