Musical director brings touch of magic to the Eisteddfod

* Music magic: Eilir Owen Griffiths.

The man responsible for this year’s stellar line-up at the Llangollen International  Musical Eisteddfod is used to pulling rabbits out of hats – he’s a member of the Magic Circle.

Musical Director of the Eisteddfod Eilir Owen Griffiths is not just an acclaimed choral conductor and composer – he is also magic at getting some of the biggest stars to sign up for the world-renowned event.

The enduring appeal of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is the calibre of artists it attracts – names like Pavarotti, Menuhin, Bryn Terfel and Lulu - and this year is no exception.

Jools Holland, Strictly Come Dancing stars James and Ola Jordan and opera singers Noah Stewart and Claire Rutter are signed up and that’s down to the Llangollen factor and the pulling power of the Eisteddfod’s young Musical Director Eilir Owen Griffiths.

The 31-year-old, who lives in Cardiff, teaches in Carmarthen but is born and bred in North Wales, has helped turn the event round within 18 months of his appointment.

In that time Eilir has proved himself not just an acclaimed choral conductor and composer but also magic at getting some of music’s biggest stars to sign up for the world-renowned event.

Last year Lesley Garrett, Alfie Boe and Go Compare TV ad icon Wynne Evans helped the Eisteddfod make a profit for the first time in five years.

This year Eilir has signed up another stellar lineup which also includes Cuban maestros the Buena Vista Social Club, Olympic choir Only Men Aloud and percussionist extraordinare Evelyn Glennie.

Not bad for a kid from St Asaph who cut his musical teeth performing for Women’s Institutes and chapels as part of the family ensemble headed by his father, Welsh Presbyterian minister the Rev Robert Owen Griffiths and his mum, Rhiannon.

Also on the strength were brothers Peredur, Hedd and Eilir and little sister Hannah with the young Eilir adding variety to the entertainment with a magic show.

He said: “We were a sort of Von Trapp family on the chapel circuit in North Wales for about ten years. I played the piano and violin and sang – and did magic tricks.

“My mum was a librarian and we had to go to the library after school to wait for her to finish work before she took us home. I hated reading so I headed for the crafts and hobbies section and picked up a magic book and was fascinated.

“I learned how to do tricks and I actually became a member of the North Wales branch of the Magic Circle.”


Eilir, who lives in Taffs Well, near Cardiff, with his wife, Leah, son Aaron, three, and just-born Gwenni, had a wandering childhood as his father’s ministry took to Denbigh, Pumpsaint, in Carmarthenshire, Moelfre on Anglesey, and Lixwm, near Holywell.

He was head boy of Ysgol Glan Clwyd, St Asaph, before going to study Theatre, Music and Media at Trinity College, Carmarthen, where he now teaches, before taking a Masters in Music.

His specialism now is composing and conducting choirs and his record is outstanding including the Worshipful Company of Musicians Award (2005) and in 2008 the Main Composers Prize at the National Eisteddfod of Wales Cardiff.

He has released a CD of his work, titled Y Gair, while as a conductor he has won many major prizes with his choirs, Côr Aelwyd CF1, Côr Godre’r Garth, Côr y Drindod and The Blues Choir.

He became established as a conductor-composer on a year’s exchange study in the USA at Central College Pella, in Iowa, when he conducted a piece he had composed in a church there.

He has composed a Reqiuem performed by superstar Bryn Terfel, Wynne Evans and a massed choir but also works in musical theatre with students at Trinity College so his taste is varied.

The religious connection is important and he said: “A lot of my choral music is very religious and although I don’t have strong religious views I do find that I can transfer the message in religious text into music.”

He regards being Musical Director of Llangollen as a pinnacle though, because of its standing internationally and he said: “When the job came up there were two reasons I wanted to go for it – the challenge and because everyone refers to me as Eilir Owen Griffiths Caerdydd because that’s where I live but my North Wales connection is important to me.

“I also respect Llangollen more than anything else because over the years they have managed to make more of an impact than any other eisteddfod and it was an exciting thing to be part of.

“Last year the main thing was that it happened and made a profit after five years of losses which was even more remarkable because the weather was so terrible.

“Now in 2013 we’re in a much stronger position and it fills me with pride that we have turned it round in 18 months.

“Basically, I’m responsible for everything artistic in the Eisteddfod – it’s a hell of a challenge and a very difficult balancing act but from the feedback we’re getting about the concert programme is that even though it’s diverse it’s been very, very well received.

“It’s got something for everyone and it maintains the International Eisteddfod’s reputation for excellence.

“We wanted a jazz pianist and we’ve got Jools Holland, you couldn’t get better. We have James and Ola Jordan from Strictly Come Dancing and they’re performing to the music of the Buena Vista Social Club from Havana and without musicians like them there just wouldn’t be this tradition of Latin American dance.

“If you want choral music than we’ve got the best choral competition with the best choirs, certainly in the UK, probably in Europe but I won’t say the world because there is the Choir Olympics.

“But the Choir of the World for the Pavarotti Trophy is the best and most high profile competition on the choral circuit and the connection with Luciano Pavarotti is very important.

“The best of the best are still coming to Llangollen and you just would not hear choirs of this standard anywhere else in Britain.

“It’s important that it’s in Wales but what’s important is that it’s an Eisteddfod, it’s what our tradition is based on, the idea of competition, whether at Urdd level, National Eisteddfod level or International level.

“This strong tradition for our little country has become a tradition for the world because of Llangollen.”

Eilir, himself, has wide ranging tastes and is looking forward to the concerts though he expects to be too busy to catch more than snippets of them: “If I could only listen to one it would probably be Jools Holland but then I would like to take elements of them all.

“I’d take something from Evelyn Glennie, something from the Buena Vistas, something from the Verdi Requiem.

“I don’t just like classical music, I like avant garde and I like jazz and every night of the concerts should have its own USP and you can’t see what we’re putting on or the combination of artists anywhere else.

“The National Eisteddfod has the same artists every year – I don’t want that for Llangollen. I want something different and unique every year but the reality is that I won’t get to sit through any of them – except one and that’s Choir of the World

“I chair the panel of judges for that and when I was interviewed for the job one of the first questions I asked was would I be the person who actually gets to say who wins Choir of the World – and I do.

“Last year one of my highlights was announcing on the stage who had won and I’ll get to do it again this year and that’s a thrill, it’s magic.”

For more details on this year’s event go to the website at www.internationaleisteddfod.co.uk and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/llangollen

Late notice ... try a picnic in the park this evening

The weather is looking good, an evening of music and song from stage, screen and television featuring Llangollen Silver Band (senior and youth), and the choir Sentimental Journey plus other musical guests.

Bring your picnic rug and something to eat and drink and enjoy the fabulous setting.

The event starts at 6pm and will last for about two hours with breaks, if wet we will be under cover.

Tickets are available from Honeypots, the town clerks office and band/ choir members. They are £5 and under 7's are free.

Corwen station plan gets further down the line

 

* An artist's impression of how the new station

will eventually look.

* Representatives of the Corwen business community, Llangollen Railway Trust and Denbighshire County Council on site.  

 

* The site of the station.

 

Llangollen Railway Trust (LRT) has been awarded a £59,074.00 Cyfenter grant for the provision of the phase 1 station at Corwen.

Cyfenter is a project administered by Mentor Môn, financially supported by the European Regional Development Fund and Denbighshire County Council, that provides financial investment for social enterprise in north west Wales.
 

Announcing the outcome of the successful application for funds to Corwen community and business leaders, LRT chairman Jim Ritchie said the award will allow the railway to go out to tender for work for the installation of concrete foundations for the platform at the phase 1 station site, to be known by a bi-lingual name as Dwyrain Corwen East.

The platform timber sections will be constructed in the railway’s own workshops and will be delivered to the station site for erection once track is in place later this year.

Looking at the prospects for further track extensions, Mr Ritchie said that the rail head would shortly be extended to the location at Bonwm Bends.

 

There after, once base ballasting is complete, the track will extend towards over-bridge 28 near Plas Derwen.

 

Repairs to the brick arch of the over bridge will be undertaken by contractors.

 

It was envisaged that track laying will continue beyond the bridge into the station site during the autumn of 2013.

However, Mr Ritchie also noted that there were potential impediments to this schedule.

 

In particular, the need to rebuild under bridge 29 to allow pedestrian access to the site of a nature reserve on the north side of the Dwyrain Corwen East site and, also, for under-bridge 30 to be incorporated into Denbighshire County Council’s Corwen Flood Relief scheme, at the western end of the station site.

 

Completion of both of these schemes was a priority need if work on the station was to proceed to schedule. 

Llangollen Railway Trust still needs to raise funds to complete the Phase 1 project.

 

Thanks to the grant aid, some recent generous donations and other fund raising activities, the current need is to raise an estimated £78,000, much of which would be needed to ballast the extended track before trains can operate.

 

Subject to these needs being met, Mr Ritchie announced that the first train for invited guests and supporters would arrive at Dwyrain Corwen East on March 1, 2014, which is appropriately St David’s Day.

Mr Ritchie said: “The Railway is delighted to be awarded the European Regional Development Fund Cyfenter grant aid that will allow the construction of Dwyrain Corwen East station in the next few months.

"This phase 1 station is just a few minutes’ walk from the town centre and we look forward to bringing visitors to the town next year. We will also be offering subsidised transport for local residents between Corwen and Llangollen for those who wish to take advantage of the extended railway.

"Whilst recent donations and this grant reduce the total amount of money needed to complete the extension, we continue to appeal for more financial support to reach Corwen by the St David Day’s target next year.”

Denbighshire County Councillor Huw L Jones said: “I am pleased and grateful that the grant aid application by Llangollen Railway Trust has been successful.

 

"The availability of this financial assistance will help secure the completion of Phase 1 of the railway project. The return of trains to the town is eagerly anticipated by the residents and businesses.

 

"The expected spin-off in visitors numbers attracted to Corwen by the railway will boost recognition of the town as an important centre for tourism and we must be ready to cater for them.”

For the Corwen Business Association, Norman Jones said: “The news of the grant aid from Cyfenter for the building of the Dwyrain Corwen East station is very welcome in assisting towards completion of the railway line.

"Corwen was a railway town of some importance to North Wales prior to the Dr Beeching cuts to the railway network in 1965, but since then it has been in slow decline.

“The return of trains, especially from an established heritage railway, will be an important step forward in the future regeneration of Corwen.

 

"Already we have businesses set up in town, or expected to move in, on the strength of the Llangollen Railway’s extension to Corwen and we can confidently expect economic growth and job opportunities to flow from the railway’s arrival.

"This benefit has happened elsewhere when heritage railways have extended their lines and similar advantages will accrue here from increased tourist numbers. We must be prepared to grasp the new business opportunities which will arise when Corwen is recognised as the new terminus for the extended heritage line in the heart of the Dee Valley now set within a designated area of outstanding natural beauty.”

 
Plans of the Dwyrain Corwen East station and photographs will be displayed in the promotional caravan to be sited in the Corwen town car park during the Llangollen Railway’s forthcoming classic transport weekend on July 5/6.

It is planned that vintage buses will operate between Glyndyfrdwy and Corwen bus interchange to bring visitors to see work on the line’s extension.

Wild man of rock heads for eisteddfod stage

 

 

* Bryn Fon will appear during eisteddfod week. 

 

Wild man of Welsh rock Bryn Fon will bring his electrifying stage show to Llangollen for International Eisteddfod week.

 

The grizzled rocker will explode onto the stage at Llangollen Town Hall on the Saturday night of Eisteddfod week.

 

He will be backed by his regular band as he aims to show the next generation of Welsh rock and pop bands that there’s plenty of life in the old dog yet.

 

Bryn, who started out in music in the 1970s, is still rocking all over Wales but this man of many talents also acts and farms too, on his smallholding near Llanllyfni, in Gwynedd.

He’s fresh from a tour of North Wales with the show ‘Gwyn’ - ‘White’ – a two-hander which played to 4,000 children at several venues from Colwyn Bay to Anglesey while his other acting credits include the hit S4C series C’mon Midffild.

 

It’s as a singer that the 58-year-old is best known though and which gives him his biggest buzz: “We still play two or three gigs a month,” he said: “The band has been together for about 15 years now.

 

“We played a recent show and didn’t go on until nearly midnight which is a bit late for me these days but I’m not ready for the cocoa and slippers just yet.

 

“We just want to get things happening and the phone keeps ringing and we keep saying yes.

 

“Some of the young bands get a bit jealous but there’s a lot of fresh young talent around and some really good up and coming bands on the Welsh music scene.”

 

Bryn knows the feeling after joining his first band back in 1976: “It was at the National Eisteddfod and I jumped up on stage at an open mic event and sang with some lads who had been in a band in Llanrwst.

 

“One of them, Ithel Jones, the bass player, sent me a postcard and asked if I wanted to be their singer and together we formed Crysbas.”

 

Bryn also got into acting and was even ‘Hunk of the Month’ in She magazine in the 1980s though his music career has been uneven but enduring with Sobin a'r Smaeliaid formed after he and friends were asked to be the support band to another Welsh rock stalwart, Geraint Lovegreen, in 1988.

 

Bryn cites his biggest musical inspirations to American singer-songwriters Leonard Cohen and Neil Young and also attributes some of his stage presence to the king himself, Elvis.

He even has his own record label these days, laBelaBel, and his first album released on it, Abacus, sold 5,000 copies in its first week: “If it had been in the high street stores like HMV rather than in little Welsh bookshops I’m told it would have made the charts,” he said.

 

Bryn and wife Anna – they have two children - live on their smallholding near Llanllyfni where they keep sheep and Bryn admits that has been tougher and with more late nights even than being a rock singer.

 

He said: “This last winter I lambed myself and I was up every hour of the day and night. The weather was so bad it was really hard work.

 

“I don’t like to claim any grants because I would be taking money from real farmers but it was a desperate winter and it cost me a lot in food for the sheep.”

 

Bryn will be hitting the stage at Llangollen Town Hall as part of the Llangollen After Dark collaboration between the Eisteddfod and the Llangollen Fringe Festival and he said: “We do have some new songs we’re working on although I don’t know if they’ll be ready for Llangollen but we are really looking forward to it.

 

“We haven’t played in that area for a long time and to be associated with the International Eisteddfod is a big thrill.

 

“I’ve been in the past and I’ve been looking at the promotional material and what hits you is the colour and spectacle of it. It’s a fantastic event.”

 

Eisteddfod Musical Director Eilir Owen Griffiths said: “Anyone who has grown up in Wales in the last 40 years and been interested in music will have heard of Bryn Fon – he’s one of the seminal figures of Welsh rock.

 

“He’s got a real stage presence and a tight band and we’re delighted to have him playing at the Town Hall on Eisteddfod weekend – his set will be well worth catching.

 

“It will really set the scene for a fantastic Sunday as well when Llanfest brings a host of local bands onto the Eisteddfod field and it provides a real musical link between the Eisteddfod and the town.”

 

Bryn’s band is Graham Land on drums, John Williams, keyboards, Rhys Parry, guitars, and Neil “Maffia” Williams, bass.

 

They will be supported by Africa Entsha, a slick a cappella quintet from Soweto who blend pop and male vocal harmonies with physical humour and South African song-and-dance numbers.

 

Llangollen After Dark, with the Bryn Fon Band and Africa Entsha, is at the Town Hall, Llangollen, on Saturday, July 13, doors open at 7.30pm and tickets, priced at £12.50, are available from the Eisteddfod website www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk

The 67^th Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod takes place this year from Tuesday, July 9, to Sunday, July 14, at the Royal International Pavilion site and boasts a star-studded lineup of concerts and competitions.

Strictly Come Dancing stars James and Ola Jordan are part of a stunning lineup at this year’s Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in July.

 

The glamorous couple will perform with Cuban maestros Buena Vista Social Club and other top attractions are Jools Holland, harpist Claire Jones, tenor Noah Stewart, percussionist Evelyn Glennie and a 200^th anniversary performance of Verdi’s Requiem.

 

The Eisteddfod runs from Tuesday, July 9, to Sunday, July 14, at the Royal International Pavilion site and as well as star-studded concerts there are top class music and dance competitions.

 

For more information go to www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk or www.facebook.com/llangollen

Area gets involved in the Big Dee Day Invasion

 * Organisers of Big Dee Day – The Invasion at Ty Mawr Country Park in Cefn Mawr.

Organisations and enthusiastic volunteers across North Wales and Cheshire are currently taking part in Big Dee Day – The Invasion.

The event follows on from the success of the annual Big Dee Day river clean-up which this year takes place on 20 and 21 September.

Organisers are keen to gather together as many volunteers as possible across the region, to help eradicate non-native species such as Japanese knotweed, Himalayan balsam and Chinese mitten crab from the River Dee and its tributaries.

These alien species are brought to the UK either accidentally or intentionally and can cause big problems for our native wildlife, as well as having other effects such as making river banks more prone to erosion, which can lead to flooding.

Local authority Countryside Services, Snowdonia National Park Authority, the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Natural Resources Wales, Wildlife Trusts, the Welsh Dee Trust, Cofnod, Record and Chester Zoo are among the many organisations involved in this major event.

During the two day event, which started yesterday, there will also be an exhibition with stands and information boards at Ty Mawr Country Park in Cefn Mawr, Wrexham to explain more about these non-native species and the importance of eradicating them.

Councillor Carolyn Thomas, Chairman of Flintshire County Council and Chairman of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB, said: “Big Dee Day – the Invasion is a fantastic opportunity for us all to make a really positive impact on the River Dee and our local environment. This is about direct action, on both sides of the border, so we are encouraging everyone to pull on their wellies and get bashing that balsam! To get involved on either or both days please visit www.bionetwales.co.uk or contact your local biodiversity officer.”

Big Dee Day – The Invasion also has a Facebook page –www.facebook.com/BigDeeDayTheInvasion 
 

Safety message for campers and caravanners

Given the popularity of Llangollen as a camping and caravanning area, we are publishing this warning from North Wales Fire & Rescue Service:

Caravanners and campers are being urged to take extra care after two women were conveyed to hospital with facial burns following a cooking incident at a campsite in Nant Gwynant, Caernarfon.

Firefighters from Caernarfon were called to the campsite at 18.18hrs on Thursday, June 27 following an explosion involving a butane and propane cylinder being used for cooking.

Two women were transferred to hospital by ambulance for treatment for facial burns.

Gareth Griffiths from North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “Caravans and tents are potentially more hazardous than our homes as the inherent risks are magnified in confined spaces -  so its important not to let your guard down and forget basic fire safety advice when on your holiday.

“Cooking inside a tent is not recommended. Even a fire-resistant tent may burn – and be particularly mindful of the risk of fire inside smaller tents with only one exit.

“Don’t change gas canisters or refuel petrol or meths stoves inside your tent and, if possible, store them outside.

“Practise using your stove before you go on your trip - and make sure the stove or barbecue is sited on a solid surface to reduce the risk of it falling over.”

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is advising those planning a break in a caravan or tent to keep the following advice in mind:

Be prepared
- Ensure tents or caravans are kept at least six metres apart
- Find out what the fire-fighting arrangements are on the campsite and where the nearest telephone is
- Fit an optical smoke alarm in your caravan and make sure it is working
- Make sure there is either a fully charged water or dry powder extinguisher located inside the caravan near the exit door a a fire blanket adjacent to the cooking area
- Keep a torch handy for emergencies - do not use a candle
- Do not leave children alone in a caravan – and keep matches and lighters out of the reach
- Do not overload electric sockets or extension leads if you have access to a power supply and make sure electrical appliances are working correctly
- Make sure everyone knows how to operate escape windows and doors
- Keep flammable liquids and gas cylinders away from tents.
- Do not cook inside your tent.
- Be prepared to cut your way out of your tent in the event of a fire.
- If your clothing catches fire, STOP, DROP AND ROLL.
- Oil burning appliances should not be used in or around tents.
- Cooking appliances should not be used in small tents.
- Do not smoke inside tents.
If there is a fire:
- Get everyone out straight away. Fires in tents and caravans spread very quickly.
- Call the fire and rescue service.
- Give a map reference, if possible. Otherwise give a landmark such as a farm or pub to help the fire and rescue service locate you.
Bottled gas:
- Extreme care is required as gas cylinders may explode in a fire
- Keep cylinders outside a caravan unless a special ventilated compartment is provided inside
- Before going to be or leaving the caravan turn off all appliances – the cylinder should also be turned off unless an appliance such as a refrigerator is designed for continuous running
- Never use a cooker or heater while travelling.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service offers free home fire safety checks for everyone, including caravanners, and will install smoke alarms where necessary - contacting the free 24 hour hotline on 0800 169 1234 or e-mail cfs@nwales-fireservice.org.uk  

Councillor floats idea of tourist road-train around town

Now with reader comment at foot of story ...

* Tourist road-trains like this run in various cities in Europe.

A Llangollen town councillor has put forward the idea of a tourist road-train to run around  points of interest in the area.

At its meeting last week, the council discussed the possibility of shuttle bus to serve various parts of the town.

And Cllr Phil Thane has followed this up with his own idea of a tourist train.

He told llanblogger: “I'd like to see a tourist train like you see in so many EU resorts calling at the Pavilion car park and trundling round the most obvious sites: Wharf (via Dinbren Road), Station, Church St (stop at Church) up Butler Hill if possible to Plas Newydd, down Hill St, Castle St, Abbey Road back to the Pavilion.

“Ideally it would run on a park and ride basis to encourage tourists to park out of town, possibly even offer seats to coach tours to keep them out of town too.

“Of course, this requires vision on the part of DCC, which they show no signs of, and probably a subsidy which UK Governments are ideologically opposed to.

“Elsewhere in Europe governments seem to try to provide what they think will be good then charge taxes to pay for it.

“Here we favour governments that promise to reduce taxes by providing the bare minimum of services.”

. If you think a tourist train is a good idea, please let us know at llanblogger.


Comment:

Re the idea of a tourist train in the town. This must surely be a joke. Does no one remember the trouble caused by the train run by Stephanie Booth? It upset local taxi drivers, caused disruption in the streets, and was eventually vandalised and set on fire. In any case I’m not sure they go up hills (hard to avoid in Llangollen). What’s wrong with extending the minibus service already operating at the weekends around Llangollen and up to Plas Newydd?

 

Gill Thomas