A Night at the Opera comes to Llangollen Pavilion

* The cast and production team who will present A Night at the Opera at the Pavilion on Saturday.

North Wales Opera is performing its first event at the Llangollen International Pavilion this coming Saturday evening (July 25).

A Night at the Opera is a staged gala performance celebrating some of opera’s most loved music alongside well-known classics from musical theatre.

Accompanied by Andrew Charity, the evening features scenes and arias from masterpieces including The Marriage of Figaro, La Traviata, La Bohème, Carmen, Gianni Schicchi, Don Giovanni and Lakmé, together with favourites from West Side Story, Carousel and Cabaret.

The production brings together an outstanding cast of professional and emerging singers. Emerging performers include Grace Worrall (17), and Llangollen’s own Rose Burgon (16) who last week came first in the Young Voice of Musical Theatre competition at the International Eisteddfod.

* Grace Worrall and Priscilla Fong.

Priscilla Fong from Singapore and Linus Lai from Hong Kong are set to Wow the Llangollen audience with will-known arias from operas such as the Magic Flute and Marriage of Figaro and they both duet alongside the North Wales Opera's two youngest singers.

Also returning to North Wales Opera is acclaimed baritone Robin Gruffudd Hughes, whose distinguished career has included performances with leading companies including the Royal Opera House.

Yorkshire-based soprano Victoria Price and North Wales-based soprano Eve Marie will perform arias from operas such as Marriage of Figaro, La Bohème, and Carmen.

Leigh Mason, musical director of the Fron Male Voice Choir and ladies’ choir Lleisiau’r Afon, and Lizzie Clifford, a regular in local productions by the Llangollen Operatic and Twenty Club, will entertain the well-known operatic duet Belle Nuit and songs from musicals such as Carousel and Cabaret. Leigh Mason will also present a quirky rendition of The Cat Duet alongside Katie Nilsbird.

* Robin Gruffydd Hughes

Lee J Cander, from South Wales, familiar to television audiences from Channel 4’s Your Song, presents some of the repertoire’s best-loved tenor favourites, including the much-loved Nessun Dorma.

As an extra treat for the Llangollen audience, Carrog-based ladies choir Lleisiau’r Afon will perform alongside North Wales opera during the show.

Next up from North Wales Opera at the Pavilion is Madame Butterfly this coming December.

* Tickets are available from the Pavilion website: https://llangollenpavilion.co.uk/event/night-at-the-opera/

With Ford’s Fiesta gone Ibiza is now best driver’s car out there

Seat Ibiza drive by Steve Rogers

The cute Ibiza is Seat’s best selling car of all time with six million sales over 42 years so why does it seem that its masters have left it out in the cold.

Apart from a couple of updates Ibiza hasn’t changed much since the fifth generation was launched in 2017. If it ain’t broke don't fix it is a reasonable argument but rivals like Renault Clio and Vauxhall Astra have moved on at pace while Ibiza has not even got hybrid technology. A mild hybrid is coming next year which seems a long time to wait given the electrical clout of the Volkswagen group.

Seat was always touted as the sporty side of the VW group but that title has gone west now that the Spanish company has established its own sporting arm with Cupra which appears to be smothering its little brother. I was in Germany a few months ago and all I saw were Cupras, there wasn’t a Seat in sight.

For all that Ibiza is still a favourite among the supermini clan, particularly young drivers, and with Ford’s Fiesta out of the game is the best driver’s car out there.

This is just a straight forward three-cylinder one litre with good economy, even without hybrid help, excellent build quality and a comfortable but spicy ride. The first challenge when I leave my cul-de-sac is to negotiate a couple of speed humps and that tells me how things are going to play out.

Ibiza’s firmish suspension does a good job of cushioning this type of obstacle and it gets better as you enjoy swishing through twists and turns without a care in the world. This is the closest to a hot hatch without being a hot hatch and it will still keep passengers comfy.

There are four models in the range, one engine option with two power outputs, 94bhp and 113bhp, the former powering this car with a five speed gearbox. FR and FR Sport levels get six-speed and automatic options.

Given that it’s a three-cylinder one litre performance is okay and it revs happily but expect a lot of downshifting. Fifth gear is long, a bit like the old overdrive, so it quickly falls off at the slightest incline but the payback is terrific cruising economy. You will always be in the low fifties and can target 60+mpg on a motorway jaunt.

The notchy gearbox was both a surprise and a disappointment, Seat can do better.

Seat is one of the few companies that hasn’t gone all in on screen technology, not at this level anyway, so Ibiza is a joy to those who hate spending 10 minutes working out the touchscreen functions.

Without being unkind it is charmingly dated, the two lower level models don’t get digital climate control, just chunky knobs and a four speed fan which is pretty noisy even at level two, but who cares.

It does have a clear modern digital driver’s binnacle with a choice of three displays but I don’t think the tech is programmed to mirror navigation directions from the central touchscreen. I tried but failed. The good news is the touchscreen response is as fast as Wild Bill Hickok in a gunfight.

Even more impressive is the build and quality of cabin materials, perhaps influenced by its masters, particularly Audi whose goal is always perfection. Everywhere you touch is solid, I have trim creak in my new Citroen C3, there is none in Ibiza or probably any other Seat model for that matter.

By supermini standards cabin space is fine with adequate legroom front and back, and there is a good sized boot.

You can drive away in new Ibiza for £21k but the spec level is limited. My SE Technology had keyless entry and ignition, LED headlights, navigation, and a couple of fast charging type C USB ports, but no reversing camera which is often standard on rivals. Things obviously get better moving up to FR but is starting to look pricey particularly if you want the seven speed DSG automatic.

No one can argue Ibiza is anything but a well rounded, lovable supermini, fun to drive, comfortable and kind on economy, but there is a nagging feeling it is treading water waiting for something big to happen. It deserves better.

Fast facts

Ibiza SE Technology

£22,605 (starts £20,995)

1-litre TSI; 94bhp

0-62mph 11secs; 118mph

55.4mpg combined

115g/km. 1st VED £455

Insurance group 12

Boot: 355 litres

After some gruelling climbs Westheads reach 'nicest' part of their route

* As they reached a town en route to Shengdu the Westheads were fascinated to watch about 100 dancers going through paces near a temple.

After his worrying trip to hospital brought on by oxygen starvation as he was tackling miles of gruelling mountain roads in China Louis Dennis and his fellow Westhead James Thomas reached a much more manageable downhill section of their cycling route to Thailand.

In fact, they duo reckoned it was one of the nicest sections they'd encountered so far on their mammoth journey through Europe and Asia.

Mates Dyfan Hughes, 18, from Llangollen, Louis, 19, from Garth, and James, also 19, from Wrexham, are making their 1,000 journey in aid of the British Heart Foundation in memory of Tony Edge, the father of their friend Harrison who died following a heart attack in 2024.

For their last couple of daily video logs only two of the group were in the saddle as, they explained, Dyfan had gone on ahead to the town of Chengdu to seek hospital attention for a troublesome tooth that was giving him a lot of pain.

So Louis and James were following the river through the Sichuan Valley making for a rendezvous with their companion.

Louis told how he was feeling okay after his own spell in hospital, despite still having a little tightness in the chest.

* Louis and James were mobbed by curious locals as they hit one Chinese town.

He also noted how the weather was "roasting" but to compensate for the discomfort the scenery they were passing through was "amazing."

In a later log Louis noted how he'd picked up another couple of punctures, which he would have to get fixed when they eventually reached Chengdu, a very large town with plenty of facilities.

Something that's definitely still going right for the lads is the continuing flood of online donations from supporters back home for the British Heart Foundation for which they have so far raised over £50,000. 

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

Llangollen Panto Group hands over £3,500 to its chosen charities

* Two of the group's youngest members, Lola and Ciara, both 13, present the £3,000 cheque to Debra Sina, Denbighshire regional fundraising manager for Welsh Air Ambulance. 

Just before they gathered to watch the new film made of their smash-hit 2026 production of Dick Whittington, members of the Llangollen Pantomime Group handed over cheques totalling £3,500 to their two chosen charities yesterday (Sunday) afternoon at the Town Hall.

From the proceeds of last January's show the Welsh Air Ambulance received a very healthy £3,000 towards its lifesaving work while Llangollen Silver Band picked up £500 to help it keep on hitting the right notes with its audiences. 

The panto Sleeping Beauty comes next for the group, which will run at the Town Hall from January 14-17 next year.

* Ruth Owen accepts the £500 cheque from the panto group's Xavier.

Police appeal after death of man, 24, in road traffic collision

Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic collision following which a 24-year-old man yesterday (Saturday) morning.

In a post on its Facebook page today (Sunday) North Wales Police says: "A 24-year-old man has sadly died following a collision near Llysfasi on 18 July.

"Emergency services were called to reports of a collision involving a black Suzuki motorcycle on the A525, Nant Y Garth pass at around 3am.

"Despite the best efforts of emergency services, the rider of the motorcycle sadly died at the scene.

"The man’s family and coroner have been informed.

"Detective Sergeant Liam Morris said: 'I would like to thank members of the public who assisted at the scene of this tragic incident and offer my deepest condolences to the man’s family.

“'I am also appealing to anybody who may have witnessed the collision or seen the motorcycle in the area at the relevant time to come forward.

“'Additionally, anybody with dashcam footage that may have captured the motorcycle involved prior to the collision should contact police.

“'Further information that could assist our investigations can be shared by contacting the Serious Collision Investigation Unit via our website or by calling 101, quoting reference 26000581789.'”

Latest local roadworks update from Denbighshire County Council

The latest local roadworks update from Denbighshire County Council is:

TRACK TO LLANDYN HALL FROM A539, 03/08/2026 - 05/08/2026, Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

OUTSIDE PROPERTY GLANABER 2 BACHE MILL ROAD, 29/07/2026 - 31/07/2026, Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

OPPOSITE 14 PENGWERN, 21/07/2026 - 23/07/2026, Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY 

Full extent ROAD FROM PENGWERN TO TYN CELYN, 24/07/2026 - 26/07/2026, Rheolaeth traffig i hwyluso mynediad i safle Camp VC/ Traffic management to facilitate access to Camp VC site, VC LONDON LTD, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

FELIN BACHE PONT, BACHE MILL ROAD, 11/08/2026 - 21/08/2026, Gwaith Ar Bont / Bridge Works QUANTUM TM (DCC), Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

FELIN BACHE PONT, BACHE MILL ROAD, 10/08/2026 - 11/08/2026, Gwaith Ar Bont / Bridge Works KM CONSTRUCTION ( QUANTUM) Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Heol y Farchnad / Market Street, 10/10/2026 - 11/10/2026, Gwyl Fwyd Llangollen / Llangollen Food Festival CHAPTER 8 SOLUTIONS LTD, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

A542 JUNCTION OF TRACK TO LLANDYN HALL FROM A539 TO APPROX 85M FURTHER EAST, A539 LLANGOLLEN ROAD 03/08/2026 - 05/08/2026, Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN, Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

FELIN BACHE PONT, BACHE MILL ROAD, 22/08/2026 - 23/08/2026, Gwaith Ar Bont / Bridge Works KM CONSTRUCTION ( QUANTUM) Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

82m south of entrance to slurry pit JUNCTION OF A539 LLANGOLLEN ROAD, 03/08/2026 - 05/08/2026, Gwaith BT/ BT Works MJ QUINN, Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

Creative writing workshops aim to help a person's wellbeing

* People involved in one of the workshops led by Daisy.

Creative writing can help with a person's wellbeing through self-expression and connection.

That's the message from Daisy Green who has been successfully running regular workshops for reflective writing, poetry and discussion in Llangollen for the past two years.

And she says the sessions have provided a supportive and welcoming space where the core group of people taking part have been able to explore their thoughts, experiences and creativity while building confidence in their own voice.    

During the summer months they meet in the Community Garden in Llangollen, and during the winter it has been the Heritage Lock Up. They have also met in St John's hall and The Bridge End Hotel, all of which Daisy says have been fully supportive.  

Alongside the workshops, her other group, Llangollen Spoken Word, has continued to grow. 

She said: "We have recently expanded our Spoken Word events to include online participation, making them more accessible to people who may not be able to attend in person due to ill-health, disability, caring responsibilities or distance. Creating inclusive spaces where everyone has the opportunity to be heard is central to the ethos of the project.

* Daisy Green leads a session at Gales Wine Bar.

"Our in-person spoken word events are hosted at Gales Wine Bar, whose ongoing support has played an important role in helping us create a welcoming and inclusive creative community in Llangollen. Their encouragement and commitment to local arts and culture have helped the events flourish over the past two years.

"As a poet, facilitator and survivor of domestic abuse, I have experienced first-hand how writing can help people process experiences, reconnect with themselves and discover the confidence to tell their own stories. That belief sits at the heart of all the work I do."

Daisy says she is now expanding this work through a new programme called The Unspoken Word, which is a six-week spoken word and reflective writing journey for women.

"Through guided writing, creative exploration and optional sharing, participants will explore voice, silence, memory, truth and expression within a supportive small-group setting," she explained. 

"The programme is designed to help women reconnect with their own stories, build confidence in their voice and discover the power of creative expression."

She added: "I believe everyone has a story worth telling. Sometimes all people need is a safe space, a blank page and permission to begin. Through writing, we can make sense of our experiences, find connection with others and discover strengths we didn't know we had."

Daisy says she is also building a programme of poetry, literature, storytelling, wellbeing and lots more events as part of this year's Llangollen Fringe Festival from September 4-12. 

* For more details of her various workshops and courses, contact details are:  

Email: 

hello@daisygreencollective.co.uk 

Website www.daisygreencollective.co.uk 

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/18zNgAj4Fj/

Instagram 

https://www.instagram.com/llangollen_spoken_word_events?igsh=MWlxYzExcG04endjeQ==