Healing Prayer drop-in at Penllyn Chapel this Saturday

Film evening for Tibet floods will re-live 1976 kayaking expedition

* Paddling action from the 1976 Dudh Kosi Expedition.

* A '76 paddler on a glacier. 

A legendary kayaking expedition half a century ago that was first to journey down the extreme whitewater flowing from Mount Everest will be re-lived at Llangollen Town Hall next month in aid of people hit by the Tibet-Nepal floods.

In 1976 Dr Mike Jones led the expedition to paddle the Dudh Kosi River that flows from the Khumbu glacier to the Sun Kosi river. 

The team drove overland the 6,500 miles through Europe, Yugoslavia, Greece, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India to get to Nepal (and after the expedition back again).

The kayakers battled extreme, freezing rapids and waterfalls originating from the Khumbu glacier.

The Nepal part of this expedition was filmed for HTV by Leo Dickinson and Mark Reynolds and went on to win multiple film awards.

Four of the original team along with Dickinson will be presenting the original, re-mastered HTV film at Llangollen Town Hall on Saturday October 17.

Also to be shown is a short Super 8mm film showing the drive overland to Kathmandu.

On display will be one of the original Pyranha kayaks which was paddled on the expedition, the original GoPro camera and other memorabilia.

Another key feature of the evening, which begins at 7.30pm and has an entrance fee of £10, will be an auction with support from Pyranha, Palm, TNR, Cwm Alis, FlowFree Coaching, NRS, Bearded Men Adventures and others still welcome.

Money raised will go to Aquabox, an operation almost entirely volunteer based which ships out mechanical filters to provide clean water in crisis situations around the world as has already despatched equipment to the Nepal-Tibet.

Dave Manby, one of the 1976 expedition originals who will be there on the night, said: "Obviously Nepal is a special place for me because of the 1976 expedition.

"When the flood down Bhote Kosi happened it was devastating, the people in the mountains have so little. They have kindness and a beautiful place to live but that is not much help when your home and livelihood has gone. So this year's white water film night money will go to help out.

"I was the youngest member of the team. Others who will be there on the night include John Gosling who for a long time worked at Gales Wine Bar."

* Tickets for the evening can be bought at: https://buytickets.at/2025wwfilmnight/1866443

2027 secondary school place applications now open

Parents and guardians can now apply for a secondary school place for their child, with applications now open this week until October 31.

Applications are open for a year 7 secondary school place within the allotted age ranges, which is for children born between September 1 2015 and August 31 2016.

To be able to apply for a school place, parents and guardians will need to create an Education Self-Service account. This can be created before, during and after the application period.

Applications submitted after October 31 will be treated as late and will be processed after all the on-time requests have been dealt with.

The closing date for secondary school place applications is October 31 and with parents and guardians being informed of the outcome by March 1 2027.

Geraint Davies, Head of Education Service said: “Moving up to secondary school is a very exciting step.

"I would urge parents and guardians to check the eligibility dates, and ensure that any applications are submitted before the deadline.

"Applying on time helps ensure requests can be processed as smoothly as possible.”

"Please visit link: https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/school-admissions

Latest information on free school meals

The new Welsh Government committed in June 2026 to roll out additional free meals to families in receipt of Universal Credit in Secondary schools, starting with Year 7 and 8.

This commitment was made in response to the rising cost-of-living pressures on families and their shared ambitions of tackling child poverty and ensuring no child goes hungry in school.

In order to deliver this ambition WG have provided both Capital and Revenue funding for all Welsh local authorities.

In Denbighshire the capital funding is being used to cover the cost of improving the kitchen and dining facilities across the authority to ensure we have sufficient capacity to deliver the additional meals pupils.

The revenue funding is being used to cover the cost of the additional food that is required and to increase staffing levels to be able to cook the increasing number of pupils having school meals.

Parent and carers will be able to register online on the council website their application for the free meal entitlement from beginning of September, with pupils that are eligible to take up the meal from November 2 after works have been completed in secondary schools. 

Fundraising ceilidh will help meet church repair costs

* One of Llangollen's most famous riverside landmarks, the Methodist Church, is in desperate need of help.

What's claimed to be Llangollen's first pop-up zero alcohol bar is set to open for business later this month.

It will take pride of place at the Town Hall where Llangollen Methodist Church is hosting a ceilidh evening to help pay for an urgent repair programme to its historic riverside building, on which 122 years of rain, frost and ice have taken a heavy toll.

A church spokesperson said: "It’s one of Llangollen’s best-known landmarks but right now, this much-loved building desperately needs our help.

"Water is getting through cracks in the stonework, damaging the walls, plaster and woodwork inside. Essential repairs to the parapets, spire, guttering, eaves and fascias are urgently needed and because of the height of the building, the church will need to be surrounded by scaffolding just to carry out the work safely.

"We need to raise around £20,000 and we need our community behind us."

The ceilidh at the Town Hall is planned for the evening of Friday September 18 and, according to the spokesperson, the zero alcohol bar will be a first for Llangollen.

"We’re planning a great selection of zero-alcohol beers, lagers and ales, 0% spirits and mixers, sparkling 'Nosecco', soft drinks and more, with favourites such as Guinness 0.0 hopefully making an appearance.

"Whether you’re alcohol-free, driving, doing a challenge, cutting down, or simply fancy trying something different, come and see what the zero-alcohol buzz is all about.

"We’ve got the fantastic Five Speed Box providing the music, so bring your friends, bring the family and get ready for a great night of dancing, laughter and community spirit. Refreshments and snacks will also be available to purchase.

"Every penny we raise will help save our church building. We genuinely need the support of Llangollen and the surrounding community to make these essential repairs possible. This beautiful building has been part of our town for more than 120 years, and we want to make sure it remains here, safe and welcoming, for generations to come."

On the night, doors open at 6.30pm and dancing takes place between 7pm and 10pm and all ages are welcome.

* Tickets - cash only - are £10 for adults and £5 for school-age children. They are available from Porters Delicatessen in Market Street, or on the door, card or cash.

MP and her dog aiming for top spot in competition

* Becky Gittins MP with her dog Mabel are looking for support in the competition.

Clwyd East MP Becky Gittins and her rescue dog Mabel are hoping to be named top dog in Westminster Dog of the Year 2026, which is taking place on September 10 at Victoria Tower Gardens in London.

Mabel came agonisingly close to getting her paws on the coveted trophy last year, finishing in second place. This year, Becky and Mabel are hoping to go one better by taking top spot.

Organised by Dogs Trust and The Royal Kennel Club, the event has been running since 1992 and is open to all dog-loving MPs and their four-legged friends of all ages, breeds, shapes and sizes.

This year will see 16 other MPs and their dogs competing for the top prize.

For 2026 Westminster Dog of the Year celebrates 'A Good Life Together and A Lifetime Commitment', recognising the special bond between dogs and their owners and the lifelong commitment that helps dogs thrive. 

The event shines a spotlight on the importance of responsible breeding and puppy buying, positive training and socialisation, and responsible dog ownership - all of which play a vital role in giving every dog the opportunity to enjoy a happy, healthy life.

The pair are also hoping for public support in the Sir David Amess Pawblic Vote, in which the MPs and their canine companions seek votes from their local constituents. The award is named in memory of the late Conservative MP, who was a dedicated advocate for the competition and campaigned tirelessly to improve and protect dog welfare throughout his life.

Becky Gittins said: “Mabel had a difficult start in life, abandoned in a park as a young pup before we rescued her nearly seven years ago. Since then, she’s become a huge part of our family – teaching us plenty about compassion, responsibility and never judging a book by its cover… as well as the importance of never leaving snacks unattended!

"Now around eight years old, and a little more arthritic than she once was, she still approaches everything with the same enthusiasm – whether that’s a woodland walk, an adventure, a cuddle on the sofa or patiently queuing beneath her baby sister’s high chair at dinner time."

* For more details of all the MPs and dogs entered for Westminster Dog of the Year, and to vote for Becky and Mabel in the Pawblic Vote, visit the Westminster Dog of the Year website at: https://www.royalkennelclub.com/events-and-activities/events/westminster-dog-of-the-year/

Suzuki S-Cross - a car that families still want

Suzuki S-Cross drive by Steve Rogers

There are cars that make you feel good gliding down the high street. Cars that have the neighbours gawping with envy.

The S-Cross is neither of those which suggests this family SUV has passed its sell-by date. Perish the thought because beneath its slightly anonymous styling lies a car that does what most families want: It starts every morning, gets you to work, or the kids to school and doesn’t bankrupt you with garage bills.

All of which proves the point that the S-Cross is rather good at its job. Erm, but what about the business with the disappearing digital speedo that sparked a right old debate with my wife?

This is positioned in a box between the rev counter and analogue speedometer but mixed up with 10 other bits of car info like average fuel economy, power distribution, you get the picture. It’s a rolling system and if you overshoot you have to go through it all over again which, admittedly is annoying, and prompted an indignant Mrs Rogers to ask ‘why don’t car companies scrap the outdated dials and just have a digital speedometer like most of the Chinese brands?

I put the case that it is tradition and where would we be without a rev counter? In the end we agreed to disagree and decided the dials are there to feed the male ego.

Phew, let's get back to the merits of the car and a way of saving money without losing out too much. S-Cross is a nice simple two model range: Motion and Ultra and my advice is to save a chunk of money and buy the entry Motion. It has a generous kit list, including heated front seats, navigation, auto dipping LED headlights, keyless entry and start, reversing camera, I could go on. Opt for a manual and that is another £1,350 saving.

What are you missing out on? Polished alloys (take them or leave them), 360 deg camera ( I would like that), leather seats (fabric trim is more comfortable) front centre speaker (who cares), pan sunroof (the cabin is quieter without it).

S-Cross has probably gone as far as it can go without being replaced by a new model which is unlikely with the emphasis switching to electric. Inside owners will be pleased that everything is sensibly laid out. There are buttons you can find (like knocking off lane assist) without consulting the owner’s manual, and physical switches that do not send you swiping through menus just to control the heating.

Something that does show its age is a handbrake which has pretty much gone out of fashion and feels out of place when mated with an automatic. It is six speed with steering wheel paddles and is a little lumpy going through the motions. It is also lacking a gate between drive and manual so it is too easy to accidentally flick it into manual when setting off.

The tried and trusted 1.4 litre Boosterjet engine does not have to prove anything to anyone. It is no flyer but does the job and comes up with the goods for safe overtaking. It is also consistently economic, proven by my 52.3mpg return over 674 miles and easily beating the official average.

On top of the really good spec lift S-Cross is well off for driver safety aids including my favourite cross traffic alert which is reassuring when reversing out of supermarket or side parking spaces.

In an age when car companies are hell bent on making everything bigger, faster and more complicated, the S-Cross is refreshingly uncomplicated and doesn’t appear to have a serious flaw.

Yes, it is looking dated yet it is thoroughly competent, practical, comfortable, easy to live with a decent amount of space for family motoring, and that is why it works. Carry on servicing the car at a Suzuki dealer and the warranty will be extended to 10 years.

Fast facts

Motion automatic

£25,599

1.4 litre petrol; 107mph

0-62mph 10.1secs; 111mph

48.7mpg combined

132g/km. 1st VED £560

Insurance group 20

Boot: 430 litres