Eisteddfod is first to be presented with new peace award

* From left, Eve Conway, President Rotary International for

Great Britain and Ireland, Rhys Davies, Chair of the

Llangollen International Music Festival and Molly Youd, Rotary International District Governor.

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has been honoured for its contribution to world peace.

The iconic festival was presented with a Rotary International Peace Award by the organisation’s 1180 District during a special ceremony on the pavilion stage.

And the leading Rotarian whose brainchild the accolade is says that she couldn’t think of a more deserving recipient than the festival itself, which is this year celebrating 70 years of furthering peace and harmony across the world through music and the arts.

The festival was founded in 1947 in the aftermath of World War Two to bring peace and harmony to a world riven by conflict.

Ever since, the picturesque town in the Dee Valley is the place where once a year Wales meets the world in a melting pot of culture and colour.

Molly Youd was only recently appointed governor of the huge 1180 Rotary district, which covers an area stretching from Southport in the north to Mid Wales in the south and from Angelsey in the west to Crewe and Nantwich in the east, and is the first woman to hold the position.

Molly, who lives in Rhostyllen near Wrexham, said: “I love the Eisteddfod and for the past 15 years have been in charge of the Rotary tent on the festival field.

“That’s how I came up with the idea of the peace prize together because we share the same ideals of peace and international understanding.

“As this year has seen the 70th Eisteddfod we thought it was most appropriate to make the award to the festival, which has done so much in the cause of peace over all those years.”

The award – a handsome 1ft tall glass trophy – was officially handed over by Eve Conway, President of Rotary International Great Britain and Ireland, to Eisteddfod Chairman Dr Rhys Davies and President Terry Waite during the festival’s Friday evening concert, Heart of Llangollen, which featured a Caribbean carnival extravaganza, dance championships and the International Young Musician competition.

Molly added: “Apart from being in charge of the Rotary stand I’ve also had the honour of being an official Llangollen Ambassador for the past six years, and I thought about the award a while ago.

“Watching the presentation of the first one to the Eisteddfod during the concert was such an honour and also very fitting in a number of ways because, apart from being the 70^th festival, this year is also the centenary of the Rotary Foundation, which is our own charity, the 30^th anniversary of women members in Rotary and the 10^th anniversary of the Rotary Young Citizen’s Award, which is also presented annually.”

Eisteddfod Chairman Dr Rhys Davies was grateful to Rotary International for the award.

He said: “Rotary International is a truly wonderful organisation and the partnership between the Eisteddfod and Rotary is the perfect match because we have in common the work we do to promote world peace and understanding.

“I felt proud and very privileged to accept the award on behalf of the Eisteddfod and I'm sure our partnership will go from strength to the strength in future years.”    

Tickets selling fast for New Dot's Fringe special

* Liza Minnelli stars in Cabaret.

Pretzels and beer steins at the ready, it's nearly time for New Dot Cinema's summer spectacular, which this time is set in 1930's Berlin.

Think Marlene Dietrich, top hats and exotic stage antics this Wednesday July 13 as Llangollen Town Hall is transformed into a vintage cinema.

* The New Dot team behind the show.

Taking place back up in the main town hall again, after a brief period in the smaller council chamber as 'Micro Dot', the New Dot volunteer team have risen to the challenge of putting on a big show and ticket sales have responded well.

New Dot chair, Jen Sandiford explained: "We really wanted to have some fun again and include all the special touches that make our gala film nights so enjoyable and memorable.

"We enjoy thinking of all the themed details and hope that the audience appreciates them. We've got one or two surprises on Wednesday that we're really excited about."

The event is being held as part of Llangollen Fringe Festival that runs over two weekends from July 14-24.

Timed slightly before the start, the cinema night acts as an unofficial curtain raiser to the popular festival and last year, was completely sold out.

At time of press, tickets are still available at Baileys Deli of Llangollen, Maxine's Cafe & Books on Castle Street, Llangollen and at http://www.skiddle.com/e/12771455 priced at £8 (£5 concessions). This time, entry is restricted to those over 15 years old due to the film certificate and doors open at 7:30pm.

Eisteddfod on course to break even, says chairman

* Colourful Indian dancers at this year's festival. 

This year’s smash-hit Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is well on course to break even financially.

Three near sell-out evening concerts sent ticket sales soaring significantly over last year and higher visitor attendances than in 2015 have added to the bright financial outlook.

Dr Rhys Davies, who has just completed his first successful year as Eisteddfod Chairman, said: “In contrast to recent years when the picture hasn’t looked too good financially, we know we’re definitely on course to break even this time.

“What’s helped most are three concerts which enjoyed almost full houses – Tuesday’s Carmen starring opera headliners Kate Aldrich and Noah Stewart, Thursday’s featuring Bryn Terfel and Joseph Calleja, and the Sunday show with Jools Holland.

“Everyone in the team is also reporting that visitor footfall is up on last year, which helps put us in a very healthy financial position.”

Outlining some highlights from the week-long festival, Dr Davies said: “The Carmen evening concert was absolutely splendid and Kate, who stepped into the role almost at the last minute when Kathleen Jenkins had to drop out due to a virus, absolutely embodied the title role. She was sexy and vibrant and sang magnificently.

“We were extremely lucky to get such a world-class opera singer and the audience adored her as could be seen from the standing ovation at the end.

“The performances by Bryn Terfel and Joseph Calleja on Thursday night were also truly memorable and it was a pleasure to see one of my personal favourites, Jools Holland, returning to the Eisteddfod stage for a brilliant Sunday concert.

“The standard of the competitions was once again extremely high and it was good to see that the number of overseas people taking part – this year from 22 countries – continues to rise.”

He added: “I feel our decision to move the traditional Eisteddfod parade from Tuesday to Friday to allow more overseas competitors to take part was justified by the fact that over 1,000 took part, watched by an enormous crowd which must have been one of the largest in years.

“This year’s festival was generally much bigger and more colourful than ever and had a better vibe about it.

“But we can’t afford to rest on our laurels and we have to continue building on our story of success.”  

    

Eisteddfod Music Director Eilir Owen Griffiths was also delighted with the way the festival had gone.

He said: “It’s been an interesting year with some drastic changes to the structure of the festival.

“Having the parade on the Friday was a massive success. The crowds were out in force and in excess of 1,000 competitors took part.

“Apart from some rain at the weekend, the weather also stayed with us.

“Children’s Day was absolutely wonderful as was the Inclusion project supported by the ScottishPower Foundation.

“The evening concerts had an amazing opening with Carmen and the Welsh National Opera Orchestra was truly brilliant.

“To think that the stars and production team had only three days of rehearsals is something I’ll remember for a long time.

“Kerry Ellis did a marvellous job with the Wednesday evening concert and having two operatic greats in Bryn Terfel and Joseph Calleja on the Thursday night was just magic.”

“Having the orchestra perform the anthem, Fanfare for Peace, I wrote especially for this year’s 70^th Eisteddfod at the Gala Concert was fantastic for me.”

He added: “Our competitions have been excellent, with some spectacular dance groups and some phenomenal performances by the choirs.

“The event is an awful lot of hard work but I consider myself a very lucky man to have the opportunity of working so closely with so many outstanding volunteers, staff, competitors and guest artists.”    

New national poet heading or Llan

* Ifor ap Glyn, the new National Poet of Wales.

Ifor ap Glyn, the new National Poet of Wales, will visit Llangollen Library next week to give a talk as part of the Llangollen Fringe Festival.

In his talk titled “‘Poetry is what gets lost in translation’ Right? Wrong!”,  he will explore the role of the poet in today's Wales and the importance (and occasional perils) of translation.

The presentation in English will include the reading of some poems with translation.

Ifor ap Glyn was born in London. He has twice won the crown at the National Eisteddfod and recently succeeded Gillian Clarke as National Poet of Wales.

He has just published his first novel, about growing up in London 'Tra Bo Dau' (While there are two). He lives in Caernarfon and works as a television producer and presenter.

The evening will be on Monday July 18^th at 7.30pm in Llangollen Library, Castle Street, Llangollen LL20 8NU.

Tickets are £5 and available from Llangollen Library on 01978 869600. The event is supported by Literature Wales.

Councils join forces on trader approval scheme

Six of North Wales’ Trading Standards services have come together in an effort to work collaboratively to deliver the Buy With Confidence (BWC) scheme.

The project is eager to attract more of the region’s businesses in particular those in the home maintenance and gardening sectors, domestic cleaners and general skilled tradesmen.

This nationally recognised trader approval programme was originally  designed to ensure businesses operate in a legal, honest and fair way, and tackle the issue of  ‘rogue traders’. It also provides consumers with a list of local businesses which have given their commitment to trading fairly.

Kevin Jones, Chair of the North Wales Heads of Trading Standards Group, said “This important scheme enables Trading Standards in North Wales to showcase reliable businesses we are proud to recommend, which allows consumers to make educated choices and avoid getting ripped off. “

The scheme is open to any manner of businesses wishing to apply to advertise themselves as “Trading Standards  Approved”, and must take part in a series of detailed checks by Trading Standards which will then be continually  monitored for their quality of service.

Membership of the scheme is not given lightly , and in order to become a BWC member a business must first apply or be recommended to join the scheme and pass a set of tailored background checks.

Amongst other checks, each applicant will have their complaints history reviewed and will receive a visit from Trading Standards. Good references are required from previous customers and applicants must agree to abide by the scheme’s code of conduct, which requires them to follow the letter and spirit of the law.

If you are confident of your business and want to apply to advertise yourselves as approved traders by Trading Standards please visit the BWC webpage at, buywithconfidence.gov.uk, or follow the Facebook page,  tinyurl.com/northwalesBWC.

Community encouraged to help tackle mobile not-spots

Assembly Member Ken Skates is encouraging community groups to apply for help to tackle mobile phone ‘not-spots’ in Clwyd South.

The Welsh Labour AM has been pushing the UK’s major mobile operators for a commitment to improving coverage in his constituency, and is backing a new Vodafone scheme to give indoor mobile coverage to up to 100 rural hubs.

Mr Skates (pictured) said: “I am continuing to campaign for better mobile phone coverage in Wrexham and the Dee Valley and have repeatedly raised concerns with companies about signal loss in our communities. I’ve also lobbied the UK Government, who are responsible for enforcing operators' obligations.”

The Vodafone programme will see pubs, village halls and shops in areas with weak and unreliable signals get better connected to their communities.

The company’s senior government affairs advisor, Graham Dunn, said: “The Community Indoor Sure Signal (CISS) programme is designed to provide reliable indoor 3G voice and data coverage and will be open to 100 rural community hubs. The scheme compliments our expected investment of £2bn over the next three years on improving our network and services across the UK.

“Following a successful pilot, we’re now calling for applications from rural community centres such as independent or community-run pubs and shops, village halls, Scout huts and doctors’ surgeries that do not currently have reliable mobile coverage.”

Mr Skates added: “We have some way to go in improving mobile reception in Clwyd South, and I will continue to press the UK Government to act. I’m also in the process of arranging meetings with operators to see what more can be done, and continue to campaign for improved broadband for our rural communities.

“In the meantime, I would certainly urge community groups to find out more about this Vodafone scheme and get their applications in.”

Successful applicants, who must be the broadband bill payer, will need an unlimited broadband package with download speeds of at least 4Mbps and upload speeds of 2Mbps and a domestic plug-in power point. The CISS unit plugs into a standard broadband router to provide mobile coverage throughout a building.

It's all aboard for the Orange Blossom Special

* Sara Roberts, the longest serving director of Llangollen Fringe Festival, on the footplate at Llangollen Steam Railway.

Following last year’s hugely successful Rock and Roll Train, Llangollen Fringe presents  The Orange Blossom Special, a country and western music themed steam train, on Sunday July 17 at 5.45pm (£20).

There's music on the platform before departure and on return to Llangollen from Darren Eedens and a band and also on the train each way and on the station platform at Carrog.

All travellers receive a complimentary glass of wine.

  

Last year saw the first appearance of a newly renovated coach incorporating a dance floor and bar. It is hoped that the same carriage will form part of the train this year.