Search is on for young actors to play TV twins

* Ifan Henri, 10, and Lleucu Owen, 11, are now too long in the tooth to play TV twins Deian a Loli.

Calling budding young actors from Denbighshire!

A search has been launched to find two youngsters to take over the title roles in a hit TV series about a pair of mischievous twins with secret super powers.

Production company Cwmni Da are looking for two child actors to take over the main characters in the multi-award winning S4C show, Deian a Loli.

The current duo, Ifan Henri, 10, and Lleucu Owen, 11, are now too long in the tooth to play their parts in the popular Welsh language series.

The show has earned critical acclaim and scooped no less than three BAFTA Cymru awards, along with a host of other accolades.

According to director and co-producer Martin Thomas, no previous acting experience is needed.

He said: “Any young actors aged between nine and 12 years of age are invited to send us a video telling an interesting story about themselves. It can be literally about anything they have done, have seen or just a figment of their imagination.

“The last time we carried out this exercise we received more than 550 videos and the previous time we got around 300 so the whittling down process will take a bit of time.

“We are looking for children with enthusiasm and a zest for life.”

The closing date for applications is January 3, 2022, and more details can be found on the Cwmni Da website at www.cwmnida.cymru

By saying the magic word, Ribidirew!, Deian and Loli are able to freeze their parents while they go off on fantastic adventures.

With preparations under way for the fourth series, Deian and Loli is now established as a firm favourite with Welsh youngsters and their parents.

Ifan, who lives in Abersoch, and Lleucu, from Cerrigydrudion, say playing Deian a Loli has been an unforgettable, fun-filled experience.

“I really enjoyed it, “ said Ifan. “There was loads of fun with the crew and Lleucu and I got on really well. There were lots of jokes and Lleucu and I would often have a fit of the giggles and we'd have to re-do the scene. I think the most we had to do was seven takes."

Lleucu, who attends Ysgol Brynhyfryd in Ruthin, added: "I’ve watched Deian a Loli since it started and I was pleased to get the part. I was a bit nervous but once we started, I felt confident.

"Filming was great and I learned such a lot about acting. I would like to do something like this again and possibly go into the world of acting," she said.

Lleucu and Ifan were kept busy filming the 15-minute episodes until earlier this autumn after the Covid-19 pandemic upset the production schedule.

Both pair advised anyone applying for the roles to prepare their short videos carefully. They should be no more than two minutes long.

Martin said filming will take place in the Caernarfon area next May, shooting an initial 10 episodes and a further 10 the following year.

He added: "Ifan and Lleucu have been brilliant and I’d like to thank them for their amazing contribution to the success of Deian a Loli.

“The show fires up the imagination of the children and shows that they can have an adventure.

“Some of the tales might have a darker edge but it all works out in the end.

"The programme has been well received but for me the real joy has been to see the faces of our audiences when we stage special events like premieres.

“Sitting in a cinema and looking at the children spell bound and staring at the screen as the episode unfolds is priceless.

"The Covid pandemic meant we were not able to stage as many of these as we would have liked with Ifan and Lleucu but I'm sure we will be able to stage these again," he said.

* The closing date for applications is January 3, 2022, and more details can be found on the Cwmni Da website www.cwmnida.cymru

Work planned for 2020 project next week

Work planned for week starting December 13 on the town's 2020 project is:

• Paving on Castle Street east and west
• Paving on Market Street north
• Install new sign posts at various locations
• Remove any traffic management not needed over the Christmas period (December 17 until January 4)

Llan legion chairman hands special gifts to the army

* Phil Stroud holds the Wilfred Owen medal 

presentation case he handed over to the sergeants' mess.

* Phil with the officer's sword which he also presented 

to the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment.

The chairman of Llangollen's Royal British Legion branch has made two special presentations to the army.

Phil Stroud, who formerly served with the King's Regiment, recently purchased a medal presentation case of First World War soldier/poet Wilfred Owen and also an officer's sword.

And he decided to present them both to the sergeants' mess of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment which is based at the Dale Camp in Chester.  

Phil said: "I had been invited to the finals of the inter-company novice boxing, which brought back a lot of very fond memories of watching the boxing whilst I was in the King's Regiment. 

"Later the King's, which was formed from Manchester Regiment, merged into the Duke of Lancasters. 

"I had purchased both a medal  presentation of Wilfred Owen, who served with the Manchesters during the Great War only to be killed a few days before the Armistice in 1918.

"I had also purchased an officer's sword which I presented to the warrant officers' and sergeants' mess for the use by the Regimental Sergeant Major on ceremonial occasions. 

"The RSM, WO1 Mark Wilson, accepted both the items with great pleasure. He told me that the sword  would be worn with pride and passed on to future RSMs."

Plas Newydd hosts its Christmas event

* The wreath-making sessions were popular with visitors.

People aiming to get into the seasonal spirit flocked to Plas Newydd's special Christmas event this afternoon (Saturday).

In the lit-up grounds of the home of the Ladies of Llangollen, it featured stalls selling crafts and plants as well as a wishing tree, Christmas wreath making sessions and the opportunity to have your picture taken by experts with a Victorian-style box camera.

There was also lots of interest being shown in the Llangollen Food Share stand.

Seasonal music was provided by Llangollen Silver Band playing a selection of carols.

The tearoom was doing a brisk trade in mulled wine and mince pies and later traditional roasted chestnuts were promised.   

* Some of the craft stalls on offer.

* Llangollen Food Share had a stand.

* The busy scene at Plas Newydd later in the afternoon.

* People take their turns at the wishing tree.

* Llangollen Silver Band play a selection of carols.

Glanrafon holds its Christmas fair

Glanrafon Evangelical Church is holding its annual Christmas fair until 3pm today (Saturday) featuring a range of fancy goods and crafts on a seasonal theme.

Collen Players present their Christmas music hall special

* The entire cast of Deck the Halls. 

All pictures: Jeanette Robinson

* Neil Barrett and Dave Lyne.

* Phil Robinson.

* Shea Ferron.

* Chairman Lee Taylor.

* Sue Stokes.

* John Williams.

* Helen Belton.

The Collen Players were back on stage at the Community Hall last night (Friday) to present their latest successful music hall and variety show.

Deck the Halls, their Christmas special, brought together a number of old favourites and newer performers, all under the chairmanship of music hall aficionado, Father Lee Taylor.

Eulanwy Davies was at the keyboard to accompany the various acts which ranged from singers to an hilarious comedy duo.

The chairman opened proceedings with his usual presentation of banter and music songs to help take us back to the naughty 1890s.    

First soloist up on stage was Sue Stokes with the haunting Scottish aires Skye Boat Song and Loch Lomond.

Neil Barrett teamed up again with Dave Lyne to take on their well-loved comedy personas of Barbara and Joyce, the old pals who just love to gossip about their world.

For the festive season they warbled out a specially-written piece poking gentle fun at the realities of another pandemic Christmas to the traditional tune of The Twelve Days of Christmas.

Taking over the spotlight was Phil Robinson with a raucous rendition of nightclub ballad Fanlight Fanny and the much more subtle If You Were the Only Girl in the Girl.      

John Williams opened the second half with his jaunty version of music hall standard Pretty Little Polly Perkins.

Next it was off to London to hear Helen Belton present a beautiful interpretation of A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square.

Popping up in both halves of the bill was talented young singer Shea Ferron with his powerful West End show numbers and the music hall piece I Was One of the Early Birds.

Neil and Dave were back to round things off in style with another hilarious musical adaption, this time of Barry Manilow’s Copacabana with lyrics featuring Llangollen Co-op.

The entire cast as usual said goodnight with two rousing choruses of Down at the Old Bull and Bush.

No major changes planned to Welsh Covid restrictions before Christmas

The latest Welsh Covid review will not see any major changes to the country's regulations.

But the Welsh Government is asking everyone to use the lateral flow tests before Christmas shopping, going to parties or visiting others.

An diners and drinkers are being asked wear masks when not eating or drinking in pubs and restaurants.

In his latest statement First Minister Mark Drakeford is urging everyone to have their Covid-19 booster vaccine as he warned Wales is facing a new wave of infections caused by the omicron variant.

More than a million people have already received their booster vaccine in Wales but the programme is being speeded up following the emergence of the fast-moving variant.

The First Minister will say, at his regular 21-day review press conference, to be held later today (Friday) that even though only a handful of cases of omicron have so far been confirmed in Wales, we must be prepared for cases to rise quickly and sharply.

Omicron was first identified in South Africa just over two weeks ago. It has quickly spread around the world, including to the UK. There is now widespread community transmission in many parts of England and Scotland. He said: “The emergence of the omicron variant is another worrying development in this long-running pandemic. We are concerned about the speed it is moving and its potential to infect large numbers of people. 

“We are speeding up the roll-out of boosters in response to the new variant. We’re increasing the number of clinics and extending opening hours.

“Every single vaccination is a small victory against the virus – so please make getting your vaccine or booster a priority.

“This will be the best Christmas present you can give yourself and your family this year.”

There are a number of other measures people can take to help protect themselves from coronavirus, including the new omicron variant.

The First Minister will ask people to take regular lateral flow tests before going out and to wear face coverings in all public places help protect people in the lead up to Christmas.

Wales will remain at alert level zero after the latest review of the covid regulations. However, with the spread of the Omicron variant, the Welsh Government is strongly advising:

• People flow before they go. This means taking a lateral flow test before going out – whether that’s to a Christmas party; Christmas shopping; visiting friends or family; going to any crowded or busy place or before travelling.
  
  
• If the test is positive, don’t go out. Arrange for a PCR test and self-isolate.
  
  
• People to wear face coverings in pubs and restaurants, when they aren’t eating or drinking. Everyone must wear face coverings in most other indoor public places, in accordance with the law, including in cinemas and theatres. 

The First Minister added: “None of us wanted to hear about the news of this new variant. After almost two years of the pandemic, we had all hoped that we could put coronavirus behind us this Christmas. But, we have faced challenges many times during this pandemic. And we have learned from each one. 

"We are not back at square one. Please do everything you can to protect yourself and your loved ones. Please follow all the advice and all the measures which have kept us safe over the last couple of years. And let’s stay safe and well this Christmas.”