Eisteddfod announces 2020 concert line-up

* Aled Jones and Russell Watson star in the 2020 eisteddfod.

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has revealed its 2020 line-up and opened its priority booking in time for Christmas.

Taking to the Pavilion stage are powerful singing duo Russel Watson and Aled Jones plus British "Queen of Soul" Beverley Knight.

Llanfest 2020 features BRIT award winners James Morrison and Will Young.

The 74th Eisteddfod, which runs from July 7-12, and has daily performances and competitions, featuring some of the most prestigious artists and choirs from around the world, culminating in the world renowned Choir of the World award.

Eisteddfod artistic director Dr Edward Rhys-Harry, said, “We are very proud to launch our programme of musical excellence and international diversity. We always aim to bring the world’s very best artists in music and dance together here in Wales, to perform in an unparalleled spirit of friendship.

“The events running each day reflect our vision of promoting peace through music and the evening concerts really do have something for everyone.”

Russell Watson and Aled Jones appear together in the evening concert on Tuesday July 7.

Wednesday night sees Manchester Collective’s Sirocco offering a unique evening with the essence of the International Eisteddfod at its core as different musical elements from different cultures sit side by side.  

* Beverley Knight makes her Llangollen debut in the Friday concert. 

* Will Young is on the bill for Llanfest. 

* James Morrison also star in Llanfest.

The full evening concert line-up includes:

Tuesday July 7 – Back in Harmony: Aled Jones and Russell Watson

Following their sell-out 2019 In Harmony tour, two of the classical world’s greatest voices present an evening that will feature a wealth of well-loved hymns, arias, and popular songs - ranging from a rousing Funiculì, Funiculà to a peaceful The Lord is My Shepherd.

Wednesday 8th July – Fusion: Uniting Cultures Through Music (£25)

At the heart of the International Eisteddfod is the celebration of diverse cultures coming together through music and dance. The captivating Wednesday evening concert takes this theme of fusion, with various musical elements from different cultures sitting side by side.

The second part of the evening will feature Manchester Collective with a special excerpt from their critically acclaimed show, Sirocco, an electrifying fusion of Western Classical Music with the music of Africa.

Thursday 9th July – A Concert for Peace (£27/£20)

The inaugural Concert for Peace highlights the unique founding values of the International Eisteddfod - international peace, goodwill and understanding. This concert will feature the Parade of Nations presented by eisteddfod president Terry Waite CBE, the annual Peace Message, the Rotary Peace Award and performances by international participants and special guests.

Friday 10th July – BK25: Beverley Knight (£40/£35)

Beverley Knight. Three times MOBO award-winner and Lifetime Achievement recipient from the Urban Music Awards, she is best known for her hit singles Greatest Day, Shoulda Woulda Coulda and Come As You Are and for her roles in West End shows including The Bodyguard and Memphis.

Saturday 11th July - Choir of the World (£30/£25)

The finest choirs perform to compete for the coveted Pavarotti Trophy and Choir of the World title. Dance Champions of the World will also be crowned alongside the Pendine International Voice of the Future, which has been included in the Saturday evening programme for the first time.

Llanfest with James Morrison and Will Young (£49.50)

The finale to Llangollen 2020 is the Llanfest festival on the Sunday. BRIT Award winning artists James Morrison and Will Young co-headline Llanfest with individual sets that include greatest hits and material from their latest albums.

* Priority booking for all concerts opens from 9.30am Monday December 9 for Friends of the Eisteddfod and those wishing to buy a Festival Pass for the week. Tickets will then be on sale to the general public from 9.30am on Tuesday December 17 online at www.llangollen.net or via the box office. You can become a Friend of the Eisteddfod during this priority booking period and gain access to these advance tickets, contact the box office on 01978 862001.

Llan appears in list of top places to visit for Christmas

Llangollen has appeared in a list of 15 picturesque UK towns to visit in the run-up to Christmas listed in Saturday's Guardian newspaper.

Llan is there in the hallowed company of such tourist hotspots as Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire, Bamburgh in Northumberland and Corfe in Dorset.

It also has the distinction of being one of only two Welsh towns to make the Winter Weekenders list along with Abergaveny in Monmouthshire.

The listing for Llangollen, which appears under a stunning picture of Castell Dinas Bran, says: "On the banks of the River Dee, wreathed in pretty woodland and with a definite creative bent, Llangollen is a perky little Welsh gem. 

"Transport fans, prepared to be thrilled: not only is the town home to the impressive Pontcysyllte aqueduct, the UK’s largest stone and cast iron aqueduct no less, with festive canal boat rides at weekends through December (£14/£12 with mulled wine), but there’s also the Llangollen steam railway, dolled up with Chrimbo razzle-dazzle. 

"Rides upriver to the village of Carrog are themed as Santa’s Christmas Specials (£20), with gifts for kids and a tipple for grownups, daily until Christmas Eve; then, when Santa’s resting, “mince pie specials” (£18/£10) run from 26 Dec until 1 Jan. Those who prefer the brooding aspect of winter can climb up to the crumbling walls of Castell Dinas Brân (Crow Castle), on a hill above the town, for spectacular views.

"Next weekend, an International Christmas event at Llangollen Pavilion (15 Dec, llangollen.net, £13/£5) includes a “reverse grotto”, where guests can donate to the local food bank, plus world music, carols and mince pies.

"The town’s shopping options include trendy outlets (Ty Nook for cactus pots, plant books, statement earrings and bags made from Welsh blankets; Gwalia Ceramics for funky vases and milk jugs; teddies and bunting from Lily Rose Interiors) among the more traditional (see the Welsh Love Spoon store for sentimental stocking-fillers). In the Memorial Hall, Llangollen Country Market sells foodie gifts, plants and crafts on Friday mornings.

"For face-stuffing, try smart new bakery and cafe M’eating Point, and just outside town, cosy coaching inn the West Arms (doubles from £135 B&B) for a mean afternoon tea, dinner (goat’s cheese tart with micro herbs or organic Berwyn mountain lamb) and somewhere to sleep it off."

Commenting on the article on Facebook, the town's deputy mayor, Cllr Issy Richards, says simply: "Isn't it wonderful!"

* To see the article go to:  https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2019/dec/07/christmas-break-winter-weekend-15-pretty-uk-towns

Vote for your favourite Christmas tree

The Methodist Church has just launched its annual Christmas Tree Festival.

Colourful and creative trees from 11 local organisations have been entered and are on view at the church over this and next weekend.

That's today (Sunday) 12.30pm-4pm, then next Saturday December 14 from 10am-4pm and Sunday December 15 from 12.30pm-4pm. Voting forms are available at the back of the church.

Judging and the announcement of the winners will take place before Christmas.

Below are the trees which have been entered ...

* Tree 1: Gwlangollen.

* Tree 2: Ysgol Bryn Collen.

* Tree 3: Llangollen Tidy Town Team.

* Tree 4: Holy Cross RC Church.

* Tree 5: Llangollen Museum

* Tree 6: After School Drop-In.

* Tree 7: Llangollen Gardening Club.

* Tree 8: Dee Boys Men's Shed.

* Tree 9: Ysgol y Gwernant.

* Tree 10: Cefn Mawr Library.

* Tree 11: The Old Vicarage.

St Collen's stages successful Christmas fair

* Charlie Jones, left, checks out the hand-made knitted goods being sold by Myra Stoddart.

Bargain hunters and those just after some Christmas spirit came flocking to the St Collen's Church annual Christmas Fair at the Town Hall this morning.

llanblogger was on hand to capture some of the action ...

* Llangollen Silver Band plays some well-known Christmas sounds.

* Some tasty treats on the refreshment stall.

* Scouting for a bargain around the various stalls.

* The fair gets busy around lunchtime.

Plan to reduce plastic use takes step forward

Plans for Denbighshire County Council to significantly reduce its use of single-use plastics have taken a step forward.

Members of the council’s Performance Scrutiny Committee have agreed proposals drawn up by a cross-party group of councillors to reduce the use of plastics within council offices, following a Notice of Motion approved by the Full Council. 

These proposals will now be put to Full Council in January 2020.

Proposals include the following within the council’s office buildings; no longer providing plastic water cups and single use paper/plastic cups for hot drinks and the removal of water coolers, automated hot drink machines and vending machines.

A campaign will also be launched to encourage everyone who comes to the three main Council offices to `bring their own cup’.

Graham Boase, the council’s Corporate Director, said: “Protecting the environment is a priority for the Council under its Corporate Plan and this project focuses on reducing the amount of single-use plastic within Council offices as well as showing leadership within the wider community.

“These actions will benefit the environment by reducing and avoiding the use of plastics in Council offices, as an example by just ending the provision of plastic cups at water coolers will see 140,000 fewer cups being used over the next ten years.”

Santa rewards Christmas window winners

* Santa and Christmas Festival Committee member Ian Parry, right, hand the winner's certificate to Sharon Jones on behalf of Lily Rose Interiors.

Santa himself handed over certificates to the winners of this year's competition to find Llangollen's most attractive Christmas window display.

On Monday the town's mayor, Cllr Jon Haddy, and deputy mayor, Cllr Issy Richards, toured shops and businesses picking out the most impressive seasonal creations as part of the Llangollen Christmas Festival staged last Saturday.

And after choosing the winners they called on Santa - aka Austin "Chem" Cheminais who chairs the festival committee - to make presentations to the lucky entrants.

Overall winner was Lily Rose Interiors in Castle Street, while the three highly commended windows were those at Jade's Hair & Beauty in Oak Street, Holben Hairdressing in Bridge Street and  Riverbanc cafe also in Bridge Street.

Chem said: "The appearance of our shops and businesses is all part of the process of Llangollen looking its best in the run-up to Christmas and our four winners have done us proud with their eye-catching presentations.

"I'd like to thank them and everyone who entered into the seasonal spirit by decorating their windows for all the fantastic effort they put into it."

* With the highly commended certificate for Jade's Hair & Beauty is Susan Davies.  

* Hannah Ford with the highly commended certificate for Riverbanc.

* Holben Hairdressing was also highly commended for its display. The certificate 
is accepted by owner Georgina Holben.

Empty homes problem should be tackled, says AM

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood (pictured) has called on the Welsh Government to help bring the around 27,000 private sector homes in Wales that have been empty for more than six months back into use.

Speaking in a debate on the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee Report: ‘Empty Properties’, Mr Isherwood, who is a member of the Committee, said that many owners do not wish to see their properties lying idle and should be supported to bring them back into use.

He stressed that when attempts to tackle the problem informally fail, local authorities have powers to deal with empty properties, but said “this isn’t straightforward”.

He said: “Having a national action plan in place, adopting genuinely community based approaches, accountability measures and establishing a source of legal expertise for empty property teams to access will be critical.

“As we stated, this should include work to understand the impact that having a specific officer with responsibility for empty properties can make – and training for Local Authority Officers and Members on the enforcement options available will be essential, as will the provision of flexible funding solutions that are sensitive to local needs and assist property owners.

“As a former Housing Association voluntary Board Member, I welcome the Welsh Government’s recognition that Housing Associations play a key part in bringing empty properties into use, but will need to see evidence that they have been genuinely involved by both Welsh Government and Local Authorities.

“Although the Welsh Government rejects ring-fencing for housing purposes of revenue collected by Local Authorities through the Council Tax premium on empty homes, we must see evidence that Local Authorities have been encouraged to use this funding to address local housing supply needs.

“It is deeply regrettable that the Welsh Government have only agreed in principal to our recommendation that they undertake a review with the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) of the current statutory enforcement powers available to Local Authorities to tackle empty properties in order to simplify them and make them more effective.

“It is also concerning that they have only agreed in principle to our recommendation that they and the WLGA undertake an exercise to assess whether second-home owners are avoiding payment of the Council Tax premium by falsely registering their property as a self-catering business or claiming that a family member has moved in. Serious allegations about this were made to us and we need the facts – especially where this could involve fraudulent activity.

“However, as I stated when we were debating Stage 3 of the Housing (Wales) Act “there is the danger that second-home owners who have put their life-savings into realising their dreams will be hit hardest” by the Council Tax premium – and therefore rent out their second homes rather than lose them – when “the people that can afford it will shrug this off”.

“Speaking here in 2011, I noted that Denbighshire’s Empty Homes Officer at that time, funded by Housing Associations, had told me that “every empty home has a different story.  The key is to understand why it is empty and to work closely with the owner to bring it back into use”.