A5 collision warning from police

 

Cefn people want to cash in on aqueduct's tourist boom

Cefn Mawr, a former industrial community located within a World Heritage Site, is seeking to benefit from the area's booming tourism industry. 

Despite being a stone's throw away from the increasingly popular Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, people living in the historic village say they feel overlooked.

* For the full story, see Wales Online at: 'Forgotten' Welsh village wants to cash in on tourism boom at world-famous aqueduct - Wales Online 

MS 'extremely concerned' for North Wales tourism industry

* Llangollen is one of North Wales's key tourist destinations.

Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, is backing a protest to raise awareness of the controversial new tourist tax. 

He fears introducing the proposed visitor levy will seriously impact businesses in North East Wales and is supporting the Welsh Association of Visitor Attractions (WAVA) who are protesting on March 1, St David’s Day, with a number of attractions set to close for the day. 

 

Last November the Welsh Government said they planned to introduce a levy of £1.25 per night for people staying in commercially-let overnight visitor accommodation from 2027.

 

Mr Rowlands, Chairman of the Cross-Party Group on Tourism, is totally against the tax and has continually expressed concern for the future of tourism in his region if it goes ahead.

 

He said: “The whole situation is becoming very serious and my heart goes out to anyone involved in the tourism industry in North Wales as it is not getting the support it should.

 

“The Welsh Government is quite clearly not interested in helping to promote and expand our tourist industry.

 

“First of all they introduced the crippling 182-day threshold for holiday lets, which will force many self-catering businesses to close, then came the disastrous 20mph default speed limit and now they have the tourism tax to look forward to.

 

“I think the action by the WAVA speaks for itself and just shows how worried businesses are in North Wales. 

 

“It is a real shame that WAVA members believe the only way to highlight their growing concerns and to get their message across is to close their businesses on a day at the weekend.

 

“ I remain extremely concerned over this constant war on the tourism industry. It is high time they and everyone who works in this sector were supported by the Welsh Government.

 

“Tourism is big business in North Wales but the Welsh Government policies are seriously impacting the industry and I really do fear for the future.”

 

Customers love clever Suzuki with its own voice

Suzuki Vitara drive by Steve Rogers

Clever car this Vitara. Not only does it get you from A to B but gives the sort of caring advice you get from your mum.

I had only been driving 15 minutes when a message popped up saying I was ‘looking drowsy and should take a rest’. Thoughtful.

I had just come off a windy golf course and was feeling as fresh as a daisy but Vitara has a new driver monitoring system that keeps an eye on your eyes and lets you know if you're not looking dead ahead. A little on the over sensitive side but it must have worked because I never got the message again.

Vitara, now in its 37th year, is still going strong although its role switched from big off roader to small SUV a decade ago, plunging Vitara into a hornets nest of crossovers, trying to keep pace rather than jumping to the head of the pack.

In that time nothing much has happened to Vitara. Suzuki would say there is nothing to fix and that is true when it comes to reliability. Customers love it and keep coming back.

This year’s refresh concentrated on new technology and additional safety with lane assist, speed control, driver monitoring and an emergency call button standard on Motion and Ultra models. Braking the car to a stop, if the driver doesn’t, in the event of a collision with vehicle or people has been sharpened with improved reaction at night.

A restyled grille and bumper is the main change to the body but the significant improvements are in the cabin with a new media centre and larger nine inch screen. Response time is fast enough and takes no time getting to grips with it. Heating control buttons are neatly laid out below the screen.

On the surface everything sounds fine but there is no getting away from the fact that the layout is dated. While rivals have a digital driver’s binnacle, Vitara has old school dials. There are a couple of pencil-like prodders to select various pieces of car information displayed between the speedo and rev counter which also houses a digital speed readout but that disappears when scrolling through the menu.

Yet you can’t help liking and admiring Vitara whose appeal lies in its simplicity. Get behind the wheel and get on with it; there is no wasting time learning how everything works. Perhaps being dated has its advantages. Heating controls are chunky knobs and buttons, and there is a bank of easy to reach switches for functions often found hiding in a touchscreen sub menu, the most annoying culprit is lane assist which I only use for motorway driving so a round of applause to Suzuki for fitting a simple on/off button.

Vitara has two trim grades, Motion and Ultra and a choice of, 1.4 turbo petrol mild hybrid, or a 1.5 litre full hybrid automatic both available with all wheel drive. Suzuki does not skimp on spec and buyers should take a serious look at Motion which has just about all you need and costs less than Ultra which, surprisingly, did not have heated front seats.

I was mightily impressed with the gutsy 1.4 litre Allgrip that is good fun mated to a slick six speed manual box, and excelled on economy always in the high forties and returning 57mpg on a 175 mile trip where the adaptive cruise control took away the stress on a busy motorway.

Vitara is a decent sized family car, not the roomiest of the pack and you will find more boot space in a Toyota Yaris Cross or Ford Puma, but is big enough and I liked the twin level boot floor that gave a flat loading area.

The ride is on the hard side and you really feel pothole thuds sitting in the back. Apart from creaking trim around the sunroof, build quality on my test car was good, it is just a pity that Suzuki favours too much hard plastic trim.

This is a big year for Vitara because it is going electric so it will be interesting to see if there are any major changes when the car is launched in the summer. In the meantime there is zero finance on a new Vitara until the end of March which is a nice sweetener for those looking for a refresh.

Fast facts

Vitara Ultra Allgrip

£30,449 (starts £26,945)

1.4 litre Boosterjet; 127bhp

0-62mph 10.2secs; 121mph

52.3mpg combined

128g/km. 1st road tax £220

Boot: 362 litres

Insurance group 22

Pengwern Community Hub's March What's On guide

Pengwern Community Hub's What's On calendar for March is:

New stoma support group's first meeting is next week

                     

A cancer survivor from Llangollen has started a self-support group to provide help and advice to people using a stoma.

And it has its first meeting next week.

Moira Gleed’s own journey towards being fitted with the medical device, which connects the bowel to the outside of the body with a small disposable bag, began last June when she was diagnosed with Stage III bowel cancer.

After major surgery at the Wrexham Maelor hospital she was fitted with a permanent stoma. This means that when the bowel moves, waste exits through the stoma bag which is stuck to the skin and has to be emptied at regular intervals.

Moira said: “I’d been ignoring the symptoms of the cancer for some time and the doctors told me it could have been coming on for seven to 10 years.

“I had the surgery last July and, so far, it looks to have been successful. Becoming a stoma user myself has made me determined to share my experience with others who find themselves in the same situation.”

She added: “The new group I have formed, which is called Back to Front for obvious reasons, aims to support each other with kindness along the journey each person with a stoma takes and will provide a safe and confidential ‘what gets said in this room stays in this room’ environment while offering an opportunity for fellow ostomates, which is what stoma users are known as, and their companions or carers to have a cuppa and talk about what’s on their minds and look at latest products from suppliers.

“The friendly and informal monthly meet-ups will have guest speakers on a variety of subjects on alternative months.

“The group will be open to all ostomates wishing to offer their support and experience to the group and to people who have recently had or are awaiting surgery and to their loved ones and carers.”

Moira said that group meetings will take place on the first Monday of every month. While there will be no charge for membership donations towards the hire of the hall, speakers and refreshments are welcomed.

The meeting place chosen is St Collen’s Community Hall, off Regent Street (A5) LL20 8HU. Meetings will run between 2 and 4pm and the first one takes place on Monday March 3.

The meeting room is at ground level with ramps and has easy access to the toilets. Parking, which is next to the hall, will be free for the duration of the meeting.

“We hope to see as many people as possible at our meetings, which are not just for Llangollen people but also those from surrounding areas, said Moira.

* For more information contact Moira Gleed, in confidence, on 07484 772772.   

Local roadworks update from Denbighshire County Council

Latest local roadworks update from Denbighshire County Council is:

Approximately 70 metres from end of track to Ty Canol Farm A539 LLANGOLLEN ROAD 26/02/2025 26/02/2025 Tree Cutting

A539 O/S NUMBER 20 CASTLE STREET 07/04/2025 09/04/2025 Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

A539 Llandyn Hall Farm Culvert TRACK TO LLANDYN HALL FROM A539 28/04/2025 23/05/2025 Gwaith ar Gylfat/ Culvert Works (DCC) Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Hall Street, Llangollen. HALL STREET 12/04/2025 17/04/2025 Gwaith Draenio / Drainage Works NMWTRA (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Hall St jct with A5 Berwyn St, Llangollen 27/01/2025 28/03/2025 Gwaith Ar Wal Gynnal/ Retaining Wall Works OBR CONSTRUCTION

Everyone invited to museum's official re-opening

Following major work to replace the roof Llangollen Museum says everyone is invited to its official re-opening starting at 6pm on Saturday March 8. 

Llangollen Silver Band will be playing and there will be wine (tea, coffee and soft drinks will also be available) and nibbles. 

6.30pm will see Dave Crane from the museum say a few words about the programme and thank everyone involved, before local MP Becky Gittins officially re-opens the building. 

Ms Gittins said: “I want to thank everyone for working so hard to re-open Llangollen Museum and I am excited that, as a result of this funding, it will continue to showcase the history of the area for locals and tourists alike. 

“Llangollen has a rich and fascinating past, which this museum helps bring to life. I look forward to seeing the new displays and learning more about the programme for the year ahead.”

People will then be able to mingle, have some more food and drink, and look at the new displays, including the re-opening gallery display of paintings and prints that are usually kept in the archive stores.

Dave Crane said: "There will be information about the programme, the work that has been done and what the museum will be doing over the rest of the year.

"We will also be showing Animated Dee Valley heritage video, produced by the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB and the Pontcysyllte World Heritage Site, reminding us why keeping places like Llangollen Museum alive in our community is so important, so that future generations can uncover the heritage of Llangollen and the surrounding area.

"Our thanks to the Lottery Heritage Fund, the Community Ownership Fund, the Denbighshire Key Fund, the Clocaenog Wind Farm Fund and the Welsh Government Collection Management Capital Improvement programme for making all of the work possible." 

St Collen's knocks down a £1,100 bargain from its auction night

* Auctioneer Andrew Conde wields the gavel.

St Collen's church funds will benefit by over £1,100 from an evening featuring an auction of promises and entertainment held in the Community Hall yesterday (Friday) evening.

Almost £600 was raised from the auction itself, professionally run by Andrew Conde, which featured lots including a Wild Pheasant spar for two voucher, Llangollen Eisteddfod tickets, a £25 voucher for the market fish stall, tickets for the Twenty Club performance of The Importance of Being Earnest, a Llangollen Golf Club 4 Ball voucher, a Fouzi’s £20 voucher and Sunday lunch for two at The Hand Hotel.

They were all donated by local businesses and individual supporters of the church and were knocked down to considerably more than their guide prices. 

The evening also featured the serving of cheese and wine plus a raffle and other games. 

Entertainment included musical selections from local old time music hall performer Phil Robinson of the Collen Players and soloist Angharad Watts, both accompanied on the piano by Owen Roberts. 

The event was organised by church members, a large team of whom helped behind the scenes to make the evening a success.

* The audience waits for the next lot to come up during the auction.

* Angharad Watts performs her songs.

* Phil Robinson goes through his music hall routine.

County council issues advice following yellow weather warning

Denbighshire County Council has issued advice to residents and businesses following the yellow weather warning for high winds this weekend issued by the Met Office.

The warning says:

Between 06:00 (UTC) on Sun 23 Feb 2025 and 18:00 (UTC) on Sun 23 Feb 2025

 

Headline Strong winds may lead to some disruption on Sunday.

What to expect

• Some delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are likely
• Probably some bus and train services affected, with some journeys taking longer
• Some short term loss of power and other services is possible
• Delays for high-sided vehicles on exposed routes and bridges likely

Denbighshire says:

DCC has resources on standby throughout the warning period to respond to any weather-related incidents should they arise.

Further updates will be provided if deemed necessary.

Please report any issues to our Customer Service Team between 8:30am – 5pm Monday to Friday, by:

1) email to customerservice@denbighshire.gov.uk

2) telephone 01824 706000

3) visit in person a One Stop Shop.

4) use an online web form, available on Denbighshire’s website:

www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/online-forms/online-forms.aspx

In the event of any emergency situation requiring an immediate response, contact should be made directly via the out of hours contact centre between 5pm – 8:30am including weekends on 0300 123 3068.

 

Old Vic residents help create positive change for older people

* Old Vicarage owner and manager Bethan Mascarenhas. Image: Ceidiog PR.

The Older People’s Commissioner for Wales visited Llangollen to meet with residents at the Old Vicarage Care Home and hear from them about the action she should take to deliver positive change for older people.

They told Rhian Bowen-Davies that the care and support provided there, which is focused on people’s individual needs rather than a ‘one size fits all’ approach made them feel valued and safe, and that the wide range of activities on offer gave them something to look forward to every day, an important part of having a good quality of life.

The experiences, views and ideas shared by older people will be used to shape the Commissioner’s upcoming Strategy and Work Plan as well as her ongoing work to improve policy and practice.

The visit to Llangollen was part of a wider series of visits to meet with older people across Wales where the Commissioner and her team will be hearing directly from older people about the action they should deliver and the key issues they should focus on, with visits to every local authority in Wales planned in the weeks ahead.

As well as providing residential and respite care, the Old Vicarage also supports older people living with dementia, and its owner and manager Bethan Mascarenhas recently won a top award for her outstanding commitment to her work, having become one of the youngest care home owners in Wales shortly before the pandemic.

The Commissioner said: "It was great to be back in north Wales to meet with older people living in the Old Vicarage and learn more from them about the ways we can support care home residents to have the best possible quality of life.

“The Old Vicarage challenges expectations about what life in a care home can be like, and it was really positive to see how happy and safe the older people I spoke with felt living in the home.

“The experiences shared will help me develop my upcoming Strategy and Work Programme, which will have older people’s voices at its heart.”

Alongside travelling throughout Wales to speak directly with older people, the Commissioner is also inviting older people to share their experiences in writing by completing a short questionnaire.

She added: "I want to hear from as many older people as possible, from a wide range of different backgrounds and communities, so please do make your voice heard by completing my questionnaire if you can and help deliver positive change for older people.”

Sir Karl Jenkins to conduct Llangollen concert for UN's 80th anniversary

* Sir Karl Jenkins. Picture by Rhys Frampton.

Sir Karl Jenkins will be conducting a landmark concert at this year’s Llangollen International Eisteddfod to mark the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. 

The concert, Uniting Nations: One World, will bring together voices from across the globe, including WorldChoir, London’s Covent Garden Chorus, and some of the Eisteddfod’s visiting international choirs.

The centrepiece of the evening will be a performance of Karl Jenkins’ masterpiece One World, a large-scale choral work for soloists, choir and orchestra, which heralds a vision of a peaceful and egalitarian planet that treats nature and ecological issues with respect and where human rights are universal. 

It reflects his passion for bringing people together through the universal power of music, promoting a message of peace and understanding across cultures.

A stellar line-up of soloists will include two previous winners of the Eisteddfod’s Pendine International Voice of the Future competition, both of whom have continued into flourishing professional careers, the Singaporean soprano Shimona Rose and the Welsh mezzo-soprano Eirlys Myfanwy Davies.

The first half of the concert will feature the world premiere of a new version of the Peace Child story, ahead of subsequent performances at the Ljubljana Festival in Slovenia, and at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on UN Day.

Dave Danford, Artistic Director of the Llangollen International Eisteddfod, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Sir Karl Jenkins back to Llangollen this summer to conduct this special performance of One World. 

"This is a concert that encapsulates the very ethos of both our Eisteddfod and the United Nations, bringing people from different nations and cultures together in an optimistic celebration of unity.”

Llangollen International Eisteddfod takes place from July 8-13 2025 and features headline concerts from The Who legend Roger Daltrey, KT Tunstall, Il Divo and Bryn Terfel with Fisherman's Friends. Tickets are available from llangollen.net

Update given on A5 traffic disruption

Traffic Wales has issued an update on work which is disrupting traffic on the A5 in Llangollen. 

* To see the full story in Leaderlive, go to: Update on work causing traffic disruption at A5 Llangollen | The Leader

Denbighshire is 'well-run and effective' says independent report

Denbighshire County Council is well run, exercises its functions effectively and acknowledges the challenges it has recently faced.

That's the positive verdict of the Panel Performance Assessment - a snapshot of how the authority is being run - approved by its Cabinet yesterday (Tuesday). 

The assessment, the first to be carried out in Wales, was held last September when a panel of independent experts evaluated key areas of the council’s performance.

 

It is a Welsh Government requirement that this evaluation is carried out every five years.

The panel interviewed Cabinet members, councillors, staff and a range of partners and in its findings concluded that overall, given the current context of significant demand and financial pressures, Denbighshire is a well-run council with key areas of strengths and innovation.

The report concluded that overall it exercises its functions effectively and also acknowledges the challenges it has recently faced. 

It also said the council has clear process in place to manage resources economically and efficiently and has navigated a decade of local government austerity well while protecting front line services where possible.

 

It found there are positive working relationships between staff and members and recognition among staff of the council’s ethos.  

Staff also demonstrated a "strong sense of pride in working for the authority" and showed a real commitment to making a difference to communities and a willingness to support staff from other council service areas when needed.

 

The panel noted areas of good practice and innovation, including a high degree of integration across social services and education and good engagement with staff and members and the Member Area Groups whereby members and officers meet in designated wards across the county to discuss residents’ local priorities and local impact issues.

Denbighshire’s Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets, Councillor Gwyneth Ellis, said: “The positive report is a reflection of staff’s efforts and commitment to the people of Denbighshire.

 

“As a council we welcomed the opportunity to participate and we have appreciated being given the chance to test ideas with impartial expert peers who can provide alternative perspectives. Having drawn up an action plan based on the recommendations, the Council will now work towards achieving these.”

 

Cabinet has recommended the report to council for approval to take forward action on key areas for improvement identified. 

* The full report can be found on the following link https://tinyurl.com/mr46f9k2

Ken Skates announces move from his Clwyd South seat after 14 years

* Ken Skates MS.

Ken Skates has said a fond farewell to the local constituency he has served on the Welsh Government for almost 14 years.

Large-scale boundary revisions mean that the next Senedd election in 2026 will be fought on a completely new electoral map under which his Clwyd South seat – including Llangollen – is due to disappear.

Welsh Labour member Mr Skates, who has his constituency office at the Malthouse on Regent Street, has therefore  announced his intention to seek selection for the neighbouring Wrexham constituency.

But the politician, who serves as Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, stresses he will continue to "give his all" to Clwyd South until the changes take place.

He said: “It has been the honour of my life to serve the people of Clwyd South since 2011, and I will be extremely sad to say goodbye to the communities and constituents I have worked alongside for more than a decade when the constituency ceases to exist next year. 

“I was born in Wrexham and studied for my NVQ in Wrexham. The city and county borough are a huge part of my life. I want to continue fighting for the interests of the area, and will be seeking selection to represent Wrexham. 

“I hope to be given the opportunity to help Wrexham continue on its upward trajectory and deliver for its communities, many of which I have represented as MS for Clwyd South. 

“In the meantime, and whatever else happens, I will continue to give my all to Clwyd South as I have done every day since May 2011. There are still a number of key priorities I want to see through, and I will do my utmost to help deliver them for local communities.” 

Under latest proposals announced by the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru (DBCC) last year the country would be split into 16 large constituencies instead of the present 40 smaller ones. 

Ninety-six members, rather than the present 60, would represent each constituency, with six being elected in each one. 

Everyone of 16+ will now have one vote, choosing a political party or independent candidate. 

The DBCC proposes the new constituency to which Llangollen would belong should be called simply Clwyd and based around the new Clwyd East and the Clwyd North parliamentary seats. 

The new Wrexham constituency which Mr Skates aims to represent would be called Fflint Wrecsam and combine the present Alyn and Deeside and the Wrexham constituencies. 

The Commission will publish its final decisions report at the end of this March.

Lots to enjoy at auction with entertainment on Friday

This Friday, February 21, St Collen’s Community Hall is hosting a Sip, Savour & Bid evening in aid of much-needed church funds.

And organisers say it promises delicious treats, exciting auction items and live entertainment.

Guests can enjoy a selection of wine and cheese while taking part in a Promise Auction, expertly led by auctioneer Andrew Conde. A variety of items have been generously donated by local businesses and organisations.  

Lots include:

* Wild Pheasant Spar for two

* Llangollen Eisteddfod Family ticket 2 adults, 3 children

* Llangollen Eisteddfod 'Choir of the World' 2 adults

* The Bridge End Hotel £30 voucher.

* The Fish Stall on the Market £25 voucher

* Bottle of Tobermory Malt Whisky

* Royal Doulton Ornament

* 2 Trendy Lamps

* 2 tickets XX Club performance of The Importance of Being Earnest

* Lily Rose £10 Voucher

* Torch - donated by Watkin & Williams

* Ty Nook £20 voucher

* Llangollen Golf Club 4 Ball

* Fouzi’s £20 Gift Voucher

* Sunday Lunch for 2 @ The Hand Hotel

* 2 Framed Prints St Collen’s Church.

Adding to the evening’s enjoyment will be live entertainment from Angharad Watts, a talented young soloist from Llangollen, and Phil Robinson (llanblogger), well-known for his old time music hall performances with the Collen Players.

The event begins at 7pm and tickets are priced at £5.

* For more information or to book your place, email: stcollens@gmail.com or phone 01978 869285.