Eisteddfod hosts all-star family fun day on festival Sunday

* Fun day host Andy Day.

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod will be opening its gates for a Family Fun Day on Sunday July 7 featuring children’s TV presenter Andy Day. 

Andy will be presenting a lunchtime concert in the pavilion, which is being produced in association with Music for Youth, and will feature young musicians from across the UK, as well as some of the Eisteddfod’s visiting groups from overseas.  

Either side of the lunchtime concert there will be outside stage performances, featuring international competitors, young musicians, local bands, and another appearance from Andy as he presents his Dinosaur Raps!

There will be a wide range of other activities for all the family to enjoy, including interactive workshops, along with retail traders, and a variety of food and drink outlets. 

This is all part of a revitalised Llangollen Eisteddfod, which features artists such as Tom Jones, Gregory Porter and Katherine Jenkins during its Core Eisteddfod Week (July 2-7) along with additional shows either side from global superstars such as Bryan Adams, Simple Minds, Paloma Faith, Manic Street Preachers, Jess Glynne, and Madness.

Dave Danford, Artistic Director of the Eisteddfod, said: “The line-up of artists we have coming to perform in Llangollen this year is incredible, and alongside the global superstars we have the best homegrown Welsh talent as well, including Calan, royal harpist Alis Huws, and Johns’ Boys’ Male Chorus. 

"We also have over 3,000 competitors from 32 countries coming here to compete, many of whom will also be performing during our Family Day on Sunday July 7. 

"This day will be a real celebration, with a full programme of entertainment to suit all ages, along with a lunchtime concert in the pavilion, which is being produced alongside Music for Youth, to showcase some of the UK’s finest young musicians.

“Andy Day has been a familiar face on our TV screens for over 15 years, and we can’t wait to welcome him to the Eisteddfod, as he brings his infectious enthusiasm to proceedings.”

* All tickets allow access to the Eisteddfod field from 10am to 4pm, and the lunchtime concert inside the pavilion at 12.30pm at no additional cost.

A family ticket for 1 adult + 2 children costs just £21, with additional adults at £18, additional children at £3, and under 5s are free.

Tickets are available to buy online from LLANGOLLEN.NET

Town's summer fete is coming back after five years

After a gap of five years due to the pandemic Llangollen Summer Fete is back next month.

Three local organisations - Vale of Llangollen Rotary, Llangollen Parks Project and Plas Newydd – have teamed up to revive the popular event, which was last held in 2019, on Saturday June 8 at its traditional location of Plas Newydd, from 12.30-4pm.

Organisers say it will feature a range of family-friendly favourites, including games, stalls, treasure hunts, raffles, entertainment, yummy food, competitions, a local artisan market, music and much more.

Entry to the event will be by donation only and funds raised on the day will go to a number of good causes.

Further updates and announcements on the event will be given on its Facebook page here and the event page here.

Organiser are also encouraging people to share their memories of past summer fetes.

Councillor raises band hut graffiti attack with police

* The graffiti sprayed on the band hut wall.

A concerned county councillor has raised a graffiti attack on the Llangollen Silver Band hut with the police. 

Band members saw the huge white letters daubed on the rear, riverside wall of their Parade Street headquarters when they turned up for practice there on Monday evening. 

Now Llangollen county councillor Karen Edwards says she will be giving details of the act of vandalism to local police. 

A conductor with the band described the attack as "disgraceful."

The defacement of one of the town's best known buildings which took members years to complete, has sparked anger on social media.

Comments include:

“Dear me, that’s so disrespectful to the people who put so much time and effort into that building , including my own father.”

"We work so hard to look after the band room. It’s run completely voluntarily and all we want it to be able to bring happiness to the community. Breaks my heart that people find it appropriate to do this.”

“The Police Station is across the road, hopefully they will have some footage of the culprits.”

“What is wrong with people, constantly wanting to destroy things, why? So sad.” 

“Narcissists like to see their names emblazoned on roads and paths in our park this week.”

“Omg that’s awful!”

“Disgraceful lack of respect.”

“Such a shame people work so hard to keep the band going and building looking nice.”

“Any CCTV? There was a spate of this late last year - culprits were on camera.”

“A stupid thing to do.”

Items from the past found under church floor

* Items found under the floor including glass, lead, nails and a 1919 coin.

Genesis Project Manager Sue Evans along with engineers, an archaeologist, and the church’s architect Duncan Sanderson recently visited St Collen's to closely inspect the void beneath the timber platform holding the pews as part of the on-going re-ordering.

Chris Williams, from Heneb, Clwyd-Powys Archaeology https://www.facebook.com/cpatarchaeology said: “The visit was necessary to develop a design specification for the proposed heating system, the removal of some of the pews and relocation of the font.

“Seven trial holes were opened in the oak flooring of the platform to test different areas.

“The findings from the day show that the base below the platform throughout the church consisted of a compacted lime mortar-rich soil with a combination of mortared stone debris and wood shavings, likely from the construction and subsequent modifications to the timber platform.”

Sue was later able to show members of the congregation some of the items found under the flooring, which included Victorian glass and lead from the windows, Victorian nails and tiles and a coin dating from 1919.

* Expert inspection under the pew area.

The results from the day will enable the project to design a new heating system for the church.

This is just a small part of the much larger project to create a community space within the building, the money for which has been provided by the Heritage Fund and will include the provision of a toilet and kitchen in the church.

Sue added: “We will soon be undertaking some community events which will enable us to research the rich history of the building. So if you would like to be involved with these events then please do get in touch with us.”

Big tent now fully ready for Eisteddfod action

Eisteddfod volunteer Issy Richards was at the International Pavilion yesterday (Monday) to capture the dramatic scenes as the heavy machinery went into action to put up the rear section of the iconic "big tent".

In just a couple of months time it will provide the extra audience requirements for the world-class entertainers such as Sir Tom Jones and Katherine Jenkins who are lined up to appear within it along with a host of talented competitors from across the globe. 

Tractor run raises £2,100 Teenage Cancer Trust

Members of the Vale of Llangollen Rotary Club and Llangollen Young Farmers' Club got together to mark the second donation made possible by their very successful Illuminated Tractor Run last December. 

A total of £2,100 is being sent to assist the work of the Teenage Cancer Trust which works across the UK  supporting young people who are making their way through some difficult times in their lives and their families too.

Both organisations would like to thank everyone locally who helped and supported making these donations possible.

Full hybrid new Suzuki makes for some Swift handling

New Suzuki Swift drive by Steve Rogers

Suzuki could not have picked a better time to launch its new Swift.

Why? Because the supermini cake is getting smaller. Ford shocked the motoring world when it ditched the huge selling Fiesta, add other big hitters like Nissan Micra and Kia Rio and the list of rivals is shrinking.

Not that it is going to be plain sailing, there is still good opposition around yet new Swift has a strong story to tell: A starting price under £19k, class leading economy and a more than impressive spec list.

There are just two grades, Motion and Ultra, and the obvious pick is Motion. Suzuki has packed the entry model with all the essentials so expect LED headlights, heated front seats, rear camera and sensors, navigation with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connections, adaptive cruise control and a generous list of other safety aids including blind spot monitor, cross traffic alert, and warning beeps if you stray off line.

Swift made its debut in 1985 but it was the 2004 model that made people sit up and take notice. The eye catching shape has stood the test of time although the new model has a redesigned front and is all the better for it.

There have been significant changes inside as well. The outdated dashboard has a more modern look with a lot of new tech in a prominent 9.2inch touchscreen along with an updated driver's binnacle.

It is still covered with hard plastics - the Japanese prefer it because it is easier to clean - yet it has a quality look about it helped by a two-tone finish.

Swift is one of the smallest superminis so don't expect masses of room. It can cope with four adults but the boot is compact and will struggle to take anything more than three carry on bags.

The other big change is a new 1.2 litre three-cylinder engine. It is a self charging 12V mild hybrid so the benefit from the motor is restricted to a small increase in acceleration, lower emissions and smoother stop/start system.

Three-pot engines sound a bit gruff under hard acceleration but have good low down pick up and are generally frugal on fuel. The Swift is exceptional with a class leading 64mpg from the five speed manual. Performance is only adequate and you will need to drop down gears on hills where it runs out of puff.

The car would benefit from a full hybrid set up like the new MG3 which is way faster but with the extra weight of a battery pack will drink more fuel and cost more.

Suzuki is offering a CVT automatic linked to its highly efficient AllGrip all wheel drive system and for the first time AllGrip will be available with the five-speed manual.

A big part of the Swift's charm is its sporty handling. It is a fun car to dart through twists and turns, body movement is under control and the steering quick and precise. No understeer, no drama just an easy, rewarding drive.

Will there be another Sport model? Who knows because UK Director Dale Wyatt gave nothing more than a considered 'may be' when I posed the question. But he did reveal that Suzuki will launch its first battery electric car next year.

If you lived in India your car would probably be a Suzuki where the company rules the roost with almost half the car market. It has never been very easy in the UK in spite of an enviable reliability record, but they have smoothed over a few rough edges and with its competitive price and outstanding economy this could be the time to go for glory.

Fast facts

Swift Ultra mild hybrid

£20,549 (starts £18,699)

1.2 litre petrol; 82bhp

0-62mph 12.5secs; 103mph

64.2mpg combined

99g/km. 1st year tax £165

Boot: 265-589 litres

Insurance group 27