Balloons come floating back into Llan

Llangollen will once again be the home to the only hot air balloon festival in Wales, creating a spectacular sight over the stunning Dee Valley and beyond over the weekend 17/18 September.

The town has been a mecca for balloons of all shapes and sizes since 1997 although this year will see a number of new attractions.

There's the inaugural Wales International Balloon Festival Great Balloon Race, which is guaranteed to generate a spectacular site as pilots set off in pursuit of the 'hare.'

The Red Devils parachute display team will also be making a controlled jump for the first time at a major ballooning event.

With plenty of other activities taking place on the festival field, it promises to be a fantastic couple of days for the whole family.

For more information go to: http://walesinternationalballoonfestival.co.uk/

Your views on cycling facilities sought

Cyclists and pedestrians are being asked to give their views on facilities and routes available within the county of Denbighshire.

There isn’t long left for the public to have their say as the current consultation closes on Friday, August 19.

Denbighshire County Council uses consultations to hear what their residents think of the areas that they live, work or visit in the county.

The Active Travel Wales Act 2013 commenced during September 2014 requires local authorities to continuously improve facilities and routes for pedestrians and cyclists. It also requires them to prepare maps identifying current and potential future routes for their use.

The Act also requires new road schemes (including road improvement schemes) to consider the needs of pedestrians and cyclists at design stage.

To have your say on the facilities available for pedestrians and cyclists in Denbighshire, head over to the Denbighshire County Council website and view the current consultations where you can complete the online questionnaire.

You also have the opportunity to download a map of travel routes currently being used in your local area.

Red Arrows fly over town

Graham Timms took this fantastic picture of the famous Red arrows aerial display team overflying Llangollen Pavilion this lunchtime en route to an air show.

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.  

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."

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

Zorro swashbuckles into Plas Newydd this Friday

Off the Ground theatre group swashbuckles its way back to New Mexico in 1821 with an open-air production of the play Zorro at Plas Newydd this Friday evening.

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.

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? 

Find out at Plas Newydd and bring a chair and a brolly just in case.

The performance begins at 7.30pm. Adults £12, concessions £8 and under-21 £5.

Tickets from www.offtheground.co.uk  or at Plas Newydd on the night

Why not let our chef Steve cook you a pre-show meal at 6pm in the stable-block tea rooms? Prices are from £4.95 and pre-booking is essential on 01978 862834, or plasnewydd@denbighshire.gov.uk