New play leads in the novel Dracula stakes

* Hanna Edwards as Lucy and Dan Pedley

in the title role of Dracula.

We know Dracula can turn himself into a bat or a big black dog.

But he can also become quite a cantankerous story character, or at least he can according to a new play premiered in Chirk last night (Saturday).

Penned by first-time playwright Esme Sallnow for PunkSteam Productions fresh from her acclaimed starring role in Llangollen Operatic Society’s recent smash-hit production of My Fair Lady, Dracula grafts a fascinating and humorous new twist onto the classic tale of the old Transylvanian bloodsucker.   

And, throughout the two acts of action, it sees the count holding regular, heated artistic conversations with its author Bram Stoker who’s sitting just off stage with Mrs Stoker scratching away at the legendary piece of Victorian melodrama.

Drac frequently breaks off his speeches to argue with his creator on the way his character is being portrayed, too hard, too soft etc.

It’s an interesting gambit which, perhaps surprisingly, doesn’t detract too much from the plot while putting an interesting new human light on the guy who was the Prince of Darkness way before Ozzy Osbourne nicked the title.

And this new depth he’s given is interpreted well by the actor playing him, Dan Pedley, who’s already had his share of successes with a number of local amateur groups.

The play itself, directed by the author, sticks pretty much to the 1896-set Stoker novel, with a likely female victim Lucy Westenra falling under the spell and then the flashing fangs of the master vampire as she holidays in Whitby.

She’s played with a delicate touch by Hannah Edwards who is also rapidly making a name for herself on the area’s am-dram circuit.

Strong support comes from John Clifford, mainstay of many a local acting group, in the key role of vampire hunter Van Helsing, complete with doom-laden pronouncements delivered in a delightfully thick mittle European accent.

Like the rest of the cast he’s also clearly playing it for laughs wearing as he does a motorcycle helmet and goggles for the bit where he serves up the now-vampirical Lucy with a medium rare stake right through the heart.

This is something of a family affair for the Cliffords as John’s wife Lizzie gives a forceful interpretation of Mina Murray, Lucy’s cousin who eventually has quite an unexpected effect on Count D, while son Joe skilfully plays Arthur Holmwood, Lucy’s drippy fiancé.   

Jo Lloyd, another accomplished amateur performer and director, takes the part of Lucy’s mother Mrs Westenra and does so with style. And further strong support comes from Rea Hughes as Dr Jane Seward who tries to make sense of everything when Lucy’s starts to get it in the neck.

Kevin Williams puts in a very neat performance as Mr Renfield, one of the count’s willing adherents who has rather a taste for live birds and spiders.

Valuable contributions to the action also come from Jim and Pat Broderick as the Stokers, Michael Wall who has a stagger-on part as Victor Frankenstein – yes, he’s in it too – Sandy Williams, Ann Wall, Katy Lloyd and Cady Williams, all multi-roling like mad.

This is a memorable first stab at playwriting by Esme Sallnow which could easily be the first of numerous successes.

Dracula now flaps off for an appearance at Hermon Chapel in Oswestry for performances on Thursday and Friday June 21 and 22.

* Tickets are £10 on the door and £5 age 16 and under. They are available direct from the venue on 01691 662196.

Couple take over their new church roles

* Andrew Sully and his wife Mary cut a cake to celebrate their new roles.

* Mary with the Bishop of Bangor, the Right Rev Andy John.

* The Bishop performs the induction service for Andrew and Mary. 

Former Llangollen vicar the Rev Andrew Sully was licensed and inducted as the new vicar and ministry area leader of Llandudno at an induction service.

His new ministry area serves the northern part of Llandudno and the Great Orme, and includes Holy Trinity Church in the town centre and St Tudno’s Church on the Great Orme.

The Bishop of Bangor, the Right Rev Andy John, led the service, during which Andrew's wife, the Venerable Mary Stallard, the new Archdeacon of Bangor, was licensed as an associate vicar in Llandudno.

Andrew and Mary have two daughters, Joanna and Carys. Mary will combine her new ministry in Llandudno with being Archdeacon of Bangor.

Sunday’s service was be attended by members of Cytûn Llandudno, as well as civic dignitaries. Pupils from Ysgol San Siôr, the Church in Wales primary school in Llandudno, also took part with a presentation for Andrew.

Andrew was born in Germany and brought up in Newport. He studied history and theology at Southampton and trained for ordained ministry at the Queen’s College, Birmingham. His M.Phil. thesis focused on the poetry of R.S. Thomas.

Following a curacy in Newport, he became incumbent of the Parish of Llanafan y Trawscoed with Llanfihangel y Creuddyn with Ysbyty Ystwyth and Gwnnws in the Diocese of St David's, where he also served as Diocesan Ecumenical Officer.

In 2002, Andrew became Vicar of the Rectorial Benefice of St Asaph, also serving for a time as the North Wales Field Officer of Cytûn: Churches Together in Wales, and as a member of the Diocesan Parish Renewal & Development team.

From 2006, he was Vicar of Llangollen, Trevor and Llantysilio, a role he has combined with service to the Provincial Environment Group CHASE, the diocesan link with the Diocese of South West Tanganyika, and chaplaincy ministry at Llangollen Cottage Hospital and Ysbyty Maelor.

Andrew, a Welsh-language learner, is now a fluent Welsh speaker.

Speaking of his new appointment Andrew said: ‘I’ve spent a decade and more ministering to tourists and visitors to Llangollen, a town where Wales welcomes the world.

"Llandudno has even more visitors as North Wales’s premier seaside town, and so the opportunity of welcoming and connecting with a large number of new people gives the Church a huge opportunity of presenting Christianity to people in a vibrant and fresh way.

"Having been fortunate to have worked with some outstanding musicians and choirs in recent years, I’m particularly looking forward to being part of the fine musical tradition at Holy Trinity Church. Good music gives worship its texture and depth."

The Bishop of Bangor said: "Andrew brings great experience to his new role in Llandudno. His ministry has been marked by a desire to find new ways to make Christianity and Church relevant, and commitment to ecumenism and environmental issues, all of which is underpinned with his interest in Taizé and spirituality. I’m really looking forward to seeing how Llandudno develops under Andrew’s ministry.

"Please do pray for Andrew and Mary, the people of Llandudno, as well as the people of Llangollen."

Operatic star gets her teeth into scary new play

* Photos by Stephen Lloyd

The woman who starred in Llangollen’s recent smash-hit production of My Fair Lady is masterminding a scary new play which opens in Chirk tomorrow (Saturday) evening.

Esme Sallnow, who took the lead role of Eliza Doolittle in the Llangollen show, is the author and artistic director of Dracula which is being staged at Chirk Parish Hall at 7.30pm by the PunkSteam company.

* A scene from Dracula.

It’s 1896 and Bram Stoker is working on what will become his most famous novel.

While he struggles with a serious bout of writer's block, Dracula takes things into his own hands, revealing a few surprising twists in the plot.

Mina Murray, with her fiance Jonathan away on a prolonged business trip to Transylvania, is staying in Whitby with her aunt - a local operatic diva with vocal chords to shatter the earth (and eardrums), and spoiled, flirtatious cousin Lucy, whose husband to be has a prematurely receding hairline but a nice taste in breeches. 

Mina soon befriends the respected psychologist Dr Jane Seward and finds purpose at the local sanatorium, assisting with the case of the unusual patient Mr Renfield.

Then, news of a shipwreck reaches the town, bringing with it talk of a dark and dangerous presence and Lucy's sleepwalking gets out of hand.

Against a musical background of Franz Liszt, the play brings a completely fresh theatrical telling of this classic tale of gothic horror.

After the show, you will have a chance for close encounters with original items and costume pieces from the 1890s, and also for Q&A time with the cast and the scriptwriter. 

From Chirk the play moves on to Hermon Chapel in Oswestry for performances on Thursday and Friday June 21 and 22.

* Tickets are £10 on the door and £5 age 16 and under. To make a reservation, contact artistic director Esme on 01691 773016.

Tickets for performances at the Hermon Chapel are available direct from the venue on 01691 662196.

MP calls for re-think on Universal Credit operation

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones has called on the Government to “put common sense above ideology” and re-think how the Universal Credit system is operated.

Universal Credit merges six benefits  - income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance, income-related employment and support allowance, housing benefit, child tax credit, working tax credit - into one.

The system’s original purpose was to making the benefits simpler - with one single payment being directly into claimants' bank accounts.

However, a newly-published report by the National Audit Office says the £1.9bn Universal Credit system may end up costing more to administer than the benefits system it is replacing.

The report also states that Ministers can never know if it puts the promised 200,000 extra people in work or saves £2.1bn in fraud and error; and notes that 20% of claimants, predominantly the most needy, do not get paid on time.

Ms Jones, who has previously led a debate in Parliament on Personal Independence Payments, said: “There’s no doubt that as it stands Universal Credit is an expensive system that causes difficulties for some of the most vulnerable people in our country.

"My particular concern relates to how housing benefit is no longer paid directly to landlords. This puts many vulnerable people in a stressful situation where they could potentially lose their home. It also causes problems for some landlords. I don’t object to simplifying the process but I have real concerns about how Universal Credit is operating at present."

Emma Revie, chief executive of food bank charity The Trussell Trust, called for more support to be put in place for "groups of people most likely to need a food bank, and debt advice to be offered to everyone moving on to the new system". 

Performance celebrates Eisteddfod's Inclusion Project

* The group from St Christopher's in Wrexham.

* and from Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn in Denbighshire.

Llangollen Eisteddfod is celebrating ten years of its Inclusion Project with the commission of a new performance piece, SEND A Message.

The fully inclusive project, which promotes harmony and accessibility for all within the performing arts, marks its milestone year with a performance piece written by poet Aled Lewis Evans and composer Owain Llwyd.

Performed by children from St Christopher’s School in Wrexham as well as Ysgol Tir Morfa in Rhyl, Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn in Denbighshire, individuals from Derwen College in Oswestry and the Theatretrain Regional Choir in Mold, SEND A Message promotes the idea of spreading love and peace via music, song and dance and showcases a range of diverse talent from across Wales.

Each group represents an assorted mix of members of the local community who would not usually have the opportunity to perform at international events such as the Llangollen Eisteddfod. 

With many participants actively overcoming different challenges and managing a range of physical disabilities, special educational needs and mental health issues in order take part in the Inclusion Project; members of the group represent a gamut of local society.

Music Director of the International Eisteddfod, Vicky Yannoula, said: “As an organisation renowned for welcoming a multitude of global visitors, year-on-year, the Inclusion Project is something which is close to everyone’s heart here at the Llangollen Eisteddfod.

“We’re committed to giving everyone equal opportunities to perform and with the continued support and funding of the ScottishPower Foundation, we’re able to continue the fantastic work of the Inclusion Project which in turn, enables people from all walks of life to perform on the Royal International Pavilion stage.

“Every year, we’re incredibly lucky to work with passionate, talented and dedicated people, which is why we’re celebrating ten incredible years of this project!”

Ann McKechin, Trustee and Executive Officer of the ScottishPower Foundation, said: “The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is a truly inclusive event which, through its Send a Message project, gives a group of people with diverse abilities the opportunity to perform a specially commissioned piece together and learn from each other.  

"The ScottishPower Foundation is committed to funding projects like this that support the arts, reduce inequalities of opportunity and inspire people to fulfil their potential."

Speaking of Derwen College’s involvement in the Inclusion Project, Maryanne Evans, said: “This is such an exciting opportunity for the students at Derwen College. Being able to be a part of such an amazing festival is a real privilege!”

Steve Davies from Theatretrain Regional Choir, said: “Each of the pupils has thrived on being part of the development of the piece for the Inclusion Project and are looking forward to their first appearance at the Llangollen Eisteddfod.”

The performance has been choreographed by Angharad Harrop, with Leslie Churchill Ward as Artistic Coordinator.

* For further information about the Llangollen Eisteddfod and the Inclusion Project, visit www.llangollen.net

MP calls for more government help for charities

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones has called on the UK Government to do more to engage charities and social enterprises with the North Wales Growth Deal.

Questioning Wales Office Ministers in Parliament on Wednesday, she asked: "North Wales has a thriving voluntary sector and some excellent social enterprises. What engagement are Ministers in the Wales Office having with them?"

Speaking afterwards, Ms Jones (pictured) said: "I welcome the fact that Minister Stuart Andrew MP said he's spoken to the main council leader in charge of this area of engagement. However, this can't just be about the odd conversation.

"We need a serious and strategic plan for growth, engagement and development. Our North Wales charities and social enterprises need to be involved at every point in the process. And as North Wales has so many small towns and villages, we need to recognise that it is natural territory for the setting up of more local, community enterprises. 

"The Welsh Labour Government has made a massive commitment to enterprise by setting up a Development Bank and situating it in Wrexham. We need the UK Government to be providing more support too."

Her questioning of Ministers came a day after she chaired a meeting in Parliament of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Charities and Volunteering in which the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, the Charity Tax Group, community development organisation Locality, the Institute of Fundraising, Big Society Capital and the Charity Finance Group put forward their ideas of how this year's Budget can help charities and social enterprises. 

The group, which is co-chaired by Susan Elan Jones, will be present a formal submission to the Chancellor of the Exchequer in advance of this year's Budget.

Towering achievement at Corwen railway site

The latest stage in the Corwen Central Railway Development Project has seen a major item of railway infrastructure installed at the station site in the form of a traditional style of parachute water tank, as used in the steam era. 

Brought round by road from the premises of Barnett Engineering Ltd in Rhosllanerchrugog, the tower was installed on June 12.

The cylindrical water tank (pictured) sits on top of a column and is designed to hold 2,000 gallons of water for rapid delivery to replenish the tanks of a steam locomotive.

Standing seven metres high, the completed facility weighs in at five tonnes. It incorporates a modern gate value delivery system and will draw water from a borehole sited next to the railway at Corwen.

The structure has been built to modern standards using fabrication and welding methods to meet current regulatory requirements, yet retains the appearance of an item of heritage equipment. 

A Llangollen Railway spokesman said: “This latest addition to the railway facilities is now a major feature on the Corwen site and a further statement of our intent to complete the terminus station.

"During a slick two-hour operation, the complete assembly of water tank and its supporting column was off-loaded, pulled erect and lifted on to the base of a previously prepared foundation plinth.

"With the access stairs and swivel water delivery arm attached, this new item of infrastructure stands at the eastern end of platform 2 and will service locomotives standing on either of the loop lines. A trial filling of water must await the construction of a sump and drain away, once the borehole water supply is connected.

“Installation of this new item of heritage railway equipment has only been possible through the generous donations from members and supporters who have raised £17,000 in funding as a major contribution to the project to provide a water supply for locomotives at the new terminus.

"Work to complete the station and its facilities continues with the next stage concentrating on building the platform 1 wall during the summer. An opening of the Corwen station in 2019 remains dependent on the acquisition of resources in terms of materials, manpower and finance and continued support is necessary if we are to achieve that aim.”

Speaking for Barnett Engineering Ltd, Managing Director Steve Barnett said: “When we were asked to construct this steam-age item of equipment we thought it a little unusual, but the job was accepted as a challenge. However, it proved well within our capacity to design and manufacture and we are pleased to see the completed job delivered to Corwen where it will be installed at the new station site.”