New musical work to be premiered at Llangollen

A new work to celebrate the 150^th anniversary of the Welsh colony in Patagonia in South America will have its world premiere in North Wales.

 

The concert at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod on Wednesday, July 8, where the piece will be performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales will also star former royal harpist Catrin Finch (pictured below).

 

The work has been written by composer Hector MacDonald, a fourth generation Welshman who comes from Chubut Province in Patagonia where descendants of the original settlers cling on to their Welsh identity.

 

The migration was masterminded by non-conformist minister Michael D Jones, from Llanuwchllyn, near Bala.

 

He also considered Vancouver Island, in Canada, but eventually settled on Patagonia before around 150 people set off from Liverpool on May 28, 1865.

 

There are now many as 5,000 people in the Chubut area who still speak Welsh, and in recent years there has been a significant revival of interest in all things Welsh.

 

Eilir Owen Griffiths, the Eisteddfod's musical director, is delighted the anniversary of the Welsh outpost will be celebrated at the festival which starts on Tuesday, July 7, and runs until Sunday, July 12.

 

He said: “It’s wonderful that the Welsh community in Patagonia continues to thrive a century-and-a-half after it was first established.

 

“It’s always a pleasure to see a musician such as Catrin Finch take to the Eisteddfod stage. She has done so much to take harp music to the world and she is a wonderful classical musician and performer.

 

"The Sounds of South America concert will be a fitting tribute the courage and the endurance of the original settlers whose legacy lives on today."

 

Catrin’s career took off after she was named Royal Harpist to the Prince of Wales in 2000, a traditional position revived after a century-and-a-half.

 

She said: “I last appeared at Llangollen in 2002 and I’m really looking forward to going back to what is a very special festival.

 

“It’s remarkable that a small town in North Wales has the ability to draw so many top musicians from around the world. I really enjoy mopping up the special atmosphere there.

 

“I’m really looking forward to the concert. It’s an amazing thought that there’s a little Welsh community on the other side of the world. A piece of North Wales in Patagonia."

 

Catrin, who graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in 2002, says she will always be grateful to Prince Charles for asking her to become his first Royal Harpist.

 

She said: “It was a springboard for my career and I enjoyed a wonderful four years as Royal Harpist. It gave me the opportunity to expand my career and put the harp in the spotlight.

 

“In America because I was the Royal Harpist, they wanted to know more about the instrument and it gave me the opportunity to promote both classical music and the harp.”

 

According to Patagonian composer Hector MacDonald, whose uncle, Elvey MacDonald lives in Aberystwyth and  is a former director of the Urdd youth organisation, it was a "fabulous experience" to be able to work with Catrin and a world-class symphony orchestra.

 

Hector said: “I have been fortunate enough to have had several choral works performed in Wales but the opportunities do not exist in Patagonia for a composer to develop the skills required to write for a symphony orchestra.”

 

There will be a Patagonian theme on the field before and after the concert when the Welsh band, Brigyn, will be appearing on the S4C stage where they will be performing songs from their current CD that's been inspired by Patagonia.

 

Among the other highlights at this year's Eisteddfod will be the Thursday night concert when heart-throb tenor Alfie Boe will be joined on stage by Britain’s Got Talent star Jonathan Antoine.

Other big draws include Oscar-winning music legend Burt Bacharach, the immensely popular Canadian singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright and TV choirmaster Gareth Malone.

 

For the final concert, Ali Campbell, the voice of UB40 who sold 70 million records, who'll be reunited on the eisteddfod stage with two other founding members of the group, percussionist, trumpet player and vocalist Astro and keyboard player Mickey.

 

Children’s Day and the Parade of Nations, led by Eisteddfod President Terry Waite will take place on the Tuesday afternoon before the evening Heart of Llangollen concert.

 

Wednesday’s programme will include a new competition for the International Young Musician of the Year as well as the Children’s Choir of the World while Thursday’s competitions will see another first, the International Voice of Musical Theatre Trophy.

 

The Blue Riband event, the Choir of the World for the Pavarotti Trophy, is decided on Saturday night as well as the Open Dance competition.

 

* To book tickets and for more details on the 2015 festival go to the website at www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk

Good heavens - Llan nuns take Wrexham by storm

* Members of Llangollen Operatic Society take the chance to

rehearse their production of Sister Act in front of shoppers at Eagles Meadow.

From left, Heather Scott, Justine Bradey, Jan Bellis and Biba Baksh-Jones

 

Sassy nuns from Llangollen surprised shoppers when they broke out into song.

 

The harmonious group from the Llangollen Operatic Society was at Eagles Meadow shopping centre, in Wrexham to promote their production of the hit musical, of Sister Act.

 

They sang a heavenly 15 minute medley which included, Bless Our Show, Fabulous Baby, Sister Act, and Spread the Love Around.

 

The divine musical comedy, based on the hit 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg, will be on at Llangollen Town Hall from April 21 to 25 at 7:30pm.

 

There will also be a special matinee performance at 2:30pm on Saturday April 25.

 

The 40-plus cast includes sisters, priests, altar boys and even a bishop.

 

* Nuns tune up to delight Eagles Meadow shoppers with their Sister Act selection. 

 

Though the songs are different, the plot is the same as the film, where lounge singer Deloris Van Cartier played by Whoopi Goldberg has to pretend to be a nun when her mob boss ex-boyfriend puts her on his hit list after she witnesses a murder.

 

The musical has featured on London’s West End and on Broadway in New York.

 

The Llangollen Operatic Society was one of only 50 amateur groups to be granted a special license to stage the production.

 

Tracey Rawlinson, the director of the production for the Llangollen Operatic Society, said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to come to Eagles Meadow today to let people know about the show. Hopefully it will help us sell some tickets.

 

“We decided to do Sister Act because it’s just one of those films that everyone knows about. The plot is the same as in the film but the songs are different.

 

“We’ve got a great cast and we love the music. It’s quite a challenging show because normally we only have a two part harmony, but in this production there are songs where there are five part harmonies, which takes a lot of skill. There’s a lot of choreography in the show as well.

 

“We were one of only 50 amateur groups to be granted a license to do the show which is pretty prestigious.

 

“Recently a group of us went on a 10k fun run round the hills of Llangollen to raise funds for the Leonard Cheshire Disability charity. The weather was great and we raised £1,500. Half of the money will go to the charity and the other half is going to the Llangollen Operatic Society.

 

Shopper Becky Lloyd, 34, from Rhosddu, in Wrexham, watched the surprise performance with her son Rhys, 10.

 

She said: “Rhys has given it a big thumbs up. It wasn’t what we were expecting to see when we came to Eagles Meadow today. It’s a lovely surprise. They sound very professional. I think it’s brilliant – I love Sister Act. I’m hoping to go to watch it.”

 

Elen Haf Tayor, 19, from Wrexham, who is going to study at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, is playing the role of Delores.

 

She said: “I’ve had to learn to be incredibly sexy and sassy for the role. I’m wearing the Delores animal print shades. I’m really excited about the production. I think it’s going to turn some heads. We’re hoping being here at Eagles Meadow today will help us generate some ticket sales.”

 

The ex Ysgol Morgan Llwyd pupil, added: “It’s been so much fun. This is my first project with the Llangollen Operatic Society. I was very nervous to begin with but it’s been great and they have made me feel so welcome.”

 

Eagles Meadow manager Kevin Critchley, said: “I absolutely loved Sister Act film when it came out and the musical version from Llangollen Operatic Society looks like it’s going to be fantastic.”

 

* Tickets for Sister Act cost £10 with concessions at £8. They are available at www.ticketsource.co.uk/llangollenoperaticsociety.

Tickets are also available at Jade’s Hair and Beauty Llangollen, and Llangollen Tourist Information Office, 01978 860 441.   

Crazy examples of ambulance 999 calls

THE Welsh Ambulance Service is reminding people not to call 999 unless it is a genuine emergency.

The service took 19,151 non-urgent calls in the last seven months just 318 of which required an ambulance.

None of those 318 callouts resulted in a patient being taken to hospital. 

They include a woman who called 999 because her athlete’s foot infection had worsened, and a man who wanted dental work for two broken teeth.

Here are some examples of those calls:

* ‘Athletes foot infection – worsened,’ August 2014, Conwy

* ‘Two cotton buds stuck in ear,’ November 2014, Cardiff

* ‘Dancing too much – sprained ankle,’ September 2014, Llandudno

* ‘Got two broken teeth – wants dental work,’ December 2014, Dolgellau

* ‘Male feeling knackered,’ September 2014, Abergele

* ‘Punched a punch machine,’ November 2014, Wrexham

Richard Lee, the Trust’s Head of Clinical Services, said: “Many of the patients we attend to as a result of a 999 call receive treatment from the ambulance service but do not end up travelling in an ambulance. They could be treated at home, referred to alternative care or might even decline treatment.

 

“The Trust is taking steps to ensure that patients only travel to hospital when absolutely necessary and are referred on to the right part of NHS Wales where this is safe and clinically appropriate.  

 

“While the majority of calls we receive via 999 are entirely appropriate, we also take some non-essential calls from people with colds, toothache, back ache and other minor conditions.

 

“Calls of this type put people's lives at risk as the ambulance attending that patient is not available for a serious road accident, heart attack or stroke.

 

“Once again, we urge the public to ‘Choose Well’ to ensure busy emergency services are available for those who need them most urgently.

 

“For advice and treatment of most illnesses, visit your GP, or call NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47 for confidential health advice and information. NHS Direct Wales is available 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.

 

“Treatment for minor injuries, such as cuts, bites, stings and muscle and joint injuries, can be provided at your local Minor Injuries Unit, where there is no need for an appointment.

 

“Please remember to only dial 999 in a life-threatening emergency, if someone is seriously ill or injured or their life is at risk.”

Community clean-up planned for Friday

Community Clean Up

 

Friday 17^th April

10.30am start

Meet at: Trevor Basin Car Park

Children welcome, but please make sure they are accompanied by an adult

Equipment provided

For further information,

please contact:

Ceri on 01978 292450

Cantorion Rhos in St Collen's concert

St Collen's is hosting an Eastertide concert with Cantorion Rhos at the church next Saturday evening.

Details are in the poster below ...

Eisteddfod means £1.5m boost for the area

* The iconic eisteddfod parade through the town centre. 

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod will boost the local economy to the tune of £1.5 million.

That’s what the great annual event means to the south Denbighshire area and the town of Llangollen which has been hosting the festival since 1947 and which will again welcome the world this July.

 

The famous event that helped launch the career of opera superstars Luciano Pavarotti is again expected to attract nearly 40,000 visitors.

 

The arrival of so many people from outside North East Wales means a cash injection that ripples out across businesses within a 20-mile radius of Llangollen.

 

Last year 36,000 people came to the Eisteddfod and with an average daily visitor spend of £42 that added up to a massive £1.5 million cash injection for the local economy.

 

This year’s Eisteddfod starts on Tuesday, July 7, and runs until Sunday, July 12, and already one of the biggest draws is proving to be the Thursday night concert when Alfie Boe will be joined on stage by Britain’s Got Talent star Jonathan Antoine.

Other musical highlights include Oscar-winning music legend Burt Bacharach (pictured left), the immensely popular Canadian singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright, choirmaster Gareth Malone and former Royal harpist Catrin Finch.

Another big draw will be and Ali Campbell, the voice of UB40 who sold 70 million records, who'll be reunited on the eisteddfod stage with two other founding members of the group, percussionist, trumpet player and vocalist Astro and keyboard player Mickey.

 

Meanwhile, members of Jonathan Antoine's fan club, the Fantoines, are gearing up to travel to Llangollen from far and wide, from all over the UK and from Europe too and even from Dubai.

 

Musical Director of the Eisteddfod, Eilir Owen Griffiths, says reaction to the news the Britain’s Got Talent star would be appearing at Llangollen has been amazing.

 

He said: “Jonathan Antoine is a real talent and has a huge career ahead of him; there is no doubt about it. I’m really not surprised at the sheer numbers of fans that have expressed an interest and booked tickets for the concert.

 

“And the huge distances fans are travelling is amazing and with most booking accommodation in and around Llangollen its clear the festival has a massive and positive impact on the regional economy.

 

“It really is going to be a special evening of music and I’m looking forward to greeting some of Jonathan’s ‘Fantoines’ to Llangollen.”

 

Clwyd South AM Ken Skates, who is also the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, is a big fan of the Llangollen Eisteddfod.

 

He said: "I love the International Eisteddfod and was honoured to become a Vice President of the festival last year. It is a fantastic event and one of the jewels in the Welsh cultural crown.

 

 “The Eisteddfod gives Llangollen another opportunity to showcase itself and provides a massive boost to the local economy, but it also helps to promote Wales on an international stage, which is hugely important as we strive to further strengthen our burgeoning tourism industry.”

 

News of the Eisteddfod's £1.5 million economic contribution to the area was music to the ears of the festival's Chairman, Gethin Davies.

 

He said: "Llangollen has long been known as the town where Wales welcomes the world.

"The Eisteddfod has always been lauded for the cultural enrichment it brings to the area and I am delighted the event is also being recognised for the economic riches it generates."

 

Among this year's visitors will be retired teacher Jan Smith, 62, of Andover, Hampshire, who describes herself as ‘Head Fantoine’ and she block books concert tickets so fans can sit together, hands out merchandise promoting Jonathan Antoine’s website and keeps runs a dedicated website.

 

She said: “I’m driving up on Thursday to visit the Eisteddfod before the show. I’m coming with a friend and we have booked accommodation in Wrexham.

 

“I have block booked tickets for the Fantoines and we have people coming from all over the UK, from Denmark and Germany for the concert with one fan who coming from Dubai.”

 

Jan was spellbound when she first saw Jonathan on Britain’s Got Talent stage and said: “I was channel hopping that night and saw Jonathan and his then singing partner Charlotte Jaconelli walk out on stage. I have to admit I was intrigued. He looked so out of place.

 

“But then he began to sing. He has a voice that just has an effect on you. There is just this feeling you get that he’s singing to you and you alone. I’ve been reduced to tears on more than one occasion.”

 

Pam Rose, 71, is driving up to Llangollen in a campervan from her home in Hemel Hempstead for the concert and is staying three days.

 

She said: “I just adore Jonathan. I don’t like Britain’s Got Talent but happened to drop on his audition with Charlotte Jaconelli by accident.

 

“There was this overweight and clearly very nervous 17-year-old dressed in a shabby T-shirt. And then he started to sing and I was hooked. I have now seen him several times including in a concert with Russell Watson at the Royal Festival Hall.”

 

NHS admin officer Liz Whelan, 60, is travelling to Llangollen for the concert from her Glasgow home along with her sister Janice Leleux, 57, and their 79-year-old mum, Elizabeth Wortman.

 

Liz said: “We are staying in Wrexham and have booked into a hotel for a few nights. I watched Jonathan and Charlotte’s Britain’s Got Talent audition and when he began to sing, wow!

 

“I don’t know what it was about Jonathan but his voice is so powerful and so incredible. I just fell in love.

 

“I bought his album and played it in the car. I had to pull over as I was crying so much I couldn’t see properly. His voice is such a joy.”

 

Sally Anne Adams is travelling to Llangollen from Essex and said: “I have travelled all over the UK to see Jonathan perform. I first saw him at St Pancras Station and I plucked up the courage to ask for a picture with him and not only did he oblige but his mum knew who I was from a comment I’d put on his page. She actually knew my name.”

 

The Eisteddfod will also feature Children’s Day and the Parade of Nations on the Tuesday, led by Eisteddfod President Terry Waite before the evening Heart of Llangollen concert featuring a galaxy of international talent.

 

Highlights of Wednesday will include the debut of the International Young Musician of the Year and the Children’s Choir of the World while Thursday’s competitions will see another first, the International Voice of Musical Theatre Trophy.

 

Friday’s Open Category for choirs will showcase styles like gospel, barbershop, jazz, pop and glee styles and will also see the International Voice of the Future decided with the prize including the chance to sing at one of the evening concerts the future.

 

The Blue Riband event, the Choir of the World for the Pavarotti Trophy, is decided on Saturday night as well as the Lucile Armstrong Dance Final and Sunday sees the Eisteddfod let its hair down for Llanfest before the climactic final concert with Ali Campbell, Astro and Mickey.

 

* To book tickets and for more details on the 2015 festival go to the website at www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk

Time to act on climate change, say Friends of the Earth

 

* Members of Llangollen Friends of the Earth at their gathering.

 

Members of Llangollen Friends of the Earth (FoE) gathered together to let the Government know it’s "Time to Act on climate change".

 

This local event tied in with a national march in London which saw over 20,000 people converge. 

 

The aim was to ensure climate change is high on the agenda ahead of the General Election. 

 

A broad coalition of organisations are calling for investment in renewable energy, energy savings through insulating and adapting buildings, and greatly improved public transport. 

 

It is estimated that these measures would together create one million jobs, says FoE. 

 

The campaigners are also calling for the UK to support a global agreement to cut warming emissions of all kinds.

 

Warren Davies, chair of Llangollen Friends of the Earth, said: “We want to ensure parliamentary candidates of all parties know that time is running out to take action. 

 

"We are already seeing the devastating effects of climate change, and unfortunately the poor are being hit the hardest. 

 

"It’s imperative that our government takes action now through these measures, which would also create a million new jobs for the UK.”

 

Some members of the Llangollen group also travelled down to London to take part in the national march.  

 

Pauline Smout, from Llangollen Friends of the Earth, said “The march was absolutely fantastic, the diversity of groups taking part shows how much energy and passion there is for action on climate change.”

 

* See http://www.timetoact2015.org/ for more information on the Time to Act campaign.