Llanfest stage line-up unveiled

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has revealed the full outside stage line-up for this year’s Llanfest (Sunday 8th July, 2pm).

Multi-platinum English indie pop-legends Kaiser Chiefs will be headlining on the main stage, supported by pop rock band Hoosiers and nineties icons Toploader.

The Cavern Club Liverpool will host its first ever pop up stage at Llanfest, with performances by their world-class resident musicians, including:

Jack Found - said to have developed a unique style that combines bright energy and a remarkable voice, he is set to release his debut album. His debut single, Sundown, received extensive radio play and was featured on Good Morning Television. 

Billy Bibby and The Wry Smiles – a four-piece alternative rock ensemble from North Wales and Chester.

Camens - a four piece indie/alternative rock band from Staffordshire recently been spotted by BBC6 Music.

Destination – Formed in 2014, Destination is a 70s/80s classic rock cover band from Wrexham, playing favourites from various legendry artists including Van Halen, Iron Maiden, Bonjovi, Queen and Gary Moore.
 
Lucy Mayhew – currently recording her debut EP, Lucy from West Kirby offers audiences a fresh neo folk rock sound, drawing on inspiration from the likes of Eva Cassidy and Laura Marling.

Ben Roberts – the folk/rock singer based in London started writing music as a teenager, taking influence from his love of classic soul, rock and R&B.

Luke Gallagher – Wrexham-based singer/songwriter returns to play at this year’s Llanfest with his nostalgic blend of Mod/60s/90s tunes.

Eisteddfod chairman Dr Rhys Davies said: “This year we’re yet again introducing new audiences to contemporary genres of music, perfectly combining the festival’s culture and heritage with ground-breaking modern talent to create the ultimate finale. We look forward to continuing to showcase a wider musical offering to expand upon our current audience.
 
“It brings us so much pride to be able to bring this calibre of local talent together with world-class music legends to mark the end of a phenomenal week of extraordinary events."
 
* More information is available on the Llanfest website. Tickets for the festival, running July 3-8,  are available at http://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/events/sunday-llanfest/.Llanfest. Tickets are priced at: £55 standing/ £70 seated.

Ex councillor speaks on A5 road safety

Former Denbighshire County Councillor Stuart Davies says he is disappointed to see yet again more serious accidents on the A5 in Llangollen with the Air Ambulance being called out again within the last few days to attend a serious RTA. 

In a letter to llanblogger he says: 'As a County Councillor I asked the Welsh Trunk road Agency and the local AM Ken Skates, numerous times, to extend the speed limit which would help to calm the traffic leading to this accident hotspot.

'Today I am seriously disappointed that the local AM, who as Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport has the power to deal with Trunk Road issues, has failed to act and we are now seeing the serious consequences.

'I am calling on him to get his officers on the job now before more people get injured!

'One of the local residents Mr John Lloyd who lives adjacent to this hotspot actually made national headlines by erecting a bird box that looked like a speed camera in am attempt to stop people speeding there.

'There was an attempt to force him to dismantle it.'

llanblogger takes short break

llanblogger is taking a short break and will be back early next week.

Nature Quest at Newydd

Nature Quest at Plas Newydd, Llangollen, 

26 May to 3 June

10.30am to 3.00pm

Nature Trail quiz within the grounds of Plas Newydd.

Complete the trail to win a badge.

£3.00 per person

Llan's magnificent seven complete charity marathon

* The girls celebrate at the end of their marathon ride. 

Seven intrepid friends from Llangollen braved a fearsome electric storm to complete a gruelling 65-mile charity bike ride.

Elen Roberts, Samantha Jones, Louisa Jones, Stephanie Williams, Tessa Orton Jones, Alix Rawlinson and Tracey Jones took part in last weekend’s Ride the Night event in aid of three women’s charities - Ovarian Cancer Action, Jo’s Cervical Cancer and Breast Cancer Care.

Team member Tracey explained: “Just over 12 months ago we decided to do something challenging, inspired by our friend Louisa Jones’ previous charity rides in India and Cambodia.

“Action for Charity organises several cycling challenges both internationally and across the UK to raise money for these three fabulous cancer charities.

“So at 9pm on Saturday evening we set off from Windsor Race Course to complete the 104km cycle into central London and back.

“All started well on a lovely early summer evening, however at just 15 miles in the weather took a turn for the worse.

“We were treated to the most electrifying thunder storm display followed by an epic torrential downpour for several miles. Roads flooded and cars struggled to cope with this onslaught but we battled on bravely with virtually nil visibility.”

Tracey added: “The rain eventually subsided in the early hours leaving us all tired, wet and very cold but all seven finished the course within six to seven hours despite the odds.

“The overall event raised in excess of £1.5 million. The girls are exhausted but very proud of what they achieved.

“We would all like to thank everyone who has donated to this fantastic charity event and its causes but we also wish to express our gratitude to partners, husbands and family members for their amazing support.”

* The thunder storm they cycled through.

* The finisher's medal they each received.

2018 art exhibitions at Plas Newydd

The following art exhibitions will be staged at Y Caban in Plas Newydd over this season

June - Jan Wallis

Jan Wallis is a textile artist living in Llangollen. Her exhibition at Y Caban includes a 30 metre weaving depicting a river from source to the sea.  Another piece is a knitted representation of the Eglwyseg Crags

July - Rosie Davies

Rosie Davies is creative mostly with the traditional mediums  of oils and watercolour , but also produces  more contemporary works of digital art on the iPad with the app Pro create. Her inspiration is taken from the North Wales landscapes and her solo exhibition at Plas Newydd includes scenes of the   River Dee and Llangollen.

August - Mark Pullin

My imagery deals with emotion, with the capacity to create simple forms and marks to connect symbolically with past event in my life or memories of particular importance.  The presence of shape and colour, their influence on mood and latent energy emerges out of a physical engagement within the medium of paint.

September - Wrexham Cluster for Helfa Gelf

We are a collective group of artists from the County of Wrexham who belong to the Helfa Gelf artists group, who  are represented in 5 counties across North Wales. During this month we will also have our studios open on weekends. During our exhibition we hope to have an  artist in the gallery each weekend

October - Criw Celf 
Criw Celf is a pan North Wales arts programme for more able and talented young artists; the aim of the scheme is to allow children who have shown artistic promise and an interest in art to practice and develop their skills, with masterclasses led by professional artists in a variety of disciplines and at venues throughout Denbighshire.  This exhibition shows a small selection of work created by Criw Celf Denbighshire, with students from years 5 to 9.  Criw Celf Denbighshire is run by Denbighshire County Council Arts Service, with funding from the Arts Council of Wales.

Local firm launches charity singing project

* The talented "workman" belts out Calon Lan in Welsh on the film.

* Linguassist MD Graham Paton outlines his singing project

on the video now causing a social media stir.

A Llangollen business has pledged to make a donation to the new Centenary Square project in return for local people singing to welcome the world to the town.

As sponsors of the Van Morrison concert at this July’s International Eisteddfod, languages firm Linguassist is making a charity film and inviting people from the community to come together to sing the classic Welsh song Calon Lan.

But in keeping with the global spirit of the eisteddfod, where “Wales welcomes the world”, this will be a multi-lingual version of the song, with Linguassist in return making a £1,000 donation to the Centenary Square project which will eventually include a re-sited war memorial.

Company managing director Graham Paton was in Riverside Park recently to make a short film outlining the idea, and said: “I love this town and I love the talent in this town. To show off Llangollen’s talent we’re doing a global version of Calon Lan and making a donation to the new town memorial.”

As the camera rolls Mr Paton is interrupted by a high vis-coated workman who first politely points out that he has mispronounced the song title and then starts to a sing a powerful version of Calon Lan in Welsh.

Clearly enjoying the rendition Mr Paton urges him to carry on as “we have a film crew here”.

The man - who may not actually be who he appears to be – then ends the song to warm applause and bashfully carries on with his work.

The film is already creating a stir on YouTube via social media and you can watch it at _{https://youtu.be/kJMYQo9CPkI}

* For more details about the singing project, email: michelle@linguassist.co.uk