Eisteddfod to host musical evening at St Collen's

* St Collen's will be the setting for the musical evening hosted by the Eisteddfod. 

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is to host an evening of musical performances to celebrate Welsh culture and raise money for the 2020 festival.

The Cymanfa Ganu, which is the congregational singing of sacred Welsh hymns, will take place on Friday March 27, at 7pm, in St Collen’s Church.

The evening will feature a range of local performers, including Wrexham based mixed choir the James Lambert Singers. 

Formed over 50 years ago, they bring a distinctive sound to choral singing in Wales. 

Known for their wide repertoire of music, their songs include those from the 1940s, through to the more popular songs of today.  

The choir have had many successful singing engagements in Germany and have taken part in a Cymanfa Ganu in Columbus, Ohio, USA.

The evening will also include performances from Carrog-based ladies choir Lleisiau’r Afon who performed at the Eisteddfod for the first time last year, as well as musical items from a local Welsh harpist, and congregational singing in both Welsh and English.

The Eisteddfod's Community Engagement Officer Elise Jackson, said: “Its purpose is to highlight the Eisteddfod’s key messages of friendship, harmony and goodwill, as it brings the community together to celebrate the spirit of Welsh culture.”

Eisteddfod Artistic Director Dr Edward-Rhys Harry, who has conducted choirs all over the world, will be leading the Cymanfa Ganu accompanied by organist Owen Roberts. 

Dr Edward-Rhys Harry said: “This event will help to raise vital funds for the Eisteddfod, ensuring that we can welcome as many international competitors to Llangollen in July as possible.

“It is going to be a traditional event not to be missed, and it’s great to see such talented local performers giving their time to support this cause.”

Eisteddfod Chairman Dr Rhys Davies said: “If last year’s Cymanfa Ganu is anything to go by, it promises to be another fantastic evening of musical celebration, which is what the Eisteddfod is all about.”

* Tickets for Cymanfa Ganu are available from the Eisteddfod Box Office by calling 01978 862001, online at www.llangollen.net or from the Tourist Information Centre in Llangollen. Tickets are priced at £7 for adults and £2 for children (free for children under the age of 5). This includes entry, a programme and traditional Welsh refreshments in the church hall after the event. For further information please visit www.llangollen.net.

Topless Italian is a real charmer

* The Fiat 550 convertible.

* The open-air cockpit.

* Shape of things to come: the new all-electric Fiat 500.

Fiat 500C Road test by Steve Rogers

It's February. Storm Dennis has flooded half of Britain. Our garden even has a covering of snow. What have sitting on my drive? A Fiat 500 convertible.

Am I the eternal optimist or just stupid? Neither actually, I wanted to drive the 500 and this was the only model the Fiat press office had available for this particular week.

As it happens driving a convertible in the rain really is no problem, as long as the roof is closed of course. 

Modern day soft tops are all year round cars, robust and soundproofed to the enth degree as is the case with the little Fiat.

Not that the 500 is a true convertible. The canvass roof folds back, but not all the way down to boot level, mainly because there is not enough boot space to store it. Think of it as taking the lid of a can of baked beans. 

But with the roof back passengers are still exposed to the elements and the whole opening operation (powered) can be done at any speed. There is a fair bit of buffeting which can be reduced by fitting a wind brake but I couldn't be bothered given the small amount of time I was able to enjoy driving al fresco.

Of the limited number of retro cars the 500 is the most authentic, unlike the modern day Mini, whose dimensions have changed so much it looks more like an oversized adult than the puny child we all loved. On the other hand the 500 could nearly pass for a 1957 original. 

That is the way Fiat wanted it. The car that was revived in 2007 was a little bigger, obviously more modern, but still had the look of the Italian diva about it.

Since my week of Fiat 500 nostalgia we have had news of a third generation 500 which will be all electric. The chances of getting hold of one this year are slim with each country getting 500 luxury examples and it is first come first served.

Bold move given that 500 sales have been strong since the launch of the 2007 model and provide a huge chunk of the company's income. Fiat is predicting a range of 199 miles from the electric motor which will have a five minute fast charge option that will be good for 30 miles. 

Anyway, back to the current petrol powered model. I never got to drive an original 500 but doubt there was much oomph in its little engine, something it has in common with the modern day version. You get a choice of two: the turbocharged Twinair, which is quite perky, or a straightforward 1.2 which was powering my test car. It can lull you into thinking it is moderately nippy because it buzzes along and bobbles around a bit on the short wheelbase. In truth the suspension falls short of the quality found in the modern day city car.

I see from the bumph the new model is a bit longer, but more significantly has a wider track which improves stability so it should drive a whole lot better. And the electric motor gets you to sixty in well under 10 seconds which is a good bit quicker than the 1.2 petrol.

The current 500 had an upgrade a few years ago. Visually it amounted to tweaks to the front and rear light design but most of it was under the skin so the car is fairly well off on the tech front. It has a seven inch touch screen for radio and navigation etc and my convertible came with cruise control, air conditioning, powered windows so there is nothing basic about it.

What it really needs is heated front seats, surely an absolute essential for any convertible.

I do like the 500s roof set up. Apart from being able to operate it at any speed it can be opened to any position, it is just like a giant sunroof and there will be a convertible model on the new electric car, and it will have heated seats.

Normally the arrival of a new model means there are lots of good deals as garages try to shift old stock. As the new model is a slow release it could be a while before the bargains start to pop but a chat with a Fiat dealer might not be a bad idea.

There are lots of city cars out there which have more space and drive better than the 500 but none of them have the same charm as the baby Italian.

Fast Facts

500C Star

£18,045

1.2 litre; 69bhp

0-62mph 12.9secs; 101mph

49.6mpg combined

108g/km. 1st year tax £120

Insurance group 10

Local MP to co-chair Conservative women's group

* The meeting of Women2Win Cymru at the Welsh Conservative Conference in Llangollen with Rt Hon Amanda Milling MP, Co-Chair of the Conservative Party.

On International Women’s Day, it was announced that Simon Baynes MP for Clwyd South had become Co-Chair of Women2Win in Wales with Suzy Davies AM. 

Women2Win Wales is a broad cross-section of women and men from the Welsh Conservatives who want to ensure that women are fairly represented at all levels of politics.

There was a meeting of Women2Win Wales on Saturday at the Welsh Conservative Conference in Llangollen with the new Chair of the Conservative Party, Rt Hon Amanda Milling MP.

Simon Baynes said: “I am very honoured to have become Co-Chair of Women2Win in Wales with Welsh Conservative Assembly Member Suzy Davies who is a great inspiration to women in Wales seeking a political career. 

"Under Suzy’s excellent leadership, Women2Win Wales has helped achieve the election of our first three Welsh Conservative women MPs, Sarah Atherton for Wrexham, Virginia Crosbie for Yns Mon and Fay Jones for Brecon & Radnorshire. 

"I will work very hard to encourage and assist many more women to become Welsh Conservative Councillors, Police & Crime Commissioners, Assembly Members and MPs.”

A539 closed following accident

Police have said that the A539 in Llangollen will be closed for "quite some time" following a crash this morning, according to the Daily Post online this morning.

Diversions are in place and motorists are being asked to use the A5.

An image from the scene showed that a van had partially overturned, with items it was carrying strewn across the carriageway.

Llangollen to share in £750,000 a year community fund

* One of the giant turbines for the wind farm being driven through Llangollen.

Llangollen is set to be part of a community fund, worth over £750,000 a year, set up to share the benefits a major wind farm project.

The Clocaenog Forest Wind Farm Community Investment Fund has been established to enable communities around the farm to benefit from the proceeds of the electricity it generates.  

Llangollen was originally excluded from the areas to reap the rewards but has now been added to the list following some intense lobbying.

A statement from Innogy, which operates the wind farm, says: “Following careful consideration, we have chosen to extend the boundary for the fund on the Denbighshire side of the wind farm. This has no impact on the priority zone 1 which remains unchanged, along with the principle that no sound project in that zone will miss out to the wider area.”

Amongst those who campaigned for the area’s inclusion were Llangollen’s two county councillors, Graham Timms and Mel Mile.

They both wrote to get Llangollen in the area and also encouraged others to do the same. 

In a joint statement they say: "When we saw that Llangollen was just outside the area of benefit we appealed to Innogy which owns the windfarm to rethink the boundary.

“We also persuaded Denbighshire County Council to join us in arguing our case. After all, the town suffered significant disruption on every day during the first six months of the year as all the turbines passed through with police escort on their A5 on their journey to Clocaenog.

"We are delighted that our appeal has been accepted and that Llangollen is now included in the area, giving our community the opportunity to apply for support for local projects from an annual £750,000 fund. Llangollen will enjoy the benefit of the support for the next 25 years that the fund will operate."

More information about the fund can be found at www.innogy.com/clocaenogforest. 

A5 near Chirk closed after accident

The Daily Post is reporting that the A5 has been closed in both directions near Chirk this afternoon following an accident.

For the full story, go to: https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/live-a5-closed-both-directions-17885991

Event showcases best in local food and drink

A former accountant who has swapped balancing the books for low food miles is attending an exhibition for local food and drink businesses for the first time. 

Katharine Wilding,(pictured) who developed and owns Angel Feathers, launched her first artisan fruit spirit a, 41% rhubarb gin, last year.

She will now be exhibiting her gins and vodkas at the Blas Lleol/Meet the Producer event at Theatr Clwyd, Mold, on March 10, which is being organised by the Llangollen and Dee Valley, and Clwydian Range food and drink groups with the support of the Federation of Small Businesses and Flintshire County Council as part of Denbighshire County Council’s March for Business month. 

Katharine, a former chartered accountant who ran her own firm for 15 years and lives just outside Ruthin on Moel Famau, produces her fruit-based spirits using seasonal, fresh, organic ingredients, grown on her small holding and hand made in her kitchen.

She said: “For years I’ve shopped in local independent shops and love that I am now a part of this ethos of local produce, low food miles.  My spirits are already stocked in a number of local independent outlets and public houses.

“After going to Blas Lleol last year with a friend and seeing all the lovely local produce, I’m thrilled to showcase my spirits this year. It is a fantastic opportunity to meet other producers and potential new stockists, all of whom appreciate local artisan produce.”

Blas Lleol is now in its fourth year and offers food buyers from North Wales and beyond the chance to see what local food producers have to offer.

Katharine added: “No pesticides are used in my produce and if I need an ingredient that won’t grow in the Welsh hill climate, I source it from an organic, ethical supplier and follow the supply chain back to the source. 

“I think people that buy artisan products expect you to go that extra mile and put the time an effort into what you make. All my infusions are made in small batches, so I can carefully hand select what goes in to making each batch. I love that people enjoy my spirits so much and appreciate the seasonal nature of them. 

“I’ve had such a fun time meeting lots of new people and listening to customers ideas – I’m just trying out a new flavour suggested by a customer. I look forward to meeting many more new customers at Blas Lleol.

“March for Business is a great way to help local businesses get training and grow and I’d recommend other traders in the county look at the events taking place across Denbighshire in March.”

Blas Lleol is a free business to business event and you can book via event Eventbrite.

The morning is an opportunity for tasting, meeting and talking with chef demonstrations and a programme of ‘huddles’ where producers and exhibitors will have the opportunity to present their product, message or story to visitors, other producers and exhibitors.

Denbighshire County Council’s March for Business month offers a mix events, training and workshops for the county’s traders.

Events include social media training covering Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, as well as workshops with Business Wales and the Development Bank of Wales.

If you would like to attend any of the events visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/marchforbusiness