Eisteddfod is family affair for mum and daughter

* Helen Hayward and Betty Jones.

Mother-daughter duo Helen Hayward and Betty Jones will be celebrating a life-long devotion to the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod this year.

They'll be performing in the Celebration Chorus on Wednesday July 5 – the first time they have appeared together.

They will both be in Calling All Nations with renowned international composer Christopher Tin, which will mark Betty’s 71st festival.

The song-cycle, sung in 12 different languages, sees Grammy award-winning composer Christopher Tin conduct soprano Elin Manahan Thomas, the Welsh National Opera Orchestra and the Celebration Chorus in a spectacular international choral and orchestral performance, compared by Classic FM’s Andrew Collins.

Betty said: “My involvement with the Llangollen Eisteddfod began at an early age. My mother and father hosted competitors at our home in Froncysyllte for the first Eisteddfod, you could say that was the beginning of a lifetime of commitment to the festival.

“When I married Arnold, he was told that if he wasn’t involved with the International Eisteddfod, he wouldn’t see me for the first week in July every year. Needless to say he signed up. For me, this spirit of togetherness is truly what the Eisteddfod stands for.”

The passion for the festival became a family affair when Helen began volunteering at the Llangollen Eisteddfod and then later introducing her husband Neil, who is currently the Chief Steward, and their children, confirming three generations' love for the International Eisteddfod.

“I’ve only ever missed two festivals and even made it to the 1988 festival 10 days after the birth of my son – the ‘Eisteddfod blues’ were just too much to handle,” said Helen.

“This year, not only attending the Llangollen Eisteddfod but performing next to my mum will be truly amazing.”

Betty continued: “I just love the Llangollen Eisteddfod and this is my second time performing on the International Pavilion stage. In 1952 I performed as part of the choir from Llangollen Grammar School – now Ysgol Dinas Bran – and we claimed second place in the children’s competition. This was an incredibly special experience for me and really confirmed my love of singing.

“However, I think this year will be even more special as performing alongside my daughter is a once-in-a-lifetime experience we’ll both treasure forever.”

Speaking of their favourite moments from the collective 120 visits, Helen said: “For me, being in the same room as José Carreras and watching him perform was just incredible. I can’t put into words how honoured I was to see him live. The International Eisteddfod does truly bring world-class talent to Llangollen, which is one of the reasons I love it so much.” 

Betty added: “In 1955 I hosted the Modena Male Voice Choir, one of whom was a young Pavarotti. I later saw him perform as a soloist. Both of these are experiences I wouldn’t have had without the International Eisteddfod. For that I will be forever grateful.”

To purchase tickets to see the Celebration Chorus perform Christopher Tin’s Calling All Nations with Elin Manahan Thomas and the Welsh National Opera Orchestra at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, please visit: www.Llangollen.net

Enterprising Dinas Bran students off to Cardiff

* Team Odyssey from Ysgol Dinas Bran.

Two enterprising teams of students are heading to Cardiff for a national business final.

Pupils from Llangollen’s Ysgol Dinâs Bran and Rhuddlan’s Cambrian Pengwern College will be taking part in the Young Enterprise Wales final on June 15.

The students entered the competition after a series of business courses run by the Young Enterprise charity, with funding provided by Denbighshire County Council for sessions at five schools in the county.

Ysgol Dinâs Bran’s Team Odyssey, made up of six pupils aged 16 and 17, reached the final after winning a host of categories, including best overall company and best presentation, at the North Wales final for work around their hand-made vegan scented soap.

Pengwern Planters, made up of 13 students aged 18 to 22, won the best team prize, as well as the best report and best marketing awards, for their social enterprise work planting flowers in towns including Prestatyn and Rhuddlan.

The courses help students set up their own companies and run them for an academic year, under the guidance of business mentors.

To take part in the competition students prepared and presented a detailed company report, set up a trade stand and made a presentation about their business to a panel of judges.

Ysgol Dinâs Bran teacher Rachel Allen, said: “Team Odyssey were absolutely delighted to have won so many awards in the North Wales final. They worked so well as a team, and put a great amount of effort in.

“They are excited for the trip to Cardiff and are really looking forward to representing North Wales. They really want to win it for North Wales.”

Funding was provided by the council’s Economic and Community Ambition Programme which aims to support local businesses and ensure the county has a skilled workforce equipped to benefit from jobs and opportunities that arise.

Selwyn Griffith, North Wales’ Young Enterprise manager, said: “I want to congratulate students from Ysgol Dinâs Bran and Pengwern College for their excellent standard of work. The sessions provide a great platform for students to develop skills such as teamwork, resilience and to interact with their local business community.

“I would like to thank Denbighshire County Council for providing the funding to deliver these courses in the county.”

Crowds flock to enjoy Plas Newydd fete

* An historical battle re-enactment was a popular attraction.

* The plant stalls attract plenty of attention.

* A singer provides musical backing for the fete. 

* Aiming for a bullseye on the darts stand. 

* Youngsters have fun on a giant inflatable.

* Valley Girls WI do a roaring trade with their summer drinks and scones stall.

* The magic show draws a crowd.

* A couple of fete-goers shelter from a short rain shower.

Only occasional light rain interrupted the sunshine for the annual Rotary and Inner Wheel Fete at  Plas Newydd yesterday (Saturday) afternoon.

Hundreds came out to enjoy the usual range of attractions including bouncy castle and slide, Punch and Judy and magic show and a host of stalls and sideshows.

A popular feature for the first time this year was an historical re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings period including realistic-looking sword fights and an encampment.

Raffle tickets were selling well with people aiming to grab the first prize of £500 worth of portrait photography donated by Neil Barrett plus other goodies.

Proceeds of the raffle will go to Hope House whilst the rest of the fete profits are donated to local good causes.    

Llan Silver Band players make it to Urdd finals

* Elizabeth Mwale, left, and Taya Castley of Llangollen Silver

Band reached the Urdd Eisteddfod finals. 

Two talented young members of Llangollen Silver Band won through to the national finals of this year’s Urdd Eisteddfod in Bridgend.  


Taya Castley, 14, on Bb cornet and representing Ysgol Dinas Bran in the brass soloist year 7 to 9 category, took third place playing an Air Varie on the tune Carnival of Venice arranged by  H. Round.  

Elizabeth Mwale, 15, on Bb euphonium and representing Ysgol Morgan Llwyd in the brass soloist year 10 to under 19 category, reached the prelim stage playing an Air Varie on the tune The Beautiful Colorado arranged by De Luca.

Silver Band conductor Trevor Williams said: “I’d like to congratulate both Taya and Elizabeth for their latest successes and also thank them for the huge amount of work and commitment they give to both our youth and senior bands.

“At the Urdd both the girls were accompanied on piano by Owen Roberts of Trevor.”

Garden Fete starts at 2pm tomorrow

The traditional Rotary and Inner Wheel Fete takes place tomorrow (Saturday) at Plas Newydd.

Organisers say it starts, as it always does, at 2pm and not 4pm as has been circulated on some social media sites.

There will be all the usual attractions - bouncy castle and slide, Punch and Judy and magic show plus musical entertainment.

The Rotary and Inner Wheel clubs have been busy  preparing the stalls and sideshows and various  charity organizations in the town will also have stalls.

A new feature this year is a historical enactment with an encampment and examples of fighting strategies.

Raffle tickets have been selling well but if you have not had a chance to purchase one yet there will be an opportunity to buy them on the field.

First prize is £500 worth of portrait photography generously donated by Neil Barrett and there are many other valuable prizes.

Proceeds of the raffle will go to Hope House whilst the rest of the fete profits being donated to local good causes.    

Wilko Johnson headlines at the Fringe

"I’m supposed to be dead!"

So said Wilko (pictured) in a recent interview, having been diagnosed in late 2012 with terminal pancreatic cancer.

But despite the doctors’ worst predictions he continued to perform and present himself with vigour and a new zest for life.

And in July he headlines at this year's Llangollen Fringe.

In 2013, Wilko announced that, thanks to a second opinion and subsequent life-saving surgery, he was cancer-free.

“Man, there’s nothing like being told you’re dying to make you feel alive.”

Having established himself, during his time with DR FEELGOOD as the strutting no-nonsense style R&B guitar hero of the 1970s.

All through the ’80s, ’90s and into the new millennium he continued to gig in the UK, Europe and Japan. But it was when Julien Temple’s award winning Oil City Confidential came out in 2009, with Wilko emerging as the film’s star, that the world once again sat up and paid attention to his extraordinary talent.

From here on Wilko’s journey became even more fascinating, from taking a significant acting role in the world wide TV phenomenon GAME OF THRONES (playing the silent assassin ‘Ser llyn Payne”) up to his tragic diagnosis with terminal cancer.

This period also marked one of Wilko’s most creative, seeing him star in a second bio pic from Julien Temple as well as recording the hit album ‘Going Back Home’ with THE WHO’S ROGER DALTREY.

This period of course was crowned with the miraculous news of Wilko’s full recovery from cancer and he is truly back bigger, bouncier and hungrier than ever.

WILKO JOHNSON and long time collaborator NORMAN WATT-ROY, from the nucleus of The Wilko Johnson Band, who will perform a headline set at Llangollen Pavilion, Abbey Road, Llangollen as part of 20th anniversary edition of the Llangollen Fringe Festival on Wednesday 19th July. With support from The Delta Radio Band. #

The full line up for the Llangollen Fringe is announced and promises to be the biggest yet to celebrate the festival’s 20th birthday.

* TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW AT www.llangollenfringe.co.uk or by calling 0800 1455 779.

The Llangollen Fringe 20th Anniversary Festival takes place from Thursday 13th to Sunday 23rd of July 2017.

Former Plaid leader urges support for Labour candidate

Former Plaid Cymru leader Dafydd Elis-Thomas has urged the party’s supporters in Clwyd South to switch their allegiance to Welsh Labour’s Susan Elan Jones (pictured right).

Lord Elis-Thomas says anyone who doesn’t want a Tory MP should vote tactically re-elect Ms Jones, who has been the area’s MP since 2010.

In a letter to residents, serving AM Lord Elis-Thomas, whose Dwyfor Meirionnydd constituency borders Clwyd South to the west, said: “As a former Member of Parliament for Meirionnydd, which included substantial communities in Clwyd South, I urge supporters of Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats to seriously consider voting tactically in the election for Westminster in order to prevent the Tories from taking the seat.”
 
Lord Elis-Thomas says he is also worried about the Tory UK Government’s shift towards a hard Brexit.

He said: “I think there is a real threat to the powers of the National Assembly when the UK leaves the EU.  We need a strong team of progressive MPs from Wales to ensure that powers over agriculture, fisheries, the environment and the economy come from the EU to Wales rather than to Westminster, as appears to be the UK Government’s current policy.”

Lord Elis-Thomas (pictured left) added: “Susan Elan Jones has proven herself to be fully committed to the area she represents and is one who shares your progressive values.”

Former leader of Corwen Town Council, David Jones, said: “Susan has been a superb MP and we need to keep her. She is from our area so she knows and understands our communities. I would urge everyone who doesn’t want a Conservative MP to unite behind Susan. It’s vital that we retain a strong local voice in Westminster.”

Ms Jones herself said: “Put simply, I am the only candidate in Clwyd South who can stop Theresa May’s Tories securing a landslide General Election victory.

“Her cynical U-turn in calling this snap election – after categorically stating that she wouldn’t – leaves the people of Clwyd South with a stark choice. It’s a straight two-horse race between Welsh Labour and the Tories, and a vote for Plaid Cymru, the Lib Dems, UKIP or any other party will simply help the Tories sneak in and strengthen their grip on the UK.”