Be safe, be considerate this bonfire night

Denbighshire County Council is urging people to have an enjoyable but considerate bonfire night.

For many, bonfire night attractions provide enjoyment to thousands of people and residents are urged to attend organised display for their own safety, but are also urged to be aware of the potential impact on the misuse of fireworks on vulnerable people in communities, as well as animals.

Councillor Mark Young, Cabinet Lead Member for Planning, Public Protection and Safer Communities, said: “We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable bonfire night, but to consider those people who may find fireworks distressing.

“That is why we are asking people if they intend to host your own private event to inform their neighbours in advance, so they can make arrangements for any pets or to be away from home to avoid being affected by large noise and lights.

“We would also encourage people using fireworks to follow the guidelines issued by the manufacturers, take the necessary precautions and avoid any accidents from happening. Following the firework code greatly reduces the risks of accidents."

Anyone that chooses to use fireworks in an anti-social and irresponsible manner could find themselves on the wrong side of the law.

Under fireworks regulations there is generally a curfew preventing people from letting off fireworks between 11pm and 7am but this is extended to midnight on November 5th and 1am on New Years’ Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali. Similarly, parents and youngsters are reminded it is illegal for children under 18 to buy or be in the possession of fireworks.

Fireworks are explosives and should be treated with great care and respect, here is our advice for anyone considering using fireworks this November:

1.        Only buy fireworks from reputable outlets and be wary of fireworks sold via social media

2.         Don't drink alcohol if setting off fireworks.

3.         Keep fireworks in a closed box.

4.         Follow the instructions on each firework.

5.         Light them at arm's length, using a taper.

6.         Stand well back.

7.         Never go near a firework that has been lit.  Even if it hasn't gone off, it could still explode.

8.         Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them.

9.         Always supervise children around fireworks.

10.       Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves.

11.       Never give sparklers to children under five.

12.       Keep pets indoors.

13.       Don't set off noisy fireworks late at night and never

Inner Wheel whist drive planned

Eisteddfod singer proves a hit Down Under

Jodi Bird (pictured) who won International Voice of Musical Theatre 2019 at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod this year flew to Australia last week to perform as part of her prize.

The 21-year-old from Penarth sang on the stage of the Royal International Pavilion and won the prestigious global title plus, £1,500 prize money and the opportunity to perform at the Gold Coast Eisteddfod.

Jodi travelled  ‘down under’ with her dad, Frank to take part in the Gold Coast Musicale which showcased an array of specially selected music, dance and vocal performances. 

The all-expenses-paid trip was funded by the Gold Coast Eisteddfod to promote international harmony and to acknowledge the outstanding musical talent showcased in Llangollen.

Jodi wowed the audience with two songs from musical theatre - Don’t Rain On My Parade from Funny Girl and I Dreamed a Dream from Les Misérables. 

She then returned to the stage to conclude her Australian stage debut with two powerful solos, Defying Gravity from Wicked and Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina from Evita.

Jodi said: “It has been such an honour to represent Wales on an international level. I am so grateful for the opportunity to perform some of my favourite musical theatre solos at the Musicale and I hope people enjoyed the evening.”

The Gold Coast Eisteddfod features over 70,000 singers and dancers, 330 bands and orchestras, 175 choirs, almost 1,500 dance groups and over 3,000 solo dancers. The festival provides fantastic opportunities for young performers from around the world, including Jodi Bird, in a friendly and lively atmosphere.

Judith Ferber, the Gold Coast Eisteddfod’s General Manager, said: “We thoroughly enjoy providing the opportunity for international performers to present their talent at our Eisteddfod.

“Jodi’s performances were fantastic and a great addition to our Musicale. We’re so pleased she won at Llangollen and was given the chance to sing here.”

Llangollen Eisteddfod’s Artistic Director, Dr Edward Rhys-Harry, said: “Every year we welcome the world to Wales and it is wonderful that Jodi has the chance to share with the world her incredible singing talent.

“Jodi gave a beautifully strong performance in Llangollen for International Voice of Musical Theatre this year. We’re very pleased to hear she’s enjoying her time at the Gold Coast Eisteddfod.

“Achieving this renowned accolade and having the opportunity to perform internationally inspires exciting musical careers. We’re delighted to give individuals the chance to showcase their talent in Llangollen and with our friends in Australia.”

AM slams bogus holiday let claims

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood (pictured) has called for the Welsh Government to ensure that a hard line is taken on property owners who falsely claim they are providing a holiday let.

Questioning the Minister for Finance and Trefnydd, Rebecca Evans AM, on how the Welsh Government ensures that second home owners pay council tax, Mr Isherwood emphasised the need for routine checks to be carried out on claimed self-catering properties.       

Speaking in Chamber, Mr Isherwood, who in a debate in the Welsh Parliament on the same day raised  concerns that Welsh Government legislation on second homes is costing North Wales “millions”, said: “As you know, the Non-Domestic Rating (Wales) Order specifies the terms, 140 days' availability, 70 days' occupancy, in order to qualify as a self-catering business. And you referred to the gate-keeping role played by the Valuation Office Agency and the documentation they require, and that they'd investigated a few cases referred by Gwynedd.

“But what tripwire is in place within the system to ensure that the Valuation Office is routinely investigating and checking at least a sample of claimed self-catering properties to ensure that they are what they claim to be, whilst also recognising that the terms the Welsh Government implemented were a compromise with the tourism industry to protect legitimate businesses?”

In her response the Minister said: “If local authorities particularly have any concerns about any property at all, they should draw it to the attention of the Valuation Office Agency and they will assess it in detail. Actually, any attempt to mislead an authority or the VOA, or knowingly provide false or inaccurate information, could lead to prosecution for fraud. So, seeking to avoid or evade paying tax in that way is extremely serious”.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Isherwood added: ““Rather than hitting law-abiding small businesses and property owners, action should be focused on any property owners who falsely claim that they are providing a holiday let, hitting them in the pocket and in the Courts."  

Three Eagles shortlisted in tourism awards

Llangollen restaurant the Three Eagles has been shortlisted for 2019’s Go North Wales Tourism Awards in the category of ‘Best Place to Eat’.

The awards, now in their fourth year – were created to celebrate and recognise excellence in the region’s hospitality and tourism sectors. 

They aim to showcase and celebrate the achievements, hard work and dedication of those working in the industry.

Opening in December 2018 following an extensive building renovation, the Three Eagles has established itself as Trip Advisor’s number one restaurant in Llangollen.

Featuring the culinary talents of executive chef Adam Gaunt-Evans, who himself recently featured on BBC 1’s “Gareth’s Great Welsh Adventure”, the venue has been garnering healthy reviews for its quality, seasonal food offerings and popular cocktails.

Director Tracey Owen explained how being shortlisted for this award is testament to the incredibly hard work of the entire Three Eagles team.

“We are all so delighted to be shortlisted for this award and we really hope we can go on to win. We are working hard to ensure that this is North Wales’s best place to eat so to be recognised for that, it would be such a great achievement”, said Tracey.

“Our chef Adam and his kitchen team have developed a range of exciting menus which guests really seem to love. But when you visit the Three Eagles, it’s not just the food that’s worth shouting about. We ensure that excellent service provided to customers is a priority and all of our front of house staff must take credit for the way that they look after our guests.” 

Winners of the Go North Wales Tourism Awards will be announced on Thursday November 14 November at Venue Cymru, Llandudno.

Bikers launch 2019 Poppy Appeal in Llan

* Bikers gather for the Centenary Square ceremony.

Against the backdrop of more than 80 steel poppies bought with donations from local businesses, a large group of bikers gathered to launch the latest Poppy Appeal in Centenary Square this morning.

More than 40 motorcyclists, many of them forces veterans, stopped off in Llangollen during their 180-mile ride from Wrexham to Llandudno marking the start of the Royal British Legion's 2019 fundraising campaign.

Alongside the local Legion branch they took part in the traditional Service of Remembrance led by Llangollen vicar, Father Lee Taylor, which included the sounding of Last Post and Reveille and the observation of the minute’s silence leading up to 11am.

* Father Lee Taylor leads the service in front of the war memorial.

* A biker bugler sounds Last Post.

* Veterans organisation representatives lower the standards in salute to the fallen.

* A poppy wreath laid on the war memorial.

Collen Players present great old time music hall

* The cast says farewell at the end of the show.

A packed audience of around 100 were transported back in time from the sedate St Collen’s Church Hall in 2019 to a rumbustious Victorian music hall in 1891 yesterday evening.

In charge of this enjoyable piece of time travel was the hall chairman, a man who looked remarkably like the vicar, Father Lee Taylor – apart from the frock coat, top hat and saucy introductions to some of the acts in the manner of the era.

Father Lee is actually an aficionado of this form of vintage entertainment and recently put together a group of amateur entertainers named The Collen Players to present this very first Llangollen music hall.

And what they produced was, as the verbose chairmen used to say on the halls, a veritable cornucopia of chorusing and general carousing.

The audience, many of whom had gotten into the spirit of things by donning Victorian costume, warmed up with a quick rendition of Let’s All Go to the Music Hall before the main entertainment began, mostly accompanied on the pianoforte by Owen Roberts.

First up was Clare Wall with a lively version of Daisy, Daisy and Hold Your Hand Out ... and then onto the stage bounced Julie Thomas and Gethin Davies attired as gentlemen of the road to do the delightful double-hander We’re a Couple of Swells.

More light-hearted old favourites like The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo came from Mike Connolly who re-appeared later on the bill to present the very moving Keep the Home Fires Burning as part of a World War One selection.

Next up was Phil Robinson to get the crowd joining in with Champagne Charlie and the Spaniard That Blighted My Life.

Gethin Davies was back with a couple of comedy recitations including The Lion and Albert accompanied on the piano by his wife Eulanwy.

Clare Wall returned for more cheeky comedy ditties such as Under the Bed.

Dyfed Thomas rounded of the first half of the packed programme with laugh-alongs like the Black Pudding Song, spiced up with a Max Wall tribute by someone who looked suspiciously like his wife Julie.

The second half saw songs from a later period such as Adelaide’s Lament from Lizzie Clifford and a sing-along World War Two selection from Jennifer Rose.

There were also more knock-about comedy pieces from the Thomases, including the marvellously observed Chicken, and even a funny little song entitled Tom Walks Out With Mary from the Chairman/Vicar before the whole cast thronged the stage to say farewell in the traditional style with Down at the Old Bull and Bush, with which the audience joined in with gusto.

Father Lee has promised more shows from The Collen Players, the next one of which will be a Christmas production. If they all go down as well as this one Llangollen is in for a treat.  

* All pictures by Jeanette Robinson.

* Clare Wall does Daisy, Daisy ...

* Julie Thomas and Gethin Davies are a Couple of Swells.

* Phil Robinson says cheers to Champagne Charlie.

* Dyfed Thomas in northern comedian mode.

* Father Lee Taylor in the chair.

* Lizzie Clifford sings a number from Guys & Dolls.

* The Thomases play Chicken.

* Jennifer Rose with her wartime selection.

* Mike Connolly sings the moving Keep The Home Fires Burning.

* Owen Roberts at the piano.

* Saying farewell with a song.