Terry Waite officially opens new Centenary Square

* Terry Waite unveils the commemorative plaque watched by Deputy Town Mayor Issy Richard and Mayor Jon Haddy.

Eisteddfod president Terry Waite officially opened Llangollen’s new Centenary Square in a moving ceremony this morning (Sunday).

A large number of civic dignitaries, representatives of various organisations who contributed to the project and a large crowd of onlookers stood in the hot sun to watch the proceedings.

Town Mayor Cllr Jon Haddy welcomed people to the event and gave a run-down of how the project to transform the former Memorial Gardens was first envisaged in 2012 and was developed over the following six years by town councillors and Town Clerk Gareth Thomas.

There was then a moving reading in Welsh by Deputy Town Mayor Cllr Issy Richards of a peace poem by poet and national eisteddfod bard Hedd Wynn who was killed in the First World War.  

Terry Waite spoke on the theme of peace and said it was fitting that the new square was being officially opened exactly 95 years after the First World War memorial was unveiled.

He paid special tribute to the 441 Hz Chamber Choir from Gdansk in Poland who sang at the ceremony, saying this country owed their country a great deal of gratitude for the service they armed forces gave during the Second World War.

Mr Waite congratulated the Town Council and the people of Llangollen for the contribution they had made to making Centenary Square possible.

Over 70 years ago the people of the town, he said, had made a similar contribution to creating the Eisteddfod to which people from all over the world came to promote peace through the language of music.

To loud applause he then unveiled a plaque commemorating the opening of the square before the choir sang.

The two national anthems were sung to round off the ceremony.

Later, invited guests at the Town Hall were shown a time-delay film of how the construction project unfolded over a number of months before the square opened in time to be used by a series of popular outreach events at which Eisteddfod competitors performed for the pubic throughout the week.    

* Terry Waite speaks on the theme of peace.

* Terry Waite and other special guests at the ceremony.

* The Polish folk choir sings.

* Deputy Town Mayor Issy Richards recites a moving poem.

* Part of the time-delay film showed at the Town Hall.

Van Morrison captivates Pavilion crowd

* Van Morrison on stage at the Eisteddfod last night.

One of the most prolific recording artists and live performers in music history, Sir Van Morrison, took to the iconic Royal International Pavilion stage last night, captivating the crowd with a selection of Irish folk, jazz, blues and country music.

Morrison opened the sellout show with a beautiful rendition of ‘Astral Weeks’, then launched straight into ‘Sweet Thing.’

Both songs were released from the album of the same name 50 years ago in 1968, yet still resonate perfectly today and brought the audience to their feet.

Joined by his eight-piece band, including his musical director Paul Moran, Morrison barely drew breath for the following 90 minutes. 

This was his first appearance at the  International Eisteddfod and he enchanted the audience with his largely improvised set, featuring favourites including ‘Baby Please Don’t Go’, ‘Days Like This’ and ‘Have I Told You Lately’.

Morrison brought the show to a close and the audience to their feet with an exhilarating rendition of cult classic ‘Brown Eyed Girl’.

Eisteddfod music director Vicky Yannoula, said: “The audience was completely enthralled by Van’s unparalleled vocals and songwriting talent, and by the support of his exquisite band. It was such a mesmerising performance and a wonderful start to our weekend.”

This weekend included a performance-packed family funday on Saturday, celebrating those community groups that strive to create a sense of togetherness though music and dance on its outside stages.

Sunday is Llanfest 2018, the festival’s finale party, with outdoor stages hosting live bands throughout the afternoon and multi-platinum English indie pop-legends, Kaiser Chiefs headlining on the main stage in the evening.

MP shown Rotary's life-saving project

* Rotarian Molly Youd shows Susan Elan Jones MP

the ShelterBox display at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones met with top Rotarian Molly Youd at the Eisteddfod and learned about Shelterbox - a project that saves lives and helps people stranded in global disaster zones.

Rhostyllen resident Molly Youd was the first female District Governor for Rotary District 1180 - an area that covers North Wales and much of the North West of England. She now holds another senior role - promoting Rotary’s People of Action message.

Ms Jones said: “ShelterBox is an amazing project. Every green box sent out contains a home for ten people and while the contents vary according to climate, many provide solar lights, water storage, tools, blankets and cooking utensils.

"The boxes can be sent out at very short notice and because Rotary is an international organisation with 1.2 million members in 200 countries, relief can be provide where it’s most needed right across the world.

“This is one of many tremendous projects that Rotary members are engaged with and it was great to meet with my constituent Molly Youd to learn all about it."

* Further information about the work of Rotary International can be found at rotarygbi.org

Peace Awards presented to two good causes

* Dr Waheed Arian receiving award from John Clifford,

Managing Director of Westminster Stone

and evening sponsor.

A charity that uses volunteer doctors from the UK and US to advise its colleagues in war zones and low resource countries using encrypted social media has won the Rotary International Peace Award.

Dr Waheed Arian and the Arian Teleheal charity was awarded the accolade, which is sponsored by Typhoo Tea, during the International Celebration concert at the Eisteddfod on Thursday.

Dr Arian was acknowledged for his pioneering charity, which connects doctors in the UK, US and other countries with their peers using their smart phones and Skype or WhatsApp, enabling real-time discussions on the best available care for patients. 

Arian Teleheal was set up by in 2015 by Dr Arian, a 34-year-old NHS doctor, who developed the scheme while he was working at Aintree University Hospital in Liverpool.

He has recruited over 100 specialists since its launch and the charity has already been credited with saving dozens of lives in Afghanistan and Syria. 

Pilot schemes in conjunction with Health Education England are to start in rural areas of Uganda and South Africa and schemes in more African and Asian countries are also planned.

Born and brought up in Afghanistan, Dr Arian’s family later moved to Pakistan where they spent three years living in a refugee camp.

Aged 15, Dr Arian came to London alone and with limited English. Four years later he was in Cambridge reading medicine. In September he received a UNESCO award for his work.

The Rotary National Peace Award, supported by Westminster Stone, was also presented at the ceremony. Former social worker, Sara Rowbotham, who was unable to attend the presentation, was acknowledged for her work with the Rochdale Crisis Intervention Team for the NHS.

As a front line sexual health worker and lead for the crisis team she fought to ensure that the voices of vulnerable young people in her care were heard. Her work played a key role in exposing the Rochdale child sex abuse ring and helped to bring the perpetrators to court. 

The presentation of the prestigious awards celebrated the third year of the partnership between the International Eisteddfod and Rotary International, one of the largest humanitarian organisations in the world. The award recognises individuals or organisations responsible for the furtherance of peace though their work.

The partnership is an extension of the aims of both organisations, in particular those fostered by the unique foundations of the International Eisteddfod, which was established to promote peace and harmony between nations. 

Dr Arian said: “I founded Arian Teleheal so that people in terrible conditions around the world could benefit from world-class healthcare through using everyday technology. Our aim is to help local doctors give their patients the best possible care.

“However, by doing this we are also bringing communities together who would otherwise never meet – an off-duty doctor in the UK using her smartphone to help save the life of a young boy in Kabul. They’ll never meet, but his parents know how she has helped, building a connection between these communities which will last forever.

“In addition to our clinical advice, we are increasing our educational sessions for doctors overseas, strengthening the links between people. Our volunteer doctors thoroughly deserve this International Peace Award, which is for all of them, and all the doctors in the countries they help.”

Speaking after being named the winner of the national tier of the award Sara Rowbotham said: “I’d like to thank all at Rotary International for honouring me in such a way. It’s very humbling to know that so many people both support me and recognise the needs of vulnerable young people after being isolated and unheard of for such a long period of time. I’m thrilled to accept this award – thank you.” 

The adjudicating panel was chaired by Richard Hazlehurst of Bradford Rotary Peace Centre; who was joined by United Nations peace honouree 2017 and founder of The Peace Project, Jean Best, as a judge. 

As peace initiatives take many different forms, the judging panel considered the public benefit of each project, the profile and longevity of each organisation or individual and the impact of their work.

Richard said: “So many of this year’s nominees adhered to simple motto of The Rotary Foundation – do good in the world but both Dr Arian and Sara Rowbotham’s contributions stood out.

“Dr. Waheed Arian showed remarkable determination in his journey from refugee camp to highly respected medical practitioner. His imagination and innovation led him to set up a scheme whereby doctors and surgeons working in war-torn areas can consult with colleagues in the UK about individual cases using their smart phones and Skype or WhatsApp, saving lives and improving care for patients across the globe.

“Sara Rowbotham also demonstrated great courage and commitment in her fight to ensure that the voices of vulnerable young people in her community were heard.”

Eisteddfod President Terry Waite CBE said: “Once again we were presented with a truly outstanding shortlist for this wonderful award, which made the task of selecting our two winners an incredibly tough job for the adjudicating panel.

“However, it also gave us incredible hope and joy to see just how many people are working towards the very same goal as the International Eisteddfod and Rotary International – the furtherance peace and goodwill in our fragile world.

Past District Governor for Rotary International Molly Youd, added: “This year’s awards really did build on the success of the past two years. Each and every one of the organisations nominated deserve recognition for their tireless work promoting peace and understanding here in the UK and worldwide, in particular our two winners.

“The International Eisteddfod’s message of global friendship now more relevant than ever and we are delighted that our partnership with the festival has once again allowed us to recognise on a global platform these two remarkable individuals, who are working towards making our world a better, more peaceful place.”

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

Crowds pack Llan for Parade of Nations

Colourful contingents from across the world took part in this afternoon's annual Parade of Nations from the Eisteddfod field into town and then back.

Thousands of cheering, waving onlookers lined the sun-drenched route to watch the parade - with musical impetus provided by Llangollen Silver Band and a lively group of Indian drummers go by.

At the head of the procession was Eisteddfod president Terry Waite at the wheel of a vintage car provided by Llangollen Motor Museum.

llanblogger was on hand to capture some of the colourful scenes.

Your chance to see bands on the field for £1 today

The Eisteddfod has launched a "Bands on the Field for £1" special offer for the rest of today.

This means you can follow the parade, which starts at 4.30pm, back to the field from the town centre for just £1 and enjoy the pre-concert bands playing there until 7.30pm.

Details are below ...

   

Earlier today ....

The packed programme of Eisteddfod entertainment at the town's new Centenary Square continued today (Friday).

A selection of competitors came down to the field to perform for large crowds and llanblogger was on hand to capture the action.

* The Golden Gate Chorus from San Fransciso in the USA thrill the crowds with their choral selection.  

* From closer to home came the Cathays Brass band from Cardiff who played a number of sing-along tunes.

Friends of Eisteddfod hand over bumper cheque to festival

* FLIME chairman Barrie Potter presents the £40,000 cheque to Eisteddfod treasurer Paul Coleman watched by music director Vicky Yannoula.

The Friends of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod (FLIME) has presented its largest ever annual donation to the festival. 

The £40,000 – double the organisation’s usual contribution – brings the total raised since the Friends were founded in 1973 to almost half a million pounds. 

The cheque was presented to Eisteddfod treasurer Paul Coleman and music director Vicky Yannoula on the Royal International Pavilion stage by Barrie Potter, chairman of FLIME.
 
Each year the main contribution comes from FLIME subscription fees, supplemented by coffee mornings held throughout the year and a collection and tombola at the festival itself.  

This year’s donation has been boosted by a £20,000 bequest from the late Ms Celia Jackson, who had been a Friend of the Eisteddfod since the early 1980s.
 
Barrie Potter said: “I am always heartened to find that many of our members feel the need to give more than their annual subscription and to know that they are so dedicated to helping this wonderful festival, even after they can no longer attend.  

“We know that Ms Jackson was particularly fond of the choral competitions, so part of her donation has gone to support these, especially those for children and young people. The remainder of her bequest has gone into the Bursary Fund, which helps groups from poorer communities with in-country expenses.

“The fund was originally set up with the help of the Friends' donation and it is wonderful to be able to contribute to boosting the level of cultural diversity on the field by helping people who, for financial reasons, might not otherwise have the opportunity to take part on such a prestigious international stage.

"This year 22 groups have been offered grants from the fund from countries including Zimbabwe, Kyrgyzstan, Albania, India, the Czech Republic, Indonesia, South Africa and Poland." 

Subscriptions to FLIME range from £18 per year for an individual to £32 per year for a family and members benefit from priority early booking for all day sessions and evening concerts, news and updates through the year and the opportunity to express ideas and views of the future of the  Eisteddfod. 

* For more information about FLIME, visit www.llangollen.net