Poignant and moving concert was perfect for the Pavilion stage

* New Sinfonia orchestra and massed choir united for the concert.

The Eisteddfod Pavilion’s enormous stage was made for last night’s emotive and deeply moving concert, The White Flower Into the Light, which showed how the beauty of hope can be born from the ugliness and pain of war.

Its cavernous dimensions perfectly accommodated a massed choir of 200 voices and a wondrous orchestra who came together for a work of remembrance for the fallen of Srebrenica, Bosnia and Ukraine.

And their performance was also the very embodiment of the eisteddfod’s founding principles of international peace and friendship.

Music to touch the soul came from Karl Jenkins, Finzim Gjeilo and the traditions of Wales, Bosnia and the Ukraine.

This was poignantly driven by the north Wales-based New Sinfonia orchestra led by its resident conductor Robert Guy and, at one point, by Polina Horelova, a Ukrainian mother-of-four and musician who escaped the Russian invasion of her homeland to take refuge in this country.

In close partnership with New Sinfonia was Lleisiau Llan, a tremendous 200-strong choir of voices recruited and trained locally specially for this occasion and containing a number of refugees.

The piece which gave the concert its title, The White Flower, was penned by Sarajevo-born composer and guitarist Elvir Solak who was there to help present it along with Lejia Jusic, an accomplished musician also from Sarajevo.

The programme for the evening began with the deeply evocative White Flower and moved through the haunting The Rose by Gjeilo then was lightened somewhat by Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Edelweiss, written for the film Sound of Music, whose theme was the destructive power yet hope which war can bring. It was here that the choir’s powerful resonance first took command.

Elen Mair Roberts, a notable north Wales musical director, took over the conductor’s baton to lead New Sinfonia in the traditional Welsh piece Mil Harddach wyt na’r rhosyn gwyn.

Finzi’s Let us Garlands Bring followed before baritone Emyr Lloyd Jones presented three traditional folk songs including the ever-hopeful springtime note of It Was a Lover and His Lass.

Later in the programme came Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man, A Mass for Peace and a choral suite comprising Agnus Dei, Benedictus, Hymn Before Action, Kyrie and Sanctus – all at once soaring and majestic and cataclysmic yet joyous thanks to the profound skills of the orchestra and the pieces’ interpretation by that marvellous choir.

Polina Horelova conducted the light-hearted yet still moving Ukraine River Song by Yakub, when a group of young dancers in traditional Ukrainian costume appeared amongst the audience to help illustrate the piece.

The evening was perfectly rounded off with the spine-tingling and hopeful World in Union with music by Holst arranged by Skarbek.

Round-up of action from Eisteddfod's first full day

llanblogger has been capturing some action from the first full day of the 2023 Llangollen Eisteddfod:

* The day began with a performance in Centenary Square of the Greek performing arts group Kyklos who are based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Entertainment by various groups will continue there each day of the Eisteddfod.

* The Eisteddfod's children's day traditionally features two morning concerts specially arranged for hundreds of primary school youngsters from across north Wales. This includes the Peace Message from the children of Llangollen to their counterparts across the world which was this year delivered in Welsh and English by pupils from Ysgol Dinas Bran in Llangollen. Amongst those performing this morning during the concerts was the Cantilon Chamber Choir from Canada.   

* Also on the entertainment bill for the children's concerts was a storytelling session on a dinosaur theme. This was accompanied by a trio of musicians from the New Sinfonia orchestra which will be performing in this evening's (Wednesday) concert in the Pavilion, entitled White Flower. This will also feature a choir of Ukrainian refugees.

* Above and two pictures below: throughout the week international choirs competing in the Eisteddfod are giving recitals at St Collen's Church. Today it was the turn of the Azusa Pacific University Choir from the USA who were last at the Eisteddfod in 2015. They will be competing in a number of choral competitions later this week.   

* Steffan Hughes, who appeared in Tuesday's evening concert alongside Alfie Boe with his group Welsh of the West End, sang on the Globe stage near the town end of the Eisteddfod field this afternoon, performing a number of hit numbers from hit musicals and film.    

Dream comes true for Shea as he shares stage with Alfie Boe

* Shea sings along with Alfie Boe on the Pavilion stage.

A dream came true for a talented young music student when he was called up on stage by superstar Alfie Boe to duet on the first night of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

What made it extra special for Shea Ferron,  20, from Ruabon, was that his mum and dad, Sharon and Damian, along with sister Niamh, were also in the audience to celebrate their 26^th wedding anniversary.

The number they performed together was also special because it was Alfie’s signature song, Bring Him Home, from the musical, Les Miserables.

Shea, a tenor and a student of the Performing Arts at Manchester’s Institute for Contemporary Theatre, is a regular at Llangollen’s iconic Eisteddfod where he has been one of its army of volunteers since he was 14.

He is also a member of the John’s Boys choir which reached the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent and he said: “I had a line translated into Welsh for Camilla King, the Director of the Eisteddfod, and I cheekily texted asking if she could get me on stage with Alfie Boe and she laughed and said , ‘No’.

“Then earlier yesterday I met him on the Maes and we were chatting and I just wanted to get a selfie with him and my friend said, ‘This lad does a mean Bring Him Home ’ and Alfie replied, ‘No pressure then’.

“Last night I was sitting in Block H right at the front and right in Alfie Boe’s eyeline and he looked at me and remembered me and got me up and we duetted on Bring Him Home – it’s my greatest achievement.

“Afterwards I gave him one of my cards and told hm that if he gets fed up with singing with Michael Ball he knows who to call.

“It was pretty special My phone has been going non-stop since.”

Camilla said: “It was a really great night and Alfie Boe just kept singing and when Shea was called up it was just one of those magical Eisteddfod moments.

“We had joked about him singing with Alfie but for it to actually happen was incredible.

“It was a brilliant experience for him and he harmonised with Alfie which was really nice.

“The volunteers here are involved in everything and Alfie has been here before and he loves the relationship with the audience who were all up and dancing by then.

“It was a wonderful night and Welsh of the West End were amazing.”

Shea, who also works on the Llangollen Canal with the horse-drawn barges, added: “I first came to the Eisteddfod when I was eight or nine and I just think the whole ethos about it is special.

“It’s a festival of music but the way it promotes peace is the biggest and best thing.

“The first Eisteddfod in 1947 had a German choir and everyone can communicate through music and I really love that.”

 

According to Camilla, it was the perfect way to start the Llangollen Eisteddfod where around 3,000 competitors from 19 countries on five continents will be taking part.

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.

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.

A famous radio broadcast by poet Dylan Thomas about Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is being recreated to mark its 70^th anniversary between 2-3pm 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.

Camilla added: ““Sunday is going to be a very special day because we’ve got outdoor performances and entertainment all day. And we’ve changed the evening concert entry so it’s now free to attend with a Field ticket, from £10. We wanted to give audiences a thank you treat. 

“That final concert includes the final round of Voice of Musical Theatre (Welsh of the West End have had former winners), performances from our best international dance groups, and lots more.

“Also just announced today is that on Sunday we have former BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin coming to talk about her new book and do a signing session from 12.15pm.” 

* 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

Llan Food Share aims to freeze out waste with free fridge

* Food Share treasurer Gill Robertson, left, and Steph Mitchell, centre manager.

Llangollen’s Food Share organisation has launched a new initiative to prevent waste by opening a Community Fridge.

It will be open on Mondays and Thursdays, between 9am and 11am, inviting everyone to help themselves to quality food that would otherwise be wasted.

The Community Fridge is located in the Food Share Hub at the town end of Market Street car park.

Centre manager Steph Mitchell said: "For the last four years our main priority has been to make sure that everyone in the Llangollen area has enough food for themselves and their families. That is still our top priority and our Wednesday session is to distribute our regular food provisions for those in need.

“Monday and Thursday sessions are for everyone, not just those who are struggling to make ends meet. The food we offer will often have a short shelf life. Other items have been donated to us in large quantities and our limited storage space means that we have no room to store them."

She added: “Llangollen Food Share has a zero waste policy. Food waste is a huge issue in the UK. The average household throws away £700 worth of food every year and at the same time 4 million people in the UK are living in food poverty. 

"Most food waste is avoidable and could have been eaten had it been better managed. We hope that this new initiative will reduce food waste in Llangollen.

“Donations from local residents, businesses and other organisations are always welcome to help us achieve our purpose of ensuring that no-one locally goes without good quality food."

The Llangollen fridge is one of a growing number opening up across the UK. 

The concept first arrived in the UK in 2016 with Community Fridges opening up in Swadlincote, Frome and London. Now over 50 projects are running across the country.

Opening hours:

* Foodshare for individuals and family support: Wednesdays 1pm - 2pm

* Community Fridge for Everyone: 9am-11am on Mondays and Thursdays.

* Llangollen Foodshare Hub is on the Castle Street end of the main Market Street Car Park.

* The community fridge initiative is supported by the charity Hubbub UK in a growing effort to tackle food waste.

Steph can be contacted by email:llangollenfoodshare@gmail.com or mobile 07538 894 449.

More information on The Community Fridge Network, including a map of fridge locations and advice for those interested in setting up a community fridge can be found at www.hubbub.org.uk/communityfridgenetwork

Alfie Boe serves up sizzling show to kick off Eisteddfod

* Alfie Boe delivers a memorable Eisteddfod performance.

* Welsh of the West End shared the show.

* Joined on stage by Shea Ferron.

Alfie Boe stormed back to Llangollen in style when he delivered up a storming, sizzling two and a half hours of pure musical magic to a packed Pavilion audience last night (Tuesday).

In his advance publicity he promised fans would be treated to a “fantastic bloody show” to kick off the 2023 Eisteddfod.

And he certainly kept to his word and more as he pierced those famous canvas walls with a million marvellous lyrics from a cavalcade of songs.

Helping him to enthral and beguile us until around 11pm was a sixsome of pure home-grown talent in the form of Welsh of the West End, the musical theatre super-group and Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalists, and a young local lad named Shea whose dream of sharing the stage with his hero he made come beautifully true.

On first came the Welsh group to present some belters such as Seasons of Love from the musical Rent, That’s All I Ask of You from Phantom of the Opera and, in a Welsh medley, Calon Lan and even Green Green Grass of Home from Saint Tom Jones.

Then it was time for Boe to bounce back onto the big flower-bedecked stage with a completely accurate advert for the ensuing performance entitled The Greatest Show.

That was just the opening salvo in a broadside of hits from the West End and beyond which he lavished upon us backed by a stylish five-piece band and a couple of brilliant backing singers.

Falling Slowly from Once he delivered with the help of one of these impressive  singers named Emily who he jokingly instructed not to “mess it up” before they started. A little sample of why the Llan audience just loves down-to-earth Boe, an affair which began a couple of years back on his first appearance here.

There were a couple of his own songs, the plaintive White Lily Fields and Stormy Waters, before he unleashed a mighty, throbbing version of Proud Mary from the lamentably late Tina Turner and Bring Him Home from Les Miserables.

It was during Bring Him Home that he beckoned up on stage Llangollen’s own Mr Showbiz Shea Ferron, who though still in his early twenties has become something of a megastar through his singing performances locally and regionally as a soloist and even nationally as part of the Johns’ Boys choir.

I reckon those few shared bars made Shea’s day if not his life up to this point.

It then became something of a delicious blur as Boe hammered home more and more gems like Do You Hear the People Sing and One Day More, again from Les Mis.

We were transported deeper into West End world as the second half dawned with material including He Lives in You from Lion King II and Let it Go from Frozen.

But of course he wouldn’t let it go yet and as it went dark outside he continued to light up the place for ages longer with a Queen medley featuring a rocking Radio Gaga and We Are the Champions, which touched off a kind of madness in the dancing, arm-waving and chanting-along crowd.

Grease is the Word was the prelude to a collection of more hits from Tommy (Pinball Wizard) and the Jersey Boys during which he sang You’re Too Good to Be True.

And for all of us who were privileged to see this show, it was.

Brilliant car but shame about thee speedo

Toyota Yaris Cross GR Sport drive by Steve Rogers

I’m in a Steve sounds off mood. Nothing too serious, but need to get it off my chest.

It concerns something as simple as a speedometer. Today’s cars are generally well equipped to give warnings about speed limits so why was I so anxious about stepping over the mark in the Yaris Cross?

The display is standard numbers but set out in European style 20mph increments, so just a mark for 30mph. Then there is the computer generated speedo pointer which is too thick for complete accuracy.

Yaris has traffic sign recognition so lights up the speed limit in a small circle but is positioned just below the 40mph mark which could be tricky in a 30 limit because your eye is drawn to it. Now all this would not matter if there was a digital speed readout as well. Most cars have one and I am pretty certain Toyota has it on the similar dial in the Corolla.

There, I’ve said my piece, now let’s get down to the real business and the Yaris brand which is growing and growing. Cross is the five-door mini SUV model, taller and longer than the  hatchback by 240mm (nearly 10 inches if you prefer) and has been joined by the GR Sport, but not to be confused with the Yaris GR which is the hottest hatchback on the planet bar none.

It is a bit of a show car with a redesigned sporty looking grille, 18in machine finished 10 spoke alloys, rear diffuser, sports seats with GR logos and drilled aluminium pedals. GR stands for Gazoo Racing, the performance arm of Toyota, and they have lowered and tweaked he suspension so slightly sharper handling, but a firmer less comfortable ride than standard Yaris Cross.

As with all Toyotas you get an efficient hybrid supported engine, in this case the three-cylinder 1.5 litre petrol. Although it carries the GR badge it does not gain any extra horse power so performance is nothing special but the sportier ride can give a misguided notion that you are zipping along.

The engine is all about efficiency and there can be no argument there. It drops in and out of electric mode and in town driving will manage a mile or so on pure electric power. Official fuel consumption is in the high fifties but I had no trouble bettering that and never dropped below 62mpg in a week’s driving.

This is one engine fits all while rivals like Ford Puma, Volkswagen T-Cross and Skoda Kamiq, offer a choice. Some would say that is a drawback but I don’t think a car of this nature needs more than one engine size.

At 4180mm long Yaris Cross is a small car but you would not think so once inside. With a higher roofline than the hatchback headroom is good and there is ample legroom in the back with a seat wide enough to fit three not too overweight adults.

Even more impressive is boot space and with the excellent 40-20-40 seat back arrangement there is room for skis or surfboard through the middle. It has two levels with a flat loading area, or the boards can be lifted to increase space. A useful extra is a removable rubber floor mat and rubber protectors for the seat backs.

Apart from the sports seats and logos GR Sport gets heated front seats and powered lumber support otherwise it is standard Yaris Cross. Trim quality is okay but there is far too much hard plastic along the dashboard and door cards. Glad to see heating controls are separate from the touchscreen which has been given a much needed upgrade so better graphics and  faster response.

Without any increase in performance I would walk past GR Sport and look at a higher grade Cross if only to have a more comfortable ride. In spite of my hiatus with the speedometer this still makes it into my top three small SUVs, in fact it is a toss up between Ford Puma, which is a bit nicer to drive, or Yaris Cross which is a brilliant compelling all round package.

Fast facts

Yaris Cross GR Sport

£29,480 (starts £23,919)

1.5 litre petrol; 114bhp

0-62mph 11.2secs; 106mph

57.6mpg combined

112g/km. 1st road tax £210

Insurance group 12

Boot: 397-1097

 

Church bells will ring out to mark start of Eisteddfod

Bell-ringers at St Collen's Church are aiming to ring a quarter peal tomorrow (Wednesday) morning to celebrate the start of the 2023 Llangollen Eisteddfod.

It will take place at 11.30am, just before the song and dance performances in Centenary Square.