Eisteddfod makes plans for its 2021 festival

* A scene from the 2019 eisteddfod parade through Llangollen. 

Digital options and a hybrid weekend performance are amongst the options being considered by Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod for its 2021 festival.

Due to the pandemic the 2020 eisteddfod was cancelled.

In a statement issued this morning, the festival says: "In light of the ongoing global battle against Coronavirus, we are working on plans to adapt the format of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod for July 2021.

"There continues to be significant uncertainty about the possibility of mass events in Wales in the summer of 2021 and we recognise that the Covid-19 restrictions operating around the world have had a significant impact on the groups of choirs and dancers that would usually attend our event.  

"These circumstances mean that we have decided to suspend the traditional live competition strands for Llangollen 2021, and reimagine our event in a way that can be delivered safely but which will still capture the magic of our international Eisteddfod.

"We are working hard to create a format for Llangollen 2021 involving digital options and a weekend hybrid event featuring artists from the 2020 concert programme including Llanfest. 

"Details will be confirmed in the late Spring when further information about government guidelines is expected and we will have clarity about what can be achieved.

"Further updates will be shared through our website and social media channels."

MP becomes chair of performing arts training group

* A screenshot of inaugural APPG for Performing Arts Education and Training meeting.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes has been elected chair of the new All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Performing Arts Education and Training.

This has been set up to examine the challenges facing the performing arts training sector and wider creative education issues.

The election took place during the APPG’s inaugural meeting in which former Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries, Lord Vaizey of Didcot, Sharon Hodgson MP, Lord Aberdare, Lord Clement-Jones, Lord Taylor of Warwick and Jack Lopresti MP were confirmed as vice-chairs.

The group is made up of a partnership between MPs and industry body, the Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT).

The purpose of the group is to support parliamentarians in discussions relating to: 

•          Training, education, assessment and professional practices across the performing arts, particularly in drama, dance and musical theatre

•          The continuing Professional Development of practitioners within the creative and cultural industries

•          The wider benefits of engagement with the performing arts for students, practitioners and audiences. 

The APPG will meet on a quarterly basis with the next gathering scheduled for March 2021 at which, fully constituted, it will begin this important work in earnest. 

Mr Baynes said: “I’m delighted to be elected as chair of this new APPG and I want to thank the Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT) for its tireless commitment and talents in making this initiative come to life. 

"This is a cause close to my heart as an amateur musician and, before I became an MP, as chairman of the Holroyd Community Theatre near Chirk, and as a Trustee of Mid Wales Opera and the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. 

"I also set up the charity Concertina – Music for the Elderly which provides live music in care homes and day centres across Wales and England."

He added: "Covid-19 has impacted the performing arts and creative industries very seriously, so I’m keen that we work as a group to examine the issues facing industry professionals at this critical time.

"All of us involved in this new APPG are determined to support to the best of our ability training, education, assessment and professional practices across the performing arts, particularly in drama, dance and musical theatre.”

Police dealing with incident near Wrexham vaccine factory

5pm update ...

Incident over:

Wockhardt UK confirmed the incident is over.

A spokesman said: "We can confirm that the investigation of the suspicious package today has been concluded. The package was made safe and staff are now being allowed back into the facility.

"We are grateful to the authorities and experts for their swift response and resolution of the incident."

* Picture from the scene sent to Leaderlive by Mark Evans.

Police are dealing with an ongoing incident at Wrexham Industrial estate where doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine are produced and stored.

• It said a cordon has been put in place near the Wockhardt plant and the public have been asked to keep away.

* For the full story on Leaderlive, see:  https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/19042445.live-bomb-disposal-squad-wrexham-suspicious-package-sent-wockhardt-covid-vaccine-plant/

Bronagh wins county-wide greetings card challenge

* The greetings card designed by Bronagh Cooke 

of Ysgol Gymraeg y Gwernant.

A six-year-old pupil at a Llangollen primary school has risen to the creative challenge set by the county council.

Whilst schools remain closed to most pupils, Denbighshire Education and Children’s Services has been offering opportunities for children and their families to engage creatively with them online.

January’s creative challenge invited pupils to find out about St Dwynwen’s Day - the Welsh equivalent of Valentine’s Day - and design their own greetings card.

Celebrated every year on 25 January, St Dwynwen’s Day commemorates the Welsh saint of lovers and has risen in popularity in Wales in recent years, with lovers exchanging gifts such as Welsh love spoons and even concerts and parties are held on that date.

More than 100 children responded to the competition and entries were of so high a standard that judges said it was difficult to produce a shortlist and even tougher to select winners.

The winners are:

Up to 7 years:   

BRONAGH COOKE, Ysgol Gymraeg y Gwernant, Llangollen

7 to 11 years:    

GRACE ALLSOPP, Ysgol Bryn Hedydd, Rhyl

12 to 14 years:  

EMMA DALLIMORE, St Brigid’s School, Denbigh

New police task force aims to stop crime before it happens

* North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones.

Plans have been unveiled for a new task force of 20 police officers to spearhead a crime prevention drive across North Wales.

The proposal is one of the final flagship programmes of the region’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Arfon Jones, who recently revealed he will be standing down at the next election.

It’s part of a bold plan revealed by the Commissioner in his final precept-setting proposal for a 29p weekly increase.

The 5.14 per cent rise – around the cost of a Cadbury’s Freddo chocolate bar – will cost the average householder, in Band D of Council Tax, just £14.94 a year.

It is also in line with the Commissioner’s annual survey of the public which saw a significant percentage of respondents, 45 per cent, in favour of an increase of 27p a week or more.

Mr Jones will be seeking the backing of the North Wales Police and Crime Panel for the proposed increase at a virtual meeting on Tuesday, February 2.

It will help pay for the new Central Crime Prevention Hub to co-ordinate the work of regional teams in North Wales Police’s East, Central and West Areas (based in Llay, St Asaph and Caernarfon.

Mr Jones, a former police inspector,  who will be retiring at the next election that’s currently scheduled for May, said: “The history of people in prison shows that the vast majority will have had traumatic experiences as children and we really need to focus on why and how to prevent that rather than on punishing them.

“It’s a culture change and police officers in North Wales are adapting very well and I’m very pleased to see them looking at offenders in a different way.

“A small proportion of offenders commit the vast majority of crime and if we can look at the causes in a different way and intervene earlier in their lives then that is better for them and for society.”

Mr Jones added: “The Prevention Hub really ties in with my priorities and with schemes like Checkpoint Cymru which aim to intercept people before they get caught up in the criminal justice system.

“This was we can address the root causes of criminal behaviour and stop the re-offending patterns.

Despite the recurring £33 million a year cuts inflicted on the force as a result of UK government austerity cuts since 2010, North Wales Police had succeeded in identifying a further £2.9 million in savings to help bolster their programme for the next 12 months.

This will also include an ambitious two-way digital communications project to keep communities and their local policing teams in close contact.

Other projects will cover domestic violence, sexual abuse, modern slavery and delivering safer neighbourhoods and Mr Jones added: “We have had to produce this precept plan at an unprecedented time because of the pandemic which has disrupted almost all aspects of normal life.

“The officers, staff, specials and volunteers of North Wales Police have responded so positively to these extraordinary circumstances which have included the postponement of the 2020 Police and Crime Commissioner elections to May 6, 2021.

“Now is not the time to set new priorities for the Chief Constable and North Wales Police who quite rightly need to focus all of their efforts on responding to the current crisis while I have to ensure they have the resources to respond to the emergency.”

Prospect Garden Tea Room closes partly because of lockdown

One of the area's most famous cafes has closed its doors for the last time due partly to the coronavirus lockdown.

For the past three decades the Prospect Gardens Tea Rooms in Blackwood Road, Garth has been popular with visitors and locals for its spectacular views of the surrounding hills.

But its owner, Linda, has taken to Facebook to say that Covid had helped her to decide to bring forward her retirement and close the cafe.  

She posted: "Dear friends, First of all I would like to send good wishes to you all and your families. The past months have been difficult for everyone and we still have a way to go before we get any sort of normality back into our lives.

"After a great deal of deliberation I have come to the decision to retire and hang my apron up for good.

"It now feels like the right time for me, to have more time for myself and for my family and friends. Covid has played a big part in me coming to this decision, although being of a certain age retirement would not have been too far away anyway.

"So sadly after 29 years in business Prospect Garden Tea Room is now closed permanently. I have got to say, it has been a big part of my life and have loved running the business, and have made many many lovely friends over the years.

"I will miss all of it, despite the hard work. Oh if only I was 20 years younger.

"I would like to thank all of my customers ,friends and family for the support over the years. I have lots of lovely memories, and I'm sure lots of you will too, of happy times spent at Prospect.

"Lastly but certainly not least I would like to thank my staff over the years for their loyalty and friendships. We have had a lot of fun behind the scenes, and quite a bit of cake eating too, well somebody had to test them.

"I would also to thank my friends and family who have arrived as customers and have been hurriedly snatched into the kitchen, you know who you are, to help out with the washing up during busy periods.

"Without my staff , friends and family and the good teamwork it would not have been possible to run the tea room.

"I send my love and good wishes to you all and a very big thank you for making Prospect Garden Tea Room a reality.

"Wishing good health and happiness to you all. Linda xxx

"Please if anybody has any unspent gift vouchers, get in touch with me and I will reimburse you in full."

Roadworks planned for Regent Street

Latest local roadworks notified by one.network are:

Regent Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 28 January — 28 January   Delays likely - Traffic control (Stop/Go boards)   Works location: The Grapes, Regent Street, Llangollen   Works description: Cherry picker Permit   Responsibility for works: Welsh Government   Current status: Planned work about to start   Works reference: PD510212110734619