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Letter in Leader blames politicians for town's bank holiday 'mess'

* The letter in the Leader about last bank holiday's problems in Llangollen.

An anonymous reader's letter in the Leader blames "councillors and Senedd members" for the "mess" created in the centre of town during the recent bank holiday weekend.

* For the full story, go to: https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/26451784.letter-spoilt-llangollen-1/

Honda's comeback kid is a real dream machine

Honda Prelude drive by Steve Rogers

As comebacks go this one is special. Special enough for a stranger to chat with me for 10 minutes in a supermarket car park.

He saw it, was bowled over by its looks but did not know what the car was until he saw the Prelude badge on the tailgate. That curious interest was the norm the whole week the Honda was in my charge.

So what is the story here? People of a certain age will never have heard of Prelude. Honda launched its sports coupe in 1978, it was quite a car back then, and had a successful following until it was mothballed in 2001. Now after a quarter of a century it is back… but it’s not all what it seems

That Honda has built the car goes against the current trend of non-stop Chinese SUVs so a bit left field but let’s give the company a standing ovation for being brave enough to do it.

What we have here is a car that flatters to deceive, but in a good way. The super car looks suggest it can take on a Porsche 911, but in reality it would be left trailing in the German’s exhaust fumes with performance no better than a quick family hatchback. Don’t let that put you off, this is still a great story.

This is a complex yet sophisticated car with power coming from two electric motors and a 2-litre petrol engine mustering a fairly modest 180bhp. The question petrol heads are asking is why the Prelude doesn’t have the Civic’s stonking Type R engine that would be able to mix it with a 911?

Basically, it does not fit Honda’s game plan for clean air and efficiency, even the wonderful Type R has been retired as the straightjacket of low emissions tightens by the day.

Even so Honda has not lost complete sight of what this car is all about and has dialled in some of the Type R’s DNA. It has tailored the chassis in that direction and all but mirrored the steering and suspension set up with some additional tweaks including uprated adaptive dampers.

The end result is a car with fantastic agility, perfectly balanced, just the car you could enjoy driving all day through the twistiest of roads. The sensible driver’s dream machine.

But it’s not fast enough? I suppose not for those demanding an adrenalin surge when they hit the fast pedal but what Prelude lacks in blistering acceleration is tempered with a decent amount of torque for a punchy overtaking response, and is eight seconds to sixty so bad?

And Honda has done its level best to inject a bit of a thrill with S+shift which, when selected, mimics eight virtual gear changes with appropriate synthesised rev sounds piped into the cabin. It does not improve performance but it makes you think it does as well as just being a bit of fun.

Prelude has three drive modes including comfort but don’t expect a lot of that. The suspension, or as my wife said ‘what suspension’, is on the firm side but it didn’t bother me, I was just enjoying the drive.

The cabin is nicely finished in high end materials and mixes physical switches with a central touchscreen and digital driver’s display that houses a lot of information which is easy to find.

Saving weight was an important factor in the designers brief so there are no unnecessary motors. If you want to adjust the seat, do it yourself, and the same applies to the tailgate.

Prelude is a four seat coupe… depending on your height. I am average and squeezed into the back seat but it is a struggle. Anyone above that can forget it, not necessarily because of restricted leg room, there is very little headroom. The coupe roof has a heck of a slope and even though the huge glass tailgate frees up an extra inch of headroom it is incredibly tight.

That said the boot space with the seat backs dropped borders on cavernous. A couple of sets of golf clubs, a couple of surfboards, even an adult bike can be dropped into the space, not all at the same time of course. Didn’t expect this coupe to be so roomy.

Even with the weight saving there is still a decent spec, heated seats, camera and sensors all round, wireless charging, adaptive beam control, keyless entry and start etc. And you would not expect anything other than a full suite of safety aids from Honda.

The sixth generation Prelude will be defined by its driving excellence and fuel efficiency rather than rip roaring performance but what about this to keep the speed freaks happy: an electric Prelude?

Memorable moments: Demon handling. 65mpg over 476 miles.

Fast facts

Prelude Advance

£41,595

2-litre petrol; 181bhp

0-62mph 8.2secs; 117mph

100g/km. 1st VED £365

54.3mpg combined

Insurance group 43

Boot: 269-760 litres

Gareth recalls a mountain fire near Llangollen 50 years ago

* Gareth Edwards has been recalling a mountain fire 50 years ago.

As wildfires rip through large areas of the Welsh countryside and other areas of the UK, retired Llangollen farmer Gareth Edwards has been recalling a frightening blaze not far from his family's farm half a century ago and has given llanblogger permission to reproduce his story here ...

The Mountain Fire

I’d never witnessed the ferocity of a mountain fire until then.

I can’t quite remember the year, but it was the mid-70s. We were going off to Llandudno for the day, I think. We didn’t have holidays as people do today, but Mum and Dad always made sure we had a week away from the farm, going on days out around North Wales.

As we were driving past the Abbey, we could see smoke and flames whipping around the mountain behind it.

Dad stopped the car.

“We’ve got to go back and help.”

So back to Tan Y Castell we went, and Dad headed off in the Land Rover.

Watching your dad head off to fight an enormous fire, and not knowing what was happening, was dreadful. We didn’t have the marvels of modern technology back then. No mobile phones. Once he’d gone, he’d gone.

I was about 15 at the time and had already been driving tractors for a few years. I went down the yard and jumped on the David Brown 885.

As I got close to the house, I was faced with an immovable object — Mum.

“Get off that now! Where the hell do you think you’re going?”

She was right, of course. I didn’t have a licence and would probably have made things worse, as well as adding to her worries.

But I wanted to go and help, or at least make sure Dad was OK, so eventually I was allowed to go on my bike. I was under strict instructions not to get in the way and not to go anywhere near the fire. What must have been going through Mum’s mind as I pedalled like hell out of the yard, I’ll never know. She must have been worried sick.

As I pedalled down past Dinbren Uchaf, I could see the fire enveloping the mountain. The fire engines were just off the track below Dinbren Isaf. By then, the fire had spread from the Fronfawr up onto the Cefnydd. The firemen had gone as far as they could and had laid hose up the hill. I abandoned my bike and, armed with the shovel I’d grabbed, headed up the hillside.

The smell and the smoke were sickening, but the fire service had managed to put out most of the fire by the time I got there. Then, to my delight — and his obvious shock — I saw Dad, along with neighbouring farmers Peter, John, Jim and Richard, damping down patches of heather that kept relighting. I couldn’t tell whether Dad was angry or secretly pleased that I’d come to help. He never said. After about an hour, he sent me home to tell Mum he was OK and that he’d be back as soon as the fire was out.

When I came down the drive, Mum was outside with Haf, with the glasses as Mum called them (the binoculars) looking up at the mountain.

“Are you both OK?” she asked.

“We’re all good,” I replied.

The look of relief on her face told me just how worried she’d actually been.

Dad came back a couple of hours later. He was black with ash from the fire and absolutely shattered. But he was worried too, because that could so easily have been our mountain.

Thanks to Llangollen Fire Service and all the neighbouring farmers who helped put that fire out that day.

I’m writing this some 50 years after it happened.

Watching the news today, farmers are still battling wildfires, whether started accidentally or, sadly, deliberately. Fortunately, technology means the emergency services can be called much more quickly, and farmers are better equipped to prevent fires spreading across arable land.

Mountain fires are another matter entirely, and they still cause hill farmers a great deal of worry.

Seeing kids messing around with fireworks on social media today is disturbing. We certainly got up to mischief when we were young, but I don’t remember us doing anything that could deliberately destroy someone’s livelihood or property. Society is certainly very different from how it was back then.

I don’t think we ever found out what started that fire. It could have been nothing more than a discarded cigarette butt, as it appeared to have begun just off the rifle range.

Whatever caused it, I can still remember the flames on the mountain, Dad disappearing off to fight them, and Mum standing at Tan Y Castell with the binoculars, waiting for us both to come home.

Fifty years later, that’s the part I remember most.

Railway supporters encouraged to become Trust members

* GWR Heavy Freight No. 3802, a striking 2-8-0 locomotive built for hauling serious tonnage.

Llangollen Railway Trust is encouraging supporters to become members as one of Wales’ leading heritage railways celebrates its landmark 50th anniversary year.

With close to 1,000 members and around 400 active volunteers, the Trust plays a vital role in preserving and developing the award-winning railway, which runs for 10 miles through the spectacular Dee Valley.

There is still plenty to enjoy during the remainder of 2026, beginning this Sunday, 9 August, with the first Glyndŵr Steam Roast. 

The new experience combines a steam-hauled journey through the Dee Valley with a traditional Sunday lunch at the community-run Owain Glyndŵr Hotel in Corwen. It will then run every Sunday until 8 November.

* Teams behind the scenes support the local heritage railway.

On 12 and 13 September, the railway will hold its spectacular 50 Years Finale Celebration Weekend, featuring an intensive timetable of steam locomotives, diesel locomotives and heritage diesel multiple units. Special rover tickets will offer unlimited travel throughout the weekend.

The Heritage Railcar Gala follows on 17 and 18 October, celebrating Britain’s much-loved first-generation diesel multiple units. On 7 November, Ride the Rocket will take passengers from Llangollen to Corwen for an evening steam journey culminating in a major fireworks display.

The festive season begins with Santa Specials from 28 November through to Christmas Eve, followed by the railway’s special Welsh-language Siôn Corn Arbennig experiences. The Mince Pie Specials will then operate from 27 to 31 December, with an additional service on New Year’s Day 2027.

Membership subscriptions help support the restoration and maintenance of locomotives, carriages, historic buildings, infrastructure and railway artefacts. Every new membership helps safeguard this important part of Welsh heritage.

Peter Holton, from the Llangollen Railway Trust Membership Team, said: “There has never been a better time to become a member. Annual membership starts from just £30, and members receive a 25 per cent discount on heritage travel throughout the year, including the Branch Line Gala and our other services and events.

“You only need to visit the railway a few times during the year to make back the cost of membership. Hundreds of our active volunteers already enjoy the discount while giving their time to support the railway they love.

“Membership is about much more than saving money. It is about becoming part of the railway family and helping to preserve something very special. We are also asking every existing member to encourage a friend, relative or fellow railway enthusiast to join us. Every additional member makes us stronger.”

Members receive a quarterly magazine in digital or printed format, a say on how the railway is run at Annual General Meetings and access to an exclusive Online Membership Zone.

The Online Membership Zone will feature regular Trust reports, behind-the-scenes news, restoration updates, advance information about projects and events, exclusive content and additional member-only offers and discounts.

Peter added: “We want our members to feel closer than ever to the railway. The Online Membership Zone will be the place to discover exclusive news and content that will not be available elsewhere.

“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who renews their membership each year. Their loyalty helps keep the railway alive, not only in steam, but in spirit.”

* To join or renew, visit https://llangollen-railway.co.uk/membership/, call the Membership Team on 01978 860979 or email membership@llangollen-railway.co.uk.

Mountain team's two local callouts to rescue injured walkers

* The NEWSAR team rescue the climber who slipped on Offa's Dyke Path near Llantysilio last Wednesday. Picture: NEWSAR

Mountain rescue teams have recently been called twice to the Llangollen area to help walkers who had gotten into difficulties.

The first callout for North East Wales Search and Rescue (NEWSAR) came on Wednesday August 5 when a team was requested by North Wales Police to assist a walker who had sustained an ankle injury after slipping on the Offa's Dyke Path near Llantysilio.

A NEWSAR spokesperson said: "A forward party quickly made their way to the casualty to assess the injury, while additional team members brought the equipment needed for the evacuation.

"Following pain relief on scene, the casualty's injured ankle was splinted before she was carefully evacuated to the rendezvous point using a stretcher fitted with a stretcher wheel.

"The casualty was then taken to hospital by a friend for further assessment and treatment.

"A huge thank you to all of our volunteers who responded, as well as the local landowners and everyone involved in achieving a safe and positive outcome. We wish the casualty a full and speedy recovery."

* The team treat the walker who sustained a leg injury in the hills above Llangollen last Thursday. Picture: NEWSAR

The second incident for NEWSAR came only the day after, on Thursday August 6, when a team was asked by the police to help a walker who had sustained a leg injury while walking on the hills above Llangollen.

"A forward party quickly made their way to the casualty while additional team members brought the necessary equipment to the scene. Following assessment and pain relief, the casualty was carefully evacuated by stretcher to the waiting ambulance for onward travel to hospital," said a NEWSAR spokesperson.

"A huge thank you to all of our volunteers who responded, as well as our colleagues from Welsh Ambulance Service and everyone who assisted during the incident.

"We'd also like to thank the staff at the nearby care home, who kindly allowed the team to use their car park while the rescue was underway. We wish the casualty a full and speedy recovery.

"Our team of volunteers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days responding to those in need throughout Flintshire, Denbighshire, Wrexham & parts of Conwy & Powys. To donate, please click the link www.newsar.org.uk/donate"

Community gathers for Mayor's annual Civic Service

* The Mayor, Cllr Damon Richards-Gwilliam, lights the Community Candle during the service as a sign of shared responsibility and hope for every part of life in Llangollen. Looking on is Father Lee Taylor who led the service. Picture: Andrew Daniel

Like many other things in life, churches change and evolve, which is certainly true of Llangollen's ancient parish church.

And that's because faithful stewardship isn't about freezing a building in time. It's about ensuring it continues to bless the people it exists to serve, according to its priest-in-charge, Father Lee Taylor.

In his address during the Mayor's annual Civic Service at St Collen's yesterday morning (Sunday) Father Lee outlined the measures being taken by the ongoing Genesis Project to make the building fit for the future while carefully preserving its glorious heritage.

He told the congregation of town councillors and officers headed by the Mayor, Cllr Damon Richards-Gwilliam, county councillors and representatives of a range of local organisations and neighbouring local authorities that he was listening to the radio recently as familiar sayings of parents and grandparents were under discussion when one struck a particular chord, "I remember when all this was fields".

* Father Lee delivers his address.

He said: "It’s the sort of phrase that seems to get truer the older you get. Of course, places do change.

"New houses appear. Shops come and go. Roads are rerouted. Communities grow and evolve. Before long, somewhere that once looked familiar looks quite different.

And yet, when we think about Llangollen, most of us aren't really thinking about buildings. We're thinking about people. 

"It's the neighbour who keeps an eye on someone living alone. The volunteer who gives up evenings to help run the Eisteddfod, the railway or one of our many community events. The teacher whose encouragement is remembered years later. The familiar face behind the counter in a local shop. Councillors who seek the common good. Churches, charities, and community organisations, each playing their own part.

"The strength of a community has never depended on whether everything stays the same. That's how communities work as well. 

"That truth is perhaps illustrated by the very building in which we are gathered today.

"At the back of St Collen's hangs a painting showing the church before the great Victorian restoration of the 1860s. Look closely and you'll notice just how different it was.

"The tall oak box pews have disappeared. The south aisle had not yet been built. There was no west entrance. Even the chancel did not exist."

Father Lee went on: "The St Collen's we know and cherish today was itself the result of bold decisions taken by an earlier generation.

"When those works were carried out, the Shrewsbury Chronicle explained why. It said they were undertaken: 'On account of the growing wants of this thriving and attractive town, it was felt that additional church accommodation was imperatively required.

"Our predecessors looked around them and asked not, 'How do we preserve everything exactly as it is?' They asked instead, 'How do we best serve the people of Llangollen?"

"That same question continues to shape us today. Many of you will know about the Genesis Project. Over the summer we've been fairly quiet, and I've had plenty of people asking whether anything is happening. The answer is yes.

"I want to reassure you that a great deal continues behind the scenes. Projects like this take time, and we're enormously grateful for the support we've received, including significant grant funding, as we continue through the necessary approvals.

"The vision hasn't changed. Just as our Victorian predecessors adapted this building to meet the needs of their generation, so our hope is to preserve this remarkable heritage while creating a church that is warm, welcoming, accessible and equipped to serve the people of Llangollen for generations still to come.

"Faithful stewardship isn't about freezing a building in time. It's about ensuring it continues to bless the people it exists to serve."

After the service the Mayor, Cllr Richards-Gwilliam commented: “It was a real privilege to welcome our community, alongside visiting guests, dignitaries and local groups to my Civic Service.

"My heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who was involved in making it such a special occasion. It was wonderful to see so many familiar and new faces come together, both at the church service and afterwards for refreshments at the Town Hall. It was a lovely reflection of the community spirit we are so fortunate to have here in Llangollen.

“Father Lee’s sermon also felt particularly fitting for the Civic Service, focusing on the Genesis Project and the vision for the future of St Collen’s Church. 

"As such a prominent and much-loved part of our town, the church has an important place in our community, and the message of creating a welcoming space at its heart is very good to see. I look forward to watching the work progress and wish everyone involved every success for the future.”

Following the service a reception was held at the Town Hall to the accompaniment of a musical selection from the Silver Band.

* The procession, including the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, Cllr Charlie Jones, arrives for the service.

* Llangollen Silver Band plays during the service.

* John Gambles, chair of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, reads the first lesson.

* Dyfed Thomas gives the second reading.

* Dyfan Parry reads the poem Dream a World.

* Vera Heath leads the intercessions.

* The Silver Band plays during the town Hall reception which followed the service.