Executive producer made redundant as eisteddfod faces 'dire' financial position

* The International Pavilion where tonight's 'ideas' meeting was held.

llanblogger exclusive

The executive producer of  Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has been made redundant amidst what has been described as the “dire” financial situation facing the 76-year-old festival. 

At a meeting in the Pavilion earlier tonight (Monday) at which grassroots members and supporters of the eisteddfod were invited to come up with ideas for its future survival vice-chairman Chris Adams revealed this year’s event had led to a loss. 

Another eisteddfod official later explained to llanblogger that the actual amount was yet to be verified but was "substantial".

Later it was announced that executive producer Camilla King has been made redundant. 

An official statement says: “Camilla is leaving with the thanks of all Board Members and Chairs of the Committees.  

“She has been Executive Producer since September 2021 and steered the festival since the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

Chair of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Sarah Ecob said: “The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has been severely impacted by the aftermath of the Covid pandemic and by the current cost of living crisis.  

“Like many other cultural organisations, the Eisteddfod is facing an extremely challenging future due to our financial situation.  

“The Board and the Committee Chairs have met to discuss emergency actions to try to stabilise our organisation.  We have taken the very sad decision to make our Executive Producer redundant and we will shortly be launching a major fundraising campaign to safeguard the Eisteddfod’s future.  

“We’d like to thank Camilla for her outstanding work at our festival and wish her well for the future.  We would like to thank our customers, volunteers, staff, competitors, performers  and funders who make the Eisteddfod such a special event every year…with their help we can ensure the Eisteddfod continues to be central to cultural life in Wales and continue its role in promoting peace in an uncertain world.” 

The festival statement adds that several new board members have been appointed “who will work with the staff and hundreds of volunteers to make sure the Eisteddfod continues”. 

It is believed that Camilla King has five days in which to appeal the decision.

At tonight's meeting Chris Adams told around 60 supporters gathered in one of the Pavilion’s meeting rooms and others who had joined via Zoom that the financial situation was “frankly dire” with inflation, the cost of living crisis and the aftermath of the pandemic all taking their toll on last month's 2023 eisteddfod. 

He added that the people running the eisteddfod knew they must now "move very quickly" to ensure that enough money was generated to keep it trading. 

He said that a number of small specialist groups within the organisation were already working on plans to see that next year’s festival went ahead on a firm financial footing, explaining: “There’s a lot to be done but I see this is as an opportunity as well as a challenge.” 

The supporters split into small groups to discuss key factors of the eisteddfod such as fundraising, competitions, concerts and events on the field. 

The large number of suggestions they put forward were then collated and discussed before being taken back for further consideration by the board.

Council asks dog owners to be responsible during summer holidays

Denbighshire County Council and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB are urging dog owners to act responsibly as more prepare to visit the area’s countryside hotspots during the summer holidays.

Both bodies are sending out advice to keep pets on leads whilst walking through the countryside following incidents already reported on land around Moel Famau this year.

Livestock worrying, where dogs disturb and chase sheep, is illegal. Any caught worrying livestock can be destroyed and owners can be prosecuted.

Visitors should be aware of what restrictions and guidelines are in place and to keep themselves and others safe. People should also check ahead to see if facilities are open and also park responsibly in designated areas.

Councillor Win Mullen James, Denbighshire Cabinet Lead Member for Local Development and Planning, said: “Many dog owners visiting our countryside areas are respectful and do keep their pets on a lead and I would like to thank them for doing this.

“However there is a minority who do not follow the rules and we want to remind them that they ultimately responsible for their dog while walking through the countryside.

“Owners who ignore the rules and let their pets worry livestock in the area can be prosecuted and their dog legally shot if caught in the act. This is distressing to all and an outcome we want to prevent.

“Please always plan ahead if visiting our countryside, know the land you are going to walk through, respect the countryside code and always keep your dog on a lead.”

Extra countryside rangers will be at Moel Famau, Loggerheads and Horseshoe Falls to provide information and support for visiting members of the public.

* For more information, visit https://www.clwydianrangeanddeevalleyaonb.org.uk/ and follow the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Woman pulled from Dee in early hours of this morning

North Wales Live is reporting this afternoon (Sunday) that a woman was pulled from the River Dee in Llangollen in a dramatic incident in the early hours of this morning. 

The story says that a member of the public hauled her out and she was taken to hospital for treatment.

* For the full story, go to: https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/woman-pulled-river-dramatic-incident-27511938?fbclid=IwAR3VKWIMFZYGkgs3CF51mT0HliuUHTD124_RU1vCtuyUhWgC33fVSKpmR

Two people seriously injured in A5 collision yesterday

North Wales Live has given more information about the serious road traffic collision which closed a section of the A5 at Glyndyfrdwy yesterday (Saturday).

The story says: "Two people were taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries last night after an accident on the A5 in Denbighshire. 

"The one-car crash happened on the eastbound lane of the road between Corwen and Chirk in Glyndyfrdwy.

"Emergency services were called to the scene near the Berwyn Arms pub. The two casualties were taken to separate hospitals."

* For the full story, see: https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/two-suffer-life-threatening-injuries-27511774?fbclid=IwAR3rmlDWZjSK6M05UlncuD0fKW1rhzSzY6n0yVWT0I58Hvu8UAoWNuFKlok

Shea gets a waterborne surprise on a canal trip

* The boat/car sails towards the canal boat. All pictures from Shea Ferron's Facebook.

Well-known local entertainer Shea Ferron was in for a waterborne shock when he took a trip along the Llangollen Canal yesterday. 

But he was quick on the draw with his phone camera as a car which had been converted to a boat sailed by him with its grinning crew.

On a Facebook post about the rather unusual sight for our local waterway he says: "This is something you don’t see everyday on the canal.

"Started to panic when I saw a car coming towards.

"Someone’s been watching a bit too much Top Gear."

* ... a big smile from the helmsman.

* ... and the crew.

Minister hears about Rhug Estate's pioneering green project

 

* Rural Affairs and North Wales Minister Lesley Griffiths with Lord Newborough at the Rhug Estate.

Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths has been hearing about how farm businesses in North Wales have been taking action to tackle the climate and nature emergencies.

On a visit to the Rhug Estate near Corwen, the Minister met proprietor Lord Newborough and his team and heard about their pioneering low carbon project to measure and monitor the business’ carbon footprint and take action to mitigate it, with the aim of reaching net zero across all business operations within Rhug. The estate operates a diverse business model which embraces sustainable organic farming as well as renewable energy, retail, wholesale and most recently, skincare. By the nature of the way the land has been managed over the last twenty years since the farm went organic, a very significant amount of Carbon has been sequestrated into the ground making it a carbon positive estate. The carbon positive result has been greatly assisted by its green energy projects in solar, wind, hydro and geothermal, and the EV chargers on its estate. The data they are collecting is being used to modify carbon management. The team spoke about their drive towards further improvements in carbon savings and green energy projects and the challenges and opportunities ahead of them. In Ysbyty Ifan, the Minister heard about the work of the group of 11 innovative farmers on the Ysbyty Ifan estate and what they have done to improve the area’s ecosystem resilience, especially that of the Migneint SAC. They explained to the Minister how collaborative working has been vital in helping meet their goals to improve land and water management and deliver multiple ecosystem services for now and future generations. Rural Affairs Minister, Lesley Griffiths said: “It has been great to visit and hear about the important work taking place at the Rhug Estate and in Ysbyty Ifan to decarbonise their farms and support our environment. “As a Government, we will continue to work with and support farmers and land managers to meet the challenges of the climate and nature emergencies. “It is important everyone works together across geographic and sectoral boundaries. Collaboration is essential if we are going to be successful.”

 

A5 road closure warning

North Wales Police have just posted on Facebook: " ***ROAD CLOSED*** - Due to a road traffic collision - the A5 by Ruth Lee, Glyndyfrdwy is currently closed.  Please avoid the area."