County council to consider its local toilets strategy next week

A report will go to Denbighshire’s Cabinet on Tuesday December 17 about Denbighshire’s Local Toilets Strategy. 

In line with the Public Health (Wales) Act 2017 the council has prepared this strategy to outline how it intends to try to meet the public toilet requirements of the county. 

 

While there’s no legal requirement for any local authority to provide public conveniences, this strategy identifies how the local authority will work towards meeting the need within each community in Denbighshire. 

This could be through direct provision or working with private businesses to make facilities available to the public.

 

The Local Toilets Strategy has been developed following a full public consultation earlier this year on the interim needs assessment, which resulted in 1,400 responses.

The purpose of this assessment was to review the needs of the local population, including changing facilities for babies and changing places facilities for disabled people. 

The overall aim of the strategy is to try to meet the identified need for provision of public toilets in Denbighshire without exceeding the current budget for the service.

 

Denbighshire, like many local authorities, is facing a period of significant and continued budget pressures. In order to set a balanced budget for 2024/25, the council says it is looking at alternative ways of providing some services such as public conveniences.

 

Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “As yet, no decision has been made about closing public conveniences in Denbighshire and this strategy is about identifying where there is a need for toilets and how to try and meet this identified need.

 

“We understand that public conveniences are highly valued assets by certain parts of the community. However, the fact remains that the provision of public conveniences is not a statutory duty, and we do not now have a big enough budget to enable us to keep delivering services in the same way that we have always delivered them in the past.

 

“Officers have already identified the needs of the local population through the Interim Needs Assessment consultation, and they are looking for alternative ways to deliver the service in line with the budget, such as the Community Toilet Scheme.”

 

If the report is agreed upon in Cabinet, there will be a public consultation on this strategy starting on December 18.

 

You can view the papers on:

http://mgintranet/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=281&MId=6895&LLL=0

* Town councillors last month approved a plan to work together with the county council in a bid to save Llangollen's under-threat public toilets. 

A report from town clerk Gareth Thomas said: “The county council have indicated that if they can convert the existing toilets on Market Street to cashless operation and variable summer and winter opening times then this will reduce cost which will allow for the continued provision of the service.

“However, to facilitate this capital works are required to the building and the county council is applying to the Brilliant Basics Fund which assists in the provision of small-scale tourism infrastructure improvements across Wales and is open to local authorities and national park authorities.

“Total grant available is £300,000 with a maximum intervention rate of 80%. There is no minimum grant amount.

“The estimated cost of the works to upgrade the toilet facilities to allow for cashless payment is in the region of £40,000.

“During discussions with the county council, it was clear that a joint application would be looked upon more favourably and therefore it is proposed that the town council would contribute to the match funding requirement to a maximum of 10% and provision has made in the asset specific reserve to facilitate such a contribution in 2025-26.”

Town councillors agreed to take £4,000 from their reserves to make the 10% contribution towards the £40,000. 

Rhos Male Voice Choir is 'still alive and still singing' says member

A member of Rhos Male Voice Choir who lives in Llangollen has sent out a message to say that the group of singers are alive and well and very much still singing.

He said: "People are thinking that Rhos Male Voice Choir have folded. Anything but, we are very much alive and singing.

"We are also attracting more recruits by the day. Often someone attends one of our Concerts and gets in touch to join us. That is excactly how I joined.

"It was our near neighbours, The Rhos Orpheus, who folded.

New members are always welcomed."

Roger Daltrey heads list of stars lined up for Eisteddfod week

 

* Tuesday July 8 - Roger Daltrey.

* Eisteddfod artistic director Dave Danford launches the festival week programme at the Pavilion this morning.

International and homegrown stars from the worlds of rock, pop, opera and the West End will be among the headliners to perform at the 2025 Llangollen International Eisteddfod.

Taking place from Tuesday July 8 to Sunday July 13, the week-long festival will include evening concerts from The Who’s Roger Daltrey, BRIT Award winner KT Tunstall, classical crossover group Il Divo, West End star Lucie Jones and leading opera star Sir Bryn Terfel.

Season tickets for the festival go on sale at 10am today (Wednesday) as well as advanced tickets for Friends of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, while individual tickets go on general sale at 9am Friday. For more information go to Llangollen.net

Legendary rock singer Roger Daltrey will open the Llangollen International Eisteddfod on Tuesday July 8 with a show packed with classic hits from both his time as frontman of The Who and his acclaimed solo career.

The following evening on Wednesday July 9 will see a choral concert celebrate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, produced in collaboration with Peace Child International.

BRIT Award winner KT Tunstall will make her Llangollen debut on Thursday July 10, performing her iconic debut album Eye to the Telescope in full, accompanied by the Absolute Orchestra conducted by Dave Danford. And the following evening, on Friday July 11, classical superstars Il Divo will bring their stunning vocals to the pavilion stage.

* K T Tunstall - Thursday July 10.

The festival’s globally-renowned Choir of the World competition will take place on Saturday July 12, with multi-award-winning West End sensation Lucie Jones performing twice during the evening.

To close the festival on Sunday July 13, Sir Bryn Terfel will perform his sea shanties and maritime folk tunes inspired the Sea Songs album in full. He will be joined on stage by special guests Fisherman’s Friends, who will also perform their own set, along with Welsh singer Eve Goodman.

* Sir Bryn Terfel - Sunday July 13.

The festival, which has taken place every summer since 1947, promotes peace and reconciliation through music and dance, and will once again welcome the world to Wales, with thousands of competitors from across the world heading to the beautiful Welsh town next summer.

In 2024 the festival co-promoted a number of additional shows outside the Eisteddfod week with leading UK promoters Cuffe and Taylor. 

This continues in 2025 with the Live at Llangollen Pavilion series taking place in the weeks before the Eisteddfod with headline shows announced so far from acts including The Human League, James, Olly Murs, Rag’n’Bone Man, The Script, Texas, and UB40 featuring Ali Campbell.

* Il Divo - Friday July 11.

Chairman of the Llangollen International Eisteddfod John Gambles said: “Our team are delighted to bring some of the world’s biggest artists to Llangollen. We have concerts that we are genuinely excited about. This includes legendary frontman from The Who, Roger Daltrey, multi-million-album-selling Il Divo, and the long awaited return of Sir Bryn Terfel with Fisherman’s Friends.

* Fisherman's Friends - Sunday July 13.

“The traditional elements of our Eisteddfod will also be in full swing including our Parade of Nations, our Children’s Day, our community project - Community Rhythm and Roots, Wales as well as a special gala concert, celebrating the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, produced in association with Peace Child International. Llangollen will once again be the place to be next summer.”

* Choir of the World - Saturday July 12.

Season Tickets for the festival will be on sale on Wednesday 11 December at 10am, as well as advanced tickets for Friends of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. Tickets go on general sale on Friday 13 December at 9am.

* Uniting Nations - Wednesday July 9.

Dave Danford, the Artistic Director of the Llangollen International Eisteddfod who has curated the concerts, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be announcing next year’s line-up for our festival, which mixes high-profile international artists with the Eisteddfod’s heritage and traditions. 

"There really is something for everybody next year, from the iconic voices of Bryn Terfel, Il Divo and Roger Daltrey, to the orchestral concerts - including a unique collaboration with KT Tunstall - to the finest Welsh talent, including Lucie Jones and Eve Goodman. There’s just so much to look forward to.”

* Pendine Voice of the Future - Sunday July 13.

* Lucy Jones - Saturday July 12.

* Eve Goodman - Sunday July 13.

* Edie Bens - Thursday July 10.

Good causes benefit from former Rotary Club's generosity

* Former Rotary presidents John Clifford, left, and Lee Todd hand over the cheque to Food Share's Stephanie Mitchell and Marie Mannings, right.  

Rhannu Llangollen Food Share was one of the good causes chosen to receive the remaining funds of the Dee Valley Rotary Club following its closure earlier this year.

During the recent Llangollen Christmas Festival its former presidents, John Clifford and Lee Todd, handed over a cheque for £1,663 to Food Share manager Stephanie Mitchell and volunteer Marie Mannings.

Welsh Air Ambulance benefitted to the tune of £1,663 and Llangollen Summer Fete has been given £500.

The air ambulance said: "We are incredibly grateful to you all for choosing Wales Air Ambulance Charity as one of your nominated Charities Of The Year. 

"Your support will help to keep our helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the ground treating the most critically ill and injured in your local area, seven days a week." 

The international disaster relief charity Shelterbox.org was another recipient of the club's cash and was sent £1,938.

An official responded: "We are extremely grateful for you club's contribution to assist people in our responses across the world."  

Total amount given to the good causes was £5,264. 

Collen Players present an evening of festive fun this Friday

The Collen Players have a spectacular line up for their Christmas show this Friday night.

They promise a sparkling evening of festive fun at St Collen’s Community Hall.

Apart from the cast of talented local performers the special guest star is song and dance sensation Colin Bourdeic, bringing his legendary charm, rhythm, and seasonal cheer to the stage.

When: Friday 13th December

Time: 6:30 PM

Tickets: £15 (includes delicious festive food!)

Cash bar available

Don’t miss this magical variety show filled with music, laughter, and a chance to sing-along.

Book now: Call 01978 860132 or 861774 to secure your tickets.

Sun Trevor celebrates raising £30k for hospice

The Sun Trevor in Llangollen has raised more than £30,000 through their weekly pub quiz in aid of Nightingale House Hospice, and celebrated with Dennis Taylor, former World Snooker Champion presenting the team with a cheque.

* For the full story in the Leader, see: Sun Trevor in Llangollen boost for Nightingale House Hospice | The Leader

Kia Stonic - a car without confusion

Kia Stonic drive by Steve Rogers

You get the feeling the Stonic designers had a clear goal: Make it simple.

Well, they smashed it. What a joy to get into a car and not suffer 10 minutes of confusion working out how everything works.

Stonic has a touchscreen, often a source of bewilderment, but this takes no time to master with a bank of quick keys to take you into the menus. Lots of information, no trouble finding it. Better still the heating controls are separate with chunky knobs and clearly marked switches, no faffing about in the touchscreen here.

Then there is lane assist, the safety aid many drivers disable unless on a motorway. Finding how to turn it off is often akin to cracking a safe, yet Stonic has a button on the steering wheel. Simple, so why doesn’t everyone do the same?

Stonic has taken over from the discontinued Rio as Kia’s small family car and falls into the category of affordable now that 20 grand seems to be the benchmark. It was launched in 2017 as a compact SUV to take on the likes of Renault Captur, Nissan Juke and Peugeot 2008, all bloated superminis with a little extra ride height.

That tap has stopped running as the switch to electric power gathers pace. The car isn’t offered as a full hybrid but the top two models get the ‘mild’ version with a 48-volt battery that deploys and recuperates electric power to lower emissions and give a nudge to economy.

There are five models with the entry ‘2’ grade just outside the 20 grand budget but with a generous box of equipment and safety systems. If you want to pamper yourself then the GT Line S does not leave much on the table with heated front seats and steering wheel, auto dipping LED headlights, rear camera with front and rear parking sensors, navigation, and a superb digital driver display the stand outs.

The Kia will also put you in the hot seat - literally. The heated seats warm incredibly quickly to a temperature high enough to take the skin off your backside. Best to knock it down to level one as soon as it starts to warm.

Compact it might be but Stonic can accommodate a family of five as long as the children are on the lean side. There is good width across the back seat although storing luggage for five will be a stretch; some rivals offer more boot space.

Performance isn’t talked about so much these days, and GT Line S flatters to decieve. It has three drive modes, economy, normal and sport, the background colour changing accordingly with red the obvious shade for sport, not that it goes any quicker than the entry model, it just feels quicker with a change in the rev delivery. There is the option of a seven speed double clutch auto with manual change option but is a second slower to sixty than the manual, if that is important.

It sticks to the road well and that is down to a fairly stiff suspension set up, for a little more comfort look at a Renault Clio or Citroen C3.

The Stonic’s safety package is to be applauded but I have a bee in my bonnet over companies holding back some features for top models. Stonic fares well with front emergency braking across the range, but rear collision avoidance, so useful when reversing out of a parking space, along with blind spot alert that could stop you pulling into the path of an approaching vehicle or cyclist is part of the GT Line S package.

Safety is not a luxury and should be the same from top to bottom.

Stonic is a solid package, particularly with the seven year warranty, but it would be a stronger contender as a full hybrid. My average economy for the week was 44mpg, hitting 50mpg on a longer trip, but similar full hybrids I have driven have clocked 60mpg. In the end it is all down to cost and Kia is ploughing millions into its electric programme so this is probably as far as it goes for Stonic.

Yet it is cars like Stonic, offering a lot for relatively little money, that are holding people back from taking the plunge into the expensive world of electric motoring.

Fast facts

Stonic GT Line S 7sp auto

£25,810 (starts £21,255)

1 litre T-GDi 98bhp

0-62mph 12.4secs; 109mph

49.6mpg combined

129g/km. 1st VED £200

Boot: 351-1155 litres

Insurance group 9