Abergele local news and history, incorporating Abergele in Shorts

Category: fun

I’m a Celebrity in Abergele

Posted on by Gareth Morlais

I’m a Celebrity in Abergele Gwrych Castle has meant there’s a palpable buzz in our town. And this might not be the end of Gwrych Castle’s connection with I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! internationally if local rumours are to be believed…

I'm a Celebrity mural by Drew on the wall of Ivy's flower shop Chapel St, Abergele.
I’m a Celebrity mural by Mr Drew on the wall of Ivy’s flower shop Chapel St, Abergele.

I spoke with Denise Marsden and Alan Alexander at Ivy’s Florist, Chapel St, when my wife was buying flowers there yesterday. I took this photo of the mural by Mr Drew on the wall of the shop.

Denise says the attention the programme is bringing to Abergele is fantastic.

Alan Alexander let me know about some of the stories going around Abergele about the series. It’s rumoured that, if this series goes well, a return to Gwrych Castle could be on the cards in 2022, after returning to Australia next year, all being well.

Even before then, we could see the German version of the programme coming from Abergele, if rumours are to be believed. That would be such an extra boost for our town.

Apart from Ant and Dec, there are 450-500 people associated with the production of I’m a Celebrity at Gwrych Castle in November 2020. It’s no wonder it’s so difficult to find a vacant hotel, B&B or Airbnb nearby!

Abergele artist Phil Jackson is selling original oil painings of Gwrych Castle and he says on this ebay page that a proportion of the sale will go to Gwrych Castle funds.

Phil Jackson oil paining of Gwrych Castle, Abergele.
Phil Jackson oil paining of Gwrych Castle, Abergele.

Phil says: “I have been doing these paintings during lockdown. I live in Abergele, very close to the castle. This has been the main motivation for me. Then when I heard about ‘I’m a Celebrity Get me out of here’ coming I had another big motivation.”

The contestants this year are:

AJ Pritchard Former Strictly Come Dancing professional
Beverley Callard Coronation Street actress
Giovanna Fletcher Author, presenter and blogger
Hollie Arnold MBE Paralympic javelin thrower
Jessica Plummer Former EastEnders actress and Neon Jungle singer
Jordan North BBC Radio 1 presenter
Sir Mo Farah CBE OLY Olympic long-distance runner and track athlete
Shane Richie Stage and screen actor
Vernon Kay Television and radio presenter
Victoria Derbyshire Journalist and television presenter

Let us know who you think will be crowned this year’s King or Queen of the Castle in the Comments below.

Full disclosure: the link to the painting on eBay is an affiliate link.

Abergele District Action Group’s Springfest, Pentre Mawr Park

Posted on by Gareth Morlais

Alison Pring has been in touch with news that the newly formed Abergele District Action Group is organising a Springfest at Pentre Mawr Park Abergele on Saturday27th and Sunday28th of February from 10am to 5pm.

pentre-mawr-park-abergele4-2003-2006-by-sion-jones
Pentre Mawr Park. Photo by Sion Jones.

There will be attractions and Entertainment for all the family.
*Kiddies FunFair. *Bushcraft, *Dog show, *Craft Stalls, *Forest School Games. *Chainsaw carvers, *Birds of prey, *Snakes and reptiles,*Medieval Knight School, *Tea tent-cake stall…and much more.

Extra entertainment on Sunday 28th will be Glan Clwyd Hospital Radio, also a cake baking competition. Entrants are required to hand make a Classic Victoria Sandwich Cake no larger than 8” in diameter. £1 entry fee, cakes must be entered by 12.30pm on Sunday. More information available on the cake stall at the event.

Friday 26th February from 10am the Eco-groups from the local Primary Schools will be planting Autumn coloured trees in the park. There will be a chance for Mums and Dads to plant on Saturday! We would like to thank Conwy Borough County Council for their assistance and to Jan Williams, Tesco Community Champion for the refreshment on the day.

Abergele District Action Group is a group of volunteers (fully constituted) to arrange events/help in the Community of Abergele. Our aim is to bring cohesion to our communites of Abergele, Pensarn, Belgrano and St George. Our next event will be The Pensarn Prom Day on Sunday August 21st. Contact : Secretary Judith Hudson 01745822153.

Get hooked on fishing in Moelfre

Posted on by Gareth Morlais
trout photo
Photo by PapaPiper (Travelling)

Tan-y-Mynydd Trout Fishery in Moelfre is the venue for Denbigh & Clwyd Angling Club’s Introduction to Angling day between 9.30am and 4pm on Sunday 26th July 2015.

This free event gives everyone a chance to try bait or fly fishing for trout with all tackle provided free.

There will also be advice on hand about fishing for trout, sea trout and salmon from local experts and qualified instructors, fly tying demonstrations, fly casting demonstrations at 10am, 12pm and 2pm as well as a BBQ and refreshments and a raffle. Children and young people under the age of 16 will need to be accompanied by an adult. Anybody catching fish on the day will have the option of returning their catch alive or buying them to take home.

Club chairman, Craig Evans, said: “This is part of the club’s ongoing efforts to introduce new recruits to the sport and there will be a welcome for anybody looking for a new interest.”

Members of the Denbigh & Clwyd Angling Club can fish at both Tan y Mynydd Trout Fishery and Llyn Derwen Fishery at special concessionary rates whenever they visit these venues.

Source: Medwyn Roberts, Impact Communications.

Gwrych Castle 9-10 May Open Weekend

Posted on by Gareth Morlais

The Gwrych Trust’s Jake Basford has been in touch with news of an Open Weekend  at the castle on 9-10 May 2015.

With children’s entertainers, costumed characters from Disney’s Frozen, and fire eaters alongside traditional Morris dancing, a bouncy castle and guided tours, the biggest amount of entertainment yet will be available throughout the weekend.

The opening hours are between 12 noon and  4pm on both the Saturday and Sunday. Entry is £5 for adults and parents can pay what they like for children under 12.

Medieval outfits are welcome. Here’s a list of everyone who’ll be there:

Harley the Clown
Kids Ghost Stories with Lucy
Bouncy Castle
Children’s Drawing Activities
Stilt Walkers
Organised Fire Eaters (battlements)
Ukelele Band
Morris Dancers
Martial Arts Display
Self-Guided Walks and History Guided Walks
Visits from ‘Frozen’ Characters in Costume

 

Photo by David Hughes
Photo by David Hughes

Late News: Here’s an update from the Trust on the advice of the Police:
‘Parking will be available on the day at Manorafon Farm, available through the archway at the corner of Tan-y-Gopa Road and Abergele Road, for a small fee on the day; behind Abergele Library; Water Street, near the Bowling Green; or, Pensarn Beach. Cones and ‘No Parking’ signs will be in place around Tan-y-Gopa Road, Llanddulas Road and the Main Castle Entrance to help local residents. No immediate street parking will be available on the day, so please plan parking in advance.’