Cycling lads evade bears but then run into wild dog pack

* A pack of large wild dogs on the loose in Turkey.

The three Llangollen area lads cycling to Thailand for charity may have escaped any encounter with bears on a Bulgarian mountain road but not long after they had to dodge a pack of wild dogs just over the border in Turkey.   

Known collectively as The Westheads, 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 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. 

Near the Bulgarian town of Veliko Tarnovo they began to ascent of a mountain - said to be as high as those in Snowdonia - keeping a close out for the bears known to inhabit the area.

* A road sign welcoming the lads to Turkey.

Luckily, they evaded the hairy monsters but as they crossed over into Turkey a day or so later they had to negotiate a road being roamed by a pack of large wild dogs. Again, the lads' luck was in as they pedalled through the snarling gang.

Earlier last week they met up with a man from Wales who was cycling through the same area and he was kind enough to stand them each a full English breakfast, complete with English tea.

There was more kindness on day 78 as a local Turkish man helped them to mend yet another puncture and also invited them home for a meal.         

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

MP welcomes Labour’s plan to create new clean energy jobs across Wales

Becky Gittins, MP for Clwyd East (pictured), has welcomed Labour’s new Clean Energy Jobs Plan, which aims to will create around 15,000 clean energy jobs across Wales by 2030 - part of more than 400,000 new jobs across the UK. 

The plan sets out how communities like those in Clwyd East can benefit from the growing clean energy sector, with new opportunities in engineering, construction, welding and electrification. 

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband MP said: “The clean energy economy is the route to delivering the good jobs at decent wages that our communities deserve. Labour’s pro-worker, pro-jobs, pro-union agenda is delivering thousands of opportunities right across the country, so young people don’t have to leave their hometown just to find a decent job.”

 

Becky Gittins commented: “People here in Clwyd East want to see real jobs and real opportunities for their families - and that’s exactly what this plan delivers.

"From wind and solar to green construction and engineering, we’re creating good work you can build a future on, without having to move away from the place you call home.

"North Wales has the skills, the ambition and the community spirit to lead the clean energy transition - and I’m proud that Labour is backing us to do just that.”

 

* See the Clean Energy Map at: https://clean-energy-map.energysecurity.gov.uk/

Eisteddfod extends contract of artistic director Dave Danford

                                                                            

* Dave Danford with K T Tunstall at the 2025 Eisteddfod.

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has announced the extension of Dave Danford’s contract as Artistic Director, as the world-renowned festival marks its 79th year in 2026.   

Appointed to the role in 2023, Dave has led a creative transformation of the festival’s profile and programming — curating an eclectic mix that spans from West End theatre concerts to bespoke orchestral collaborations including the much-acclaimed KT Tunstall concert with the Absolute Orchestra this year, which he arranged, orchestrated and conducted. 

  

Dave’s connection with the Eisteddfod stretches back to 2010 when he performed in an evening concert as a percussionist with the Cory Band, and continued in 2012, when he first collaborated with previous Music Director Eilir Owen Griffiths on the production of evening concerts.

Since then, he has played an integral role in the festival’s artistic evolution in a variety of capacities and, alongside a portfolio career which has recently involved work with artists such as Dua Lipa and Reye, has led a resurgence in the festival’s profile and direction. 

  

With the 2026 programme soon to be unveiled, Dave and the team are already looking ahead to the Eisteddfod’s 80th anniversary celebrations in 2027 — a milestone expected to honour and elevate one of Wales’ most cherished cultural institutions. 

  

“It’s no secret that I love this place, and being here all year round to plan the festival is both a joy and a privilege,” said Dave. 

  

“Over the last couple of years, we’ve worked hard to raise the bar across every aspect of the Eisteddfod — from competitions to evening concerts — and I’m thrilled to continue that journey through to our 80th anniversary year. We have some very exciting announcements to make in the next couple of weeks about next year’s Eisteddfod, and I’m certain that 2026 is going to be a year to remember.” 

MS praises pioneering product from Glyndyfrdwy company

* From left: Lionel Clarke, Llyr Gruffydd, Mary Clarke, Tom Foules, Neil Craddock, Chris Clarke.

A pioneering process that turns waste products into a soil improver has been praised by Plaid Cymru’s Member of the Senedd for North Wales, Llyr Gruffydd.

He made his comments during a recent visit to BionerG in Glyndyfrdwy, which is developing world-leading carbon removal technology.

The company, led by Professor Lionel Clarke OBE, has developed cutting-edge technology to produce biochar - a charcoal-like substance created from forestry by-products such as wood offcuts, windfall and brash. 

When produced at high temperatures, the resulting biochar is almost entirely pure carbon and offers huge potential both environmentally and economically.

Biochar is highly valued in the agriculture sector as a natural soil improver. It can make pasture more drought-tolerant, increase soil pH levels (reducing the need for lime), and support better soil microbiology. The process itself is regarded as carbon-negative, as it effectively locks atmospheric CO₂ - absorbed by growing trees - into the soil for generations to come.

BionerG has also secured a patent for its software platform that allows users to trade the carbon credits generated by biochar production on the global market. This innovation means the technology not only contributes to the fight against climate change but also offers a new revenue stream for producers.

Llyr Gruffydd said: “It’s inspiring to see this kind of innovation happening here in North Wales. BionerG’s technology takes what would otherwise be waste from the forestry industry and turns it into something that benefits both the environment and our agricultural sector.

“This kind of carbon-negative technology has enormous potential - it sequesters carbon for generations, improves soil health, and strengthens the environmental credentials of farms across Wales. It’s exactly the type of forward-thinking enterprise we need to see more of.”

The biochar technology developed by BionerG has several advantages:

• It is cost-effective to establish and operate.
• It utilises by-products from the forestry sector that might otherwise go to waste.
• It locks carbon into the soil for generations.
• It reduces the need for lime and fertiliser, improving sustainability in agriculture.

Free storytelling session planned for Llangollen Library

A free afternoon school storytelling session will be held in Llangollen Library on Wednesday October 22 as part of National Young Storytellers Week 2025.

Final touches being put to Something for Sarah charity concert

Llangollen Operatic Society are busy putting the final touches to their forthcoming concert, "Something for Sarah," a week today on Saturday October 25, in the town hall.

It promises to be a lively evening's entertainment of song and dance from Llangollen Panto Group, the Operatic Society and their youth section, the Young 'Uns.

The idea of the concert came about with the sad passing in 2024 of Sarah Marshall who was the inspired and dedicated choreographer for all these organisations.

One of the concert organisers said: "Sarah worked tirelessly, weaving her magic into everything she did, the results of which were bright, inspired and managed to make the least confident look confident and polished, such was her talent.

"Two very worthwhile charities close to Sarah's heart stand to benefit from the proceeds, these being Friends of the Earth and Nightingale House Hospice, where she spent the last few weeks of her life."

On the night there will be a bar and a  raffle.

* Tickets £10, available from Solitaire Jewellers in Llangollen, or online at: ticketsource.co.uk/llangollenoperaticsociety.

Long-standing Llangollen Operatic member Stella Bond passes away

* Taken backstage at the Young 'Uns production of  Joseph and his Technicolor Dreamcoat in 2018 as Stella Bond, society president, presents the Herniman Trophy for Best Performance with Cassius Hackforth and Katy Clark. 

Long-standing Llangollen Operatic Society member, Stella Bond, passed away earlier this week.

A well-known figure in Llangollen, Stella spent her childhood on a hill farm in Pontfadog before moving to Llangollen in 1967 upon her marriage to Donald Bond. 

They moved into their house on Birch Hill and it was also in that year that Don persuaded Stella to join Llangollen Operatic Society, a decision which gave her much pleasure over the years. 

She was an active cast member, appearing on stage in numerous shows, held the committee positions of treasurer, chairman and, latterly, since 2015 was the president.

Stella worked as a clerk in the National Provincial Bank, later known as Natwest. 

She was an enthusiastic member of the Inner Wheel, taking on the role of president of its local branch for a while.

A dedicated church member at St Collen's, she maintained her support and interest after declining health prevented her from continuing in an active role.

A close friend said of her: "Stella was one of the 'old school' - diligent, hard-working, with old-fashioned values."

She leaves a son David, daughter Mair and grandson Ryan.

Her funeral will be held at St Collen's and details will be announced shortly.