Knighthood was one of Sir Bryn's proudest moments

* Sir Bryn Terfel on song.

Sir Bryn Terfel has described how being knighted by the Queen was one of the proudest days of his life - along with the birth of his first daughter.

The globally renowned bass baritone was speaking ahead of his appearance at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod where he'll be starring in a special production of the classic opera Tosca on Tuesday, July 4.

He revealed he even persuaded Buckingham Palace to give him an extra ticket so that his three sons and his fiancee Hannah Stone could all attend the ceremony.

According to Sir Bryn, returning to one of his favourite venues to perform one of his favourite roles, the unscrupulous police chief Baron Scarpia in Tosca, was the "icing on the cake in what has been an amazing year".

He said: “It’s been such a roller coaster since I turned 50, so much has happened and it’s been wonderful, I’m a very lucky man.

“Going to Buckingham palace to be knighted by Her Majesty the Queen was just wonderful.

To be in the company of so many tremendous public servants, sports stars and entertainers who were also being honoured that day, was humbling and just such a proud, proud day.

“It was one of the proudest days of my life if I’m honest. It’s something that’s not supposed to happen to a lad from Pant Glas, Caernarfonshire.

“I received a letter from the Palace and three guest invitations. I called the palace and asked if it was at all possible I could have four invitations so I could take my three sons and Hannah and thankfully they agreed without hesitation. It was such a fabulous day.

“Then of course Hannah gave birth to Lili in May which was so special. And to bring her to Vienna where I’m currently performing is magical. I just love having Hannah and Lili with me.”

Sir Bryn says he can't wait to perform with two other world-class opera stars, soprano Kristine Opolais and tenor Kristian Benedikt in the operatic tale of love, lust and intrigue.

The concert is being sponsored by the arts-loving care organisation, Pendine Park, whose owners, Mario and Gill Kreft, are close friends.

Later in the week on Thursday, July 6, Sir Bryn and Pendine Park will be joining forces again as sponsors of the Voice of the Future Competition to find the world's best young singers when the finalists will be competing for the Pendine Trophy and a cheque for £6,000.

Sir Bryn said: “I always enjoy the Llangollen International Music Festival. It’s always a favourite festival and I’m always delighted to be asked to perform on that wonderful Llangollen stage.

“Tosca, as many other Eisteddfod past concerts, is sponsored by Pendine Park and Mario and Gill have become close friends over the years, they are incredible human beings and deserve huge credit for the work they do supporting the arts.

“I’ve visited their care homes both at Wrexham and Caernarfon and they are wonderful places where music and the arts are used to help and support residents. I know there will be dementia workshops taking place on the field at Llangollen which is fantastic.”

He added: "I want the Llangollen audience to also appreciate the young Welsh singers in the cast, baritone Steffan Lloyd Owen, who plays the jailer, and tenor, Elgan Llŷr Thomas, who plays Spoletta.

"I know the role of the Shepherd Boy is going to be played by 11-year-old, Joseph Elwy Jones. I’m really looking forward to hearing him sing.

“He sounds an incredible young man having overcome some ill health in the past and I’m delighted we can still unearth such amazing talent in North Wales.

“Having the opportunity to hear these young Welsh singers developing their careers on the Llangollen stage is something not to be missed and I always enjoy working alongside the conductor, Gareth Jones and the Welsh National Opera Orchestra. It’s going to be an amazing evening.

“The Llangollen International Musical Festival audience has a wonderful treat in store. I’m certainly really looking forward to what will be a wonderful evening.”

Pendine Park proprietor Mario Kreft MBE said: “Sir Bryn Terfel is the best of the best and to have him appear at Llangollen once again is the perfect way for to celebrate the 70th anniversary of this amazing festival where Wales meets the world.

"We're also delighted to be teaming up with the Sir Bryn Terfel Foundation to support the International Voice of the Future because we are passionate about nurturing young talent.

"The arts in general and music in particular are the golden threads running through everything we do at Pendine Park because of how they help enrich the lives of not only our residents but our staff too.

"We are deeply rooted in the communities which we serve and the ethos of the Eisteddfod chimes perfectly with what we are doing in promoting the arts and culture as way of enriching lives across the generations."

The festival's music director, Eilir Owen Griffiths, is thrilled Sir Bryn Terfel is once again gracing the festival’s stage.

He said: “This is my final Eisteddfod as music director as I’m standing down after six years in the role and to have a concert performance of Tosca starring Sir Bryn and soprano Kristine Opolais is going to be the highlight of what will be an emotional week for me.

“The cast that has been put together for this concert performance is spectacular and this is going to be an evening of music and performance not to be missed.

“It will be a concert that in years to come people will be proud to boast they were there to witness, that’s how good I think this concert performance will be. It’s certainly an evening I’d recommend to anyone who loves good music and amazing voices.”

* For tickets, please visit www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk

Plas Newydd’s events for July

Sara and Eleanor – The Ladies' Play

19^th July    18.00 – 21.00   Performed at 19.00

In the Grounds of Plas Newydd this play specially written two years ago for the town’s fringe festival was performed in 2015 to great acclaim and provides a fascinating and thoughtful insight into the lives of the famous Ladies of Llangollen. The one hour drama penned by Wrexham playwright Peter Read explores the exact nature of the ladies' relationship.  This is an opportunity to see/see again this beautiful interpretation of the Ladies’ life.  Bring a picnic/rugs/chairs and enjoy a wonderful evening.

Dee Valley Myths & Legends Art Competition

Sunday 16^th July   All Day

Last day to hand in your piece of artwork or photo.

Thursday 20^th July    14.00

Presentation of prizes to winners and an opportunity to see the art exhibition and the winning entries in Y Caban.

Poetry Reading by Jan Wallis

Sunday 23rd July  in Tearooms Courtyard    15.00 -16.00

As part of Llangollen Fringe Jan and friends will be reading poetry inspired by the Dell at Plas Newydd and the Ladies' poem engraved by the Font. 

The Great Victorian Dinosaur Hunt

Thursday 27^th July    10.00-11.30

Back by popular demand, join us on a journey to discover creatures from the dawn of time….maybe even the mighty T.Rex!  The quest will take the audience to a mysterious lost valley, encountering various wild animals and dinosaurs along the way - learning about the creatures they see, as well as having fun.  The creatures are very realistic puppets.  Suitable for Primary age children.  Booking essential.

* For more details call Plas Newydd on 01978 862843.

New Llan promotional film is premiered

* A panoramic shot of the town looking from the direction of the Pavilion.

* Valle Crucis Abbey.

* Castell Dinas Bran.

Llangollen Town Council Cittaslow in partnership with Llangollen Chamber of Trade have premiered their exciting new short film, Llangollen Landscape of Legends.

Produced as part of the Visit Wales Year of Legends initiative, the two-minute video has been created by Needle Films specifically for social media outlets.

Stunning, high-quality drone footage brings to life the Dee Valley around Llangollen and a number of its legendary locations such as the Horseshoe Falls, the canal, the river, Dinas Bran Castle and Plas Newydd.

The film was launched at a ceremony in Llangollen Town Hall this afternoon (Monday) afternoon along with an upgraded website for the Chamber of Trade and Tourism the design of which has been enhanced to function more effectively on smartphones.

Councillor Karen Edwards, chair of the town council’s Cittaslow Committee, said: “Cittaslow is delighted to be involved with this short film production promoting and celebrating Llangollen’s contribution to the Wales Year of Myths and Legends theme for 2017.

“Since I first introduced the concept of a short drone footage film to the Chamber of Trade and Tourism some months ago I have been grateful for the support by all concerned and especially the land owners who allowed access to produce what I believe is an excellent product.

“The footage will certainly allow us to promote the town of Llangollen to a wider audience through social media and as chair of the Cittaslow Committee I am able to access the Cittaslow International Website to widen the appeal of the town to a truly international audience.”

Ian Lebbon, vice-chair Llangollen Chamber of Trade, said: “We are really pleased with this film and our newly upgraded website.

“The film has given us the opportunity to showcase the beautiful scenery of the Vale of Llangollen and some of our legendary attractions, events and activities.

“We hope that it will inspire visitors to experience some of our hidden gems in a North Wales landscape that has already been named by Lonely Planet this year as one of the top ten places to visit in the entire world.”

Neil Wyn Jones, director of Needle Films Media, said: “The Llangollen project has been a really inspiring one to film and produce.

“The area has such a stunning array of attractions, heritage and iconic landmarks that it’s not hard to see why it draws in so many visitors from near and far.

“It has been a real honour to have been involved in the promotion of the Vale of Llangollen by helping to put our truly Legendary Landscape in front of the eyes.”

The Wales Year of Legends campaign will be focusing on Llangollen in July, a town with a variety of legends from Dinas Bran, King Arthur and the Holy Grail, Thomas Telford to the Ladies of Llangollen.

The film illustrates a wide range of locations and activities showing just what a fascinating and thriving tourist town has developed over the centuries.

In 2016 the Chamber website received over 200,00 unique visits and five million hits and it is now planning to increase online traffic with the upgraded website, created by Mark Anderson of OaD Design and featuring a range of accommodation, outdoor activities, thriving shops, cafes and restaurants.

Denbighshire County Council’s Tourism Team has also supplied support through its Discover Denbighshire and North East Wales Tourism initiatives and the website has been supported by Denbighshire County Council Business Support.

* The film can be viewed on the Chamber of Trade website at: http://www.new.llangollen.org.uk/

For further information and a copy of the film, contact Gareth Thomas, Llangollen’s Town Clerk, at: clerk@llangollentowncouncil.gov.uk

Cash boost to help highlight county tourism

* Llangollen Railway is one of Denbighshire's top tourist attractions.

A grant of £40,000 from Welsh Government has been secured to highlight North East Wales’ tourism offer.

Lead partner Denbighshire County Council together with Wrexham County Borough Council and Flintshire County Council have joined forces to run a ‘Routes to the Sea’ project during Visit Wales’ themed Year of the Sea in 2018 and have been successful in the funding from Welsh Governments’ Regional Tourism Engagement Fund 2017-2019.

The project, supported by the three county Destination Management Partnerships, aims to showcase and tell engaging stories about the region’s coastline, cycle routes, walking trails, mountain biking, outdoor activities, landscape, historic sites, canals and rivers as well as celebrate the food offer.

Ian Lebbon, Chair of Denbighshire Destination Management Partnership, said:  “I’m really pleased to hear that the North East Wales partnership has secured this funding to continue the great work in promoting the region to both residents and visitors.

"We know tourism plays a vital part in the regions’ economy, with a total economic impact in 2015 of £808m and over 11 million visits made and this funding will help to ensure we continue to build a thriving, sustainable tourism economy.”

Economy Secretary, Ken Skates, said: “Innovative projects are key to the future success of tourism and attracting visitors to Wales. The North East Wales funding is part of £2 million which has been approved for a total of 38 projects across Wales under the Tourism Product Innovation Fund and Regional Tourism Engagement Fund. 

"I’m delighted that this funding enables the private and public sectors to develop innovative projects that will stimulate demand and improve the visitor offer through supporting our themed years.”

A variety of high quality images and short films featuring many of our key locations and landmarks such as the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct & Canal World Heritage Site, Wales Coast Path and Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty will be produced.

Building on the success of the 2017 North East Wales Food Challenge; a ‘Year of the Sea’ Food Challenge will also be launched in 2018 which will showcase our food offer and restaurants associated with our coast and waterways.

The three Destination Management Partnerships will be launching their Destination Management Plans for 2017-20 this year to build on the work already done and ensure long-term sustainability for the development of tourism. The North East Wales brand will continue to be a key feature of all three plans to promote the region for visitors and residents to enjoy.

* For more information on North East Wales please visit www.northeastwales.wales

Council "disappointed" by broadband information

Denbighshire County Council has expressed its "disappointment and frustration" at information released by the Welsh Government about which properties will not get access to fibre broadband through the Superfast Cymru programme.

Although a second scheme is due to get underway next year there are no guarantees that properties in Denbighshire currently unable to access superfast broadband will get this opportunity in the next phase.

The current information shows that there are 2,400 properties not able to access superfast broadband in Denbighshire. 

Councillor Richard Mainon, Cabinet Lead Member with responsibility for Digital, said: “This is very disappointing as the council has been pressing both the Welsh Government and BT for many months for answers as to when all communities in the county can benefit from it.

“The council is aware of the economic benefits that high quality broadband can bring to communities and that superfast speeds are or will become essential for many of our businesses and residents.

“Until now there has been uncertainty on which properties would not benefit from the publicly subsidised Superfast Cymru programme and the council has shared the frustrations and concerns of our businesses and residents.

“The council has identified those properties in the county that cannot access superfast broadband. While this is far from unique across Wales,  the council is taking the opportunity to highlight the issue and support communities in moving forward."

Funding is available from Welsh Government for individuals and groups of property owners to upgrade their broadband themselves and the council is providing information on these opportunities on its website –

www.denbighshire.gov.uk/superfastbroadband

The council believes the Welsh Government’s ‘Access Broadband Cymru’ (or ABC) scheme may be the most appropriate option for most residents. It offers grants of up to £800 per household on a first come, first served basis.

The council says it is willing to coordinate meetings with the most affected communities who would be   interested in working together to improve their broadband, but would need local ‘champions’  who would be willing and able to co-ordinate the work required to implement a community solution.

* If you are interested, or know of anyone who would like to work with the Council please contact the Council, on 01824 706000 or e-mail: customer.services@denbighshire.gov.uk

Tourist spots "becoming too popular" says report

* The Horseshoe Falls.

A report by the Clwydian Range and Dee Valey claims some North Wales tourist hot-spots, including the Horseshoe Falls, are becoming too popular for their own good.

* See the full report on the BBC website at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-40369388

'Best live band' to play at Llan Fringe

* CC Smugglers will play at the Fringe on Friday July 14.

Cerys Matthews has described Bedfordshire sextet CC Smugglers as “the best live band on the scene at the moment.”

This summer, CC Smugglers will be taking their formidable live show to prominent slots at Cambridge Folk Festival, Cropredy and Llangollen Fringe.

Since their rapid rise to fame supporting two-time Grammy award winning Old Crow Medicine Show on their UK tour, CC Smugglers have been selling out venues, and stealing headlines at the Cambridge, Cornbury, and Glastonbury festivals.

The band have also been touring around Europe, playing many prestigious festivals, including Werchter Festival in Belgium – sharing a bill with Bruce Springsteen. 

CC Smugglers describe their sound as a mixture of American folk music, swing, jazz, country, ragtime and bluegrass with contemporary touchstones such as hip hop, metal, dubstep, house and dancehall.

It seems nothing is off limits for this group who began their career busking outside of venues across the country. 

The band have collected many critical plaudits along their journey to success, including The Sunday Times culture section, Bob Harris, Cerys Matthews - and even Jon Snow says he's is a fan. 

CC Smugglers will appear at the 20th edition of Llangollen Fringe on Friday July 14, supported by Wrexham’s Heal the Last Stand. 

* Tickets are now on sale at: www.llangollenfringe.co.uk 

Llangollen Fringe Festival takes place from Thursday-Sunday, July 13-23.