Pentredwr resident gets the rotting blue bag blues

* The Pentrdwr resident's picture of their rotting blue recycling bag.

A Pentredwr resident is one a number across Denbighshire having trouble with disintegrating blue recycling bags.

But the county council, which is responsible for recycling, says it is aware of the problem and is looking at ways of addressing the issue.

The resident local contacted llanblogger earlier this week to explain the problem, attaching a picture of the rotting bag which residents are expected to use for cardboard waste.

They said: "I attach a photo of our Denbighshire blue cardboard bag, now, this week, shedding a lot of white dust and it is from all four sides. 

"Cannot move the bag for the dust dropping everywhere and over our clothes. Wondered if its just our blue bag or others out there? 

"Whether it's plastic or paint it just cannot be healthy to breath in especially for the refuse collectors that have to lift the bag to empty it.

"A windy day and it will just take off elsewhere. I would conclude this is not good for the environment either if it's a widespread blue bag occurrence."

Elsewhere in the county numerous complaints are being made about the blue bags and particularly the £12.50 cost being charged to residents by the council. 

Things have become so bad that over 700 people have so far signed an online petition demanding free replacement bags.

A spokesperson for Denbighshire County Council said: “We are aware of concerns raised by residents and recognise issues some households have experienced recently with their blue bag.

“The Waste and Recycling Service is reviewing all options available to address these issues and support effective recycling across the county. We will provide any further updates to residents when appropriate.”

Paraglider rescued from high up in the trees at Pengwern Vale

* The team carry out the rescue of the paraglider among the trees. Picture: NEWSAR

A paraglider escaped unhurt after being painstakingly untangled from trees in Pengwern Vale by rescue experts.

At the request of the fire service and police, a team from North East Search and Rescue (NEWSAR) was deployed to provide assistance when the person became caught in trees about 25 metres above the ground earlier this week.

In its own Facebook post the service says: "With the casualty suspended in extremely thin trees on very steep terrain, the rescue presented a number of challenges.

"Working alongside partner agencies, the team established a rope system above the casualty before using a twin-tension rope system to safely lower him to the ground in a controlled descent.

"Once on the ground, he was assessed by team members and, fortunately, had escaped without injury, although he was understandably shaken by the experience.

The call to Llangollen came while the team was assisting with a search for a missing teenager in Talacre.

The post adds: "A fantastic team effort by NEWSAR and our partner agencies, demonstrating excellent teamwork and flexibility in responding to two incidents at the same time, and ultimately resulting in two positive outcomes.

"Our team of volunteers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days responding to those in need throughout Flintshire, Denbighshire, Wrexham and parts of Conwy and Powys. To donate, please click the link www.newsar.org.uk/donate"

Family fun day set to be hosted in Llangollen

An interactive family fun day is set to be hosted at Llangollen Recreation Ground, which is connected to the Ysgol Dinas Bran school site, in Llangollen.

Running from 11am-2pm on Wednesday, August 12, the session will feature a free soft play section and taster sessions from local sports clubs.

The fun day will also feature interactive fun activities, including games, crafts, silent disco and more.

Also in attendance will be the council’s youth workers, Flying Start and Families First team, as well as representatives from the Credu WCD young carers and Menter Iaith.

The event is open to children of all ages, with a range of services available for families on the day to find out more information about the support on offer to them in the local area.

Cheryl Hughes, Community Focused Engagement Manager at Denbighshire County Council said: “This is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when schools and community partners work together. Community-focused schools are about creating opportunities that extend beyond the school day, supporting children, young people, and families to thrive.

"The family fun day celebrates the strengths in our community and highlights the wide range of support services available to local families. We look forward to welcoming families across the area for a day of fun, learning and community spirit.”

Councillor Diane King, Lead Member for Education, Children and Families, said: “This event is one of many that are being held around the county in August, providing a free, fun and informative resource to the families of Denbighshire.

"As well as a number of play options for children, there will also be services available for the families in attendance.”

New Dot Cinema celebrates its first re-birthday in style

* Talented young pianist Ben White will play before La La Land is screened at New Dot Cinema tonight.

New Dot Cinema, Llangollen's community cinema, celebrates a year since its relaunch tomorrow (Friday) with a special screening of La La Land - joined by pianist Ben White playing live at the start of the evening,

Over the past year New Dot has brought the magic of the big screen back to the heart of Llangollen, putting on everything from timeless classics to modern blockbusters — all within a stone's throw of home. 

What started as a community idea has blossomed into a genuine local institution, welcoming film lovers of all ages through its doors on a monthly basis.

Tomorrow New Dot says it is delighted to welcome Coleg Cambria music graduate and award-winning musician Ben White who will be playing some beautiful music while you arrive at Llangollen Town Hall, get your drinks, and take your seats.

Ben is a young, local musician who has just completed a Level 3 Diploma in Music at Coleg Cambria, overcoming many obstacles and disabilities, and who recently achieved a Student of the Year award for his dedication and passion in several community music projects, including creating and performing an original Welsh language composition at the National Eisteddfod.

"We couldn't think of a better film to celebrate with than La La Land, and we are honoured to work with Ben who was handpicked by his tutor to play for us and our wonderful audience," said Olivia Brown, New Dot's chairperson. 

"We think this film is perfect for New Dot's first birthday, because the world is quite a dark place at the moment and we wanted to bring some cheery cinematic light, magic and colour for our anniversary screening. 

"The past year has really been a learning curve for our volunteers but our audience has been so supportive and we've loved bringing great films to the town." 

Tickets for tomorrow night's screening of La La Land are, as always, £6. 

And coming up later in the summer is The Life of Chuck on Friday August 28, a story that is told in three parts shown in reverse chronological order, adapted from a Stephen King book of the same name.

This is followed by Rebuilding on Friday September 25, a gentle, moving story of how a man who has lost everything in a forest fire rebuilds his life. 

* Tickets for New Dot's films are available from Ticket Source, the New Dot Cinema website or Porter's Delicatessen in Market St, Llangollen (cash only) and on the door n the night.

Pavarotti’s widow sends special thank you package to North Wales

* Pendine Park catering staff with the panettone (front left and right) Chris Tracey, catering manager and  pastry chef Dave Quinn with chef Hayden Harvey, catering assistants Pavreen Muvalidhavan and Karen Blackmore, head chef Eli Mattar, chef Subin Alex, second chef Tyronne Moldrich, Bibin Reyer Meithew and Peter Reynard. Pictures by Mandy Jones   

* Mario and Gill Kreft and Nicoletta Mantovani (centre) and husband Alberto Tinarelli with the Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir in 2025.

A surprise thank you gift from the widow of opera legend Luciano Pavarotti has landed in North Wales after a local choir’s dream trip to Italy.

Nicoletta Mantovani sent a bumper box of delicacies from Pavarotti’s home city of Modena to Mario and Gill Kreft, the owners of the Pendine Park care organisation, in recognition of their support for the Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir.

The couple made the choir’s once-in-a-lifetime visit to Italy possible through the Pendine Arts and Community Trust (PACT) after Nicolette invited them to perform in a concert at the Teatro Comunale Pavarotti-Freni.

Inside the package were traditional Modena specialties including a panettone cake and prized Amarena cherries – a heartfelt gesture from the woman who has dedicated herself to preserving Pavarotti’s legacy since the tenor’s death in 2007

A producer and director, Nicoletta founded and became president of the Pavarotti Foundation which organises tribute concerts with opera stars such as Jose Carreras and Placido Domingo..

At the landmark concert, the choir performed songs in Italian, Welsh and French.

While there they presented traditional Welsh love spoons to Pavarotti’s daughter Alice and to the Mayor of Modena.

According to Mario, it was only fitting that Pendine should help celebrate the enduring link between North Wales and one of the world’s greatest voices.

Pavarotti will always be remembered as one of the finest and most cherished tenors of all time, and when interviewed he often told how his journey to greatness began at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

Pavarotti was just 19 and a trainee teacher when he first visited Llangollen Eisteddfod in 1955 with his father, Fernando, as part of Chorus Rossini, from Modena.

They secured the award for overall winning choir and following that achievement Pavarotti was determined to make music his career. He later said that winning at Llangollen was the spark that ignited his dream.

He returned 40 years later, this time as a global icon, for a sell-out concert in 1995.

Last year Nicoletta re-visited the international eisteddfod as a guest of honour to celebrate the 70th anniversary of her late husband’s first experience there.

She presented the prestigious Pavarotti Trophy to the winners of the Choir of the World Competition and was “deeply honoured” to present the coveted Pendine Trophy to the winner of the Pendine International Voice of the Future competition.

PACT sponsors the Pendine International Voice of the Future competition, which is one of the eisteddfod’s blue riband events, attracting entrants from all around the world.

They compete for a gleaming commemorative silver salver and a £3,000 cash prize to help advance their future singing careers.

“We were proud to support the Fron Choir in joining Chorus Rossini in Modena for what was a magical performance,” said Mario.

“Music and the arts are the golden thread running through everything we do, so this felt like a perfect way to honour that connection.

“As long-standing supporters and vice-presidents of the Llangollen Eisteddfod, Gill and I are especially proud of the enduring bond between North Wales and Luciano Pavarotti, whose extraordinary career was inspired by his success there as a young man.

“To have subsequently received the thank-you gift of confectionaries from Nicoletta was a wonderful surprise. It was totally unexpected and such a heart-warming gesture.

“Given how busy a life she leads, we feel deeply touched to think she has taken time out to arrange this lovely gift for us.

“We wanted to share the delicacies with some of our Pendine Park family and who better than the catering team who work so hard to deliver the highest standard of meals to our residents every day of the year.”

Pendine Park catering managers Mrs Chris Tracey and her husband, also called Chris, arranged for the cake to be sugar glazed and decorated with the juicy amarena cherries on top.

Pastry chef Dave Quinn, who decorated and made the first cut into the cake, said: “These are the finest, top quality ingredients. It’s been a pleasure to prepare such a wonderful treat.”

Railway will take a trip back to the swinging sixties

* The popular Chris Burton will perform during the Sixties Weekend.

The soundtrack of that swinging decade will fill the Dee Valley when Llangollen and Corwen Railway's Sixties Weekend returns on Saturday and Sunday August 1 and 2 , bringing together live music, heritage trains, historic re-enactments and family entertainment in one of its biggest events of the year. 

Visitors will step back to a time when Britain's railways were undergoing dramatic change, as stations across the line are transformed into authentic 1960s scenes complete with volunteers in period dress, themed announcements, interactive performances and living history displays.

Throughout the weekend, a programme of live music will celebrate the decade that changed popular culture forever. 

Local favourite Chris Burton will perform many of the era's biggest hits, including timeless Beatles classics while dressed as an early Beatle. 

Award-winning local performers Rose and Jacob will entertain visitors with a mix of sixties pop and folk favourites, while Esme Sallnow will bring together the sounds of artists including Nina Simone and Freddie & The Dreamers. 

* Llangollen Band Dammit, starring drummer Harry Barber, will be be performing the hits of the swinging decade.

On Sunday afternoon, North Wales charity band Jabberwocky will round off the celebrations with an energetic blend of soul, blues and classic sixties hits.

Visitors can also enjoy unlimited travel on heritage trains while exploring attractions at Llangollen, Berwyn, Glyndyfrdwy, Carrog and Corwen. 

The weekend features the Welsh bobbies in authentic British Transport Commission Police uniforms, dramatic protests against the proposed railway closures, Beeching's passenger survey teams, goods loading demonstrations, vintage Crosville bus tours, classic vehicles, historical exhibitions and Beeching's Bar, serving a selection of local real ales throughout the weekend.

Mandy Towers, Llangollen Station Master and one of the organisers, said: "Sixties Weekend is all about bringing history to life. As soon as visitors arrive they'll be transported back to the 1960s, with heritage trains, period costumes, live music and historical re-enactments creating an atmosphere that's unlike anything else. 

"Every station has something different to discover, so people can spend the whole day exploring the railway and enjoying everything that's happening along the line."

She added: "It's a wonderful event for families, railway enthusiasts and anyone who loves the nostalgia of the 1960s. Our volunteers have worked incredibly hard to recreate the look and feel of the decade, and we're looking forward to welcoming visitors for what promises to be a fantastic weekend."

As the sun sets on Saturday, the celebrations continue with one of the highlights of the weekend – the Saturday Night Dance at Llangollen Railway Station.

From 6pm, the station will come alive as Dave 'Boss' Griffin spins the biggest hits of the decade before live band Dammit, featuring railway legend Harry Barber on drums, take to the stage from 7.45pm until 9.15pm. Dave then returns to keep the platforms swinging until the evening draws to a close.

* Rose & Jacob will be singing a variety of hits including a mix of pop and folk.

With Beeching's Bar serving local real ales, hot food available throughout the evening and heritage trains bringing guests to and from stations along the line, the dance offers a truly unique way to experience the railway after dark.

Joe Walker, another of the organisers, said: "The Saturday Night Dance is going to be something really special. Where else can you arrive by heritage train, enjoy a drink in a beautifully restored station, listen to live music and dance the night away to the biggest hits of the 1960s? It's a brilliant way to round off a day at weekend and we hope people really embrace the occasion by dressing up and joining in the fun."

He added: "Whether you're visiting for the whole weekend or just coming along on Saturday evening, you'll be part of an atmosphere that's full of energy, nostalgia and great music. We can't wait to welcome everyone to Llangollen and celebrate one of the greatest decades in British history."

The Saturday Night Dance costs £10, or just £5 when purchased with a Sixties Weekend Day Rover ticket, with evening rail travel included for visitors joining from Corwen, Carrog, Glyndyfrdwy and Berwyn.

* For more information about the Sixties Weekend, go to: https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/1960s-weekend/

* Re-enactors take a trip back in time to when protestors tried to save the station from Dr Beeching's axe.

A Night at the Opera comes to Llangollen Pavilion

* The cast and production team who will present A Night at the Opera at the Pavilion on Saturday.

North Wales Opera is performing its first event at the Llangollen International Pavilion this coming Saturday evening (July 25).

A Night at the Opera is a staged gala performance celebrating some of opera’s most loved music alongside well-known classics from musical theatre.

Accompanied by Andrew Charity, the evening features scenes and arias from masterpieces including The Marriage of Figaro, La Traviata, La Bohème, Carmen, Gianni Schicchi, Don Giovanni and Lakmé, together with favourites from West Side Story, Carousel and Cabaret.

The production brings together an outstanding cast of professional and emerging singers. Emerging performers include Grace Worrall (17), and Llangollen’s own Rose Burgon (16) who last week came first in the Young Voice of Musical Theatre competition at the International Eisteddfod.

* Grace Worrall and Priscilla Fong.

Priscilla Fong from Singapore and Linus Lai from Hong Kong are set to Wow the Llangollen audience with will-known arias from operas such as the Magic Flute and Marriage of Figaro and they both duet alongside the North Wales Opera's two youngest singers.

Also returning to North Wales Opera is acclaimed baritone Robin Gruffudd Hughes, whose distinguished career has included performances with leading companies including the Royal Opera House.

Yorkshire-based soprano Victoria Price and North Wales-based soprano Eve Marie will perform arias from operas such as Marriage of Figaro, La Bohème, and Carmen.

Leigh Mason, musical director of the Fron Male Voice Choir and ladies’ choir Lleisiau’r Afon, and Lizzie Clifford, a regular in local productions by the Llangollen Operatic and Twenty Club, will entertain the well-known operatic duet Belle Nuit and songs from musicals such as Carousel and Cabaret. Leigh Mason will also present a quirky rendition of The Cat Duet alongside Katie Nilsbird.

* Robin Gruffydd Hughes

Lee J Cander, from South Wales, familiar to television audiences from Channel 4’s Your Song, presents some of the repertoire’s best-loved tenor favourites, including the much-loved Nessun Dorma.

As an extra treat for the Llangollen audience, Carrog-based ladies choir Lleisiau’r Afon will perform alongside North Wales opera during the show.

Next up from North Wales Opera at the Pavilion is Madame Butterfly this coming December.

* Tickets are available from the Pavilion website: https://llangollenpavilion.co.uk/event/night-at-the-opera/