Deadline for taking part in Llangollen Round Challenge is at hand

The deadline for taking part in the 4th Llangollen Round Challenge in aid of Cancer Research UK is midnight on Sunday May 8, say organisers.

Around 500 people from across the UK are expected to take part in the sponsored 35-mile hike which is being held over two days on May 28 and 29.

A spokesperson for the challenge said: "We are fast approaching the entry limit for the 2022 Llangollen Round Challenge, so sadly booking must close at midnight on Sunday.  

"Make sure you let any friends know not to leave it too late."

The spokesperson added: "We'll promise you magnificent scenery along the way and support in completing the course.

"The route will be waymarked and marshalled, with five checkpoints carrying water and light refreshments. Back at base there will be more food, certificates and medals for everyone.

"In line with last year we expect around 500 entrants."  

* For more information about how to take part in the challenge, call Judy on 07905 330788, or visit the Llangollen Round Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/llangollenround2022

Collen Players keep the audience buzzing with their latest show

* The whole cast say goodnight from the stage. All pictures by

Jeanette Robinson.

* Chairman Lee Taylor opens the show.

* Alison Jarvis presents her two numbers.

* Mike Connolly sings his powerful songs.

* Owen Roberts at the keyboard.

* Colin Bourdiec channels George Formby.

* Phil Robinson has the audience singing along.

* Louise Cielecki thrills with two show numbers.

* Colin Bourdiec returns with a music hall medley. 

* Father Lee closes the show.

The Collen Players, joined by a special guest star, presented their latest old time music hall and variety show at the Community Hall last night (Friday).

It was the usual blend of top-class music, cheeky banter and sing-along song which audiences have come to love from the group over the past few years.

Peerless accompaniment came from Owen Roberts at the keyboard.

Following some quick-paced introductory patter from the chairman - as usual Father Lee Taylor - first up on the stage, which was dressed to evoke a gaslit Victorian music hall from the naughty 1890s, came the sweet-toned songstress Alison Jarvis who offered the appreciative crowd All the Nice Girls Love a Sailor and You Made Me Love You.

It was then the turn of Players regular Mike Connolly to present a pleasingly powerful When I Leave the World Behind followed by a stirring We'll Keep a Welcome (in the Hillside).

Then it was time for the evening's special guest, the highly talented Colin Bourdiec to deliver a brilliantly entertaining tribute to the late great music hall legend and variety icon George Formby, complete with the favourite When I'm Cleaning Windows.

After more warm-up material from the chairman to keep the audience buzzing, another Players regular Phil Robinson offered a pleasing When I Was 17 then You Are my Sunshine, his latter choice seeing the crowd keeping up the sing-along rhythm set by earlier acts.

Louise Cielecki, a former top performer with the Llangollen Young 'Uns now embarked on a successful professional stage career, first amused with Little Girls from the smash-hit show Annie then brought a tear to the eye with I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables.  

Colin Bourdiec closed the show in style with a medley of period hits from the likes of Sir Harry Lauder and Bud Flannigan - a definite crowd pleaser of an act.

As has become traditional, the whole company assembled on stage to say a musical goodnight with two rousing choruses of Down at the Old Bull and Bush "Da, da, da, da, da". 

Election results reveal Llangollen's two new county councillors

* The new County Cllr Karen Edwards.

* The new County Cllr Keddie.

Following yesterday's election Llangollen's two new county councillors are Karen Edwards and Paul Keddie, who both stood as Independent candidates.

Cllr Edwards, who is a former Llangollen town councillor, was elected with 626 votes and Cllr Keddie, who has also retained his seat on the town council, with 623.

Both will serve for five years until the next election.

Cllr Edwards said: "I would like to send my heartfelt thanks to everyone who voted for me. I will do my best to represent all the electorate in a fair and equal measure. Now the hard work begins."

Cllr Keddie said: "I’m incredibly honoured to have been elected alongside Cllr Karen Edwards.  We will be a strong Independent Voice for Llangollen and the surrounding villages.  I would like to wish the unsuccessful candidates well and will do my best to follow through with their goals, everyone had good plans.

"I will always put you, my friends and neighbours first.  I’d also like to thank formers councillors Melvyn Mile and Graham Timms for their staunch work for us over the years. 

"I will support everybody - not just the people who voted for me."

Sarah Marshall said: "Firstly I want to congratulate Karen Edwards and Paul Keddie on their success.

"It is really encouraging that the Green Party had their best result yet in Llangollen elections for County Council, and also have won two seats in Denbighshire. 

"This puts Climate and Environment issues firmly on the agenda for local politicians."

Stuart Davies, who was bidding for a return to the county council and served until the election as a town councillor, failed to be elected after recording 445 votes yesterday.

He contacted llanblogger to say: "My team and I fought a good fight but didn't make it. I will now gracefully retire from politics to make way for younger people and wish the area's two new county councillors the best of luck."  

The remaining three candidates contesting the two local seats received the following number of votes:

Dawn Butters, Welsh Conservative - 130

Roger Jarvis, Welsh Conservative - 106

Sarah Marshall, Wales Green Party - 543

Full results

As only six candidates came forward for the 11 vacant seats on Llangollen Town Council no election was necessary yesterday.

The remaining five seats will therefore have to be filled by co-option following the election.

New town councillors are:

* Felton Scott Lee

* Gittins Craig, 7 Oak Street, Llangollen, LL20 8NR, Independent

* Haddy Jon Henllys, Berwyn, Llangollen, Denbighshire, LL20 8AL Independent

* Keddie Paul, Ty Cae`r Onnen, 48 Regent Street, Llangollen, LL20 8HS, Independent

* Morris Aled Huw, Independent

* Rush Jen 43 Tyn Y Celyn Drive, Llangollen, LL20 7PN

MS calls for tourism to get more Welsh Government support

* The Llangollen Canal is a top tourist attraction.

Sam Rowlands, Senedd Member for North Wales, has called on Welsh Government to give more support to the tourism sector.

Mr Rowlands, who is Shadow Minister for Local Government and chair of the Senedd’s Cross Party group on tourism, was commenting while closing a Conservative debate on tourism.

He said: “I would like to focus on three issues, first is the importance of tourism in Wales which welcomes around 100 million visits every single year. These are people coming to our great nation, spending their money, supporting local jobs and enjoying our spectacular attractions. 

“The second point is the impact that COVID-19 had on our tourism sector here in Wales, with lockdowns and restrictions seeing a number of businesses shut down, whilst others struggled to stay afloat. 

“The final point is the proposed changes from Welsh Government on the non-domestic rating system and taxation proposals, that will the impact many holiday letting businesses and livelihoods. 

“We need to remember that now is the time to encourage enterprise and business here in Wales. We need to encourage people to visit Wales and spend their money in our businesses, sustaining those jobs and communities that are vitally important. 

“Visitors to Wales spend significant sums and invest significantly in our country, benefiting our local economies, from hoteliers to restaurants, to those who run incredible attractions up and down Wales. Now is the time to celebrate this sector and appreciate that people from across the world come to choose Wales as a place to visit.”

New clinic at Wrexham Maelor aims to cut cancer waiting times

A specialist clinic will be created in Wrexham to cut cancer waiting times and help early diagnosis. 

The news was confirmed by Welsh Government Health Minister Eluned Morgan and was immediately welcomed by local Members of the Senedd Ken Skates and Lesley Griffiths. 

The new Rapid Diagnosis Centre at Wrexham Maelor Hospital will be one of three in north Wales and could help detect early signs of cancer before they develop further. 

In response to a letter from Mr Skates, the MS for Clwyd South, the Minister said: “The introduction of RDCs is an important part of the national approach to improving cancer outcomes. RDCs provide GPs with an additional referral option when they suspect cancer, but the patient does not meet the criteria for a suspected cancer referral.” 

She added: “I am pleased to confirm that one of the three RDCs being introduced in north Wales is at Ysbyty Wrexham Maelor.” 

Mr Skates said: “This is excellent news for Wrexham. Rapid Diagnosis Centres part of a national programme supporting Welsh health boards to investigate often vague symptoms that may be caused by cancer, and can provide quick reassurance, help diagnose a range of other conditions and refer people on for cancer treatment more quickly if needed. 

“One in two people are diagnosed with some form of cancer. I’m delighted that Wrexham will have its own innovative centre to help increase local capacity, speed up diagnosis and reduce anxiety for patients at what will be extremely worrying times in their lives.”

Member of the Senedd for Wrexham, Lesley Griffiths, said: “The Welsh Government is committed to supporting our NHS as it begins to deal with the effects of the pandemic and this latest announcement will certainly be welcomed by Wrexham residents. 

“These new clinics aim to provide diagnosis quickly for patients across the region, allowing the appropriate treatments to start sooner and offering greater clarity, certainty and support to people during a particularly overwhelming and stressful period.” 

The concept of RDCs was identified by the Wales Cancer Network and previously piloted through Welsh Government funding.

Celebrations planned so far for Queen's Jubilee

A number of celebrations are planned in the town so far to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee on the bank holiday weekend from Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th June.  

Saturday, June 4th will see Llangollen Inner Wheel hold an event in the Town Hall promising crafts, cakes, tombola and raffle with members providing light refreshments 10.30 pm until 3pm.

Charity groups are invited to apply for a stall, there will not be a charge.

At 12noon there will be a parade of Kings, Queens, Princes and Princesses for up to the age of 11 years old. There will be a small souvenir prize for each entrant.

Members of the Inner Wheel say they are hoping this will b a fun event and a fitting way to mark a historic occasion with plenty of flag-waving and patriotic 'singalongs.'

* For details of the above contact enid.law@froncastell.co.uk

Market Street will be closed and here too there will be stalls with craft and and food. On Centenary Square there will be musical performances.

Sunday, June 5th will see a tea Ddnce in the Town Hall.

* For details of these celebrations contact chemshouts@yahoo.co.uk, or phone 07813 761766.

St Collen’s Church will celebrate the jubilee with a Service of Thanksgiving at 11am on Saturday 4th June.

This will be followed by a BBQ in the church grounds, with all welcome. 

*Further news regarding the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in Llangollen!

Llangollen Methodist Church in Princess Street will be holding an Open Day on Saturday, 4th June from 10.00 am until 4.00 pm.

*The church will be open to view and there will be displays by various groups depicting the life of the church today. 

*A short history of the church will be available and there will be craft activities for the children.

*Tea and coffee and homemade teas, including cream teas available.

Llangollen RAFA has  announce that it will be holding a Family Diamond Jubilee Party at the Club on Saturday June 4th starting at 6pm through to 11pm.

There will be fun for all the family with Hot Dogs, Party Food and a prize for the child with best Fancy Dress.

The event will also see the return of JK Sonic Sounds Disco after 16 years away, playing songs from each decade of Her Majesty's reign.

Tickets will be £1 each and will be on sale from the Club and Llangollen Oggie and Fine Foods shop in Castle Street from Saturday 7th May.

All Members and Non-members welcome.

MP looks in at Llangollen gallery

* Simon Baynes MP with Suzanne Mathieson, owner of The Dory Gallery.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes visited the The Dory Gallery in Llangollen and met with the owner, Suzanne Mathieson. 

The gallery officially opened in June 2021 and is an independent creative and cultural space, which aims to showcase the best in contemporary art within the local area.  

Suzanne and her late partner, Dory Ross, moved to Llangollen in 2017 and took over the empty building in Regent Street, which was initially built in 1840 as a school for the poor, extended in 1870 and again in 1996 when it became the Health Centre for Llangollen. 

However, in February 2020, Dory Ross passed away and Suzanne decided to officially open The Dory Gallery in his memory, to showcase his work and that of other local artists including Edward Bell, who is famous for designing a number of David Bowie’s album covers. 

Suzanne said: “I feel very passionate about keeping the art gallery open, offering the local community access to contemporary artwork and invite everyone to come and experience this for free. I plan on hosting a variety of cultural events in this beautiful building, which will assist in keeping it sustainable.

“I am particularly keen on engaging with a younger audience, so will be partnering with Glyndwr University to support emerging artists at the beginning of their careers. I look forward to welcoming all!”

Simon Baynes said: “I was delighted to visit The Dory Gallery in Llangollen and to meet with Suzanne to see the brilliant exhibition space the gallery has to offer.

"I was saddened to hear of the passing of Dory Ross in 2020, but think that The Dory Gallery is a wonderful and fitting tribute to Dory and his paintings. 

“I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Suzanne and would strongly recommend a visit to The Dory Gallery."