Young people help with organising this year's summer fete

Llangollen Summer Fete is involving young people more than ever in the big annual event.   

The committee decided to invite a pupil from Ysgol Dinas Bran to become a junior member of the organising team for this year and Faye Roe-Rothwell, who is in her final year with exams underway, was chosen.  

The committee has also already run a competition for junior pupils to design the fete’s official flyer that will be delivered to houses across town. 

The winner was 11-year-old Bronagh Cooke from Ysgol Y Gwernant and because the calibre of entries was so high it was decided that the others should be posted regularly on social media and also form the Treasure Hunt around the fete on the day. 

A spokesperson for the fete committee said: “Faye has contributed so much value already, representing her age group particularly well, and at a time when most pupils face a lot of pressure with upcoming exams she has handled the additional role with grace. 

“She has been welcomed by the committee and settled in to give many great suggestions, help with finding raffle prizes as well as running a proportion of the social media for the 2025 fete. We are very pleased with what she has brought to the table. 

“Llangollen Summer Fete is for local people by local people. We already have local businesses, charities and groups taking part. 

“The committee and volunteers are community-minded local people. And now they are really proud do say that the young people of Llangollen town are also a part of making the fete happen. 

“We hope to see you all at the event spending time with your friends and neighbours, reconnecting with people and enjoying the entertainment, stalls, activities, crafts as well as the food and drink..

“The event is entirely funded by sponsorships and donations. Part of this is done through the raffle with local prizes.”

* You can buy raffle tickets at Plas Newydd daily or at their stall in town outside the Town Hall on Saturdays from 12-2pm.

Llangollen Repair Cafe moving to new home

* A volunteer repairer at work in the repair cafe's early days.

As it celebrates a successful first year Llangollen Repair Cafe has announced that it is moving to a new home.

Founder Michael Jepson said: The repair cafe has its first anniversary this month. Thank you to our visitors and the trustees of St Collen's Community Centre for helping us at the start.  

"The cafe has proved popular, with many visitors bringing a wide variety of items to be fixed, and leaving happy.

"We are now moving  to a new location at Llangollen Memorial Hall in Market Street, LL20 8PS, and with a new opening time of 10am-12noon. 

"We have fixed electrical items, toys, bags, clothing, sharpened tools, gardening equipment and much more. We also PAT test items too.  

"Items are fixed for free but the wonderful donations have helped us pay our rent, and excess will be used for volunteer training. We are a not for profit project run entirely by local volunteers and are not funded by the council."

He added: "Some visitors make use of our cafe, having a drink and homemade cake, enjoying meeting old friends and making new ones.

"It's always a vibrant welcoming space where people can watch things being repaired and learn new skills.

"We welcome new volunteers to help us, people who can fix things, or people who can welcome visitors, serve tea, help people with forms, and the  other things that need doing. We all help each other and have a good time. 

"If you want to learn new skills, gain experience or share your skills with others, come and have a chat with Michael and see how it works. 

"The next repair cafe is on Saturday May 17. See you there."

Tonight's Legion service marks VE Day 80th anniversary

* The British Legion service marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day in the square.

Llangollen branch of the Royal British Legion hosted a service of commemoration for the 80th anniversary of VE Day in Centenary Square this evening just before sunset.

Prayers were said by Father Lee Taylor from St Collen's Church and there were readings from Legion branch chairman Mike Adams and member Tug Wilson.

Flags were lowered by a standard party and the traditional minute's silence was observed. The service ended with the sounding of Last Post.

Immediately afterwards on the library steps a civic party led by the Town Mayor, Cllr Aled Morris, and town crier Chem read proclamations signifying the end of the Second World War in Europe 80 years ago.

The Town Hall frontage was then floodlit in patriotic red, white and blue.   

* Proclamations are made from the library steps.

* The Town Hall frontage floodlit in red, white and blue.   

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Llangollen Road, Acrefair closed due to collision

 ⚠️  ROAD CLOSED ⚠️ 

Llangollen Road in Acrefair, Wrexham is currently closed due to a Road Traffic Collision. Officers are currently on scene. Please avoid the area and consider alternative routes on your travels.

Eisteddfod means fresh start for Ukrainian soprano after Russian invasion

 

*Soprano Khrystyna Makar. Picture by Rick Matthews.

A talented classical singer from Ukraine whose life was ripped apart by the Russian invasion is hoping to reignite her career at prestigious competition in North Wales.

Soprano Khrystyna Makar is among 25 singers from around the world who will be vying to become the Pendine International Voice of the Future at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod in July.

She fled her war-torn homeland with her two young sons, Denys, now 20, and Lukian, 15, in 2022, leaving her husband, Volodimir, and her parents in their home city of Lviv.

Khrystyna, who lives in Shotton in Flintshire, will be up against contestants from the USA, China, and South Africa as well as Wales and England.

Once again the blue riband competition is being sponsored by the arts-loving care organisation, Pendine Park, via the Pendine Arts and Community Trust (PACT) which supports cultural and community initiatives across Wales.

 

The winner of will be presented with the Pendine Trophy by opera star Sir Bryn Terfel, along with a cheque for £3,000 while the runner up will receive £1,000.

 

But first the competitors will have to navigate a preliminary round and a semi-final before the final two take part in a sing off as part of the Eisteddfod’s final concert on Sunday evening, July 13.

It’s taking place on the same night as a concert by Sir Bryn who’ll be performing all the songs from his latest album, Sea Songs, and will be joined by The Fisherman's Friends, the acclaimed folk group from Port Isaac, Cornwall, and Welsh folk singer Eve Goodman.

Before Vladimir Putin’s 2022 invasion Khrystyna was a successful classical singer who had performed all over her native country and in Europe at concert halls in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Scandinavia.

Since arriving in the UK when she lived first in Llangrannog, in Ceredigion, and then Aberystwyth before settling in Shotton, Khrystyna has tried to keep her musical career on track although it has been difficult and she hopes the exposure of competing at Llangollen will help.

Khrystyna hopes the event can boost her singing opportunities in the UK and in the meantime she makes trips home to see her husband and family.

She is just back from a visit which coincided with a deadly Russian missile strike on an apartment block in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.

Twelve people were killed in the attack and over 80 injured and Khrystyna said: “It’s difficult but people still try to keep going.

“It was Easter so we were able to celebrate together with my husband and my parents – we don’t lose our traditions even in these times.

“Lviv is in the west of the country so it’s quite far from the war but sometimes missiles come down there. Everywhere is dangerous but people are still trying to build their lives.

“Being separated from your family is difficult but you have to be strong.

“We are a very friendly people and we’re very grateful for the support we have had from the people in Wales and England.”

The ongoing success of the competition is music to the ears of Pendine Park proprietor Mario Kreft MBE and his wife, Gill, who came up with the idea in 2013 and have seen it become a fixture of the Eisteddfod programme.

The 2025 competition is all the more special to the couple because Pendine is celebrating its 40^th anniversary this year.

Mario said: "The standard of the competitors in years past has been absolutely phenomenal and I have no doubt it will be just as incredibly high again this year.

“As well has having the opportunity to showcase their talent an added bonus for the competitors this year will be the thrill of appearing on the same stage as Sir Bryn Terfel, a true giant of the opera world.”

Llangollen Eisteddfod’s artistic director, Dave Danford, said: “This is one of the most important competitions of the Eisteddfod and people come here because they could be watching someone who will become a household name.

“For the competitors the chance to share a stage with Sir Bryn Terfel is just wonderful – it’s a prize in itself.

“Mario and Gill Kreft have been very good friends to the Eisteddfod over many years and we are very grateful to them.

“Two previous winners, Eirlys Myfanwy Davies, from Pembrokeshire, who won in 2017 and Shimona Rose, who won in 2024, will be featured soloists on Wednesday, July 9, at the Karl Jenkins concert to mark the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations which will feature a performance of his ‘One World’ by an international massed choir of voices.”

Sir Bryn Terfel added: ”The Pendine International Voice of the Future competition is a wonderful opportunity for talented young singers to make a mark and it can provide a real launchpad for fledgling careers onto the global stage.”

* For more information about this year’s Llangollen International Eisteddfod go to https://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/

Curtain set to rise again on town's New Dot Cinema

* The New Dot revival team discuss the return of Llangollen's community cinema.

The team of enthusiasts behind a revival of the town's own community cinema have sent llanblogger this update on their progress ...

"You may have heard a few whispers around town that New Dot Cinema is opening its doors again. Meetings have been taking place at Llangollen Town Hall to plan the return of the popular community cinema, which will offer a familiar and comfortable atmosphere, exciting cinematic experiences and maybe even some surprises.

"The reinvigorated interest in New Dot Cinema has attracted the attention of many locals who are keen to volunteer and who bring their different experiences of films, web design and knowledge of events to the table. 

"They are discussing creative and engaging ways to engage the community and breathe life back into the cinema. If you’re interested in joining us, we would love to discuss your experiences and any help that you could offer New Dot Cinema. Please email newdotcineam@gmail.com to find out more. We would love to discuss your interests and any ways in which you could help out with the cinema.

"We are also in the process of choosing a variety of films that we hope will resonate with the community. There are lots of exciting events happening this summer in Llangollen and the New Dot Cinema team are ready to join in the mix, with their first film screening being Friday 25th July – keep your eyes peeled as we will start to share clues about the first film soon.

"The relaunch of New Dot has been driven by cinema enthusiast and local resident Olivia Brown, aged 23, who studied Film and Theatre Makeup Artistry in Coleg Cambria. She said: “I wanted to see the return of New Dot Cinema to Llangollen, so that I and others, could enjoy watching movies on the big screen, with friends and family, within walking distance of home.”

Heulwen Wright, Deputy Town Clerk, said: “Llangollen Town Council is delighted to see New Dot Cinema returning to the Town Hall. The previous screenings were highly atmospheric and having the big screen and technology that New Dot and Llangollen Town Council have invested in make the venue an ideal location for a Community Cinema. Its return will be wonderful for the Llangollen Community and visitors alike.”

Ysgol Bryn Collen’s special efforts raise £5,618 for Hope House

* Bryn Collen children spell it out on the school playground.

The final total from Ysgol Bryn Collen’s sponsored walk and colour run in aid of Hope House Hospices has now been revealed as £5,618.

Last month the whole school took part in the events in memory of Vicky Jones who was a parent, governor and vice chair of the school's PTFA. 

Year 5/6 walked around Llangollen, Year 3/4 did loops of Plas Newydd, the infants walked around Pen y Coed Woods and then nursery walked around the school field .

The PTFA completed the colour run in the afternoon for the whole school. 

The school has thanked everyone who took part or contributed.