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Cefn Mawr based choir Raise the Roof provided the entertainment at an afternoon tea in Llangollen Methodist Church yesterday (Saturday) afternoon.
They charmed a large audience with a wide selection of popular sing-along songs, including numbers from John Denver, Tom Springfield, The Beach Boys, Neil Diamond, Elvis Presley, Phil Spector and Abba.
The choir meets every Thursday evening at 7pm in St John's Church, Rhosymedre.
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* The sunflower story as it appears in Leaderlive.
Leaderlive has a story about Llangollen's "hidden field of sunflowers" which it says has been compared to "a scene from France" by visitors.
* For the full story, go to: https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/25427850.llangollens-amazing-sunflower-field-find/
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has announced today (Friday) that despite the change in weather, trigger levels have been met to move north Wales into drought status, closely following south east Wales, which declared drought earlier this month.
The decision was shared with a meeting of the Welsh Government’s Drought Liaison Group this morning, where the latest hydrological data and the wider implications of low river flows and groundwater levels was considered.
Concerns were shared about the impacts witnessed by NRW teams on the ground, as well as members of the public via its incident hotline.
In north Wales, more reports are being received about streams drying up and fish found in distress. A significant wildfire impacted the Newborough National Nature reserve over the bank holiday weekend, causing a temporary closure to the site.
Water companies confirm that drinking water supplies remain safe, and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water confirms there are no plans for any temporary use (hosepipe) bans.
People and businesses are advised to follow advice from Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and Hafren Dyfrdwy, and to continue to use water wisely to help ease pressures on the environment as well as water supplies.
Ben Wilson, Principal Advisor, from Natural Resources Wales said: “The rainfall this week will provide some welcome respite for our environment, land and wildlife, but it will take many months, and more consistent rainfall for our environment to fully recover.
“The six-month period between February and July was the driest since the drought of 1976, and has placed extreme pressure on our rivers, groundwaters, agriculture and wildlife. In some areas, this has caused river flows and groundwater levels to drop below historic lows.
“As we head into autumn, we continue to keep a close eye on weather forecasts, river flows and groundwater levels, as well as responding to reports of environmental incidents caused by the drought. We remain in close contact with the Welsh Government, water companies and other partners to provide a full picture of conditions across the country.”
Other impacts of the drought include the drying of private water supplies in some areas, impacts on land management, tree planting, navigation and recreations and farmers needing to seek alternative livestock watering supplies and supplementary feeding due to reduced grass growth and the loss of recently planted trees.
The areas affected by the move to drought status include:
As a whole for Wales, the period between February-July has been the 16th driest in 190 years (February-July) – and the driest since 1976.
Wales so far this year has received 555mm rainfall (Jan to July 2025), which is almost as dry as conditions in 2022, where the whole of Wales was placed into drought status by September.
As of Tuesday, August 26, Wales had only received 22.43% of the monthly average rainfall.
The majority of river flows across Wales are therefore low or exceptionally low, as are groundwater levels.
Ben added: “As climate change accelerates, summers in the UK are expected to become drier, and extreme weather events will become more frequent and intense.
“While essential water supplies remain safe, we’re urging people to think carefully about their own water usage in the home and at work, to protect supplies for the environment as well as public water supplies.
“If people are out and about enjoying the last of the summer holidays and see signs of environmental incidents – such as dry river beds, fish in distress or pollution – they should report it via our online incident form or call our 24-hour hotline on 0300 065 3000.”
Llangollen could benefit from Denbighshire County Council's re-opened Commercial Property Development Grant scheme.
The grant is open to commercial properties based in eight principal town and city centres across the county and must be within the town or city centre boundaries of one of the following to qualify: Llangollen, Corwen, Denbigh, Prestatyn, Rhuddlan, Rhyl, Ruthin and St Asaph.
The council secured funding from the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund to offer capital investment grants to regenerate commercial properties located in Denbighshire town and city centres.
The grant scheme, which forms part of the wider Town Centre Property Improvement Scheme Project, can provide individual projects with a grant from £5,000 to £50,000 to develop and upgrade a commercial property.
Funding for up to 70% of a project to enhance the exterior of a commercial property is available through this scheme, with £50,000 being the maximum amount that can be applied for.
Applicants are expected to be able to fund the remaining cost of the project themselves.
Cllr Jason McLellan, Lead Member for Economic Growth & Tackling Deprivation, said: “The Denbighshire Commercial Property Development Grant is a fantastic initiative targeting vacant, underutilised or untidy properties in town centres across Denbighshire to instigate improvements to visual amenity, stimulate investment, increase employment opportunities and improve the vibrancy of town centres.
“This new scheme will be an asset to any town centre-based businesses or commercial properties across the county looking to improve the exterior of their buildings to help enhance their premises and attract further business. Not only will they benefit the businesses in receipt of funding, but they will also lead to better presented town centres across Denbighshire that will improve the feel and perception of the areas, encouraging local people to take pride in their local town.”
* For more information about the scheme and how to apply for a grant, please visit the Denbighshire County Council website: https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/business/funding-and-grants/commercial-property-development-grant.aspx
* Aerial view of part of the field on Sports Day
Nestled up on a hill, sitting just beneath a medieval castle in Llangollen, Ysgol Dinas Brân’s Sports Day, which this year falls on the last day of term, is a little different than what is traditionally offered.
An assembly kicks off the day, with a presentation of the year’s achievements displayed on the Sports Hall wall, supported by a soundtrack provided by pupil-formed band, who impressively cover a number of Oasis’s greatest hits. The presentation also included teachers' stories of their sporting pasts, signifying the importance of sport throughout school.
Once the presentation is over, the sports day, which has also formerly been referred to as The Dinas Brân Olympics, commences.
* A pupil-formed band playing at presentation
Setting up the day is a big task, and starts early in the day, with the Head of Department for PE, Neil Garvey, and other staff arriving at 6am to prepare.
By 9am, set up in the middle of the school field are a number a 5-a side pitches, a mini golf course with multiple holes, and an inflatable obstacle course.
Further along the field sits a massive inflatable dart board for foot darts, played with footballs in place of the more traditional darts, a tall climbing wall, and both football and rugby target practice, respectively.
Also on offer is a Tug of War contest, canoeing on the nearby canal, Just Dance sessions, and more traditional events such as running races (100m, 400m) and shotput.
* Climbing Wall
An ice cream van and a snack stall are the menu of the day with teachers getting to choose the soundtrack to the events. Although an element of competitiveness will always be the case with some events, this day is ultimately set up to have fun and try new experiences.
Once on the field, some pupils rush to get all geared-up to scale the climbing wall, others grasp tightly onto their putters as they traverse the mini-golf section of the field. The variety on offer means that a whole host of hobbies and activities are represented on this sports day.
There are no leader boards, charts or placements for a vast majority of the activities on offer today, as participation is the aim for this sports day, with the idea being that the wide array of activities will help with pupil participation and engagement.
Year groups all take their turn throughout the day taking part in the numerous activities spread across two school fields, and part of Llangollen’s famous canal, as they run, climb, kick, putt, paddle and jump in the name of a tweaked and different sports day, which feels more of a celebration than a competition.
In the afternoon staff take their turn, with sack races set up where teachers hop head-to-head to reach the finish line first, with pupils cheering them on.
PE head Neil Garvey explained: “Our sports day is a little different than your traditional sports day. We changed our approach to it around 12 years ago to try and increase the number of pupils participating in the events.
"The previous Head of Department, Helen Davies, set this up, we sat down as a team to come up with ideas to help change the whole idea of a sports day to get more pupils involved. This was her idea, and is something that we have built on year on year. Each year we have added new events, and partnered up with local businesses in the area to get things such as a big inflatable obstacle course and the climbing wall.
"Since we made the tweaks, the number of pupils participating have gone through the roof. You can see on their faces, the pupils really enjoy this approach.”
Dinas Brân pupil Jimi said: “I think our sports day is actually the best you could ever have! You have all sorts of events like rock climbing and football, anything you’d want to do really.
"This year I’ve most enjoyed the climbing wall, as I’d never really done it before and some of the athletics.”
* A pupil tries foot darts
Maggie, another pupilsaid: “Ysgol Dinas Brân does an excellent sports day as it gives a chance to pupils who don’t usually do sports a chance to try new activities.
"I’ve really enjoyed the inflatable obstacle course with my friends and the races.”
The school's head Mark Hatch said: “The whole purpose of this format is for health and wellbeing, and getting out there. It’s an inclusive day which has everyone trying something new, being active and enjoying themselves.
"It’s all about getting the pupils out there, enjoying something different and giving them a whole new set of experiences, and to create a really fun day too.”
Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council (DVSC) is hosting a Denbighshire Volunteer Involving Organisations Network (VIO) for Third Sector Organisations to meet in person and discuss their upcoming projects as well as to exchange ideas on raising the profile of volunteering.
The aim is for groups to find out more about the Volunteering MOT for their organisation and updates on the Volunteering Wales & TSSW Knowledge Hub.
The network is open to all third sector organisations and community groups operating in Denbighshire and its aim is to focus mainly on:
· Increasing the pool of volunteers
· Promoting the involvement of volunteers within the third sector in Denbighshire
· Establishing good practice in relation to volunteer involvement in Denbighshire
· Providing practical support for volunteer involving organisations
· Sharing learning in relation to new developments within volunteering and related areas
· Sharing experience of policy and practice in relation to volunteering to develop and enhance existing practice
· Raising the profile of volunteering and the third sector among key stakeholders
* To book for the event to be held at the Naylor Leyland Centre in Ruthin from 10am-noon on Wednesday October 1, go to: bit.ly/DVSCVIONetworkOct2025
Isuzu D-Max V-Cross drive by Steve Rogers
The pick-up market has been on a rollercoaster ride with big names dropping out, some bouncing back, newcomers joining the fray, and all the while the Isuzu D-Max has taken its chance and piled on the sales. Last year was its best ever, shifting 6,600.
And it has worked hard for its success offering a variety of models to attract the adventure seekers but never losing sight of its core value as a fear nothing off roader.
The Japanese company has also played a clever tactical game, constantly updating and this year has seen a raft of improvements with changes to the body, the interior and its off-road capabilities.
Life has got tougher, however, with the Government bringing double cab pick-ups into line with cars taking away the generous tax break for company car drivers.
But what about this for a result. D-Max went head to head with the mighty Toyota Hi-lux reviewed last week and in the Rogers household came out a clear winner. I should say the toughest challenge faced by both pick-ups was hauling my caravan to and from a steep field, hardly taxing, so this comparison is based purely on road driving.
My wife set the tone declaring ‘nice light steering, I like it already’ and she had only driven off the drive. Her verdict that the ride was not as jittery as the Hilux was a surprise because the last time I drove a D-Max it didn’t take much to send you bobbling about in the seat.
But she was right, D-Max has been transformed. It is nowhere near as smooth as an SUV but the suspension improvements have settled the ride and any jolts caused by uneven surfaces have been well and truly tamed.
Isuzu’s recipe for success is to pack the D-Max with kit and answer the critics with a quality upgrade in the cabin. The old model looked a bit plasticy and dated but that has been sorted with a modern digital driver display with information selected from steering wheel buttons, and a larger, upgraded touchscreen. There is no onboard navigation but smart phones can be paired through Android Auto or Apple CarPlay with wireless charging on top models.
All models are well supplied but lifestylers who like their creature comforts will make for V-Cross. That packs a host of goodies like auto dipping LED headlights, all round electric windows, power adjustments for the driver’s seat, leather upholstery, reversing camera and keyless entry with walkaway locking the standout features.
There is also a new Steel edition which adds a lot of badge branding in the cabin and around the body with coloured wheel arch fender flare kit, side graphics, LED scruff plates and illuminated puddle lamps. It adds a hefty four grand to the bottom line, critically pushing it through the £40,000 barrier that brings additional costs.
For all this the feature that had us and two passengers shouting wow were the full beam headlights. LED headlights are bright, some say too bright, but the D-Max was off the scale throwing a massive square of white light, the likes of which we had never seen before. Later we realised the extra beam came from an LED strip across the roof!
D-Max has led the way in pick-up safety and was the first to get a five-star NCAP crash test rating in 2022 but it has not rested on its laurels adding more safety. It uses radar to
stop the car backing out of a parking space into the path of an approaching vehicle or pedestrian, or changing lanes if there is a vehicle coming up in the blind spot. Double cab models have eight airbags. That is just a sample of what is available.
For those who need to mix it with the rough stuff D-Max has just about everything you need with three drive modes, 2 high for people like me, four-wheel drive high, and four wheel drive low for when the going gets really tough, along with hill descent.
The area where D-Max could not match the Toyota is engine power. There is only one option, a 1.9 litre diesel. It does the job but has that guttural agricultural din and is some way off the Toyota’s refinement and huge torque advantage. Nevertheless it has the same towing and carrying capacity and was more economical recording an impressive 39mpg on a 150 drive through rural Wales and 24.4mpg with caravan in tow.
Isuzu has pitched its model range brilliantly with something for everyone. If you want it as a family vehicle you will feel at home quickly.
Fast facts
V-Cross Steel edition
£42,705 (starts £27,755 single cab)
1.9 litre TD; 162bhp. 6sp automatic
0-62mph 13secs; 112mph
30.7mpg combined
241g/km
Payload 1070kg
Towing: 3,500kg
Warranty: 5 years/125,000 miles
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It says: "Our team has been made aware over recent days of more scam text messages notifying the recipient that they need to pay an unpaid parking charge.
"The imposed deadline for payment adds an element of urgency and a suggestion that not paying in a timely manner may impact the recipient's credit rating or result in their licence being revoked may result in some recipients worrying or panicking causing them to click on the link in an attempt to resolve the situation.
"Anyone who clicks on the link will be taken to a malicious fraudulent website that may try to install malware on your device and capture your payment card details. Be careful about clinking on links within text messages or emails unless you are able to verify their validity.
"A colleague who received one of these messages was even added into a group of several recipients, and some people within the group were replying to say that they would make the payment. These messages may even be part of the scam and another social engineering trick to encourage victims to also pay.
"Please take the time to speak to family and friends who you think may panic or worry if they receive a message like this and pre-warn then that it is a scam. If you get messages like this, report them to your provider by forwarding them to 7726."
Singer Russell Watson was spotted in Llangollen yesterday (Sunday).
The star, who made his name through operatic numbers but has now developed into other styles, was pictured standing on the rocks in the dry river bed on a busy holiday afternoon.
With him was his dog and his post reads: "Sunday vibes with my main man Axel, Couldn't ask for better company."
His Facebook feed shows that just a couple of days earlier the Irlam-born singer was on another river - one which looks like the Rhine or Moselle - aboard a cruise ship.
The Llangollen post had attracted over 100 Likes up to this morning and when shared locally someone suggested that it was a pity they'd missed him as they could have tried to sign him up for the special show being staged by Llangollen Operatic Society and other groups at the Town Hall on October 25 dedicated to their late choreographer Sarah Marshall.
The star-studded event aims to raise money for two of Sarah's chosen charities, Nightingale House Hospice and Friends of the Earth.
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The three Llangollen area lads cycling to Thailand to visit their friend and raise money for heart research have hit the BBC Wales online headlines.
Dyfan Hughes, 17, James Thomas, 18, and Louis Dennis, 18, had never ridden a bike further than the shop near their homes when they headed out a few weeks go on their 18-month quest to reach their destination in Asia.
They they aim to meet up with their friend Harrison who moved to Thailand six months ago after his dad died from a heart attack.
Speaking to the BBC reporter who called them late last week, James said they were then on day 21 of their adventure and were pedalling through Germany.
He said: "Yesterday I punctured my bike, actually, and none of
us have had to fix that before, but we kind of came together and figured it
out, and it was great.
"Everything's all right now with the bikes, we haven't
had many difficulties with the bikes yet."
He said the three of them went on a four-week course where
Drosi Bikes shop in Llangollen taught them "most stuff that'll happen to our bike and
how to fix it, which helped a lot".
The trio said they were doing the journey to raise money for the British Heart Foundation and have gained 25,000 followers on Instagram and 87,700 followers on TikTok.
James added: "There's definitely a few countries we can't go through because of wars, because of some of their laws. It took like two or three months of planning.
"We had a time range where we had to leave because we
didn't want it to be winter going through Europe.
"We planned it out so that we can get to Kazakhstan for
April, because then the weather is not too cold."
In their own daily short film updates earlier last week they recorded reaching Cologne in Germany, staying at one of the Warm Showers B&Bs they're using along the route.
Next big milestone was Koblenz and a ferry across the Rhine river - and also a welcome dip in a local swimming in a bid to ward off the 30 degree heat hitting central Europe right now.
* To see the lads' story on BBC online, go to: Llangollen teens start year-long cycle to Thailand - BBC News
* To follow their journey on their social media and make a donation if you wish: https://linktr.ee/westheads
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A trail in Llangollen has been named one of the best pub walks in the UK by one of the world's leading outdoor experts.
* For the full story, see Leaderlive at: Llangollen trail named among the best pub walks in the UK | The Leader
* Producer/composer Owain Llwyd watches as Axel Drioli helps residents Kathleen Taylor and John Carson don their headsets.
A Dee Valley composer whose music has been used to promote blockbuster TV series like Game of Thrones has taken care home residents on a “magical journey”.
The faces of residents of Pendine Park’s Bryn Seiont Newydd care home, Caernarfon, lit up after they put on virtual reality goggles to experience the wild and wonderful sounds of a beautiful woodland while sitting in their armchairs.
The immersive experience is the brainchild of award-winning composer and arranger Owain Llwyd, originally from Glyndyfrdwy near Llangollen, whose work has also been featured on other TV shows like X-Factor, Top Gear and Countryfile.
Owain’s original music was used in a trailer for the hit TV series Game of Thrones while another of his tracks popped up in a trailer promoting the Will Smith movie, Men in Black.
Bryn Seiont resident Kathleen Taylor said: “It was fantastic. It was just as if I was there in the woods, listening to the birds and watching the deer, marvellous and uplifting.”
Kathleen and the other residents were among the first ever to experience the new Wild Sounds of Wales project devised by Owain and a team of experts.
Other members include wildlife TV producer and director Jacinth Latta, wildlife sound recordist and spatial audio designer Axel Drioli, of Sounding Wild, and virtual reality artist Domonic White, of Nature’s Racers.
The collaboration is piloting the first of what they hope will become a successful series of experiences where sight, sound and music converge to replicate unforgettable journeys through nature.
They chose Dinefwr Park, one of the most beautiful nature reserves in Wales, for the pilot project but Owain says their ambition is to develop similar virtual reality journeys through beautiful landscapes across Wales.
Owain, who studied music at Bangor University, has worked extensively with Welsh National Opera orchestra and his concert compositions have been performed by renowned artists ranging from harpist Catrin Finch to the Black Dyke Brass Band.
He first came to prominence on winning all five Composer’s Medals in both the Urdd National Eisteddfod and the National Eisteddfod of Wales between 2002 and 2005 – the only composer to ever have achieved this accolade.
Owain, who now lives in the Cardiff area, said he has always been strongly inspired by the natural environment and wildlife.
He said: “I feel strongly that we must all work together to help reverse the man-made climate crisis which the world is now facing. Musically I’ve always been inspired by nature and the thought that we might lose treasured wildlife habitats forever is heartbreaking.
“The Wild Sounds of Wales project began because I wanted to do something innovative to reflect the importance of nature in our lives.
“I realised that virtual reality could be combined with music to transport audiences into the very environment which inspired it.
"The project was developed around a unique collaboration with the WNO Orchestra, whose performance of the score is central to the experience.
“Axel and I set out to create a sonic experience where nature and orchestra would exist in perfect balance.
“The musical score draws inspiration from the calls of birds and other native Welsh wildlife, while the soundscape in turn responded to and was shaped by the music."
Owain was excited about composing a musical score based on the sounds of birds, insects and other native wildlife of Wales, then overlaying the actual sounds of these animals onto that.
The idea evolved to include the creation of a 360 degree film made so people would be able to see that environment while listening to the music.
Support, including some funding for the project, was secured from a number of organisations including the Arts Council of Wales, PRS Foundation, National Trust Cymru, Cadw, The National Landscapes Association, and Arts and Business Cymru.
Other key partners include Disability Arts Cymru, Tŷ Cerdd, Wales Millennium Centre, VERE Experiences, Urdd Gobaith Cymru, Am, Wildlife Trust of South & West Wales, Eryri National Park Authority, Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, the National Eisteddfod, Tŷ Pawb and Pendine Park organisation.
Pendine Park owners, Mario and Gill Kreft, have long advocated the benefits of using arts and music as therapeutic tools in a health and social care setting.
They were the first care home group in Wales to commission a full time artist in residence, Sarah Edwards, and musician in residence, Nia Davies Williams.
Nia is now a much-loved and familiar face to residents at Bryn Seiont, having worked in the care sector for more than 15 years.
She said the Wild Sounds of Wales project was a valuable and innovative way of bringing nature to those who are no longer able to easily access it.
Nia added: “For those with mobility issues or in need of long-term care, who cannot easily get out into the landscapes that they love, this is a wonderful way of bringing the sights and sounds of those landscapes directly to them.
“The virtual reality aspect of it puts them right there at the heart of the environment that the music is describing.
“Watching our residents today get such a kick out of using the headsets and immersing themselves in the sights and sounds was a real joy.”
Retired radiologist Dr John Jones said: “It felt so real, I tried to move the leaves using my stick. It was a breath-takingly beautiful landscape.”
Fellow resident John Carson added: “I have never used these type of headsets before. I have seen them on TV but never quite understood how they worked until now. What amazing technology. It really does transport you on a wonderful journey.”
Owain said: “We have genuinely been moved by the way the residents here have engaged so positively with the whole experience.
“It’s extremely humbling for us as creatives to think we have helped take them on a journey to a place which is no longer easy for them to access. It’s been a heart-warming process for us all and we thank everyone at Pendine Park for helping make this happen.”
Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has launched an International Flag Appeal to help keep the flags of many different countries flying from the town’s famous bridge all year round.
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