Llangollen Library to host evening with best selling authors

Llangollen Library will play host to three bestselling authors tomorrow (Thursday).

They will be talking about their writing and latest books from 7pm onwards. 

Authors Norma Curtis, Trisha Ashley and Juliet Greenwood will each discuss their work, their latest novels, and what inspires them to write.

Norma Curtis was born and raised in North Wales and her new book, The Coronation Party, is set in Llangollen at the time of the Queen’s Coronation in 1953. She is also a former chairman of the Romantic novelists Association. 

Juliet Greenwood is based in Snowdonia, North Wales and her first novel was nominated as a finalist for The People’s Book Prize. Her first two novels also reached #4 and #5 in the UK Kindle store.

Trisha Ashley is based in North Wales and her Sunday Times bestselling novels have sold over one million copies in the UK and have twice been shortlisted for the Melissa Nathan award for Romantic Comedy.  

* To book your place and for further information, call 01978 869600.

Talented Young 'Uns team get ready for the big charity show

* Young 'Uns stars get hard at work in rehearsals for Llangollen on Show for Turkey and Syria. 

Eleven of a junior stage group’s most talented young stars are busy in rehearsals for a glittering charity variety concert in Llangollen next week.

And polishing their comedy routines for the big show alongside  members of the Young ‘Uns - the junior section of Llangollen Operatic Society - are some of the top performers from the Llangollen Twenty Club who have enjoyed hit after hit with their own shows over the past few years.

Also honing their parts for Llangollen on Show for Turkey and Syria, which aims to raise money to support survivors of the earthquake that decimated parts of the two countries and which takes the stage at Llangollen Town Hall on Thursday and Friday May 11 and 12, are stars of the Collen Players who specialise in recreating the dazzling days of old time music hall.

Apart from being one of Llangollen’s biggest-ever fundraisers the concert will make history as the first time three of the town’s performing arts groups have joined forces.

Like all members of the formidable cast, the talented team from the Young ‘Uns, aged from nine to 18, have spent many weeks rehearsing hard for their contribution to the two-act show.

Alongside members of the senior Operatic Society they will belt out such rousing sing-along show numbers as Oom Pa Pa from Oliver and Flash Bang Wallop What a Picture from Half a Sixpence.

Pamela Williams, who has produced some of the Young ‘Uns’ biggest stage hits of recent years such as Little Shop of Horrors and The Addams Family, said: “Just like the rest of the cast, these 11 very talented young people have been working incredibly hard on their part in Llangollen on Show.

“The songs they and the Operatic members will be performing are among the most rousing and memorable ever to come out of big West End musicals and should have our audiences – which hopefully will be large ones – singing and toe-tapping along with them.

“I know all the young people were desperate to be involved in this show because it’s for such a fantastic cause. The earthquakes may have been some months ago but the survivors in both countries are still in desperate need of help and we hope as many people as possible will support us by coming along to one of the two shows.”

The Llangollen Twenty Club drama group will present a series of comedy sketches – some specially written for the occasion – inspired by their hilarious past hits and acted out by some of their favourite performers.

One of the sketches, entitled Three Queens and specially written for the show by Ian Wright, is a nod the coronation that will have taken place the previous weekend.

The Collen Players will provide a taste of the rip-roaring Victorian music hall shows for which they have rapidly become famous, with their founder, Lee Taylor, acting as chairman for the show which starts each night at 7.30pm. 

All proceeds will go to support the Disaster Emergency Committee in which 15 of the UK’s top charities have come together to supply a lifeline to thousands of survivors of the earthquake which devastated southern and central Turkey and northern and western Syria in February.

There will be a bar and prize raffle on both nights and a number of local businesses have pledged their financial support through sponsorships.

* Tickets, priced at £12 (no concessions) are available online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/llangollenoperaticsociety or from Courtyard Books, Llangollen, and the Llangollen Oggie Shop in Caste Street or on the door on the night. Tickets are going fast so organisers advise on booking promptly.  

Drakeford urged to improve North Wales public transport

Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales (pictured), has urged the First Minister to do more to improve public transport in the region during the tourism season.

Speaking in Welsh Parliament, Mr Rowlands, Shadow Minister for Local Government, said: “First Minister, I am sure you will recognise that, during the summer months, North Wales brings in a huge number of visitors, which certainly boost our communities through creating jobs and prosperity. 

“Indeed, your own figures show that North Wales tourism day visits are around 22.7 million every year. And one of the things we desperately need during that peak season is increased provision of public transport. 

“It is unacceptable that parts of North Wales, whilst welcoming those many visitors, are having to work with a skeleton public transport system. It is not fair on the people who live there, as well as the visitors who come to enjoy our part of the world.”

Mr Rowlands asked Mark Drakeford how he will ensure that there is appropriate public transport during the summer months in North Wales as more people are welcomed in the summer ahead. 

The First Minister said his Government would continue to invest in bus services across North Wales. 

Mr Rowlands added: “I still remain very concerned about the public transport system in North Wales as investment is also needed in trains as well as buses. The people of North Wales and our visitors deserve better.”

New interpretation panels for World Heritage site

* One of the interpretation boards placed around the World Heritage site. 

A series of new interpretation panels has been installed along the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Llangollen Canal World Heritage site, as part of a project to engage people with the rich heritage of the area. 

The Our Picturesque Landscape project, a partnership scheme funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, has been working with partners from the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB and Canal and Rivers Trust to develop the interpretation.

It explores the feats of engineering and design that got the site inscribed as a World Heritage site in 2009, and tells the story of some of the pioneering engineers, artists, tourists, entrepreneurs, and canal labouring navigators who have helped to shape the landscape over the centuries.

The interpretation panels, produced by VisitMôr, have been placed at eight key sites across the 11 miles of the World Heritage Site, including Gledrid Bridge, Chirk Aqueduct, Froncysyllte, Trevor Basin and Llangollen, and will help provide visitors with a sense of place, sharing stories of local significance. 

This is the first phase of new interpretation, with further panels to be replaced along the canal between Llangollen Wharf and the Horseshoe Falls this summer.

Hannah Marubbi, Our Picturesque Landscape Project Manager, said: “There are so many special places along the 11 miles of the World Heritage Site, from the Horseshoe Falls, Llangollen Wharf, Chirk and Gledrid as well as the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct itself.  This project has been about telling the story of all these places and encouraging people to explore the whole site.”

Emrys Wynne, Lead Member for Welsh Language, Culture and Heritage, said: “There is a rich vein of history and culture in this wonderful area and I am pleased to see it recognised through this fantastic partnership work."

Town council's coronation gift to two primary schools

Llangollen Town Council has agreed to purchase each primary school child in the town a commemorative mug to mark the coronation of King Charles III on May 6.

There will be an English version for Ysgol Bryn Collen and a Welsh one for Ysgol Y Gwernant, both bearing the council's logo on the reverse.

The Town Mayor will make the presentations to the pupils.

County libraries launch new tablet and Chromebook loan scheme

Denbighshire Libraries have launched a device loan scheme which will enable library members across the County to borrow a tablet or Chromebook from their local library, just like they would borrow a book.

Many services have now moved online, from banking and shopping to universal credit and applying for a bus pass, and the library service want to help residents access the online world and experience the benefits of being connected.

Using a tablet, Chromebook or smartphone also opens up the digital library service to the user, allowing library members to download books, audiobooks, newspapers and magazines 24/7.

The devices will be supplied with internet access and online courses are available if people want to learn more about the devices and services they are using, to help build their digital skills.

The County Library Service is also part of the National Databank, which offers free sim cards and data to people who are living in data poverty.

People who have access to a smartphone but are struggling to pay for internet access should contact their local library for more information.

Councillor Emrys Wynne, Lead Member for Welsh Language, Culture & Heritage said:

“This new device loan service will help people to get online and not be left behind in the digital world. I am delighted to see yet another new initiative by our libraries to support our local communities and to make sure everyone is connected.”

* For further information about the new device loan service please contact your local library.

Fringe unveils its full 2023 line-up

 * Alogte Oho and his Sounds of Joy will bring a joyful energy to the festival. 

The 26th Llangollen Fringe Festival is set to take place from July 7-15th featuring an exciting range of shows that aims to showcase the best of comedy, music, dance, workshops, and more. 

The festival has now announced a new wave of artists to join the already impressive line-up.

Headlining acts such as Henge, Half Man Half Biscuit, Mr. Scruff, Hang Massive, and Ibibio Sound Machine are already set to perform, and now festival-goers can look forward to new headlining artists including Vrï and Alogte Oho and his Sounds of Joy.

Vrï, who were the winners of the 2023 Wales Folk Music Awards for Best Instrumental Track and Best Album, will bring their contemporary approach to traditional music to the festival.

* Vrï were the winners of the 2023 Wales Folk Music Awards for Best Instrumental Track and Best Album. Picture: Jennie Caldwell.

The trio have unearthed long-lost nuggets that shed a new light on a vibrant folk tradition that harnesses the raw energy of the fiddle with the finesse of the violin, the beauty of chamber music with the joy and hedonism of a pub session.

Meanwhile, Alogte Oho and his Sounds of Joy will be bringing a joyful energy to the festival. 

The Ghanaian band is known for their fusion of traditional African rhythms and modern influences, and they will be accompanied by their cheerful choir, The Sounds of Joy. Alogte and his band are sure to take festival-goers on a musical journey of West African song and dance that will put a smile on everyone's face.

"We are thrilled to welcome Vrï and Alogte Oho and his Sounds of Joy to the Llangollen Fringe Festival lineup," said Neal Thompson, Artistic Director of the Llangollen Fringe. 

"We're always looking to bring new and exciting acts to Llangollen, and this year's festival is no exception. Both acts bring a unique and exciting energy to their music, and we are confident that they will provide unforgettable performances for festival-goers."

Tickets for the festival are available now, including festival passes that provide access to all of the main events across the nine days.

"We wanted to make it as easy as possible for people to experience the full range of events at the festival," said Paul Keddie, Chairperson of the Fringe. 

"The festival pass is an incredible value and is an offer that can't be missed."

The festival pass costs £85 and is perfect for fans of comedy, music, dance, workshops and more. 

* Festival tickets and dates and times for all concerts and events are available from www.llangollenfringe.co.uk or by calling the Fringe box office: 0800 1455 779.

Llangollen Fringe Festival is supported by The Arts Council of Wales.