Eisteddfod's Tosca brings audience to its feet

* Sir Bryn Terfel on stage for Puccini's Tosca at the Eisteddfod last night.

Crowds at the Llangollen Eisteddfod were brought to their feet to deliver a roaring standing ovation following a breathtaking performance of Puccini’s Tocsa last night.

Internationally renowned opera stars Sir Bryn Terfel, Kristine Opolais, Kristian Benedikt shared the stage at for the very first time to deliver the powerful and unique rendition of the dramatic love story.

The performance at the International Eisteddfod, sponsored by Pendine Park, featured three of the opera world’s most admired talents, accompanied by the acclaimed Welsh National Opera Orchestra, and saw a successful end to the second day of the 70th anniversary festival.

Much-loved Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel returned to the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in the role of Baron Scarpia who was in pursuit of Lithuanian tenor, Benedikt’s Cavaradossi.

Taking the title role, soprano Opolais brought rare dynamism to Tosca, helping to create an unforgettable performance, conducted by Gareth Jones.

The world-class line up also featured rising young talent including locally-recruited Joseph Elwy Jones as the Shepherd Boy and North Wales baritone Steffan Lloyd Owen, who is only the second student from the Royal Northern College of Music to ever win the prestigious Kathleen Ferrier Award.

The cast was also joined by students from Ysgol Maes Garmon in Mold who performed in the chorus.

Pendine Park proprietor Mario Kreft MBE said: “It was a truly incredible performance by a stellar cast led magnificently by Sir Bryn Terfel, an opera superstar who is right at the top of his game.

 "The performance of the soprano Kristine Opolais was sublime while the tenor Kristian Benedikt was also brilliant. I must also give a special mention to young Joseph Elwy Jones who was delightful in the role of the Shepherd Boy.

"It was the finest single concert I can recall at Llangollen Eisteddfod which I know was a sentiment shared by many others. It was a truly magical experience.

 “We were delighted to support this concert because music and the arts are an important part of our enrichment programme and we genuinely believe that they improve the quality of life of our residents at our Wrexham and Caernarfon care homes through enriching lives across the generations.

“It was an unforgettable evening of world class opera right on our doorstep in North Wales."

Music Director of the Llangollen Eisteddfod, Eilir Griffiths, said: “This was an adventurous project for the Llangollen Eisteddfod to undertake and what a roaring success it was – the entire cast were spectacular.

“From the world class artists and bourgeoning local talent, to the subtle staging and stunning video work this wonderful opera was brought perfectly to life.

“The performance combined the excellence and expertise of its Welsh and international team, highlighting both the Llangollen Eisteddfod’s ability to attract global artists and showcasing the country’s intrinsic talent.”

Terry Waite drops in on cross-generation music sessions

* Eisteddfod President Terry Waite, centre, watches the music session with Pendine Proprietor Mario Kreft. 

* Pendine residents and staff join in with the jam session.

* Youngsters from a Wrexham school clap along with music workshop leader Jenny Pearson.

Legendary peace campaigner Terry Waite has given his seal of approval to a special event which saw care home residents harmonising with schoolchildren at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

The festival’s iconic president dropped by as people from Pendine Park care homes in Wrexham were enjoying a sing-along with youngsters from primary schools in the area at music workshops.

Apart from joining in with favourite numbers such as Yellow Submarine and My Bonny Lies Over the Ocean, the Pendine people and the children also kept time with the tunes by shaking tambourines and rattling maracas.

The sessions ran throughout the morning and into the afternoon and were arranged by the arts-loving Pendine care organisation which was sponsoring the whole day.

Attracting hundreds of visiting children, they were led by world-class musician Jenny Pearson, a freelance singer and tutor who has worked with the Welsh National Opera.

Terry Waite, who called into the Pendine tent and sat down to enjoy one of the boisterous sessions, said: “This is a very imaginative and creative programme both for the young people and the residents.

“I’ve just watched nearly 150 children taking part and enjoying themselves so much.

“Perhaps many of the children involved would otherwise have little contact with elderly people, so these sessions perfectly bridge the generation gap.”

Teaching assistant Mandy Warner, who brought along a group of year six pupils from Ysgol Bodhyfryd in Wrexham, said: “It’s great to be here with the children today, especially as for the past two years groups of them have been visiting Pendine’ Hillbury care home in Wrexham to do things like singing and playing bingo with residents.

“They’ve developed a lovely relationship and the children look forward to going there and chatting with the elderly people.”

One of those who is a regular Hillbury visitor, 11-year-old Catrin Williams, said: “We really enjoy going to the home to meet the people there, so it’s been good to come along to the Eisteddfod to see them again and sing with them. I’ve enjoyed it very much.

It was the same story with her classmate Alys Edwards, also 11, who said: “It’s really great to meet the people who live at Hillbury and to hear from them how people used to live in years gone by. Coming here to sing with them today has been very special.”

Another young visitor who got into the swing of the Pendine sessions was nine-year-old Jenna Ashfield from another school group, Gwenfro Primary School in Wrexham, which included around 80 children determined to have a great time.

She said: “It’s been good to have a go at singing with the elderly people and to play the instruments. I’ve had a fantastic time and my favourite song to join in with was Yellow Submarine.”

Matej Ondruch, nine from the same school, said: “Yellow Submarine was also the song I liked best. It’s the first time I’ve been to one of these workshops but I hope I can come again next year.”

The all-action sessions also went down well with residents like 84-year-old Olga Ord from Hillbury. Taking a break from bashing the tambourine in time with the music she said: “I’m really enjoying myself and I love seeing the children having a good time by joining in with the songs.”

And 45-year-old Sian Walley, one of the younger residents at Pendine’s Bryn Bella home in Wrexham, was equally enthusiastic.

She said: “This is the first time I’ve been to one of these music workshops but I’ve been having a great time singing along and playing the maracas. It’s really amazing to see the children having such a good time too.”

The workshops have become a popular annual event at the Eisteddfod and are part of Pendine’s pioneering enrichment programme, which enhances the experience of residents and also plays a key role in personal training and staff development.

Sarah Edwards, artist in residence at Pendine, said: “The idea of the workshops is to introduce the community and children from the region’s schools to the care sector and give them an impression of what we do.

“We’re grateful for Jenny and Howys Price, who played the keyboard, for coming along and lending their enthusiasm and expertise to the sessions.”

Jenny Pearson, who led the workshops, said: “The emphasis has been on inclusion, encouraging the Pendine residents to join in with the music, exercises and singing.

“Everyone involved, of whatever age, has had a fantastic time and it’s been a brilliant day.”

Mario Kreft, Proprietor of Pendine Park, said: “These workshops are our way of reaching out across the generations and to have so many people involved in them is just terrific.

“We invite the schoolchildren to take part in the workshops because I think it is important that young people understand how they can play a part in looking after older people with disabilities.”

“Another aim is to encourage people to talk about what an importance part social care plays in the community.

“This year is a very special time for Pendine because of the continuing celebrations of our 30 years of enriching lives across the generations and also for Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod which is marking its 70th anniversary. We wish the festival the very best for the future.” 

Arty Dinas Brân students brighten Eisteddfod building

* Dinas Brân students with their artwork.

Pupils from Ysgol Dinas Bran have provided a key building on the site of the International Eisteddfod with a makeover for its 70th anniversary celebrations.

They were invited by the eisteddfod to create a piece of artwork that represented the festival’s message of peace, goodwill and international friendship, which have been transformed into a mural to brighten up the hospitality building.

The mural was formally unveiled on Tuesday when 12 of the 100 children involved attended a reception with eisteddfod president, Terry Waite.

The mural will remain on the building, which is used as a reception centre for international competitors throughout Eisteddfod week, as a permanent installation.

Terry Waite said: “The artworks created by the students from Ysgol Dinas Brân are superb and a great deal of thought has gone into communicating the message of the International Eisteddfod.

“Children’s Day is always a very special occasion and it is vital that younger generations continue to participate in the Eisteddfod and spread its message of peace, friendship and uniting people through music and dance.”

Alison McDonald from Ysgol Dinas Brân, said: “We were honoured to be invited by the International Eisteddfod to participate in this project and the children had great fun creating their artworks.

“It was wonderful to see the mural in place and hope that the competitors arriving for the 70th anniversary celebrations - and for future Eisteddfod – enjoy the installation.”

* For tickets and information on the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, please visit www.Llangollen.net

Organisations share Eisteddfod peace prize

* LIME Rotary Peace Award joint winner British Ironworks chairman Clive Knowles with Terry Waite and Eisteddfod chairman Dr Rhys Davies.

An organisation that speaks out to alleviate suffering and a weapons amnesty initiative have won the Rotary International Peace Award.

The Oswestry-based British Ironworks and Médecins Sans Frontières were jointly awarded the accolade at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod’s 70th Anniversary Opening Concert.

British Ironworks was acknowledged for its Save a Life, Surrender Your Knife weapons amnesty project, which culminated in the creation of the National Monument Against Violence and Aggression – an Angel sculpture crafted from surrendered weapons from 43 police constabularies across the country.

Also recognised at the presentation was Médecins Sans Frontières, for its policy of témoignage – speaking out to alleviate suffering and protect human life.

The two winners were nominated along with The Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace and the Welsh Refugee Council.

TV presenter and British Red Cross ambassador, Konnie Huq, Richard Hazlehurst of the Bradford Peace Centre and humanitarian and President of the International Eisteddfod, Terry Waite CBE, decided to award both organisations with the prestigious accolade after tough deliberations.

Speaking of the decision, Terry Waite CBE, President of the International Eisteddfod, said: “It would be difficult to imagine more worthy candidates for this award. All four organisations nominated fully embody the International Eisteddfod’s ethos of peace, goodwill and understanding and the judges wish to pay tribute to them all. Selecting the winners was an extremely difficult decision for us to make.

“Médecins Sans Frontières policy of témoignage helps to break down barriers, alleviate suffering and spread the message of peace across the globe, while British Ironworks’ creative and striking initiative identified a real opportunity to address the knife crime epidemic in the UK.

“Both are relatively new initiatives and we hope that this accolade will provide them with a platform to further promote their great works and also encourage others to develop work in this field.”

During adjudication the judges considered the public benefit of the project, the profile and longevity of each organisation and the impact of its work.

Speaking following the presentation of the award, which took place on the stage of the Royal International Pavilion, Paul McMaster, Chair of MSF UK, said: “I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of Medecins Sans Frontieres, and our many staff and volunteers all over the world.
 
“Our organisation was founded by doctors, but also by journalists – we provide life-saving care in war-zones and emergencies, but we also talk about what we see. Speaking out about the desperate situations in which our patients find themselves is a core part of what we do and we are very proud to be recognised for it.
 
“As with all of our work, it’s only with the support of the public that we are able to bear witness to suffering and so to push for change. So thank you to Rotary International and the International Eisteddfod for choosing us as joint-winners alongside British Ironworks – we hope this award will help raise the profile of what we do and help us to speak out even louder.”

Clive Knowles, Chairman of the British Ironworks Centre, added: “It is an incredible honour to be awarded the Rotary International Peace Award alongside an internationally renowned organisation such as Médecins Sans Frontières.

“The next stage of our project is to ensure that the monument fulfills its destiny by being placed on the 4th plinth in Trafalgar Square. We have launched a petition for this and urge as many people as possible to sign it so that can become a focal point in raising awareness of the scourge of knife crime on our streets. 

“Only with the public’s help can the National Monument Against Violence and Aggression and its message reach those it was intended for. This award win will further raise the profile of our mission and we thank Rotary International and the International Eisteddfod for selecting us as joint winners.”

Following its announcement last year as the winner of the inaugural Rotary International Peace Award, the Llangollen Eisteddfod will from this year be the platform for the presentation of the award, to ensure the prize becomes an international and prestigious accolade. 

Molly Youd, from Rotary International, said: “We would like to congratulate both Médecins Sans Frontières and British Ironworks on winning the peace award. Both organisations have made a significant impact nationally and internationally and embody the spirit of the award perfectly.”

* For more information about the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and the Rotary International Peace Award, visit www.Llangollen.net and for more information about Rotary visit http www.rotary-ribi.org

Crowds enjoy Punjabi dance in Castle Street

Crowds in Eisteddfod-week Castle Street were treated to a splash of international colour when the visiting RFCIA Bhangra group performed a traditional Punjabi folk dance on the steps of the library this afternoon (Tuesday). 

Ysgol Y Gwernant to perform Peace Message

Pupils from Ysgol Y Gwernant in Llangollen (above) practising hard ahead of their performance of the poignant Peace Message.

The youngsters will perform the Peace Message - an annual highlight of the festival - on the International Pavilion stage on Thursday as part of the International Celebration.

The performance will also be delivered today (Tuesday) during Children’s Day.

This year the message - which has been coordinated by former Eisteddfod employee Christine Dukes - reflects on the history of the Eisteddfod and in particular its relationship with the weather.

* Visitors to this year’s Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod will be able to access vital information about the festival through its new mobile app, Llangollen.

Built by Caernarfon-based creative agency Galactig, the free app contains content in both Welsh and English and is available now on both Apple and Android. 

It contains videos of all the competitions from the pavilion stage, a timetable of all the main activities on the Eisteddfod field, information on all evening concerts and an interactive map of the site.

Sian Eagar, Chief Operations Officer at the International Eisteddfod, said: “There will be Wi-Fi on the field this year and the new app will allow visitors quick and easy access to information about competitions and concerts throughout the week.

“We are sure that competitors and visitors alike will find it useful to have this information at their fingertips.”

To download the app, simple go to the Apple or Google Play store and search ‘Llangollen’.

For tickets and information on the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, please visit www.Llangollen.net

Residents' concern over health funding

* Cllr Mabon ap Gwynfor (far right) and Cllr Huw Jones (right, next to Mabon ap Gwynfor) handing over the petition to Dr Graham Thomas, Corwen Surgery, with staff and patient group representatives.

Residents in the Upper Dee Valley have demanded that the Health Board and Welsh Government continue to pay a rural support grant to their GP surgery in Corwen.

That was the clear message as campaigners handed over a 600-strong petition opposing plans to cut Corwen surgery's £52,000 Rural Support Payment.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is meeting tomorrow to discuss an appeal by the practice against the proposed cut. The petition was handed in by campaigners to the surgery in order for the surgery to present it to the board during tomorrow's meeting.

One of the petition's coordinators, Councillor Mabon ap Gwynfor, represents Llandrillo ward. He said: "The Rural Grant is there for a reason. It is accepted that running services in a rural area is more difficult and more costly and the people in this area have as much right to receive the best possible health care as those in other areas.

“The surgery staff are excellent professionals, who are all well liked by the community here. Losing this funding will mean that the surgery will somehow have to diversify to attract more funding, with the health care workers having to carry out extra work and not being able to do what they are there for - which is to ensure the well-being and the good health of the people in the Edeirnion valley."

Cllr Huw Jones, Corwen, said: "We appreciate that the health Board are struggling financially and they shouldn't be put in this situation themselves. We are extremely grateful to Corwen Surgery and its staff for the excellent work that they do looking after the well-being of the people of this area. It’s clear that their work means there’s less pressure on other health departments and the Social Services. The result of losing this core funding will result in more work for the other departments within the Health Service and Social Services, which will in the end prove more costly."