Llangollen duo aiming to inspire women entrepreneurs

* Nic Wagstaff.

* Claire Marie Quant.

A duo from Llangollen are aiming to inspire  women wanting to break into the wellness sector and follow their entrepreneurial dreams at a conference in Chester later this week.

The Well-being Warrior Women’s Conference is the idea of Nic Wagstaff, an entrepreneur who runs Inspire-Rewire, and the theme of the event is Elevate and Grow.

In line with International Women’s Day, a collection of inspirational speakers will be hosting short talks on how they have either made the break into wellness full time, or elevated their business to the next level. 

Nic, who lives in Llangollen, is best known for teaching wellness entrepreneurs how to run their own retreats, as well as running her own successful well-being business including runningretreats in Chester and around North Wales.

The conference takes place on Thursday, March 10 at Cheshire View, Christleton, from 9.30am to 3.30pm with the main workshops being held between 10am and 2.30pm.

If you are a woman looking to grow or elevate your well-being business, this is an opportunity to enjoy face to face networking once again and be surrounded by like-minded ladies who are keen to grow or set up their own business, find a collaborator or get advice around public relations, marketing, branding and coaching.

The speaker line up also includes Llangollen-based Claire Marie Quant, a public relations expert and career clarity coach for women of 40-plus at a crossroads in their lives.

Speaking about her first Well-being Warrior Conference for Women, Nic Wagstaff said she was inspired to create the event to help and inspire others in the well-being industry and to reinforce her passion to help wellbeing practitioners share their mission and services with ideal clients through her various retreats, events and online groups.

She said: “This is just the first conference, and I've dedicated this one to women in line with International Women's Day, but later we will open it up to everyone. As well as bringing together amazing experts in and out of the well-being world, we will understand we are not alone, it's not for the faint-hearted but that you are truly a warrior, and it's so worth it.

“Having worked in the well-being business for 7 years after leaving corporate where I worked as Group Head of Learning and Development, I understand how hard it is making that switch to follow your passion, and more than that, I know how it feels to have that sinking feeling after you make that choice of 'have I done the right thing?' when times are tough.”

Claire Marie Quant is hosting one of the workshops with the themeBelief In You. 

She set up her own PR business after quitting corporate life back in 2016. She now combines her two loves of communications with coaching women who find themselves stuck in a rut and at a career crossroads.

Claire said: “I am delighted to be sharing the day with Nic Wagstaff, of Inspire-Rewire and other inspirational speakers and delegates, as it’s so important to empower each other and help others on their personal transformation journey. So often women don’t realise their true potential because they lack confidence, and self-esteem to make a change.

“I show women that it’s never too late to re-invent themselves and live their life on their own terms. Once they have clarity on their amazing skills it's possible to see a path to a brighter, lighter and more fulfilled life. Having a conference like this in Chester is an amazing opportunity for women to get the confidence, support and networks to follow their dreams.”

Other speakers include Nicola Kemp, a marketing consultant with independent businesses, who develops their brands, websites and provides marketing support; Gabi Forrester, a naturopath and health transformation and business mentor for health and wellness practitioners and entrepreneurs; Anne Sheakey, owner of ATTIC Teas and expert in affiliate processes and opportunities.

* Tickets for the Well-being Warrior Women's Conferenceare £49 per person, including lunch and are available at https://www.inspire-rewire.com/new-events/womens-conferences

Work planned for week ahead on town's 2020 project

Work planned for the week starting Monday, March 7 on the Llangollen 2020 project is:

Castle Street west (Parade Street to Dee Lane): Finish paving installation.

Castle Street east (Bridge Street toward the bridge):

* Prepare and install paving

* Continue kerb installation

Hundreds attend peace vigil for Ukraine in town square

* Candles are lit along the square's back wall.

* Organiser Issy Richards welcomes people to the vigil. 

* A special message to the people of Ukraine.

* The array of candles after dark.

* The castle lit up in Ukrainian colours. Picture by Scott Cooper.

Around 200 attended a vigil for peace in Ukraine staged in Llangollen's Centenary Square earlier this evening (Sunday).

Some were wearing the blue and yellow colours of the Ukrainan flag while others carried placards supporting the people of the war-torn country who are currently fighting desperately to resist the Russian invasion.

At dusk scores of candles were lit and placed along the back wall of the square, over which fluttered a specially-placed Ukrainian flag, as a symbol of support for Ukraine.

Just before two the town hall clock struck 6pm the gathering stood in silence for two minutes.

Just before the silence the St Collen's Church tenor bell was tolled for five minutes. 

At around the same time the castle was lit up in blue and yellow and remained so for around 90 minutes.

The town's former deputy mayor Issy Richards, who organised the vigil, welcomed all those who had come along and read out a poignant anti-war poem entitled Night in Al-Hamra by Saadi Youssef.     

The castle illumination had been specially arranged by ASG Audio Visual and the Clwydian Range and dee Valley.

There was an opportunity to make donations to the Red Cross Ukraine Appeal, being run by the Ukraine Red Cross Society and the International Committee of the Red Cross. A total of £584.88 was raised.

Town's own Ukraine peace vigil is this evening

Llangollen's former deputy mayor, Issy Richards, has organised a vigil for peace - Gwylnos Heddwch - for Ukraine in the town's Centenary Square this evening (Sunday).

She said: "The widely-condemned invasion of Ukraine is unfolding before our very eyes. People's lives, livelihoods and homes are being destroyed, and international tensions are running high. 

"Ten years ago the staff and pupils of the Peace School, Kiev, Ukraine, sent good wishes to the Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod on St David's Day. 

"As we know, LIME was founded 75 years ago in the spirit of international peace and cooperation. Llangollen has many links with Ukraine, we are 'Where Wales Welcomes The World'."

Issy added: "There will be a Vigil for Peace in Llangollen between 5-6pm on Sunday March 6 in Centenary Square, and everyone is invited to gather together to express our solidarity and support for the people of Ukraine. 

"Please arrive anytime after 5pm, wearing something blue or yellow if possible, (the colours of the Ukraine flag), wrap up warmly, and bring any refreshments you may need. 

"We will light candles at 6pm, so please bring your own candle, or we can provide you with a tea light.

"Our aim is to peacefully raise awareness of the situation in Ukraine, and to show Llangollen's solidarity with the country and its people. 

"There will be an opportunity to make donations to the Red Cross Ukraine Appeal, being run by the Ukraine Red Cross Society and the International Committee of the Red Cross."

Collen Players go back in time for latest music hall show

* The entire Collen Players cast on stage to take a bow.

All pictures by Jeanette Robinson

* Julie Thomas. 

* On the piano, Owen Roberts.

* Susan Stokes.

* A charming chicken meets Queen Victoria.

* Warren and his Dancing Dogs.

* Chairman, Father Lee Taylor.

* Gethin Davies.

* Phil Robinson.

* John Williams.

Llangollen Community Hall was once again transported back in time to the late Victorian era last night as the Collen Players' presented their latest successful music hall and variety show.

The production had its usual blend of laughter and song brought to a packed audience by a diverse cast but this time with the addition of an unusual novelty act.

In the chair for the evening once again was Father Lee Taylor, vicar of Llangollen and a dedicated follower of music hall.

He opened proceedings with a selection of numbers, such as Oh! The Fairies and Sons of the Sea, which had the audience joining in with vigour.

The crowd were back in tune with the first of the acts, Julie Thomas, as she belted out My Old Man, Wouldn’t it be Loverly and Lambeth Walk.

Then up came Warren and his dancing dogs - a marvellous concoction of cavorting canines plus a couple of well-trained chickens.  

Another Collen Players favourite Susan Stokes charmed with her choice of After the Ball and Edelweiss.

A catchy medley of Feed the Birds/Let's Go Fly a Kite/Nellie the Elephant/Y Viva Espana delivered by the chairman proved the perfect opener to the second act.

Gethin Davies took the stage to weave his usual musical magic with The Hippopotamus Song and one of his crowd-pleasing monologues.

Phil Robinson's selection of sing-along numbers from music hall days included On Mother Kelly’s Doorstep and You Made Me Love You.

Warren and His Dancing Dogs came back to present their incredible routine in their grand finale performance before the powerful voice of John Williams wound up the show in style with Two Lovely Black Eyes and Sunshine of Your Smile.

With the full company back on stage to take their bows the chairman led a final rousing chorus of music hall standard Down at the Old Bull & Bush.

Acts were accompanied on the piano by Owen Roberts and Eulanwy Davies. 

Cat's back in action to support the people of Ukraine

The woman who helped Llangollen get through the worst of the pandemic has now turned her attention to organising local support for the people of war-torn Ukraine.

Cat Meade, who works at the Castle Street office of estate agents Wingett's, sprang into action two years ago to mastermind the setting up of the Llangollen Covid Support Group.

Based around a popular Facebook page, this rapidly developed into a network of volunteers who ensured that people self-isolating were kept supplied with everything from prescriptions to newspapers.

Cat also organised a series of highly popular raffles to ensure the town's businesses were able to keep in touch with their customers.

Now, as war rages through Ukraine, Cat is back in action.

In a Facebook post she says: "The Llangollen Covid Page was set up almost two years to the date to assist the community through a very difficult and uncertain time! I think we can all say it was a very useful tool.

"I have changed the name to "support group" so it can be a useful and helpful page to assist with whatever the world throws at us!

"The amazing humans that form our community are always willing to assist, so I thought a great idea to keep this page active!

"We all know the situation in UKRAINE and I know several people are already on the case with collections etc."

She adds: "I am working with UareUK - United to Assist Refugees UK (Refugees North Wales and Overseas) who have assisted for many years with refugees and donating aid."

Cat also asked people to put a Ukrainian flag in their window/shop to show support

In her latest post on the newly-renamed Facebook page, she has posted a "want list" for Ukraine, which includes:

ALL MEDICAL REQUESTS;

Bandages

Saline pods

Saline

Field dressings

Celox granules

Wound sealers

Tourniquets

Nitrile gloves

And in support of a Refugee family now here if you can assist

Boys Size 34 Wellies (UK Size 2)

Buggy with a big shopping space underneath

Rugs (big ones) – very good condition or new

Girls Clothes age 14-15. And new underwear/ PJs/ socks

Boys Clothes age 10-11. And new underwear/ PJs/ socks

Female 12-14

Male medium

Boy clothes age 8-9yrs

girls clothes age 4-5yrs

girls clothes age 2-3yrs. Including PJs, underwear and socks

Requirement for wheeled suitcases in useable condition

Wingett's, says Cat, will be open Sunday, from 5pm till 6pm for donations of the above along with any cash donations before the peace vigil for Ukraine in Centenary Square, organised by former deputy mayor Issy Richards, at 6pm tomorrow.

* See the Llangollen Support Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2605345223029039

Llangollen actor shares billing with stunt mouse in TV comedy

* Dyfed Thomas stars in the new series of Rybish. 

A top actor from Llangollen is sharing the limelight with a stunt mouse with “star quality” that’s appeared in a blockbuster Netflix show and EastEnders.

Tipper, the talented brown rodent, is making her debut in a Welsh language TV comedy series alongside the popular actor, Dyfed Thomas, hails originally from Rhosllanerchrugog.

The mouse will feature in a scene in one of the episodes in the second series of the award-winning sit-com, Rybish (Rubbish), in which Dyfed is a key member of the cast

Produced by Caernarfon-based Cwmni Da, filming took place at a real-life recycling centre in Blaenau Ffestiniog.

The first episode will be broadcast on S4C at 9pm on Friday, April 1.

* Tipper the talented rodent is due to make an appearance.

Dyfed, who lives just outside Llangollen with his wife, former Benny Hill actress Julie Kirk, plays Eurwyn, perhaps the most educated of all the characters who can recite poetry instinctively and who is a keen jigsaw player.

An actor with more than 45 years’ experience, Dyfed has focused on work behind the camera in recent years, mainly adapting novels into movie scripts.

“I’ve sold some scripts to Bollywood and in the past few years I've spent a lot of my time in India.

"The invitation to appear in Rybish was unexpected but I've really enjoyed it, especially being involved, albeit in a small way, with the creative process.

"My character, Eurwyn, is one of those traditional, ordinary and dear people who are devoted to Welsh culture. One of the quarry hut crew that could recite R Williams Parry without a problem. It’s very important to have people like that; genuine, hardworking and totally happy in their work and important that such characters exist on television to represent our unique Welsh culture and heritage.

“In playing the part, I almost feel like I've gone full circle in my career, returning to acting in my native Welsh and reminiscing about theatre work by being so close to the cast and crew.”

Dyfed added that after completing filming Rybish he is looking forward to taking part in another S4C programme later this year. 

The plotline involving Tipper is being kept under wraps but it is known that she will be seen in the Y Caban (cabin) where the six members of staff take a break from the daily grind of their working lives.

Producer and BAFTA Cymru award-nominated writer Barry Jones, known universally as Archie, said: "We wanted a real mouse so that it appeared authentic and Tipper proved to be just what was wanted. It's not a big part but it's still a very important part of the episode."

Eagle-eyed animal lovers may recognise Tipper from one of her previous appearances on the BBC's Eastenders.

Animal trainer Mark Amey said Tipper was seen scurrying about the London Underground station on the EastEnders set last year.

And he revealed Tipper has returned to Walford for another, yet to be broadcast, episode of the long running soap opera.

Tipper, whose was named by Mark because of a little white tip on her body, and her mum appeared in the hit Netflix show, Tiny Creatures, which was awarded two prestigious Emmy Awards for Outstanding Travel, Adventure and Nature Programme and Outstanding Cinematography at a ceremony in Los Angeles last summer.

Mark, who keeps and breeds exotic animals at his Hertfordshire home, said Tipper is from a long line of acting mice: "They live for about a year and a half and Tipper's about ready for a well-earned retirement and possibly have a family of her own," he added.

The first series of Rybish was filmed during the first Covid-19 lockdown and Cwmni Da built their own recycling centre at an old landfill site at Carmel, near Caernarfon.

According to Archie, the initial plan was to film the series at a real recycling centre.

He said: "Lockdown put an end to that idea and we built our own centre and the cast and crew created their own bubble living an old pub during the filming.

"We were delighted when Gwynedd Council said we could use the centre at Blaenau Ffestiniog. It is normally open three days a week and we were able to use it when it was closed.

"The centre staff, like the rest of the town, were very welcoming and helped us no end.

"The series has six episodes and they all relate to the same day at the centre. Obviously, we filmed over a period of weeks and the staff were really helpful in assisting us to maintain continuity," he said.

While some scenes are shot on normal camera equipment the Caban scenes are filmed using fixed cameras.

"The actors sit in the Caban and perform their lines while the director, Sion Aaron and I sit in a gallery close by.

“We filmed the interior scenes with remote cameras hung from the ceiling, and because all the cameras were recording throughout, the actors were free to act the scene without having to worry which camera was capturing what.

“It gives the scene a fly-on-the-wall type approach which is very realistic and has worked really well," added Archie.

Each episode features a guest star as well as the usual cast. Local people were recruited as extras who bring their unwanted items to the centre and interact with the actors.

Rybish also features Sion Pritchard as Clive, the site manager and Betsan Ceiriog as Bobbi.

Rhodri Trefor also returns as Nigel, the worker with a theory to explain every possible aspect of everyday life and Mair Tomos Ifans reprises her role as Val, the monosyllabic gate keeper.

The sixth member of the cast is the wonderfully funny Carys Gwilym.

* The series, currently in post-production, will start on S4C at 9pm on Friday, April 1.