Intrepid John completes Chester Half Marathon

* John Palmer celebrates his Chester Half Marathon success.

Last Sunday Llangollen septuagenarian John Palmer completed his first half marathon in Chester in 1hour 59 minutes.

John was raising money for Alzheimer’s Research, his wife Lyn having been diagnosed with dementia a little over five years ago.

In September last year John and his son Nic were no longer able to care for her at home and she is now looked after by the lovely staff at Llangollen Fechan.

John and Lyn met at Chester Teacher Training College, now Chester University, over 50 years ago and after a very happy life together John wanted to help find a cure for this awful disease.

He has raised over £1,600 and says: "I have been overwhelmed by the support and good wishes from both friends and complete strangers and appreciate all they have done for us.”

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."