Eisteddfod adds new 5-7 music slots for this summer

* Badenya Ensemble.

A new series of open-air performances running daily from 5pm to 7pm will debut this summer at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

Th aim is to transform the early evening experience for audiences and create a seamless bridge between the daytime competitions and evening concerts. 

The Sound-Bridge Sessions have been developed following a successful pilot in 2025 led by Rhys Mwyn and the team at BBC Radio Cymru. 

The new programme has been shaped directly by audience feedback, which highlighted a desire for more to experience between daytime and evening events, says the Eisteddfod.

 

Supported by Arts Council of Wales, the series brings together a diverse range of performances co-curated by leading artists and organisations from Wales and beyond.

Tickets for the Sound-Bridge Sessions will be priced at £5, offering an accessible introduction to the Eisteddfod. 

The initiative also provides enhanced value for those attending daytime competitions, enabling audiences to extend their visit into the early evening with high-quality live music. Each session has been carefully curated to complement the evening’s headline concert, creating a connected and immersive musical journey across the day.

 

Dave Danford, Artistic Director, said: “Sound-Bridge Sessions are about creating a continuous musical experience across the day. We wanted to remove that lull between competitions and concerts, and instead offer something vibrant, accessible and artistically exciting. By handpicking co-curators to complement each evening concert, audiences can enjoy a richer, more connected experience of the Eisteddfod.”

 

Eisteddfod Chairman John Gambles said: “We are extremely grateful to our outstanding co-curators, whose creativity and vision have shaped this exciting new programme. We also thank the Arts Council of Wales for their support in making this ambitious project possible. Sound-Bridge Sessions are a direct response to what our audiences have told us they want, and we are proud to be delivering an enhanced experience across the Eisteddfod.”

 

The programme will run daily from Tuesday-Sunday July 7-12, with each session reflecting a different musical style and curated to align with the evening concert.

 

• On Tuesday July 7, Angharad Jenkins will present a celebration of contemporary folk music, ahead of the evening concert Uniting Nations: One World.

 

• On Wednesday July 8, N’famady Kouyaté will curate a global showcase featuring Korason, Bollywood Brass Band and Badenya Ensemble, complementing the evening concert Global Rhythms: Made in Wales.

 

• On Thursday July 9, Rushil Ranjan will present a programme exploring global fusion and contemporary classical music, ahead of the Orchestral Qawwali Project concert.

 

• On Friday July 10, Rhys Mwyn, in collaboration with BBC Radio Cymru, will showcase artists including Malan, Blodau Papur and Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18, ahead of the evening performance by Emeli Sandé with The Absolute Orchestra.

 

• On Saturday July 11, Sain Records and Klust will present a line-up featuring Elin a Carys, Nancy Williams and Martha Elen, preceding An Evening with Michael Ball.

 

• On Sunday July 12, Tŷ Cerdd will present a finale featuring Quartet Draig and a jazz trio led by Tomos Williams, ahead of the Choir of the World concert.

 

* Tickets are available from https://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/sound-bridge-sessions-5-7pm/

* Elin a Carys.

* Nancy Williams.

* The Bollywood Brass Band.

Council consults on town's parking and road layout changes

Denbighshire County Council are consulting on a Traffic Regulation Order to introduce new ‘super short stay’ parking and other road layout changes to Llangollen town centre.

Traffic regulation orders (TROs) are legal documents which are necessary for making changes to traffic and parking restrictions such as double yellow lines and one-way streets.

The council are proposing the following changes to Llangollen town centre:

• Market Street: Remove two parking spaces nearest the junction with Castle Street. Replace one of the taxi rank spaces with a parking space. This parking will be free of charge. Between the hours of 9am and 5pm the parking space will have a maximum stay of 1 hour, and no return to the same space within 2 hours.
• Hall Street (outside Rani Kitchen): Introduce new, legally enforceable, short stay parking to enable "pop and shop" parking. This parking will be free of charge. Between the hours of 9am and 5pm the parking spaces will have a maximum stay of one hour, and no return to the same space within two hours.
• Willow Street: Introduce double yellow lines to the left-hand side of the road for the entire length of the road. Introduce additional double yellow lines on a short section of the right-hand side of the road outside the youth club.

The new ‘short stay’ parking will be free of charge, in line with existing similar spaces elsewhere in the town centre. However, they will be enforced by Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) between the hours of 9am and 5pm to ensure they are used correctly.

Denbighshire County Council says it hopes that by introducing the proposed changes in Market Street, Hall Square and Willow Street it will improve traffic flow and maintain pedestrian access by reducing inconsiderate parking in these areas.

Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “Llangollen is an historically important town in the south of Denbighshire. In addition to being popular with tourists and day-trippers, Llangollen is a 'hub' town which serves a large network of villages and other rural communities locally. We hope that with these changes, the town centre will be safer and more accessible to visitors travelling by foot or by car.

“It’s also important to note that with these proposed changes, there will be no net loss of parking in the town centre and there will be no impact on marked disabled badge (blue badge) spaces. There will also be no impact on bus stops or bus stop locations as a result of these proposed changes.”

For more information on the proposed changes:

• View the consultation online by visiting denbighshire.gov.uk/consultations
• Copies of the proposals will be available to view in Llangollen Library during usual library opening hours between now and June 3 2026

The closing date for all feedback is Wednesday June 3.

Plan approved for former bookmakers to become salad bar

* The premises at the corner of Castle Street and Market Street where a change of use has been approved.

An application to change the use of the former bookmakers at the corner of Castle Street and Market Street, Llangollen into a salad bar and sandwich shop was approved after a lengthy debate at the Denbighshire's planning committee this morning (Wednesday).

Mr P Rowe and RL Frodsham Ltd submitted a retrospective application after the shop, named Let's Avo Cuddle, briefly opened and closed again without permission some months ago.

The plan is for not hot food to be served, only cold.

Despite being recommended for approval by officers, the plan was opposed by Llangollen Town Council and a number of private objectors.

The town council said the development would not enhance the vitality and viability of the town centre and result in an unacceptable imbalance of retail and non-retail uses.

The private objectors argued that it would lead to an over-concentration of food shops and takeaways in the town, dilute existing established food places and detract from the viability of the town centre

At the planning meeting Llangollen county councillor Karen Edwards strongly opposed the plan, saying there were already 12 cafes in the town centre and that this would mean an over-concentration of the same sort of outlet. 

She said: "I am unable to support this retrospective application for the following cumulative planning reasons.

"Firstly, there is already a significant overconcentration of Class A3 uses within Llangollen town centre, with a substantial number of cafés and takeaways both on the main street and surrounding side streets. 

"Planning Policy Wales and the Denbighshire Local Development Plan both require town centres to maintain a diversity of uses in order to protect their vitality and viability. In my view, this proposal would further erode that balance and contribute to harmful clustering of A3 uses in a sensitive location.

"Secondly, the site lies within a designated conservation area and is immediately adjacent to a listed building. National policy and statute require that development in such locations must preserve or enhance character, and that special regard must be given to the setting of listed buildings. 

"In this case, the existing and proposed shopfront treatment, signage, and external presentation fail to meet that test and result in harm to the conservation area and the setting of the listed building, to which considerable weight must be given.

"Thirdly, the site occupies a highly constrained and prominent corner at the junction of Castle Street and Market Street, which forms a key pedestrian route to the town’s main car park and experiences heavy footfall. Even in the absence of external seating, the nature of an A3 use in this location would generate periods of queuing, congregation, servicing activity, and delivery movements. 

"These cumulative effects would risk creating a pedestrian pinch point at this sensitive junction, which is contrary to Planning Policy Wales requirements for safe, accessible and inclusive places.

"Fourthly, insufficient information has been provided to demonstrate that the use can operate without unacceptable impacts arising from odour, grease, and ventilation. In particular, the absence of a properly designed extraction and filtration system raises a reasonable likelihood of harm to amenity and to the character of the conservation area, particularly should the use intensify towards hot food preparation."

During the debate at planning committee, which lasted for an hour and 20 minutes, there was some agreement on these points by other members, while others voiced their support for the application.

Cllr Alan James (Rhyl West) said: "This is very much an improvement. Generally, this sort of food outlet is quite different from what we are used to in Llangollen. I am very happy to support it. It's far better than leaving an empty shop."

In a report considered by the committee planning officers said: "The application is considered to be acceptable against the relevant Local Development Plan Policies, and national policy and guidance and is recommended for grant, subject to conditions to control the opening hours, application of vinyl/stickers to the windows and door, future extraction flue installation and biodiversity enhancement measures. 

"The use of the premises as a cafe is not considered to have a detrimental impact on visual amenity or the character of the Conservation Area or AONB and would therefore be in general compliance with the tests in the policies referred to."

Members voted 10-7 in favour of Cllr James's proposal to approve the application.

Plan to build 22 holiday lodges between A5 and the river is approved

* The development area between the A5 and the river marked on a site plan.

Denbighshire planners have approved a scheme to build 22 new holiday lodges at Eirianfa Country Park in Llangollen which its developers claim will create over £1m of extra spending in the area.

The site, which lies between the A5 and the River Dee between the White Waters Hotel and Ystrad Hall, was once used as a touring campsite and has existing consents for this type of use, according to a report which was considered by the planning committee this morning (Wednesday).

The report says that all 22 of the holiday homes will be let out on a short-term basis of either a full or half week. None will be individually owned. There would be two site managers plus cleaners and groundsmen to run the site. 

Beyond the £1.46m anticipated to be spent with local contractors for the construction phase, based on the average spend of £250 per person a week, the scheme would generate an estimated £1.14 million spend in the local area per year, adds the report.

The applicants, Hereford Dwellings Company Limited, are said to have over 40 years of experience as leisure park operators. 

The report goes on: "Officers consider that the scheme would create significant economic benefits for the area through construction, job creation and use. 

"As the units are proposed to be let only, this would ensure the ongoing management/upkeep of the units and site generally. 

"Having regard to the detailing of the proposals, the potential impacts on the locality, and the particular tests of the relevant policies, the application is considered to be acceptable and is recommended for grant."

The council received five letters of objection, which raised traffic congestion, overdevelopment, and concerns about safety as the site is close to the river.

A summary of objectors’ anti-social behaviour fears is also included in the planning report, alleging a previous campsite on the land brought unruly behaviour.

Llangollen Town Council formally objected to the application claiming that it conflicts with the Local Development Plan and is not small in scale and proportionate to its location, particularly within and adjoining the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or Area of Outstanding Beauty, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site,  or other regionally important landscape areas. 

The town council also said the development would result in an overconcentration of sites in any one locality to the detriment of the landscape or residential amenity. 

In supporting the application, Llangollen county councillor Karen Edwards said: "This is a complex and finely balanced application on a long-established tourism site on the edge of Llangollen, within one of the most sensitive landscape and environmental settings we deal with locally.

"We are not considering a new tourism use in the open countryside. The site already benefits from a long planning history and extant permissions for a significant number of holiday units, together with previous caravan and chalet uses, some of which have been implemented.

"What is proposed today is a revised scheme for 22 units, which is a reduction in overall numbers compared to the existing consents, along with a more structured layout, enhanced landscaping, and modernised drainage and ecological mitigation measures."

Planning committee members unanimously accepted the officers' recommendation to grant the application subject to a lengthy list of over 20 conditions. 

Young Denbighshire musicians invited to bid for £2,000 prize

 

* Pianist Rufus Edwards, winner of the 2025 Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition. 

Young musicians from Denbighshire are being urged to bid for a £2,000 prize at a top festival.

Royal composer Paul Mealor is backing the prestigious Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition and telling talented youngsters not to miss out on a “glorious opportunity”.

The competition returns for a third time at the North Wales International Music Festival at St Asaph Cathedral.

The winner will receive a £2,000 cash prize, a silver trophy and a shot at performing on a world-class stage. There is a second prize of £1,000 and the two runners up will each receive £500.

Prof Mealor, the festival’s Artistic Director, said the contest offers a rare platform for under-21s to perform, gain expert feedback and be broadcast live on BBC Radio Cymru.

It’s been made possible by support from the owners of the Pendine Park care organisation, Mario Kreft MBE and his wife Gill, via the Pendine Arts and Community Trust which they set up to support community and arts activities.

As part of their 40^th anniversary celebrations, Pendine has also announced they will continue to back the competition for the next five years.

Prof Mealor said: "The Pendine Young Musician of Wales is a unique opportunity for young musicians born or living in Wales to showcase their talents at the North Wales International Music Festival and perform in one of the greatest acoustics in Wales, St Asaph Cathedral and at Tŷ Pawb in Wrexham.

"The competition is open to all musicians who were born or who are living in Wales or who are Welsh nationals studying abroad.

"We are a fully inclusive competition and positively welcome applications from musicians with apparent and non-apparent disabilities."

Mario Kreft MBE of the Pendine Arts and Community Trust said: "The past two competitions have been truly memorable and we are delighted to be part of this exciting competition.

"It is a wonderful opportunity for a young musician to perform in the cathedral at St Asaph. It has a fantastic atmosphere and the most wonderful acoustics.

“The knowledgeable and appreciative audience who enjoy the concerts at the North Wales International Music Festival will simply add to the occasion and I am looking forward to the Grand Final very much indeed.

“Supporting this wonderful competition chimes perfectly with our ethos at Pendine where intergenerational activities and the arts provide a golden thread running through daily life at all our care homes.”

According to Prof Mealor, entries for the competition are now open and the closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday July 31, 2026.

"All musicians must be under the age of 21 on January 1, 2026 to be eligible to compete but there is no minimum age for entry," he said.

He said the idea for the competition came from young performers who have taken part in festival concerts in recent years.

"They realised there was no competition like it and little opportunity for them to perform individually in the cathedral which has the best acoustics for a solo performer.

"I suggested the competition and spoke with Mario Kreft and he loved the idea and came straight onboard. The competition has been staged during the past two festivals and produced some wonderful performances and very worthy winners.

"The first winner was harpist Heledd Wynn Newton from Cardiff who returned last year to perform at the festival. The 2025 winner was pianist Rufus Edwards from Bersham and he has a very bright future ahead of him," he said.

The competition this year will be staged in two sections with entrants asked to submit a video or audio clip of their performance for consideration by the judges.

"The performance can be no longer than five minutes in duration. It may be a performance of a single piece or a movement of a larger work or a short programme of no more than 5 minutes in duration.

“The judges will select four performers and invite them to participate in the live Grand Finale on Wednesday, September 16," Prof Mealor added.

Paul Mealor, who was born in St Asaph and raised in Connah's Quay, took over as Artistic Director of the North Wales International Music Festival from the acclaimed mezzo soprano, Ann Atkinson, in 2024.

He first came to prominence in 2011 when one of his compositions, Ubi Caritas, featured at the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton.

His compositions featured in three of the four national services of thanksgiving for the life of the late Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.

The following year he was commissioned to create a brand new piece for the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

The work, "Coronation Kyrie" was sung by Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel – the first time that the Welsh language was sung at a Coronation. He was appointed Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) in the 2024 New Year Honours.

William Mathias, who was Professor of Music at Bangor University, founded the festival at St Asaph Cathedral in 1972 and directed it until his death, aged 57, in 1992. 

As a student Paul Mealor studied with William Mathias and cites him as being the person who inspired his career in music and particularly his love of large scale choral compositions.

Anyone interested in taking part in the Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition is asked to upload a video or audio clip of a five- minute performance – along with their application form and proof of age document – via the Festival’s website at https://nwimf.com.

* The North Wales International Music Festival 2026 will be held from September 10-19 at St Asaph Cathedral. Tickets go on sale from Wednesday, June 24.