Help save the planet with an e-bike delivery service

* The e-bike delivery service sets off Drosi Bikes' workshop. 

An enterprising Llangollen community workshop is offering a delivery service to customers of shops in the town using a planet-saving electronic bike.

Thanks to outside funding Drosi Bikes, based in Parade Street, has been able to buy an electric assist e-cargo bike. 

And every Friday, for a small fee, it is offering local people the chance to use it to have their orders from local shops delivered within a 10-mile radius of the town centre.

Ceri, of Drosi Bikes, said: "Thanks to funding from Clocaenog WFF and the National Lottery's Together for our Planet we have been able to purchase the e-cargo bike.

"It is available to hire at reduced rates for Llangollen residents and organisations and, every Friday, we have a dedicated rider offering sustainable deliveries across the town and surrounding areas. 

"The main aim for the project is to provide residents with a real alternative to a car, particularly for shorter journeys or when travelling into the town. In turn, this helps to lower CO2 emissions and congestion within Llangollen, as well as promoting and supporting local businesses. 

"It is also hoped the delivery option will give residents more opportunity to walk, cycle or take the bus into town, knowing we are able to assist in getting their items back to them, without the hassle of carrying heavy bags."

She added: " The way it works is customers head to their favourite independent shops within Llangollen and purchase their items as usual. 

"They fill out a delivery card which gets left with their order and stored in the shop. We pick up from each store every Friday morning and distribute - payment is made upon collection. 

"If we're delivering within the town it's a flat fee of £2. Beyond this, we charge 50p per mile, up to a range of 10 miles outside of Llangollen.

"During this trial period we are only able to offer deliveries on a Friday - we have a dedicated rider every Friday to offer this service. Going forward, we hope to increase the number of days through a mix of volunteer and funded riders.

"This service is currently operating from a couple of Llangollen shops but we're happy to pick up deliveries from any independent store. If your favourite shop isn't currently signed up, ask them to get in touch with us.

"To maximise the efficiency of the bike, we're also happy to pick up items after dropping off deliveries, such as small items for the charity shop, food donations for the food share and so on."

Planning application to transform Royal Hotel is approved

* The Royal's planning application has been approved by the county council.

The planning application to transform Llangollen’s historic Royal into a ‘destination’ hotel has been approved by Denbighshire County Council.

Standing at the corner of Castle Street and Bridge Street, it is one of the town’s landmark buildings and dates back to 1752.

Overlooking Centenary Square, it is Grade II Listed and has been closed since 2019,  

A council spokesperson said the permission for application number 03/2022/0173 was granted under delegated powers and allows for the demolition of the original existing extension, the erection of a four-storey extension to the side and rear, including health spa, and additional hotel accommodation.

The spokesperson added: “Also approved is the erection of a two-storey kitchen extension to the existing courtyard plus the installation of a canopy and decking to the rear and associated works.

“Officers have also recommended that Listed Building consent be granted for the same works under application ref 03/2022/0174. However, this recommendation is currently being considered by CADW.”

The application was submitted last March in the name of Matt Jones of MAVI Properties Ltd based in Middle Sontley, Wrexham.

At the time a press release from the company said the development would give the ability to create an estimated 45-plus jobs.

The application explained that the aim of the plan was to “create a destination venue and to improve accessibility of the existing historic element.”

It also said there would be: “Works consisting of partial demolition of existing a 1960’s extension to facilitate the creation of an all-new spa extension with additional high-end accommodation above. New restaurant area to be created to existing basement with extended external decking area.”

The application adds that in 2019 a public consultation meeting was held at the Royal Hotel to allow local residents and business owners to opportunity to meet the project team and to review and discuss the design intentions.

It said: “During this meeting, the project’s aim to turn the Royal into a ‘destination hotel’, potentially with a Michelin star restaurant, Spa and terrace with the ability to create an estimated 45+ jobs were discussed.

“The intention to develop the project with the Local Authority and CADW was stated, to not only preserve the historical characteristics of the building, but to also provide an asset to increase footfall to the town. As part of the discussion, the issue of erosion to the existing riverbank wall was raised. Remedial works were subsequently completed in 2021.”

The application stated that there would be no demolition of any Listed buildings, either partial or total.

It went on to say the redevelopment would provide the opportunity to employ the full-time equivalent of 45 people.

Llangollen fire crews use app to locate forest blaze

* The What3Words app used to locate the forest fire last night.

Llangollen fire station is highlighting the benefits of using a new app to locate a local forest fire yesterday (Sunday) evening.

On its Facebook page this morning it says crews attended the blaze in Pen Coed woods at 8.35pm.

And it adds: "The crews worked hard in the heat to pull up 120 meters of hose to the seat of the fire. 

"A big thank you to a member of the public who called it in and met crews at the scene. 

"What3words was used, which is a great tool for the public to use if they are unfamiliar with their location. 

"It will locate you within a three-meter square anywhere in the world. 

"This is a location app that you can download. Please see the picture attached it’s a very good app." 

Overnight A483 closure will mean diversion through Llangollen

The Traffic Wales website has issued an alert to say that the A483 northbound between Chirk and Ruabon will be closed for cyclic maintenance overnight between 9pm on Friday July 15 and 6am on Saturday, July 16.

A diversion will be in place along the A5 and A539 through Llangollen, the alert adds.   

A483 : Northbound : Chirk to Ruabon

A483 : Northbound : Chirk to Ruabon : Cyclic maintenance : Diversion : A5 and A539 through LLangollen : 15/07/22-16/07/22 2100-0600 :

Type of event: Roadworks

Severity of disruption: Road closure

Start Date: 15/07/2022 21:00

End Date: 16/07/2022 06:00

Man dubbed 'new Bryn Terfel' wins Eisteddfod's Voice of the Future title

* Pendine Park proprietor Mario Kreft MBE presents the trophy to baritone Emyr Lloyd Jones, winner of the Pendine International Voice of the Future competition.

A 25-year-old baritone dubbed the new Bryn Terfel has been crowned as the best young singer in the world.

Emyr Lloyd Jones put in a stirring performance to take the title of the Pendine International Voice of the Future at the 75^th Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

Following a thrilling sing-off, watched by his proud parents and loving fiancée, he was presented with the Pendine Trophy - a solid silver salver, and a £3,000 prize by Mario Kreft MBE, proprietor of the arts-loving care organisation, Pendine Park, who sponsor the competition.

The prize comes from the Pendine Arts and Community Trust (PACT) which supports cultural and community initiatives across Wales.

In what the judges described as an extremely close decision, Emyr clinched the victory just ahead of the hugely talented soprano Oksana Lepska, of Latvia.

The two virtuosos had battled their way through preliminary rounds involving more than 20 competitors from countries as far afield as China and the USA.

Just six singers made it to the semi-finals which were held on the opening days of the Eisteddfod where they competed for the final two places to perform on the show-stopping night of the famous pavilion stage.

Emyr comes from Bontnewydd, near Gwynedd, which is less than 10 miles away from where Bryn Terfel was raised in Pantglas.

He said he was “over the moon” to have won such a prestigious prize especially in the eisteddfod’s landmark 75th anniversary year.

He said: “I feel absolutely honoured. There have been so many exceptional performances in this year’s competition that I was overwhelmed to have got into the final.

“It is an occasion which is very close to my heart. I have been competing and visiting the International Musical Eisteddfod with choirs since I was a young child so to achieve success like this in the pavilion for which I hold such affection, well it’s just staggering for me.”

Emyr impressed the Eisteddfod judges with his entrancing performances of Hai gia vinta la causa, from Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro; The Cloths of Heaven, taken from a poem by WB Yeats and Y Cymro by Meirion Williams.

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod executive producer, Camilla King, said his voice was reminiscent of opera mega-star Sir Bryn Terfel in his earlier years.

She said: “It has that same timbre, it’s rich, passionate, mellow and versatile. He doesn’t just sing but his voice takes you on a journey.

“I believe Emyr has the talent to become a future star of the same standing as Sir Bryn. In fact, both our finalists are outstanding talents and I’ve no doubt we will be seeing a lot more of them both in years to come.”

After studying for six years at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, where he met fiancée, fellow singer Rhiannon Ashley, Emyr’s career course is already moving on apace. He will spend the next two years studying at the famed Guildhall School of Music in London where Bryn Terfel was also once a student.

He is hugely excited to have been accepted by the Guildhall but the move has some bitter sweet consequences as it means he will be parted from Rhiannon for a year.

She is heading off to teach in the Welsh settlement of Patagonia in Argentina.

Emyr said: “We only got engaged just over a month ago and we are immensely looking forward to making a life together but at the same time we both have goals to achieve. It will be hard being apart but we already have plans for me to go over and visit Patagonia in December.”

Rhiannon, 25, who hails from Newcastle Emlyn, South Wales, was delighted to be in the audience with Emyr’s proud parents Derek and Gillian Jones, watching Emyr perform in the Pendine International Voice of the Future final.

She said: “We were on the edge of our seats. We’re all really thrilled for him. We knew he could do it and he sang brilliantly well. It’s been a fantastic evening.”

Emyr’s dream is to become a professional opera singer and have the chance to perform on some of the world’s great stages like the New York Met, La Scala in Milan and the Royal Opera House.

He would also love to perform with each of the national opera companies in Britain.

Mario Kreft added: "The ethos of the Eisteddfod chimes perfectly with the values of my wife, Gill, and I at Pendine Park in nurturing young talent.

“We firmly believe in the vital role played by music and arts in social care and as part of our enrichment programme for people with dementia.

“The Pendine Trophy, which is solid Edwardian silver bearing a Chester hallmark, was kindly donated by the late Tony Kaye of Kaye’s Jewellers. It’s a stunning and beautiful trophy.

“I think tonight we have heard some of the future famous names of the global operatic stage for sure. Both contestants have remarkable voices and they kept the audience enthralled with their different performances.

“To have such a high standard of competition particularly in this, the first year of live performances again following the difficult, heart-wrenching times of the pandemic, is wonderfully uplifting. It shows what a wealth of talent there still is among our younger generations of musicians.

“Emyr is a credit to his home village of Bontnewydd and an inspiration to other budding young singers from north Wales and further afield. It is our hope that this competition offers a stepping stone for outstanding young talents like Emyr and Oksana to go on and further their careers.”

Emyr said the cash windfall will be an enormous support towards his costs of living in London, as well as helping towards purchase of vital materials and extra tuition fees.

He said: “Apart from my delight about winning this is a tremendous boost on a practical level and will definitely help me afford to live in London, especially at a time when expenses everywhere are going up. I cannot thank Mario and Pendine enough.”

Eisteddfod chairman Dr Rhys Davies said the organisers would be overjoyed to see all the competitors again.

He said: “It has been a lovely evening, emotional, and heartwarming. We have been bowled over by the standard of performances. What a wonderful way to celebrate the 75th anniversary year of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.”

* Winner of the prestigious Choir of the World title at the Eisteddfod's closing evening concert was CF1 from Cardiff, conducted by former Llangollen Eisteddfod musical director Elir Owen Griffiths.

Overall winners of this year's dance competitions were Loughgiel from Northern Ireland.

* Cardiff-based CF1 won the Choir of the World title.

* Loughgiel won the overall dance competition.

International choirs sing at Eisteddfod closing service

* Palmdale High School Choir from California.

Three international choirs sang during a service of celebration to close the 75th anniversary Eisteddfod at St Collen's Church this morning (Sunday).

Palmdale High School Choral Union from California, USA, Cantica Nova from Slovakia and Vocal Ensemble Coloroso from Belgium, all of whom had competed at the Eisteddfod this week, filled the church with delightful choral music, each of them performing two pieces. 

The service, attended by Eisteddfod chairman Dr Rhys Davies who read one of the lessons, was conducted by the Vicar, Father Lee Taylor.

* Coloroso choir from Belgium.

* Cantica Nova from Slovakia.

In his address Father Lee spoke of how it had been proven that music releases "happy chemicals" into the brain to make people feel good about themselves and boost their mood.

Music was also a language that was understood no matter what tongue people spoke, allowing the promotion of light and peace in the world.

"That is something the Eisteddfod has been doing in a number of performances across our town," he said.

"We give thanks for the 75 years of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and also to all those people, living and departed, who have come here to share their music and traditions with us and hope this continues long into the future."

During the service a poem by composed by Llangollen's Gareth Culshaw and entitled "Eisteddfod Week" was read out. 

A day of colourful choral action on Eisteddfod's sizzling third day

* Brymbo Male Voice Choir on the Music Stage Saturday afternoon.

It was a melodic day of choirs both on and off the field on the third day of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod (Saturday). 

Action started early on the main Pavilion stage where three ensembles competed for the final of the Female Voice crown.

* Above, Belcanto from Kettering compete in the Female Voice Choir competition in the Pavilion. Below first, in the same competition, were Chanteuse Chamber Choir from Stafford and, below second, Peterborough Voices.  

Across the other side of the field on the Music Stage, the red-coated Brymbo Male Voice was going through its intricate vocal paces. 

Then over at St Collen's Church it was time for the latest lunchtime recital. 

First up was the sweet-voiced St Agnes Choir from Cornwall followed by the 2019 winners of the Eisteddfod's coveted Choir of the World title, John's Boys from Rhos.

* St Agnes Choir from Cornwall in the lunchtime recital at St Collen's.

* John's Boys Choir also sang in St Collen's.

Members of the audience heading back towards the field had the opportunity to stop off in Centenary Square to listen to the Bostock Singers from just across the English border in Northwich.

Later in the afternoon they could return to the square, with its packed streetside audience, to take in some songs from the New Dublin Voices from Ireland.

* The Bostock Choir from Northwich sing in Centenary Square.

* The New Dublin Voices choir perform in the square.

But the day wasn't just about dancing because at various locations people could take in some dance highly colourful routines from across the world, including that performed by street dancers from Kurdistan in Centenary Square.

* Kurdistan street dancers from London delight crowds in the square.

The action continues throughout the afternoon and the day culminates with the Saturday evening concert in the Pavilion, Choir of the World - both the competition of that name and some demonstrations by the winners of various singing and dancing competitions held over the past three days. This starts at 7.30pm.  

* Eisteddfod action at the sun helped make Castle Street busier than it's been for years.