The further easing of Covid-19 restrictions, which began today, brought Julie Kirk Thomas's weekly Monday morning Strictly Fun dance classes back to Centenary Square.
Around 20 ladies gathered to go through their open-air paces led by Julie from 10.30am.
* A scene from the 2019 eisteddfod parade through the town.
After the usual live event was cancelled due to the pandemic, organisers have confirmed that this summer’s Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod will go online instead.
In a statement issued this morning, they say: “As the world continues to battle through the Coronavirus pandemic, we wanted to update you on our plans for Llangollen Online 2021 which are being adapted to reflect the environment that we are now all living in.
“As you’re
aware, we have suspended the traditional live competition strands for
Llangollen 2021, and are reimagining our event in a way that can be delivered
safely but which will still capture the magic of our international Eisteddfod
in a digital format.
“We were hoping to create a hybrid weekend as part of this year’s offer, featuring artists from the 2020 line-up including our iconic Llanfest evening, but due to continued restrictions this cannot be realised this summer.
“Llanfest ticket holders will be contacted by your ticket provider for a full refund in the next week.
“Any other customers who have retained tickets from 2020 will also be contacted in the next week to confirm their ticketing options. Further information is also available on our website and social media channels.
“We know that it will be a
disappointment to many that we are not able to put on our usual Eisteddfod this
year. But please be reassured that we remain committed to our Eisteddfod’s
founding mission of bringing people together through music and dance, which
will be at the heart of our alternative approach to Llangollen 2021. We
thank you for your understanding and as ever, we are grateful for your support.”
The statement gives no details of what this year's online events are likely to be.
* Issy gets ready to film her sequence on the show. Below: Items in her treasured collection.
A Llangollen woman went on national TV to show off her treasured pieces of local memorabilia.
Issy Richards, a former deputy mayor of the town, took her prized collection featuring the famous Ladies of Llangollen along to Bodnant Garden to be admired on BBC's Antiques Roadshow.
And long-standing expert Stephen Moore told her that her collection was worth around £350, although she said she had no intention of selling any of the items because they are of such great sentimental value to her.
Explaining how her appearance came about, Issy said: "I have always been fascinated by the story of Lady Eleanor
Butler and Sarah Ponsonby, the Ladies of Llangollen, and their home, Plas
Newydd, which is the jewel in Llangollen's crown.
"My late mother Heather Richards collected memorabilia about the Ladies including books such as Doris Grumbach's 'The Ladies' and Elizabeth Mavor's 'Life With The Ladies of Llangollen'.
"I've continued to collect items over the years, so when BBC 's Antiques Roadshow put out a call for interesting items, I sent a photograph of them, not expecting any further response."
She added: "However, I did then get a call from a BBC researcher who asked a few questions, then an email inviting me to bring my collection along to Bodnant Gardens on September 2nd last year.
"The weather on the big day itself couldn't have been worse, with torrential rain and high winds, plus it was very cold!
"Stephen Moore, who made his first appearance on AR in 1997, is a charming and colourful character with an interest in the Ladies of Llangollen himself, we had a preliminary chat and he selected half a dozen items for the filming.
"It was interesting watching other people being filmed from a gazebo nearby. I got a bit cold, damp and nervous, but then it was my turn.
"My items were set up on a high table, but it was so windy that a print knocked a piece of china onto the grass, everyone gasped, but fortunately it wasn't damaged.
"The cameras rolled, action was called, and hopefully people enjoyed seeing our Ladies on national television."
The following local roadworks alerts have been issued by one.network:
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Over 1,100 people aged over 70 received their second jabs during a Covid-19 vaccination clinic which ran throughout yesterday and today (Sunday) at Llangollen Health Centre.
As a full team of medics administered the second doses of the Pfizer injection indoors, volunteers from Llangollen Tidy Town Team once again took care of the car park stewarding.
Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes (pictured) has been elected a vice-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Woods and Trees.
The group meets to discuss ways in which woods and trees can be preserved, protected, expanded and the impact of climate change.
During the meeting at which Mr Baynes was elected members of the APPG also received a presentation of The Woodland Trust report entitled State of UK Woods and Trees.
Mr Baynes said: “I’m delighted to be elected vice-cChair of the APPG for Woods and Trees.
"This is an extremely important group and places woods and trees at the forefront of the agenda, ensuring they are protected at a critical time for our environment.
"I look forward to working with the group, to ensure that the vital role they play in safeguarding our eco-systems is recognised and that we can prevent further damage to our precious Welsh and other UK woods and trees.”
Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has blamed the pandemic for having to make four staff redundant.
However, as part of a restructuring
exercise, two roles have been created and filled by existing staff from the team of six, with a further one due to be advertised
shortly.
Due to the pandemic the
2020 eisteddfod had to be cancelled and replaced with a series of online
events.
This year’s festival has
also fallen victim to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis and has been postponed until
next year. A similar programme of alternative events is being planned.
In a statement about the
staffing cuts the eisteddfod management says: “The impact
of the pandemic has been devastating for us as an organisation.
“We had no other option but to
review our costs and re-structure to safeguard the future of the eisteddfod.
“It must be emphasised that the cuts are
in no way a reflection of the standard of work or dedication of our staff.
It follows the financial situation that has
arisen following the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Our board have been cautious
in our discussions, ensuring that we have looked at every possible source
of funding to safeguard as much of the workforce as possible.
“We have managed to maintain a
core staff team to oversee key areas of work over the next year until
we’re in a position to rebuild.”
In a further comment to llanblogger, they add: “The redundancy process involved the restructuring of the staff team of six. To confirm, four people have been made redundant.
“Following a consultation,
two new posts were created and two of the six staff members were successful in
securing these positions. A further post will be advertised next week.
“The changes reflect the
current needs of the organisation in light of the reduced workload and changing
circumstances.”
In an announcement back in January the eisteddfod said: “It is with deep regret that after careful consideration, we have to announce the postponement of our usual eisteddfod until 2022.
“We are working hard to create an alternative format for 2021 involving digital and hybrid options - details will be confirmed in late spring.”
