Emeli Sandé to star in bespoke Eisteddfod concert

* Emeli Sandé will appear at Llangollen Pavilion on Friday July 10.

In a world-exclusive, Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is set to shine in 2026 with a one-night-only orchestral spectacular starring global music icon Emeli Sandé.

On Friday July 10 the powerhouse performer will take centre stage in a bespoke concert created exclusively for the historic festival.

Making her highly anticipated Llangollen debut, the multi-award-winning artist will reimagine her greatest hits and fan favourites in brand-new symphonic arrangements, performed live with The Absolute Orchestra.

The Scottish superstar is the first headline act announced for next summer’s festival, leading a fully seated, specially curated show that continues Llangollen’s tradition of world-class artistic innovation.

It follows the success of 2025’s orchestral collaboration between KT Tunstall and the Absolute Orchestra — a standout moment of the summer that sparked a new Eisteddfod tradition of bold, genre-defying symphonic performances.

Further announcements will follow soon.

Friends of Llangollen can access pre-sale tickets from 10 am tomorrow via llangollen.net and tickets go on sale at 9am on Saturday.  

Emeli Sandé burst onto the music scene in 2012 with her debut album Our Version of Events, which featured timeless hits such as Next to Me, Read All About It (Part III), and Clown. 

The record became the UK’s biggest-selling album of the year, earning critical acclaim and praise from legendary artists such as Madonna and Alicia Keys.

Since then, Sandé has continued to evolve artistically, with her acclaimed albums Let’s Say For Instance (2022) and How Were We to Know (2023) highlighting her emotional depth and musical versatility.

Raised in rural Aberdeenshire by a Zambian father and working-class Cumbrian mother, Sandé grew from a shy teenager into one of the UK’s most influential and celebrated voices. 

Her emotionally charged performances and soaring vocals have earned her multiple BRIT Awards, an Ivor Novello Award, and an MBE for services to music — securing her place among Britain’s most decorated musical talents.

Joining her on stage in Llangollen will be The Absolute Orchestra, conducted and arranged by the Eisteddfod’s Artistic Director Dave Danford. 

Renowned for pushing creative boundaries and pioneering cross-genre collaborations with artists such as KT Tunstall and Kosheen, the orchestra will blend soul, pop, and symphonic brilliance into a truly unforgettable night of live music

On her upcoming Llangollen debut, Emeli Sandé said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be performing at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod for the very first time next summer. It’s such a unique and powerful celebration of music. I can't wait to perform with the incredibly talented musicians of The Absolute Orchestra, which makes the occasion even more special!”

Artistic Director of the festival, Dave Danford added: “We’re thrilled that Emeli is coming to perform in Llangollen next summer. She’s a hugely popular artist, and very much at the top of her game right now. 

"We’re particularly excited that this show will be a bespoke one-off performance with orchestra, and that we’re presenting something that can’t be found anywhere else.”

Following a record-breaking 2025, organisers anticipate 2026 to be the festival’s biggest and most exciting year yet. 

With a recent landmark expansion in dance categories and a more diverse programme than ever before, the Eisteddfod is set to reaffirm its status as one of the world’s most inclusive and dynamic international arts festivals.

* For more information and to purchase tickets go to llangollen.net

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Inner Wheel to host whist drive and supper

 

A Suzuki Vitara - but not as (w)e know it

Suzuki e Vitara launch drive

The name is familiar, very familiar, but this is a Suzuki Vitara unlike anything that has gone before.

Vitara has been the cornerstone of Suzuki for the best part of four decades, but this is not just a model update. It is new from the ground up, built on a purpose built electric platform and instead of a petrol engine it has an electric motor. Yes, Suzuki has finally given us an electric car and I am going to tell you whether it has been worth the wait.

Meet the e Vitara and the new face of Suzuki. It is fitting the company has kept the name, after all Suzuki is Vitara rather than the other way round, but first let’s get the essentials nailed down.

Two battery options, 49kWh or 61kWh, with ranges of 214 miles and 264 miles respectively, two models, Motion and Ultra, all wheel drive, which is rare in this segment, and with a competitive starting pricing.

Pricing: £26,249 will secure a pearlescent white 49kWh Motion. Metallic colours are £650 extra or £950 for two tone. Top of the range Ultra is £32,049 and £34,049 for Allgrip.

We have waited a while for Vitara to join the smart set and here it is. A compact SUV, no surprises there, with a smart, modern interior, by that I mean a bang up to date digital displays rather than outdated dials, and contrasting tan trim around the cabin but only on two body colours. I always felt Suzuki lagged behind on interior quality, too much hard black plastic, so this is a decent step forward.

The tan dashboard finish breaks things up with a 10.3in digital driver’s binnacle and 10.1in central touchscreen for navigation, infotainment, etc but separate physical switches for heating, and hooray for that. The splash of colour is carried over to the door trim and seats on the two tone Ultra model.

That pushes you to the top end of the price scale but I would be looking at the entry Motion with the option of the 49 or 61kWh battery because the spec level is generous and includes reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, smartphone connectivity, keyless entry, navigation and a heat pump which preserves driving range. It is not unusual to see 25-30 miles disappear on a frosty morning with the heating going full blast so a useful addition.

Add in a suite of safety features, with front collision braking and rear cross traffic alert, and this is looking like a substantial package.

The higher battery output Motion also throws in heated front seats and heated steering wheel. Does anyone really need a heated steering wheel?

Additional features for Ultra are wireless phone charger, adaptive auto dipping headlights, higher grade sound system, 360 degree camera, glass roof panel and powered driver’s seat. The upgraded Allgrip model gets hill descent control and trail mode and is surprisingly good at keeping you on the straight and narrow in challenging conditions.

Cabin space is good and there is loads of backseat legroom room while the sliding back seat is a useful addition. The 310 litres of boot space is down on some rivals who are topping 400 litres but it will take three good sized suitcases. If the children have grown out of pushchairs and the like it might not be important.

Performance from the 61kWh battery is adequate, some rivals are quicker off the mark but surely slamming foot to the floor does not match with driving an electric car. The ride favours comfort although there should be no complaints of intrusive body roll on twisting roads.

Vitara can take a maximum charge of 150kW so away from home a top up to 80 percent takes 45 minutes, a bit longer than rivals which can do the job in under 30 minutes. You will save a heap of money charging at home which will take between six and nine hours depending on battery size.

A worthwhile new feature for Suzuki is an extended 10 year car and battery warranty (the industry standard for the battery is eight years) activated after three years but you must have the car serviced at a Suzuki dealer. And private buyers get a free wall charger.

Suzuki has been lagging behind on the electric front but given its solid reputation for reliability and exceptional value should put e Vitara on an equal footing with its rivals.

Fast facts

e Vitara Ultra 174bhp

£32,049

Battery: 61kWh

0-62mph 8.7secs; 93mph

E consumption: 4.2 miles/kWh

Boot: 310-562 litres

1st VED £10

Insurance group 23 

Funeral details given of well-known Llangollen people

* St Collen's Church where all the funerals will be held.

Three well-known Llangollen people have their funerals at St Collen's Church over the next week or so.

Because many people are likely o want to attend details of them have been posted on the Facebook page of the Llangollen Group of Anglican Churches.

* The funeral of former Llangollen own clerk Ian Parry will be held at 1.30pm on Wednesday October 29

* Jane Edwards, a much loved and respected figure in the town, will have her funeral at 11am on Tuesday November 4

* The funeral of Llangollen Operatic Society president Stella Bond will take place a 11.30am on Friday November 7.

The funeral of Siegfret (‘Fred’) Horaczek will also take place on October 29, at 10am.

MP addresses members of Llangollen Inner Wheel

* Becky Gittins MP addresses members of Llangollen Inner Wheel. 

On Sunday October 19 Llangollen Inner Wheel members delighted to receive the area's MP, Becky Gittins, to talk to them about her life as a female MP.

* Members and guests enjoy their lunch.

Upcoming events at Pengwern Hub

 

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