Free business advice sessions on offer

Denbighshire businesses are being given the chance to get free one-to-one expert advice. 

Denbighshire County Council is providing eight day-long sessions throughout the county giving traders the chance for personalised one-hour advice sessions from retail and marketing expert Helen Hodgkinson.

Helen is a business trainer and owner of Indie Business Training and has experience of developing and delivering training sessions and workshops covering areas such as digital opportunities, social media, retail and selling.

Cllr Hugh Evans OBE, leader of Denbighshire County Council, said: “These free sessions will allow businesses to get tailored advice to help build knowledge, skills and confidence, generate ideas and provide assurance and support.

“Supporting businesses and creating resilient communities is part of our work to increase economic prosperity in Denbighshire and providing free training sessions to our businesses helps us achieve this.

“I would encourage businesses in the county to take advantage of this support.”  

The coaching sessions can help get your message to the right customer, offer help with social media as well as visual merchandising, store layout, how to improve sales, customer service, staffing and product range.

* Sessions will be held in Rhyl (September 18); Prestatyn ( 19th); Denbigh (20th); Ruthin (25th); Llangollen (26th); Corwen (27th); Rhuddlan (October 2); St Asaph (3rd) and you can book at www.denbighshire.gov.uk/businessevents

Stamp out this vandalism and crime now

* The broken windows at Proadventure in Castle Street.

llanblogger comment

Llangollen has seen a spate of vandalism and crime over the past week of the sort it does not normally witness.

First, on Thursday, what appeared to be a huge slab of concrete was used to smash the two glass front doors of Proadventure in Castle Street.

The next morning people out early in Castle Street saw that, just a few yards away, a large and heavy planter had to been moved from its position outside the front doors of the Town Hall and then smashed into pieces with its contents being strewn across the pavement.

This morning, Sunday, a resident of Church Street (pictured above) posted on Facebook that they had woken up to find that a window at their home had been broken overnight.

Also this morning we learn from Facebook that the Chainbridge Hotel had been broken into during the early hours.

Its post said: “WARNING TO ALL IN THE LLANGOLLEN AREA - we have been broken into overnight. Three males, in hoods, at 1.00am. If you have any information please pass it on. Please also be vigilant. They left the hotel in a dark hatchback, heading towards Llangollen. The hotel will be open to the public as normal today. Thank you”.

* The vandalised planter in Castle Street.

The incidents on Thursday and Friday is Castle Street – our main thoroughfare and a showcase for the town to visitors – immediately set alarm bells ringing and a number of town councillors rightly called for swift action to nip such undesirable actions in the bud.

There are now likely to be calls for extra police vigilance which llanblogger believes must be heeded.

It is a well-known fact that police resources are under extreme pressure and that, in the general scheme of things, Lllangollen is identified as a low-crime area.

However, that does not take away from the fact that we have a right to receive adequate policing and that these incidents should be thoroughly examined and action taken to see avoid a pattern of lawlessness being established as it has in other areas not too far from here.  

Eisteddfod on the lookout for 2019 competitors

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is looking for dancers, singers and instrumentalists from across the globe to enter its group competitions next year.

Successful entrants will compete for a range of prestigious titles including Dance Champions of the World and Choir of the World at the 2019 festival, from July 2-7.

This will also see the return of the Acapella Group, Senior Children’s Choirs, Open Choirs and Traditional Folk Dance Group.

The Eisteddfod's best-known categories include choral, ensemble, dance and non-competitive participation.

The festival is also appealing for female choirs to come forward and showcase their talent on the Royal International Pavilion stage with the chance to win an international medal and cash prizes of up to £3,000 if they progress to the Choir of the World final.

Following the departure of Vicky Yannoula, Edward-Rhys Harry will be stepping into the role of music director.

He has previously been artistic director at both the International Voces Volgograd in Russia and the London Welsh Festival of Male Choirs. 

Entries for all choral, ensemble and dance competitions will close on Friday November 23, while solo applications will open in early December.

Applications to follow in the footsteps of non-competitive acts and perform on one of the International Eisteddfod’s outside stages are also open, with the entries also closing on November 23.

Eisteddfod chairman Dr Rhys Davies said: “Every year, those who take part in the Eisteddfod come away with an unforgettable experience that stays with them forever.

“With the unique opportunity for performers from across the globe to compete on an international stage in a variety of 20 competitions, alongside such talented musicians and dancers, whilst making life-long friendships is something truly special." 

* For more information on all the competitions or to apply through the Eisteddfod participants’ website visit: http://eisteddfodcompetitions.co.uk/

For more information about the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod visit: www.Llangollen.ne

Castle Street planter overturned

A large planter outside the front of the Town Hall in Castle Street has been overturned overnight.

Tyn Dwr Hall to host Christmas charity ball

* Victoria Jones, owner of Tyn Dwr Hall, and her children Charlie, Alastair and Arayah, with Catrin Dowdeswell, area fundraiser for Hope House Children’s Hospice.

Tyn Dwr Hall in Llangollen is to host an exclusive Christmas charity fundraising ball in aid of Hope House Children’s Hospice.
 
The idea is the long-held dream of mum-of-three Victoria Jones who, together with her husband Matt, owns the country hall wedding venue. 
 
The event, on Saturday, December 15, will also see a special guest appearance by singing sensations Belle Voci, famed for appearing on ITVs The Voice The Live Final earlier this year.  
 
The lavish venue has been open less than three years and has already made an impact on the UK wedding scene.
 
To keep both hospice doors open all year round, Hope House has to raise at least £6.3 million, with only one month's worth of income coming from the government. 

Victoria said: “I have wanted to host a charity fundraising event for some time at Tyn Dwr Hall, however the past few years have been hectic refurbishing the hall, developing the business, moving house and having our third baby.

"When Matt and I first talked about such an event Hope House Children’s Hospice was the charity that instantly sprang to my mind because of their good work across North Wales and Shropshire.

“Having children is such a blessing, and as parents we all wish for our children to be in good health and have long and happy lives.

"Unfortunately, for some this is not the case and many families face life changing situations that are devastating for the child and the parents. That’s why Hope House was my first choice, as their support and care is so important for entire families dealing with these things.
 
“We want our guests to have a great time with live music, exquisite food, and top class entertainment. For some guests it will be an opportunity to entertain friends, family, corporate clients or treat their team to an amazing Christmas party whilst raising as much money as possible for Hope House. We are delighted and grateful that Emily and Sophie from Belle Voci will be performing for us during the evening as well.”
 
Cat Dowdeswell, area fundraiser for Hope House Children’s Hospice said: "When I heard that Victoria and Matt were planning an event at Tyn Dwr and that it would be for Hope House, I was over the moon.

"I attended a wedding there last year and cannot wait to see what the finished event will look like. It's guaranteed to be a stunning evening. We are so excited to have Tyn Dwr support us. We have invited the team to visit the hospice to see just where their donations will be spent.

"Amazingly, only two percent of our catchment donate directly to Hope House, so it's wonderful to have new supporters realise how important Hope House is to the families in the local area."

* If you would like to know more about the Tyn Dwr Hall Charity Fundraiser, or would like to offer a prize for inclusion in the charity auction, email to: charity@tyndwrhall.co.uk.

Museum to host new exhibition

Skates: Why I'm backing Drakeford for leader

Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates sets out the reasons why he will be supporting Mark Drakeford in the forthcoming election for a new Welsh Labour leader and First Minister

* Ken Skates AM, left with Mark Drakeford AM outside Chirk Health Centre.

The same concern about politics has been expressed to me repeatedly these past two years: that the world has gone crazy and nowhere appears stable.

With the proliferation of fake news, the rise of dangerously populist politicians and with divisive issues such as Brexit constantly looming over us, it's no wonder so many people feel insecure. That people feel dismayed and dejected, that the world feels unsafe and even unfamiliar.

That, allied to the way social media allows the most vocal – and often the most extreme views – to be heard over the less hysterical majority and you could easily believe we now occupy a space in which calm, considered reflection and conviction politics have been abandoned.

This makes it so important for us to elect leaders that can remain steady in a storm, who have inbuilt moral compasses rather than populist calculators, who have a proven track record of applying principles rather than a history of riding bandwagons.

In a world that Trump, Farage and Boris Johnson are turning angrily against itself, we need principled, internationalist and intelligent leaders to come to the fore and offer the shining light of hope. And we can start right here in Wales by electing Mark Drakeford as Welsh Labour leader and First Minister.

I’m backing Mark because I know what he stands for. A politician who is steered by principles. Mark is the person who can best help us navigate through the mess of Brexit and he is the person who can unite, reach out and enthuse people to work together, rather than against each other.

Mark also gets the North Wales issue. Whether real or perceived, there is a feeling across North Wales that the region has fared less well than other parts of the country in recent times, that the North feels detached from centres of power in Cardiff and London. 

In my discussions with Mark, he is fully aware of the need to address regional inequalities and disengagement. And he is also acutely aware to the threat of ongoing austerity to the wellbeing and welfare of people in the communities I serve. Welfare reform, insecure employment and the financial pressures faced by families and councils will not go away until austerity ends. Which means we need a leader who is determined to protect the most vulnerable, someone who wants wealth and good health for all.

I'm backing Mark Drakeford because of his principles, his character and his priorities. And I'm hoping many more Labour members will join the campaign to elect Mark this autumn.