New partnership links top music award with Eisteddfod

 

A new partnership between a prestigious music award and the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod aims to offer emerging Welsh musicians a major new performance opportunity on an international stage.

Held annually in Swansea each June, the John Fussell Award brings together outstanding students from leading UK conservatoires, each nominated for their exceptional talent and Welsh connections.

The competition has become an important platform for identifying the next generation of performers at the start of their professional careers.

From 2026, the winner of the award will receive free entry to one of the Eisteddfod’s flagship competitions, the Pendine International Voice of the Future (for singers) or the International Instrumentalist of the Future. 

In a further enhancement, opera singers awarded this opportunity will be fast-tracked directly to the semi-final stage of the Voice of the Future competition in the Pavilion, bypassing the preliminary round.

The collaboration strengthens the Eisteddfod’s ongoing commitment to supporting young artists and creating clear pathways from training into the professional spotlight. With audiences of up to 4,000 in the Pavilion and competitors drawn from across the globe, the competitions represent a significant career milestone for emerging performers.

This year’s John Fussell Award will be adjudicated by a distinguished three-person panel, comprising percussionist, conductor and Artistic Director of the Eisteddfod, Dave Danford, and internationally acclaimed Welsh soprano Rebecca Evans, with the panel chaired by Huw Tregelles Williams, former Director of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.

Dave Danford said: “The John Fussell Award consistently showcases some of the most exciting young musicians with Welsh connections. Creating this link with the Eisteddfod is a natural next step, offering a clear pathway onto an international platform and helping to support artists at a crucial stage in their development.”

Operatic picks up three amateur stage 'Oscars' for its last show

* The cast of the award-winning Into the Woods on the Town Hall stage last year.

Llangollen Operatic Society has picked up three amateur stage "Oscars" for its production of the fantasy musical Into the Woods last September.

At the 2026 North Wales and Ireland NODA Awards in Llandudno last night (Saturday) they picked up the gongs for Outstanding Show, Outstanding Choreography by Rob Stevens and Outstanding Youth Performer with Ethan Roberts, who is a member of the society's junior section, the Young 'Uns.

In all, the society's adult and juniors section had been nominated for a total of 11 nominations this year.  

The multiple nods included five for individuals and six for productions from their two 2025 shows, including the Young 'Uns' We Will Rock You.

A spokesperson for the Operatic said: "We are so excited and very proud to have scored a triple-victory in these prestigious awards and congratulations must go to both cast and crew who made this fantastic show possible."

Why Mark was moved to help the Ukrainian struggle

* The vehicle Mark Birkill raised the money to pay for is delivered to Ukraine. 

A Corwen man has revealed how watching the moving arrival in the UK of two refugees from the war-torn country set him off on the road to strongly supporting Ukraine's battle for survival following the Russian invasion.

Mark Birkill, whose day job is working with veterans, has since helped deliver a 4x4 vehicle paid for by Penyllan Chapel in Llangollen to the front line to aid the military and civilians and recently raised enough money to pay for his own specialist vehicle to be sent out.

Mark told llanblogger: "In February 2022 I was appalled by Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and the news pictures coming out of the country.

"My wife and I agreed to host an older Ukrainian couple and they stayed with us for nearly two years. I was deeply moved by the sight of them getting off a coach at 4am in Chester bus station, bewildered, far from home, their lives packed into two suitcases. 

"While I am proud and privileged to have been a host, it also felt very inadequate. I considered any other ways I could help and became aware of several charities that were involved in acquiring pick-ups and 4x4s to take to Ukraine for use in frontline areas. 

"I set up a JustGiving page. Initially I asked local businesses if they had an old vehicle they were seeking to offload which drew a blank. I later visited Anna’s Cafe in Oak Street, Llangollen to drop off some flyers but saw I had been beaten to it by posters from a charity called Mission Ukraine. 

"I discovered that a local man, Danny Fairburn, was involved in the charity and we arranged to meet. Danny is an inspirational person having dedicated himself to supporting Ukraine. He told me that a local church had bought a vehicle and I could take it out with Pastor Brian Smith from the church and Paata Samsonidze from Anna’s, who is Ukrainian. 

"In December we took the vehicle to an American who was a former Deputy Police Sherriff serving in the Ukrainian Army near Chernobyl. 

"We stayed at Paata’s home near Kyiv for a week and he very generously showed us places of interest including Bucha, a site of Russian atrocities, Russian drones and tanks in Kyiv and, very movingly, Ukrainian military cemeteries and memorials to the fallen.

"My own fundraising eventually reached £2,000, enough to buy a vehicle, and two lads from Middlesborough took the vehicle to Ukraine. 

"I had some very generous donations including from people I didn’t know. I named the vehicle ‘Rhyddid’ - ‘Freedom’ in Welsh - and it makes me emotional to think that a Welsh speaker working in the country might see it. Donations to Mission Ukraine can be made via: https://www.missionukraine.uk/" 

Tourist information office to sell tickets for the railway

* Denise Williams is part of the team at Llangollen TIC which has partnered with the railway to sell its tickets.

Llangollen and Corwen Railway has announced the expansion of its successful partnership with Llangollen Tourist Information Centre following strong demand for tickets sold in the town centre.

Since launching ticket sales at the Tourist Information Centre on Castle Street in partnership with Go North Wales, the initiative has proven hugely popular with visitors. 

Being able to buy railway tickets right in the centre of Llangollen has made it easier than ever for people to plan their visit and enjoy one of North Wales’ leading heritage attractions.

Building on this success, the railway has confirmed that from this week, visitors will also be able to purchase official railway merchandise directly from the Tourist Information Centre. 

Items on sale will include branded gifts such as teddy bears, tote bags, key rings, cups and cushions, making the centre a convenient place to pick up both tickets and souvenirs.

David Hennigan, Trust Manager at the railway, said: “The success of selling tickets through the Tourist Information Centre has been fantastic. It has made a real difference in helping visitors access the railway more easily, right from the centre of our town.

“The TIC is such a brilliant asset to Llangollen. It plays a vital role in welcoming visitors and promoting everything the town, the Dee Valley and the wider region have to offer.

“It’s been a pleasure to work alongside Denise, Barbara and the whole team, who do an outstanding job every day. We are proud to support them and strengthen this partnership even further.

“By expanding into merchandise, we’re creating an even better experience for visitors, giving them the chance not only to plan their journey, but also to take a piece of the railway home with them.”

Over the coming months, the railway will be expanding its partnerships with tourist attractions across North Wales, reinforcing its commitment to promoting Llangollen and everything the area has to offer, and supporting the town’s bid for Town of Culture.

Partnerships have already been announced with the Llangollen Garden Railway Festival, the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and Wales Comic Con, helping to position the town as a vibrant, year-round destination.

The railway is also championing Welsh produce through its “Ales from Wales” Real Ale Trains, launching on 25 April, featuring Welsh favourites including Hafod and Purple Moose. The event will also include live music in the “James Veal” Station Master’s Marquees at the front of Llangollen Railway Station, creating a lively festival atmosphere alongside the trains.

The railway’s café is now proudly stocking predominantly Welsh produce, including Mario’s Luxury Ice Cream, as part of a wider commitment to support local suppliers.The ambition is clear. The railway wants to play a leading role in supporting businesses across Wales, while giving visitors a genuine taste of the region.

* Find out more at: www.llangollen-railway.co.uk

Change of venue for Llangollen Flower Club

Llangollen Flower Club is moving to a new location. 

It will now be meeting at The Gallery, on the ground floor in the Eisteddfod Pavilion, off Abbey Road.

A club spokesperson said: "Car Parking will be free. Enjoy a free tea or coffee and please bring your own mug.

"We welcome any visitors to our meetings for £6 or annual membership is £45.

"The demonstrator at the next meeting on Tuesday April 28 at 2pm will be Lynne Rowlands.

"Our next coffee morning will be held on May 5, from 11 am to 12 noon in the Memorial Hall, Market Street, Llangollen."

Time to complain about Aldi's sudden snatching away of Free From sections

* Aldi's Llangollen store where the excellent Free From section has now gone without warning.

If you're thinking of shopping at Aldi in Llangollen for your gluten-free food, forget it.

Because, as I discovered to my disgust earlier this week, they no longer have the Free From section which I and other gluten-avoiding consumers have been happily purchasing from for over a year.

There are currently around 8.5 million people in the UK - me included - who have chosen a GF diet because their delicate gastro-system makes it an absolute necessity, or they just adopting that kind of diet.

But, as everyone who buys it knows literally to their cost, your GF stuff is eye-wateringly and unfairly expensive.  

Fine, you can still get it at many other outlets - and some of the larger supermarkets have an excellent offering - but nowhere can you buy it nearly as cheaply as at Aldi. 

I gather from an excellent article in the Denbighshire Free Press a couple of days ago that around 300 of the 1,000 Aldi branches in the UK, obviously including Llangollen, started up a dedicated Free From section on a trial basis back in January 2025. And, regrettably, that trial has now come to an end.  

And at one arbitrary stroke by the Aldi high command - which came without prior warning - this casts GF people like me back into the hell of inescapably high prices.

In the Free Press piece, the budget giant claimed they were "committed to ensuring" customers with dietary requirements will still be able to buy what they need and that they engage with key allergy charities.    

Oh yes, then why is that on my last trip to the Llangollen Aldi there were just the last few, sad GF offerings crammed into a corner of what used to be their well-stocked Free From section?

A reliable source within that store to whom I complained about the situation said that the decision to scrap it had nothing to do with local management but was down to "head office," which was surprising, they said, as the Free From items had been selling well there.

The newspaper piece described how gluten allergic people across the country were now complaining bitterly about the ripping away of their budget-priced Free From items, including staples like bread which was often about half the price at Aldi than anywhere else. 

While the corporate culprits are still trotting out what I know from my years in journalism are standard public relations responses to a situation which has alienated customers, I reckon it's time for direct action. Time, in fact, to deluge Aldi head office with complaints about what they have done to us in the hope they'll see sense and return to us what they have taken away.

* You can email Aldi customer support at: https://help.aldi.co.uk/contact-form-product I've already done so and it feels like a good way of fighting back.

Just a few points about filling in the form:

* Question "select category" - choose "other"

* Question "purchased online" -  choose "no"

* Question "barcode number unknown" - choose "my issue does not concern a product"

Happy complaining.

Llangollen's vicar helps create Church in Wales landmark

* Father Lee Taylor speaking in support of the bill at the Church in Wales Governing Body meeting in Llandudno.

The vicar of Llangollen has spoken of the significant part he played in the Church in Wales Governing Body voting to make permanent provision for church blessings for couples in same-sex civil marriages and civil partnerships.

Five years ago, after deciding that it was “pastorally unsustainable” for the Church to make no formal provision for those in committed same-sex relationships, the Governing Body yesterday (Thursday), meeting in Llandudno, approved a service of blessing for an experimental five-year period, which is due to come to an end in September this year.

Father Lee Taylor, priest-in-charge at St Collen's, said: "It’s a real landmark decision and I had the privilege of being a part of it by speaking in the debate and by being on the Select Committee to shape the new liturgy/service." 

Speaking in support of the bill, he said: "There’s a podcast called The Telepathy Tapes, exploring the experiences of non-speaking autistic people who communicate in alternative ways. In one part, someone was asked a simple but profound question: what is love? And the response was: ‘Love is anything that unifies.’

"Love is a unifying force. And this force, this power, this intelligence, this universal mind, we call God. God’s love does not diminish or separate… it unifies. I support this bill because it makes room for grace… for love. And it demonstrates that God is always at work where love, faithfulness and commitment are found.”

Over two days the Church's Governing Body debated a motion to make the provision permanent by incorporating a rite for the blessing of same-sex marriages and partnerships into the Book of Common Prayer

The measure needed a two thirds majority of each of the Orders which comprise the Governing Body: Bishops, Clergy and Laity.  All five Bishops voted in favour. The clergy voted 32 – 7 in favour, with 5 abstentions, and the laity 48 - 8 in favour, with 2 abstentions.

The Church in Wales does still not have provision to marry same-sex couples. However, in November 2025, after several months of careful listening exercises, the Bishops of the Church issued a pastoral letter noting that the process had shown a majority “in favour of the view that the time is right to offer equal marriage.”

Further proposals will duly be brought forward in April 2027 to allow the law of the state and of the Church to be changed to permit equal marriage in the Church in Wales.

Speaking about yesterday's vote, the Most Revd Cherry Vann, Archbishop of Wales, said: “I want to thank everyone for the ways in which this debate was conducted – calmly, and with mutual respect. The Bench of Bishops and I recognise that this is an issue about which people hold strong convictions. We want everybody to be able to hold their views with integrity whilst not losing sight of the image of God that resides in all of us. We want to build a church that can make space for each other whatever our different perspectives.”

* You can read the proposed liturgy here, and the amendments proposed by members of the Governing Body here.