Police have launched a probe into damage caused next to the Ponderosa Café, near Llangollen.
* For the full story in the Denbighshire Free Press, go to: https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/26275029.police-probe-damage-near-ponderosa-caf-llangollen/
MGS9 drive by Steve Rogers
Meet the seven seat MGS9, my hot contender for bargain of the year.
This is MGs most significant model since the electric MG4 and offers big family space, a shed load of equipment, decent quality, plug-in hybrid technology with a useful electric range, and a £34k price tag that undercuts just about every competitor.
I could stop here and just say go out and buy one but you deserve a little more meat on the bone.
MG was one of the first Chinese brands to reach our shores having bought the name of a famous British marque. It started slowly attracting buyers with bargain prices but the MG4 with its eye popping styling got people talking and buying.
The earliest MGs suffered reliability problems, mainly software glitches, but the company has got its act together and although it has a bit of a way to go before enjoying the reputation of the likes of Toyota, Honda, Volkswagen or Kia the order books show it is a serious player in the UK market. The HS model was the sixth best selling car in June.
Where to start? It has to be space. At almost five metres long, S9 is one of the few large SUVs capable of carrying a couple of adults in the third row. I am average height and found it roomy enough with the seat in front pushed forward a few centimetres. That still leaves enough legroom for middle row passengers.
MG has made it relatively easy to get into the back with a motor to push the middle seat forward. Sliding the seat back is easy as well. The seats fold flat for an enormous luggage or even a sleeping area, and you can configure the seats to meet your needs.
Even with five seats in place there is a whopping 1026 litres which can turn into a maximum 2093 litres. As a seven seater boot space matches most superminis.
The big selling point for Chinese brands is to load their cars with equipment, a trend pretty much started by MG. The entry Comfort highlights are heated, powered front seats, panoramic roof, 360 degree surround camera, auto dipping LED headlights, powered tailgate, wireless AppleCarplay and Android Auto, along with a substantial list of driver safety aids.
I should say the camera picture quality is not the best and if there is some way of improving the definition I could not find it. Premium grade adds leather, ventilated and massaging front seats, wireless charging and a Bose sound system.
MG has gone for a widescreen layout along the dashboard with two 12.3in screens and makes for a striking display. The driver’s binnacle offers plenty of relevant information and is easy to navigate via steering wheel buttons.
The central infotainment screen is a bit of a mixed bag. It is not difficult to find your way around but the response is not all that it should be. Too much finger dabbing just to get a result. It is the same with voice control, functions you expect to work don’t, the ‘lady’ has clearly never heard of the BBC radio stations.
Another strange glitch concerned the passenger side door mirror which tilts up rather than down when reverse is selected.
I did like the line of keys under the touchscreen for quick heating commands.
Plug-in hybrids have grown in popularity in the last year or so because of the potential to drive on purely electric. Ranges have improved across the board, shooting up from mid forties to mid eighties. The smaller MG HS can manage 75 miles and even this seven seater can return 62 miles in the right conditions, more than enough for the average daily commute.
The S9 mates a 1.6 litre petrol with a 24.7kWh battery powering an electric motor so combine the two and it has a range closing in on 700 miles. Once the battery is spent expect around 43mpg. Power delivery is good and the transition to petrol seamless.
There shouldn’t be any complaints about the ride as the suspension copes well with speed humps and potholes. This is a big car so expect some body roll but it is not excessive and anyway no one is going to be playing rally driver down back roads.
Most of the competition comes from its home country, Jaecoo and Chery pushing hard, along with the accomplished Kia Sorento. It delivers exactly what large families want and for value, low running costs and practicality S9 is difficult to ignore.
Fast facts
S9 Premium plug-in hybrid
£36,950 (starts £34,210)
1.5 litre turbo petrol + electric motor 224bhp
0-62mph 9.6secs; 124mph
42.2mpg combined
Electric range: 62 miles
18g/km. First VED £115
Boot: 332-2093 litres
Insurance group 44
Towing: 2000kg
A former competitor at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod returned to the this year’s festival but this time as the Welsh Minister for Culture and Sport.
On her visit, during which she was given a guided tour of the busy Eisteddfod field by its chairman John Gambles, Heledd Fychan MS stressed how important the annual festival is in providing cultural activities which help overcome division in society.
She also praised the Eisteddfod for the strong emphasis it places on multilingualism and the promotion of the Welsh language through its signage, publications and advertising.
The Minister, originally from Ynys Môn, revealed that over 20 years ago she competed with her choir, Côr Glanaethwy, quite a few times, winning on a number of occasions. Her young son has been following in her footsteps competing with his own cluster choir from the Bangor area.
She said: “I remember my choir had some successes here over the years and actually, a few years ago, when my son was here with the school choir he loved it, so it’s great to be back.
“This is my first time visiting the Eisteddfod as a government minister and I have really enjoyed meeting the volunteers working around the field.”
She added: “Obviously, the history of the Eisteddfod is a really interesting one as it’s about peace and bringing cultures together and celebrating them.
“I think it's really pertinent today when we so much division in our society that the Eisteddfod actually serves to remind us all of what unites and the part culture can play in this.
“It’s also important to be reminded that we have two national languages and that people coming to the Eisteddfod can experience the Welsh language as well and see the similarities between some languages.”
During her tour the Minister met people in their various work areas, including artistic director Dave Danford, backstage volunteers Mark Jones (stage manager) and John Gibbens then Michelle Davies of the floral team on their stall where she received a welcome spray of cold water on her neck to help keep her cool in the day's blazing sun.
Ms Fychan looked in on the heritage tent to receive a full briefing from Chris Adams on how the Eisteddfod’s records right back to its 1947 origins are being carefully preserved.
It was then over the official gift shop and the adjacent visitor centre where she chatted to Ian Lebbon, chair of the Eisteddfod’s marketing committee and also chair of Denbighshire Destination Forum Partnership.
Later, she visited the competitors’ reception centre to be greeted by Alison Da Silva and then the Friends of the Eisteddfod tent where she spoke to the group’s chair Paul Spencer about the valuable financial contribution it has made to the festival over many years.
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One of the three Westheads cycling to Thailand for charity ended up in hospital on the latest leg of their mammoth journey.
Mates Dyfan Hughes, 18, from Llangollen, Louis Dennis, 19, from Garth, and James Thomas,19, from Wrexham are making their 1,000 journey in aid of the British Heart Foundation in memory of Tony Edge, the father of their friend Harrison who died following a heart attack in 2024.
As they were heading into China Louis had a brush with a car which left his bike in ruins. He got back on the road thanks to contributions from supporters back home which enabled him to buy a replacement machine.
After treatment to a fractured wrist and some recuperation he was able to rejoin his two friends in the saddle.
But a fresh problem arose as the trio were heading out of the 30 degree heat of the desert into the much cooler - at times downright cold - weather of the mountains.
After tackling a five-kilometre tunnel - all uphill - the lads were finding it hard to breath. They eventually got a lift in a police vehicle and found themselves a bed for the night.
But at 2.30 next morning Louis felt a sudden pain in his chest, which necessitated a trip to the local hospital accompanied by Dyfan.
In their daily video log, in which he can be seen fitted with tubing on his face, he says: "I had really low oxygen because of going up and down all day in the freezing cold. The doctor advised me to drop down to the next town and my lungs will feel better then."
One thing that's going right for them is that donations continue to flow in online for the British Heart Foundation for which they have so far raised over £50,000. And at one point in their latest update they thank one of the donors, local firm Ifor Williams Trailers, for their contribution.
* llanblogger is recording their adventures along the way. To follow the journey on their social media and make a donation if you wish, go to: https://linktr.ee/westheads
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As it celebrates its 80th anniversary in 2026, Llangollen Twenty Club is inviting new and returning members to get involved in its latest production of Agatha Christie's classic mystery, Murder on the Nile.
A club spokesperson said: "Whether you've trodden the boards for years or are a relative novice, we'd love to meet you.
"The play is set aboard a luxurious paddle steamer cruising down the Nile and this classic mystery is packed with romance, jealousy, betrayal, and, of course, murder.
"We are looking for a diverse cast of talented actors to bring this iconic story to life. With a wonderful range of characters, it's an ideal opportunity for anyone looking to be involved with The 20 Club, whether returning, or being welcomed for the first time.
"Some familiarity with the play and characters may be helpful, and audition pieces are available on request."
Audition dates are tonight Tuesday July 14 and/or Tuesday July 21 at 7.30pm and the venue is Garth & Trevor Community Centre, Heol Penderyst, Trevor, Llangollen LL20 7UD.
Performance dates are Wednesday to Saturday November 11-14
Rehearsals start the first week of September and are then every Tuesday and Thursday evening at a venue yet to be finalised but will be Llangollen.
At £10 a year, membership of The Twenty Club is required for anybody cast and to be paid on or before the first rehearsal.
* For the more details of the auditions and the club, email: contact@twentyclub.co.uk or text text 07970 000542,
North Wales Police have this afternoon given details of the incident which closed Llangollen bridge for a short period last Friday evening.
In an official statement they say: "At 8.16pm on Friday 11th July, police officers responded to the bridge on Castle Street, Llangollen following witnesses reporting seeing a man jump from the bridge. Following searches conducted in the river, a 46-year-old man was located and conveyed to hospital in Wrexham, where he later sadly passed away.
Llangollen and Corwen Railway has hailed its partnership with the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod as a resounding success after hundreds of performers and visitors travelled through the Dee Valley as part of the new World Voices on the Railway initiative.
Throughout Eisteddfod week, choirs, dance groups and musicians from around the world travelled on heritage trains between Llangollen and Corwen, recreating the tradition that saw international competitors arrive in the town by rail during the early years of the Eisteddfod.
Stations at Llangollen and Corwen became stages in their own right, with impromptu performances delighting passengers and visitors welcoming the world's performers as they travelled through the valley.
The week began in memorable style with internationally acclaimed composer Sir Karl Jenkins and Lady Carol Jenkins travelling on the railway, before performers from Ukraine, India, Zimbabwe, Belgium, Indonesia, Norway, the Philippines, the United States and many more countries brought music, dance and friendship to the line.
Children's Day was another major highlight, with schools enjoying the unique partnership between the Railway and the Eisteddfod, meeting international performers and experiencing first-hand the spirit of international friendship that has defined the festival for generations.
Another unforgettable moment came when one of the world's most celebrated dancers, Dame Darcey Bussell, visited the railway. She met volunteers at Llangollen Station before travelling by steam to Berwyn Station, where she was welcomed by Station Master Peter Dickinson and his team. Dame Darcey described Berwyn as "…the most beautiful railway station in the United Kingdom."
The partnership reached an emotional conclusion on the final day of the Eisteddfod when the Llangollen and Corwen Railway sponsored the prestigious Male Voice Choir Competition. Corwen Station Master Wayne Ronneback and his wife Sue presented the trophy to the winning choir, Chantage from London.
The couple received spontaneous applause from the Pavilion when it was announced that, between them, they have given more than 60 years of voluntary service to the railway.
Wayne serves as Station Master at Corwen, while Sue coordinates the rostering of the railway's team of more than 600 volunteers.
Llangollen and Corwen Railway Trust Manager David Hennigan, who is also a Director of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, said: "This partnership has exceeded every expectation. We have brought back the tradition of performers travelling to the Eisteddfod by train, creating something completely unique for visitors, schools and competitors alike.
"From Sir Karl Jenkins opening the week, to Dame Darcey Bussell's visit, Children's Day and the wonderful international performances, the Railway became an extension of the Eisteddfod itself. With next year marking the Eisteddfod's 80th anniversary, we're already looking forward to making World Voices on the Railway even bigger."
Corwen Station Master Wayne Ronneback said, "What a week it has been. It began with Sir Karl Jenkins giving me a few conducting tips and ended with Sue and me presenting one of the Eisteddfod's most prestigious trophies.
"It has been a privilege to welcome the world to Corwen, as well as Llangollen, and I'd like to thank the Eisteddfod organisers for embracing this partnership from the very beginning. We can't wait to welcome everyone back for the Eisteddfod's 80th anniversary next year."
Throughout the week, the Railway also maintained a busy presence on the Eisteddfod field, sharing a stand with Wrexham University and the Canal and River Trust, while international flags decorated Llangollen Station and Eisteddfod programmes were sold from the Railway Ticket Office and Shop.
Following the overwhelming success of the partnership, plans are already underway to develop World Voices on the Railway for 2027, when the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod celebrates its 80th anniversary. Both organisations are committed to building on this year's success and ensuring the tradition of welcoming the world to the Dee Valley by rail continues for generations to come.
