Category: News

Strictly stars add some sparkle to Llangollen international festival

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Strictly Come Dancing couple James and Ola Jordan will add glitz and glamour to the star-studded line-up at this year’s Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

The twinkle toed pair from the popular BBC show will share the stage with the veteran musicians of the highly-acclaimed Buena Vista Social Club to bring a Latin and Cuban flavour to Thursday night at Wales’s biggest music and dance festival.

The 67th Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod takes place this year from Tuesday, July 9, to Sunday, July 14, at the Royal International Pavilion site.

Husband and wife James and Ola have starred in top-rated Saturday night show since 2004 and both are viewers’ favourites.

James went so close in the festive finale to the recent Strictly season as he and celeb partner Denise Van Outen were pipped for the title by Flavia Cacace and Olympic gymnast Louis Smith.

Ola is a former winner of the sparkly dancefest with BBC sports presenter Chris Hollins and has also partnered local boy Robbie Savage while James previously reached the final with Pamela Stephenson and also danced with One Show star Alex Jones.

The couple are part of a week-long line-up of international stars with Eisteddfod Musical Director Eilir Owen Griffiths scouring the world to put together a global team of talent.

Jools Holland’s Rhythm and Blues Orchestra will close the festival on Sunday night ahead of a spectacular fireworks extravaganza while other stars will include Scottish percussionist Evelyn Glennie, English soprano Claire Rutter, and, from Wales, four top male voice choirs, royal harpist Claire Jones, tenor Gwyn Hughes Jones and choir Only Men Aloud.

International stars include top American tenor Noah Stewart, Kiwi bass Jonathan Lemalu, Bulgarian mezzo-soprano Miroslava Jordanova, a top Trinidadian steel band, the two-time Choir of the World winners from the Philippines, as well as the Buena Vista Social Club, the forgotten pre-Castro Cuban musicians and singers rediscovered by American guitar great Ry Cooder.

In addition there is the VERDI 200 on the Friday night of the Eisteddfod, a 200th anniversary performance of Verdi’s Requiem with Claire Rutter, Mirouslava Yordanova , Gwyn Hughes Jones, Jonathan Lemalu and accompanied by the Eisteddfod Orchestra conducted by Andrew Greenwood.

And the event will open on theTuesday with the colourful procession of the competitors to the Royal International Pavilion, led by Eisteddfod President Terry Waite, CBE, the former Archbishop’s Special Envoy and a long-time supporter.

Eilir Owen Griffiths said: “I am delighted to have put together such a strong line-up and one that is truly global in its scope and one that shows that Llangollen still attracts the very best to come and perform here.

“It’s a very exciting programme and is very different and we need to show that we can do that and remain true to the spirit of the International Eisteddfod.

“We have a truly worldwide line-up which is a real mixture but I feel it is a good fit.

“We have international class performers from around the world and that combined with the colour and atmosphere generated by our competitors and the welcome they receive makes this a unique event.”

The evening concerts start with Tuesday night’s Carnival of Nations featuring four of Wales’s finest male voice choirs, the Rhos Orpheus, Cor Godre’r Aran, Cor y Brythoniaid and the chart topping Fron Choir, performing on the 60th anniversary of the historic visit of Germany’s Oberkirchen Choir. They will be joined by the St Melodians Steel Band, from Trinidad and international competitors.

Wednesday night will feature An Evening with Scottish percussionist Evelyn Glennie who will be joined by the rising American tenor Noah Stewart and harpist Claire Jones, former official harpist to HRH the Prince of Wales, along with the Eisteddfod Orchestra and the Santo Tomas Chioir from the Philippines, twice Choir of the World winners.

Thursday will be Strictly Cuban, a celebration of Latin dance rhythms with James and Ola Jordan and the Buena Vista Social Club while Friday will be VERDI 200.

Saturday is Choir of the World which this year will also feature Only Men Aloud, Last Choir Standing TV winners while for the first time dance will be teamed with choral music on Saturday night as the Eisteddfod’s top two dance troupes dance off for the new Dance Champions 2013 Trophy.

On Sunday keyboard king Jools Holland will bring the house and the curtain down with his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra and a special guest.

To book tickets and for more details on this year’s event go to the website at www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/llangollen

Friday February 22nd, 2013

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Ruthin food company partners with local cider makers and brewers

Margaret Carter, of Patchwork Pate, with Steve Hughes, of Rosies Triple D Cider, show off their new pate range with Caroline Dawson, Northern Marches Cymru, and Robert Price, of Cadwyn Clwyd.

ONE of Wales’ most popular and successful independent food companies hopes to link up with micro breweries locally and nationwide to develop new products.

The Patchwork Traditional Food Company – Ruthin-based makers of the famous Patchwork Paté – have already developed links with local producers and are looking to spread their wings.

Company founder Margaret Carter, who at 70 still has not found time to fully retire yet, said: “All the time we are trying to re-invent ourselves.”

Margaret is to be an inspirational keynote speaker at a food conference on March 4, at the Wild Pheasant in Llangollen, organised by rural regeneration agency Cadwyn Clwyd and Northern Marches Cymru, which will attract food producers and related businesses.

The event is paid for through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) through the Welsh Government’s Rural Development Plan and is part of a three-year plan to revitalise rural communities and their economies in the county, and is open to food producers and businesses from across North East Wales.

It starts at 6pm with a free buffet and as well as Margaret Carter, other key speakers will include Alison Sawyer, of Asda, Martin Jardine from the Food Technology Centre, and Tansy Rogerson, from Bodnant Food Centre.

Cadwyn Clwyd Agri-Food Officer Robert Price said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for food producers from across the area to learn how to take the next step up into finding new markets for their products.

“North East Wales has some of the richest and most diverse food and it really is the garden of Wales so it has everything going for it and this conference aims to help our producers find new customers.”

Patchwork, started by Margaret in her home in 1982, has already linked up with Steve Hughes who makes the award-winning Rosies Cider at Llandegla.

“We are trying to explore new ways into the market by making bespoke products,” said Margaret. “I want to go national and make products with micro breweries all over the country.

“We work with a vineyard in Oxford making patés and chutneys for them. The reason I think it will work is that these breweries have a dedicated following, a ‘community’ which follows the taste of that particular brewery.”

Locally that includes breweries like Bragdy’r Nant who brew Mwnci Nel at Conwy and Llangollen Brewery at The Abbey Grange.

But it’s not just ale, honey is on the menu and thanks to Margaret’s love of Twitter another business opportunity has opened.

“I find Twitter of enormous value in finding new business opportunities and concepts. Hilltop Honey (from Newtown) had Twittered that they had sold out 70 pints of ale brewed with honey.

“I Twittered and owner Scott Davies got in touch and we are going to make a product containing Hilltop Honey,” said Margaret. “As a company we are very creative. We supply Airlines for their First and Business Class seats with our products and we will do anything as long as it is within our ethos.”

Caroline Dawson, Local Food Officer for Northern Marches Cymru, added: “Patchwork is the perfect example of a local company that started from humble beginnings and is now global in its reach.

“They never rest on their laurels, they are always looking to do something different and something new while remaining true to the original concept of producing a really excellent product with its roots in the local area.”

As a company that has received over 80 awards for products and business, Patchwork may have grown from a kitchen table enterprise to a factory-based business employing about 30, but it still boasts that it produces its food in small batches, without artificial colouring, additives or preservatives, to Margaret’s original recipes.

Patchwork is currently perfecting a business model, showing production, marketing, delivery and other costs, which it can present to would-be food partners to show exactly how the link up will work, so that its sales team can take it nationwide.

“Because our product is untarnished at all levels and we have a longevity in this business, there is a respect for us out there,” she said.

Throughout her life Margaret has been passionate about the value of having mentors, in her work and private life, and if anyone asks for her help and advice, she never refuses.

She helps with advice to a group of 35 women entrepreneurs who meet in Patchwork’s Ruthin offices once a month and she personally mentors about half a dozen. “Only a handful are in food, there are women in photography, forestry, all kinds of things. If I’m asked I always say yes and I never charge because my mentors never charged me.”

Margaret also helps the Princes Trust and the Welsh Assembly Government’s role model programme, Dynamo and runs a group for young entrepreneurs from the ages of 12 to 20.

“I’m passionate about helping young people. They get boxed in from the academic side at school but they seem to get very little guidance about how to be a person.

“When I’m giving advice I tend to be very normal and tell it warts and all. A lot try and be inspirational and say it’s all good, but it’s not. What we look for is attitude. After all when people apply for a job the chances are they will all have pretty much the same CV and qualifications, what is important is who they are, attitude is everything.

“My advice to someone starting in business is never, never lie, and never, never, let a customer down.”

Patchwork, which produces everything from paté to ice cream, can be found athttp://www.patchwork-pate.co.uk/

Anyone interested in attending the conference, which includes a free buffet, should contact Robert Price on 01824 705802 or to:Robert.price@cadwynclwyd.co.uk">Robert.price@cadwynclwyd.co.uk

Thursday February 21st, 2013

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Green Deal is a big deal for merged North Wales energy saving firms

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Two energy saving specialists have joined forces to take full advantage of the growth opportunities offered by the Green Deal.

The merger between Advent Energy Management, from Bangor, and Coles Knapp, from Prestatyn,  has been hailed as a “marriage made in business heaven”.

The firms are a perfect fit because  Advent specialised in domestic properties and Coles Knapp concentrated on the commercial sector.

The combined operation, which will trade as Advent Energy Management, employs a total of 13 people.

But with further expansion plans in the offing, they are hoping to recruit more staff soon.

Advent Energy Management was established in 2011 as a sister company to Advent Project Management.

The firm has already been identified as one that’s going places, with potential for high growth.

It has been signed up to the Welsh Government’s High Potential Starts programme.

The company  has recently signed contracts with the likes of British Gas and a host of local authorities in London.

Managing Director Ian Williams explained: “Advent Project Management was already doing renewable energy projects so there was a clear synergy  because the creation of Advent Energy Management gave us the opportunity to look at energy efficiency.

“The majority of work is for social housing and private dwellings to undertake Energy Performance Certificates and to give people advice on how to make their houses better in terms of insulation and reduce running costs.”

“The merger will ensure that we are well placed to take full advantage of the massive opportunities offered by the Green Deal.

Andrew Knapp, the Operations and Business Director, of the merged company came over from Coles Knapp.

He said: “It’s been very exciting since the idea was first proposed to me – I could see the benefits straight away.

“Stricter and stricter carbon emission reduction targets are being brought in all the time which can only lead to an ever increasing demand for services like ours. I think the future is bright. ”

It was a sentiment echoed by Tony Rose, the firm’s Business Development Manager.

Mr Rose said: “The core of our business has always been Advice Visits – advising people how to reduce their energy consumption.”

“The advisors we employ are qualified to talk to people about how they can amend behaviour and save energy.

“We also provide improvement measures like draught proofing and secondary glazing, or put equipment in to monitor the use of electricity or temperature levels.

“If the home needs something more substantial we can manage larger works like the installation of heating systems or insulation of whole blocks.”

“Another strand of our business is the production of Domestic Energy Performance Certificates which are required on the sale or change of occupancy of a home. We have provided over 30,000 EPCs in total.

“The merger means we are now able to offer Commercial Energy Performance Certificates, Display Energy Certificates (DECs) and On Construction calculations and EPCs.”

“The merger of the two companies was inspired – the fit is perfect with a minimal overlap.  It’s a complementary set of skills and services which means we’re able to offer existing and new clients a much wider range of services.”

One of the investors involved with both Advent Project Management and Advent Energy Management is successful entrepreneur Hugh Jones Evans, from Rhoshirwaun, near Pwllheli.

Mr Evans, a Co-director and shareholder of Advent Energy Management, runs a training company, TQLS, that employs 250 people in Kuwait as well as being part owner of the Ty Newydd Hotel in Aberdaron and having an interest in Caernarfon Airport.

He said: “Things have moved quickly since we established Advent Energy Management in 2011 and today is another important milestone in the history of the company because we have exciting plans for future growth.

“The idea is that the merged company becomes greater than the sum of its parts because of the complementary aspects of our expertise. We are getting the best of both worlds now, it’s a marriage made in business heaven.

“If we are to build a sustainable future for Wales, we have to be innovative and grasp the opportunities offered by renewable energy and the Green Deal. This is a real opportunity for Wales.”

For more information ring 0844 848 2969 or go to  www.adventenergymanagement.co.uk

Thursday February 21st, 2013

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New management team plan store revamp at Wrexham shopping centre

EAGLES MEADOW M&S NEW MANAGEMENT TEAM. Pictured is Deborah Hitchin and Angharad Longley.

A new management team has taken over the reins of a top department store in North Wales.

Deborah Hitchen is the new store Manager of the M&S store at the Eagles Meadow shopping centre in Wrexham, while Angharad Longley has been appointed as the Commercial Manager.

According to the management duo, they couldn’t have taken over at a better time with the store set to undergo a “fantastic” face-lift.

Deborah, who has forged a career in retail since starting out as a Saturday girl at a Nantwich shop when she was still in school, says moving to the Eagles Meadow M&S store is a dream move.

She said: “I still live just outside Nantwich and spent the past two-and-a-half years at various Marks and Spencer Stores managing the food side of the business. So, taking over as manager here at Wrexham is exciting and diverse for me.

“I’m delighted to have made the move, it’s such a warm and friendly store and there are such exciting times ahead for M&S as a company.

“Our Eagles Meadow store might well have only been open for four years but we want to give our customer the full Marks and Spencer range, make the store a showroom providing even more options for our shoppers.

“Customers can expect to see more exciting merchandising and a visually more appealing shopping experience than they may be used to.

Angharad Longley, who has been with M&S for more than eight years and has worked at a number of different M&S stores, is thrilled to be the new Commercial Manager at the Eagles Meadow department store.

She said: “Deborah and I have had a really good look at the shopping centre and agree M&S really complements the mix of stores here at Eagles Meadow. There is something here to please everyone.

“I firmly believe the shopping experience here is just like visiting any city centre. The advantage here is that everything is compact. I’m amazed how welcoming and friendly the store is and the customers are really lovely too.

“You definitely get a different feel depending on which area stores are based within and Wrexham appears to be an exceptionally friendly place.”

Deborah added: “Our planned face lift will see work completed throughout the night so customers shouldn’t notice any disruption whatsoever.

“M&S is a multi-channel business. We embrace internet shopping but know we need to give our customers the best of both worlds. Shoppers who want a particular item from our flagship Oxford Street store can get it here, in Wrexham, too.

“It may not be available the same day but we will certainly have any required item here within a couple of days. That is something we need to offer and, in truth, it’s the least our discerning customers expect.”

Angharad, who moved to the Wrexham Eagles Meadow store from the Chester M&S store, says the task facing the new management team is to grow the Eagles Meadow business.

She said: “As a company M&S is investing in the Eagles Meadow store and we need to ensure we offer our customers the best shopping experience we possibly can.

“We are blessed with a great team of staff, the store is superb and, following the march re-fit will offer an even better shopping experience too.

“And, of course, the M&S brand is a trusted brand selling high quality products. It’s now our task to ensure we give our customers the best shopping experience we can.”

Deborah added: “I’m certainly excited about the challenges ahead and firmly believe our M&S store here at Eagles Meadow will be the jewel in Wrexham’s retail crown. Angharad and I are delighted and thrilled to be here at Eagles Meadow as there are such exciting times ahead.”

Eagles Meadow Manager Kevin Critchley was delighted to welcome Deborah and Angharad to the shopping centre.

He said: “I have been impressed with their energy and ideas aligned to their determination to create an even better shopping experience.

“The staff at M&S are brilliant so the arrival of Deborah and Angharad heralds a real winning combination that’s going to be good for the store and good for Eagles Meadow as a whole.”

Monday February 18th, 2013

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