DLL have been ‘highly commended’ at the prestigious Welsh Finance Awards this week.

At a glittering ceremony in Cardiff, DLL’s Finance Team were ‘highly commended’ in the ‘Small Finance Team of the Year’ category at the 2023 Finance Awards Wales.

The national Awards, held in City Hall, Cardiff on May 12^th were attended by leading figures from the finance industry, and celebrated the work of finance professionals and their contribution to the businesses they represent. 

The event showcased excellence in Finance from across Wales, and DLL were the only team from North Wales to be recognised within their category. 

The 2023 Awards received a record number of entries, and the Small Finance Team of the Year category was particularly competitive. 

Jamie Groves, Managing Director said: “Since DLL launched in 2020, the finance team have faced a number of challenges, which they have tackled head on.  They have stayed motivated and enthusiastic throughout, continually doing their very best for the company.   The team are now driving so many elements of our growth, that they are now completely integral to our success.  Until Friday night they have been the unsung heroes of DLL, and to see them gaining external recognition for all their amazing work makes me very proud.  We couldn’t ask for a better or more motivated team.”

Colleagues at DLL were excited to hear that Rhyl Leisure swimming instructor Monika Kurlandt has reached her goal to visit Nepal, and hike to Everest base camp.

Monika who is a passionate hiker and climber, had always dreamt of seeing the Himalayas one day, and now her dream has finally come true.  Over the last 10 years, Monika has hiked extensively throughout the UK, especially in Snowdonia and the Lake District, and felt that she was ready to take on one of the most exciting climbing challenges. 

As a qualified fitness instructor, Monika made sure she was well prepared for the climb, working hard in the gym, strengthening her legs, core and upper body.  In readiness for her trip, she also hiked for up to 6-8 hours at a time over the weekends.

Monika is the second DLL employee to visit the Himalayas.  Fitness instructor, Kieran Davenport, also climbed to base camp in November 2022, in support of a local charity, and he described the trip as a ‘once in a lifetime experience’.

Jamie Groves, Managing Director said “We have a special team here at DLL, and I am always very proud when I hear of their amazing successes.  In their professional roles, our staff are committed to helping others reach their personal fitness goals, so it’s great to see them achieving goals of their own.   We all congratulate Monika on her climb, and look forward to hearing all about it on her return!”

DLL is looking to commission a local professional or emerging artist to create twelve awards which will be presented to the category winners in November.

The DLL Active Communities’ awards ceremony celebrates the sporting and cultural excellence of Denbighshire and is taking place on Wednesday evening, 22^nd November 2023 at Rhyl Pavilion Theatre. The inaugural celebration is expected to welcome over 400 guests, including residents, partners and local businesses alongside all nominees and their families.  

DLL are inviting emerging and professional local artists who are living and/or working in Denbighshire, or artists who are originally from Denbighshire and who are living elsewhere to send in their award design proposal before Monday 19^th June, as shortlisting will be taking place on Tuesday 20^th June.

A fee will be paid for this commission and this fee will cover all design, materials, production, packaging and transportation costs.

The criteria for the award design can be found here: https://denbighshireleisure.co.uk/ac-sports-awards-call-for-artists/

Jamie Groves, Managing Director of DLL said “With there being so much creative and diverse artistic talent in Denbighshire, we thought that this prestigious event would be the perfect opportunity for a local emerging or professional artists to showcase their work. It’s a fantastic celebration, and with over 400 local guests attending, this opportunity can provide a great level of exposure for the winning applicant. We’re looking forward to receiving all of the award design proposals and to be able to showcase local talent!”

If you have any further queries regarding the creative brief, please telephone Siân Fitzgerald, Community Arts Manager on 01824 708216 / 07717540857 or email sian.fitzgerald@denbighshireleisure.co.uk

DLL are proud to light up attractions this weekend, to mark the Coronation of His Majesty Charles III.

The Rhyl Sky Tower, Rhyl Pavilion Theatre, 1891 restaurant and bar, the Events Arena waterfall and coastal shelters will be lit up in red, white and blue, to celebrate this historic occasion, from Saturday 6th, to Monday 8th May.

The Coronation ceremony, which has been largely unchanged for 900 years will take place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6th May, when the King and Queen Consort will be joined by over 2,000 guests from around the world.  

Jamie Groves, Managing Director said “DLL is delighted to join the rest of the country in sending His Majesty Charles III and Her Majesty the Queen Consort our congratulations and very best wishes on the occasion of their Coronation, and wishing them every success in their reign. We hope everyone has a great weekend!”

The DLL Active Communities’ Awards are celebrating our community of Denbighshire and the people who live here. The focus will be on those that have made a difference or achieved something in sport or activity, arts and culture.

DLL have previously and successfully organised the Denbighshire Community Sports Awards. These annual awards were held at Llangollen Pavilion and celebrated the achievements and dedication of the sporting community in Denbighshire. For our new DLL Active Communities’ Awards, we are moving to the coastal town of Rhyl and Rhyl Pavilion.

The event will be honouring individuals, groups, teams, schools and clubs that have made a difference or achieved something in sport or activity, arts and culture.

The ceremony will take place on the 22nd November 2023 at Rhyl Pavilion Theatre and it is expected that there will be over 400 guests, including residents, partners and local businesses attending this major event at the Pavilion Theatre, Rhyl alongside all nominees and their families.

Nominations for the awards will open on the 5th May, with DLL encouraging all members of the public to get involved and nominate someone in their community via the website.

Jamie Groves, Managing Director of Denbighshire Leisure Ltd, said: “The DLL Active Communities’ awards is a fantastic event that helps recognise and celebrate the success of individuals, teams, clubs and schools within Denbighshire. We’re thrilled to be bringing this event to Rhyl Pavilion theatre, and it’s fantastic to be hosting this prestigious event at 1891 restaurant and bar this year. It’s a fantastic venue in one of our flagship facilities that we cannot wait to share with the community. We are looking forward to receiving all the nominations, of which I’m sure will give the judges a hard job to choose from!”

Judging for the awards takes place in August and the winners will be announced live on stage at Rhyl Pavilion Theatre in November.

For more information and to nominate please visit: https://denbighshireleisure.co.uk/ac-sports-awards-23/ 

The host of The Apprentice: You’re Fired and co-host of Cooking With The Stars, Like Minded Friends and regular panellist on Bake Off: An Extra Slice and There’s Something About Movies, Tom Allen, has announced a new tour date at Rhyl Pavilion Theatre for spring 2024. 

Tom Allen, who is no stranger to performing on stage with his signature acerbic wit and riotous storytelling, will be making his debut at Rhyl Pavilion Theatre on 24th May, 2024.

The household name, has finally moved out of his parents’ house, which has been great news for him, better news for department stores and even better news for his latest stand-up tour as he’s eager to share his life updates, gather opinions on his vegetable patch and delve into the protocol of inviting friends with children for dinner.

Jamie Groves, Managing Director of DLL said “We’re delighted to have such big names come to our theatre. It’s rewarding to see that the investment in the theatre and the popularity of 1891 restaurant and bar is making the theatre the destination of choice for promoters and pulling in household names from all over the country, putting Rhyl on the entertainment map. We have a whole host of acts coming this year to the Pavilion Theatre and we can’t wait to see you soon”

Tom’s last tour sold over fifty-thousand tickets including his sell out show at The London Palladium where he recorded his special. 

Tickets are now on sale via the Box Office on 01745 330000 and on Rhyl Pavilion Theatre website: https://rhylpavilion.co.uk/events_list/tom-allen-completely/ 

DLL will be lighting up attractions in Denbighshire this week in support of Global Intergenerational Week.

Rhyl Sky Tower, Rhyl Pavilion Theatre, 1891 Restaurant and Bar, Promenade shelters and the Events Arena waterfall will all be lit up in pink from 24^th to 28th April, in support of Global Intergenerational Week, and to highlight two fantastic cross-generational projects led by their own Community Arts team.

Thanks to funding from Public Health Wales, DLL’s Community Arts team have been busy facilitating two very successful Intergenerational Story Pals projects, one with Ysgol Frongoch and Denbigh Infirmary, and a second with St David’s Care Home in Rhyl and Ysgol Dewi Sant.  The project which looks to connect younger and older people within local communities, through the use of stories and art, has been hugely well received.  Working with a local artist, who coordinates the work between the two different generations, the two groups finally meet at the end of the project to enjoy what they have achieved together, in a true intergenerational celebration!

Global Intergenerational Week is a campaign which looks to encourage and inspire individuals, groups, and organisations on a local, national, and global scale, to connect people from different age groups, bringing them together in various activities, and creating new ways of connecting generations.

Jamie Groves, Managing Director of DLL said “Our Community Arts team have been heavily involved in two fantastic projects in support of Global Intergenerational Week, both of which have been very well received and thoroughly enjoyed by all of the participants.  We are proud to have watched the development of the project reach such an inspiring conclusion, and are also delighted to light up in pink in support of such a creative and motivating campaign.”

Hundreds of children and families attended the free family fun day as part of DLL’s Easter fun sessions, giving them a holiday to remember.

Over 800 people attended the seven free sessions than ran over two weeks across the county.

Jamie Groves, Managing Director of DLL, said: “We’re thrilled with the response to the events we have put on for families across the county. Our Active Communities team work tirelessly to ensure people have an enjoyable Easter holiday and we’re proud to be offering these events free of charge. DLL are committed to providing free family fun during a challenging economic time and we cannot wait to see everyone at our next sessions in the coming months.”

The sessions, hosted by the DLL Active Communities team, were greatly received by the local communities, with sessions being held in Rhyl, St Asaph, Llangollen, Ruthin and Corwen, throughout the Easter holidays.

Activities for children included soft play, sports, bouncy castles, music, arts and crafts, sensory activities, parachute games, cricket, tennis and garden games.

Details of future events will be available soon, including how to book. For more information on the work that the DLL Active Communities team do, please visit www.denbighshireleisure.co.uk/activecommunities.

DLL is celebrating after one of their team was involved in the record-breaking woman’s football match at Wrexham AFC supported by Ryan Reynolds

Del Morgan, who works for the DLL Active Communities team, played in goal as part of a record-breaking day at the Wrexham Racecourse Ground, as 9,511 supporters watched the final game of the Genero Adran North 2022/23 season between Wrexham AFC Women and Connah’s Quay Nomads.

Playing in Goal for Wrexham, Del’s team managed to secure the win, and became Champions. As icing on the cake, Ryan Reynolds congratulated Wrexham AFC Women on playing their ‘guts out’ to secure the title win. The 46-year-old Hollywood star, who has co-owned Welsh side Wrexham AFC with fellow actor Rob McElhenney since 2021, celebrated the female-affiliated club taking home the Genero Adran North title at the weekend.

Del Morgan, Community Sport Project Co-ordinator for the DLL Active Communities team, said: “The game was a fantastic advert for women’s football, both with the quality of the match and record breaking attendance of 9511. The experience will forever be one of the best footballing experiences of my life and I’ll never forget it. I’m proud to play for Wrexham AFC and excited for what’s to come in the future.”

Jamie Groves, Managing Director of DLL, said: “We’re incredibly proud of Del and her whole team’s performance in Wrexham. Del is a fantastic member of the team who is inspiring women and girls across the country to get into football. We couldn’t be more proud of her involvement with Wrexham FC and wish her all the best in the next games!”

The women’s club won their 11th game in the league in early March, clinching the win, and the Red Dragons lifted the trophy when the league season concluded on Sunday. The champions beat Connah’s Quay Nomads 2-1 at the Racecourse Ground.

Del came through Liverpool’s football academy. Her consistent performances for Wales at an under 19 level even led to a move to Women’s Super League team Everton in 2015. She signed for Wrexham for a second time in 2021. She is also a highly qualified and respected coach, holding a UEFA A Goalkeepers Licence, and is goalkeeping coach for the Wales U19 Women.

The Active Communities team at DLL run a number of sport initiatives for the public to get involved, for more information please visit https://www.denbighshireleisure.co.uk/activecommunities

DLL is thrilled to announce that Jack and the Beanstalk will be this year’s Pantomine coming to Rhyl for Christmas 2023.

Following the much acclaimed pantomime last year, Anton Benson Productions is returning to Rhyl Pavilion Theatre with an award nominated script and an all-star cast, soon to be announced.

The fairy tale of Jack and the Beanstalk shows Jack, a poor country boy, who trades the family cow for a handful of magic beans, which then grow into an enormous beanstalk reaching up into the clouds. Jack climbs the beanstalk and finds himself in the castle of an unfriendly giant.

Jamie Groves, Managing Director of DLL, said: “ We are delighted to be working in association with Anton Benson productions again for this year’s Christmas panto. Panto is a huge part of the theatre experience and we are really proud of the amazing productions we have here at Rhyl Pavilion. Our technical team and all the staff at Rhyl Pavilion work extremely hard at making our auditorium feel like a magical place for families during Christmas time and it really is the perfect festive tradition.”

Anton Benson from Anton Benson Productions said: “We cannot wait to come back to Rhyl Pavilion Theatre again this year, with a fantastic new pantomime that is guaranteed to have the whole family laughing from start to finish. Join us for another laugh-a-minute rollercoaster ride through pantoland full of Fee Fi Fo Fun!”

Tickets are now on sale via the RhylPavilion website: https://mpv.tickets.com/schedule/?agency=PAVV_MPV&orgid=55080#/?event=jack&view=list&includePackages=false