Old Vic residents help create positive change for older people

* Old Vicarage owner and manager Bethan Mascarenhas. Image: Ceidiog PR.

The Older People’s Commissioner for Wales visited Llangollen to meet with residents at the Old Vicarage Care Home and hear from them about the action she should take to deliver positive change for older people.

They told Rhian Bowen-Davies that the care and support provided there, which is focused on people’s individual needs rather than a ‘one size fits all’ approach made them feel valued and safe, and that the wide range of activities on offer gave them something to look forward to every day, an important part of having a good quality of life.

The experiences, views and ideas shared by older people will be used to shape the Commissioner’s upcoming Strategy and Work Plan as well as her ongoing work to improve policy and practice.

The visit to Llangollen was part of a wider series of visits to meet with older people across Wales where the Commissioner and her team will be hearing directly from older people about the action they should deliver and the key issues they should focus on, with visits to every local authority in Wales planned in the weeks ahead.

As well as providing residential and respite care, the Old Vicarage also supports older people living with dementia, and its owner and manager Bethan Mascarenhas recently won a top award for her outstanding commitment to her work, having become one of the youngest care home owners in Wales shortly before the pandemic.

The Commissioner said: "It was great to be back in north Wales to meet with older people living in the Old Vicarage and learn more from them about the ways we can support care home residents to have the best possible quality of life.

“The Old Vicarage challenges expectations about what life in a care home can be like, and it was really positive to see how happy and safe the older people I spoke with felt living in the home.

“The experiences shared will help me develop my upcoming Strategy and Work Programme, which will have older people’s voices at its heart.”

Alongside travelling throughout Wales to speak directly with older people, the Commissioner is also inviting older people to share their experiences in writing by completing a short questionnaire.

She added: "I want to hear from as many older people as possible, from a wide range of different backgrounds and communities, so please do make your voice heard by completing my questionnaire if you can and help deliver positive change for older people.”

Sir Karl Jenkins to conduct Llangollen concert for UN's 80th anniversary

* Sir Karl Jenkins. Picture by Rhys Frampton.

Sir Karl Jenkins will be conducting a landmark concert at this year’s Llangollen International Eisteddfod to mark the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. 

The concert, Uniting Nations: One World, will bring together voices from across the globe, including WorldChoir, London’s Covent Garden Chorus, and some of the Eisteddfod’s visiting international choirs.

The centrepiece of the evening will be a performance of Karl Jenkins’ masterpiece One World, a large-scale choral work for soloists, choir and orchestra, which heralds a vision of a peaceful and egalitarian planet that treats nature and ecological issues with respect and where human rights are universal. 

It reflects his passion for bringing people together through the universal power of music, promoting a message of peace and understanding across cultures.

A stellar line-up of soloists will include two previous winners of the Eisteddfod’s Pendine International Voice of the Future competition, both of whom have continued into flourishing professional careers, the Singaporean soprano Shimona Rose and the Welsh mezzo-soprano Eirlys Myfanwy Davies.

The first half of the concert will feature the world premiere of a new version of the Peace Child story, ahead of subsequent performances at the Ljubljana Festival in Slovenia, and at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on UN Day.

Dave Danford, Artistic Director of the Llangollen International Eisteddfod, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Sir Karl Jenkins back to Llangollen this summer to conduct this special performance of One World. 

"This is a concert that encapsulates the very ethos of both our Eisteddfod and the United Nations, bringing people from different nations and cultures together in an optimistic celebration of unity.”

Llangollen International Eisteddfod takes place from July 8-13 2025 and features headline concerts from The Who legend Roger Daltrey, KT Tunstall, Il Divo and Bryn Terfel with Fisherman's Friends. Tickets are available from llangollen.net

Update given on A5 traffic disruption

Traffic Wales has issued an update on work which is disrupting traffic on the A5 in Llangollen. 

* To see the full story in Leaderlive, go to: Update on work causing traffic disruption at A5 Llangollen | The Leader

Denbighshire is 'well-run and effective' says independent report

Denbighshire County Council is well run, exercises its functions effectively and acknowledges the challenges it has recently faced.

That's the positive verdict of the Panel Performance Assessment - a snapshot of how the authority is being run - approved by its Cabinet yesterday (Tuesday). 

The assessment, the first to be carried out in Wales, was held last September when a panel of independent experts evaluated key areas of the council’s performance.

 

It is a Welsh Government requirement that this evaluation is carried out every five years.

The panel interviewed Cabinet members, councillors, staff and a range of partners and in its findings concluded that overall, given the current context of significant demand and financial pressures, Denbighshire is a well-run council with key areas of strengths and innovation.

The report concluded that overall it exercises its functions effectively and also acknowledges the challenges it has recently faced. 

It also said the council has clear process in place to manage resources economically and efficiently and has navigated a decade of local government austerity well while protecting front line services where possible.

 

It found there are positive working relationships between staff and members and recognition among staff of the council’s ethos.  

Staff also demonstrated a "strong sense of pride in working for the authority" and showed a real commitment to making a difference to communities and a willingness to support staff from other council service areas when needed.

 

The panel noted areas of good practice and innovation, including a high degree of integration across social services and education and good engagement with staff and members and the Member Area Groups whereby members and officers meet in designated wards across the county to discuss residents’ local priorities and local impact issues.

Denbighshire’s Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets, Councillor Gwyneth Ellis, said: “The positive report is a reflection of staff’s efforts and commitment to the people of Denbighshire.

 

“As a council we welcomed the opportunity to participate and we have appreciated being given the chance to test ideas with impartial expert peers who can provide alternative perspectives. Having drawn up an action plan based on the recommendations, the Council will now work towards achieving these.”

 

Cabinet has recommended the report to council for approval to take forward action on key areas for improvement identified. 

* The full report can be found on the following link https://tinyurl.com/mr46f9k2

Ken Skates announces move from his Clwyd South seat after 14 years

* Ken Skates MS.

Ken Skates has said a fond farewell to the local constituency he has served on the Welsh Government for almost 14 years.

Large-scale boundary revisions mean that the next Senedd election in 2026 will be fought on a completely new electoral map under which his Clwyd South seat – including Llangollen – is due to disappear.

Welsh Labour member Mr Skates, who has his constituency office at the Malthouse on Regent Street, has therefore  announced his intention to seek selection for the neighbouring Wrexham constituency.

But the politician, who serves as Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, stresses he will continue to "give his all" to Clwyd South until the changes take place.

He said: “It has been the honour of my life to serve the people of Clwyd South since 2011, and I will be extremely sad to say goodbye to the communities and constituents I have worked alongside for more than a decade when the constituency ceases to exist next year. 

“I was born in Wrexham and studied for my NVQ in Wrexham. The city and county borough are a huge part of my life. I want to continue fighting for the interests of the area, and will be seeking selection to represent Wrexham. 

“I hope to be given the opportunity to help Wrexham continue on its upward trajectory and deliver for its communities, many of which I have represented as MS for Clwyd South. 

“In the meantime, and whatever else happens, I will continue to give my all to Clwyd South as I have done every day since May 2011. There are still a number of key priorities I want to see through, and I will do my utmost to help deliver them for local communities.” 

Under latest proposals announced by the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru (DBCC) last year the country would be split into 16 large constituencies instead of the present 40 smaller ones. 

Ninety-six members, rather than the present 60, would represent each constituency, with six being elected in each one. 

Everyone of 16+ will now have one vote, choosing a political party or independent candidate. 

The DBCC proposes the new constituency to which Llangollen would belong should be called simply Clwyd and based around the new Clwyd East and the Clwyd North parliamentary seats. 

The new Wrexham constituency which Mr Skates aims to represent would be called Fflint Wrecsam and combine the present Alyn and Deeside and the Wrexham constituencies. 

The Commission will publish its final decisions report at the end of this March.

Lots to enjoy at auction with entertainment on Friday

This Friday, February 21, St Collen’s Community Hall is hosting a Sip, Savour & Bid evening in aid of much-needed church funds.

And organisers say it promises delicious treats, exciting auction items and live entertainment.

Guests can enjoy a selection of wine and cheese while taking part in a Promise Auction, expertly led by auctioneer Andrew Conde. A variety of items have been generously donated by local businesses and organisations.  

Lots include:

* Wild Pheasant Spar for two

* Llangollen Eisteddfod Family ticket 2 adults, 3 children

* Llangollen Eisteddfod 'Choir of the World' 2 adults

* The Bridge End Hotel £30 voucher.

* The Fish Stall on the Market £25 voucher

* Bottle of Tobermory Malt Whisky

* Royal Doulton Ornament

* 2 Trendy Lamps

* 2 tickets XX Club performance of The Importance of Being Earnest

* Lily Rose £10 Voucher

* Torch - donated by Watkin & Williams

* Ty Nook £20 voucher

* Llangollen Golf Club 4 Ball

* Fouzi’s £20 Gift Voucher

* Sunday Lunch for 2 @ The Hand Hotel

* 2 Framed Prints St Collen’s Church.

Adding to the evening’s enjoyment will be live entertainment from Angharad Watts, a talented young soloist from Llangollen, and Phil Robinson (llanblogger), well-known for his old time music hall performances with the Collen Players.

The event begins at 7pm and tickets are priced at £5.

* For more information or to book your place, email: stcollens@gmail.com or phone 01978 869285.

SEAT's Spanish maestro basks in supermini Indian summer

Seat Ibiza drive by Steve Rogers

There has never been a bad time to buy a Seat Ibiza and it could be heading for a bumper year.

The supermini pool is draining. The demise of Ford Fiesta is a thorn out of everyone's side, and Citroen has gone all electric with the C3 so relatively cheap to run cars like Ibiza are in for an Indian summer as punters dither over the right time to go electric.

The Spanish maestro has been charming us for 40 years and in that time more than six million have rolled off the production line.

It is the company’s most successful model, always punching above its weight and winning a shedload of awards as Seat established the brand to what it is today.

Here we have the FR Sport, a nod to the good old days of the hot hatch. Now this is no steamer but it does have a remarkable engine.

You would not expect much from a 1-litre three cylinder petrol, so prepare to be surprised. The credit has to go to parent company Volkswagen-Audi, they built it, and it is a belter feeling quicker than the 9.9 seconds to hit 62mph. Some of that is down to the seven speed DSG automatic gearbox that produces snappy, seamless changes. There are steering wheel paddle shifters and a sport mode to add to the fun.

Something to note is the FR Sport’s ride which is on the firm side, for obvious reasons, so if comfort is important go for one of the other Ibiza models.

The abiding memory of Ibiza is how easy it is to live with. Nothing is complicated; a car you instantly feel at home in. The layout is simple but effective, even the touchscreen is easy to master, while the heating controls are neatly laid out with physical buttons. Result all round.

FR Sport gets a digital driver’s binnacle with a choice of layouts and useful information in a no nonsense user friendly set up.

Ibiza might be small but is big on technology with plenty to find in the 9.2 inch fast responding touchscreen. Smartphone connections are a must these days and connecting my Android phone was simplicity itself. Voice control worked well finding navigation destinations and music searches.

At all but £25k FR Sport is at the upper end of the model range and does get a fair amount of kit including LED headlights with range control - that’s the next level up from auto dipping lights - navigation with real time traffic updates, fuel prices etc and an SOS button if you need urgent help.

It is reasonably roomy for a supermini with proper adult size legroom in the back seats. The boot is spacious for the size of car but could do with a false floor. Using all the boot space is a rare event and a false floor would avoid the fairly big drop when loading smaller items like shopping bags.

An emergency spare wheel is another bonus and far more reassuring than the bottle of sealing gunge which, by all accounts, hardly ever works on any car so good on you Seat.

Economy is hardly class leading, there is no hybrid option, and my average over the week just crept over 41mpg but you might manage 50mpg on a motorway run.

Seat has probably gone as far as it can with Ibiza but if there is one last hurrah they should think about reducing road noise which is pretty loud on FR Sport, fitting a reversing camera much earlier in the seven strong range, and popping in an auto hold button.

Apart from those minor infringements Ibiza is a solid buy, roomy, well equipped, relatively cheap to run and above all, great to drive.

Fast facts

Ibiza FR Sport

£24,620 (starts £19,725)

1-litre TSI; 113bhp

0-62mph 9.9secs; 123mph

48.7-51.4mpg combined

126g/km. 1st road tax £220

Boot: 355 litres

Insurance group 15