Special event launches eisteddfod fundraising campaign

* Karamba Samba drumming band in action on the square.

* Guitar vocalist Tim Lennon performs a number. 

A red-hot samba band helped pull in the bank holiday weekend crowds when the International Eisteddfod launched its new fundraising campaign with a fun event on Centenary Square this afternoon (Saturday).

#YourLlangollen aims to raise awareness of the eisteddfod’s charity status and how crucial donations are to maintain this unique festival for future generations.

Visitors enjoyed a programme of free entertainment from a variety of performers such as the high-energy Chester-based Karamba Samba drumming troop and mellow guitar vocalist Tim Lennon. 

They were also able to purchase raffle tickets to win exclusive prizes kindly donated from local business such as glamping, spa and dining experiences will support the event’s aim to raise funds for the Eisteddfod.

The event continues until 4pm today. 

Eisteddfod chairman Dr Rhys Davies said “We welcome the world to Wales every year and we know the entire Llangollen community is proud of our International Eisteddfod. 

"As with all charities, we rely heavily on charitable donations and are launching the #YourLlangollen fundraising campaign to raise important funds whilst also highlighting our amazing 2019 festival line-up."

People unable to attend the #YourLlangollen event can still show their support by donating:

Text YourLlangollen5 to 70085 to donate £5

Text YourLlangollen10 to 70085 to donate £10 

Texts will cost the chosen donation amount plus one standard network rate message. This charge will be taken from your Pay as you Go credit or added to your monthly mobile bill.

* Tickets for this year’s festival can be purchased online at www.llangollen.net or via the box office on 01978 862001.

Event in aid of Nightingale House Hospice

Shape My Llangollen stages another successful public event

* Shape My Llangollen volunteers busy during the 

public consultation exercise outside Home Bargains yesterday.

The latest in a series of public consultation exercises by the team of volunteers putting together Llangollen’s contribution to the county council’s next Local Development Plan was a big success.

Shape My Llangollen (SML) was formed last year at the behest of the Town Council to produce a 'place plan' for Llangollen.

The idea is that this plan, when approved and endorsed by the Town Council, will feed into the new emerging Local Development Plan being produced by Denbighshire County Council.

The plan will cover topics such as the natural environment, built environment, economy, and community and is a genuine opportunity for some grassroots democracy.

SML is therefore engaged upon a far-ranging consultation exercise contacting groups and individuals to seek their views on any issues which affect or concern them so that they can have an input into the plan.

Over the summer the team is hosting a series of consultation events to introduce themselves to the public and to get their views.

The first of these was held on May 7 at Llangollen Health Centre when throughout the day team members spoke to scores of people to gain their feedback.

The second successful session was held outside the Co-op store in Regent Street on May 13 when, again, SML gained lots of useful feedback from shoppers.

The third question-and-answer session was held outside the Home Bargains store, next to Aldi, yesterday, from 10am-1pm and 2-5pm.

During the course of the day the volunteers recorded answers to questions about what they love or dislike about the town from more 130 people, both young and not-so-young.

SML chair Phil Robinson said: "It was out busiest consultation session yet and we got some fantastic answers from the people who were kind enough to spare us a few minutes of their time.

"This feedback will be invaluable in preparing out final report by the autumn. 

"This was really an example of the people of this town having their say on some vital issues and I'd like to thank everyone who contributed." 

And for those people who haven’t been able to attend the week-day sessions SML will be holding a major meet-the-public event in Centenary Square on Saturday June 1, starting at 10am and continuing until at least lunchtime or possibly longer.

“I’d urge as many people as possible to come along and speak to our team members during the Centenary Square session because it's great to hear people having their say,” added Phil Robinson.

The questions SML is asking are:

1. What makes you happy about Llangollen?

2. What makes you sad about Llangollen?

3. What makes you mad about Llangollen?

4. How would you make Llangollen better?

5. How would you spend £10,000 for Llangollen’s future?

People unable to make it to SML’s meet-the-public sessions can fill in one of the question sheets which are available in the Town Hall office.

They can also jot down the answers in a reply to the posting about the health centre session on the Shape My Llangollen Facebook page.

AM questions prosecution of armed forces veterans

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood called for a statement on the Welsh Government’s approach to justice for armed forces veterans who face prosecution and on its engagement, if any, with the UK Government over this.

Mr Isherwood raised the matter in the Business Statement after being asked to do so by Veterans from Flintshire to Anglesey, but was left disappointed by the Minister’s reply.

Speaking in the Chamber, he said: “This weekend, hundreds of protesters marched through Cardiff in support of veterans being prosecuted for historic offences in Northern Ireland, coinciding with protests by veterans across the UK. 

"In 2014, it was discovered that Mr Blair's Government had done a secret deal as part of the Good Friday negotiations, in which letters were sent to known IRA members involved in terrorism, assuring them they would not face prosecution in the future.

“Last week, the Defence Secretary, Penny Mordaunt, announced plans for legislation to provide stronger protection from repeated investigations into historical allegations for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, but she also said, although this wouldn't apply to (those who served in) Northern Ireland, she intended to find a way they could be afforded similar protection, and dealing with the treatment of Northern Ireland veterans was a ‘personal priority’ for her.

“Has the Welsh Government taken a position on this, will it do so, given the protests in Cardiff and the impact on many people living in Wales, and what dialogue has it had, if any, with the UK Government?" 

Responding the Minister for Finance and Trefnydd, Rebecca Evans AM, said: “The issue relating to armed forces veterans is not an issue that is devolved to the Welsh Government, so I suggest that the Member takes it up with the relevant UK Government Minister.”

Speaking outside the Chamber, Mr Isherwood said: “Armed Forces Veterans from Flintshire to Anglesey asked me to raise this in the Assembly. They will find the Welsh Government response more than disappointing.”

Armed forces charity plans fundraising spectacular

Due to predicted bad weather, this event has been postponed until Sunday, August 4

* The REME parachute display team will drop into the SSAFA fundraiser on June 23.

Armed Forces charity SSAFA is holding a fundraising event at Brickfield Rangers Football Club in Wrexham on Sunday June 23. 

It begins at 11am and finishes at 3pm. The REME parachute display team will be dropping in from the sky at 1pm.

There will also be stalls, dancers, bands and animals.

Organisers say there is still room for more stalls, so anyone interested can go to: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tracey-smith106

Curtain goes up on Twenty Club's powerful new play

Llangollen Twenty Club Players are to stage the world premiere of a poignant new play about the trauma inflicted by the First World War.

Dinner with Otto, written by Tom George and directed by Lyn Aston, was due to open in mid-March but due to an unfortunate illness had to be postponed. 

The play will now take to the Town Hall stage on May 30th, 31st and June 1st.

The action is set in March 1919 after the conclusion of the bloodiest conflict in history. 

It tells the story of a young soldier, Ben, returning home to his mother and friends after witnessing the atrocities of war, and now having to live with a deep sense of guilt, and hopelessness for his future. 

Ben had promised to protect his friend, Aled, who went to war with him, but Aled was killed, further adding to Ben’s sense of guilt. 

Aled’s mother forgives him, which leaves Ben feeling even more wretched.  

On his return Ben’s mother sadly realises that he is not the same boy she waved goodbye to. 

Ben shares some of what he witnesssed but his mother realises he has many other secrets that may affect the future course of his life.

With real footage of  World War One transporting the audience into a very dramatic, and to some, surprising end, it is sure to  keep you on the edge of your seat.  

This is Ben’s story, a sad and haunted young man trying to come to terms and live with the trauma that impact of any war has on the returning soldier. 

* Tickets are available from Courtyard Books, Gwyn Davies Butchers and Jenni's Llangollen, or

online: www.skiddle.com

Reader captures wind turbines going through Glyndyfrdwy.

llanblogger reader George Jones was travelling on the 11am T3 bus from Wrexham to Corwen on Tuesday when the regular abnormal load of wind turbines was encountered on the A5 west of the tollgate on the section through Glyndyfrdwy.

He took these pictures and said: "Following in the resultant tailback at Llidiart y Parc the load was seen to be two blades as the lorries were held by the police to allow traffic west and east bound to pass via the layby.

"Blog readers might be interested that the pictures, taken from the top deck of the bus, show the remarkable size of the windmill blades which arrive by sea at Ellesmere Port as the nearest port to reduce the road transport journey to the windmill farm site."