Operatic's Great British Bake Off deserves a Hollywood handshake

Llangollen Operatic Society's current production of The Great British Bake Off Musical deserves no less than a Hollywood handshake for its sheer tastiness.

The long hours spent in rehearsals and the effort which went into creating some of those very edible looking "prop" cakes is amazing, with not a soggy bottom in sight anywhere on the Town Hall Stage, which this joyous show will occupy from tmorrw (Wednesday) until Saturday, April 22-24 at 7.30pm with a 2pm matinee on Saturday.  

The musical version of the smash-hit TV show, created by Jake Brunger and Pippa Cleary, follows eight amateur bakers over a season as they compete for the title of Star Baker. 

The plot focuses on contestants' personal stories, including Gemma, a hesitant carer, and Ben, a widowed police officer who fall in love.

The show follows a traditional, light-hearted, and heart-warming structure, culminating in the traditional garden party final. 

The simple yet absorbing plot highlights the friendship and competition between contestants, with judges Phil Hollinghurst (based on Paul Hollywood) and Pam Lee (based on Prue Leith) providing critiques.

Some attractive songs include "The Perfect Petit Fours" and "Rise," which highlight the emotional journeys of the characters.

The whole thing concludes with a final winner being announced at a celebratory gathering. And, of course, I'm not going to reveal who that is.

Lead parts in the 19-strong cast are taken by David Lyne and his wife Louise as Phil Hollinghurst and presenter Kim. Louisa Jones is Pam Lee, the celebrity judge. and funnyman of the presentation team is Graham Bannister-Kelly as Jim.

All four are well suited to their respective roles and entirely believable. In fact, I loved Pam's iridescent jackets and Phil's rather decent Scouse accent.

The back-stories of the eight hopeful bakers are introduced with the help of some neat little musical numbers, which move along the action perfectly.

A real star-in-the-making is young Emmie Davis as Lily, the nine-year-old girl who promotes the love affair between two of the bakers, her widowed dad Ben and Gemma. 

A six-strong ensemble perfectly augment the main cast and generally dash around making sure everything runs smoothly as members of the Bake Off crew. They include Sean Ruane-Brown, Glenn Fletcher, Biba Baksh, Jan Bellis, Jeanette Robinson and Sue O'Neill.

The famous big tent has been skilfully squeezed into the compact dimensions of the Town Hall stage complete with work stations and a characteristic big pink fridge-freezer.

Those prop cakes are brilliantly done and have been prepared by a behind-the-scenes team over many weeks. The first half closes with an immaculate interpretation of Blackpool Tower.

The near-constant musical numbers, superbly backed by a six-strong orchestra, are nicely handled as is the choreography masterminded by Rob Stevens, Pamela Williams and Belinda Hill.

The bakers, played by Belinda Hill as Babs, Ross Burgon as Ben, Kevin Williams as Dezza, Carly Casterton as Francesca, Stephanie Williams as Gemma, Cadan Thomas as Hassan, Rory Henderson as Izzy and Neil Barratt as Russell, are all believably presented and make you really care which one of them is to become the eventual winner.

Tracey Kempster Jones and Caroline Anthonisz are joint producers, Chrissie Ashworth is director, Elen M Roberts is music director and staging and design duo are Mike Jones and Niamh Connaught, all of whom have done a marvellous job of mixing all these ingredients together.

Next time I watch the TV version I'll be expecting everyone to burst into song. And if they could do it as well as this lot they'd all deserve that famous handshake.

Tickets for the show, priced £18, are available at Llangollen Tourist Information Centre, Llangollen Office Shop and Fine Foods and Solitaire Jewellers, or online from: ticketsource.co.uk/llangollenoperaticsociety

Scenes from the show:

New partnership links top music award with Eisteddfod

 

A new partnership between a prestigious music award and the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod aims to offer emerging Welsh musicians a major new performance opportunity on an international stage.

Held annually in Swansea each June, the John Fussell Award brings together outstanding students from leading UK conservatoires, each nominated for their exceptional talent and Welsh connections.

The competition has become an important platform for identifying the next generation of performers at the start of their professional careers.

From 2026, the winner of the award will receive free entry to one of the Eisteddfod’s flagship competitions, the Pendine International Voice of the Future (for singers) or the International Instrumentalist of the Future. 

In a further enhancement, opera singers awarded this opportunity will be fast-tracked directly to the semi-final stage of the Voice of the Future competition in the Pavilion, bypassing the preliminary round.

The collaboration strengthens the Eisteddfod’s ongoing commitment to supporting young artists and creating clear pathways from training into the professional spotlight. With audiences of up to 4,000 in the Pavilion and competitors drawn from across the globe, the competitions represent a significant career milestone for emerging performers.

This year’s John Fussell Award will be adjudicated by a distinguished three-person panel, comprising percussionist, conductor and Artistic Director of the Eisteddfod, Dave Danford, and internationally acclaimed Welsh soprano Rebecca Evans, with the panel chaired by Huw Tregelles Williams, former Director of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.

Dave Danford said: “The John Fussell Award consistently showcases some of the most exciting young musicians with Welsh connections. Creating this link with the Eisteddfod is a natural next step, offering a clear pathway onto an international platform and helping to support artists at a crucial stage in their development.”

Operatic picks up three amateur stage 'Oscars' for its last show

* The cast of the award-winning Into the Woods on the Town Hall stage last year.

Llangollen Operatic Society has picked up three amateur stage "Oscars" for its production of the fantasy musical Into the Woods last September.

At the 2026 North Wales and Ireland NODA Awards in Llandudno last night (Saturday) they picked up the gongs for Outstanding Show, Outstanding Choreography by Rob Stevens and Outstanding Youth Performer with Ethan Roberts, who is a member of the society's junior section, the Young 'Uns.

In all, the society's adult and juniors section had been nominated for a total of 11 nominations this year.  

The multiple nods included five for individuals and six for productions from their two 2025 shows, including the Young 'Uns' We Will Rock You.

A spokesperson for the Operatic said: "We are so excited and very proud to have scored a triple-victory in these prestigious awards and congratulations must go to both cast and crew who made this fantastic show possible."

Why Mark was moved to help the Ukrainian struggle

* The vehicle Mark Birkill raised the money to pay for is delivered to Ukraine. 

A Corwen man has revealed how watching the moving arrival in the UK of two refugees from the war-torn country set him off on the road to strongly supporting Ukraine's battle for survival following the Russian invasion.

Mark Birkill, whose day job is working with veterans, has since helped deliver a 4x4 vehicle paid for by Penyllan Chapel in Llangollen to the front line to aid the military and civilians and recently raised enough money to pay for his own specialist vehicle to be sent out.

Mark told llanblogger: "In February 2022 I was appalled by Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and the news pictures coming out of the country.

"My wife and I agreed to host an older Ukrainian couple and they stayed with us for nearly two years. I was deeply moved by the sight of them getting off a coach at 4am in Chester bus station, bewildered, far from home, their lives packed into two suitcases. 

"While I am proud and privileged to have been a host, it also felt very inadequate. I considered any other ways I could help and became aware of several charities that were involved in acquiring pick-ups and 4x4s to take to Ukraine for use in frontline areas. 

"I set up a JustGiving page. Initially I asked local businesses if they had an old vehicle they were seeking to offload which drew a blank. I later visited Anna’s Cafe in Oak Street, Llangollen to drop off some flyers but saw I had been beaten to it by posters from a charity called Mission Ukraine. 

"I discovered that a local man, Danny Fairburn, was involved in the charity and we arranged to meet. Danny is an inspirational person having dedicated himself to supporting Ukraine. He told me that a local church had bought a vehicle and I could take it out with Pastor Brian Smith from the church and Paata Samsonidze from Anna’s, who is Ukrainian. 

"In December we took the vehicle to an American who was a former Deputy Police Sherriff serving in the Ukrainian Army near Chernobyl. 

"We stayed at Paata’s home near Kyiv for a week and he very generously showed us places of interest including Bucha, a site of Russian atrocities, Russian drones and tanks in Kyiv and, very movingly, Ukrainian military cemeteries and memorials to the fallen.

"My own fundraising eventually reached £2,000, enough to buy a vehicle, and two lads from Middlesborough took the vehicle to Ukraine. 

"I had some very generous donations including from people I didn’t know. I named the vehicle ‘Rhyddid’ - ‘Freedom’ in Welsh - and it makes me emotional to think that a Welsh speaker working in the country might see it. Donations to Mission Ukraine can be made via: https://www.missionukraine.uk/" 

Tourist information office to sell tickets for the railway

* Denise Williams is part of the team at Llangollen TIC which has partnered with the railway to sell its tickets.

Llangollen and Corwen Railway has announced the expansion of its successful partnership with Llangollen Tourist Information Centre following strong demand for tickets sold in the town centre.

Since launching ticket sales at the Tourist Information Centre on Castle Street in partnership with Go North Wales, the initiative has proven hugely popular with visitors. 

Being able to buy railway tickets right in the centre of Llangollen has made it easier than ever for people to plan their visit and enjoy one of North Wales’ leading heritage attractions.

Building on this success, the railway has confirmed that from this week, visitors will also be able to purchase official railway merchandise directly from the Tourist Information Centre. 

Items on sale will include branded gifts such as teddy bears, tote bags, key rings, cups and cushions, making the centre a convenient place to pick up both tickets and souvenirs.

David Hennigan, Trust Manager at the railway, said: “The success of selling tickets through the Tourist Information Centre has been fantastic. It has made a real difference in helping visitors access the railway more easily, right from the centre of our town.

“The TIC is such a brilliant asset to Llangollen. It plays a vital role in welcoming visitors and promoting everything the town, the Dee Valley and the wider region have to offer.

“It’s been a pleasure to work alongside Denise, Barbara and the whole team, who do an outstanding job every day. We are proud to support them and strengthen this partnership even further.

“By expanding into merchandise, we’re creating an even better experience for visitors, giving them the chance not only to plan their journey, but also to take a piece of the railway home with them.”

Over the coming months, the railway will be expanding its partnerships with tourist attractions across North Wales, reinforcing its commitment to promoting Llangollen and everything the area has to offer, and supporting the town’s bid for Town of Culture.

Partnerships have already been announced with the Llangollen Garden Railway Festival, the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and Wales Comic Con, helping to position the town as a vibrant, year-round destination.

The railway is also championing Welsh produce through its “Ales from Wales” Real Ale Trains, launching on 25 April, featuring Welsh favourites including Hafod and Purple Moose. The event will also include live music in the “James Veal” Station Master’s Marquees at the front of Llangollen Railway Station, creating a lively festival atmosphere alongside the trains.

The railway’s café is now proudly stocking predominantly Welsh produce, including Mario’s Luxury Ice Cream, as part of a wider commitment to support local suppliers.The ambition is clear. The railway wants to play a leading role in supporting businesses across Wales, while giving visitors a genuine taste of the region.

* Find out more at: www.llangollen-railway.co.uk

Change of venue for Llangollen Flower Club

Llangollen Flower Club is moving to a new location. 

It will now be meeting at The Gallery, on the ground floor in the Eisteddfod Pavilion, off Abbey Road.

A club spokesperson said: "Car Parking will be free. Enjoy a free tea or coffee and please bring your own mug.

"We welcome any visitors to our meetings for £6 or annual membership is £45.

"The demonstrator at the next meeting on Tuesday April 28 at 2pm will be Lynne Rowlands.

"Our next coffee morning will be held on May 5, from 11 am to 12 noon in the Memorial Hall, Market Street, Llangollen."

Time to complain about Aldi's sudden snatching away of Free From sections

* Aldi's Llangollen store where the excellent Free From section has now gone without warning.

If you're thinking of shopping at Aldi in Llangollen for your gluten-free food, forget it.

Because, as I discovered to my disgust earlier this week, they no longer have the Free From section which I and other gluten-avoiding consumers have been happily purchasing from for over a year.

There are currently around 8.5 million people in the UK - me included - who have chosen a GF diet because their delicate gastro-system makes it an absolute necessity, or they just adopting that kind of diet.

But, as everyone who buys it knows literally to their cost, your GF stuff is eye-wateringly and unfairly expensive.  

Fine, you can still get it at many other outlets - and some of the larger supermarkets have an excellent offering - but nowhere can you buy it nearly as cheaply as at Aldi. 

I gather from an excellent article in the Denbighshire Free Press a couple of days ago that around 300 of the 1,000 Aldi branches in the UK, obviously including Llangollen, started up a dedicated Free From section on a trial basis back in January 2025. And, regrettably, that trial has now come to an end.  

And at one arbitrary stroke by the Aldi high command - which came without prior warning - this casts GF people like me back into the hell of inescapably high prices.

In the Free Press piece, the budget giant claimed they were "committed to ensuring" customers with dietary requirements will still be able to buy what they need and that they engage with key allergy charities.    

Oh yes, then why is that on my last trip to the Llangollen Aldi there were just the last few, sad GF offerings crammed into a corner of what used to be their well-stocked Free From section?

A reliable source within that store to whom I complained about the situation said that the decision to scrap it had nothing to do with local management but was down to "head office," which was surprising, they said, as the Free From items had been selling well there.

The newspaper piece described how gluten allergic people across the country were now complaining bitterly about the ripping away of their budget-priced Free From items, including staples like bread which was often about half the price at Aldi than anywhere else. 

While the corporate culprits are still trotting out what I know from my years in journalism are standard public relations responses to a situation which has alienated customers, I reckon it's time for direct action. Time, in fact, to deluge Aldi head office with complaints about what they have done to us in the hope they'll see sense and return to us what they have taken away.

* You can email Aldi customer support at: https://help.aldi.co.uk/contact-form-product I've already done so and it feels like a good way of fighting back.

Just a few points about filling in the form:

* Question "select category" - choose "other"

* Question "purchased online" -  choose "no"

* Question "barcode number unknown" - choose "my issue does not concern a product"

Happy complaining.