County cabinet backs Castle Street redevelopment

* How a busy Castle Street looks at present.  

* An artist's impression of how Castle Street could possibly look in the future.

At the Denbighshire County Council cabinet meeting today (Tuesday) members were asked to  agree  how  Denbighshire  should  use  its  allocation  of £1,204,380  from  the  £30m  Highways  Refurbishment  Grant recently  announced  by  Welsh  Government. 

Four plans were put to the cabinet and Llangollen's Castle Street was awarded £500,000 of the total. 

This supports the work of a joint working group set up by Llangollen's two county councillors, Graham Timms and Melvyn Mile, and Llangollen's Chamber of Trade and Town Council. 

The working group, which has been meeting since October last year, has been looking for ways to solve parking and traffic flow, two major problems in Llangollen town centre. 

Grant funding has been received from Cadwyn Clwyd.

Cllr Timms said: “We're delighted that this scheme has been given such a huge boost. The £0.5 million will be used to attract other major funders to contribute to a major overhaul of the town centre, expected to cost over £2 million.

"The cabinet has recognised the determination of the working group to tackle the problems of the town and to make the environment on Castle Street more suited to its place at the heart of the Dee Valley and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

"A consultation will take place during the latter part of June where locals, businesses and visitors will be given the chance to share their opinions and ideas on how our town can work better for everyone.”

Views sought on services for learning disabilities

Residents are being asked to take part in a consultation about how to improve services for children, young people and adults with learning disabilities in North Wales.

Councils across North Wales are working together with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to develop a regional plan for learning disability services.

The plan will look at how health and social care services can work better together and focus on the areas people say are important to them: having something to do; having a good place to live; having the right support through changes in life; friends and relationships; being healthy; and, being safe.

The plan is being developed along with people with learning disabilities, parents, carers and organisations who provide care and support.

Neil Ayling, the Project Lead in North Wales and Chief Officer, Social Services at Flintshire County Council, said: “We want all people with learning disabilities to have a better quality life; living locally where they feel ‘safe and well’, where they are valued and included in their communities and have access to effective personal support that promotes independence, choice and control.

“I want to encourage everyone to take part in the consultation to help us achieve this vision together.”

* More information about the consultation is available at: www.northwalescollaborative.wales/learning-disability-strategy-consultation/

The consultation will be open until Friday 20 July 2018.

Operatic's successes in amateur stage Oscars

* Members of the Young who were successful

at the NODA Awards. From left,

Maia Malloy, Cassius Hackforth and Celyn Orton-Jones.  

Llangollen Operatic has scored more successes in the amateur stage "Oscars". 

A group of society representatives headed off to Hereford last weekend for the Wales and Ireland Regional Annual NODA Awards.

The ceremony is a popular event for am-dram societies.

The Operatic’s junior section, the Young ‘Uns, landed the prize for Best Musical for its smash-hit production of Bugsy Malone.

For the same show Celyn Orton-Jones and Maia Malloy were both nominated for Best Supporting Performer Under 21 and Cassius Hackforth was nominated for Best Performer Under 21. Cassius walked away as category winner.


9 to 5 (co-produced by Robin Crowley and Alix Rawlinson, artistic direction by Robin Crowley, musical direction by Elen Mair Roberts) was nominated for  Best Musical Theatre Production, Best Stage Management and Technical, Best Individual Performance - Helen Belton for the role of Violet Newstead, Brett Jones for his role as Franklin Hart Jr and Louisa Jones for Best Supporting Individual Performance for her role as Judy Bernly.

Helen, who produced the Operatic’s last hit show My Fair Lady, scooped the Special Achievement award but the Operatic narrowly missed out in the other categories.

A society spokesperson said: "It was great to be nominated in so many categories for a third consecutive year and a tribute to the phenomenal work that goes into these shows by the production team, cast and crew."

Pamela Williams, who was producer for Bugsy Malone, said: “We’re delighted to have been acknowledged in this way for the show.

“Now it’s on to our next production, which will be the musical Grease, and for this we need lots more teenage boys to join the cast.”

 * The full Llangollen Operatic contingent at the NODA Awards in Hereford.

* Helen Belton in 9 to 5.

* Brett Jones in 9 to 5.

* Louisa Jones in 9 to 5.

* Louise Cielecki, left, who played Dolly Parton’s own character, Doralee Rhodes, in 9 to 5 with Helen Belton and Louisa Jones. 

Ken Skates' summer surgery dates

An Assembly Member has announced a round of summer surgeries to offer help and support to constituents.

Ken Skates holds monthly drop-in advice sessions with Susan Elan Jones MP – which will continue – and has now organised an extra three over the summer months.

The Clwyd South AM (pictured) said: “Surgeries are vital part of my diary and provide a valuable opportunity to sit down face-to-face with constituents and discuss all manner of things and to offer support and advice. I want to make sure my constituents have plenty of opportunity to come and talk to me over the summer.”

Mr Skates added: “My normal surgeries with Susan will continue, these are additional.”

Mr Skates’ summer surgeries will be by appointment – by calling 01978 869058, emailing ken.skates@assembly.wales or via his Facebook page – and will be held in Plas Madoc Leisure Centre, Llangollen and Penley.

Mr Skates said: “My regular surgeries with Susan are drop-in, but by making these additional surgeries by appointment it means that anything which is within Susan’s remit and not mine, non-devolved issues such as crime and social security, can be referred to her office and looked into. 

“It also gives me the opportunity to do any initial research or work in advance which might help when I sit down with the constituent.”

The surgeries will take place at:

* Plas Madoc Leisure Centre on Friday, June 8

* Mr Skates’ office at The Malthouse, Llangollen, on Friday, July 6

* The Rainbow Centre, Penley, on Saturday, August 4

Sun shines on churches in the park

Llangollen churches held their annual joint Pentecostal service around the bandstand in Riverside Park this morning (Sunday).

Led by the Rev Phil Poole from the Methodist Church, it included contributions from a number of the other local churches.

Musical accompaniment was provided by Llangollen Silver Band.

Eisteddfod seeks peace award nominations

* Eisteddfod president Terry Waite with international competitors. 

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, is encouraging all community members to submit details of local individuals or organisations responsible for the furtherance of peace, for the chance to gain international recognition.

This year, the Rotary International will award both an international recognition prize, which will be sponsored by Typhoo Tea, and a national tier reward supported by Westminster Stone.

This will be the third year that the International Eisteddfod will be working with Rotary International to host the prestigious award.

Rotary International is one of the largest humanitarian organisations in the world and the partnership with the Eisteddfod is ideal, as the Peace Award is a logical extension to the aims and objectives of this unique event, which was established to promote peace and harmony between nations.

Shortlisted entrants will be invited to the picturesque town of Llangollen, North Wales, where the 2018 winner will receive international acknowledgment on Thursday 5^th July, following an evening of international celebration for which the Llangollen Eisteddfod is renowned.

Last year’s judges were completely blown away by the inspirational initiatives presented by the 2017 nominees, deciding to reward not one but two organisations with the Rotary Prize in a joint celebration of peace during the International Eisteddfod’s 70^th Anniversary Opening Concert.  

British Ironworks was acknowledged for its Save a Life, Surrender Your Knife weapons amnesty project, which culminated in the creation of the National Monument Against Violence and Aggression – an Angel sculpture crafted from surrendered weapons from 43 police constabularies across the country. Also recognised at the presentation was Médecins Sans Frontières, for its policy of témoignage – speaking out to alleviate suffering and protect human life.

Chairing this year’s adjudicating panel is Richard Hazlehurst of Bradford Peace Centre, who was recognised as a peace honoree at the United Nations in 2017.

As peace initiatives take many different forms, the judging panel will consider the public benefit of the project, the profile and longevity of the organisation or individual and the impact of their work.

To enter or nominate for the Rotary International Peace Prize, please send an email to Molly Youd at myoud@talktalk.net, enclosing details of your nomination and any links to websites or any information which may support the application. Nominations must be received by the 31st May.

Past District Governor for Rotary International, Molly Youd, said: “Building on the resounding success of the last two year’s celebrations, we’re excited to once again recognise the individuals and organisations that work so tirelessly to promote peace and understanding here in the UK and worldwide.

“The initial idea of creating the Rotary International Peace Prize was born at the Llangollen Eisteddfod four years ago, when performers from Ukraine and Russia, two countries that were waging war against one another at the time, united during a spectacular dance performance in a moment of peace.

“With the festival’s message of global friendship now more relevant than ever, it’s with great joy that we’re able to bring together peace advocates during a celebration of international music and dance, for the chance to win this prestigious and significant prize.”

Former Host Area Coordinator for the Rotary Peace Centre at the University of Bradford, Richard Hazlehurst, said:  “Following the high calibre of valuable work presented to us during the 2017 award, the panel fully expect this year’s judging process to be made even more difficult.  

“The Rotary Foundation motto is, simply, doing good in the world and the judges for this remarkable award by Rotary District 1180 are looking for people who are doing just that – good in the world. We will welcome nominations from or about individuals and organisations who have changed the course of history for the better, through their peaceful practices and awareness, making our world a better place to live in today.” 

* For more information about the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and the Rotary International Peace Award, visit www.Llangollen.net

Art exhibition at Plas Newydd