MS supports Graveyard Trail at St Tysilio's Church

* St Tysilio's Church.

Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, has welcomed an interesting development at a church near Llangollen.

The church of St Tysilio in Llantysilio, which attracts over 10,000 visitors each year has recently announced the development of a graveyard trail.

Mr Rowlands, Chair of the Welsh Parliament’s Cross-Party Group on Tourism said: “I welcome any projects which ultimately lead to attracting even more people to this lovely part of the world and to learn more about our history and rural life.

“It is a fascinating idea and I am delighted to see so many groups working together to develop the graveyard trail and the surrounding grassland.

“Old graveyards do seem to hold a fascination for visitors and it is great that some of the graves are being mapped out and information is available about them in the church.”

The grassland at the church has been managed as a haven for flowers, insects, birds and small mammals for over 30 years and following a Grassland Survey of the graveyards in May 2022, in partnership with Caring for God’s Acre CfGA an agreed management plan was developed to protect and boost the spring and summer flora.

This work was enhanced by developing a project plan for ‘Welcoming People and Nature’ funded by the AONB Sustainable Development Fund which looked at how visitors might learn more about rural life and its economic and social history as well as the wonderful natural history of the area. The outcomes so far have been the development of the Graveyard Trail.

Paths have been cut to form a route around the graveyard that ‘visits’ the graves of nine varied and different people or families from different backgrounds.

The stories were researched by local resident, David Crane and volunteers from the Llangollen Museum and are published in full-colour leaflets, available in both Welsh and English, within the church.

The historians have also digitised all the graveyard records, and produced a map of all the marked graves, that will be on display in the church. Accompanying this will be three newly published books that list, with photographs, all of the graves in the records.

There is one book for each of the three distinct areas of the graveyard. This will aid family descendants and visitors to locate the resting places of their forebears.

The last two phases of the project will see folding display boards containing explanation and interpretation boards, and a people’s history book – memories of people who live, or have lived, in Llantysilio.

The Graveyard Trail at St Tysilio Church will be officially launched on June 22 between 11am and 3pm with guided tours of the trail and the church with the wardens and some of the project partners. Refreshments will be provided and all are welcome.

Print exhibition is open at Oak Street Gallery

* Beneath Castle Dinas Bran, a print by Gwen Bramley.

Oak Street Gallery in Llangollen will be presenting a 'Printmakers Exhibition' until tomorrow, June 20. 

It will explore various print medium - woodblock prints, linocuts, etching, and collagraphs. 

Print making is very direct and expressive. The art of printmaking lies in finding a harmony between the technicality of the medium and the spontaneity of inspiration, according to the gallery's owner Karl Young.

Over the last five years the gallery has done a number of solo and group exhibitions. 

And Karl says the upcoming one was inspired by meeting Gwen Bramley a printmaker from south Wales. 

He explained: "As the owner of the gallery and one of its contributing artists I have long wanted to exhibit my woodcut prints at the gallery, but was hesitant to do it solo. 

"Meeting Gwen gave me the impetus to organise an exhibition of printmaking. The woodcut is an essential part of my oil painting, both woodcuts and painting interact and push each other to go further. 

"Gwen Bramley has made a series of multi-block linocut prints of Llangollen and the surrounding area of Wales for the exhibition. The artists Judith Wood and Ben Davis, from Corwen, will also be contributing to the exhibition exploring the various techniques of etching and monoprints."

He added: "Oak Street Gallery is not only for art collectors and gift buyers we also try to encourage people to simply browse and enjoy the work on show, whether it is in the gallery or late at night window shopping."

The gallery is located at 12 Oak Street, Llangollen, LL20 8NR and is open Thursday - Saturday, from 10:30am - 5pm.

* Rook by Ben Davis.

Scintillating Bryan Adams puts Llangollen Eisteddfod on his live concert map

 

                            * Bryan Adams takes the Pavilion stage.

                       * Harmonising with guitarist Keith Scott. Picture:  

                                  * Adams and the band in the spotlight.

Towards the end of his storming set last night Canadian rocker Bryan Adams bellowed at a capacity Pavilion audience: “I didn’t even know this town existed!”

Well, after 90 minutes of sheer vitality and talent which was fully and rowdily appreciated by this local throng he shouldn’t have too much trouble locating Llangollen in future.

Thus ended the first of the eight headline concerts which are bookending the reinvented and rejuvenated Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod between now and July 13.

And it had been a belter from start to finish.

Warming up the audience for the Groover from Vancouver was electro-pop princess Cassyette who had them waving their wine bottles in the air with numbers like the fantastical Petrichor and the nightmarish Dear Goth.

Adams was preceded onto the famous main stage by something the Eisteddfod has surely never seen before – an enormous inflatable drone in the shape of an American car, bearing his name on one side and the title of his song So Happy It Hurts on the other, hovering around above the heads of the crowd.

* The car drone hovers above the crowd. 

* Fans from Canada show off the national flag.

* Excitement builds on the field before the concert.

* Making sure of a good view of the stage.

Some nifty graphics had the man nipping out of a similar car on a big screen behind the stage and into the red glare of actuality.

Then came a procession of hits, each of which had us stamping, cheering, arm waving and hoarsely singing along.

The likes of Kick Ass (he did), Can’t Stop This Thing We Started, Somebody, 18 Till I Die, One Night Love Affair, Please Forgive Me and Take Me Back tumbled out on after another.

There was a modicum of slower stuff with Heaven but it was back up to full blast again with Go Down Rockin’ and It’s Only Love with close assistance from his close guitar associate Keith Scott, no mean rocker himself.      

Adams had been a massive fan and friend of the late, great Tina Turner since he was a youngster, he told us, and that was why he included a rousing tribute to the Queen of Rock in the shape of her famous Simply the Best and What’s Love Got To Do With It?

It was with rockabilly smash You Belong to Me that the fun really began. Adams informed us that a video cameraman would be touring the crowd seeking out the best dancer who would immediately be shown on the big screen, adding: “And if you can’t dance just twerk!”

The winner was rapidly found in the small shape of an overwhelmed 11-year-old Dylan who was invited up onto the stage to meet the band and be presented with a couple of commemorative drumsticks by man on the skins Pat Steward.

Of course, the set had to include Adams’s massive chart-topper Everything I Do (I Do For You) which provided the theme to the 1991 film Robin Hood. That went down rather well too bringing the phone torches out in force.

As did Summer of ’69, Cuts Like a Knife and When You’re Gone.

Close to the end came a tribute to his 96-year-old mum, Jane, with the song Straight from the Heart.

All too soon Adams himself was gone. But, hopefully, now he knows that Llangollen Eisteddfod exists he will be back before too long.           

Bryan Adams kicks off biggest summer of Eisteddfod live music

Canadian rock star Bryan Adams will kick off the biggest ever summer of live music in North Wales tonight (Tuesday).

The multi-million selling artist is the first of 11 headline acts to head to Llangollen Pavilion over the next four weeks as part of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

And final preparations are now underway to throw open the doors to welcome thousands of live music fans.

Bryan Adams – one of the most exciting live musicians in the world – will be supported by electro-pop singer-songwriter Cassyette.

Tonight's opening show will be followed by headlining sets from Simple Minds, Paloma Faith, Manic Street Preachers, Suede, Kaiser Chiefs, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Jess Glynne and Madness.

In addition, a concert from Welsh legend Tom Jones will open the Core Week of the Llangollen Eisteddfod, which this year runs from July 2 to July 7 and will also include headline shows from Gregory Porter and Katherine Jenkins OBE. 

Between these dates, and in keeping with the traditions of the iconic festival, audiences can also enjoy a variety of evening events featuring award-winning folk band Calan, royal harpist Alis Huws, Britain’s Got Talent favourites Johns’ Boys Male Chorus, and West End and Broadway stars Kerry Ellis and John Owen-Jones.

The 11 headlining shows are part of a new partnership between the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and Live Nation promoters Cuffe and Taylor.

Artistic Director of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Dave Danford said: “We can’t wait to get started on the biggest summer of live music ever held in Llangollen. This year we have truly global superstars such as Bryan Adams and Nile Rodgers appearing, alongside homegrown talent including Tom Jones, Calan, Alis Huws and Katherine Jenkins.

Working with our co-promoters Cuffe and Taylor has enabled us to secure the biggest names for our festival, and we can’t wait to welcome the world to Llangollen in larger numbers than ever before.”

Cuffe and Taylor co-founder Peter Taylor added: “We are very excited to be presenting what we hope will be the first of many summers in Llangollen. Not only are we working alongside a wonderful team at the Eisteddfod, but we have the pleasure in doing so in a beautiful location.

“This summer we have 11 outstanding artists coming to this incredible part of the world and we look forward to welcoming them, local residents and visitors from far and wide to this exceptional location.”

* For more information and to secure final tickets head to llangollen.net and www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Theatre group to present Shrek the Musical Jr at the Town Hall

* The cast of Shrek the Musical Jr line up.

A youth theatre group is taking over the Llangollen Town Hall stage later this week to present its new show based around everyone’s favourite ogre.

To The Stage Productions are a not-for-profit group offering opportunities to performers of all ages in Wrexham and the surrounding areas, with some performers travelling from as far as Anglesey to take part.

From this Thursday to Saturday, June 20-22, they are presenting Shrek the Musical Jr in Llangollen.

The hero and his noble steed lead a cast of fairy tale misfits on a royal quest to rescue a princess from a castle protected by a fiery dragon. 

The musical spectacular features dazzling costumes, songs, laughter and toe-tapping dance numbers.

* To book, go to: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/llangollen/llangollen-town-hall/shrek-the-musical-jr/e-ylqggg

Inner Wheel to host coffee morning at Memorial Hall

After their AGM earlier this month Llangollen Inner Wheel say they are pleased to have been able to donate more than £2,000 to international, home and local charities. 

They have also knitted 26 blankets for Hamlin Fistula UK, which is a charity that aids young mothers in Ethiopia. 

As well as the blankets members and friends have knitted a large number of baby clothes and blankets for children in Ukraine. 

To help continue with this work Inner Wheel are holding a coffee morning on Tuesday June 25 in the Memorial Hall. 

New recycling scheme has 'deep systemic failures' says county councillor

Llangollen county councillor Karen Edwards has issued the following statement about the troubled introduction of Denbighshire's new waste recycling system:

"I have been closely monitoring the unfolding issues related to the collection of waste after the introduction of the new rollout service across the county on June 3.

"Last Thursday, June 13 I attended an online Emergency Teams meeting with DCC officers along with many other County Councillors where the issues related to the rollout of the service were discussed.

"It is abundantly clear that this scheme has not gone as planned and what has been described as 'teething issues' are being created by deeper systemic failures which include but are not limited to a lack of adequate capacity for the segregated waste streams in the new collection vehicles as well as the significantly extended time spent by operatives having to manually handle and empty the new trolibocs containers and sacks into the vehicles.

"As a result collections are being stopped earlier than planned as vehicles reach capacity in one compartment and further collections for that day are often not completed due to time constraints and vehicles having to return to base. Attempts to clear the backlogs have not been successful either. This has been compounded by two of the vehicles resourced for the service breaking down in the first week and thus not being available for service. Additional collections are being planned and more resources are being sought to help alleviate the issues.

"I made my unhappiness, frustration and disappointment perfectly clear to the CEO and his officers at the meeting and expressed my concern that collectively they were not taking the systemic issues seriously and focussing simply on quick fix sticking plaster solutions to ease the current situation rather than seeking to identify the root causes that have resulted in the roll out of the service failing to deliver effectively for many residents, not only in Llangollen but the entire County, compounded by communication and reporting issues.

"DCC has indicated that they expect it will take around 12 weeks for the new system to be running smoothly, which is disappointing considering that despite several years of planning there are far more issues than the officers expected, notwithstanding the fact that the Lead Member has been on the project board for just over two years.

"County Councillors have now been assigned a direct link to a designated officer for each area in order to communicate local area issues with regard to failed collections. Whether this particular course of action actually results in clearing the backlog of waste remains to be seen.

"If you are still experiencing issues this next week after the designated collection days which are Tuesday and Wednesday, please contact me either via Ffon/telephone 07795652188 or Ebost/email karen.edwards@denbighshire.gov.uk"

Bids totalling over £2,000 made in fun auction in aid of Eisteddfod

* Auction assistant Mabli Lebbon with the guitar signed by the Manic Preachers which went for £350.

More than £2,000 was raised from lots that went under the hammer at an auction in aid of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in the Town Hall last night (Friday).

All 30 or so item which went up for sale were donated by well-wishers and bargain-hungry bidders paid £350 for a classic Danelectro guitar signed by the Manic Street Preachers who will star in an evening concert hosted by the Eisteddfod on June 28, £150 for a framed football shirt signed by Leeds and Wales international players and the same amount for a family portrait session put up by Neil Barrett Photography.

The hammer went down at £140 on a pair of tickets to see Tom Jones make his Llangollen debut on July 2 and at £120 for a four ball voucher including meals at the Vale of Llangollen Golf Club.

Other lots which stirred plenty of interest included packages of wine, spirits and beer, afternoon tea treats and a bread-making course in the winning bidder’s home offered by a local expert.   

* The masked singer was one of the auction lots.

There was also some intense bidding on a dinner, bed and bed breakfast stay for two people at a choice of hotels run by the group which owns the Wild Pheasant in town, That was eventually snapped up for £170.

Most novel lot of the evening came up when a masked singer clad in Sion Corn outfit gave an example of his vocal abilities to promote bidding on his offer to perform a 45-minute routine at the winner’s choice of venue – and bring along a bottle of champagne to get the party started. That went for a bargain £75.

Between the two halves of the auction, over which the gavel was wielded by Ian Lebbon chair of the Eisteddfod’s marketing committee, there was first class entertainment from a Wrexham-based ladies’ choir of Welsh learners, Côr DAW, who performed medleys of songs by the likes of Elton John, Abba, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Jersey Boys in both Welsh and English.

* Ian Lebbon wields the gavel.

Ian Lebbon said: “It was a fantastic night in which a total of over £2,000 was raised for the Eisteddfod from the many lots which went under the hammer,

“It would not have been possible but for the marvellous support we received from the people who donated items to be auctioned off and the volunteers and friends from the Eisteddfod who helped put the whole thing together.  

“I’d also like to say a big thank you to everyone who came along to join the very lively audience, which included guests from Australia and Ukraine.”

* Côr DAW perform one of their medleys.

* The football shirts on display before bidding commenced.

Council responds to candidate's claims about new recycling scheme

* One of the new Trolibocs.

Denbighshire County Council has responded to specific claims by a general election candidate about the new waste recycling system which he says has been “an unmitigated disaster” since being introduced on June 3. 

Paul Penlington, who is fighting Clwyd East for Plaid Cymru, says that refuse across the county hasn’t been collected for a week, refuse workers are quitting due to the risks to their backs, the majority of new bin crews are now agency workers many of whom have already left due to the workload and that a local construction firm’s drivers are being asked to help drive bin wagons. 

But the council refutes these claims.  

Mr Penlington said: “I objected to the implementation of this Trolibocs system from the outset. Primarily due to the huge cost and the fact there was nothing wrong with the existing system.

“The reality has proven to be even worse than I'd thought. Refuse across the county hasn't been collected for well over a week now, my own included, many bins have already been damaged by the weather and refuse workers are quitting due to the risk to their backs from the increased workload and constant lifting to head height. 

“This unwanted imposition from Welsh Labour  has already proven to be a costly failure, workers are at risk, our streets are an increasing mess and we are now looking at a 12% rise in council tax next year to pay for it. 

“DCC have now contracted the collection of the old wheelie bins to a firm from Great Yarmouth, so there’s no commitment to local businesses and the claimed savings seem to be highly inaccurate to say the least.

“The councillors who pushed this through, in the midst of a cost of living crisis, despite public opposition should resign now in disgrace. 

“The majority of the new bin crews are now costly agency workers, and a lot of them have already left due to the unrealistic workload. I have been informed the council are now so desperate they are asking a local construction firm’s drivers to help drive the bin wagons on a 10 am to 6pm shift.

“The pick-up timing previously was around 20 seconds from the pull-up to the bin, empty and move on, under this new system it's around two minutes. This six-fold increase in collection times wasn’t factored in and the electric wagons’ charge runs out before runs are complete. 

“The loading hatches on the wagons require head height lifting for the crew but are too low to cope with the volume the wagon is expected to take. The rubbish going in builds up quickly into a mountain-type heap; the rubbish then cascades down and falls out further increasing the workload and reducing the time they can stay out. 

“People dumping excess refuse into public bins is up by 60% with an increased need for more agency staff to deal with it.

“This system is a hugely expensive, unmitigated disaster and Labour-led DCC are now desperately trying to disguise that fact from the public. Incompetence is an inadequate word to describe this complete failure and irresponsible waste of public money.  

“Yet the Labour led Cabinet insist on ploughing ahead to avoid embarrassing their colleagues in the General Election.”

A council spokesperson responded: “We have had zero staff resign because of this system or since it has been implemented or any musculo-skeletal problems caused by the work.

 

“The collection contract for the old bins was secured via the contract award to IPL for the provision of the Troliboxes – this was a subcontract arrangement that offered significant cost reduction to the council.

 

“We do have a percentage of agency staff, as we always have within the waste collection team, but the vast majority of the team are direct employees. Requests to local firms for assistance have not been made.

 

“Electric vehicles are not currently in deployment by the service and we have no indication of rubbish cascading out of the vehicle due to the manual handling processes involved.

 

“The 60 percent increase in public bin waste is not a figure the council has calculated or released.”

* Meanwhile, in its latest general statement on the recycling situation the council says: Denbighshire County Council would like to sincerely apologise to residents for the impact on them of missed collections as we roll-out the new waste and recycling collection service. 

"We would also like to thank residents for the efforts made by them to ensure that their recycling is sorted correctly and placed in the appropriate containers. These efforts have greatly improved the quality of the recycling materials collected and this is really appreciated.

"While the majority of recycling and residual waste collections have been completed as planned across the county, we accept that a large number of residents have not had a collection and that this has caused difficulties for them.

"We have experienced a number of issues which is to be expected with a service change of this scale and to get to grips with these, the following temporary measures are being put in place: 

•   We have brought in additional vehicles and staff, so more crews are out each day

•   Extra shifts are being put in place so crews can stay out longer

•   We will have crews out on Saturdays focussing on key areas which have been missed

•   Staff from other services of the council are being redeployed to help with tasks to support the front-line collection crews.

"We are closely monitoring the situation and doing what we can with the resources available. We appreciate your patience, but also recognise your frustrations and apologise for the impact this has had on you. We expect that the difficulties will ease as the temporary measures set out above take effect and the new service is embedded. 

"Information about all aspects of the service is available on the website, including how to report a missed collection, and regular updates are posted on Denbighshire’s social media accounts."

Latest column from Denbighshire Citizens Advice

Latest column from Denbighshire Citizens Advice is:

Q: My children are starting new schools in September, one is in primary school and the other secondary. Between uniforms, PE kit and knowing they’ll need to catch the bus each day the costs are adding up. I’m already pretty stretched, so I’m not sure how to cover these extra outgoings. Is there any help I can get?

A: A new school year can put pressure on lots of people’s budgets, so you’re not alone in your worries. But there is help available.

A good place to start is the Citizens Advice website where you’ll find lots of information on the support you might be entitled to for school-related costs.

The help you can get to cover school lunches will vary depending on how old your children are and if you claim benefits. Children in Reception, Year 1 and 2 automatically get free school meals. You can apply for free school meals for older children if you claim certain types of benefits, including Universal Credit, Child Tax Credit and Income Support. The full list is available on the Citizens Advice website.

You mentioned concerns about travel costs. If your child can't walk to school because of special educational needs or disabilities they should get free school transport. You may be able to get help with transport costs from your Local Education Authority if your children can’t walk because it's dangerous or too far. Your Local Education Authority is part of your local council that deals with education in your area, you can find yours on GOV.UK. Contact it directly to find out exactly what support it offers.

If you’re on a low income, your Local Education Authority may also be able to help you with activity and school uniform costs. You’re likely to be considered to be on a low income if you get means-tested benefits like Universal Credit or Housing Benefit. In some places there are also local charitable schemes that can help. A good place to find out about these is the school itself or Parent Teacher Association (PTA) both will usually know if these kinds of schemes exist.

A lot of people are feeling the squeeze at the moment, but it’s important to remember that help is available with starting school costs and you’re not alone. For more information visit the Citizens Advice website.

Eisteddfod's 2024 souvenir programme now on sale

                      

* This year's Eisteddfod programme.

The souvenir programme for the 2024 Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is now on sale.

It will be available at the Llangollen Tourist Information Centre in Castle Street and  Llangollen Museum in Parade Street. 

The bumper 116-page, bilingual programme will be officially launched at the Eisteddfod’s final fundraising event before the festival - a special Auction and Entertainment evening tonight (Friday) at Llangollen Town Hall.

This year the programme will also cover the additional concerts outside of Core Eisteddfod Week, starting with the Bryan Adams on Tuesday June 18 and finishing with Madness on Saturday July 13. 

The full-colour publication mainly showcases the Core Week Eisteddfod, including details of the famous Parade of Nations, the Family Fun Day, details of the international competitions featuring over 3,000 competitors from over 30 different countries, and much more. 

It also has two pages for each major additional concert with exclusive content and artist-approved photos. This includes the Jess Glynne, Nile Rodgers + CHIC, Paloma Faith, and Simple Minds.

The programme has doubled in size this year to reflect what will be the biggest ever festival. 

This year's event will start on Tuesday June 18 when rock icon Bryan Adams comes to town. The concerts finish on July 13 with a huge show by Nutty Boys, Madness. 

              * Issy Richards and Bronwen Lebbon with this year's programme. 

The Core Eisteddfod Week will take place between July 2 and 7 and feature the local debut of Tom Jones, folk heroes Calan, royal harpist Alis Huws, Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalists Johns’ Boys Male Chorus, West End stars Kerry Ellis and John Owen-Jones, GRAMMY award-winning Gregory Porter and a Classical Gala Concert featuring Katherine Jenkins.

Bronwen Lebbon, Secretary of the Llangollen Eisteddfod’s Marketing Committee, worked with Pam Hughes and Issy Richards for months to produce the programme. 

She said: “Our Souvenir Programme is our biggest and brightest for years and matches the larger and extended festival, with concerts starting in just a few days’ time. It includes full details of all our competitions and our extra concerts from July 18 onwards. It is your essential guide and contains all you need to know about the 2024 festival.”

Priced at £5, the programme is available from the Llangollen Tourist Information Centre on Regent Street and the Llangollen Museum on Parade Street. It will be also be available at the Llangollen Eisteddfod shop on the field for all evening concerts and the Core Eisteddfod Week.

Parkrun celebrates first anniversary with special event

Llangollen's Old Railway Trail Parkrun celebrates its first anniversary tomorrow (Saturday) with a special event. 

A spokesperson said: "As usual it’s 9am from the Health Centre staff carpark and participants are invited to wear bright gear or fancy dress as they take part be it to walk, jog, run or volunteer. 

"We have a strong group of committed local volunteers who ensure the event takes place safely every Saturday and encourage people to enjoy our beautiful scenery."  

Former MP now candidate calls for pause to controversial recycling system

* Dr James Davies with one of the old wheelie recycling bins. 

A former MP and current candidate has temporarily cast aside the traditional election-time “purdah” to ask Denbighshire County Council to pause the rollout of its controversial new waste recycling system and make an urgent return to the old system before the situation “gets out of hand”.

Dr James Davies represented the former Vale of Clwyd seat until the election was called and is now standing as Welsh Conservative candidate for the new Clwyd East constituency which includes Llangollen.

Yesterday (Wednesday) he took to Facebook to launch his plea about the new recycling system which substitutes waste collection in tiered troliblocs for the old wheelie bins and has led to a chorus of complaints from angry residents about the way the change-over has been handled by the council.

Most of the complaints about the new system, which was introduced on June 3, centre on missed collections.

In his post Mr Davies says: “As we are in an election period, there are strict communication restrictions between election candidates and local public services such as the council.

“Therefore, despite the many many complaints I am receiving relating the rollout of the trolibocs system, I am unable to get the answers I usually would from the local authority.

“Nevertheless, I have contacted Graham Boase, Chief Executive, and suggested that the rollout needs to be paused and an urgent return to the co-mingled blue bin is necessary before the situation gets out of hand and fly tipping increases.

“I am aware that due to the level of understandable anger from residents across Denbighshire, the council will be holding an emergency meeting tomorrow with councillors to discuss the urgent action required. I hope that they consider my suggestion.

“I have strongly opposed this change since it was first considered. You can read more of my thoughts and about my campaign here: https://www.jamesdavies.org.uk/.../retaining-blue-bin... “

Summer fete makes over £1,600 on a day of fun and sun

* Members of the Rotary team and town crier Chem at the fete.

Llangollen Summer Fete raised £1,630.84 at Plas Newydd last Saturday. 

The money came from donations at the entrance, the raffle and a few other key sources.  

A spokesperson for the organisers said: "This is outstanding and so typically generous of locals and visitors. 

"Of the total £1,131.64 will be split across good causes, and £500 will go towards next year's fete. 

"Stallholders also did very well and whatever they made was for their own businesses and causes.

"Most of all it was a day of family fun in the sun and everyone enjoyed themselves on a beautiful afternoon. 

"Thank yous should go to all those that made this happen. From the Committee  - The Vale of Llangollen Rotary, Plas Newydd, The Parks Community - who brought it all together, to all the wonderful volunteers that helped set up the day before, during the fete and the big clear-up afterwards. 

"Also thanks to Rhys of Notcon Ltd for printing for free all the flyers for marketing, the fire service, local police, Ross and his father who brought the vintage Morris car and vintage bicycles making up our transport corner. 

"Thanks are also due to Alistair who donated his time and expertise as the official photographer on the day, with photographs to follow on our Facebook page, and to Steven Todd who also gave his time for free as a first aid First Responder.*

The spokesperson added: "Thank you to all the stallholders who brought such wonderful crafts, activities, games and goods to the fete for people to enjoy, all those who catered including the football club with burgers, Anna's cakes, Brownie Queen, the ice-cream van and the Plas Newydd Tearooms. To the local school who provided chairs, the Rafa Club and Town Hall tables, the Sports Club and Christmas Festival for Marquees. 

"To Charlie Jones who so beautifully compared and the Town Mayor Cllr Morris and his wife for opening the fete. Our very treasured Town Crier Chem who brings a smile to us all. Those that entertained us all afternoon, the Town Silver Band, the Panto Group, and Charlie Jones and the Band for their music. To CircoArts for bringing their wonderful circus workshop for young and old to take part in all afternoon. Thank you to the lovely children from our town who helped pull out winners for our raffle and other competition prizes. And to so many more - too many to mention. 

"Most of all thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the day's joy.

"We hope that next year's fete will grow and build on this year's.

* For details of next year's fete and more pictures from this year, go to:

http://www.facebook.com/llangollensummerfete

Here's my contender for Car of the Year

Steve Rogers drives the new MG3

Six months into the year and I already have a hot contender for car of the year.

MG might not be a fashionable choice but its new supermini has everything it needs to wear the crown. The MG3 is a giant leap over the outgoing model and is teaching the rest of the pack a thing or two when it comes to affordable driving, economy, performance and safety, along with a string of equipment that will embarrass many rivals.

Let’s look at the SE starting price of £18,495. Given everything on offer that is more than competitive, you would be lucky to find another supermini with navigation, parking sensors and rear camera on an entry model.

Another two grand gets the Trophy where the highlights are keyless entry, leather trim, heated front seats and steering wheel, all round camera and LED headlights.

This second generation model is a smidge bigger with sharper front and rear end styling. It does not have the ooh la la looks of a Peugeot 208 but is sleeker than before and all the better for it.

Likewise the interior. No, it does not have the wow factor of the 208 but important improvements have been made. The previous model was a bit budget with a sea of black plastic. This time we have some pleasing textures with slightly better quality trim and bang up to date digital screens. You cannot expect a premium finish for this price but it is hardly worth complaining about.

Ahead of the driver is a seven-inch screen where you can toggle through a variety of information and a couple of steering wheel buttons for quick entry into the heating and central screen.

There is a bank of quick keys along the centre console including one for heating controls but you still have to dab the screen to make selections. I prefer physical switches but we have to accept that this is the new normal so get used to it.

My main irritational is having to scroll through the driver aids in MG Pilot to switch off the lane departure function which defaults to ‘on’ every time the engine is turned off. A simple button would be very welcome.

At 4113mm the MG is longer than most rivals and interior space is good enough for a family. On that basis you would expect the boot to be class leading but is anything but. We are talking small margins compared to Renault Clio and Peugeot 208 but it is way off the whopping 380 litres available in the Skoda Fabia, although that car’s boot is exceptional.

Still, not enough to turn you away from the showroom.

While still in the cabin there are a couple of cost cutting features we could do without. There is no reach adjustment on the steering wheel, just up and down, but the one that really needs to be addressed is the single piece rear seat back. In a car this size a split rear seat is essential.

No doubt about the biggest leap forward. The new engine has eliminated the one reason for turning your back on the MG3. From below par performance and lousy economy we have gone to sparkling and outstanding.

The petrol hybrid has 100bhp backed up by a 134bhp electric motor boosted by a bigger than average 1.83kWh battery. The car jumps between all electric, hybrid and engine power, not that you would notice any change as the transitions are completely smooth. That bigger battery allows the car to spend a bit more time in electric driving around town speeds while the self charging hybrid system performs most of the open road duties.

Plant the accelerator and the engine joins the fray, it gets a bit harsh at higher revs but again, nothing to complain about.

The step change, and it is a big step, is the economy. My average over a week’s driving was 58.9mpg and there were a number of trips where the MG returned high sixties. Most of the time I was in economy mode, which did little to dent performance, although there is also the option of middle of the road ‘normal’ or all in sport mode.

As with most hybrids suspension has to be tuned to cater for the extra weight of the battery and the MG’s ride is a tad hard, though not uncomfortable while the handling is pretty tidy. Another hybrid trait is overly sharp braking because of the sensitive pedal but this is something a driver should be able to adjust to pretty quickly.

Given the high levels of value for money, performance, economy, you name it, I would buy this car tomorrow.

Fast facts

MG3 Trophy

£20,495

1.5 litre petrol; 100bhp

Electric motor; 134bhp

0-62mph 8secs; 106mph

64mpg combined

100g/km. 1st tax £175

Boot: 293-983 litres

Insurance group 24

Town Council warns of reduced services over next few months

Llangollen Town Council says it wishes to inform residents that the Town Council offices on Parade Street will be operating with reduced services over the next few months. 

A statement says: "This is due to the recent resignation of the Facilities Officer and the upcoming major surgery that the Town Clerk must undergo, which will result in an extended period of absence.

"In light of these unforeseen circumstances, the Town Council has taken steps to ensure that essential services continue. Members have arranged for minimal cover by securing the part-time services of the current Acton Community Council Clerk. Despite this arrangement, there will be an impact on the office's public opening times and general service provision."

The Town Mayor, Cllr Aled Morris, said: “The Town Council deeply regrets any inconvenience this may cause to residents. We want to assure the community that a comprehensive management plan is in place to maintain core services during this period of uncertainty. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we navigate these temporary adjustments.

"For any urgent matters, please continue to contact the Town Council via the email townclerk@llangollentowncouncil.gov.uk

"Thank you for your support."