Flags put up on the bridge ready for Eisteddfod

* Workmen use a cherry picker to put up the flags on the bridge.

* Flags now lining the bridge ready for the Eisteddfod.

Preparations for the 2023 Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod are getting well underway with the fixing up of the international flags on the town bridge this morning (Thursday).

Workmen used a high-lift cherry picker to fix the flags to the poles and also put up the bunting which traditionally lines the bridge.

Guy Barker’s Big Band will take the stage at Llangollen as part of a high quality series of concerts which kick-off on the Tuesday evening, July 4, with Eisteddfod favourite Alfie Boe who joins forces with musical theatre super-group, Welsh of the West End.

Wednesday will see The White Flower: Into The Light, a concert of remembrance for the fallen of Sarajevo and Ukraine, featuring the NEW Sinfonia orchestra with soloists from Bosnia, Wales and Ukraine, with works including extracts from Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man culminating in the Eisteddfod’s traditional message of peace and hope for the future of all nations

The popular procession of international participants and celebration of peace takes place on Thursday, followed by Flight, a new theatrical work by visionary artists Propellor Ensemble, inspired by migratory patterns in nature and humanity.

Saturday features the blue riband event, the Choir of the World competition for the coveted Pavarotti Trophy, and also Dance Champions and the Pendine International Voice of the Future 2023.

There is a new look to the final day of the Eisteddfod on Sunday with an all new live final which sees rising vocal stars battle it out to claim the title Voice of Musical Theatre, and a new song-writing competition for emerging voices in contemporary popular music.

On the field, community bands, brass, silver, wind,  compete, and audiences can choose their winner of the new Eisteddfod Dance Off.

As well as the concerts, each day features a full programme of competitions in the Pavilion and a line-up of stalls and exhibitions on the field along with the competitors from around the world, many in colourful dress while three open-air stages run a stream of live performances.

There will also be lots of entertainment on the outside site including workshops, talks, international showcases, outdoor theatre performances and circus skills.

* For tickets or 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 www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk or check out www.facebook.com/llangollen

MP raises Johns' Boys' BGT achievement in Prime Minister's Questions

* Johns' Boys on the BGT semi-final.

At yesterday's Prime Minister’s Questions, Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes celebrated the recent Britain’s Got Talent performance of Rhos-based choir, the Johns’ Boys Male Chorus. 

He asked the Deputy Prime Minister, Oliver Dowden MP, to join him in congratulating the choir on their magnificent performance as well as the work of other community choirs in Clwyd South and across the UK who bring pleasure to singers and audiences alike.

 

Mr Dowden congratulated Johns’ Boys on their success in BGT, noting that choral music is one of the UK’s greatest contributions to global culture. 

He praised the "fantastic achievement" of the choir in reaching the semi-final of the competition commenting that he is sure Johns’ Boys will continue to entertain and engage communities for many years to come.

* Deputy Prime Minister Olver Dowden congratulates Johns' Boys in the House of Commons.

 

Speaking at Prime Ministers Questions, Mr Baynes had said:  “Wales is the land of song and there is no better example of this than Johns’ Boys Male Chorus from Rhos in Clwyd South who have performed magnificently in the recent series of Britain’s Got Talent, moving Bruno Tonioli and the other judges to tears. 

"Would the Deputy Prime Minister join with me in congratulating the choir and also the many community choirs in Clwyd South and across the UK who bring such pleasure to the singers and audiences alike?” 

 

The Deputy Prime Minister responded: “Choral music is possibly one of our greatest contributions to global culture and really do join my Honourable Friend in congratulating Johns’ Boys Male Chorus for their fantastic achievement in reaching the semi-final of Britain’s Got Talent and I’m sure they will continue to entertain and engage communities for many years to come.” 

Skates calls on health board to publish 'sobering' financial report

A North Wales MS has called on the region’s troubled health board to publish a ‘sobering’ report into its accounting issues. 

Speaking in a Senedd debate about Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) yesterday, Clwyd South MS Ken Skates (pictured) said the Ernst & Young report ‘has caused enormous interest in north Wales and has undoubtedly further damaged public trust in the organisation’. 

BCUHB is currently seeking legal advice over publication. Mr Skates said it should be a case of ‘when’ and not ‘if’ – and believes BCUHB has a duty to rebuild public trust. 

He told the Senedd: “Firstly, we should recognise that NHS staff in north Wales, as across the whole of the United Kingdom, do amazing work each and every day. As others have already said, the health board in north Wales is in special measures, but so too are more than 20 health boards in England, I believe, and that can be in no small part due to pressures resulting from years of austerity. 

“But the designation of special measures status should not undermine our support or commitment to the NHS. Surely it’s those American health insurance companies and private health providers who are most excited and gleeful about so many English health boards, along with Betsi Cadwaladr, being in special measures. I believe that nobody in this Chamber wants them to realise their ambitions and take apart our precious NHS. 

“The Ernst & Young report has caused enormous interest in north Wales, and information emerging from it has undoubtedly further damaged public trust in the organisation. 

“The report is owned by the board, and the board must rebuild public trust in the organisation. To build trust, you must provide the truth and be transparent. The board should not be asking for legal advice over whether to publish the report, but instead seek legal advice over when and in what form it should be published, in a form and at a point that will not prejudice any disciplinary action that may have been initiated or may yet be initiated. 

“Finally, I’d also urge the board to publish the legal advice it received, so the public can enjoy maximum transparency.” 

Health Minister Eluned Morgan said: “The audit committee of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, on advice from the Welsh Government, commissioned Ernst & Young to undertake a forensic review of accounting management after Audit Wales qualified the health board’s accounts for 2021-22 and identified internal control failures. 

“This was not our report, so I can’t ask for it to be published. This report was commissioned by the health board, so any decision to publish any or all of the report is a matter for the health board.” 

Ms Morgan said that if the legal advice to BCUHB is to publish the report ‘in full or in part, that is what they will do’. 

She added: “The report makes very sobering reading, and sets out some really serious failings in financial control at the health board. It did not find any evidence that anyone has personally benefited from these actions, but it did amount to extremely poor accounting practices. I have received assurances from the interim chair and interim chief executive that the health board has developed, and is implementing, a financial control action plan that responds to the issues raised in the EY report and Audit Wales findings.” 

The Minister said her department is working closely with the health board on the development of a financial governance and management action plan as part of the special measures framework. 

She added: “North Wales Police has yet to confirm whether it considers there are grounds to launch an investigation into claims made in the report. I know the police have had early discussions with NHS counter-fraud service and the health board and that the health board is co-operating. I would expect them to act in a transparent and honest manner, should the police decide to investigate.”

Family takes on Three Peaks Challenge in memory of Leo

 

* Leo's mum Sian, sisters Alessa and Lace and dad Garry. 

* Leo Roberts.

The mum and dad of a toddler from Llangollen who died suddenly earlier this year are taking on the Three Peaks Challenge in his memory this month to raise money for Hope House Children’s Hospices.  

Leo Roberts was nearly three when he died at hospital in February after quickly becoming ill one day at home.  

Leo was moved to Hope House’s special Snowflake Suite after he died, so that his mum and dad, Sian and Garry, and his brother and sisters, Max, Alessa and Lacey, could spend time with him and say goodbye while being supported by the hospice team. 

 “Never in a million years would we think something like this would happen. Leo showed no signs of being ill before the day he died and we still don’t actually know what happened,” said Garry.  

“Leo was a mischievous little boy with lots of energy, he’d always be getting up to something. 

“After he died we were told at the hospital about Hope House and the Snowflake suite and being there meant we could be with Leo as a family for a few days. I can’t imagine what it would have been like if we hadn’t had that chance to spend time with him, and it was only possible because of Hope House.” 

Mum Sian said Leo is greatly missed by his family but that he also touched many other people in Llangollen. 

“People knew Leo, he was so outgoing. The bin men would always flash their lights for him as he was into his trucks and diggers, and he even knew the postman better than we did,” she said. 

“Once you’d met Leo you didn’t forget him, he left an impression on everyone. He was a real boisterous little boy.  

“It was an ongoing joke that Leo would always have his wellies on the wrong feet when he walked out the house. You could put them right in front of him and he’d still have them on the wrong feet.  

“We were planning normal things as a family like holidays and going to Chester Zoo for Leo’s third birthday. 

“Losing Leo so suddenly, I honestly can’t describe how that feels – but I know that having that time with Leo at Hope House was so important. It wasn’t a clinical room like you’d think of at a hospital, it was our home for a few days where we could be with him. All the staff there were absolutely incredible. 

“We do still have Leo with us every day at home in a special memory bear, wearing his Manchester United kit. 

 “Walking the Three Peaks will be us giving something back to say thank you, but also help in some way to make sure families can have access to the care we did in the future.” 

There will be a group of 18 friends and family taking on the challenge of climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon on Sunday June 25.  

Leo’s sisters Alessa and Lacey have also held a sponsored walk at their school Ysgol Bryn Collen, which will be added to the fund. 

* If you would like to donate to Garry and Sian’s Three Peaks Challenge then please visit www.leojamesroberts.muchloved.com

Choirs' joint concert planned for July 1

 

A concert by Cantorian Rhos and Rhos Male Voice Choir will be held in Wrexham next month.

New station and revived hotel will benefit Corwen, says councillor

 

* The impressive canopy of the new Corwen station.

The extension of Llangollen Railway to Corwen’s newly-opened station will help drive the town's economy especially when coupled to the planned revival of a major hotel there.

The £1.25m station, at the end of the main car park, had a fanfare opening by Network Rail chairman Lord Peter Hendy last Friday afternoon.

And in his speech he said: "Two hundred years ago the railways changed the face of Britain and now this station will do the same for Corwen."

Llanblogger asked Corwen Town Council exactly what benefits the station, built largely by volunteers, they believed it would bring.

And Cllr David Counsell said: “I’m a member of the town council but I'm also heading the town’s bid to purchase the Owain Glyndwr Hotel.

“So my personal opinion of the impact of the railway is that on its own the impact will be limited unless the town fully embraces it.

“Key to this is purchasing the Owain Glyndwr Hotel. We are already drawing up business plans to reflect the railway timetable and if other businesses do the same then there will plenty for visitors to do when they come.

“The purchase of the hotel is key to this and other opportunities for the town. The share offer is open and we hope be in a position to buy the pub soon.”

The Owain Glyndwr (OG) has been for sale for a number of years and is said to be an ideal prospect for community purchase.

 

The bid group’s website says: “In the past it has been a focal point for many social activities in Corwen and deserves to be so again.

 

“The Save the OG group came together in September 2021 and with purchase in mind undertook a postal and internet survey that received over 300 responses.

 

“The survey indicated massive support for the idea of buying the OG with over £150,000 of financial support indicated from the respondents. The other key message was the need for pub/restaurant food to be once more available in Corwen.” 

* More details of the purchase bid can be found at: www.owainglyndwr.cymru

MP praises work of Bryntysilio Outdoor Education Centre

* Simon Baynes MP with Dr Chris Eastabrook at Bryntysilio Outdoor Education Centre.

* Activities at Bryntysilio Outdoor Education Centre.

* Views from Bryntysilio Outdoor Education Centre.

Clywd South MP Simon Baynes paid a visit to Bryntysilio Outdoor Education Centre near Llangollen which provides outdoor learning opportunities for children and school groups through a range of outdoor activities. 

During the visit, Mr Baynes met with Dr Chris Eastabrook, Head of Centre, and discussed the importance of outdoor education and the impact it has on young people's development. 

Bryntysilio is run by a charitable trust and has been providing adventure learning in the outdoors since 1969 and is highly regarded in the community. 

It is in a beautiful position in the countryside overlooking the Horseshoe Falls. 

It employs 17 full-time members of staff and provides a site for school trips and residentials from Primary age to Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award level, for groups from across Wales and the rest of the United Kingdom. 

Bryntysilio hopes to start social prescribing programmes for adults that may benefit from green physical activity and aims to become a training centre for educational professions through the Adventure Education Development Hub based at Bryntysilio.

Speaking about their work, Dr Eastabrook said: “It is an absolute privilege to host young people from across the UK at Bryntysilio Outdoor Education Centre.  

"Residential adventure education experience gives those young people the opportunity to realise they are more capable than they thought.  Overcoming the challenges of various activities fosters a true sense of self-confidence. 

“Equally, staying away, without family, sews the seeds of independence they will need to thrive in the future.  Brynty is a wonderful place where people come to feel good about themselves, making lifelong memories.”

Simon Baynes MP said: "It was a pleasure to visit Bryntysilio Outdoor Education Centre, meet Dr Chris Eastabrook and see the fantastic work that they are doing to provide brilliant outdoor learning opportunities for children and school groups.

"The Centre plays an important role in our community and provides an important environment for young people to develop their skills and confidence. I look forward to following their work as they expand in the coming years."

* For more information about Bryntysilio Outdoor Education Centre, please visit their website: www.bryntysilio.co.uk