Helicopter rescue drama above Pengwern Vale

* The Coastguard helicopter at the scene. Pictures courtesy of Phil Jones.

Two rescue helicopters were called to a hillside near Llangollen this afternoon (Thursday) to fly a man injured in a parapenting accident to hospital.

It is believed the casualty failed to make a successful launch from the usual site where a club flies from above Pengwern Vale.

Parapente is the term for a glide using an aerofoil parachute.

Helicopters from the Coastguard, the air ambulance and a vehicle ambulance were all seen to be in attendance together with the local mountain rescue team. 

The casualty was first winched aboard the Coastguard aircraft which then landed in Pengwern Vale to make a transfer to the air ambulance.

It is understood that the injured glider's friend called for the rescue parties immediately it happened. 

llanblogger has no information as yet on the casualty's condition.

* The injured man is winched to safety.

* ... and transferred to the waiting air ambulance.

Ysgol Dinas Brân students receive 'fantastic' GCSE results

* Above and below: Students celebrate their GCSE results.

Students at Ysgol Dinas Brân have today received their GCSE results after what staff describe as "an extremely difficult time" for all of the students taking external exams for the first time. 

A school spokesperson said: "We are extremely proud of all of the students who have all found it tough, but it is fantastic to see the hard work has paid off. 

"We are pleased with the results, with nearly 25% of the grades being A*/A. A good number of students received all A*/A, and we are incredibly proud of so many students who achieved their target grades or higher.

"I would like to thank all the staff and parents for their great support for the students. Well done everyone." ​

* Denbighshire County Council has congratulated pupils receiving their GCSE results.

Councillor Gill German, Cabinet Lead Member for Education, Children and Family Services, said: “On behalf of the Council I would like to congratulate all pupils that have received their GCSE results. 

“This last year has presented significant challenges for learners and they have made a tremendous effort to achieve their results, they have worked very hard to get here and have overcome a lot of obstacles. 

“There has been some fantastic partnership working to ensure students achieved the best results possible and pupils have received support from their families and schools. I would like to thank all those who have supported our hard-working students during this last year. 

“The council would like to wish all learners the very best in their next steps.”

Spooky kids wanted for theatre group's new show

A Llangollen theatre group is on the lookout for spooky kids to appear in its next production. 

Fresh from its success with Little Shop of Horrors last spring, Llangollen Operatic’s junior section, the Young ‘Uns, is returning to the world of the crazy supernatural to stage The Addams Family musical from February 16-18 next year. 

Preparations for the production are already underway and producer Pamela Williams has put out the call for budding young actors to fill a number of key roles. 

She said: “Basically we need boys. We are going to hold open auditions for the male roles of Gomez, Fester, Pugsley, Mal and Lucas. 

“They’re all superb parts and audition practice will be on Monday, September 5, from 6-8pm at the Operatic Studio off Castle Street. The idea is to go over songs, characters and dialogue. 

“The actual auditions will be in the same place the following Saturday, September 10, from 10am-12noon, and these are just for boys aged up to and including 18 years." 

The Addams Family is a musical comedy with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. 

The show is based upon The Addams Family characters created by Charles Addams in his single-panel gag cartoons, which depict a ghoulish American family with an affinity for all things macabre. 

Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, is all grown up and has a shocking secret that only Gomez knows. 

She's fallen in love with a sweet young man from a respectable family. With his cherished Morticia in the dark will Gomez manage to keep his daughter’s secret until the two families meet for a fateful dinner with hilarious consequences? 

* For further details, email: info@llangollen-operatic.co.uk 

Pentredwr group's success at counties show

 

* Rhys and Siân Hughes with Cath Jones and Gill Britten at the Flint and Denbigh Show.

A community group showcasing their special project to make better use of a valuable natural asset landed a top prize at the recent Flint and Denbigh Show. 

Pentredwr and District Community Association applied for Lottery funding for the Hwb project which is now half way through its two-year life. 

The association has numerous community aims centred around rural isolation and depravation and one aspect members are looking at is local Welsh Mountain grade fleece, an underused, undervalued and sustainable, fibre. 

To help raise public awareness of this natural fibre and accompanied by Gill Britten of Gwlângollen, they took a stand to explain some alternative uses for hill grade fleece at the show.

And they were delighted to win one of the first prizes for their efforts.

Project co-ordinator Sian Hughes said: "We won one of the stall categories. 

"We were thrilled with this recognition, but even more so by the genuine interest from everyone who visited out stand. 

"The pure disbelief people expressed at the poor value which is placed on such a versatile and natural fibre was overwhelming.  

"We are determined to drive forward our mission to get Welsh Mountain wool the recognition it so deserves."

She added: "We are working towards securing community prosperity by developing rural skills and enterprise, addressing rural isolation, supporting digital inclusion and access to services thereby strengthening the community. 

“Sheep production is central to farming in the valley and surrounding area, and shearing is essential to ensure the wellbeing and health of our local flocks. 

“Exploring the wider uses of locally produced Welsh Mountain fleece is a key element of the work we are doing. 

“In total, there are almost 120 different grades of wool in Britain.  Within each style of wool, fleeces are graded by quality with judgements made across a range of characteristics.  

“Our local wool is a totally natural, durable, sustainable, biodegradable fibre which is remarkably deemed as next to worthless in the current market. 

“Prices per kilo for wool have been steadily falling for many years whereas years ago the annual wool cheque would have covered rental for a farm, today, hill grade fleece in our area achieves on average 13p a kilo, meaning a whole fleece is worth only 26-30p. 

“Each sheep costs at least £1 to shear. Shearing is a very skilled job and extremely hard work. In addition, many man hours are required to gather and sort the sheep during the shearing season." 

Representatives from Hwb Pentredŵr and Gwlângollen manned two separate stands at show.

* For further details of these follow Hwb Pentredŵr, Pentredŵr and District Community Association and Gwlângollen Facebook pages. 

Hwb Pentredŵr is also on Instagram. Websites: hwb.Pentredwr.co.uk; Pentredwr.co.uk and gwlangollen.wixsite.com

Affordable small SUV with a touch of pizzaz

Volkswagen T-Cross drive by Steve Rogers

Volkswagen was slow out of the blocks when the SUV race started but has made up for it. 

Now it has a garage full of all shapes and sizes. Shapes might be stretching it as all are similar, apart from size, and on the subject of size let’s have a look at the smallest.

T-Cross is based on the Polo but as an SUV is a bit bigger and more practical with a boot a handbag larger than a Golf which is impressive. And the ride height has been jacked up more than most of its rivals making it easy to slide in and out, so perfect for us older folk or anyone with mobility problems.

Then we have the sliding back seats, rare in a car this size, which produces an extra 70 litres of luggage space which is not to be sneezed at, but only leaves enough legroom for young children or adults with very short legs.

The small SUV sector is bursting at the seams so the stakes are high given the quality of the opposition, think of Ford Puma, Renault Captur, Seat Arona, Toyota Yaris Cross, I could go on and on but this T-Cross is giving rather a good account of itself.

Germanic styling is often criticised for being too conservative and while T-Cross hasn’t the flare of a Captur or Yaris Cross it is not without merit and there are even splashes of pizzaz. Pick the right model and the inside is positively blazing with striking coloured inserts along the dashboard, steering wheel and gearstick housing.

Volkswagen trades on its reputation for quality rather than value for money but has thrown in a reasonably priced entry S model although the spec sheet looks a bit too spartan so I would go for this SE which has more kit and there are options packages.

My big gripe with SE is that it has no parking sensors let alone a rear camera and if ever a car needed a bit of help for parking this is it because rear vision is compromised by a thick rear pillar. Fitting both as extras costs a hefty £785. Ouch!

A navigation, streaming and internet package is another £920 and while efficient and easy to use you can get away without it because the car has smartphone connectivity so mobile phone apps can be linked to the touchscreen which is perfect for Google maps and, my favourite, Waze mapping.

Driving T-Cross is a joy. Finding the best driving position is easy with plenty of steering wheel movement and the seatback can be adjusted with a wheel rather than a lever so you can be spot on.

The steering is light but nicely weighted giving the driver a good feel for what’s going on with the front drive wheels. The suspension does a good job of cushioning poor road surfaces and the three-cylinder petrol engine is perky enough with ample overtaking acceleration. It should also be good for mid fifties to the gallon.

T-Cross might be small but is still a good, practical family car with room in the back for leggy teens and quick slot in connections for child seats. It is not too badly off for cubby space either while the door bins are huge.

Build quality is solid, typically Volkswagen, yet the hard plastic along the dashboard and door cappings is not what we normally get from a VW. Smacks of saving the pennies.

My top small SUV is still a Toyota Yaris Cross but T-Cross has been a pleasant surprise and makes my top five coming in at number four behind the Ford Puma which is great to drive and the Skoda Kamiq.

Fast facts

T-Cross SE

£22,905 (£25,825 tested)

1-litre petrol; 108bhp

0-62mph 10.8secs; 117mph

49.6mpg combined

130g/km. 1st tax £190

Insurance group 9

Boot: 385-1281 litres

First details of town's 2022 Christmas Festival revealed

* Sion Corn will be star guest at this year's "bigger and better" Christmas Festival. 

The group of volunteers who organise the Llangollen Christmas Festival have had their first planning meeting for this year’s event.

The 2022 festival will take place on the Saturday, November 26 and they say the plan is to make it bigger and better than ever.

Things kick off with a grand parade through town at 1pm followed by an afternoon of family fun and entertainment.

There will also be plenty of festive atmosphere for people to soak up, they promise.

The group's Austin Cheminais said: "Come and chat to Sion Corn and take a picture as we’re not charging to see him this year. Visit the the craft stalls and do some Christmas shopping and try the tasty treats available from local producers.

* The town centre gets lit up during a previous festival. 

"You can also enjoy the fairground rides, marvel at the Christmas lights and our firework display, practice your circus skills, enjoy a Punch and Judy show, and visit the stages in the Town Square and Market Street throughout the afternoon for some outstanding music and entertainment.

"Of course, there will also be the chance to do your Christmas shopping in Llangollen’s wonderful selection of local shops and stores.

"Keep your eye on social media for more information."

* If you are interested in helping the festival team, contact Chem at chemshouts@gmail.com

St Collen's singers feature in BBC programme

 

* Members of the congregation singing for the TV cameras. 

* Father Lee explains the background to his Hymns and Pimms sessions.

* Above and below: St Collen singers take part in the televised session.

Scenes shot at St Collen's Church for a BBC TV programme hit the screen earlier this afternoon.

A film crew was recently at the church to record sequences for a BBC's Songs of Praise programme entitled "Sacred Walks on the Wales Coast Path," hosted by Aled Jones.

The scenes filmed in Llangollen centred around the regular Hymns & Pimms musical sessions which priest-in-charge Father Lee Taylor began hosting online during the 2020 lockdown and went on to become popular across the UK and abroad. 

Members of the congregation were shown singing a number of favourite hymns and the old favourite I Do Like to be Beside the Seaside. 

While Father Lee explained the background to Hymns and Pimms and number of church members told how important it had become for them as a morale booster in the depths of the pandemic.

Later the congregation were shown enjoying glasses of Pimms outside the church.