February 2017

February 2017 Issue

Your monthly magazine serving businesses and the community in the beautiful Dee Valley

£1

GLYN VALLEY

TRAMWAY SCOOPS

AWARD

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COMMUNITY

PREPARATIONS

WHAT’S ON

TH

ANNIVERSARY

FINALISED

NEWS

GUIDE Selling homes in the beautiful Dee Valley

12 NEWS Castle November St, Llangollen, DEE VALLEY 2016 LL20 8NB

• llangollen@wingetts.co.uk • 01978 861366

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LLANGOLLEN The Old Bank, Berwyn Street, LL20 8ND T: 01978 860313 E: llangollen@ghplegal.com

CHIRK Spring House, Holyhead Road, LL14 5NA T: 01691 777949 E: chirk@ghplegal.com

Accident & Injury Agriculture & Estates Children Clinical Negligence Company & Commercial Commercial Property Court of Protection Crime & Regulatory Employment Law

Family & Matrimonial Family Mediation Insolvency & Restructuring Litigation & Dispute Resolution Mental Health Professional Negligence Probate, Wills, Tax & Trust NO-WIN, NO-FEE OPTIONS : WELSH SPEAKERS Property ResidentialAW Renewables_Layout 1 27/04/2015 Page CONTRACTED WITH THE LEGAL20:26 AID AGENCY Spinal Injuries Authorised & Regulated by the SRA No .51566

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Dear Reader,

MARCH 2017 ISSUE Deadline strictly February 13th at noon

Well the new year of 2017 is now well under way, the festive celebrations seem a long way away, I hope everyone had a lovely break and enjoyed special time with friends and family.

COVER PHOTO: by kind permission of Kim Price © Kim Price

So with a new year ahead of us, the initial teething problems of this magazine feel well and truly in the past. We are continuously making improvements to its content and appearance and in turn, we are being approached by new writers, previous contributors are returning, and are attracting new advertisers too. We are all fired up after the last two magazines, readership is increasing and the magazine is looking better than ever. Our thanks go to all the advertisers without whom, this magazine would not be sustainable, also to all our contributors, that help make this magazine such an interesting read.

So here’s to 2017, all that remains is for me to wish you all a happy, healthy and successful new year

EDITOR & DESIGNER Lisa Fox admin@deevalleynews.com M: 07780 334372 ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE Paula Lingard paula@deevalleynews.com M: 07939 533 451 CONTRIBUTORS A big thanks to all our contributors PUBLISHER: Fox eMedia Limited Dee Valley News Fox eMedia Limited Glyn Wylfa, Castle Road Chirk LL14 5BS Additional artwork by Freepik.com

ARTWORK If you want something special, we can assist in designing your advert for you, but this will be subject to an hourly artwork fee. Please get in touch to discuss your requirements When you have finished with this item, please pass it on, re-use or recycle it

APRIL 2017 ISSUE Deadline strictly March 12th at noon Items for inclusion in the next editions can be emailed to: admin@deevalleynews.com or posted to Fox eMedia Limited

[Editor]

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We would like to say a massive thank you to all our contributors and advertisers, without whom, the magazine, would not be the success it is today.

We appreciate how time consuming it can be, (and costly) to take time away from your business commitments, to support the magazine. Hopefully you will recognise the value and benefits of advertising/contributing in the Dee Valley News - Your local magazine.

Your Views We want your letters too ....

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If you have a story to tell, a newsworthy item to share, or you simply want to support the magazine, please send your editorial/artwork to, admin@deevalleynews.com Lisa & Paula

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The reproduction of any material in this magazine by means of electronic, photographic or print process is strictly forbidden without prior permission of the company. Views expressed in this community newspaper do not necessarily reflect those of the company . Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of all information published within, but the company can in no way accept liability for omissions or incorrect insertions or any consequence arising there from, nor can the company accept responsibility or liability for any consequence arising from this publication. © Fox eMedia Limited 2016 All rights reserved

DEE VALLEY NEWS February 2017

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Happy

Valentine’s Day p21

p12

Contents p17

5 COMMUNITY NEWS Catch up with local news from, Llangollen Inner Wheel, Llangollen W.I, Prostate Group and more 7 Santa raises money for Wales Air Ambulance

p6

p8

Oh no Archie! You didn’t!!

LETTERS

8 PETS PAGE Catch up with your Vet’s news and discover what Archie the Labradoodle has been up to this month 9 COUNCIL REPORTS Notes from last month’s council meetings, to keep you up to date and informed 11 MUSEUM NEWS Updates from Llangollen Museum, and information about their events programme

p16

The Glyn Valley Tramway & Industrial Heritage Trust

p15

Shedding Light on the Denbighshire Rifle Volunteers

12 MUSICAL NEWS News from the Llangollen Silver Band and the National Young Musician Competition 13 DOES IT HAVE TO RHYME? Christmas Poetry winners announced 14 ONCE UPON A TIME Llangollen author Adrian Farrel publishes his second book of Fairy Tales 15 OLD ARMOURY Shedding light on the Denbighshire Rifle Volunteers

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16 GLYN VALLEY TRAMWAY Restoration of the Glyn Valley Tramway & Industrial Heritage Trust

Final line up announced for 70th anniversary concert

p29

What’s on

18 IS IT LEGAL? Father did not appoint executors or get Will correctly witnessed. Is it invalid? Legal advice from GHP’s Nathan Wright

19 ACCOUNTANT’S CORNER Llangollen resident and accountant Ralph Robson looks current items 20 ADVICE Our monthly advice column from James Rush at Yuu Trees, Citizens Advice, & Ruth Jones 21 FOOD & DRINK Porters Deli introduces us to the delights of Comté cheese, and there’s a tried and tested pancake recipe for you 23 YSGOL GYMRAEG Y GWERNANT See what pupils have been up to during this busy term 23 YSGOL DINAS BRÂN School news and events 25 UPDATES Catch up CFFI Llangollen YFC members, Y Capel and Messy Church 27 EISTEDDFOD NEWS 29 WHAT’S ON Your guide to What’s on in the area, drama, cinema listings, concerts, something for everyone!

31 REGULAR MEETINGS Want to know when the Craft Group meet? Trying to find a Zumba class? Want to join a choir?

All the info you need, right here

17 BERWYN JOTTINGS Railway volunteers still hard at work restoring the iconic Berwyn station back to its Edwardian glory.

DEE VALLEY NEWS February 2017

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LLANGOLLEN

St Collen’s Community Hall, Regent Street.

Wednesdays 9:30am, 5:30 pm, 7:30pm Tel: Mo 07860 149 807

CORWEN

Neuadd Edeirnion, London Road, Corwen Thursday 9:30 am Tel: Denise 07775 995441

RUABON

Wynnstay Arms, High Street Thursday 3pm, 5pm or 7pm Tel: Sam 07951 886066

PlAS MADOC

Splash Magic Leisure Centre Llangollen Road, Acrefair Tuesday 9:30am

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DEE VALLEY NEWS February 2017

Community News Llangollen Inner Wheel

Llangollen W.I. After a very successful Christmas lunch which was followed by some highly entertaining games, including a Human Fruit Machine, Llangollen W.I. entered the new year on a rather more serious note.

The subject of our speakers talk was Restorative Justice and Prison Visits. Our speakers Joan and Michael Winwood told us of their work inside prison getting the inmates to accept responsibility for their crimes and the effect they had both physically and mentally on their victims. In some cases, they had met their victims face to face and as part of this programme they were able to take a course which led to NVQ qualifications.

After tea we discussed the resolutions to be put to the annual W.I. conference. A vote was taken and our resulting choice will be passed on to County. The meeting ended with a selection of awful jokes from Christmas Crackers, my favourite What do you call a penguin in the Desert? If you can’t work it out the answer is Lost!!!

The winners of the Competition Trophy for 2016 were Pam L, Ruth and Mary.

Next month our speaker will be Wendy Davis, her subject A humorous History of Hats. The competition will be for the most interesting hat.

The meeting will take place in Welfare House at 2 p.m. on Thursday Feb 2nd. New members and visitors will be most welcome.

The last two months have been full of activities. At the end of November Eulanwy Davies, with the help of Sylvia Rawlings, organized our annual Autumn Whist Drive. The money raised went to our International Charity Northern Cleft Palate.

At our December meeting, we were addressed by the Revd. Chris Potter and appropriately at a time of giving we were able to announce our charity donations. They were to The Salvation Army, Shelter, The Red Cross, Nightingale House, the International Eisteddfod and Young Carers at Ysgol Dinas Bran and Ysgol Rhiwabon.

Our annual Christmas Cheer event was a great success and we are grateful to all those who helped make it such a happy occasion, whilst at the same time helping to raise over £900 for good causes.

We began the New Year with our own Birthday Party at the RAFA Club.

Our club birthday coincides with International Inner Wheel Day so we were able to toast our members world-wide. President Val Cartwright (“our Queen”) had baked a beautiful cake decorated with the Inner Wheel logo. We look forward to the New Year, we have meetings, Knit and Natter sessions and cinema visits planned. Why not join us?

Enid Law (Secretary)

Llangollen Flower Club Llangollen Prostate Support Group Christmas is not always an easy time for the prostate sufferer. Extra alcohol drunk and extra food eaten combine to put pressure on the body’s waste disposal mechanisms. There is also the discomfort that can come from long periods of time spent Christmas shopping, without a clear idea of where the nearest Gents’ toilet might be. The condition can also be a nuisance if you go to stay with friends or family over the holiday period. Any prostate sufferer will know what I am talking about.

The Llangollen Flower Club held their Christmas Demonstration on November 29th in the Town Hall, when Nigel Whyles gave us a superb demonstration. His use great use of greenery, the hints and tips and finished displays showed such a high standard of expertise and skill.

The Club will be holding their first meeting of 2017 on February 28th at 2pm in The Hand Hotel. The demonstrator will be Sarah Fenton from Telford and her theme is called ‘Colourful Inspiration.’

We warmly welcome anyone who would like to come along as a guest to watch the demonstration, the charge is £4. For members and any new members, our new year starts in March on the 28th, again at 2pm with Amanda Macready from Wrexham.

We had our own group version of a Christmas party on 23 November, when our guest speaker was Liz Hosier, a leading sales representative for a big medical appliance firm. Liz is always able to demonstrate some new adaptation or technology which makes life easier for those with bladder and prostate problems, this year, she was able to display a new variety of catheter, which could be self-applied and disposed of. This was welcomed, as that particular process is not an easy one, and several members who tried it felt that it was better than anything which they had used so far. In addition, Liz brings a selection of cakes and snacks with her, which also go down well ( no pun intended ).

The next meeting is on Wednesday 25th January, Hand Hotel, Llangollen at 2pm. At the moment, we don’t have an official speaker, but we are trying various avenues. See you in the Hand ...

Mike Law

DEE VALLEY NEWS February 2017

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Question: what goes down but also goes up? Answer: two Rotarians raising money for charity Barry Pinel and Geoff Bullen, both members of The Rotary Club of Llangollen, plan raise money for ShelterBox conducting an adrenalin fuelled abseil on February 18th 2017. This involves a 120ft free fall abseil form the Corona Gallery in the Liverpool Cathedral. This is all managed by services of Awesome Walls who will provide knowledge and equipment for participant’s safety and have provided relevant insurance for the activity.

Qualified abseil instructors will assist with harness helmets and gloves and give guidance for the descent. The two friends, both in their late 60’s, are, according to their wives, as mad as March hares and have already braved the 115mph Zip Wire Velocity in North Wales, and now hope to raise money for Shelter Box. ShelterBox is a Rotary scheme that provides immediate assistance to people affected by disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, flooding, hurricanes, cyclones, tsunamis, or conflict. ShelterBox provides shelter, lifesaving equipment, and educational materials to hard-hit communities worldwide. Since its founding in 2000, ShelterBox has responded to more than 200 natural disasters and humanitarian crises in almost 90 countries, providing vital aid for well over 1 million people.

If people wish to sponsor Barry and/or Geoff, please send a cheque made out to The Rotary Club of Llangollen. C/o The Hand Hotel, Bridge Street, Llangollen LL20 8PL, Wales Geoff Bullen Llangollen Rotary PI

THANK YOU

Santa helps raise £714 for Wales Air Ambulance Santa was out and about around Llangollen throughout December raising funds for North Wales Air Ambulance.

The charity needs to raise £6.5 million every year to operate the service, with each mission on average costing £1500.

During December Santa took part in and organised a series of events and quizzes for the charity and was overwhelmed by the generosity of the local community.

Santa would like to thank all the individuals and groups that gave their support and helped him raise the magnificent sum of £714.

Particular thanks to Cefn Mawr Historic Society, The Ponsonby Arms, The Sun Trevor, Llangollen Dee Valley Rotary and Narrowboaters overwintering on Llangollen Wharf: all of whom hosted and helped organise events.

THANK YOU Janey Richards would like to thank everyone for their kind comforting thoughts, cards and messages following the death of my wonderful mother Carol.

I apologise for my delay --- but hadn’t planned to break my leg!

I would also like to say a big thank you to David, Mrs Morris & all the staff at The Old Vicarage for looking after my mother with such care, also the district nurses, John Thomas & the Rev Andrew Sully.

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New Year, New Friends, New Beginnings

DEE VALLEY NEWS February 2017

The Llangollen Refugee Support Network decided to hold a party on New Year’s day to bring refugees together here in Llangollen at St. Collen’s Community Hall, the use of which was kindly donated by St. Collen’s church. Most were Syrian refugees, Iraqi Kurds with a few from The Lebanon now living in Wrexham and Oswestry.

The Syrian refugee family from Cardiff who we have been supporting all year were up for the whole New Year weekend.

The aim was so that our Cardiff refugees could meet other refugees and supporters in the area and integrate with each other, creating new links and awareness. Food was organised for lunch and tea, with a full programme of entertainment in the afternoon including storytelling, Arabic dancing, music and singing. Two walks were organised - one along the canal and the other one to the park so that the little boys could play football.

Approximately 45 refugees came, half of whom were little children and the day was a great success with many people coming to meet and support including the Mayor. Local children and their families arrived during the afternoon with big bags of toys and clothes which were donated to the refugees. The entertainment was enjoyed by everyone especially the children.

The women’s room provided upstairs was much appreciated by mothers who went there to rest with their babies. The food which was really tasty and plenty of it was enjoyed by all. The people who went on the walks were very impressed with the picturesque landscape of Llangollen and some want to come back. Overall our aims were achieved and people enjoyed the party.

We could not have done this without the help of many groups, charities and people in the Community. You know who you are. So we would like to offer A BIG THANK YOU to all who helped make the day a success.

Sue Hall

Letters On Friday 23rd December last, a concert was held in the English Methodist Church in Llangollen under the title NOS O AEAF (A Winter’s Tale), incorporating Cantorion Collen Singers, Owen Roberts (Accompanist) and Guests, inspired and led by Eirwen Jones.

The event, the latest of fifteen annual ones, once again, proved very popular and raised the sum of £500 which is to be matched £ for £ by Barclays Bank Plc., and will benefit the Trust by £1000. Other grateful contributions were also made by The Buttered Crust, Co-operative, Dee Valley Greengrocers, Honeypots and Finlay’s.

Our charity has been operating from Trevor Basin to Llangollen and Lion Quays for over 30 years, catering for disabled persons and their carers on day trips, usually between Easter and the end of September, and we rely purely on gifts and donations to fund the trips on our adapted narrow boat, Glas Y Dorlan.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening’s entertainment.

Yours faithfully Stanley A Crabtree Hon Treasurer The Vale of Llangollen Canal Boat Trust for the Disabled Martin and I drove seven and a half hours to Scotland recently to a remote hotel by Loch Awe. When we left the B road it was six miles along a rugged track to reach it. If you return the next day from Oban via a route recommended by a local as a ‘straight’ road in direction perhaps.

A small but decent road became a track that climbed high with sheer drops either side suddenly descending to the shores of the twenty seven mile loch. More steep climbs and worrying breathtaking miles later, seventeen to be exact, we turned a sharp corner to see the hotel. Though at one point I’d been sure our bones would be found yards from the car having perhaps tried to suck the coolant out of the radiator to survive.

Pride before a fall Aged fourteen was my first attempt at riding a bicycle, having crashed into the school wall buckling my friend’s wheel, convinced that it was mind over matter, that one day, despite my apparent lack of balance, I would I thought when older, try again.

Over the next few years I trained as a nurse, met a man on a train, married him, found myself throwing snowballs on Cambridge railway station in the early sixties enroute to Singapore, a thirty-six-hour journey by way of Istanbul and Bombay, courtesy of Eagle Airways and the Royal Air Force. Settled into a nice apartment in the village of Seletar, quickly, due to the fact that the previous tenant had received a ‘Dear John’, I got used to wakening to Chit Chats on the wall beside our bed, the sticky heat which turned your starched cotton dress limp in minutes.

I was young, taxies were expensive so whilst my then husband was away in Malaya, I obtained a bicycle, stuck on stabilisers and practised.

I would have happily kept them, said spouse returned and wrenched them off, informing me I was embarrassing him. True he held onto the back and ran up and down a bit, that too apparently made him look foolish.

I was to pull myself together and just get on with it. Next morning having convinced myself I could, I set off to R.A.F Seletar resplendent in whites, badminton racket strapped to the back. At twenty one, size 10/12 and not too ugly in those days long dark brown hair in a suitable 1960’s ‘up do’, I thought I cut a fair figure.

Not for long though. I made it down the straight main street to the camp gates where I hit a small bump failed to turn the corner then slid down a deep mains monsoon drain into two feet of fetid watery green slime still clutching my bicycle. Hauled out with ropes by the guards. put with bike in the back of a lorry, delivered home, the amah so ashamed peering around the door muttering “Oh missy!”

The thing is, years later at a military coffee morning, a woman declared loudly,“ I remember you, you fell into the monsoon drain.” My now husband bought me a modern tricycle. It’s been ridden all over the world with me suitably dressed for every occasion.

Brenda Coggan

We got back to some opened mouthed surprised faces. Entering the busy dining room later, we were met with silence, with a couple asking if we really had come through the forest on that route and had we travelled far? Well, says I “North Wales!”

They reply, “We live in Fron!”

Brenda Coggan Conductor Still Wanted At the risk of being boringly repetitive, Llangollen Male Voice Choir is still wanting a Conductor. Despite various advertising, we have had no response, and sadly, approaching its 36th year, the future of the choir is in doubt. We are willing to give a learner a step on the way, so if there is anyone out there who would like a trial, do contact us.

Obviously we want new members too. No experience is needed, just a desire to sing in a Welsh choir. Friday evenings 7.30-9pm in The Hand Hotel, Llangollen. For more information: 01978861482 or lesleytygwyn@aol.com Lesley Willis

Premier Cars Your Local Taxi Service

Opening hours : 8am to Midnight - Sunday to Thursday 8am to 3am - Friday and Saturday 12 noon to midnight on Sunday • 6, 7 & 8 Seaters also available We are pleased to advise all customers that from Monday 30th January, we are back to manning the phones from 8am every morning (Sundays from 2pm).

We thank you all for your continuing support.

Tel : 01978 861999

Llangollen Taxis DEE VALLEY NEWS February 2017

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Vet’s Diary

Ten days after Christmas a Cocker Spaniel came in with a nasty case of sickness and diarrhoea. Blood tests were normal but an X-ray showed a lot of gas in the bowel. We knew there wasn’t a complete obstruction as you might get with a pebble or nut as faeces were still being passed, but we were suspicious enough to carry out an exploratory operation. In the bowel we found a big piece of plastic wrapping twisted into a long ‘rope’.

Three intestinal incisions had to be made to retrieve it.

When it was unwrapped we found a label printed with ‘Stan’s Supermarket, St Martins.’ The ink which would have told us exactly what the contents were had faded, but I was suspicious it had contained the Christmas turkey and been raided from the bin. Fortunately the dog made a good recovery...

So far there has been no domestic animal equivalent of the Queen’s cold which seems to have struck down large swathes of the human population.

Occasional cases of kennel cough, but that’s not serious except occasionally in the young and old.

Tuberculosis rears its head occasionally in the local cattle population, but doesn’t progress as far as making the animals ill as it is slowly developing and normally detected by screening tests before the animal develops symptoms. Because of the threat of Avian Influenza we vets are asked to be wary if more than 4 or 5 dead birds are found in close proximity. I recently considered calling for Ministry back up in the meat department at the local supermarket but decided against it in the end.

Best wishes, Clive

There is an advantage to getting older, people underestimate my abilities.

The lady made that mistake when she decided it was probably okay to cook food on the hob now rather than sticking it all in the oven. I did let the chilli almost finish cooking before I took it. The bald guy has always enjoyed beans on toast.

In the week it’s either the bald guy who takes me out, or the lady. On a Saturday we all go for a walk together, and that’s my favourite thing. The lady says she knows that it makes me happy and I get very excited but she won’t be able to take me for any walks at all if I knock her over one more time, as she will have a broken leg.

Unfortunately for all of us the bald guy has been doing dry January. “ Stay well clear of him Archie,” was the ladies advice. I have done that, and we are both in agreement that if he gives us a break down of the number of hours, minutes and seconds he has done without alcohol one more time we are going to push him down the stairs. Anyway, the lady said she is going to put vodka in his porridge.

Surgery and Shop Open 8.30am – 6.30pm weekdays, 9am-1pm Saturday And usually 10 am-12 noon Sunday Consultations by Appointment from 9am and 4.30-6.30pm A 24 hour emergency service is available, staffed by your usual vets.

Extra charges, of course, apply.

28-34 Berwyn Street Llangollen, Ll20 8NB

Tel: 01978 860246

www.deevalleyvets.com 8

Archie’s Antics

DEE VALLEY NEWS February 2017

Bec has a very nice coat , I have had my eye on it for a while. The lady told her not to leave it in the kitchen - ever. She left it in the kitchen. With me.

I thought I was very considerate, I took all the stuffing out but I did it very carefully via the pocket. You can’t see a thing.

It was Christmas and the bald guy kindly bought me a gift voucher, to see a dog psychiatrist. How rude, I am not mad, there is no madness at all in me. Clinically insane the vet said.

Do not know what Nan is up to these days, but cannot find my old notes on computer, so a case of start again.

Just got through the busy season, Christmas, New Year. One thing the weather has been good for the time of year, really enjoy my walks, Nan gets a bit impatient when I sit up on the bank to enjoy the view, but I am going a bit deaf, so I ignore her.

Do not tell her or I will be in trouble.

All my love, Boris x

Council Reports Llangollen Town Council Llangollen Town Council have considered the draft budget for 2017/18 and the Members of the Finance Working, based on a draft business plan, a statement of the Town Council’s vision for the town, its purpose, values, objectives and key priorities. The plan will detail what the Town Council intends to focus on over the next five years.

Whist the plan is in draft form, the Working Group believe that it is was appropriate to use the plan to set the budget for the 2017/18 financial year then subsequently for each year until 2022. The business plan will be subject to further consideration in the New Year before subjecting it to a period of public consultation at the next community café. The annual budget proposals were therefore considered in relation to the plan, including the use of reserves and sources of external funding. Given the Town Council’s commitment to the refurbishment of the Town Hall, with the support of external funding, the working group were of the opinion that the Town Hall reserve needs to be continually strengthened with support for underspends in the repair and renewal funds. In addition to ensure that adequate provision is maintained for other assets, most notable the chain bridge, then a new repair and renewal fund should be established for that purpose, and again underspends would be transferred to this specific reserve at year end.

There were also a number of external influences and growth items that needed to be budgeted for in 2017/18. These included the potential cost of an election as a result of the Local Council Elections 2017 and subsequent new Member training, the increases in NNDR following the revaluation of the Town Hall, and the new legal requirement to contribute to a workplace pension scheme. Having considered the general economic factors and the implications of statements from the Denbighshire County Council cost implications of the business plan, risks, reserve requirements and growth items the draft budget was prepared by the Finance working group.

Another factor, that did need careful consideration by Members, was how to fund the proposed works to the Royal Gardens and the War Memorial.

The estimated sum required by the Town Council would be £48,000 of which £3,000 is available in reserves. The funding of the remainder could be achieved by either a loan from the Public Works Loan Board or from funding from the revenue budget. The draft budget prepared by the working group therefore offered Members two options, one reflecting the funding of the Centenary Square projects through loan capital, over 5 years, and the other through precept.

Having carefully considered the two options Members resolved to fund the project from the precept. In doing so they also agreed that the participatory budgeting scheme would be withheld for a further year and the funds would be diverted to support project funding. The consequence of this decision is that for the 2017/18 financial year the precept for a Band D property will increase by 41 pence per week, 25 pence of which would support the proposed works to the Royal Gardens and the War Memorial.

The Town Council are delighted to welcome Fizzywigs as the new tenant of Shop 1 in the Town Hall. The addition of traditional sweet shop to the range of retail units fits in well with the Town Council’s aspirations for the whole building. The shop will not be a stranger in that location, as in the 1950’s it was the home to Humphreys - a sweet shop!

Work continues on the Royal Gardens and the War Memorial project and before Christmas an application was submitted by Groundworks on behalf of the Town Council to the Cory landfill communities fund Community

Grants. In addition an application is being processed to the WREN landfill communities fund and further applications will be made to CADW, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service and the War Memorials Trust to move this project forward during 2017.

The Town Council considered the following planning applications in December.

03/2016/0300 Erection of 95 no dwellings, together with associated roads and related works. Land off Vicarage Road. It was resolved that no comments be raised in connection with this application.

03/2016/1140 Erection of extension and alteration to dwelling (revised scheme to previously approved planning permission code No 03/2016/0150. It was resolved that no objections be raised in connection with this application.

03/2016/1145 Demolition of buildings at rear of existing shop and flat, erection of extension and alterations to enlarge ground floor shop and to provide 2 first floor flats. Gifts from Wales, 4 Castle Street. It was resolved that no objections be raised in connection with this application.

03/2016/1168 Installation of two illuminated wall mounted signs, two totem signs, one poster case sign and one non-illuminated vinyl sign. Aldi, Berwyn Street. It was resolved that no objections be raised in connection with this application in terms of the signage that is to be affixed to the retail unit. However, Members were of the opinion that as the site would now house two separate retail companies’ consideration of the signage at the access of the site, off the A5, could not be viewed in isolation. Members therefore reserved their comments on this signage until such time as proposals for the access road signage for both retail units were available for consideration.

03/2016/1169 Installation of Velux roof windows to front and rear, installation of window in side elevation and conversion of garage into bedroom. 21 Wern Road. It was resolved that no objections be raised in connection with this application.

03/2016/1195 Development of 0.07 hectares of land by erection of 1 dwelling (outline application- all matters reserved). Land at (Part garden of) Fairlawns, Fron Bache. It was therefore resolved to object to this application on following grounds Members believe that the proposed shared access with the adjoining properties does not comply with Local Development Plan Policy RD 1 - Sustainable development and good standard design, in that the development does not: i) Respects the site and surroundings in terms of the siting, layout, and intensity of use of land/buildings and spaces around and between buildings; and ii) Provide a safe and convenient access for vehicles and emergency vehicles together with adequate parking, services and manoeuvring space.

Town Clerk

DEE VALLEY NEWS February 2017

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Llantysilio Community Council Some items taken from the Minutes of the November / December 2016 meetings of the Council.

Red Telephone Boxes The transfer of ownership of the kiosk situated in Llandynan is now complete and the Council is looking into how it can best be utilised for public use.

The Community Council and DCC have succeeded in persuading BT to leave the kiosk opposite Vale Crucis Abbey in situ as a usable telephone box, but it was agreed that the kiosk in Pentredŵr is beyond repair and will eventually be removed by BT. Precept The Council’s Finance Committee’s proposal not to raise the Precept for the coming year was unanimously accepted. This decision followed a full report on costs over the previous three years and a projected budget for 2017/2018.

Footpaths It was reported that the footpath past Vale Crucis Abbey, which joins the lane by Abbey Mount, needs more signage to explain the route of the path. The Clerk was asked to contact Adrian Walls, DCC Footpaths Officer and ask if this could be done before the 2017 tourist season begins.

Defibrillator At the December meeting the Council discussed the possibility of getting two defibrillators that could be placed in strategic locations to serve the local community and visitors to the area. The Clerk was asked to investigate the cost involved and the implications of maintaining them.

Planning Applications Application No. 27/2016/0393PF Dergoed, Eglwyseg Conversion of outbuilding to form one dwelling, rehabilitation and replacement extension to existing farm-house, installation of a new septic tank and associated works. There were no objections.

Cyngor Cymuned Llangollen Wledig Llangollen Rural Community Council At the December meeting in Froncysyllte Community Centre the following matters were discussed: Police Matters: The Chairman Cllr. Mrs Alyson Winn said that PCSO Dave Jenkins was unable to attend the meeting and the Clerk read out his report which covered November.

Trevor – During the month there had been two cases of anti-social behaviour, when eggs had been thrown at properties in Tower hill and Trevor and one case of criminal damage when the glass in the notice board on the Trevor Estate was broken.

The Community Councillors all agreed that they were concerned about the vandalism on the Trevor Estate and because of this the Aqueduct Community Association had decided that this year they would not be putting up a Christmas tree on the Trevor Estate.

It was decided by the Community Councillors that the priorities for December would be for PCSO Dave Jenkins to spend his time checking out issues identified within the three villages.

Playgrounds: Following the successful Post Installation Report, the new playground in Garth is now open and a new fence has been installed. A lot of children have visited and enjoyed playing on the numerous items of play equipment including a new exciting zip-wire, and an all-purpose football/netball/basketball practice area. The official opening will be in the Spring when the weather improves.

The total amount raised by the Aqueduct Community Association in fundraising for the new playground is £2,084.51. This has now been forwarded as a part payment to HAGS -SMP Ltd who built the playground with further funding from WREN and the Community Council.

New Projects At the Council’s meeting in November members discussed the possibility of continuing with the tramway project. The first stage of this project – opening up the tramway on the Horseshoe Pass, siting suitable signage and stabilising the winding shed – was completed in 2006 with grant funding from Cadwyn Clwyd but was put on hold because of the need to stabilise the Chain Bridge. The Clerk was asked to contact Countryside Services to establish if they would be interested in working with the Council on the second stage of this project

Planning: Two storey extension with basement.

Llanerch Cottage, Yr Ochr, Froncysyllte. P/2016/1012

Councillors Report Cllr. Cragg reported that Countryside Services have started work on the Limestone Legacy Project in the area of Rock Farm, Eglwyseg.

Cllr. Pickett gave a report on the Picturesque Landscape Consultation Project which he and the Clerk had attended at Plas Newydd on the 6th December.

Cllr. Mrs Smith gave a verbal report on a meeting of the Business Action Group which she and the Clerk had attended in Corwen on 3rd December.

Cllr. Hughes, in his capacity as a County Councillor, informed members that the playground signs for Llidiart Annie are ready and awaiting a site visit from Marc Musgrave, himself and the Clerk to determine the location for siting the two signs.

The precept for 2017/18 was approved by Members with a small increase to take into account the cost of the May 2017 election; a number of new projects that have been highlighted, and the increased cost of maintenance to the five playgrounds.

Sandra Baker Clerk to the Council

10 DEE VALLEY NEWS February 2017

Application for variation of condition No 1 imposed under planning permission code no P/2012/0008 to allow for a further 5years to commence development.

Gwel Y Dyffryn, Garth Road, Garth. P/2016/1053 There were no objections to the above.

The next Council meeting will be held at 7pm at Froncysyllte Community Centre on Tuesday 7th February 2017.

Susan Jones Clerk to the Council

Museum News After all the excitement of the festive season everything quietens down however, here at the Museum we have many exciting events to look forward to. In January, we closed the Museum for our annual cleaning and sorting, so we now have a redecorated Gallery space for the exhibitions which take place throughout the year. We will be starting with the welcome return of the hugely popular Quiltfest, which from 1st – 28th February will have a display of Welsh Tailor’s Quilts. From the 8th – 19th February we also have a display ‘Miniatures’ - a collection of small quilts. Come along and see some of the quilters in action and have a chat with them.

In March we look forward to our WWI display. The Museum, with the support of a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund has been working with local schools within Denbighshire encouraging young people to research the life of women, children and non - combatants in the area during the war years. The project ‘The Effects of the Great War on Llangollen, Change Then Memory Now’ encouraged the students to research the lives of children, role of women, toys, food, transport and communication.

Their research will be displayed on information boards in the Gallery and on the Museum web site. During the closure we replaced the two public computers in the reference area. In March, with funding from the Welsh Museums Federation, we will be uploading our new archive to these PCs, giving better access to information about the history of the area and all items in our collection.

A reminder that entries for this year’s Art Competition must be received by 4pm on the 10th February. The subject is ‘Llangollen and the surrounding area – Past, Present, Future or Fantastic’. Entries can be in any medium.

Further details are available from the Museum.

We have now submitted our WREN Grant application. Thanks again for supporting our various events to help raise funds to go towards the match funding for this application. As soon as we have any news we will let you know.

John and all at the Museum would like to thank everyone who bought the ‘Bygone Llangollen’ 2017 calendar. We would also like to thank Gwyn the butcher and Pets4us, among others, who sold them on our behalf.

Through the sale of the calendar. we raised nearly £600 all of which goes towards the everyday running of the Museum. Also, thanks to Russell Edwards for his exhibition throughout December which attracted a lot of interest and praise for his work.

Llangollen Museum of Local History Amgueddfa Llangollen o Hanes Lleol

Art Competition 2017 Cystadleuaeth Gelf Due to demand for the display space in the Museum Gallery it has been decided to hold an Art Competition in Miniature this year

This month’s talk on Wednesday 22nd February at 7.30pm will be by Steve Bellis. His talk is ‘From meaning to screening – a collection of short photo stories from across the web’. Steve is an internationally renowned digital storyteller who holds a mirror up to life in this unique ride through the often unseen photo stories of people like us. He will screen a variety of extraordinary stories made by ordinary folk, some of whom you may already know. His talk will appeal to anyone with an ear for a story, or a story about a story, or even the story behind a collection of stories. Steve worked as a Lecturer in Moving Image Production at Yale College for more than ten years and led the Yale Centre for Digital Storytelling. He worked with Llangollen Museum creating a collection of digital stories for our People’s Collection programme. He ran several nationally funded local projects for the college and has delivered storytelling workshops and training across Europe and as far away as China. He now runs his own business offering digital narrative teaching and training for community groups and businesses.

Subject - Llangollen and the surrounding AreaPresent, Past, Future or Fantastic.

Size 6” x 4” or 7”x 5” Postcard size Medium - ANY You may scan larger paintings/drawings to reduce to postcard size.

CLASSES Pre- school, Infants - classes 123 Junior - classes 4 5 6 Senior -classes 7 to school leaving, Adult Children – Free entry for first entry, then 50p for additional entries Adults 50p per entry All entries to the Museum by 10th February 2017

The March talk will be by Les Davies, who will be talking about coracles.

More information will follow in next month’s news column. We are currently putting together a list of speakers for 2017, if you have an area of expertise which you would like to share through giving a talk then please contact us by email enquiries@llangollenmuseum.org.uk, phone 01978 862862 or pop in and have a chat with one of the curators.

During Half-Term, on Friday 24th February at 10am – 12 midday, we are holding a session on ‘Bridging the Generation Gap’. This is a workshop where two generations of a family can record memories for posterity. It will be educational, fun and a lovely inter-generational activity especially between grandparent(s) and grandchildren. The workshop is suitable for 2 generations of the same family (e.g. a grandparent with one or more grandchildren of age 6-16 or over attending, or a parent with a child/ children attending). The cost is £2.95 per child – this will cover the cost of your very own Family Legacy Card. Booking is essential so please contact the museum to book a place.

We are in the process of putting together a new display on ‘Sport in Llangollen’, with an initial window display scheduled for the end of February. If you, or your club, are interested in being part of the display then please contact Medwyn Jones at the Museum.

Do start to plan your entries now- Lots of time to come up with something really exciting Postcards will be produced from the winning entries ( and subsequently sold in the Museum) with additional small prizes for winners and runners up.

As many entries as possible will go on display in the Museum in March

Homestay Hosts Needed!

As we prepare for a busy year we are looking for friendly locals who can welcome our international students Hosts choose to accommodate:

   

Male or female students Adults over 18 Students under 18 Short and long term stays

We pay up to £125 per week Call: 01978 861514

Email: study@mulberryenglish.com

DEE VALLEY NEWS February 2017

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National Young Musician Competition

Llangollen Silver Band We would like to begin our article this month by wishing all Dee Valley News readers a Happy New Year. The band had an extremely busy and enjoyable December, playing at 11 concerts and events in the local area.

All of our bands are now back in rehearsals and are busy putting together our Spring programme.

Left to right: Debi Neal (Head of music at Dinas Bran), Eulanwy Davies (Adjudicator) and member of the Llangollen Inner Wheel, Julian Gonzales, Barra Liddy, Rotary President Gethin Davies and Owen Roberts.

Christmas Gala The highlight of our festive programme, our Christmas Gala, was held at the Town Hall on Monday, 19th December. The popular event, now in it’s 8th year, featured performances from the Training, Youth and Senior Bands, carols and smaller musical ensembles.

The National Young Musician Competition is a well-established and successful competition promoted by Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland. There are four stages to the competition, open to all levels, grades and styles of young solo instrumentalists and vocalists. It aims to give young people: • The experience of performing on a public stage • An opportunity to showcase their musical talent • Impartial feedback and assessment of their performance by experienced adjudicators.

1st stage 2nd stage 3rd stage 4th stage

Local Rotary club selection District Final Regional Final National Grand Final

Julian Gonzales, aged 16, on piano,who has been playing since the age of 7 and Barra Liddy, aged 17 with his Bassoon,which he has played since he was 6. Both students attend Dinas Bran School, Llangollen.

This years’ competitors performed a fantastic selection on Monday 16th at the Hand Hotel, Llangollen, in front of Rotarians, Llangollen Inner Wheel members and competitors’ families. Barra Liddy played the 2nd Movement of Telemann’s Sonata for Bassoon and piano, and then played the Sonata for Bassoon and Piano by Saint-Saens. Owen Roberts accompanied him on the piano. Julian Gonzales played the piano performing the 1st Movement of Bach’s Italian Concerto, followed by Prelude Number 4 in D

by Rachmaninov.

The Llangollen Rotary Club were entranced and delighted at the high standard the two-young musicians displayed. Eulanwy Davies, retired Head of Music at Dinas Bran School and former Director of Music for The Llangollen International Eisteddfod, adjudicated and will provide a written report shortly. Both candidates will perform at the District Finals, venue and time TBA. It is the intention that the RCL will expand their present commitment and hold local heats as a recognised annual competition in Llangollen.

A further article, giving details of how to apply, will be published in the Autumn for next years’ round, which starts in November of this year.

12 DEE VALLEY NEWS February 2017

Conductor Trevor Williams also announced the winner of the band’s ‘Young Player of the Year’ award, which this year went to 14 year old euphonium player, Elizabeth Mwale. Trevor explained ‘Elizabeth is a talented young musician who has achieved great success this year. She is also one of the first to offer to lend a helping hand with other jobs, such as helping younger players and decorating the band room.’

The grand finale of the gala saw the packed audience singing and swaying along to the senior band’s renditions of Christmas classics such as ‘Merry Christmas Everyone’ and ‘Jingle Bell Rock’.

North Wales Brass Bands Association Annual Championships Llangollen Youth Band competed in the North Wales Brass Bands Association Annual Championships on Saturday, 26th November. The band finished in 2nd place and were awarded the Llandudno Challenge Cup in the Youth Section of the contest. The band began with the beautiful hymn tune ‘Angels Watching Over Me’ before performing the test piece ‘Passing Moods’ by Thomas James Powell, with Cornet player, Taya Castley, being awarded the Lixwm Challenge Cup for Best Soloist for her solo in the latter.

Conductor, Trevor Williams, was left feeling proud when reflecting upon the band’s performance. He said ‘All players in the Youth Band should feel immensely proud of their performance in today’s contest. We have put in several months of practice to prepare for this competition and all members have worked incredibly hard. The experience of playing in front of such a large audience and competing against other talented bands is sure to improve them all as players.’

DOES IT HAVE TO RHYME ?

Happy New Year to all our budding poets and lovers of poetry. A little later in the year, I am thinking of putting on an informal evening of poetry and possibly folk- song at a venue in Llangollen (glass of wine, ‘nibbles’, serviettes, the usual sort of thing and in aid of specific cancer charities) and it might be possible that we could meet there and put faces to some names. Anyway, more of that in the next magazine. Let’s concentrate on our Christmas competition.

It produced an interesting range of approaches, to the extent that I have decided on three main winners, each rather different to the others.

Yvonne looks in detail at someone for whom Christmas meant so many relationships and connections, gradually reduced by the processes of time and age. The feeling of loss grows almost unbearable, but then, the character is revived by thoughts of Christmas itself. A good scheme of rhyming couplets is maintained throughout and a flexible rhythm prevents it becoming too repetitive, leading up to the dramatic ending.

And finally, a poem which is also a carol. I’m not sure which original tune it is set to, but even as you read the words out loud, you can feel the strong rhythm. I have a strong suspicion that the original model is a German one which has been translated into English as the more well-known ‘O Christmas Tree ‘ It makes excellent use of repetition which could be capitalised on in its singing. It might be an idea if the author, Louise Lyne , offered it maybe with another couple of verses to her local primary school , to include in their 2017 Christmas Concert.

‘She smiles as the garden robin sings What more timely reminder could he bring ?

Symbol of this very special time of year Bringing bitter sweet memories that caused a tear.

Where now the friends who once came calling ?

Where the children , tumbling and falling ?

Where the guests filling the house from floor to rafter With fun and games and lots of laughter ?

So many gone and completed life’s race, Strangers now living in their place, Family spread out far and wide, Numerous farewells when she’d cried and cried.

Then a feeling of peace suddenly filled her soul, Faith and belief had always played a role.

Thoughts of the meaning of the Christmas Story, A long life of Blessing – to God be the Glory!

Oh Christmas Day, Oh Christmas Day This is a day for giving Oh Christmas Day, Oh Christmas Day This is a day for giving Remembering your fellow man And spreading all the love you can Oh Christmas Day, Oh Christmas Day This is a day for giving Oh Christmas Day, Oh Christmas Day The joy is in the sharing Oh Christmas Day, Oh Christmas Day The joy is in the sharing A smile, some cheer,your precious time Such gifts a price cannot define Oh Christmas Day, Oh Christmas Day The joy is in the sharing.

Yvonne Davies The second poet is Bryn or Glyn, one of our more regular contestants and a writer who never fails to be lively and enjoyable. His ‘ speaker’ is a latterday Scrooge who can’t wait to get his hands on what he sees as postBrexit goodies !

‘It’s been and gone, thank goodness That crazy time of year When folks go mad at Christmas time It’s out of hand I fear.

Turkey , tinsel, trees and booze, It’s money down the drain.

Give those crowded shops a miss And save yourselves the pain.

For here is my suggestion I’m sure many would agree Let’ do Christmas each leap year And have a Brexit vote – you see We could hold a referendum For Llangollen folks to speak Christmas every four years ?

It’s just a little tweak.

Wouldn’t it be quite special And put us on the map ?

We’d have a rest for three years And Santa could have a nap.

Please put your thinking caps on It’s quite a simple choice, Every four years, or annually ?

Let’s hear your honest voice !

VOTE FOR BREXMAS !!

Bryn o’r Glyn

Louise Lyne And if you enjoyed reading our winning poets, share them with friends That is part of what poetry is all about. Prizes will be available in the Courtyard Bookshop when the February edition is published.

As a kid I knew nowt about manners, I sucked up my Coke with a slurp.

So when I can’t find a nice rhyming word, I set about making one urp.

Mike Law

Like our cover photo?

Our superb cover photograph was taken by local photographer, Ian Humphreys. You can see more of his work at IanHumphreysPhotography.com where he has a selection of prints for sale. He can be booked for a wide range of work, including weddings, portraits, pets and commercial work. Enquiries can be made via his website or kingfisherian@aol.com or tel 07730883177 DEE VALLEY NEWS February 2017

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Once Upon A Time Once upon a time in a small town on a big river set amongst beautiful hills and dark woods, and overlooked by the ruins of a once-great castle, there lived an author of fairy tales.

In fact, Adrian Farrel who lives in Llangollen, has a problem: he just can’t stop writing fairy stories. Since the success of his first book Tales from the Wood, Adrian has completed another eighteen tales and they are published in More Tales from the Wood.

Adrian finds the time for his writing on some of his many business trips.

Long-haul flights and solitary stays in hotels are ideal environments for writing short stories.

“The tales get written in the most peculiar places and are inspired from a whole range of sources,” he says. “For example, The Wish was written on a flight from Manchester to Madrid and completed in the hotel bar. It is a story hinted at by a tale my father told me about a magic ring, but it changed a bit.

“Another story, The Fisherman, came into my head almost complete while I was looking at a Japanese woodcut in the Nezu Museum in Tokyo.

Coincidentally, I was there with Emiko Nishida King, who provided the photo for the cover of this book.”

Many of Adrian’s stories have one foot in the fairy stories with which we all grew up. The Emperor’s New Clothes (written at 30,000 feet above the Atlantic) is an obvious example, but it doesn’t turn out quite how you might expect. A Short Note on Fishing: Or, How I Became a Princess is a new take on ‘The Princess and the Pea’, and The Ugly Pumpkin may have some similarities to ‘Cinderella’ and Hans Christian Andersen’s ‘The Ugly Duckling’. And, of course, The Little Mermaid shares a title with another well-known tale, but the story takes a dramatically different direction.

You can’t continue to write fairy stories without also reading them. Adrian’s house, already full of books, is now getting cluttered with collections of other fairy stories both new and old. He is also amazed to discover how many scholarly works have been written on the meaning and history of folk tales and fairy stories. All this inspires him to blog about fairy stories on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TalesFromTheWood.

Unfortunately for Adrian, but fortunately for his readers, the curse of writing continues and a third volume is progressing well. At the moment he is just putting the finishing touches to a tale about a donkey that produces gold coins in its dung: a story inspired by the great Italian author and collector of folk tales Italo Calvino.

Tales from the Wood attracted some five-star reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, with comments like, “There are some great tales here, many of which I was certain I knew; then it turned out I only thought I did.” Praise has come in from around the world, including California, Texas, China, and Norway. And now More Tales from the Wood is also selling well.

In Llangollen you can find signed copies of both books in the Courtyard Bookshop and Zingiber, while Gales has a stock of Tales from the Wood.

Or you can buy from any one of the online bookshops.

14 DEE VALLEY NEWS February 2017

Llangollen Canal, image courtesy of Louisa Jones If you are an amateur photographer and have a photograph you are proud of, and would like the chance to feature on our cover, please send your submissions for consideration to admin@deevalleynews.com Images must be high resolution, in focus, sharp and some connection to the locality or seasonal themes.

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Shedding Light on the Denbighshire Rifle Volunteers in Llangollen One of the joys of delving into the history of a building is you quickly realise that behind the bricks and mortar there is often a hidden treasury of stories waiting to be told. Uncover these stories and you can shed light on those who, by using the building, brought it to life. Today, if you stand opposite the Old Lock Up, Berwyn Street, Llangollen and look up you will see a glass roof lantern has been inserted into the roof of the building.

This new lantern is a nod to the time when the building was repurposed as an Armoury and Drill Hall for use by the town’s Rifle Volunteer Corps.

The Denbighshire Rifle Volunteers had been established in 1860 and a number of corps had already been formed in communities across the county. However, whilst there was a volunteer troop of the Denbighshire Yeomanry Cavalry in Llangollen, the town lacked a volunteer infantry corps. At a public meeting in January 1868 it was decided that it would be beneficial, particularly to those who were ‘ indoor artisans’, to form a corps in the town - 9th Denbighshire Rifle Volunteer Corps.

Pic: DRV Helmet plate circa 1878-80

By 1870 the newly formed corps was looking for premises to use for drill practice. They approached the Local Board to use the Assembly Rooms but this was turned down. This led to the association between the Rifle Volunteers and The Old Lock Up. Charles Richards, a solicitor in the town, and secretary to the Local Board had acquired the Old Lock up in 1870 and offered the use of the building to the Volunteers for their regular band practice. In 1879, he undertook a number of alterations to the building (including the addition of the roof lantern) so that it could be used as a Drill Hall and Armoury for the Volunteers thus providing them with a permanent base.

As well as attending their regular military duties – weekly drill, rifle practice and an annual camp; the Volunteers were an active presence in the social life of the town. They would often parade through the town led by their band and organise and support amateur dramatic productions and concerts.

2nd February 1917 DESPATCH RIDER’S REMARKABLE FIND. Lance-Corporal Lionel Charlton, one of the three soldier sons of Mr. W. Charlton, Ormonde Villas, Llangollen, who is now serving as a despatch rider in France, had a curious experience the other day.

Speeding on his important mission, from somewhere to somewhere, on the British lines, his attention was attracted by the illustrated page of a popular periodical lying on the ground. He recognised the face of a portrait depicted on it, and. in an instant, was off his machine, and had retrieved the scrap of paper. It proved to be the picture of Mr. Roberts, son of Mr. David Robert (“Dewi Clwyd “), Llangollen, now manager of a York motor garage, and beneath it was a long and detailed account of how the local bard’s son had achieved distinction during his successful scholastic career by regular attendance at school, he having made a record of the never absent never late order for ten years and nine months; he was present both morning and afternoon with unerring regularity and punctuality at Llangollen Council Schools, and. afterwards, for eighteen months he attended without a break at Llangollen Council Schools. The magazine, from which the page had become detached, was an old one; but a singular feature of the find is that the achievements of young Roberts, as a regular attendant at school, had always been held up to young Charlton by his parents, as an example for the family to emulate some of the members, profiting by the inspiration of his example, have established noteworthy local records.

9th February 1917 THE “STAR.” -At the annual licensing sessions. on Monday the licence of the “Star” Inn, Queen-street, was transferred from Mrs. Edwards to Mrs. Bertha Goody, wife of Lieut, Goody of the R.W.F. Mrs. Edwards, who is retiring to Oswestry, has held the licence for 25 years, with an unblemished record, a. longer period than any other licensee in the town has been in occupation of his, or her, premises. There were quite a number of informal gatherings and expressions of goodwill from the public, with whom Mrs. Edwards was very popular, on her departure from the border town.

THE NATIONAL SCHOOLS Owing to the continued spell of hard frosty weather and the inadequacy of the heating arrangements to meet the exceptional circumstances, the Managers decided, on Tuesday, to close the schools until the end of the week, a very wise course to pursue. Although conditions that are not vastly better obtain at the Council Schools, it has been decided to carry on there for the present, although, of course, the attendance is considerably depleted.

On Wednesday afternoon it was decided to close the Council Schools for the remainder of the week, owing to the continuation of the severe weather.

Peter Jones LLANGOLLEN Circa 1860 Pic: Courtesy of Gwilym Hughes

If you would like a member of the Armoury Conservation Trust to give a talk to your group or society on the role the Old Lock Up and Armoury played in the life of Llangollen please contact Sue Hargreaves (Chairman, The Armoury Conservation Trust) on 01978 862873 Sara Hughes (Researching the story of the Old Lock Up and Armoury) DEE VALLEY NEWS February 2017

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The Glyn Valley Tramway & Industrial Heritage Trust

The recent appointment of Terry Waite MBE as President of the New Glyn Valley Tramway and Industrial Heritage Trust, the completion of the conversion of the GVT engine shed into a fine Heritage Centre in Glyn Ceiriog, coupled with its official opening ceremony on the 17th November 2016, persuaded me to write in to publicise our achievements so far, and if possible gain new members.

As my grandfather, James Hughes brought the first steam engine from Snailbeach, above Shrewsbury to replace the original horse drawn tram in 1888, I was invited to be Vice President over a decade ago. The engine shed/Heritage Centre is where his engine was based and his large framed photo looks down upon various artefacts, photographs and memorabilia acquired and displayed in the Heritage Centre.

Outside, there is a short track 2 foot 4.5 inches in width, the unique and authentic width of the GVT track, and there has been built in its original position, the Glyn Ceiriog platform complete with seat and lamp standard. Our ownership of the coal wharf alongside the river Ceiriog, will enable us to lay further track in the future if desired.

16 DEE VALLEY NEWS February 2017

All this development has only been possible by virtue of a ÂŁ90,000 grant by WREN supplemented by some generous donations and dedicated physical and administrative efforts by a small group of members over the last 6 years.

Mr Terry Waite paid his first visit to the Heritage Centre on the 3rd July 2016 and was very impressed by all its features. He was over in Llangollen in his role as President of the Llangollen International Eisteddfod, and I picked him up and took him to Glyn. I brought him back over the top so he had great views of both the Llangollen and Glyn Valleys on a lovely day.

Whilst we are based in Glyn Ceiriog, there is another trust (Glyn Valley Tramway Trust) based in Chirk, whose ambition for some years has been the laying of a line from Chirk up the valley.

Gwilym Hughes

Berwyn Jottings Over the winter period, it is a common misconception that the Llangollen Railway goes into slumber mode until the trains restart in mid-February. In fact, it is a busy time for the volunteers and staff to undertake maintenance tasks along the line in readiness for our visitors in 2017.

In the area around Berwyn station, a large amount of work has been going on to manage the vegetation growing along the lineside. This is a regular but often ‘behind the scenes’ part of railway operations and enables the travelling public to see the superb countryside through which the railway passes.

During November and January, volunteers have been on-hand to assist with the clearing and burning the vegetation on the embankment to the east of the station. The stockpiled brushwood from two years ago proved to be perfect basis for some lineside bonfires, which were kept well fed with freshly cut saplings and branches throughout the day. The ground was also strimmed using a heavy-duty Stihl power tool, to give a neat finish.

The exposed retaining wall which supports a section of the railway appears to be in good condition, although its exposure will enable a more detailed structural survey to be carried out.

Unmanaged trees and plants can cause serious safety problems for the railway by covering up signals or falling on to the tracks. Any lineside clearance work done on the Llangollen Railway is conducted outside of the bird nesting season. The areas of lineside vegetation proposed for clearance work are carefully inspected for birds’ nests prior to any work commencing. The work has uncovered the locations of a former oil shed and railwayman’s hut, which date back over 100 years. The remnants of the hut’s brick chimney breast have also been exposed.

Work is also in hand to restore more features of the station’s original waiting room, with the installation of period signs and traditional wall mounted lamps. Visitors to the line’s successful Winter Warmer gala at the end of December were treated to the sight (and smell) of oil lamps lighting the waiting room for the first time in over 70 years.

Looking ahead, the Llangollen Railway will be hosting a very special Spring Gala between 3rd – 5th March. This particular weekend marks 50 years to the day ssince the end of steam working on the old Great Western Railway route between London Paddington and Birkenhead (Woodside), via Chirk and Ruabon. The three day event will see the railway’s collection of historic steam locomotives being supplemented by three very special guest locomotives from across the UK.

Top: Visiting 8F 48624; photograph courtesy of Peter Dickinson Below: Ongoing work by volunteers; photograph courtesy of Saul Huck

Visiting from its normal base in Leicestershire is LMS ‘8F’ No. 48624; a wartime workhorse in a class that became common sights around Birkenhead and Wrexham during the very end of BR steam in 1960s.

A GWR ‘Hall’ class locomotive, once a main staple of the Paddington to Birkenhead expresses, will be present in the form of No.6960 “Raveningham Hall” from its West Somerset base. The third guest is Ivatt Class 4MT No. 43106, nicknamed affectionately as the Flying Pig, which was the last BR steam locomotive to travel between Chester and Shrewsbury, on 1st August 1968.

At Berwyn, there will be a special temporary display of photographs and artefacts pertaining to this Birkenhead route. Whilst sounding far away, Birkenhead was actually the starting point for a good number of services over the Ruabon to Barmouth line during the days of steam, with dedicated excursion trains running for ramblers and the International Eisteddfod until the mid-1960s.

Featuring an intensive timetable of both passenger and mixed traffic trains, a great collection of historic steam locomotives and special attractions taking place along the line, the ‘Along Birkenhead Lines’ steam gala has something for all railway enthusiasts and families alike. Expect to see cameos, displays, recreations and all the appropriate paper ephemera, bringing history back to life. Discounted rover and family tickets are available to book in advance through the Llangollen Railway’s website: http://www.llangollen-railway.co.uk/ .

Members of The New Glyn Valley Tramway & Industrial Heritage Trust receiving their Supporters Award from Paul Maynard, at the National Railway Heritage Awards for their conservation and restoration of the original Glyn Valley Tramway locomotive shed at Glyn Ceiriog.

Peter Dickinson MESci (Hons) FGS Project Engineer

DEE VALLEY NEWS February 2017

17

Is it Legal?

Can I apply for divorce on grounds of unreasonable behaviour if we are still living together?

Q: When my Mum wanted to divorce my Dad twenty years ago he wouldn’t accept the marriage was over and agree to anything, so Mum had to take out a two year legal separation first. During those two years we all lived in the same house, although Mum and Dad lived separately.

After that Mum cited unreasonable behaviour. Sadly I am now in a similar situation with my husband but a friend has told me these days you cannot divorce on grounds of unreasonable behaviour if you carry on living in the same house. Is this right?

A: The information your friend has given you is incorrect. The key issue is whether or not you are legally separated before you start divorce proceedings.

If you apply for a divorce on the grounds of unreasonable behaviour there are time limits involved. You can continue living together in the same property but if you have continued living together for more than six months after discovering the most recently cited incident of unreasonable behaviour relied upon in a divorce petition, it will not be accepted by the Court.

If you are applying for divorce based on the grounds of two years’ separation by consent, however, you may still continue to live together under the same roof provided you live completely separately and apart. You would need to demonstrate this in respect of the domestic arrangements in place to include sleeping arrangements, chores and finances.

Clearly living together under the same roof separately is not ideal though and usually couples only do this if there are limited resources available and/ or there is a dispute about how to resolve issues arising from the separation.

It is often the case, however, that such matters can be resolved amicably to mutual benefit with the help of good legal advice and Mediation.

This question has been answered by Nathan Wright, a Partner with GHP Legal.

For an appointment visit www.ghplegal.com or contact one of our offices: Llangollen 01978 860313 Chirk 01691 777949 Wrexham 01978 291456 Oswestry 01691 659194 We also offer free legal diagnostic clinics (no appointment necessary) as follows: Employment – Mondays 09.30-12.00 in Wrexham; Wednesdays 12.00-3.00 in Oswestry. Personal Injury and Family matters – Mondays 12.00-3.00 in Wrexham; Wednesdays 12.00-3.00 in Oswestry. GHP Legal is authorised and regulated by the SRA 51566, and Lexcel Accredited.

For Personal Injury, Employment and Family matters we offer FREE legal diagnostic clinics every Wednesday at our Oswestry office and every Monday at our Wrexham office, 12-3pm (no appointment necessary).

GHP Legal is authorised and regulated by the SRA 51566, and Lexcel Accredited.

18 DEE VALLEY NEWS February 2017

Accountant’s Corner Firstly let me wish you a happy new year dear readers. I hope you all had an enjoyable festive season. The first edition of Accountant’s Corner in 2017 is a is said in December 2016 going to give the highlights of the Autumn statement given by the Chancellor in late November. I have detailed some of the relevant changes below and also a tribunal case that reinforces the need for evidence of expenditure.

End to the majority of salary sacrifice schemes From April 2017 the majority of salary sacrifice schemes will end, with the exception of arrangements relating to pensions, childcare, cycle to work, and ultra-low emission cars. Those arrangements in place prior to 6th April 2017 will be protected until April 2018 and those relating to cars, accommodation and school fees will be protected until April 2021.

Increase in living wage This will rise by 4.2% to 7.50 from April 2017. As you are probably aware this applies to those over 25.

Increase in IPT Insurance premium tax will increase to 12% from the current 10% in June 2017. This represents a doubling of the rate since November 2015.

Changes to the VAT flat rate scheme As from the 1st April 2017 there are new rules relating to the flat rate scheme. In order to avoid what was seen as abuse of the scheme by HMRC, although I fail to see how following the rules can be seen as abuse, there has been a new test introduced to determine which rate of tax should be

used. This test means that those traders whose VAT inclusive expenditure on “goods” is either less than 2% of turnover or a £1,000 whichever is the greater will need to use 16.5% rate. As this ids of gross turnover it is effectively 19.8% and therefore the benefit of being registered is virtually negated. This expenditure on “goods” excludes motor expenses, capital items, and travel and subsistence, and any services. If you are registered on the flat rate scheme and you should carry out this test in order to ascertain if it is advantageous for you continue or whether to return to the normal VAT scheme or if your turnover is under the threshold to deregister.

Pension contribution annual allowance Those dedicated readers with good memories will recall that some time ago I thought that for those over 55 paying salaries out of their company’s should consider reducing the salary by £10,000 and making a company pension contribution of £10,000, thus making a net tax saving of £500, increasing to £1250 in 2016/17 due to the dividend tax. This limit has now been reduced to £4,000. This means that there is still a saving of £470, but it is less attractive.

Claiming too much for laundering work clothes A taxpayer claimed an allowance of £2200 for laundering work clothes.

HMRC removed this from his tax code and the taxpayer appealed. The fixed rate allowance is £60. The taxpayer was unable to provide any evidence of his expenditure and he maintained that it would be practical or possible. This was rejected by the tribunal that said even if he was undertaking the laundering at home there would have been shopping receipts. If making a claim above the normal levels of expenditure it must be borne in mind that HMRC may well ask for evidence.

Llangollen resident Ralph Robson FCCA can be contacted at the Wrexham office of TA Gittins & Company on 01978 264846 or on ralph.robson@tagittins.co.uk to discuss any of the above items or with any accounting or tax queries.

Full Accountancy and Audit Service Available We are a client focused firm that talks your language helping you navigate the maze of issues facing small and medium businesses Considering starting a new business?

Call us for a free no obligation consultation to ensure you maximize the benefits and avoid the pitfalls.

Need help with VAT or Payroll matters?

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61 King Street, Wrexham Tel: 01978 264846 28 Salop Road, Oswestry Tel: 01691 654246

Received a letter from the Pension Regulator about Auto Enrolment?

Call us now for guidance on how this will affect your business.

For help keeping up with the ever changing rules for Employers, contact us on 01978 264846.

Is your business a Limited company?

Is it running at maximum tax efficiency? Contact us to see if it could be improved. Free initial consultation.

DEE VALLEY NEWS February 2017

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Ask the Florist with Ruth Jones

Happy new year readers!

Julie asks: My husband always buys me roses for Valentine’s Day and I would love to know the best way to keep them for longer?

A. Roses can be a very unpredictable flower but if you follow these few steps you should get the maximum vase life. Once you receive your roses immediately remove the packaging. Using a clean vase fill it 3/4 way with clean water and use the flower food provided. Cut the stems on a sharp angle and remove the leaves to above the water level. Keep the water topped up and clean. If the heads droop remove them from the vase, re-cut the stem on a sharp angle and wrap tightly in newspaper. Place them in a vase of warm water for a few hours and then unwrap afterwards, they should be then revived.

Andrea asks: I often have friends for dinner and I would love to have a nice display on the table but I’m not great at arranging flowers any tips on doing something easy?

A. I think it sounds lovely to have a nice flower arrangement on the table when you have guests for dinner, it really looks welcoming.

Some easy to do designs could be using a vase like a fish bowl, you could float heads of roses or Gerberas to make a great impact and use different vase sizes to create a collection in the centre of the table. Another idea could be using plants, plant them into a glass dish and cover the soil with moss. Using different heights of plants would make a nice feature.

Alternatively you could enrol on a flower arranging workshop to learn how to do an arrangement properly.

Treetips with It is a long, dull stretch from Christmas to the end of winter, and even after February it seems slow, especially if you’re itching to get stuff planted and producing like I am.

I’ve begun thinking about where to put things and what preparation I need to do beforehand. I’ve added rotted horse manure to my beds and cleaned the greenhouse ready for seedlings. Last season my garden was a bit of a jungle, loads of crops, loads of creatures but difficult to manage and with a high percentage of wasted produce.

This season I’m growing a smaller variety of edible things with a few more flowering plants. I’ve seen nearly a full year in the garden and how different areas cope and grow so I can better plan for how I want it. I’m hoping to jump on the new-Nordic cuisine bandwagon and expand the range of edible wild flowers and plants as well as provide longer lasting nutrition for the bees and other wildlife. I’m trying to create a balance where I get a good proportion of the proceeds of a small garden with it still looking relatively nice and being a home for a lot of wildlife.

As for the regular ‘what to do this month’ bit, here are a couple of things: • Start some vegetables and salad seeds under cover • Begin working some organic matter into your soil ready for planting and to stop weeds • Have a look at your lawnmower and tools and give them a little service. A drop of oil and a sharpening stone can work miracles Hopefully there’s something in there that someone can find useful. I’d love to hear what other people are up to in their gardens, so drop me an email at either yuutrees@gmail.com or admin@deevalleynews.com Thanks, James.

Yes, please do write in for advice from James or any of our experts to admin@deevalleynews.com or post to the address in the front of the magazine -Ed.

Ruth Jones

Advice from Q. I’ve ordered a vase online but it’s arrived broken. Is there anything I can do to get my money back?

It may seem logical to complain to the delivery company but it’s actually the responsibility of the retailer to ensure the item arrives in good condition.

Call or email their customer service department and explain the situation, you’ll find their contact details on the website or on your order form. You may be asked to email photos of the broken vase to prove it’s damaged.

You will then be offered either a refund or a replacement. It’s up to you which one you accept, but if you want a replacement ask for an estimated delivery date so you know when it will arrive.

Some retailers ask you to return items that arrive damaged. If that’s the case, you need to repackage the vase and stick the returns label provided on the front of the parcel. Include the returns form, specifying your reason for sending it back.

Depending on the retailer, you will either need to post the item through Royal Mail or they may offer to have it collected. You shouldn’t have to pay any postage costs.

If you asked for a refund you can expect to be reimbursed within 14 days of the retailer agreeing you’re entitled to one.

For further advice, contact the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06.

For further information and help visit Citizens Advice.

The Llangollen Citizens Advice is located in Llangollen Library, Castle Street, Llangollen, and is open every Tuesday, from 9.30am to 4.00pm.

Alternatively, go online at www.citizensadvice.org.uk

20 DEE VALLEY NEWS February 2017

Perfect Pancakes Shrove Tuesday - February 28th

A foolproof batter recipe to make pancakes with flair Ingredients 100g plain flour 2 egg 300ml semi-skimmed milk 1 tbsp sunflower oil or vegetable, plus extra for frying pinch salt Method Blending in the flour: Put the flour and a pinch of salt into a large mixing bowl and make a well in the centre. Crack the eggs into the middle, then pour in about 50ml milk and 1 tbsp oil. Start whisking from the centre, gradually drawing the flour into the eggs, milk and oil. Once all the flour is incorporated, beat until you have a smooth, thick paste. Add a little more milk if it is too stiff to beat.

Finishing the batter: Add a good splash of milk and whisk to loosen the thick batter. While still whisking, pour in a steady stream of the remaining milk. Continue pouring and whisking until you have a batter that is the consistency of slightly thick single cream. Traditionally, people would say to now leave the batter for 30 mins, to allow the starch in the flour to swell, but there’s no need.

Getting the right thickness: Heat the pan over a moderate heat, then wipe it with oiled kitchen paper. Ladle some batter into the pan, tilting the pan to move the mixture around for a thin and even layer. Quickly pour any excess batter into a jug, return the pan to the heat, then leave to cook, undisturbed, for about 30 secs. Pour the excess batter from the jug back into the mixing bowl. If the pan is the right temperature, the pancake should turn golden underneath after about 30 secs and will be ready to turn.

Flipping pancakes: Hold the pan handle, ease a fish slice under the pancake, then quickly lift and flip it over. Make sure the pancake is lying flat against base of the pan with no folds, then cook for another 30 secs before turning out onto a warm plate. Continue with the rest of the batter, serving them as you cook or stack onto a plate. You can freeze the pancakes for 1 month, wrapped in cling film or make them up to a day ahead.

Reheating pancakes To oven reheat, stack the pancakes on a heatproof plate; cover with foil.

Warm at 180C/fan 160C/gas 4 for 10-15 mins from cold or 5-10 mins from room temperature. To microwave, stack, cover with cling film, pierce the film. Reheat on High for 1 min.

Comté – A cheese for all seasons?

Comté is made in the Jura region of Eastern France, a mountainous area that has a particular alpine and sub-alpine climate that is perfect for keeping dairy cows and making cheese. The region is home to over 3,000 family farms, the vast majority of which keep Montbéliarde and French Simmental cows. In order for the milk to be used to make Comté strict rules state each cow has to be given a minimum of 1 hectare of pasture land in the summer months and during winter hay should be fed which helps to maximise Comté’s delicious aromatic potential. Any fermented feed such as silage is prohibited because it adversely affects the quality of the milk, which is used raw.

Comté’s methods of production are still based on the original co-operative approach and artisan traditions that it was founded on over 1,000 years ago. Once the milk has been skimmed and pressed the freshly made wheels, weighing 36 kgs, are pre ripened for a few weeks before being moved to one of 16 maturing cellars. Here the affineurs look after them for 4 to 18 months or more; regularly turning, salting and rubbing each one with brine solution. After 4 months each round is tested and marked on its taste and shape. The exclusion of colourings and additives at any stage of the process is rigorously upheld.

Over time a crust appears and every Comté wheel develops its unique smooth texture, rich colour and delicious range of flavours. Nutty, creamy, fruity, peppery and toasty are just some of the notes you will find when you try Comté. Its ability to melt easily means Comté works well in many recipes right from fondues to Croque Monsieur.

Porters Delicatessen

GWY

N D AV I E S LT D

PURVEYOR OF HIGH CLASS MEATS Lambs from our own farm Welsh and Scottish Beef, Pork and Gammons Cooked Meats, Paté & Home Made Pies

19 Castle Street, Llangollen

Telephone: 01978 860075

Recipe & pic courtesy of BBC Good Food

DEE VALLEY NEWS February 2017

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Llangollen Silver Band - our grateful thanks Leading up to Christmas, the Llangollen Silver Band once again provided the magical music of Carols, this time on eleven occasions!

This was the first group photograph we took for the Llangollen Community book on November 12th 2012, the Llangollen Silver Band Management Committee. Unfortunately, because of space limitations, we were unable to include the bands although we subsequently photographed them for a display in their Band Hut.

Llangollen W.I. Committee 2017

Be Balanced Therapy

Save Our Paths Wales Off-Roader Damage You may remember this in print last year, SOPS Wales cares about our Rights of Way we are progressing well on collating all the evidence gathered by our supporters since last year. We are at the stage of Draft Consultations –very exciting. Painstaking work has gone into collecting and printing out the evidence of the devastating ongoing destruction to our Rights of Way and moorland. The result ---- From the evidence “Conclusive” we have formatted a conclusion for the AMs and MPs to take forward to lobby for legislation.

SOPS Wales is meeting with Ken Skates AM Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure, and Susan Elan Jones MP on Friday 20th January. We have written to Lesley Griffiths AM Wrexham, Minister for Rural Affairs.We understand that you intend to issue a statement in the New Year regarding the results of the Green Paper consultation, Access for Responsible Recreation. Since The Save Our Paths Group (SOP’s) made its representations to the Green Paper, we have conducted extensive condition surveys in North East Wales. No reply as yet. The Countryside needs a voice to protect it - support SOPS Wales. saveourpathswales@gmail.com http://www.saveourpathswales.org/ 22 DEE VALLEY NEWS February 2017

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Clwb Cymraeg Gyda chefnogaeth Bwrdd yr Iaith, mae clwb Cymraeg yn cael ei gynnal yn yr ysgol bob amser cinio dydd Iau. Y tymor diwethaf bu’r disgyblion wedi bod yn creu posteri ar gyfer siopau y dref i hybu defnydd o’r Gymraeg. Mae’r clwb Cymraeg hefyd yn annog ein disgyblion i siarad Cymraeg yn eu hamser hamdden, sydd yn cefnogi’r Siarter Iaith! Os oes unrhyw un fyddai â diddordeb mewn cael cefnogaeth ein disgyblion i hybu’r Gymraeg yn eu busnes neu siop leol cysylltwch a’r ysgol.

Ysgol Gymraeg y Gwernant Casglu Arian i Ymddiriedaeth Cŵn Bu blwyddyn 1 a 2 yn brysur yn dysgu am anifeiliaid fel rhan o’u gwaith thema. Cafwyd ymweliad arbennig gan gynrychiolydd o’r Ymddiriedaeth Cŵn a trefnwyd stondin gacenau i gasglu arian iddynt. Casglwyd £101.50.

Yn ystod y tymor hefyd, aeth y disgyblion ar ymweliad i ‘Pets at Home’ yn Wrecsam.

Ceisiadau Meithrin Ydych chi wedi cysidro addysg cyfrwng Cymraeg i’ch plentyn? Drwy ddewis addysg Gymraeg, byddwch yn sicrhau fod eich plentyn yn gwbl ddwyieithog. Yn Nghymru, mae disgyblion sy’n astudio drwy’r iaith Gymraeg yn llwyddo yn arbennig o dda.

Dyddiad cau i geisiadau mynediad Medi 2017 yw Chwefror 24ain. Mae pecynau derbyn ar gael o’r ysgol. Cysylltwch a’r ysgol ar 01978 861986 neu drwy ebost ysgol.gwernant@denbighshire. gov.uk am fwy o wybodaeth.

Nursery applications Have you considered Welsh medium education for your child? By choosing Welsh-medium education, you will ensure that your child will become completely bilingual. In Wales, children who study through the medium of Welsh do equally as well, if not better, at school than children who study through the medium of English.

Clwb Cymraeg With the support of the Welsh Language board, a Clwb Cymraeg has been held on a Thursday lunch time. Last term the pupils designed posters for local shops to promote the use of Welsh. The club also encourages the pupils to use their Welsh with their friends which also support the Welsh charter initiative! If anyone would like the support of our pupils to promote the use of Welsh in their shop or local business please contact the school.

Raisinng money for the Dogs Trust Year 1 and 2 have been busy learning about animals as part of their themed work. A special visit was organised by representative of the Dogs Trust and a cake stall was organised to raise money. £101.50 was raised. The pupils also visited Pets at Home during the term

Perfformiadau’r Nadolig Yn ystod yr wythnosau diwethaf, mae holl ddisgyblion yr ysgol wedi bod yn brysur iawn yn paratoi ac yn perfformio mewn amrywiaeth o gyngherddau Nadoligaidd. Bu’r côr yn canu yng Ngwasanaeth Goleuo Bywyd yn yr Eglwys a Chinio blynyddol pwyllgor Ymchwil Cancr yng Nghwesty’r Dŵr Gwyn. Bu’r ysgol i gyd yn perfformio yn y dref ar ddydd Sadwrn, 26ain o Dachwedd ac yn ystod Ffair Nadolig yr ysgol.

Christmas Performances During the past weeks, all the pupils have been busy practicing and performing in various Christmas concerts. The choir performed in the Light up a Life service in the church and in the Cancer Research annual lunch at the White Waters Hotel. The school performed at the town’s Christmas Festival on the 26th of December and also during the school Christmas Fair.

Cynhaliwyd cyngerdd y Meithrin ar fore dydd Gwener, 9fed o Ragfyr a chyngerdd gweddill yr ysgol yn y Pafiliwn ar Nos Fawrth, 13eg o Ragfyr. Rydym yn falch iawn o ymdrech pawb wrth gynrychioli’r ysgol.

The Nursery concert was held on Friday morning, 9th December and the school Carol Concert held in the Pavilion on Tuesday evening, 13th December. We’re very proud of everyone who took part in representing the school.

The closing date for September 2017’s nursery class is 24th February. Admission packs are available from the school. Please contact the school on 01978 861986 or email ysgol. gwernant@denbighshire.gov.uk for more information.

Local First Round ‘500 Words’ volunteer judges Paula Lingard and Sally Ashwood, are holding 500 Word workshops in Llangollen Library on 30th January, 6th, 13th, 20th February. Time 3.45 – 4.45.

If you are interested in attending the workshops, please pop along to the library with your details. The short story-writing competition is for ages 5-13. Limited spaces available.

DON’T FORGET WORLD BOOK DAY March 2nd 2017

DEE VALLEY NEWS February 2017

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News from Ysgol Dinas Brân Business Studies News

It’s been a busy term for business and enterprise students!

GCSE Applied Business: Year 11 Business students visited Chester Zoo in November in order to carry out research into the organisation for their controlled assessment which starts in January. Once again, we were lucky with the weather and managed to get around the zoo to make observations and ask members of staff about different methods of communication at the zoo – we also managed to see plenty of the animals! The students also attended a workshop on Marketing, run by Phil who is a Presenter at the zoo. It was extremely informative as well as fun, and provided lots of facts, figures and data that will help the students to complete the controlled assessment.

The team also had a successful day of trading at Llangollen Christmas Festival and have more events and fairs planned before Christmas. If you would like to find out more, or purchase some soap – it makes an excellent Christmas gift! – contact Odyssey by email odysseysoaps@gmail.com, on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram @odysseysoaps.

Young Enterprise: A group of year 12 students have formed a Young Enterprise company - ‘Odyssey Soaps’. The soaps, which the team produce themselves, are already proving to be a huge hit with customers and business experts alike. Having made a huge impression on local entrepreneur Margaret Carter of Patchwork Foods when they attended this year’s Llangollen Food Festival, she came in to school to have a chat with the whole team and to pass on some advice. Margaret tweeted after the meeting, ‘These guys are for sure ... The most inspired budding entrepreneurs #brilliant #team work #fab soap product’. She has also tweeted since that she has tried the soap herself and loves it!

Enterprise Club: The lunchtime Enterprise Club launched in September to encourage KS3 students to explore and develop their enterprise skills. Having carried out some research, a group of extremely motivated year 8 students have decided to make and sell Christmas decorations and decorative tealight holders in the run up to the festive period. Their products will be on sale in the school hall at lunchtimes during the last week of term. All profits made will be donated to the Hope House Charity.

A Leading Light in Technology Sixth form student Elinor Barnett has made it through to the UK final of The Big Bang UK Young Scientists and Engineers Competition after wowing judges at the regional heats. Elinor impressed the judges with her sustainable lighting project. Her disbelief that 12.5 million tonnes of paper and cardboard is used annually in the UK, with approximately 8 million tonnes being recovered and recycled, led her to produce a mood light for the future, using corrugated cardboard as the main material.

The lamp was designed to be environmentally friendly and use an LED light source, with very low energy consumption. The light has a smartphone connectivity feature designed to enable users to change the lighting effect, and colour to set the ambience and suit their mood via an app on their phone. Elinor Barnett will go on to join over 200 other project teams from across the UK in the finals, which take place during The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Fair at the Birmingham NEC, March 2017.

The Big Bang Competition is an annual contest designed to recognise and reward young people's achievements in all areas of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), as well as helping them build skills and confidence in project-based work. The competition is open to 11-18yr olds, and gives participants the chance to compete for top prizes such as 24 DEE VALLEY NEWS February 2017

international experiences worth over £50,000 and prestigious awards such as UK Young Scientist and UK Young Engineer of the Year.

Commenting on Elinor Barnett’ success, Paul Jackson, Chief Executive of EngineeringUK, which organises The Competition said: “This year’s entries to The Big Bang Competition highlight how talented the UK’s young scientists and engineers are. It’s easy to see why Elinor’s project has secured a place at the national finals. We’re now excited about seeing all the finalists come together at The Fair in March, where they will have the chance to impress the judges and inspire other young visitors.”

Mr G Williams says, “Having the opportunity to put theory into practice has been great fun and has given Elinor an idea of just how interesting a career in engineering could be. The project has also helped to develop her technical skills. To be through to the national final is the icing on the cake – Elinor can’t wait to show off her project again and hope to come back from the UK finals in March with an award!"

“Congratulations to Elinor Barnett and good luck for March.”

500 Words Workshops in Llangollen “Can you write an amazing story using no more than 500 Words?”

“Do you want it read by a celebrity superstar on the radio to nearly 10 million people?”

500 Word Workshops Come to Llangollen Library on Mondays Time - 3:45-4:45 Date - 30th January, 6th, 13th, 20th February

“Fedri di sgwennu stori anhygoel gan ddefnyddio dim mwy na 500 Gair?”

“Wyt ti eisiau clywed y stori’n cael ei darllen gan seren enwog ar y radio i dros 10 miliwn o bobl?”

Gweithdy 500 Gair Dewch i Lyfrgell Llangollen ar Ddydd Llun Amser – 3:45-4:45 Dyddiad – Ionawr 30ain, Chwefror 6ed, 13eg, 20fed (Sylwer gweithdy cyfrwng Saesneg fydd hwn)

DEE VALLEY NEWS February 2017

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C FF I Llangollen Y F C Seems ages since our last article and so much has happened to tell you about! Llangollen members were busy in the county’s Winter Fair competitions held in Ruthin Auction on November 13th. We did well in the tractor handling, came 4th in the cacass judging and 2nd in the stock sections. Erica Swan and Megan Jones won in their age groups and went forward to the Royal Welsh Winter Fair where Megan won her U18 age group. Da iawn ti Megan!

A week later on 3rd December, 26 members and parents attended the President’s Ball in Ruthin Auction. 250 members and friends from all round Clwyd had a lovely evening in the company of outgoing President Erfyl Edwards, Penybryniau and after a roast dinner, charity auction, games and dancing over £3000 had been raised for Glan Clwyd’s Baby Unit - some night out! Our own Christmas meal was held on December 16th at the Oak in Glyn Ceiriog. We had our usual awards, some fun ones and some more serious. Members voted Megan Jones as the Club’s best Junior Member and Aled Jones as the Senior Member - well done both of you!

We had 2 nights out carol singing, this year raising funds for the Manchester Childrens Hospital in memory of Jake Hughes, a young man close to the hearts of many members who sadly lost his life in 2015. It’s amazing to say that we raised over £370 and that money will shortly be making its way to help the hospital’s valuable work.

Club nights have included a visit to Lloyds Animal Feeds mill, dodgeball against Maelor Club, a quiz, pool and darts night, going to Cheshire Oaks Christmas shopping and last week we went trampolining at Flip Out near Chester, exhausting but great fun! Last Friday we sent 2 teams to the County Quiz in Denbigh where they came 4th and 5th in a fiercely fought battle of 15 teams.

Can we take this belated opportunity to wish everyone a healthy and happy 2017. Until next month, take care.

Sharon, Bank Farm

WRIT NOWE

Write Now meets in the first floor ‘conference room’ at Gales on Bridge Street - above the shop via the side door - on the third Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm..

All genres and levels of experience are welcome.

They read their work aloud to each other, in a very informal and supportive atmosphere. So grab your wine and food and head on up to share your words, or just listen if you wish.

INSURANCE THAT’S ON YOUR DOORSTEP Call our office in Ruthin on 01824 703139 or Corwen on 01490 412649 Agents of the National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited.

Messy Church celebrated Christmas in style at their December meeting – lots of glue, glitter, games and good food (not all at the same time!) What more could you ask for? We also enjoyed colouring in a huge wall poster showing various aspects of the Nativity. It was so big in fact that we had to enlist the help of anyone attending Tuesday Coffee Mornings and other functions at the Memorial Hall to complete it – adult colouring in is, after all, in fashion at the moment. Thanks to everyone who did their bit!

Messy Church was pleased to take part in the Llangollen Methodist Church’s Christmas Tree Festival. Our tree was decorated with garlands of figures designed by the children, and was interactive in that visitors were invited to add their own figure to the tree and perhaps add a name to it of someone they were particularly remembering in their prayers at the time.

January’s meeting saw us looking at the story of the calling of Samuel, a young boy, reminding us that God can use people of ALL ages to serve him today as well. February’s meeting is on Saturday 25th between 3 and 5pm in the Memorial Hall as usual – any child is welcome to attend with an accompanying adult.

Yvonne Davies Llangollen Cytun (Churches Together)

Y Capel 500 Words Radio 2 Competition On Monday 16th January , the 2017 500 Words has been launched on Radio 2. For ideas and inspiration, come to the library. It is definitely worth entering. Sally Ashwood (library assistant) has been to the Live Final when it was at the Hay on Wye Festival. It is VERY exciting, mingling with the stars, hearing celebrities read the winning stories, seeing how a radio programme is made. See the Radio 2 website for details.

Better For Books The Better for Books scheme (formerly known as the Child and Family Bibliotherapy scheme) has been updated and a new list of books in Welsh and English has been compiled in Wales. CAMHS mental health practitioners, health visitors, GPs, social workers and other professionals working with families will be able to recommend the books on the list to families who can then borrow the books from our libraries. Or you can borrow them directly from the library. The books cover topics such as Worries and Fears, Siblings, Self Esteem and Sadness.

Did You Know – As winter turns to spring and our thoughts turn to gardening, clearing up and preparing for summer, Denbighshire offer a garden waste collection service. Garden Waste Subscription. You can subscribe and renew this either online via the Denbighshire C.C. website or at the One Stop Shop.

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Llangollen Eisteddfod Welcomes Albanian Peace Ambassador Volunteering Opportunities at Llangollen Eisteddfod At Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, we are always looking to engage new volunteers to join our large and dedicated volunteer community. At present, we have a very interesting opportunity in our Archive team, which we are looking to fill, details of which can be found below. If you, or someone you know, would be interested in this opening, or would like more information about getting involved in other areas of the organisation, please get in touch at: volunteers@international-eisteddfod.co.uk.

Archive Research Assistant

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod presented with global sign of peace from Albanian Peace Ambassador. L-R: Eisteddfod Chairman Dr Rhys Davies and Albanian Peace Ambassador, Fitim Mimani

The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, one of the foremost world festivals promoting goodwill between nations and celebrating unity and peace, has welcomed the Albanian Peace Ambassador ahead of the nation’s participation in the 2017 festival.

The Albanian Peace Ambassador, Fitim Mimani, was greeted by Eisteddfod Chairman, Dr Rhys Davies, Susan Elan Jones MP, Merle Hunt Competitor’s Liaison Officer and a group of the Eisteddfod’s volunteers, as he presented the festival with the gift of three olive trees - a traditional symbol of peace, health and hope.

Following the participation of Visaret E Gores - a group of Albanian dancers and musicians - at the 2016 Llangollen Eisteddfod Fitim made a number of visits to investigate ways to bring more Albanian competitors to the festival. He returned to present the symbolic gifts, as a gesture of friendship and understanding between nations, and introduce Qypryllinjte E Roshnikut, a collective of five Albanian dancers and musicians who will be visiting the festival in 2017. At the presentation, Eisteddfod Chairman, Dr Rhys Davies said: “We have such fond memories of the Albanian group from 2016. Their impromptu performances on the field were a joy and passers-by were encouraged to join in the dances.

“They seemed to bring the warmth and sunshine of Albania to our festival and we are looking forward to welcoming back performers from the country in 2017. We would like to thank Fitim and the rest of his party for the wonderful gifts and were touched by the gesture. We’d also like to extend our warmest thanks to everyone in Overton and the surrounding area who opened up their homes to our distinguished visitors. The continued support of the local community is what makes the Eisteddfod such a special event and is one of the main contributing factors to its success and noted heritage.”

The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, a unique celebration of global music, dance and culture, takes place from Monday 3rd – Sunday 9th July 2017. For more information and to buy tickets, go to: www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk Dr Rhys Davies Chairman

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The Archive team would like to enlist one or more volunteer assistants to help with the preparation of the display in the Archive Tent at the 2017 Eisteddfod and also to help find information to support the publication of a book to mark seventy years of the festival.

You would be working closely with Prof Chris Adams and other members of the Archive Committee. You could also be liaising with archives and museums throughout North Wales and beyond.

Here are some examples of what you might be asked to do:

• Track down information about episodes in the Eisteddfod’s history, such as:

• Competitor stories: Finding the winners of the 1948 Folk Dance Competition, who were from a Displaced Persons’ camp in Anglesey: what was their story?

• Prepare up-to-date biographies of personalities: adjudicators, day presidents, choirmasters, visitors etc

• Identify photographs and relate to newspaper stories

• Many more, all different.

•

•

Identify who owns the copyright of pictures, videos, and documents to be used in the book and the display, and to make approaches about getting permission Convert documents, videos, and audio material to high quality digital files

The position would suit someone of historical bent, who is computer literate, keen on web-searching, and competent with digitising information.

Calling all Choristers Llangollen Eisteddfod is seeking choristers to take part in an exciting new initiative that will play a prominent role in this year’s festival.

The specially formed Celebration Chorus will be performing a brand new work called “Calling All Dawns” by Christopher Tin during the evening concert in the main pavilion on Wednesday 5th July.

Choristers from the Eisteddfod’s volunteer community and local area are welcome to get involved.

If you are interested and would like to find out more, please come along to the first rehearsal, which will be held at St John’s Church, Abbey Road, Llangollen on Saturday 28th January from 10am to 1pm. Rehearsals will be held twice a month thereafter and the exact dates will be confirmed at the first rehearsal. And if you can’t make the first one, don’t worry! Just let us know and then come along to the second one on Saturday 18th February in the same location.

For more information, please e-mail info@international-eisteddfod. co.uk or call the Eisteddfod office on 01978 862000.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Preparations well under way for 70th Anniversary

Preparations for the 70th anniversary in July 2017 are now far advanced.

You will all be aware that Manic Street Preachers will headline on the Sunday night with support acts and a feast of music during the day starting at 2pm.

We have six other splendid evening concerts: Monday – Opening concert Our 70th Anniversary Opening Concert, a rousing opening concert of Llangollen 2017, a celebration of brass and voices with the world class Cory Brass Band along with the combined forces of four formidable male voice choirs. Canoldir, Colne Valley, Froncysyllte and Rhosllanerchrugog Male Voice Choirs will perform together under the leadership of Owain Arwel Hughes. The Fron was formed to perform in the first Eisteddfod and so shares our anniversary. Colne Valley also competed in 1947.

Tuesday – TOSCA with Sir Bryn Terfel Sir Bryn Terfel will return to the International Eisteddfod to perform in a breath-taking concert version of Puccini’s dramatic story of love, lust, murder and political intrigue, Tosca. The one-off performance will be accompanied by the Welsh National Opera Orchestra and other international artistes who will be announced soon.

Wednesday – Calling All Nations An international choral and orchestral spectacular focusing on the message of unity and the firm belief that - regardless of race, culture or religious belief - we are all connected through our common human experience. The first half of the evening will cover a spectrum of classical music from symphonic overtures to video game fantasies. The second half will be a special performance of “Calling All Dawns” conducted by its composer Christopher Tin sung in 12 different languages, exemplifying the International Eisteddfod’s foundation of having the whole world in one place. The choir will be The Llangollen Celebration Chorus and orchestra the WNO joined by Elin Manahan Thomas soprano.

Thursday – International Celebration This evening will celebrate the colour, sound and diversity of our international competitors and the Peace message, which is at the very heart of our unique festival. The Peace Message will be presented with the help of Only Boys Aloud, Côr y Gogledd and Ysgol y Gwernant. There will be an opportunity to see international stars in the making in the final of the Voice of the Future Competition, generously supported by Pendine Park and the Bryn Terfel foundation.

The Only Boys Aloud Academy conducted by Tim Rhys Evans will join us as special guests and also perform with competitors as part of an International Mass Choir as a finale of this tremendous evening.

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Friday - An Evening with Gregory Porter The International Eisteddfod will play host to iconic American Jazz, Soul and Gospel singer, Gregory Porter, who won the 2014 Grammy Award for best jazz vocal album, Liquid Spirit. Porter will captivate his audience with his unmistakable, booming and majestic vocals and expressive self-penned songs from his newest album Take me to the Alley, as well as older works.

No stranger creating musical intimacy even with large festival audiences, having played Glastonbury in 2015, Porter is set provide a magical evening of soulful and soothing sounds.

Saturday - Choir of the World 2017 Côr y Byd As the competitions reach their exciting climax, Saturday’s events are a sure fire way to experience the very best of the Eisteddfod. The winners of the adult choir categories compete for the title of Choir of the World and the prestigious Pavarotti Trophy. The title of Dance Champions of the World will also be awarded and overall winners of the folk dance categories who will showcase their talent with colourful and vibrant performances.

Our special evening guests will be Britain’s number one vocal harmony group, The Overtones.

So there we are, with a line up spanning genres and generation and crossing the boundaries of age, culture and creed, there is something for everyone at Llangollen 2017.

I am also very pleased that we are engaging with new volunteers who are able to bring their skills to the Eisteddfod to support us.

Thank you and welcome to you all. I’ll keep you up to date with further developments as we approach what will be a very exciting week in July, but in the meantime be sure to follow us on Twitter (@llangollen_Eist) or like our Facebook page (Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod) for more news and updates.

Dr Rhys Davies Eisteddfod Chairman

Tweed Walk & Prosecco The annual ‘friendly’ Llangollen Walking Festival’s Tweed Walk & Prosecco on May 1st actually contains much more than it says on the label.

Participants are invited to ‘get dressed-up’ in tweeds and vintage attire and join-in.

The Tweed Walk starts in Llangollen’s beautiful riverside restaurant The Corn Mill, for tea, coffee and locally made Welsh Cakes. Then, a short walk to the Llangollen Railway Station from where you will enjoy a nostalgic steam train ride along the River Dee. A guided walk continues, visiting historic locations with a jolly friendly tweed clad guide who will gently lead and share with you his knowledge of local history, folk tales and legends, of which Llangollen has a great many, ranging from ruthless giants, fighting monks, fairy kings, real Arthurian legends, a demon barber and ... the holy grail to name but a few. Finish the day in the famous Gales Wine Bar Hotel and Restaurant for a refreshing Prosecco and canapés. Certificates will be presented, plus a special prize for the best dressed vintage rambler ... what could be better?

Also on offer at the walking festival are: Offa’s Dyke Path 18 mile challenge walk with FREE BEER, a 15 mile Wilderness walk with a steam train ride also with FREE BEER, two 8 mile meanders, one also with a steam train ride. You can even try a FREE Nordic Walking taster session for beginners.

Enjoy walking the local landscape, see the horse drawn canal boats with an experienced Blue Badge Guide in the UNESCO World Heritage site.

Most walks also have free CLIF Energy bars and Cerist Spring water from Snowdonia. All the festival walks are within the Clwydian Range & Dee Valley AONB in north Wales.

Like on Facebook.com/LlangollenWalkingFestival and follow on Twitter #LlanWALKfest Book early as places are limited on all walks.

The Llangollen Walking Festival is April 29, 30, May 1.

Book on line http://www.llangollenwalkingfestival.co.uk/

Coffee Morning 10-1 at Ysgol Dinas Brân, Llangollen Celebrating World Book Day and to raise funds to purchase new books for the Library. Come and enjoy a cuppa of your choice along with a piece of cake/biscuit for just £1. This is an opportunity for members of the Llangollen community to come up to school and see the new Library (the old Gymnasium) and socialise. Serving from 10am-1pm. Ring Mrs Gardner (Librarian) in advance on 01978860669 ext 213 if you have any queries or would like lift access as this can be arranged.

In the week of International Women’s Day, Llangollen Women’s Festival of Music and Arts presents:

A Taste of India

What’s on Posonby Arms February Wed 1st Sun 5th Tue 7th Wed 8th Tue 14th Wed 15th Sun 19th Tue 21st Wed 22nd Sun 26th

Tue 31st

The Sun Inn

An evening of culture, food and traditional entertainment at

Llangollen Community Hall Saturday 4th March 7pm £15 book online at womensfestivalofmusicandarts.weebly.com Please state numbers on same table when booking This year’s charities will be announced on the night

Food Assembly 6-8pm Ponsonby Folk Club hosted by Theo Laughlin 6-9.

Ponsonby Arms quiz. £2 Entry Food Served Food Assembly 6-8pm Ponsonby Arms Quiz. £2 Entry food Served 9-11pm Food Assembly 6-8pm Ponsonby Folk Club hosted by Theo Laughlin 6-9.

Ponsonby Arms quiz. £2 Entry Food Served Ponsonby Arms - Food Assembly 6-8pm Bodari Galactic Collective, Sam Parsons and King Tangent on Hosted by Chris Ingram from The Glendale Family Ponsonby Arms Quiz. £2 Entry food Served 9-11pm

Wed 1st Thur 2nd Sun 5th Wed 8th Thur 9th Wed 15th Thurs 16th Wed 22nd Thurs 23rd

Open Mic 9pm -12am Jazz with The Five and a Penny Band 9-11pm ‘A Gathering of Folk’ Hosted by Andy Hickie 8.30 -11.30pm Open Mic 9pm-12am Jazz with The Five and a Penny Band 9-11pm Open Mic 9pm-12am Jazz with The Five and a Penny Band 9-11pm Open Mic 9pm-12am Jazz with The Five and a Penny Band 9-11pm DEE VALLEY NEWS February 2017

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BUGSY MALONE ... It’s nearly here and we at the Society are so very impressed with the talent of the Young ‘Uns we can hardly contain our excitement and its definitely a show not to be missed! Have you got your tickets yet?

The cast of Llangollen Operatic Society Young ‘Uns have been incredibly busy over the last few months perfecting their roles during rehearsals, creating promotional videos and also enjoying a few public appearances.

Last month during Llangollen’s Christmas Fair they could be seen on Castle Street performing a few little numbers from the Show which built up quite a crowd! This month on 14 January they delighted shoppers at Eagles Meadow with singing and dancing from the show brightening up what was a dull winters day.

New Dot Cinema, Llangollen’s community cinema, goes back to its roots for its February screening. We’re showing the latest film adaptation of Under Milk Wood (cert.15), Dylan Thomas’s poetic masterpiece.A lovely and lyrical Under Milk Wood, this is an utterly beautiful vision. Starring Rhys Ifans and Charlotte Church, the film is elegantly directed by Kevin Allen, who directed Ifans in the 1997 Welsh cult film, Twin Town. This lush, sexy, enthralling production beautifully compliments the lyricism of Thomas’ poetry with its bold, dreamlike imagery.

Join us at Llangollen Town Hall on Friday, February 10th.

Doors open at 7.30pm, film starts at 8pm.

Tickets are £8 and £6 conc. Available from Bailey’s Deli in Llangollen and online via New Dot’s website and facebook page. www.newdotcinema.org.

If you missed their little tasters of the show the Society have made a couple of fantastic must see promotional videos featuring the characters Bugsy, Blousey and Talulah; the show girls, and the showdown in Llangollen Park between Fat Sam’s Gang and Dandy Dan’s gang, and which can be found on their Facebook site ‘Llangollen Operatic Society’.

Show dates: Llangollen Town Hall, 16th-18th February Evenings only (doors open at 7.00 for 7.30 start, plus Saturday matinee (doors open at 2.00 for 2.30 start) on February 18th.

Purchase from: www.ticketsource.co.uk/llangollenoperaticsociety In person: At the following shops in Llangollen: Jades, Gwyn the Butcher, Bailey’s By telephone: Stella Bond 01978 860441

Adult Dance Classes February Mondays: 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th Llangollen Pavilion £4.50 per class Latin& Ballroom 7-8pm Salsa 8pm - 9pm Contact: 01978 869 456

Information on these pages is provided in good faith, but we cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies or errors. Where events are concerned, we suggest you ring or check with the organisers regarding dates and times.

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/// REGULAR MEETINGS MONDAYS Strictly ‘Fun’ Dancing Llangollen Town Hall, 11.00am with Julie Thomas Inner Wheel meets monthly on first Mondays, generally over an evening meal at the Bryn Howel Hotel, with an after dinner speaker. Guests and new members are always welcome – local contact Enid Law on 01978 869285.

Llangollen Rotary meets weekly at the Hand Hotel, Llangollen at 7pm.

Dance your way to Fitness!

Adult Dance Classes, Llangollen Pavilion 7.00-8.00pm Latin / Ballroom – learn a variety of steps from Cha Cha Cha to the Waltz. 8.00-9.00pm Salsa: Intermediate / Advanced - learn salsa steps and sequences. No partner required. More information at www.newdance.org.uk or by calling 01978 869456 £4.50 per session TUESDAYS Llangollen Craft Group Welfare House, Llangollen, every Tuesday 2pm til 4pm. Come along and learn a new craft, or bring your skills and teach us something new! We always have the kettle on, share our stories, ideas and skills and have a right good laugh. Contact Ann Owen for details on 01978 860539 Clwb Celf Llangollen Art Club Meets every Tuesday in the Memorial Hall at 7.30pm A friendly group of adults only, welcomes new members, come and release your inner artist. For more information ring Martin Gill 01978 869108 or Anita Jones 01978 860156

Caffi Stori Llangollen Storytelling Cafe Meet for stories, songs, coffee and cake. 7.30 in The Courtyard Coffee Shop, Castle St, Llangollen, LL20 8NY. Only £2. Come with a tale or song of your own, or just to listen. There is a warm welcome to all.

Llangollen Male Voice Choir Rehearsals; meet at the Hand Hotel 7.30pm Book Club meet upstairs at the library first Friday of every month 7pm.

Contact Sally in the library for further details. Tel: 01978 869600 SATURDAYS Messy Church Every fourth Saturday in the month, Memorial Hall, Market St. 3-5pm.

Craft activities, stories, songs and a delicious tea time meal.

Llangollen Patchworkers Group Every first Saturday of each month at the RAFA Club, Abbey Road, Llangollen, from 10.30 until 2.30. The group always welcomes new members, of all abilities, including beginners. Come and give it a try.

Phone Angela for further details: 07969 555 979.

Matt’s Community Breakfast is every Saturday from 9-11am in the Community Hall of St. Collen’s Church, Regent Street, Llangollen. It’s a cooked or continental breakfast completely free of charge and all are welcome.

SUNDAYS Llangollen Quaker meeting is no longer on the last Sunday of the month.

It is held at 9.45am on the 3rd Sunday of the month at the Memorial Hall.

Llangollen Business Breakfast Club @ Buttered Crust Cafe

WEDNESDAYS Rhymetime Llangollen Library, Wednesdays term time only, 10am Zumba Gold Llangollen Town Hall, 11.00am with Julie Thomas (suitable for over 50’s) Llangollen Food Assembly Every Wednesday 6-7:30pm at the Ponsonby Arms Yoga 9.30-10.30am Llangollen Scout hut, West Street. £5. All welcome.

Contact info@bebalancedyoga.co.uk or call Gaele on 07807 215537 Corwen Auction First Wednesday of every month. Viewing from 10 am, auction starts 6pm. Anyone wishing to place items in the sale please phone Carole on 07886 243690 Also: Car Boot/Craft Fair From 10am. £5 per table. Weather permitting. Top of Green Lane Car Park LL21 0DD The Sun Inn, Trevor: Charity Quiz Night; 8:30 start, £2 per person; Proceeds to Nightingale House Hospice THURSDAYS Llangollen Cricket Club are starting practice on Thursday evenings at 6pm on Tower field. Players of all levels welcome. For more details ring 07896 094042 FRIDAYS Llangollen Country Market Town Hall, Fridays 9.45 - 12.45, but not Eisteddfod week.

Market St, Llangollen - 7.30am every fortnight.

February meetings will be held on Friday the 10th and 24th.

All businesses/ trades/ professions are welcome if the category is not already taken. No membership fee, just bring along your business cards and pay for your breakfast. Use the opportunity to sell your business in 2017.

Join us on Face book @ ‘Llangollen Business Breakfast Club’ for further details and any enquiries!’

VALLEY GIRLS W.I.

Valley Girls meeting for February is on Tuesday 7th February, and we’re going to be having a go at upcycling furniture.

Hand Hotel, Llangollen 8pm. All Welcome.

Parish Services 8.00 am

9.30 am

9.30 am

COLLEN

5 pm

TREVOR

WK 1

H.C

H.C

A.A

A.A

H.C

WK 2

H.C

M.P

H.C

H.C

H.C

WK 3

H.C

H.C

M.P

H.C

A.A

WK 4

H.C

A.A

H.C

H.C

E.P

WK 5

H.C

11 am – in 1 of the 4 Churches

KEY H.C Holy Communion M.P Morning Praise E.P Evening Praise

TYSILIO

11 am

COLLEN

ST JOHN’S

5 pm

UPPER ROOM

TAIZÉ TAIZÉ

A.A All-Age Taizé Prayer is on the last Sunday of every month at 5pm in the Upper Room DEE VALLEY NEWS February 2017

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