Summer Reading Challenge launches at the library

This summer, children can visit their local library in Denbighshire to join a superstar team and their marvellous mascots and get involved in a Summer Reading Challenge themed around the power of play, sport, games and physical activity. 

The challenge is called ‘Ready, Steady, Read!’ and is free to join and take part for all children.

Through taking part in the Challenge, by accessing the free bilingual materials from the library and online via the Challenge website, children will be encouraged to keep their minds and bodies active over the summer break. The characters – brought to life by children’s author and illustrator Loretta Schauer – navigate a fictional summer obstacle course and track their reading as they go, rewarded by free incentives including stickers. 

By participating in the challenge at their local library, young people will have the opportunity to explore new reading material, develop skills, and discover new interests.  

There will also be games and craft activities available in libraries during the school holidays, with more details to be found on Denbighshire Libraries’ social media channels. 

The Summer Reading Challenge has been running since 1999 and helps to improve children’s reading skills and confidence over the summer holidays, ensuring they are ready for their return to school. 

With the help of local libraries, the Summer Reading Challenge is accessible to all and provides a fun, free activity for children. In 2022, the Summer Reading Challenge reached 723,184 children and families across the UK, with 608,015 children taking part through their local library service, a 31% increase compared to 2021.

Councillor Emrys Wynne, Lead member for the Welsh Language, Culture and Heritage said: “The Summer Reading Challenge is one of the highlights of the year in our libraries, with thousands of local children taking part. The challenge helps children enjoy reading, discover new books and authors, and have fun with their friends in their local library. 

"I would encourage every family to take part this year as it’s all free, and open to everyone. Children can also keep up with their Welsh skills over the summer by borrowing and reading Welsh books from the library for the Challenge. I would also like to thank our friendly and helpful libraries staff who will be helping children get the most out of the Summer Reading Challenge again this year."

Council reminds parents of grant funding scheme

Denbighshire County Council is informing parents and guardians that they can apply for the School Essentials Grant.

The grant scheme, known as the School Essentials Grant (previously Pupil Development Grant), is open for applications, and people may qualify if they receive at least one benefit, such as: 

• Income support

• Income based job seekers allowance

• Income related employment and support allowance

• Child tax credit (but not working tax credit) with an annual income below £16,190

• Pension credit (guaranteed credit)

• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

• Universal Credit and your yearly net earnings must be no more than £7,400.

Parents or guardians who receive a qualifying benefit can receive a grant of £125 if their children are in Reception or Years 1 to 11. 

If the child is in Year 7, parents/guardians may be entitled to a grant of £200 if they receive one of the benefits. 

The grant can cover: 

•  School uniform.

•  School sports kit.

•  Kit for sports outside of school.

•  Uniform for wider activities such as Scouts and Guides.

•  Equipment for activities to support the curriculum, such as design and technology.

•  Equipment for out of school hours trips, including outdoor learning.

•  Duke of Edinburgh activities.

•  Computers, laptops and tablets. 

People cannot receive a School Essentials Grant if they are in receipt of Working Tax Credit.

If your child goes to a school in Denbighshire, you can apply online for a grant by visiting www.denbighshire.gov.uk/school-essentials-grant

People that are eligible for Free School Meals, as well as the School Essentials Grant, may use the same online application form to apply for both. 

Councillor Gill German, Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Education, Children and Families, said: “We know that families are feeling the pressure due to the cost-of-living issues and will be searching for further financial support to assist them.

"This grant funding can be a real lifeline to assist in paying for these goods."

Rotary provides poo-bag dispensers around town

 

Poo-bag dispensing boxes will be appearing in Llangollen to try and keep our environment clean.

Vale of Llangollen Rotary and the Rotary Community Team will be installing two by the river and three to near the canal thanks to sponsorship from 1st Enable Ltd in Chester.

A club spokesperson said: "We arehopeful that dog owners and indeed, non-dog owners, will put bags in when they out to help us keep them replenished so we all contribute to improving our environment."

Vale of Llangollen Rotary and Vale of Llangollen Community Team are ready to welcome individuals and couples of 18+ from the local community who want to be people of action.  

They meet face-to-face in St Collen's Community Hall in Regent Street, Llangollen on Wednesday evenings at 7pm.

* For more information, email: valeofllangollenrotary@gmail.com or see www.valeofllangollenrotary

More details of collision which left pedestrian injured

The Leader has now given an update on the incident on Castle Street on Wednesday afternoon.

Their story says: "A person was taken to hospital after a collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian in Llangollen. 

"The incident occurred on Castle Street in the centre of the town on Wednesday afternoon. 

"Police blocked the road in both directions as paramedics treated an injured person at the scene. 

"Eye witnesses stated that the pedestrian involved was an elderly lady. 

"On Thursday morning, the Welsh Ambulance Service issued an update on the incident. 

"A spokesperson said: 'We were called on July 12, shortly before 3pm to reports of a road traffic collision involving a pedestrian on Castle Street, Llangollen.'"

"We sent one emergency ambulance and one duty operational manager to the scene, where we were supported by colleagues from the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service.

"One person was taken to Wrexham Maelor Hospital for further treatment.”

llanblogger has asked the Welsh Ambulance Service about reports on social media that it took the ambulance an hour to arrive at the scene. They have so far not replied.

£300m cut poses ‘serious threat’ to canals, says MS

* Llangollen Canal could be amongst those under threat.

A funding cut of over £300m poses a “serious threat” to canals in North Wales, according to an MS.

Llyr Gruffydd, who represents the region in the Senedd, has branded the sharp reduction as “alarming” and has warned that it will lead to an “inevitable” decline in the condition of the canal network and could even result in closures.

The UK Government recently announced a long-term funding settlement for the Canal & River Trust which includes Glandŵr Cymru the Canal & River Trust in Wales, for the period from 2027 to 2037.

The network in Wales, includes the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, the Chirk Aqueduct and the 11 miles of the Llangollen canal, which have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Chirk Aqueduct and the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct were designed by renowned civil engineer Thomas Telford.

Mr Gruffydd, of Plaid Cymru, has said the “irresponsible” decision by the UK Government puts this UNESCO World Heritage site “at risk” and has called on Tory ministers to “think again”.

The amount awarded represents a steep reduction in its funding of over £300 million in real terms over the ten-year period.

The scale of the proposed cut has been projected to rise each year to reach a nearly £50m annual reduction by the end of the new grant agreement period in 2036.

It is so large that it is feared that it will inevitably mean deep cuts to canal maintenance and repair, and eventually lead to canal closures.

Llyr Gruffydd MS said: “This irresponsible decision by the UK Government presents a serious threat to the canal network in Wales.

“It should be remembered that these are historic waterways and they include a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

“The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, the Chirk Aqueduct, as well as 11 miles of the Llangollen canal are an important part of our industrial heritage in Wales, and this funding cut by the UK Government clearly puts them at risk.

“It represents almost a halving of real-terms public funding for canals in the ten years from 2027 compared with recent years. It will inevitably lead to a decline in the condition of the canal network and the alarming prospect of canal closures.

“Inexplicably, the UK Government has made this decision despite its own review confirming that funding for the Canal & River Trust is ‘clear value for money’.

“It has shown that the network of canals delivers substantial benefits to the economy, to people and communities, and to nature and biodiversity.

“The announcement risks turning back the clock on one of Wales’ greatest heritage regeneration stories and will lead to the loss of both vital nature habitat and treasured public spaces with a loss of substantial benefits for millions of people.

“To make matters worse, the decision to reduce long-term funding comes at a time when, the cost of maintaining the historic canals, locks, bridges, aqueducts, embankments, reservoirs and other critical assets is increasing.

“This is in part due to the rising impact of climate change with more periods of drought and extreme storm events.

“The canals bring the benefits of green space and nature corridors into urban areas, reaching millions of people, creating wildlife corridors, contributing to flood defences and drainage, and transferring water to support public water supply.

“Research has shown that the canals support local jobs and boost the economy. They also deliver social welfare value to people and communities including significant physical and mental health benefits.

“Tory ministers need to seriously think again about this damaging decision

Llangollen Panto Group presents Jack & the Beanstalk in 2024

Llangollen Pantomime Group is to present Jack & the Beanstalk next January.

And they have a Meet and Greet session at St Collen's Community Hall on Sunday August 6 at 2pm.

The group says on its Facebook page: "Please come along if you would like to get involved in our new exciting production of Jack & the Beanstalk - our first show in over three years. We are very much looking forward to be bringing the Pantomime back to Llangollen Town Hall.

"Louise the director will be introducing all the amazing characters in the show and all the parts available for young and old.

"So if you are interested in having a part in the show or want to get involved in some of the amazing opportunities behind the scenes, there will be a lot of opportunity to chat and get to know everyone involved.

"Please do not worry if you cannot make August 6 we also have taster sessions/script run-throughs on August 13 and 20.

"The Llangollen Pantomime Committee are looking forward to meeting all who want to become involved in our show."

Rotary invites expert to talk about state of River Dee

 

* People examine trays containing samples of Dee river water on display.

The Dee running through Llangollen isn’t one of the worst rivers in the UK when it comes to its natural habitat.

That was the message from a project officer for the independent charity which is working to identify problems with world-famous watercourse and come up with ways of solving them.

The year-old Vale of Llangollen Rotary Club has set up a series of monthly gatherings at which members of the local community are invited along to St Collen’s Community Hall to hear about and discuss issues of general interest.

* A live stone fly could be seen in one of the sample trays.

At yesterday evening’s session project officer Gareth Jones gave an insight into the work of the locally-based Welsh Dee Trust and its five-year strategy for protecting and improving the river.

He explained that the project began in August 2020 and had since done most of its work upstream near Corwen.

It had looked at areas such as moving livestock away from the river in a bid to reduce erosion of the banks – particularly by grazing cows – and improving the habitat in and around the water.

“We want to create a properly clean river and that means one that looks natural, with trees and twigs and so on visible in it,” he said.

He added: “Our findings so far are that there are far worse rivers than the Dee in terms of habitat, especially its upper catchment areas.

“Another of our aims is to remove barriers to the fish population and to change the attitude of landowners towards our work.

* One stage, Rotary club member Kurly Marwaha questions Welsh Dee Trust project officer Gareth Jones about its work. 

“When our project first started I think they were a bit unsure about what we were trying to do to improve things, such as fencing off the river to prevent erosion by livestock, but I believe they now have a better understanding of our work.”

Mr Jones explained that another aim of the project was to reduce pollution in the river from agricultural work nearby and he said that grants were available for landowners to help them achieve this.

The Welsh Dee Trust had special schemes to recruit local volunteers to help with their work and assisted with taking regular samples of river water and litter picking around the waterway.

The samples showed the number of invertebrates living in the river which, he said, was an indicator of its health.

He had set up a number of tables in the hall showing trays of samples of Dee water in which invertebrates such as stone flies and May flies could be seen wriggling amongst the grass and soil.

Asked by a questioner in the audience about the levels of invertebrates in the Dee Mr Jones said monitoring showed a general decline in their numbers which may be due to phosphates in the water.

Asked by another questioner whether leisure activities on the Dee such as kayaking, canoeing and paddle-boarding had any negative impact on the river, Mr Jones said: “They have no detrimental effect as far as we are concerned.”

* More details about the work of the Welsh Dee Trust can be found on its website at: www.WelshDeeTrust.com

* Vale of Llangollen Rotary meets face-to-face in St Collen's Community Hall in Regent Street, Llangollen on Wednesday evenings at 7pm.

For more information, email: valeofllangollenrotary@gmail.com or see www.valeofllangollenrotary

Skates wins assurance over Welsh station ticket offices

* Ken Skates MS: ticket office reassurance.

Former Transport Minister Ken Skates has welcomed confirmation that ticket offices at Welsh train stations will not close, as is happening in England.

The Clwyd South MS raised the issue in the Senedd yesterday (Tuesday) after Plaid MS Sioned Williams asked how the Welsh Government is ensuring people with learning disabilities have access to public transport. 

Train operators last week confirmed the Conservative UK Government’s proposals to shut down almost all of the 1,007 remaining ticket offices in England within three years – even leading to criticism from some of their own Tory MPs. 

First Minister Mark Drakeford said the move was a “retaliatory measure in the ongoing industrial dispute that the UK Government fails to settle”. 

And rail union RMT claimed the closures “will restrict passengers’ access to the best value tickets, worsen passenger service, accessibility, safety and security and lead to a de-staffing of stations”.

Mr Skates said: “First Minister, we know that people with learning difficulties and other people who face disabling barriers in life hugely value the presence and assistance of staff at railway stations. 

“Would you agree that it’ll be a source of reassurance to them to hear that Transport for Wales have no plans whatsoever to reduce the number of staff at stations that they manage here in Wales and, indeed, where they manage them in England? In stark contrast, the Department for Transport in England have announced the wholesale closure of ticket offices at stations managed by them.” 

The First Minister said: “I absolutely do agree with what Ken Skates has said. Almost 900 ticket offices in England are affected by the announcement of the Department for Transport in what many people regard as simply a retaliatory measure in the ongoing industrial dispute that the UK Government fails to settle in the transport industry. Here in Wales, we proceed, as the Member knows, through social partnership, working closely with our trade union colleagues. We achieve far more by working together than forcing through changes as part of ongoing industrial disputes. 

“I’m able to confirm exactly what Ken Skates said. Transport for Wales does not plan to make similar changes to ticket offices in Wales, or indeed to the ticket offices that they manage in England – in Chester, Hereford and Shrewsbury, for example. 

“We know that, particularly for those people who may struggle to access services, then the presence of staff on the station able to respond directly to their requirements is a very important part of how they are able to access services.”

Llan council flats given modern energy efficiency boost

* The new energy-efficent roofing of flats on Aberadda.

Finishing touches are being put to a Llangollen energy-efficient roofing project.

Denbighshire County Council’s Denbighshire Housing Team have worked to replace the flat roof at Aberadda flats in Llangollen.

The flats were originally built in the 1960’s when flat roofs were a popular part of the architecture.

The council has repaired the roof in the past, but says there are flaws in the general design of the flats. 

Denbighshire Housing launched the project to improve the roof, increase energy efficiency of the building and overall appearance of the flats.

Workers have built over the existing roof, with a steel frame pitched roof.

This, says the council, has not only removed the problems associated with the previous roof but has also increased the thermal efficiency of the roof as they are now fully insulated to current standards.

The new slate like roof will also blend in better with the surrounding properties and is 90% manufactured from recycled materials.

As part of the project, Denbighshire Housing are also upgrading and improving the outside appearance of the flats to modernise the look and feel, as well as improve the overall insulation of the building.

Councillor Rhys Thomas, Lead Member for Housing and Communities, said: “This has been an important project to improve the energy efficiency of the flats which will better support our tenants with the cost of living.

“I have visited the Aberadda site with council officers and am very impressed with the work that has been carried out. The flats now have a much more modern appearance, the added insulation will help the tenants to cope better with the cost of living crisis and the whole project contributes to the Council’s environmental priority of reducing the production and release of carbon dioxide.”

“I look forward to seeing the results of similar projects that we have planned across Denbighshire to improve the energy efficiency of our tenant’s homes.”

 

Photo Credit: Britmet Lightweight Roofing

Storytellers to launch new book this afternoon

 

As part of the Llangollen Fringe Festival, local storytellers Fiona Collins and June Peters are launching their new book at the Courtyard off Castle Street this afternoon,  Tuesday July 11, at 2pm.

Folk Tales of the Ever After is a collection of traditional tales from a range of cultures which is, by turns, funny, challenging and touching.

From a man in Baghdad who tries to outrun Death, to Sir Lancelot’s ride on the hangman’s cart and an ancient Sumerian ball game that leads to a trip to the underworld, the two storytellers invite you to "share stories from their repertoire, and insights into their working practice, as a journey through the mysteries of death, dying, bereavement, loss, grief and the ever after."

The launch is hosted by Courtyard Books and copies of the book will be signed by the authors.

New Rotary club hosts event looking at health of River Dee

 

The new Vale of Llangollen Rotary Club is hosting an event called The River Dee's Wildlife and Healthy Future tomorrow (Wednesday) at St Collen's Community Hall, from 7-8.30pm.

A club spokesperson said: "This will be a relaxed, fun and interactive social event for all ages looking at the health of our local River Dee. 

"There will be a short presentation, lively Q&A session so you can find out all about this local treasure, and learn how you can get involved in future fun events.

"The fun will continue with demonstrations and the opportunity to see some of the invertebrates and water samples yourself using microscopes, great for the young people.

"If you are interested in ecology, the local environment, wildlife, or the River Dee itself, this will be for you. Focusing on the current ecosystem and how it needs to be maintained and improved.

"We hope to see all of you there young and old, whoever you are, it’s a great chance for us all to meet each other for a chat.

"The Welsh Dee Trust is an environmental charity with the objective of restoring the brooks, streams and rivers of the Dee catchment in North Wales for wildlife and people."

A spokesperson for the Welsh River Dee Trust said: "At Welsh Dee we are turning around the fortunes of the River Dee and the wildlife that relies upon it. From the smallest Stonefly to the mighty Atlantic Salmon we believe our work can and will restore a thriving clean river benefitting both people and wildlife."

The Trust have been monitoring pollution, helping clean up rubbish, organising local nature walks and a host of other interesting and educational activities for local people.

This is a free public event open to all the community and will be the first of many new events being held by the Vale of Llangollen Rotary. For more information, go to: https://www.valeofllangollenrotary.com/ 

Find out more about your local town clerk

To mark the current Local Council Clerk Week, from July 10 – 14, Llangollen's own town clerk, Gareth Thomas, gives an insight into his job.

"The town clerk is the person who works with your councillors to make sure that Llangollen Town Council provides the services you need in your local neighbourhood.    

"He runs the council meetings to which you are invited and is skilled in a range of disciplines to make sure the council runs properly and within the law.

"Town clerks are the ones writing to your local AM, liaising with the county council about changes to speed limits, car parking charges and potholes, applying for grants for local projects, researching complex planning issues, running the council’s finances and managing community buildings and events. 

"Then they roll up their sleeves to lead volunteers to clean rivers, pick litter and fundraise for local projects.   They’re good in a crisis too as seen when they helped to coordinate community efforts during the pandemic. 

"Clerks are professionals and serve around 10,000 local councils in England and Wales. These councils emerged in 1894 to give a democratic voice to local people and they’ve changed enormously in that time, particularly during the last 20 – 30 years.  

"They are real place shapers and, today, many manage and maintain parks, sports facilities, skateparks and recreation grounds, play areas, allotments, community and youth centres, car parks, public toilets, cemeteries, street cleaning, run events and much more.  Most of all clerks and councillors are advocates, the voice for their communities.

"Whatever your local council is delivering for your community, the clerk will be at the heart of getting it done.  They provide the services that we all notice the most in our neighbourhoods but, disappointingly, they’re often not properly recognised for just how much they do. 

"Clerks are celebrated in other countries and Local Council Clerk Week aims to help raise the profile of this important profession and explain the work clerks do on behalf of town, parish and community councils."

* For more information, contact Gareth Thomas at: townclerk@llangollentowncouncil.gov.uk

Local roadworks alerts from one.network

Latest local roadworks alerts from one.network are:

Berwyn Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 11 July - 13 July   Delays likely - Diversion route   Name: Clockwise Diversion   Location: Berwyn Street   Description: Streetworks / License - Streetworks   Responsibility for event: Denbighshire County Council   Current status: Planned   Chapel Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 11 July - 13 July   Delays likely - Road closure   Name: Chapel Street, Llangollen   Location: Chapel Street   Description: Streetworks / License - Streetworks   Responsibility for event: Denbighshire County Council   Current status: Planned   Oak Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 11 July - 13 July   Delays likely - Diversion route   Name: Anticlockwise Diversion   Location: Oak Street   Description: Streetworks / License - Streetworks   Responsibility for event: Denbighshire County Council   Current status: Planned

Talking point Lexus is a good bet for company drivers

Lexus UX 250h drive by Steve Rogers

Pubs are a good place to chew the fat over cars.

My Lexus was on the table and I was asked what the brand was all about. Put simply it is a posh Toyota, launched here by the Japanese giant in 1990 to challenge Mercedes-Benz.  Think Bond Street chic rather than High Street chain.

With that friends joined us and commented on the smart looking Lexus in the car park. They have a BMW X1, but thought the UX more stylish, which it is, lots of slashes and creases, and a huge zig-zag grille that shouts ‘look at me’.

Yet looks alone don’t sell cars and Lexus has never threatened the German premium trio and certainly not enjoyed the meteoric rise of Audi which was making its mark around the same time.

UX is the smallest of the Lexus crossover range and has the familiar hybrid set up of a 2-litre petrol engine and self charging electric motor. Parent company Toyota is the king of hybrid so this is a highly efficient unit with low emissions and strong economy. It is not a plug-in so electric only power is limited to low speed short stints around town.

UX is, however, a good bet for company drivers and business users - low emissions have their advantages when it comes to tax breaks.

So what’s on offer once past the rakish body? If anything the cabin is even better. While German rivals tend to be conservative, particularly with dashboard design, the Lexus stylists have been braver with lots of shapes and contours, and a variety of shades.

The layout is easy on the eye and a far cry from the UX I drove after its launch in 2019. The centre piece was the infotainment system, a rather ropey affair, with a touch screen that could also be operated from a keypad with a cursor that danced around, landing in all the wrong places and was a nightmare to use while driving.

Thankfully it is no more. The whole system has been ripped out, the keypad gone, replaced by a larger, more efficient 12.3in touchscreen, (8in for lower models). Voice control has also been upgraded and now does what it is asked, adjusting the heating if you don’t want to use the clear and tactile row of buttons.

Last week I got all grumpy over the lack of a digital speedo in the Toyota Yaris Cross, well no such worries with UX which has a bold digital readout in the driver’s binnacle and can be changed to a red sporty layout if in the mood for speed.

On the subject of speed UX is a bit fruity with foot flat to the floor, nothing to bother those German rivals, but a reminder that hybrid provides enough clout when needed while exceeding the mark on economy. Officially UX is good for 51mpg and you can trust that because I nailed it.

And I liked the way it handled, holding its line when pushed through the twists while the suspension did a fine job soaking up bumps and potholes.

With prices that go way past 40 grand for the top models we expect decent quality and UX does not fall short. Materials are high grade and the only noise intrusion comes from the chunky tyres and that is not much of an issue.

If UX has a small failing it is space. Rear legroom is only so-so with the front seats set for average height people, and then there is the boot. It has a double floor but is still small, smaller even than the little Yaris Cross. The underfloor hybrid battery pack has made an impact and as there is no room under the bonnet for the car’s main battery it takes up a chunk of space in the boot.

Be careful you do not forget something stored in one of seven little compartments under the boot floor which goes to show how they have tried to use every inch of available space.

UX is the best seller in the Lexus range and it is easy to see why. This is a solid all round package with top notch hybrid technology.

 I particularly like the Yaris Cross GR reviewed last week but there is a marked difference in quality, and price of course, but you can get a UX for £35k, around £5000 more than the Yaris which is worth the money.

As a footnote I asked my friends if they would be tempted to swap their BMW for the UX. The answer: No chance. Says it all, doesn’t it.

Fast facts

UX 250h Premium Plus

£40,660 (starts £34,770)

2-litre; 288bhp with electric motor

0-62mph 8.5secs; 110mph

51.3mpg combined

125g/km, 1st tax £210

Insurance group 12

Boot 320 litres

 

Final competitions round-up from the Eisteddfod

* Choir of the World: Kammerchor Manila Choir from the Philippines.

* Dance winners: Labschool Kabayoran Senior Highschool dancers from Indonesia.

* Highly commended: Soul Oasis Cultural Ambassadors from Trinidad and Tobago.

A choir from the Philippines struck gold at the Eisteddfod.

The Kammerchor Manila clinched the prestigious Pavarotti Trophy in the Choir of the World competition.

The winners saw off challenges from the “hugely impressive” runners-up, the Cantilon Chamber Choir from Edmonton in Canada, the Delaware Choral Scholars from the USA and the Le Voci choir from Hereford.

According to the judging panel, which included Robert Guy, the co-founder and conductor of the Wrexham based NEW Sinfonia orchestra which headlined at the eisteddfod earlier in the week, the victorious choir put in a superb performance.

In Robert Guy’s view. the  Kammerchor, under the baton of Conductor Anthony Villanueve, were the "stand-out" performers in a tough competition for the global choral crown, named in honour of the legendary tenor Luciano Pavarotti.

Pavarotti, who passed away in 2006, was a member of the Chorus Rossini from Modena in Italy who won the  Male Voice Choir competition at Llangollen Eisteddfod in 1955.

Exactly four decades later he returned to Llangollen in 1995 to perform once again on the famous pavilion stage, but this time as an international superstar.

According to Llangollen Eisteddfod’s Executive Producer, Camilla King, Kammerchor,  from Quezon City, were worthy winners of the blue riband prize in memory of the great man.

Kammerchor is one of the premier church choirs in the Philippines and was founded in 1992 as a non-profit organisation.

The choir has a track record of success at international choral competitions.

In 2021 they were the Grand Prix winner at the Queen of the Adriatic Sea International Choral Festival in Rimini in Italy where they also won the category for sacred music.

Meanwhile, the International Conductor’s Prize went to Heather Johnson of the Cantilon Chamber Choir  from Canada.

Serial winners the Loughgiel Folk Dancers from Northern Ireland were pipped to the first prize in the Dance Champions competition by Labschool Kebayoran Senior Highschool from Indonesia. 

The Soul Oasis Cultural Ambassadors  troupe from Trinidad and  Tobago were also highly commended in the dance competition. 

All the evening’s competitions took place against a background of thundery rain lashing down on the pavilion’s canvas roof but it was the music and dancing which prevailed

Camilla King said: “The judges declared that it was the most exciting Choir of the World that Llangollen has seen for many years. All competitions were very tightly fought and it was a challenge to choose the eventual winners.

“Overall, we’ve had a brilliant week and it was great to be able to stage the first full length Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod since before the Covid pandemic.

“We introduced a host of entertaining new features on the Maes which proved very popular with the tens of thousands of visitors who came to the festival.

“Among the many highlights was the reading of the famous Dylan Thomas radio broadcast about Llangollen Eisteddfod, which was brilliantly delivered by the acclaimed actor, Celyn Jones, to mark the 70^th anniversary of the landmark masterpiece.

“It was also an absolute delight to see the return of the Parade of Nations which saw competitors from 19 nations on five continents around the world transform the streets of Llangollen into a sea of colour and joy.”