Blue Badge holders get extra hour's parking

Blue badge holders in Denbighshire will be allowed to park in council park parks for an additional hour under a new scheme being launched this week.

Denbighshire County Council is granting blue badge holders who display a valid ticket an additional hour on top of the expiry time printed on their pay and display ticket.

Councillor Brian Jones, Cabinet Lead Member for Highways, Planning and Sustainable Transport, said: “We are delighted to be introducing this scheme in Denbighshire

“The extra hour is deemed as a “reasonable adjustment” under the Equality Act 2010 and has also been implemented by some other councils who charge blue badge holders for parking.

“All blue badge holders will need to display a valid badge and they will be granted an extra hour on top of the expiry time printed on their pay and display ticket. Civil enforcement officers working in a car park will allow an additional hour to the time displayed.

“It is not essential for blue badge holders to park in a disabled bay to receive the extra hour. The majority of blue badge holders  usually park in disabled bays as there are usually spaces available and they are generally located closer to pedestrian accesses. However if there are no spaces and they need to park in other parking bays, the additional hour will still be applicable.

“We look forward to getting this scheme underway and will be monitoring its success."

Gleaming machines converge on Glyndfyrdwy

An assortment of gleaming old cars, vans, buses, coaches and lorries gathered on the fields around Glyndyfrdwy station for Llangollen Railway's annual Classic Transport Weekend on Saturday and Sunday.

Also strongly represented were the machines of the British Motorcycle Preservation Society.

A special train service ran throughout the weekend and Saturday evening saw live music and a barbecue in a marquee at the station.

llanblogger brings you a selection of pictures of the magnificent vehicles that were on display

* Riley.

* Jaguar E-Type.

* Rover.

* Morris Minors.

* Austin Healey.

* Ford V8 Pilot.

* Vauxhall.

* Rover SD1s.

* 1930s Ford.

* Vanden Plas Princess.

* A collection of period buses and coaches.

* Classic motorbikes line up.

Dinas Brân students to deliver Eisteddfod Peace Message

* Dinas Brân students rehearse for the Peace Message presentation (this picture and below).

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has selected Ysgol Dinas Brân to participate in its annual peace initiative at this year’s festival.

Performing on the main Royal Pavilion stage on Thursday, the school is set to deliver the International Eisteddfod message of peace in a performance of mime and narration, complete with a song entitled ‘Peace at Last’.

The Dinas Brân students, aged 14-18 years old, will modernise the message for the present day audience. What was historically performed through spoken word, has now been adapted to song, in true Llangollen style. 

The peace message was brought to the Eisteddfod stage in 1952 to demonstrate how the small town of Llangollen could positively impact the furtherance of peace worldwide through its initiative. 

Welsh peace organisation, Wales for Peace has been commissioned to showcase a special project for the International Eisteddfod 2018. This will feature a digital installation, presenting the transcendence of peace through time via a series of short video interviews. 

Awel Irene, Community Participation Facilitator at Wales for Peace, said: “Since its inception in 1952, through to modern day, the peace message has a historical perspective like no other. 

“As children from Ysgol Dinas Brân take to the International Eisteddfod stage on Thursday during the evening concert, Wales for Peace would like to congratulate all of the young performers on helping to uphold such a vitally important message.  

“Visitors will be warmly welcomed at the archive tent throughout the week-long celebrations, where they will find this year’s peace display, demonstrating the goodwill and friendship found at the very heart of the festival.”

Debbie Neal, Head of Music at Ysgol Dinas Brân, said: “It is fantastic to once again be celebrating the International Eisteddfod by taking part in the portrayal of such an important and uplifting message. It’s incredibly rewarding and inspiring to work with our young children on this project, whose history is deeply connected to the long-standing traditions adopted by Eisteddfod.

“Our pupils have put so much effort into making this performance a success and we are very much looking forward to closing with a peace song to accompany the message. It is something that has certainly created a buzz amongst the children."

* For more information or to book tickets to the festival, visit www.llangollen.net or contact the box office. For regular news and updates about the Festival follow us on Twitter @llangollen_Eist or like our Facebook page Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. 

Vicar of Llangollen role goes up on offer

The job of vicar of Llangollen is now officially on offer.

The website of the Diocese of St Asaph is carrying an advert for the position of Vicar of Llangollen, Llantysilio and Trevor. It's also in the Church Times and on social media.

Closing date for the search to find a  replacement for the Rev Andrew Sully, who left recently to move to the church in Llandudno, is July 16.    

The advert says: "The Llangollen Group of Churches is part of Valle Crucis Mission Area, located in the Dee Valley in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Llangollen is home to the world-famous International Eisteddfod and is a vibrant and lively town.

* The Rev Andrew Sully's

old job is now on offer.

"This is an exciting group of churches that enjoys enormous goodwill from the local community. Our vision is generous, modern and sacramentally focussed, offering lively and engaging worship and ministry to all."

Stating the requirements, it says: "We are looking for a priest who will lead and encourage the next stage of our life and mission, enable all the people of God to grow spiritually and develop their gifts, help us to spread the Gospel message in our communities, work collaboratively within Valle Crucis Mission Area."

Interviews will take place on July 25 in St Asaph.

Andrew Sully left a few months ago after being in Llangollen since 2006.

His new ministry area serves the northern part of Llandudno and the Great Orme, and includes Holy Trinity Church in the town centre and St Tudno’s Church on the Great Orme.

His wife Mary will combine her new ministry in Llandudno with being Archdeacon of Bangor.

Successful choir to sing again at Eisteddfod

* The Sirenian Singers will make an emotional return to this year's Eisteddfod.

One of the most successful choirs to have graced the stage at an international festival is making an emotional return as it marks the 20^th anniversary of their greatest ever triumph.

The Sirenian Singers, which is also celebrating its 40^th anniversary this year, will be closing the concert at this year’s Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod when the new Pendine International Voice of the Future will be crowned.

The 50-strong choir, under the baton of founder and musical director Jean Stanley Jones MBE, has members from Wrexham, Flintshire, Denbighshire, Cheshire and Shropshire and is a multiple winner at Llangollen and became the first Welsh choir to win the coveted Choir of the World title in 1998.

As well as looking forward to performing once again on the iconic Eisteddfod stage, Jean says they can’t wait to listen to the three finalists competing on Wednesday, July 4.

This year’s contest has attracted a record number of 43 entries and for the second year running arts-loving care organisation Pendine Park, a long-standing supporter of the festival, are contributing £5,000 to the prize fund via the Pendine Arts and Community Trust which was established to support cultural and community initiatives.

The rest of the £10,000 prize pot is being donated by the Sir Bryn Terfel Foundation and Llangollen Eisteddfod.

The aim of the competition is to showcase and nurture young talent by raising their profile and giving their budding careers a financial boost.

Winners are also given the opportunity to perform in future Eisteddfod concerts with established international stars.

Jean said: “Llangollen is always something very special and this year we will close the concert by performing songs from our own extensive repertoire. However, as we are closing the concert, it means we will have the chance to enjoy the Pendine Voice of the Future final.

“It’s an important competition and the wonderful prize fund will give a huge boost to the careers of the three finalists. I am excited to have the chance to witness the competition and I know many of our singers are looking forward to it as well.

“This year the choir is celebrating our 40^th birthday and we do have some members who have been with me since day one. The choir started as I was the music teacher at St David’s School in Wrexham, which is now Ysgol Rhosnesni, and set up a girls’ choir.

“We competed at Llangollen and won the Children’s choir competition as well as several other major competitions including Montreux, Switzerland.  Some of the girls, on leaving school, wanted to continue singing and asked that I form an adult choir.

“I set up a ladies choir and returned to Llangollen where we won the female choir competition several times and we also won the famous Bela Bartok Festival competition in Hungary.

“I was delighted when we won that coveted title, which was held the same time as Llangollen that year. The fact we had won was announced on the main stage Eisteddfod stage. It was a bit special to hear that.”

Jean, who has recently retired from her role of Flintshire’s education musical director and advisor to Denbighshire, Conwy and Wrexham councils, added: “When we came back from Hungary I decided it was time to add some male voices to the choir as that would give us a much broader repertoire. So that’s what we did.

“We returned to Llangollen to win the mixed choral title several times and, in 1998, we became the first Welsh choir to take the Choir of the World trophy which is an achievement I am immensely proud of.

“The choir is made up of around 30 women and 20 male voices with everyone living within a 50 mile radius of Wrexham. Time seems to go so quickly and it’s hard to believe we are celebrating our 40^th year.

“We have been back to Llangollen several times in recent years performing alongside the Llangollen Eisteddfod choir with top stars such as Lesley Garrett and composer Karl Jenkins. However, this time we are going to be singing songs from our won repertoire which is always nice.

“Being part of a wonderful Llangollen concert evening and the Pendine International Voice of the Future competition is really exciting and as a choir we are all really looking forward to what will be a wonderful night.”

Pendine Park proprietor Mario Kreft MBE and his wife Gill are really excited about the competition after witnessing a breath-taking vocal battle at last year’s Eisteddfod.

He said: “We established the Pendine Arts and Community Trust to enhance our ongoing support to more than 20 arts organisations and a host of good causes in the community.

“We’re proud to be working with the Sir Bryn Terfel Foundation to support such an exceptional competition which provides a catalyst for talented young individuals to reach new heights by launching their singing careers on a global stage.

“Music and the arts provide the golden thread that runs through everything we do at Pendine Park to enrich the lives of our residents and staff alike, so we’re delighted to be helping out by creating opportunities for gifted young singers by providing an international platform for their talent.”

“I have no doubt the adjudicators are going to have a very difficult task on their hands in deciding who will lift this year’s crown.”

The Classical Collection concert will also feature the Eisteddfod’s new musical director Vicky Yannoula who will perform alongside fellow pianist Peter Jablonski in what is described as a dynamic and moving musical collaboration.

* For more tickets to the Classical Collection concert including the Pendine International Voice of the Future competition please visit www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk

Traders show interest in business boosting scheme

Town traders have given their backing to Llangollen expressing an interest in a scheme aimed at boosting local businesses.

Denbighshire County Council has offered to support Llangollen in taking advantage of a Welsh Government programme to explore whether a Business Improvement District (BID) in the area might be viable.

The government is making available up to £30,000 each to nine towns to back a BID project but to go ahead with a scheme an area first needs to match the cash to the tune of 25%. In Llangollen’s case this would be around £7,500.

Other towns including Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury are said to have used this approach very successfully.

Carolyn Brindle from the county’s Economic & Business Development team was at the Town Hall yesterday (Thursday) evening to brief a small number of traders on how a BID could operate in Llangollen.

She explained about the process and answered questions with a view to deciding whether Llangollen wants to work with the council to submit an expression of interest to the Welsh Government by July 20.

With the aid of consultants a business plan would then be developed and involvement in a scheme  balloted on by potential BID members.

If a majority of Llangollen businesses did decide to go ahead Denbighshire would increase business rates by an amount agreed through discussion with all businesses.

The funds collected by DCC through the increased rate would then be repaid to Llangollen into an account controlled by a BID board which would be elected annually.

Members and the board would identify projects that the BID would use the money for.

The county council has said it recognises that while the programme would offer a long-term way of raising money which Llangollen members would control for improvements to the business environment, any increase in rates would be a “significant issue”.

At the meeting Carolyn Brindle was introduced by town councillor Robyn Lovelock who is involved with the 20-20 project which is currently seeking to make improvements to Llangollen’s traffic situation.

She said she had become interested in the BID concept as one possible way of attracting funding for 20-20.

Ms Brindle told around 10 local traders plus representatives of other local organisations that a BID programme could be used to achieve just one thing or many things in a particular town.

In Shrewsbury, for instance, a BID had been used to negotiate a better way of removing trade waste by giving businesses extra bargaining power.

She answered a series of questions from traders about the operation of a BID scheme.

These included the size of the levy necessary to finance it, to which she answered that in Shrewsbury it had been 1.5% of rateable business value. She added that there could be some exemptions to paying the levy below a level of rateable value to be decided by members.

Asked about the geographic size of the BID area, she said this would be up to members to determine.    

On a question about how long a BID programme could last, Ms Brindle said this would be five years at the end of which it would be dissolved with another ballot being held on whether it should be renewed.

Cllr Lovelock said that if local businesses did agree to go ahead it would be a way of demonstrating what the town was prepared to do for itself.

Strong support for the concept came from Matt Jones, owner of Tyn Dwr Hall and a number of other businesses in the town, who described Llangollen’s involvement as a “no brainer”.  

Representatives of other businesses were more sceptical, expressing concerns about whether they could afford the levy on top of their already substantial business rates.

However, in a show of hands amongst the business representatives only, the majority backed Llangollen going ahead with an expression of interest in the scheme.

Day-by-day programme for 2018 Eisteddfod

The 2018 Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod runs from Tuesday-Sunday, July 3-8.

The evening concert line-up features performances from Alfie Boe and Van Morrison, colourful and inclusive daytime activities and a star-studded Llanfest, the International Eisteddfod’s very own mini-festival, headlined this year by Kaiser Chiefs.

This year's Eisteddfod will also pay tribute to nine 100th anniversaries focusing on the areas of music, world events and the community throughout the week.

Themed activities each day will examine the perspectives of women, soldiers and the collective nation.

Throughout the week on the field there will be live performances from emerging bands, musicians and street performers from across the globe, as well as activities to entertain children in the Kids Zone plus food, drink and local craft stalls.

There will also be an exciting range of outreach events including concerts at St Collen’s Church (1pm Tuesday – Friday), preliminary competitions in Llangollen Town Hall, performances in the new Centenary Square (Tuesday – Saturday) ahead of its rededication on Sunday 8th July and a vibrant display by dance competitors in Riverside Park, Llangollen (Saturday 7th July, 2pm).

Tuesday 3^rd July

Day Events

Children’s Day will open the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, this year welcoming almost 3,700 visitors from 55 schools across the country.

The opening day, which is exclusively for schools, will feature the fantastic musical CACAN (CAKE) by Theatr Clwyd and their young company (aged 4 – 16), performances from myriad international competitors and the delivery of the Peace Message from Ysgol Dinas Brân.

Inspired and created by young people from the region in partnership with Theatr Clwyd, CACAN (CAKE) is a bilingual mini musical which explores what peace means to them and asks the question, is achieving peace a piece of cake?

This year’s Peace Message, written by Christine Dukes for the third consecutive year, marks the centenary of the end of World War One and tells the tale of sightings of the ‘Angels of Mons’ who were reputed to have appeared to both allied and German forces in their time of need. Concluding with a peace song called Peace at Last written by Christine and composed by Elen Mair Roberts, Chair of the Music and Staging Committee of the Eisteddfod, the performance remains a poignant reminder of the message at the heart of the festival.

Throughout Children’s Day sponsor, NSPCC Cymru Wales, will take to the World Stage to talk PANTS to young visitors, with their friendly dinosaur, Pantosaurus (10am – 3pm). As well as entertaining and informative talks, there will be activities for children to learn Pantosaurus’ five easy rules for staying safe.

Opening day of Llangollen 2018 will also see the first official use of Centenary Square ahead of its rededication on Sunday 8^th July. Performances are planned from Tuesday – Saturday.

Evening Concert: Alfie Boe (pictured above) in Concert

Wednesday 4^th July

Day Events

The Eisteddfod will celebrate the tenth year of its award-winning Inclusion Project. Facilitated by a grant from the ScottishPower Foundation, the performance is once again set to capture the hearts of festival audiences (Atkinson & Kirby Globe Stage, 10am; Pavilion, 2:30pm).

Reflecting the diversity of society and the International Eisteddfod’s ethos of promoting understanding and acceptance though music and dance, five groups will present their own short performance before coming together to perform the finale piece, a specially commissioned based on the groups’ thoughts on the theme SEND a Message.

This year the participating groups are Ysgol Tir Morfa, a community special school in Rhyl that caters for pupils aged 3 – 19 years with a wide range of additional learning needs; specialist school, St Christopher’s in Wrexham, Derwen on Tour (DOT), a group of  Creative Studies students from Derwen College, Gobowen, Shropshire, who offer Makaton sign, song and dance performance and workshops; Ysgol Plas Brondyffryn from Denbigh, North Wales’ regional centre for autism education, and the Theatretrain Regional Choir from Mold.

Highlights from the competitions will be the International Voice of Musical Theatre competition, where aspiring musical theatre performers will sing for the opportunity to take the prestigious title and win an all-expenses paid trip to perform at the Gold Coast Eisteddfod in Australia.

The Aroha Junior Choir from India will compete in the Children’s Folk Song competition, making them the first Indian choral group to ever perform at the International Eisteddfod, while festival favourites, Mother Touch Dance Group from Zimbabwe will take to the stage to compete in the Children’s Folk Dance contest.

Evening Concert: The Classical Collection

* The Cantorian/Sirenian singers. 

Finalists of the Pendine International Voice of the Future Competition, which aims to advance the career of young singers, will entice the audience with breathtaking performances as they compete for the prestigious title and a share of the £10,000 prize fund, which has  been donated by Pendine Park and the Bryn Terfel Foundation for the second year in a row.

While the judges deliberate on the finalists’ performances, the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod’s Music Director, Vicky Yannoula, will take to the piano alongside acclaimed pianist Peter Jablonski. The pair with treat audiences to a moving collaboration, featuring well-known and much-loved pieces. The two-pianos extravaganza will begin with a performance of some of the most iconic pieces from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Suite arranged by Nicolas Economou, followed by Yannoula and Jablonski’s performance of Fêtes from Nocturnes by Debussy (arranged by Ravel) and Lutoslawski’s utterly thrilling Paganini Variations.

The evening will be rounded off by an uplifting performance from the Cantorion Sirenian Singers, a 50-strong mixed voice choir based in North Wales. The first ever Welsh choir to win the Choir of the World trophy at the International Eisteddfod in 1998, their repertoire will include favourites such as Y Tangnefeddwyr, Elijah Rock and Hobed O Hilion.

Thursday 5^th July

* Special guests: Calan

Day President: Olwen Williams OBE (in recognition of the 70 anniversary of the NHS)

Day Events

Competitions will gather pace on the field, with the Strings Guzheng Ensemble from Guangdong, China, take to the stage for the Instrumental Ensemble. Following its inauguration into the competitions programme in 2017, the International Acapella Group category returns bigger a better, with groups from India, Canada, Wales, England and the USA engaging in an exhilarating vocal contest for one of the festival’s newest accolades. New for 2018 in the competitions is the Vocal Solo 16 – 19 category, furthering the festival’s commitment to providing a platform for talented young musicians.

At 3:30pm in the Pavilion there will also be a special presentation of a donation by The Friends of the Eisteddfod to representatives of the International Eisteddfod. This year’s donation is a milestone as it the highest ever presented in one year and takes total donations since the Friends were founded in 1973 to more than half a million pounds.

Evening Concert: International Celebration with special guests Calan

International competitors and special guests from across the globe will unite on Thursday 5^th July, promising an immersive sea of vibrant colours and eclectic sounds, as they weave through the audience with their giant flags in the captivating Procession of the Nations.

The evening will explore the International Eisteddfod’s unique founding values of sharing music, dance, peace and friendship, with children from Ysgol Dinas Brân presenting a message of goodwill to the world in the delivery of the 2018 Peace Message, ahead of festival President, Terry Waite CBE’s heartfelt welcome message.

In the second part of the show, the winner of this year’s Rotary International Peace Award, sponsored by Typhoo Tea, will be revealed and celebrated for its contribution to the furtherance of peace and understanding.

The show will be brought to a conclusion by award winning band, Calan, who will set feet tapping with their contemporary and quirky interpretation of Welsh folk music. The five-piece band come with accordion, harp, guitar, fiddles and Welsh bagpipes, to entrance the audience with their beautiful and haunting melodies.

 Friday 6^th July

Day Events

The International Parade (4:30pm) processes from the Pavilion down through the town of Llangollen and then back to the Eisteddfod site. Spectators are invited to follow the celebration and join Bands on the Field until 7:45pm for £1. Bands performing on the three outdoor stages from 5:30pm include, The Herbert Spliffington Allstars, Billy Bibby & the Wry Smiles, The Cazadors, Ceidwad Y Gân and Ragsy.

Folk and Dance will dominate the competitions on Friday, with global competitors participating in the Traditional Folk Dance Group, Choreographed/Stylized Folk Dance Group, Adult Folk Song Choirs and the Open Folk Solo (Vocal).

Evening Concert: An Evening with Van Morrison (pictured below). 

Saturday 7^th July

Day President: Lord Hague

Day Events

There will be a special joint performance by non-competitive choirs KorRey from Iceland and Manchester Community Choir (12:15pm, The British Ironworks Amphitheatre). Originally a traditional church choir, Kor Reyðarfjörður (KorRey for short) has expanded into a community choir of 21 singers, aged from 24 to 70. The choir has built a relationship with the Manchester Community Choir, who encouraged them to apply to perform at the International Eisteddfod this year.

The competitions will also build up to their exciting climax, with the hotly contested Mixed, Open and Male Voice Choir competitions and the enthralling Cultural Showcase contest taking place in the Pavilion during the day.

NSPCC Cymru Wales will also be back at the festival with Pantosaurus the friendly dinosaur, this time in the Harmony Centre, to teach children how to stay safe from abuse and share materials for parents and guardians to help get this simple safety conversation started at home.

At 2pm the Dancing in the Street competition will take place in the riverside park in town, with adjudication on the Ampitheatre stage at 4pm – in this competition the watching public are able to indicate their favourite group and this ‘vote’ will be noted by the Eisteddfod adjudicator.

Evening Concert: Choir of the World with special guests Red Priest (pictured below).

Winners of the international choral competition competing for the titles of Choir of the World 2018 and the Pavarotti Trophy. Those taking part in the dance categories will participate in the Dance Champions of the World 2018 finals.

Baroque instrumental group, Red Priest, will also contribute to the excitement of the evening as the International Eisteddfod’s special guests.

Sunday 8^th July

Day President: Julia Baird (sister of John Lennon, in celebration of the 50^th anniversary of The Beatles animated musical fantasy comedy film Yellow Submarine)

* The Kaiser Chiefs.

Llanfest 2018

Kaiser Chiefs will be headlining on the main stage at Llanfest, supported by renowned pop rock band The Hoosiers and nineties icons Toploader, following an exciting day of rock, pop and indie performances from emerging bands and brand new talent on the outside stages.

The Cavern Club Liverpool will host its first ever pop-up stage, with myriad of performances by their world-class resident musicians covering the countless artists that have graced The Cavern Club stage over the years. Other performers include rising star from Llangollen, Jack Found, alt-rock ensemble Billy Bibby and The Wry Smiles, Staffordshire indie/rock band Camens, 70s/80s classic rock cover band, Destination. They will be joined by West Kirby based neo folk rock singer Lucy Mayhew, who currently recording her debut EP, folk/rock singer Ben Roberts and Wrexham-based singer/songwriter, Luke Gallagher, who returns to play at this year’s Llanfest with his nostalgic blend of Mod/60s/90s tunes.

* Tickets can be booked online at www.llangollen.net or via the box office.