Collen Players invite back live audience for music hall show

* A past pre-lockdown music hall show by the Collen Players.

A live audience will be whisked back at least a century next month when Llangollen’s Collen Players stages its latest music hall and variety show.  

The group was formed a couple of years ago by the town’s vicar, Father Lee Taylor, who himself is a big music hall enthusiast, to revive the Victorian-style of entertainment. 

So far its performers have donned their period costumes to present four sell-out shows in the Community Hall which is always dressed for the occasion to recreate the atmosphere of a turn-of-the-century theatre. 

The most recent show was last November whch, due to Covid-19 rules on public gatherings, had to be pre-recorded and then live streamed on the group’s Facebook page. 

But now all restrictions have been lifted it’s time to invite back a live audience to the next lavish production which is on Friday, September 3, again in the Community Hall and starting at 6.30pm. 

Father Lee said: “It will be great to welcome back a real live audience for our latest show because there’s nothing quite like the feedback you get from them. 

“Traditional music hall is all about the audience joining in by singing along and laughing at the jokes and that’s exactly what we’ll be inviting people to do. 

“Myself and all the cast are looking forward to it immensely and can’t wait for the show to begin.” 

Once again Father Lee will chair the evening’s proceedings, introducing the acts and doling out his corny line in banter along with a couple of his own songs. 

Waiting in the wings will be a nine-strong cast – the largest so far - who will present a range of entertainment from period songs and monologues to magic and knock-about comedy. 

They include regulars Gethin Davies, Mike Connolly, Clare Wall, Shea Ferron, Phil Robinson, Neil Barratt and Dave Lyne alongside newcomers Paul Edwards ‘The Welsh Wizard’ and Louise Cielecki.

* Tickets are £15, including supper, and are available by emailing: stcollens@gmail.com

Roadworks alert for Vicarage Road

The following local roadworks alert has come from one.network:

Vicarage Road 18 August — 20 August   Delays unlikely - Traffic control (give & take)   Works description: Boundary box Install 25mm Job in Footway (6mm Bitmac (Tarmac) )...   Works location: OUTSIDE PROPERTY KNOWN AS BRYN HELYG...   Public facing description: one.network has automatically assigned a category of Unclassified works to this Works based on the information available. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by Hafren Dyfrdwy.   Responsibility for works: Hafren Dyfrdwy   Current status: Advanced planning   Works reference: ZU0028102/000060404335

Roadworks alert for local trunk routes

Forthcoming roadworks on the nearby Newbridge and Chirk bypasses and the A5 are highlighted in a story on Leaderlive. 

* For the full story, see: https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/19511970.upcoming-roadworks-need-aware-wrexham/

Air ambulance flies into Pengwern Vale

A llanblogger reader sent in this picture of the air ambulance which flew into Pengwern Vale earlier this afternoon where a mountain biking event was taking place.

It is understand the helicopter may not have been needed and that a casualty was eventually taken away in a road ambulance.

llanblogger is currently trying to get further details. 

  

 

St Collen's hosts its annual summer fayre

St Collen's Church had its annual summer fayre this afternoon.

Stalls, including home-made cakes and bric-a-brac, were set up in the church while burgers and other refreshments were available in the nearby community hall.

There was also a raffle with a host of prizes. 

Skates welcomes funding for Llangollen Railway

* Ken Skates MS, left, meets Mark Drakeford on a visit to town.

Member of the Senedd Ken Skates has thanked the Welsh Government for helping get Llangollen Railway back on track.  

The comments came after a recent visit to the popular tourist attraction by Deputy Minister Dawn Bowden and the news that further major funding from the Welsh Government had been confirmed.  

Mr Skates, MS for Clwyd South, said: “Llangollen Railway is of huge importance locally and attracts visitors from far and wide. It has had unparalleled support from the Welsh Labour Government over the years and I’m delighted and proud that they have once again stepped in with crucial funding. 

“The Trust was given a grant of £147,860 last year and I know there was a lot of clamour locally for even more funding when the railway ran into problems earlier this year.” 

Mr Skates added: “Prior to the Senedd elections in May, while visiting Llangollen, First Minister Mark Drakeford said the Welsh Government would work with local people to help get the railway back up and running if re-elected, so I had every confidence that would be borne out. I would like to thank the First Minister and the Deputy Minister Dawn Bowden for delivering for Llangollen.”  

Shortly after the election, Mr Skates says he made formal representations to the Welsh Government calling for more funding for Llangollen Railway. 

Last month, it was announced a further £143,290 grant had been rubber-stamped to help with running services and restarting operations – taking the financial package to more than £291,000 in the last 12 months alone.  

In the Deputy Minister’s response to Mr Skates, she said: “Thank you for your letter of May 24 regarding support for the Llangollen Railway. Like you, I recognise the important role of the Llangollen Railway as a key tourist attraction and as a precious piece of regional heritage. I was lucky enough to visit the railway last month when I visited north Wales.  

“Last year the Llangollen Railway Trust received a grant of £147,860 from the first round of the Cultural Recovery Fund to support its operations. 

"In the months following the sad announcement that the PLC arm had been placed into administration, officials in Cadw and Visit Wales have maintained contact with the Trustees, receiving updates regarding the progress of their plans to retake full control of the railway and restart operations.  

“On the advice of my officials, the Trustees submitted a request to Welsh Government for support from the second round of the Cultural Recovery Fund. I am pleased to say that having received confirmation from the Trust regarding their progress towards restructuring and restarting operations, we were recently able to issue a grant offer to Llangollen Railway Trust Ltd of £143,290.  

“This money will help the Trust to restart and operate trains during the summer and to help them get themselves on a sound financial footing to manage through the winter. I commend the Board of Trustees for continuing to work so hard to stabilise the organisation and wish them luck with their efforts to restart operations and secure the future of the railway.”

Police make arrest for public order offence in town

Local police have highlighted how they are maintaining public order in Llangollen.

Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant Rich Evans says in a message put out earlier today (Friday) on the new Community Alert network: "We will continue to act robustly against people who engage in disorderly and abusive behaviour in our towns. 

"Last evening a female was arrested for a Public Order offence in Llangollen for being abusive to one of our Police Community Support Officers."

North Wales Community Alert is a free messaging service for people who live, work and visit North Wales.

Registration is completely free, quick and simple. 

North Wales Community Alert also gives you an opportunity to provide feedback to your local neighbourhood police team on the issues that matter most to you.

* For more information and to register for the North Wales Community Alert