Skates welcomes leisure centre refurbishment.

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates was invited to the official reopening of Chirk Leisure Centre following an extensive revamp made possible by an interest-free loan by the Welsh Labour Government to Wrexham Council.

Mr Skates (pictured) said: “I’m delighted that this major refurbishment of Chirk Leisure Centre has gone ahead thanks to Welsh Labour Government support in the form of a £1m interest-free capital loan, which also enabled a huge revamp at Waterworld in Wrexham.”

The Welsh Government loan funded a new studio and improved facilities at Chirk as well as a new reception area, café and an expanded, state-of-the-art fitness area at Waterworld.

Mr Skates continued: “The interest-free loan is part of the Welsh Labour Government’s Sports Facilities Capital Loan Scheme, which was launched to help break down barriers so that people of all abilities, ages and backgrounds can enjoy the wide-ranging benefits of exercise.”

The Welsh Government has also invested in Plas Madoc Leisure Centre. Last year, Communities Secretary Carl Sargeant awarded the community-run facility a £500,000 grant to fund a series of urgent repairs including a replacement roof, new wiring and insulation, upgrading pool plant equipment and improved CCTV and fire alarm systems.

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones added: “This is a challenging financial time for public services because of cuts of £1.4bn to Wales from the Tory Government at Westminster, so I’m pleased and proud that Welsh Labour is delivering for communities in Clwyd South.”

Open-air theatre group play it for laughs at Plas Newydd

* A scene from last night's production of Around the World in 80 Days at Plas Newydd.

Stuffed shirt Phileas Fogg ran into some ripping adventures as he made his way around the world in just 80 days. He also had lots of laughs.

And, despite the squadrons of kamikaze midges, so did the audience last night (Friday) at Plas Newydd where the Off the Ground theatre group presented their hilarious open-air interpretation of the Jules Verne classic.

It tells the tale of how a buttoned-up Victorian Englishman takes on the intrepid circumnavigation as the result of a bet with mates at his London club.

It’s probably true to say that this talented 16-strong group of strolling players from the Wirral didn’t stick too closely to the original. But we can forgive them that because the production was peppered with as much comedy as they could possibly pack in.

Fogg believes the globe can be circled in record time, but the old duffers at the Reform Club disagree.

So after a snap decision and a bet of £20,000, he is on his way, travelling on ships, steamers and railways, tackling elephants, angry savages, human sacrifices and American elections en route, all while being chased by the finest officers of Scotland Yard.

Nothing fazes Fogg, played perfectly by Nick Crosbie employing the stiffest of British upper lips. He has accounted for everything - except what he might learn about himself on the way.

Connor Wray adopted a French accent as fruity as a ripe camembert to portray Fogg’s trusty manservant Passepartout who makes his way to join his master despite tougher post-Brexit immigration controls. From him it’s chuckles every step of ze way, oui oui!

Love interest was neatly provided by Grace Goulding as the “stunner” of an Indian princess whom the duo rescue from being thrown onto her late husband’s funeral pyre as they head across India.   

Lots of laughs came courtesy of Off the Ground old hand Chris Tomlinson as he played things up deliciously in a couple of roles such as a sweary American politician and an insane visually challenged old sea dog who pilots Fogg and his party across the Pacific in a couple of blow-up ducks.

Naturally, everything turns out fine in the end. Fogg hits his 80-day deadline, gets the girl and thanks to what he’s learned about life along the way even unstiffens a little to concede that people can now call him Phil.  

Off the Gound’s summer touring productions have become increasingly ambitious and spectacular.

Last year they brought a rapier-sharp version of the adventure tale Zorro to Plas Newydd. That went down a storm but I reckon this one was even funnier.

... and more action from the show ...

Llan Bowling Club notches up a score of 150

* A game in progress on the club's green at Plas Newydd.

Phil Jones has prepared this short but fascinating history of one of the town's oldest and best-loved organisations

This year Llangollen Bowling Club celebrates 150 years of continuous operation making it probably the oldest non-religious organization still active in the town.

Presently based in the beautiful grounds of Plas Newydd, the club’s original home was at the Ponsonby Arms Hotel.

The origins of crown green bowling in the town appear to have been closely linked with the Ponsonby which was opened in the early 1850s and it had a bowling green located to the rear of the hotel between the railway and the river.

The green, the outline of which can still be made out, was the site of the tent for the Eisteddfod of 1858.

The Ponsonby was the headquarters of the bowling club from its formation in 1867 until 1922 when it relocated to the new greens and gardens constructed on the canalside, on the site of the present RAFA Club, by the owner of the Bridge End Hotel.

* Some members outside the clubhouse.

Llangollen Bowling Club should not be confused with its good friends the Llangollen RAFA Bowling Club who now play on a new green alongside.
  
In 1925 a disagreement over proposed rent increases with new owners of the canalside facilities resulted in the club moving to its present location at Plas Newydd using the former lawn tennis court as a bowling green and a building known as “the old picture house” as the clubhouse.

The club’s first season at Plas Newydd opened on April 17, 1926 and after 91 years at this wonderful location the club is still thriving.

The green and clubhouse are leased from Denbighshire County Council and the club enjoys a close working partnership with the council.

In the past decade the club has made a significant investment in the maintenance of the clubhouse and for the first time in many years the green underwent a major programme of renovation together with the erection of new boundary fencing, picnic tables were provided for general use again all funded by the club.

The regular cutting of the green and the spring and autumn maintenance operations are facilitated and funded by the club, however throughout the bowling season the green is open to the public until 6pm after which the club has exclusive use.

Bowling activities are mainly of a social nature as the club is not in a bowling league, but during the course of the season members can play in three individual cup competitions and pairs competitions on the opening and closing days.

Your last chance to see historic hillfort site

* Work taking place at the site.

Liverpool University Archaeology Department, led by Dr Rachel Pope, has been running an archaeological student training school at the Iron Age Penycloddiau Hillfort in the Clwydian Range each summer for the past six years.

This season is the final year and this Saturday (August 5) there's the last guided walk to the site, and your final chance to see what has been happening before it is all covered back up.

If you are interested in coming along to see the remains of the house and find out about the construction of the ramparts, this is your last chance.

Meeting: Llangwyfan car park at 10am (on the road between Nannerch and Llandyrnog) 
When: Saturday, August 5.

Fiona Gale, County Archaeologist, explained: “It has been such an opportunity for the area to have this focus on Penycloddiau, a massive Hillfort in the Clwydian Range. 

“The work here links to work which has been taking place at Moel y Gaer Bodfari and feeds into the recently launched online Hillfort Atlas. Join me for the last ever guided walk to these fascinating excavations, It may be years before there is any further archaeological work at the site!”

* For more information please contact Fiona Gale at Fiona.gale@denbighshire.gov.uk

A video of the project can be seen at: https://youtu.be/9u9Qsrn9j54

Thousands expected at LlanBikeFest

Thousands of bike fans and families are expected to converge on the Llangollen Motorcycle Festival, at the town’s Royal International Pavilion this Saturday and Sunday, with the Met Office forecasting a bright and sunny weekend.

Starring TT legend John McGuinness, LlanBikeFest is a family-friendly festival, with hundreds of bikes on display, tons of trials and mountain bike action, children’s entertainment, music and a Battle of Britain Spitfire and Hurricane flypast on Sunday.

Now in its third year, LlanBikeFest will be open Saturday from 9.00 to 6.00, with an evening party 6.00 to 10.00. Sunday opening is 9.00 to 5.00.

Tickets are available on the gate both days, with adults £10 and accompanied children 15 and under free.

The festival’s official opening ceremony will be performed by the Llangollen Mayor and town crier Chem on Saturday at 11.00. 

* More information on www.llanbikefest.co.uk and  Facebook at Llangollen Motorcycle Festival, or contact the Festival office at 07960 693398, office@llanbikefest.co.uk. Club stands and exhibitor bookings are free.

Art club launches summer exhibition

Llangollen Art Club launched its latest exhibition at the town's library yesterday (Tuesday) evening.

It includes a wide selection of eye-catching work by the club's members which will remain on show at the library until early September and is available for viewing by the public.

* Some of the artwork on display at the exhibition.

* Guests view a selection of the exhibits.

Skates campaigns over future of eyesore site

An AM wants to help bring a town centre ‘eyesore’ back into use.

Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates was contacted for help over run-down Commerce House, on the A5 in the centre of Corwen, by local councillor Huw Jones.

The pair would like to see the Grade II-listed premises – which is privately owned and up for sale – developed for social housing, and Mr Skates has contacted Denbighshire County Council chief executive Dr Mohammed Mehmet to raise the issue.

“This building has been on Denbighshire’s list of eyesore sites for some time, it’s a real shame and I know Huw and Dr Mehmet share my frustration,” said Mr Skates.

In his response to Mr Skates, Dr Mehmet said it had ‘proved particularly difficult’ to find a solution to Commerce House, which he said is in ‘an extremely difficult state’. The council has contacted heritage watchdog Cadw to try and get the building’s listed status removed, which could make it more attractive to potential buyers.

Mr Skates said: “Because of huge cuts to Wales from the UK Government, the council cannot afford to buy the building outright and pay for the extensive work that needs doing. Social landlords have been approached about the viability of a housing scheme to address local need, and this is an option I’d like to see pursued for local people.

“I have offered my full support to Denbighshire County Council to get this matter resolved. Dr Mehmet has said the authority would provide as much support as possible should the right private sector investor comes forward with redevelopment or refurbishment proposals, so I hope this is another avenue which can be explored.”