Clwyd South falls to the Conservatives

* Simon Baynes is the new MP for Clwyd South.

Welsh Conservatives have taken the local Clwyd South seat from Labour for the first time since it was created in 1997.

Simon Baynes beat incumbent Labour MP Susan Elan Jones by 16,222 votes to 14,983.

Plaid Cymru's Chris Allen got 2,137 votes and Liberal Democrat candidate Calum Davies received 1,496 votes.

Brexit Party candidate Jamie Adams received 1,468 votes.

* Labour's Susan Elan Jones was defeated.

Clwyd South turnout down, says Wrexham.com

Wrexham.com just tweeted at 1.06am:

Turnout for Clwyd South is 57% - this is down quite a bit on the 69% turnout back in 2017.

Turnout in Clwyd South is 57% with 30,703 votes #GeneralElection2019, says BBC local deimocracy reporter Liam Randall.

Welsh Conservatives take Vale of Clwyd by majority of 1,827.

Conservatives take Wrexham from Labour. Majority 2,131.

Wrexham.com reports Conservatives take Clwyd South.

Ysgol Bryn Collen gives us a rockin' good show

* The grand finale of Cinderella Rockerfeller.

Glittery costumes, fairies, ugly sisters, lots of furry animals, baddies, a comedy duo and even a town crier a just bit smaller than our usual one – the Ysgol Bryn Collen Christmas spectacular Cinderella Rockerfeller had the lot.

For sheer entertainment value you couldn’t beat the show which puts a slightly more modern twist on the famous panto story, giving the opportunity for what appeared to be the whole school to shine like a collective seasonal star from the Town Hall stage.

The army of mums, dads and grandparents in the packed audience loved every minute of the action involving youngsters both on the stage and the cast of thousands just in front of the footlights.

The singing was powerful, the jokes were deliciously corny and everyone had a fantastic time.

This was just a bit more proof of what a talented town Llangollen is.  

* Even the head Lisa Howden gets to try on the slipper.

Last posting days for Christmas

According to Royal Mail, last posting days for Christmas 2019 are:

Wednesday 18 December	2nd Class and 2nd Class Signed For
Friday 20 December	1st Class and 1st Class Signed For and Royal Mail Tracked 48*
Saturday 21 December	Royal Mail Tracked 24*
Monday 23 December	Special Delivery Guaranteed

Community theatre has its opening concert

* The concert in progress. Picture courtesy of Holroyd Community Theatre.

Mike Gleed reports on the inaugural concert at the new Holroyd Community Theatre just up the A5 at Moreton Hall School ... 

Saturday 7^th December saw the first ever Concert at the New Holroyd Community Theatre in the Moreton School near Chirk. 

Because of the audience demand it was performed  twice, once at 5pm and again at 7.30pm. 

As the name implies and was intended, it will be a community theatre but also it is intended for use by both sides of the border. 

This concert indeed included excellent children's choirs from Shropshire and Wales and a fabulous orchestra of youth and mature members. 

To add to the mix, Cor Meibion Dyffryn Ceiriog added their, shall we say, more mature contribution. 

There was even two poems, winners of a competition themed about Christmas. 

Compering and readings by  TV celebrities, Ian Bartholomew and Ian Puleston-Davies (off Corrie) added to the enjoyment.

All contributions were of a high standard and well appreciated by both packed audiences. 

To round off the evening everyone, including the audiences, joined together in rousing renditions of 12 Days of Christmas led by the MD of the Male Voice Choir and Head of Music the talented Helen Rayner.   

Plans for future of Royal Hotel unveiled

* Above and below: Artists impressions shown at the consultation event of the proposed new look for the Royal Hotel from the river side.

The new owners of Llangollen’s Royal Hotel have revealed their plans for the transformation of the town’s grade II listed venue in what was the first of a number of public consultations.

Back in March it was announced that a local hospitality group which already oversees Tyn Dwr Hall wedding venue and Three Eagles Restaurant Bar had bought the hotel in partnership with local businessman Tom Bellis. 

Part of the announcement indicated that the Royal would be closed in the new year to enable a full building renovation to be carried out with the aim of re-opening it as a high quality, boutique destination hotel in spring 2021.

Held on Tuesday evening the public consultation was said to be very well attended with a dining room full of members of the local public who were openly invited to put any questions they had to group owner and Llangollen man Matt Jones.

The evening started with the presentation of a number of proposed floor plans and artistic impressions of what the re-vamped hotel will look like on the exterior – showing the  construction of a spa and two separate plunge pools which will overhang the River Dee as part of a ‘cantilevered super-structure’. 

Above the spa, new accommodation will be created – each room with its own private balcony to look out across the scenic riverside view.

New spaces will be created within the interior of the hotel, allowing for a more organic ‘flow’ through the building and enabling an all-new high-end restaurant – headed up by executive chef Adam Gaunt-Evans - with the intention of becoming a focal point.

The plans also indicated that new decking would be extended further out over the river to incorporate more dining space which will accompany a new bar/bistro accessible through a new opening that will be constructed.

The design team were introduced as architects Donald Insall Associates and interior designers Blackthorn Design whilst the contractor enlisted to deliver the renovation is Wrexham-based Knights Construction. 

Due to the historic importance of the hotel works will be undertaken in close consultation with CADW so as to ensure sensitivity towards the fabric of the building, according to a press release from the owners.

Matt Jones said: “Over the last few months we have already gone to great lengths to ensure that we fully understand this building and the many different phases of its construction throughout its history.

“Our team have a grand vision for creating a venue that people from afar will want to come and experience. The level of service and quality of venue will be something that hasn’t been seen in this region before.”

The press release adds: "The consultation ended with a number of attendees wishing the best of luck with one man even predicting that the Royal Hotel 2021 would 'totally transform Llangollen for the better'.”

New Dot says "good elf" with its latest screening

New Dot Cinema Llangollen are wishing the town a very Merry Christmas by showing the hilarious Christmas classic, Elf. 

The film will be shown on the big screen free of charge this Friday, December 13.

Buddy (Will Ferrell), is a regular-sized man who was raised as an elf by Santa Claus (Edward Asner).

When Buddy discovers that he’s not actually a real elf, he heads back to his place of birth, New York City, in search of his biological family and all sorts of festive chaos ensues.

To accommodate families and younger audience members, doors and the bar will open at the earlier time of 6.30pm, with the film starting at 7pm. Tickets are first-come, first-served, so arrive early to avoid disappoint.

There will also be a very special guest at the event - New Dot volunteer Jen Rush said: ‘We’ve written to Santa and invited him to take short break from his preparations in the North Pole to join us for what we understand is one of his favourite Christmas films!’

In true New Dot style, expect a few festive extras including an elf-themed photo booth and Christmas tipples and treats. 

For those who would like to dress for the occasion, there will be both adult and child prizes for the best Christmas outfit. After the film, the bar will re-open and the seasonal fun is set to continue with an indoor snowball fight.

Collection buckets will be dotted around the Town Hall for those who would like to make a donation to DASU Wrexham (formerly Welsh Women’s Aid), the charity the cinema have chosen to support this year.

Further information can be found on the New Dot website, with regular updates on the cinema’s facebook page and Instagram.