John Gambles becomes Eisteddfod's new chairman

* John Gambles (right) with Grant Calton, the Eisteddfod's new Vice-Chairman. 

John Gambles, a retired education officer and teacher, a volunteer with the festival since 1987, is the new Chairman of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. 

John, affectionately known throughout the town as ‘Mr Gambles’, as former deputy head at Ysgol Dinas Bran School in Llangollen, previously served as Vice-Chairman, chaired the board’s executive committee and held further roles within the organisation.

He said: “I am immensely proud to have become the new Chairman of the Eisteddfod.  Since 1947, the festival has played a leading role in promoting peace and internationalism through music and dance.  

"Every year we welcome the world to our beautiful part of North East Wales and to play a leading role in delivering the festival is an enormous privilege.  

"We are lucky to have over 600 active volunteers, many who work all year round to deliver our unique peace festival – people from all walks of life I count as friends.  

"Together, we deliver something truly special and precious to all of us. Sadly, many festivals are no longer in existence, victims of the pandemic and economic pressures, and we have found the last few years extremely challenging. 

* The new Chairman with Ken Skates MS, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, who is a strong supporter of the festival.

"As Chairman, I will work hard to help lead our strategy to become more resilient and self-sufficient and become less dependent upon on government grants by moving towards becoming an all-year-round organisation. 

"This will also help to strengthen the local economy and ensure that Llangollen, a town with a big voice, continues to play its part in modern Wales.”

John paid tribute to his predecessor Professor Chris Adams, who will remain on the board of the festival.  

He said: “Chris took over as Chairman at a time of great difficulty and navigated us through tough times.  His commitment to the legacy of the Llangollen Eisteddfod continues and he will play a key role in our heritage and peace offerings.  

"Our message of peace and internationalism is as relevant today as it was in 1947.  Our partnership with Cuffe and Taylor has been a significant step forward and has added an important new dimension to our festival. As the new Chairman, I will continue to support this partnership and also ensure that our core offering and message of peace continues.”

The new Vice-Chairman will be Llangollen resident Grant Calton, business founder and investor in the music, film and television industries in Europe and Australia. 

"Grant is a partner at Ironbridge Capital and a business mentor to the Princes’ Trust and Guild of Mercers.  

New members of the board elected are Fiona Brockway and Morgan Thomas.  

Former Chairman, former Llangollen GP Dr Rhys Davies who is also a previous Chairman, also makes a welcome return to the board.