Blogs

DATE: July 2 nd 2012 15.00 pm 18. 30 pm

FREE CONCERT

LOCATION: Westminster Hall , Houses of Parliament, London

A Commonwealth Carnival of Music will be a spectacular multi-cultural musical celebration, bringing the best of Llangollen International Eisteddfod to Westminster. Hosted by the broadcaster Huw Edwards, Baroness Floella Benjamin and founder of the Bite the Ballot political youth movement, Mike Sani, the Carnival is being staged in association with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (UK) as a central part of this years Diamond Jubilee Celebrations .

Choirs and dancers representing all corners of the Commonwealth on their way to the International Eisteddfod on July 3 rd will perform in front of a specially invited audience of musically talented young people, unsung heroes, community groups, Members of Parliament, Peers, VIPs and representatives of the Commonwealth High Commissions.

The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod attracts some of the best choirs, dancers and performers from all over the world. A selection of 2012s best Commonwealth performers have been invited to perform in A Commonwealth Carnival of Music at Westminster, including choirs from Canada , South Africa and Australia and a dance troupe from India . In addition, the line-up includes The Commonwealth Youth Orchestra , a Maori Choir who will bring the Haka to Westminster, a male Welsh Voice Super- choir and The Watoto Childrens Choir (an award winning and inspirational choir from a charity which looks after orphans in Uganda .) There will also be a rare opportunity to see The Parliament Choir whose members include Lords, MPs and other members of Westminster Staff.

Carnival Producer, Janet McBride said, This is a unique event taking place in the heart of the Palace of Westminster. It combines the spirit of the Llangollen International Eisteddfod with the Commonwealth Connecting Cultures theme for 2012 and is a fitting tribute to The Queens 60 years as head of the Commonwealth.

The President of the Llangollen International Eisteddfod, Terry Wait e acknowledged the Eisteddfods influence by saying that, Today, the festival is known right across the globe and often better known overseas than it is in the United Kingdom! Young people from different religious, ethnic, racial and social backgrounds gather together in Wales to share and express themselves through the language of music. Music has the capacity to breathe a certain harmony into the soul and those who experience harmony and peace within are better able to work for peace throughout the world.

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World Wide Search for 40 Choirs to compete for Pavarotti Trophy, potentially the largest financial prize package for Festival Choir Competition

Brand New Childrens Choir of The World Competition

Exciting new changes being introduced to Llangollen International Eisteddfod Competitions in 2013 will be announced online at www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk Saturday, June 16th 2012 at 09.00am. The International event has begun the search for 40 Choirs to compete for the coveted Pavarotti Trophy in the world renowned Choir of the World Competition in 2013 enticing World Wide competitors with potentially the largest financial prize package of 5,000 for a festival choir.

Eilir Owen Griffiths, the Musical Director explained, Only eight choirs from the Mixed, Youth, Chamber, Male and Female categories will be selected and they will all be in the running for the Choir of the World title from the outset. Another exciting development is the introduction of a special award for Childrens Choirs. We are introducing a Childrens Choir of the World Trophy with a prize fund of 500 for the highest scoring childrens choir along with a brand new Childrens Folk Choir competition for under 18s. We want to maximise the number of choirs that can compete and also further ensure that Llangollen Eisteddfod has the best choral competitions in the World

Llangollen Eisteddfod 2013 also begins the search for the Voice of the Future . The prize of 2,000 will go towards furthering the solo career of a young singer under the age of 35 and also comes with an invitation to perform in one of the major future Eisteddfod concerts.

Other changes will include a new Musical Director Award, which will be awarded by the Eisteddfods Musical Director for the best performance of a work by a living Composer. In addition a Conductors Prize Trophy and fund of 250 will be awarded to the most inspiring Conductor. Another competition for 2013 is an Authentic Vocal Folk Ensemble for no more than 10 performers to present a programme of authentic music representative of their local or regional tradition.

An application fee of 80 will be introduced in 2013 for all groups entering the Eisteddfod Competitions. Solo entry remains free. There is also a new opportunity for non-competitive groups to come and perform at the Eisteddfod. Their application fee is 50.

Musical Director, Eilir Owen Griffiths added, We have put together a new set of competitions that will appeal to a wider range of potential applicants. All the changes will go live Saturday June 16th at 09.00am and can be seen on the Llangollen International Eisteddfod website www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk .

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Llanrhidian Park Venues.


By Mark Williams2, 2012-06-18

Llanrhidian Park Wedding Venues

Llanrhidian Park - The Perfect Wedding Venue is set in the heart of the Gower Peninsula, Swansea, Wales surrounded by the most beautiful coast lines in the UK. Refurbished in 2005, Llanrhidian Park is the perfect venue for Weddings, Conferences, Christmas Parties, Anniversaries, Birthday Parties, Celebrations or for those just looking to eat and drink in the Gower. With 3 bars, a bistro, terrace, play area, smokers area (with sofas and fire) and conference suite, there is a little something for everyone.

wedding venue
Firstly, let us congratulate the both of you on your engagement and thank you for considering Llanrhidian Park as your wedding venue. We can guarantee that you will not be disappointed.

Llanrhidian Parks Abbey Room is the ideal venue for your perfect wedding. With a spectacular draped ceiling and three antique chandeliers. The room is able to cater for 110 guests during the wedding breakfast and 200 during the evening party.

The Ceremony
Llanrhidians beautiful Abbey Room is now licensed to host Civil Ceremonies. Click Here to visit Swansea Councils Civil Ceremonies webpage for more details.

Wedding Coordinators
Here at Llanrhidian Park, we understand how important a wedding day is for any family and we are here to make it one of the most memorable days of your life. Our team of wedding co-ordinators have a wealth of experience at arranging ceremonies and receptions. You can be certain that every detail will be covered to ensure complete satisfaction on your special day. A dedicated wedding coordinator will be on hand to look after you from the moment you book until the moment of departure.

Entertainment
Llanrhidian Park strongly believes that for a wedding to be successful and memorable, choosing the right entertainment is essential. Our team has a wealth of knowledge and will help you arrange the right entertainment for you. Whether you are looking for a Close up Magician to break the ice during the wedding breakfast or a Chimney Sweep to give you the Kiss of Luck, our team is here to help.

Evening Party
With 3 bars, a terrace, a bistro and smokers area, our function suites are able to accommodate up to 200 guests.

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The Shift

He says a plethora of planets

will soon morph many into grief:

they'll become beautiful women

laughing at desperate men in bars

unruly children spitting

in the faces of babysitters

cranky landlords

handing out eviction notices.

He says we'll want the old alignments back,

war with ourselves about what can be done

but the clock will be frozen,

and buried deep.

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Release 2012

She says she can feel Mayan fingers

on the shadows of the year come calling.

Proceeds to tell me of the vivid dreams

that have been drifting through themagnolias

and stinging her in antebellum rooms.

As incense burns the hours,

I watch her sit cross-legged

with piles of books she deems prophetic,

try to decipher symbols

on her cloudy calendar.

She claims I will soon wake to the rattle

of history down my spine,

chant the song of my own release.

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The award-winning South Wales architects the Lewis Partnership Ltd have announced the promotion of Rachel Thomas to finance director.
Rachel has been working for the Lewis Partnership since September 2005 and is an experienced Sage accountant.
Rachel was already playing a key role in the development of the Lewis Partnership, said managing director Philip Lewis.
She is a key member of our team and all her colleagues are delighted she has now been elevated to the position of finance director.
Born and brought up in Llanelli, Rachels family home is now in Penllergaer, Swansea.
Married with two daughters, aged nine and seven, she was educated at St Michaels School, Bryn, and Graig Comprehensive School in Llanelli.
She started her financial career with Lloyds TSB Bank. She worked as a student officer, account manager and assistant to the manager of the Pontarddulais Branch before moving to join the Lewis Partnership.
Rachel said: It is wonderful to work for such a well-respected firm of architects. I hope that as finance director I can continue to help the company thrive.

Weblinks
http://www.lewispartnership.co.uk
On Facebook, search Lewis Partnership Ltd.
On Twitter, look for @Lewis_Architect

The Lewis Partnership of architects was founded in 1995 by partners of established architectural firms based in Llanelli, Carmarthen and Bridgend. The firm has a wide knowledge of the design and project management of a wide variety of building types, and draws on the experience of chartered architects and a complimentary technical and secretarial staff. Projects are prepared and completed using high-tech Autocad computer-aided design The company has gained accreditation to the International Quality Assurance Standard BS EN ISO 9001 : 2000. During 2007, the company gained RIBA Chartered status. The company is one of Carmarthenshire Councils preferred Architectural Practices in their Building Control Partnering Scheme.
The company is based at No13 Park Crescent, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, SA15 3AE. Telephone 01554 777998.
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dreams swirl

in a snow globe on the desk...

for a while

I am a child again

and you are shoveling the drive

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A special concert is planned to give a boost to the Royal British Legions Poppy Appeal in South West Wales.
The Royal British Legion Charity Gala Concert will be staged at The Lyric theatre in Carmarthen on Saturday, October 27.

It will feature Cr Godrer Aran, the celebrated male voice choir from North Wales, and the renowned Richard Williams Singers from Tonyrefail (both pictured above).
The man behind the concert is Cerith Owens (pictured top), director of Loud Applause Productions, a firm which devotes a lot of energy to charitable causes.
October is the time when our thoughts turn towards Remembrance Day and this concert will be a moving and stirring tribute to the fallen, said Mr Owens.
The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal is a cause very dear to all our hearts and I hope the people of Carmarthenshire lend their support to such a worthy charity.
Hopefully, the concert will also attract visitors from outside Carmarthenshire as we have a very attractive concert programme.
The guest soloist for the evening will be soprano Adele ONeill.
The evening will also feature the 215 City of Swansea Squadron Corps of Drums.
The compere for the evening will be Monro Walters, known to many as the stadium announcer at Parc y Scarlets, home of the Scarlets rugby region.
The evening will close with A tribute to the fallen.
Tickets are available from the Lyric box office on 0845 2263510. Prices are 11, 13 and 15, with a 2 child reduction.

Weblinks
http://loudapplauseproductions.moonfruit.com/#
http://www.corgodreraran.org.uk/
http://www.richardwilliamssingers.com/
http://www.215squadron.org.uk
http://www.adeleoneill.net/
http://www.carmarthenshiretheatres.co.uk/
http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/
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South Wales entrepreneur Kevin Green was the guest speaker at the Carmarthenshire Adult Learning Groups annual awards ceremony, but hed be the first to admit that he wasnt the star attraction.
The true stars of the evening were the adult learners themselves and it was great to see them receiving recognition for all their hard work.
I was something of a late-starter in life, so I think many of the adult learners were interested to learn how Id managed to build my career.
Hopefully, I was able to give them some entertaining and informative messages to help them go on to bigger and better things in life.
Some of the stories the adult learners themselves had to tell were truly inspirational and the experience of attending the awards ceremony was a very humbling one.
It was great to meet so many lovely and interesting people and to find so many people working hard to better their lives and striving hard to help others take the next step up the ladder.
The other guest speaker during the awards evening was Joanne Yeo, who was recently crowned Volunteer of the Year.
Other guests at the ceremony, held at Llanellis Parc y Scarlets, included Llanelli AM Keith Davies, Llanelli Town Mayor Councillor Winston Lemon and former Carmarthenshire Council chairman Councillor Tegwen Devichand.
Musical entertainment was provided by Sophie Brown, a 16-year-old harpist and fiddle-box player. She performed a mixture of foot-tapping music and ended with a rousing rendition of Sospan Fach

Weblink
http://www.kevingreen.co.uk/
Twitter - @kevingreenwales

Photos attached of Kevin Green with award winners:

Ben and Chris Miller (brothers). They were joint winners in Oustanding achievement in the area of IT.
Jacqui Law - She didn't receive an award at the Adult Learner and Tutor Award ceremony, but received a certificate in recognition of her nomination at the National Awards for her outstanding progress in studying Animal Science.
Paolo Piana is the Senior Project Officer for the CAVS Multicultural Project.
Hannah Oliver won the Learner award for Outstanding Achievement in Community Development.

Photos copyright Tim Jones Photography
http://www.timjonesphotography.zenfolio.com
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In the news today . . .


By Robert Lloyd, 2012-06-13

Open air performance of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet planned for Aberglasney House and Gardens on June 19 - http://www.aberglasney.org/index.php?page=events
Prepare for carnage in the Lloyd household. Pals of my son James about to descend as part of their Beach Break Live tour to Pembrey!
Among the special offers at Jenkins Bakery shops this week - 2 custard slices 1.50. More offers - http://jenkinsbakery.co.uk/
The news page of website for Clay Shaw Butler (chartered accountants and business consultants) has just been updated - http://www.clayshawbutler.com/news.htm
Another excellent half page advert in the Carmarthen Journal today about the services offered by QualitySolicitors Redkite @QSRedkite
The Ashburnham Golf Club website has just been updated with latest news - http://www.ashburnhamgolfclub.co.uk/index.html
Latest 'Looking After Business' column from Clay Shaw Butler's Nigel Roberts (Carmarthen accountants) is in the Carmarthen Journal today.
Good to see the latest gardening column from Aberglasney's Joseph Atkin in the Carmarthen Journal today.
My letter (with my vice-chairman of Carmarthen Town AFC hat on) is in the Carmarthen Journal today.
The latest 'View from Richmond Park' Carmarthen Town AFC football club column is in the Carmarthen Journal today.
Check out the updated website for top West Wales solicitors QualitySolicitors Redkite @QSRedkite - http://www.qualitysolicitors.com/redkite
I've favourited an @YouTube video http://youtu.be/XBBJcuKbLOM?a Jerome Burke
The news page for the Clay Shaw Butler website (chartered accountants and business consultants) has just been updated - http://www.clayshawbutler.com/news.htm

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