Insight given into the importance of Eisteddfod volunteering

* The Pavilion audience hears about the importance - and joys - of Eisteddfod volunteering.

Scores of people were given in insight about what it's like to volunteer for Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod at a special evening event in the Pavilion last night (Friday).

They were welcomed by its chairman, John Gambles, who told them that although it is run by just a handful of paid staff the festival - now in its 79th year - relies heavily on a small army of hundreds of volunteers to make it possible each July.

The board of trustees which he heads is also made up of volunteers, he said, adding: "And we all do it because we love it."

A short film, made in 2004, was then shown giving potential volunteers in the audience a chance to see what the colourful annual peace-centred festival is all about.

It was introduced by board member Karl Young who said the volunteers who made it all possible were each "making a big difference in a small way."

Artistic director Dave Danford, one of the few paid staff, said: "Everything that every volunteer does here is valuable and much appreciated. I'm so excited about this year's Eisteddfod because this place is so special. There's nowhere else like it."

John Gambles then called on a procession of people who lead the various groups of volunteers working across the Eisteddfod to give describe their roles and how they personally became involved with the festival.

These included Karen Price, who serves as competition liaison officer and volunteer co-ordinator; Phil Robinson, chair of the communications working group; and Barrie Potter, who leads the heritage team, keepers of the Eisteddfod's rich archive going back to its earliest days.

Impressions of how vital volunteers are to the smooth-running of the Eisteddfod also came from stewards' secretary Sharon Matthews and Ros Davies, who for many years has led the dedicated ticketing team. She put out an urgent appeal for new volunteers to help bolster the hard-working group.

A veteran of the Eisteddfodd and a former chairman, Gethin Davies, told the audience this would be his 75th years of volunteering, which began as a schoolboy selling programmes in the early 1950s. 

His three priorities in life had been, he said, his family, his career as a solicitor and his commitment to the Eisteddfod, "although not necessarily in that order."

Further impressions came from the floral team's Diana Ballard, marketing's Sian Eager, staging's Jeremy Davies and John Blaze of the grounds committee whose "fantastic" team is responsible for everything from toilets to liaison with the Eisteddfod's partners in the Live at Llangollen concerts, Cuffe and Taylor.

The evening finished with introductions to Heulwen Wright, the council's deputy town clerk, who will oversee Eisteddfod outreach events in the town centre this year, and Paul Spencer, who chairs Friends of Llangollen the independent body - itself made up of volunteers - which has raised an incredible £650,000 for the festival since it was set up around 50 years ago.  

* For details about volunteering with the Eisteddfod, email volunteer co-ordinator Karen Price at: karen.price@llangollen.net

* Eisteddfod chair John Gambles welcomes potential volunteers.

* A young Pavarotti appears with his Italian choir in the film shown during the evening.

* Artistic director Dave Danford says how excited he is about this year's festival.

* Volunteer co-ordinator Karen price describes her role.

* Ros Davies makes her appeal for more volunteer ticketing stewards.

* Veteran volunteer and former chairman Gethin Davies speaks of his long association with the festival.

* Dr Rhys Davies, another former chairman and long-time volunteer, describes his role leading the group which promotes the use of the Welsh language at the Eisteddfod.

* John Blaze whose busy grounds team takes care of everything from toilets to liaison with Cuffe and Taylor for the Live at Llangollen concerts.