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Tuesday, July 4, 2023

Skates meets refugees set to sing with Eisteddfod choir

* Polina Horelova, Volodymyr Horelova, Ken Skates MS, Jane Townend and Vitalii Matashko.

Clwyd South MS Ken Skates has promised to open "every possible door" to refugees settling in North Wales at the start of a huge week for Wrexham-based charity UareUK -  United to Assist Refugees UK.  

The charity has a hub which supports refugees from Ukraine, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and other countries based in Wrexham.  

Mr Skates met with the founder of the charity Jane Townsend and refugees Polina Horelova, Volodymyr Horelova and Vitalii Matashko at the start of Llangollen Eisteddfod week to offer help and advice to the inspirational charity.

On Wednesday, refugees from their hub will be performing as part of a mass choir at the White Flower peace concert at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.  

Mum-of-four Polina and her family are from Mariupol. She is conducting the traditional Ukrainian folk piece River Song.   

Members of the hub will also take part in the Eisteddfod’s Parade of Nations in Llangollen on Thursday from 4.30pm and will be hosting a stall on the maes throughout Eisteddfod week to raise money and awareness of the vital work they do.  

Estate agents Wingetts, based in Castle Street, will also be accepting donations for the hub.

Jane Townsend said: “We are incredibly excited and have a busy week in Llangollen. 

"We were pleased to meet Ken Skates, who was hugely supportive of the work we are doing for so many displaced communities.  

"He will be helping us moving forward and will open doors for us to continue doing our critical work. 

"This week is a huge week for us – we will be based on the maes at the isteddfod and can’t wait for the parade of nations.  

"The Llangollen Eisteddfod is a peace festival and the fact that Polina is conducting one of the songs of the mass choir is amazing. We will be using the event to continue to raise awareness of the consequences of the war and the work we do from North Wales and the borders.” 

Ken Skates said: “Jane leads an amazing organisation that makes such a positive difference to so many lives.  We are so proud that they are based in North Wales. 

"It was emotional hearing their experiences and, as a member of the Senedd, I will continue issues at the highest level, open every possible door and see how we can do more to help.   

“We are proud in North Wales to host some amazing people who are going through horrific circumstances.  I am looking forward to visiting them again during Eisteddfod week

"UareUK play a major part in sending a clear message that refugees are welcome in Wales.  I will do everything possible to raise awareness of the brilliant work they do.”

Whilst Polina is preparing with New Sinfonia and the mass choir performing at the Eisteddfod, her husband Volodymyr continues to make regular trips back to Ukraine with aid.  

UareUK are asking specifically for protein bars, wooden cutlery, paper plates, power banks, water purification tablets and unlocked phones as many people lost theirs in the floods and have no means of contact.  

The emptying of Kakhovka reservoir has left tens of thousands of people in southern Ukraine without access to piped water, mainly in the Dnipro region.  This is where Vitalii Matashko, currently based in Llangollen, is from.

Vitalii, whose family currently live in Llangollen can often been seen around town wearing a donated Cefn Druids tracksuit top.  

He said: “We have been amazed by and are extremely grateful to the Llangollen community for hosting us.  The flooding where I am from is devastating and we have sent back as much aid as we can, all donated by the people of North Wales.   

"Please try and make a small donation, especially during Eisteddfod week – it will make more of a positive difference than you know.”

* People can still get tickets for the White Flower concert on Wednesday, 5th July at https://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/events/wednesday-evening/

Monday, July 3, 2023

Mental health team looking for volunteers

Denbighshire County Council’s Edge of Care Mental Health Team are looking for volunteers to support the mental health and wellbeing of others in the southern areas of the county.

The aim of the project is to help reduce isolation and improve mental health and well-being. 

The team welcomes applications from anyone over the age of 18 who feels that they have some spare time to spend with others. 

It says it will look to match volunteers to citizens based on shared interests and hobbies. 

Volunteers don’t have to be qualified professionals and can just be a caring person with or without experience who would like to support others. 

A package of training will be provided and the volunteer coordinator will be there to support potential volunteers throughout the volunteering experience. 

Volunteers can support citizens by attending social groups, going for walks, catching up over a cup of tea or even a phone call. Many of the citizens have experienced significant isolation and so the team is open to creative ideas to help to increase socialisation and well-being. 

Councillor Elen Heaton, Lead Member for Health and Social Care said: “This is a transformative project that we should all be proud of in Denbighshire, and it is the volunteers who are vital in ensuring its success. 

"If you feel you are able to support the well-being of others in the community, then please get in touch as it is incredibly rewarding for all involved. The impact that a cup of tea and a chat, or even a simple phone call can have on a person’s well-being is truly remarkable.”

A Denbighshire citizen, who has been helped through the service, said: “I just love it. It’s been a massive positive step in my life coming here to this group."

For more information and to register your interest please go to: https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/jobs-and-employees/volunteering/volunteering-with-edge-of-care.aspx

Sunday, July 2, 2023

Storytellers to launch new book at the Courtyard

 


As part of the Llangollen Fringe Festival, local storytellers Fiona Collins and June Peters are launching their new book at the Courtyard off Castle Street tonight,  Tuesday July 11, at 2pm.

Folk Tales of the Ever After is a collection of traditional tales from a range of cultures which is, by turns, funny, challenging and touching.

From a man in Baghdad who tries to outrun Death, to Sir Lancelot’s ride on the hangman’s cart and an ancient Sumerian ball game that leads to a trip to the underworld, the two storytellers invite you to "share stories from their repertoire, and insights into their working practice, as a journey through the mysteries of death, dying, bereavement, loss, grief and the ever after."

The launch is hosted by Courtyard Books and copies of the book will be signed by the authors.

Lllangollen Royal British Legion appoints new branch chairman

* Mike Adams, right, is presented with his chairman's badge by long-time branch member Tug Wilson of Chirk.   

At a meeting on Friday members of Llangollen Royal British Legion appointed Mike Adams as their new branch chairman.

He replaces Phil Stroud who died recently after serving as chairman for a number of years.

As it approaches its centenary on February 24 2024 the branch says it is actively looking for new members.

Secretary Mike Claybrook said: "Our meetings are quarterly at Llangollen RAFA Club and the next one is on Friday September 1 at 7.15pm."

Local roadworks alerts from one.network

Latest local roadworks alerts from one.network are:

 

Bridge Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire


03 July - 03 July

 

Delays likely - Road closure

 

Name: Bridge Street, Llangollen

 

Location: Bridge Street

 

Description: Streetworks / License - Streetworks

 

Responsibility for event: Denbighshire County Council

 

Current status: Planned

 

 

 

Castle Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire


03 July - 03 July

 

Delays likely - Diversion route

 

Name: Diversion

 

Location: Castle Street

 

Description: Streetworks / License - Streetworks

 

Responsibility for event: Denbighshire County Council

 

Current status: Planned

 

 

 


 

Bridge Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire


03 July - 03 July

 

Roadworks, Delays likely

 

Traffic management: Road closure

 

Description: ROAD CLOSURE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE A SAFE WORKING ZONE TO INSALL UNDERGROUND DUCT

 

Works location: Junction of Chapel St and Bridge St Llangollen LL20 8NW

 

Public facing description: one.network has automatically assigned a category of Unclassified works to this Works based on the information available. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by Openreach.

 

Responsibility for works: Openreach

 

Current status: Advanced planning

 

Works reference: BC005DL2W0000000WD9WLL5H

 

 

 

Saturday, July 1, 2023

Full guide to this year's Eisteddfod highlights


* The then-Prince Charles dances to the bhangra beat during his visit in 2015.

Thousands of singers and dancers from five continents are heading to the place where King Charles once got down to the bhangra beat.

This year’s Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, starting on Tuesday (July 4) will be the first full length festival since before the Covid pandemic.

The event was established in 1947 in the aftermath of the Second World War as a way of bringing the nations of the world closer together in a colourful, multi-cultural melting pot.

Ever since then the picturesque town in the Dee Valley has been known as the little town where Wales meets the world.

The popular festival helped launch the careers of opera superstars Luciano Pavarotti and Sir Bryn Terfel.

In 2015 King Charles – then Prince of Wales – paid a visit when he was accompanied by Queen Camilla, then Duchess of Cornwall, and he was captured on camera dancing to a bhangra beat with the Sheerer Punjab Bhangra Dance group from Nottingham.

* International dancers perform in Centenary Square. 

The Eisteddfod’s royal connection stretches all the way back to 1953 when it was one of the first of the then newly-crowned Queen Elizabeth’s official engagements after she succeeded her father, George VI. 

Seventy years later an extension has once again been added to the famous international pavilion to increase capacity to 4,000 seats in the canvas-covered auditorium.

Also back will be the spectacular floral display at the front of the pavilion stage, lovingly created by a band of dedicated volunteer flower growers and arrangers.

Each day features a full programme of competitions in the famous 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.

Entertainment on the outside site includes workshops, talks, international showcases, outdoor theatre performances, circus skills, sound bath sessions, yoga, belly dancing, beginner’s Welsh and  salsa.

The Globe Stage will feature music acts spanning folk, jazz, world and indie.

There will also be an international flavour to the cuisine available in the new Globe Food Court.

Visitors will be able to “go around the world in 80 minutes” with stalls serving food from different countries including India, Greece, Jamaica, Mexico, Germany and Italy.


* Fun on the Eisteddfod field during a previous Eisteddfod.

Other highlights

  1. The children’s competitions will take place on Wednesday (July 5) when the annual Peace Message will be delivered bilingually by pupils from the nearby Ysgol Dinas Bran as part of the school concerts taking place at 9.45am and again at 10.50am.
  2. The Young Peacemakers Awards Ceremony  in association with the Welsh Centre for International Affairs will also take place on Wednesday.
  3. Meanwhile, the acclaimed Welsh poet, Mererid Hopwood, who has been nominated at the new Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod’s Bardic Circle, will be delivering the peace lecture in the Dome between 4-4.50pm on the same day.
  4. At 4.30 pm on Thursday (July 6) the Parade of Nations will be making a joyous comeback when a cavalcade of colourful competitors will march through the town.
  5. A famous radio broadcast by poet Dylan Thomas about Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is being recreated to mark its 70th anniversary between 5-5.30pm on Friday. The reading from actor, writer and director Celyn Jones will form the centrepiece of a mini programme of events to celebrate the literary magician’s 15-minute masterpiece on the BBC’s Home Service when he visited in 1953.

Other highlights include a concert starring Alfie Boe and musical theatre supergroup Welsh of the West End on the first night of the Eisteddfod on Tuesday, July 4.

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 the centrepiece formed by Karl Jenkin’s much loved work, The Armed Man.

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

On the Friday night Guy Barker’s Big Band will take the stage with Strictly Come Dancing singer Tommy Blaize.

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 Cân i Llan, a new song-writing competition for unsigned acts aged 14-22, providing a platform for emerging voices in contemporary popular music.

The Eisteddfod’s Executive Producer, Camilla King, said: “Entertainment on the outside site spans across three main stages with further daily pop-ups and includes workshops in the Amphitheatre with Small World Theatre Company inviting visitors to create their own white flower sculpture and Propellor Ensemble building a giant instrument from recycled materials.

“There will also be daily Lego building, arts and crafts, floral sessions from the Eisteddfod’s famed arrangers, circus skills with Jester Jack, Xplore Science, yoga, sound bathing, belly dancing and the chance to learn new skills from the wide ranging visiting competitors.

“Talks on the Dome Stage feature Calan’s Bethan Rhiannon ‘From clog dancing to comedy’, poet Mererid Hopwood leading a panel for the annual Peace Lecture, reflecting on the incredible Women of Wales Peace Petition.

“International showcases take the Globe Stage from acts including the Tibetan Tashi Lhunpo Monks, SOAS Min’yo Japanese folk music, Bosnian and Ukrainian performers, and music from Filkin’s Drift, Seprona, Kilbride Brothers, The Billy Thompson Trio, The Bartells, Chester Big Band and Lilly Boughey amongst many others.”

* 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

DAYTIME COMPETITIONS

Wednesday

9.45 – 10.35 & 10.50 – 11.40 – Primary school concerts

12.50 – 1.45 – COMPETITION - Children’s Folk Choir

1.45 – 2.55 – COMPETITION – Junior Children’s Choir

3.10 – 3.45 – COMPETITION – Senior Children’s Choir

4.15 – Children’s Choir of the World Award 

Thursday

9-11.15 – COMPETITION – Traditional Folk Dance Group

11.15 – 12.30 – COMPETITION – Children’s Folk Dance Group

12.40 – 1.45 – COMPETITION – Young Musician

2-3.45 – COMPETITION – Stylised Folk Dance Group

3.45 – 4.15 – COMPETITION – Junior Singer FINAL

4.25 – 5.15 – COMPETITION – Youth Singer FINAL

Friday

9.30-9.50 – COMPETITION – Senior Classical/Contemporary Dance

10-11.30 – COMPETITION – International Musician of the Future PRELIM

1.15 – 2 – COMPETITION – International Voice of the Future SEMI FINAL

2.10 – 3 – COMPETITION – International Musician of the Future FINAL

Saturday

9-10.30 – COMPETITION – Mixed Choirs

10.30 – 11.45 – COMPETITION – Female Choirs

12.40 – 3.45 – COMPETITION – Open Choirs

3.55 – 5.45 – COMPETITION – A Cappella Group

Sunday

10.15 – 12.15 – COMPETITION – Voice of Musical Theatre

PARKING

The Eisteddfod car park is located in the field above the Pavilion and can be accessed from the A542 (Abbey Road) by turning off at either Tower Road or Wharf Hill. It is well sign posted. Parking at the Eisteddfod car park is charged at £5 per day, and can either be booked in advance alongside your tickets, or purchased on the day.

Disabled parking is strictly blue badge only, also charged at £5. There are a limited number of spaces and they cannot be reserved or guaranteed. They are accessible from the Abbey Road entrance and this area can also be used for drop offs – with the car then being moved to the main event car park. 

TICKETING POLICY FOR CUSTOMERS REQUIRING ASSISTANCE

There are spaces in the main pavilion which are allocated specifically for wheelchair users. These areas are shown on the pavilion seating guide on our online ticket system but are only available for purchase directly from the Box Office in person or by calling 01978 862001. This is to ensure the spaces are available for those that need them and provides an opportunity for customers to discuss their individual requirements.

Wheelchair users and other customers who require a companion or carer to assist their visit are entitled to a free ticket for the companion or carer on production of appropriate identification.

It is advisable to book your tickets in advance to ensure that the seats that you require are available.

FACILITIES

Limited dedicated disabled parking spaces are available near to the main “Penddol” entrance.

The pedestrian access to the “Town End” entrance is by way of a steep slope and is not recommended for wheelchair users.

There are solid walkways around the main site suitable for wheelchair users. Temporary pathways are also laid across parts of the grassed areas. The site is open to the elements and is therefore affected by adverse weather conditions. Please take this into account when planning your visit.

Friday, June 30, 2023

Roadworks alerts from county council

Latest local roadworks alerts from Denbighshire County Council are: 

A539 Ponsonby Arms MILL STREET 10/07/2023 11/07/2023 NMWTRA.

Abbey Road  19/06/2023 30/09/2023 Ailwynebu/ Resurfacing DCC WORKS UNIT. No traffic management to be on site 01/07/23 - 12/07/23 due to International Eisteddfod  Confoi 10 mya/10 mph Convoy.

A542 Junction of Chapel St and Bridge St Llangollen LL20 8NW BRIDGE STREET 03/07/2023 03/07/2023 Gwaith BT/ BT Works SUNBELT RENTALS (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

OUTSIDE NUMBER 12 CHAPEL STREET 11/07/2023 13/07/2023 Gwaith Dwr / Water Works SEVERN TRENT WATER (DCC) LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Full Extent TRACK FROM VALLEY ROAD TO TYN CELYN WOOD 08/07/2023 09/07/2023 Digwyddiad ar y Priffordd/ Event on the Highway GRAVITY EVENTS UK LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Westbound Approx 41m East of entrance to Health Centre Car Park A539 LLANGOLLEN ROAD 14/07/2023 14/07/2023 Gwaith Marcio Ffordd / Road Marking Works DCC TRAFFIC LLANGOLLEN Confoi 10 mya/10 mph Convoy

A539 Abbey Road and Llangollen town centre ABBEY ROAD 06/07/2023 06/07/2023 Digwyddiad ar y Priffordd/ Event on the Highway LLANGOLLEN INTERNATIONAL LLANGOLLEN Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

Outside BUILDING KNOWN AS BRYN MYNACH ABBEY ROAD 10/07/2023 12/07/2023 Gwaith Dwr / Water Works HAFREN DYFRDWY.