Melodic duo get Eisteddfod concerts back on song

* On stage: Aled Jones and Russell Watson.

Two of Britain’s finest voices combined in perfect harmony to get Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod’s legendary evening concerts back on song after a couple of years’ pandemic break.

From the moment they bounded on to the famous Pavilion stage Aled Jones and Russell Watson were in superb form, teaming up for numbers as diverse and powerful as the sweet hymn May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You before splitting up for solos like Watson’s breathtaking O Sole Mio.

The Great American Songbook was an obvious choice for them to both to deliver a sizzling Night and Day and a stirring Shenandoha.

We stayed in the same spine-tingling vein for a medley of Where Have All the Flowers Gone and Here’s to the Heroes.

Talking about heroes it was then time to head into a gripping Impossible Dream which ended the first half.

Watson’s impeccably Neapolitan Funiculi Funicula brought us back into the second half of the packed programme and we remained in the Med for Volare which saw the duo having fun with the packed audience as they tested out our own singing skills.

A real novelty was to see Jones dueting with himself as he sung along with a 1980s film of the boy Aled sweetly performing Pia Jesu.

After a couple of blissful hours things were wound up very appropriately for the venue as they left us  with a memorable Calon Lan.

An already brilliant evening had started off with Terry Waite, who had been the Eisteddfod’s much-loved president for 15 years bidding the fond public farewell he had been unable to do since leaving the role in 2020 due to the pandemic.

He was on stage to be presented with a commemorative award by Eisteddfod chairman Dr Rhys Davies who is himself relinquishing his role this year.

* Dr Rhys Davies with former president Terry Waite.

County's Town Trails being updated

* Llangollen's Town Trail is being updated.

Denbighshire County Council’s Tourism Team has been updating their suite of Town Trails which aim to inspire visitors and local people to explore towns in Denbighshire.

Recently the Llangollen and Ruthin editions have been updated to highlight recent changes to the towns including highlighting the new nature reserve in Wenffrwd, Llangollen.

The Corwen edition is the next Town Trail to be updated to help promote the new railway platform for Llangollen Railway's Corwen Station and the great efforts of the volunteers in the Corwen Museum.

Councillor Win Mullen James, Cabinet Lead Member for Local Development and Planning said: “The Town Trails are a great way to explore the fantastic towns in our County as they have been carefully organised to show off the best areas and provide interesting information to visitors and local people.”

“We are so lucky to live in an area which provides rich history and picturesque scenery and this is a great way to encourage people to get out and enjoy the fresh air.”

“I am looking forward to people experiencing the new audio feature being piloted in Rhyl as I think this new modern addition will attract a wider audience of people to the trails”

The Audio walk is available via the https://www.izi.travel/ and promoted on the town trail boards. If successful, the council is hoping to replicate the same audio trail for other Denbighshire towns in the future.

MP says he is 'sorry to hear' about Boris Johnson's resignation

Welsh Conservative MP for Clwyd South Simon Baynes (pictured) has issued a statement this afternoon following today's resignation of Boris Johnson as leader of the Conservative Party, while remaining Prime Minister until a new leader is elected by the party.

In it Mr Baynes says:  "I am very sorry about the resignation of the Prime Minister as I am a strong supporter of his and consider that he has achieved a great deal for our country, particularly in getting Brexit done, the highly successful Covid vaccine rollout and his outstanding international leadership on the war in Ukraine. 

"It was a particular honour for me to be elected as the MP for Clwyd South in 2019, a seat which he stood for as the Conservative candidate in 1997 and which he has continued to visit regularly and take a great interest in ever since.

"I was very pleased to be appointed by the Prime Minister earlier this year as a Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Ministerial team at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, a position which enables me to see the high level of legislative and reforming activity being enacted by his government.

"We will now have a leadership election campaign in the Conservative Party which I am sure will be conducted rapidly and in a constructive and courteous fashion. I wish the Prime Minister and his family all the very best for the future and thank him from the bottom of my heart for all that he has done for Wales and the rest of the United Kingdom."

* A strong supporter of Boris Johnson in Llangollen, former county councillor Stuart Davies, has this afternoon resigned from the Conservative Party over the way he says the Prime Minister has been treated.  

Mr Davies commented: "Given the way the PM has been treated by some members and some officers of the Conservative Party I feel that I have no option but to resign from the Party that I have been a member of since the 90s.

"Accordingly I have let the relevant people know that I have resigned. Boris has been a friend of Clwyd South and myself since 1997. The actions of political opportunists and some members has sickened me.

"Boris got the big things right, such as Brexit, Covid and the war in Ukraine.

"I am sad to see him go."

 

Eisteddfod's opening day has a powerful message for the world

* Leri Roberts delivers the Peace Message from the main pavilion stage.

The traditional Peace Message delivered this morning (Thursday) on the opening day of the 75^th Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has never been more relevant than it is today with the ongoing war in Ukraine, according to a Welsh Government Minister.

Dawn Bowden, Deputy Minister for the Arts and Sport, was special guest at Llangollen Pavilion where she joined a packed audience of hundreds of schoolchildren from across north Wales listening intently to the Peace Message being delivered by young Leri Roberts from the main stage.

* Eisteddfod chairman Dr Rhys Davies with Deputy Minister for the Arts and Sport Dawn Bowden.

The poignant words were written for the occasion by staunch Eisteddfod supporter Christine Dukes and were inspired by climate change activist Greta Thunberg.

They urged young people of the world to “stand side by side, shoulder to shoulder and heart to heart” to help the world find peace.

After hearing it read out the Minister commented: “The Peace Message was amazing and it was explained to me how it has developed over the years since the first Eisteddfod at Llangollen in 1947.

* A Serbian band delight the Children's Day audience. 

“It has never been more relevant than it is today, with what’s going on in Europe now with Ukraine. It was quite amazing.”

She added: “This is my first time in Llangollen and at the Eisteddfod since I was appointed last year.

“Being Minister gives me the opportunity to see so many cultural organisations, particularly those which have had Welsh Government support, like the Eisteddfod.

“It’s been an absolutely fantastic visit. I have seen a couple of performances already and will be talking to some of those involved in the Eisteddfod during a walk-around when I will also meet some of the performers.”

* The Mushroom Man with his carved creations was a top crowd-puller.

Due to the pandemic this was the first fully live Llangollen Eisteddfod held since 2019 and, as usual for the opening, it was Children’s Day which saw hordes of young visitors taking the chance to enjoy themselves on the various attractions dotted around the field.

Venues across town were used for other Eisteddfod events, including the preliminary rounds of a number of competitions whose finals will be held on the main pavilion stage over the next few days.

* A red dragon mascot greets young visitors to the field.

A number of choirs due to compete will perform in St Collen's Church and the first of these was the Palmdale High School Choral Union from California.

* Entertainer Bill Brookman's stand was another popular stop-off point.

* Shea Ferron, dashed from the Town Hall where he had been competing in the opening rounds of the musical theatre competition, to take to the music stage on the field in his other role as children's entertainer. He is seen, centre, MCing a dance-off between two visiting teachers. Miss Dodd's on the right was the winner.

* Local singer Cassius Hackforth competes in the preliminary round of the musical theatre competition at the Town Hall.

* Palmdale High School Choral Union from California sing at St Collen's Church.

* For more on Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and its competitions and concerts as well as how to get to it and where to stay go to http://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/ or check out https://www.facebook.com/llangollen

Cat Meade launches Food Share fundraiser

* Food Share's picture of its virtually empty shelves. 

The woman who spearheaded efforts to care for the community during the pandemic has swung back into action to fill the emptying shelves of Llangollen Food Share.

Cat Meade has just launched a new fundraising effort for the local charity which has revealed its current plight on social media.

In a recent post it said: "Every week, it is a challenge to get in enough food in the hub to make up approximately 40-50 weekly food parcels benefitting approximately 60-80 people

"We currently rely heavily on public donations. If you are financially comfortable, please consider donating cupboard food or cash in person or via Paypal or bank transfer." 

In her own post on the Llangollen Support Group, which she founded, Cat has posted: "The team of volunteers at Llan Food Share work day and night/seven days a week supporting local families, the community has been great with donations, however more and more demand is required every week. 

"On seeing the recent numbers the food share are assisting locally, I've put a call out to local businesses for help.

"As always, we look after our own and I am very thankful for the support to assist our fab team at food share."

Details of the fundraiser are:

* £5 per ticket 

* 1ST PRIZE Two Nights stay North Wales Bell Tents and Campsite worth £200.

* 2ND PRIZE £50 The Three Eagles

* 3RD PRIZE £50 Gales Wine Bar

* 4TH PRIZE £40 Rose Lily Interiors 

* 5TH PRIZE £25 The Sun Trevor 

* 6TH PRIZE £20 @KELLYS CHIPPY

* 7TH PRIZE Hamper Llangollen Oggie Shop & Fine Foods 

Tickets, which are available until next Wednesday, can be purchased via Paypal or @wingetts office between 11am and 1pm Monday to Friday.

Leave request for numbers or pop into office 

Draw is on  Thursday  July 14.

Donations to food share also welcome 

Food can be taken into Llangollen Food Share  every Tuesday between 10-11am or popped in their trolley in Llangollen Co-op.

New grants announced for community groups

 

A new Welsh Church Act Grant and Youth Led Grant for the 2022 – 2023 Financial Year have been announced by DVSC at the Llangollen Funding Fair with both grants now open for applications.   “Both the Welsh Church Act and Youth Led Grant have been big successes over the last few years, giving local groups here in Denbighshire the opportunity to make a real contribution across the county. We are looking forward to seeing a wide range of different projects applying again this year,” explains Rhys Hughes Enterprise and Learning Officer at DVSC.   Youth Led Grant   The Youth Led Grants Scheme is here to support a small range of volunteering projects and activities that are led and carried out by young people. The applications are selected and recommended by a panel of young people aged 14-25.   £5000 is available to support a range of small volunteering projects and activities, led and carried out by young people which contribute towards the seven Well-being of Future Generations Act (2015) goals:   A Prosperous Wales A Resilient Wales A More Equal Wales  A Healthier Wales A Wales of Cohesive Communities A Wales of Vibrant Culture & Thriving Welsh Language A Globally Responsible Wales The deadline for this years grant round is the 8th of August with a decision made on applications later that month.   To apply for the grant, fill out DVSC’s online application here.   Once you have accessed the document please click File in the top left corner and download to get your modifiable version.   DVSC are also looking for young people aged between 14 – 25 to join our Youth Panel for the Youth Led Grant. This will give young people the opportunity to become decision makers on the allocation of funding for youth led projects taking place in the community. Welsh Church Act Grant   Grants of up to £500 are available for local constituted organisations (including registered charities, charitable incorporated organisations, community groups who have been constituted for more than 6 months, parish or community councils, community interest companies, social enterprises, and uniformed groups). Other entities can be considered at the discretion of our volunteer led Grant Panel.   The grant priorities this year will be: Relating to or based in church run premises On the theme of dementia On the theme of loneliness and isolation Promotes wellbeing Supporting people with learning disabilities Volunteer community activity We are operating a rapid grant decision-making process with applications being considered on a rolling basis until funds are disbursed.  You will hear from us within 14 days of submission if your application has been successful. Apply as soon as possible to ensure your initiative or project receives funding!   To apply for the grant, fill out DVSC’s online application here.   Once you have accessed the document please click File in the top left corner and download to get your modifiable version.   If you want advice and guidance on the above grants contact DVSC’s bilingual Community Support team member, rhys@dvsc.co.uk or call him on 01824 702 441.

Eisteddfod returns tomorrow in blaze of colour

* Staunch Eisteddfod supporter Bill Kong.

The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod returns in a blaze of colour tomorrow (Thursday, July 7).

After a Covid-enforced absence, competitors are arriving in the picturesque Dee Valley town in time to celebrate the festival’s 75^th anniversary.

The Eisteddfod was founded in 1947 in the aftermath of the Second World War in a visionary attempt to  promote peace through musical harmony and dance.

The pandemic put a temporary halt to the festival as a physical event and it took on a virtual format last year, with performances streamed online.

Competitions start tomorrow ( Thursday, July 7)  and the festival culminates with Llanfest on Sundaywhen the eisteddfod will join forces with the Llangollen Fringe Festival.

Among the army of volunteers helping to put the festival is a wine expert from Hong Kong who fell in love with the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. 

For years Bill Kong flew 6,000 miles to work as a volunteer at the festival every year. 

He was captivated by the intoxicating magic of the eisteddfod on his first visit as an audience member in 2013 ago when he fulfilled a long-standing ambition to experience it for himself.

Bill said:  “I have been mesmerised by the magic of Llangollen. That means the music, the performers as well as the visitors and above all the hard work and dedication of all the volunteers throughout the year who make the Eisteddfod the incredible event that it has become.

“The young and the more seasoned have all played their part in the history of something so unique and special by participating in the legacy of the festival.”

* Anoushka Shankar is one of this year's stars. 

During the four-day event, there will be a host of new attractions and activities on the revamped outdoor site, including music, dance, talks, comedy, food, drink, shopping, workshops and pop-up entertainment.

In the evenings there will be concerts featuring the singing duo of Aled Jones and Russell Watson and Anoushka Shankar, the British-Indian-American sitar player, producer, film composer and activist who is a half-sister to singer Norah Jones.

The competitions climax on Saturday night with Choir of the World and the contest for the Pendine International Voice of the Future featuring the finest young singers from around the world on the stage where Placido Domingo, Kiri Te Kanawa, Elaine Paige, Michael Ball, Sir Bryn Terfel and Luciano Pavarotti have performed.

This year’s Eisteddfod is a shortened version of previous years but will still pack plenty in with a full programme of competitions in the Pavilion and starting on Thursday with Schools Day and the Young Peacemaker Awards.

Sunday sees the Eisteddfod let its hair down for Llanfest before the climactic final concert featuring indie rock stars Amber Run, blues powerhouse Elles Bailey and Bajan-Welsh singer songwriter Kizzy Crawford

Over the years the festival has helped launch the careers of global stars like Luciano Pavarotti.

Among those sending their anniversary congratulations were opera star Sir Bryn Terfel, First Minister Mark Drakeford and Aled Jones.

After competing on the famous pavilion stage as an up and coming young base baritone from Pantglas in Gwynedd, Sir Bryn went on to forge a stellar career as one of the world’s greatest opera singers.

In a specially recorded video message, Sir Bryn said: “I send my heartfelt congratulations to the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod as it celebrates its 75^th anniversary.

“A truly unique event that is lauded as an international treasure – the people, the stage, the audiences, even all those beautiful flowers at the front of the stage making such a truly memorable and unique experience.”

First Minister Mark Drakeford is also a big fan of the event and what it stands for.

In his video, he said: “The Llangollen International Eisteddfod is truly an icon of the Welsh cultural landscape, and it’s particularly exciting to be able to welcome in person attendees back to the event and back to Wales this year.

“As relevant today as when it was first established in the aftermath of the Second World War, the overriding message of the International Eisteddfod is of international harmony and cooperation and it gives us that annual opportunity to reflect upon these vital priorities.”

Meanwhile, Eisteddfod Patron the Prince of Wales has written the foreword for the official programme.

On the last occasion in 2015, when he was accompanied by the Duchess of Cornwall, he was captured on camera dancing to a bhangra beat with the Sheerer Punjab Bhangra Dance group from Nottingham.

In the foreword he said: “It is a source of great pride to me, as Patron of the Eisteddfod, that Wales should have given the world this shining example of peace and harmony.

* For more on Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and its competitions and concerts as well as how to get to it and where to stay go to http://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/ or check out https://www.facebook.com/llangollen