Nepalese group's amazing trip to Llangollen is remembered

* The Nepalese group is welcomed to the eisteddfod four years ago today. 
Todd Lockhead is in the centre rear of the picture wearing Nepalese costume.

The man who led a group of young Nepalese choristers on a visit to the eisteddfod back in 2015 despite their country being hit by a devastating earthquake has been back to thank some of those who made the trip possible.

New Zealander Todd Lochhead first saw the Rising Culture group perform when he was working as a teacher at the Rising English School where they were based in Bhaktapur, which is about 10 miles from the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu and around 100 miles from Mount Everest.

Four years ago he came up with a plan to bring them bring them the 5,000 miles to the UK to compete at Llangollen and a major fundraising campaign was launched.

The scheme suffered a huge setback when the region was shattered by two massive earthquakes within weeks which claimed thousands of lives and caused widespread destruction.

But, thanks to their sheer determination, a token contingent of five choir members - four boys aged 12 to their early twenties and a 12-year-old girl - were able to make their way to Llangollen in time to take centre stage on the festival’s penultimate day.

Exactly four years ago today, a reception committee including then-eisteddfod chairman Gethin Davies and musical director Eilir Owen Griffiths, along with scores of volunteers and visitors, waited at the main entrance to give a warm Welsh reception to the group at the end of their gruelling 28-hour journey to Llangollen.

Before they arrived at the gate they were serenaded by members of the Ar-Ol-Tri Male Voice Choir from Cardigan who gave them a rousing chorus of the hymn Calon Lan.

Later in the day the Nepalese, three of whom lost their homes in the first earthquake, had an equally rapturous reception when they took to the eisteddfod’s main stage to perform part of their centuries-old mask dance.

There was standing ovation from the audience which, according to eisteddfod chairman of the day Gethin Davies, was the first he had ever seen for a daytime performance.

The group repeated their dance during the evening performance featuring Choir of the World and Gareth Malone.

When they came off stage, the group were invited over to the Lions Club International stand on the field to receive a donation of £1,000 from Wrexham Lions Club which had been raising the money from a variety of events over the past four months.

This year Todd made a sentimental return trip to the eisteddfod where he called in at the stand of the Rotary organisation whose members had helped make the 2015 trip possible.

Rotarian Lizzie Clifford said: “We had a very emotional experience at Llangollen whilst volunteering on the Rotary stand.

“We met a man called Todd Lockhead who came to thank us for helping him to bring a choir from Nepal to the eisteddfod shortly after the terrible earthquake in 2015.

“There was meant to be 30 members of the group but only five members made it.

“He said Rotary had helped to fund their journey as they were left with nothing. He presented us with bags made by them including other gifts they had made.

“Todd told us he had spoken with the father of the choir members and had an update on their current situation.

“They are now thriving with one girl becoming a doctor and another opening a coffee shop.

“They said the hope and kindness they experienced at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod lifted them at a time when their lives were devastated. They will never forget this experience.

“So if ever there was a reason to keep going, working together to connect with others all around the world, this is it. It enriches the lives of everyone who experiences it.”

https://westminsterstone.com/llangollen-eisteddfod-2019/

Humanitarian receives Rotary International Peace Prize

* Humanitarian Subash Chellaiah receives the Rotary International Peace Award on the Pavilion stage.  

Lincoln-based humanitarian Subash Chellaiah has been internationally recognised at the eisteddfod for helping to establish peace between different faiths.

He was awarded the Rotary International Peace Award, which is sponsored by Westminster Stone, at the festival yesterday.

The award recognises Chellaiah’s two decades of humanitarian and interfaith relations community work which includes tsunami rehabilitation, community restoration in North East India, and the establishment of schools in rural India. 

His efforts have, in recent years, extended to Lincoln where he has developed the Multi-Faith Chaplaincy at the city's university.

The presentation of the prestigious award celebrates the fourth year of the partnership between the eisteddfod and Rotary International, one of the largest humanitarian organisations in the world. 

The award recognises individuals responsible for the furtherance of peace through their work.

Subash Chellaiah said of his award: “I feel honoured and extremely happy that what I stand for and want to achieve in the world has been recognised. I admire my parents for their sacrifice to offer me a good education, which has enabled me to pursue a PhD in Peace and Reconciliation.

“I feel the recognition of this award will help me in my ambition to impart my dream and aspirations for the world for unity, sustainable peace and stability.”

As peace initiatives take many different forms the judging panel took into consideration the public benefit of the project, the profile and longevity of the individual and the impact of their work. Chellaiah stood out from a strong line-up of worthy candidates.

Dr Waheed Arian, who won the inspirational Rotary Prize last year, joined the judges on the adjudicating panel which also included Richard Hazlehurst of Bradford Peace Centre and Rotary Peace Project founder Jean Best who was recognised as a peace honoree at the United Nations in 2018.

https://westminsterstone.com/llangollen-eisteddfod-2019/

Eisteddfod chairman Dr Rhys Davies said: “Following on from the inspiring work and astounding success of the last three year’s celebrations we’re delighted to recognise Subash Chellaiah’s hard work promoting peace here in the UK and across the world.

“The initial idea of creating the Rotary International Peace Prize was born at the Llangollen Eisteddfod five years ago and with the festival’s initiative of spreading peace, friendship and goodwill across all nations is more important than ever. It’s with great pride that we’re able to highlight peace advocates in this international celebration."

https://westminsterstone.com/llangollen-eisteddfod-2019/

Sun shines down on the big parade

Thousands stood in the hot sun to see the eisteddfod's traditional Parade of Nations, with contingents from across the globe, make its way through the centre of town this afternoon.

llanblogger was on hand to record the spectacular scenes.

* Town crier Chem Cheminais leads the parade.

* Deputy Mayor Cllr IssyRichards, Llangollen

 Vicar Fr Lee Taylor and Mayor Cllr Jon Haddy.

* Llangollen Silver band sets the pace.

* A vintage car with eisteddfod chairman Dr Rhys Davies and president Terry Waite aboard.

* A contingent from the USA.

... Africa.

... China.

... Indonesia.

* Indian dancers form a human pyramid.

 ... Lithuania.

* The Karambasamba Band set a hot pace in Bridge Street. 

* Crowds pack Castle Street waiting for the big parade.

Cor DAW to the fore in Centenary Square

Providing the afternoon entertainment in Centenary Square this afternoon was the lively Cor DAW choir of ladies who sang and danced their way through a selection of well-known numbers to delight a large crowd.

Gales uncorks a new daytime eatery

* The inside of the new Wine Shop in an old building on Bridge Street.

llanblogger review

A smart, new daytime eatery has just been uncorked in the heart of Llangollen by the oldest winebar in Wales.

Gales, which has been in business in the town for the past 40-odd years, has opened a new venture called the Wine Shop, located at 16 Bridge Street, which is open during the day until the main winebar takes over in the evening.

They’ve spent months doing up what was previously the first bit of their wine accessory shop adjacent to the winebar and fitted it out in the most modern style of decor, which contrasts perfectly with the the oak beamy and Victorian shop-windowy orginal building a good deal of which thankfully remains.

It’s now all white walls, narrow tables and sit-up benches within shallow alcoves done in toning greys and yellows, giving a pleasantly light and airy feel to the place.

There’s even a couple of Parisian-style bistro tables on the pavement outside.

And all this is perfect for the sort of middle-of-the-day food and drink they’re offering from a menu based on deli board items.

There’s also a pretty short but well-thought-out selection of wines on offer which benefits from the Gale family’s decades of fine wine familiarity.

You can pick ‘n’ mix your own from the quite extensive menu but my wife and I went for a sharing platter of six items, which is the optimum number they recommend to split between two people.

We opted for three tasty continental meats, including prosciutto, salami and chorizo, along with three cheeses - a couple of tangy blues and a runny brie. You’ll need bread, which was tomatoy and came with some nice mini-crackers on the side.

Not over-facing but perfectly adequate, I reckon.

I chose a nice big glass of fruity sauvingon blanc to accompany my lunch while my wife, with a pressing appointment later, ordered a small cafetiere of Gales’ good coffee.

The whole thing came in at a respectable £25.70 and that’s not bad for a nice treat on a busy and very sunny eisteddfod afternoon.

Entertainment in Centenary Square this afternoon

Seattle choir thrills care home residents

* The Colombian Children’s Choir of Seattle’s sing at Bryn Bella.

* Resident Mirrie Hodson joins in with the music.

A couple of hours after thrilling the audience at an international festival youngsters from two American award-winning choirs wowed a group of care home residents with a “spellbinding” performance. 

The junior and youth sections of the Colombian Children's Choirs from Seattle visited the Pendine Park Care Organisation in Wrexham as part of a reciprocal agreement with Llangollen's International Musical Eisteddfod

Among the events supported at Llangollen by the Pendine Arts and Community Trust (PACT) this year were inter-generational dementia music workshops attended by 1,100 children, the Pendine International Voice of the Future competition, and the concert by renowned tenor Rolando Villazón, who was making his first UK appearance of the year.

PACT was set up by Pendine Park proprietors Mario Kreft MBE and his wife, Gill, proprietors of the Pendine Park which supports numerous arts and community-based activities across Wales.

It has now become a tradition for one of the choirs competing at Llangollen to visit the park, but this was the first time for a youth choir to do so.

 The Colombian Children's Choirs were established 35 years ago by Steve Stevens, who is still the artistic director as well as being involved with other choirs in Seattle.

 "I first came to Llangollen in 1979 and have been here about six times in total, four or five times with the Colombian Choirs," he said.

 "We always have a wonderful tour and I look forward to coming," he said.

 The choristers range in age from 11 to 18, and this year's party comprises 47 members.

 Though it was their first visit to Pendine Park the youngsters often perform in similar care homes in the Seattle area.

 "We do enjoy doing this kind of thing and it's nice knowing our singing is appreciated," said 15-year-old Camille Brennan, who has been singing for 10 years.

Addison Hollomon, 17, a chorister for four years, last visited North Wales four years ago, and was equally happy appearing before the relatively small audience of about 25 Pendine residents.

 "We do this quite a lot at home and the feedback is always good," she said.

The choir's tour co-ordinator, Lars Myren, 28, who will shortly take over as president of the choir's Board of Trustees, feels a particularly close link with the International Eisteddfod.

"I first came here 16 years ago when the youth choir came second, so I have very happy memories," he said.

Among the residents who appreciated the crystal-clear unaccompanied voices of the youngsters was 75-year-old Christine Jones, who has been at Pendine for 18 years.

"I loved it, and although I have heard lots of choirs I haven't heard anything as good as that before," she said.

"I enjoy singing, but only to myself," she added.

Tony Ithel, 61, who is originally from Ellesmere Port and has been at Pendine for a couple of years, has visited the International Eisteddfod in the past and found the Colombian choirs spellbinding.

"It was really lovely," he said.

Sarah Edwards, Pendine's artist-in-residence, said music played a part in the organisation's as it had been proved to be therapeutic as well as enjoyable.

"We have always got something musical going on including the 11-year project with the Halle Orchestra and Live Music Now, through which professional artistes come in to perform," she said.

“This is the first time for a youth choir to come from Llangollen and it was clear how much they were appreciated.

“The arts in general and music in particular provide the golden thread that runs through everything we do at Pendine Park to enrich the lives of residents and staff across the generations.”

Varied programme of entertainment on and off the field

* Hong Kong Welsh Male Voice Choir at the St Collen's lunchtime concert.

* The Linkoping Male Voice Choir sing in St Collen's Church.

* Indonesian dancers go through their stylish routine in Centenary Square.

* The choir from Ysgol Maes Hyfryd Specialist School sing in the Ampitheatre. 

Throughout the week St Collen's Church has been hosting a series of lunchtime concerts featuring performers in town for the eisteddfod.

Yesterday there was a double-bill, with first the Hong Kong Welsh Male Voice Choir singing - the first time they have performed in Wales after being formed 40 years ago by ex-pats of Welsh origin in the former British colony.

They were followed by the Linkoping University Male Voice Choir who showed off their broad repertoire from classical choral music to new works and what they describe as "high-spirited escapades".

The Hong Kong choristers left their Swedish counterparts with the perfect link by belting out their version of Abba's Take a Chance on Me.

The concerts continue today (Friday) with appearances by guitarist Achille Jones and the Coro Serpeddi choir from Sinnai in Italy (pictured below).

Out on Centenary Square yesterday there was another packed programme of free entertainment which included an Indian bhangra dance troupe and dancers from Indonesia.

Up on the field an attraction in the Ampitheatre just before lunchtime was a spirited performance by the choir from Ysgol Maes Hyfryd Specialist School in Flint.         

Eisteddfod shows off its colourful international appeal

* The Procession of Nations featured in last night's concert.

* Jamie Smith's Mabon take the main stage.

The Pavilion was alive with intoxicating melodies thanks to an energetic repertoire of Welsh folk music from Jamie Smith’s Mabon at last night's eisteddfod concert.

The band headlined the festival’s International Celebration evening which showcased a vibrant carnival of cultures. 

The Procession of Nations saw international performers weaving spectacularly through the audience, waving their national flags as they celebrated the eisteddfod’s key values of international unity and friendship.

Mabon dazzled with an outstanding original mix of upbeat folk which offered the audience a swirling blend of upbeat Celtic jigs and cheerful lyrics.

Before their performance Mabon hosted The Gathering, an impromptu festival dance event when their blending of distinctive Welsh melodies with a contemporary twist got the festival field dancing in a twmpath which is similar to a ceilidh.

* More information on this year’s festival and online ticket purchases can be found at www.llangollen.net or via the box office on 01978 862001.

Shaolin Monks dazzle on the field

* The Shaolin Monks in action at the eisteddfod. 

One of the most eye-catching performances yesterday at the eisteddfod came from The Southern Temple Shaolin Monks who travelled from China to perform.

They said they had been inspired to return to Llangollen following a visit last March thanks to the “peacefulness and beauty” of Wales and the “warmth of the people”. 

The performance group, whose members are a young as nine years old, train six hours a day, six days a week at the monastery in Putian.

The eisteddfod has welcomed 4,000 performers this week, with groups travelling from as far away as Ghana, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Ivory Coast. 

This afternoon's traditional parade will see thousands of performers dancing through the streets of Llangollen.

Panjabi group hit by string of bad luck dances on

* Despite their bad luck the Heritage Dance Academy

from the Panjab delighted crowds when they danced in Centenary Square.

A dance group from India hasn’t enjoyed the best of luck on its first visit to the Llangollen Eisteddfod.

An 18-strong party of the colourful troupe were due to fly from their home in the Panjab to compete in the traditional folk dance competition at the festival on Wednesday.

First setback for the Heritage Dance Academy came when they discovered that only 18 of them would be granted visas for the trip which meant that six of the group would have to stay at home.

The second blow came when a large bag containing all their traditional instruments went missing somewhere during the journey.

And that meant that they were unable to take part in competition C3 against other groups from Malaysia, India, Zimbabwe, Northern Ireland and Wales because backing tracks cannot be used in place of live music.

But, undaunted by their bad luck, yesterday (Thursday) afternoon the group, minus a third of its members, still went through their stylish paces to the delight of scores of onlookers in Llangollen’s Centenary Square.

Group leader Ranbir Singh said: “We just left it too late to get the visas from the Indian government so only 12 of us were able to leave for Wales.

“Then, somewhere on the trip, a large bag containing all our instruments went missing. These were traditional ones made of wood or iron and a drum made from goat skin.

“We had still hoped to compete at the eisteddfod but, quite understandably, they wouldn’t let us because the instruments are all part of what we do and we couldn’t use backing tracks.

“We still wanted to dance somewhere, so when we were asked to perform in the town square I searched the internet for suitable bhangra backing music to download. We then played that over the sound system and the dance went ahead.”

Ranbir, who is flying home with the group on Sunday, added: “This was our first time in Llangollen and we’ve had some bad luck. Things got even worse for me because on my own flight my bag went missing.

“But despite all that we’ve had a great time here and are really glad we came.

“We definitely intend to come back next year - and this time we’ll be applying in good time for our visas.”

Concert featured feast of Welsh music

* Shân Cothi and tenor Rhodri Prys Jones during the concert.

Llangollen Eisteddfod hosted a night of Welsh music starring soprano Shân Cothi and tenor Rhodri Prys Jones yesterday (Wednesday).

They were accompanied by the British Sinfonietta Orchestra which also performed with international classical sensation Rolando Villazón for Tuesday night’s classical gala.

The audience were treated to two rare musical opportunities as the Eisteddfod premièred performances at the Saints and Singers concert, which included the cantata ‘Saint Teilo’ by William Mathias CBE. This was accompanied by a masquerade dance performed by Llangollen-based New Dance Company.

This was the first time Shân Cothi and Rhodri Prys Jones performed together. Their voices offered the audience an emotive and enjoyable experience as they showcased their equally impressive vocal ranges.

The evening offered the perfect opportunity to perform The Land of Song to an international audience. A powerful massed choir made up of the London Welsh Chorale, Liverpool Welsh Choral, Palmdale High School Chamber Choir and Wrexham Music Cooperative also joined the Welsh vocalists.

In memory of the Welsh tenor Kenneth Bowen, who died last year, the eisteddfod hosted the world première of The Spring of Vision, composed by the festival’s music director and friend of Bowen, Dr Edward-Rhys Harry.

The Spring of Vision encapsulates the dream of Taliesin who, on questioning the state of humanity and our future is taken on a journey through wars, conflict and then finally arriving at the one act that defines humanity, the act of Christ on the cross.

Edward-Rhys Harry said: “Wednesday is the centre of the week-long festival and I wanted Welsh music to be at the heart of this year’s Eisteddfod.”

The audience were also treated to the crowning of the Pendine International Voice of the Future, which went to Erin Rossington from Abergele.

* Tickets for this year’s festival can still be purchased online at www.llangollen.net or via the box office on 01978 862001.

Eisteddfod entrance slashed to £1 tomorrow afternoon

The eisteddfod has just announced that the entrance to the ground will be reduced to a £1 after the Parade tomorrow afternoon.

A spokesperson said: "Ground for a £1 means people will be able to enjoy all the entertainment on the outside stages, food and craft stalls and soak up the atmosphere around the field."

Teenagers go on Peace Walk through town

* Teenagers from Plas Madoc celebrate the eisteddfod’s 

Youth Day with a Peace Walk through the town.

Following a series of workshops with secondary school students, Llangollen Eisteddfod organised a Peace Walk through the town centre to promote the festival’s core message of international peace yesterday (Wednesday). 

Showcasing banners made by the group of students, the walk was a demonstration of the Eisteddfod’s vision of peace among nations and giving a voice to the younger generation.

Award throws spotlight on new operatic star

* Terry Waite hands the Pendine trophy to Erin Rossington.

A ‘uniquely talented’ young soprano won one of the main prizes at an international festival – just 24  hours after tending the sheep on the family farm.

Erin Rossington, 23, from Llanfairtalhaiarn near Abergele, was crowned as the Pendine International Voice of the Future at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

She was presented with the Pendine Trophy, a solid silver salver, and a cheque for £5,000 by Eisteddfod president Terry Waite on behalf of Mario Kreft, proprietor of the arts loving sponsor, the Pendine Park care organisation.

In what judges acknowledge was a very close competition Erin clinched the title just ahead of Pembrokeshire soprano Jessica Cale, 27, who received the runner-up prize of £2,000.

The international competition began with a preliminary competition, with the two finalists making it onto the main Llangollen pavilion stage for the culmination of the contest.

Mr Kreft and his wife, Gill, pledged to contribute £5,000 to the International Voice of the Future competition through their Pendine Arts and Community Trust (PACT) which supports cultural and community initiatives, with the balance coming from

the Sir Bryn Terfel Foundation and the Eisteddfod.

An overwhelmed and thrilled Erin said she would be using the prize money to further her dream as a career as a professional opera singer.

She said: “It was a wonderful feeling to win such a prestigious competition and I can’t believe that I’ve come this far.”

Erin, who was helping out on her family’s sheep farm just the day before the competition preliminaries, has been a passionate singer since she was very small and has competed at eisteddfods right across Wales and even abroad.

In 2013 she was part of a group from the Urdd Eisteddfod which journeyed to the Welsh settlement in Argentina’s Patagonia region to compete in its own eisteddfod, proudly taking second place.

Four years ago she played innkeeper’s wife Madame Thenardier in an Urdd production of Les Miserables in Cardiff.

Erin has been studying at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and has just graduated with a Masters of Music Degree at the Guild hall in London

She grew up with her three sisters helping to run their parents’ sheep farm and says she was helping to tend the flock just before coming to compete in Llangollen.

“My lifetime’s ambition is to become a professional opera singer and this fantastic prize will go towards helping me achieve that,” said a delighted Erin.

The performance which clinched her star prize included operatic pieces by Handel, Tschaikovsky and Welsh composer Meirion Williams.

A close runner-up to Erin was 27-year-old Jessica Cale from Haverford West in Pembrokeshire.

Like Erin a singer since childhood, following a two-year course at the Royal College of Music in London Jessica is due to receive her Master’s Degree later this week and will then set the seal on her studies by joining the International Opera Studio at the college in September.

She said: “I’ve been singing all my life as my parents are both ministers of the Church in Wales which meant I grew up singing hymns and psalms.

“I sang in a church choir in Pembrokeshire and reached the final when I took part in a singing competition in Cardiff last year.

“This was my first major eisteddfod and I’ve really enjoyed being part of the Voice of the Future competition as everyone was so lovely.”

Jessica’s competition repertoire included works by Handel, Richard Strauss an Frank Bridge.

Mario Kreft said: “I believe a star was born this evening as Erin Rossington’s  performance was simply breath-taking and and highly commended by the judges.

“She is a spectacularly talented young lady who I am sure will go on to enjoy a glittering operatic career.

“Her victory was all the more commendable because she was up against a truly international field with competitors from at least six different countries vying for the title.

“Llangollen is known as the town where Wales meets the world but on this occasion it was where Wales beat the world.

“However, Jessica Cale also put in a stunning performance which will long be remembered.

“Our aim in supporting the competition in conjunction with Sir Bryn Terfel is to provide a springboard for brilliant young singers from around the world to achieve

their dreams of establishing a career on the global stage.

“The competition chimes perfectly with our ethos at Pendine Park because the arts in general and music in particular provide the golden thread running through everything

we do to enrich the lives of our residents and staff alike.

“I hope the recognition Erin and Jessica will deservedly receive after this competition will help them in their chosen careers and we see all three fulfil their ambitions of becoming major opera stars.

“The Pendine Trophy, which is solid Edwardian silver bearing a Chester hallmark, was been kindly donated by Chester jewellers Tony and Julie Kaye of Kaye’s Jewellers. It’s a

stunning and beautiful trophy.”

According to the festival’s music director Dr Edward-Rhys Harry, winner Erin has a “unique talent.”

He said: “She has a beautiful timbre to her voice which also has a lovely sense of feeling. There is also an expressive quality to how she sings.

“However, the judges found choosing a winner very difficult as Jessica also has a fabulous voice." 

Performance showcases unity and diversity

* The Tapestry performance on the Pavilion stage yesterday.

Local community groups performed together yesterday to help Llangollen Eisteddfod celebrate over 10 years of the festival’s Inclusion Project.

The project has helped promote unity and diversity throughout North Wales, Shropshire and Cheshire by bringing local communities together.

This year’s group performance theme ‘Tapestry’, was inspired by a quote from the distinguished American poet and civil rights activist, Maya Angelou: “We should all know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their colour.”

Taking part were Wrexham Singing Hands, a British Sign Language Choir, mental health Ukulele group, Mind Tones, Wrexham One Love Choir, consisting of member who have experienced homelessness, addiction and marginalisation, Derwen on Tour (DOT), a group of Creative Studies students from Derwen College in Gobowen, Shropshire, who offer Makaton sign, song and dance performance and workshops, and the Theatretrain Regional Choir from Mold.

Reflecting the diversity of society and the International Eisteddfod’s ethos of promoting understanding and acceptance though music and dance, the project saw all five groups present their own short performance before coming together to perform on the pavilion stage.

Speaking about the inspiration for this year’s performance, Leslie Churchill Ward, the project’s Creative Director said: “The theme of Tapestry lends itself beautifully both musically and choreographically. The new song that has been created is based around all of these ideas, and how we weave our lives together to create art and friendship.”

Made possible by a grant from Chester and Wrexham-based Grosvenor Insurance Services, the performance reflected on important issues concerning diversity in a thought-provoking and emotive piece.

Eisteddfod music director Dr Edward-Rhys Harry said: “The Inclusion Project is close to everyone’s heart here at the Llangollen Eisteddfod, as it provides people who may not usually get the opportunity to perform on stage, in front of an international audience.

“Thanks to the generous support of Grosvenor Insurance Services with their donation towards the cost of the Inclusion Project, it has been able to continue its life-changing work and enables people from all walks of life to perform on the Eisteddfod stage."

Eisteddfod performers draw crowds in the town centre

* Hong Kong Welsh Male Voice Choir sings in Centenary Square.

Performers from the eisteddfod have been drawing the crowds in Llangollen’s Centenary Square this afternoon.

Winning a particularly warm welcome in the hot sunshine was the Hong Kong Welsh Male Voice Choir, singing for the first time in Wales to mark their 40^th anniversary year.

The 55-strong choir was formed in 1978 by a small number of ex-pats living in the former British colony, mainly South Walians who had gone out there to work on major engineering projects such as the underground railway.

This is currently the only Welsh male voice choir operating in southern Asia.

Although most the choristers have Welsh origins around half a dozen were actually born in the country.

During the past four decades the choir has sung around the world at venues in Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines. It is proud to have performed three times at the Royal Albert Hall in London and in the Sydney Opera House.

Despite its international touring this is the first time this Welsh male voice choir has sung in Wales as it makes its debut at the eisteddfod in Llangollen.

Choir spokesman Bill Kong, who is this year acting for the seventh time as an eisteddfod volunteer international welcome host, said: “Ninety per cent of the choir members have never been to Llangollen before and a similar number haven’t been to the eisteddfod either, so they think it’s great to be here and singing for the first time in Wales.

“Although we’re not actually competing in the festival we’ve got a full programme of engagements.

“On Wednesday we were singing in Centenary Square and afterwards joining the Cor Bro Gwynedd at an event in Bala.

“On Thursday we’re doing the lunchtime concert in St Collen’s Church at 1pm and going back up to the eisteddfod field to sing in the Ampitheatre at 3.15pm.

“On Friday we’re singing on the World Stage on the field at 11am at at 1.30pm at a care home in Dolywern. Later that afternoon we’re looking forward to taking part in the famous Parade of Nations through Llangollen town centre and at 7.30pm the choir is at All Saints’ in Gresford.

“We’ll round things off with an appearance on the Globe Stage on the field.”

Bill added: “We’ve enjoyed every minute of it and we’d love to come back to Llangollen again - this time hopefully to compete at the eisteddfod.”

Also performing in Centenary Square this afternoon were the Qypryllinite E Roshnikut Visaret E Gore folk musicians from Albania.

There were cheers from the large crowd when its flag-bearer danced with Town Crier, Chem Cheminais.

* Singing in the Wednesday lunchtime concert at St Collen’s Church was the choir from the East Tennessee State University.

Its members presented a varied selection of choral music from Europe, the USA and Wales.

* Qypryllinite E Roshnikut Visaret E Gore folk musicians from Albania play in the square.

* Town crier Chem is invited to dance by the band's flag bearer.

 * The East Tennessee University Choir sings at the St Collen's lunchtime concert.

New Story Hub encourages tales of the eisteddfod

* Volunteer Charlie Jones, centre, with children from Ysgol Rhosymedre

 recording their impressions of the eisteddfod on a big montage. 

A dedicated band of volunteers is busy gathering memories and impressions of the festival from visitors to the eisteddfod.

They are working in the Story Hub which is appearing for the first time this year and is

located just to the left of the ticket office as you come in from the town entrance to the site.

One of the volunteers, Charlie Jones, explained: “The Story Hub has been created to record what people love about the eisteddfod, their memories of it over the years right from its early days to the present and what it means to them.

“We’re taking written notes of what they say and also working closely with fellow volunteers from Deeside Radio who plan to make a programme based on impressions they’re capturing on audio.

“So far it’s been going well and many people have been in to speak to us.

“On Monday we even had a visit from Jules Holland who was appearing in the evening concert with his Blues Band.

“Yesterday was Children’s Day so we had lots of young people in from schools across the region. They were enjoying making a record of how they felt about the eisteddfod by writing their impressions down on a big montage.”

Charlie added: “We’d like to see as many people as possible coming in to see us over the course of the week and everyone will get a warm welcome.”

Catch the eisteddfod action in the square

Eisteddfod organisers have issued a list of performances by festival competitors in Llangollen's Centenary Square. They are:

Wednesday:

1.45pm-2.15pm: Qypryllinite E Roshnikut Visaret E gore from Albania

2.15pm-3.15pm: 2x Competitors

3..15pm-4pm: Hong Kong Welsh Male Voice Choir

Thursday:

2pm-2.30pm: Artistic Cooperative Les Emissaires de la Paix

2.30pm-3pm: Gema Citra Nusantara from Indonesia

3pm-3.15pm: Spraol

3.15pm-4pm: Alla Polacca from Poland

Friday:

2pm-2.30pm: Cor DAW

2.30pm: Megan Lee singer-songwriter

2.40pm: Short spoken word by Evrah Rose 

3.15pm-3.45pm: Punjabi Bhangra Cultural Group from India

3.45pm-4.15pm: Cathays Brass from Cymru

4.30pm - PARADE OF NATIONS!

Saturday:

2.15pm-2.45pm: Heritage/Albania/Ghana

2.45pm-3.15pm: Young Voices of Colorado from USA

3.15pm-3.45pm: Oscars Ungdomskor from Sweden

3.45pm-4.15pm: Kenyalang Sarawak from Malaysia

4.14pm-4.45pm: Bulgarian Dance group

Chirk hospital gets hospice outreach facility

* Kay Ryan, Outpatient Services 

Coordinator at Nightingale House Hospice.

Nightingale House Hospice is taking its specialist patient and carer support into the community providing information, advice and support for those who need it.

A new outreach facility has been set up in Chirk Community Hospital to enable patients and their loved ones to tap into a wealth of expertise and services within a community setting.

It is a chance to speak to someone about what a patient is going through or worried about.

Kay Ryan, Outpatient Services Coordinator, is responsible for the new service and says the thinking behind the new project is to make it easier for patients living in these areas to access services. 

She believes that it will also help de-mystify the image of a hospice only being available for end of life care.

The hospice helps patients lead an improved quality of life even with a life-limiting illness.

Kay says many people do not know that Nightingale House helps patients to access numerous services they may not know are available to them such as bereavement support, art and music therapy, drop-in sessions, and complementary therapy, as well as clinical support if required.

It is a myth she is keen to bust and emphasises the focus is very much on patient need and quality of life: “People’s perceptions are that think we only provide end of life care and new patients are often frightened to come to our main hospice building in Chester Road. 

"The majority of people don’t realise the range of services we offer. We can also signpost them to other services with the help of District Nurses, Community Palliative Care and Nurse Specialists in hospital or via their GP based on their needs at the time.

 “Our services aim to meet the needs of the patients and families who attend. It may be their physical or emotional well-being that they are struggling with or it could be family or work worries. We hope that by having an Outreach Service it will enable people who do wish to attend the Hospice to still access our support. It provides the opportunity for them talk to us and for us to be able to provide information and support that will allay their fears and help them to address their problems."

Attending the outreach sessions gives patients or carers a chance to find out more about pain management, living well and achieving their goals, having important conversations around health and well-being and how to improve sleep. Family members are often keen to talk to a skilled healthcare professional away from a formal environment such as a hospital or GP surgery.

Kay said: “It opens up access to the hospice in different surroundings for people who initially may only want to know what we offer. Very often family members or friends come to us first to get information and help.

"It is often the simplicity of help that has the greatest impact on patients. For example, one gentleman who had an advanced neurological condition and was losing the ability to speak was anxious about how he was going to be cared for as he couldn’t access the services he needed. 

"A phone call to the GP resulted in the GP offering the patient a one hour appointment where he was able to allay the patient’s fears. Sometimes the answers are so simple and can make such a massive difference."

Kay has been managing the Outpatient and Day Care Services at the Hospice for the past 10 years and feels it is important to spread the word about the new Outreach Services: “The most special and satisfying aspect of the job is being able to make a difference at a time when some people think that no-one can help them. 

"This is possible because we work as a multidisciplinary team, with a full mix of skills and expertise, we can usually find a solution to improve a problem.”

Nightingale House Outreach is available at: Chirk Community Hospital Tuesday from 10am – 12.30pm.

* If you would like to know more about Nightingale House Outreach then feel free to drop in to one of the new sessions or telephone 01978 316800.