Good turnout for new youth choir's first workshop

* Young singers at the new youth choir's first workshop.

NINETEEN young singers from seven schools in the area turned up for the first vocal worshop of the new Llangollen Youth Choir held at the Pavilion.

Family and friends of the children also came along to enjoy their debut performance and organisers say they were suitably impressed.

Next three rehearsal dates will be on the Saturdays May 14, June 11 and July 16. They will take place at Ysgol Dinas Bran and the cost is £6 per session from 10am-1pm.

Parents have been asked to register their interest online by emailing: singing@llangollenyouthchoir.com

Spokeswoman Amanda Thomas said: "We’ve been asked if we’re looking for sponsorship. We most likely will in time but, for now, we’re just excited to be working together voluntarily to get this off the ground. 

"This is a mixed choir, so we’re looking for musical boys and girls in current school years of 5, 6, 7 and 8.

"Further details about the choir can be found online at: www.llangollenyouthchoir.com.  We’ll be setting up a Facebook page over the next few months with help from our singers."

Operatic duo's radio interview about new show

Two members of the team staging Llangollen Operatic Society’s forthcoming show, The Producers, spoke live about the production on radio this morning (Friday).

Artistic director Nia Pickering and Ross Wilson, who will take one of the lead roles as Leo Bloom, were guests on the Am Dram slot during the Wynne Evans Show on BBC Radio Wales.

Nia told the host this was her first time as a show director but that things had been made easier for her by a “phenomenal team” both on stage and behind the scenes.

She said she would hopefully be directing again in the future after The Producers, which is on at the Town Hall next week.

Ross, who explained that his day job was as assistant manager at the Cornmill restaurant in the town, said his first time on stage had been with the society’s junior section, The Young ‘Uns, at the age of just four and that he had go on to study drama in Newport.

One of the numbers from the show, recorded at a recent rehearsal, played the interview out, with Wynne wishing them all the best with the show.

Follow the link to hear the interview:

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=10679339844BBEAF!49427&authkey=!AMelL26UGigq7ds&ithint=file%2cwav

Operatic to chat on air about new show

* John Clifford and Ross Wilson in a scene from the show.

Cast and crew of Llangollen Operatic Society's forthcoming show, The Producers, will go on air to talk about the production this morning (Friday).

They will chat live to host Gwynne Evans on his BBC Radio Wales show at around 11.30am.

Gwynne will also be playing a recording of one of the main chorus numbers, Along Came Bialy, which the cast recorded during a recent rehearsal.

The Producers will be staged at Llangollen Town Hall from April 12-16, starting at 7.30pm, and with a matinee performance at 2.30pm on Saturday 16th.

Tickets can still be purchased online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/llangollenoperaticsociety.

Pictures: Jon Haddy.

* A roistering scene from The Producers.

Llan's dancing grannies stun Eagles Meadow shoppers

* Cast members of the Producers go through their paces at Eagles Meadow.

A GROUP of dancing grannies from an amateur stage society stopped shoppers in their tracks with routines from their new show.

The high-stepping troupe from Llangollen Operatic Society staged a pop-up performances at the Eagles Meadow shopping centre in Wrexham to showcase their latest production.

From April 12-­16 they will be staging the hilarious musical comedy version of Mel Brooks’ Academy Award­winning movie, The Producers, at their local town hall.

Society members were already on a high after hearing a few days earlier that their last major production, the musical comedy about gangsters and nuns Sister Act, had been nominated for a trio of honours in the National Operatic and Dramatic Association’s (NODA) 2015 awards, acknowledged as the am­dram equivalent of the Hollywood Oscars.

And they’re looking to pick up similar accolades for The Producers which has taken Broadway and the West End by storm, winning a record-­breaking 12 Tony Awards and three Olivier Awards.

The story centres on two theatrical producers who scheme to get rich by overselling interests in a Broadway flop.

Complications arise when the show unexpectedly turns out to be successful.

The humour of the show draws on ridiculous accents, caricatures of Nazis and many show business in­jokes.

It also features the outrageous hit song Springtime for Hitler.

Musical director for the show, Elen Mair Roberts, said: “The grannies going through paces at Eagles Meadow have a major part in the show as the elderly female backers who’d do anything for dodgy producer Max Bialstock.

“Their routines are hardly what you’d expect from ladies of more mature years!

“Everyone was feeling great about the pop-up event because just a couple of days ago we heard from NODA that our production last year of Sister Act had been nominated for thee of its 2015 awards.

“These are Best Technical, Best Performances for Elen Haf Taylor as Sister Mary Clarence and Ross Wilson as Sweaty Eddie and also Best Production.

“We’ll find out at the NODA annual meeting in Hereford on May 12 if we’ve been successful, so we’re all keeping our fingers crossed.

“We were actually at Eagles Meadow this time last year to present pop­up selections from Sister Act and that helped us to boost our audience numbers when we staged the show in Llangollen last April.

“With that and the award nominations, appearing at the shopping centre was definitely a lucky date for us and we’re hoping it brings us similar good fortune this time.”

She added: “People who stopped to watch us performing songs from The Producers certainly seemed to enjoy it and a few said they’ll be coming along next month to see the show, which was great news.

“We’d like to thank the management team at Eagles Meadow for all the kind co­operation they’ve given over the past couple of years.

“It’s a pleasure to come along here as we always get such a friendly reception from everyone.”

One of those taking the role, Caroline Anthonisz, said: “The grannies dance is my favourite part of the show and it was great to do it in front of the crowds at Eagles Meadow.

“I hope lots of those who enjoyed it will come along and see the whole thing next month.”

That may well be the case with Karen Griffiths who was stopped in her tracks as the grannies strutted their stuff.

She said: “I was just walking along with my own earphones in when I heard some music that was even louder.

“I wasn’t expecting to see anything like that but I really enjoyed it.

“I live in Acrefair, not far away from Llangollen, so after what I’ve seen today I might go along and see the show.”  

Eagles Meadow manager Kevin Critchley said: "We were delighted to welcome Llangollen Operatic Society once again.

"Our shoppers loved what they saw of the show, it was hugely entertaining and I'm sure the production itself will be a big hit."

The Producers will be staged at Llangollen Town Hall from April 12­16, starting at 7.30pm, and with a matinee performance at 2.30pm on Saturday April 16.* Tickets are now available online at: www.ticketsource.co.uk/llangollenoperaticsociety.

Cardiff choir at first Eisteddfod heads back to Llangollen

* Cardiff Snowflakes Choir at the Eisteddfod in 1947.

MEMBERS of a Cardiff children’s choir that won at the first ever Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod are still going strong as the 70^th event approaches.

Back in 1947, the Cardiff Snowflakes took the inaugural festival by storm, being crowned the champion children’s choir and going on to make records and tour extensively.

An appeal by the Eisteddfod in Cardiff has found several of the choir members are still meeting – and still singing – almost 70 years later.

Now aged 82, former singer Pauline Lang remembers the excitement of performing at the famous Eisteddfod that has since played host to music legends such Pavarotti, Lulu and Status Quo.

She and her friend and fellow chorister Lila Donovan still keep in touch and have fond memories of the early days of the iconic event.

Pauline said: “It was a wonderful experience. I was a bit nervous and we all had butterflies but everyone was lovely and I loved going up to Llangollen.

“We were in the big marquee and it was nice out on the fields meeting all the other performers from all over the world. We couldn’t converse with them in their language but it was great fun and there were a lot of impromptu folk dances and sing-songs.

“I think it helped that we had good weather,” added Pauline who lives in Fairwater, Cardiff, with her husband of almost 60 years, Arthur.

The Snowflakes were formed in 1926 by Gwenllian Williams and later continued under her daughters Eira Novello and Marion Williams.

Pauline joined the singers after her parents suggested it and made friends immediately with the other girls in the choir.

She said: “The first time I walked in I met up with someone I’d been in infant school with and we still keep in touch now so must have been friends for something like 78 years.

“We went back to the Eisteddfod in 1949 and we won it then as well and after that we went on to make three records with the Decca label.

“We were pretty successful and used to tour and compete all over the country as well as going over to Copenhagen for a few weeks to sing.”

While Pauline left the choir when the first of her three children was born, many members used the experience to launch their careers, with one former Snowflake heading to Hollywood.

Ira Stevens left her home in Dogo Street, Cardiff, in 1936 for Los Angeles as the body-double for Shirley Temple, appearing in several films before returning to Wales in 1939.

“I still enjoy music,” said Pauline, who worked as a typist and now has six grandchildren. “But I’m afraid my voice is too croaky to sing now.”

However, her fellow former Snowflake Lila Donovan, also from Cardiff, has never stopped singing since those early moments starring at the Eisteddfod.

“I had some wonderful years in The Snowflakes,” said Lila: “My mother and father were both musicians with the Salvation Army so they suggested that my sister and I went along.

“I can’t thank them enough for that as it led to so many adventures. We travelled all over the place, even to Denmark, and I made some wonderful friends who I have kept in touch with for years.

“I enjoyed every minute of the Eisteddfod and I think we sang Spring’s Return for that although I can’t be sure, it’s hard to remember all the details from so long ago.”

Lila went on to marry and work as a teacher, although the couple never had children of their own. Now widowed she still spends time at her local school listening to the little ones reading as well as carrying on with the hobby that has stuck with her through life – singing.

“I am a member of an operatic society now and so still sing a lot. It keeps me pretty busy and I love going up on the stage as well. It’s things like that that keep you going and I suppose I’ve been singing my whole life now,” Lila added.

Another fellow Snowflake, who joined just after the famous first Eisteddfod performance but was there to lift the crown for the second time in 1949, was Marian Hughes.

Now 77, the widow from Whitchurch, in Cardiff, remembers the group and her singing days with fondness, saying: "I have so many lovely memories of those times. After the performance in 1949 the whole world opened up for us.

"It just grew from there. One minute we were on stage with Harry Secombe or recording with the BBC Welsh radio service and of course there was the trip to Denmark that was absolutely unheard of in those days.

"We were doing concerts all over the place - it was quite amazing. I've been singing ever since and am still part of a local community choir along with five of the other Snowflakes, so we still sing together on a Saturday morning," she added.

The festival’s Musical Director, Eilir Owen Griffiths, who lives in Cardiff, said: “It’s fantastic that these ladies have such wonderful memories of Llangollen and that they can recall them so clearly.

“We’d be delighted to welcome them and any other members of the Snowflakes up there again and I’m sure they would find the welcome as warm as ever.”

The Snowflakes were just one of several Welsh choirs at the first Llangollen Eisteddfod and others included Penarth Ladies Choral Society and the Mid Rhondda Ladies Musical Society who competed against choirs from across the UK, Belgium, Portugal, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, the Netherlands and Hungary

This year’s Eisteddfod, which begins on Tuesday, July 5, will attract competitors from even further afield and concert ticket sales are already going well, especially for the opening night when Katherine Jenkins gets the programme off to a sensational start as she sings Bizet’s Carmen.

Wednesday will be International Children’s Day and will include choral and dance competitions and also a new Under 16s solo competition while the evening will feature the Voices of Musical Theatre,  West End star Kerry Ellis and classical boy band Collabro.

The great Bryn Terfel will headline the 70^th Classical Gala Concert on Thursday evening with acclaimed Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja while the day will see the crowning of the Children’s Choir of the World.

Friday will celebrate Rhythms of the World and will be a feast of music and dance from the best of the Eisteddfod’s international competitors with the Dance Champions of the World competition climax at the evening concert.

It will open with a Caribbean Carnival Extravaganza, followed by the International Peace message delivered by Theatr yr Ifanc, Rhosllannerchrugog.

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

Saturday is dedicated to the top choirs 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.

* For more on Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and its competitions and concerts as well as how to get to it and where to stay go to http://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/ or check out https://www.facebook.com/llangollen

Back our last bank, says AM

Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates has urged people to back the only remaining bank in his constituency after being given an assurance that it’s safe from closure for the immediate future.

The AM has spoken at length with Jonathan Brenchley, Barclays’ head of corporate relations in Wales, in the wake of HSBC closing its branches in Ruabon and Chirk.

Mr Skates said he was relieved to be assured that the Llangollen branch is safe for now, but encouraged his constituents to use it as often as they can. He also called for customers of banks which have left the area to switch to Barclays.

Welsh Labour AM Mr Skates, who is based in Llangollen, said: “I’m pleased to have been given assurances that, for the immediate future, the Llangollen Barclays branch is safe.

“Only once in the past six years has Barclays closed the last remaining bank in any town in Wales. This demonstrates a greater degree of social responsibility than other banks have shown, and I would urge customers to use the Llangollen branch as much as possible to guarantee its longer-term survival.”

 Mr Skates added: “More people are going online to do their banking, which is reducing demand for over-the-counter services. We need more people to switch their custom to Barclays and use the branch regularly in order to secure its future.

“I’d urge anyone who objected to the closure of other bank branches to switch to Barclays if they wish to see Llangollen remain open in the long term.”

Mr Skates recently secured a commitment from HSBC that it would keep a cashpoint in Ruabon, and has also fought for mobile banking services for communities where branches have closed, including Rhos and Brymbo.

Former mayor of Llangollen, Cllr Bob Lube, said the branch was of great importance to small businesses based in the town.

“I’m pleased Ken has had this discussion with Barclays, and I know he will do everything he can to keep banking facilities in Llangollen,” said Cllr Lube.

“I’m glad we’ve got someone as proactive as him fighting our corner once again.”

Spring gala steams into Llangollen

* The renovated Foxcote Manor will be a

star of this weekend's Steam Gala.

Llangollen Railway’s Spring Steam Gala will take place over three days from Friday to Sunday, April 8-10.

Headlining the event are two special guests, engine no. 7820 “Dinmore Manor” and the Small Prairie class No. 4566.

The gala should also feature the return of our resident No.7822 “Foxcote Manor” following a major overhaul, supplementing locos from the railway's home fleet: 5199, 6430 & 80072.

An intensive timetable will recall the sights and sounds of the Cambrian routes in the 1950s and 60s.

The route of the Llangollen Railway follows a 10-mile stretch of the former cross-country Ruabon to Barmouth line, which was once busy carrying holiday makers from the North West of England to the Cambrian Coast resorts of Pwllheli, Porthmadog and Barmouth.

"Dinmore Manor” will be joining sister "Foxcote Manor”, which has just returned to service after a lengthy overhaul which followed around two years of fundraising and work.

A special souvenir gala programme containing details about the loco fleet, attractions, timetable and photography locations, has been designed with a reproduction of the BR style timetable cover to make it blend in with the period.

This is available to download for free from the railway’s website and will be available for free in paper format from the station booking offices during the gala itself.

There will be recreations of a number of BR named trains from the 1950s and early 60s, with the most notable being the daily Cambrian Coast Express.

Gala visitors are encouraged to download and create their very own CCE luggage label from the railway’s website, which can then be attached to their rucksack, bag or other items for their journey.

On board the recreated ‘Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society AGM Special Train’, which ran annually over the Ruabon – Barmouth line on its way to Towyn until 1964, passengers will be given a complimentary copy of the 1962 souvenir eight-page booklet, reproduced from an original held in the Talyllyn Railway’s archive.

The Festiniog Railway Society railtour headboard will also be in use, as well as a recreation of the North Wales Radio Land Cruise, which once did a circular land cruise around North Wales via Bala, Barmouth, Porthmadog, Bangor and Denbigh.

Over the winter a dedicated group of volunteers have cleared the shrubs, trees and overhanging branches from both ends of Berwyn Tunnel, making the approaches to it much lighter and drier.

Footage taken during 7822 Foxcote Manor's comeback special on this stretch can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqZXeGgefJM

During the gala, the first departure from Llangollen will be the 9.20am double-headed express service, which will run non-stop through to Corwen.

Whilst the majority of the line will be representing the 1950s & early 1960s, Berwyn station will be remaining in its GWR 1930s guise.

The gala will be the first opportunity for the newly restored ticket office to be seen in use.

After Berwyn was downgraded to Halt status in the 1950s, the building was leased to the proprietors of the nearby Chain Bridge Hotel, who removed amongst other things all the ticket office furniture and fittings.

The partition wall was reinstated when the station reopened in 1985, but the counter unit remained absent.

A replica counter has been constructed by a specialist cabinet maker in Wallasey on the Wirral, based on the surviving counter at Carrog.

The ticket office will be fitted out for the gala as it would have been 80 years ago, complete with original GWR paperwork and furniture. 

The station's waiting room has also been fitted out with period GWR posters, including to Criccieth, a popular Cambrian Coast holiday resort.