Latest local roadworks update from Denbighshire County Council

Latest local roadworks update from Denbighshire County Council is: 

ADJACENT DRILL HALL WERN ROAD, 09/09/2026 - 11/09/2026, Adnewyddu Polyn / Renew Pole PLATINUM TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

OUTSIDE PROPERTY KNOWN AS TREVOR HALL LODGE, LLANGOLLEN ROAD, A539, 01/09/2026 - 03/09/2026, Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY

OUTSIDE PROPERTY KNOWN AS 14-18 BRIDGE STREET, 15/09/2026 - 17/09/2026, Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Heol y Farchnad / Market Street, 10/10/2026 - 11/10/2026, Gwyl Fwyd Llangollen / Llangollen Food Festival CHAPTER 8 SOLUTIONS LTD, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

OPPOSITE ARNON TERRACE, ABBEY ROAD, 07/09/2026 - 18/09/2026, Atgyweirio Wal / Wall Repairs CORE HIGHWAYS (WREXHAM)

A542 Geraint , Llangollen, 21/09/2026, Torri Coed / Tree Cutting CHEVRON TM

OUTSIDE 36 TO 51 CHURCH STREET, 23/09/2026 - 25/09/2026, Gwaith BT/ BT Works SUNBELT RENTALS (DCC), Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

SIDE OF 9 TO ADJACENT 4 ABBEY ROAD, 23/09/2026 - 25/09/2026, Gwaith BT/ BT Works SUNBELT RENTALS (DCC), Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

Harley-Davidson riders say 'thanks for welcoming us' to Llangollen

* Webmaster Paul Jones (third for right in green tee-shirt) with fellow members of the Deva Legion outside the Pavilion where their Rally in the Valley was based again at the weekend. 

The large group of Harley-Davidson riders who used Llangollen Pavilion as the base for a big annual rally over the weekend have said a collective thank you to the people of town for the warm welcome they gave them yet again.

Chester-based Deva Legion of the Harley-Davidson Owners' Group - HOG for short - have been staging their Rally in the Valley locally for the past 10 years or so. And this year they returned to make the Pavilion their HQ.

They've been using the venue not only as the starting and finishing points for a series of rides by enthusiasts of the mighty American cruising bikes to various points of north Wales but also a place to pitch their tents and park their campervans.

On the Friday and Saturday evenings of their stay they also used the Pavilion and its many facilities to host entertainment in the shape of live bands and disco sessions, all helped along by a couple of bars.

"We keep coming back to Llangollen because of the quality of the rides we're able to plan through some stunning countryside and to seaside resorts like Llandudno but also because the Pavilion is the ideal venue," said Paul Jones, the Deva Legion webmaster.

"It's got all the facilities we need, is set in some beautiful countryside, the field has a one-way system to help the bikes safely manoeuvre around and is close at hand for the local B&Bs and the awesome town centre."

Paul explained that this year's rally - it has a Wild Wild West theme which has meant some inventive costumes - attracted around 450 riders and guests, some 120 gleaming Harleys ... and lots of local goodwill.

"After our rides out on Friday and Saturday we arrived back in town as a large group and lots of people came out to welcome us with cheers and waves. It was the same story at other places we rode through along the route, with some even waving Welsh flags."

One of the key reasons for staging the rally each year is to raise as much money as possible for Merseyside-based Claire House Children's Hospice which helps seriously and terminally-ill children make the most of the time they have, however long or short that may be. 

In the past decade Deva Legion has collected over £50,000 for what is its dedicated charity, with money coming from a range of activities, including donations from traders they use at the rally venues and raffles with lots of valuable prizes, all donated by well-wishers, like this year's £600 360-degree camera for mounting aboard a bike.

Paul said: "Last year we were able to donate £3,500 to Claire House and, although we haven't yet added things up there are some positive signs for the latest total."

And that big thank you to Llangollen?

"We hope our rally and rides bring something a little special to the town. The welcome we always get when we come to Llangollen is phenomenal, so we'd all like to say thanks for having us again.

"We'd also like to say thanks to Keith Potts, who runs the Pavilion, whose hard at work for us from early in the morning until late at night. Nothing is too much trouble for him."  

Railway marks Owain Glyndŵr Day with special fare to Corwen

Visitors are being encouraged to take the train to Corwen on Wednesday September 16 for Owain Glyndŵr Day, with Llangollen and Corwen Railway offering a special £14.16 fare to mark 1416, traditionally cited as the year of the Welsh hero's death.  

The railway has also specially brought forward its departure from Llangollen to 9.30am, making sure passengers can arrive in Corwen in time to attend a 10.30am Service of Celebration at Eglwys Seion Chapel.

The year 1416 is taken from the remarkable statue in Corwen, close to the railway station.

Passengers can enjoy the journey through the spectacular Dee Valley to Corwen, take part in the Owain Glyndŵr Day celebrations and then jump back aboard the 1.45pm train from Corwen.

A full programme of events is planned, bringing together the local community, schoolchildren and visitors to celebrate the life and legacy of one of the most important figures in Welsh history.

After arriving by train, visitors can make their way to Eglwys Seion Chapel, Bridge Street, Corwen, where the Service of Celebration begins at 10.30am.

At 11.15am, a procession featuring local schoolchildren will leave Seion Chapel and make its way through Corwen to the Owain Glyndŵr statue on the town square.

The procession will be followed by a short wreath-laying ceremony at the Owain Glyndŵr statue, giving the community and visitors an opportunity to commemorate his life and legacy.

Following the ceremony, visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy a special light lunch at the Owain Glyndŵr Hotel. The lunch is an optional extra, with the additional cost payable directly at the hotel.

There will then be time to enjoy Corwen before making the short journey back to the station for the 1.45pm return train.

Who was Owain Glyndŵr?

Owain Glyndŵr is one of the most celebrated figures in Welsh history. A descendant of Welsh princes, he was proclaimed Prince of Wales in 1400 and led a major uprising against English rule which spread across much of Wales.

Glyndŵr established a Welsh parliament and pursued a vision for a Wales with its own institutions, including universities. Although the uprising was eventually suppressed, Glyndŵr was never captured and the circumstances surrounding his final years and death remain uncertain.

More than six centuries later, his legacy continues and he remains a powerful symbol of Welsh identity, history and culture, with Owain Glyndŵr Day celebrated each year on September 16.

The Owain Glyndŵr Day offer is also part of the railway's growing partnership with Corwen. 

This includes the railway's Glyndwr Steam Roast, which combines a heritage steam train journey from Llangollen to Corwen with a traditional Sunday roast at the community-run Owain Glyndŵr Hotel. 

Paul Reynolds, a senior volunteer at Llangollen and Corwen Railway and Head of the Responsible Officer’s Department, said: “Owain Glyndŵr Day is an important occasion for Corwen and for Wales, and we are delighted that the Railway can play a part in helping people come and enjoy the celebrations.

“This is also part of our developing partnership with Corwen. The Glyndwr Steam Roast, working with the Owain Glyndŵr Hotel, is another example of how we can use the railway to bring people into the town, give them time to explore and support the local community.”

Wayne Ronneback, Station Master at Corwen, said: “Corwen might be the end of the railway line, but we want it to be the start of people’s visit to the town. There is so much history here and Owain Glyndŵr Day is a fantastic opportunity for people to come and discover it.

“For us at Corwen Station, it is about making that connection between the railway and the town even stronger. We want people to step off the train, explore Corwen, visit our businesses and attractions and be part of the local community.

“Heritage railways are about much more than trains. Corwen Station is part of the community here, and we are really looking forward to welcoming passengers off the 9.30am train and seeing them head into town to enjoy this very special Welsh celebration."

Can llanblogger readers help solve a history mystery?

* Number 1150 Haro Street, Vancouver where the  

James Preston Tomkins lived before moving to Llangollen.

A history blogger is hoping the people of Llangollen can help him fill in missing parts of the puzzle of why a wealthy American-born businessman ended up living and dying in dire poverty in this town over 120 years ago.

Canadian James Johnstone has been delving into the life of James Preston Tompkins who had been a highly prominent and well-off figure in Vancouver in the late 19th century before moving across the Atlantic with his wife.

After coming to live in Llangollen the couple, and their daughter who was born here, fell into destitution and Tompkins eventually died a pauper.

Mr Johnstone has now contacted llanblogger to see if any of our readers can shed any light on what happened in those fateful final years.

He writes: "Though I am currently retired and live in Italy, I run a history blog based in my hometown of Vancouver, Canada and recently uncovered an extraordinary, tragic historical link between Vancouver, BC, and Llangollen that I thought your readers might find fascinating.

"In the 1890s, an American-born man named James Preston Tompkins was a highly prominent, wealthy figure in Vancouver. He and his London, England-born wife Florence Helena Marshall, were local celebrities, heavily followed by the Canadian press during a lavish honeymoon across East Asia and Australia.

"However, in the early 1900s, the couple relocated to Llangollen. While living there, Tompkins was allegedly swindled out of his entire personal fortune. He fell into absolute destitution, ultimately reduced to selling matches on the streets of Llangollen to survive, and died a pauper."

It was claimed he was swindled out of thousands of dollars by a Columbian attorney while his back was turned.

Mr Johnstone adds: "I am trying to track down the Welsh chapter of his life, specifically how he was cheated, where he lived, and where he is buried  - likely a pauper's grave in the area.

"If you think your readers would be interested in this local history mystery, I would love to collaborate. Perhaps a short feature on your blog could help connect me with any local historians or residents who might recognize the story or know where the town's historical burial records are kept."

* This last news article relating to James Preston Tompkins reprinted by Vancouver's Daily News Advertiser from an article from the June 13th London Morning Leader reveals the sad story. 

In his history blog Mr Johnstone records that sometime in 1891, the Tompkins family departed Vancouver one last time - and this time it is forever. 

He writes: "The family moved to the small town of Llangollen in Denbighshire in northern Wales. In 1897, a daughter, Florence 'Florrie' Helen Tompkins was born in Kingston upon Thames in Surrey, England. She was baptised in Llangollen, Denbighshire, Wales on July 7, 1897. 

"For a time, the Tompkins family enjoyed an idyllic, privileged existence there until financial disaster strikes the family.

"The Tompkins family were listed in the 1901 Wales Census. It lists their address and Penycoed, which is a road name but also the name of a wooded area on the southeast outskirts of Llangollen.

"If you look at the profession listed for James Preston Tompkins he is listed as a self-employed 'Hawker'. What happened to Tompkins family's former wealth?

"Sometime before or in early April in 1902, James Preston Tompkins passed away at the age of 69 in Corwen, Denbighshire, a small town about 16 kilometres west of Llangollen."

* You can read the first part of James Johnstone's remarkable riches-to-rags story of James Preston Tomkins on his blog at: https://househistorian.blogspot.com/2026/03/1150-haro-street-revisitation-part-1.html 

* And if you can help fill in the missing parts of the puzzle, please email us at: llanblogger@gmail.com 

Llangollen homes chosen for soft plastics collection trial

Llangollen is one of seven Denbighshire towns chosen for soft plastics collection trial.

It will begin on Monday September 14 and aims to find the best way to collect and recycle plastic bags and wrapping.

This is in preparation for forthcoming Welsh Government changes to recycling requirements.

Denbighshire County Council has invited a total of around 4,500 homes to take part in the trial. Residents invited live in a mix of housing types and areas so that the council can get a good and fair understanding of how different homes will use the service.

The areas chosen include Llangollen, Denbigh, Prestatyn, Rhyl, Rhuddlan, Corwen and Efenechtyd.

The council says homes selected for the trial will receive a leaflet explaining how it works between Monday and Friday September 7 and 11. The last collection in the trial is on Friday December 4.

Options regarding collecting future soft plastics will be considered once the trial has been reviewed, and any future changes will be communicated to residents at the appropriate time, explains the council.

Llangollen man's walking marathon for cancer support

                                   

Alasdair Mackin, 48, from Llangollen, has set off on foot from the Shooting Star ward at Wrexham Maelor Hospital this morning (Friday) for a three-day walk that will see him end at the peak of Yr Wyddfa.

* For the full story in the Leader, go to: https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/26518010.llangollen-mans-walking-feat-macmillan-cancer-support/

Over 100 Harley-Davidsons riding through town today

Over 100 Harley-Davidson motorcycles will be rumbling through Llangollen this afternoon (Friday).

They'll be arriving in town at about 2.15pm after rides starting on the Horseshoe Pass earlier in the day and taking in Ruthin, Denbigh, St Asaph, Rhos-on-Sea and Llandudno.  

The rides are part of Deva Legion’s Rally in the Valley, based in Llangollen and giving visiting riders the chance to experience some of the scenery, towns and villages of North Wales. 

A spokesperson for Deva Legion, which supports Claire House Children's Hospice, said: "We’d love to see local people come out and wave as the bikes pass through. Bring the family, bring your cameras and enjoy the sight and sound of more than 100 Harleys rumbling by. You certainly don’t need to be a motorcyclist to enjoy the spectacle."

Llangollen Fringe Festival 2026 starts tomorrow

* Gwenno.

* Skinny Lister.

* Nubiyan Twist.

Llangollen Fringe starts tomorrow (Friday) with 10 nights of live music, comedy and free events across the town 

Llangollen Fringe Festival gets underway tomorrow (Friday), bringing 10 nights of live music and comedy to the town alongside a packed programme of free performances, workshops, family events and traditional music.

Running from September 4–13, this year’s festival welcomes artists from Wales and across the world, with Mr Scruff, Skinny Lister, Ryan Young, BCUC, Talisk, Nubiyan Twist, Gwenno, Kasai Masai and The Selecter among the headline acts at Llangollen Town Hall.

The festival opens tomorrow with a Comedy Club headlined by Andrew Maxwell, known for Live at the Apollo, Have I Got News For You and Mock the Week, before Mr Scruff & MC Kwasi take over the Town Hall on Saturday.

From there, the ten-night programme brings everything from Scottish folk and Welsh-language music to South African sounds, Congolese rhythms, soul, jazz and 2-Tone to Llangollen.

Llangollen Fringe Artistic Director Neal Thompson said: “There’s a real buzz building in Llangollen. We’ve got ten brilliant nights at the Town Hall, with artists coming here from across Wales and the UK, as well as South Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Canada and beyond.”

Alongside the headline concerts, dozens of events across the festival are free.

New for 2026, Scotland Introducing, presented in partnership with Showcase Scotland Expo, brings some of Scotland’s finest folk artists to Llangollen. Mairi McGillivray, Abigail Pryde, Luke Daniels Trio, Niamh Corkey and Findlay Napier will perform free showcases at The Hand Hotel, while Tom Campbell Trio appear at the Town Hall supporting Talisk.

Acclaimed Scottish fiddler Ryan Young and Talisk also feature as headline artists within the programme.

Music Around Town will fill Gales’ Wine Bar, The Hand Hotel, Three Eagles and Bridge End Hotel with free live music on Sunday 6 and Saturday 12 September, while Trad Lab brings free traditional music workshops, sessions and performances throughout the festival.

There is plenty for families too. With the children back at school, the fun continues at Fringe with free opportunities to try percussion, puppetry, poetry and more, as well as The Dinosaurs Are Back! and a dinosaur workshop at the Town Hall on Saturday September 12.

The wider programme also includes spoken word, performances and events throughout the town, including Canadian singer-songwriter Dave Gunning and Welsh-Arabic ensemble Panedeni.

Tickets remain available for headline shows throughout the ten days, including Andrew Maxwell, Mr Scruff & MC Kwasi, Skinny Lister, Ryan Young, BCUC, Talisk, Nubiyan Twist, Gwenno, Kasai Masai and The Selecter.

A limited number of Festival Passes giving access to all ten headline nights for £120 are also available.

* Tickets, free event registration and the full programme: llangollenfringe.co.uk

New opportunities for musicians provided at Fringe this weekend

A new programme of free workshops, open traditional music sessions and shared music-making will launch at Llangollen Fringe this weekend, creating new opportunities for musicians, singers, learners and curious newcomers to get involved in traditional music.

Llangollen Trad Lab runs from September 6–13 September, bringing together experienced artists, emerging musicians and participants in a welcoming environment built around learning, playing and connecting with others.

The programme puts Welsh traditional music and Cymraeg at its heart, with workshops exploring Welsh tunes and song alongside session skills, tune arrangement, Arabic folk singing and percussion. A series of open sessions throughout the week will give people the chance to bring an instrument and join in, share tunes and meet other musicians – or simply come along and listen.

Artists and facilitators include Aneirin Jones (Vrï), Patrick Rimes (Vrï), Sarah Zyborska (SERA), Gwilym Bowen Rhys, Katie Stevens, Yasmine Latkowski (Panedeni), Joëlle Barker, Andy Hickie and Angharad Huw, with musicians from Wales and further afield leading sessions throughout the festival.

The response has already been strong, with several workshops reaching capacity ahead of the festival and places still available across parts of the programme.

Trad Lab has been developed by Caroline Murphy in partnership with Llangollen Fringe, with the aim of creating more opportunities for people to experience traditional music as something they can actively take part in, as well as enjoy from an audience.

Caroline Murphy said: “Trad Lab is really about creating the kind of environment where people feel comfortable turning up, learning something new and playing music together. You don’t need toalready be part of a traditional music scene or know all the tunes. We’re all there to learn, share, meet people and connect through music.

“There is so much brilliant traditional music activity in Wales, but we need more visible opportunities for people to participate and for musicians to connect with each other. Llangollen Fringe gives us a brilliant setting to bring that together, with Welsh music and Cymraeg sitting alongside traditions and artists from around the world.”

The wider Fringe programme is an important part of Trad Lab, encouraging participants to move between workshops, sessions and live performances and experience traditional, folk and global music in different settings.

This includes Scotland Introducing, with free performances from Scottish traditional and folk artists, alongside festival appearances from artists including Talisk, BCUC, Nubiyan Twist, Kasai Masai, Ryan Young, Panedeni and more.

The project is supported through Tŷ Cerdd’s Cronfa Tradd Fund, funded by the Arts Council of Wales in response to its recent Traditional Music Review. The new fund supports grassroots and participatory traditional music activity across Wales, creating more opportunities for people to take part, share and connect through music.

To help people explore everything happening across the week, Trad Lab has also created a Trad · Folk · Global Festival Guide, bringing workshops, open sessions and festival highlights from across Llangollen Fringe together in one place. Available in English and Cymraeg, visitors can browse events and build their own festival schedule.

All Trad Lab workshops are free, with advance booking required. Open sessions are free and open to everyone.

* Explore the Trad Lab Festival Guide: https://llangollen.netlify.app/

* Full programme and workshop booking: https://llangollenfringe.co.uk/whats-on/trad-lab

Healing Prayer drop-in at Penllyn Chapel this Saturday

Film evening for Tibet floods will re-live 1976 kayaking expedition

* Paddling action from the 1976 Dudh Kosi Expedition.

* A '76 paddler on a glacier. 

A legendary kayaking expedition half a century ago that was first to journey down the extreme whitewater flowing from Mount Everest will be re-lived at Llangollen Town Hall next month in aid of people hit by the Tibet-Nepal floods.

In 1976 Dr Mike Jones led the expedition to paddle the Dudh Kosi River that flows from the Khumbu glacier to the Sun Kosi river. 

The team drove overland the 6,500 miles through Europe, Yugoslavia, Greece, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India to get to Nepal (and after the expedition back again).

The kayakers battled extreme, freezing rapids and waterfalls originating from the Khumbu glacier.

The Nepal part of this expedition was filmed for HTV by Leo Dickinson and Mark Reynolds and went on to win multiple film awards.

Four of the original team along with Dickinson will be presenting the original, re-mastered HTV film at Llangollen Town Hall on Saturday October 17.

Also to be shown is a short Super 8mm film showing the drive overland to Kathmandu.

On display will be one of the original Pyranha kayaks which was paddled on the expedition, the original GoPro camera and other memorabilia.

Another key feature of the evening, which begins at 7.30pm and has an entrance fee of £10, will be an auction with support from Pyranha, Palm, TNR, Cwm Alis, FlowFree Coaching, NRS, Bearded Men Adventures and others still welcome.

Money raised will go to Aquabox, an operation almost entirely volunteer based which ships out mechanical filters to provide clean water in crisis situations around the world as has already despatched equipment to the Nepal-Tibet.

Dave Manby, one of the 1976 expedition originals who will be there on the night, said: "Obviously Nepal is a special place for me because of the 1976 expedition.

"When the flood down Bhote Kosi happened it was devastating, the people in the mountains have so little. They have kindness and a beautiful place to live but that is not much help when your home and livelihood has gone. So this year's white water film night money will go to help out.

"I was the youngest member of the team. Others who will be there on the night include John Gosling who for a long time worked at Gales Wine Bar."

* Tickets for the evening can be bought at: https://buytickets.at/2025wwfilmnight/1866443

2027 secondary school place applications now open

Parents and guardians can now apply for a secondary school place for their child, with applications now open this week until October 31.

Applications are open for a year 7 secondary school place within the allotted age ranges, which is for children born between September 1 2015 and August 31 2016.

To be able to apply for a school place, parents and guardians will need to create an Education Self-Service account. This can be created before, during and after the application period.

Applications submitted after October 31 will be treated as late and will be processed after all the on-time requests have been dealt with.

The closing date for secondary school place applications is October 31 and with parents and guardians being informed of the outcome by March 1 2027.

Geraint Davies, Head of Education Service said: “Moving up to secondary school is a very exciting step.

"I would urge parents and guardians to check the eligibility dates, and ensure that any applications are submitted before the deadline.

"Applying on time helps ensure requests can be processed as smoothly as possible.”

"Please visit link: https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/school-admissions

Latest information on free school meals

The new Welsh Government committed in June 2026 to roll out additional free meals to families in receipt of Universal Credit in Secondary schools, starting with Year 7 and 8.

This commitment was made in response to the rising cost-of-living pressures on families and their shared ambitions of tackling child poverty and ensuring no child goes hungry in school.

In order to deliver this ambition WG have provided both Capital and Revenue funding for all Welsh local authorities.

In Denbighshire the capital funding is being used to cover the cost of improving the kitchen and dining facilities across the authority to ensure we have sufficient capacity to deliver the additional meals pupils.

The revenue funding is being used to cover the cost of the additional food that is required and to increase staffing levels to be able to cook the increasing number of pupils having school meals.

Parent and carers will be able to register online on the council website their application for the free meal entitlement from beginning of September, with pupils that are eligible to take up the meal from November 2 after works have been completed in secondary schools. 

Fundraising ceilidh will help meet church repair costs

* One of Llangollen's most famous riverside landmarks, the Methodist Church, is in desperate need of help.

What's claimed to be Llangollen's first pop-up zero alcohol bar is set to open for business later this month.

It will take pride of place at the Town Hall where Llangollen Methodist Church is hosting a ceilidh evening to help pay for an urgent repair programme to its historic riverside building, on which 122 years of rain, frost and ice have taken a heavy toll.

A church spokesperson said: "It’s one of Llangollen’s best-known landmarks but right now, this much-loved building desperately needs our help.

"Water is getting through cracks in the stonework, damaging the walls, plaster and woodwork inside. Essential repairs to the parapets, spire, guttering, eaves and fascias are urgently needed and because of the height of the building, the church will need to be surrounded by scaffolding just to carry out the work safely.

"We need to raise around £20,000 and we need our community behind us."

The ceilidh at the Town Hall is planned for the evening of Friday September 18 and, according to the spokesperson, the zero alcohol bar will be a first for Llangollen.

"We’re planning a great selection of zero-alcohol beers, lagers and ales, 0% spirits and mixers, sparkling 'Nosecco', soft drinks and more, with favourites such as Guinness 0.0 hopefully making an appearance.

"Whether you’re alcohol-free, driving, doing a challenge, cutting down, or simply fancy trying something different, come and see what the zero-alcohol buzz is all about.

"We’ve got the fantastic Five Speed Box providing the music, so bring your friends, bring the family and get ready for a great night of dancing, laughter and community spirit. Refreshments and snacks will also be available to purchase.

"Every penny we raise will help save our church building. We genuinely need the support of Llangollen and the surrounding community to make these essential repairs possible. This beautiful building has been part of our town for more than 120 years, and we want to make sure it remains here, safe and welcoming, for generations to come."

On the night, doors open at 6.30pm and dancing takes place between 7pm and 10pm and all ages are welcome.

* Tickets - cash only - are £10 for adults and £5 for school-age children. They are available from Porters Delicatessen in Market Street, or on the door, card or cash.

MP and her dog aiming for top spot in competition

* Becky Gittins MP with her dog Mabel are looking for support in the competition.

Clwyd East MP Becky Gittins and her rescue dog Mabel are hoping to be named top dog in Westminster Dog of the Year 2026, which is taking place on September 10 at Victoria Tower Gardens in London.

Mabel came agonisingly close to getting her paws on the coveted trophy last year, finishing in second place. This year, Becky and Mabel are hoping to go one better by taking top spot.

Organised by Dogs Trust and The Royal Kennel Club, the event has been running since 1992 and is open to all dog-loving MPs and their four-legged friends of all ages, breeds, shapes and sizes.

This year will see 16 other MPs and their dogs competing for the top prize.

For 2026 Westminster Dog of the Year celebrates 'A Good Life Together and A Lifetime Commitment', recognising the special bond between dogs and their owners and the lifelong commitment that helps dogs thrive. 

The event shines a spotlight on the importance of responsible breeding and puppy buying, positive training and socialisation, and responsible dog ownership - all of which play a vital role in giving every dog the opportunity to enjoy a happy, healthy life.

The pair are also hoping for public support in the Sir David Amess Pawblic Vote, in which the MPs and their canine companions seek votes from their local constituents. The award is named in memory of the late Conservative MP, who was a dedicated advocate for the competition and campaigned tirelessly to improve and protect dog welfare throughout his life.

Becky Gittins said: “Mabel had a difficult start in life, abandoned in a park as a young pup before we rescued her nearly seven years ago. Since then, she’s become a huge part of our family – teaching us plenty about compassion, responsibility and never judging a book by its cover… as well as the importance of never leaving snacks unattended!

"Now around eight years old, and a little more arthritic than she once was, she still approaches everything with the same enthusiasm – whether that’s a woodland walk, an adventure, a cuddle on the sofa or patiently queuing beneath her baby sister’s high chair at dinner time."

* For more details of all the MPs and dogs entered for Westminster Dog of the Year, and to vote for Becky and Mabel in the Pawblic Vote, visit the Westminster Dog of the Year website at: https://www.royalkennelclub.com/events-and-activities/events/westminster-dog-of-the-year/

Suzuki S-Cross - a car that families still want

Suzuki S-Cross drive by Steve Rogers

There are cars that make you feel good gliding down the high street. Cars that have the neighbours gawping with envy.

The S-Cross is neither of those which suggests this family SUV has passed its sell-by date. Perish the thought because beneath its slightly anonymous styling lies a car that does what most families want: It starts every morning, gets you to work, or the kids to school and doesn’t bankrupt you with garage bills.

All of which proves the point that the S-Cross is rather good at its job. Erm, but what about the business with the disappearing digital speedo that sparked a right old debate with my wife?

This is positioned in a box between the rev counter and analogue speedometer but mixed up with 10 other bits of car info like average fuel economy, power distribution, you get the picture. It’s a rolling system and if you overshoot you have to go through it all over again which, admittedly is annoying, and prompted an indignant Mrs Rogers to ask ‘why don’t car companies scrap the outdated dials and just have a digital speedometer like most of the Chinese brands?

I put the case that it is tradition and where would we be without a rev counter? In the end we agreed to disagree and decided the dials are there to feed the male ego.

Phew, let's get back to the merits of the car and a way of saving money without losing out too much. S-Cross is a nice simple two model range: Motion and Ultra and my advice is to save a chunk of money and buy the entry Motion. It has a generous kit list, including heated front seats, navigation, auto dipping LED headlights, keyless entry and start, reversing camera, I could go on. Opt for a manual and that is another £1,350 saving.

What are you missing out on? Polished alloys (take them or leave them), 360 deg camera ( I would like that), leather seats (fabric trim is more comfortable) front centre speaker (who cares), pan sunroof (the cabin is quieter without it).

S-Cross has probably gone as far as it can go without being replaced by a new model which is unlikely with the emphasis switching to electric. Inside owners will be pleased that everything is sensibly laid out. There are buttons you can find (like knocking off lane assist) without consulting the owner’s manual, and physical switches that do not send you swiping through menus just to control the heating.

Something that does show its age is a handbrake which has pretty much gone out of fashion and feels out of place when mated with an automatic. It is six speed with steering wheel paddles and is a little lumpy going through the motions. It is also lacking a gate between drive and manual so it is too easy to accidentally flick it into manual when setting off.

The tried and trusted 1.4 litre Boosterjet engine does not have to prove anything to anyone. It is no flyer but does the job and comes up with the goods for safe overtaking. It is also consistently economic, proven by my 52.3mpg return over 674 miles and easily beating the official average.

On top of the really good spec lift S-Cross is well off for driver safety aids including my favourite cross traffic alert which is reassuring when reversing out of supermarket or side parking spaces.

In an age when car companies are hell bent on making everything bigger, faster and more complicated, the S-Cross is refreshingly uncomplicated and doesn’t appear to have a serious flaw.

Yes, it is looking dated yet it is thoroughly competent, practical, comfortable, easy to live with a decent amount of space for family motoring, and that is why it works. Carry on servicing the car at a Suzuki dealer and the warranty will be extended to 10 years.

Fast facts

Motion automatic

£25,599

1.4 litre petrol; 107mph

0-62mph 10.1secs; 111mph

48.7mpg combined

132g/km. 1st VED £560

Insurance group 20

Boot: 430 litres