MP encourages people to join green-fingered scheme

* Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes.

Welsh Conservative MP for Clwyd South, Simon Baynes, is encouraging communities in Denbighshire to get involved in a scheme aimed at creating, restoring and enhancing green spaces. 

The Local Places for Nature project was a huge success last year with 500 green spaces across the country transformed, and community groups and organisations of all shapes and sizes getting involved,  from disability charities and youth groups to social enterprises and care groups. 

Now, in 2021 hundreds more packages are available to give out to deserving communities who are keen to reverse nature’s decline, work towards a more sustainable environment and provide an important boost to the well-being of local communities across Wales, and Mr Baynes is urging communities in his constituency of Clwyd South to get involved. 

He said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to boost community wellbeing and brighten up our area at the same time. So, I really hope that local groups and organisations will get involved. 

"We have some amazing gardeners and horticulturalists in Clwyd South, and I know that with their green-fingered talent, we can transform our green spaces and bring a bit more nature back into our lives.” 

The Local Places for Nature package includes native plants, tools and other materials. 

* Further information about the project can be found on the Keep Wales Tidy website: https://www.keepwalestidy.cymru/.

 

Funding available for community events in Denbighshire

Denbighshire County Council has announced a one-off grant funding opportunity for communities that host and organise events in Denbighshire.

The aim of the fund will be to improve the current infrastructure to support more sustainable and cost effective events, making it easier to host more events in local communities.

A total budget of £128,000 is available, to be shared by successful applicants across Denbighshire.

Cllr Bobby Feeley, the council’s Lead Member for Well-being and Independence, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for community groups and event organisers to apply for funding to help improve event infrastructure in the county.

“We would like to ask those applying to work in partnership with city, town and community councils and their local county councillor, to develop their proposals.

“This is part of the council’s Corporate Plan priority to help support our communities to become more connected and resilient, and able to enjoy the unique experience local events offer.”

The council’s preference would be for city, town and community councils to be named as the lead, submitting the project proposal on the applicant’s behalf.

Community development officer support will be available throughout the scheme period to offer guidance and facilitation, and to act as a liaison officer with internal departments as required.

You may also receive support to apply for match funding.

Submissions are open until September 30, and shortlisting will take place by the end of October, with successful applicants being informed in November.

* For more information contact joanne.taylor@denbighshire.gov.uk, communitydevelopment@denbighshire.gov.uk, or 01824 706142, and you can apply at www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/leisure-and-tourism/events-whats-on/funding-opportunity-for-community-events-infrastructure.aspx

Railway to roll back into action from next Friday

llanblogger exclusive

Llangollen Railway Trust (LRT) aims to resume train services from next Friday, July 9, subject to inspection and approval of maintenance work carried out on the River Dee Bridge. 

This follows eight months of the railway being closed, first due to the pandemic and then the financial crisis from which it is now recovering.

Initially, it will be a Llangollen to Berwyn shuttle service which will run using the diesel railcars operating Fridays to Sundays.

The work on the Dee Bridge re-started on Monday, June 28 and was completed July 2. 

The volunteer permanent way team were fitting the check rails to the timbers, aligning the track and welding-up the rail joints to complete the work started in March, when new baulk timbers were installed prior the PLC receiver suspending work. 

* Work on the important River Dee bridge is now finished.

The works will be inspected by an independent engineer before the bridge is signed off. 

The railway’s permanent way engineer will inspect the track between the bridge and Berwyn Tunnel before trains can start running to Berwyn.

Operations Director Mike Williams said: “Before we can run revenue-earning train services, we had to complete the railway’s Safety Management System for approval. 

"We have also started re-fresh sessions for steam, diesel loco and unit crews, signalmen, guards and so on, which will be an on-going need, as will be competency examination.”

Looking beyond Berwyn station, there are essential engineering works needed in the Berwyn Tunnel, the relaying of the West End Point work at Glyndyfrdwy has started and repair to Occupational Crossings at Carrog.

Once the Berwyn Tunnel work is finished, train services can extend to Glyndyfrdwy, initially again using DMU traction until the west end points become available. 

When around facilities are operational at Glyndyfrdwy, the options are for using steam or diesel loco hauled services. 

Upon completion of the Occupational Crossings, running to Carrog may start, hopefully by early August, says the trust.

The option then is for an engineering train to run to Corwen and drop ballast on the point-work and station loop prior to the tamping of the track through the station, as a longer-term aim.

Mike Williams added: “We are looking to re-start a limited service between Llangollen & Berwyn on Friday July 9 which is a special day in Llangollen for the International Musical Eisteddfod. 

"We will run two evening trains to coincide with the illumination of the Castle Street bridge over the river Dee.”

All services will be using diesel multiple units (DMUs) provided by Llangollen Railcars. 

Its spokesperson John Joyce said: “We are expecting to roster the class 108 DMU with the class 109 Wickham set in reserve, if demand warrants additional seats, subject to social distancing. 

"After an eight-month layover the units will be subject to checks and test runs to Llangollen station for crew refresher sessions.

"Trains will depart Llangollen hourly, Fridays to Sundays, from 11am through to 4pm and allow a 15-minute stopover at Berwyn to enjoy the view of the Dee Gorge or sample the Chain Bridge. 

"Other options for passengers are to visit the Horseshoe Falls or take the traditional walk back to Llangollen along the canal.

“Running a heritage DMU service to Berwyn will be recreating the pioneering days of 1986/87 when services at Llangollen first extended across the Dee bridge. 

"We hope our supporters will turn out and buy a ticket to ride the shuttle if revenues are to cover operational costs and make a contribution to the railway’s overheads when costs like insurance and utility bills remain substantial expenses for the LRT.”

Eisteddfod previews patches for bridge artwork project

Organisers have released pictures of some of the patches sent in by members of the community for the Llangollen Bridge artwork project which will be going up next week to mark the start of Eisteddfod week.

International artist Luke Jerram has been working to transform the Grade 1 listed bridge into a giant artwork celebrating peace as part of this year's festival.

He plans to wrap the ancient stone structure in a giant patchwork of fabrics, reflecting the crafts and cultures of Wales alongside the festival’s participating nations.

Called Bridges, Not Walls, the artwork represents the idea of peace on which the festival was founded nearly 75 years ago.

Jerram is known for public art installations around the world including Museum of the Moon, Play Me, I’m Yours, which brought street pianos to dozens of international cities, and his recent Glass Microbiology sculptures depicting the coronavirus and its vaccine.

Whilst the Llangollen Eisteddfod will mainly be held online this year, organisers hope the eye-catching Bridges, Not Walls will also attract people to visit the town this summer.

In a race against time, 800 squares of one-metre-wide fabric, including local donations from Llangollen, have been stitched together to cover both sides of the 60 metre-long bridge.

Even the water below it will be transformed with the reflections and colours from the bridge.

There will be artwork panels covering the bridge's arches and stanchions, or columns, which stand in the water and support the bridge above.

Luke said: “The message and celebration of peace is at the heart of the Llangollen Eisteddfod and so this historic bridge, one of the seven wonders of Wales, makes the perfect canvas."

Due to the pandemic this year’s Eisteddfod will be largely held online, with the main programme being presented over the weekend of the July 9-11.

Bridges, Not Walls will remain in place on Llangollen Bridge until August 5.

With major event funding from Welsh Government, this year’s online Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod will celebrate the broadest possible range of musical genres from classical, opera and choral, to jazz, soul and rock, to connect with existing and new audiences in preparation for its physical return in 2022.

* For more information, visit https://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/

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Have your say on how North Wales is policed

* North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin (left) and Chief Constable Carl Foulkes.  

People in North Wales are being urged to help draw up a new blueprint for the way the region is policed and help decide where 20 extra PCSOs should work.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin and Chief Constable Carl Foulkes are asking local communities, groups and representative bodies to tell them what they think is most important and what they are most worried about.

Mr Dunbobbin is preparing to write his first Police and Crime Plan after being elected in May and is keen for as many people as possible to have a voice in the process.

Along with the  Chief Constable, he is asking people to take part in a survey which will help shape North Wales Police’s priorities.

The survey covers all aspects of policing, from tackling serious and organised crime and protecting children and young people from sexual exploitation and abuse, to dealing with social media trolling and responding to non-emergency calls.

The survey is now  available at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/SMDKY8R for people to complete until Friday, August 20.

Paper copies will be available for those who do not wish to fill in the online version. There will also be an easy read version available.

It’s in the form of multiple choice questions with participants indicating on a scale of one to five how important they consider each different aspect of policing to be.

The aim is to publish the plan in September.

Mr Dunbobbin said: "North Wales is one of safest places to live, work and visit in the UK and I want to ensure we keep it that way. As the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, I have statutory duty to consult local people on policing priorities. 

“In consultation with the force, I’m drafting my first Police and Crime Plan and in order to do that the force and I need to be aware what local people believe the policing priorities should be.

"My aim is to ensure that the views, needs and expectations of all parts of our communities are reflected in the plan.

“I am accountable to the people when it comes to crime and anti-social behaviour so it is vitally important for me to find out what people think about how the region should be policed.

“The updated Police and Crime Plan will set out in plain English and Welsh the level of service people can expect to receive from their local police force. 

“Essentially, I will be consulting the public on the policies contained in my manifesto when I was elected. 

“The Welsh Government is funding an increase in the number of PCSOs in Wales from 500 to 600. I have had conversations to make sure that North Wales gets its fair share and as a result the force is to have an additional 20 of them.

“The survey also provides people with the opportunity to give their view on where they think the PCSOs should work.

"Importantly, the rights and interests of victims will be at the heart of the Police and Crime Plan. 

“The North Wales Victim Help Centre does excellent work and it has specialist teams have been set up to provide support for victims of cybercrime, child sexual exploitation, modern day slavery and fraud. 

“I am keen to invest further in victim services and I will be setting up a victims’ panel so that survivors also have a voice in the way we operate and the support we provide so that we can do things better. 

“The purpose of the Police and Crime Plan is to ensure the force is paying specific attention to those points which have been identified as crucial by the public, me and indeed by the force itself.

“An important part of my role as Commissioner will be to monitor the force’s compliance with the plan and I will be rigorous in holding them to account on behalf of the people of North Wales.”

Chief Constable Foulkes said: “The views  of the people of North Wales are are really important to us and through previous surveys have shaped the force we are today.

“We want to make sure we are addressing the concerns of local communities to influence the content and priorities of the Police and Crime Plan, and crucially how North Wales is policed. Our aim is to ensure that all our diverse local communities have a say in shaping future services and the allocation of resources.

“Completing the survey won’t take up too much time but it will make a big difference in terms of our understanding of what is important to the public, what they think we do well and where they think we could improve. The Commissioner  and I look forward to hearing from as many people as possible.”

* Paper copies of the survey are available by contacting opcc@nthwales.pnn.police.uk or 01492 805486.  An easy read version of the survey is also available.

Strictly head judge Shirley sees Shea's smash-hit charity show

* Shea put together and performed in the finale concert. 

* Strictly's Shirley Ballas congratulates Shea on the success of the show.

* Louise Cielecki on stage. 

* Amy Grace makes an appearance.

* Talented young singer Celyn Orton-Jones.

* Baritone Sam Snowden.

* Singer and Shirley Ballas's friend Daniel Taylor with his guitar.

* The evening's compere Andy Snowden. 

* Shea duets with Louise Cielecki.

Enterprising young entertainer Shea Ferron brought his latest series of charity concerts to a resounding finale with a show performed both live and online last night (Saturday).

And a star of national TV joined a small, invited audience at Lllangollen Town Hall in a series of standing ovations to the talented 18 year old and the terrific team that helped him do it.

Shea has been rapidly building up a portfolio of acting and singing appearances in the area for a number of years.

He has joined the cast of numerous shows with Llangollen Operatic Society, its junior section the Young ‘Uns, and the Collen Players music hall group, winning a number of amateur stage awards into the bargain.

During the pandemic he sang his way through a series of self-arranged open-air gigs to raise thousands of pounds for good causes.

His finale concert in aid of the Welsh mental health charity Hafal was a hybrid affair before a 30-strong, socially-distanced audience of family, friends and supporters which was also live streamed on social media.

Among those at the Town Hall was Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas who was there with her partner, the star of Blood Brothers UK Daniel Taylor, with whom Shea has become friends as a result of his performance work and who readily agreed to join him on stage last night.

A host of local companies helped Shea stage the spectacular affair including Orb Sound and Lighting which arranged the technical side of the production.

Professional compere was Andy Snowden, also well known on the local and regional entertainment circuit, and after his own opening number, Mr Cellophane from the musical Chicago, he introduced another up-and-coming young singer Amy Grace.

She thrilled with numbers including the title song from forthcoming 25th Bond film No Time to Die and Jolene by Dolly Parton.

First to bring the Town Hall crowd to their feet was Royal Northern College of Music graduate and Shea’s fellow John Boys Male Voice Choir singer Sam Snowden who used his impressive baritone to bring us hits from musicals Blood Brothers, Frozen II, Waitress and a resounding Toreadur from Carmen.

Next up came Celyn Orton-Jones, a young lady familiar to local audiences through her numerous appearances with local societies such as the Operatic Society’s Young ‘Uns.

She chose a powerful selection of show numbers rounded off in style with In a Crowd of Thousands from Anastasia.  

After the break it was back with a knock-about duet from Shea and his old Young ‘Uns pal Louise Cielecki, the Song That Goes Like This from Spamalot.     

Shirley Ballas’s friend, Liverpool-born actor, producer and director Daniel Taylor has appeared in a string of stage roles including Sammy in Blood Brothers in the West End and on national tour.

He chose to sit simply with his guitar playing some powerful numbers of his own composition, including a poignant homage to the NHS and, diversely, ending with The King of the Swingers from the musical Jungle Book.

Louise Cielecki came back to belt out the title song from Beauty and the Beast, Little Girls from the musical Annie and, most movingly, I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables.

Shea bounded back on stage to wind up with his own sensational selection which included the equally tear-jerking Tell Me It’s Not True from Blood Brothers and Empty Chairs and Empty Tables from Les Miserables.

At the end of the highly enjoyable show he was able to announce that the efforts of himself and his multi-talented friends had raised close on £400 for Hafal, with contributions still being accepted at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/hafalconcert        

* Shea has since announced on Facebook that Shirley Ballas has made a major donation to the appeal 

He posted: "I’m extremely grateful to Shirley Ballas for the offer of a further £500 for the charity which will take us up to just over £1,000 pound which is truly amazing."