Bryn Collen gets £25,000 to boost children's digital skills

* Children gather around to learn about green screen filming. 

Switched-on youngsters at a Llangollen primary school have just received a £25,000 boost to their IT skills.

The cash from three major grants will help over 180 pupils at Ysgol Bryn Collen learn much more about the amazing digital world as well as finding out about the rich history and culture of the famous town they live in.

During a special gathering at the school yesterday (Monday) evening parents and friends were able to see what the money, which came from the National Lottery Awards for All, the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Sustainable Development Fund and the Parent/Teacher Friends Association, is being used for.

Over the past couple of months the school has bought a wealth of new digital equipment, from laptops and iPads to a ‘green screen’ filming kit.

Headteacher Lisa Howden explained: “The entire school has been involved in our Digital Showcase project which has certainly helped us to take things to a new level.

“The various pieces of new equipment have been used to record and film various aspects of life in Llangollen, from landscape and environment to people and community.

“Local artist Ben Davis has been spending time with the children teaching them how to use the equipment and they’ve been out filming in places such as on the canal and the riverside.

“A group filmed at Plas Newydd and, using the green screen kit, superimposed images actually taken in school onto pictures of the house.

“Each class has taken a different theme. For instance, Class 5 children were looking at Llangollen in the Second World War and spoke to the nephew of a man who was evacuated from Liverpool to the town to record his story.

"Others have talked to local people, such as our town crier Chem, about their experiences of Llangollen."  

Lisa added: “Most of what’s been recorded will go into a digital archive we’re creating in school but we are also hoping to transfer some of the material onto a memory stick and donate it to Llangollen Museum.

“The whole project has been marvellous not only for helping the children to improve their IT skills but also to teach them more about the town they are part of.

“It’s also enabled us to train two digital leaders for each class and they in turn will be able to teach the skills they’ve learned to the rest of their classes.”

* Town crier and councillor Austin 'Chem' Cheminais

records his experiences for the project.

In the pictures below class groups are at work on various aspects of Digital Showcase. 

* Parents, teachers and friends gather round at the special evening.

'Come in join us,' say Llangollen Ramblers

Llangollen Ramblers recently went walking out to Hilbre Island in the Dee Estuary.

And they've sent a message to anyone interested in joining them.

It says: "Wish you were here?

"Well, not all our walks are as idyllic as this, but we're always keen to welcome new members.  Just ring Judy on 07905330788 if you would like more information."

Have your say on the county's new masterplan

A series of drop-in sessions have been arranged for people to comment on the county council’s approach to creating a new Local Development Plan.

The current Local Development Plan (LDP) provides local policy on development in the county and expires in December 2021 and there is a need to have a new adopted LDP in place by this date. 

Over the past 12 months detailed work has taken place on developing a range of growth options which set out how much land would be required for different types of development and where that development should broadly be located.

Councillors have agreed a draft Preferred Strategy for consultation. This recommends the provision of land for 3,775 homes and 68 hectares of employment land. It is also proposed to focus new development in settlements with access to services; including a Strategic Site at Bodelwyddan.

The consultation runs until the August 30, 2019. 

A series of drop-in sessions have been arranged for people to talk to officers including one on Wednesday, July  17 at Llangollen Town Hall Foyer, from 2-7pm

Councillor Mark Young, Cabinet Lead Member for Planning, Public Protection and Sustainable Communities, said: “Agreeing and adopting a Local Development Plan is a lengthy process and we have now agreed to consult on our broad approach. The public are now being given a chance to have their say. 

"The responses to this consultation will be reported back to Members and the final Preferred Strategy will need to be discussed by Council in the Autumn. This will allow the Council to progress to the next stage of the LDP process, which is around creating detailed policies, proposals and specific land use allocations. This more detailed work will also be subject to further public consultation."

* People can access the consultation via the council’s website:www.countyconversation.denbighshire.gov.uk

Corwen remembers its own eisteddfod

This year marks the one-hundred-year anniversary since the Peace Eisteddfod was held in Corwen in 1919.

It was a very special occasion being the first Eisteddfod following the Great War and particularly important for Corwen to be the town to host this special event.

To mark the occasion, the National Lottery funded Our Picturesque Landscape project has been working with local artists to support the community in a commemorative event.

The pupils of Ysgol Caer Drewyn have been learning about the traditions of the Eisteddfod and the actual events that took place in Corwen in 1919. 

Such as how the A5 road was closed for the Eisteddfod week, there were four platforms built at Corwen train station and how the harpist, Nansi Richards, overslept and arrived late in her night dress and a large overcoat to play her harp and had to stay dressed like that for the whole hot August day! 

They have also enjoyed using their imaginations to decide what happened to the 1919 Corwen National Eisteddfod Chair, the whereabouts of which is still a mystery to this day.

A commemorative community event is planned for Wednesday July 10 where a procession will be led up to the Gorsedd circle in Coed Pen y Pigyn, starting from Canolfan Ni at 1pm.

Everyone is welcome to join the procession and remember the 1919 Corwen National Eisteddfod together.

For the procession the children at Ysgol Caer Drewyn, and some of their parents, have been creating giant Druid puppets.

The children in key stage two have formed a percussion band to create a celebratory atmosphere for the procession and they have developed drama performances based on the actual happenings at the Eisteddfod in 1919, which will be performed in the Gorsedd at Pen Y Pigyn. 

The local community have also been involved. On Thursdays at Canolfan Ni the Vale of Clwyd MIND group and the lunch club together with the nursery school children have been using printing techniques to create banners and flags to decorate the procession. 

The event is also being filmed to share with people who cannot be there and for the future, to remind people in 100 years’ time how Corwen celebrated this important centenary.

Following the event in July, members of the community who have been involved in the project will be taking the Druid puppets to this year’s National Eisteddfod in Llanrwst to remind people of the anniversary of the 1919 National Peace Eisteddfod and encourage people to come and visit Corwen.

Sallyanne Hall, Community Engagement Officer for Our Picturesque Landscape “I am really looking forward to the procession, it has been wonderful to see people of all ages and backgrounds working together to remember and celebrate this important anniversary, the inter-generational activities in making the decorations and hearing the stories of people’s own memories of Eisteddfods from their childhoods has been particularly special.”

Richard Bellamy, Director of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Wales, said: “We are enthusiastic about giving young people the chance to learn about heritage. Thanks to National Lottery players our funding helps them to work with others in their community bringing fresh ideas and energy to the task.  The Corwen Eisteddfod Procession is an excellent example of how they can get involved, develop new skills and interests, connect with their communities and have fun.”

County statement on Coastline Coaches

Denbighshire County Council is aware of Coastline’s intention to stop running a number of bus services after their  last operation on Saturday, July 13^th.

Coastline will continue to operate its taxi service as normal.

The Council’s Passenger Transport service immediately went out to tender to find a temporary replacement bus service and can confirm that Lloyd’s Coaches of Machynlleth have been chosen to run the numbers X5 and 55 services (Ruthin-Corwen-Llangollen-Wrexham).

Details of the exact timetables will be announced shortly.

Meanwhile, discussions are on-going to find an alternative provider for the other bus services currently operated by Coastline in Denbighshire.  Details about these services will be confirmed in the coming few days on the Council’s social media accounts, its website: www.denbighshire.gov.ukand through the media.

Classic transport weekend draws the crowds

Llangollen Railway's Classic Transport event brought the crowds to Glyndyfrdwy at the weekend.

The field near the station provided a diverse array of transport including motorbikes, vintage cars, heritage buses, military vehicles and even two fire engines.

The visitors went on their way to Llangollen or Carrog by a frequent trains service or by heritage bus to Corwen.

George Jones has provided the pictures.

World champions chosen to end eisteddfod on high note

* John’s Boys Male Chorus are crowned Choir of the World. 

* Loughgiel Folk Dancers became Dance Champions of the World.

Following a week of intense competitions, the eisteddfod crowned John’s Boys Male Chorus Choir of the World and Loughgiel Folk Dancers Dance Champions of the World.

The whole pavilion erupted to rejoice with the Wrexham-based singers as they leapt to the stage to collect the Pavarotti Trophy - only the third time a Welsh choir has won the coveted title.

Aled Phillips from the choir, said: “After months of practice, we’re absolutely delighted to accept this prestigious award.  It was a truly unforgettable experience to be able to perform in such an iconic venue alongside world-class talent.

“We have absolutely loved our time in Llangollen, both performing on an International stage and having the chance to meet such inspirational individuals from across the globe. The atmosphere of the International Eisteddfod is indescribable. To be surrounded by peace, friendship and goodwill is an experience we will never forget.

“We are filled with pride and joy to be returning home with not one but two trophies!’

Following the presentations the concert concluded, as is traditional, with the Pavilion audience joining hands to sing Auld Lang Syne, bringing the 2019 eisteddfod to a close.

Speaking after the competition, his first as Music Director of the International Eisteddfod, Edward-Rhys Harry, said: “What a breathtaking competition and inspirational evening from our choral competitors. 

“After witnessing such world class performances that left our audience completely stunned, it was clear that the adjudicators really did have a tough decision on their hands in selecting the winners.

“It was incredibly emotional to see the result of months of hard work and preparation unfolding on the Royal Pavilion stage. "