Collen Players make a splash with Seaside Serenade

 

* The Collen Players cast on stage for the grand finale. All pictures by Jeanette Robinson.

Llangollen’s famous Collen Players took their audience on a rip-roaring trip to the seaside as they made a triumphant return to the stage last night (Friday).

The versatile local entertainers, who specialise in old time music hall and variety shows, presented their latest offering – entitled Seaside Serenade and with a salty nautical theme - to a crowded Community Hall.

Back by popular demand was special guest star Colin Bourdeic, who is acknowledged as the UK’s foremost George Formby impersonator.

One of the only song and dance men reliving the golden age of variety and Vaudeville, he appeared in both halves of the show, firstly doing his memorable Formby act, then returning for a Flanagan and Allen routine.

After some cheekily witty introductory songs to get everyone in the mood from the evening’s chairman and Players founder Lee Taylor, it was off to the coast we headed with Bertie and Flo’s rousing medley which came complete with big beachballs.

Also making a return was Players’ regular Phil Robinson with a brace of appealing music hall numbers.

The first act came to close with a Wilson, Keppel and Betty-style sand-dance special courtesy of Julie and Jan.

Young Shea Ferron, direct from his vaunted victory in the Eisteddfod’s Voice of Musical Theatre award earlier this month, opened act two with his stylish presentation which ended with Monty Python’s Always Look on the Bright Side of Life to maintain the evening’s jaunty atmosphere.

In contrast came a captivating performance by Selana Kong, the first number of which was a beautiful melody sung in Chinese.

Another Players’ favourite, John Williams, prompted some audience participation with a couple of sea-based favourites, including What Shall We Do With a Drunken Sailor?  

On hand for some accomplished accompaniments were musicians Jayne (keyboard) and Clayton (drums).

The entire cast was back on stage for their traditional finale piece of Down at the Old Bull and Bush.

* Before the curtain fell to ringing applause, chairman Lee announced that the Players’ Christmas show will be on Friday December 13 at 6.30pm. Tickets: Email stcollens@gmail.com, or call 01978 861768 (leave a message if there’s no answer and someone will get back to you).  

* Chairman Lee Taylor presides. 

* Bertie and Flo's seaside routine.

 * Music hall tribute by Phil Robinson.

* Colin Bourdeic as George Formby.

* A sand-dance special from Julie and Phil.

* Favourites from Shea Ferron.

* Haunting melodies from Selana Kong.

* Crooner John Williams.

* Musicians Clayton and Jayne.

Extra rangers to help visitors to Horseshoe Falls this summer

* Extra countryside rangers will be in place at Llangollen's Horseshoe Falls.

Denbighshire County Council and the Clwydian Range and Dee valley National Landscapes are reminding visitors to park responsibly while visiting countryside attractions this summer.

Visitors looking to enjoy countryside hotspots around the Dee Valley and Clwydian Ranges are urged to plan ahead before travelling into the areas.

A number of preparations have already been made for an increase in traffic into the area as the summer holidays get underway.

Extra countryside rangers will be in place at areas including Llangollen’s Horseshoe Falls, Moel Famau and Loggerheads Country Park to provide support and information for visitors.

Civil enforcement officers will also be monitoring sites, especially at predicated peak busy time.

Visitors coming into the Llangollen area on a Saturday can now use the Dee Valley Picturesque Bus which provides a circular route running every Saturday until August 30, linking Llangollen and the surrounding villages to Horseshoe Falls and popular local attractions including Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Wenffrwd Nature Reserve, Valle Crucis Abbey, Plas Newydd Historic House and the Horseshoe Pass.

The service will enable visitors and residents to visit and explore these locations without the need of having to constantly find car parking spaces at the sites.

Stops include Llangollen Pavilion where there is ample parking to leave vehicles for the day.

A series of measures have also been introduced at Moel Famau to relieve congestion in the area including double yellow lines, additional parking spaces and road side parking provision to improve visitor flow.

Visitors are also urged to respect the countryside and be sensible by parking responsibly, not littering and only riding bikes on permitted routes.

If the weather is fine over the period, people ae urged not to have BBQ’s, camping stoves or campfires on moorland areas because of the significant risk of fire. Bring a picnic rather than a BBQ and take all litter home with you.

Councillor Alan James, Denbighshire Cabinet Lead Member for Local Development and Planning, said: “We want people to enjoy the great outdoor attractions we have to offer but also remind them that parking restrictions are important for both road safety and ensuring there is a fair turnover of parking spaces. Anyone not complying with parking restrictions risk receiving a Penalty Charge Notice from civil enforcement officers.

“Our rangers are working every weekend to provide advice and guidance to visitors coming to the site and I would ask that the public also respect the role they are there to carry out.

“Please plan your day in advance, try to use facilities such as the Dee Valley bus to travel on which will save parking spaces and make sure you have other options planned for visiting and parking if you cannot stop at your first choice of venue as our fantastic area has plenty of attractions to visit."

Ysgol Dinas Bran celebrates its latest eco award success

* Staff and students at Ysgol Dinas Bran with their latest Platinum Eco Award.

Ysgol Dinas Bran has announced its successful application for the Platinum Eco Award.

This is the highest level award given to schools for their environmental work and only a few secondary schools in North Wales have it.

In a post of its Facebook page the school says: "We have to submit an action plan and a case study each year involving a new initiative to regain the award, so after six successful awards this does get more challenging, which makes the award again this year all the more pleasing.

"Catrin the awarding officer stated: 'It was very interesting to read about the partnership project to raise awareness about the Llangollen Whitebeam, as well as to plant more of the trees locally. I was also pleased to see from your evaluated action plan how a range of other targets have been successful this year.

"'I am delighted to confirm that you have retained your Platinum Eco-Schools status and wish you every success with this year’s projects. Maintaining the Eco-Schools Platinum status is a fantastic achievement. The school, staff and pupils, should feel proud of their hard work and commitment.'"

Police witness appeal after serious collision in Glyndyrdwy

North Wales Police have made an appeal for witnesses following a serious collision on the A5 at Glyndyrdwy earlier today (Thursday) in which a motorcyclist sustained serious injuries. 

In a statement they say: "A motorcyclist has sustained serious injuries following a road traffic collision on the A5 in Glyndyfrdwy between Corwen and Llangollen.

" At 11:52 on Thursday, 18 July 2024, we were informed of a two-vehicle collision involving a silver Toyota Granvia and a red BMW RT motorcycle. 

" The rider, a 78 year-old-man, was taken via air ambulance to the Royal University Stoke Hospital where he remains under treatment.

" The road is closed for initial collision investigation and we will further update when the road is re-opened."

Sergeant Alun Jones of the Roads Crime Unit is appealing for witnesses. 

He said:  “We are urging anybody who may have witnessed the collision, or anybody who may have been travelling near this location and who may have dash cam footage, to contact us."

"Anyone with information is asked to contact officers at the Roads Crime Unit, either via the website or by calling 101, quoting reference number Q104866."

Railway line blocked after person struck by train, says report

UPDATE: IT IS UNDERSTOOD THE INCIDENT IS OVER AND NORMAL SERVICES HAVE BEEN RESUMED

North Wales Live is reporting this morning (Thursday) that a railway line is blocked after a person was struck by a train. Police have shut Station Road in Preesgweene, near Weston Rhyn, on the border with Wrexham, following the incident.

* For the full story, see: https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/live-updates-railway-line-blocked-29564055?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR39o5640CMOGCdj7VAaOfdD9hjDx9J-Fgr0qGN61U0qsY2TJxyqfBcsnl8_aem_thvDlKiQ9qYuP1sUovEvLg 

County council's latest roadworks alerts

Latest roadworks alerts from Denbighshire County Council are:

A539

O/S NUMBER 23

MILL STREET

18/07/2024

19/07/2024

Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY

A539

OPPOSITE OERNANT UCHAF, HORSESHOE PASS

HORSESHOE PASS

25/07/2024

25/07/2024

Gwaith BT/ BT Works GT WILLIAMS

A542

BACHE MILL ROAD....SIDE OF WHITEGATE

BACHE MILL ROAD

17/07/2024

19/07/2024

Adnewyddu Polyn / Renew Pole GT WILLIAMS

A539

A542 - Upper Crust Cafe to Brittannia Inn

HORSESHOE PASS

15/07/2024

19/07/2024

Lladd Gwair/ Grass Cutting LEVERETT CONTRACTING 

Update on plan for National Park in this area

 

* From left, Gareth Ludkin (Campaign for National Parks), Caroline Conway (CPRW), John Roberts (Friends of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley) in Carrog in the current National Landscape on the River Dee.

A joint statement, led by Campaign for National Parks and signed by 18 organisations including the Alliance for Welsh Designated Landscapes, RSPB Cymru, WWF and National Trust, has been released ahead of an expected public consultation on plans for a new National Park in North East Wales this autumn.

The statement calls on Welsh Government to set high ambitions for the proposed area with a supporting framework that will enable a new National Park, the first to be designated in Wales in over 60 years, to be an exemplar in the UK.

In meeting the multiple challenges facing Wales, including the nature and climate emergencies and increasing pressure on rural communities, the statement recommends a series of actions which will enable a new National Park to fulfil its purposes and thrive. These include:

1. An emphasis on species recovery, climate change and a boundary which considers the full diversity of habitats and species present in the area. There should be targeted support for farmers and land managers in the area and an emphasis on nature recovery. 

2. A commitment to new and ongoing funding at a level which will enable the new National Park to achieve its full potential whilst ensuring that there are no detrimental impacts on the existing National Parks in Wales. 

3. Maintaining economic and social resilience for local communities. The new National Park will be an area where people live and work. The small towns, villages and communities within it must be supported to retain resilience, Welsh heritage and sustainability. 

4. Modernised governance arrangements which ensure that those involved in making decisions about the new National Park have the necessary skills and are representative of both local communities and the wider population of Wales.  

Gareth Ludkin, Senior Policy Officer at Campaign for National Parks said: “We welcome proposals for a new National Park in North East Wales and believe this is a once in a generation opportunity for Wales to create a truly exemplar National Park that leads the way for the rest of the UK.

We want to see a new National Park which can tackle the dual climate and nature crises of today whilst also taking hold of the opportunity to build resilient communities, manage visitor pressures and innovate for the future health and wellbeing of Wales and the UK.”

Caroline Conway from the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to model the way we would like to see all designated landscapes managed, and can act as a bridgehead to further expansion of existing national parks and national landscapes.”

Friends of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Chair, Martyn Holland, commented: “Friends are keen to see the opportunity taken to enhance and protect the special landscape in our area, with biodiversity and nature recovery to the fore. We welcome the emphasis that this must be done whilst maintaining the resilience and sustainability of local communities.”

Natural Resources Wales, the organisation leading work on the new National Park, has just released an Engagement Period Report which highlights a number of key opportunities as well as concerns which were raised during a period of public engagement in November 2023.

With attention now turning to the consultation in the autumn, the signatories are keen to ensure their joint statement is used to strengthen the proposals and create a truly transformative National Park.