Lee "Scratch" Perry spearheads Fringe line-up

Lee "Scratch" Perry, the legendary reggae producer, provocateur and dub pioneer, will headline the 21st edition of the Llangollen Fringe Festival on Saturday 25th July.

Grammy award-winning Perry (pictured) has been highly influential in the development of reggae and dub music world wide.

Working under many names - as well as in many capacities including disc jockey, producer, record businessman, songwriter, singer - he has been a guiding force in the development of reggae.

In addition to his own trailblazing music, Perry has produced hits for the Wailers, Junior Byles, Max Romeo, the Heptones, Gregory Isaacs, Junior Murvin, and the Clash.

Known for his bizarre behaviour and stream-of-consciousness interviews, he often dons costumes and headdresses made of found objects such as feathers, toys, playing cards, and coins.

Perry is joined on the festival's bill - its biggest to date - by Eliza Carthy & The Wayward Band, BBC 6 Music Radio's Craig Charles and Mark Radcliffe (appearing on separate nights) and Linton Kwesi Johnson.

There will also be stand-up comedy and the return of Band For a Day, the music-themed Steam Train and Aqueduct Boat trips trips, and many other events.

The festival rounds off with its iconic closing concert in the stunning surrounds of Valle Crucis Abbey, which this year will feature the ethereal sound of Golden Fable and the New Sinfornia Orchestra.

* Full listings tickets for the whole festival are on sale now priced at £80. This allows access to all of the main events across the 10 days. Tickets are available from www.llangollenfringe.co.uk, or by calling the Fringe box office on 0800 1455 779.

Another abnormal load passes through

A second abnormal load convoy has driven through Llangollen this morning (Tuesday).

Once again police outriders cleared the way as two heavy vehicles, each carrying large cylindrical loads, drove along Regent Street (A5) in the direction of Corwen.

Your chance to shape health and social services

Do you want to play a key role in making decisions about health and social services in North Wales?

The North Wales Regional Partnership Board is looking for people who use health or social services or who may care for someone who has needed services to join the board.

The board is on the lookout for one individual representative and one carer representative to join the board as soon as possible and two further representatives in November 2018 when the term of the current members expires.

The North Wales Regional Partnership Board has been established by the new Social Services and Well-being Act (2014) and aims to improve the health and wellbeing of all people in North Wales.

Bethan Jones Edwards, Head of Regional Collaboration for the North Wales Regional Partnership Board, said: “Partners are working together to improve the health and well-being of residents across the North Wales region and this is a great opportunity to get involved in the work of the Regional Partnership Board. 

“The individuals should have a passion for improving people’s lives and will want to have plenty of drive, energy and enthusiasm to make a real difference to the way services are run across North Wales.  Those who have real life experience of the health and well-being services would be ideal candidates and can bring their experience to the board.”

* If you are interested in finding out more, contact Bethan Jones Edwards via e-mail: Bethan.m.jonesedwards@denbighshire.gov.uk, or by phone:  01824712037.

Expressions of interest to be submitted to: Bethan.m.jonesedwards@denbighshire.gov.uk by 25th May 2018 or in writing to Head of Regional Collaboration, County Hall, Wynnstay Road, Ruthin, LL15 9AZ.

Abnormal load passes through town

* Police motorcyclists control traffic around the Castle Street lights.

Traffic along Regent Street (A5) was temporarily held up by the passage of an abnormal load around 11.30am today (Monday).

Just ahead of two heavy wagons loaded with large concrete sections police motorcyclists arrived to control traffic around the Castle Street junction.

After passing through the lights the convoy, headed by a police Range Rover, headed onwards towards Corwen.  

* The abnormal load convoy passes along Regent Street.

* One of the two trucks in the convoy. 

* The load heads onwards in the direction of Corwen.

Black Park concert benefits Dystonia charity

* Choral Variations on song at the concert.

* Gresford Handbell Ringers chime in with the concert.

A mixed choir which includes a number of members from Llangollen sang at a well-received charity concert at Black Park Chapel near Chirk on Friday evening.  

Staged in aid of the North Wales Support Group of the Dystonia Society UK, the event featured Choral Variations, led by Owen Roberts, who appeared along with Gresford Handbell Ringers, Ifton Colliery Youth Band, The Iftonites, soloist Eleanor Burnham and pianist Joyce Frith.

A large audience was highly impressed by the youth band which showed its capability despite only being formed a year ago.

Choral Variations delighted with two sets either side of the interval featuring a diverse selection of favourites, both in English and Welsh.

The handbell ringers, under the direction of Jill Roberts, specialises in music ranging from classical through to jazz and modern pop and their novel selection from the musical Les Miserables went down particularly well with the audience.

Two powerful sets were also provided by Eleanor Burnham, who is a prize-winning eisteddfod performer and regular member of Black Park Singers.   

Joyce Firth, the regular accompanist of the Black Park Singers, performed a light and breezy number which was also well appreciated.

Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder and Moira Gleed, who is leader of the local support group and also a member of Choral Variations, gave an insight into the condition whose sufferers benefitted from the evening.   

Poetry and folk night cancelled

Organisers say the Spring Is Sprung poetry and folk night planned for this Friday May 4 at St John's Church has been cancelled due to a number of factors including poor ticket sales.

In a statement they say: "Since it was a charity event to raise money for cancer support and research it was felt that the event would not be viable.

"It is hoped to hold a similar function later in the year but with a number of important changes.

"The organisers would like to thank all those groups who lent their support including the Rotary Club, the Inner Wheel Club, the Prostate Support Group and local cancer fundraisers."     

Review of affordale homes announced

Housing and Regeneration Minister Rebecca Evans has announced an independent review of affordable housing supply in Wales.

The review will examine whether more can be done to increase the supply of affordable housing in Wales, maximising the resources available, and will be chaired by Lynn Pamment, Cardiff Senior Partner and Government & Public Services Lead at PwC.

The review will:

• examine the scope for increasing match funding to build more affordable homes, to maximise the number of homes created by the Welsh Government’s contribution to social housing
• review the arrangements governing partnership working between local authorities and housing associations
• consider the implications of moving to deliver zero carbon homes by 2020, including the role of off-site manufacture and modern methods of construction
• review the standards governing affordable housing and advise on whether they require updating
• make recommendations regarding a sustainable rent policy that will both allow long term affordability for tenants and allow viability of existing and new housing developments.

The review will be expected to issue a report and make recommendations to the Minister by the end of April 2019.

Rebecca Evans said: “We have made a clear commitment to deliver 20,000 affordable homes during this term of Government.

“I want this review to ensure we are getting the best value for money in our investments and policy, including how we plan for a zero carbon future and the way in which the sector operates.

"We know that many more people in Wales want to access affordable housing. The sector in Wales have called on us to look at our policy, and we want to work closely with all stakeholders involved in housing supply to ensure we are building as many homes as possible."

Stuart Ropke, Chief Executive of Community Housing Cymru said: “Housing associations in Wales have ambitions to build a minimum of 75,000 affordable homes in Wales over the next twenty years – doubling the current delivery rate."

"Through the review we can establish the most effective policy environment to meet our affordable home delivery ambition and build a solid foundation for current and future generations. If we get this review right, it will be a big step towards solving the housing crisis.”