Date chosen for 2021 Llangollen Round Challenge

* Competitors on a previous Llangollen Round
Challenge.

Organisers say they are delighted to announce that the 4th Llangollen Round Challenge will take place on June 5 and 6 in 2121.

A spokesperson said: "Hopefully, it will be bigger and better than ever - and even surpass that £66,000 raised for Cancer Research UK last time.

"Walking 35 miles over the hills in either one or two days is a true challenge - but it's not beyond you.  

"See details on our Facebook page and get training now."

New book launch this Saturday

Former chamber chair speaks out on BID

David Davies, former chair of Llangollen Chamber of Trade, has sent in the following statement about the Llangollen Business Improvement District (BID) voting for which is currently underway.

"BID facts

As past Chair, I am disappointed to see the Chamber of Trade press release of 24th February contained incorrect information. 

The impression given is that the full levy income of £440,000 will be spent on actual projects.  However out of this income, admin /operating expenses of £150,000 will be spent leaving the balance of £290,000 for actual project spending.  

The admin / operating costs expenditure of £150,000  (as shown on page 16 of the vote yes brochure) expressed as a percentage of the levy income of £440,000  is 34% - as stated on the Vote No fact sheet, not 11% as quoted by the Chamber.

Having fully evaluated the proposal, all eligible businesses are strongly encouraged to exercise their vote.

VOTE NOW – don’t miss the deadline."

Councillors' statement on Llangollen BID

Local county councillors Graham Timms and Mel Miles (pictured) have put out the following statement on the Llangollen Business Improvement District, voting for which is currently underway.

Llangollen is at a really exciting  point  in its history. Some major projects that have been planned over the last two years are now almost ready to go. We are fully engaged in obtaining funding streams from Denbighshire, Welsh Government, Visit Wales and the National Lottery to name but a few. If these projects go ahead, our town will see huge improvements to revitalise the area for residents, visitors and businesses.

The proposed Llangollen Business Improvement District (BID) is a great opportunity for business ratepayers in the middle of the town to join together to make even more good things happen; those things that will make a real difference to the prosperity and confidence of the town. Since the money raised cannot be spent on things that the county council already do, businesses will decide on the projects that matter to them the most.

A vote to accept the BID will show that businesses have confidence in the future of Llangollen and that together we want to achieve much more.

As councillors we continually raise the profile of the town in the county and across the region. We have spoken in favour of DCC voting for the BID and Denbighshire agreed to cast its votes ‘in favour’. It has 11 votes for its eligible sites within the area and will mean it will have to contribute over £6000 per year into the pot. 

Our potential funders are watching the Llangollen BID process. We believe that if the Llangollen BID is successful it will give a clear sign to these funders that a confident business community believes in a great future for the town.

Please get in touch if you would like to talk with us. graham.timms@denbighshire.gov.uk and melvyn.mile@denbighshire.gov.uk

Latest roadworks alert from Traffic Wales

 A5 Berwyn Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire

03 March — 04 March

Delays likely - Traffic control (two-way signals)

Works location: A5 Junction of Berwyn Street / Regent Street with Hill Street, Llangollen

Works description: Street lighting works. Works from 09:00hrs to 15:30hrs

Responsibility for works: Welsh Government

Current status: Planned work about to start

Works reference: PD5012059141026779

---

A5 Berwyn Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire

04 March — 05 March

Delays likely - Traffic control (multi-way signals)

Works location: A5 Junction of Berwyn Street with Hill Street, Llangollen

Works description: Tree cutting

Responsibility for works: Welsh Government

Current status: Planned work about to start

Works reference: PD5012059104144429

Happy St David's Day from llanblogger

Eisteddfod reveals more of its 2020 line-up

* Soprano Elin Manahan Thomas. 

* Only Men Aloud.

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has revealed more of its 2020 line-up.

This includes the UK première of Bobbi Fischer’s Magnificat featuring soloist Elin Manahan Thomas and a special performance by Only Men Aloud.

Fusion on Wednesday July 8 sees eclectic musical elements from different cultures sit side by side.

The first part of the evening will see a presentation of Magnificat in which this traditional choral work is fused with rhythm and harmonies of Latin America with Samba, Rhumba, Bossa Nova and Cha-Cha. 

In this setting of the hymn of praise from St Luke’s gospel Elin Manahan Thomas is the solo soprano as the voice of Mary. 

Described as one of the most exceptional sopranos of her generation, she released her debut album Eternal Light in 2017 and has performed at many of the world’s most prestigious festivals and venues and was invited to perform at the Royal Wedding in May 2018.  

Elin last appeared at the International Eisteddfod in 2017 to perform in Christopher Tin’s Calling All Nations concert.

The second part of Fusion will feature Manchester Collective with their critically-acclaimed show Sirocco in which nine players perform an electrifying fusion of music by composers such as Haydn and Mozart with traditional music of Africa.

The following evening, Thursday July 9, sees the inaugural Concert for Peace featuring a bespoke Llangollen-Special performance by Welsh Male Choir Only Men Aloud.  

Only Men Aloud have become well known for their strong vocals and their varied and eclectic repertoire. 

They have won BBC One’s Last Choir Standing, a Classical Brit Award for Best Album of the Year, performed twice at The Royal Variety Performance, and sang at the London 2012 Opening Ceremony at the very moment the Olympic Flame was lit. 

For Concert for Peace they will be performing a special programme of songs around the theme of peace. 

The concert will also feature The Parade of Nations presented by International Eisteddfod President Terry Waite, Young Instrumentalist winner 2019 George Todica (pianist), the annual Peace Message performed by local schoolchildren, the Rotary Peace Award and performances by international participants.

Fusion and Concert For Peace form part of the eisteddfod’s evening concert series, which this year also includes Back in Harmony with Aled Jones and Russell Watson, BK25 with Beverley Knight, and competition finale concert, Choir of the World.  

The week ends on Sunday with the one-day music festival Llanfest featuring co-headliners James Morrison and Will Young.

* Tickets for Fusion and Concert for Peace are available now online from Llangollen.net or from the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Box Office on 01978 862 0001