Operatic's tough take on life inside takes no prisoners

* A scene from Bad Girls the Musical staged by Llangollen Operatic Society.

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Llangollen Operatic Society is releasing a set of desperate jailbirds plus a bunch of equally hardcore screws onto Town Hall audiences this week.

From tomorrow (Wednesday) until Saturday a talented 17-strong cast – backed as usual by a highly competent production team and an accomplished orchestra – have been set free to present Bad Girls the Musical.

But if you’re thinking previous of prison-themed musicals you might have seen, forget it. Because Jailhouse Rock this definitely ain’t.

Based on the smash-hit TV drama series from the 1990s, the action takes place inside the fictitious Larkhill women's prison. 

* Trouble is never far from the surface in Larkhill women's prison.

But despite the dark comedy, which is ladeled out as thickly as prison porridge, and the excellent songs which accompany and fuel the action, this is strong stuff, with themes such as sexual exploitation, suicide and drug dependence tackled head on. And that means the dialogue is hard core too.

The opening scene of a young prisoner being put through the usual demeaning process – including a humiliating strip-search - of being checked in for her time behind bars sets the tone for the whole piece.

As the plot develops we gradually meet more of her fellow inmates and prison officers whose character weaknesses and strengths are magnified by their mutually captive situation. We see loud, brash and violent prisoners become protective of one another, or “screws” with dark traits become even darker.  

But, despite the challenging subject matter, this is a wonderfully well-handled piece of musical theatre with a polished cast which includes some real gems, such as Naomi Riley and Amie Harrison-Bickley as, respectively, prisoners Nikki Wade and Shell Dockley, and Louisa Jones and Sue O’Neill as officers Helen Stewart and Sylvia Hollamby. 

* ... but there's also some glitz on occasions.

Turning in a particularly fine take on loathsome principal officer Fenner is Kevin Williams.

There’s also some neat old lag-style cameos from log-time Operatic favourites Chris Platt and Jan Bellis.

The stage sets are bang-on from what we know of our grim Victorian nicks, and production values, masterminded by joint producers Tracey Kempster-Jones and Caroline Anthonisz, are extremely high.

Direction is as spot-on as we’ve come to expect from Chrissie Ashworth and choreography – yes, they do dance rather well around G Wing when they're not being abusive or violent – is skilfully guided by Sarah Marshall and Rob Stevens.

Stylish musical direction comes courtesy of Elen Mair Roberts.

Stage management is in the capable hands of Tessa Orton-Jones and sound smoothly done by JB Sound.   

* Bad Girls is on at Llangollen Town Hall from Wednesday May 22 to Saturday May 25 with a matinee on the Saturday afternoon. Tickets are available from: www.ticketsource.co.uk/llangollenoperaticsociety

Grow Llangollen hears talk from permaculture specialist

* Grow Llangollen members hear from guest speaker Steve Jones.

Grow Llangollen held their eighth talk this last Thursday, welcoming permaculture specialist Steve Jones. 

Grow Llangollen is a community organisation working towards sustainability and food security by inspiring and supporting local people to grow food through community gardening, produce sharing, and informative talks and workshops.

Steve owns Sector39 training and is a partner at Treflach Farm near Oswestry, where he delivers a lot of his training. 

He led a fascinating discussion across key aspects of permaculture and how it can be delivered at garden or market scale, emphasising the principles of observing and interacting to understand energy systems and storage opportunities.

Permaculture is a form of land use modelled on natural ecosystems, following the cycles, diversity, and resilience found in nature. 

* Steve Jones.

Steve talked about the value and impact of community gardens he's started in Newtown which has helped transform engagement around food within the town. 

He was a founder of Cultivate Newtown, which started on an industrial estate when they were able to build a roundhouse which attracted growers. 

He explained how his work has required significant persistence with three burglaries in three years causing set backs, and some damage to trees planted - but that persistence has paid off: participation has never been higher and the vast majority of trees have thrived. You can read more about Cultivate Newtown here https://www.cultivate.uk.com 

Alongside places in Wales that he has worked, Steve gave fascinating examples of how devastated, unproductive hillside areas in Zimbabwe have been transformed by permaculture. 

In Chimanimani district in Zimbabwe, groups of residents have volunteered their time over the past 15 years to restore productivity and bring young people back to the land. Before and after photos can be seen here https://www.permaculturenews.org/2013/08/15/the-chikukwa-permaculture-project-zimbabwe-the-full-story/ 

He talked about how permaculture could be integrated into farming in Wales to restore the productivity of land as the UK is now among the most nature-depleted in the world.

The example from Zimbabwe prompted a discussion on how that volunteer-led achievement contrasts with expectations here that such projects need external funding and are often done by outsiders, perhaps missing opportunities to shape the future for ourselves by getting involved in practical initiatives. 

This led to a further discussion about how to get more people involved in community gardens at Bryntysilio, Pengwern and Corwen, who are all welcoming new volunteers. 

Steve also talked about the value of biochar in his work. Biochar is any organic material or 'biomass' that has been cooked at a high temperature with limited oxygen present. 

The approach creates a soil enhancer that stores carbon for hundreds of years, boosts food security, and increases soil biodiversity. While this is available commercially, it can be easily produced at a garden level too. 

Grow Llangollen will be organising a field visit to Treflach Farm to see the farm in action (the subject of another recent talk) and to learn how to make biochar. 

You can find more information about permaculture here: https://www.permaculture.co.uk/what-is-permaculture/

The next gardening session at Bryntysilio will be on Sunday May 26, from 10 am to midday.  

The next talk will be held on June 20, topic to be confirmed.

* For more information, you can message us on our Facebook page (7) Facebook or by email: admin@growllangollen.org

Police close Horseshoe Pass following crash, says story

North Wales Live is reporting a breaking story this afternoon (Monday) that police have closed the Horseshoe Pass due to a crash.

The story says that the road has been shut in both directions and that drivers have been told to find alternative routes.

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/police-shut-horseshoe-pass-warn-29207458

An eye witness told Leader that a car has come off the road and ended up in a ravine. 

Police seek information on stolen two-day-old calf

* The stolen two-day-old calf. 

Police are seeking information about the theft of a calf stolen from land in Llangollen last week - at just two days old. 

Details of the cruel theft are given by the North Wales force's rural crime team in a post on their Facebook page. 

Team member Tim Troseddau reports: "Stolen overnight Tuesday 14th May from land in the Eglwyseg area of Llangollen, a 2 day old Highland Calf. Unbelievable! 

"If anyone has any information that could help, please get in touch, ref 24000448363."

* See the team's post at: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/Yk4pcoVpBtmPGEhR/

Latest local roadworks alerts

Latest local roadworks alerts from Causeway one.network are:

Berwyn Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 20 May - 21 May   Roadworks, Delays likely   Traffic management: Traffic control (multi-way signals)   Description: EXCAVATE SERVICE BREECH JOINTBAY IN FOOTPATH AND 1/4 M TRACK IN FOOTPATH TO CUSTOMERS WALL   Works location: outside 8   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 Scottish Power Renewable Energy.   Responsibility for works: Scottish Power Renewable Energy   Current status: Planned work about to start   Works reference: GY0022101343089       Castle Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 20 May - 22 May   Roadworks, Delays likely   Traffic management: Traffic control (multi-way signals)   Description: NOTICE FOR TM IN CONJUNCTION WITH GY002 2101343089   Works location: OUTSIDE 45   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 Scottish Power Renewable Energy.   Responsibility for works: Scottish Power Renewable Energy   Current status: Advanced planning   Works reference: GY002210343089D * Latest roadworks alerts from Denbighshire County Council: GLASCOED BACHE MILL ROAD 23/05/2024 23/05/2024 Adferiad/ Reinstatement O'CONNOR UTILITIES (DCC) LLANGOLLEN A542 Abbey Road with JCT of Castle Street ABBEY ROAD 23/05/2024 24/05/2024 Gwaith ar droedffordd / Footway works OBR CONSTRUCTION, LLANGOLLEN Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights A542 APPROX 55M TO 290M NORTH OF ENTRANCE TO LLYWYN CELYN, ROAD FROM PENGWE ROAD FROM PENGWERN TO TYN CELYN 03/06/2024 03/06/2024 Adnewyddu Polion / Renew Poles MJ QUINN (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure A539 - Ponsonby Arms, Mill Street, Llangollen MILL STREET 09/07/2024 10/07/2024 I reoli traffig ar llwybr amgen / To control traffic on an alternative route NMWTRA (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights A539 Castle Street, Llangollen CASTLE STREET 11/06/2024 13/06/2024 Overnight patching works - Hogans. TM Amberon. CORE HIGHWAYS CONWY (DCC) LLANGOLLEN

Llangollen Ramblers take the sunny Wales Coast Path

Llangollen Ramblers enjoy the sunshine on the Wales Coast Path near Tenby last week.  

Around 40 miles were walked in total, and a good time was had by all.  

* If you are interested in joining - the ramblers do lots of local walks as well - contact Judy on smithdinbren@gmail.com.  

She said: "We welcome new members."

MS brands lack of coeliac disease diagnosis 'unacceptable'

* Llyr Gruffydd MS with Trudy Winsper and Evelyn Altemeyer, Health Policy Lead – Coeliac UK.

After speaking to a Llangollen woman with the condition, a North Wales MS says it’s “unacceptable” that so many people living with coeliac disease aren’t receiving a diagnosis.

Llŷr Gruffydd, who represents the region in the Senedd, recently met with representatives of Coeliac UK at the Welsh Parliament to discuss the issue.

The Plaid Cymru politician also spoke with campaigner Trudy Winsper from Llangollen, who has coeliac disease.

According to research by Coeliac UK, a charity for people who need to live without gluten, over 20,000 people in Wales are living with coeliac disease without receiving a diagnosis.

Mr Gruffydd said the lack of an effective diagnosis pathway is negatively impacting the “quality of life” of people who have the condition, as well as putting “strain” on the Welsh NHS.

Though one in every 100 have Coeliac disease, figures suggest that only around 36% of them get a diagnosis. On average it takes 13 years to receive one.

Coeliac disease is a serious condition where the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues when gluten is eaten. This causes damage to the lining of the gut and means the body can’t properly absorb nutrients from food.

Because of the way that coeliac disease can affect the gut, it's frequently misdiagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome.

The symptoms range from mild to severe, and can include bloating, diarrhoea, nausea, wind, constipation, tiredness, mouth ulcers, sudden or unexpected weight loss, and anaemia.

Coeliac UK provides its 65,000 members with trustworthy advice and support. It also funds research into coeliac disease, and works with healthcare professionals to improve diagnosis and fights for better availability of gluten free food.

The charity’s mission is to ensure that one day, no one’s life will be limited by gluten.

Llŷr Gruffydd MS said: “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to speak with representatives from Coeliac UK at the Senedd.

“At the event I had the opportunity to speak with clinicians and with patients and hear about the barriers that exist to getting a diagnosis.

“I am especially grateful to have had the opportunity to speak with Trudy Winsper from Llangollen and hear about her experience with the condition.

“A significant number of people have the condition, including many constituents in North Wales.

“The research from Coeliac UK which suggests that there are over 20,000 people in Wales living with coeliac disease without receiving a diagnosis is concerning.

“It is unacceptable that people who are living with coeliac disease aren’t receiving diagnosis they need.

“Not only does this negatively impact the lives of people who have the condition and cause them more suffering, it also puts more strain on our NHS when it is already under enormous pressure.

“This is because leaving coeliac disease untreated increases the risk of developing long-term health complications.

“It seems abundantly clear that there needs to be a far more effective diagnosis pathway for people who have the condition in Wales.”