Eisteddfod extends contract of artistic director Dave Danford

                                                                            

* Dave Danford with K T Tunstall at the 2025 Eisteddfod.

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has announced the extension of Dave Danford’s contract as Artistic Director, as the world-renowned festival marks its 79th year in 2026.   

Appointed to the role in 2023, Dave has led a creative transformation of the festival’s profile and programming — curating an eclectic mix that spans from West End theatre concerts to bespoke orchestral collaborations including the much-acclaimed KT Tunstall concert with the Absolute Orchestra this year, which he arranged, orchestrated and conducted. 

  

Dave’s connection with the Eisteddfod stretches back to 2010 when he performed in an evening concert as a percussionist with the Cory Band, and continued in 2012, when he first collaborated with previous Music Director Eilir Owen Griffiths on the production of evening concerts.

Since then, he has played an integral role in the festival’s artistic evolution in a variety of capacities and, alongside a portfolio career which has recently involved work with artists such as Dua Lipa and Reye, has led a resurgence in the festival’s profile and direction. 

  

With the 2026 programme soon to be unveiled, Dave and the team are already looking ahead to the Eisteddfod’s 80th anniversary celebrations in 2027 — a milestone expected to honour and elevate one of Wales’ most cherished cultural institutions. 

  

“It’s no secret that I love this place, and being here all year round to plan the festival is both a joy and a privilege,” said Dave. 

  

“Over the last couple of years, we’ve worked hard to raise the bar across every aspect of the Eisteddfod — from competitions to evening concerts — and I’m thrilled to continue that journey through to our 80th anniversary year. We have some very exciting announcements to make in the next couple of weeks about next year’s Eisteddfod, and I’m certain that 2026 is going to be a year to remember.” 

MS praises pioneering product from Glyndyfrdwy company

* From left: Lionel Clarke, Llyr Gruffydd, Mary Clarke, Tom Foules, Neil Craddock, Chris Clarke.

A pioneering process that turns waste products into a soil improver has been praised by Plaid Cymru’s Member of the Senedd for North Wales, Llyr Gruffydd.

He made his comments during a recent visit to BionerG in Glyndyfrdwy, which is developing world-leading carbon removal technology.

The company, led by Professor Lionel Clarke OBE, has developed cutting-edge technology to produce biochar - a charcoal-like substance created from forestry by-products such as wood offcuts, windfall and brash. 

When produced at high temperatures, the resulting biochar is almost entirely pure carbon and offers huge potential both environmentally and economically.

Biochar is highly valued in the agriculture sector as a natural soil improver. It can make pasture more drought-tolerant, increase soil pH levels (reducing the need for lime), and support better soil microbiology. The process itself is regarded as carbon-negative, as it effectively locks atmospheric CO₂ - absorbed by growing trees - into the soil for generations to come.

BionerG has also secured a patent for its software platform that allows users to trade the carbon credits generated by biochar production on the global market. This innovation means the technology not only contributes to the fight against climate change but also offers a new revenue stream for producers.

Llyr Gruffydd said: “It’s inspiring to see this kind of innovation happening here in North Wales. BionerG’s technology takes what would otherwise be waste from the forestry industry and turns it into something that benefits both the environment and our agricultural sector.

“This kind of carbon-negative technology has enormous potential - it sequesters carbon for generations, improves soil health, and strengthens the environmental credentials of farms across Wales. It’s exactly the type of forward-thinking enterprise we need to see more of.”

The biochar technology developed by BionerG has several advantages:

• It is cost-effective to establish and operate.
• It utilises by-products from the forestry sector that might otherwise go to waste.
• It locks carbon into the soil for generations.
• It reduces the need for lime and fertiliser, improving sustainability in agriculture.

Free storytelling session planned for Llangollen Library

A free afternoon school storytelling session will be held in Llangollen Library on Wednesday October 22 as part of National Young Storytellers Week 2025.

Final touches being put to Something for Sarah charity concert

Llangollen Operatic Society are busy putting the final touches to their forthcoming concert, "Something for Sarah," a week today on Saturday October 25, in the town hall.

It promises to be a lively evening's entertainment of song and dance from Llangollen Panto Group, the Operatic Society and their youth section, the Young 'Uns.

The idea of the concert came about with the sad passing in 2024 of Sarah Marshall who was the inspired and dedicated choreographer for all these organisations.

One of the concert organisers said: "Sarah worked tirelessly, weaving her magic into everything she did, the results of which were bright, inspired and managed to make the least confident look confident and polished, such was her talent.

"Two very worthwhile charities close to Sarah's heart stand to benefit from the proceeds, these being Friends of the Earth and Nightingale House Hospice, where she spent the last few weeks of her life."

On the night there will be a bar and a  raffle.

* Tickets £10, available from Solitaire Jewellers in Llangollen, or online at: ticketsource.co.uk/llangollenoperaticsociety.

Long-standing Llangollen Operatic member Stella Bond passes away

* Taken backstage at the Young 'Uns production of  Joseph and his Technicolor Dreamcoat in 2018 as Stella Bond, society president, presents the Herniman Trophy for Best Performance with Cassius Hackforth and Katy Clark. 

Long-standing Llangollen Operatic Society member, Stella Bond, passed away earlier this week.

A well-known figure in Llangollen, Stella spent her childhood on a hill farm in Pontfadog before moving to Llangollen in 1967 upon her marriage to Donald Bond. 

They moved into their house on Birch Hill and it was also in that year that Don persuaded Stella to join Llangollen Operatic Society, a decision which gave her much pleasure over the years. 

She was an active cast member, appearing on stage in numerous shows, held the committee positions of treasurer, chairman and, latterly, since 2015 was the president.

Stella worked as a clerk in the National Provincial Bank, later known as Natwest. 

She was an enthusiastic member of the Inner Wheel, taking on the role of president of its local branch for a while.

A dedicated church member at St Collen's, she maintained her support and interest after declining health prevented her from continuing in an active role.

A close friend said of her: "Stella was one of the 'old school' - diligent, hard-working, with old-fashioned values."

She leaves a son David, daughter Mair and grandson Ryan.

Her funeral will be held at St Collen's and details will be announced shortly.

Llangollen lads cycling to Thailand have interview with BBC news website

The three Llangollen area lads - known as the Westheads - whose progress llanblogger has been following as they cycle to Thailand have hit the Welsh national headlines.

As they head deeper in Eastern Europe an interview with them has appeared on the BBC's Cymru Fyw online news site.

* For the full story, go to: Llangollen boys cycling to Bangkok - BBC Cymru Fyw

Here is a translation of the article from the Welsh in which it appears:

Three boys from the North East are currently on an unforgettable adventure, cycling from Llangollen to Thailand.

Dyfan Hughes and Louis Dennis are from Llangollen, with James Thomas coming from the Wrexham area. The journey to southeast Asia will take over a year, stopping in a number of countries along the way.

The tour began in Llangollen on 2 August, and the boys are now in eastern Bulgaria, not far from the border with Turkey.

Speaking to Cymru Fyw from the city of Sliven in Bulgaria, Dyfan explained why they are making this trip. "We have a friend called Harrison who lives in Thailand, and he recently lost his father, and we cycled to him. Harrison lived in Cefn near Llangollen and we became good friends with him." All three will be raising money for the Heart Foundation by doing this challenge.

Cycling from north Wales to the south-east of England the three camped, making the most of the fine weather.

"We crossed into the Netherlands, and then went through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Romania, and now we are in Bulgaria."

The plan is to cycle to Turkey in the next few days, and travel along the north of the country into Georgia.

"We're going to stay in Georgia for five months, hoping to work there. The reason we stay so long in Georgia is because it's too cold to cycle through Kazakhstan all winter.

"The hope is to work at the ski resorts, but we'll have to choose any job that's available to tell the truth. "We're trying to get a visa to enter China, but if we can't, we'll have to fly down to India." '

Everything is fine' so far. Things are going smoothly on the journey so far, and they're starting to get used to the challenge of the roads.

"So far everything is going fine. Of course, a large number of punctures, but we're able to patch those up very quickly now."

The boys weren't used to cycling before embarking on this challenge, as Dyfan explained: "All three of us were quite fit, but now we're growing!" In fact, the boys only bought their bikes at the beginning of the summer of this year.

As well as being avid supporters of the Wrexham football team, all three also play for Llangollen, so at least they're used to using their legs! The boys have a huge following on social media, with 48,000 following on Instagram (west.heads) and 98,500 following them on TikTok (@westheads).

The layout of all three is quite similar every day, following the map from west to east.

"We start cycling around 10 every morning... We're not very good at picking up to be honest. We had breakfast in the first shop we saw, and had lunch around 2 or 3 in the afternoon.

"We decide every morning where we want to go, with the intention of finding somewhere to sleep for the night by 6 at night."

Are Dyfan's parents, James and Louis, worried about them travelling so far alone?

"They used to worry a lot at first, but now they're a lot happier," says Dyfan. He went on to say that the three are constantly texting back home so that the family can find out how the trip is going.

The boys plan to arrive in Thailand in October 2026, with the hope that they will have raised a significant amount for a worthy cause. 

Collen Players to present evening of comedy, music and merriment

The Collen Players are promising a sparkling night of laughter, melody, and good old-fashioned entertainment for their next show at St Collen's Community Hall on Friday October 31.

Topping the evening's bill, which starts at 6.30pm, will be Colin Bourdiec, the ukulele maestro who pays a jolly tribute to the great George Formby.

The Chairman of Charm delights with “I’ve Never Seen a Straight Banana” and Phil “Razzle-Dazzle” Robinson tickles the crowd with “My Old Man’s a Dustman.” 

Miss Sue Stokes, billed as our Silver Songbird, will enchant with “After the Ball Is Over.”

Jayne and Clayton — the Melodious Magicians of Melody and Mirth - will provide some stupendous backing throughout the night, with Jayne weaving wonder upon the keys and Clayton conjuring cadence on the drums, this dynamic duo deliver rhythm, rapture and rollicking rejoicing.

And from the parlour to the promenade, presenting those blushing belles of banter and bloomers will be Cissie and Ada presenting a riotous rendering of corsets, cackles and common-sense, recalling the glorious gossip of yesteryear.

Deborah and Jayne - the Mistresses of Melody and Mischief - have their uproarious rendition of “I Want to Sing in Opera,” these tuneful temptresses taking to the stage with trills, thrills, and theatrical tomfoolery.

The evening is all in aid of our Roof Restoration Appeal.

* For an evening of toe-tapping tunes, hearty laughs, and a night that’ll have you whistling all the way home book at:

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on?q=hammerbeams%20and%20harmonies