Llangollen drone footage used to premiere new music

* Llangollen features in the premiere of the new music. Picture: llanblogger.

* New Sinfonia conductor Robert Guy.

Dramatic drone footage shot high above Llangollen will be projected on three giant screens during the world premiere of a new piece of music to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of a flagship orchestra.

Wrexham and St Asaph-based NEW Sinfonia was established in 2011 by two talented brothers, Robert and Jonathan Guy, who will be marking the orchestra’s birthday with a series of 10 performances, Ten4Ten on the weekend of November 26-28.

Events are planned at St Giles’ Parish Church in Wrexham and at the town’s award winning community arts hub Tŷ Pawb.

Among the highlights will be the first of the orchestra’s new Great Sound Exhibition performances at St Giles’ Church, funded by the Arts Council of Wales and in partnership with Disability Arts Cymru.

The drone images will be projected onto the massive transparent screens – the largest of which will be the central screen standing eight metres high and six metres wide. It will be flanked by two slightly smaller screens.

Jonathan Guy has written new music for the concert called Where Light Meets Dark while the footage was filmed by Llangollen-based visual artist Ant Dickinson who spent much of lockdown flying the drone above the Dee Valley.

“Audiences will be able to see through the screen as the orchestra is playing but at times we will be able to transmit associated digital images and films on it which will intrinsically link up with the music being played. We want to immerse people’s senses in the music,” said Jonathon.

The 10-year milestone follows hot on the heels of momentous developments for the orchestra which recently became a registered charity with a board of trustees appointed

It has also launched a re-designed and updated website, on which it has put out a call for patrons and supporters to help it achieve a three-year strategy to take the orchestra successfully into the mid-2020s.

NEW Sinfonia is also the resident orchestra of the North Wales International Music Festival which has been able to return to St Asaph Cathedral this year with a hybrid event featuring online concerts as well.

The brothers, who have both also forged successful individual careers, say they are enormously proud of what the 40-strong orchestra has accomplished over the past decade, and it has far exceeded the original expectations.

Robert is now based in Manchester where he is Director of the University of Manchester’s elite undergraduate conducting programme, Head of Choral Programmes and Director of Ensembles.

He said: “It’s incredible really when we reflect on how NEW Sinfonia has developed. I sometimes have to pinch myself to make sure I’ve not dreamed it all.

“We’re so proud of all our fellow musicians and hugely thankful to everyone who has supported us over the last ten years.

“We started as a relatively young orchestra simply with the aim of providing an outlet for talented young musicians from around North Wales to get together and perform great music together. But it’s phenomenal how we’ve grown beyond that as individuals and as an orchestra.

“Many of our members are now much in demand for their instrumental skills and they play with renowned orchestras worldwide. But amazingly they still come back home to NEW Sinfonia when we have a concert on. They make strenuous efforts to get here and play together no matter what.

“We’re a close-knit musical family and now we all want to nurture and help develop the next generation of young North Wales classical musicians. We want to offer them a chance to perform with a full orchestra, just like we had that chance.”

Jonathan added: “As an orchestra we’ve had outstanding opportunities and we now want to enable other young musicians to have similar opportunities in their up-and-coming careers. A big goal is to engage more with the communities in which we work, to inspire people to listen to and enjoy more classical music in all its many forms.

“We are also keen to introduce family friendly events into our repertoire, concerts where parents can come along with their young children.

Among the new trustees is Ruth Evans is Head of Artistic Planning and Participation at the National Youth Choirs Great Britain.

She said: “What NEW Sinfonia has achieved is remarkable especially when you consider that they were such a young orchestra when starting out.

“But in a way I am not surprised, Rob and Jon are both brilliant musicians with so much natural musical talent. They’re passionate about what they do.

“They are both committed to making the orchestra a vital part of the community where it has its roots.

“They reach out and bring classical music to some people who may never have heard it before, and they are fervent believers in the power music has to improve people’s well-being.

“More than ever, I think, they have proven this during recent lockdowns when they have worked so hard to keep music alive and relevant, despite the constraints of social distancing and so many closed venues.

“There are great plans ahead and we’re all truly excited to see how much more NEW Sinfonia develops over the next 10 years.”

* For full details about the 10th anniversary concerts programme visit the NEW Sinfonia website at: www.newsinfonia.org.uk

Wrexham reaches longlist for UK City of Culture 2025

Wrexham has reached the long list for the accolade of being the UK City of Culture in 2025.

Wales’ Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden said: “I’m delighted Wrexham County Borough has reached the UK City of Culture 2025 longlist.

“We have a unique and wonderful culture here in Wales, which we’re all incredibly proud of. I want the world to know how wonderful it is too.

“Being named UK City of Culture 2025 would be truly transformational for Wrexham, and would be a real boost as we look forward to a brighter, more prosperous future. Congratulations to all at Team Wrexham, and the best of luck for the next stages of the competition."

The longlist, unveiled by new Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries today, also includes Cornwall, Southampton, Derby and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Bradford, County Durham and Stirling.

The winning city, which will succeed Coventry, will be announced in spring next year.

For the first time, each listee will receive £40,000 worth of investment.

They will all work with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to finalise their bids before the shortlist is announced early next year.

Custodians of Dee Valley are celebrated at Wenffrwd

* The Custodians exhibition at Wenffrwd pocket park.

A group of people dedicated to preserving the Dee Valley's cultural and natural heritage are being celebrated in pictures and words at the new pocket park just outside Llangollen.

As part of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty's Picturesque Landscape project it is working with a number of artists in residence.

Amongst them are husband and wife Jessica and Philip Hatcher-Moore who currently have an exhibition of their work at the Wenffrwd site off the A539.

Entitled Custodians, it profiles a number of people who are involved in preserving the valley’s heritage. So far, they have done five characters, and we will be adding to the exhibition in the coming months.     

The Hatcher-Moores are based in the Dee Valley. 

Jessica is an award-winning journalist, author and travel writer who worked for the Guardian in East Africa for five years before making a home in North Wales.

Her storytelling is characterised by unheard voices and improbable things.

Jessica’s first book, After Birth, about postnatal recovery, was published by Profile in May 2021. 

Husband Philip is a photographer living on a hillside in North Wales. 

His work, which has been recognised by several international awards and exhibitions, explores society’s relationship with the landscape and environment, and spans more than a decade of reportage from across the globe.

County launches website for weekly updates on 2020 scheme

Denbighshire County Council, in partnership with Welsh Government and Transport for Wales, is currently making improvements to Castle Street, Llangollen.

This 2020 scheme includes the creation of:

• wider footways
• improved and safer junctions
• new traffic signals and a pedestrian crossing
• new one-way systems
• resurfacing works

There will be some road closures and temporary traffic lights but the council says it  will work closely with local residents and businesses to listen to any concerns and minimise disruption.

The works should be completed by Spring 2022. 

In a bid to keep in touch with developments on a weekly basis the council has set up a website for updates.

You can log onto it at: https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/parking-roads-and-travel/roadworks/llangollen-2020.aspx

This week's work schedule:

Monday 4 October 2021

Set up traffic management (temporary traffic signals) from the bridge up to just before the junction with Market Street.

Start saw cutting for the new kerb line outside the Royal Hotel into Bridge Street.

Tuesday 5 October 2021

Continue with the work on Bridge Street.

Prepare for the new kerb line along Castle Street.

Wednesday 6 October 2021

Start to lay new kerbs on Bridge street.

Dig out along Castle Street ready for the new kerbs to be laid.

Thursday 7 October 2021

Continue with Castle Street kerb preparations.

Dig up the path along Bridge Street.

Friday 8 October 2021

Lay new kerbs along Castle Street.

First Minister praises "hugely impressive" health centre

* Sir Keir Starmer, left, Ken Skates and Mark Drakeford, far right, speak to practice manager Tessa Orton-Jones outside the health centre during their visit last April.

The “hugely impressive” team at Llangollen Health Centre had their praises sung in the Senedd yesterday by the First Minister.  

Mark Drakeford and local MS Ken Skates also hailed the efforts of all GP surgery and health centre staff in Wales during First Minister’s Questions on Tuesday.  

When primary health services in North Wales were brought up, Clwyd South MS Mr Skates said: “First Minister, during and before the pandemic you were a regular visitor to GP surgeries in Clwyd South, including in Chirk and Llangollen.   

“Would you join me in congratulating all staff at GP surgeries for the incredible work they've done during the pandemic, including, of course, reception staff? Would you also join me in condemning all abusive behaviour towards primary care health staff?”  

The First Minister responded: “I absolutely do that. I thank Ken Skates. It was at his invitation that I went both to Chirk, a little while ago now, but far more recently to the fantastic surgery in Llangollen, a 21st-century surgery with all the facilities that you need to run a modern primary care service.   

“It was hugely impressive hearing directly from the staff there of the way in which they had organised their services during the coronavirus pandemic, the enormous number of vaccinations they were able to do in a single day because of the way that they'd organised the services for that local population, and to hear not just from GPs but, as Ken Skates has said, from the practice manager and others who provide that service.   

“It is a brilliant example, and hugely appreciated by that local population, and I completely agree, as I'm sure Members right across the Chamber do, with what Ken Skates said. None of those people should be subject to abuse for doing the fantastic job that they have done.”  

The First Minister visited Llangollen Health Centre with Mr Skates and UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer in April – one of a number of times he’s visited the town this year.  

In 2014 Mr Drakeford, then Health Minister, announced £5m of Welsh Government funding to create a new health centre for the town following a campaign launched by previous Assembly Member Karen Sinclair and taken up by Mr Skates following his election in 2011.  

The former River Lodge building on the banks of the Dee had been bought by the Welsh Labour Government in 2007.  

Police appeal for witnesses to A5 collision

Wrexham.com is reporting that An appeal for witnesses has been launched after three people were taken to hospital following a road traffic collision on the A5 in Glyndyfrdwy last Friday afternoon (October 1st).

At 3:43pm, North Wales Police received a report of a three-vehicle collision involving a grey Jaguar F-Pace (which was towing a caravan), a green Skoda Yeti and a grey Mercedes sprinter on the A5.

Emergency services attended the incident and the driver of one vehicle, and the driver and passenger from another vehicle were all taken to the Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

One man has sustained serious injuries.

Police are now appealing for any witnesses and are keen to speak to anybody who may have been travelling along the A5 between Corwen and Llangollen around the time of the collision, and who may have dash cam footage, to contact officers at the Roads Policing Unit via the website or by calling 101, quoting reference number 21000682951.

Minister responds to "perfect storm" of local roadworks claim

* Gridlock on Regent Street caused by roadworks on September 17.

A town councillor has received a response from a Welsh Government minister to his complaints that Llangollen has been trapped in the "perfect storm" of roadworks.

Last month Stuart Davies called for national roads bosses to "get their act together" to manage major congestion in the town.

On September 17 roadworks around the retaining wall of the A5 on Queen Street, which are due to last 33 weeks, caused gridlock along Regent Street as heavy Friday afternoon traffic queued in both directions to negotiate the temporary lights set up just after the Birch Hill junction.

Cllr Davies also warned of problems caused by the night-time diversion of traffic through Llangollen from the A483/A5 for maintenance on the viaducts and the disruption by work on the town's own 2020 re-shaping project. 

He said in a statement to llanblogger at the time: "The perfect storm is happening here and now, something I warned about weeks ago."

His recent letter to Welsh Government bosses about this has now prompted a response from Deputy Minister for Climate Change, Lee Waters MS.    

Mr Waters says: "Whilst I appreciate your concerns, I can assure you that the recent Temporary Traffic Regulation Order that has been put in place does not mean that the A483 will be permanently closed for the duration of 18 months.

"The Order enables temporary closures to take place as required during the 18 month period, to undertake planned routine cyclic maintenance on the A483 and can also be used reactively in the event of an incident such as following a safety barrier collision or potholes, to allow a repair to take place.

"The most recent temporary closure on the A483 between Ruabon and Halton occurred overnight between 6 and 10 September to allow an investigation of the structural security of the viaducts in the Dee and Ceiriog Valleys. 

"Our agent will not be undertaking any further planned closures of the A483 Junction 1 to Halton Roundabout following the overnight essential structural repairs until the retaining wall repairs to the East of Llangollen and Llangollen 2020 schemes are completed. 

"Details of all planned closures are made available on the Traffic Wales website and I can assure you that our Trunk Road Agent liaises with the local authority when full closures are being planned, to agree the appropriate diversion route for all vehicle types and to plan around any other works that may also be scheduled along the diversion route. 

"With regards to ongoing and planned works in Llangollen it is unfortunate that two schemes will be running concurrently during the remainder of 2021 and early 2022. 

"Due to funding constraints and safety issues, it is necessary that these schemes are completed within the current financial year and North and Mid Wales Road Traffic Agent (NMWTRA) are working in collaboration with Denbighshire County Council to minimise disruption in the area as much as possible. 

"Regular coordination meetings are scheduled between the contractors and traffic management subcontractors for the Llangollen 2020 High Street Improvement and A5 Llangollen Retaining Wall Strengthening schemes. 

"Every effort is being made to phase traffic management on both schemes to minimise disruption to the travelling public."

Mr Waters adds: "NWMTRA is currently considering mitigation measures to ease traffic flows on the A5 in the event of an emergency closure of the A483 necessitating the use of the A5 as an emergency diversion route in addition to currently being operated as a diversionary route following a landslip at Newbridge.

"NMWTRA has instructed the contractor for the retaining wall strengthening scheme to apply temporary removal of the traffic management during such events. The contractor has also been instructed to shorten the length of traffic management whenever possible. 

"With regards to repairs to the B5605 at Newbridge, my officials recently met with Wrexham Council officers to discuss support. We have now received and are currently assessing an application for funding this financial year for ground investigation and detailed design works. These works will inform a future application by the council for funding for construction of the remedial works required. 

"We consider the road space issue is being managed as effectively as possible given the close proximity of the two schemes and the timescale for their completion. 

"However, I recognise the frustrations of the residents of Llangollen and thank them for their patience and understanding to enable NMWTRA to undertake these essential works that will safeguard the travelling public."

Cllr Davies said: "We need our elected Denbighshire County Council representatives to be more pro-active in highlighting concerns such as this and ensuring that our lives are disrupted as little as possible during the works."