It's strictly fundraising as vicar takes on charity dance challenge

* Father Lee takes part in a tea dance at The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden in 2008. 

Llangollen's showbiz vicar is stepping up to take a crack at the famous glitter ball trophy in a great cause. 

In November, Father Lee Taylor is amongst a group of amateurs taking part in the Strictly Nightingales dancing event at the Titanic Hotel, Liverpool. 

The aim is to raise much-needed funds for patient care at Nightingale House Hospice.

Father Lee is no stranger to the limelight as a key member of the British Music Hall Society and also founder and on-stage chairman of Llangollen's Collen Players which stages regular old time music hall and variety shows at the town's Community Hall.

* Father Lee chairs one of the Collen Players music hall shows.

He said: "Eleven amateurs, including myself, from local businesses and organisations are taking on the Strictly challenge to learn to dance with a professional partner over the coming months, culminating in the Big Night of sparkle and sequins on Saturday November 26 when we will perform to an audience of over 350 guests. Who will scoop the glitter ball trophy?

"It’s been 14 years since I last took part in and ballroom or Latin dancing so I’ve some work to do!

"When living in London, I took part in weekly group lessons and regularly attended the tea dances put on in the Floral Hall at The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden."

He added: "Please support this good cause.

"Nightingale House offers a wide range of facilities to local people and their families living with life-limiting illness. 

"Patients come from Wrexham, Flintshire, Denbighshire and outlying areas. In 2022 it will cost £4,041,617 million to run the Hospice - this equates to nearly £11,073 per day."

* To sponsor Father Lee in the event, go to his Justgiving page at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lee-taylor119?utm_source=copyLink&utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=lee-taylor119&utm_campaign=pfp-share&utm_term=c007a71bf6c24515ab1298219ba903fa

Well-known Llan entertainer ties the knot

* The new Mr and Mrs Burton cut the cake during the Town Hall reception.

One of Llangollen's best-known entertainers was married yesterday with a novel, music-themed service at St Collen's followed by a lively reception in the Town Hall.

Chris Burton, who regularly sings and plays guitar at major local events such as the annual Christmas festival, tied the knot with his partner Sue Fawson as a packed church congregation sang out their approval by joining in with a couple of specially chosen numbers including Presley's Can't Help Falling in Love, on entry, and Lennon and McCartney's Let It Be, as they signed the register.     

The ceremony was performed by priest-in-charge Father Lee Taylor.  

Then it was on to an equally well-attended reception for relatives and many friends of the newlyweds at the Town Hall where entertainment on the stage included a selection of well-known songs from a lively five-piece country band and some lavish refreshments.

* Chris and Sue are married by Father Lee Taylor.

* Sue chats with friends outside the church.

* The country band on stage at the reception.

People can watch proclamation of new king at county hall tomorrow

* The late Queen Elizabeth II.

People from Llangollen have been invited to watch the official proclamation of the accession to the throne of King Charles III which takes place in front of Denbighshire County Hall in Ruthin tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon.

Today the main proclamation ceremony will be held at St James's Palace in London. 

Once the national reading has been complete the proclamation will then be read out in locations across the whole of the United Kingdom.  

The reading for the ceremonial County of Clwyd will take place 1pm on Sunday outside County Hall in Mold.   

It will be delivered by the High Sheriff of Clwyd who will be joined by the Lord Lieutenant and dignitaries from each of the four councils within the old boundaries of Clwyd. 

Open to the public, residents of Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham are welcome to attend to witness this historical moment. 

Following the reading of the Clwyd proclamation, local events to hear the reading will be held at 2.30pm at various locations including outside County Hall in Ruthin - at the front steps off Wynnstay Road - which Llangollen people are welcome to attend.

From Monday September 12, between the hours of 10.00 pm and 4.00 am during weekdays, a book of condolence will be available in the Chamber ante room at Llangollen Town Hall, off Parade Street, to allow those people who wish to pay a written tribute to Queen to do so. 

In addition to the condolence book, members of the public are free to leave comments and tributes on the Llangollen Remembers Facebook page which will be collated and added to the Town Council formal records. There is also a facility to leave messages on the Royal Family webpage www.royal.uk. 

Members of public who wish to lay floral tributes can place them between two flagpoles on Centenary Square and the Town Council respectfully request the use of biodegradable coverings. These will be removed the day after the state funeral and will be composted and used in the planting of a tree in memory of Queen Elizabeth II.

You can send a message of condolence direct to the Royal Family on the Royal Famly website https://www.royal.uk/.

Town Council announces Queen's mourning arrangements

Llangollen Town Council has announced the arrangements it is putting in place during the period of national mourning for the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The Town Clerk, Gareth Thomas, says that: 

All Council meetings will be postponed, and flags will be flown at half-mast on Centenary Square to be raised again at 1.00 pm on Saturday 10 September for the Proclamation of King Charles III and will then return to half-mast at 1.00 pm on Sunday 11 September until the day after the state funeral. 

From Monday 12 September, between the hours of 10.00 pm and 4.00 am during weekdays, a book of condolence will be available in the Chamber ante room, off Parade Street to allow those people who wish to pay a written tribute to Queen to do so. 

In addition to the condolence book, members of the public are free to leave comments and tributes on the Llangollen Remembers Facebook page which will be collated and added to the Town Council formal records. There is also a facility to leave messages on the Royal Family webpage www.royal.uk. 

Members of public who wish to lay floral tributes can place them between two flagpoles on Centenary Square and the Town Council respectfully request the use of biodegradable coverings. These will be removed the day after the state funeral and will be composted and used in the planting of a tree in memory of Queen Elizabeth II.

+ Father Lee Taylor has announced that on Sunday at St Collen’s during the 11am mass, the congregation will remember Queen Elizabeth II in their prayers, hymns and reflections during this period of mourning.

A Memorial Service will also be held around the time of the funeral. Details TBC.

St Collen's bell to toll for Her Majesty at midday

The tenor bell at St Collen's Church will be tolled half-muffled 96 times - once for every year of her life - at midday today (Friday) to mark the death yesterday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Birch Hill to be closed for water works, says council

* The section of Birch Hill to close marked in red and the diversion route in blue.

From September 26, Denbighshire County Council is to make an order probhiting vehicles using a length of the unclassified Birch Hill road in Llangollen extending westward from its junction with Penycoed Road to the A5 junction.

The council says the closure is necessary to allow the installation of a new water connection by Hafren Dyfrdwy.

Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the period of closure and the sign-posted alternative route will be via the A5 and Maesmawr Road.

The works are expected to last until approximately September 30, according to the council.

Mayor leads local tributes to the late Queen

The Mayor of Llangollen, Cllr Paul Keddie, has led local tributes to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II who died at Balmoral, aged 96, earlier today.

He says: "We all remember where we were and what we were doing when a disaster strikes or a significant event happens. 

"My wife and I were being seated to watch the opera "Madame Butterfly" when we heard this tragic news. After 2 mins silence, the opera went ahead. 

"But, during the first act, my thoughts were not of the music, musicians, actors or staff, they were on a piece of history I have often taken for granted, our dear Queen. 

"She is the first Monarch most of us will have lost. A queen that has done so much for us as a country and a nation over the years. She will be almost impossible to replace in most of our minds, but we will adapt and welcome the new monarch with as much love as we have had for our dear QEII.

"Council has put our planned protocol in place and all those measures will be followed meticulously. Please mourn her passing with dignity and respect... it is a very sad day, and a sad loss to us all."  

Llangollen Town Council:

Cheshire County Council:

County Councillor Arwel Roberts, Chairman of Denbighshire County Council, said: "We share the Country's deep sadness at the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

"For more than 70 years she was a constant in most of our lives, providing a shining example of a life lived in dignified duty and public service.

"She will be much missed but as we look back on her reign with deep respect and affection we look forward with hope and optimism to the reign of the new King."

Simon Baynes, MP for Clwyd South:

"Such sad news - our hearts go out to the Royal Family as we say farewell to our wonderful, wise and compassionate Queen who has watched over us with such love and dedication for 70 years."

Ken Skates, Welsh Senedd Member for Clwyd South:

"The loss of HM Queen Elizabeth II is devastating for the country, and my thoughts are with her family during this incredibly difficult time.

"In the Queen we saw exemplary service and the kindest of hearts."

Llangollen Railway:

"We are extremely saddened to hear of the death of Her Majesty the Queen and offer our condolences to the Royal Family at this sad time."

Andy Dunbobbin, North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner:

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen. As a nation, we have lost a towering figurehead, who has served our country diligently and dutifully for over 70 years.

“My thoughts at this moment are with the members of the Royal Family as they mourn the loss of a much-loved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. As Police and Crime Commissioner, I know people across North Wales will also be very saddened by today’s news and that the officers and staff of the North Wales Police family share that grief. Over the coming days, the Force will doubtless be involved in ceremonies or other events that take place to mark the Queen’s passing, and I know that North Wales Police will do its duty – as it always does – in a committed and compassionate way, that both reflects, and pays respect to, the outstanding Monarch we have lost.”

The Welsh Government:

The First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford has expressed his sadness on the news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and offered condolences to the Royal family on behalf of the Government and people of Wales. He said:

"It is with great sadness that people in Wales mourn the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Throughout her long and exceptional life, as our longest reigning monarch, Her Majesty has reigned over the United Kingdom and Commonwealth firmly upholding the values and traditions of the British Monarchy.

We pay tribute to Her Majesty’s dedication and selfless devotion. She will be sorely missed by the many organisations for which she was Patron or President.

We offer our sincere condolences to her children and their families on this sad occasion."