Long-time museum volunteer and author dies aged 77

* Janet Wakefield.

The funeral of a woman who involved herself deeply in Llangollen life over two decades and has died at the age of 77 will be held later this month. 

Janet Wakefield, who had lived with her partner of 25 years Keith Sullivan in a cottage on the canal since 2002, was the author of a series of popular local history books and for many years a volunteer at the town’s museum. 

Born in Eyam, Derbyshire in 1945, Janet spent her entire career in nursing. 

After completing her training in Edinburgh she joined the nursing staff at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield and later worked as a steelworks nurse, a district nurse and the matron of a nursing home in that city.      

Moving over to Wales Janet was a senior member of the nursing staff on Luke Ward at Wrexham Maelor Hospital until her retirement in 2005. 

While at Llangollen Museum she wrote and published three history books - on local pottery, breweries and ghost stories. 

She also wrote the words and music for a musical about a mischievous local cat, entitled The Life and Times of China Tom, which was performed at Llangollen Town Hall. 

Janet, who died on September 28, had a son, Stuart, a daughter, Rachel, and two grandchildren. 

Partner Keith said of her: “She involved herself deeply in the life of the town and will be sadly missed by many people.” 

Janet’s funeral will take place at Pentre Bychan Crematorium at 11am on Monday November 21 when the celebrant will be Charlie Jones from Llangollen. All are welcome to attend.    

Roadworks planned for Chapel Street

 

Latest local roadworks alert from one.network is:

Chapel Street, Denbighshire 03 November - 02 December   Roadworks, Delays possible   Traffic management: Traffic control (multi-way signals)   Description: Installation of New Traffic signal heads and Controller. Loop Cutting and installation...   Works location: Castle Street   Public facing description: one.network has automatically assigned a category of Unclassified works to this Works based on the information available. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by Denbighshire County Council.   Responsibility for works: Denbighshire County Council   Current status: Forward planning   Works reference: QR015S000000001852

Former Young 'Uns star makes West End debut

* West End debut: Cassius Hackforth.

A former member of Llangollen Operatic Society's junior section, the Young 'Uns, has made his professional West End stage debut.

Cassius Hackforth was one of the regular favourites with the group, taking leading roles in a number of its productions including the smash-hit Half a Sixpence in 2015.

He went on to study at the famous Trinity Laban stage school in London and at the weekend he made his first professional appearance in the West End revival of Tim Rice and Stuart Brayson's epic musical From Here To Eternity at the Charing Cross Theatre.

On its Facebook page the Operatic Society says: "2022 has been quite the year for Cassius, as he graduated from Trinity Laban earlier this year.

"It predictably didn't take long for Cassius to make his mark, as he reached the final of the Stephen Sondheim Society's Student Performer of the Year competition in May, and made in his West End debut in The Secret Garden at The London Palladium in August.

"You may have also seen Cassius starring in several adverts since graduating, as he appeared in a commercial for Android and interrupted the singing of none other than Ellie Goulding in an another advert for SPAR."

* Cassius Hackforth in 2016.

New acupuncture clinic opens in Llangollen

* Jo Pearson has opened her own acupuncture clinic.

J K Acupuncture is now open, providing a dedicated space in Llangollen for the traditional Chinese medicine of acupuncture.  

Practitioner Jo Pearson, whose business it is, said: “I’m so excited to finally realise my dream opening an acupuncture clinic in my home town for the community of Llangollen.  I’ve made every effort to provide a calm and peaceful environment for my patients and cannot wait to welcome people to the clinic."

Jo said: "Acupuncture is a well respected therapy that has demonstrable benefits for many health conditions such as sciatica, stress, anxiety, depression, migraines, tinnitus, asthma, fertility, Bell's Palsy and insomnia. 

"Each treatment is tailored to meet the individual's needs and seeks to treat the underlying cause, as opposed to merely treating the symptoms.  

"TCM Acupuncture is widely used alongside Western medicine with patients typically reporting health benefits including pain relief, reduction of symptoms and a general sense of wellbeing." 

* The inside of the clinic.

With a BSc (Hons) in Acupuncture, Jo is a fully qualified and licenced Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner, with membership of the Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ATCM) and the British Acupuncture Federation (BAF).

She has lived in Llangollen for nearly 20 years and will be a familiar face to many having performed with Llangollen Pantomime Group and Llangollen Operatic Society. 

The clinic has daytime and evening appointments available. To book or for more information, contact Jo on:

* Tel:  07413 293408.  

* Email:  info@jkacupuncture.co.uk 

* Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085066451166 

* Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/p/CkQrd9ttV8l/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Roadworks planned for Church Street

 

Latest local roadworks alert from one.network is: 

Church Street, Denbighshire 31 October - 02 November   Roadworks, Delays likely   Traffic management: Road closure   Description: New service required at property. Excavation of a joint bay in footway outside 5a Church Street and...   Works location: Outside 5   Public facing description: one.network has automatically assigned a category of Unclassified works to this Works based on the information available. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by SP Energy Networks.   Responsibility for works: SP Energy Networks   Current status: Advanced planning   Works reference: GY002CCT971139

Bikers attend service in square to launch Poppy Appeal

* The Centenary Square service is conducted by Father Lee Taylor and the Rev Rebecca Cannon.

* Bikers gather for the Act of Remembrance.

* A bugler sounds Last Post.

* One of the bikers lays a wreath at the foot of the war memorial.

Around 20 Legion Bikers - the motorcycle branch of the Royal British Legion - attended a special Service of Remembrance in Llangollen's Centenary Square this morning (Sunday) marking the official launch of the 2022 Poppy Appeal.  

It was conducted jointly by Father Lee Taylor from Collen's Church and the Rev Rebecca Cannon.

The service included the traditional prayers, bugle calls and the minute's silence.

The bikers visit a number of parishes in North Wales as part of the commemorative event.   

Talented cast present Collen Players' latest music hall show

Pictures by Jeanette Robinson

* The cast of the music hall and variety show.

* Esme Salnow, left, and Sue Stokes.

* Phil Robinson.

* John Williams.

* Chairman Lee Taylor.

* Sue Stokes.

* Esme Salnow.

* Accompanist Owen Roberts.

A diverse array of talented performers presented Collen Players' latest old time music hall and variety show at the Community Centre yesterday evening.

Presided over as usual by Father Lee Taylor in his guise as the quick-talking Victorian music hall chairman, the show got under way with a selection of rousing songs from the era under his direction with which the packed audience sang enthusiastically along.  

First up on stage was Players' regular Sue Stokes accompanying herself on the ukelele with a rousing Knees Up Mother Brown. She was assisted by returning favourite Esme Salnow who provided the dance exertion to move the number along.

Next it was the turn of another cast regular Phil Robinson to describe in colourful terms how My Old Man's a Dustman. 

Esme was back shortly afterwards to present two songs in her own polished period style - Under the Bed and Burlington Bertie.

Right after the break and more patter plus a Max Bygraves selection from the chairman, Sue Stokes returned to the stage with My Old Man Said Follow the Van and then Phil Robinson was back to relate that plaintive cry of Alfie Dootlittle from My Fair Lady of Get Me to the Church on Time.

In his appearances John Williams provided moving versions of the standards Keep Right on to the End of the Road, The End of the Day and Roses of Picardy.

In was then time for a touch of old Hollywood-style glitz as Esme came back to sing and soft-shoe-shuffle her way through I'm Going to Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter and Putting on the Ritz.

Accompanist for the evening was Owen Roberts.

The now-traditional rousing choruses of Down at the Old Bull and Bush, ably augmented by the audience, brought the evening's enjoyable proceedings to a fitting close.