Llangollen panto is back next week ... oh, yes it is!

* Cast members hard at work in rehearsals for Jack and the Beanstalk.

After a gap of three years due to the pandemic, Llangollen Pantomime Group are back with their 2024 production of Jack and the Beanstalk next week.

And they are also making a return of their traditional venue of Llangollen Town Hall when they stage the show from next Thursday-Saturday, January 11-13.

A group spokesperson said: "We haven’t put on a production since Pinocchio in 2020 for obvious reasons.

"We are also back at the town hall after several years of being up at the Pavilion.

"We have a new director this year in Louise Lyne, with her husband Dave Lyne as assistant director. Dave has written the script from scratch and it’s very funny.

"Although it’s their debut directing and producing a pantomime they have been on stage previously, performing in the Llangollen pantomime and Louise appeared in Llangollen Operatic's production of Calendar Girls."

The spokesperson added: "We have a total of 28 in the cast and although there's a few of the old - but not so old - cast and crew still kicking about it has been a pleasure to have many newbies this year, on and off the stage. 

"Our chairwoman Sharon Jones found out a couple of days ago this pantomime group is in its 40th year, which is wonderful. Coincidentally, the first production was Jack and the Beanstalk, which we were all thrilled to find out."

* Performances start in the evenings at 7.30pm and there's also a matinee on Saturday January 13 at 1.30pm.

Tickets are priced at £9 and £7 concessions. You can book online by scanning the barcode on the poster, by calling the group secretary on 01978 860297, or at Dee Valley Produce (01978 861805). Tickets are still available for the evening concerts, says the group.

Roadworks alert for Market Street

Latest local roadworks alert from one.network is:

Market Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 08 January - 09 January   Roadworks, Delays possible   Traffic management: Traffic control (multi-way signals)   Description: Deliver Lamps, Cones, barriers(same day) Job in Carriageway (Other )   Works location: 3RD LIGHT HEAD HEOL Y FARCHNAD   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 Hafren Dyfrdwy.   Responsibility for works: Hafren Dyfrdwy   Current status: Advanced planning   Works reference: ZU0028102/000013551963A

Latest column from Denbighshire Citizens Advice

Latest column from Denbighshire Citizens Advice is: 

Q: I’ve built up a bit of debt and I am panicking. Even though I cut back, Christmas was expensive, my rent has gone up and my paycheque just doesn’t stretch as far as it used to. I’m doing everything I can but it’s not enough - what can I do? 

A: First of all it’s important to know you’re not alone in finding things difficult and, crucially, there’s support available. 

You say you’ve built up a bit of debt. The first step is to collect all the information you have about your debts, this might include contracts, bills and statements. 

Next, make a list of your debts and write down the details of each. This could include whom you owe the money to (this person/company is your ‘creditor’); when you first missed a payment; and how much you now owe. You’ll also need to make a note of your account or reference number and what steps the creditor has taken to get the money back, eg. sending you letters. 

It might feel overwhelming when you see all of your debts written down - but try not to worry, the important thing is that you're sorting them out. 

If you’re behind on household bills, prioritise paying your rent or mortgage, plus energy bills and Council Tax first. Not paying these bills has the most serious consequences. You should speak to the person or company you owe money to, to see if there are any manageable steps you can take to start reducing your debt. 

Once you’ve got these debts under control, you should look at any other debts like credit card or store card debts, payday loans or missed Buy Now Pay Later payments. 

While you’re looking at the money going out, do remember to consider money that could be coming in. It’s always worth checking if there are any benefits that you’re eligible for, including support with your energy costs and living costs. There’s a benefits calculator, advice on how to reduce living costs and information on other ways to increase your income, on the Citizens Advice website. 

There’s also emergency support that you may be able to access, such as a food bank or fuel vouchers. You could also contact your local council to see if they can offer support. 

We know that times are incredibly tough but please remember, you don’t have to face this alone, do contact Citizens Advice to help you find a way forward.

Police act after bout of anti-social behaviour in town

Police say they are putting extra effort into safeguarding buildings in Llangollen against a bout of anti-social behaviour by youngsters.

In a message on the Neighbourhood Alert network PCSO 2810 John Davies, of Community Safety Central, says: "North Wales Police are currently patrolling areas that include buildings that are empty and unoccupied in the Llangollen area. 

"Over the Christmas period we received calls that youths where trying to damage and access empty buildings. 

"Extensive work is ongoing to combat this issue which includes foot patrols, target hardening to the buildings making them safe and secure and also to work alongside the owners. Other agencies will be involved as part of partnership working.

"We don't believe the youths are from the area and that this could have been happening just over the Christmas period whilst being off school/college."

Over 150 take part in successful New Year's Day parkrun

* Competitors in one of the Old Railway Trail Parkruns.

Over 150 people took part in the latest Old Railway Trail Parkrun held on New Year's Day.

Number one spot went to Paul Jones of Shrewsbury Athletic Club in a personal best time of 16:48.

This was the run's 29th event since its launch in June 2023.

Event co-directors Mike Edwards and Michael Clarke said: "We wish to thank our wonderful local volunteers without whom the events would not take place. 

"Each week they get up early on a Saturday morning and give up their time to marshal, timekeep and so on at the events and encourage those who walk, jog or run."

Tickets now on sale for Live at Llngollen shows

Tickets are now on sale for a series of fundraising gigs at Llangollen Town Hall to raise money to support the core Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.  

The gigs, which will be held monthly in Llangollen Town Hall, feature tributes to ABBA, Robbie Williams, Pink Floyd, Slade as well as bringing the original Merseybeats, who performed with The Beatles in the 1960s, to town. 

Organisers hope to bring the Llangollen Community together and raise money for their annual music festival.  

There will be a "Live at Llangollen" night every month in the Town Hall atarting from Friday, January 19.  

With the festival bringing some of the world's biggest names to the North Wales town in Summer 2024, like Bryan Adams, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Manic Street Preachers, Sir Tom Jones and Paloma Faith, the party gigs will raise money for the festival's charity which helps brings competitors from across the World to Wales for its annual Eisteddfod. 

Life Vice-President of the Llangollen Eisteddfod Keith Potts and his team of fundraising volunteers are behind the monthly gigs. 

Keith said: "Every year, we welcome people from all over the world to promote peace and reconciliation through song and dance. This is part of our aim to work all year round and bring our community together.  

"We are delighted to have secured some of the most in demand tribute acts from both Wales and England for our monthly gigs. We hope the live concerts will prove popular and we raise much needed funds to continue our iconic peace festival.  

"This year, as well as bringing some of the world's biggest entertainers to town, we will be welcoming competitors from across the World to our Eisteddfod.  This costs money and these 'Live in Llangollen' gigs will help us do that." 

* S.O.S “A tribute to Abba” featuring Hannah Roberts (lead singer), Fran Cottington (lead singer), Shea Ferron (keyboard and backing vocals, Stu Nicholls (guitar), James Barber (bass guitar) and Alfie Ellis (drums).

The first gig on January 19 will feature S.O.S “A tribute to Abba”.  

The group made up of local talent will be playing the most iconic ABBA hits, including “Mamma Mia,” “S.O.S,” “Money, Money, Money,” “The Winner Takes All,” “Waterloo,” “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme,” and “Dancing Queen.”   

The group is a fantastic nod to the Swedish super-group Abba as they pay tribute to one of the best sounds in history. 

* Tickets, priced £10, are now on sale online at https://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/event_picker/live-at-llangollen/ and Llangollen Tourism Information Centre, Castle Street, Llangollen.  

All profits will go towards running the core Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. 

Operatic chooses Bad Girls the Musical as its next show

Llangollen Operatic Society has chosen Bad Girls the Musical for its next production.

Described as "powerful, uplifting and raucous," the entertaining British musical is based on the ITV prison drama series of the same name which ran from 1999 to 2006.

The show, to be staged at Llangollen Town Hall from May 22-25, is set inside the mythical Larkhill Prison and focuses on some interesting and varied female inmates including Shell Dockley, Nikki Wade and the Two Julies.

New wing governor Helen Stewart has her work cut out managing prisoner officers Sylvia "Bodybag" Hollamby and the ruthless, scheming Jim Fenner.  

Bad Girls sees the return of Chrissie Ashworth as artistic director, with Elen Mair Roberts as musical director and Sarah Marshall and Rob Stevens assisting with artistic movement.

Producers are Tracey Kempster Jones and Caroline Anthonisz.

Open auditions for the show take place from midday on Saturday January 13 at St Collen's Community Hall and the production team says it welcomes members old and new to come along. Email them at traceykempsterjones@btinternet.com to register and find out more.

Rehearsals will initially take place at the society's studio in Llangollen every Tuesday.

* The initial read-through of the new show at the Operatic Studio recently.