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A kayaker is “making huge progress every day” in hospital after breaking his neck following an incident on the River Dee near Llangollen, his wife has said.
* For the full story, see Denbighshire Free Press at: https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/26400417.kayaker-broke-neck-near-llangollen-making-huge-progress/
Llangollen and Corwen Railway has teamed up with the community-run Owain Glyndwr Hotel to launch The Glyndwr Steam Roast, a new visitor experience combining heritage steam travel with a traditional Sunday roast in the heart of Corwen.
The first departure takes place on Sunday August 9, with the experience running every Sunday until November 8 with just 30 places available on each departure,
A Pentredwr resident is one a number across Denbighshire having trouble with disintegrating blue recycling bags.
But the county council, which is responsible for recycling, says it is aware of the problem and is looking at ways of addressing the issue.
The resident local contacted llanblogger earlier this week to explain the problem, attaching a picture of the rotting bag which residents are expected to use for cardboard waste.
They said: "I attach a photo of our Denbighshire blue cardboard bag, now, this week, shedding a lot of white dust and it is from all four sides.
"Cannot move the bag for the dust dropping everywhere and over our clothes. Wondered if its just our blue bag or others out there?
"Whether it's plastic or paint it just cannot be healthy to breath in especially for the refuse collectors that have to lift the bag to empty it.
"A windy day and it will just take off elsewhere. I would conclude this is not good for the environment either if it's a widespread blue bag occurrence."
Elsewhere in the county numerous complaints are being made about the blue bags and particularly the £12.50 cost being charged to residents by the council.
Things have become so bad that over 700 people have so far signed an online petition demanding free replacement bags.
A spokesperson for Denbighshire County Council said: “We are aware of concerns raised by residents and recognise issues some households have experienced recently with their blue bag.
“The Waste and Recycling Service is reviewing all options available to address these issues and support effective recycling across the county. We will provide any further updates to residents when appropriate.”
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A paraglider escaped unhurt after being painstakingly untangled from trees in Pengwern Vale by rescue experts.
At the request of the fire service and police, a team from North East Search and Rescue (NEWSAR) was deployed to provide assistance when the person became caught in trees about 25 metres above the ground earlier this week.
In its own Facebook post the service says: "With the casualty suspended in extremely thin trees on very steep terrain, the rescue presented a number of challenges.
"Working alongside partner agencies, the team established a rope system above the casualty before using a twin-tension rope system to safely lower him to the ground in a controlled descent.
An interactive family fun day is set to be hosted at Llangollen Recreation Ground, which is connected to the Ysgol Dinas Bran school site, in Llangollen.
Running from 11am-2pm on Wednesday, August 12, the session will feature a free soft play section and taster sessions from local sports clubs.
The fun day will also feature interactive fun activities, including games, crafts, silent disco and more.
Also in attendance will be the council’s youth workers, Flying Start and Families First team, as well as representatives from the Credu WCD young carers and Menter Iaith.
The event is open to children of all ages, with a range of services available for families on the day to find out more information about the support on offer to them in the local area.
Cheryl Hughes, Community Focused Engagement Manager at Denbighshire County Council said: “This is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when schools and community partners work together. Community-focused schools are about creating opportunities that extend beyond the school day, supporting children, young people, and families to thrive.
"The family fun day celebrates the strengths in our community and highlights the wide range of support services available to local families. We look forward to welcoming families across the area for a day of fun, learning and community spirit.”
Councillor Diane King, Lead Member for Education, Children and Families, said: “This event is one of many that are being held around the county in August, providing a free, fun and informative resource to the families of Denbighshire.
"As well as a number of play options for children, there will also be services available for the families in attendance.”
New Dot Cinema, Llangollen's community cinema, celebrates a year since its relaunch tomorrow (Friday) with a special screening of La La Land - joined by pianist Ben White playing live at the start of the evening,
Over the past year New Dot has brought the magic of the big screen back to the heart of Llangollen, putting on everything from timeless classics to modern blockbusters — all within a stone's throw of home.
What started as a community idea has blossomed into a genuine local institution, welcoming film lovers of all ages through its doors on a monthly basis.
Tomorrow New Dot says it is delighted to welcome Coleg Cambria music graduate and award-winning musician Ben White who will be playing some beautiful music while you arrive at Llangollen Town Hall, get your drinks, and take your seats.
Ben is a young, local musician who has just completed a Level 3 Diploma in Music at Coleg Cambria, overcoming many obstacles and disabilities, and who recently achieved a Student of the Year award for his dedication and passion in several community music projects, including creating and performing an original Welsh language composition at the National Eisteddfod.
"We couldn't think of a better film to celebrate with than La La Land, and we are honoured to work with Ben who was handpicked by his tutor to play for us and our wonderful audience," said Olivia Brown, New Dot's chairperson.
"We think this film is perfect for New Dot's first birthday, because the world is quite a dark place at the moment and we wanted to bring some cheery cinematic light, magic and colour for our anniversary screening.
"The past year has really been a learning curve for our volunteers but our audience has been so supportive and we've loved bringing great films to the town."
Tickets for tomorrow night's screening of La La Land are, as always, £6.
And coming up later in the summer is The Life of Chuck on Friday August 28, a story that is told in three parts shown in reverse chronological order, adapted from a Stephen King book of the same name.
This is followed by Rebuilding on Friday September 25, a gentle, moving story of how a man who has lost everything in a forest fire rebuilds his life.
* Tickets for New Dot's films are available from Ticket Source, the New Dot Cinema website or Porter's Delicatessen in Market St, Llangollen (cash only) and on the door n the night.
* Pendine Park catering staff with the panettone (front left and right) Chris Tracey, catering manager and pastry chef Dave Quinn with chef Hayden Harvey, catering assistants Pavreen Muvalidhavan and Karen Blackmore, head chef Eli Mattar, chef Subin Alex, second chef Tyronne Moldrich, Bibin Reyer Meithew and Peter Reynard. Pictures by Mandy Jones
* Mario and Gill Kreft and Nicoletta Mantovani (centre) and husband Alberto Tinarelli with the Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir in 2025.
A surprise thank you gift from the widow of opera legend Luciano Pavarotti has landed in North Wales after a local choir’s dream trip to Italy.
Nicoletta Mantovani sent a bumper box of delicacies from Pavarotti’s home city of Modena to Mario and Gill Kreft, the owners of the Pendine Park care organisation, in recognition of their support for the Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir.
The couple made the choir’s once-in-a-lifetime visit to Italy possible through the Pendine Arts and Community Trust (PACT) after Nicolette invited them to perform in a concert at the Teatro Comunale Pavarotti-Freni.
Inside the package were traditional Modena specialties including a panettone cake and prized Amarena cherries – a heartfelt gesture from the woman who has dedicated herself to preserving Pavarotti’s legacy since the tenor’s death in 2007
A producer and director, Nicoletta founded and became president of the Pavarotti Foundation which organises tribute concerts with opera stars such as Jose Carreras and Placido Domingo..
At the landmark concert, the choir performed songs in Italian, Welsh and French.
While there they presented traditional Welsh love spoons to Pavarotti’s daughter Alice and to the Mayor of Modena.
According to Mario, it was only fitting that Pendine should help celebrate the enduring link between North Wales and one of the world’s greatest voices.
Pavarotti will always be remembered as one of the finest and most cherished tenors of all time, and when interviewed he often told how his journey to greatness began at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.
Pavarotti was just 19 and a trainee teacher when he first visited Llangollen Eisteddfod in 1955 with his father, Fernando, as part of Chorus Rossini, from Modena.
They secured the award for overall winning choir and following that achievement Pavarotti was determined to make music his career. He later said that winning at Llangollen was the spark that ignited his dream.
He returned 40 years later, this time as a global icon, for a sell-out concert in 1995.
Last year Nicoletta re-visited the international eisteddfod as a guest of honour to celebrate the 70th anniversary of her late husband’s first experience there.
She presented the prestigious Pavarotti Trophy to the winners of the Choir of the World Competition and was “deeply honoured” to present the coveted Pendine Trophy to the winner of the Pendine International Voice of the Future competition.
PACT sponsors the Pendine International Voice of the Future competition, which is one of the eisteddfod’s blue riband events, attracting entrants from all around the world.
They compete for a gleaming commemorative silver salver and a £3,000 cash prize to help advance their future singing careers.
“We were proud to support the Fron Choir in joining Chorus Rossini in Modena for what was a magical performance,” said Mario.
“Music and the arts are the golden thread running through everything we do, so this felt like a perfect way to honour that connection.
“As long-standing supporters and vice-presidents of the Llangollen Eisteddfod, Gill and I are especially proud of the enduring bond between North Wales and Luciano Pavarotti, whose extraordinary career was inspired by his success there as a young man.
“To have subsequently received the thank-you gift of confectionaries from Nicoletta was a wonderful surprise. It was totally unexpected and such a heart-warming gesture.
“Given how busy a life she leads, we feel deeply touched to think she has taken time out to arrange this lovely gift for us.
“We wanted to share the delicacies with some of our Pendine Park family and who better than the catering team who work so hard to deliver the highest standard of meals to our residents every day of the year.”
Pendine Park catering managers Mrs Chris Tracey and her husband, also called Chris, arranged for the cake to be sugar glazed and decorated with the juicy amarena cherries on top.
Pastry chef Dave Quinn, who decorated and made the first cut into the cake, said: “These are the finest, top quality ingredients. It’s been a pleasure to prepare such a wonderful treat.”
