Dee Valley clean-up planned for Saturday evening

* A paddler holds up a window frame retrieved from the river during a previous clean-up.

Volunteers are teaming up to take part in the latest clean-up of the River Dee tomorrow (Saturday) evening.

Organisers have put out the word on Facebook about the event and they say: "The Clean Up is here! Bigger, better and more inclusive then ever.

"Mountain Bikes up on the Panorama area, organised by the Wonderful Bear Trax and supported by Drosi Bikes.

"They are meeting in Market Street Car Park at 5.30pm. They will be doing a 20km round route with various terrain. 

"River and canal teams will be meeting in Horseshoe Falls Carpark at 5.30pm and working from Horseshoe Falls down to Llangollen. 

"Whatever craft you are comfy in is totally welcome. You will be joined by rafts and canoes to collect river finds from you.

"Please feel free to bring mesh bags, litter pickers and gloves to aid you along the way. Shuttle needed, there will be limited space on a minibus if you are not able to shuttle beforehand.

"After we will all head to Riverbanc to have a random raffle that your attendance will enter you into, prizes from Gales Wine Bar, Bear Trax, Drossi Bikes, Pyrhana Kayaks, NRS and more to be won.

"There will also be a free drink and food for you. All cooked up fresh while you're out making a difference.

"Please remember this is a peer event, don't take any unnecessary risks and always work in whatever skill base you have, this is not an event to learn or be coached.

"If you're keen to make a difference in this beautiful valley, Please show your interest on our new website linked here."

* More information at: https://deevalleyclean-up.squarespace.com/config/pages

Roadworks alert for Regent Street

Latest local roadworks alert from one.network is:

Regent Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 16 June - 18 June   Roadworks, Delays likely   Traffic management: Traffic control (multi-way signals)   Description: Hogans patching works – Night time 18:00 – 02:00hrs under 3 x way traffic lights. Amberon TM   Works location: A5 Llangollen - Junction with Castle Street   Public facing description: one.network has automatically assigned a category of Unclassified works to this Works based on the information available. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by NMWTRA/SWTRA.   Responsibility for works: NMWTRA/SWTRA   Current status: Planned work about to start   Works reference: PD50123145102811691

 

MP praises work of Vale of Llangollen Canal Boat Trust.

* Simon Baynes MP with members, volunteers, and users of the Vale of Llangollen Canal Boat Trust. Photos by AC Creative via https://www.acphotocreative.co.uk/

 

* Simon Baynes MP with Kerry Evans a regular user of the Vale of Llangollen Canal Boat Trust.

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes joined the Vale of Llangollen Canal Boat Trust for a trip across Pontcysyllte Aqueduct to celebrate their 40^th anniversary. 

The Trust, which provides day trips for disabled and disadvantaged people of all ages, runs solely through donations and the hard work of volunteers, including its 21 skippers who have all been trained by the Trust itself.

Every year the Trust hosts over 100 trips on its latest boat the Lady Winifred. 

The Trust's first boat was built by the Cammel Lairds apprentices in Birkenhead as part of the Rainbow Trust and launched in 1985 by Sir Harry Secombe. 

The Lady Winifred has a hydraulic lift to enable wheelchair users to board and also has wheelchair friendly toilet facilities and plenty of space within the boat to move about and enjoy the panoramic views of the Dee Valley.  

During the visit Mr Baynes met with the President of the Trust, Colin Burman, and the Chairman, Tom Lewis, the only remaining founders of the Trust, as well as other volunteers and supporters and discussed the importance of the Trust’s work in ensuring access to Llangollen’s waterways and the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.

Mr Baynes also had the opportunity to meet Kerry Evans, a wheelchair user, who demonstrated the hydraulic lift that is used to allow people in wheelchairs to board the Trust’s specially built boat, the Lady Winifred, before journeying with them across the world famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.

 

Speaking about the Trust’s work, Colin Burman, President of the Trust, said: “It has been a pleasure to see so many disabled and disadvantaged people over the years enjoy a day trip on the Llangollen Canal, they can relax and enjoy the view from our specially built and designed narrowboat, and after boarding they can unwind as they go over the World Heritage site the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and travel on the beautiful Llangollen Canal as part of their day trip on Lady Winifred.”

Following his visit, Mr Baynes said: “It was a great pleasure to visit the Vale of Llangollen Canal Boat Trust during its 40^th anniversary year and to learn about the fantastic work they have been doing for forty years to allow disabled and disadvantaged people to enjoy Llangollen’s canal.

 

“The Trust enables those who wouldn’t ordinarily be able to access our waterways to enjoy them in safety and comfort whilst also showcasing the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and the beautiful Dee Valley. I look forward to following their continued work and wish them all the best for the next forty years.”

Former vet Sandra Woodall has died aged 80

* Sandra Woodhall has died aged 80.

One of Llangollen’s best-known personalities, former local vet and charity organiser Sandra Woodhall, has died at the age of 80.

One of her most memorable achievements was as a founder of the Llangollen Round Challenge, an often gruelling test of endurance in which hundreds of people from across the UK and abroad run or walk their way around a 35-mile circuit of the hills surrounding the town.

The amount raised for Cancer Research UK (CRUK) by the challenge has climbed steadily from £33,000 to last year's total of almost £120,000 which was boosted by government returns on charity donations.

Sandra was born in the USA of an American father and brought up in the Home Counties.

She qualified as a vet in London and came to practice and live in Llangollen in the late 1970s.

The practice was based at Siamber Wen and Sandra retired in the late 2000s.

She and her husband Richard have two children and three grandchildren. 

Sandra was chairman of CRUK in Llangollen for 20 years during which time she set up the Llangollen Round Challenge, which is held every three years, with her friend Judy Smith.

Paying tribute to her, Judy said: “Perhaps her greatest legacy was the Challenge and she was just fantastic to work with on that one.

“I have truly never known anybody more reliable in that if we decided to do something, she never ever forgot or delayed - she'd have it done before you had time to turn round. Sandra was a really remarkable person. 

“She knew and was friends with so many people in the town. She was what I would call a people's person, she had empathy with people, and from her early days as a vet in town to her later commitments in so many different fields, she always inspired people's respect and loyalty. Sandra was remarkable and a great loss to Llangollen.”

Sandra was a member of Llangollen Inner Wheel and also on the Floral Committee of the Llangollen Eisteddfod. 

* Llanblogger will try to bring readers details of the funeral when they are given.

Dory Gallery team hosts artistic workshops at Denbigh Castle

Sue and Tony from Llangollen's Dory Gallery will be hosting photography and drawing workshops at Denbigh Castle this Friday and Saturday, June 16 and 17 costing £5 per session. 

Both workshops are aimed at adults with the photography workshop running from 10.30am-12.30pm and the drawing workshop from 2-4pm.

There is a maximum of 80 people over both days with 20 tickets per session. 

Guests must bring their own cameras and art supplies.

* For further details go to: https://cadw.gov.wales/art-and-photography-workshops-denbigh-castle

Seat sticks to trusty estate car concept with new Leon

Seat Leon Estate drive by Steve Rogers

Remember this? The good old reliable estate car. It’s what we used to transport the family to the seaside, for some it doubled up as a workhorse. If you could stretch to a big Volvo there was even room for furniture. Antique dealers loved them, apparently.

Then Nissan came up with a new idea, a crossover, part SUV, part hatchback which pretty much made the estate car redundant. Fortunately there are still plenty of manufacturers keeping the faith even though sales have dwindled and I have been driving a belter.

The Leon is a medium sized family estate and by today’s standards is good value. It starts at £24,000, quite a bit less than an equivalent SUV, easily takes five adults and has a big boot. The new model is a tad longer and has an extra 30 litres of space - that’s a small suitcase.

Now I have nothing against SUVs, I own one, and as good as they are, you will get more driving pleasure from an estate, particularly if Leon is the car of choice. As part of the Volkswagen Audi group Seat has always been the fun brand with a reputation for being sporty and cheeky but without the price tag of a VW or Audi.

It is one of those cars that feels great before you have covered a mile. Everything about it is in tune with the driver, comfy driving position, precise, quick steering, and a feeling that the handling is going to be razor sharp. It is.

My test car was the FR Sport so the clue is in the name. Low profile 18inch rims and sport suspension yet this was no hard ride. I expected it to be, but while certainly on the firm side it was still comfortable and cushioned potholes and the like better than any car I have driven this year.

Power came from a mild hybrid 1.5 litre petrol, Seat’s best engine in my opinion, and mated to a seven speed automatic DSG gearbox. Does it get any better? Hold on, this is no steaming hot hatch but quick enough to keep the driver’s heartbeat pumping should you feel the need.

There are two reasons why I rate this engine so highly: lively performance and strong economy. During my week I never dropped below 40mpg, finished with an average of 45mpg and managed 49mpg on a quick 100 mile motorway run.

This is an efficient unit and part of it is down to technology developed by VW-Audi. Two of the four cylinders close down when the car is coasting so saving fuel. Good to have friends in high places...

Now I am going to tell you why this seemingly wonderful Leon caused me irritation and frustration for a couple of days.

Seat has gone all in on technology. Digital dashboard, which is excellent, and a all singing and dancing infotainment system that controls everything. It is a familiar set up, a 10in touch screen where you will find a mountain of information, navigation and smartphone interface, along with those features we use constantly - heating and radio.

Trouble is it takes a while to work it out. If you can find it, Seat provides a tutorial to point you in the right direction so it is a good idea to take a calm half hour to get to know the system.

I measure ease of use against the various cars I review. Mercedes, Audi, Kia are a few examples of systems that are intuitive, while Mazda’s set up is so simple it would make the perfect industry template.

It all came together eventually although the voice control ‘lady’ butting in with a random question when not asked tried our patience. Had I done something to trigger the interruptions when delving into the coms? Who knows.

There was only one other oddment and concerned touch sensitive pads to adjust the heating temperature. They are beautifully slim and flush fitting but are not back lit so cannot be seen at night. Has someone forgotten to connect them for illumination?

Did it spoil my time with Leon? Absolutely not. This is a fine car in just about every way and is also a tow car of the year winner, something else I was able to experience and can see why it won its category.

Apart from having to go to the top of the range for a rear camera Leon is well equipped and has a full suite of driver safety aids

Is there still a future for an estate car? If this is an example then there are years of life left.

Fast facts

Leon Estate FR Sport TSI EVO

£30,590

1.5 litre petrol; 148bhp. 7sp automatic

0-62mph 8.5secs; 135mph

44 to 48.7mpg combined

132g/km. 1st tax £210

Insurance group 22

Boot: 620-1541 litres

Towing capacity: 1700kg

Abseiler helps Eisteddfod put up its banner in a prime spot

* Abseiler Colin Martin swings out over the Dee to secure the corner of the Eisteddfod banner.

* R3 Safety & Rescue managing director Paul O'Sullivan leans out to make sure his colleague in safe.

* Job well done: Colin about to abseil back up to the bridge after securing the banner. 

An expert abseiler helped the Eisteddfod put up its striking new advertising banner on a vantage point high above Llangollen station this morning (Monday).

Colin Martin, a rescue trainer with Glyndyfrdwy-based R3 Safety & Rescue, got himself properly roped up with the assistance of boss Paul O’Sullivan before swinging out over the waters of the River Dee to secure the huge red banner to the side of the girder supporting the passenger bridge over the platform.

Away from his day-job Colin volunteers with North East Wales Search and Rescue (NEWSAR). 

The banner, which will stay in its vantage point in clear view of the town bridge for the duration of the festival, is based on the Eisteddfod’s new, more modern branding design.

Eisteddfod board member Ian Lebbon, who was there to watch the intricate operation, said: “It’s good to see our bright new banner going up where everyone will be able to see it.

“It’s also great that the guys from R3 Safety & Rescue, who have done this job for us for a number of years now, were back to help us out again, free of charge, this year.”

Guy Barker’s Big Band will take the stage at Llangollen as part of a high quality series of concerts which kick-off on the Tuesday evening, July 4, with Eisteddfod favourite Alfie Boe who joins forces with musical theatre super-group, Welsh of the West End.

Wednesday will see The White Flower: Into The Light, a concert of remembrance for the fallen of Sarajevo and Ukraine, featuring the NEW Sinfonia orchestra with soloists from Bosnia, Wales and Ukraine, with works including extracts from Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man culminating in the Eisteddfod’s traditional message of peace and hope for the future of all nations

The popular procession of international participants and celebration of peace takes place on Thursday, followed by Flight, a new theatrical work by visionary artists Propellor Ensemble, inspired by migratory patterns in nature and humanity.

Saturday features the blue riband event, the Choir of the World competition for the coveted Pavarotti Trophy, and also Dance Champions and the Pendine International Voice of the Future 2023.

There is a new look to the final day of the Eisteddfod on Sunday with an all new live final which sees rising vocal stars battle it out to claim the title Voice of Musical Theatre, and a new song-writing competition for emerging voices in contemporary popular music.

On the field, community bands, brass, silver, wind,  compete, and audiences can choose their winner of the new Eisteddfod Dance Off.

As well as the concerts, each day features a full programme of competitions in the Pavilion and a line-up of stalls and exhibitions on the field along with the competitors from around the world, many in colourful dress while three open-air stages run a stream of live performances.

There will also be lots of entertainment on the outside site including workshops, talks, international showcases, outdoor theatre performances and circus skills.

* For tickets or for more on Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and its competitions and concerts as well as how to get to it and where to stay go to www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk or check out www.facebook.com/llangollen