World's best young singers line up for top Eisteddfod prize

* Tenor Zihua Zhang, from China, winner of the 2023 Pendine International Voice of the Future competition at Llangollen Eisteddfod. Picture by Rick Matthews

Twenty-eight of the world’s best young singers are vying for a prestigious international prize at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

Competitors from as far afield as Australia, India, China, Singapore and the USA are aiming to win the  Pendine International Voice of the Future competition at the festival.

Organisers say they’re delighted by the exceptional standard of entries in the Pendine competition, sponsored by the Pendine Park care group via the Pendine Arts and Community Trust (PACT) which supports arts and community activities.

The final will take place on Saturday, July 6,  and the winner will be presented with the Pendine Trophy, a solid silver salver, and a cheque for £3,000 as well as having the opportunity to perform in concerts at the Eisteddfod and other venues. Meanwhile, the runner up will receive £1,500.

Since it started in 2013, the contest has become one of the Eisteddfod's major highlights and Dave Danford, the festival's recently appointed Artistic Director, said the aim was to advance the careers of the world's most gifted young singers.

He said: "We have received 28 entries from all over the world. We've got people from Australia, India, China, the USA, Singapore, Germany as well as entrants from Wales, England and Ireland. It looks like a really good field.

"The competition provides an excellent stepping stone to a professional career for young singers.”

Last year's winner was tenor Zihua Zhang from China, who surprisingly only took up singing in his late teens, having started his music career playing clarinet.

After winning the prize, he said: "The Pendine International Voice of the Future prize will be a big help in furthering my musical ambitions.

“It means I won’t have to survive on meal deals anymore! But seriously, it is so good to have that extra financial boost behind me.

“It’s certainly been an honour and a fantastic experience to compete in Wales at Llangollen. The International Eisteddfod is well known and respected in China, and it’s been unforgettable for me just to be here, never mind win.”

During the next few weeks a selection panel will consider the entries and choose the singers who will take part in this year's competition. Each entrant has provided an MP3 audio recording or a link to a video.

Competitors, who are aged over 19 on the first day of the competition, are required to perform a contrasting programme of up to seven minutes in length for their preliminary round and up to 10 minutes for the final. The programmes should include works from oratorio, opera, lieder or song and be sung in the original language.

Pendine Park proprietor Mario Kreft MBE said: "The standard of the competitors in years past has been absolutely phenomenal and I have no doubt it will be just as incredibly high again this year.

"I wish all the young singers the very best of luck in this year's Pendine International Voice of the Future competition.

“It  chimes perfectly with our ethos at Pendine Park because the arts in general and music in particular provide the golden thread running through everything we do to enrich the lives of our residents and staff alike.”

Looking forward to this year's Eisteddfod, Dave Danford added: "The concert programme is looking great, with Tom Jones kicking things off on the Tuesday evening and Gregory Porter and Katherine Jenkins featuring in concerts later in the week.

"On Wednesday evening our Wales Welcomes the World concert will feature leading Welsh folk band Calan, Johns’ Boys Male Chorus who are based in Rhosllannerchrugog and who have previously won the Choir of the World competition, and Royal Harpist Alis Huws. All of them will be performing with an orchestra.

"There will be a musical theatre evening on the Thursday featuring John Owen-Jones and Kerry Ellis. They are two of the biggest musical theatre stars in the West End and Broadway. A real spread of things really but it's really important to us to make sure the main Eisteddfod week remains protected. Our programme this year has all the aspects our usual audience expect and one thing we're doing is bringing the finals of some of our competitions into the evening concerts.

"During the Wales Welcomes the World concert, we'll have the final of our Youth Choir competition and similarly on the Thursday we'll have the final of the Voice of Musical Theatre competition. People coming just to see the concerts will get a flavour of the Eisteddfod itself which is really important to us. 

"This year's Eisteddfod feels like we're back to our best after the troubles with the Covid-19 pandemic which caused the Eisteddfod to be halted for two years. We've gone all out with the programme this year, made sure the field is as vibrant as possible with the outside stages, and we've more international competitors than before Covid."

* For tickets or for more on Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and its competitions and concerts go to www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk or check out www.facebook.com/llangollen

Llangollen canal walk raises £18,000 for children's hospices

Hundreds of walkers put their best foot forward and took on the 10-mile Llangollen Canal Walk last weekend to raise a massive £18,000 for Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith children’s hospices.

The walk started at the recently reopened Pontcysyllte Aqueduct on Sunday where hikers strode across the world-famous structure and along canal all the way to The Poachers pub at Chirk for refreshments before heading back to receive their special medals.

The event was sponsored by the Principality Building Society and there was a team of volunteer marshals on the day from the Llangollen, Wrexham and Erddig Rotary Clubs.

Vicky Bradbeer, fundraiser, said: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to all of our amazing supporters who have joined us on our Llangollen Canal Walk, raising £18,000 so far with more money still coming in.

“This money will be supporting seriously ill local children and their families, and without this fantastic support we simply wouldn’t be able to be here for those that need us the most.

“A huge thank you also to our super team of volunteers and our event sponsors Principality Building Society who have helped make this such a great event.”

James Harper, Social Impact Manager at Principality Building Society, said: “We were delighted to sponsor the Llangollen Canal Walk for a second consecutive year as part of our ongoing charity partnership with Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith.

“It was wonderful to welcome all of the Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith supporters again this year and we cannot thank them enough for all the support.”

* If you have been inspired to take part in an event or fundraiser for the charity, visit www.hopehouse.org.uk for inspiration and ideas on how you can get involved.

Council chief says 'no decision has been taken' on public toilet issue

* Paul Jackson, Head of Highways & Environmental Services.

A senior county council officer has stressed that no decision on whether Denbighshire should off-load the running of all its public toilets has been taken.

And in an email to Clwyd South Senedd Member Ken Skates, Paul Jackson, Head of Highways & Environmental Services, also takes a swipe at the "ill-informed, and factually incorrect" way the issue has been presented so far on social media and the local press.

Denbighshire is proposing to rid itself of all the county’s 20 public conveniences in a bid to ease its under-pressure budget to the tune of around £200,000 a year.

Pointing out that it doesn’t have a legal duty to provide toilets, it has suggested that they could be taken over by town and community councils. It is also aiming to promote a scheme under which businesses are paid a small sum each year to allow the public to use their toilets.

Over the weekend the proposal’s affect on the public loos in Market Street sparked a barrage of angry criticism on social media and the beginnings of campaigns to save them.

Mr Skates wrote to council chief executive Graham Boase to request the authority takes another look at the proposal.

And he has given llanblogger sight of the reply he received from Mr Jackson who says: "I’m writing in response to your query to Graham about the closure of the Llangollen public conveniences.  There’s been quite a bit of information posted on social media and in the local press and a lot of it is sadly, ill-informed, and factually incorrect.

"The truth of the matter is that Denbighshire Council are working hard to deal with a significant budget deficit for the forthcoming year.  As part of this a whole raft of measures are being considered and undertaken to make ends meet. This includes considering ceasing the operation of the Public Conveniences (PCs) within the County. 

"It is important to stress that no decision on this matter has been taken and our officers are working through the options based on cost, need, footfall for the area the PCs are located and the revenue they generate.  We’ve contacted City, Town and Community Councils to discuss with them the options and where possible are proactively seeking alternative arrangements to keep the PCs operating but at zero cost to the Council. 

"Again, no decision has been made and we will absolutely ensure that we engage fully and openly with local members and Community Councils to maintain transparency of communications and ensure local residents get the whole truth, not just partial information via social media posts." 

Fightback begins against loss of town's public toilets

* The public toilets under threat in Market Street.

The area’s Senedd Member has intervened, the mayor has been asked to host a public meeting and residents and businesses have been urged to lobby council chiefs about a controversial suggestion that Llangollen should lose is sole public toilet.

Llanblogger revealed recently that Denbighshire is proposing to rid itself of all the county’s 20 public conveniences in a bid to ease its under-pressure budget to the tune of around £200,000 a year.

Pointing out that it doesn’t have a legal duty to provide toilets, it has suggested that they could be taken over by town and community councils. It is also aiming to promote a scheme under which businesses are paid a small sum each year to allow the public to use their toilets.

Over the weekend the proposal’s affect on the public loos in Market Street has sparked a barrage of angry criticism on social media and the beginnings of campaigns to save them.

Most notable move is a request from Clwyd South MS Ken Skates to county leaders to take another look at the plan, which is currently going through the scrutiny process but has yet to be considered by the cabinet.

Mr Skates, who only last week returned to the Welsh Government as secretary for transport and North Wales, told llanblogger that he had decided to become involved after being requesting to do so by a number of his constituents.

Yesterday (Sunday) a resident sent an email – copied to llanblogger – to town mayor Paul Keddie, who is also one of the area’s county councillors and a town councillor, asking if he would organise and chair a public meeting at which the proposal could be fully examined.

In his email Rod Holt said: “I am contacting you after seeing and hearing the residents of Llangollen concerns during the last week on Social Media and home-made signs that are visible on Market Street.

“The proposed closure of these Toilets/Facilities will have a huge impact on our Town.

“I AM NOW ASKING FOR A PUBLIC MEETING, THAT AS NOT ONLY MAYOR BUT COUNTY COUNCILLOR, I WOULD HOPE YOU WOULD CHAIR.

“I would also hope after the outcry from residents and businesses in the last few days you would support this campaign and use your powers to get DCC officials to also attend and field questions etc from attendees.”

Also over the weekend, another resident urged people opposed to the proposal to write letters of protest to senior council leaders.

On social media Alex Hammond sent out the message: “Want to save Llangollen’s toilets and the jobs of those who maintain them?

“Don’t delay! Llangollen needs you to personally tell Denbighshire County Council how you feel about this.”

He goes on to give the email addresses of two senior figures at the council identified as most responsible for the proposal. He also emailed the officials himself asking for more financial detail behind it.

* Some of the comment on social media: 

* “I know this will not go down well nut when you go abroad you pay a tourism tax and this goes to the local councils. Perhaps will pay to keep the toilets open. Just a thought."

* Once people start to use doorways they will soon, reopen them! by far the worst decision by any council in such a massive tourist area shame on you!!!!” 

“Who makes these ridiculous decisions to close them in the first place?"

* "These toilets serve a great need to our visitors and to see them closed down like some of the other empty buildings just makes our town look unkempt.

"All the effort going into getting the Eisteddfod up and running with popular bands and people make their stupid decisions annoys and baffles me.”

Dog owners reminded to be responsible during Easter holidays

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

Both bodies are urging people to follow important advice to keep pets on leads whilst walking through the countryside following reported incidents last year at land around Moel Famau.

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

Visitors should make themselves aware of what restrictions and guidelines are in place at the area they visit and to keep themselves and others safe. People should also check ahead to see if countryside facilities are open and also park responsibly in designated areas.

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

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

“Dog 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 extremely distressing to all and an outcome we want to work to prevent.

“If you are bringing your dog, 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.”

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

Latest local roadworks alerts

Latest local roadworks alerts from one.network are:

Butlers Hill, Llangollen, Denbighshire 25 March - 12 April   Delays likely - Road closure   Name: Butlers Hill, Llangollen   Location: Butlers Hill   Description: Streetworks / License - Streetworks   Responsibility for event: Denbighshire County Council   Current status: Planned       Regent Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 25 March - 12 April   Delays likely - Diversion route   Name: Diversion   Location: Regent Street   Description: Streetworks / License - Streetworks   Responsibility for event: Denbighshire County Council   Current status: Planned

 

 

Greenfield, Llangollen, Denbighshire 25 March - 27 March   Roadworks, Delays unlikely   Traffic management: Some carriageway incursion   Description: WORKS TO RECTIFY DEFECTIVE REINSTATEMENT IN THE CARRIAGEWAY   Works location: OUTSIDE 6   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 Scottish Power Renewable Energy.   Responsibility for works: Scottish Power Renewable Energy   Current status: Planned work about to start   Works reference: GY004461824R

Historic pub receives £452,700 government boost to secure its future

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes has welcomed news that the UK government is to provide £452,700 in funding to help Owain Glyndwr Community Hotel Ltd to purchase and refurbish the famous Corwen landmark. 

The Grade II listed building can trace its origins back to the 14^th century. It served as the site of the first public Eisteddfod in Wales in 1789 and is one of only eight surviving coaching inns along the historic London to Holyhead A5 route. 

The current owner of the hotel has been looking to sell in recent years, and there has been a notable local campaign headed by Corwen Town Councillor Dr David Counsell to purchase and refurbish the site for the benefit of the local community.

 

The £452,700 in funding will come from the UK government’s Community Ownership Fund which opened in 2021 to support community groups to take ownership of assets which are at risk of being lost to the community. 

In addition to the funds from the UK government, the Owain Glyndwr Community Hotel Ltd have also independently raised over £164,000 through share sales. 

 

Across the UK, the Department for Levelling Up has announced £33.5m today to save more than 80 projects in our communities. Of these, six vital community spaces in Wales have been saved from closure thanks to £3.1m from the Department for Levelling Up’s Community Ownership Fund.

* Simon Baynes MP and Cllr Dr David Counsell outside the Owain Glyndwr Hotel in Corwen in 2022.

 

This funding for the Owain Glyndwr Hotel comes on top of the £13.3 million Clwyd South Levelling Up Fund, secured by Simon Baynes MP from the UK government in 2021, which contains a substantial package of investment in Corwen Station, the town centre and the surrounding area.

 

Mr Baynes said: “I am delighted by the news that the UK government has approved the Owain Glyndwr Community Hotel Limited’s Community Ownership Fund application. 

"The £452,700 awarded will cover top up funding for the purchase, revenue funding to cover any trading shortfalls in the first 12 months and will kick start the refurbishment programme.

 

"I was very proud to back this campaign and I have been enormously impressed by everyone involved, including Cllr Dr David Counsell and County Councillor Alan Hughes, all of whom should take great pride in their work helping to save this historic landmark for future generations.

 

"Since I was elected as the MP for Clwyd South in December 2019, I have been particularly keen to support the beautiful town and community of Corwen, which has suffered from a lack of investment. I am very pleased to have helped bring significant Levelling Up Fund investment to the town from the UK government so that Corwen can realise its great potential and prosper in the years to come.”