Action-packed festive day

Cyfieithiad i ddilyn...

STARS will be shining in Rhyl during an action-packed festive day.

Christmas will come early to the town with two free Rhyl Town Council-organised events, Merry Makers and Christmas Stars, set to herald the start of the season.

The council is hosting a full day of fun, games, magic, and music in November, featuring acts including favourites from Britain’s Got Talent and The Voice.

BGT winner, British Army veteran, and theatre headliner magician Richard Jones will lead a night to remember, alongside fellow finalist and singer Gruffydd Wyn from Anglesey, The Voice contestant and classical soprano Emilie Parry-Williams, and the world-renowned Rhos Male Voice Choir. North Wales vocalist Sophie Roxanne, a contestant on Y Llais, S4C’s Welsh-language adaptation of The Voice, completes the line-up.

Sophie Roxanne is a professional vocalist from North Wales, known for her powerful vocals and emotive performances. A contestant on Y Llais, S4C’s Welsh-language adaptation of The Voice, she has also featured in an S4C television production. Inspired by iconic artists including Celine Dion, Whitney Houston and Adele, Sophie is the creator of The Diva Collection, a theatrical live show celebrating the greatest female vocalists of all time.

But before the nighttime festivities, families and children can enjoy hours of fun and games at the Queen’s Market. The Merry Makers event will be packed with crafts, sideshow stalls, and games, including a snowball toss, visits from special guests such as cheeky elves up to mischief and Jack Frost stilt walkers.

Arriva will join the fun with their festive Christmas bus. On board will be Father Christmas, face painting, and more. The daytime activities will be rounded off with the town Christmas lights switch-on, a singalong with the Ghostbuskers group at the High Street Christmas tree.

Town clerk Helen Mead said: “Rhyl Town Council is delighted to be hosting not one but two free events in time for the festive season. Over the course of one day, families can enjoy activities, fun and games at the Queen’s Market before the High Street tree lights up. Then it’s over to St Thomas’s for Christmas Stars, an evening of magic and music. We are changing things up completely this year and are delighted to be welcoming wonderful talent to Rhyl for a day to remember. There will be something for everyone, and we can’t wait to share a great, full day with the people of Rhyl.”

Richard, who was named the first magician to win Britain’s Got Talent, said he was looking forward to coming to the town to host and take part in Christmas Stars.

He added: “I am very excited to be a part of this incredibly special event. To feature such wonderful acts all together in a festive setting is something I’m really looking forward to. I’ll be bringing along some of my favourite magic to share. I can’t wait.”

John Hughes, Depot Manager at Arriva Rhyl, said everyone at Arriva was delighted to collaborate with the council to support the daytime Merry Makers event.

He added: “Christmas should be a magical time for every child, and we’re really pleased to play our part in helping ensure that every child has the opportunity to visit Santa and enjoy the festive experience. We’re really looking forward to taking part and helping make this Christmas a special one for children and families across our local community.”

The events will be held on Saturday, November 28th.

Merry Makers will be at the Queen’s Market from 12noon – 4pm. Entry is free, and families are invited to drop in throughout the day.

Christmas Stars will be held at St Thomas’s Church, Russell Road, from 7pm. Tickets for the event are free and available from Book Tickets Global Website

The town council will also be organising free parking in Rhyl on the day of the events with more information to be shared on its social media and website nearer the time.

Artist biographies

Lance Corporal Richard Jones

One of the world’s best-loved magicians, the British army veteran has amassed a staggering social media following since he became the first magician to win Britain’s Got Talent. After 24 million people viewed his audition live, he soared through to the finals where he brought a tear to the nation’s eye with his patriotic performances which was reciprocated by 2.5M public votes for the win, from this, he earned the name The Military Illusionist, a title that influences his corporate magic shows.

After joining the British Army in 2010, Richard served with the Parachute Regiment, the Household Cavalry and spent a year at the Royal Military School of Music. He then took a short break to win Britain’s Got Talent, before returning as a bandsman in the Trooping the Colour for the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations.

Before embarking on several highly successful tours, Richard’s first major show following BGT was his Royal Variety Performance, which was viewed live by over four thousand people. Richard has been awarded the status of Member of The Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star, this is one of the most prestigious honours within the world of magic, reflecting both technical excellence and performance ability. 

Rhos Male Voice Choir

Heard frequently on Classic FM, the choir was founded in 1891.  Television appearances have been many, and the choir has performed around the world and with artistes such as Bryn Terfel, Katherine Jenkins and Gwyn Hughes Jones.

Emilie Parry-Williams

Emilie Parry-Williams is a Classical Soprano based in Monmouthshire, South Wales. With a diverse and distinguished performance career spanning both opera and musical theatre, Emilie is known for her exceptional vocal technique and versatile performance style. She is highly sought after for a wide range of commissions and engagements, regularly performing at prestigious venues across the UK and internationally.

In Autumn 2022, Emilie gained international recognition as a contestant on The Voice UK, where she impressed all four coaches during the Blind Auditions, securing four chair turns. Sir Tom Jones notably used his one-per-series block button to prevent Emilie from choosing Olly Murs, adding an extra layer of excitement to her remarkable performance.

Gruffydd Wyn

Gruffydd Wyn is a talented classical crossover artist who hails from the Isle of Anglesey in North Wales. In 2018 he was a finalist on the globally renowned talent show ‘Britain’s Got Talent’, where he received Amanda Holden’s Golden Buzzer and narrowly missed out on a place on the podium.

Gruffydd has been busy since then, performing for thousands across the whole of the UK and recently performed in South Africa as well as being nominated for a National Reality Television Award for ‘The Best Overall Performance’. His latest singe ‘Nelle Tua Mani (Now we are Free) shot to number one in the iTunes Classical Charts on the day if its release!     

Sophie Roxanne

Sophie Roxanne is a professional vocalist from North Wales, known for her powerful vocals and emotive performances. A contestant on Y Llais, S4C’s Welsh-language adaptation of The Voice, she has also featured in an S4C television production. Inspired by iconic artists including Celine Dion, Whitney Houston and Adele, Sophie is the creator of The Diva Collection, a theatrical live show celebrating the greatest female vocalists of all time.