Old health centre goes up for sale

* The former health centre in Regent Street has been placed on the market.

The former health centre in Regent Street is now on the market with a guide price of £150,000.

The building has been empty for almost two years since the GP practice moved to the new purpose-built health centre in Mill Street and it became surplus to the requirements of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.  

Wingetts estate agents is now advertising it for sale at the instruction of the health board.

The sales description says: “A unique opportunity to purchase the freehold interest of this 2 storey semi-detached property within Llangollen town centre suitable for a variety of uses subject to planning and necessary consents.

“Having a gross internal ground floor area of 580m sq with additional first floor space and an easement to use the adjoining car park.”

It adds: “Final and best offers by noon on Monday June 5 to Wingetts Llangollen office.”

Soon after the building was vacated there were suggestions from local people that it could be used as a community hub.

* For more details of the sale, see: _{http://www.rightmove.co.uk/commercial-property-for-sale/property-59038801.html}

News from Plas Newydd

Plas Newydd is now open from 10am till 5pm every day except Tuesday with last entry to the house at 4pm. 

Last orders for the tearooms is also at  4pm.

The tearooms/shop area has been refurbished over the winter months and is lighter and more spacious. It offers a range of homemade soups, light lunches, cakes and scones. 

The garden is a spring delight, full of primroses and tulips with wild garlic in the Dell.

At the 20th anniversary of the Llangollen Fringe event held recently at the White Waters Sue reminded people about the Plas Newydd Art competition entitled Dee Valley Myths and Legends to link into the Wales Year of Legends. 

This is for adults and children and can be paintings, sketches or photos. 

Deadline for entries is Sunday July 16. 

Many myths abound in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to inspire creativity including King Arthur and the Holy Grail , Bran and his magic cauldron, giants and dragons. 

Gill Smith from Llangollen Museum is giving a talk at Plas Newydd on Wednesday April 26, from 6.30 to 8.30pm on the topic Local Myths and Legends.

If you are looking for something for the family don’t forget  Threadwork to sew the carvings. It's a free family  event at Y Caban on Friday April 21.  Drop in from 10am to 1pm. 
 
Plas Newydd's art Exhibition this month   in Y Caban – is by Jim Heath a local artist from Chirk who is showing some local and French paintings  in watercolours and oils.

Plas Newydd's is also looking to put on an exhibition on the history of the Rotary Garden Fete held there this year on June 3.  Organisers are looking for photos and stories by Wednesday May 24.

* For details, call 01978  862834, or email: plasnewydd@denbighshire.gov.uk as soon as possible.        

US composer visits eisteddfod ahead of July date

Grammy award-winning American composer, Christopher Tin, made his first ever visit to Llangollen on Monday 10^th April, ahead of his performance at the International Eisteddfod’s 70^th anniversary festival in the summer.

Tin (pictured) whose composition for the iconic video game Civilisation IV Baba Yetu scooped the first ever Grammy for a game theme, was greeted by the International Eisteddfod’s officers and members of The Llangollen Celebration Chorus.

He was then given a tour of the Royal International Pavilion, where he will perform on Wednesday July 5. 

Sponsored by the longest-standing supporter of the eisteddfod, Kronospan, the evening concert will see Tin conduct soprano Elin Manahan Thomas, the Welsh National Opera Orchestra and the Celebration Chorus in a spectacular international choral and orchestral performance, compared by Classic FM’s Andrew Collins.

Communicating the message of global unity, the first half of the concert will present audiences with a spectrum of music from symphonic overtures to video game fantasies. In the second half of the concert, there will be a special performance of Tin’s song-cycle Calling All Dawns, which includes Baba Yetu.

The song-cycle, which is sung in 12 different languages and will feature special performances from international competitors, comprises three individual movements – day, night and dawn – each corresponding to a different phase of life.

“Meeting the team behind this fantastic event and the Llangollen International Celebration Chorus, who I will have the pleasure of conducting, has made today’s visit an inspirational and enjoyable experience,” said Tin.

“The message of peace and unity is the very foundation of the International Eisteddfod and this has great synergy with my composition Calling All Nations, which focuses on the notion of unity regardless of race, culture or religious belief.

“I’m honoured to be joining not only a host of talent for the performance of Calling All Nations, but also a spectacular line up for the week’s festival and a long list of outstanding performers who have graced the International Pavilion’s stage.”

Eilir Owen Griffiths, Music Director at the International Eisteddfod, said: “Christopher’s appearance at the Llangollen Eisteddfod will be a real treat for spectators. They will hear myriad languages and musical styles, songs of joy, mystery, sorrow and hardship and well as songs of triumph and exultation.

“With Classic FMs Andrew Collins on hand to guide the audience through the performance, it’s sure to be a moving and inspirational evening.”

Chris Ryan, Group Secretary at manufacturer of wood-based panels, Kronospan, sponsors of the concert, said: “Innovation has long been at the heart of what Kronospan does, so we feel great affinity for other innovators and trailblazers.

“Christopher Tin’s work not only reflects the ethos of the Llangollen Eisteddfod, it demonstrates boundless creativity and innovation which we value. His song-cycles combine many world music vocal traditions and multiple languages in symphonic context, bringing classical music to wide and varied audiences. We look forward to experiencing his work in July.”

* To buy tickets for Calling All Nations with Christopher Tin on Wednesday July 5 and all other concerts, including Llanfest, visit: www.Llangollen.net

May announces snap election on June 8

Prime Minister Theresa May has just announced a plan to call snap general election on June 8.

Speaking outside 10 Downing Street a few minutes ago, she said Britain "needed certainty, stability and strong leadership" following the EU referendum.

You can support Young 'Uns at the Co-op

* A scene from the Young 'Uns' recent production of Bugsy Malone.

Customers of the Co-op in Llangollen are being asked to earmark a small percentage of their spending to help a youth drama group in the town.

The Young ‘Uns, which is the junior section of Llangollen Operatic Society, has just heard that it has been chosen for the latest round of the Co-op’s Local Community Fund.

This means that Co-op members in the area can opt to allocate one per cent of everything they spend on its branded goods for development of the group which recently celebrated success with its latest show, the musical Bugsy Malone, staged at the Town Hall.

A letter from the Co-op tells society bosses: “Your cause will be supported by our Co-op food stores and funeral homes.

“If you’re a Co-op member, you can keep an eye on the funds being raised for your cause by signing into your Co-op membership account.

“We’ve kick-started your fundraising with a share of the money from the 5p carrier bags and the re-usable bags that we’ve sold in your community.

“The more members that choose your cause the more money you’ll get.”

Young ‘Uns spokesperson Pam Williams said: “I believe that when purchasing items people will either be asked which group they wish to support or they can tell the cashier themselves.

“The other way is logging onto your Co-op account online and you can select the chosen group so that every time your card is swiped at the till it will go straight to the chosen charity automatically.

“We hope as many people as possible choose to support Young ‘Uns which does so much good for young people locally.”    

Police boss aims to honour crime-fighting heroes

* North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones.

A POLICE boss is asking for the public’s help to honour unsung crime-fighting heroes of the community.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones has just launched his Community Awards to recognise people and groups who help police to keep their neighbourhood a peaceful and safe place to live and work and who help in rehabilitating offenders.

And he is inviting members of the public to send him their own nominations for the main accolade on offer, the coveted People’s Award.

The aim of this award is to highlight and honour an individual or community group who have made a strong contribution towards community safety and crime prevention.

It is the only one of the awards which is nominated directly by members of the public using an online form. The closing date for nominations is Monday, April 24.

The other categories are Community Champion, Victims' Champion, Rehabilitation Award, Equality and Diversity Award, Young People's Award, Outstanding Achievement Award, Welsh Language Champion, Drug Intervention and Anti-Slavery Champion.

Mr Jones, a former police inspector, said: "To mark the completion of my first year in office I have decided to host a community awards ceremony to celebrate and publicise some of the amazing work carried out within the communities of North Wales.

"I am proud to have served the people of North Wales as a police officer, a county councillor and now as police and crime commissioner.

"I have experienced at first hand the work and effort some members of the community put into helping the police and making North Wales a better, safer place to be.

"The People's Award will go to an individual or group who have made an impact in helping to keep people safe and/or to reduce crime. 

“This contribution may impact the whole area, a local town, neighbourhood or even street, but it will have made a difference to the people living and working there.

“It could be someone who is working to bring communities together to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, or is working with people to deter and reduce offending.

“While I will select most of the award recipients myself in consultation with my office, the People’s Award is special in that it is the only one which will be nominated directly by the public.

“I am therefore asking for the assistance of the people of North Wales to help me select a suitable candidate for this particular award.

“If you know someone in your community who has gone that extra mile to prevent or reduce crime, protect and support members of the community or generally helped to make North Wales a safer place to live and work, please nominate them for the People’s Award. 

The winners of the People’s Award and the other PCC Community Awards will receive their honours in front of police and civic leaders at a presentation at the Kinmel Manor Hotel in Abergele on the evening of Thursday, May 18. 

* To nominate your choice for the People’s Award, go the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner’s website at www.northwales-pcc.gov.uk to complete and return the online form.  Alternatively you can download the form, complete it and return it to The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Glan-y-Don, Colwyn Bay, LL29 8AW, or by email to opcc@nthwales.pnn.police.uk  by the closing date Monday, April 24.

Government announces £14m business support scheme

The Welsh Government has announced two new property development funds launched with £14 million of EU funds to support business growth and job creation in the North, West Wales and the South Wales Valleys.

The £7 million Property for Business Development Grant Fund (PBDG) and the £7m Property Infrastructure Fund (PIF) are each expected to attract £13 million of private sector investment and geared to stimulate the market to meet the needs of businesses.

Both funds are for new build and refurbishments/extensions/adaptions with the Property Infrastructure Fund aimed specifically at advance build developments and the Property for Business Development Grant Fund targeted at supporting businesses with bespoke expansion projects.

The successful projects, selected in conjunction with the regional stakeholders across Wales, will be those that achieve best value for money and create the greatest economic impact. The primary focus will be on projects in Enterprise Zones, Local Growth Zones and City Regions.

Stage 1 Applications, providing brief information on the project requiring support, will need to be submitted by the 30 April 2017 in order to be considered for a provisional allocation of funding.

* For more information and an application form for businesses interested in the Property for Business Development Grant or developers interested in the Property Infrastructure Fund to support advance build development should email gde.pdg@wales.gsi.gov.uk.