Eisteddfod's lunchtime choir recitals are back at St Collen's

* One of last year's international competitor choirs sings in the historic church of St Collen's.

Popular lunchtime recitals are back again at St Collen’s Church this year, allowing visitors to get a glimpse of some of the choirs competing at this year's Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

The 'Recitals at 1pm' will feature choirs from The Philippines, Singapore, Poland, USA, Czech Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, and Zimbabwe.  

The 6th century church is an iconic setting for the annual recitals that have attracted some of the best choirs from across the globe.  

Choir of the World winners Kammerchor from Manila won the Pavarotti Trophy last year, and performed at St Collen's. 

John Gambles, Vice-Chair of the festival, said: "We are delighted to be working again with Father Lee Taylor and the team at St Collen’s Church to host some of the world's most outstanding choirs.  

"St Collen’s is an amazing place and the acoustics really suit our competitors. Many of our past competitors told us how much they enjoyed preforming in our church, and we look forward to welcoming everyone there during our Core Eisteddfod Week.  

"The recitals are our way of giving back to the Llangollen Community, and to welcome people to our amazing historic church."

All of the performances are free, and will be held from 1pm - 2pm.  

The timetable is subject to change, and a collection will be held every afternoon for the Llangollen Eisteddfod Bursary Fund.

Choirs performing at St Collen's during the Core Eisteddfod week are:

* Wednesday / Dydd Mercher  3 July: GC Ensemble, Philippines + Voice of Singapore Children’s Choir.

* Thursday / Dydd Iau  4 July: Choir Collegium Medicum UMK, Poland + Cantemus Camerata, USA.

* Friday / Dydd Gwener 5 July: Červánek + Jitřenka, Czech Republic.

* Saturday / Dydd Sadwrn 6 July:  Soul Oasis Cultural Ambassadors, Trinidad + Tobago & Pathway Choir, Zimbabwe.

Roadworks alert for Vicarage Road

Latest local roadworks alert from Causeway one.network is:

Vicarage Road, Llangollen, Denbighshire

25 June - 25 June

 

Roadworks, Delays unlikely

 

Traffic management: Some carriageway incursion

 

Description: WORKS TO COMPLETE INTERIM TO PERMANENT RE-INSTATEMENT

 

Works location: OPPOSITE DELFRYN

 

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: GY004522844RB

 

 

Delay to Four Great Highways scheme explained

* Work has stopped on the steps up to the Wharf.

Llangollen's Four Great Highways scheme has run into one great problem that's going to delay its completion until next month.  

People have been wondering why work on the project, funded by the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund, has been halted for weeks now.

But an update from the team in charge sent out yesterday (Monday) provides the answer - steel. 

Sent to all local stakeholders, it says: "As you may be aware, the project was initially due to complete by the end of this week.  

"Unfortunately, despite carrying out ground investigations prior to the works commencing, we have encountered unexpected ground conditions both in Lower Dee Mill Park and at the Wharf.  

* ... and at Lower Dee Mill Park. 

"This has resulted in a re-design of the foundations under the existing steps in the park, and a re-design of the foundations including the introduction of a steel sub-frame and concrete pile caps (a dense concrete pad that supports heavy structures in areas where the ground is soft) at the Wharf.

"The contractor is now waiting for the steel to be delivered for both areas, but this can only happen once it has been fabricated and has received the correct application of coatings before the material arrives on site.  The delivery is now planned to take place next week.

"Due to this delay, the planned completion date for the project is now end August 2024. However, please be assured the contractor is working very hard to complete some aspects of the scheme sooner if and where possible.  The signage and wayfinding aspect of the project will also be installed before the end of August 2024.

"We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience and disruption this may cause."

llanblogger complains to watchdog about county's new waste system

Llanblogger’s Phil Robinson has lodged an official complaint with Wales’s public services watchdog against Denbighshire County Council for the problems caused by the recent introduction of its new household waste recycling scheme.

And he has told the Public Services Ombudsman’s office in Cardiff, which investigates complaints and works to improve standards within public bodies, that he wants them to ensure that himself and the many other Denbighshire residents affected by these problems are provided with "the regular and efficient waste collection system which they pay for and deserve”.

In his online complaint form, submitted yesterday (Monday) morning, he says: “After much fanfare, the county council launched a new household recycling scheme, based on a Troliboc or a moveable stack of plastic boxes, rather than wheelie bins, on June 3.

“Since day one of the new system things have gone badly wrong, not just in my immediate area but also across the whole of the county.

“Many complaints have been aired on social media and verbally about irregular or totally missed collections of the Trolibocs, which include compartments for recyclable items such as paper, plastics and glass. Food waste must be left in a lidded orange bin and cardboard in a large blue plastic bag.

“This situation has been repeated throughout the county and residents are being told by the council on its social media that specified areas will receive the collection due to them on certain days. But in many cases, I understand, this information has been incorrect and collections continue to be missed.”

He adds: “We are also told that county councillors have been deluged with complaints about the situation and that staff from other departments of the council have been drafted in to help under-pressure refuse operatives.

“I complained directly about mine and my neighbours' missed collections directly to the council's chief executive, Graham Boase, last week but so far have received no response.

“This has become a major problem for residents of the county and one which shows no signs of being remedied. It smacks of maladministration of the worst kind.

“I therefore thought it was time to complain to the Ombudsman on behalf of myself and the many other people affected by this situation.”

And asked on the form what he would like to see the Ombudsman do to remedy the situation he answered: “To ensure that myself and the other Denbighshire residents affected by the problem are provided with the regular and efficient waste collection system which they pay for and deserve.”

The complaint has been officially logged complete with a reference number and llanblogger will keep readers posted of its progress.

* To make a complaint to the Ombudsman, go to: https://www.ombudsman.wales/

People urged to attend public meeting over town's public toilets

* Under threat: the public toilets in Market Street.

The man who has been the driving force behind organising a public meeting to discuss the county council’s controversial plan to rid itself of Llangollen’s public toilets has stressed how vital it is for people to attend it.

In a bid to balance its budget, Denbighshire aims to close all the public conveniences it runs across the county and offer local town and community councils the chance to take them over.

This includes the toilets in Llangollen’s Market Street. But the Town Council has already ruled out a take-over on the grounds that it would be beyond its financial means and lead to a big increase on the amount it draws from the council tax.

The idea that a major tourist town like Llangollen stands to lose its busy public loos has sparked major protests on social media ranging over the past couple of months since the plan was revealed.

One of its leading opponents has been local resident Rod Holt who has been urging the Town Council to host a public meeting where all the sides of the argument can be aired.

Having secured the correct number of local electors required to spark it town clerk Gareth Thomas has now posted the necessary public notice.

This says the public meeting will be held at the Town Hall in Parade Street on Tuesday August 6, starting at 6pm.

It adds: “The purpose of the meeting is to address residents' and the business community’s concerns related to the transfer of ownership of the Llangollen public conveniences within potential for closure.”

Rod Hold said:  “It’s essential all shop/business owners and concerned residents, particularly those that posted support, attend this meeting so DCC are left in no doubt as to the feelings in Llangollen regarding the proposed closure of this vital facility.”

Llangollen county councillor Karen Edwards also urged people to attend the meeting.

She said: “Many people will now be aware that the county council has resolved to largely de-fund budgetary provision for operating public conveniences. This was part of a wider cost saving exercise with the aim of producing a balanced budget. 

"I have consistently and vehemently opposed the closure of the Market Street toilets and the response from officers of the council thus far has been to say that no decision has been taken. 

"The proposal was due to come before Communities Scrutiny Committee on September 5, prior to Cabinet for a decision later that month. However, that has now been deferred to October, due to the forthcoming election affecting the time-frame for adequate public consultation on the proposals. 

"I shall obviously attend the  public community meeting hosted by the Llangollen Town Council, to listen to the views of those attending. The Market Street toilets are a vital part of our public infrastructure and I hope that many residents and businesses are able to attend.” 

Young composer with Llangollen links lands dream job

* Conductor Robert Guy. 

A talented young conductor who has often performed in Llangollen is following in the footsteps of his musical hero Sir Simon Rattle.

Robert Guy, 36, from Wrexham, says he’s hugely honoured to be appointed as conductor of the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra where Sir Simon, the legendary classical conductor, started out as a young percussionist.

Remarkably, Robert overcame childhood deafness to forge a successful career in music as a conductor, educator and entrepreneur.

Thanks to operations to widen his ear canals, by the time he was completely discharged from hospital at the age of 15 his hearing had been fully restored.

He is the co-founder with his composer brother Jonathan of NEW Sinfonia, the resident orchestra at the North Wales International Music Festival in St Asaph which also has close links with Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

NEW Sinfonia also runs a community vocal ensemble NEW Voices, and an education programme, NEW Academi.

Last year Robert received the prestigious Hilary Tann Award for his outstanding contribution to Welsh classical music when royal composer Paul Mealor described him as one of the UK’s “finest young conductors”.

He will be picking up the baton at the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra in September.

The orchestra offers the opportunity to perform alongside world-class soloists and conductors at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.

Members will be playing alongside the senior Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra at a concert in November, as well as taking part in workshops to support their musical development. 

In his early professional career Robert worked regularly with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra as a viola player.

Until recently he was the Director of Ensembles at the University of Manchester and led their highly acclaimed Conducting Programme.

Robert said: “It is a great honour to have been appointed Principal Conductor to the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.

“I was invited to work with the orchestra earlier this year, when I   prepared them for a special reunion concert conducted by  Sir Simon Rattle, and later my own concert at the Philharmonic Hall.

“Sir Simon is a giant of classical music and one of my all-time musical heroes so this really is my dream job.

“I hope this can act as a springboard working towards the orchestra's 75th Birthday in 2026.

“The orchestra has a special history and I am proud to be a part of it, working alongside a great team. 

“I am passionate about making classical music accessible to everyone and I would encourage all young people in Liverpool and the North West to sign up for an audition and be part of something very special for young people in the heart of Liverpool.”

Michael Eakin OBE, Chief Executive of Liverpool Philharmonic  was excited about Robert’s appointment.

He said: “We are delighted that Robert will be joining Liverpool Philharmonic. His passion for music and many years’ experience as a conductor and musician will bring a fresh energy to our Youth Orchestra and help to inspire these incredibly talented young musicians.

“The city’s young people are a central focus of our work. We provide regular musical training to 2,000 young people through Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company and In Harmony and are delighted to welcome the next generation of talented musicians into our Youth Company this year.”

Paloma Faith lights up the Pavilion stage with a sizzling show

* On the Pavilion stage with Paloma Faith.

* And outside with the fans ...

. and with the fans outside.

Bad Woman was the title of one of the songs Paloma Faith belted out at the top end of her sizzling set at Llangollen Pavilion last night.

And she spent quite a few minutes trying to prove in her talk with the packed audience that was exactly what she had become after going through upheaval in her private life.

But the strongest impression we were left with after a couple of hours was what a fantastically good performer she is.

It was another incredible night at the Eisteddfod venue as the BRIT Award-winning artiste lit up the big stage hot on the heels of Bryan Adams and Simple Minds earlier in the week. 

She treated the buzzing crowd to an array of hits from her extensive and much-loved repertoire.

Fans sang along to classics such as Crybaby, Lullaby, and Stone Cold Sober, as well as new songs from her sixth studio album, The Glorification of Sadness. 

After opening the show with her recent hit song How To Leave A Man, she declared: “I always love coming to Wales. You’re one of my favourite crowds to play for, you really know how to have a good time!” 

After floating on stage in a stunning monochrome gown she gave us some pretty serious yet uniquely punchy numbers of her own composition in the first half.

But when she returned for the closing section clad in a slinky catsuit and new, darker hairstyle we just knew we were in for some fun with lots of dancey stuff plus previous hits like Picking Up the Pieces and Only Love Can Hurst Like This.

As has been the case all week, the audience didn’t want to let her go because they couldn't quite believe that they'd been able to see performers of this quality right here in Llangollen.

And because only Paloma Faith can sing like this.

The headline shows are part of a new partnership between Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and Live Nation promoters Cuffe and Taylor.  

The series continues Friday (June 28) with Manic Street Preachers and the Kaiser Chiefs on Saturday June 29.

Then it's Nile Rodgers and CHIC on July 11, Jess Glynne on July 12 and Madness on July 13.

A concert by Welsh legend Tom Jones will open the Core Week of the Eisteddfod, which runs from July 2 to July 7 and will also include shows from Gregory Porter and Katherine Jenkins. 

* For more information and to secure final tickets head to llangollen.net and www.ticketmaster.co.uk