TOWN CAROL
SERVICE
SUNDAY
DECEMBER 15TH
Llangollen
Town Hall
4pm Festive
Afternoon Tea (free)
5pm
Service starts
Llangollen Silver Band
All welcome!
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Timely advice about waste collections
Calendars promoting the dates of waste and recycling collections for the next 12 months have been issued to residents in Denbighshire.
Every
year the council issues an annual reminder of which dates the various
collections will take place, including the all-important information for the
Christmas and New Year period.
The
booklet includes a quick guide to make sure residents are putting the right
items into the correct container.
Also
included is information about a brand new energy to waste facility that is
opening in Flintshire this year, to deal with waste from five of the six North
Wales counties.
There’s also a feature on disposing of waste through a contractor and steps residents should take to check the waste is heading to the correct destination.
Tony
Ward, Denbighshire’s Head of Highways, Facilities and
Environmental Services, said: “These guides are easy to use , they provide a
lot of practical advice and information about all things waste and recycling
and they are back by public demand.
“They
provide a definitive guide on what kind of recycling or waste will be collected
when and also provide details of when collections
are happening in your area. They also serve as a regular reminder
to put the correct items out for collections at the right time."
* The
information is also included on the council’s website: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/recycling or if anyone requires a new calendar, they
should contact the Council’s Customer Services team, on 01824 706000.
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
Carol concert revives happy memories for Iola
* Former pupil and teacher Iola Roberts
chats to the children from Ysgol Acrefair.
A carol concert at the Llangollen residential home where she
now lives brought back some happy memories for 86-year-old Iola Roberts.
Because the group of youngsters entertaining Iola and fellow
residents of The Old Vicarage were from Ysgol Acrefair which she herself
attended and where she went on to become a special needs teacher years later.
Bethan Mascarenhas, owner of The Old Vicarage, said: “SG
Estates, who are doing some building work in the area, arranged for the
children to come and sing carols for our residents and it was just by chance
that Iola told me of her links with the school.
“After they’d finished singing for us she chatted with the
children for quite some time as did other residents at the concert.
“It was a lovely afternoon and part of my aim to involve
residents with younger people from the community as much as possible.”
She added: “SG Estates have also arranged to take the
residents out for Christmas lunch at the Wild Pheasant hotel in Llangollen.”
* The children sing for The Old Vicarage residents.
Monday, December 9, 2019
Lexus UX: nice car but voice control was US
* The Lexus UX outside.
* ... and inside.
Lexus UX road test
by Steve Rogers
This is going to
sound ridiculous but I lost my rag with the car's voice control.
Yes, it is a
computer and cannot answer back but after numerous attempts to change the radio
station - the answer was that it couldn't find the street - I shouted 'forget
it' followed by a few more insults.
Pathetic I know but there you go.
Others tried and
failed so it wasn't just me although I did manage to get it to accept a
navigation postcode, and that was no mean achievement.
I turned to voice
control because the Lexus UX coms system is fiddly and frustrating using a
touch pad in the centre console for selections. Trouble is the cursor dances
all over the place so it's easy to land on the wrong function and is difficult
to control even on the slowest setting, more so when driving.
Interestingly my
son thought it a great system but he was in the passenger seat although I was getting
the hang of it while sitting calmly in a car park. The more you try the easier
it becomes I suppose.
Enough of that,
what of the UX? It is getting a lot of air time on the telly because it is the newest
model in the Lexus range and as a compact SUVcum crossover is expected to be
the company's biggest seller ahead of the NX, which looks the same size, and
the larger RX.
This is an
overcrowded sector although as a premium model its main competitors are BMW,
Audi and Volvo even so it is going to be tough. At least UX has a unique
selling point in that it is the only self charging hybrid and has good tax
breaks because of its very low emissions. It also has the trademark rakish
looks and turned plenty of heads.
Compact it might be
but UX is not short on space, apart from the boot which is compromised by
batteries stored under the floor. Up front is the best place to be where the
seats are superbly comfortable and there is plenty of shoulder and elbow room.
Everything looks
business like and modern with an 8in screen containing all manner of
information tucked neatly at the base of the windscreen and a row of switches
for all things heating and that includes a heated steering wheel and heated and
ventilated front seats. There is no shortage of kit on this car and I am
pleased to report a head up display for the driver, brilliant for speed and
navigation info.
Saying the car
drives well is getting monotonous, the majority do these days, although the F
Sport ride is a tad hard but that goes with the territory and the go faster
bits extend to the switchable digital instrument cluster that has in your face
red graphics in sport mode.
Don't make the same mistake as me and kill the
headlights when reaching for the switch. They are close together and it is easy
to grab the wrong one in the dark.
Power for the UX
comes from a 2-litre petrol with an extra boost from the electric motor so
performance is brisk, particularly if you opt for F Sport which offers enhanced
driving modes, weighting up the steering and sharpening throttle response.
The little SUV does
not have stand-out driving dynamics over the opposition but is tidy none the
less. It comes with a full suite of safety features including active cornering
assist which applies braking to the inside wheel to help reduce understeer
through bends although I am certain you would have to be tanking it to feel the
advantage.
According to the
trip computer the UX settled around 44-45mpg over nearly 500 miles of mixed
driving but a delve into the history graphics showed it is capable of 60mpg.
So while UX does
not blow the mind it is a good looking, extremely well equipped and competent
motor with bang up to date technology. Its major drawback is a single hybrid
engine option when rivals offer more choice.
As a premium brand
it is not cheap but neither are its rivals. One disappointment is a three year
warranty when its Toyota sister gives five. Something like that could give it
an edge.
Key facts
UX F Sport
£33,905 (£39,905
with extras)
2-litre petrol
hybrid; 181bhp
0-62mph 8.5secs;
110mph
49.5-53.2mpg
combined
Emissions 97g/km.
1st year tax £130
Insurance group 22
Eisteddfod announces 2020 concert line-up
* Aled Jones and Russell Watson star in the 2020 eisteddfod.
Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has revealed its 2020 line-up and opened its priority
booking in time for Christmas.
Taking to the Pavilion stage are powerful singing duo Russel Watson and Aled Jones plus British "Queen of Soul" Beverley Knight.
Llanfest 2020 features BRIT award winners James Morrison and Will Young.
The 74th Eisteddfod, which runs from July 7-12, and has daily performances and competitions, featuring some of the most
prestigious artists and choirs from around the world, culminating in the
world renowned Choir of the World award.
Eisteddfod artistic director Dr Edward Rhys-Harry, said, “We
are very proud to launch our programme of musical excellence and international
diversity. We always aim to bring the world’s very best artists in music and
dance together here in Wales, to perform in an unparalleled spirit of
friendship.
“The
events running each day reflect our vision of promoting peace through music and
the evening concerts really do have something for everyone.”
Russell Watson and Aled Jones appear together in the evening concert on Tuesday July 7.
Wednesday night sees Manchester Collective’s Sirocco offering a unique evening
with the essence of the International Eisteddfod at its core as different musical elements from different
cultures sit side by side.
* Beverley Knight makes her
Llangollen debut in the Friday concert.
The full evening
concert line-up includes:
Tuesday July 7 – Back in Harmony: Aled
Jones and Russell Watson
Following
their sell-out 2019 In Harmony tour, two of the classical
world’s greatest voices present an evening that will feature a wealth of
well-loved hymns, arias, and popular songs - ranging from a rousing Funiculì, FuniculÃ
to a peaceful The Lord is My Shepherd.
Wednesday 8th July – Fusion: Uniting
Cultures Through Music (£25)
At
the heart of the International Eisteddfod is the celebration of diverse
cultures coming together through music and dance. The captivating Wednesday
evening concert takes this theme of fusion, with various musical elements from
different cultures sitting side by side.
The
second part of the evening will feature Manchester Collective with a special
excerpt from their critically acclaimed show, Sirocco, an electrifying fusion of Western Classical Music with the
music of Africa.
Thursday 9th July – A Concert for Peace (£27/£20)
The
inaugural Concert for Peace highlights the unique founding values of the
International Eisteddfod - international peace, goodwill and understanding.
This concert will feature the Parade of Nations presented
by eisteddfod president Terry Waite CBE, the annual Peace Message, the Rotary Peace Award and
performances by international participants and special guests.
Friday 10th July – BK25: Beverley Knight (£40/£35)
Beverley Knight. Three
times MOBO award-winner and Lifetime Achievement recipient from the Urban Music
Awards, she is best known for her hit singles Greatest Day, Shoulda Woulda
Coulda and Come As You Are and
for her roles in West End shows including The
Bodyguard and Memphis.
Saturday 11th July - Choir of the World (£30/£25)
The finest choirs perform to compete for the coveted Pavarotti
Trophy and Choir of the World title. Dance Champions of the World will also be crowned
alongside the Pendine International Voice of the Future, which has been
included in the Saturday evening programme for the first time.
Llanfest with James Morrison and Will Young (£49.50)
The
finale to Llangollen 2020 is the Llanfest festival on the Sunday. BRIT Award
winning artists James Morrison and Will Young co-headline Llanfest with
individual sets that include greatest hits and material from their latest
albums.
* Priority
booking for all concerts opens from 9.30am Monday December 9 for
Friends of the Eisteddfod and those wishing to buy a Festival Pass for the
week. Tickets will then be on sale to the general public from 9.30am on Tuesday December 17 online at www.llangollen.net
or via the box office. You can become a Friend of the Eisteddfod during this
priority booking period and gain access to these advance tickets, contact the
box office on 01978 862001.
Sunday, December 8, 2019
Llan appears in list of top places to visit for Christmas
Llangollen has appeared in a list of 15 picturesque UK towns to visit in the run-up to Christmas listed in Saturday's Guardian newspaper.
Llan is there in the hallowed company of such tourist hotspots as Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire, Bamburgh in Northumberland and Corfe in Dorset.
It also has the distinction of being one of only two Welsh towns to make the Winter Weekenders list along with Abergaveny in Monmouthshire.
The listing for Llangollen, which appears under a stunning picture of Castell Dinas Bran, says: "On the banks of the River Dee, wreathed in pretty woodland and with a definite creative bent, Llangollen is a perky little Welsh gem.
"Transport fans, prepared to be thrilled: not only is the town home to the impressive Pontcysyllte aqueduct, the UK’s largest stone and cast iron aqueduct no less, with festive canal boat rides at weekends through December (£14/£12 with mulled wine), but there’s also the Llangollen steam railway, dolled up with Chrimbo razzle-dazzle.
"Rides upriver to the village of Carrog are themed as Santa’s Christmas Specials (£20), with gifts for kids and a tipple for grownups, daily until Christmas Eve; then, when Santa’s resting, “mince pie specials” (£18/£10) run from 26 Dec until 1 Jan. Those who prefer the brooding aspect of winter can climb up to the crumbling walls of Castell Dinas Brân (Crow Castle), on a hill above the town, for spectacular views.
"Next weekend, an International Christmas event at Llangollen Pavilion (15 Dec, llangollen.net, £13/£5) includes a “reverse grotto”, where guests can donate to the local food bank, plus world music, carols and mince pies.
"The town’s shopping options include trendy outlets (Ty Nook for cactus pots, plant books, statement earrings and bags made from Welsh blankets; Gwalia Ceramics for funky vases and milk jugs; teddies and bunting from Lily Rose Interiors) among the more traditional (see the Welsh Love Spoon store for sentimental stocking-fillers). In the Memorial Hall, Llangollen Country Market sells foodie gifts, plants and crafts on Friday mornings.
"For face-stuffing, try smart new bakery and cafe M’eating Point, and just outside town, cosy coaching inn the West Arms (doubles from £135 B&B) for a mean afternoon tea, dinner (goat’s cheese tart with micro herbs or organic Berwyn mountain lamb) and somewhere to sleep it off."Commenting on the article on Facebook, the town's deputy mayor, Cllr Issy Richards, says simply: "Isn't it wonderful!"
* To see the article go to: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2019/dec/07/christmas-break-winter-weekend-15-pretty-uk-towns
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