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Friday, February 15, 2019

Ken Skates opens new-look gym at Plas Madoc



* From left, Splash Community Trust chair Stella Matthews; Splash director John Roberts; gym supervisor John Edwards (behind Ken); assistant gym supervisor Connor Roberts; sales, marketing and admin officer Callum Edwards and general manager Denise Chadwick.

Assembly Member Ken Skates was invited to officially open the new-look gym at Plas Madoc Leisure Centre.

The Clwyd South AM was a member of the volunteer trust which saved the popular facility from demolition after Wrexham Council planned close it down in 2013.

Plas Madoc received a £500,000 grant from the Welsh Labour Government in 2016 and was last year named Welsh Social Enterprise of the Year.

“I was delighted to officially open the new gym – it looks fantastic,” said Mr Skates.

“And it was great to catch up with the staff and volunteers at the best social enterprise in Wales! I learned to swim at Plas Madoc, so as a long-term user and supporter I’m proud to see the centre going from strength to strength.”

The state-of-the-art equipment from Life Fitness includes large touchscreen monitors providing access to Netflix and other online streaming services. As part of the refurbishment the gym has also been redecorated and had a new floor laid.

“We are very proud of the investment we have been able to make. The new equipment puts us at the forefront of gym technology,” said Stella Matthews, chair of the Splash Community Trust which runs the centre.

“I’m grateful to everyone for their ongoing support in our efforts to continue investing for the future.”

General manager Denise Chadwick added: “This major investment by the Splash Community Trust is a real statement as to our commitment to the long-term future of Plas Madoc Leisure Centre. The new kit will provide a real bonus to our current membership and hopefully attract new members.”

Wrexham Council closed Plas Madoc in 2014, but a band of dedicated supporters worked tirelessly to reopen it as a social enterprise. The centre, praised by First Minister Mark Drakeford following a recent visit, now employs more than 40 people.

Thursday, February 14, 2019

Rail talk planned for Llangollen Museum


New season ready to steam ahead at railway



* Peppa Pig is heading for Llangollen Railway on March 23 and 24. 



* A 1940s themed weekend is planned for April 13 and 14.

The first trains for the new season at Llangollen railway begin running during the half term break.

The programme starts next Monday, February 18 when a diesel railcar will initially operate three services a day from Llangollen to Carrog which will be the interim terminus pending an opening through to Corwen.
Steam trains will operate during the latter part of the week and at weekends.
For the half term weeks in February and March a special offer is being made for family groups with the first child going free and second child at half-fare accompanied by a fare paying adult.
Travelling on the Llangollen Railway will allow a younger generation to see how grandparents once went everywhere by train.
A mid-week diesel railcar service (Tuesdays – Fridays) will operate throughout March to allow visitors to access the Dee Valley via the stations at Berwyn, Glyndyfrdwy and Carrog from where different sections of the Dee Valley Way can be followed as part of a day out during the early spring.
Llangollen Railway's business manager Liz McGuinness said: “Whilst we are eagerly anticipating the opening through to the new terminus at Corwen on a date to be announced, there is still much to do to complete this new station and prepare it for an official inspection.
“However, in the early part of the railway’s season some notable attractions lined up.  The popular Peppa Pig will visit March 23/24 and Paddington Bear will make a return visit on May 25. A three-day Thomas the Tank event is scheduled for April 26-28.
“The weekend of April 13/14 will have a 1940s theme and alongside the steam trains, many attractions are being lined up to appear at stations with re-enactments, a military and civilian vehicle display, music and food of the era and fancy dress for those who choose to come in uniform or civilian clothes of the wartime and post war periods.”
* More details at: www.llangollen-railway.co.uk

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Search for world's most talented young singers begins


* Soprano Charlotte Hoather.

A “supremely talented soprano” has launched a search to find the world’s most talented young singers.

According to Charlotte Hoather, 24, winning the prestigious Pendine International Voice of the Future competition at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod last year catapulted her career to a new level on the global stage.

Organisers say entries are already flooding in for the prestigious competition this year which has a first prize of £5,000, along with a £2,000 cheque for the runner up.

Every year the picturesque town of Llangollen in the Dee Valley welcomes around 4,000 international performers and around 50,000 visitors to the week-long festival of music and dance.

Among the highlights of the week is the prestigious Pendine International Voice of the Future competition, which showcases young talent alongside other gifted global performers.

Once again this year the arts-loving care organisation, Pendine Park, is contributing  £5,000 to the prize fund and a beautiful silver salver via the Pendine Arts and Community Trust, with the balance coming from Sir Bryn’s Terfel’s foundation and Llangollen Eisteddfod.

Following her “life-changing” experience last year, Charlotte, from Winsford, in Cheshire, is urging other young soloists not to miss the deadline for entries on March 1.

The format will be slightly different this year, with the preliminary rounds being held at Llangollen Town Hall on Tuesday, July 2.

The semi-final will then be held on the pavilion stage the following day with two

two finalists going head to head during the live televised concert in the evening.

Charlotte, who trained at the Royal College of Music, said: “The competition gave me a massive boost. It’s been huge for my confidence and helped me push the boundaries of where I could go and what I can do. And the prize money gave me such a massive opportunity to further my career.

“Having the money available meant I could fly to New York to audition for Pittsburgh Opera and attend an event at the Metropolitan Opera House and I’m also jetting off to Seoul, South Korea at the end of March for another competition which is very exciting.”

Charlotte, who previously gained a First Class Honours Degree in Music from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, added: “I’d encourage any young singer to give it a go.

“Winning the competition is life-changing. It’s helped me to take more risks and travel internationally for opportunities as a professional singer.”

“The year has been amazing. I toured the role of Uccelina in Paris organised by the Théâtre du Châtelet, and appeared at the Metropolitan Opera House in the same role latter touring the Scottish Highlands performing in Bambino for Scottish Opera.

“I also performed at the inaugural Waterperry Opera Festival whose Patron is Jonathan Dove, the composer of Mansfield Park and I will reprising the role again this coming July.

“I was also guest soloist at Tideswell Remembrance concert and sang in the Rachmaninov recital at Pushkin House in Bloomsbury, London. More recently I reached the quarter finals of an International Singing competition in Dublin, It was certainly a busy year!”

Charlotte’s success was music to the years of Pendine Park proprietors Mario Kreft MBE and his wife, Gill.

Mr Kreft said: “This is the third year of the Pendine International Voice of the Future competition and the standard just seems to go up and up. Last year’s winner, Charlotte Hoather, was exceptional and a very deserving winner.

“She is a supremely talented soprano and the competition has helped unlock the door to a hugely bright future.

“Our aim in supporting the competition in conjunction with the Sir Bryn Terfel Foundation is to provide a springboard for brilliant young singers from around the world to achieve their dreams of establishing a career on the global stage.

“Sir Bryn is living proof that supreme talent can take you a long way and we are delighted to doing our bit to help gifted young singers attain new heights.

“The competition chimes perfectly with our ethos at Pendine Park because the arts in general and music in particular provide the golden thread running through everything we do to enrich the lives of our residents and staff alike.”

The festival’s musical director, Edward-Rhys Harry, said: “We are so grateful to Pendine Arts and Community Trust for their continued support for this truly international competition.

“I know how much the competition has accelerated the career of Charlotte Hoather, last year’s winner and how she used her prize money to help further her career.

“It’s a massive opportunity to perform before a big live audience and live on TV. My advice is very simple, if you are a young singer aged between 19 and 28 and think you may be good enough, then go for it.

“Approach the competition with courage and conviction and even if you don’t make the final it will still be an invaluable lesson and a wonderful experience.”

“This major competition is something that we need to nurture and thanks to the support of Pendine Arts and Community Trust young artists are getting an opportunity to further their careers.

“It’s certainly a competition I’m really looking forward to and it promises to be one of the major highlights of this year’s International Music Eisteddfod. And another new aspect of the competition is that the winner will be offered additional performances at other venues. The competition really is going on to another level.

* To find out more about the Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod and for competition details please visit www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Ponderosa boss gives reason for temporary closure



The owner of the Ponderosa Café on the Horseshoe Pass has spoken to the Denbighshire Free Press about the reason for its temporary closure last weekend.

For the full story, see: https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/17425772.storm-erik-blamed-for-temporary-closure-of-ponderosa-cafe-on-horseshoe-pass

Council warns over potential phone scams

Denbighshire and Conwy Councils are warning the public to beware of potential phone scams from individuals reportedly selling telecare equipment.

A number of complaints have been received by both councils with some residents reporting they have received cold-calls from individuals selling telecare equipment, but also requesting personal bank details over the phone.

Both Councils are urging residents never to provide bank details to anyone, unless you are completely satisfied that the individual requesting the information is genuine and works for a legitimate, bona fide organisation.

A trustworthy company will not mind having their credentials checked

The councils are also reminding people about the North Wales Buy with Confidence scheme, set up in response to concerns about rogue traders.

The scheme provides consumers with a list of local businesses, which have given their commitment to trading fairly. Every business listed has undergone a series of detailed checks before being approved as a member of the scheme.

Buy with Confidence is the largest scheme of its kind nationally and continues to expand its geographical coverage.

* For further information, please visit your local council website.  

Galw Gofal / Care Connect, the North Wales Regional Call Monitoring Service, does not sell telecare equipment and therefore does not cold call to sell equipment.

Monday, February 11, 2019

Llan Male Voice faces uncertain future, says BBC


* Llangollen Male Voice appears on the BBC to say it faces  a membership crisis. 

A story on BBC News this morning says Llangollen Male Voice Choir could have to disband if it doesn't attract new members.

Its chairman David Smith says in the story, carried on air and online, that numbers have dwindled over the past few years.

But he adds: "My hope is in one way or another, the choir will continue. It would be a shame for Llangollen Male Voice Choir to disappear."

For the full story, see: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-47192153