Council tax rise of 2.75% recommended

Members of Denbighshire’s Cabinet have agreed to recommend to full council that the proposed increase in the Denbighshire element of the council tax should be 2.75% - which is expected to be below the average across North Wales.

The proposed increase is also likely to be below the average level of increase generally across Wales.

Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Cabinet Lead Member for Finance, said: “The council is legally required to set a balanced and deliverable budget before the start of the financial year and to set the resulting level of council tax, to allow bills to be sent out to residents.

“Whilst considering and preparing to set this year’s budget, we have needed to take a number of factors into consideration.

“The final settlement from Welsh Government will see Denbighshire’s budget increase by 0.6%, slightly better than the provisional settlement.  On the face of it, the increase can be seen as good news, but  in real terms, it is a cut as it does not take into account inflation or pressures on some services.

“We have historically protected school budgets and an additional £1. 9 million is being made available for schools.  We also need to meet pressures facing social care, as well new investments in our priorities and they are all reflected in the proposed budget.

“Over recent years, the council has made a commitment to keeping council tax levels as low as possible.  At the start of this council term, Denbighshire had the third highest level of council tax in Wales. 

"Four consecutive years of below average increase has changed the position to now being the seventh or eighth highest in Wales for 2017/18.  This has resulted from the council being effective in the way that it has managed and delivered its budgets over recent years. As a result, no further savings are required from services for 2017/18, other than ones already committed."

The final budget will be agreed by full council on January 31^st.

Special protected status for castle grasslands

Grasslands around Dinas Bran castle in Llangollen have been given special protected status, according to a story on the BBC website today (Tuesday).

For the full story, see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-38731332

Sir Bryn Terfel and Gregory Porter headline anniversary eisteddfod

Opera legend Sir Bryn Terfel and American jazz singer Gregory Porter head the list of stars at this year's 70th anniversary Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

Also set to appear are vocal harmony group The Overtones and the Only Boys Aloud Academi.

* Sir Bryn Terfel.

Tickets for the festival, which will run from Monday 3rd July until Sunday 9th July 2017, will be available to season ticket holders and Friends of the Eisteddfod from 9am today (Tuesday).

Tickets go on sale to the general public at 9am on Thursday 9th February online at www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk or via the box office on 01978 862001.

Anyone purchasing a membership to the Friends of the Eisteddfod during this two-week priority booking period will also gain access to advance tickets.

The 2017 event will be launched on Monday 3rd July with a rousing 70th anniversary opening concert that will include some of Wales’ best known hymns, powerful operatic choruses and inspiring classical favourites. Under the leadership of Owain Arwel Hughes CBE, Voice of the Future 2015 winner, Meinir Wyn Roberts and euphonium soloist, David Childs will join forces with the world class Cory Brass Band and Canoldir, Colne Valley, Froncysyllte and Rhosllanerchrugog Male Voice Choirs, setting the tone for the week ahead. 

* Gregory Porter.

On Tuesday 4th July, Sir Bryn Terfel will return to the International Eisteddfod to perform in a  concert version of Puccini’s dramatic story of love, lust, murder and political intrigue, Tosca.

The one-off performance will be accompanied by the Welsh National Opera Orchestra, with further international artists to be announced shortly.  

Wednesday 5th July will see Grammy-award winning video game music composer, Christopher Tin join the Welsh National Opera Orchestra and soprano, Elin Manahan Thomas for an international choral and orchestral spectacular in two parts, with a surprising twist.

The first half of the evening will feature a broad spectrum of classical music depicting themes of renewal and togetherness.

In the second half will be a special performance of Christopher’s song-cycle Calling All Dawns – including the iconic Baba Yetu - the theme tune to the globally renowned video game, Civilisation IV.

The performance will also see the return of the locally recruited Llangollen Celebration Chorus who will join the formidable line-up.

Only Boys Aloud Academi will be special guests at the International Celebration on Thursday 6th July, performing and joining competitors as part of an international mass choir conducted by Tim Rhys Evans.

The performance will be a rousing finale to the event, which will feature this year’s Peace Message, an annual highlight of the festival, delivered by Only Boys Aloud: Côr y Gogledd after the International Procession of Nations.

The concert will also showcase the talents of the finalists in the Voice of the Future competition, which is supported by Pendine Park and the Bryn Terfel Foundation.

Gregory Porter, will take to the stage at the festival on Friday 7th July for An Evening with Gregory Porter during which he will perform tracks from his latest album, Take me to the Alley, as well as older works. 

The International Eisteddfod’s competitions will reach their climax on Saturday 8th July with a performance from special guests, The Overtones.

The winners of the adult choir categories will compete for the title of Choir of the World 2017 and the prestigious Pavarotti Trophy, while the title of Dance Champions of the World will be awarded and the overall winners of the folk dance categories will also be named.

The festival will draw to a close on Sunday 9th July with Llanfest 2017, a feast of contemporary music starting from 2pm and headlined by Manic Street Preachers, with support acts to be announced soon.
Tickets are still available to book on the International Eisteddfod’s website www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk.

Music Director of the festival, Eilir Griffiths, said: “We couldn’t be more excited about the 2017 concert schedule. For the last 70 years the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has brought people from across the globe together in the passionate celebration of music, dance, culture and diversity, exemplifying our values of peace and unity.

“This year’s festival will be a celebration of our history and values but also of our future, as we embrace artists and genres that many may consider not ‘traditional’ to the International Eisteddfod."

Terry Waite CBE , President of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, said: "The word Eisteddfod is the Welsh word for a gathering and that is what the International Musical Eisteddfod truly is. 

"Every year since the end of World War II musicians and artists have gathered together from every corner of the globe to compete and to entertain.  What makes this Eisteddfod unique is that it is all done to promote peace and harmony using the language of music."

Throughout the week there will also be live performances from emerging bands, musicians and street performers from across the globe, as well as activities to entertain the children and food, drink and local craft stalls.

Season ticket holders and Friends of the Eisteddfod are able to book tickets from today, via a special booking form. Tickets will be on sale to the general public from 9am on Thursday 9th February online at www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk or via the box office.

* To become a Friend of the Eisteddfod and access priority booking, please visit www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk/get-involved/become-a-friend.

For regular news and updates about the festival follow us on Twitter @llangollen_Eist or like our Facebook page Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod

Calling singers for eisteddfod's celebration chorus

* A chorus on song at an earlier Llangollen Eisteddfod.

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is calling for passionate singers to join a special Celebration Chorus to mark this year's 70th anniversary of the festival.

An open session for people interested in taking part is being held at St John’s Church in Abbey Road on Saturday January 28, from 10am-1pm.

The chorus will sing during the eisteddfod performing Calling All Dawns by Christopher Tin on Wednesday July 5 to a live audience in the International Pavilion.

Festival musical director Eilir Griffiths said: “The Celebration Chorus has been a highlight of the International Eisteddfod in previous years and we’re excited to continue this proud tradition as we celebrate our 70th anniversary.

“Every year the support from the local community is overwhelming and it’s fantastic to see people actively getting involved in the eisteddfod.

“We encourage anyone with a passion for singing to join us at rehearsals and be part of a special performance of this song-cycle which, with its message of unity, is entirely appropriate for the eisteddfod stage.

"Entry to the chorus is open to anyone who is able to commit to the rehearsal schedule but previous choral experience would be an advantage.

“So, whether you’re a soprano, alto, tenor or bass – or even if you’re not sure what you are - we need you!”

Spaces in the chorus are limited.

* For further information, email info@international-eisteddfod.co.uk, or call 01978 862000.

AM's challenge over Independent Living Grant

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has challenged the First Minister over the Welsh Government’s decision to transfer the Welsh Independent Living Grant to local authorities.

The Welsh Independent Living Grant helps disabled people to live independently.

Mr Isherwood (pictured), who chairs the Cross Party Group on Disability, told Carwyn Jones of the concerns this is causing disabled people.

In November Mr Isherwood urged the Welsh Government to provide a statement or debate on future support for disabled former recipients of the Independent Living Fund.

In the chamber he said: “Further to the Welsh Government announcement it was transferring the Welsh Independent Living Grant to local authorities, a campaigner in Wrexham, Nathan Davies said he felt that disabled people had been sold down the river and that all they could see was yet more fighting.

"Disability Wales expressed disappointment that the Welsh Government didn’t follow Scotland in setting up an Independent Living Fund (ILF) which Northern Ireland has also commissioned its ILF from.

“How, therefore, will you engage with such concerns to ensure that not only local authorities and health boards, but the Welsh Government itself, is complying with the intention of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, placing a duty on public authorities to promote the involvement of people in the design and delivery of care and support services?”

The First Minister replied: “The decision was taken to enable payments to be made uninterrupted to former recipients in Wales. It was an interim decision, designed to last until 31 March this year, while we considered which arrangements were appropriate to provide support in the longer term.

"Following advice from the stakeholders advisory group, which does include organisations that represent disabled people in Wales, we are introducing, from this April, a two-year transitional arrangement, whereby support in the future will be through normal social care provision.”

Mr Isherwood added: “the UK Government devolved responsibility for the Independent Living Fund, transferring £27 million recurrent annual funding to the Labour Welsh Government, and the Welsh Government introduced its Welsh Independent Living Grant on 1st July 2015, to run until the end of March 2017.

"It should have been designed and delivered with disabled people themselves.”

Give legal status to volunteers, says MP

Clwyd South Labour MP Susan Elan Jones (pictured) has called on the Government to give an official legal status to full-time volunteers.

Speaking in the House of Commons as MPs examined the National Citizen Service Bill, she said: "Volunteering does not have any legal status in this country.

"Indeed, volunteers aged 18 and over, or anyone else, could be designated as not in employment, education or training.

"For those aged 18-plus who go on volunteering programmes, there is no agreement that that should mean national insurance contributions and the like. We need to develop those ideas."

The MP also spoke about the importance of involving more young people as charity trustees and in bringing together people from different backgrounds She also paid tribute to the Community Participation element of the Welsh Baccalaureat.

Speaking afterwards, Susan Elan Jones MP said: "In America since the days of President Johnson and President Kennedy, full-time volunteering - or 'service' as it's often called - has a legal status and huge numbers of young people take part in it.

"The same is true also in France, Germany and other countries - and I think it is something we need to look at here too."

Ms Jones will next week serve as a member of the Bill Committee for the National Citizen Service Bill.

Three Musketeers panto is a swashbuckling success

* From left, Jo Potts as D’Artagnan, Tracey Rawlinson

as Athos, Tessa Orton Jones as Porthos and Justine Bradey as Aramis.

The rapier-like wit of the King’s cavaliers thrust straight to the heart of the audience on the glittering first-night of the latest Llangollen panto.

The Pantomime Group took the brave step of breaking away from more traditional fare like Jack and the Beanstalk and Dick Whittington to present The Three Musketeers – with apologies to Alexander Dumas – and it certainly paid off.

It was a lavish chuckle-fest from start to finish, thanks to a huge and talented cast which filled the stage at the Pavilion.

In the title roles were the terrific trio of Tracey Rawlinson, Tessa Orton-Jones and Justine Bradey as, respectively, Athos, Porthos and Aramis.

Testosterone abounded as the threesome swashbuckled and thigh-slapped their way through the plot, actually loosely based on the more serious original, which sees them triumph in their quest to help the Queen of France out of a rather embarrassing situation she’s got herself into with the Prime Minister of Great Britain.

Helping the Musketeers along the way is the young and impetuous Gascon who wants to join their ranks, D’Artagnan, played with a real zest by panto stalwart Jo Potts.

Pitted against our heroes is the evil Cardinal Richelieu, played with delicious devilishness by real live Frenchman Nico Decourt.

Also wonderfully nasty and attracting lots of traditional hisses and boos from the crowd in the process is Jo Pearson as Milady de Winter

Taking the role of Queen Anne and her prat of a paramour, the Duke of Tottenham, are one of the best amateur stage comedy duos around, Louise Cielecki and Nathan Lloyd.

And stage-lisping his way through the whole thing with aplomb as King Louis XIII of France is another Llan panto favourite, Simon Orton-Jones, who also has the distinction of directing the show.

It’s a real family affair for him because not only is his missus one of the Musketeers but their two daughters, Millie and Celyn, also have significant roles in the production.

Settings, including some nice video footage of the Musketeers going through their swashbuckling paces in a park – think it’s local rather than Paris – projected behind them as they sing one of their numbers, are extremely inventive.

There’s a good choice of toe-tapping songs interspersing the action, well backed by a six-piece band.

To steal the Musketeers’ famous catchphrase, this show is definitely one for all.    

You can see it tonight, Saturday and Sunday.

Friday, the show starts at 7.30pm (doors open at 7pm).  On Saturday, there are two performances, 1.30pm (doors open at 1pm) and 6pm (doors open at 5.30pm) and a Sunday matinee (doors open 2pm, show 2.30pm). 

* Tickets are also available online at  https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/llangollenpanto and from Jades Hair & Beauty, Llangollen or Gwyn Davies (Butchers), Llangollen.  You can also reserve tickets by calling 01978 860297.