Eisteddfod's November update

llanblogger will now be bringing you regular updates from the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod prepared by its own team. We start here with November ...

Whilst you may be forgiven for thinking that this time of year is a quiet time for the Eisteddfod, this year plans have been moving full steam ahead as we welcomed our new Music Director, Vicky Yannoula, to the team in September.

Vicky (pictured) is only our 8th Music Director since 1947, but the first of Greek origin! She joins us following successful positions at Trinity College London, Middlesex University and the Drake Calleja Trust, and her list of accomplishments has made her a notable pianist on stages around the world and seen her collaborate with a wealth of international artists.

Based in London, Vicky has been travelling up to Llangollen every couple of weeks which has given her the opportunity to meet our huge team of volunteers, and each time she visits she tells us how blown away she is by the beauty of the Dee Valley.

Only 10 weeks into the role, Vicky has really had to hit the ground running to ensure we have a world-class concert series in place ready to launch before Christmas!

There are some very exciting ideas in the pipeline, and as usual, we’re trying to offer a diverse mix of musical genres so there is something to suit everyone’s taste.

She’s also been working on our 2018 competitive programme, using her international connections to try and attract as many group competitor applications as possible before the deadline on the 24th November.

Please help us spread the word by sharing the online flipbook for the 2018 syllabus here.

We will have an information stand at the Town Christmas Fair on the 25th November, so please pop by and say hello and learn about our wide range of volunteering opportunities (including those listed below).

We’ll be running a free prize draw to win tickets to one of our concerts, and we’ll be selling some stock from our Eisteddfod shop too.

We value the support of the local community immensely, and feel it’s extremely important to keep you up to date with any developments and listen to any feedback you may have about the Eisteddfod.

We’ll be keeping you informed by posting regular updates on llanblogger, and remember to follow our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram channels too.

Dr Rhys Davies, Eisteddfod Chairman

Volunteering Opportunities

Looking for a new volunteering challenge? We currently have two new volunteering opportunities within the Eisteddfod site team, which we are looking to fill as soon as possible!

Both would suit an active, locally based person, with good weekday availability and an interest in playing a critical, year-round role in Eisteddfod site planning activities.

Computer literacy and good all-round Microsoft Office skills are essential. 

Catering Concession Coordinator

Tasks and responsibilities include:
· Liaising with all current and potential new caterers and bar providers.
· Preparation of all relevant documentation.
· Ensuring that valid hygiene and insurance documentation are provided. 
· Liaising with the Siting Officer and site contractors regarding canvas and utilities requirements. 
· Main point of contact for all concessions during festival week. 

Exhibitor Coordinator

Tasks and responsibilities include:
· Liaising with all current and potential new exhibitors (including traders, organisations and charities). 
· Preparation of all relevant documentation and information. 
· Liaising with the Siting Officer and site contractors regarding canvas and utilities requirements. 
· Main point of contact for all exhibitors during festival. 

* If you are interested in either of the above roles, or would like to know more about other opportunities to get involved, please contact volunteers@llangollen.net or apply online at http://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/get-involved/volunteer/

Crowds gather to honour fallen of two world wars

Hundreds turned out for the annual Service of Remembrance which took place at the town's war memorial this morning (Sunday). Janet Wakefield from Llangollen Museum took these pictures specially for llanblogger

* Youth organisations march in the parade. 

* Flying the flag for the Scout Movement. 

* Poppy wreaths laid at the foot of the war

memorial during the ceremony.  

* The large crowd which gathered for the ceremony.

* Ex-service organisations on parade with their standards.

* Uniformed organisations march into Castle Street.

* Llangollen Silver Band sets the parade tempo (above and below).

Town marks 99th Armistice Day

An Act of Remembrance to mark the 99th anniversary of Armistice Day, which saw the end of the First World War, was held this morning (Saturday) at the town's war memorial in Castle Street.

Led by the Rev Charles Stallard and former town mayor Mike Adams, the ceremony saw the parading of standards by veterans' organisations, the observing of the traditional minute's silence at 11am and the sounding of Last Post by a bugler from Llangollen Silver Band.

Around 50 people attended.

This evening a Festival of Remembrance, in aid of Help for Heroes and local causes, will be held at Llangollen Town Hall.

The programme of light entertainment will feature Llangollen Silver Band, Dinas Bran Chamber Choir, soloists and poetry readings. There will also be a drumhead service.

The event starts at 7 for 7.30pm and tickets are £6 (£5 concessions).

Tomorrow morning will see the annual Service of Remembrance at the war memorial.

AM praises work on Corwen station

* Mark Isherwood AM on his visit to Llangollen Railway’s Corwen Central Station.

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has applauded all those involved in a rail project which will boost the local economy after meeting with some of the volunteers and seeing their achievements first hand.

Mr Isherwood revisited Llangollen Railway’s Corwen Central Station site and was hugely impressed by the progress made.

He said: “The dedication and commitment of the team of volunteers who make this happen is incredible, and especially so when I understand that their average age on this site is 68.

“The notional value of the volunteer hours exceeds £200,000 this year, without which the project would be unaffordable. The goal is for this new rail terminus to become operational in 2019, subject to essential continued financial support, where approximately 75% of the project cost has to be raised through Llangollen Railway’s share issue, donations and appeals.”

The aim now is to maintain the temporary platform at Corwen East for another season to have it dismantled in October 2018 in the expectation of the final phase opening the following year.

Mr Isherwood added: “Llangollen Railway Trust is a glowing example of what North Wales has to offer. It already attracts thousands of visitors every year and is key to economic development in the Dee Valley.

"What is being achieved at Corwen can provide the town with a huge boost and, with the train arriving at the end of the line here, enable Llangollen Railway to be able to tap into a new segment of the North Wales Tourism market.

“I would like to thank all the volunteers involved in this project for their role in helping to grow the economy, create jobs and provide more security for people in North Wales.”

Musical event at Fron Community Centre

Campaigners battle to save rangers from axe

* Campaigners gather outside Ty Mawr Country Park. 

Campaigners opposing Wrexham Council’s plans to half its number of park rangers are being backed by their Assembly Member and MP.

Ken Skates and Susan Elan Jones have made urgent representations to the authority after fears were raised about the detrimental effect further cuts are likely to have at country parks in their constituency.

The council wants to cut the number of rangers it employees from six to three, which has prompted an angry backlash from residents.

Clwyd South AM Mr Skates said: “A number of constituents have contacted me about this – they’re extremely concerned.

"We desperately don’t want to see school activities cut and untidier parks, but that is the reality we’re facing if these plans go through.

“The rangers look after Wrexham’s 11 country parks seven days a week. This would have a huge impact on the way they are run and what they can offer.”

Derek Wright, county councillor for Cefn Mawr, says he has been inundated with calls from residents worried about the future of Ty Mawr Country Park in his ward, which was visited by nearly 47,000 people last year.

He said: “If the other 10 parks within the county borough area give half as much pleasure – not only to locals, but to visitors from miles around – as Ty Mawr does, they have got to be worth keeping in their present form, including staffing. Let us hope for a full consultation over these proposals.”

The Friends of Ty Mawr group fears its park will be disproportionately affected because of the animals kept there. The others affected in Clwyd South include Brynkinalt, Chirk; Nant Mill, Coedpoeth; Ponciau Banks and Stryt Las in Johnstown.

Cllr Wright added: “I would encourage anyone who’s concerned about their nearest park to contact their local councillor and make their feelings known.”

Ken Bathers, chairman of Cefn Community Council, said: “We know how much pressure Welsh councils are under because of the billions of pounds of cuts to Wales from the Tory Government at Westminster, but people won’t stand for this.

“The £100,000 saving is peanuts to the council’s budget, but they can find £4.5m for an arts hub which will lose £188,000 the first year, then a further 126,000 in the second and another £78,000 in the third. The money the council lost in legal fees over the old Groves School would have funded all 11 parks for the next 20 years!”

Clwyd South MP Ms Jones added: “We are continuing to see record tourism numbers coming to North Wales and our country parks are among the many fantastic things we have to offer. We have 11 in the borough which are the envy of many other areas, and we simply can’t let this happen. Ken and I will support our constituents all the way.”

Remembrance Festival to be held this Saturday