Classic transport weekend draws the crowds

Llangollen Railway's Classic Transport event brought the crowds to Glyndyfrdwy at the weekend.

The field near the station provided a diverse array of transport including motorbikes, vintage cars, heritage buses, military vehicles and even two fire engines.

The visitors went on their way to Llangollen or Carrog by a frequent trains service or by heritage bus to Corwen.

George Jones has provided the pictures.

World champions chosen to end eisteddfod on high note

* John’s Boys Male Chorus are crowned Choir of the World. 

* Loughgiel Folk Dancers became Dance Champions of the World.

Following a week of intense competitions, the eisteddfod crowned John’s Boys Male Chorus Choir of the World and Loughgiel Folk Dancers Dance Champions of the World.

The whole pavilion erupted to rejoice with the Wrexham-based singers as they leapt to the stage to collect the Pavarotti Trophy - only the third time a Welsh choir has won the coveted title.

Aled Phillips from the choir, said: “After months of practice, we’re absolutely delighted to accept this prestigious award.  It was a truly unforgettable experience to be able to perform in such an iconic venue alongside world-class talent.

“We have absolutely loved our time in Llangollen, both performing on an International stage and having the chance to meet such inspirational individuals from across the globe. The atmosphere of the International Eisteddfod is indescribable. To be surrounded by peace, friendship and goodwill is an experience we will never forget.

“We are filled with pride and joy to be returning home with not one but two trophies!’

Following the presentations the concert concluded, as is traditional, with the Pavilion audience joining hands to sing Auld Lang Syne, bringing the 2019 eisteddfod to a close.

Speaking after the competition, his first as Music Director of the International Eisteddfod, Edward-Rhys Harry, said: “What a breathtaking competition and inspirational evening from our choral competitors. 

“After witnessing such world class performances that left our audience completely stunned, it was clear that the adjudicators really did have a tough decision on their hands in selecting the winners.

“It was incredibly emotional to see the result of months of hard work and preparation unfolding on the Royal Pavilion stage. "

St Collen's service closes 2019 eisteddfod

St Collen's Church hosted the annual service of celebration to close the eisteddfod this morning.

Conducted by the vicar, Fr Lee Taylor, it included a reading by president Terry Waite and songs from two American choirs, the Palmdale High School Chambers Singers from California (pictured) and Portland Phoenix Chamber Choir from Oregon.

Devoted duo notch up 73 years as eisteddfod volunteers

Devoted volunteers Leslie Potts and Bob Attenburrow have both celebrated 73 years of supporting the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

Leslie, right, and Bob have been working behind the scenes at the festival since it began in 1947 with Leslie lending his support to the tickets team and Bob’s involvement being within staging, visuals and flowers for the festival.

All-action day on the square and the World Stage

* Nsoroma's lively lead drummer led the crowd 

in a chorus of If You're Happy and You Know It 

at the start of their performance in Centenary Square.

* Beating out that rhythm on their drums.  

* Lleisiau'r Afon ladies' choir sing on the World Stage.

* Cor Meibion y Machlud male voice choir perform on the World Stage.

* On the back row was rugby legend JPR Williams.

It was another full day of entertainment action up on the eisteddfod field and in Centenary Square.

A highlight of the programme on the square was a rousing performance by African drumming troupe Nsoroma Culture.

On the World Stage up on the field amongst the groups pleasing the crowds was ladies' choir Lleisiau'r Afon from the Carrog area.

They were followed on stage by Cor Meibion y Machlud, a male voice choir from Cowbridge in the Vale of Glamorgan in whose ranks could be seen Welsh rugby legend JPR Williams. 

Gipsy Kings set the Pavilion alight

* Andrew Reyes and his Gipsy Kings ignited the Pavilion last night.

Grammy award-winning Gipsy Kings, featuring Andre Reyes, took the Royal International Pavilion stage by storm last night.

They wowed the capacity crowd with their infectious blend of hot rhythms and virtuoso guitar.

The audience put on their dancing shoes for vibrant rumba, flamenco and salsa sounds.

And it was the old Latin hands' biggest hits like Djobi Djoba, Bamboleo and Volare that brought them to their feet time and again, leaving them begging for more.

In one glorious moment a huge conga line threaded its way through the seats.

They opened the 90-minute show with an up-tempo rendition of A tu Vera before launching straight into Alegria.

Leader Andre Reyes barely drew breath during the proceedings and in his broken English kept telling everyone that he loved them.

And the audience loved them back, with interest.

Eisteddfod’s music director Edward-Rhys Harry said later: “The audience was completely blown away by Gipsy Kings and their phenomenal energy.

"Andre Reyes’s unparalleled vocals and mesmerising guitar playing ignited the crowd in the Royal Pavilion."

This weekend includes a performance-packed family fun day on Saturday celebrating community and togetherness through music and dance.

Sunday is Llanfest 2019 the festival’s finale party, with multiple stages hosting live bands throughout the afternoon and British rock bands The Fratellis and The Coral duo headlining on the main stage in the evening.

* For more information about the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and to buy
weekend tickets visit www.Llangollen.net

Nepalese group's amazing trip to Llangollen is remembered

* The Nepalese group is welcomed to the eisteddfod four years ago today. 
Todd Lockhead is in the centre rear of the picture wearing Nepalese costume.

The man who led a group of young Nepalese choristers on a visit to the eisteddfod back in 2015 despite their country being hit by a devastating earthquake has been back to thank some of those who made the trip possible.

New Zealander Todd Lochhead first saw the Rising Culture group perform when he was working as a teacher at the Rising English School where they were based in Bhaktapur, which is about 10 miles from the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu and around 100 miles from Mount Everest.

Four years ago he came up with a plan to bring them bring them the 5,000 miles to the UK to compete at Llangollen and a major fundraising campaign was launched.

The scheme suffered a huge setback when the region was shattered by two massive earthquakes within weeks which claimed thousands of lives and caused widespread destruction.

But, thanks to their sheer determination, a token contingent of five choir members - four boys aged 12 to their early twenties and a 12-year-old girl - were able to make their way to Llangollen in time to take centre stage on the festival’s penultimate day.

Exactly four years ago today, a reception committee including then-eisteddfod chairman Gethin Davies and musical director Eilir Owen Griffiths, along with scores of volunteers and visitors, waited at the main entrance to give a warm Welsh reception to the group at the end of their gruelling 28-hour journey to Llangollen.

Before they arrived at the gate they were serenaded by members of the Ar-Ol-Tri Male Voice Choir from Cardigan who gave them a rousing chorus of the hymn Calon Lan.

Later in the day the Nepalese, three of whom lost their homes in the first earthquake, had an equally rapturous reception when they took to the eisteddfod’s main stage to perform part of their centuries-old mask dance.

There was standing ovation from the audience which, according to eisteddfod chairman of the day Gethin Davies, was the first he had ever seen for a daytime performance.

The group repeated their dance during the evening performance featuring Choir of the World and Gareth Malone.

When they came off stage, the group were invited over to the Lions Club International stand on the field to receive a donation of £1,000 from Wrexham Lions Club which had been raising the money from a variety of events over the past four months.

This year Todd made a sentimental return trip to the eisteddfod where he called in at the stand of the Rotary organisation whose members had helped make the 2015 trip possible.

Rotarian Lizzie Clifford said: “We had a very emotional experience at Llangollen whilst volunteering on the Rotary stand.

“We met a man called Todd Lockhead who came to thank us for helping him to bring a choir from Nepal to the eisteddfod shortly after the terrible earthquake in 2015.

“There was meant to be 30 members of the group but only five members made it.

“He said Rotary had helped to fund their journey as they were left with nothing. He presented us with bags made by them including other gifts they had made.

“Todd told us he had spoken with the father of the choir members and had an update on their current situation.

“They are now thriving with one girl becoming a doctor and another opening a coffee shop.

“They said the hope and kindness they experienced at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod lifted them at a time when their lives were devastated. They will never forget this experience.

“So if ever there was a reason to keep going, working together to connect with others all around the world, this is it. It enriches the lives of everyone who experiences it.”

https://westminsterstone.com/llangollen-eisteddfod-2019/