2017 Fringe festival programme unveiled

* Wilko Johnson (by Paul Crowther).

A disused factory could get all lit up to help illuminate this year’s 20^th anniversary Llangollen Fringe.

Professor Alec Shipley, head of the School of Creative Arts and professor of Contemporary Art Practice at Wrexham Glyndŵr University, has a special project in mind to mark the landmark occasion which means using the old Berwyn Works on the A5 through Llangollen as the base for a spectacular light show.

Prof Shipley was a guest at last Friday’s official launch of the festival at the White Water Hotel and explained that he was currently thinking of ways to create a light show based on the derelict building as a way of celebrating the Fringe’s anniversary.

He said: “I see the building as a kind of lantern and I’m looking at how to light it in a certain way.”

The professor told a large audience he also had in mind marking 20 years of the Fringe by staging another light show outside the Town Hall in Castle Street.

“I like to work with people, light and space and I have an idea of asking people to donate old teacups and saucers which could be turned into some sort of light fitting outside the Town Hall, perhaps a chandelier,” he added.

Highlights of the festival programme, which runs from July 13-23, include appearances by:

* CC Smugglers, a Bedfordshire sextet inspired by American and world folk, swing, jazz and blues on Friday July 14

* A full day festival of acoustic music, Fringe Acoustica, on July 15.

* Prolific activist, documentary maker and comedian Mark Thomas who will talk about his book 100 Acts of Minor Dissent on Sunday July 16.

* An evening in conversation with Guardian columnist, TV chef and austerity campaigner Jack Monroe on Tuesday July 18.

* The return to the Fringe of  singer, guitarist, songwriter and actor Wilko Johnson who is particularly associated with the pub rock/rhythm and blues band Dr Feelgood in the 1970s. He will appear at the Pavilion on Wednesday July 19.

* Singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Seth Lakeman on Thursday July 20.

* Kasai Masai, who specialise in vintage grooves from their native Congo, on Friday July 21.

* Band Pres Llareggub Brass Band, who evoke the flavours of New Orleans marching bands, Bronx-inspired hip hop and Welsh language pop music, on Saturday July 22.

* The anniversary finale concert comes when folk group 9Bach present an audio visual spectacular at Valle Crucis Abbey on Sunday July 23.

Apart from the concerts a Soul Train will run on Llangollen Railway and a Fringe jazz boat will set sail along the Llangollen Canal.

Also planned are drama in town pubs, a storytelling café,  a performance by local dramatist Peter Read, famous for his portrayal of Dylan Thomas, and an art competition based at Plas Newydd echoing the Fringe 2017 theme of Legends.

Llangollen’s New Dot community cinema group has teamed up with the Fringe for a special screening of the 80s film Sing Street on Thursday July 13.

For a limited period only Earlybird festival tickets are on sale, offering £160-£180 worth of concert admissions for £70.   

* For more Fringe information and tickets, go to: http://www.llangollenfringe.co.uk

Band joins school for successful spring concert

* Llangollen Silver Band play during the concert.

* Ysgol Bryn Collen's drama group on song during the evening.

Llangollen Silver Band teamed up with the drama group from Ysgol Bryn Collen for a successful spring concert at the Methodist Church last night (Saturday).

A large audience watched the band, including many younger musicians, play a varied programme interspersed with well received songs from the children.

The band got things underway with items including the quick march Death or Glory and continued with the cornet solo Share My Yoke and the three all-action Bond themes From Russia With Love, Goldfinger and You Only Live Twice.

First set from the school performers included a powerful version of If Only You Would Listen from the musical School of Rock.

The band came back with the spirited paso doble Ampirito Roca and The Prayer, made popular as a recording by Andre Bocelli and Celine Dion, before ending the first half of the evening with Singin’ in the Rain from the hit 1950s musical film.

St Collen’s opened the second half of the concert with another strong selection including My Favourite Things from the Sound of Music, Naughty from Matilda and Tomorrow from Annie.

The band returned to wind things up in style with Simple Gifts, used as the theme from Lord of the Dance, music from Cinema Paradiso and their own memorable version of the 1960s Richard Harris hit MacArthur Park.  

Proceeds from a collection taken at the end of the night were split equally between the band and the school before church members served refreshments.

Railway launches Big Push share brochure

* Work goes ahead on the Corwen project. Pictures by George Jones.

Llangollen Railway yesterday (Friday) hosted a visit by Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones MP on the occasion of the launch of the Corwen The Big Push share brochure.

During the course of the train journey she was reminded of the huge volunteer effort over the past 40 years to rebuild Llangollen Railway.

On arrival at Ms Jones was escorted around the site by project manager Richard Dixon Gough.

Richard explained the work that had been completed to date, which has been done in the main by volunteer effort, and the construction that is still required to complete the terminal station.

* Susan Elan Jones MP with railway officials.

The Corwen Central project was costed at approximately £500,000 of which Llangollen Railway anticipate some assistance from The Welsh Government European Development Fund.

The remaining funds will come from share purchases and donations. Yesterday's promotion was to showcase the project so far and encourage people to make a donation or purchase shares.
The spring 2017 share brochure is available on request from Llangollen Railway office.

Ms Jones said: ‘I am most impressed with the progress that has been made since my last visit in 2016 and the effort of all the volunteers who have been involved in this project.

"I note that for work to continue financial support is imperative an essential part of this support is the launch of the share brochure to encourage much needed funds."

Llangollen railway chairman Peter Lund said: ‘We are very grateful for Susan Elan Jones visiting the Corwen site today.

"Completion of this project in time for the 2018 season is wholly dependent on financial support from share purchases and donations."

County offers help to traders with rate revaluation

Denbighshire County Council is helping traders find the right support following the business rate revaluation.

The revaluation, which came into effect on April 1, will form the basis of business rate liability for the next five years.

It has been seven years since all non-domestic properties in England and Wales were revalued and the 2017 revaluation was based upon rental levels on April 1, 2015.

The council will be applying any relief schemes automatically to businesses’ bills where possible as well as informing them of the help available.

Rebecca Maxwell, Denbighshire’s Corporate Director of Economic & Community Ambition, said: “Because 2017 is a revaluation year some businesses may see a large increase or reduction in their rateable value from their current valuation. In other cases the values will be broadly static.

“Denbighshire County Council is automatically applying rate relief where it is able to and publishing details on our website and social media for businesses, informing them of what schemes are available.

“It is vital businesses check to see if they may be eligible for a relief scheme and we would encourage any businesses who feel they are, to contact us for help and advice.”

Support from the Welsh Government includes Small Business Rates Relief, which offers a 100 per cent discount for businesses with a Rateable Value below £6,000 and a reducing tapered relief up to £12,000 as well as a Transitional Relief scheme to help protect small businesses from the impact of the revaluation.

A High Street Retail Relief scheme designed to help qualifying high street retailers where the business has had a significant increase in their bill is also available.

Denbighshire County Council collects business rates on behalf on the Welsh Government and then returns the funds to them.

The council does not set the rates, the rateable value is assessed by the Valuation Office Agency, which is part of HM Revenue and Customs and Welsh Government sets the multiplier on which business rate bills are based. 

* If you would like the council to review your eligibility for any of the relief schemes you can contact businessrates@denbighshire.gov.uk or 01824 706326 or for more information visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/business/business-rates

Time running out to join Sir Bryn Terfel on stage

Time is running out for a talented boy soprano or treble to apply for the chance to perform with Sir Bryn Terfel on stage at this year’s Llangollen Eisteddfod. 

The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will see the successful boy soprano or treble join the cast of the classic opera, Tosca, in the role of Shepherd Boy, completing the star studded line-up which includes world renowned soprano Kristine Opolais (pictured) and the powerful tenor, Kristian Benedikt.

The concert on Tuesday, July 4, is being sponsored by the arts-loving care organisation Pendine Park and will help celebrate the festival's 70th anniversary.


The deadline for submissions for those wanting to apply for the role  of Shepherd Boy is Saturday, April 8, and the open auditions to find the Shepherd Boy will be held at the Royal International Pavilion on Saturday, April 29. 

Applicants will be asked to perform two individual pieces – ‘I give you sighs’ from Tosca, Act 3 and another of their own choosing. 

According to the organisers, Tosca will be one of the main highlights of a week which will also see audiences wowed by jazz singer Gregory Porter and Welsh rock legends, the Manic Street Preachers.

On the Thursday of Eisteddfod week Pendine Park and Sir Bryn will be teaming up again as sponsors of the Voice of the Future Competition to find the world's best young singers when the finalists will be competing for the Pendine Trophy and a cheque for £6,000.

First up though is Tosca which tells a tragic tale of lust, political intrigue and murder.

The festival's music director, Eilir Owen Griffiths, said: “Being chose for the role of Shepherd Boy is an extraordinary prize and one that could potentially change the winner’s life forever.

“The opportunity to perform with artists of this calibre is not one that comes along often and should be grabbed with both hands!

“I can’t wait to see what fresh talent is unearthed in the Open Auditions and I’m certain that whoever is selected as the ‘Shepherd Boy’ will help bring this wonderful opera to life in the most beautiful way.” 

"On the night, we will be presenting an array of stellar global talent in a fantastic performance of Tosca, which sees Opolais and Terfel perform together for the first time. 

"This hugely talented duo will be reunited on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera in New York for another performance of Tosca, so the Eisteddfod audience will be the first to experience this unique combination on stage.

"The sheer quality of the line-up for Tosca underscores the International Eisteddfod’s reputation for offering audiences world-class performances and the concert will deliver an unrivalled experience that is not to be missed."

Mario Kreft MBE, the owner of Pendine Park, said: "Music and the arts generally are central to everything we do so the ethos of the Llangollen Eisteddfod is close to my hear.

"This performance of Tosca truly will be  unique and will not only showcase global talent but also provide a showcase for a new generation of operatic talent.

“I’m excited to see the outcome of the open auditions and I feel sure this is going to be an extraordinarily special evening.”

* For further information or to apply to audition for the role of the Shepherd Boy, please visit: http://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/events/tuesday-evening/ and to find out how to get involved with the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod or to purchase tickets for all concerts, including Llanfest, please visit: http://international-eisteddfod.co.uk 

Llan is start point for charity heritage walk

Llangollen is the start point for a charity walk in aid of Nightingale House Hospice families on Sunday May 21.

The 12-mile World Heritage walk, billed as a "stroll", takes place along the towpaths and footpaths of  Llangollen and Oswestry, an area steeped in local heritage.

The self-led route will take walkers through the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Chirk Aqueduct, Trevor Basin and the Chirk Tunnel while giving them a sense of the history that lies along the way.

After meeting up at the Lion Quays in Oswestry at 10.15am, a free coach will transport those taking part to the Chainbridge Hotel in Llangollen where the walk begins at 11.30am.

To keep you warm on your hike, tea and coffee can be purchased prior to the walk from the Chainbridge Hotel and at various stopping points along the way.

The walk is completely free of charge. All organisers ask is that you aim to raise as much sponsorship for Nightingale House as you possibly can.

The route is aimed at all the family with the route being suitable for pushchairs and dogs.

* For more information, or to book your place, please contact the Fundraising Team on 01978 314 292 or email info@nightingalehouse.co.uk.

Phil to share recipe of success with business leaders

North Wales is perfectly placed to play a key role in any drive for Britain to produce more of its own food.

This will be the main message a pioneering food entrepreneur from Llangollen will have for members of an influential business group tomorrow (Thursday).

Phil Brown (pictured) is a former schoolmate of Prince Charles who went on to create the nationwide Philpotts chain of sandwich shops with an annual turnover of £7.5 million and struck gold again by opening a hit seaside café on Anglesey. He will be sharing his recipe for success as one of the keynote speakers at the next meeting of Wrexham Business Professionals (WBP) at the town's Ramada Plaza Hotel.

The group is made up of successful businesses and highly skilled professional firms of solicitors, accountants and other business professionals working together to raise the profile of enterprise and expertise that exists in the region and beyond.

The topic for discussion at their latest meeting will be Powering Regional Prosperity – Taxing Times.

Also addressing the theme will be the other speakers, Professor Mark Drakeford, the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, and Rachel Clacher, co-founder of Wrexham-based telephone answering giant, Moneypenny.

Phil Brown, who is originally from Neston on the Wirral and attended the famous Gordonstoun School in Scotland at the same time as the Prince of Wales, began his career as a junior reporter on the Birkenhead News in the late 1960s and went on to start a string of cutting edge businesses, including the first mobile disco in Sydney, Australia.

Back home 67-year-old Phil, who has lived in a Victorian water mill in the Vale of Llangollen for the past 32 years, went on to found the Philpotts bespoke sandwich empire.

After opening his first shop in Chester in 1985 he added fresh outlets right across the UK and likes to be remembered for being the inventor of the coronation chicken sandwich.

He sold his interest in the chain in 2006 and only retains the Shrewsbury shop which he rescued from impending closure by buying it back for just £1.

In the late 1990s he saved an historic but derelict water mill on the banks of River Dee in Llangollen – earning himself the nickname of “Phil the Mill” and leased it on to the group which then turned it into the highly successful Cornmill restaurant.

His own venture into the restaurant business came last July when he created 55 new jobs by ploughing more than £1.5m into launching the Sea Shanty Café in Trearddur Bay, Anglesey, "confounding sceptics who said it wouldn't work". 

Phil said: “I’m looking forward to speaking to Wrexham Business Professionals and will tell them a little about my life.

“Based on my own experiences in the food business, one of the main messages I’ll have for them is I see no reason why Britain can’t produce much more of her own food.

“We currently produce so many things, like honey, meat, and our own fantastic cheeses. One of the few things we can't do in our climate is to grow tropical fruit.

“In North Wales we’re very well served for food producers and I see opportunities everywhere I look.  

“It's clear to me North Wales could play an important role in helping Britain to produce more of her own food.”

Phil’s new Sea Shanty Café on Lon St Ffraid, which he runs with his business partner Neil Gitton, celebrates beaches, holidays and the village’s links with sailing and local history.

The nautically-themed bistro, just a stone’s throw from the beach, stands on the spot - and bears the name - of an old wooden café that was once a much loved haunt of holidaymakers for decades.

The new café’s ceiling is hung with historic sailing boats, while the walls are decorated with sand and shells collected from beaches around the world plus other sailing memorabilia and curiosities.

On the back of rave reviews from foodies, families and tourists the café recently added to its 50-strong team by taking on an extra three chefs and five front-of-house staff.

But Phil says that just as with everything else he’s done in business the Sea Shanty didn’t happen overnight.

“All my past successes have been the result of careful consideration and observation,” he said.

Gill Kreft, the chair of Wrexham Business Professionals, said: "We're delighted that we have such a high-powered line-up for our next meeting.

She said: "Phil Brown's many business successes are an inspirational example of what can be achieved when you have a great idea and the drive and determination to see it through.

"I am sure Phil, Professor Drakeford and Rachel will have some fascinating insights to share with the audience who will be able to apply some of those lessons to make their own businesses even more successful."