What's on in Clwyd

Clwyd is now a preserved county of Wales, located between Powys in the south, Gwynedd to the west, Shropshire to the south-east and Cheshire in the east. It was, between 1974 and 1996, declared a county and had a full county council. Clwyd was named after the River Clwyd that flows through its center (as well as the Clwydian hill range) and merged Flintshire with Denbighshire and Edeyrnion Rural District.

Clwyd was abolished on 31 March 1996; and at the same time, four new authorities were created - these were called Flintshire, Denbighshire, Wrexham County Borough, and Conwy County Borough.

Clwyd’s coastline was extended in the 2003 boundary changes from from the Dee Estuary in Flintshire all the way through to Llanfairfechan in Conwy. Though much of the county is urbanized in the east (in places such as Deeside and Wrexham) the western part of the region is far more rural, and includes some spectacular scenery in Snowdonia National Park and Conwy. In addition there are a few villages and towns that are well worth seeing. Llangollen is a delightful old town sat on the River Dee and features a 14th century bridge over the Dee, a 13th century Cistercian Abbey and Plas Newydd, an ornate carved timber house. St Asaph is a village city that features the smallest cathedral in Britain that has been rebuilt three or four times (in the 7th, 14th and 18th centuries). Prestatyn is an elegant seaside resort that attracts golfers for its extensive sands and links. Even more impressive is the Victorian seaside resort of Llandudno with its spectacular seafront bay and stylish period architecture, and the natural wonder of Great Orme, a remarkable two mile long limestone headland that reaches out into the Irish Sea and serves up breath-taking views of Snowdonia.

Lastly, of course there is Snowdonia National Park itself which was part of Clwyd county and lets visitors of all ages and abilities experience the range of hills and mountains and incredible wildlife and which varies from deep green valleys to high foreboding mountains.

Joan Armatrading

Described as Britains First Lady of Song, Joan Armatrading has been nominated for a Grammy Award on no less than three occasions. Possessing an extremely unique voice and strong rhythmical acoustic guitar, she is touring again in concerts that will delight audiences with her hits such as Love and Affection, Drop the Pilot and Lovers Speak.…