Museum hosts history talk tonight

Eisteddfod prize of trip Down Under

* Competition at the Gold Coast Eisteddfod.

A fabulous 10,000-mile trip Down Under to one of the world’s biggest cultural festivals is the prize for one lucky winner at this summer’s 70^th Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

The title of International Voice of Musical Theatre in July will come with a paid-for trip to Australia’s Gold Coast Eisteddfod in October to sing in their Musicale event.

The invitation follows a visit to last year’s Eisteddfod by representatives of the Gold Coast Eisteddfod, held in Queensland’s stunning tropical beachside city for the past 33 years.

The Musicale follows seven weeks of competition featuring over 70,000 singers and dancers, most of them under 20, and including 350 bands and orchestras, 175 choirs, almost 1500 dance groups and over 3,000 solo dancers.

Judith Ferber, the Gold Coast Eisteddfod’s General Manager, said: “We visited Llangollen in July and we loved it. It’s quite different from ours though it has the same ideals.

“We were very keen to forge international links. That has been our aim and we’ve done it very successfully.

“Llangollen has the concerts at night and we really enjoyed the friendship, the company and the location and we’re firmly of the belief that it is a wonderful event and hopefully with this prize we have enhanced it even more.

“We were very impressed with what we saw and we came back with some ideas and have spoken with the people at Llangollen and we have offered this prize for the winner of the International Voice of Musical Theatre.”

This year’s winner of the event, open to singers under the age of 28 on the day of competition, and which also carries with it a prize of an International Medal and £1500, will also receive a fabulous bonus.

They will be flown out to Queensland for the October Musicale, to sing in a concert featuring 20 of the winners from the Gold Coast Eisteddfod and Judith Ferber added: “We thought it was a fabulous idea.

“We wanted an international connection and because the winner of the prize will be a young person, probably in their 20s, it will be a wonderful opportunity.

“We will pay for the flights and we will put them up and a companion if they want to bring one, and we’ll show them some great hospitality and we can help if they would like to spend longer in Australia and see more of the country.

“October is our spring so it’s a lovely time of year and we’ll make sure they have a really good time.”

Eilir Owen Griffitths, Musical Director at Llangollen, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the winner of this competition in July and can really open some doors for them.

“Llangollen has always been about forging international links and friendships and we’re hugely grateful to the people at the Gold Coast Eisteddfod for this wonderful offer and we are sure this is a relationship which will flourish over the years.

“It should certainly ensure that what has become a very popular and competitive event since it was introduced two years ago will attract singers from even further afield.

“We have always been known especially for the quality of our choral competitions and with the introduction of this category alongside the International Voice of the Future and International Young Musician we have a very strong hand of prestigious solo competitions.”

This year’s Eisteddfod begins on Tuesday, July 5, when the preliminaries for the Voice of Musical Theatre competition will be held with the final held the following day on the stage in the Royal International Pavilion.

The closing date for entries to all the solo competitions at Llangollen 2016 is Friday, March 4, and successful applicants will be notified before March 25.

On Tuesday evening superstar Katherine Jenkins gets the programme of concerts off to a sensational start as she sings Bizet’s Carmen while Wednesday will be International Children’s Day and will include choral and dance competitions and also a new Under 16s solo competition.

Thursday will be Voices of the World and the crowning of the Children’s Choir of the World while Friday will celebrate Rhythms of the World and will be dedicated mainly to the dance groups with the Dance Champions of the World competition climax in the evening.

In a change of the scheduling Friday will also see the Parade of Nations, led by Eisteddfod President Terry Waite switched from its usual Tuesday in anticipation of bigger crowds and more competitors being present.

Saturday is dedicated to the Choirs of the World and concludes with the Choir of the World competition for the Pavarotti Trophy while Sunday sees the Eisteddfod let its hair down for Llanfest before the climactic final concert.

To book tickets and for more details on the 2016 festival go to the website at www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk

Silver Band youngsters in the honours

* Taya Castley and Elizabeth Mwale with their silverware.

Two young members of Llangollen Silver Band have scooped first prize in a prestigious brass contest.

At the North Wales Brass Band Association's contest held at the Galeri in Caernarfon, Taya Castley and Elizabeth Mwale, both aged 13, won first prize in the under 14's section of the J.B. Williams Challenge Shield for Duets.

Taya (on cornet) and Elizabeth (baritone), put in a highly polished performance of  Pleasant Moments by Geo Hawkins and beat off strong competition to claim first place.

Band spokesman, Robert Stock, said: "The band are extremely proud of the girls' achievement and it's great to see the talents of our young players being recognised on a national level."

MP demands more help for self-employed to get mortgages

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones is calling the UK Government to do more to help self-employed people have access to mortgages.

She made her comments after the publication of a review into self-employment by businesswoman Julie Deane.

The independent report had been commissioned by the UK Government's Department of Business, Innovation and Skills.

Ms Jones (pictured) said: "15% of people in the UK are now self-employed and that number is set to grow. I think we should do everything we can to help people set up and grow their own businesses in our local area. Self-employment offers a real boost to the economy.

"I really hope the Government gives really serious consideration to some of the big barriers to self employment, including access to mortgages and parental leave, that have been identified in the report." 

Julie Deane's report 'Self Employment Review: An independent report' notes (p22): says: "Buying a house is often the largest financial commitment people will make and it is in their own interest that they are able to afford the repayments.

"Having said that, it is worrying that a number of self-employed workers have expressed that they find it difficult to obtain a mortgage. There is a risk that this could become a more widespread problem in the future given the large number of self-employed individuals (4.6m) and the fact that this number is predicted to grow.

"As the number of self-employed continues to increase, the need for a more flexible type of mortgage will become more obvious. The financial institutions that choose to address this need stand to benefit enormously.

"When such flexible financial instruments do begin to appear it will be the role of the trade organisations to signpost these so that their self-employed members can benefit from them." 

Report see: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/500320/ind-16-2-self-employment-review.pdf




 

Forthcoming events at St Collen's

St Collen’s Parish in Llangollen has two events planned over coming weeks.

On St David’s Day, Tuesday March 1, at 11am there is a Bilingual Communion Service in

St Collen’s with Welsh hymns, and at 12noon there is a Welsh lunch at The Corn Mill. Phone the vicar, the Rev Andrew Sully, to reserve a place on 01978 860231.

On Easter Saturday, March 26, at 3pm, there is a musical presentation of John’s Gospel at St Collen’s, and on Easter Day, March 27, the presentation is at 3pm and 6pm.

There is no entrance fee but a collection will be taken at the end of the performance for the Refugee Crisis.

West End singing star heads for Llangollen

The singer dubbed the First Lady of the West End is heading for Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod this summer.

Organisers of the iconic festival have signed up Kerry Ellis who has starred in smash hit musicals in London's West End and Broadway in New York and is a long-term collaborator of Queen guitarist Brian May.

She will be topping the bill in the Voices of Musical Theatre concert on Wednesday, July 6, when she'll be sharing the stage with Britain's Got Talent winners Collabro, the classical and musical theatre boy band.

* Kerry Ellis. 

Kerry, 36, made her name in productions like Wicked, Cats, Les Misérables, My Fair Lady and We Will Rock You.

She is the latest top name to be announced for the landmark 70th festival.

Classical singing sensation Katherine Jenkins will be bringing the curtain up on opening night, Tuesday, July 5, which is being sponsored by care organisation Pendine Park.

The popular mezzo soprano will be treating the audience to a concert version of Georges Bizet’s opera, Carmen.

Opera superstar Bryn Terfel will be sharing the stage on Thursday, July 7, with a good friend who's also a world class tenor, supremely talented Maltese opera colleague, Joseph Calleja, in a concert that's also being supported by Pendine Park

Meanwhile, Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra are returning to Llangollen to bring the curtain down on the festival with a foot stomping party on Sunday, July 10, sponsored by the Village Bakery.

According to Kerry, performing at Llangollen in the concert sponsored by Kronospan will be something very special as it means she will get to sing many of her favourite songs all on one magical evening.

She and Collabro will be joined by talented Glasgow Academy of Musical Theatre, the CBC Voices from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and the Welsh National Opera Orchestra under the direction of John Quirk.

Mother-of-two Kerry said: “It’s without doubt a very special and wonderful event.

“I’m so looking forward to what will be a special evening in such a magical place. And as I have such amazing people, such as Collabro, joining me on stage, it’s going to be an evening to remember.

“Recently, have been concentrating more on my concert work with Queen’s Brian May. We have been working together for 13 years now. I landed the role of Meat in the original We Will Rock You cast and we have worked together ever since.

“It’s an unlikely collaboration and we come from two very different worlds but it works and the exciting part for me is I get to perform some very different songs.”

Kerry, who won the 2015 BroadwayWorld.com award for Best Featured Actress in a new production of a musical for her portrayal of Grizabella in the new production of Cats at the London Palladium, says the programme will include many of her personal favourites.

She said: “I love Memory from Cats and Anthem from Chess. Actually, Anthem is normally a guy’s song but Brian May wrote a new arrangement for me and I absolutely love it.

“It’s really different and means something. I think it’s a song that everyone seems to know and love anyway.

“It’s going to be an exciting and very different year and Llangollen is definitely going to be a big highlight. I try and take my boys with me where ever I’m performing and it sounds like they are going to really enjoy Llangollen."

Eilir Owen Griffiths, the festival's musical director, said: “To celebrate our 70^th festival we really wanted to treat our Eisteddfod supporters to a concert highlighting the very best of musical theatre.

“We are delighted to be welcoming Kerry Ellis, a performer who is the First Lady of West End theatre, to Llangollen for the first time.

“I’m also looking forward to seeing Collabro, the Welsh National Opera and CBC Voices, Glasgow Academy of Musical Theatre and the Arts, who will also be appearing and adding to what will be a magical night celebrating the very best of musical theatre.”

He added: “I think everyone has a favourite musical theatre production and song that means something to them. This will be a wonderful evening of music and one I’m sure everyone is going to really enjoy.”

To learn more about the Llangollen International Eisteddfod and for tickets which can be booked on line, please visit www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk

Crystallised flower company to showcase at Pavilion event

 

* Sarah Hughes with one of her crystallised flowers. 

 

A Denbighshire company that makes crystallised edible flowers has landed an order from one of the world's most famous hotels.

 

As well as supplying London's luxury five star Dorchester Hotel, Corwen-based Eat My Flowers will be one of the star attractions of Denbighshire Business Month that’s being organised to promote the county as a foodie heaven and a great place to do business.

 

Company founder Sarah Hughes will be joining TV hill farmer Gareth Wyn Jones at the A Taste for Local event that's being organised by Denbighshire County Council.

 

Anybody wanting to attend the event at the Royal International Pavilion in Llangollen on Wednesday, March 9, can do so via the website denbighshire.gov.uk/marchforbusiness

 

Eat My Flowers will be supplying 3,000 crystallised blooms for the Dorchester Hotel’s lavish concession at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show.

 

Sarah who runs the business from her family farm in Corwen, is now working on an exclusive range to accompany the Dorchester’s afternoon teas during flower show.

 

She’s also secured a fresh order from existing customer Harrods, to create two exclusive new edible flower lollipops for their Easter 2016 collection.

 

Denbighshire's March for Business  events run from March 2 to March 22 and the Taste for Local forum will be dedicated to food and drink, giving those in the hospitality and tourism industry a chance to mingle with some of the county’s best local producers.

 

At the event Gareth Wyn Jones will issue a rallying cry for better networking between food suppliers and producers.

 

He said: “We’ve got some of the best produce in the world here in Wales, but as a country I don’t think we do enough to show it off.

 

“I want to see a system where a small farm can make a decent living selling local produce locally."

 

Father-of-three Gareth became a household name following BBC One Wales’ The Hill Farm documentary about life on his family farm above Llanfairfechan.

 

His most recent series, The Farmer and the Food Chain, focused on buying locally and now he is encouraging people to do their bit to keep money in the local economy.

 

“By supplying this food better locally, then more money stays in the area, he said: “But it’s up to us to work together to do that and lift the industry.”

 

“My message is that we have the produce here, and if we want to keep local producers, then local businesses have got to support them,” he said.

 

It was a sentiment echoed by Sarah Hughes who set up on her farm in 2011.

 

She secured her first major order with Harrods in 2013, followed by a similar contract to supply London shopping emporium Fortnum and Mason, in 2014.

 

Sarah is now working with the Dorchester’s Head Patisserie Chef, David Girard and Head Florist Designer Phillip Hammond, on a bespoke range to be served at the Chelsea Flower show.

 

She said: “We are delighted to be working with such a prestigious and top end hotel and patisserie chef, whose afternoon teas are world famous. 

 

“We are normally quieter at this time of year, but we are currently working at full capacity fulfilling our Harrods and other corporate orders for our lollipops. 

 

Sarah says being based in a “remote” location in Denbighshire has not been a barrier to where her products are sold, far from it.

 

She said: “We run the business from half way up a mountain in rural Denbighshire, but our products have travelled as far as Singapore and Australia. 

 

“They have been used at fashion events in London, to pop-up tearooms in Glastonbury. 

 

“The arrival of the internet really does allow you to sell all over the world.”

 

She urged rural producers and suppliers to attend A Taste for Local at Llangollen Pavilion so they can learn how to better support each other.

 

Sarah said: “It allows food producers to meet each other and share ideas and best practice, and also provides a showcase of the innovative and exciting food products on offer to potential new customers in the area.”

 

Carolyn Brindle, Denbighshire council’s lead officer for Business Support and Local Growth, said by embracing local produce, restaurants could make their businesses distinctive. 

 

“If a place wants to be chosen as a destination then it has to have a unique and distinct offer,” she said.

 

“Everything from edible flowers, through to bread, beer, meat, ice cream, cider, cheese, whole food bars and much, much more is made in Denbighshire.”

 

Carolyn said March for Business month was designed to help businesses help themselves.

 

"It features a mixture of speakers, workshops, one-to-one advice and networking covering subjects such as HR and employment and social media over the course of the month,” she said.

 

“One particular focus is on promoting our food and drink offer.

 

“We have a number of great producers in the county and we would like to see more B&Bs, retail and hotels using this produce when they refresh their menus, for example.”

 

“A Taste for Local” will start at 10.30am and finish at 1.30pm, at Llangollen’s Royal International Pavilion, on Wednesday March 9.

People wanting to attend can book their place at Denbighshire.gov.uk/marchforbusiness or ring Janet Turner on 01824 706896.  Places are free but space is limited.