Recruitment underway for new county council chief executive

Denbighshire County Council has started the recruitment process for a new chief executive.

This is a key position responsible for the delivery of quality services for Denbighshire residents and the council says it is looking to appoint a "purposeful leader who will share its ambitions to continue to be one of the best performing local authorities in Wales".

Candidates are being invited to apply for the role which involves working closely with elected members in preparing, developing and delivering strategic direction as well as implementing, monitoring and reviewing council policies.

Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader of the Council, said: “As a top performing council in Wales which was praised as ‘well-run’ in its Panel Performance Assessment at the end of 2024, Denbighshire has a strong senior team in place which has an understanding of the financial challenges which currently face us and also a robust strategy in place to deal with these challenges. Our existing staff also have a proven track record in securing additional investment to help improve and regenerate our communities.

“This is an exciting time to be joining Denbighshire with several projects and initiatives on the go which will benefit residents and visitors alike. We’re fortunate to benefit from coastal and rural areas from the resorts of Rhyl and Prestatyn through the historic towns of Rhuddlan, St Asaph, Denbigh and Ruthin, the scenic rolling hills of the Clwydian Range to the picturesque Dee Valley and the towns of Llangollen and Corwen. It’s a county that has something to offer everyone.

“With an ambitious Corporate Plan for 2022 – 2027, we are now looking for an ambitious and forward-thinking individual to lead the organisation into a successful future and to deliver the priorities that will have a significant impact for our residents and local businesses.”

The council says candidates must be able to demonstrate an ability to "inspire and empower a diverse workforce and have the skills to lead a dynamic, high performing Senior Leadership Team in order to drive the delivery of the Corporate Plan". 

It adds: "If you have the commitment and leadership abilities to help steer the modernisation of the Council and drive change and improvements across all of its services and functions, then this is the role for you."

* For further information about the role please visit https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/working-together 

Star conductor to meet up with fan from Llan while in Hong Kong

* Robert Guy will conduct in Hong Kong.

A conductor who defied the odds after being born with severe hearing loss will take centre stage in Asia this autumn  - leading one of the continent’s most acclaimed orchestras.

Robert Guy, a trailblazing conductor from Wrexham, has been invited to guest conduct the renowned City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong.

And while he is there he will team up with one of his biggest fans from Llangollen.

In a happy coincidence, Robert will be reunited with the familiar face of Bill Kong, who hails from Hong Kong but now lives in Llangollen.

Bill is the longest serving member of the Welsh Male Voice Choir of Hong Kong, which was founded in 1978 by a group of expats and now has 70 members from all around the world.

Coincidentally, Bill is due to be travelling back to Hong Kong due to family commitments at the same time as Rob is also there.

* Robert will meet up with Bill Kong while in Hong Kong.

Robert will be taking up the baton at a glittering two-night showcase called A Night at the Musicals on October 26 and 27.

The star-studded event will feature Crisel Consunji, the award-winning Filipina-Hong Kong film and stage actress, singer and star of global cinema hit Still Human.

During the eight-day visit Guy will also deliver a prestigious lecture at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Entitled From Silence to Symphony, the lecture will explore his personal journey from childhood hearing loss to conducting on world stages.

Though he is has been based in Manchester for more than a decade, Robert was born in Wrexham where his interest in music began when his grandmother started teaching him piano at the age of three – despite the fact he was almost completely deaf.

“I couldn’t hear a single note,” he recalled.

His early years were shaped by near silence – until medical operations to widen his ear canals gradually restored his hearing.

By the age of 15 he had made a full recovery and a life in music beckoned.

He took up the viola and went on to study at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester where he realised his real passion was for conducting.

Today he leads one of the largest university music conducting programmes in the UK at the University of Manchester.

He is also Principal Conductor to the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and has conducted the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Manchester Camerata which led to his work being on BBC radio and even recorded for Sony Play Station.

Having won a string of plaudits at home, his international reputation is steadily growing with invitations to conduct in Austria, South Korea, Vietnam, Kazakhstan and Kosovo, among other destinations.

Still only in his 30s, he has been described as one of Britain’s most exciting talents in classical and choral music by royal composer Paul Mealor, who wrote the music played at the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton as well as music for the King’s Coronation.

Robert conducted the world premiere of Mealor’s community opera Gelert performed at St Asaph cathedral by North Wales flagship orchestra NEW Sinfonia, which he and his brother, Jonathan, co-founded.

The invitation to work with the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong came after he met its founder and artistic director, Leanne Nicholls, during a January 2024 visit to Hong Kong when he led the University of Manchester Chamber Choir performance at the World Global Concert.

He said: “I met with Leanne for coffee and we wound up talking for hours. We quickly discovered our approaches to programming concerts are very similar. We both have a strong mission to make classical music more accessible and appealing to wider audiences.

“When Leanne contacted me to invite me to conduct A Night at the Musicals I was thrilled and humbled at the same time. The City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong has an enviable reputation and is among Asia’s most prominent orchestras, it’s a huge honour for me. I’m very excited if a little nervous about the prospect.”

Leanne Nicholls said: “Rob is an orchestra founder and, like myself, knows what it takes to get an orchestra off the ground and then nurture it as it gains in prominence.

“We have similar visions for our orchestras, despite being worlds apart geographically.

“One of the most significant reasons why I invited him to conduct this particular show is because of his natural empathy working with vocalists.

“Having seen him work so beautifully with the University of Manchester Chamber Choir when he was here previously, I instinctively knew that he was the perfect choice for A Night at the Musicals.”

City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong has performed with world renowned artists including Sir James Galway, Dame Evelyn Glennie, Julian Lloyd Webber, Sir Karl Jenkins and also celebrities including Dame Edna Everage, Hayley Westenra and Robin Gibb.

Bill Kong said: “I’ve long been a fan of Rob’s work and of NEW Sinfonia. So, I was delighted when he invited me to see the concert which he will be conducting in Hong Kong.

“It would be great if we can arrange a time for him to visit us while I’m over there and learn a little more about the work we do promoting Welsh choral music. It’ll practically be a home from home for us both.”

Rob added: “This feels like a full circle moment. From a childhood of silence to conducting in one of the world’s great musical cities – it’s overwhelming in the best way.”

Genesis Electrified GV70 is impressive - if you can find the charging point!

Steve Rogers drives the Genesis Electrified GV70

Here’s a game to keep your bored toddlers occupied. Find the charging point on your GV70!

Never mind the kids, it foxed me and I have been doing this job for 40 odd years. There was no flap to be seen, well we wouldn't want to spoil the smooth lines of this beauty. No, it had to be in the front grille which is rather smart with its new diamond, matrix design. I prodded everywhere without any luck and it took my eagle eyed wife to crack the code. There is a tiny arrow on one of the little diamond shapes, press it and the flap flips open. Very neat.

It summed up the attention to detail poured into this updated GV70, as if there was much wrong with the last one. There have been a few tweaks to the body, that new grille that makes people think it’s a Bentley, upgrades to the stunning wafer thin light strips, while the cabin has the trappings of a luxurious lounge.

Taking a seat on the top table is challenging with established names (the Germans) guarding their territory. Others have joined, Lexus, Volvo, Jaguar, but it has been hard going, yet Genesis has managed to hit the ground running. How? By beating the big boys at their own game. They have not just matched them with premium materials, they have knocked them out of the park with stunning design.

The 27in wide touchscreen will raise eyebrows but there is a lot more to take in. The cabin is a work of art with simple touches like the inlays on the armrests. In the day they have a soft fluffy cloud effect, but at night the Milky Way is brought into the car with pinpricks of light that look for all the world like stars.

GV70 is fascinating before you even drive. The infotainment system is more of a library made up of 23 ‘books’ and so well laid out it is as if they gave the task to a librarian. You could sit back in the comfy leather seat and while away an hour or more just reading.

Probably time I moved on and told you about the mechanics and how it drives. If you don’t want electric there are petrol and diesel options but this new electric GV70 has a larger battery, up from 77.4 to 84kw increasing the range by 23 miles to 287. Find a 350kW fast charger and the car can be topped up to 80 per cent in 19 minutes.

Coming down to earth, a home wall charger will do the job in around eight hours, and for a lot less money.

Performance from any electric car surprises people the first time but this car will astound. The twin electric motors produce a mind boggling 700Nm or torque giving frantic acceleration, and that is without pressing the boost button which gives 10 seconds of additional power. Slam your foot on the accelerator and you will be forced back into the seat, it is that quick.

Not the best way to conserve energy but driving in sensible mode GV70 is reasonably economical, helped by powerful regenerative braking that can bring the car to a stop without touching the brake pedal using a paddle behind the steering wheel. This will add miles to the range as well as extending the life of the brake pads and discs.

GV70 is ladened with batteries and weighs well over two tonnes yet it handles reasonably well without a sporty feel, but there is not a great deal of body roll and the ride quality is superb.

It is a big car, although not the roomiest in its class, but six footers will not feel cramped sitting in the back seats which recline.

With a starting price around 70k it is competitive against its main opposition. Genesis has played a clever tactical game packing the car with so much kit and safety features to force a crisis board meeting among its rivals. Listing everything would take a couple of hundred words but rest assured there arre the usual favourites like heated front and rear seats, ventilated front seats, head up display, 360 degree surround camera, quality leather, and a belting 15 speaker sound system.

The only fault I could find was a poorly positioned rotary controller for the infotainment unit. It needs to swap position with the gear selection switch because your hand instinctively goes to the wrong selector.

Nevertheless this is a car that marries elegance and sophistication with frantic performance and is sure to be in my top three cars come the end of the year.

Fast facts

Electrified GV70 Luxury

£74,100 (tested £81,185)

Twin motors: 483bhp.

0-62mph 4.2secs with boost; 146mph

Range: 287 miles

Battery: 84kW

Boot: 542-1610 litres

Zero emissions. First tax: £10

Towing capacity: 1800kg

Warranty: 5 years

Bands combine for evening of 'energy and creativity'

* Groom the Giant which has members hailing from Llangollen. 

Two of North Wales’ most exciting emerging acts are joining forces for a night that celebrates the energy, creativity, and DIY spirit of Wrexham’s music scene this Friday. 

Groom The Giant will launch their brand-new EP ‘Old Toby’ with a headline set at NGHTCLB, joined by special guests and local favourites, Fleece.

Tickets are £5 and are available via https://buytickets.at/groomthegiant. On the door tickets are £6, with a discount on the door for anyone who turns up dressed as a wizard! 

Groom The Giant, a four-piece grunge rock outfit hailing from Llangollen and Wrexham, have been steadily making their mark with heavy, psychedelic riffs and intense live performances. 

With appearances at FOCUS Wales, Wrexfest, Llangollen Fringe, and the International Eisteddfod already under their belt, the band are now ready to unleash their latest chapter: their ‘Old Toby’ EP.

Known for blending grunge, stoner rock, and Celtic myth-inspired storytelling, their shows are equal parts sonic assault and mystical spectacle.

Groom The Giant keyboard player and vocalist, Taran, said of the band's latest EP: "It's a musical journey that continues the efforts to codify the myths and legends of Celtic heritage and magical fiction into a format of loud, danceable grunge; with songs inspired by the plagues of King Lludd, from where the Welsh flag gets its iconic red dragon, and explorations of omnipotence, to tributes to Gandalf's favourite tobacco.” 

Joining them are Wrexham’s own Fleece, a band born from the city’s flourishing grassroots scene. Led by Jamie Hamlington’s folky-yet-funky songwriting, Fleece bring a playful mix of jazzy textures, summery pop sensibilities, and fuzz-driven experimentation. Their recent debut EP, released in summer 2024, has cemented them as one of the city’s most exciting new acts.

Fleece guitarist Gareth Thomas said: “This co-promoted night is more than just a gig - it’s a testament to Wrexham’s thriving cultural identity. Music has long been at the heart of the city, from internationally recognised festivals FOCUS Wales and Wrexfest and the rise of internationally acclaimed bands like Neck Deep and The Royston Club, to grassroots DIY nights in city centre venues such as The Parish, Magic Dragon and Tŷ Pawb. Wrexham’s music scene is as diverse as it is dynamic, and events like this continue to prove why the city is one of the UK’s most exciting cultural hubs.”

Event Details

Date: Friday September 5

Venue: NGHTCLB, 30 Town Hill, Wrexham, LL13 8NB (opposite The Parish)

Doors: 7.30pm

Tickets: £5 via - https://buytickets.at/groomthegiant 

Social media/Music

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fleeceuk/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fleece_uk/ 

Bandcamp: https://fleece-uk.bandcamp.com/

Denbighshire people unable to use tip while work is carried out at Plas Madoc

* Plas Madoc tip - temporarily closed to Denbighshire people.

Llangollen people won't be able to use the Plas Madoc household waste recycling centre while it undergoes a major programme of works.

The bad news from Wrexham Council is revealed in a update for its own residents which has also been posted on Facebook.

After much campaigning Denbighshire people won the right to use the tip - even though it's over the border in Wrexham - rather than facing a 32-mile round-trip to Ruthin. 

But an article in Wrexham Council News, published last Saturday, says: "From next week [meaning this week] Plas Madoc recycling centre will be undergoing some extensive engineering works to upgrade the site. We expect these works to take around seven weeks to complete.

"We’re pleased to let you know that Wrexham residents will still be able to visit the facility during this time, but to help keep everyone safe we’ve introduced a temporary booking system which requires you to pre-book your next visit."

It then goes on to explain how Wrexham residents can make a booking.

But the bad news for Llangollen people planning to use the tip comes from Cllr Terry Evans, Wrexham Council's Lead Member for Environment, who points out: "Denbighshire residents will temporarily not be able to use the site, but can use Bryn Lane recycling centre instead." 

* To see the Wrexham Council article, go to: https://news.wrexham.gov.uk/do-you-visit-plas-madoc-recycling-centre-please-be-aware-of-these-changes/ 

A spokesperson for Denbighshire County Council said: "Currently there is no access to Plas Madoc recycling centre for Denbighshire residents due to engineering works taking place at the site. However, Denbighshire residents can make a booking to visit the Bryn Lane Recycling Centre while the work, which is estimated to take seven weeks, is carried out. For further information and for online booking please use this link https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/bins-and-recycling/visiting-our-waste-and-recycling-parks.aspx

 

David Gray announced for TK Maxx Presents Live at Llangollen Pavilion 2026

* David Gray is at the Pavilion on June 26 next year. 

The first headline show for TK Maxx Presents Live at Llangollen Pavilion will see David Gray bringing his world tour to town.

Following his headline Legends set at Electric Picnic this weekend he announced a new summer run of UK & Ireland dates for 2026, including one at Llangollen Pavilion on Friday June 26.

He will be joined on the night by special guests The Divine Comedy and tickets go on sale at 10am Friday via llangollen.net and ticketmaster.co.uk  

* The Divine Comedy.

The Past & Present World Tour has already seen Gray sell out 68 shows across the USA, Australia, UK and Ireland in 2025, including landmark nights at London’s Royal Albert Hall, Glasgow’s SEC Armadillo, Manchester’s O2 Apollo and Dublin’s 3Arena.

His Electric Picnic set marked another milestone in support of his widely praised new album Dear Life - out now via Laugh A Minute Records/Secretly Distribution.

He said: “We’ve had the most amazing tour this year, from the opening night in Boston to the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, and then on to the Royal Albert Hall in London and the 3Arena in Dublin.

“These have been some of the most memorable and magical shows of my entire career. We’ve pushed ourselves as a band but it’s been richly rewarding and so much fun!

"When everyone is in such fine form it would seem wrong to stop the ball from rolling - so with that in mind I’m delighted to announce a string of further dates for the summer of 2026. Exciting times!”

Gray spent almost a decade striving to make a breakthrough and when it happened it did so in the biggest way imaginable as White Ladder became one of the best-selling British albums of recent decades and established him as an arena-filling artist.

As the years have passed his songcraft has only deepened — his natural ability to convey specific emotions, atmospheres, or, as heard on his acclaimed 2021 album Skellig, a sense of place, has positioned him firmly in the lineage of classic poetic singer-songwriters. While the likes of Ed Sheeran, Adele and Hozier have acknowledged his influence, Gray has continued to follow his own artistic path.

The response to Gray’s 13th album Dear Life has been extraordinary. Produced by Ben de Vries, critics have hailed it as “a brooding triumph” (Telegraph), “his most confessional and emotive work to date” (Clash), and “a slow-burner that catches fire” (Mojo).

The album has also drawn comparisons to Gray’s multi-platinum White Ladder — “the sonic DNA of White Ladder is present here” (Rolling Stone) and “his poppiest and most successful album since White Ladder” (Music OMH). 

His artistry as a songwriter has also been singled out — “this 13th album confirms Gray’s not lost his touch” (Guardian) and “a soulful collection of richly poetic songs about love, change and mortality” (Independent).

The headlining show is presented as part of an ongoing partnerships with Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and Live Nation promoters Cuffe and Taylor.

Cuffe and Taylor co-founder Peter Taylor said: “We’re delighted to once again be working with the team in Llangollen. This venue is in such a beautiful part of the world, and it is a pleasure to bring artists of the highest calibre here. We’ve had two great years in Llangollen so far and what a great way to kick off our plans for 2026 than by announcing David Gray – a multi award-winning artist with his own Welsh roots.”

Artistic Director of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Dave Danford said: “We’re thrilled to be making our first announcement for summer 2026, ahead of our third year collaborating with Cuffe and Taylor on the Live at Llangollen Pavilion series of shows. David Gray is a hugely successful and popular artist, with strong roots in Wales after growing up in Pembrokeshire, so we’re really looking forward to welcoming him to Llangollen next year.” 

* For more information go to llangollen.net

Good and bad news for the three lads cycling to Thailand

* Bad news: Dyfan's tyre kept going flat.

* Good news: mum and dad arrive in Germany and stand the lads to a night in a hotel. 

There was some bad news and some good news for the three Llangollen area lads cycling to Thailand on day 25 of their mammoth trip.

Dyfan Hughes, 17, James Thomas, 18, and Louis Dennis, 18, had never ridden a bike further than the shop near their homes when they set out a few weeks go on their 18-month quest to reach Asia.

Once there they aim to meet up with their friend Harrison who moved to Thailand six months ago after his dad died from a heart attack and to raise money for heart research. 

They spent last week pedalling their way through Germany and on the 25th day of their ride they hit some bad luck when Dyfan's tyre kept deflating and eventually needed replacing. 

But the good news came in a welcome message from his parents that they had flown over to Germany and would be standing all three lads a night in a hotel at a town called Neumarkt.

Back on the road again after the break the trio, who call themselves the Westheads, rounded off the week by hitting the mighty river Danube for the first time and are now following its course deeper into Europe.  

* To follow the journey on their social media and make a donation if you wish go to: https://linktr.ee/westheads