Elan Catrin sings praises of Llan Eisteddfod

Elan Catrin Parry is singing the praises of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod for helping her to land a major record deal with the same label as Katherine Jenkins.

And the young Wrexham songstress is urging other performers to enter this year’s competition.

The talented 16 year-old competed in the finals at the Llangollen Eisteddfod two years ago, and along with top marks from festival judges, scored herself an audition with British record label Decca.

* Elan Catrin Parry singing at the eisteddfod.

Completely unaware that she was being watched by the label's talent scouts, she raised the roof of the Pavilion and went on to sign a dream deal with Decca.

Elan’s debut album was released in August and she will be performing at the Royal Albert Hall this month (October 13^th), as a special guest of the London Welsh Festival of Male Choirs, which is directed by Llangollen Eisteddfod Musical Director Edward-Rhys Harry - all whilst studying for her GCSEs.

She said: “Without the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod it is very unlikely that I would be in the fantastic position that I am in now, and for that I feel incredibly grateful.

"I can’t thank the eisteddfod enough for the continued support throughout my exciting journey and want to encourage as many performers as possible to enter the amazing competitions at Llangollen.

“I’ve visited the festival with my family for many years previous to competing, and you can never forget the vibrant and welcoming atmosphere.

“The combination of different cultures, music, dance and costumes and the warm and friendly nature of the festival provides a truly magical experience. In fact, it’s a cultural lesson to the world about international peace and harmony.”

Eisteddfod chairman Dr Rhys Davies said: “We are very proud of Elan and what she has achieved. We welcome the world to our little piece of heaven here in Wales every summer and pride ourselves on showcasing young and upcoming talent from across the globe.

“After visiting the festival for many years and achieving a finalist position in various competitions here, we are delighted that her talent has been recognised by a worldwide record label and wish her the best of luck in the future, we know she will go on to do very well.”

Eisteddfod music director Edward-Rhys Harry said: "We congratulate Elan on her continued success since singing on the famous Pavilion stage and we know that the international performers and audience who will be attending the sold out performance at the Royal Albert Hall are very much looking forward to welcoming her there.”

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

Railway to end work on memorial locomotive

* The National Memorial Locomotive while under construction at Llangollen. 

Llangollen Railway  has announced "with some sadness" their decision not to undertake further work on the project to build the new National Memorial Locomotive.

Consequently  the heritage railway will not be doing any further work beyond what is currently underway on the project to build a steam locomotive to remember those who died in the First World War. 

Members of the engineering team at Llangollen have been working on the construction of The Unknown Warrior for the LMS Patriot Co. Ltd, since 2008.

Following intensive discussions with the team behind No 45551, a railway spokesperson announced: "We have taken the decision not to tender for any further work in regards to the LMS Patriot Company,  Llangollen Railway has a full order book and is therefore unable to meet with the very tight time scale requirements of the project.

"On October 29 the Patriot locomotive, No. 45551, will be leaving Llangollen for the last time and will travel to Crewe Heritage Centre to have its boiler trial fitted.

"Llangollen Railway wishes the LMS Patriot Company well in the completion of The Unknown Warrior."

Thousands expected for 2018 Christmas Festival

* Last year's Christmas lights switch-on.

* Last year's parade passes the Town Hall.

Thousands of seasonal revellers are expected to come flocking to Llangollen for the town’s annual Christmas Festival on Saturday November 24.

Kicking off at 1pm with the famous parade which sees Sion Corn - the Welsh Santa – being escorted into town over the historic bridge by a colourful cavalcade of entertainers and local groups, the event features children’s fairground rides and games, circus acts, a magician, dancing and face painting.

There will also be a chance for youngsters to visit Sion Corn in his glorious grotto and put in their early requests from what they’d like to see him bring them on Christmas morning. 

During the afternoon visitors can look forward to an eclectic mix of musical entertainment from local groups on two outdoor stages and other on-street entertainment.

The fun-packed day rounds off at 5pm with the ceremonial switching on of Llangollen’s legendary Christmas lights and a firework extravaganza. 

Llangollen Christmas Festival is organised by a group of dedicated community volunteers. It costs over £4,000 to stage each year and is self-funding.

The festival aims to provide a free family-orientated event in the safety of the town centre with surplus funds being donated to Wales Air Ambulance and local community groups.

Over the last couple of years the police have estimated that the spectacular event draws over 2,000 people into town during the course of the afternoon.

For the second year the festival has teamed up with Light Up Local Food, a project aimed at promoting Llangollen-based food and drink producers.

Chairman of the festival committee Austin ‘Chem’ Cheminais, who is also the local town crier and a member of the town council, said: “With the help of the community we manage, each year, to raise just about enough to fund the event and give a little to charity.

“Last year’s festival was particularly successful, in spite of the weather, and the feedback from those attending was very positive.

“The ‘market’ feel to the event provided by Light UP Local Food was particularly commented upon and helped to attract visitors from much further afield.

“Once again we’re expecting a bumper crowd to come along and help us to give a great early start to Christmas.” 

Lifesaving spray "should be carried by our cops"

* North Wales PCC Arfon Jones.

The nasal spray that saved the life of  multi-million selling American pop star Demi Lovato should be carried by every police officer in North Wales, according to the region’s policing boss.

The 25-year-old Grammy-nominated singer and actor, a star of X Factor USA, collapsed after a suspected overdose at her Hollywood home in July and was revived by a paramedic using a naloxone spray.

Now North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones has joined the campaign to have all police officers equipped with the spray which is used as an antidote to opiate drug overdoses of substances like heroin, fentanyl and prescription painkillers.

He said: “In the past delivering an antidote to a heroin overdose involved giving an injection and I can understand the reluctance of police officers to administering what is a medical procedure.

“But naloxone can be given on the scene of a suspected opiate overdose with a simple nasal spray and in a country where there are well over 1,000 deaths a year from this kind of overdose it makes sense.

“Police officers are in the business of helping people and by allowing our officers in North Wales and elsewhere in the UK to carry naloxone sprays we would be saving lives in a country where far too many are lost to overdoses.”

Mr Jones, a former police inspector with North Wales Police, is backing the campaign by Derbyshire PCC Hardyal Dhindsa, the Association of PCC’s Alcohol and Substance Misuse Lead.

Mr Dhindsa said: “The increased threat of super-strength opiates such as Fentanyl and Carfentanyl, which can cause an accidental overdose even for those with a higher opioid resistance, further highlights how providing an effective first response to these overdoses is only going to get more important in the coming years.

“A key tool to preventing these deaths from overdose is the opioid-suppressant naloxone. This drug is used to inhibit the effects of opiates, such as heroin and morphine, and can stop an overdose in its tracks, providing a crucial window for getting medical assistance to the patient.”

Naloxone acts by preventing opiates, which affect the brain’s control of respiration, from slowing or even shutting down breathing, the most common cause of drug-related death.

It can be given with a simple nasal spray and has been listed by the World Health Organisation as an essential medicine and is recommended by health experts at the Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs and Public Health England on the basis of the difference it has made and the lives it has saved both at home and abroad.

Arfon Jones added: “One third of all European drug related deaths happen in the UK and many of these are as a result of overdoes of heroin and other opiates and as police officers are often the first on the scene of such cases it makes sense that they should be able to give the simple treatment that can make a life-saving difference.

“Time is critical in these incidents and so police officers need to be given the tools to protect the public.

“Up until three years ago it could only be given by injection but now nasal sprays are available and even if the person concerned hasn’t taken an opiate naloxone won’t have an effect or cause harm.”

Humorist to guest with Llandegla music club

Humorist and performance poet Les Barker (pictured) will appear as guest of Llandegla All Styles Music Club at the Memorial Hall, Llandegla at 8pm on Monday October 15.

The evening's programme also includes singers and musicians. There is a raffle and admission is £5.                      

Hailing from Manchester but now living in Bwlchgwyn as well as touring Britain, Les has also performed in Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Canada.

He has published 75 books to date and has released 20 albums. 

A club spokesman said: "Les has a worldwide reputation for leaving his audiences helpless with laughter, from here to the other side of the world

"With doors at 7.30 and a prompt start, at 8pm, we hope to fit in some singers as well, so bring your instruments.

"We're very sorry to report that the guests we had booked for our next event, Fiddlestone, are unable to perform, owing to the hospitalisation of one of their members. 

"We wish him well and hope to host Fiddlestone in the New Year."

Christmas card competition launched by AM and MP

* Ken Skates AM and Susan Elan Jones MP with artist Larrie Beattie from Penycae, who won the 2015 competition for artists of all ages.

Schoolchildren are being asked to show their artistic side and design a Christmas card which will be sent to hundreds of homes.

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates and MP Susan Elan Jones are inviting pupils of every infant and primary school in their constituency to enter – and there are prizes to be won.

The winning design will get pride of place on the Labour pair’s official Clwyd South Christmas card and will be sent out to constituents, businesses, schools and voluntary groups.

Ken said: “It might seem a bit early with the summer holidays only just over, but we have to set a deadline of almost six weeks before Christmas to make we have enough time to get our cards printed and posted in time – it’s a big job!
“Whenever we have run this competition the children always enter into the spirit. We’re very grateful to the teachers for encouraging them to take part and for helping them.”

Susan added: “The competition is a fun way for schoolchildren in Clwyd South to learn a little bit about who represents them. A number of local companies have generously offered to sponsor the competition, so there will be prizes and certificates too. 
“We’ve had some wonderful designs in previous years and I’m looking forward to seeing what the children come up with this year.”

* The competition closes on Friday, November 16, and children can ask their teachers or parents/guardians to send their designs to Mr Skates’ constituency office at Unit 22, The Malthouse, Regent Street, Llangollen, LL20 8HS.

Any local companies who would like to co-sponsor the competition and have their logo feature on the card can email ken.skates@assembly.wales

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