Abseilers fix Eisteddfod banner in place at the station

* Abseiler Josh hangs over the river to fix the banner in place on the railway staircase.

An expert abseiler helped the Eisteddfod put up its striking advertising banner on a vantage point high above Llangollen station this morning (Friday).

The specialist climbing service was provided by Glyndyfrdwy-based R3 Safety & Rescue, courtesy of its managing director Paul O’Sullivan.

The man doing the abseiling down the staircase while hanging over the river below was Josh assisted by his colleague Paddy who made sure things were safe from above. 

The banner, which will stay in its vantage point in clear view of the town bridge for the duration of the festival, is based on the Eisteddfod’s new, more modern branding design.

Eisteddfod board member Ian Lebbon, who was there to watch the intricate operation, said: “It’s good to have our eye-catching banner going up where everyone will be able to see it.

“It’s also great that the guys from R3 Safety & Rescue, who have done this job for us for a number of years now, were back to help us out again, free of charge, this year.”

* Watch the short video that goes with this at: 

https://youtu.be/AJJm1s_gFNg?si=Kgpkunl5Ke_NPoYs

Other Eisteddfod events

* To mark 78 years of the Eisteddfod 78 pairs of free tickets to this year's festival will be hidden at various locations around the Llangollen Pavilion grounds during a treasure hunt next Monday.

The Treasure Hunt will run from 10am until 2pm on Monday.

* 78 special envelopes will be hidden around the grounds. Each envelope contains a unique code linked to a specific headlining concert or the Family Fun Day.

* Lucky finders must bring the envelope and code to the main entrance of the Pavilion to redeem their pair of tickets.

* There's a limit of one pair of tickets per person. Tickets must be redeemed before the Pavilion closes at 2 pm on Monday May 26.

* All under-16s must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over.

On Thursday May 29 the Eisteddfod is hosting public meeting for all local people ahead of this year’s TK Maxx presents Live at Llangollen Pavilion and Llangollen International Eisteddfod events.

The meeting starts at 7pm at Llangollen Pavilion when representatives from both the volunteer team behind the festival and co-promoters Cuffe & Taylor will be on hand to answer and address all questions covering subjects such as traffic management, noise alleviation measures and access to the site. 

* R3 Safety & Rescue's Josh and Paddy put their climbing equipment in place from inside the staircase.

* Josh hangs precariously - but perfectly safely - over the river.

* The Eisteddfod's Ian Lebbon, left, congratulates Josh and Paddy from R3 Safety & Rescue on a job well done. Also on hand, right, is the railway's interpretations officer Alex Elbourne.