Original Calendar Girl wishes Operatic good luck with show

* Tricia's message of 'good luck' to the Operatic.

The woman who was the inspiration for the world-famous Calendar Girls story has wished members of Llangollen Operatic luck as they make final preparations to stage the hit show next week.

From Wednesday August 31 until Saturday September 3 at the town hall the society will present the musical version of how the ladies of Rylstone and District WI posed nude for a calendar back in 1999 to raise more than £6 million for charity.

Tricia Stewart originally came up with the idea of fundraising for a new sofa for the relatives’ room in the hospital where her friend went to wait for hubby as he received treatment for blood cancer.

And she went on to appear as Ms October in the calendar which followed.

The Llangollen show’s producer Tracey Jones recently wrote to tell her about the production and how a member of the production team had shared some words about her own cancer diagnosis and the effect the original story has had on her.

Then, earlier this week, Tricia sent a hand-written reply inside the front cover of the book, entitled Calendar Girl, which she wrote about the story.

Tracey said: “I approached Tricia via an online form to tell her about our show and also mentioned how one of our production team, Sarah Marshall, had shared some words about her own diagnosis.

“Sarah then received this book and a personal message.”

The message says: “Thank you for your wise words. Very true! Keep on keeping on and good luck with the show.”

Tracey added: “I’d love people to know that we will be collecting for the Shooting Star charity during the run of the show.”

In the Llangollen show Ms October will be played by Russ Latham, who as previously appeared with Whitchurch society.

Calender Girls will be the Operatic’s first venture back on stage since the pre-pandemic days of 2019.

They grabbed the rights for it back in 2020 thinking it would be a great smaller-cast summer show.

But, according to Tracey, who is co-producing with husband Mike, it has turned into something much bigger.

She said: "Because of Covid it's been three years since our last adult production.

"Calendar Girls is an emotional roller coaster show based on the true Calendar Girl story that has also been depicted on film starring Julie Walters, Helen Mirren and many more top British actors. 

"The musical version was adapted and written by Tim Firth with music by Gary Barlow.

"Our show is directed by Nia Pickering, with artistic assistance from Sarah Marshall and musical direction by Elen Mair Roberts."

* For ticket details, go to: www.ticketsource.co.uk/llangollenoperaticsociety

Plans for reshaping St John's woodland unveiled

* A sketch-map of how the woodland area will be developed.

Plans have been revealed to transform an area of under-used woodland near St John’s Church in Llangollen into a tranquil outdoor area to benefit graveyard visitors and neighbouring residents.

The Green Space project is a joint initiative between the Church in Wales, which owns the land, and members of the Tidy Town Team whose hard work over a number of years has gradually been transforming the wooded site of around 1.5 acres to the point where it can be sympathetically redeveloped.

* John Gambles of the Valle Crucis Mission Area briefs residents on the project in front of what will become the access point to the woodland. On the left, is the priest-in-charge of St Collen's, Father Lee Taylor.

* Residents voice their concerns about the plan to John Gambles.

The plan is being overseen by the Valle Crucis Mission Area, the body which co-ordinates the work of 15 parish churches in the Dee Valley area, with cash from the Green Communities Project match- funded by St Collen’s Church.

If all goes according to plan the new area should be in use by next February.

People from the area were invited to a special on-site presentation by the Mission Area’s John Gambles this morning (Friday).

Residents, mainly from nearby Green Lane, were able to voice their concerns about the affect the scheme would have on their homes, a number of which have already been aired on social media.  

The blueprint basically means turning a triangular-shaped piece of land between the river, the railway and the cemetery into what Mr Gambles described as a “tranquil area where people can find peace with themselves ... where they can sit, relax and contemplate.”

* The existing parking area will be extended for visitors to the graveyard. 

Also included in the scheme is extending the existed limited car parking area for graveyard visitors by the removal of a privet hedge and the planting of a line of ornamental trees to screen it from the consecrated land set aside for the extension of the burial area, the creation of a small wildflower meadow plus the fixing of posts and chestnut palings along the rider side of the site.

Mr Gambles said that a range of specialist advice had been taken on which trees within the main woodland area should be removed or saved.

There had also been expert consultation of the form the revamped woodland area would take which has meant provision for a small access point from the existing parking area leading onto a walkway – wide enough to take wheelchairs - winding of about 110 metres through the trees to a quiet area with simple oak benches.

The plan had been mooted for some time and over the past seven years the Tidy Town Team had done a large of amount of clearing and tidying of the site.

Residents who attended the presentation raised a number of points of concern, including possible anti-social behaviour caused by the opening up of the area – with some pointing out that this was already a problem with alcohol bottles and other rubbish being left strewn about.

There were also fears expressed about extra traffic using nearby Green Lane during the construction period by contractors and how the area would be managed in the long term.

Mr Gambles said that although the budget for the scheme didn’t include provision for its future management, the use of CCTV could be discussed, adding: “We will try to encourage responsible behaviour and we are already working with the police and the schools. A lot of it is up to us a community.”

Addressing residents’ traffic concerns, he stressed that an agreement had been reached with the adjacent railway to use the pathway between its yard and St John’s Church for contractors’ vehicles.

There were questions for Mr Gambles about the level of consultation there had been on the project.

He said that people most affected by it in the area had been consulted as had the Town Council which had agreed with the proposals.

However, he did not rule out further consultation measures including, possibly, the setting up of a Friends of St John’s group to liaise with and update residents as the project progressed.

He stressed that the newly-created area was not intended to be part of the town’s general tourist offering but by people visiting relatives’ graves in the cemetery and by residents themselves.

Extra officers on patrol this bank holiday, say police

North Wales Police will have extra officers on the local beat during the forthcoming bank holiday weekend.

That is the message, sent via the online Neighbourhood Alert network from PCSO Karl Joseph.

He says: "With summer holidays coming to an end and depending on weather, Llangollen is expected to be really busy. "I just wanted to let you know, that extra officers will be on high-visibility foot patrol in the town." The reassurance comes after a number of incidents of anti-social behaviour in the town centre last weekend, including arguments over cars parking on the pavement and in Centenary Square.

Steam returns to Llangollen Railway for the holiday weekend

* Steam loco 68067 will run at the railway this weekend.

Llangollen Railway has announced that steam trains should be running again over the August Bank Holiday weekend, thanks to the help of another railway and an historic engine built during the Second World War.

The War Department (WD) "Austerity" saddle tank locomotive No 68067 arrived on Thursday from the Great Central Railway in Leicestershire. 

The historic engine was built in 1943 by Hudswell-Clarke in Leeds and will be staying while repairs are undertaken the railway's resident steam locos.

Running with the British Railways number of No 68067, the identity of a scrapped classmate, the loco carries shining black British Railways livery and has an interesting history. 

After being sold on by the War Department, 68067 spent 30 years with the National Coal Board at several collieries, ending up at Bold near St Helens for the final four years of its career and picking up the name Robert. 

Lasting in industrial service until 1982, 68067 was amongst the UK's last steam locomotives in use outside of preservation. 

* The 68067 will run alongside the GWR Observation saloon.

Whilst at Bold, 68067 also took part in the legendary Rocket 150 celebrations in 1980, which included a trip onto the mainline to Rainhill, site of the historic 1829 trials that saw Stephenson’s Rocket prove that steam locomotives were the best way to operate services on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, the World’s first intercity railway.

LR Press Officer Terry Pickthall said: “We are very pleased to see 68067 arrive with us after a challenging season. 

"Repairs to our resident locomotives have encountered problems and taken longer than expected, leaving us without a steam loco at the height of our season. 

"Although our diesel railcars and locomotives have done a superb job of filling the void, steam traction is very much at the heart of what we do and is always very popular with our visitors. 

"We are very grateful to the loco’s owners and wider team at the Great Central Railway who have make 68067’s visit to us possible. Everyone has pulled out the stops to get the engine to us in time for the Bank Holiday weekend, which is always a busy one for us."  

After some checks and a test run 68067 is due to be put straight to work at the Llangollen Railway today (Friday), tomorrow (Saturday) alongside a diesel locomotive and Sunday alongside a diesel railcar and will be staying in North Wales for at least the next few weeks until repairs are complete on the line's resident GWR heavy freight locomotive No 3802.

Terry added: “I was born in 1976, some eight years after steam engines disappeared from Britain’s mainline railways. However this was not the end of the story as many think. 

"As well as the heritage railway movement, many steam locomotives stayed in use on industrial railways in places like power stations and coal mines way into the 1980s. 

"I can actually remember seeing 'Robert' as an excited four year old boy when my Mum and Dad took me to the Rocket 150 event at Rainhill. 

"It’s a great feeling to see the loco again some 42 years later and visiting the railway on which I have been a proud volunteer for nearly 16 years."

* Tickets can be bought on the day of travel and advanced booking is available online at https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/.

Helicopter rescue drama above Pengwern Vale

* The Coastguard helicopter at the scene. Pictures courtesy of Phil Jones.

Two rescue helicopters were called to a hillside near Llangollen this afternoon (Thursday) to fly a man injured in a parapenting accident to hospital.

It is believed the casualty failed to make a successful launch from the usual site where a club flies from above Pengwern Vale.

Parapente is the term for a glide using an aerofoil parachute.

Helicopters from the Coastguard, the air ambulance and a vehicle ambulance were all seen to be in attendance together with the local mountain rescue team. 

The casualty was first winched aboard the Coastguard aircraft which then landed in Pengwern Vale to make a transfer to the air ambulance.

It is understood that the injured glider's friend called for the rescue parties immediately it happened. 

llanblogger has no information as yet on the casualty's condition.

* The injured man is winched to safety.

* ... and transferred to the waiting air ambulance.

Ysgol Dinas Brân students receive 'fantastic' GCSE results

* Above and below: Students celebrate their GCSE results.

Students at Ysgol Dinas Brân have today received their GCSE results after what staff describe as "an extremely difficult time" for all of the students taking external exams for the first time. 

A school spokesperson said: "We are extremely proud of all of the students who have all found it tough, but it is fantastic to see the hard work has paid off. 

"We are pleased with the results, with nearly 25% of the grades being A*/A. A good number of students received all A*/A, and we are incredibly proud of so many students who achieved their target grades or higher.

"I would like to thank all the staff and parents for their great support for the students. Well done everyone." ​

* Denbighshire County Council has congratulated pupils receiving their GCSE results.

Councillor Gill German, Cabinet Lead Member for Education, Children and Family Services, said: “On behalf of the Council I would like to congratulate all pupils that have received their GCSE results. 

“This last year has presented significant challenges for learners and they have made a tremendous effort to achieve their results, they have worked very hard to get here and have overcome a lot of obstacles. 

“There has been some fantastic partnership working to ensure students achieved the best results possible and pupils have received support from their families and schools. I would like to thank all those who have supported our hard-working students during this last year. 

“The council would like to wish all learners the very best in their next steps.”

Spooky kids wanted for theatre group's new show

A Llangollen theatre group is on the lookout for spooky kids to appear in its next production. 

Fresh from its success with Little Shop of Horrors last spring, Llangollen Operatic’s junior section, the Young ‘Uns, is returning to the world of the crazy supernatural to stage The Addams Family musical from February 16-18 next year. 

Preparations for the production are already underway and producer Pamela Williams has put out the call for budding young actors to fill a number of key roles. 

She said: “Basically we need boys. We are going to hold open auditions for the male roles of Gomez, Fester, Pugsley, Mal and Lucas. 

“They’re all superb parts and audition practice will be on Monday, September 5, from 6-8pm at the Operatic Studio off Castle Street. The idea is to go over songs, characters and dialogue. 

“The actual auditions will be in the same place the following Saturday, September 10, from 10am-12noon, and these are just for boys aged up to and including 18 years." 

The Addams Family is a musical comedy with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. 

The show is based upon The Addams Family characters created by Charles Addams in his single-panel gag cartoons, which depict a ghoulish American family with an affinity for all things macabre. 

Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, is all grown up and has a shocking secret that only Gomez knows. 

She's fallen in love with a sweet young man from a respectable family. With his cherished Morticia in the dark will Gomez manage to keep his daughter’s secret until the two families meet for a fateful dinner with hilarious consequences? 

* For further details, email: info@llangollen-operatic.co.uk