Chairman's message as Eisteddfod opens

llanblogger brings you a special message from Eisteddfod chairman Dr Rhys Davies as the 2018 festival opens 

* Crowds at yesterday's Children's Day on the field.

* A group of Eisteddfod volunteers.

Eisteddfod week has now arrived and our trusted army of volunteers have been working flat out to get everything in place for an amazing event.

The flags are out, the tents are up, the seats are in, the floral displays perfected and now we are all set for the arrival of our musicians and dancers from all around the world.

It promises to be an excellent week with each day packed full of colour and activities and a diverse range of concerts that offers something for everyone. For full details and the daily schedules of field events, please visit the website http://internationaleisteddfod.co.uk/

The sights and sounds of the Eisteddfod will also spill out into the town with free performances taking place all week.

We will be holding recitals @ 1pm in St Collen’s Church (Tues – Saturday inclusive) and the preliminary competitions will be running in the Town Hall, Dinas Brân and English Methodist Church. The Dancing in the Street competition will be in the Riverside Park from 2 pm on Saturday 7th. 

We are delighted that the works on Centenary Square have been completed in time for this week, and thank the Town Council for allowing us to use that space in advance of its official reopening and rededication (which takes place on Sunday 8th July).  There will be international competitors performing in the Square everyday Tuesday – Saturday inclusive. 

The International Parade through the town will take place on Friday from 4.30pm. If you fancy soaking up the atmosphere of the Eisteddfod for a few hours, you can follow the parade back to the field and have entry for just £1 to enjoy the pre-concert bands until 8pm.

All of the activities in the town are free so do take advantage of this and experience what the Eisteddfod is all about. We appreciate the support of two local businesses Fouzis and the Corn Mill who are our outreach sponsors this year. 

We are delighted that competitor numbers for this year are high and we will be welcoming competitors from the following countries: Albania, Australia, Canada, China, Czech Republic, England, Estonia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man, Poland, Scotland, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Thailand, USA, Wales, Zimbabwe. Our Saturday programming is so full we will be starting the competitions in the main pavilion at 8.30am to make sure that the competitors all have the chance to take to the stage.

Do come and support them if you can. Saturday will also feature a range of entertainment for families on the outside stages, activities run by NSPCC , circus skills, floral workshops and much more!

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this year’s event in whatever way, whether  large or small, as without you this fantastic event would not happen. I hope to see you there! 

Dr Rhys Davies,
Eisteddfod Chairman  

Talent shines on Eisteddfod's sunny opening day

The sun shone down on the opening day of the 2018 Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

On the field and in the big tent most of the activities revolved around Children's Day which saw hundreds of youngsters visiting the festival from across North Wales and neighbouring areas of England. 

The was also a full programme of entertainment - all of it free - at various venues in Llangollen town centre.

The Town Hall was turned over to the preliminary rounds of the International Voice of the Future competition which saw a breath-taking display of vocal talent.

There was more vocal power on show at St Collen's Church which was the setting for the first of the week's @One Concerts, which will be held each day of the festival at 1pm.

Providing the entertainment this afternoon (Tuesday) were two choirs from the USA - the Seattle Girls Choir from Washington State followed by the Phoenix Girls Chorus Cantabile from Arizona.

Music fans were then able to dash across town to the English Methodist Church to enjoy the opening rounds of the International Voice of Musical Theatre competition, which again witnessed some rare displays of vocal talent from a series of young performers.

Below the pictures is a list of attractions to be staged in the town centre over the rest of this week, sponsored by Fouzis and the Cornmill.

* Young Eisteddfod visitors enjoy a special performance on the NSPCC stand on the field. 

* A group perform traditional Chinese dances on one of the outdoor stages.

* Sarah Guildford from Cardiff was one of the

competitors in the International Voice of the Future

competition at the Town Hall.

* The Seattle Girls Choir perform at the @One concert in St Collen's Church.

* Also singing at St Collen's was the Phoenix Girls Chorus Cantabile from Arizona.

* Contractors put the finishing touches to the new-look Centenary

Square where a series of special events will be staged throughout the week.

What's On in town ...

Outdoor centre makes urgent appeal for cash

* Bryntysilio Centre in Llangollen.

Wide Horizons, an outdoor education charity which has a centre in Llangollen, is urgently appealing for help to raise funds to secure its future.

The charity which enables disadvantaged children and young people to experience outdoor learning adventures says it is in financial difficulty and are at risk of closure unless it can raise funds. 

With a heritage that dates all the way back to outdoor education being delivered at one of their purpose-built centres since 1929, Wide Horizons has delivered life-changing outdoor education to generations of local children and young people.  

The Bryntysilio Centre in Llangollen is visited by thousands of children and young people each year.

The Grade-II listed building was originally converted in 1968 to accommodate children for outdoor educational activity courses and was taken over by Wide Horizons in 2011.

* A youngster enjoys the water splash

on a Wide Horizons break.

Ever since then, Bryntysilio has regularly provided residential adventures for school children from across Walsall, Shropshire and the West Midlands.

Having worked with groups of children over the last 50 years, the centre staff now see the grandchildren of Walsall residents who visited Bryntysilio themselves when they were young.

Many local residents from Walsall still continue to call in when they are in the area to recall the happy memories they have of being there as children.  

Wide Horizons focuses its support on disadvantaged children and young people by working with schools and community groups in highly deprived areas, children with special educational needs and those facing other forms of disadvantage.

By creating new opportunities for children to experience adventure and the natural outdoors, many of who will not have spent a night away from their parents before, Wide Horizons enables them to build their confidence, gain new skills and learn more about themselves and the world around them. 

Wide Horizons says it is now at risk of closure due to "increasing financial difficulties following a decline in business and rising costs."

In  statement charity says that in order to survive, they are restructuring the organisation which includes closing some of their centres in London, Kent and Wales.

The statement adds: "Support from the local community is urgently needed to secure the future of the charity and keep the remaining centres open.

"Wide Horizons are aspiring to raise £200k which will help them to become a slimmer, fitter, more effective charity. All the funds raised will be used to continue to deliver life changing adventure experiences for children and young people who may otherwise miss out."  

Wide Horizons' chief executive Peter Rogers OBE said: “Wide Horizons is rightly proud of the outdoor education it delivers in fun, challenging and exciting ways and the real benefits this brings to children’s lives. We sincerely hope the public will get behind us to enable us to continue to deliver these opportunities to the most disadvantaged children.”  

The charity is asking people to visit its online crowdfunding page and giving what they can.

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/save-wide-horizons 

Railway is back on TV this week

NOTE SCREENING DATE CHANGE

The concluding episode of the Great Rail Restorations series with presenter Peter Snow will feature scenes from a major filming event which took place at Llangollen Railway. 

The final episode  due for screening on Saturday (not Wednesday as originally advertised, due to World Cup coverage) will not only showcase all four of the wonderful carriage restorations as featured in the series but also Llangollen Railway and its setting in the beautiful Dee Valley.  

Llangollen Railway Business Manager, Liz McGuinness said: “We were fortunate enough to be chosen to host the final episode last autumn when the four carriages were brought together at Llangollen and coupled up to produce the fabulous, complete restoration train. 

“The unusual sight of four vintage carriages spanning the railway ages from the 1860s to 1960 was seen briefly in Llangollen station. The train featured the four-wheeled coach from the Isle of Wight, the London South West Royal saloon for Queen Victoria from the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway, our own Great Northern Saloon and the Pullman coach Eagle from Tyseley Locomotive Works.

“The assembled train made three trips through the Dee Valley for the filming when the Llangollen Railway’s Standard Tank locomotive No.80072 was driven in part by Peter Snow.

"The autumnal filming produced some magical scenes and seeing all four restored carriages, together with their restoration teams, was amazing. It makes a magnificent climax to a very successful TV series which has highlighted the extra ordinary efforts put into restoring wrecks to their former glories. 

“Rail fans and members of Llangollen Railway are very excited about the final episode and look forward to seeing the train in action on the Dee Valley line. The final episode is a great promotional feature for North East Wales and can be seen on Channel 4 on Saturday July 7 at 7pm.”

Llangollen Railway’s restored Great Northern composite First/Third class saloon coach as designed by Sir Nigel Gresley is now stabled at Carrog station and will be open for viewings shortly.

Sing along and help celebrate 70 years of the NHS

* Your chance to sing along and help mark 70 years of the NHS. 

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod will be joining the NHS choir, staff and musical stars from across the UK in a live singalong to celebrate the 70th birthday of the health service.

A one-off live ITV programme on Wednesday will capture the crowds in Llangollen coming together with celebrities in a bid to set a new record for the biggest live sing-along ever broadcast.

Llangollen's choral contribution will take place as the finale to the Classical Collection concert.
 
And in partnership with Pendine Park, the Eisteddfod is offering complimentary tickets to the  concert to salute hard-working NHS staff.

These tickets can be claimed by registering your details on the Eventbrite page here. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-big-nhs-singalong-live-from-llangollens-classical-collection-concert-tickets-47519545239

The Classical Collection concert will encapsulate the magic of the piano and the human voice.

It features the final of the International Voice of the Future competition, two-piano pieces from Eisteddfod musical director Vicky Yannoula and Peter Jablonski plus a showcase performance from Wrexham-based choir, the Sirenian Singers.

The pavilion will come alive with the Beatles classic With a Little Help From My Friends in the big sing-along led nationally by Colleen Nolan and friends.

The live broadcast links with other singalong sites across the country, including the famous Abbey Road Studios in London where the Beatles recorded many of their legendary hits.

A single of the song will be released on Friday with all proceeds going to support the NHS.
 
The festival will also be giving away free day tickets to all Welsh NHS staff on Thursday and will also give 20% off the Thursday and Saturday evening concerts.
 
During the day on Thursday the Eisteddfod will honour Olwen Williams OBE as Day President.

With a life-long inspirational career in medicine, Olwen will present her stories and memories of working in the NHS to crowds at the festival.

Eisteddfod chairman Rhys Davies: “Having worked as a GP within the NHS I fully understand and respect the wonderful work the NHS does.

"We are so excited to be supporting the nation’s celebration of the 70th anniversary of the NHS. It is a perfect synergy of values and even timings as the International Eisteddfod celebrated its 70th last year; the NHS has enriched all our lives with vital medical and our festival enriches lives though music."
   
For more information or to book tickets visit www.llangollen.net or contact the box office. For regular news and updates about the Festival follow Twitter @llangollen_Eist or like the Facebook page Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.  

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.