Eisteddfod music chief to hang up his baton

* Stepping down: Eilir Owen Griffiths.

After six years as Music Director of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Eilir Owen Griffiths will step down from the position after this year’s 70th anniversary festival.

The eisteddfod’s youngest ever MD will leave following this year’s event in July, giving him more opportunity to concentrate on new developments at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, composition projects and also to spend precious time with his young family.

During his tenure, Eilir introduced the Children’s Choir of the World Competition, Voice of The Future and International Voice of Musical Theatre Competition, as well and developing the Outreach and Inclusion Projects, which recently won the Scottish Power Community Award. 

His ambitious programing has also pulled together large scale concerts including Sweeney Todd with a cast of 150, and a star studded Carmen last year. 

He has been integral in drawing national audiences across the border by securing performances from global artists such as Status Quo, UB40, Burt Bacharach, Jools Holland, Caro Emerald and Rufus Wainwright.

He has also sustained high quality artists that the International Eisteddfod is famous for, including Sir Bryn Terfel, Joseph Calleja, Catrin Finch, Noah Stewart, Alison Balsom, Nicola Benedetti and Karl Jenkins, to name just a few.

Prior to his appointment in 2011, Eilir attended the eisteddfod as a competitor and performed in the famous Royal International Pavilion in 1998 with Ysgol Glan Clwyd and with his award-winning choir CF1 in 2010.

Eilir said: “It is difficult to sum up six incredible years. I am proud to be ending my time at the Llangollen Eisteddfod on such a high and it’s such an honour to be bowing out after the 70th anniversary festival. I’m excited to see the team’s hard work culminate in what promises to be a wonderful celebratory year.

“I’ve been lucky that throughout my time as Music Director I’ve been able to work on projects I’m extremely passionate about. From the start I was keen to increase opportunities for young performers to get involved with the festival which is what led me to start the Children’s Choir of the World Competition, Voice of the Future and Young Musician Competitions, which I hope will be a part of my legacy.

“The Music Director’s role is a very challenging one and I couldn’t have done it without the support of the dedicated staff, partners, sponsors and of course the volunteers that have work alongside me for the last six years.”

Speaking of his favorite moments during his time at the Llangollen Eisteddfod, Eilir added: “There have been too many ‘pinch myself’ moments to mention. One was definitely the performance of Sweeney Todd with Sir Bryn Terfel in 2014 and another was when Noah Stewart, the American operatic tenor, performed my original arrangement of Calon Lan in Welsh. To top it off, where else but Llangollen could you sit down and have a post-concert drink with three world-renowned figures, Burt Bacharach, Paul Mealor and Terry Waite?

“I feel content with the six years that I have had as the Music Director of Llangollen. I have a number of fond memories and I hope that I will return in years to come as either an audience member or even compete!

“But before I hang up my hat there is this year’s International Eisteddfod to enjoy. There are so many highlights this year and in particular I am looking forward to enjoying Gregory Porter on Friday 7th July.”

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Chairman, Dr Rhys Davies, added: “Eilir’s unwavering enthusiasm is infectious and it has been a joy to work with him over the past six years, creating unique and memorable festivals each year.

“Eilir’s contribution to the festival programme, through the talent he has signed up to perform and also the competition and community elements he has developed, will be a fitting legacy. Throughout his time with us he has remained true to the core principles of the International Eisteddfod - uniting people together in peace and friendship through music and dance.

“His last eisteddfod continues in the same vein as his previous - diverse, contemporary and star-studded. Bringing together global artists including the Manics, Huw Stephens, Kristine Opolais, Gregory Porter, Sir Bryn Terfel Christopher Tin and Reverend and The Makers on the same line up has been no mean feat. We really can’t wait to see Eilir’s grand finale come together.”

The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is currently recruiting for the role of Music Director to start this summer. To apply for the role, contact Chief Operations Officer Siân Eagar at the Llangollen Eisteddfod office on 01978 862 000.

To buy tickets for the 70th anniversary Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, including Llanfest, please visit: www.Llangollen.net

Story says Aldi set to open on July 13

The Daily Post is reporting today that Llangollen's new Aldi supermarket is to open on Thursday July 13.

For the full story, see: http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/aldi-names-llangollen-ghost-supermarket-13048345

County controls access to webmail in libraries

Denbighshire County Council is advising people who normally use computers in the county’s libraries that access to webmail addresses is being temporarily suspended, in light of the recent cyber attacks.

Any incoming e-mails from those addresses will also go into quarantine.

The council says it is taking this step to mitigate any potential risks to Denbighshire’s systems and no security breaches have occurred.

Residents will be informed when the situation changes. People who normally use the following e-mail addresses will not be able to do so whilst the restrictions are in place:

hotmail.com

hotmail.co.uk

outlook.com

aol.com

Yahoo.com

Yahoo.co.uk

NHS.net

NHS.co.uk

gmail.com

NHS.uk

Meanwhile, the council is also urging the public to be generally vigilant with all e-mails received and the advice is not to open any email you are suspicious of, do not click on any links sent to you via an email and not to open any suspicious attachments.

TT legend heading for LlanBikeFest

Legendary 23-times (and counting) Isle of Man TT winner John McGuinness will be the guest of honour at LlanBikeFest 2017 –  the Llangollen Motorcycle Festival – at the town’s Royal International Pavilion on August 5 and 6.

And insurance specialist Carole Nash has increased its backing for the fast-growing event, now in its third year.

* John McGuinness.

LlanBikeFest co-founder John Hutchinson said: “Wales has declared 2017 as the Year of Legends, so it is absolutely fitting that John will play a prominent part on both days of the festival.

"John’s a real ‘people person’, so this will be a brilliant opportunity for fans to meet him and pick up a signed copy of his new autobiography, ‘Built For Speed’, which is published in May.

“But LlanBikeFest isn’t all about racing. This year we are making it an even better day out for all the family, with children aged 15 and under get in for free. As well as hundreds of motorcycles of every type on show, together with trials displays and competitions, there will be spectacular mountain bike stunts, birds of prey flights, rides and children’s’ entertainments, plus a great line-up of bands both days.

“Above all, LlanBikeFest is a celebration of all that people love about motorcycles, in a location that has some of the most legendary biking roads in Britain.”

Carole Nash Insurance brokers, sponsor of this year’s festival, will be adding to the highlights by bringing along top custom bike builders, Destiny Cycles, who will be unveiling a stunning motorcycle creation in real gold, called Goldrush (see preview pictures below).

Rebecca Donohue, Head of Marketing at Carole Nash, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be the sponsor of this year’s LlanBikeFest. This year’s event is set to be bigger and better than ever before, and we’re thrilled to be playing a vital role in this by ensuring the Carole Nash stand is full to the brim with exciting biking attractions to wow the crowds.

“We’ll be showcasing some of the UK’s coolest motorcycles which are the perfect prop for an impressive photo, and of course we’ll be handing out lots of Carole Nash goody bags.”

Follow the event and Facebook at Llangollen Motorcycle Festival and on Twitter at @llanbikefest.

Day tickets are £10 on the gate or online at www.llanbikefest.co.uk with children 15 and under free, or contact the Festival office at 07960 693398, office@llanbikefest.co.uk. Club stands and exhibitor bookings are free.

* More information and bookings at www.llanbikefest.co.uk.

Food people join forces in Good Grub Club

* Guests mingle at the launch of the Good Grub Club.

An innovative group of Denbighshire and Wrexham farms and businesses have come together to boost the profile of food and drink made, grown or raised within the region. 

Last Thursday farmers and food producers, restaurants, cafes and pubs, and two local delicatessens were at Plas Newydd to launch the Good Grub Club with the aim of improving the availability and visibility of food and drink produced within 15 miles of the Dee Valley.

The expectation is that by improving the sourcing and quality of food and drink available, visitors and residents will buy more food locally, strengthening the local economy and encouraging return visits from tourists who have enjoyed our local cuisine. 

Several landmark restaurants in the Dee Valley are leading the way – the Corn Mill, the Chainbridge Hotel, and Gales of Llangollen are members, as are both delicatessens in Llangollen, Porters and Baileys.

Food producers involved include Sabor de Amor, The Cabin Kitchen, Temptations Bakery and The Bakehouse. Treflach Farm and Pen Y Lan Pork are just a couple of the farms who have joined, keen to explore new business opportunities that will grow from this collaboration.

In the first year, the club intends to boost marketing for all member businesses, increasing their profile locally and across the region.

It also plans to organize frequent networking opportunities to help members get to know each other and explore business opportunities.

As further funding is secured, the club will offer introductory and masterclass training opportunities, particularly targeting young people with an interest in working in the local food and drink sector.

The club hopes to work closely with Hamper Llangollen (October 14/15) to capitalize on shared marketing and business opportunities. 

Funding for the Good Grub Club has come from Cadwyn Clwyd, the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB, and the Denbighshire County Council Economic Development Team.

David Shiel, AONB Senior Countryside Officer, said: “The Dee Valley is an outstanding landscape producing some fantastic food and supporting a large part of the rural economy from farmers and growers to producers and retailers. 

"We are extremely pleased to be supporting this initiative that will really strengthen these relationships and put good food at the heart of the experience of people visiting this beautiful area.”  

Robyn Lovelock, Club Secretary and founder of the Llangollen Food Assembly, said: "The focus of the club is on promoting quality local food and drink, ensuring that both top end steaks from the cows on our hillsides to the tastiest leeks growing in our valley get the profile they deserve among tourists and residents alike.”

* For more information about the club or to register as a member, please contact us via Facebook @LlanGoodGrub or email DeeValley.GoodGrubClub@gmail.com.

Operatic members work 9-5 on perfecting new show

* From left, Helen Belton who plays Violet Newstead, 

Louise Cielecki as Doralee Rhodes
and Louisa Jones as Judy Bernly in 9-5. 

Members of Llangollen Operatic Society have been working 9 to 5 rehearsing for their forthcoming production of Dolly Parton's hit musical, based on the film of the same name.

The show, set in an office in early 1980s New York, charts the journey of three downtrodden women who are brought together in unlikely friendship by their mutual frustration with their "sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot" of a boss.

The score is signature Dolly Parton and includes catchy songs with a country and western feel, a couple of big belters and some more poignant numbers.

This is perfectly complimented by Patricia Resnick's witty book, which will certainly have audiences chuckling all the way home.

Society spokesperson Louisa Jones said: "The cast and crew have put in an enormous amount of work over the past few months to produce a spectacle of the standard to which our audiences have become accustomed.

"Indeed, we are all thrilled to once again be up for three NODA nominations for last year's production of "The Producers" and this year's show already promises to be great."

9 to 5 - The Musical will be performed at Llangollen Town Hall from Tuesday 23rd to Saturday 27th May.

Doors open 7pm for a 7.30pm start and there will also be a matinee on the Saturday, starting at 2.30pm.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/llangollenoperaticsociety or from Jade's Hair and Beauty, Gwyn Davies Butchers or Bailey's in Llangollen.

Lib Dems choose their election candidate

The Welsh Lib Dems have selected their candidate for Clwyd South.

Bruce Roberts (pictured) was born and brought up in Wrexham and has lived and worked in the area almost all his life.

He is married to Anna who is a local primary school teacher. His three children were all educated at Ysgol Clywedog and Yale College/Coleg Cambria.

After completing degrees in Physics and Philosophy and then a short spell in scientific research he trained as a chartered accountant. He started his own business in 1997 and has provided accountancy services to small local businesses since then.

Mr Roberts was chair of governors at Victoria Infant School for a number of years and has served on two different community councils. He has been involved in the governance of Glyndwr University for almost 10 years and is currently chair of its audit committee.

He has also volunteered as a charity trustee and also as a business mentor for The Prince’s Trust and Careers Wales.

Mr Roberts has previously stood in a number of elections.

He says he believes that politics is about getting things done in sensible and rational manner and not necessarily about making a noise for the sake of newspaper headlines and retweets on Twitter.

His particular political interests are in education and the economy, including tax policy.

In his spare time he can be found swimming or canoeing long distances in lakes and rivers or walking in the hills.