BBC says teenager dies after aqueduct fall

The BBC is reporting this morning that a teenager has died after falling from the Pontcysyllte aqueduct.

For the full story, see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-36415232

Choir become Eisteddfod ambassadors

* The Cheshire Chord Company.

A top women’s barbershop choir from Warrington have been appointed Ambassadors to sing the praises of an iconic music festival.

The Cheshire Chords Company has been cutting a dash in the world of acapella singing for more than 20 years and now it has signed up to a scheme to bring the historic Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod to a wider audience.

The event will be held for the 70^th time this July and the Chords will be there hoping to replicate their success of 2014 when they were crowned barbershop champions after finishing third and second in the previous two years.

And now the Cheshire Chords Company has become official Llangollen Ambassadors as part of an exciting new venture in which long-time Eisteddfod supporters and regular competitors are being recruited to become honorary representatives for the event.

Anyone from their area interested in competing at the festival, or simply enjoying the legendary atmosphere as a visitor, can get in touch with the Ambassadors by e-mail to get all the inside information they need.

Cheshire Chord Company spokeswoman Janine Gilbert said: “Coming to Llangollen is a real highpoint for the choir as it’s so friendly and we get to perform on a world stage.”

The choir was formed in 1993 by a group of friends from the Warrington and Lymm areas with a passion for singing and has steadily grown in size and stature.

Most members live in and around Warrington but others travel from Liverpool, the Wirral, Preston, Blackpool, Stafford and North Wales for the choir’s regular Thursday evening rehearsal sessions at the Beaumont Academy in Warrington.

“Our musical director Jo Braham, (CORRECT) who has been with us since 2011, comes over every week from her home in Leeds,” added Janine.

“Choir members range in age from just 10 to 60-plus and we work hard to achieve very high standards while having a great deal of fun along the way, enjoying the great friendships that we share.

“As members of the Ladies Association of British Barbershop Singers (LABBS) we sing in the barbershop style and have competed very successfully in UK and European barbershop competitions over many years.

“Our last major international event was in Holland in 2013 and we’ve been national barbershop choir competition winners for seven years, the last time in 2014. 

“We pride ourselves on the quality of our singing as well as our performance skills, telling the story of the song and, where the number calls for it, adding slick choreographed moves worked out by two of our members.

“We sing songs by artists from Elbow to Barbra Streisand, the Beatles and many others, as well as well-known show and traditional barbershop songs arranged for today’s audiences with a modern twist.

“Jo has brought with her a wealth of experience, boundless energy and enthusiasm as well as a real passion for close harmony barbershop.

“We find ourselves singing to a wide range of audiences in a variety of settings, anything from the London Palladium to Golden Square Shopping Centre in Warrington.

“The types of events we sing at include competitions, private bookings, corporate, charity fundraising events and even Warrington Hospital wards to sing to the patients.

“Wherever we sing and whoever we are singing to we aim to delight our audiences and let our music and performance take them on a special journey.”

Janine explained that Cheshire Chord Company’s trio of successes at Llangollen came on their first competition appearance in 2011 when they took third place in barbershop, 2012 when they finished second and 2014 when they eventually sang their way to first place.

She said: “We’re delighted to become official Llangollen Ambassadors because we really enjoy competing at the festival and want to share it with others – competitors, performers or visitors.

“It’s always very friendly and we love to sing on such a big stage with its audience coming from around the world.

“Last time we were there in 2014 it was quite a poignant occasion for us because we had 15 new members – including myself – who had never sung in public before but it was a great place to make your performance debut – and it helped that we won.

“We’re all looking forward to coming back to Llangollen this year, especially as it’s the 70^th Eisteddfod.”

Llangollen 2016 Chairman Rhys Davies said: “We’re thrilled that Cheshire Chords have agreed to be Ambassadors for the festival to spread the word about what a wonderful event it is.

“They will be able to give people in the Warrington area an inside track on what it means to attend, where to go and what to see and even how to enter any of our competitions.

“Most of all they can tell them how friendly Llangollen is and about the fantastic carnival atmosphere as this little town welcomes the world each July.”

Ticket sales for the concerts at this year’s Eisteddfod are already going well, especially for the opening night when superstar Katherine Jenkins gets the programme off to a sensational start as she sings Bizet’s Carmen opposite acclaimed New York tenor Noah Stewart.

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 with 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 top 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 by Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra.

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

For all the inside information about Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, contact official Ambassadors, Cheshire Chord Company, by emailing: press@cheshirechord.co.uk

Male voice choir's free concert

Llangollen Male Voice Choir (pictured) are putting on a lunchtime concert  at St Collens from 1-2pm on Saturday June 11.

There will also be a guest soloist from RNCM at the concert which is free with a retiring collection.

A choir spokesman said: "Start your entertainment there and go on to the Llangollen Annual Fete at Plas Newydd, a short walk away.

"On the same day don't forget to look in at the Town Hall to celebrate 70 years of the wonderful Llangollen International Eisteddfod." 

AM welcomes village anti-speeding measures

Residents in a rural village near Llangollen blighted by speeding will finally see some permanent action, says their MP.

Campaigners in Pontfadog have long called for measures to reduce irresponsible driving on the B4500, and have been supported by their Assembly Member Ken Skates.

The Clwyd South AM (pictured) contacted Wrexham Council and North Wales Police last summer and urged them to do anything they could to improve road safety outside Pontfadog school and throughout the wider community, including Dolywern.

Safety vans were immediately deployed in the area, and have since been seen regularly.

Mr Skates has repeatedly pushed for further action, and this week received a response from Wrexham Council containing some welcome news.

He said: “I’m delighted that the council has now confirmed that the village of Pontfadog will be made a 20mph zone – it’s been a long time coming. I’m also pleased that the Welsh Government will fund interactive signs along the main road warning drivers about their speed.

“Residents have had to put up with these problems for far too long, so I sincerely hope this is a turning point. I would urge people to continue reporting speeding, however, as I will be more than happy to write to North Wales Police to ask that safety vans are deployed again.”

In an email to Mr Skates, Lawrence Isted, head of environment and planning at Wrexham Council, said: “I refer to your recent enquiry and previous correspondence in relation to the concerns you raise regarding the speed of traffic along B4500 as it passes through Pontfadog.

“The authority promoted the introduction of a 20mph speed limit through Pontfadog, as part of our speed limit review on all A and B roads within the county borough. I’m now able to inform you that the consultation in relation to this proposal was successful an d an order will now be placed to implement that 20mph limit within Pontfadog.

“In addition, the authority successfully bid for funding from the Welsh Government to introduce interactive signs in Pontfadog, in conjunction with our 20mph zones outside schools programme. These signs, when installed, will raise drivers’ awareness within the 20mph zone and ensure speeds are kept to a suitable level at this location.”

MP battles for Legion campaign

* Susan Elan Jones MP in Parliament with Angela Ham

of the National Arboretum Museum/Royal British Legion.

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones has given her backing to the Royal British Legion's 'Count Me In' campaign calling on the Government to include questions about the Armed Forces community in the next national census.

She said: "I have worked closely with the Legion before and brought up a number of issues in Parliament relating to veterans.

"This is because I think we should do more as a country to support those people who serve or have served in our armed forces; and also their families.

"Most members of the  Armed Forces community are in employment, and healthy and happy. However it is vital that we provide extra support for those people, particularly the injured and bereaved, who need it.

 "To do this, Government, councils, charities and other organisations need accurate information to fully meet the needs of our Armed Forces community.

"At the moment, we don't know exactly how many veterans, reservists and dependents there are in the country, let alone where they are and basic information about them."

Ms Jones has put down a question in Parliament calling on the Secretary of State for Defence to support the Royal British Legion's campaign by including questions about the Armed Forces community in the next census.

Young teachers will open for Katherine Jenkins

* Opera voice coach Anne Williams-King with some of her opera singing students.

Two young school teachers from Wrexham are among budding opera singers from across the UK who will be a warm-up act for superstar soprano Katherine Jenkins at this summer’s Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod

Rachael Marsh and Karen Davies, from Wrexham are among a group of opera singing students in for the experience of a lifetime after being invited to appear on the outdoor stage at July’s 70^th Eisteddfod opening day.

They have been raising the roof at a Llangollen church while being put through their paces by husband and wife opera voice coaches Anne Williams-King and David Bartleet, an operatic tenor himself.

Anne, from Pen-y-Cae, has spent most of the past 20 years living and working in London and has now just finished her third sell-out course for aspiring opera singers at the Methodist Church in Princess Street and is thrilled her students will be at the iconic festival.

The top soprano, who has performed at opera houses around the world, said: “I moved back from London to be closer to my mum some six years ago now. However, she passed away three years ago.

“There isn’t anything in the area for aspiring opera singers so David and I decided, to run these courses. It isn’t just about teaching voice it’s about working on characters too.

“We want to give aspiring opera singers an idea of what it’s like in the business. I want students to learn the skills they need in the correct way.”

Williams-King, who successfully battled ovarian cancer a decade ago, added: “We put on a concert in the Methodist Church in Llangollen at the end of each course we run.

“Rhys Davies, the Eisteddfod’s new chairman, was in the audience after our second course and told me how impressed he was and he has invited us to showcase some of the new operatic talent at the festival.

“The Musical Director, Eilir Owen Griffiths, has invited my students to perform on the outside stage ahead of the opening concert by Katherine Jenkins on Tuesday, July 5. What an amazing honour for them.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for them to showcase their voices and acting talent and believe me, we have some wonderful singers who deserve to be heard and who will grab this amazing opportunity with both hands.”

Primary school supply teacher, Rachael Marsh, 23, a soprano from Minera, said: “It’s a great experience and to have the chance to sing on stage at Llangollen is amazing, especially on the day Katherine Jenkins is performing her Carmen concert.

“I have been having lessons with Anne on and off for a while as most of my singing has been with choirs. I have just enjoyed the course so much and learnt a great deal.

“To have the chance to perform at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod will be a dream come true. The atmosphere will be something else and I really can’t wait.”

Fellow soprano, Karen Davies, 28, a trainee teacher at Chester University and currently working at Kingsley Primary School in Frodsham, said: “I graduated from Bangor University with a degree in music and really wanted to be a composer.

“However, that changed and now I just want to sing opera but haven’t had any formal lessons or tuition. Joining Anne’s course has been fantastic and I have learnt so much.

“I was accepted to do a post grad Master’s degree in operatic performance in London but I simply couldn’t afford to do it. Music and singing courses are so expensive which is why Anne’s course is a godsend.

“I’m keeping my options open and teaching will be a good career choice but if the chance came along I’d choose opera. I still have ambitions to be on stage.”

Karen, who lives in Wrexham with her engineer partner, Gareth Samuel, added: “It’s going to be an amazing event and a fantastic opportunity for me and the other singers on Anne’s course.”

Rhys Davies, the Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod’s chairman, is delighted Anne’s opera students are on the outside stage at the festival and he said: “I went along to the concert Anne and her husband David put together in Llangollen Methodist Church at the conclusion of each of their opera courses.

“The standard of performance was exceptionally high and I believe these potential opera stars deserve to have their voices heard.

“It’s a big opportunity for these talented young singers and a chance to let a critical audience see them perform. I’m sure it will be an exciting evening and one they will never forget.”

Tickets sales for the concerts at this year’s Eisteddfod, which begins on Tuesday, July 5, are already going well, especially for the opening night when superstar 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.

The great Bryn Terfel will headline the 70^th Classical Gala Concert on Thursday evening 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.

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

Nant y Garth Pass to re-open tonight

Denbighshire County Council says the A525 Nant y Garth Pass is scheduled to re-open at around 7pm this evening (Friday) – over a week ahead of schedule.

The road has been closed since Monday morning to allow contractors Tilhill to carry out essential safety and maintenance work in forests next to the A525.

The road was initially scheduled to close for two weeks, with a view to re-opening sooner if at all possible.

The work has progressed quickly by Tilhill, and the council, together with some local landowners, decided to carry out their own works during this closure period, to avoid needing to close the road at a later date.

As the work by Tilhill has progressed quicker than expected, the road can now re-open to traffic on Friday evening, with diversions lifted.

Traffic lights will remain in place for other necessary works along the route, with only slight delays expected.

The council says it would like to thank local residents for their patience and understanding while this vital work has taken place and to road users for their co-operation while the road was closed.