Jo's chocolate bar art helps people with dementia

* Chocolatier Jo Edwards.

A chocolatier is launching a new range of chocolate bars featuring paintings by her grandmother who discovered her artistic talent when she was living with dementia.

Jo Edwards will be unveiling them at the Llangollen Food Festival and will be raising money for a dementia charity in memory of her beloved “Nanan”, Pat Rayfield, who was 93 when she passed away last year.

The images of the stunning watercolour pictures have been printed on the chocolate bars and 50p from the sale of each one will go to the Dementia Friendly Wrexham organisation.

Jo, who runs her own artisan chocolate company, Aballu, is a regular at the popular food festival that’s being held on Saturday and Sunday, October 13 and 14.

Remarkably, her grandmother didn’t take up watercolour painting until she was 85 and after she was diagnosed with dementia but went on produce more than 150 stunning works of art.

Earlier this year the family put on an exhibition of Pat’s work and sold the paintings, with the proceeds going to Dementia Friendly Wrexham as a way of raising awareness of the creative potential of people living with the condition.

Jo, who set up Aballu in 2006, has now gone a step further and come up with a technique to depict the pictures on the chocolate bars.

* The late artist Pat Rayfield.

She said: “It’s quite a labour-intensive process using an edible printing system to transfer the art work onto the chocolate bar. The process is quite technical but I lay the print onto white chocolate and set it on the milk or dark chocolate bars which are all hand poured and finished. It looks amazing and I’m really pleased with how it looks. I’ve chosen just five of her paintings; one of lavender fields, toadstools, a woodland scene with sheep grazing, a window with a display of wild flowers and a bee on a flower. These were all painted after her dementia diagnosis.

“Nanan, as she was always known to us, only painted for the last eight years of her life. She painted what she saw on post cards or pictures from books.

“Her water colour paintings were just fantastic. She did some abstracts too, as well as things like meerkats, autumn scenes, anything that she liked the look of.”

“The Llangollen Food Festival is a very special event and I felt it was an appropriate place to launch the new chocolate bars dedicated to Nanan.

“The bars are 100 grams each and retail at £3 with 50p from every bar sold going to Dementia Friendly Wrexham.

“It’s a great way to remember Nanan and to raise awareness of just how devastating dementia can be. However, people living with dementia still have talent and can be creative, as Nanan proved,” added Jo, who’s based in Rossett.  

Llangollen Food Festival committee member Phil Davies is delighted Jo Edwards is launching her new product at the food festival and is raising funds for what is a very good cause.

He said: “Jo has always been a big supporter and exhibitor at the food festival.

“Two years ago Jo set a new world record at the festival for rolling and coating chocolate truffles. She made an incredible 49 on the main stage in just two minutes which beat TV chef Gino D’Acampo’s 47.”

“The festival is all about new and exciting products and Jo’s new chocolate bars are a stunning example of that philosophy and I’m sure they will sell very quickly raising a good sum for Dementia Friendly Wrexham.”   

* To find out more about the Llangollen Food Festival please visit www.llangollenfoodfestival.com

Glyndŵr to host open day for potential students

With the new term underway at Wrexham Glyndŵr University, students considering studying at the institution in 2019 are being given the chance to find out more.

The latest Open Day, aimed at prospective 2019 entry students, is set to take place on October 13.

The event is the latest in an annual series which offer the curious a chance to find out what it's like to study at the University, and the latest developments the University’s campuses have to offer as well as being able to meet with course staff and current students.

The university has a wide range of courses available at foundation, undergraduate and post graduate level, many of which can also be studied part-time.

More than half of current Wrexham Glyndwr students study part-time and includes a wide-variety of age groups.  The University has just been judged the most socially inclusive university in the UK, according to the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019.

Among new developments for students this year is an improved Students’ Union, with an upgraded bar and brand new pizza oven.

Students’ Union President, Angus Hamill-Stewart said: “We’re thrilled to launch our new venue, The Lazy Lion, at Wrexham Glyndwr University. By day the venue is designed to be a relaxing space for students to use socially and we’re serving snack foods as well as drinks – we’ve had a brand new pizza oven installed and have upgraded the existing bar area. For evening and weekend functions we can use the space for up to 200 people; it’s a really versatile space.”

Further improvements in the student experience include a new teaching space equipped with the latest AV teaching techniques, and a social learning space which has proved popular with students since its opening this Spring.

Much more is to follow as part of Glyndŵr’s Campus 2025 transformation, which puts students at the centre of the plans. Vice-Chancellor, Professor Maria Hinfelaar said: “The ongoing work on Campus 2025 will provide an attractive learning environment with stimulating state-of-the-art facilities and the latest in building designs and technology to provide a sustainable and attractive future-proof campus.”

A number of talks are taking place at the Open Day, and there is also the chance to tour the Regent Street campus which houses many of Wrexham Glyndwr’s Creative Arts courses.

The university’s supporting services will also be on hand on the day to speak to prospective students, including the award-winning careers team. The team are the winners of the 2018 AGCAS (Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Service) ‘Supporting Student/ Graduate Employability’ award for their ‘Make Summer Work For You’ extracurricular programme. This programme strengthens students’ employment prospects over several months by providing flexible careers-related support and guidance.

Open Day runs from 10am – 2pm with last entry at 1pm. Visitors are welcome to drop in throughout the day – but are advised to check the list of talks and events  to ensure they get the most out of their day.

For more information or to book to attend the Open Day visit: wgu.ac.uk/908p.

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."