Fundraiser to bring sick teenager home from Greece hits target, says story

A fundraiser to bring a Garth teenager home after she contracted bacterial meningitis while on holiday has been an overwhelming success.

* For the full story, see the Denbighshire Free Press at: Target hit in effort to bring Denbighshire teen with meningitis home | Denbighshire Free Press

Llangollen to join Flying Start childcare scheme

Further areas within Denbighshire, including Llangollen, are now set to receive assistance through the Flying Start childcare scheme.

The expanded areas now cover Rhyl, Prestatyn, Meliden, Rhuddlan, Dyserth, Denbigh, Corwen, Llangollen, Llandrillo, Llanfair DC and are applicable to families who have a child who turned 2 years old between 1st September 2024 and 31st August 2025.

This expansion means that families in the new areas will be eligible for up to 12 ½ hours of funded childcare per week during term time. With more settings offering funded Flying Start Childcare, and new postcodes being added regularly, families are encouraged to check their postcode using the postcode checker on the website.

Denbighshire Flying Start is a Welsh Government funded programme. The aim of the programme is to help children to have the best possible start in life for their future growth and development.

Councillor Diane King, Lead Member for Education, Children and Families said:

“This latest expansion of the Flying Start scheme will mean that more Denbighshire families can now get access to the free childcare provision. This assistance is a massive help for parents and families.

Residents in the newly expanded areas can check if their postcode is eligible through the postcode checker.”

For more information please visit: https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/childcare-and-parenting/families-first-and-flying-start/flying-start.aspx

Council introduces measures to control Llangollen summer holiday parking

 

Council officers will be monitoring parking at Llangollen’s Horseshoe falls and the surrounding area this summer holiday.

Denbighshire County Council is urging visitors to the hotspot to park responsibly this holiday and look to plan ahead to visit other nearby attractions that are available across the Dee Valley if this area is busy.

A number of preparations have already been made to manage an increase in visitors:

•  Extra countryside rangers will be on site to manage the area and provide support and information for visitors.
• Civil enforcement officers will also monitor the site and surrounding area, especially at predicated peak busy time.
• Fencing has been installed at the Horseshoe Falls car park entrance to stop parking on the grass verges which can obstruct other traffic.
• Awareness signs are prominent at the site advising drivers to park responsibly.
• The Council will also liaise with partners including North Wales Police to monitor any increased traffic issues at the site

Councillor Alan James, Denbighshire Cabinet Lead Member for Local Development and Planning, said: “We do want visitors to enjoy Horseshoe Falls and the surrounding areas but would strongly urge them that parking restrictions are important for both road safety and ensuring there is a fair turnover of parking spaces. Drivers need to be aware that while visiting, anyone not complying with parking restrictions risk receiving a Penalty Charge Notice from our civil enforcement officers.

“Our rangers are on site at Horseshoe Falls to provide advice and guidance to visitors coming to the site and I would ask that the public also respect the important role they are there to carry out.

“Please plan your day in advance and make sure you have other options planned for visiting and parking if you cannot stop at your first choice of venue as the Dee Valley has plenty of attractions to visit.

MS calls for councils not to impose 'toxic' tourist tax

Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, is urging local authorities not to introduce the controversial visitor levy in North Wales.

Earlier this month the Senedd passed a new law allowing councils to tax visitors £1.30-a-night plus VAT, for stays in hotels, B&Bs and self-catering accommodation from 2027.

People staying in hostels and campsites would pay 75p per person per night, with under-18s exempt from the lower rate of the tax.

The Welsh Government will allow local authorities to make their own decisions on whether to levy the additional charge for overnight stays in visitor accommodation.

Mr Rowlands, Chair of the Senedd’s Cross-Party Group on Tourism and a constant critic of the plan said:

“I really couldn’t believe it when this toxic tax was passed earlier this month as in this current climate the last thing we should be doing is discouraging people from visiting North Wales.

“One of the biggest employers in my region is the tourism sector, which supports around 46,000 jobs and in normal times generates over £3.5 billion annually to the local economy. We should be supporting our hospitality industry not hindering its growth.

“I have met with many hospitality businesses owners, particularly in North-East Wales and people are extremely worried about the introduction of this tax and how it will impact them.

“Tourism groups and businesses across Wales have all expressed their very real concerns but unfortunately their words fell on deaf ears.

“The Wales Tourism Alliance has said these plans would make the industry less competitive and make Wales seem more expensive.

“I really don’t think it is worth all the upheaval, bad feeling and work, to charge people a fee which will vary from 80p to £1.30 a night.

“I understand that Wrexham County Borough Council has already said it will not introduce the visitor levy and I would urge other local authorities in North Wales to do the same.

“Given the opportunity, the Welsh Conservatives will axe the toxic Tourism Tax before it comes into force.”

Town Council seeks a caretaker

 

Jersey singers receive delayed Children's Choir of World award

* Dr Rhys Davies presents the Children's Choir of the World award to the Musical Originals Singers from Jersey.

One of the outstanding choirs at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod 2025 was the Musical Originals Singers from Jersey.

They were awarded the prestigious Young Choir of the World 2025 title. 

The presentation of this highly anticipated award was delayed due to the extraordinary medical incident that led to the cancellation of the Uniting Nations concert on Wednesday, July 9.

As a result, a ceremony was held the following day. The award was presented by Dr Rhys Davies, in memory of his son Owen. Dr Davies and his wife Anne, sponsor this competition annually. 

Imogen Nicholas, Musical Director of the choir, along with members of the group, proudly received the trophy and prize.

* The Musical Originals Singers from Jersey on the Pavilion stage.

She said: "It’s completely astounding. One of the judges told us they are the highest marks ever awarded to a children’s choir in that Eisteddfod, which is the crème de la crème of Eisteddfodau.   

"The trophy is so heavy we couldn’t get it on the flight back!… The choir deserve this success so much. They have given up a lot for this - they wanted it, and they got it. I am so incredibly proud of them. The trophy will ultimately be on public display at a museum on Jersey.”  

Dr Rhys Davies, trustee and Welsh language lead at the festival, said: "The Young Choir of the World prize is given in memory of our son, Owen Davies. It means so much to see the Musical Originals Singers, with their wonderful energy and talent, receive this award. Owen’s name lives on through the music, joy, and cultural spirit that this prize represents, and I know he would be immensely proud of this incredible choir. 

"The Eisteddfod team is incredibly proud of the Musical Originals Singers and their remarkable achievements, which adds to the rich tradition of celebrating musical excellence and cultural exchange that the festival is renowned for." 

The prize fund for 2026 is now open, every penny goes directly to the competitors. The generosity helps nurture a global culture of amateur music-making, providing a vital platform for emerging young solo artists and talented groups. If you would like to make a donation for whatever cause - then please visit: https://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/support-us/prize-fund/ 

Suzuki reveals its first battery electric car

* The electric Vitara.

Steve Rogers previews Suzuki’s first electric car

All wheel drive is alive and well at Suzuki and there are no plans to change direction.

On the 55th anniversary of the first 4x4 to arrive in the UK Suzuki has revealed its first battery electric car will have Allgrip technology. Fittingly it will take the Vitara name, the model that has been Suzuki’s bedrock since it was launched 37 years ago.

Suzuki paraded its off-road heritage at Monster Mountain, a motocross centre overlooking Merthyr Tydfil where we were reminded how good cars like the 1988 Vitara and even the little Swift are at tackling challenging terrains with a minimum of fuss.

But all eyes are on the e Vitara which arrives here in the autumn with a new look, lots of technology and competitive pricing.

Suzuki is partnered with Toyota and has rebadged a couple of its hybrid models but e Vitara is a Suzuki from the ground up, built on a purpose built electric platform and with styling that at last brings Vitara right up to date.

The new model is 100mm longer, closer to the old Grand Vitara, and promises more cabin space thanks to an extra 200mm on the wheelbase.

The range follows the regular two model line-up with Motion and Ultra, both offered with Allgrip and a choice of 49kWh or 61kWh battery capacity giving the base model a range of 214 miles rising to 264 miles with the larger unit.

A full charge from a home wall charger is around eight hours but it can be charged at a 150kW public charging point although the 45 minutes for a 10-80 percent top up is slower than most of Vitara’s rivals.

An important addition is a heat pump to reduce strain on the battery so drivers will not see the range tumbling down as soon as the heating is turned on which can be quite a shock without one in cold conditions.

* Suzuki's off-road heritage.

Performance looks to be on par with most of its rivals, a sprint to 62mph covered in 7.4 seconds with the larger battery. It dips a couple of seconds with the smaller battery but is still a good bit quicker than the current petrol Vitara.

As is Suzuki’s way the entry level Motion is packed with kit and more than enough to avoid upgrading if budget is an important factor. Expect to get keyless entry, integrated navigation, heated front driver’s seat (61kWh model) electric parking brake, auto dipping headlights, slide and reclining rear seat.

Driver safety aids are pretty much the same on both models with front collision braking and rear cross traffic alert the stand out features.

Moving up to Ultra adds a powered driver seat, better sound system, 360 degree view camera, synthetic leather upholstery and a glass roof. Allgrip models get hill descent control and trail mode.

According to Suzuki, demand for four wheel drive is still strong and with so few rivals offering the same they expect 30 per cent of sales to go to Allgrip which only loses a minimal amount of economy over the two wheel drive models.

Early pictures show the sort of cabin we have been waiting for from Suzuki. Different textures and colours, digital driver’s display and a thoroughly modern centre console have completely changed the face of Vitara.

A big move by Suzuki is a 10 year car and battery warranty linked to a dealer servicing contract, and as a customer sweetener you can get zero interest finance and a free home charger.

Fast facts

e Vitara Motion/Ultra

Prices 2WD: £29,999-£35,799

Allgrip: £34,999-£37,799

0-62mph 7.4secs-9.6secs; 93mph

Battery capacity: 49/kWh-61kWh

Range: 214-265 miles

Zero emissions